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Wednesday 4 June 2014

Tyler, Texas Roadtrip QAL and a Giveaway

Welcome everyone to the second stop on the Texas Roadtrip QAL! Today I have a special guest, Colleen Long, who will be taking you on your tour of Tyler, Texas (my hometown!) and showing you how to make a super-cute Rose block for the QAL. Also, there will be a giveaway from our sponsor Aurifil! But, before we get to the giveaway, let's take a tour of Tyler! --


Hi everyone!  My name is Colleen Long and I am a quilter from Tyler, TX.  I am so excited to be a part of this Texas Roadtrip QAL and to be a guest blogger on Cristina’s adorable quilt blog!  I have been a fan of her work for quite sometime.  I found out about her blog through a mutual friend of ours and started following her on Instagram as well.  When I saw that they were looking for quilters in Texas, I quickly volunteered and feel very privileged that I can be a part of this QAL with you all!


Although Cristina lives across the pond, both of our hearts can be found here in Tyler, Texas.  Tyler is about an hour and a half east of Dallas with a population of around 100,000.  The weather is known to be unpredictable and moody- one minute it’s pouring down rain and the next it’s sunny and breezy.  Our summers are very hot and long but it really is beautiful out here in the heart of East Texas.

I moved to Tyler back in 2006 to be with my husband and quickly fell in love with my new hometown.  The people and atmosphere here are so welcoming and the culture in Tyler so friendly.  If you ever met someone from Texas, you would know lol.  I don't think I have ever met a Texan who did not absolutely love their state!  Tyler has so much life and community, it is amazing what our small town has to offer! 

 If you ever have the opportunity to visit, here are a few of my local favorites you should definitely consider checking out:

1.  Stanley's Famous Pit BBQ- Best BBQ hands down and has won several awards statewide for their famous BBQ http://stanleysfamous.com/

2.  Caldwell Zoo- Although Tyler is small we have a fantastic zoo that is top of the line http://caldwellzoo.org/

3.  Parks- we have several parks here and trails that you can go running or trail riding.  My favorites are the Bergfeld Park, the Children's Park, Rose Rudman, and Faulkner Park.

4.  Porch Culture Coffee- If you love coffee, then you will absolutely love Porch Culture Coffee which is roasted here locally in Tyler.  I had the privilege of teaming up with PCC last year and made coffee cozies using the burlap that their coffee beans were shipped in.  The husband and wife team are fantastic people who make out of this world addictive and fair trade coffee.  Check them out at http://porchculturecoffee.com/

5.  True Vine Brewing Company- That's right!  Tyler has it's very own Micro Brewery!  The first for Tyler that opened up earlier this year.  If you're into beers then you would love the unique flavors they have to offer. You can read more about their Brewery here http://www.truevinebrewing.com/brewery.html 

6.  Whole Health- I absolutely love this local health food joint.  Organic, locally grown food with quality service and ingredients.  You can see the types of goodness they serve each day on their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/WholeHealthStore

7.  Café Bhojana Java- another small town local café that makes you want to cozy up and read a book while you're sipping on coffee and enjoying one of their delicious made from scratch mealshttps://www.facebook.com/bhojanajava

8.  Farmers Market- Tyler has several but the one I have gone to and volunteered at is the Rose City Farmers Market.  I have had the privilege to work along side and support so many local farmers through this market.  It is open during the summer and fall and is packed with fresh organic produce and friendly faces.  I look forward to my Saturday mornings to stock up on healthy local foods and visit with my friends while sipping on some Porch Culture Coffee that is served for your shopping pleasure :) https://www.facebook.com/rosecityfarmersmarket.  The Rose City Farmers Market is put on by the East Texas Community Food Coalition that has several initiatives to get our local farmers plugged in and their produce easily accessible to our community.  You can read more about their initiatives here http://foodcoalition.org/ and on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/FoodCoalition

9. Come Together Trading Company- A local shop located in the heart of the Bergfeld Center that sells fair trade items from all over the globe.  When you step into the store you feel like you're on a guided tour with all the countries represented in their shop.  They have a wonderful mission and have a huge heart for supporting those in need and fighting for justice.  Check them out athttp://cometogethertrading.com/

