Machine Quilting: Karen's Triangles

Karen made this wonderful quilt and I could not wait to get started on it!

 This quilt just begged for some ruler work and I was happy to oblige.

 By choosing just two designs to repeat in the triangles, it keeps the quilting simple but defines the areas both on the front and back of the quilt.

 The thin black border got a little ribbon candy quilting and the outer border was perfect for straight lines. It's taken me a long time to learn that large print borders usually need the simplest quilting like straight lines.

 You can see the outer border a bit better here.

 I love this quilt and love this fabric. I actually loved it so much I ordered a bunch to make Maura a quilt... It's still in fabric form. I have the fabrics, have the pattern, just haven't gotten around to making it just yet... One day!

Here's how the quilting looked on the back of the quilt. Again each area is defined but the quilting all works well together so the quilt looks as good on the back as it does the front - that's the goal!

Thank you Karen and thanks for introducing me to this fabric. Now only if I could have 20 more hours in each day so I can quilt and sew and run and do yoga and cook and clean and play with the baby and and and...

New Version of Snow In June

I completely forgot about this version of Snow In June and we rediscovered it last week so I decided to quilt it up.

I found it somewhat ironic that this is how it looked outside on the day I was quilting this version of Snow In June (from my book Seamingly Scrappy). It was snow in late March, but not truly snow in June. Luckily it did stop and warm up just enough that I was able to wear a cute Easter dress yesterday, granted I also had on boots and a sweater and a coat, but it wasn't snowing!

 My Mom actually made this version and had this pattern in the works as I was trying to finalize the last few patterns to "make the cut" for the book. We talked about it and looked it over and I figured out how to get this pattern out of precuts and my version (the one in the book) was in the works shortly afterwards too.

 This version was made with the Curio line by Basic Grey for Moda (gotta love anything from Basic Grey!) We found the top the other day and I tried a new quilting design on this one. I blended a couple of my latest favorite designs and I really like how it turned out.

I actually quilted this with a lime green thread, but it blends in so well with the fabrics, it doesn't overpower the quilt at all! I'm working on stitching the binding down now and I'm sure you'll be seeing more of this quilt in the coming months.

Book Quilt: Roll of Stamps

Now I love traditional quilts and I have this unspoken quest to make as many of them as possible. (well maybe it's not such a secret now, but oh well) With every quilt I make I try to push myself to do something I never have before. It might be a new block, a new setting, fabrics I never thought I would use, something. So this was one of them:

Copyrighted Image provided by Martingale, Brent Kane, photographer

I have always wanted to do a postage stamp quilt. I love the mixture of squares and colors and a jelly roll was the perfect opportunity to create this quilt. I incorporated strip piecing into the construction of this quilt which makes it go so fast. And just to make it a little different than the usual postage stamp quilt, I added the accent sashing around each block.

There are all sorts of quilts in the book that range in skill level from beginner to slightly challenging. Now I'm not saying that you have to have years of quilting under your belt in order to make all of these quilts. These quilts are designed so that a beginner can make them and build their skills, but an experienced quilter will not be bored making these designs either. Sometimes even the most skilled quilter needs a simple(r) project to give their mind and body a break.

Now how many of you have a jelly roll sitting around that you don't know what to do with it? (Yes, I'm guilty of having one or three of those sitting around) This quilt is great to use up that jelly roll and a bit of yardage. Just remember, once you use of something from your stash, that just means you need to go shopping to fill it's place! Works for me!

I'll be back with more quilts from Seamingly Scrappy soon. I can't believe it's less than a week away!

The Debut...

So, you've seen some pictures of the newest Charmed Living Series pattern, Charmed Living Tote. But you gotta look at these too:

 I loooovvvveeee this fabric, Basic Grey has outdone themselves again!!!

 Now, this is the smaller bag of the two, I'm in the process of making the larger one and I should have pictures soon to show you. It's going to be more like beach bag size and a little deeper...

 And this is Sciuridae... (Cy-ur-day) it's a smaller wall hanging or crib quilt with some spunk to it.

 I went and took these pictures in the woods between storms (we've had just about one storm every day for the last forever it seems). Even as I was taking these I could hear the thunder getting closer and closer...

 The good thing with all of the rain is everything is soooo green right now. The fields are the most beautiful emerald green and everything smells fresh. Sciuridae is a scrappy quilt that's Fat Quarter friendly. Included in the pattern will also be instructions for an optional pillow with the left over Flying Geese.

 The other good part of Spring in the woods is finding all sorts of tracks. I came across these deer tracks about 15 feet from where I hung the quilt and there's plenty more around.

 I love the woods, that is except for the bugs - little suckers. Yep, they got me a couple times, but I'll be more prepared next time. And maybe I won't be trying to avoid thunderstorms.

 The thing that gets me most is how there are overgrown spots that completely block out the sun... The woods are so magical.... And back to reality (focus)

 So, one last peek of the quilting on this version of Sciuridae.... I'm almost finished with the binding on the other one and I'll show you that version as well with the larger Charmed Living Tote.

 And my last little thing, my little Paco will be 11 this year and he's starting to show his age. I mean just look at those adorable (yet cloudy) eyes. We keep teasing soon he'll be like the Helen Keller of dogs. It's just a matter of time before he's blind and deaf...

And he's turning white in spots. Mostly around his face like most older dogs, but he's also getting this streak of white down his back...And this adorable white spot at the base of his tail! It cracks me up. We've been referring to him as our Silver Haired Fox... I'm not sure he appreciates that much...

So that's the latest goodies from around here. This week I'll be heading off to Shipshewana, IN again to work with the fabulous Moda at The Shipshewana Fabric Show! If you're a shop owner planning to attend I will be demoing the latest and greatest from the Moda Bake Shop and I'll have an array of my quilts there too including the two newest patterns. Also, Stars All Around featured in the June issue of American Patchwork and Quilting will be there too! Stop on by and say hi! I'd love to meet and chat with you!

Have a great holiday weekend and thank all of those who have served, whether it was decades ago or yesterday. Remember those we have lost and the families they left behind. And don't forget those who have volunteered to work in such an environment all across the world. Civilian Contractors help our soldiers and are the unsung heroes in troubled times. I am privileged to know and love two of them, one of which who is my Father-In-Law.

Tom, we love you and miss you and are counting down the days til you return. I believe we're now down to 9 or so days til he comes home for good, and I can't wait for that moment. My Hubbin and I as well as the rest of the family have been waiting for this moment for over 6 years now, and he's gonna get a warrior's welcome when he gets home. That I can be sure of.

Have a great weekend and we will chat again soon!