The Pillow Story and a give away

Be sure to read to the bottom of this post!

It started with this magazine. I love the pillows, I love the colors. I even saw these pillows inspired by the magazine and loved them.

I made this, similar to the yellow and white. I really like it and think maybe it could be a block for a quilt. What do you think?

I loved the magazine pillow with the off set flower - almost falling off the edge. That was the inspiration for this pillow.

I remembered a book that I've had on my shelf and this pattern was book marked. It made the perfect block for my pillow.

It comes from this fabulous book - Skinny Quilts and Table runners II
I used one block from this awesome table runner design.

I love this design, too!
In fact the book is filled with patterns for 15 table runners, all beautiful and unique. The designs range from traditional to artsy and everything in between. Make a table runner or adapt any of the patterns for your own home dec project like I did. The instructions and photos are wonderful as you would expect from Martingale.

So I thought I'd ask the nice people at Martingale if they would donate this book so I could use it as a give away. They not only said "yes" but promised to donate some books in the future (I told you they were nice!).

So, you read blogs. You know how to get a chance to win. Simply leave a comment and I'll draw a winner next Tuesday, July 6th!

Read More

An E for my June Schnibbles

My Mom was the ultimate positive thinker, even before positive thinking was the "in" thing. Whenever my sister or I messed something up she always said "You get an E for effort". Well, I goofed cutting this month's Schnibbles, "State Fair". I cut my charm squares into 2 1/2" strips instead of 2 1/4" strips. I was even wearing my glasses when I read the directions, people!

Since the blocks are made over sized and cut down, everything went well until I tried to put the blocks together. My seams didn't match! When I reread the instructions, I noticed my 2 was actually a 4.

So I get an E for effort and a pretty cute little table topper for outside. Lesson learned - read the directions carefully!

Read More

Solid Love...

I remember in the 80's when Rainbow solids became popular. Everyone was using them, including me. After seeing them over and over, they seemed boring. I swore I'd never use solids again. Well, never say never! With all the colorful, bold and graphic fabrics I'm now using - the solids really play well. Unable to find much locally, I ordered these from Pink Chalk Fabrics. A shop full of modern fabrics, they have a huge selection of solids.

The great thing is that solids now are sporting wonderful textures. This is "Quilter's Linen".

And these are Moda "Cross Weave". The fabric is woven with different shades of color creating a variation of texture.

I'm blanket stitching this today. It will be a pillow and you may be surprised at what inspired this. I'll be adding borders. What do you think brown or green??

Read More

Blooming Button Flowers

I'm teaching this quilt at Jackman's in September, so I whipped up a new sample for the store. If you have the "Flower Pots" book, be sure to get the free pattern for this happy little wall quilt from my website!

Some bloomers from the garden!

Read More

Summer Plans

My trip to Illinois last week included three awesome quilt shop stops. The first was Piece and Applique in Springfield, IL. The shop is filled with a huge variety of the latest fabrics, including lots of Moda!

We also stopped at Robert's Sewing Center in Joliet, IL. This shop is worth the trip just for the ongoing quilt show! The second story balcony is draped with quilts and makes for a spectacular presentation.

The shop is filled with numerous collections and lots of pre cuts. Worth the trip! We also stopped at The Fabric Center in Morris, IL. (I forgot to take pictures) but also a beautiful shop filled with friendly people.

I did a lecture and a workshop for the fun ladies in the Illinois Valley Quilt Guild. One of the highlights of the trip was this guy, who decided to stand in the parking lot behind my car after dinner. We don't see this too often in St. Louis!

The workshop resulted in some adorable tulip blocks. Great job!!

My summer calendar looks much quieter and I think some major sewing is in my future. St Louis is a stay-in-doors town in the Summer. 97 degrees today! I have a list of projects, new fabric and I'm ready to stitch. Here's one of the patterns I picked up on my trip.
Coming this Summer: more quilts!

Read More

Some machine applique

I'm out again this week - heading to Ottawa, IL - to lecture and do a workshop for Illinois Valley Quilt Guild. We're doing machine applique and I made a few new samples of the project. The block has a stem, curves and points - everything you need to learn basic machine applique. Makes up into a cute little pillow.

Or a pretty little wall hanging

It works in lots of color combinations

They'll also get the pattern for these simple designs, so they can keep on stitching!
I'm taking a friend with me and we plan to visit at least 4 quilt shops on the way. Hope to snag some new goodies!

Read More

Thirty Days...

7 flights

7 take-offs (mostly on time ~ thank you swa)

7 landings (thank you God)

5 states

3 time zones

countless renditions of Barney's "I love you" (resulting in great big hugs and a kiss from me to you)

a few tears and a lot of baby smiles and giggles

a neighborhood built with pre-cuts - including roads and a fish pond

and a first visit to the beach!

I'm home for a bit with some new toys to play with:A new Schnibbles project to start:

And some new fabrics to sew:

Life is good!!

Read More

New Project in the Bake Shop

Hop on over to The Moda Bake Shop for my newest project - a table runner made with French General's Lumiere de Noel.

Read More

California...

Here we come!Tomorrow it's a 4 am wake-up call for us as we head to San Diego with the 2 grand-daughters. A flight at 6:45, a 3 hour layover and a final flight to bring them to their new home.

It's been so much fun for me to have spent the last month with them! We even managed to get a few sewing projects in.

I finished this quilt top, I had started on retreat last March. It's all neutrals, mostly Anna Griffin fabrics, and a Moda Bella solid for the stars.

I bought this book for my daughter at Market and she was inspired to embellish an inexpensive grey t-shirt using my scraps.

The first attempt required a little adjustment as the lowest yo-yo ended up in a bit of a risque spot (if you know what I mean).

She also made new pillowcases for her new house. Great Amy Butler fabric...
And we made them reversible for 2 different looks.

See you next week, hydrangeas!

Read More