Welcome to My Blog Tour

Quiltmakers 100 Blocks

IMG_1329I am thrilled to be part of the Quiltmakers 100 Blocks Blog Tour. There I am on the cover of Volume 13. This is my first time in a magazine, so I was tickled to see my block included on the cover with so many other great designers. To win a free copy of the magazine, make sure to leave a comment below!! AND include your email address so I can communicate with the winners. I will be giving away 3 free copies. I lucky person will win a copy of my new booklet, “Marney Cards”, filled with patterns for paper pieced greeting cards. To win my booklet, you must subscribe to my website. IMG_1238Subscribe to my website to win this booklet. It’s a great way to use up all those scraps! If you are using a cell phone, scroll all the way to the bottom to “Subscribe to Made By Marney by Email”.

IMG_1334Let me introduce myself.  I am Mary Hertel, and I grew up on a dairy farm in the midwest. After teaching art for 35 years in Wisconsin, I started designing paper pieced patterns. That was five years ago, and now I have a growing business called “Made By Marney”. I am loving my “new career” and I am so glad to meet you! I love designing wonky animals, but for the magazine competition I did a flag design.

Here’s my paper pieced block, “Four Flags”.

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Original sketchI am a retired art instructor. My idea came from a project I used to do with my first graders in art class. I had them construct a paper flag, then cut it apart and reassemble it to make it look like it was waving. Here’s one of my thumbnail sketches of the flag, as I was playing around with the idea. I like to start my designs small, about 3″x 3″. Then, after I like them, I blow them up larger. Drawing thumbnail sketches allows me to draw my designs anywhere, laying in bed at night, on napkins in a restaurant, or whenever I get an idea.

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After a few tries, I came up with this finished flag, but wanted to repeat it so the block would get bigger. When I joined the four blocks, a nice diamond shape appeared in the center, but wasn’t very straight, as you can see below!

First TrySo it was back to the drawing board to get those flag poles to line up perfectly to make the diamond. The appliqued red star was the icing on the cake.

One Nation from P&BI work in a quilt store part-time now that I am retired from teaching. When this line of patriotic fabric came in from P&B fabrics, I new it would be perfect for my flag.

Four Flags quiltThis is a cute quilt idea using my paper pieced blocks along with some large appliqued stars.

Four Flags Runner with Lacy Red StarsHere’s an idea for a patriotic table runner. The stars on the ends are flat quilted shapes that are sewn together in the corners to resemble lace.

Four Flags with American StarHere’s a quilt idea combining my block, “Four Flags” with one of the other blocks in Volume 13, “American Star” by Lynne Schwarz. There are so many clever possibilities!

Visit my etsy store, Made By Marney, to see more of my patterns and don’t forget to leave a comment or subscribe or BOTH to be eligible for prizes!

120 thoughts on “Welcome to My Blog Tour”

  1. I am a new subscriber. Very nice block and it sure does look like it’s waving in the wind. Thanks for a chance to win the magazine.

  5. I love your flag block! I also love your book on making fabric cards as I also make cards using paper. Thanks for a chance to win.

    1. Thanks, Sandi! Aren’t cards great? And such a nice way to use up all those scraps.

    1. Thanks for leaving a comment today, Diane! My friends love receiving handmade cards.

  12. I love your block, but of course I love anything patriotic. Congrats on making the cover, that had to be extremely exciting. I have subscribed to your blog via email.

    1. You’re right, Lynn, I WAS super stoked to see my block on the cover!

  13. I really like your block, and lucky you working in a quilt store!! Thanks for sharing.

    1. Hi Carol, I DO love working in a quilt store, but I spend alot of my salary!!!

  15. congratulations. this is a fabulous block. this would make some fabulous place mats and pillows. hmmm July is coming. yup. I have subscribed to your newsletter.

    1. That’s a great idea, Lori! I think the pillow idea would be fabulous.

  16. What a neat flag design! This would make a great QOV quilt! Thank you for the sweet giveaway. I love to make pieced animals so will definitely be signing up for your newsletter and checking out your site. Lots of inspiration here!

  20. I love your flag block! There are so many things to make with it. Congratulations on being chosen and thanks for the chance to win.

  22. I have been collecting patriotic fabric and patterns for years and yours is my new favorite! I’ve never seen anyone use stars as fringe before, so will have to do that. Just came back after getting “lost” on your Etsy site. I grew up in NE Iowa and love your chickens, birds, cows, fish – everything – even the Green Bay Packer designs! Congratulations and thank you for the chance to win!

