Pillow Talk Swap 7, Received!!

I am feeling so lucky.  Just look at this gorgeous pillow sent to me by Dawn aka, guiltyquilter on flickr.

I just love aqua of any kind and she paired it with some bright oranges.  Isn't that one of the best color combinations ever?

Here is a closer look.  Check out the attention to detail.  Hand stitching and fussy cutting.  Wowsers!!

She also sent along some sweet extras.  Thank you so much Dawn!!!

Here was my inspiration mosaic...

Here is a bunch of stuff that I love right now.  I always have a soft spot for aqua and teal.  There seems to be a theme of simple repetitive shapes, happy colors, and a touch of yellow-orange.  Who knew?

1. doll quilt swap 2 - top almost finished, 2. seaglass quilt top, 3. LA Kindle Case, 4. Pillow Talk Swap 4, 5. Calico Quilt., 6. stripey blocks arranged, 7. PTS6, 8. Sew & Bee Happy - January, 9. STLMQG Habitat Challenge, 10. scraps, 11. More crosses, 12. a quilt for harry.

If you ever get a chance to participate in this swap, and you're ready to bring your A game, run don't walk.  It's just plain awesome!

34 Random Things

1. I’m a fifth generation Californian
2. I’m the oldest child of three
3. I was born on a Wednesday
4. I was almost named Julia after my Great Grandmother
5. My eyes used to be blue, but now they are green
6. I was born in the year of the Horse
7. I drive around with the windows down and the stereo up
8. I have no sense of direction
9. I love chocolate
10. I’m a Pisces
11. I love the sound of the ocean
12. I love the smell of the sea
13. Sailboats are awesome
14. Gondolas are overrated
15. Italian food is my favorite
16. I was the Tennis Captain in High School
17. I met my sweetheart when I was 20
18. I went to Las Vegas for my 21^st Birthday
19. I’ve kissed the Blarney Stone
20. I’ve seen the Sistine Chapel
21. Photography was my first passion
22. I owned a portrait studio
23. I love good, strong coffee
24. I would describe myself as a dreamer
25. Red shoes make me feel sassy
26. I love a good red wine
27. I caught (well corralled really) a Barry Bonds fly ball
28. Passionate people inspire me
29. I love getting lost in a movie, a book, or music
30. The first concert I ever went to was New Kids on the Block.  True.
31. I love to laugh
32. I am stubborn
33. I have two children
34. After a close call, I am lucky to be alive

Pillow Talk Swap 7

It's time again for my favorite swap ever! The Pillow Talk Swap. There is so much talent in this group. I am amazed and inspired every single time.  Here's what I made for round seven.

I chose the deep jewel tones of Heirloom by Joel Dewberry for my partner and I paired it with Essex in gray and Kona in cerise.

If you were online on Sunday you may have seen some sneak peeks.  I was posting pictures as I worked.  Hey, it's a great excuse to get up and stretch while you're sewing.

Whichever way you press your blocks, do it the same for all of them.  Otherwise they don't match in the end.  D'oh!  I had to remake two blocks after learning this the hard way.  This picture shows my preferred way to press these blocks. To the side for the strings, and then open when you join the blocks.

This pillow did talk to me.  It whispered how it wanted to be quilted.  Close lines on the linen, looser lines on the strings and leave the border alone, ok?

And the full reveal...

This might look familiar to some of you.  This is an original design that I shared for a quilt back in October of last year.  I have more Heirloom and I'd love to make a larger version of this someday.  The original had white crosses, but I really like how the gray Essex looks.

I hope my swap partner loves it!!

The Small and Satisfying Pincushion

Cathedral Window Pincushion

Last week was crazy busy. I was feeling a little stressed out so I distracted myself with a small project Friday night. Starting (and finishing) this cute little pincushion was just what I needed.


Kim of My Go-Go Life wrote a great tutorial on how to make a cathedral window pincushion. I've never sewn this block before and this was a fun way to try it on a small scale. I have a crush on Kim's version.  She used Good Folks by Anna Maria Horner and it's gorgeous!


I stuffed mine with crushed walnut shells, aka, lizard litter. It helps keep your needles sharp and adds a nice weight to your pincushion. If you have never used lizard litter before, you can read some of my tips here, "Another Use For Lizard Litter".


This is going to the home of my Pillow Talk Swap partner. I used a combination of prints from Heirloom by Joel Dewberry and Pure Elements in Cabernet. The button was from my button jar and I thought it was just perfect.


LINKS:

• Cathedral Window Pinchushion Tutorial by Kim of My Go-Go Life
• Heirloom by Joel Dewberry
• Pure Elements by Pat Bravo
• Pillow Talk Swap on Flickr

Fabric Designs for BAMQG

Custom fabric for BAMQG

During one of the planning meetings for the BAMQG retreat, someone had the idea of using custom fabric designed specifically for the retreat. They wanted something special that we could use for activities and also a keepsake that people could take home with them.


They turned to me and said, "you can do that right Adrianne?" GULP! It's true I did design the guild's logo, but I had never done fabric before. Secretly I was thrilled, it's something I wanted to try. Outwardly, I was worried that actual money was being spent on the fabric and that many of the activities were centered around the fabric. This was not the time to experiment. What if it was a dud?  I wanted it to be awesome.

Close up of patchwork goodie bag

After a pep talk... or two, I designed a logo that we used for patchwork bags and a pin cushion make-and-take. I also designed a cute scatter print that we could use for lanyards, key fobs, or smaller patchwork projects.

Patchwork goodie bag

After I uploaded the designs, and after they were delivered, I decided that designing fabric was so much fun. I couldn't wait to do it again!!


Many, many thanks go to my fellow retreat planners, Rhonda, Kelly, Ruth, Amanda, Angela and Deborah. They pushed me, supported me, and cut the fabric when I just couldn't do it. It was well received at the retreat which made it all worth while. Phew.

Retreat badges

Now next to my quilt sketchbook I have a fabric sketchbook. Just in case inspiration strikes. : )