I just finished the quilt pictured above, size 50x70 for some newlyweds. I think it has a nice combination of his & hers prints and it was so fun to swirly quilt it all! The top picture is a quilt I am just starting for Carla. We are finalizing the prints and I love the colors so far. Can't wait to get sewing on it!
Just finished this beautiful color combination quilt inspired by Jennifer Paganelli's new Queen Street line. The large floral on the ends in the top photo is called Madeline and it inspired the color palette. Tangerine, Fuschia and red is an electric combination. I thought a couple shots of yellow would break up the combo a bit. Since the Madeline print is essentially a stripe, I used 12" strips of coordinates for the back. I outline quilted the blocks and freemotion quilted the Madeline section of the quilt in fuschia thread. The binding is Siobhan in fuschia. Will be available in my shop soon~ a baby or lap size 34x61. I'm working on a diaper bag to match . . .
I never tire of making quilts, and baby quilts are so sweet to make. This is part of a set I have been working on for Megan. I ventured back to my MIL's yard since mine is torn up with construction. Its just peaceful there, and a perfect place to show off the colors in this quilt. Valori Well's Bird Paisley print has been so popular with baby items. It can be boy, girl, or gender neutral. She is a true artist, check out her blog for inspiration in photography, painting, sewing. http://valoriwells.typepad.com/valori_wells/
There are so many popular themes out there~ owls, birds, large florals, mod. Its fun to play with those because the fabrics are easy to find! I was contacted by Mel to make a random patchwork quilt using the new Gone With The Wind fabrics~ I excitedly accepted. I ordered the Scarlet Toile, Movie Poster & #2 damask and added the rest from my stash. I can't wait to play with these fabrics!!
I posted my WIP earlier this week playing with the new Innocent Crush fabrics. Looooooove them! I guess I'm on a purple kick lately. I'm excited that so many new lines are including different shades of purple. Love it with blues!! This one has reds, too for a kick. I combined Innocent Crush with some Amy Butlers, Valori Wells and the woodgrain is Moda. I kept it mostly Anna's fabrics including Garden Party, Good Folks & Drawing Room. They all play nicely together. I went back and forth~ minky or a traditional quilt? I ended up with the minky backing using the thicker fleece minky since we are coming into cooler weather & this would be a great snuggler. More pics posted on my flickr. Happy Friday! Linking to Amy's Sew & Tell~
This was a fun team effort by Molly & me. She contacted me to make a 40X46 random patch baby quilt using mostly Flights of Fancy fabrics. She scoured the internet finding fabrics that are hard to find~ like the Garden Trellis in green. Main fabrics also included Dandelion from Patty Young's Flora and Fauna line. I added a few fabrics that I had on hand and voila, this beauty was born! Hope her baby enjoys it for years to come!
Just finished this quilt for my shop & really enjoyed being able to sew this. I have had this idea in my head ever since winning the fq's from Jennifer Paganelli. I, of course, stocked up with my own purchases after viewing the beauties. I have always had a soft spot for toiles, & knew I would use one for this quilt. I added fabric from some of her other lines~ flower power, pretty please for the border & the back is kayla from dance with me. The binding is from the sis boom basics eliza stripe~ a perfect finish. I scroll quilted around the scenes & the border. The finished quilt is just so happy, summery, dreamy!
How do you plan a basic patchwork quilt?? I do quite a few quilts & minky blankets using 8" squares so I can reasonably price them. I would enjoy doing more intricate patterns, but my labor cost would go way up. Usually, this is the perfect venue to show off all the amazing prints. This is a quilt I will be starting soon for Patrice using Moda fabrics. (The squares are overlapping in certain areas~ they are all 8.5" squares). What I usually do is make a graph & give each fabric a short name like RD for red damask or BF for brown floral and put it in each square on my paper. Then I pin together the squares and sew them all up. Now I have a road map to reconstruct the layout I made earlier without worry. There are so many techniques for every aspect of quilting that I was wondering if you do it any different? My husband said take a picture~ which I did, but now I have to run to the computer to keep checking the order. Tell me your thoughts! :)
I am thrilled to pieces to show you the pics of the Amy Butler bedding & pillows I did for designer Nicole out of Australia. I took the pictures from her blog, but to see more, here is a link to her blog: http://www.littleliberty1.blogspot.com/
She sent pics as promised~ it is fun to see how things look in the room they were meant to be in. She is a really creative designer of children's rooms and makes many of the things in the rooms. She also sells really cute russian dolls on her site as well. Check it out!
