Winners and my challenge...

Good Monday morning! Thank you all for your wonderful comments and I'd love to see your Sanctuary Squares quilts if you make one. Did you see it over at Modern Day Quilts yesterday?

The winners were randomly selected and are Moewest, Jenniffer and Kristy. I've sent you all an email. Congrats!!

We had our mug rug exchange at the STLMQG meeting on Saturday. I got this awesome one made by Candy. I love it and I doubt if she knows what a big tea drinker I am.
Much progress has been made on my solids only challenge for STLMQG. It started with this...

Kona Solids from Robert Kaufman

And ended up with this...
And this...
It's certainly a modern stretch for me and I'm pretty pleased. My husband even noticed it and commented how much he liked it. Believe me ~ he doesn't notice too much in the way of quilting around here.
Over the weekend I completed the quilting...
And I'm finishing up the binding...
Another little project this weekend was these book bags for the girls using the tutorial from Sew, Mama, Sew. It's Hello Kitty fabric purchased from Fabric Worm.
I was really careful not to disfigure any kitties in the making of these bags. You may remember my decapitation of Elmo in a pillow case seam that caused quite a stir!
I recently got 2 quilts back from my longarm quilter. A little more binding and I'll have those to show this week. Have a great week!!

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What's old is new again!

Our guild had a wonderful speaker this month. Hallye Bone gave a talk and presented quilts from the 30's. I got some great photos and as I was listening to her lecture, I realized how much commonality there is between quilting now and the quilts made in the 30's.

Certainly many of the popular patterns are popping up today. The beloved Dresden is one of the favorite blocks of modern quilters. Today they have a wonderful new look - like my Amy Butler Dresdens.
This quilt is a new one made with feedsacks from the 30's. The pattern is Jewel Box. Remember mine?
This block is really popular today and we saw several 30's quilts with the same pattern. I think it's called X's and O's.
Another common trait of 30's quilts is the use of white and lots of white space. Think we're seeing that today too!
We saw several quilts using this pattern. I just love it. I'm going to rack my brain to see if I can come up with an easy way to piece that one!

And notice all the solid fabrics in the 30's quilts? Well, it was cheaper so they used it liberally. With cottons rising, I think we're in the same boat!


Hexagons!!
This is Glorified Nine Patch and was just patterned in the latest issue of American Patchwork and Quilting. You'll find a beautiful modern version here.
Fans. This quilt belongs to our member Darlene and is simply beautiful. Love the border. I'm going to have to try that!
Lots of scraps. They didn't want to waste any scraps in the 30's. Sound familiar?
I have a quilt top and a set of Flower Garden blocks that my Grandmother made in the 30's. I'm really inspired to try and finish those. Because what's old is new again!!

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Three... giveaways

Three... it's a good number. It's pretty cool to be three years old...I've written 3 books...
Three fat-quarters lookin' good together...
As of today my blog is 3 years old. I've never celebrated a blogiversary , so I think 3 seems like the perfect time.

I started a blog in 2008 because my first book was being published and I was looking for a presence on the web. Little did I know what wonderful outlet it would be for me to connect with other quilters who share my passion. It's really not easy for me to share my creations. I like to think it's humility, but it's probably more like shyness. The support and enthusiasm among quilting bloggers has become simply amazing. Blogging has opened my eyes to new ideas, products, ways of doing things and more. The inspiration is overwhelming and I sometimes wonder if I'll ever create all the ideas in my head.

I want to thank each and every one of you who visit my blog. Whether you stop by often or once in a while. As much as a blog is a wonderful personal journal, knowing you're here and reading your comments, truly makes my day! I know when you read a lot of blogs, it takes time to click over and leave a comment. I appreciate your time.

To thank you and celebrate I have some giveaways!!

First everyone get a free pattern. You get a pattern, you get a pattern, and you get a pattern (my Oprah impersonation - sorry I can't give you all cars).

I'm also giving away a copy of one of my 3 books to 3 winners. Each book will be accompanied by 3 fat quarters from my personal stash.

The quilt is called "Sanctuary Squares". It's easy, fun and you can do it with scraps, some white and some sashing.
I quilted mine with wavy lines across the width of the quilt. Super easy - I did it with a walking foot and a serpentine stitch after adjusting the width and the length.
The backing is leftover pieces.
You can download a copy of the pattern here: Sanctuary Squares. The pattern will be available permanently on the Free Projects page of my website. Just scroll to the bottom.
Leave a comment to be eligible for the drawing. You have until Monday morning. You can tell me a little about yourself, what colors you'd like if you win the fat quarters or just say "hi". Thanks again for dropping by!!!

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Hats...

Hats ~ From Make It and Love ItGirls ~ Look pretty cute in their hats!

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Pinwheel quilts...

One top finished...Pattern: Pocket Full of Pinwheels ~ Fabric: Penny Lane
Still working on these...

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Busy Modern Quilters...

Our Saint Louis Modern Quilt Guild is a busy group! We've got so many wonderful (and challenging projects going on).

First up is the solids only challenge. Robert Kaufman generously donated a charm pack of Kona Cotton solids for each member. We're to make a wall quilt using at least 21 squares from the pack and up to 2 additional solids. Well, I think (fingers crossed) I've come up with a plan. I even made a couple of "test" blocks from some print charm squares. Is anyone else afraid to cut into their charm pack?
We're also doing a mug rug swap at the April meeting. I used some of my treasured fabric reproduced from the Victoria and Albert Art Museum in London.
I tucked a piece of the selvage on the back. Hope she likes it!We're also collecting "Just One Star" blocks for Moda's campaign to make 100 quilts in 100 days. They will be donated to the Semper Fi Fund which provides support for injured members of the armed forces. I have a Marine son-in-law who I'm so totally proud of, I wish I could make 100 myself in his honor. I've been meaning to make a new name tag in a modern style for a while. Finally got around to it. It's a fun group!! But they keep you busy!

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As predicted...

It did snow in St Louis this weekend. No gardening, grilling or bike riding.But there was some sewing. As planned, I made my quilt/throw (it has no batting) with AMH voiles. I started with 2 widths of flannel sewn together. Then I simply sewed strips of the voile (which is 54" wide) to the flannel using a sew and flip technique. The sewing took about 2 hours! Quick and easy!I wish you could reach into your computer and feel how soft this is. It drapes nicely and will make a perfect summer throw.
I also made Spring dresses for the girls and found matching leggings.

This was my first time sewing clothing in quite a while. I got out my 20 year old serger to see if I could give it a run. This is one of the first model sergers made for domestic sewers. It's a bear to thread and I gave it an hour of trying. I'm ready to toss it out, but thought maybe someone with more patience and younger eyes might want to have it. If you live in the area and would like this - it's free to a good (and patient home). Drop me an email: cindy@hyacinthquiltdesigns.com

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