traceyjay quilts

Sweet Baby Diamonds are here!

2012-05-27T23:12:00.002-07:00

Finally!

My LONG ago promised tutorial for these quilts is up at the modabakeshop!

If you're new here -- welcome!

I have to give my little disclaimer -- this tutorial does not give all the specific measurements; however, I did make two of these quilts (with slight variations), and tried to share my methods for those who might want to try a design that seems intimidating (at first). I would recommend some quilting background, but then you should be able to use the tutorial and end up with something like those things pictured up there.

But I'm not making any promises. ;)

Story on the quilts --

The boy version was started forever ago, but then I changed my mind on the design, and then I made it in Sunkissed and gave it to my new niece, and then the quilt sat. And sat and sat and sat. And my belly grew and grew.

Then I had a baby, and the baby this was going to was almost 1 -- so I got it finished.

Then I didn't want to write the tutorial (those are a lot of work yo!) BUT -- I did it this weekend. :)

And I hope you all like it!

Some more pics of the quilts:

I really need to get pictures of these with the babies that own them!

I want to add -- I used this same method for piecing the little lonestar I made Krista!

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In other news --

I've almost got my Penny Candy pattern done! Hooray!

The pattern will include directions for the full size (84" square) or baby/throw size (54" square).

It's a super fun little pattern, that I'll tell you more about soon... but some of you have been asking about the fabric requirements -- so here they are:

Twenty-five assorted jelly roll strips (2 1/2" x width of fabric) -- OR --

Twenty-five assorted 10" squares

3 yards background (white)

1 5/8 yards contrast (red)

1 1/2 yards outer border

7 1/2 yards backing (if you don't piece any in) -- OR -- 2 1/2 yards of 108" (I'll use 5 yards and piece some scraps in)

5/8 yards binding (at 2 1/4" wide)

Here's a picture of the baby version!

These mock-ups feature Vintage Modern by Bonnie & Camille for Moda, but I have made another sample, but in Denyse Schmidt fabrics (she did inspire the design after all!)

Anyway -- Thanks for coming by!

I hope you enjoy the tutorial!

♥ Tracey

(and now a couple recent family pictures)

the little ringbearer at his Uncle's wedding last weekend

Mama and miss Scarlet. :)

hair baubles (and mini tutorial)

2012-05-17T08:35:00.000-07:00

My life right now = crazy busy.

No, I'm not talking about the normal kind of busy with a baby and a toddler, but the kind of busy when Daddy hasn't worked less than 12 hours/day in 5 weeks (though technically he only worked 11 on my birthday).

Mama = tired.

That being said -- I *know* that I spent a good chunk of time yesterday cleaning the kitchen. This morning, there is no evidence of this, other than perhaps the vague notion of how much worse it could be had I not cleaned and tidied what I'm sure I remember cleaning and tidying. Therefore, despite the days being long, and the realization that I really cannot maintain my sanity and try to do one more thing (like make quilts), this mama's heart still craves the investment of at least a little time in accomplishing something that no one undoes 2 to 45 minutes after it is completed. A quilt may be out of the question (those take forever, and I wanted to FINISH something)...

So I made hair baubles.

And I was so happy I wanted to make twenty. (And when I say happy -- I mean the wave of happy, positive neuro-feedback something or others were streaming in). :)

Still - I decided to stick with four for now. :)

But I took lots of pictures to make up for it. (and I've got a little mini tutorial at the bottom for one like this one) :)

The smiley little Miss sitting up on her own!

I think this one is my favorite. I googled a tutorial for a fabric rosette, gathered some linen and elastic lace trim together, stitched it to 1/8" elastic, and hot glued the flower to the middle. Oh, I stitched some plastic pearl beads in there too.

I made the band a little too big, so I'll have to resize it, but I still got it to "fit" for a quick picture. :)

My sewing table is now covered in buttons, fabric scraps, a hot glue gun and the quilts have been moved to the side. (At least until next week when Steiger goes to stay with his grandma for a couple days).

