Blog Spring Cleaning?

It all started with a need for a card to hand out to people who ask me about my blog in person. *gasp* What do you mean I can't just send them a link? This little exercise led to me dragging out some of my old design books. Here's what I came up with.

Which led to a new banner for the blog,

and a new favicon,

and a new about picture.

Is this blog spring cleaning? I think so! And there might be more where that came from. Now to write that about page. Why is so challenging to write about yourself?

Also, do any of you have a printing service you use and recommend? I'm looking for nice but not too expensive business cards.

Confession Time

I'm today's guest and making confessions over on Randi's blog, I have to say.

Thanks so much for having me over Randi!!  : )

-Adrianne

In Progress: A Quilt for Me

I found the cure to the week of funk... Sew Night with my guild!! I forgot all about my crazy week after seeing my friends, surrounded by whirring machines, cheerful quilting banter, pretty fabric and awesome projects.

Before the night was over I turned this...

Fabric stack for my quilt

into this. Rows and rows of pretty fabric. I think I have enough rows for a nap quilt. Yay!

Rows of pretty fabric

THE PLAN

This started as a BAMQG challenge to make something for myself. I picked some of my very favorite colors and fabrics that make me smile (elephants and dandelions? yes) and just went for it. I was very much inspired by this quilt by Lotta Jansdotter and this quilt by Fiona Dalton of Hop Skip Jump.  

In her book, Lotta Jansdotter's Handmade Living, Lotta says she just cut and sewed pieces together. I wasn't quite that free with my plan (read - ruler, measurements, deliberate fabric placement...Ruth, stop laughing), I cut everything to be the same height and then varying widths. Then I arranged the pieces into rows. I really like it. It has kind of a modern patchwork thing going on.

Echo by Lotta Jansdotter

THE FABRIC

I started with a stack of Echo by Lotta Jansdotter. I picked out the teal, warm grays, navy and orangey-yellow prints. Then I shopped my stash, adding some birds (Ink & Spindle), gray stripes (Lecien), Modern Meadow by Joel Dewberry (Free Spirit), Tailor Made by Cosmo Cricket (Andover), Domestic Diva by Emily Taylor (Riley Blake), Elephants (Japanese), Hope Valley by Denyse Schmidt (Free Spirit), City Weekend by Liesl Gibson (Moda), Wishing Flowers (Riley Blake), Free Spirit Solids, and a couple others I can't think of the names of.  Whew. An eclectic mix for sure, but I think it works. My friend called it Alison called it "so happy". That made me smile. It is pretty happy.

Thank Goodness It's Friday

Flea Market Fancy by Denyse Schmidt

"This is Chloe" by Heather Ross

Pretty mini rose blossom

This has not been my best week.  Life is a balancing act and I'm feeling seriously unbalanced.  I think I've been chasing my own tail since Monday and I am dizzy! So today, right now, I'm happy it's Friday.  The sun is shinning and here are five things that are making me smile...

1. Flea Market Fancy by Denyse Schmidt has arrived at my house. Yay!
2. DH just reloaded my Starbucks card. Just because...
3. My new print from Heather Ross
4. Sweetwater announced their newest line, Mamma Says Sew, and it's gorgeous! Authentic-like newsprint anyone?
5. The color of my new mini rose. Thanks Mom.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend peeps!!  

xxAdrianne

Zakka Style Sew Along

Come and sew along with me!!  Lindsey of LR Stitched and Amy of Don't you Know Who I Am have put together a really great sew along based on the book Zakka Style by Rashida Coleman-Hale.  This book is full of fun, small projects to sew for you and your home.  Some of my favorites are the zig zag tote, patchwork pot holders and the zakka pincushion.


They have gathered 24 bloggers to sew through all of the projects in the book and you are invited to sew along with us! Come on over and join the flickr group.


There will be lots of sharing, tips, inspiration and prizes.  It doesn't start until April 2nd so you have time to get the book if you don't already have it.  I bought mine through Amazon and Rashida has signed copies on her site.


I'll see you on May 7th with my version of Itty Bitty Quilt Block Magnets!  I have loved these since Nova first posted them and now I get to learn how to make my own... and maybe a couple for gifts.  Yay!


DETAILS: 
The sew along starts Monday April 2nd with the first project in the book and will continue through Monday September 10th with a new project  introduced each Monday. Each blogger will sew a different project and will be sharing their finished project and inspiration with you.

• April 2nd :: Zig Zag Tote with Sew Fantastic
• April 9th :: The House Pouch with During Quiet Time
• April 16th :: Zakka Pincushion with Pink Penguin
• April 23rd :: Sewing Kit with Monkey Do
• April 30th :: Patchwork Pencil Case with VeryKerryBerry
• May 7th :: Itty Bitty Quilt Block Magnets with Little Bluebell

• May 14th :: Raincloud Mug Rug with Quilt Dad
• May 21st :: Zakka Block Quilt with I like Orange
• May 28th :: Stem Messenger Bag with Sew Sweetness
• June 4th :: Zip Organizer with Spotted Stone
• June 11th :: Orchard Path Tweed Pouch with Don’t Call Me Betsy
• June 18th :: Happy Couple Handwarmers with A Cuppa and a Catchup

• June 25th :: Patchwork Potholder with Sew Take a Hike
• July 2nd :: Water Bottle Holder with One Shabby Chick
• July 9th :: Elephant Bookmark with Cut to Pieces
• July 16th :: Patchwork Ribbon with {House} of A la Mode
• July 23rd :: Delightful Linen Bag with Sukie
• July 30th :: Bread Basket with Patchwork Notes

• August 6th :: Sweet Sugar Cookie Sack with BettyCrockerAss
• August 13th :: Little Pocket Pillowcase with Freshly Pieced
• August 2oth :: Sweet Memories Photo Frame with Noodlehead
• August 27th :: Pleated Coin Purse with Shape Moth
• September 3rd :: Happy Garland Message Board with Maureen Cracknell Handmade
• September 10th :: Nesting Boxes with From the Blue Chair

There will be some lovely prizes offered each week and we are so thankful to have the support of Stash Books, Aurifil, Zipit, Robert Kaufman and Timeless Treasures.

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. : )

Happy Mochi Monday!

I woke up cranky and in a funk. Until now...

Now, I'm happy and I have smile on my face. Fabric is magic. Lookie what the mailman delivered! I won this bundle of Happy Mochi Yum Yum by Monica Solorio-Snow from the Fat Quarter Shop!!! They were the sponsor last week for Talkin' Tuesday.

What is Talkin' Tuesday?  It's a fun chat on twitter that is hosted every Tuesday night by Cara of Cara's Quilts. We talk sewing, quilting, fabric, projects, events, etc... Every week has different questions and different sponsors. Everyone is welcome to join in. I bet you'll see some familiar faces tomorrow.  : )

The next one is, Tuesday, March 6th, 2012, 9-11 EST, #talknt on twitter.

If you'd like to know how it works and where to go, you can read about it here on the about page.