10. The Bergfeld Center- I have the privilege to work with this amazing family.  They have done so much for the community and have created a lot of Tyler's culture.  The Bergfeld Center is a historic shopping center that is home to several great local stores (two I have listed above).  Twice a year they block off the streets and open up the center for an evening of fellowship, live music, catered food, and a time to stroll around the stores while enjoying the company you're surrounded with.  You can visit more about the Bergfeld Center here http://bergfeldcenter.com/

11.  Grounds for Justice- Wonderful local coffee shop that offers coffee and a relaxing lounge area to relax and refresh from the daily grind.  Refuge of Light, a local ministry that fights human trafficking, opened their doors and use the business to help raise support and awareness for their cause.  Last year, as a part of their fundraiser, I made a quilt of their logo that was auctioned off at their benefit banquet.  My friend won the auction and donated the quilt back to the organization so they could hang it on display in the refuge home they are building for rescued traffic victims.  It was a huge honor to be able to be a part of such a noble cause.  You can read more about the café and Refuge of Light's mission here http://refugeoflight.org/grounds-for-justice

12.  Tyler Candle Company- These candles are so fragrant and will brighten any home with their wonderful candles!  They offer a variety of scents and you can count on these quality candles to last a very long time. Check them out at http://www.tylercandles.com/

13.  Moss-  This local floral shop is a gem that is located south of Tyler.  The owners do a phenomenal job offering gorgeous arrangements that capture all your special occasions.  The other amazing fact about Moss is that their flowers are all fair trade!  I had the opportunity to make Meagan the owner her very own apron to wear while doing her magic with her floral designs.  You can check out their unique arrangements and floral designs here http://www.welovemoss.com/#!

As you can see there is so much to love about Tyler!  I barely scratched the surface of all of our local shops and places to see.  You can check out more things to do here at http://www.visittyler.com/what-to-do.

Tyler also has many beautiful parts but it is well known for its historic Azalea District.  Every year in the spring, the Azalea Trails are open and people come in from all over to view the beautiful flowers in bloom and enjoy the local spring festivities.  This is my favorite time of the year because this is when Tyler hosts the annual East Texas Quilt show put on by the Quilters’ Guild of East Texas.  This high quality quilt show displays over 200 quilts and features over 25 quilt vendors.  The show is quite spectacular and is definitely worth taking a trip to come see.   Our local quilt shops participate as well and have booths at the show.  A Nimble Thimble and Sharman’s Sewing Center are our top quilting stores here in Tyler.  They both offer a large variety of fabric choices along with high quality sewing machines, informative quilt classes, and monthly quilt gatherings to show and tell quilts made by local quilters.  I always love walking in the stores because they make you feel at home and are always willing to help you with any of your sewing needs.  You can visit our shop’s online and our East Texas Quilt Guild through the links below:

A Nimble Thimble- http://www.animblethimble.com
Sharman’s Sewing Center- http://www.tylersewing.com
Quilters' Guild of East Texas- http://www.qgetx.org/Home_Page.html

Tyler is  known for it’s roses and is called the Rose Capital of the World.  We produce a large number of roses and host America’s largest Rose Garden.  Every fall we celebrate our roses with the annual Texas Rose Festival.  The three day event is held during the third weekend of October.  It is by far the largest and most anticipated event of the year in Tyler.  We have a Rose Parade filled with extravagant floats, marching bands, representatives from a number of local businesses, and the gorgeous nominated Rose Queen herself to top it all.  There are art shows, car shows, the Queen’s Coronation ceremonies, the Queen’s tea, and the Rose Show to list a few of the activities held over the weekend. 
You can learn more about the Texas Rose Festival here on http://www.texasrosefestival.net.

Since Tyler is so famous for its roses, I decided to do a rose for my block.  I used the Log Cabin Pattern which is a very traditional and basic quilt pattern.  You have a center piece of fabric and you use strips of fabric to sew and build around your block like a step ladder.  The Log Cabin pattern is a great way to use scraps and an easy way to add variety to your block.  A typical Log Cabin Pattern uses squares or rectangles.  For this rose block though, I freehand cut the centerpiece of the rose and built the flower using a mix of red fabrics to create my layers of petals.  Let’s get started on our Tyler Rose Quilt Block!



