I just love watching the frogs in my green slimy frog pond in the middle of my backyard garden! The pond is filled with little black tadpoles this year. It is all taking me back to my childhood of collecting tadpoles in a bucket and watching them grow.
Every time I see these big bullfrogs croaking it up in my garden, I think of Mark Twain. I’m sure Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn spent many summer days collecting frogs! The last thing I want to imagine is someone dining on the plump little legs!
“If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.” -Mark Twain
Now, what does any of this have to do with Applique?
Mr. Twain’s point is if you want to tackle something you think will be difficult…it is best to stop avoiding it, and get started!
Quilters often tell me that applique is too difficult…they don’t have enough experience…they are afraid to try. Are you one of those quilters who doesn’t feel ready for applique?
- If quilting is new to you and you don’t think you are ready for applique…
it is time to “Eat the Frog” - If you are a traditional quilter, and you are not sure you are going to like fusible, raw edge applique…
it is time to “Eat the Frog” - If you love applique but want to find a way to make it faster or easier…
it is time to “Eat the Frog”!
Applique quilts are no harder to make than pieced quilts.
In fact, I can make a very good argument that applique is much easier than piecing! There are no persnickety points to match, your blocks always end up exactly the right size, and you never have to worry about stretchy bias edges. Applique can be easy if you learn a few simple skills. Raw-edge applique in particular is like playing a child’s game of Colorforms!
It is my goal as a quilt instructor to help you gain confidence with applique!!
Basic applique shapes can be made into a wide variety of designs. When you discover how to rotary cut the basics (up to 12 at a time!) applique gets even easier.
You can get pretty creative with applique too, even with a few basic shapes! Look how Peggy Raley of Boerne, Texas made a frog for her My Magical Garden quilt with just two shapes, circles, and flower petals (both of these shapes can be cut with Hearts & More templates)! So creative and so adorable, right?
Shapes made with Hearts and More
Imagine getting confident cutting these shapes with a rotary cutter. That will open up a whole new world to you!
Would you love to be able to cut even more unusual shapes in addition to the standard shapes?
Once you have some experience with cutting, you can get creative with your applique templates to cut a huge variety of shapes.
This week on Tuesday’s Facebook Live Video,
I added to my critter series by playing with making my own frog.
I’ll be adding an edited version of the FB Live video to my “Critter Series”. This collection of eight videos (and growing) is available as one of the July Bonuses when you join “Ahead of the Curve”.
Frog made with Raw Edge Applique
Standard Shapes made with Leaves Galore
I know you will enjoy the reproducible results of rotary cut applique once you learn the 14 basic shapes! Then you’ll gain the ability to create just about anything from simple, and not so simple, shapes!
The best way to “Eat the Frog”?
Discovering a better way to applique is easier than you might think. If you are hesitating to “Eat the Frog” you will be pleasantly surprised! “Ahead of the Curve” membership was made for YOU!
Find out how you can use the wavy, curvy Leaves Galore and Hearts & More applique templates while you take fusible applique workshops with other members. Trying new things is so much more fun with friends!
Gold and Platinum Leaf members of Ahead of the Curve have access to a wide library of Technique videos, Recorded workshops and LIVE Zoom workshops to help you get confident with applique, no matter what your current skill level.
The step-by-step path to applique success starts with technique videos for cutting the 14 basic shapes. Then, you can choose a level one, two, or three project from the Workshop Library based on your quilting and applique experience.
Hands-on workshops happen monthly on ZOOM so I can help you gain cutting confidence and applique expertise!
Finally, you can focus on quilt finishing skills in “Finishing School”. Finishing Technique Videos include Color Confidence, Better Buttonhole Stitching, Brilliant Bindings, and Fabulous Finishes with machine quilting skills, labels and sleeves.
Every part of this membership will not only add to your applique skills, but will make you a better quilter overall!
Membership in Ahead of the Curve just got better when you join in July…It’s Bonus Time!
Bonus #1: Register for “AOC” in July (or upgrade to a higher level) and get the Critter Series as a bonus!
Bonus #2: Everyone who registers in July will get a free Leaves Galore training DVD. You can play this on your computer, or in a DVD player.
Bonus #3: Join in July and get a Two Hour New Member Orientation with me!
In this ZOOM session I will show you how to…
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- Navigate the Member Content area of the website
- Upgrade or cancel your membership at any time
- Sign up for Live workshops each month
- Use your 11% Member’s Only discount code
- Watch 16 step-by-step Technique videos
- Watch 8 (Gold Leaf) or 20 (Platinum Leaf) recorded workshops
- Access bonus materials like the “Critter Series”
- Meet other members in the Private Facebook Group, it is like our own little quilt guild!
“Catch the Bug”
Applique is addicting. When new members “Catch the Bug” they can’t wait to try Level One workshops like Clam Shells and Orange Peel Quilts. Quilters who love piecing will enjoy Twin Tiles, Mint Chocolate and Drunkard’s Path. Experienced applique quilters will enjoy Promise Ring, Summer Seascape and Monet’s Garden! Join “Ahead of the Curve” and find out how much fun applique can be.
You are ready to Eat the Frog!
Let’s play with applique together as you ascend through level 1, 2 and 3 workshops.
I’m excited for you to become an applique expert!
When I’m not designing new templates or quilts, you will find me in my garden in Upton, MA.
PS: Find the original video as I experiment and try to make a frog here on Facebook
PPS: Jeff and I are planning a trip to southern France in September. I’d better learn the French words for “Frogs Legs” so I don’t order them by mistake when dining out! Leave a comment if you have ever tried this delicacy, and leave a comment if you have any questions about “Ahead of the Curve” Membership!
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