So, many of you know that I have not really had the time to create the PDFs for the pieced blocks in the Jingle BOM. The problem is, I want to but it takes me forever with my current level of software and expertise. I would really rather use that time to do other things, like design and sew. Well, the other day we were talking at work about what our other hobbies are and I had to say mine were drawing and photography. You guys know about the photography thing and you probably guessed about the drawing thing if you have ever seen one of my patterns but the idea just popped into my head, why not make a "drawn" pdf that you guys could download? You see, when I spend time drawing I feel really good. When I spend more time than necessary in front of the computer, well I feel not so good.
So last night I gave it a little test spin and here is a picture of Jingle Block 4 almost done. I LOVED doing it this way. So, hopefully I will have it done and ready to download soon. And, pieced block 5 will be up on Friday or Saturday with it's own hand drawn pdf. Yeah!
Now for you lovers of drawing out there; these 2 website gave me the idea. They Draw and Cook is a website of all illustrated recipes. I have even bought their cookbook. I just found They Draw and Travel and it is super wonderful as well. Who knew, maybe I should start a website called They Draw and Quilt?
What do you think?
Love the hand drawn PDF. It's very personal. The two sites you mentioned are awesome. Thanks for being always inspiring.
Posted by: Wanda | 07/31/2013 at 06:07 AM
FAN-tastic! What a wonderful and smart solution.
Posted by: Mcm | 07/31/2013 at 08:00 AM
Can you change the scanner settings to .pdf instead of .jpg? That is how we do it here at work. Easy peasy.
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Posted by: tammy | 07/31/2013 at 08:24 AM
Oh I love those drawings. Especially the tree. That is amazeing.
Posted by: Tammy | 07/31/2013 at 08:45 AM
Back to that tree. That might make a great hand embroidery pattern
Posted by: Tammy | 07/31/2013 at 08:48 AM
I love this idea!
Posted by: paula.thequilter | 07/31/2013 at 12:57 PM
Having printouts of this style directions will be an art piece in itself! I love it!
Posted by: Sherri D | 07/31/2013 at 01:15 PM
That's absolutely ADORABLE, Erin! The handwritten, hand-drawn instructions feel so personal, like they were written just for me. I especially love how you showed the corner flapping up on the in-progress flying geese.
So, suggestion for you: Do you have an iPad? There are several really cool drawing apps for iPad that I use for practice doodling quilting motifs like feathers and swirls. You don't ever run out of paper or ink, and drawing with a good stylus feels pretty smooth. I like Paper 54, Drawing Pad, and Notes Plus currently. These apps each cost $2 or less, and with some you can import and draw on a photo, which is nice for testing out the effect of different quilting motifs on a photo of your block or quilt top. You can see a couple of screen shots in this post: http://cheekycognoscenti.blogspot.com/2012/08/free-motion-quilting-on-my-ipad.html
Thanks for sharing all of your beautiful patterns with us! I'm learning so much from this Jingle project. :-)
Posted by: Rebecca Grace | 07/31/2013 at 01:32 PM
A great solution!! And such unique looking pattern. Love it. Thankyou!!
Posted by: Raewyn | 07/31/2013 at 03:59 PM
Great idea and it works. Just one suggestion that you can take or leave as you wish. The pictures say it but in words you might mention that the green bits should always be on the same side. Us old hands get it but newbies sometimes need a little more info to get it right the first time.
Posted by: Lline | 07/31/2013 at 04:21 PM
Really good idea. go for it!
Posted by: denice | 07/31/2013 at 05:06 PM
I like the illustrated instructions.
Posted by: Gina | 07/31/2013 at 09:04 PM
I too get frustrated with computer quilt designing programs--my design becomes limited by what I am able to do technically! Not good. I don't draw neat things like your tree, but I do get out my graph paper when I want to plan a quilt block or layout.
"They Draw and Quilt" has potential.
Posted by: Claire aka knitnkwilt | 07/31/2013 at 09:09 PM
You are so talented. LOVE the hand drawn aspect and hope you keep it just that way.
Still hoping and really needing info on making the the green/cream units that go next to the center block for pieced block #3. I can't put them together w/out cutting off the points when sewn to center block. If I make the QST triangles bigger, have to make the cream HST bigger. Then it wouldn't fit the center block. Help!!!! Please!!!!!
Posted by: Polly Hada | 07/31/2013 at 10:00 PM
Love it!! What a great idea.
Posted by: Jeanne Laurie | 07/31/2013 at 10:40 PM
Completely love the hand-drawn page. Pics are great (sometimes), but really, how often are they absolutely necessary? I mean, we don't make templates from the pics. We cut to the sizes given in the instructions.
My only suggestion for instructions is to give the unfinished sizes of both the block and the individual units, in this case, the flying geese. I square up my units before I sew them into a block, and I hate having to do my own math (yes, I'm totally lazy, I get that). Having that info just makes making the block go that much faster.
Thank you for providing these patterns. This is going to be a really adorable quilt.
Posted by: Carole S. | 08/01/2013 at 04:58 AM
Love it!! I will enjoy printing those out and seeing them on my sewing table. They are definitely their own little pieces of art. Really appreciate that your handwriting is readable too!
Posted by: Kay Ahr | 08/01/2013 at 05:15 AM
Along with everyone else, I have to say that I LOVE the hand-drawn instructions! It really does give them a more personal feel. And doing a "They Draw and Quilt" website sounds like a great idea too!
Posted by: Gwen | 08/01/2013 at 10:36 AM
A perfect example of looking at a situation with a different lens. Way to go!!!
Posted by: Megg from NC | 08/04/2013 at 09:37 AM
Eagerly waiting for you to launch "They Draw And Quilt"!!!
Posted by: Jennifer F | 08/09/2013 at 09:14 AM