Blissful sewing...

I'm sewing with "Bliss" this week! I'm sticking with the red and aqua colors and it's heavenly! There are lots of pinwheels to make. I read an article in the AQS magazine a few months ago about matching 8 points, which is what happens with pinwheels. The article suggested pressing all the seams open and even went so far as to say "pressing seam allowances to the side will always result in slightly offset spiraling seams in the center, due to the distribution of seams at the center point". (American Quilter March 2010)

I pressed all my seams open and definitely found more perfection in those matching points. Plus the block lays nice and flat.

I want to mention the iron that I use. I brought it on retreat and after using it 6 people went out and bought one. Yes, it's that good! I've been through many irons in my quilting life and I'm pretty tough on them. This one has lasted me at least 5 years and works beautifully. It's by Reliable and has a unique feature - a separate water tank that makes the steam. Water never goes into the sole plate of your iron to steam up. No spitting - ever! It's heavy, hot, steamy and well - reliable. If you're looking for a good iron - I highly recommend it!

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Artist's Date

Have you ever read the book The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron? It's full of ideas and exercises to help you be more creative. (And for these exercises, you don't have to break a sweat).

One of her suggestions is to go on a weekly artist's date. The idea is to go out somewhere and just observe. Look for ideas and trends, colors that you like and anything that might spark your creativity. The best way is to go with no agenda. Try it! It's really fun!

Today I stopped at some of my favorite "home" stores. The first was a new one in STL called i.o.metro. I saw these pillows there:

Remember the block that I posted that was inspired by Martha Stewart Living? Shannon already completed her quilt top. Look how fabulous this is!

Here's another design I saw at Crate and Barrel. (Click the link to see a bigger picture). Love the grays and yellows - and I think this could be a quilt pattern.

At World Market I saw this piece of art work. Joseph's Coat? My blocks are coming along. I'll show you soon what I've got so far.

Just a few of my finds!

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My Shnibbles Parade

The "Year of Schnibbles" is over. I can't believe it! I actually thought we had one more month - guess I can't count. It was soooo much fun to do and share these projects each month. Thank you so much to Sherri from A Quilting Life and Sinta from Pink Pincushion for organizing, planning, posting the projects and so much more! A big thank you to Carrie Nelson for designing such awesome quilts for us to make. I've loved every one! I even won some prizes along the way - so a big thank you to the sponsors.

We've been asked to show all our Schnibbles quilts for the year. Yes, I did every one! Here's my parade.

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Flowers, a Finish, a Flimsy and a F.O.

About a month ago I sent 6 quilts to my sister, Diane. One for her and one for each of her married children. My closets were overflowing and I knew they were going to homes where they would be appreciated. Yesterday I got this gorgeous bouquet of flowers from them. One of the prettiest floral arrangements I've ever seen. Thank you, girls!!

Finished! The third quilt that came back from the quilter's last month is bound. The pattern is Heather Mulder Peterson's "Gypsy Girl". The fabric line is Verna. It looks very Springy, doesn't it? Seems I'm always a season behind.

My Meadowsweet 2 is now a flimsy. The pattern is my design and I just love how it mixes up all the fabrics. That hint of soft red is my favorite.

My original plan was to use this big floral for a border, but when I laid it up to the quilt, it seemed "too much" and overpowering. It took some thinking as to what to do. I didn't have enough of any of the other fabrics to make a border.

I decided to piece some together randomly, bringing each fabric around the corner. Love how this looks. Now I have lots of the big floral left. Maybe the backing?

I also finished this U.F.O. I made a list in the beginning of the Summer. The list is helping! The pattern is "Off Kilter" from Livin' Large also by Heather Mulder Peterson. Don't know what I'm going to do with this one. It's fun and funky, but doesn't fit anywhere in my house.

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Stuff...

A great 1 hour lecture by Rossie who started the Fresh Modern Quilts flickr page. Go here to see the video: http://vimeo.com/14680699

I'm thrilled to be included in the Moda Bake Shop ad in Quilt Sampler Fall 2010!! That's my table runner second row from the bottom and second from the left.

Super easy and cute headboard project! Just hope your kiddo likes it!

Yes, I did finish a UFO this weekend with a pieced backing using leftovers. It needs some quilting, so off it goes this week!

Pulled out another UFO and made some progress!

Be sure to come back this week. I have my Meadowsweet 2 almost completed - just needs borders. And a "Year of Schnibbles" is over. (boo hoo) We've been asked to showcase all 12 quilts we've done over the year.

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The Modern Quilt Guild

Have you heard about The Modern Quilt Guild? Modern quilting is a twist on traditional quilting. It is not contemporary or art quilting, but creating quilts that have a graphic, fun, fresh new look. In order to meet other modern quilters, a community of guilds has been formed, collectively called The Modern Quilt Guild. I was happy to find out recently that one is in it's infancy in St. Louis. And I'm ready to join!

I'm so excited because there are lots of young, new quilters involved in the modern guild movement. I love the style and hopefully I can be the Peach (if you watch Project Runway)!

There will be an informational meeting at the Quilted Fox on September 18th at 2 PM. I'll be doing a short presentation on what modern quilting is all about and the organizer of the STL chapter will share what's going on here. Their first meeting is September 11th. Find out more at the STL Modern Quilt Guild website.

This is my new addition to the sewing room. I needed a little extra light for the evenings and brought it back from California - a great IKEA buy! And quite modern - don't you think?

This weekend, I hope to finish up a UFO - very traditional fabrics, but quite a modern design I'm doing.
The weather here is finally supposed to be beautiful - so some gardening, barbecuing and a trip to wine country are in store for me. Have a wonderful weekend!

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Meadowsweet...

Meadowsweet... How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

Meadowsweet "One"...

The second quilt to get it's binding this week. The pattern is "Baker's Sugar Squares" from The Pastry Shoppe by Fig Tree Quilts.

The back is a quilt in itself. Leftover pieces sewn together.

Then comes Meadowsweet "Two"

Yes, I'm still in love.

Some blocks made...

A few more to go...

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