2011 Project December 30, 2010

I have been thinking about where I could take this blog over the next year and still develop myself as a quilter.  I’ve been asking for input from my quilting friends as well.

So here it is…TRIANGLES! 

I am terrified of this shape.

Yes, those three sided objects scare the sewing right out of me.  Look and what I’ve posted on here in the past folks, rectangles, squares, and some cirlces in applique.

So here’s what I’m going to do throughout 2011:

1. Utilize the triangle rulers that I have to really work at getting better. 
2. Make one block per week with a primary focus of triangles.
3. With those blocks, make and auction off the completed quilt for Charity.  Now I just need to pick a color scheme I can stand every week. 

Here are the color scheme I am thinking:

Red, white and black. 

I am researching quilt blocks to use and work on the dreaded triangles.

A Special Quilt for a Very Special Girl November 2, 2010

My cousin and her husband welcomed to the world their first child over 9 years ago.  As Lexi grew, it became apparent something wasn’t right.  My cousin worked with physical and occupational therapists and Lexi underwent testing. 

Muscular Dystrophy was the diagnosis.  Over the years she has dealt with this disease and it’s negative side effects. 

She has made a huge decision for her own health, have a major surgery to help her. 

I’ve made quilts for plenty of kids through Project Linus.  Since Lexi is being brave and undergoing surgery today, I wanted to make something could provide comfort from 1200 miles away. 

Portion of the front.

She likes neon pink and green along with peace signs.  Circles came to mind when I first contacted my cousin about making the quilt. 

Zoom in on the circles.

 

I hope this quilt provides warmth and comfort through a scary surgery for a young girl.

Looking for a Pattern October 6, 2010

During my time in NY the fall foliage inspired me to try something different.  I remember an episode of Simply Quilts on HGTV with Alex Anderson that used small scrap pieces for applique with black netting.  Saw the episode once, recorded it, got deleted for some reason, and NOW…I CAN’T remember or find the program info. 

Does anyone out there know the name of the technique?  It was an Asian lady on the show that day.  She had made very small scrap pieces and used them to create a landscape scene in “nests”.  She then covered the quilt in a black netting to machine quilt. 

I really want to do this with some scraps and using one of the photos I took for inspiration. 

If you remember, have an idea, have used the technique, or could offer me ANY help, please comment.

News Thread 7.6 July 6, 2010

After a wonderful weekend in NYC I am ready to get back to normal.  I did get to stop by the garment district on Sunday very briefly.  Luckily I knew my limit and carry on size so I did not purchase too much fabric.  I picked out two wondeful yards that I already have ideas for. 

What is on the docket for this week…LOTS.  I start my new job next Monday.  I’m taking the rest of the week off to spend some time sewing.  I will be in a great mood going into the new job especially if I get a few projects marked off this list. 

• Finish June block for Quilt Guild…yep, I’m behind already
• Make the July block
• Get those out in the mail
• Piece rows for the custom quilt for Etsy
• Finish applique on a quilt for Etsy
• Press some UFO tops to hopefully get pinned and basted. 
• Get some items started for Etsy listings so I can keep listing every couple of days. 

Goal for this week is to spend Wednesday-Friday sewing so I can enjoy my weekend.  Last week before we left I did make some strides in organizing my sewing room.  I unpacked about two big boxes.  I found a great new piece to put in the room for pressing pieces, it extends with drawers.  I can now walk from my cutting table, to the pressing table and put ideas up on my design wall.  My design wall is just a simple plastic tablecloth the with fuzzy back. 

Fabrics that I bought for quilts have been sorted into a shoe organizer.  That way, I can just pull them out and get started.  BTW…I have that thing full, so 24 projects to go.  Doesn’t look like much was done in there last Wednesday, but I see progress and that’s what is important.

Etsy Shop Update June 16, 2010

This has been a great week and better things are still to come. 

I delivered my special order potholders this morning.  They were super fun and cute.  Totally spaced taking a photo of them. 

I finished products to put in my Etsy store and actually got them photographed and published.  I’m most proud of the Birdie baby quilt.  This is my second attempt at applique and I’m very pleased with the results.  While I was sewing I just was remember to move the fabric and take my time.  What an accomplishment. 