"Mini Tutorial"

Fabric Flower Hairband

1. Cut some "organic" circles out of fabric, linen, tulle, satin, whatever, in various sizes (so they get smaller gradually). More tulle = more texture and poof obviously, and I think there were 4

I burnt the edge of my tulle sometimes (on the pink ruffley one above to make it stand out a bit more -- just hold it next to a lighter, or your gas stove and melt the edges -- some of the tulle looks burnt if you do this, but the hot pinks didn't. Make sure you don't hold the tulle over the heat of the flame, or it will have a hole burnt in it -- just the edge)

Stitch about 1/8" from the edge. You can also use fray check if you don't have a sewing machine handy. (But seriously, my first piece of advice for people who want to start sewing/being crafty is to leave your sewing area set up. Hopefully you can still keep a dining room --unlike us right now).

2. Arrange them as you like, and stitch the layers together with a little X in the middle.
(or you can use a little glue -- this is to tack or baste the layers together so they don't shift all over.)

3. Pucker/fold the centers and do a little stitching to make a gather.
And the picture isn't deceiving you - there isn't much perfection about this. The bigger the gather, the poofier the flower (like the pink one above has more fabric in the pucker. You could hand-stitch this if you don't have a machine, or I'm sure a glue gun could do something amazing.)

4. For the band, cut the toes and top band off a knee-high, and stitch the ends together.

My machine likes to "eat" the nylon, so I start in the middle and sew to the edge. Use regular size nylons if you need something bigger (for a toddler or, *ah-hem* yourself).

I didn't get a picture of the next step, but you're going to fold the sides over of the seam on your band. Divide the band in approximate fourths, and fold each edge so they meet in the center like a pleat at the seam.

5. Grab a button, hold the hair flower on to the pleat of your hairband, and stitch your button on, stitching through all the layers and securing the flower to the band.

6. Snag a baby, or a mirror, and you're done!

I call this bauble "country girl"

(You can see how it lies flatter than the pink one -- just depends on how much you pull in in step 3, and how much tulle you use)

(This one was made with the same method)

Pretty sure I'm hooked -- though I'm not sure if it's on the hair baubles, or just baby girl in general. :)

See her shirt -- she knows it's true.

(and lest any one worry I've forgotten about her big brother -- rest assured, he's just trickier to capture on camera these days -- but I did get him running by with his fly swatter... he was "getting bad guys" or "bugs" or both)

(and P.S. my pattern sale ends tomorrow)

33

2012-05-07T11:00:00.001-07:00

Yep, today's my birthday.
There I am with my big brother almost 31 years ago.
(I have those same legs... not much longer either). ;)

To celebrate today, I think the kids and I are going to go to town and meet Grandma for lunch. Maybe Mommy will have to go to the quilt shop too. I think so. :)

Scarlet and I are decked out in matching corally shirts; I should get a picture of us. :) And in a couple years, I'll have to take a picture like the one above with her and her big brother.

And see how much she looks alike.

I do know she already has my thighs. ;)

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And to celebrate, I've put French Kisses on sale -- for the next couple days, it's just $6.

If you've been waiting, then go get it now.

And don't forget to link up your three goals by today.

And most importantly, Mom, thank you for all the work you did 33 years ago to make this day possible. I couldn't have got here without you. ;)

(I got a picture of us yesterday -- Daddy came home a little early, so we got to see him during daylight). :)

Just Three - May Linky

2012-05-01T13:12:00.000-07:00

May is here! It's time for our "Just Three" Linky party! :)

Wow...

May is my birthday month, and also an extremely busy time of year for us.
Right now, if you're curious about this farmer life, they're working the dirt to get it ready for planting. The fields around our house have started flooding, which means the seed will be flown on soon.

