Progress On My Stash Fabrics

Hello Everyone,

Before I left on my retreat, I shared with you photos of a stack of fabrics from my stash. These fabrics are going into a very special quilt. So after I arrived at my retreat, I got right down to business.

I had already pre-cut the strips, so I just started to sew.

As you can see, here is the work in progress. You probably will never believe this, but I sewed strips ALL day Friday and ALL day Saturday. I don't know why I thought that I would get this top done in a weekend. By Saturday night, I decided I wasn't going to sew any more strip sets and on Sunday I would just press seams open.

Pressing them open helps so they don't warp and they lie really flat. That took me from 9:00 am until 1:30 pm!! I shall not tell a lie. Yes, it took THAT long. Then I was actually able to use my rotary cutter... at long last... Yay!

So I cut, and sub cut! I was one happy camper at this point. Then I began to play with the strips on the design wall at 3:00 pm. Only 1 hour left in the retreat!! So I had to hurry.

Here are the fruits of my labor. I have to say I love it in all its spotty, geometric glory.

In this photo, you can see I still need to make more strip sets. Oh no, can I handle it? Yes, I think so. Only about 3 more. But doesn't it look cool?

This is the quilt it is modeled after in the book. They used more solid and monochromatic fabrics. So it really does look a bit different, but the overall effect is the similar.

As you can see lots of color in green, brown, orange, and blue. You can see some Kaffe there too. Gotta have Kaffe in a quilt.

So what do you think, was it worth the days of sewing the strip sets together? Oh, and I think this qualifies for Stephanie's No Strings Attached Challenge. What do you think Stephanie? But I need to hurry and finish before the end of the month.

In other big news, my website got a facelift!! I am really excited about it and would love your opinion. Pop on over here and take a look! Let me know what you think, I am always trying to improve.

Until Next Time...

Progress On My Stash Fabrics

Camille's Quilt

Hello Everyone,

I have to say that I was tickled pink that a customer and friend on Facebook quickly tackled a quilt kit that she purchased from my shop!! Camille ordered the All Together Now Quilt Kit just a couple of weeks ago and wasted no time.

This a picture of the first three rounds, green, yellow, and pinks.

Here is the fourth round, orange.

The last two rounds, purples and greens. Just fabulous, isn't it? They are all fabrics from the Kaffe Fassett Collective.

There are still a few kits available. The kits include all the fabric for the top and binding, as well as the pattern. However, for those of you who like to use your own stash, you can find just the pattern in my shop by clicking here. Also, check out the brand new May, 2010 fabrics from Philip Jacobs and wovens from Kaffe!!

A BIG thanks to Camille for allowing me to use her photos and for being a very quick and talented piecer!!

Until Next Time...

Camille's Quilt

A Stroll Through My Garden

Hello Everyone,

We have had some beautiful weather and my flowers are blooming!! So I took this opportunity to stroll through and take some photos. Enjoy!

This Peony is one of my favorites as it has two of my favorite colors fuchsia and yellow.

A White Iris. I do have some Double Bearded Iris, but they were not quite in bloom.

Baptisia Australis, my husband affectionately calls the asparagus plant. The reason, when it first starts shooting up it looks like asparagus.

My white peony, Festivus Maximus.

Geranium or Cranes Bill. Again, love the hot pink.

Another peony in pink.

Fringe tree or Old Man's Beard. A truly unique tree.

This peony is unique with pink petals on the outside and white on the inside.

Variegated Weigela.

I hope you have enjoyed your tour. I do have one question though... for those of you who have knowledge of peonies, because they attract ants, how do you cut them and take them inside to display without taking the ants?

Until Next Time...

A Stroll Through My Garden

Picking Fabrics From My Stash For a New Project

Hello Everyone,

Being the quilter that I am, I just had to begin a new project before finishing an old project. I knew the color palette I wanted to use. It was just a matter of going through my stash and finding the right fabrics. Here is what I came up with...

