Thursday, June 27, 2013

Snowflakes in June


It is hot outside but snowflakes are carpeting my front lawn! English Paper Pieced snowflakes that is!


Just finished this quilt top and thought I would share.  Sorry about the shadow in the shot - didn't catch that on the camera.









I think I started this in late April so it went together very quickly.  It is going to be for me to use during the holidays.  yay!









I still have to give it a good press, pull out some papers, and stay-stitch the edge.

In my quilting studio, my personal pile of quilts is almost getting as large as the customer pile!  I had better start squeezing them into the schedule.








 I wish my big shasta daisies were more in bloom for a better backdrop.  I will share this one again once I get it quilted.  Hopefully that happens before December!  Thanks for stopping by!!


Linking up this Friday with Can I get a Whoop Whoop?, Link a Finish Friday, and TGIFF.  Be sure and visit them to see many amazing projects!

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Red White and Blue



Today I'm just sharing a quilt top I finished using some older scraps that have been in my stash for quite some time. When you are a long time quilter, you end up with fabric bits that you just don't want to use in your contemporary projects.  I thought this would be a good way to use them up.







While this would have been awesome in more modern fabrics, I really am pleased with how it turned out.

It was made from 2 1/2" strips.  Very easy and quick!!








It sure looks pretty photographed around my gardens.









I might have to move it up in the quilting queue and get it done so I can use it this summer for picnics!



Sharing this finish with Show & Tell Tuesday at I have to Say, Sew Cute Tuesday at Better Off Thread and WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Chevrons

In a moment of weakness last week, I found myself doing a little retail therapy in some on-line fabric shopping.  I have been wanting to make some fabric buckets for my quilting studio using Chevrons by Riley Blake Designs.  The Fat Quarter Shop had them on sale this month so I went ahead and placed one of those late night orders.


Getting all these fabrics in the mail today after a busy week was so delightful!  Who says you can't buy a little happiness.  They must not be quilters!


I started with all the colors and sizes in my shopping cart and was able to whittle them down to these.  A few of these colors are so yummy I might just have to buy even more yardage!

Now my mind is swirling with ways to play with these.


Sharing my little purchase with Sunday Stash at Finding Fifth and Fabric Tuesday at Quilt Story.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Scrappy Trip

The wonderful ladies I sew with each month wanted to learn how to make a scrappy trip so on our sew day in May we got together and sewed up some blocks from our scraps.

As I do with many of my scrap quilts, we pulled our colors from the fabric that was going to be the backing.  We all have large cuts of fabric that we found on sale or which didn't make the cut in a previous quilt.  I have realized that starting a quilt from the back is a win-win.  It makes room in the cupboard for more new fabric and you don't have the big expense of buying a back. 


With this fabric, I admit I was a little worried how these blocks would turn out.



But as the blocks were sewn and placed on the design wall, the quilt started taking shape. Everyone was so pleased with how it was coming together.



 This quilt is going to be donated to a local women's shelter and hopefully bring comfort to someone starting a new life free of violence.  I feel so blessed to have such great friends with such big hearts that they are willing to make and donate all these great quilts.


Sunday, June 16, 2013

And the winners are...

Thanks so much to everyone who entered my first giveaway to celebrate my publication in Quilty magazine!  I was so pleased with the results and had so much fun reading all your comments!  And thanks also to all who found me and decided to become a follower, either on this blog or my facebook page.  It was such a thrill - I will definitely be doing this again!



The giveaway was for a copy of the May/June Quilty magazine but I also wanted to include some other fun items.  Both of you will receive some of my favorite notions.  I'm always surprised that so many people have never tried these.

Some self-threading needles, a roll of glow-line tape and a package of Thimble Pads.





The ThimblePads are new to me.  I just discovered them thanks to a friend.  I have never been able to get the hang of using a regular thimble so consequently don't wear one.  And with all the handwork I do, my fingers have paid for it!  Since discovering these, I already notice a huge difference in the tenderness of my finger tips.  And best of all, they don't slow me down at all!



I know, so enough all ready!  Get to those winners, right!!

The first winner is Holly!  Holly commented "I'm an earthtone gal, other quilters always laugh, if it has brown in it, it's Holly's. Browns and rusts are my favorite.  Congrats on being featured in Quilty, you quilt is lovely."

The second winner is Happy Cottage Quilter who left the comment "I love working with blues, but lately I have been loving aqua and brown. Congrats on being published!"

I have emailed both of you for an address so I can get your prizes sent out.   And because I love sharing, I will be sending some other little surprises tailored to each recipient based on their comments...Hope you like it!!


I will definitely be doing more giveaways in the future.  It was a ton of fun!  So be sure and follow along if you want to be a part of them!  Thanks again everyone!!



Linking with Plum and June's Let's Get Acquainted.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

QOV Blocks

Earlier this week, I stopped into a quilt store in town to meet some friends and was asked by a local quilter to make a block for some Quilts of Valor quilts he is making.  As I am a far more contemporary quilter, I knew it might be a challenge to create blocks from my fabric that would work well with the other traditional blocks I knew he would receive.  Then I remembered I had been gifted two store-made jelly rolls in red and blue. Yay...Problem solved!


I decided to make a log cabin variation.  I went ahead and made four blocks for him as I am sure most of the blocks he receives will be stars.

I thought I had better do my best work to keep any teasing by those very talented traditional quilter to a minimum.  I did sew one of the blocks "wrong".  We will see if they catch it.