To make a 6.5x6.5 quilt block, pick 5 different colored fabrics to use for your rose petals.  One of the fabrics will be your center piece and the others will be used to create the layers.  I freehand cut a pentagon which was about 2 inches in size.  Then I cut my 4 fabrics into 2 inch strips.  Keep in mind that the further you go out in layers, the more fabric you will need to work with.  Make sure that for your last piece you have several strips (at least 9) so all edges will be covered and you will have enough fabric to cut out your block into a 6.5 x 6.5 square.

1.  Start by cutting out your center piece and strips for layers.


     





2.  Next we will start adding our strips.  Start with any side of your center piece and sew on your first strip along the edge.  Press and fold the fabric to prepare it for the next step.









3.  Next you will even out one of the sides to create your next side to sew your other strip on.  Line up your strip so there is extra fabric off each end.  Press and fold.












4.  After sewing your second piece, even out the side to add your next strip.  Continue doing this until you have sewn all sides to the center piece.









5.  Trim all sides measuring 1” from the edge of the center piece so your strips surrounding strips are all 1 inch wide.






6.  Time for the second layer.  Repeat steps above until all sides are complete.







7.  Your rose will start looking like a house.  What I did next was trim all the corners down to 3/4th of an inch from the corner of the previous layer.  This will create more of a rounded look and more edges to your rose for your next layer.  After trimming the corners down to 3/4th of an inch, I went ahead and cut all the strips down to 3/4th of an inch all the way around (as opposed to 1” width from the previous layer).







8.  Time for the third layer.  Repeat the same process you did to add your second and third layer.  Once all the edges are complete, cut it down to 3/4th of an inch all the way around to match the previous layer.








9.  Now for the border.  You will repeat the process this time leaving a lot of extra fabric on the edge.  This will give you enough fabric to cut a square and make the finished block.






10.  Find the center of your rose and measure out 3 1/2”.  Cut and rotate the rose until all sides are even and you are left with a 6.5” x 6.5” unfinished square.







You’re done!  I hope you enjoyed this tutorial  and learning a little bit about our hometown Tyler, Texas.  I cannot wait to see how the rest of the Texas Roadtrip quilt turns out.  Thank you for joining us and I hope you continue to have fun touring the great state of Texas during this fabulous Texas Roadtrip QAL!  Until next time, happy quilting!

- Colleen Long



 



Colleen is crazy-talented and is expecting her first baby in just a few weeks!!! To see more of her work you can can check out her website at www.sewthreadink.com, on facebook https://www.facebook.com/SewThreadInk,  or on instagram @sewthreadink.  

So now, onto the giveaway! Aurifil has generously offered a pack of designer thread (like the one pictured), a thread color charts (I want this for myself), and then a sample pack (5 pack of different weight in the same color)!!! We have pictured Jeni Baker's thread, but for the giveaway the designer thread will be a mystery!!! 




So to enter the giveway, leave me a comment and tell me if you've ever been to Texas, and if you have, what did you like about it! Comments will close on Sunday the 8th and I'll announce the winner on Monday, 9 June. 

Thanks everyone for stopping by!



58 comments:

  1. I was born in Texas and still live here....Texas is a great place to live....I have been to Tyler and it is a lovely town. I am from the small town of Clifton. There are a lot of things to love about Texas.....the state flower bluebonnets are all out right now and I really enjoy seeing them. I have several rose bushes and I love your block..very pretty. I hope everyone enjoys this Texas road trip and comes to visit us here. Thank you for the giveaway.
    thim3@hotmail.com

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  2. My Dad used to live in Texas near Longview. The mild winters in Texas were a perfect time to visit him. Thanks for the tutorial & thanks for the giveaway.

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  3. I have not been to Texas, but I have friends who are from Texas and they love their home state!

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  4. We moved from Dallas to Florida 3 years ago this month. As much as I love my new beachy home town - I am terribly home sick! This blog tour is just perfect and I am so glad to find your blog! We have family in Tyler and spent many weekends and Holidays there. My daughter's aunt lives in the Azalea Trail area. Such a great town! If you know any of the Trevino clan give them hugs for me ;)

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  5. I live in Houston and I love living in Texas (except for the heat at times). I love that there are so many things to do and such a variety of food. My family watches The Daytripper and we plan our mini vacations all over Texas. Will have to put Tyler on our list of places to go.

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  6. I live in Kyle, TX just south of Austin. I have lived here for 5 years but lived in Maine my whole life before that. I love wearing sandals almost year round and not having snow in April. I still love Maine but Texas is 100% my home now.

