#737

A long long time ago in a land far far away my little sewing room here, I got it in my head that I wanted to design a block for Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Magazine. 

Fine.  Nice dream.  Whatever.  Probably won't ever happen.

Then at Quilt Market last year, I happened to pick up an entry form. 

I brought it home.

It sat on my desk.

It got buried.

I found it.

I shoved it in a drawer.

It got buried again.

I found it again.

I pondered.

I got an idea.

I made (a few) test blocks.

I didn't like them.

I put them aside.

They got buried.

I found them.

I tried again.

And then a block was born. :)

I submitted it and then didn't hear anything for a very long time.  In fact, I thought my block hadn't made the cut.  But then many months later, I got a surprise email saying that "Gelato Italiano" would be published after all, as block #737. 

(Thank you for the photo PamKittyMorning!!!  I didn't get my copy in the mail yet ...)

My block ended up in the "mixed technique" section of the magazine because I used foundation paper piecing for the cone (or you can use templates), machine applique for the gelato and garnishes (or you can do it by hand), and then of course embroidery.

Now I know it looks like a fairly simple design at first glance.  And it really isn't difficult to make.  But you would not believe how much I hemmed and hawed and thought and thunk about every last detail - what fabrics to use, what order they should go in, should I use checks for all of the cones ...

how many mint leaves should there be, what flavour do they taste best with and what side should they go on ...

what fabric would be good for those little wafer stick cookie thingies that I've never had and don't know what they're called but saw lots of when I googled "gelato flavours". 

I think my very favourite part of this block is the stripey fabric I used for the stick cookie.  Seriously.  That thing makes me deliriously happy.  You would have carted me off to the funny farm if you'd watched me trying to get the exact right angle of the print on the cookie, and then the exact right angle of the cookie in the gelato. 

But one man's insanity is my salvation.

Oh, and can you believe I've never even had gelato?  I hear you have to go to Italy to really appreciate it -  there on the Spanish Steps, like Audrey Hepburn.

And then I thought it would be cute to embroider the flavours - in Italian - which I don't speak.  What words would look best in embroidery? 

• frutti de bosco = "fruit of the forest", like blackberries
• lampone = raspberry
• pistacchio = ... uh, I won't sport with your intelligence here

What font looks the nicest?  What fabric colours best represent those flavours?

Oy yoy yoy.  I've designed entire quilts that were less stressful than this block.  I think I would have fretted less if Oprah were coming over.

Here's one of the rejects, with lace trim.  I decided to ditch the lace even though I like it ... didn't want to risk going overboard.  There comes a point where discretion is the best idea.

And that red check/dot print on the bottom ... I hope it looks like a tablecloth in a little Italian cafe.  That was the idea, anyways.  I was inspired by the spaghetti scene from Disney's "Lady & The Tramp".  (My sister and I had the read-a-long record when we were kids and I know that song by heart.)

Anyhow, I mailed this block last January and seeing it now in the magazine makes me smile.  A lot.  Maybe a little too much.  Would it be ok if I carried it around with me in my purse and stopped strangers on the sidewalk and in the grocery store to show them?  No?  That would be obnoxious?  Ok.  I probably won't do that.  But I will send an autographed copy to my mom.   

Now the lovely people at Quiltmaker's Magazine asked me to do a little giveaway for a copy of this very inspiring issue (the eighth!) to one of you.  If you'd like to enter, just leave a comment telling me your favourite flavour of gelato.  Or ice cream.  Or frozen yogurt if you're a health nut.

UPDATE:  Giveaway ended.

And go here to find a list of the other bloggers with a block in this issue too!  They're also doing giveaways.  My sweet friend PamKittyMorning is in.  But that's no surprise because she's been in EVERY issue!  She's my hero. :)

Comments

[Sheri Bord]

My favorite flavor of ice-cream is Spumoni...yum!! Love your block!!

[Audrey]

Like you, I have never eaten gelato, but when it comes to ice cream or frozen yogurt I have a very difficult time choosing a favorite. For today we will go with cherry cheesecake ice cream. A lovely block with so much thought. Thanks for taking the time to create it.

[Star Murell]

You are too funny! Love you're sense of humor. The block is absolutely adorable! Love the checked cones. Don't think I have ever had gelato before, but I love fruity flavors. On the choice of flavors that are in your block, I would choose the raspberry. I need to research gelato now.

[Jennifer]

Your block is gorgeous, and so cute. I love the pattern color scheme that you choose to work with :)

[Heidi]

I love just plain ole vanilla!

[Lisa E]

I laughed and laughed at your post. I love the story of how the block came about. Thank you for sharing such a funny, uplifting story. Chocolate of anything (ice cream yogurt, cookies, cake, pie, gelato) is my absolute favorite. Now off to subscribe to your blog.

[Holly Casey]

I live the gelato block. My favorite flavor is blueberry.

[Pat Wade]

I love Strawberry ice cream with chocolate chips and pecans. Since I have never seen that combination in the stores, I usually have to go where they will mix in the favors.

[Liz Engman]

Peppermint stick ice cream would be my favorite, though Strawberry Shortcake and Rainbow Sherbet come close.

[Stephanie S.]

