tap, tap.

is this thing on?
- - - - tumbleweeds blow across the screen - - - -

so, apparently i'm a lame blogger. oy.
it wasn't a goal i was trying to achieve, but there you have it.

in all honesty, i've been a pretty busy girl.
sit back and relax while i show you what i've been up to.
also, thank goodness for instagram. (@rachelgriffith)

after what seems like a million years, i joined a swap.
it's the ur here swap where we are swapping starbuck's "you are here" mugs.
and in case y'all don't know this, i'm a sucker for starbuck's mugs.
true story.



i had a bad day. or two.
it happens.
sometimes it's just hard.
i know you know this.
okay, moving on.



i went home to georgia and taught classes at the georgia quilt show.
i saw lots of friends and family and even celebrated my birthday there.
biggest highlight ... seeing my daddy.
i'll always be a daddy's girl. always.




i had a quilty playdate with my local friend, emilie.
after i threatened her.
we made some burlap pumpkins.
good times.
oh, and she didn't have to undergo a sharpie tattoo. in case you're wondering. ;)




my first shipment of my book came!!!
and because i'm still on cloud nine about them, i'll admit that i love that new book smell.
for real.




most of y'all already know that julie herman & i are real life bffs, right?
well, we are.
and guess who got engaged, while in MAUI ... julie and lawrence!!!
and guess who is a bridesmaid ... this girl!!!
hellllllo, california AND eternal happiness for this adorable couple.




i had my first book signing for quilts made with love.
this is me and judy, the owner of sew deja vu here in ohio.
we had a fun time.
my hubby even came.
we all swooned over his quilt hanging skills and his bulging biceps.
wait, maybe the bicep thing was just me. ;)




i signed up for joanna's first craftsy class!!!
excitement!!!
y'all should, too.
just sayin'.




i cried because i saw the first review of my book.
thank you, e. guhl. you made my day year!




i traveled by train for the first time in my adult life.
which was AWESOME.
i taught a few classes in fredericksburg at the original sewing & quilt expo.
i had a sleepover at go go kim's house.
it was epic.




oh, look.
here i am pondering how i'm going to steal kim's fallish katie jump rope fabrics.
naughty.

whilst in virginia, i had the pleasure of meeting up with some of my favorite bloggy/instagram friends.
don't mind the ridiculous grin on my face.
i'll blame it on the fact that i was trying to hurry and snap a selfie before i was late to teaching class.
(left to right: becky, me, kim & amy.)




i had THE best vanilla bean frappuccino i've EVER had. like EVER, people.
it was in DC at the union station starbucks.
daaaaaanng, it was gooooood.

i took the liberty of getting some leverage on the griffith kiddos.
what can i say?
when opportunity knocks, you answer. ;)

oh, and i cried like a baby watching glee.
sigh.

so, i've been busy.
pinky swear.
now, i need to get busy on quilty stuff. (build a quilt workshop peeps, watch for a post TODAY!)
quilt market is in two weeks and i teach in fort worth next week.
wowzers.

what have y'all been up to?

xo, rachel

a book sneak peek.

excuse me while i shout it from the rooftops ...
MY BOOK IS OFFICIALLY RELEASED!!!


-bitsy baby-
yep.
y'all read that right.
quilts made with love is readily available.
it's in your local quilt shop, it's in your favorite online shop, it's on amazon and at your favorite bookstore.
and yes, this is me geeking out!!!


-oh happy day-
the good folks over at martingale are highlighting my book today via their blog, stitch this!
so, run along and take a peek.
learn my inspiration and how quilts made with love will fit into YOUR quilting.
pssst, they're having a giveaway, too!!!
(direct link HERE.)


-happily ever after-
if you preordered a signed copy from me, they will be in the mail by this weekend.
also, if you're in the northeast ohio area, i'll be signing books at sew deja vu this saturday between 12pm-3pm.


-unconditional-
it's a happy, happy, happy day!!!

so far, which quilt is your favorite?!?!
it's totally okay to say all of them.
wink, wink.

xo, rachel

jelly roll jam.

today, i'm going to share something fun with y'all.
it's also really cute.
win/win.

the lovely peeps over at fat quarter shop have been busy. like always.
this time, they've been cooking up a series of shortcut quilts.
we all love good shortcuts, right?
i know i do.


the first in their series is the jelly roll jam.
what's jelly roll jam?
well, it's an adorable baby quilt that utilizes those 2 1/2" strips we all know and love.


this free downloadable quilt pattern is quick and easy to complete.
and each baby quilt uses just half of a jelly roll!
two baby quilts from one jelly roll?! sign me up!
(you'll just need to add backing fabric.)


in case you are a visual learner, kimberly made this video tutorial.
it shows the step by step process of making the jelly roll jam quilt and includes helpful tips.
(hey, kim. xoxo.)

i was asked if i wanted to play along.
of course i wanted to.
i picked out this yummy boho jelly roll.
(by urban chiks for moda.)

here's my cute quilt top.
i wish i was cool enough to show a completed quilt, but there's only so many hours in a day.
darn sleep. too bad i need that. ;)

oh, and to celebrate the release of jelly roll jam, ALL jelly rolls are 20% off this week at fat quarter shop!!!
just make sure to get yours before september 22nd.

so, who's making one (or six) of these delicious baby quilts?

xo, rachel

freckled whimsy winner.

the winner of the freckled whimsy giveaway is ... joyce.

congrats to you, joyce!!!
email me: rachel at psiquilt dot com

thanks to all of y'all that entered.

xo, rachel

build a quilt workshop: skedaddle.

in september of 2011, i started a build a quilt workshop series.
there was a basics class, facade class and cascade class.
the first set of build a quilt workshop classes went over really well.
so well, in fact, that i've been asked to add more classes. (i've been listening. promise.)
because of that, i've been gearing up & making plans for the new class.
yayyy.
:)

in case y'all missed out on the first classes, here's a little refresher.
the idea is to host online workshops in a quilt along style atmosphere.
we'll be using a private flickr group as our platform.
and everyone loves taking classes with their friends, right?!?!

class will start at the beginning of october.
once your class fee is paid, you'll be invited to join our private flickr group.
and that's when the fun starts.
(providing we all continue to like this concept, more classes could be added at a later time.)

skedaddle class-
in this class we will build a modern patchwork quilt using low value/volume fabrics and saturated (or bright) prints/solid fabrics.
we will go over several different options are far as fabrics are concerned.
this class is perfect for beginners through advanced quilters.

pay the skedaddle class fee HERE.
limited spots available.

benefits that are included in the class fee:
step by step quilt along style directions for cutting, constructing & finishing your quilt
free pdf pattern of your choice from rachel griffith designs
20% discount via fat quarter shop towards your next purchase. (code will given via flickr group.)
exclusive giveaway to celebrate our show & tell quilt parade

so, who's ready to build some quilts?!?!
i know i am.
:D

xo, rachel