Friday, September 7, 2012

Linky Love pattern (+giveaway)

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I got it all done!  And published!  And everything! :-D

Linky Love in blue/yellow

I'm really proud of this pattern, and happy with how it turned out.  It is fun to piece together, because of how the pieces link together, and a great design for showing off a favorite color scheme.

Linky Love cover

When I have a new quilt design in mind, I usually give it a nickname, so I have a place to organize all the diagrams and what-not as I'm working on it.  This one, I nick-named "Linky Love."  I wasn't sure if that name would stick or not, and I auditioned a few others, but went back to this.  Cheesy?  Absolutely.  But catchy too. :)

Included with the pattern are all the instructions to make this quilt in three different sizes.

linky love back cover

There's the 56" square "throw" size, which is what I've made here:

Linky Love quilt

The 72" square "Cover" size... which has a layout like this:

Linky Love pattern
(see what I mean about a favorite color combo?  I just liked this one)
This size also perfectly uses a Moda Jelly Roll.

And a Queen size that measures 88" x 96" and looks something like this:

queen size linky love
(If I was going to make this quilt for our bed, I'd need to go with a background color like this).

You'll also get a nifty coloring page (yea!) to help you plan your color scheme and lay-out.  (I'm not going to lie -- I really enjoyed getting out my colored pencils and coloring my page in when I was planning this quilt).  The quilt is planned with five color groups in mind, but I also included diagrams for using four or seven colorways.

Kelly is currently working on the cover version (in Birds & Bees fabric), and Lindsey already has a throw size quilt top almost completed using the Simply Color ombre jelly roll strips (yes, the ombre does create a really cool effect).

__________________________

The inspiration for this quilt was two-fold.  

Please meet my cosmetics pouch that doubles as a sewing notions holder.
I have stared at this thing sitting in my sewing area for a couple years, and always thought it would make a great quilt design.  But the piecing baffled me.  

Then... Jay (my hubs) asked me one night if I would do him a favor and make a quilt for his friend's wife who was recently diagnosed with cancer, and ended up in the ICU with a really scary infection (and whole mess of complications).  He has known the guy for a while, in the online, MMORPG universe known as EVE.  They're in a "corp" together.  They have meetings, with chat rooms and all sorts of craziness -- so they've gotten to know each other pretty well (though they still refer to one another as Kubert and Raven for the most part, rather than their real-life, less entertaining names).

Linky love close up

Hearing about what Raven's wife was going through really upset Jay.  And he wanted to do something.  
He thought sending ISK (the fake online currency of the EVE world) wouldn't be as appreciated as a quilt.

I told Jay to ask Raven what his wife liked.  She apparently is a big University of Michigan fan.  So borrowing their colors of blue and gold, I pulled some fabrics, got out my graph paper, figured out how to make these links connect, and Linky Love was made.  

Jay told me that Raven's wife (whose name is Heidi) cried when she saw the picture of her quilt (which is in the mail).  That made me cry.  So I stuck with the name "Linky Love." (and yes, I put Jay's EVE name on the label).

Linky love quilt for Heidi

I already showed you, but here's the back I made to go with the front:

University of Michigan quilt back

___________________________

So thank you for listening to my ramblings. 

I can't wait to show you more versions of this quilt, as well as see yours!

And I hope you like this pattern as much as I do. 
It will always remind me personally that sometimes those online friends are just as linked as the ones who live closer...



Giveaway of the pattern!
To enter -- leave a comment telling me something you love about your online friends -- or a color scheme/fabric line you'd like to use to make this... or something. :)
If you buy it, and then win -- I'll refund your money, or send you another pattern gratis.

P.S. you have until the 10th to link up for our Just Three goals! :)

53 comments:

Lucky Duck Dreams said...

I love how supportive online friends are.

B Greene said...

I love that online friends can be just as "real" as an IRL friend. I don't have anyone to even discuss quilting with IRL, but have such a vibrant and helpful online cirle of friends. Love the quilt and the story behind it!

Regina said...

I love that my bestie online friend was just as super when I finally met her in person as she was online - even with me as a houseguest, and then coming to visit my family with all our quirks... and she's still my bestie!!!

Gill said...

I love this pattern! I'd like to make it in rainbow colours!