My house is surrounded by rice fields in all directions as far as you can see.
And crop dusters, bless them, have insane hours this time of year trying to get all the seed planted. Beings that I have lived in Asia for a time, and visited China, and actually saw hand-planting myself, you'd think that I'd appreciate these propeller powered beasts... but sometimes it's hard to appreciate anything at 5:30 in the morning that wakes up mommy and babies.

If only I liked coffee.... ;)

Anyway -- despite the challenges of long hours, I'm feeling all kinds of inspired. :) Sometime during the next month, the little man will make a trip to Grandma's, and I will have a chance to work uninterrupted for a bit (though wouldn't you know, I miss him like crazy the moment I drop him off...)

So now -- my "Just Three" report... (You can find April's goals here) -

REPORT/REFLECT from April:

1) Finish Pattern #2 quilt, tentatively named "Penny Candy" and get it published, as well as getting paper patterns for French Kisses done.

I have the top done (minus borders technically), most the calculations calculated, and the baby version in progress (still). BUT -- paper versions for French Kisses have been formatted, and I need to call the printing company again, because I haven't heard back from them with my quote.

Reflection -- In the future, I will write patterns so that they don't take so many pages, because I like to print them in color. The positive though is that all the feedback from the pattern so far has been positive, and people are reporting that the directions are clear and construction is smooth... *phew*

2) Complete one old WIP.

Kind of done, but not the ones I had planned.

I am going to be swapping with a local photographer -- quilts for professional pictures of my adorables. I showed her Kelly's pinterest board (where a photographer buys quilts from Kelly to use as props), and she liked this one best. It's made with Hunky Dory, and the only Hunky Dory I had left were some wonky nine-patch blocks from when I made this project/tutorial. After consulting some friends, they told me that for photos, I should skip the sashing and mash the blocks together. Because I only had 11 blocks, I pulled some coordinating solids and filled in the missing spot, then threw a very pale pink bella solid for the border (white doesn't photograph as well).

Kelly is sending me some backing fabric, and this will be done.

3) My final goal was to make something pretty or fun for myself...

I got started on Scarlet's quilt. I'm using all pretty colors and favorite fabrics, and a sort-of original idea that, again, was dreamt up while nursing her.

And I love it. Ali is helping me work out a couple kinks in where the seams match, but it's coming together beautifully.

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May's goals!

1) Finish Penny Candy quilt and pattern. :)

2) Finish quilts for photographer swap and get pictures of the kiddos done! (I also need to get #1 done, so maybe I can get professional pics of the quilt top at the same time... this sounds like a great idea to me) ;)

3) Make some bags. Michelle has a new pattern coming soon, and I'm going to make one for my future SIL, and maybe one for me too. And maybe a couple Mother's Day gifts...we'll see how it goes around here.

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And so I don't leave feeling unaccomplished for the month, I'm going to remind myself that I'm pretty much a one-woman show right now, and we've made some great progress in other areas of our life...

1) Scarlet is eating vegetables and more real food (broccoli included).

Messy, but adorable business mom!

2) I've bought my last box of diapers for Steiger, and he knows more and more letters and numbers.

3) Steiger has a room (we're no longer like this), with an actual wall now, and a bed, and he's sleeping in there. (And I'm stalling moving Scarlet out of our room because, even though we have a small house, her being across it feels so far!) Expect to see more on the kids' rooms soon as I attempt to decorate! :)

Can't wait to see your reports and goals! You have all this week to link up! :) Write up your post, grab a button, and come back here to link up!

(also linked to Lee's!) and Lynne's Fresh Sewing Day!

*P.S. You don't have to have just three goals for your month, but you have to pick just three to play along. If you accomplish more than that, ~~then don't tell me about it,~~ then it's just extra bonus! :)

WIP Wednesday - Penny Candy

2012-04-17T21:40:00.001-07:00

First off -- I am pleased to report that things around here are MUCH BETTER than they were a week or so ago. :) I have to thank a rain storm that came through, and my mom who sent my husband home so that he could help get everything done. The living room is painted, and Steiger's room... *phew* Scarlet's room is next; I'm gonna have to figure that one out.