Blues, greens, oranges, and browns. I must admit that I do not have much blue in my stash, so this was a difficult color for me. But I think that I the ones that I chose work well. What do you think of this color palette?

The pattern I will be making comes from this book by Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr of Fun Quilts. If you haven't seen their work, it truly is fun. A very contemporary approach to quilting. Love this particular book because it has wonderful insight into color.

The fabric that I chose consists mostly of tone on tone textures, and geometrics with just a smidgen of color. There are of course some Kaffe's mixed in there, Roman Glass, Paperweight in several colors. These definitely fall into the geometric grouping.

I am hoping to get going on this quilt on the retreat that I will be going to this weekend! So stay tuned for some progress photos.

In the meantime, check out the new arrivals here. Brand new May 2010 Westminster Fabrics arrived, including Philip Jacobs florals and Kaffe Fassett Woven Stripes.

Until Next Time...

Picking Fabrics From My Stash For a New Project

A Fun Day With Friends!

Hello Everyone,

Exactly one week ago, my friend Maria (no blog) and I set off to an LQS to meet up with our friends Tina (Seaside Stitches) and Karen (Sew Many Ways). It was an absolutely glorious day, in my book, 90 degrees, sunny, a quilt shop, food, and friends. What more could a girl ask for??

Our quilt shop stop was here at Quilter's Dream. Lovely shop. Lots of batiks, but oddly enough, I did not purchase any. Must not have been thinking straight.

Then enter the lovely Tina and Karen. Don't they look happy to be surrounded by fabric? I think so!

Ha, Tina and me. NO we did not contact each other and coordinate our clothes for the day. Apparently we both just have a love for everything fuchsia, and what is wrong with that?

Maria, is happily making her purchases!

Here we all are after our purchases have been made standing in front of the batiks. Clearly we are all happy with the fabric we purchased.

Now we are even happier. Guess why? We just ate a terrific lunch!

We are just one giddy bunch of girls, our tummies filled, wallets empty, and bags filled with fabric. Ahhhh.... a great day was had by all!

Stay tuned... What will Tina and I be wearing next time we meet up?

Until Next Time...

A Fun Day With Friends!

Hand Dyed Inspiration Vol IV Memorial Day

Hello Everyone,

Happy Memorial Day! Please remember all of those who have fought for our freedoms today.

In that theme of patriotism, I would like to share with you some hand dyed red, white, and blue.

This quilt was also made with Cherrywood hand dyes. I made this top about 7 years ago and really need to quilt this one too. Interestingly enough, there is no white in this top, subtle grays and taupes. But it really does give that illusion of white.

This pattern, I believe, was in a magazine. Don't know which one, so sorry.

But I really do like this one and should have quilted it eons ago. The funny thing is, I know exactly how I am going to quilt this one. So I just need to get going! Maybe by the 4th of July.

Don't forget, today is the last day of the Memorial Day Sale on my website! You will get 20% off your entire order by using the code memorial20 at checkout! Have fun!

Until Next Time...

Hand Dyed Inspiration Vol IV Memorial Day

Hand Dyed Inspiration Vol III

Hello Everyone,

Welcome to the third edition of "Hand Dyed Inspiration"!! The following quilt I made with Cherrywood Hand Dyed fabrics. These quilts here were both made about 8 years ago.

This one was made in a tradtional Amish palette. I love the colors and also chose to quilt it traditionally.

I quilted it with feathered wreaths and quarter inch quilting. This one hangs in my upper hall near my studio and love it! The pattern is called Rainbow card trick and can be found by clicking here.

A close up of the quilting.

I then decided to make this little quilt again in a spring palette of hand dyed Cherrywoods. Once I finally get this quilted it will hang in our guest bedroom.

Here is the complete top. The same pattern in two different color ways. I love to see a pattern made up this way, don't you?

Don't forget my Memorial Day sale on my website! 20% off your entire order by using the code memorial20 at checkout. Enjoy!!

Until Next Time...

Hand Dyed Inspiration Vol III