Susan Emory

Fiesta de Azucar Block #8

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I admit, I wasn’t sure that sugar skulls were my thing… After being asked to design a block for the Fiesta de Azucar Blog Hop, I really got into it and I’ve had a blast making the blocks! If you aren’t familiar with it, Fiesta de Azucar means “sugar party” and a sugar skull block, designed by an industry designer, debuted each week for nine weeks this summer.

The Fiesta de Azucar Blog Hop is sponsored by Island Batik and Aurifil Thread.  I used the gorgeous rainbow of batiks provided by Island Batik for the applique and 12 wt. thread from Aurifil for the embellishment. This project is also perfect for my new ultra-sheer, printable fusible web, Barely There.

Here is my block, Sewn Up!

I’ve been making the blocks each week. Here are my other blocks:

Block #1 designed Terri Sontra at Purple Moose Designs:


Block #2, designed by Joanne Hillestad at The Fat Quarter Gypsy:

Block #3, designed by Vicki Hansen, Cranberry Pie Designs:

Block #4, designed by Cheryl Sleboda, Muppin:

Block #5, designed by Penni Domikis, Cabin In The Woods Quilters:

Block # 6, designed by Tammy Silvers, Tamarinis:

And Block #7, designed by Kate Colleran, Seams Like A Dream Quilt Designs:

There is still one more block to come from Trish Frankland at Persimon Dreams. Also, setting options will be available September 2nd and September 9th. Join the Fiesta de Azucar 2107 Group on Facebook for all of the details and to see more finished blocks.

Although the blog hop is almost over, it’s not too late to jump in a make the blocks! The instructions for each block are $3.00 each in downloadable format. You can find all of the blocks at Craftsy by searching Fiesta de Azucar. Click here to jump directly to my block. My block is also available in my store here.

Thank you to Terry at Purple Moose Designs and Tammy at Tamarinis for organizing this fun sew along and to Island Batik and Aurifil for sponsoring!

Hello Blog Hop Starts Today!

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My new fabric line, Hello, made a fantastic debut at Quilt Market in May and is now shipping to stores worldwide. Hello is loosely based on a ransom note idea with letters that can be cut out to form words. There are 21 prints in the line, including telephones, scissors, typography and blenders. See the entire Hello line at Michael Miller Fabrics.

Here are some shots of my Market booth:

I fused and pre-cut letters from the Cut It Out print so shop owners could post messages on their social media. It was a lot of fun!

Also new at market is my Hello designer thread collection with Aurifil. I love these colors so much! The collection contains [12] 50wt. spools.

Here is a picture from months ago when I was selecting colors with my fabric strike-offs.
My favorite new project using Hello is my new Happy Place pattern. This quilt was designed as a skill builder with several techniques and it is fun to make!

And some more pics…

To provide you with some more inspiration I have asked some of my fav bloggers to make a project to share. For the next week you will find two posts a day using Hello. Be sure to follow along today and next week. Several blogs will have giveaways and I will be giving away prizes each day on my Facebook page, including patterns, a fat quarter bundle of Hello and a Hello designer thread collection!

 Blog Hop Schedule:
Monday, July 17th: Aurifil and The Fat Quarter Gypsy
Tuesday, July 18th: Seams Like a Dream and Tamarinis
Wednesday, July 19th: My Go Go Life and Unspooled
Thursday, July 20th: Geta’s Quilting Studio and Pieces of Me
FREEBIE ALERT!! Want to make this quilt and have a good time quilting 24/7?
Here is the pattern: For A Good Time Pattern

Want more Freebies? Comment on this blog post and share my Hello Blog Hop Facebook posts for additional chances to win!

Get ready to express yourself with “Hello” by Susan Emory for Michael Miller Fabrics. This vivid fabric line includes a full alphabet, plus numbers, symbols and other fun prints to bring out your inner typography nerd and personalize any project. Have fun!!

Coming Up:

Watch for the Ransom Note Mini Quilt Swap!
Registration begins next week on Instagram. Follow @quiltswapparty for details.
Follow me @swirlygirlsdesign

Quilting Cruise FAQ’s

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I’m reposting my Quilting Cruise FAQ’s in anticipation of my 2018 cruise. I’ve been on eight quilting cruises and they have all been WONDERFUL! Here we go…

1. Do I have to bring my machine?
This depends on the coordinator you are cruising with. The cruises I have been on all provided nice machines with all the goodies. My cruises have top of the line Janomes with a machine expert on hand who helps with everything, even fills your bobbin! The evening before class starts you have the opportunity for a fun “make and take” project to get settled at your machine before starting on the cruise project.