Really thrilled to have finished this quilt today!! I used 7" squares from Jennifer Paganelli, Tanya Whelan & Michael Miller. The back is Ava Rose in the light pink. Binding is Loopy Vintage turquoise from Jennifer. I did diagonal quilting which ends up looking like large diamonds~ really pretty. I'm off to finish the last panel for the poster bed & dust ruffle.
This is what I accomplished yesterday: all patchwork cut out for the random patch quilt. I cut squares & rectangles that will be a finished size of 4X4, 4X6, 4X8, 4X12, 6X6, 6X8, 8X8. I should really count how many I need of each, but I am really a 'fly by the seat of your pants' kind of person. I just put all the extra pieces in baggies label with the above dimensions and use them in another project when needed. Sometimes I cut extra 8X8 as that is my most popular patchwork size. I have ziplocs labeled 'pink' 'green' etc that are all 8X8 size. I figure while I'm cutting, I can cut a few extra and have a quicker piecing session in the future. Up next, placing the patches artistically.
I am really excited to start off 2010 with a new, big project! Those 2 fabric stacks represent the fabrics that will be used in 2 sisters rooms. Stack 1 will be a twin size quilt(random patchwork), pillow sham, dust ruffle and curtains. Stack 2 will be a twin size quilt (8" squares), dust ruffle, pillow sham & panels for a canopy bed (I know, how fun!!). Will post occasionally about the progress. I am so thrilled to see how it will all come together. I will be praying for a clear mind to be able to deal with all the details!!
I feel very 'on fire' about something today, so wanted to share. I just want to encourage everyone to start TODAY finding out how you can help someone, some organization- especially with the holidays starting. I know we are all so 'busy', but there has to be something you can do if you plan now. For me, the obvious choice would be to sew something since I do that 24/7- well, maybe 20/7! :) I found an organization here in Ventura County called 'My Stuff Bags' based in Westlake Village, CA. A customer of mine sent me a link to http://crafthope.com/ both of these organizations provide blankets for people in need. They can be a quilt, or for My Stuff Bags they give a tutorial on a fleece blanket. It would be a great project for the kids- no sew. If sewing or crafting isn't your 'thing'- find something that is. My goal was to use scraps from my blankets to sew up blankets for foster kids and I am the first to admit I am sorely lacking. I only have 3 in the pile, but hey, it's a start! Once I get to 5, I will send them off and I just pray they will be a small source of comfort to someone. There are so many people who will be without this season. However you are blessed, share it with someone. Some people give money, others talents, others have just their time to give, to serve. If we all do our part, we can help so many! I was so wonderfully reminded in church yesterday, "There are many different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men." 1Corinthians12:6
This is what I worked on today. Do you ever feel like the day is over and what did you accomplish? Well, this is show and tell for me! I am making XXL patchwork and minky throws for the sweetest person! This is number one. It is flowers & fairies in peaches, corals, greens and a little purple. When I started putting it together on my (just cleaned) floor, it looked blah, so I ran upstairs and pulled out the new Amy Butler line that has corals and greens in it as well as the melon background with white flowers (don't know the designer). It added the pop I wanted and balanced the colors. I am really happy with it now and am excited to sew it up! This is one of the many times that having a HUGE fabric stash "pays off"!! You can see my notebook in the corner. Its my low-tech way of figuring out a pattern. Every blanket seems to be a different size, so I sit down with my graph paper and map it out. This way if I get off track, I can check the arrangement after seams are sewn and pressed. I often sew a little, do laundry, sew a little, help with homework, etc. I would go batty trying to keep myself on track each time. I do think after 40 its harder to do that! :)
I decided to take a new photo for my avatar in various places. A much farther-looking photo that doesn't accentuate the negatives. Also, I love the idea of a quilt background. The one in the background is one waiting to be sent out and I absolutely love the colors, so there you have it. I got a couple of pics of my daughter and her friend, mother-daughter and just me. I am somewhat happy with mine since they are farther away, and I think it conveys bright, cheerful, summer. What do you think?? I think our Christmas pic this year might need to be a Christmas quilt in the background. Fun thoughts already for December!! We have one week left till the kiddos go back to school then I can get back to a normal schedule. The countdown begins. It has been a great summer!!