Your block is so adorable!
I just love Pfish Food by Ben & Jerry!

[Becky in Georgia]

I love black cherry frozen yogurt. Thank you for sharing your block!

[SoccerMom]

Cappuccino wtih chocolate is my favorite gelato flavor.

[Meghan]

I once had Irish Potato flavored gelato. I've been craving it ever since! Love your block by the way!

[Rhonda Best]

This is a fun block, you did a great job choosing it. My favorite flavor is mocha.

[Tay Cutchin Satterfield]

Love your block !! My favorite gelato is chocolate with chocolate chips.

[Ellen]

I love you block. My favorite ice cream is chocolate chip mint. My favorite gelato flavor is probably raspberry.

[Lorna]

I love strawberry..yummmmm. I also like your use of embroidery with your paper piecing. Your story about the block entry form for the block was funny.

[Joyce Cloud]

your blocks are adorable...

[Sandy K]

Chocolate, without a doubt. Our daughter did a semester abroad in Rome. We had the real deal there. We have yet to find a gelato store in the states that is really gelato. It just melts in your mouth. A bit of heaven on earth. Congrats on having your block chosen. It is so cute. And I sure get that, it keeps getting buried thing.:)

[Karen Jautaikis]

I love any ice cream with nuts. Congratulations on your block in the magazine.

[Donna]

Never had gelato but my favorite ice cream is vanilla with bananas, walnuts and coconut. So good!.

[Denise]

Cute idea! Would you believe my son was 4 before he had an ice cream cone? I just never buy cones I guess :) My favourite ice cream flavour is Heavenly Hash - so chocolately and chunky....now I want to go to the store!

[Heather (mtl)]

Congrats on this delightful design! I love how innovative you are with your choices - always a hit! By the way, the double-double scoop was my favourite pic (with pistachio as my favourite flavour) but I did let out an 'oh, my!' when I saw the blue with lace trim. Gorgeous.

[VTrudel]

Loved the YUMMY cones. My fave is Nutty Coconut from Baskin Robbins-worked there in High School & College....hmmm a 31 flavors quilt...interesting idea!

[Sue]

Chocolate frozen custard, yum!!

[Patty Swatzell]

Gelato is the best. I had my first one in Rome, Italy! This block will be a must on my Memory Quilt!
pmpatty@tds.net

[Karen P]

Well, chocolate, of course!

[Pam]

raspberry! Thanks for sharing your work. It's a pleasure to see any block in your unique color schemes.

[Karen Watkins]

My favorite kind of ice cream is Maple Nut. Congratulations on your block making it in this edition.

[v dale]

NICE BLOG!!!

[Barb Johnson]

You are totally allowed to stop strangers on the street and show them your block. I'm glad the magazine makes you smile. Your post really made ME smile! And the block is just beautiful. Reading your story wants me to get up the gumption to design and submit a block myself!

[Sarah J]

Chocolate turtle blizzard (from Dairy Queen) is my absolute most favorite.

[Nancy]

Depends on the shop - Cherry Garcia at Ben and Jerry's, Chocolate Mousse Royal at B & R's, and Peppermint Bark at Haagen-Dazs! Your block is very cute - I love all the special details.

[wendy]

I love your block! Since I have to have a lactose free ice cream, I usually get Breyers and add some goodies to it like.... crushed chunks of peanut butter cups with low sugar strawberry preserves. Then mix it all up with a spoon. It is the yummiest!

[Kathy Stoessner]

I love real gelato from Italy and this is a great depiction of it.

[jude jones]

Great idea and I love you explanation of all you went through, as most of us obsess over the very same issues. I love licorice ice cream! Hard to find but when you find a good one, it is yum.
Thanks for the give away!

[Melissa]

We have a little restaurant near us that serves handmade gelato in a ton of flavors. My favorites are chocolate rum, amaretto, and cheesecake. Mmm.

[Laura]

I definitely want to make your block - it's my favorite food group, ice cream!
My favorite flavor is Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip frozen yogurt made at Shaw's Ridge Farm in Sanford, Maine.

[Elaine Miller]

I love your block, it's very creative. My first love is cross-stitching. I learned embroidery at a very young age and love the fact you incorporate it into a quilt project.

[jane]

Blue Bell vanilla, always!

[collette mcmanus]

Sherbet or peanut butter & chocolate. Love the 100 blocks and can't wait to add this one to my collection. Thanks for the giveaway

[Karen Seitz]

I love a really good vanilla! Thanks for the backstory on your block. I think we are kindred spirits with the agonizing over the details. :-)

[Anne Cowan]

I am TOTALLY crazy about Chocolate mint chip!

[neena]

Anything choclate.

[Cathy]

too cute!

[Patricia M.]

I love salted caramel. Kudos to you for another great job!!

[Lisa]

I have never had gelato but I do love your quaintly cute little block.. Congratulation!

[Melba]

Love the story of your block. I love chocolate. Matter of fact anything chocolate. :)

[Cynthia Knapp]

your Gelato Italiano block is so cute! My favorite ice cream is chocolate chip!

[Charlene McCullough]

Love the block. I also love your witty humor. I like the lampone best and I also like the lace. The block is so cute. Thank you for the chance at a giveway.