Fellow Quilters,
It’s the first Tuesday in June and that means another edition of the Quilt Block Mania blog tour – yay! If you’re one of my blog subscribers, you’re probably thinking “But Patti, you already sent me a blog post today”. Why, yes I did, because I’m also participating this month in the 2021 Monthly Color Challenge, hosted by Patterns by Jen. If you’re just popping in from the Quilt Block Mania tour and aren’t a subscriber yet, I encourage you to check out my post from earlier today, because it’s also about a free monthly block pattern plus a tasty recipe. So much quilty goodness!!
I hope you’ve been enjoying the Quilt Block Mania tour for the past several months, collecting the free blocks each month from the 20-30 participants. Carolina over at Always Expect Moore does a fab job coordinating it. I certainly enjoy it, as it gives me the opportunity to s-t-r-e-t-c-h my creative muscle to design a block that fits the monthly theme. This month is no different. The theme this time around is International, and the color palette is whatever we want. Several of the other designers chose a rainbow palette so I went with that idea too.
When I think of International, I think of all the places around the world that I’ve have the good fortune to see. In fact, 2 years ago Hubby and I cruised on a segment of a world cruise and visited roughly 20 countries during our leg of the cruise. Naturally, the Trip Around the World quilt/block theme came to mind. But how to take a block that has an odd number of rows/columns and fit it into a 12” square? Hmmm. I started changing the sizes of my rows and columns and before I knew it, I had a cool block that, when colored with a rainbow palette, sort of resembles a globe, with the green being the earth and the blue being the oceans. I call it World Trip.
Toscana version of World Trip
In the pattern I colored it in a selection of Northcott’s Toscana tone-on-tone textures, and to test the pattern I used my leftover scraps of Bliss from my Splendid Split Stars pattern.
Bliss version of World Trip
Either option looks great! You can download the pattern here. You can also find the other bloggers’ patterns at these links.
Holland Windmill by Carolina Moore
Dutch Mill Tulips by Perkins Dry Goods
International Airport by The Quilted Diary
Three Amigos by Heidi Pridemore
Making Memories by Blue Heron Quilting
World’s Fair by Blue Bear Quilts
Highlander by Orange Blossom Quilt Design Studio
Love One Another by Faith and Fabric
International Space Station by Duck Creek Mountain quilting
Friends by QuiltFabrication
World Trip by Patti’s Patchwork
Hollyhock Flower by PhoebeMoon Designs
Olympic Rings by Slice of Pi Quilts
All Together Now by Inquiring Quilter
Butterfly Block by Oh Kaye Quilting
Coming Together by Cotton Street Commons
Friends Around the World by Appliques Quilts and More
Greek Cross by Mom and Me Quilting Co
Caracalla by Pretty Piney Quilts
Walking Together
Mystery Quilt: The Kids
Now, sometimes I give away free stuff, such as fabric (I am with Northcott, after all 😊). This month I would like to know about your favorite international place that you have visited or lived in – somewhere outside your own country – and why it is your favorite. Hubby and I travelled to central Italy several years ago, visiting a few (okay, more than a few) wineries, and I used those memories as inspiration for my Vino fabric collection for Banyan Batiks. One lucky commenter will receive a packet of Vino fat quarters.
A packet of bordeaux fat quarters from my Vino collection – comment for a chance to win these
To be eligible, please leave a comment below by midnight June 7. Good luck, bonne chance, in bocca al lupo!
Last month’s giveaway was a packet of the upcoming Bouncing Balls and Rose Parade fabrics from Banyan Batiks and the winner is shadesofrandom – congrats! (please pop me an email with your name and full mailing address).
Cheers,
Patti
pattispatchwork-blog.com 
Our favourite place to visit so far in life has been Cuba. They beautiful sandy beaches with the crystal clear blue waters is mesmerizing. Hope to travel to more places once this pandemic lets hold of the world. Thank you for your fabulous inspiration and the opportunity to win some of your beautiful wine inspired batiks.
Norway to visit relatives. Beautiful Fjords.
Hi Patti,
I lived and worked in Victoria , Australia from 1972 to 1975. Coming from just outside of London, England it was a total change of climate, architecture and flora and fauna. I could never adapt to the heat of the sun but I loved the new animals and the openness of the landscapes.