I've been making progress on my "Just 3" goals for the month.

I got the paper versions of "French Kisses" ready to send to the printers. :) (One goal done)

It was really slow going (due to the reasons mentioned before), but I also got most of the top for pattern #2 done. It's a Jelly Roll or Layer cake pattern (this is the Jelly Roll version here), and just needs borders.
Steiger helped me hold it in the wind. :) (Thank you Steiger).

The featured fabric is Vintage Modern by Bonnie & Camille.

These little blocks are really fun to make; they come together like a puzzle... I'm still working on the baby size version with my very small collection of Denyse Schmidt prints. I'm making a rainbow and adding it to the My Precious Quilt a Long my friend Kelly is hosting. :)

I contacted a local photographer to trade her pictures for quilts to use in her business (like this kind of idea) - so I really need to get cracking on that!

Scarlet and Steiger are growing too fast!

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And my PSA for the day -- my local quilt shop, The Quilt Corral, has the entire line of Echo by Lotta Jansdotter in stock. A couple friends had me pick up a fat quarter bundle for them, and my LQS said they'd take phone orders if any one else wants some. They'll cut bundles or have yardage -- I know Echo is hard to find... so if you need some, give them a call...

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Linking to Fabric Tuesday and WIP Wednesday!

And PSA #2 -- My real life friend Pam is having a giveaway for what looks like a great book!Go congratulate her on 5 bloggy years, and enter to win!

Steiger turns three today.

2012-04-10T10:35:00.004-07:00

They aren't lying when they say it goes fast.

Now a little more about you:

You can turn anything in to a gun or a light saber, or both. (Yesterday we searched all over the front lawn for just the right light saber stick, for example).

You make your sister laugh more than any one else can.

You want Mommy and Daddy to tell you stories at rest time and bed time. Usually about Star Wars, but sometimes about things that happen in your daily life.

You like Elli to sleep on the floor by you at night.

Yes, you sleep on a mat on the floor right now -- at least for another couple days until we paint your newly-walled in room.

You use the right words for things, and notice everything. When you were not yet 2 1/2 for example, we drove by a harvester moving between fields. You explained to me, "That's a harvester. It has tracks on it. It doesn't have a header." Heavy machinery is not just a tractor to you -- it's a "skid steer" or a "cement mixer," or a "dump truck" or a "bank out," or a "John Deere tractor," or a "big Steiger tractor," etc. I would expect no less though from a farm boy named after said tractor. Daddy loves it best when you say "cement mixer."

You conjugate your verbs beautifully... makes me think maybe you were listening to class in utero. ;)

You're a constant running commentator to your mama, but more quiet around other people.

You don't like it when Mom and Dad argue, and tell us, "Come on People." It usually makes us laugh.

You love to visit your grandparents and even talk to them on the phone. You're Grandma Cathy's "Buddy Boy," and Grandpa Bill's "Mighty Pickle."

You like to watch the "singers" on American Idol and other such shows and dance with your mommy while they sing. (Mommy relishes all of it).

You constantly are negotiating for "two more minutes." I just factor it in instead of arguing.

You especially use this tactic when playing Curious George games on the computer.

You get really excited when you see "Super Letters" and can readily identify X, O, and a few more in context.

You're successfully wearing underwear at home now (this is a big thank you from me Buddy).

We got here by putting your little toilet in front of Star Wars and letting you watch. I'm OK with that. You really love watching Star Wars Clone Wars.

You know how to put your movies on without any help; this comes in very handy when I need to get Scarlet down for a nap.

You're sweet, but can be VERY strong-willed and stubborn. Getting you to try new foods is a major challenge -- you DO eat cheeseburgers, hot dogs and "spicy" hot dogs, peanut butter and jelly, avocado, applesauce (with cheater veggies mixed in), french toast, and a few other things... but if you're reading this Steiger, Mama would love you to branch out a bit... but no pressure, because I know that will just make this take even longer.