After tearing into those jelly rolls for the few strips I needed, I realized there was no way I was going to spend the time to re-roll them so I just decided to cut them all up. After a quick sketch for an easy block, I quickly got everything all cut up and staged.  Now I can quickly  sew them into blocks.  



I finished up these three blocks this morning.  The blocks are 10 1/2" and take no time at all to sew.  When assembling the top, I will alternate the background colors.

I didn't take a count to see how many blocks I will end up with.  As usual, I will worry about that when I get all the blocks sewn!


For those of you paying attention, yes, I have been starting a lot of quilts lately.  It is a sickness!  I get inspired and before I can stop myself, my rotary cutter is slicing away.  Taking a quick count, I currently have a whopping 29 projects started right now and another 12 quilt tops just waiting to be quilted.  Yikes!  

Okay, so I have finished 28 quilts so far this year so I do finish something every once in a while!  
Can I get a Whoop!  Whoop! for that?

Thanks for stopping in...If you haven't entered yet, I am sponsoring a giveaway that ends this Sunday June16th.  Details are here.



Linking up for Random Thursday at Live a Colorful Life and Whoop!  Whoop! Friday.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

My First Giveaway!


If you have been following my blog, you know that I was featured in the May/June issue of Fons & Porter's Qulty Magazine.  I finally received my bulk copies in the mail and I ordered a couple extra to giveaway here on my blog.  Yea!

Do you have your copy yet?


 
I have a cute little baby quilt featured in this issue that is super easy and very quick to make.  But the issue is filled with some quilt patterns by some great fabric designers like Jay McCarroll, Brigitte Heitland, Patty Young and Sarah Watson.  There are also some great quilt designs by some fellow bloggers like Ellen Luckett Baker (www.thelongthread.com) and Katie Clark Blakesley (www.swimbikequilt.com).  

That is some pretty fine company to be in!



I have two extra copies of the magazine so I am choosing  two lucky winners.  I am sure I will find a few other goodies to tuck into the envelope.  And I will ship internationally!

Here's how to enter:


1.  Leave me a comment telling what colors you like best to work with.  (When you leave your comment, please make sure I have your email address!  No email = Sorry, no entry!  So if you are a no-reply blogger, please include your e-mail in your post!)



2.  For a second chance to win, become a Quilting is more fun than Housework blog follower, and leave me a comment letting me know how you follow, or better yet, leave a comment letting me know you already are a follower! (again, make sure I have your contact info if it's not listed in your profile) 


3. For a third chance like Cynthia Brunz Designs on Facebook and leave me a comment here letting me know.  On my facebook page, I try and show pictures of fun quilting designs so you might find it inspirational with your FMQ.

This giveaway will be open until Sunday June 16th at 1 p.m. PST.  Please note, winners must respond within three days of notification. If any winner does not respond within that period, sorry but another winner will be chosen. 

***Sorry, this giveaway is now closed!  Best of luck to all that entered!***

 

Spreading the news with Linky Tuesday at Freemotion by the River, Show and Tell Tuesday at I have to Say and We Did it Wednesday at Sew Much Ado.  Some great blogs you might want to check out!

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Fish Lips and All

So I have tried to be good and focus on getting half finished projects completed but I am in need of a color fix.  I am craving Big - Bold - Bright with a whole lot of Crazy.  And where do I go to crush that craving but to my stash of designer Westminster Fabrics - more specifically, Brandon Mably.


 


Here are some of the fabrics that have made the first cut.  I am wanting to play with strong colors and geometric patterns.

But you might be asking where do fish come into play?


The focus fabric on this quilt will be Brandon Mably's Gone Fishing fabric.

I have been petting and cherishing this fabric for quite some time.    The print is HUGE and the fish make me smile.







I have collected two different colorways and I think both will make it into this quilt.


Isn't this little puffer fish awesome!?!








 

And you can't make a crazy fish quilt without including Brandon's whimsical 'Fish Lips' fabric.



So there you go, if you have been losing sleep over this question - fish do apparently have lips!


Here is what I have so far.  Now I need to make some final desicions on some solids and small scale prints.

I will definitely share the finished top with you soon!










For more giggles, here is a picture of a quilt a friend made using the same fish fabrics in bright citrus colors.  Who says quilts need to be square!



Lily's Quilts

I also wanted to thank all of you who are visiting on a regular basis.  I really enjoy all your comments.  If you are new to my blog, I hope you enjoyed it and will be coming back.  In an effort to increase my followers, I am linking up with Lily's Quilts.  It is a great blog and a wonderful place to check out and discover new blogs.





Thursday, June 6, 2013

Finally...Some Finishes!

With so many graduation and wedding quilts to get quilted up for others, I have not found myself with much time to sew or keep up on my social media.  In the seven years I have been long arm quilting, I don't think I have had such a busy spring.  
Good problem to have so you won't hear me complaining too much!  


I was able to get a couple of items finished so I am celebrating! 



I finally got the binding sewn in this fun string quilt.  It has no home so it is just getting listed on my Etsy site.

My scrap bins were overflowing  so I always make string quilts to use them up.









I also finished a custom order I had for two twin size string quilts.  These are going on bunk beds.  I think they will be adorable...







Amazingly, even after making all of these string quilts, I still have bins full of scraps.   I have plans for a few other scrap quilts soon....Do they ever end?





I also finished up a fun quilt using some great low volumes paired with a dusty blue and charcoal.  Haven't decided what I am doing with it but I will share more of it at a later date.



To celebrate these finishes, I am linking up with Can I get a Whoop Whoop?, TGIFF, Richard and Tanya's Link a Finish Friday and Finish It Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts.
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