Swoon 2 and 3

Swoon Block 2...Swoon block 3...
Boy, these are fun to make!
Stay tuned for the sequels ~ Swoon 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.

Read More

Welcome, A Give-away and keeping it real...

My "Welcome" quilt came home from McCall's today. And those nice people at McCall's sent me two issues of America Quilts for the Home where the pattern is published. It's a great issue and since I can't use 2, I'm giving one away. Just leave a comment here and I'll pick a name on Friday. (US only - it'll cost more than the price of the magazine to send out it of the country).I was pretty happy with this new-to-me quilting design that I used for the background. And it was easy! Love that!
I've found two wonderful versions of the quilt on flickr. I wanted to post them here (with owners permission), but can't figure out how to post pictures from flickr. If anyone can tell me - please! fill me in!

The first using the gorgeous Loulouthi by AMH was made by ibmomof2. Click here

The second by modernsewl uses the new DS line at Joann's. Find it here

If you've made one let me know. It's one of my favorite quilts now and I love seeing it made up in different fabrics.

So yesterday I was "Swooning". This large Alexander Henry print is my focus fabric. I've been saving it for something special. All was going well until I completed the block and realized that the black is too overpowering for my lovely fabric. This block is going into the scrap pile!
I redid it today and I'm so much happier. Each block uses 2 fabrics and I've learned that although there should be contrast, not to let one fabric scream over the other. Lesson learned. Hope the remaining 8 go better!
Don't forget - leave a comment for a chance at the magazine!

Read More

The quilt list

Remember my Summer Sewing list? Cross number one off the list! This weekend I pieced this super easy Easy Bricks Quilt from Moda Bake Shop. I used "My Happy Garden" fabric and added lots of additional aqua blues and citron green fabrics.I also changed up the size of the bricks a little. Mine finish at 3" x 6". Since I wasn't using the layer cakes called for in the pattern I was able to cut 6 1/2" strips of my prints and 3 1/2" strips of the white solid. I sewed the strips together and subcut 3 1/2" segments to make the blocks.
It really has a fresh Summery look to it!
Today I started pulling fabrics for the "Swoon" pattern by Thimbleblossoms. It seems lately everything I make has aqua in it, so I was determined to do something different. I pulled pieces in reds, pinks, grays and blacks. It was looking pretty good, but then I decided it might be kinda cool to have one turquoise block. I tried :)

Read More

I love Summer...

There are so many things I love about Summer. For one you can get a nice photo shoot of your quilt outdoors most any day. My Kaleidoscope quilt is done and bound and goes nicely with my Sweet Potato vine. You can find out how I made the block here.The quilting is simple - straight lines diagonally and 1/4" from the seam lines.
More lime green in the garden!
I have a bit of Summer reading thanks to a couple of give-aways I recently won. Thanks to Sinta from Pink Pincushion and Kathy from Pink Chalk Fabrics.
I've also made my Summer sewing list. Looks pretty long! We'll have to see how much gets done in these lazy days of Summer. (Love those lazy days too!)

Read More

The Shopping Part...

In 5 days we hit 7 quilt shops. Two of my favorites were new to all of us.

Quilter's Compass in Monticello, Wisconsin was an adorable shop that has been open only 10 months. Filled with the latest modern and traditional fabrics, we had a ball trying to decide what to go home with. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera to show you pictures of the shop, but it was darling. The owner and her daughter were as nice as can be and they do mail order fabric if you find something in their on-line shop!

Here are my goodies: Cloud 9 Organic cotton "Happy Garden".
And I was so thrilled to find this. "Free to Grow" is another organic cotton line that I didn't buy when it came out last Fall and I kind of regretted that!
The second shop that we all just loved was Tammy Tadd in Sycamore, Illinois. The shop has beautiful fabric, but the displays were pure eye candy. Pink was the theme and if you look close you can see a pink Weber grill on the right side of this display.
A wonderful selection of 30's reproductions.
This had to be my favorite - the pink bike!
Just an adorable shop!!!

Read More

More Accomplishments...

I wasn't the only one who accomplished something on retreat.

Jean's "Short Story" quilt from Schnibbles Times Two in Fandango.
Cindy's quilt using Hope Valley.
Rene's "Gypsy Girl" quilt using Soul Blossoms.
Bonnie spent a bit of time appliquéing this one!
Wynema's quick table runners using novelty striped fabric.
Gayle's "Root Beer Float" table runner.
Wynema's Churn Dash in batiks.
Next up - our shopping excursions!

Read More

Accomplished...

This was the scene out the back window of my home for the past week. Fern Hill Retreat, literally nestled in the rolling hills of Wisconsin. Sewing, laughing and eating cheese (OMG - the cheese - it's unbelievable!). We even improved our vocabulary.I accomplished 2 of the 3 projects that I brought with me.

All the blocks are completed and sewn together using Prince Charming by Tula Pink and the pattern "Birdbath" from The Practical Guide to Patchwork. I'm planning on adding a small border to frame things up.
I also finished the blocks and assembly of Urban Life by Crazy Old Ladies pattern company. The fabric is a Just Wing It layer cake.
I had a little time this afternoon to add a border. Loving this one!
Several others accomplished finished tops also. Pictures coming! We also accomplished a little shopping - no actually that was a big accomplishment. A report on that coming too!!

Read More

Solids Challenge

Our St Louis Modern Quilt Guild members revealed their Kona Solids Challenge quilts today. They were all amazing, gorgeous, creative and more. I took pictures and here are a few. You can find more on the MQG Robert Kaufman flickr group.This is mine:

One of my favorites, probably because I'm such a Wizard of Oz fanatic and it's one of my favorite songs.





I made this cute top yesterday. It's made from AMH Loulouthi voile and a free pattern from Colette Patterns. I do love my Loulouthi; maybe because I love flowers, and vibrant colors and beautiful artwork. It has it all!
See you next week - I hope to bring you some pictures of our retreat projects!

Read More

Hexagon Hexagon

I had trouble titling this post because I've written about my Hexagon quilt several times. I promise this is the last! It's done, quilted and bound!I took the easy way on this one and just made half hexagons so it would be super easy to sew together.
I followed the quilting suggestion in the book and simply did parallel zig zag lines.
Nothing like a striped binding to finish it off!
And in case you're tired of seeing hexagons ~ a few other beauties in the garden...

Montenegro Lily

And this cutie patootie just popped up!

Read More

Cutting Boredom

We took a quick trip to the east coast to spend some time with family last weekend, so I'm down to the wire to do my cutting for retreat on Sunday. There's not much to blog about when you're cutting, cutting, cutting. In case you were wondering this is what 1000 triangles looks like.So to relieve the boredom this is what I'm thinking about...

I added a few borders to my Kaleidoscope quilt and now I have to figure out how to quilt it. Maybe straight diagonal lines emerging from the center???
I'm setting aside scraps to finish off my Josephs's Coat quilt. I have 3 half blocks to applique and add. Almost there.
Do you have favorite fabrics that you just don't want to use up? As I cut into these 3, I prayed there'd be a little left. Too bad loaves and fishes didn't work on fabric.
Thank goodness there's always something new and beautiful. Took a little cutting break to play with LouLouthi.
I adore bicycles and I'm eyeing my new stash...
that's been added to my old stash...
It makes me want to break the boredom and go for a ride!

Read More