Monday, July 21, 2014

Texas Roadtrip QAL San Antonio!

Hello friends! Welcome to the ellyn's place stop on the Texas Roadtrip. I am blogging to you from Allen, TX which is just north of Dallas. But I am lucky enough to tell you about one of my favorite Texas cities, other than Allen of course, San Antonio. 

Our family first visited San Antonio in 2003 shortly after becoming residents of Texas. We went down Thanksgiving weekend and had such a wonderful time. Walking along the riverfront, especially with the Christmas Lights shining, was such a joy! We also purchased seats to sit along the river and watch the boat parade on the day after Thanksgiving. So beautiful!

While you are in San Antonio, you will want to visit the Historic Alamo (which is right in the center of the cit.! I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't that), and maybe take a trip to nearby Sea World.


Nowadays we head down toward San Antonio fairly often. Our youngest, Ally, is about to start college at Texas State in San Marcos just north of San Antonio. Last time we were there, while she was at her orientation, I talked hubby into taking me to explore the local quilt shops.

At the north end of San Antonio, in Schertz, TX, we found The Scrappy Quilter. What a delightful shop! The ladies there were so friendly and helpful and I had a wonderful time exploring their awesome selection of fabric, patterns and notions. Even though it was not yet July, they shared with me their completed row for the Row by Row Experience. If you drop by the shop now (and I hope you will!) you can pick up the pattern for this stunning row....


Are you working on the Texas Roadtrip quilt? Here's your San Antonio block....
This block is called the Alamo Star (perfect for San Antonio don't you think?) This is a simple paper pieced block, perfect for newbies to foundation paper piecing like me! You will need to make four sections from this pattern....
 Stitch them into two pairs...
 and then stitch your two pairs together....
 Look! you have a star!
 Now put some wide borders on all four sides....
 And trim your block to 8 1/2 inches square, placing your ruler on an angle so you end up with a wonky setting (ok, you don't HAVE TO make your block wonky, but I highly recommend it!)

And guess what? The Texas Roadtrip sponsor, Aurifil, has offered up a fabulous giveaway for one visitor today. To win this great pack of Aurifil thread, leave a comment below. I will choose a winner this Friday, July 25....

Happy Travels friends! If you just found me today through the roadtrip, I hope you will come back and visit often. 


26 comments:

Maria said...

Oh I do enjoy visiting your part of the world through your blog Ellyn. Hubby often plays the songs all about that famous area.
What a lovely Row for the row by row.
Love your Star too.
Would be wonderful to be the lucky winner of the great Aurifil giveaway thank you.

Material Girl said...

I live in NY so have never been to San Antonio- have heard that Texas is a great place to live. I would love to win that awesome Aurafil. Thanks for the chance.

Chantal said...

That is a lovely Row by Row. I also love the "Lone Star". The wonky setting makes it so much fun. Thanks for the chance to win some wonderful Aurifil.

AnAggieBug said...

I have been enjoying this roadtrip across Texas and learning about all the quilt shops! Thank you for the chance to win.

Dee D said...

This is a great little block! Thanks for sharing it.

maureen said...

I've never been to Texas. I was surprised that the Alamo was downtown also- guess I figured it was in the middle of nowhere like in the movies. Thanks for teaching me something new today! And thanks for the chance to win some Aurifil!!

Anonymous said...

HI,I've not been to San Antonio, as we live a ways apart in Montana,but we might visit there>loved your post+block! Thanks for sharing!

msstitcher1214@gmail.com

Marti Taylor said...

I have been having fun learning about Texas during this roadtrip. It has solidified my desire to visit as a friend recently moved to San Antonio.

Texas Quilting Gal said...

I grew up in San Antonio and am just as surprised every time I visit the Alamo downtown. The rest of the missions are more isolated and really cool settings like the Alamo used to be. Thanks for the giveaway!

Hilary said...

Great block! I grew up in Austin, and always loved driving down to San Antonio to go to Fiesta Texas and Sea World.

Melissa said...

Great roadtrip post!!!

Jules said...

I need to make a visit now that I'm living in Texas. Thanks for the inspiration!

Nicola said...

That is a pretty star block, I like it! I can't day I've been anywhere in Texas, or in America as I live in South Africa, but it seems like a good place to live. :)Cape Town is awesome too!

JKW said...

Love San Antonio! Thanks for the block and the intro to paper piecing!

Anonymous said...

Hello! This is my first visit to your blogspot! I came through the Texas Road Trip Quilt! Thank you so much for this wonderful star block! I am a relatively new quilter and I really like paper peicing! I feel like I can get that right!! lol!! Thank you for offering the Aurifil give-a-way! I am finding it really fun to use different threads to "decorate" my quilt tops! Again, LOVE your blogspot!!

Bethany said...

I have only been to Texas once, and it was for a 2 hour layover! San Antonio is a place I need to visit! Thanks for the block!

rachael ann said...

As a Houstonian I get to visit San Antonio regularly and it's a great town. My favorite local quilt shop is called "Las Colchas" which means quilts in Spanish. It's just north of the main tourist area. Definitely worth a visit!

Christine S said...

Love your block!

Melissa at My Fabric Relish said...

So perfect!!! Thanks for participating!! Please omit me from the drawing ;)

Anonymous said...

Your block looks like it goes together quickly and also looks fantastic! Thanks!

Please click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.

Lisa England said...

Cute block! I love wonky blocks for the movement they add to a quilt. I've learned a lot about Texas on this hop, thanks for sharing!

Caro said...

What a wonderful QAL! Thanks for a chance to win.

cherie said...

I live in San Marcos, Texas. I'm loving this quilting trek through Texas! Thanks so much for doing this!
A lot of fun quilters in the Hill Country!

Vicki H said...

My kids visited San Antonio a few weeks ago and had a great time. Thanks for the quick tour.

cjmont said...

love this star, i am working on improving my paper piecing and this is perfect' i am a native texan so , "remember the alamo".

CA Bobbie said...

Hi, I'm a firtst timer also. Love the Alamo pic. After this I'm clicking over to the row by row link. Thanks for the San Antonio star. Good one. rjc2cam(at)gmail(dot)com.