Cobblestones

This quilt is nearly done!  And it will be finished in under a week.  Here’s why – I caved in and started with a perfectly lovely sage green albeit purchased (read completed) quilt.  Here’s my rationale.  Unless I can somehow get my hands on a longarm, I can’t see myself making a king-sized quilt.  With two children, two puppies, a full-time job, laundry and 5 other quilts I’m working on, I need to be realistic.  This is a perfectly lovely quilt, 100% cotton with one of my favorite greens, already quilted in a very nice Chrysanthemum motif, on sale at Target for nder $50.  And like the cobbler whose children have no shoes, my bed was missing a quilt made by me.   I’m calling these peacock colors.  It’s all greens and blues.  I can’t wait to show you the completed quilt and a wrench has been thrown into the whole situation by Henry, the boy puppy who chewed my sewing machine cord.  (I’ll be dealing with HIM later.) 

More pictures soon of this quilt and the pink, red and aqua quilt for the girls.  It’s going to be really fun sewing all those half square triangles together.

Geometry

I’ve always suffered at the hands of math.  I tried, I really did.  True confession; poor Mrs. Duffus had to have me twice in geometry because I didn’t pass it the first time.  But these circles are totally different for me.  They’re addicting is what they are.  The picture above is only the beginning because I’m bound and determined to made a quilt for my king size bed.  But the thought of piecing a quilt that large has been too daunting to me.  I’ll never finish it, I’d tell myself.  Then, the incomparable amandajean gave me a great idea somewhat based on this quilt. Isn’t that a great quilt? It’s so simple yet striking and bold. So I thought, “What if I started with an already sandwiched quilt? Wouldn’t that make the process go quickly?”

So, what I’m thinking is involving 108″ muslin and these circles. Stay tuned for more as this evolves.

In other developments, and aside from the circles quilt, I have no less than 5 quilts going. It’s a bit hectic, but it helps with keeping my brain somewhat fresh and entertained. The other geometry I’m working on…

I’ve been so inspired lately by all the cool kids making some half square triangle quilts.  This is my favorite, by red pepper quilts.   Also, the girls are getting into my enthusiasm for the red, pink and aqua combination that seems to be everywhere right now.  So, a quilt was in order to go with this dresser that now lives in their room.  It’s going to be off the hook. 

So, I think all I need is about 5 days to myself and I could finish all these projects.  Yeah…like that’s going to happen.

Thoughtful Spot

Here it is all tidy and ready for sewing. – my sewing room.  This picture was taken during one of our recent storms and so the light is a bit low, but I think you can see the space pretty well.

The goal was to make the work area as efficient as possible.  I have the iron and board to the left for instant pressing.  I love that.  Each project has its own basket so that I don’t misplace anything.  Some baskets are simply fabrics that I think look great together, but are awaiting the right pattern or project. 

Here’s a closeup of the sewing table.  On the left is a roatary mat and a basket with triangles and other cutting rulers. 

This is my ‘design wall’ which is just a piece of batting.  I don’t love it here, and it’s pretty small, but it’s still reallly helpful.  These here are two quilts I’m working on, one is Hop, Skip & Jump quilt, and the other is my own design for a very dear friend. 

 

Below is the new cutting table which folds down.  I really like it! The basket holds all of my ‘bee business’ including postage, recently received blocks and things to mail out.  To the right…new fabrics.  Lately, I’ve really been drawn to Kaffe Fassett. 

And, if you ever come visit us, this is where you’ll sleep – the guest portion of the room, complete with quilt of course.

Coincidence? Or, Divine Intervention…

So, it all started out innocently enough.  I was excited!   I made  the big executive decision to merge the girls’ things into one room.  Here’s why: they sleep together anyway and they hardly use the other as a playroom. 

I wickedly and swiftly had my own sewing room.  I cannot show you pictures yet because it is still quite messy and I wouldn’t want to confuse you all with imperfection.  (HA!)  So, after the machine had been moved in, and I figured out storage, and the like, it came time to decorate a bit.  I’d had this cheater print from Denyse Schmidt for awhile and didn’t have any grand plans for it and so this is what has become of it. I cut three squares and stretched them over a canvas frame from the art supply store.  I love them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, I had a fair amount left over. I thought that the nice home dec weight of the canvas, and those lovely, wacky squares would turn into a nice bag or tote. So, I started to make one and here’s what we have so far….

I’m pretty excited about making a bag out of this.  I’m using Peltex fusible stabilizer so it will be extra boxy and have firm sides, which I like.  And, what’s the big deal about making a bag out of this?  Well, it’s not.  Except, a few mornings later, I opened up my Denyse Schmidt newsletter email to find this.

Hmmm.  Interesting.  County Fair fabrics are in the air I suppose.  Well, they were.  Literally. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fastforward a few days and what comes in the mail for me?  My DQS7 quilt from my partner.  It was her first step into the quilting world and I think she made a great, sweet quilt.  Uh…notice a theme here?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And not only did she make this, but she sent leftover stash…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So there you have it.  Do things really happen in threes?  I say yes.