OK, you're actually really sweet.

You have named your bears Big Papa Bear, Mama Bear, Baby Bear, Little Tiny Bear, Big Bear, and
Sugar Diaper.

You laugh boisterously, with gales of giggles and squeals. You love being chased, and tickled, and teased.

You like building forts and "houses" with things like Elli's cage, the couch cushions, quilts, and whatever else you can find.

You use all the words your mama teaches you, and stop to think how to use them correctly. You do this without any coaching or prompting from me.

You say "please," "thank you," and "no thank you" with very few reminders.

You tell me how you feel with those words: "I'm just frustrated Mom." "I'm feeling sad right now; I need a snuggle." "I'm really mad at you because you put me in time out." "I'm so excited to go with you!"

I'm hoping your future wife will thank me for this emotional intelligence down the road.

You teach your sister about the things you're using and explain them to her. You help me make sure that little things are away from her, and give her something to play with if she takes your toys.

You know Steiger -- my favorite thing about being a mom has been seeing a well loved little soul grow and develop. You are a delight to my heart daily, and even though your entry in to the world wasn't easy, your time spent in it has been perfect. I love sharing my days with you. I told you the other day, "I love being your mama Steiger." You replied, "I love being your son."

♥ ♥ ♥

Reality Check.

2012-04-09T10:47:00.003-07:00

I sat down to write this post, and my mind went completely blank.
So blank in fact that this was all I could think of to write.

Wanna see a glimpse in to my life today?

Though I have to warn you, if chaos and clutter stress you out, you might want to stop reading.

the cans of paint and primer waiting

On Saturday, we had a wall closed in and a door redone in order to give Steiger and Scarlet each a bedroom (behind that new drywall is what used to be my sewing area, the sewing area has now moved in to what used to house a dining room table).

The hutch that holds the fabric that used to be in that hallway had to be emptied and moved, but Jay has said he's only moving that fabric once (he acts like there's a lot of it or something???), and so it is still sitting on the coffee table (see top photo).

The living room furniture has all been scrunched together, my various projects in different stages have been piled together behind the couch, and the officey type stuff has been added to the pile. Steiger's dresser is right here, and there are Easter buckets and a chair near where I'm standing with the camera.

This is the quilt destined for our bed, sitting on the couch, that has the binding one quarter of the way stitched down. King-size quilt + hand-sewn binding + carpal tunnel fingers do not a quick stitching job make.

This is the pile of what-nots that are sitting in the area of the kitchen that used to have our dining room table, that came from Steiger's room, or being stored under his loft bed. (I'm hoping I can find a small drop-leaf table for this spot).

All this with the official kick off of Spring work (read: hubby working 12+ hour days every day in order to get the field work done in order to get the rice planted).

But at least the kids had a Happy Easter. ♥ ♥

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Erika, a fellow mommy/quilty blogger, tagged me a while back for a little questionnaire.

I've decided that I'm going to take the time to fill it out this morning.

How big is your fabric stash? (i.e., how many boxes, bins or pounds? You determine the measurement)

Does "too big" count as an answer? It's one hutch, four totes, and random assorted shoe-box sized project boxes big. You can see most of it in the top picture, strewn out of its normal hutchy home.

Are you an early bird or night owl?
Night owl for sure. And I like to sleep in late too... and I totally consider 8 am late these days.

Do you speak any other languages? If not what other language do you wish you knew?
I can read Spanish and understand it if people are speaking slowly, and I can get around in basic Mandarin thanks to the 2001-2002 school year I spent teaching abroad at a small international school in Taipei, Taiwan. I actually "picked up" Chinese, and it was easier for me to learn that crazy tonal language than to figure out directions... if that tells you anything about how my brain works and how daft I am when it comes to directions.