2. Are things rolling around? How much does the ship move?
No, luckily things don’t roll around. For the most part the seas are pretty steady. We had one trip with rough seas the first day, but everyone just kept on sewing. Once you get out to sea it is generally smooth sailing. It’s actually like you are sewing in a conference room at a retreat center. The 2018 cruise sails in warm water, so I’m expecting no sea-sickness.

3. What do I have to bring? Is there any prep work?
You only need to bring your general sewing supplies (rotary cutter, small mat, small scissors, pins, thread, seam ripper, etc…). All of the prep work is done for you! On my cruises your kits are partially pre-cut so we get sewing quickly. When you get to the conference room the machines are set up and ready and your kit is waiting for you.

I would recommend bringing an extra project that you need to finish or would like help on. There are a lot of opportunities to sew outside of class time, if you choose, and many talented quilters on board.

4. Can I bring my spouse or non-quilting friends?
Yes, of course! We always have non-quilters in our group (There is a discounted rate for non-quilters). They are included in group events, like the cocktail party, and have free time on the ship while we sew. In fact, my hubby and two other wise guys took the bronze medal in the progressive trivia on one cruise!

Trivia Team
Team Genius: Andrew, Mike and Jerad

5. What if I leave something behind or need a supply?
Most cruises include a small store in the conference room for basic supplies and extra fun stuff. All of my cruises have been sponsored by shop owners and they take care of your every need. Your kits are provided on the ship and I bring extra “oops” fabric just in case. Like any vacation, be prepared to go home with more than you came with!

6. What exactly happens on a quilting cruise?
When you board the ship you have free time to explore and settle in. The cruise coordinator will send all of the information to you ahead of time, so no need to be a nervous first-time cruiser.

There is a check-in time in the conference room where you receive your agenda for the cruise, meet the teacher and coordinator and see where you will be sewing. We sew only on the at-sea days. On port days you are free to do excursions (zip line anyone?), lay by the pool or stroll around the port cities.

The conference room is open after dinner for evening free-sew. Someone is always in the conference room and locks it up after hours, so you can leave your projects at your station between sewing times.

One of the most exciting things on a quilting cruise is the Wrap Up Party on the last night. We have refreshments, games and Michelle from Quilt Retreat at Sea does a slide show from the week. Also, we give out TONS of prizes! Be prepared to be spoiled!

7. What if I don’t have someone to go with me?
Check with the cruise coordinator because they can match you up with a roommate or give you the single rate for a stateroom. Once on board you will be part of a large group and will never have a dull moment.

8. Which quilting cruise should I choose?
Mine, of course!

When you are choosing a quilting cruise keep in mind your travel to the embarking city, the teacher, the project you will be working on and the ports you will be visiting.

If you’re price shopping make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Some advertised cruise prices don’t include taxes, port fees, gratuities, kit fees, etc. These things can really add cost to your trip! Know before you register what the cost will include.

9. Are you doing another quilting cruise?
Yes! I have another cruise scheduled for June 16-23, 2018 to the Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean. We will enjoy a spacious sewing environment aboard Royal Caribbean’s amazing, new Harmony of the Seas.

We depart from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and will visit Nassau, Bahamas; St. Thomas and Basseterre, St. Kitts. We will have three quilt workshop days at sea, plus open Stitch & Sail time.

SO EXCITING!! Our stop at St. Kitts will include an amazing tour of the Caribelle Batik factory and shop!

This cruise is sponsored by Kelly Ann’s Quilting. If you been on a cruise with Kelly Ann you know how much fun she is!

10. How do I get more details and sign up?
Go to Quilt Retreat at Sea and Michelle will be happy to answer all of your questions and you can register online for the cruise. There is a small deposit and monthly payment plans are available.

I will be announcing more details here and on my Facebook page until the cruise. Hope you can join us!!

If you have more questions that I didn’t answer here, please PM me on Facebook or email susan@swirlygirlsdesign.com.