Donna~~ said...

I love how helpful online friends can be when you have a problem! I'd likely make it in bright solid colors--or not! I'm very indecisive until I start playing with something. It's a cute pattern!

CJ said...

CUTE quilt! I love the inspiration that I get from online friends.

barbara woods said...

it like having a whole bunch of friends

Marian-Lady Face said...

WOW you're talented! This is beautiful! I love how you personalized it for her, what a sweet gift! I think this would look great on our bed! Thanks for the different colorways too, that's got my head thinking already!

Katy Cameron said...

Great way to use up a jelly roll

Dora, the Quilter said...

I do love it. Colors? Teal and violet. Blue and yellow.

sandra said...

That is a beautiful quilt and I love the story of how it came about. I think that some of my inline friends are just so important to me. i am not able to get a lot in live in a new town where I don't know anybody so my online friends are my life line right now. I moved to look after my blind grandson and that keeps me busy. One day I hope I will meet some of my on line friends. Blessings Sandra

✾Jamie Lee Cooley✾ said...

I love the pattern! I'm pretty sure I have that same bag (from Clinique?) in my linen closet. I love online friends who understand my love of fabric. Unfortunately I don't know anyone irl who gets it.

stephmabry said...

I've previously played a lot of World of Warcraft (somewhat similar to EVE!) and know how real "online" friends can be, so I definitely understand why your hubby would ask you to make something for his buddy's wife! I'd love to see this made in jewel tones on a black background. :)

Elisabeth said...

First of all, your story is so touching. (No, seriously, I almost cried at my office).I love that my online friends are my friends, we know so much about each other even though we've never met. I especially love referecing them to my IRL friends by their handles and confusing everyone. :)

Kirsten said...

This is a wonderful pattern and I love the colours you have used. I really like how inspiring and supportive the online community is.

Anonymous said...

I love the pattern and the story behind the quilt you made :) I would love to see this in fall colors - browns, tans, oranges, dark yellows, etc. I always crave fall since we don't get it here in Florida!

Katie B said...

I'm blown away, Tracey, both by your generosity and your design. I adore this quilt (I can't support the Michigan logo, but I'll try to get over that. ;) )

My husband plays games online too, so I understand what you mean! He has played with some of the same guys for years and they still call each other by their screen names.

Andrea said...

Great pattern! I think I'd like to do it in shades of pinks and orange.


arbendlin(at)gmail(dot)com

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Another fabulous patter Tracey!!
I like tat my online frieds are just as excited as I am about new fabric, new patterns and possible get togethers!!

Laura said...

This is such a beautiful pattern! I love how inspiring online friends can be!

Lori said...

What a wonderful gift. I would probably do it up in orange and blue, my latest favorite combo.

Joyce said...

Such a cute pattern! I would love to make this quilt in scrappy reds and grays. (Had to get the Ohio State reference in there).

Sarah Craig said...

I love my on-line friends! Some, like you, that I've met through bees and quiltalongs and challenges - others that I've just gotten to know through comments and e-mails. I can't imagine my life without all of you!!

Fabulous pattern, Tracey! I've got a Salt Air jelly roll that this would be so pretty in....

manybooks said...

What a wonderful pattern! I love it made with solids, and would like to use a Bali Pop for this. Gorgeous!

Mommarock said...

I love this pattern! I love the inspiration I get from all the blogs I see each day. The fantastic work I see others doing inspires me to keep on working so that someday I might be that good. I keep on learning new things each time I read their blogs. Learning is wonderful. Trying new things make me stretch my boundaries and make me a better quilter, and I enjoy it more every time I pick up my needle and thread.

Jocelyn said...

This pattern is fabulous. I love how you can make it up in so many color ways. Very cool for a guy quilt too. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Love the pattern, and the history behind it! The best thing about my online friends is they are always there, I can email them any time of the night or day without worrying about timezones!

Jill S. said...

I have a lot of online friends I met when my youngest child was diagnosed in utero with hydroceohalus. Infact my very best friend is a fellow mom of a child with a similar diagnosis. I wouldnt be the same person without these friends. Beautiful quilt!! I hope I win it. I think my best friend would love this quilt, and I've been promising her one :)

Gwen said...