What store do you have a hard time leaving empty-handed (online or bricks and sticks)?
Costco. Though thanks to my rebate checks, I actually left the store WITH money the other day (and then took it to another store to buy Steiger's birthday present). But still, it was a happy occasion. Other than that, fabric.com, burgundybuttons.com, SewLoveFabrics on etsy, and fatquartershop.com (if they have a coupon) fill my mailbox with happiness.

What are your favorite blogs to read?
See my list! Look over on the right!

What is your favorite book or movie?
Harry Potter. One through Seven plus Seven part 2. J.K. Rowling is a genius in my opinion. I like lots of other books, but these are my favorites.

Where do you sew?
In what used to be my dining room. We have an open floor plan house, so I can see the kiddos and my sewing machine at the same time (though I can't yet sew when Scarlet is awake). Jay is right next to me on the computer, playing his MMORPG's (aren't we romantic? and when I say right next to me, I mean "right" next to me -- I have to tap his chair in order for him to swing it to the left so I can get by).

When did you make your first quilt?
I started my first quilt when I was pregnant with Steiger, then got too big to sit at the sewing machine, and then made Jay a quilt a few months after Steiger was born. You can see it here. Hideous quilt (in my opinion), but the hubs loves it.

How many hours per week (per day?) do you spend on Pinterest? What, if anything have you made/acquired/acted on that you pinned?
Not that many, though I am currently trying to gather ideas for redoing my kiddo's rooms. I find it funny though that my raspberry cream cheese coffee cake is one of my most pinned items, even though I'm a quilty blog. :) Though we did make it yesterday morning, and it IS quite good.

What’s your favorite quilting tip?

Make what you love.

Learn and try new things.

Do good work, but don't get bogged down in perfectionism.

Oh, and nest your seams.

Did you make a New Years resolution? Have you kept it?

Did I? I can't remember honestly. But I probably was smart enough not to make one this year, beings that I don't sleep through the night yet.

(Tagging Kelly - because she just answered these, Kaelin @ the plaidscottie, and Heidi @ Buttons and Butterflies!)

I've had a few people ask me "How do you do it?" ("It" referring to quilting with a baby and a toddler)...

1) Make it a priority -- this means that the house sometimes looks like the pictures you see featured on my blog today

2) Add 1 day to 1 month to 1 year (or more) to whatever time you expect it to be done by.

3) Have a sewing area always set up, even if that means you don't have a dining room table.

And that my friends, is my reality check for the day.

If you're thinking there's anything glamorous about quilting with two small children, well, I suppose you've been enlightened.

(And if there's someone out there who does do it well, I don't want to know). ;)

Now back to blowing some bubbles with Steiger (who turns three tomorrow!!!).

Because mental health matters too!

ACK! they're cute!

2012-04-06T12:28:00.001-07:00

You can still link up to the "Just 3" goals for April! It'll be open until Sunday I believe... it's been fun seeing your goals!

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So many of us waited so long to sew with these cute little seedlings from Flea Market Fancy.

It felt really good cutting in to my own and making something. :)

I started on my first of my "Just 3" goals the past couple nights. I haven't had a lot of time to sew, but I got a few blocks for the baby size of my next pattern, "Penny Candy" done.

Really though -- these blocks are so happy and fun for me to piece, and I love using up the new flea market fancy bits, with some katie jump rope.

My friend Kelly has started a new quilt along called "My Precious" Quilt Along. I'm going to add this to the group.

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Today being Good Friday has me highly contemplative... not just because of its Christian story, but because Steiger was born three Good Fridays ago, in the operating room after 26 hours of labor... This is just a big week of remembering for me. First today, then Scarlet will be six months old tomorrow, then on April 8 not only is it Easter, but Jay asked me to marry him six years ago... Steiger turns three on Tuesday (!!!). This mama's heart is full right now. I suppose you can be expecting a sentimental post or two from me in the next week. ;)

All that and we're remodeling to give Steiger a bedroom. Tomorrow the contractor will be putting in a wall and moving the door, and Scarlet will be moving in to Steiger's old room (and maybe out of our room if I can bear for her to be that far away).

