For Miss Charlotte

This past weekend was pure bliss in my studio. It's been so long since I've completed a quilt and I was finally able to make that happen. I found this fabulous pattern for a log cabin quilt in the January 2011 Martha Stewart Living and I've been wanting to make it since I first laid eyes on it. The entire front of the quilt is one large log cabin block. So I just had to make it for a dear friend's daughter Charlotte who just celebrated her first birthday. And don't you just love Amy Butler's Love fabric collection in this pattern? I've had fat quarters of each colorway since it first came out and I've been waiting to use it until I found the perfect quilt.

A Notion or Two: August Block

August was my month for the fabulous A Notion or Two Quilting Bee. Each member had to create two (2) Quarter Log Cabin blocks. I'm super excited about all of the soft blues and natural tans that are in the fabrics of these blocks. The fabrics used are Timber by Jessica Levitt and Nicey Jane by Heather Bailey. I typically do quilts that are bright and vibrant, but I'm loving how calming and subdued these fabrics are. Once it's finished, this quilt will be draped over the futon in our Little Man's room.

Some Nicey Jane for a Nicey Girl

This beautiful Momma-To-Be had the most terrific baby shower this weekend and I'm so excited to finally share what I made for her beautiful little girl who will be here at the beginning of October. The theme of her shower centered around Heather Bailey's Nicey Jane fabric, cupcakes, rock candy and salt water taffy. It was absolutely fabulous. And since I knew how much Stacy loves Nicey Jane (even so much as to use it at a central design pattern in the baby's nursery) I thought that a quilt using that fabric would be perfect for her.

I was so thrilled that I had a nice amount of this floral-filled fabric in my stash, as well as yards upon yards of this beautiful eyelet fabric to pair it with.

A Notion or Two: May, June, July Blocks

I've finally caught up on my quilting bee blocks for A Notion or Two. Sorry it took so long ladies...apparently this whole moving thing really does take more time than I thought. Now that my studio is finally put together I can get back behind the sewing machine. I can't wait til next month...It's my month and I've had the fabric for it since February!

Amy's Pinwheel Sampler Block.

Nicole's Maple Leaf Block.

Amy's Drunk Love Log Cabin Blocks.

A Notion or Two 2010 April Block

A fun Dresden Plate block for Amber. Such a timeless block, but it has such pop with these bright colors. It was definitely a fun one!

A Notion or Two 2010 March Block

Sorry it took so long Dana, but here is your traditional star block. This block had me shaking in my knees, but I was so proud of the way it came out. Perfect points and everything! Now I must make some type of wonky block just to calm my nerves and balance myself!

Around the House Saturdays: Quilting Edition

Here's a little bit of quilting inspiration from the oh-so-amazing-I-want-to-buy-everything-in-the-store Anthropologie. Can you believe they used voile in this quilt? It's probably beyond dreamy and cozy. I think I may have an idea of what to do with my Anna Maria Horner voile. I absolutely love the pattern of this quilt and think I just might have to replicate it (with some modifications of course). And...if you don't feel like making it, you can always purchase it here, as well as other beautiful pieces in this WildField collection.

It Truly Is Buttery

I recently purchased this happy bundle of beautiful fabric.
And Anna Maria Horner, I must say, buttery is the perfect word for how Little Folks feels. I just want to make the biggest quilt ever and roll around in it. It's absolutely soft and dreamy. Now to figure out what in the world to do with it...
Anyone have any ideas?

A Little Magic

So this is a completely random post, but I thought I'd just share a fun little sewing sidekick that I recently befriended. Blog world, meet Magic Sizing.
Now, I've never used starch in my life when ironing anything, but when I began piecing this quilt, Cami suggested that I use starch like nobody's business if I wanted to make life easier for my long-arm quilter. And so, the relationship began. I honestly can't imagine pressing a single seam anymore without this beautiful blue can by my side. It's so bad, my Hubby knows that when I put starch on the grocery list that it means I need at least two cans in order to maintain a sense of stability and harmony in my studio. It's not like I go through it that quickly, it's just that I get a bit panicky when the can feels any less than full. And at 98 cents a pop, why wouldn't I just stock up?

What are some of your favorite sewing/quilting must-haves?