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  7. I visited Texas once and I loved so many things about it... the people were definitely the best part! Everyone there is so friendly and inviting.

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  8. I am a Texan, born and bred! I truly cannot imagine living anywhere else, the people here are the best. And the BBQ. :)

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  9. I'm a Texan born and raised. Although there are other places I love, I just can't imagine not living in Texas. There is just something about it that feeds my soul.

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  10. I moved to Texas 9 years ago (I live south of Houston). One of my favorite things about TX is the food, I love the BBQ and the Tex-Mex! I also like October, because it means that the summer is finally over :)

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  11. I have nt been to Texas but a visit to Texas is on my bucket list. My son was on a business trip to your beautiful state last month...it was his first visit. He was there for only a few days...everyone was so friendly and he said the food was great...awesome mexican food!! It is hard to get good mexican food in Canada. Thanks for the chance to win some Aurifil threads...their threads are the best!! Happy stitching, Pauline

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  12. I don't remember ever being there. I live on the other side of the US!! :D

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  13. I live in the UK and I've never been to the US ( or Texas!)

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  14. I'm betting there'll be a few Yellow Roses made from that tutorial! Colleen's post makes me want to visit Tyler!

    I've only been through part of Texas, a couple of times. But I do have friends from Texas, and some favorite singers (Lyle, from Klein, George, from Poteet, Don, from Floydada...).

    Thanks for a fun giveaway!

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  15. how fun. i love roses and your block! Tyler is indeed beautiful. thank you for sharing.

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  16. Hi,yes we've been to Texas+enjoyed our visit there! I liked the beautiful Bluebonnets!
    Thanks for sharing!

    msstitcher1214@gmail.com

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  17. This is a fun road trip! Texas has been my home since the late 70's, Houston first and now San Antonio is where I hoard my fabric!

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  18. I spent a few days in Texas for training on my Tin Lizzie mid-arm machine. The people in Texas were all so friendly! I also had lots of great food while I was there.

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  19. I haven't been to Texas. I had friend move there a few years ago, and the S.O. has somewhat related family and a good friend, but he hasn't been there either. I'm not sure if I could handle the driving or the heat!

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  20. I haven't been to Texas, but we did almost move there when I was a kid. I love how much pride people take in being Texan.

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  21. I have been to America 3 times, but I never made it to Texas.
    jen dot barnard at btinternet dot com

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  22. I have never been to texas! I would love to go for QuiltCon though, lol!

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  23. I grew up in San Antonio, went to Baylor in Waco, and also lived in DFW and Houston areas, so I LOOOOVE Texas! I'm in Kentucky now, but my heart is always with Texas. These are a few of the things I love about Texas: breakfast tacos, pro sports (Go Spurs Go), my family there, bluebonnets, Tex Mex, Texas night skies, winters are awesome, Texas pride, queso, did I mention Mexican food :)

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  24. I lived in Texas twice! Once as a kid and once as an adult. I loved seeing the blue bonnets in the spring in the Hill Country!

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  25. Tyler is the hidden jewel of Texas and A Nimble Thimble is the jewel of sewing & quilting shops in East Texas!

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  26. I moved to Houston, Texas just over six years ago. I love living in Texas! There is so much to do and I love the weather. I even don't mind the hot, humid summers. I also love the food,(especially BBQ and Tex Mex), the local breweries, H-E-B and Central Market, and the people. I will have to plan a fun trip to Tyler to check out these great places. Thanks for giveaway!

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  27. I have been to Texas for a wedding, and loved the BBQ and baked beans. sarah@forrussia.org

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  28. I was born in tyler at mother francis 60 years ago. my parents and grandparentas are all from there, too! I havent been back for 30 years and i can only imagine the changes! The mall was fairly new the last trip if that is any indication!!
    I love my tyler memories...the cold Dr. Pepper in the breezeway, tip-top weiners, the pontoon at the lake.....miss it!

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  29. I've been to Texarkana - both sides of the line. I lived in Arkansas as a child. I've been along the coast near Galveston and to Dallas. I never got to Austin to see a longhorn - Razorback game unfortunately .
    Thanks for the Tyler Travelogue - the Azaelas would be worth the trip. Notwendy at gmail dot com

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  30. I've been to Texas a couple of times to visit my sister. What I liked was going to a rodeo.

