Sunday, May 30, 2010

On the worktable: Fat Geese

Through June 27th, new the ezine, Fat Quarterly is hosting a designer challenge.  They call it "Fat Geese" and it's based on the traditional Flying Geese block.  After reading through their first issue and seeing all of the beautiful inspiration I had an idea I wanted to try.  Their directions made it really easy!! 

This is my version of Fat Geese:


I used strips of on Arcadia Honey Bun as my base (or goose) and then attached the white to either side.  I like the scrappy yet orderly effect.  Each goose measures 2.5" x 4.5".  This is the smallest block I've made to date.  I don't know if I have it in me to make 414 more for a lap quilt.  Maybe a wall hanging or a pillow?  : )

-A

Friday, May 28, 2010

Hey Prewashers...

I prewash my fabrics but I want to know if I have to iron them too.  Other than aesthetics, is there a reason to have your fabric ironed in the cupboard?  This stack is washed and folded, but not ironed.


I was ironing new fabrics, putting them away, and ironing them again before cutting them.  Why?  I'll fold it, I'll make pretty stacks, but do I have to iron it?  Can't I just iron once, right before I need it? 

I read recently that the chemicals that are on new fabric can discolor and damage it over time.  They also contain pesticides to repel bugs.  It made me want to wash everything in my cupboard... now.  Hence the ironing!

What do you do?

-A

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Happy Thoughts

The idea for this quilt started with a stack of pretty fabrics.  My happy colors.  Wanna see?


These are all rejected Love bindings.  They looked so pretty together that I stacked them up and let them sit and hang out awhile.  Mingle.  I had a hard time choosing a pattern I liked.  I was thinking of something along the lines of these three quilts.  I kept rearranging the pile, trying to simplify the stack and I kept sketching squares and log cabins.  The squares were a little too simple, and the log cabins were too traditional.  I didn't want the large scale of some of the fabrics to get lost in small skinny strips.  This morning I woke up thinking...

Chunky,
Simple,
Big oversize blocks,
Pretty fabrics.

This is the plan.  I'm calling it "Brick House" because... it's not a log cabin.  ; )



Adobe Illustrator was my colored pencils today.  My kids lost all of mine except red and brown.  I'll save them for my Rouenneries quilt.  Ha!

-A

Monday, May 24, 2010

Blogger's Quilt Festival presents... LOVE

WELCOME to my corner of the Quilt Festival!!!  I'm so glad you're here.  : )




This is "Love" and it is brought to you by the Beatles, late nights with my sewing machine, chocolate, and a vanilla latte or two.


Love's Story:
I have a long list of "want to do" quilts.

You know how it goes, you see a quilt you love, you're inspired and you add it to your "list".  You can't start it now.  You don't have the fabric you need.  You're in the middle of another project.  You just can't.  Not right now.

This quilt never made my list.  One day it all came together in my head.  The Love fabric, the appliqued circles, the scrappy border and white, lots of white.  I just went for it.  I started cutting, ironing and piecing.  It was liberating!!

Try it.  The very next time you have a quilt idea, just go for it!!

 


Thank you so much for all of your suggestions on the previous "Love" post.  I went with aqua binding and free motion quilting, and I totally changed my mind on the backing fabric.  It was just too busy.  I may use the fabric to make some lounge pants from Amy Butler's book.  An appropriate pairing I think!  : )

-A

Thursday, May 20, 2010

WINNER!!!

And the winner is.....

#420 Tara of tinkerfrog. I sent you an email Tara.  Congratulations!!!  : )

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Love, In Progress

I'm so excited to see so many new faces!!  One more day left for Giveaway Day...  enter here if you haven't already.

I'm making good progress on the Love quilt.  The top is finished.  I decided to trade the piano keys of the original for white, and the solid skinny border for a scrappy one.  I really like the effect.  There will definitely be more scrappy borders in my future.  A few more decisions have to be made before I can get this baby finished. 

 


1) I need to commit to quilting pattern.  Some ideas running through my head are free motion, a small 1.5" square grid, pebbles.

2) After the quilting comes... anyone?  Yes!  The binding.  Sadly, I couldn't find an appropriate stripe in my stash.  Ack.  I guess I will have to branch out a bit. 


From top to bottom: quilt top, binding options, and backing.  I'm leaning towards the aqua solid.  Opinions??

Tomorrow the winner of the Arcadia Honeybun will be announced.  Good Luck Everyone.  Cross your fingers and toes.  : )

-A

Monday, May 17, 2010

Happy Giveaway Day!!

-Giveaway Closed-

Welcome!