Close up from the quilt

I’ve got more sitting next to my machine ready to go and a few cute quilt ideas as well. 

The giveaway will start tomorrow.  Be sure to check back and see what it’s all about.  Have a creative Wednesday!!

News Threads 5.27 May 27, 2010

May has come and gone for the most part.  We have partially recovered from moving, getting married and both starting new jobs.  Whew, that was a lot in just a few months. 

Back in the real world we are adjusting to our new schedules and fitting the rest of life in.  There is biking, running, sewing, cooking, yard work, etc that all needs to be done.  Don’t forget time with our two very needy dogs.  Luckily, there isn’t much on TV that I like during the summer and I feel I can run on less sleep than normal. 

While I haven’t been posting much over the last week, I have been in my room sewing quite a bit.  I even woke up early this morning.  My creative juices are flowing!

Things I’m working on:

• Completing the Quilts for Kids kit that I received quite a while back.  I’d like to thank them for sending me a reminder email.  Kicked myself into high gear.
• A few more items went up on Etsy this week.  I will hopefully continue to put new ones every couple of days.
• Birdie applique top is complete.  Last night I worked on the pieced backing.  Just putting strips together randomly.  I think it will add a nice touch to the back. 

On a side note, I have LOST my seam ripper.  Really, I had two of them and now I can’t find one of them.  GRRR!!! 

This is one of biggest weekends for the city of Indianapolis, make sure to check out the race on Sunday.  Even if you’re not a fan, you’ve got to respect people that are willing to drive at over 200 mph for my entertainment.  Bring on the sunblock and beers. 

The roar of the engines give my goosebumps every time!!!

Found Time to SEW!!! May 19, 2010

Last night was the first time in two months I have found time to sew.  It was AWESOME.  Can you tell I’m excited? 

I worked on more potholders for my Etsy shop.  Hopefully I can get those up today on the site.  The offer still stands for anyone that reads the blog and makes a purchase from my Etsy shop…Free Shipping.

After helping my old neighbor’s daughter with making a Moda Birdie inspired tote bag, I had some left over squares.  Not enough to make a big project on their own, but I did score some more Birdie fabric this weekend at a guild meeting.  I am turning it into a circle applique quilt.  Might as well use what I have.  I had the circles pre-cut from making fabric flowers and just used the left over charm squares to help make the border.  This is only my second applique quilt.  Better get some practice since my girlfriend’s baby quilt is the same design.  EEK!!

Off to be productive at work and hopefully will find at least a 1/2 hour this evening to sew.

Wedding Bonanza September 22, 2009

What started as a group effort betwen my girlfriends and I has turned into something I love to do for my friends.  When KT got married we worked a quilt that included quotes about love, marriage and friendship.  When C-ann got married the following year we did another one that was very similar.

Then I moved to Florida.

Last year we attended Ben & Abby’s lovely wedding in Pataski, Michigan in August.  It was a great weekend.  They had a great colors and I had picked out material for their quilt back in January prior to our move.  I worked on the pieces all summer, but did not get the quilt finished.  Then other stuff happened and it just took forever.  Finally this summer I was determined to finish the quilt in order to be there for a their one year anniversary.

For this quilt I used a Disappearing Nine Patch pattern.  It is very easy to do and gives the quilt a nice random look.  With so many colors and different patterns, this is a great pattern to highlight each fabric.  These are the wedding colors of Ben & Abby as well.

One of the reasons Ben & Abby’s quilt was so late is because myself and two other girlfriends were all engaged within a two month period.  My girlfriends however were getting married a week apart in August.  I had six months to make their two quilts and finalize B & A’s as well.

Below is a picture of LeeAnne’s wedding quilt.  Her wedding colors were hot pink and black.  I can’t imagine a better combination for her.  I tried something new with her quilt…applique.  For my first try, it did not turn out too bad.

Lastly, I had Krista’s quilt to work on.  Krista chose great colors:  lemon, lime and orange.  I had to code all my projects early on so the girls wouldn’t know what I was really working on.  Hence, I called this the citrus quilt.  Below are pictures of the pieces of the quilt.  I have yet to finish the actual quilting.  I’m calling this one cascading colors.