I love that we are able to meet and make friends with people that we would probably never have even met if it weren't for computers and the internet. My daughter met her husband online, and they've been married 10 years.

Thank you so much for the chance to win! I love your pattern-- so pretty!! :-)

Four dogs and one quilter said...

Love this pattern. Could be made in so many different fabrics and each would look wonderful.

Kris from Duke Says Sew What said...

I saw KelbySews testing this on IG and loved the pattern. Great post! Your quilt is just so beautiful and thoughtful.

Natalia from Piece N Quilt said...

I love the pattern Tracey! I have a quilt that is so similar in my book! GREAT minds think alike! :)

Jessica said...

That is a beautiful story -I totally understand the online friends connection! I have some bloggy friends I wouldn't trade for the world! The quilt is gorgeous and congrats - you did a fab job!

Anonymous said...

Online friends are so awesome. I don't get out much, so it's great to have lots of friends just a click away. They share the same interests I have, laugh at my quirky sense of humor, and provide me with lots of inspiration.

Delores said...

Your quilt is so interesting, I would love to make it. I have some KONA coal waiting to be used, and I think it would set off some colors wonderfully, like Orange!!

Thanks for the chance to win.

Rebecca said...

I love how supportive the online crafting community is :)
ourbusylittlebunch(at)hotmail(dot)com

Poppyprint said...

Tracey, you're a designing machine!!! I love this pattern and would totally make it with Chicopee. I have a jelly roll sitting here for a prize for my Proverbial Quiltalong and it's going to be hard to send this one away. I can't believe all the work you did to create the different sizes and totally geek-out on the math with # of strips required..etc. Rock on!

Also, lovely story about how your quilt is loved already and I know it will bring her much comfort. So nice.

felicity said...

Tracey, it's a fabulous pattern and a beautiful story. Some of my closest friends are women I met in a celebrity gossip forum ages ago. We formed our own moms community and they truly are my tribe. I get it.

Jenniffier said...

Super cute pattern. What I like about my online friends is how they are always "there".

Fabric Warrior (aka Amie) said...

Love the quilt. I have that SAME pouch (Clinique, right?) and I have looked at it for years thinking it would make a great quilt. And it does! It looks great. : )

Valerie said...

I love the pattern! I think it would work well with some Joel Dewberry Modern Meadow fabric I have been stashing!

Pat said...

I love this pattern! And I love that your friends will be wrapped in the warmth of good thoughts.

Jessica said...

What a great pattern! I love the yellow turquoise color combo you've used.

Tiffany said...

I would use a aqua and lime green combo and use it on my new sofa! Would be perfect there! :D

Rebecca said...

I'll just make it in time to link up this month. :) I love having friends that I wouldn't have had if it weren't for the internet. I feel just as close to some of them as the frieds I can have coffee with.

Carla G said...

What a gorgeous quilt! Love it! I would like to make it in aquas, teals and greys. Thanks for a chance to win! :)

Meg said...

I know just how Kubert and Raven feel! I'm a geeky gamer girl (Warcraft) and have made some great friends through the game over the years. What a sweet thing for you guys to do for Raven and his wife. And what a gorgeous quilt!

pinksuedeshoe said...

I love this Tracey, it is so so good. I love my online friends. And it's because I met them by connecting about something we are both passionate about that they are so dear to me. The friends that are friends because they are neighbors or because we have kids that play together just aren't the same as those friendships rooted in making stuff and staying up late to finish something so you can blog about it tomorrow. Different kind of people than the one's in the carpool line. :)

Heather A said...

I love the look of this quilt. I think it would be a good one for my 22 year old son.

Online friends are many and wonderful to have. They teach, inspire, share, encourage, commiserate, and make me laugh. I love them just like real life friends.

Pieces of Cotton said...

I've been sitting on a bundle of Flea Market Fancy, wondering what to do with it and I think this pattern would be a really good fit!

Cheryl said...

I love all of y'alls creativity, it keeps me pushing forward when I don't quite love a project.

Kristie said...

So so so excited for you! Love this pattern so much, can't wait to make mine!!

ThreadCatcher said...

The story behind the pattern/quilt is touching. I love how quilts can help express our caring to friends of all forms.

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