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  31. I have been to TX - my brother lives near Dallas and my son just got a job there! I loved visiting there and I am looking forward to going back! thank you!

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  32. Right now I am just outside of Tyler, TX. This post included places I didn't know about. Suprised!
    Sharman's & Nimble Thimble are second homes. Outstanding service, selection and classes. We are so lucky.
    Thanks for this great post! And giveaway!

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  33. Hello! I actually live just a few miles north of you on 69 and I work in one of the Tyler hospitals, but I still found some good surprises in your lists of places to visit in Tyler! I knew you block would be a rose :) It just had to be.

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  34. I live in Canada and have not been to Texas, but I understand things are big, the people are friendly, and the BBQs are unbelievable!!

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  35. I was born and raised in Minnesota, my husband's relatives are all in Texas. We have been to Texas (Ft Worth) a handful of times but never had a chance to do any sightseeing. Sometime we will have to allow extra time on our trip.

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  36. GREAT WRITE UP ON TYLER! I admit... I am bias however. Living here in Tyler since 1994.

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  37. I am a native Texan. Moved to East Texas about 7 months ago from Midland, TX. I love the beautiful scenic countryside, and lakes, trees and flowers along the highways. Took a college friend to the Tyler Rose Garden and Museum over Memorial holiday.

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  38. Nope...have never been to Texas. Loved reading about the different places & info.... Thanks for sharing!

    Ohio Hugs! :)

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  39. I love the food! Barbecue, tex-mex, everything!

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  40. I've never been to Texas but would love to make it there some day!

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  41. I love Texas! Friendliest place on earth. I live in McKinney. My whole family is from east Texas. Tyler is definitely worth a visit. Thanks for doing this.

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  42. Nope, I've never been to Texas. I always picture it as being incredibly hot!

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  43. I lived in the area of Dallas Texas when I was a little girl, my whole entire father's side of the family is from Wichita Falls, TX and the majority of them still live there, my little brother and his family live in Waco, he is a coach of the Baylor Track and Field Team, so yep, I know Texas and I do love the people from there.

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  44. My parents have lived in Houston for 25 years and will sell their home next spring and retire elsewhere. I'm making this quilt as a Xmas gift for them - it's just perfect! So happy to get a yellow rose into the quilt!

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  45. I had a lay over once in a Texas airport for an hour; does that count? Maybe someday I will be able to visit your big, beautiful state.
    k(dot)castanette(at)Hotmail(dot)com

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  46. born and raised in texas i have lived all over the usa and even in germany but i always come back to texas

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  47. I have been to Texas. I really liked San Antonio in late January - warm 68 degrees after coming from a cold snowstorm in Kansas.

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  48. I had a layover in the Dallas Fort Worth Airport once, but I haven't seen any other part of Texas! Texas is somewhere I have always wanted to travel.

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  49. I have never been to Texas, but I would sure love to visit it someday! Thanks!

    Please click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.

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  50. Spent 2 years there while my husband was in the Army. Loved the way people respected our service to our country. My 2nd son was born there. Still have friends there. Thanks for the giveaway. rjc2cam(at)gmail(dot)com.

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  51. Unfortunately I've never been to Texas but I'd love to visit as the locals all seem so friendly x

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  52. I went through Texas once found a great steakhouse at a truck stop called Teds

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  53. My Grand Daughter is stationed there right now. I have been to Texas and it just seems so large on a map. When you get there you enjoy it so much you don't notice the size. Everyone is so very neighborly ad the history is great. Thanks for the giveaway.
    katztoo at exede dot net

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  54. This is so fun Cristina! Love the rose block. I've only been to TX once - to Houston, on a work trip. Would love to go back and explore more of TX one of these days!!

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  55. What a fun block! I have passed through Texas many years ago but didn't stop. Sounds interesting thought!

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  56. I live in Texas, between Dallas and Ft. Worth. I think the best thing about Texas is the people. Texans love the state and love to share all of the special things our state has to offer.

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  57. I've been to Austin and Dallas. I liked the great food and charm of Texas!

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  58. I was born in Dallas and have lived there my whole life until recently when I relocated to Panama with my family. I love the history of our great state as well as the BBQ and bluebonnets. Thanks!

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