Today I'm celebrating Sew Mama Sew's Giveaway Day.  I love fabric and I'm guessing you do too.  : )

http://www.sewmamasew.com/store/media/blog/giveaway_button_2010.jpg

I'm giving away an Arcadia Honeybun, by Sanae for Moda.  This honeybun contains 36, 1.5" strips.  It's earthy and modern and one of my favorites.  Did you know it's no longer being printed?  Here's your chance to own some!



You have two chances to win.
   1) Leave a comment to this post.
   2) Follow my blog and leave a comment.  OR If you're already a follower leave a comment.

Contest ends on May 20th.  One winner will be selected at random.  International entries are welcome.

That's it.  Easy right?  Thanks for stopping by and Good Luck!
-A

Friday, May 14, 2010

On the Design Wall: Love

I've got Love on the wall!


I'm so excited to get this quilt started.  It's been on my mind ever since Stephanie shared hers last year.   So many people loved it and wanted to know how she did it.  She has since written a great tutorial.  All the circles are appliqued on using your sewing machine.  I've still got to sew the half looking circles up there and decide on a final layout.  The original has a piano key border, but I'm thinking white and maybe a small thin scrappy border.  What do you think?


BTW-It works perfectly with pre-cut charm square.  It just got even easier!

-A

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

2 1/2" or 2 1/4"

Bindings... do you like yours standard or skinny?  2 1/2" or 2 1/4"?


Usually, when I cut my binding strips, I use the standard 2 1/2" measurement.  It's fine.  It works.  I was reading this book by Sandy Klopp and she was explaining that when she uses a thin cotton batting, she prefers 2 1/4" strips.  That got me thinking...  My quilt edges never seemed full and tight.  My corners are never quite right.  I use thin cotton batting.  Could it be??

I tried it and I LOVE it!

So from now on, I like my bindings like I like my lattes.. skinny.

Skinny jeans?  Not on this Mama.  But that is a story for another time.  : )
-A

Monday, May 10, 2010

Introducing, Miss Nicey Jane

Even through the rain this quilt is bright an springy.  May I introduce to you... Miss Nicey Jane.


I was inspired by this quilt the same day my husband brought me home a stack of Nicey Jane.  The next thing you know I was cutting and sewing up a storm.  I loved the chunky windmill block with the bold prints.  The colors put a smile on my face.  The windmills came together very quickly.  I pieced together long 2 1/2" strips and then cut them into pieces (blades).  The border is made up of the leftovers.  I've got stripes planned for the binding and a large floral for the back.  Whirrrrrr..... here I go.

-A

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Whirlirgig Finished

A finish and a start...

I finished my whirligig quilt this week.  Taking a new quilt fresh from the dryer is the best feeling ever.  I love this pattern.  A perfect use of charm packs (make sure you buy two).  Cathy's tutorial made it so easy.



My son was a design consultant throughout.  He chose the colors with red, yellow, and orange being favorites.  He also wanted soft, line quilting instead of bumpy free motion quilting.  He wanted color everywhere on the back and not white.  At four I was impressed with his interest.  He also did NOT want a quilt label.  Phooey! I loved how excited he was when I told him it was finally finished.  He asked if he could give it a snuggle.  Yes.  Yes.  Oh Yes.  Please give it a snuggle. 


So now I'm working on one for little sister.  She's two and she wants PINK.  Nicey Jane will do nicely.  Don't you think?


-A

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Distracted

I've been distracted by these guys all week!  At five weeks old they are mobile and curious.  They follow our footsteps down the hallway, they climb into our laps and I wish we could keep them.  There are 10 in total.  I have my hands full. 

The kids are proving to be good guardsmen. 


Mom!  The kittens are in the hallway!

 
Mom!  The kittens are under the bed! 


MOM!  One just came in my room!

I hope to have a finished whirligig quilt to show you tomorrow.  Binding tonight followed by a quick wash.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Handmade Bunnies

I have loved Fiona's rabbits for a very long time.  I wished I owned one of her originals.  They always sold out before I could get one.  When she put together a pattern I jumped at the chance to make some.  I knew it wouldn't be the same.  How could it be?  I had to do it anyway.  :)


The pattern is wonderful!!!  I have never sewn anything like this and the pattern was so easy to follow.  The trickiest part for me was turning and stuffing the arms. 


These little guys still don't have clothes but I just finished their faces this morning and I just had to take their picture.


Now humor me and pretend this is all happening the night before Easter.


Supplies Used
Hop Skip Jump, Jack Rabbit Pattern
Wool Flannel
Wool Stuffing

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