Completed

I made many a trip to the lovely Clementine's. Each visit included a purchase of several fat quarters. "You are the Fat Quarter Queen," I was called by the owner Cami. Oh but if she had only known what my lovely stash of fat quarters was contributing to...
Many months passed as I discovered and collected the beautiful fat quarters. Each one folded neatly on its shelf. Each time I walked by them, I could hear them whisper, "Make us into something...please!" But I resisted, knowing that once they were all put together, something even more beautiful would be created.
And so, March 2009 arrived. Each fat quarter was meticulously cut into various sizes for the lovely people who would be receiving them. Each one carefully placed in a padded (and weather-resistant) envelope and sealed with love. Off they went to their various lands...some to Virginia...a few to Utah...one lucky one even made it all the way to the Aloha State of Hawaii where it basked in the sun light and palm trees. Little did these bundles of fabric-goodness know that after their adventure they would return to me in a completely different fashion.


As each beautiful block arrived in the mail, my heart would skip a beat. The absolute beauty...the gorgeous craftsmanship...it was all so overwhelming. Once all 12 blocks were completed and returned, the intense task of designing the layout of the quilt began. Each piece was drawn to particular measurements and each piece cut accordingly. With each piece that was sewn together, I was able to get a glimpse of what the final masterpiece would look like.

At last, it was all pieced together. However, it's journey wasn't quite complete. It had to make one last voyage to North Carolina and back to Indiana to be quilted together by such special hands.


After months of patience and getting excited each time a package arrived to our home, the ultimate package arrived (and so close to Christmas, too). I quickly opened it, admired it, "Oooo" and "Aaaah" over it, then like a mad woman, began working on the binding to complete this treasure.


And so now dear friends, with much anticipation and excitement, I unveil an original "A Notion of Two Virtual Quilting Bee" Quilt.

It sits so perfectly on our comfy bed where each night it keeps us warm and cozy. Each time I walk into the room, I can hear each block singing harmoniously together. And as you can see two lucky blocks were so magnificent and delicate that they were made into beautiful coordinating pillows.

Even the backing was designed so that each side of this quilt could be enjoyed and loved. No part will go unnoticed...not even the delicately binded corners (for which my thanks is due to the ever-encouraging and inspiring Dana, who taught me how to bind a quilt with such ease).


I must say thank you to everyone involved in this beautiful quilt. It will be treasured forever and loved by many. My first experience in a Quilting Bee was one that I will never forget and I'm so excited to continue with it into 2010.

A Notion or Two September, October, November, & December Blocks

So...it's January 2010 and I was just able to finish the remaining four blocks for A Notion or Two this past weekend. I know. I'm such a slacker, but you gotta understand that the last four months of 2009 zoomed by so fast I felt like I blinked and it was 2010. But enough of my excuses...

Without further ado...Here are the remaining blocks for the 2009 A Notion or Two Virtual Quilting Bee...

September's block for Lolly:

October's block for Amber:

November's block for Allyn:

December's block for Dana:

I had such a great time being a part of my first Quilting Bee ever and can't wait to get started with this year's!

I Am Determined...

...to get back to you wonderful blogging people. I have never been so busy in my life and it just kills me that I don't have time to read your wonderful blogs and update mine.

So for now, I'll leave you with this...
This is a pile of projects that are just waiting to get started/finished...and that's not even all of them! I have tons waiting for me in my studio and they all need to get finished before Christmas. Geez Louise!

Something for a Little One

Have you ever heard of Craft Hope? Well if you haven't, you must hop on over to their site right now and check out the amazing wonderful things they are doing in order to bring hope to those who need it with hand-made love. Back in May, I was able to participate by making adorable dolls for beautiful children in Nicaragua. And this month, I was able to participate by making a quilt for a child who will need something to keep them warm during the cold winter months in Michigan. The quilts are for Margaret's Hope Chest. You can find out more info here.

I used a hodge-podge of fabric from my stash, which was nice because I was able to actually use what I had. The squares are actually made out of a re-purposed cloth napkin that I bought from Pier One back in the summer because I liked the print on it. Thought I was going to use it for a purse, but when I stumbled upon 3 yards of this fabulous blue paisley fabric at an antique store, I just had to pair them together. I was very excited about how it turned out. I didn't have a pattern for the quilt. I just drew a couple of sketches and Voila! This is what came out!
What's that amazing bench the quilt is sitting on, you ask? Well, it's only a bench my Hubby made out of re-purposed bed frame rails. That's right, my friends. He got each rail for $2 and made a bench to go at the foot of our bed. It's absolutely wonderful...don't you think?!