  23. I just now signed up to receive your newsletter. Great looking block. Looks like it would be fun to make into a patriotic quilt. Thank you for being a part of QM’s 100 blocks and giving me this chance to try and win a copy of this wonderful magazine and also a copy of your new booklet.

    Sandi Timmons
    sandit1@sbcglobal.net

  24. I’m learning to like paper piecing, and your flag design is wonderful.

  25. Hip hip hooray: Cover Girls Rock! Great piecing layout on the block, too.

  26. Love your block — I’m crazy about anything patriotic. Love how it looks in the quilt.

  28. Wow – your block is so innovative and original! I like it! Thanks for sharing!! mumbird3atgmaildotcom

  30. What a fun idea for making a block! I am subscribing to your newsletters for more inspiration.

  34. Marney, what a nice block for a Quilt of Valor! I LOVE patriotic themes, so your block has made me joyful today! Thanks for the chance to win.

  37. Great block! This would make a great table topper with the flag in the center. Congratulations on having your block selected for the magazine.

  39. Marney, I love your flag block and the star block too. I subscribe by e-mail and favorite you on etsy. crystalbluern at tds dot net

  41. Nice design. Someday I will try PP again. I failed the first time or two.

  42. I like your flag block featured in the quilt idea with alternating stars.

  44. Patriotic! Love it! I will be making this block when I get my copy of 100 blocks. Thanks for sharing it with us and I signed up to follow your blog via email.

  47. Congratulations on being a cover girl! I just signed up to receive your emails–so glad to have discovered your blog.

  50. Your block is awesome! I haven’t tried making cloth post cards yet…another thing to put on my To-Do-List.

  51. Love your block! I come from a military family so I love anything patriotic!

    Thanks for a chance to win.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

  52. I love your block and will definitely have to make one for my son – he’s a full-timer Captain in the Air National Guard!
    I also subscribed to your newsletter!

  56. I just love paper piecing and your pattern are super cute! This is my first visit to your site and I’m glad to have found you! I have signed up to follow by email.

  57. I am just learning paper piecing. This looks like a challenge but am willing to try. Beautiful block.

  59. Great block, and it gets even better when it becomes the quilts and runner you show.

  60. Congratulations on being included for the first time. Your pattern looks challenging, but doable. I especially like the table runner with the added star trim. I live in Wisconsin, too.

  62. Nice block! I love that it looks to be in motion. And congrats on being a “cover-girl”!

  65. Congratulations on making the cover of Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks! Your patriotic Four Flags block is perfect for a summer project.

  67. Your flag block is great. I love any combination of red, white and blue. I just signed up to follow by email. Congratulations on being in the magazine.

  68. Love your paper pieced flag. So cute! Ig looks great in the quilt you designed.

  69. Your block would make a great center block for a QOV. Nice block.

    tushay3 (at) yahoo (dot) com

  71. cool block ..I do like it even the one with unmatched poles…do I have time till 4-th of July to make one !…thank you…marta

  73. Thank you for a chance to win. I love your block and how it was inspired by an art project. The star in the center is a great touch.

  74. Congratulations on being in the magazine! Your 4 flags block is very cool.

  82. Love the block! What with several holidays coming up that call for flags to be flown, this is a great idea.

  83. oh goody! I love stars and American flags! I’m addicted to paper piecing, so of course, I want to try your block!
    reillyr2(at)hotmail(dot)com

  86. I love your patriotic block. My husband is retired navy and has a wall of memorabilia. That would make a great little wall hanging to add to it.

  88. Congratulations Mary! Love your creativity, amazing work! Love the flags! You are truly talented! 🙂

  89. I love your block and all it’s “movement”! Great for july 4th , or even more appropriate for the election year! Your creativity just SHINES in your block! Congrats!

  92. Congratulations on being a cover girl! I love your flag block….it would make a great patriotic table runner for the summer holidays! anglanouette(at)gmail(dot)com

  94. What a fun block! I have to make a patriotic block for my quilt guild and this just fits the bill! It is also paper pieced and that adds much more fun to the block! Thank you so much for sharing your talents!

  95. I love your flag block and the way that you have constructed it to show the flag waving in the wind. It is a great project for the 4th of July.

  96. Wish I had had you for an art teacher — obviously you provided much inspiration to your students and now you are inspiring quilters. Thank you!
    quiltschon@att.net

    1. Thanks, Sharla. I hope my reply to you last night about the pattern making was helpful. There is so much info to share, I don’t know where to start!

  99. Congrats on your first block!! Very cute! Thanks for showing the different options!

  103. You are so right that the center star is the cherry on the top of the sundae. What a great square!!

  107. Love this block – I have some fabric that would be perfect to make this with. Thanks for creating a great block.

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