Chris Gordon
The Czech Republic is a fascinating and old country. I love it because it is where my ancestors are from. Basically most of them lived in or around Presovice which is a small community southeast of Bruno. Even today the roads are not paved. The family house is still standing but has been added onto since my family came to the United States. It is a verdant area except for the 7 cooling towers you can see in the distance at Rouchovany. It is awesome!
I love trip around the world in one block!
I love your block. Around the world would produce so much that these colors would stand for. Emotions, knowledge, seasons and FUN. Thanks for sharing.
I have never been out of the United States. I went on my honeymoon to Hawaii 37 yrs ago, and for me that was awesome. When I was 9 yrs old, my mom and us five kids went to Mexico. But it rained almost the whole time, so I couldnt even tell you what I remember about it. Other than the doughnut shop we stopped at LOL.
quilting dash lady at comcast dot net
The fabrics are beautiful! I am of Norwegian Heritage and love the beauty of the fjords and the mountains. I still have family there too which makes it special.
I have never been out of the US other than a quick visit to Canada. The part of Canada I visited (International Peace Garden) was very pretty. I wouldn’t mind going there again.
In 2013 we took a “sampler” tour of Europe – took our 9 year old granddaugher with us — wow – what a trip – London, Paris, Amsterdam, Heidleburg Germany, LeSern Switzerland, Rome, Florence Italy – 18 days 5 countries – Wonderful memories
The only place outside the United States I’ve spent much time is Germany (with a side-trip to Austria). My parents were immigrants from Germany, and I especially love Berchtesgaden, high up in the Alps, where they met and lived while first married.
What a beautiful line of fabrics!
I haven’t been very many places outside of the US but I did love Scotland when we were there. The cliffs and mountains and scenery were gorgeous. And the “hairy coos” were fun to see! Also, just listening to the people speak was very interesting.
They say “ the world is your oyster” so many wonderful places to explore! My favourite place so far is Hawaii, but New Zealand and Australia top my bucket list ❤️🧵
I love your coloration of the trip around the world. I made a rainbow colored baby quilt for my youngest when he was a baby. I was a beginning quilter and made a few blunders, but it was finished and he still has it and loves it, so I guess who cares about those mistakes! Anyway, I love your fabric choices. Thanks for the opportunity to win some fabric.
I actually have 2 places. The 1st is Israel and the 2nd is Taiwan. I have been to Israel 3 times. It was a spiritual journey for me, and on one of those trips I had a long time prayer request answered. Then we spent 4 summers in Taiwan working with local churches. 2 1/2 of those summers we lived with a Taiwanese family who became very special to me.
Such a hard choice with so many interesting places in this world! One of my favourite places would have to be Peru. I’ve been 3 times during the course of adopting 2 kids. In 1989 you couldn’t stray outside Lima because of terrorists. By 1995 things had barely started to open up and I was able to visit Cuzco & Machu Picchu. Enjoyed it virtually empty with only about 10 other people. Went back again in 2004 for a month-long “heritage tour” with our daughter and saw it all, from the Amazon to Cuzco & the Andes to Lake Titicaca on the Bolivian border.
I loved St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. The colors and clear water is postcard perfect, unfortunately the sun doesn’t like me there and I always end up burnt.
Bordeaux fat quarters would be great especially if they were made into placemats!!! Steak and red wine!!!!! I love the World Trip version in Bliss.
TTFN Betsey
About 6 years ago, my husband and I visited Paris for 10 days. The travel agent said our apartment was three blocks from the Eiffel Tower. We had visions of seeing the Tower out our window. But those three blocks were actually many blocks and crossed several major streets taking over 40 minutes to walk. Needless to say, we didn’t see that iconic metal structure until we had walked almost in front of it.
I have never left the United States. I would love to visit Ireland or Scotland if ever the occasion should arise. Love your site.
My favorite place to visit I think was Croatia! Dubrovnik, Zegreb, Plivitce Lakes National Park, Split. Everywhere was unique and amazing, I got to see a 100 waterfalls, a giant cave that you rode a train back in to get to the main touring area, Castles, a walled city that you can walk the walls on. It was just so beautiful and combined with parts of Slovenia as well it was an amazing tour! Alas no quilt shops though.
My favorite place to visit was the Netherlands. I had my 10th birthday there while we were on vacation.