WIP Wednesday

Flea Market Fancy – A Decision Has Been Made!

After looking at many different squares, blocks, triangles, hexagons (half or otherwise) snowballs and the like, I started cutting into the blue flea market fancy.

Much has been written and blogged over this colorway of this particular line of fabric by me and many others.  I’ve traded and swapped for it and even called little shops all over the country in search of it.  Basically, it’s called hoarding.  This past week, I swapped for another half yard, plus a fat quarter of the creme de la creme blue bouquet and I said to myself that the time had come.  I want to enjoy the prints, not have them on my fabric shelf, as pretty as they are sitting there.  So, without any further ado…here it is. 

The blocks are 6″ and there are only four fabrics that I’ve settled on.  The other three are kona cotton in bleached white, the pinky-red coordinating barbells, and Amy Butler’s full moon dots. 

It’s all about the fabric….

Sunday Stash – Red, Pink & Aqua

 

This gem of a piece is handprinted by the lovely and talented Shannon Lambden, otherwise known as  aunty cookie who designs a whole range of fabrics and other products with her whimsical illustrations.  I’d been thinking about ordering a little something from her when I saw this panel available and knew it was the one.  My girls have decided (Rather, Suzannah decided with some direction from me and Izzy nodded her head sweetly in agreement) that they want their room to be red, pink and aqua.  I am only too happy to oblige and soon I’ll be making a duvet cover from these little lovlies….I especially love the tulips and the oversized flowers.  This is going to be fun.  Though, I have no experience making a duvet cover.  Note to self, figure out how to make duvet cover for daughters.  Please advise, early and often!

Appropos of Nothing…New Puppies, New Do & The Princess Turns Three

A short, but picturetastic post of the goings on around here. 

Our new basset hounds – Henry on the left, Gracie on the right.  They are so ridiculously funny and make us laugh all day.

 

 

 

 

 

I was slightly traumatized by the picture of me with Heather Ross (see for yourselves, two posts back) that I went out and had my hair chopped off.  I’m adjusting, but I think I like it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here’s Izzy on her third birthday.  I can’t believe you’re three!  We love you so much!

A Wee Project

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 This was a quick and sweet project for my swap partner who shall remain nameless until she receives it in the mail.   I wanted to make a graphic quilt that used bold color.  I have triangles on my mind lately and what better use of quarter sqare triangles than for a tiny quilt like this?  It measres 13×18 and I’m very happy to send this out in the mail all wrapped up in a hand-embellished tea towel.  Every tea towel should have pom poms.  Riight??

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you’re interested in joining in on all the fun, there’s a doll quilt swap group at flickr.  Next round will most likely be after the holidays, but why not join now and see all the lovely quilts being shipped and swapped all over the world!?

 

 

 

 

 

 

She’s So Cool – Her Name Should Be Heather Rocks

Nevermind my shiny face.  Can you see how geeked out I am?  Here I am in fabric design heaven with Heather Ross herself.  Oh, and what’s that behind us??  That’s my little ol’ quilt.   So that explains why I look like I’m just about to bust my buttons.  It does make me wonder what would happen to me if I ever were to meet Denyse Schmidt.  I might explode. 

Anyway, Heather gave a fabulous class on ’skirts that work’ and we made patterns to make a skirt based on our own personal measurements.  It was a great learning experience.  Did I mention how nice Heather is??  I learned a lot and will now not be so intimidated to make clothing for myself. 

And apparantly, I’m passing all of this love for sewing and fabrics on to my daughter, Suzannah.  This is her first quilt block ever – she made it awhile ago, and we haven’t turned it into anything yet.  She says she wants it to be a small pillow.  Heather Ross made a big impression on Suzannah. 

Heather shared with us some of her sketchbook and what may be forthcoming.  Sorry, it’s very extremely secret so I cannot give any details.  Just be reassured that there will be more fabrics and more.  She is so talented.

So, that was my evening.  I’ll come down from my cloud in a couple of days.

It’s Good To Be Amongst Friends

See, I’m not the only one who’s obsessed with this line of fabrics.  So much so, that there is now a blogging effort to persuade Free Spirit fabrics to reprint Denyse Schmidt’s first line of fabrics, the impossible to find, elusive and definitely out of print, Flea Market Fancy.  Go on over and represnt! 

In other exciting braggy-type of news, I get to meet Heather Ross!  And take a ‘Skirts that Work’ sewing class!  I feel so lucky that I can’t stand it.   What do you wear to meet a fabric designer??  It would probably be over the top to sew myself a quick Mendocino dress or a Far Far Away skirt.  I absolutely will be picking up a copy of her book and having her sign it. 

And, to be even more of a tease, keep tuning in here for an exciting announcement.  I have something fun planned for all of you!  It’s still very hush hush so that’s all I’m allowed to say.  Oh, and there will be quilting and prizes involved.