I have two rooms to re-decorate (and decorating is not my strongest suit), but I'm looking forward to it! (and just need to recruit some painters). ;)

Blessings of New Life and Hope to all of you this weekend...

they look so serious here, but I just loved how he was holding her while watching cartoons, and she was so relaxed... ♥

Just Three for April - Linky time!

2012-04-03T19:26:00.003-07:00

I need some structure. Pretty seriously.

Scarlet, as adorable as she is, doesn't sleep through the night yet (though in all fairness, I'm OK with that, because I kind of like our quiet time together, and do my best quilt brainstorms then)...

Steiger has dropped his naps and I've taken to just plopping him on the couch with a movie for some quiet time after I get Scarlet down for her nap, and letting him crash if he wants to. And you moms all know what happens -- yep, when he falls asleep, Scarlet, notorious little cat-napper that she is, wakes up.

But -- every now and then, little napping fairies do indeed visit my house. And both my children sleep at once. And when they do, I need some structure, because otherwise I stare at the computer ~~browsing fabric sites and filling my virutal cart, wiping drool from my chin, chatting on facebook~~ not sure where to begin.

So I'm giving myself three goals.
Each month, I will write down three goals, and at the end of the month, I will reflect, report, and re-evaluate for the next month.

Yep, this is what I've decided to.

For April -- my goals are:

1) Finish Pattern #2 quilt, tentatively named "Penny Candy" and get it published, as well as getting paper patterns for French Kisses done.

I have more sashing fabric coming this week for the full-sized version (which is almost done!)... and I've pulled fabrics to test the baby version.

2) Complete one old WIP... (I'm thinking it will be one of these two)

(you see how small Steiger is in this picture -- he's going to be three next week, so this one needs to be finished up soon)

or this one:

3) Make a happy sewing project -- just something pretty that I like.

Your turn!

Rules:
- only three things
- need to be attainable goals
- Link back here (there's a button on the side that I hope works!)

Since this is my WIP report -- I'm linking to Lee's!

OK -- Now you Link up! (You've got a couple days to do it)
(Sheesh -- more new technology -- I hope this works too!)

little pink quilt finished and swapped

2012-04-01T19:19:00.008-07:00

I have a friend who crochets hats. Very cute hats.

And even though she knows how to make quilts, and I (used to) know how to crochet, we figured a little swap was better for both of us.

Her baby girl was turning one; I asked her what palette she liked, and she linked me to this one.

I had some charm squares from Hello Luscious by Basic Grey, and some old Blush fat quarters. I added some Porcelain Bella solid and put together this little number.

Jen tells me that her little Miss loved it.

And Scarlet loves her little hat.

(Steiger got a hat too, but he is becoming increasingly difficult to capture on camera, but he likes to put it over the front of his face and tell me he's getting bad guys.)

If you are interested in a happy little crocheted hat (and she does other stuff too), go see her at Jenny Pancakes. She does custom orders, and is quick too!

(and I have to thank Jen for snapping some pictures for me because I finished this after midnight the night before I mailed it -- she's a natural quilty photographer I'd say!)

(And in flickr, many of you have asked for a tutorial on this... I'll add it to the list, but it's really quite easy to do, and requires no paper piecing). ;)

and P.S. --- look at what has started happening at our house...

Linking to Sew Modern Monday

and Fabric Tuesday

Linking to Fresh Sewing Day!

more fabric love (and a winner)

2012-03-30T17:08:00.002-07:00

Thank you again for all the support on my new pattern!

So without further ado... a big congratulations to Mary for winning the Rouenneries Deux layer cake and pattern!

I decided to give away an extra copy of the pattern, and Jenny won that one! (I'll be emailing you ladies)

I look forward to seeing both of you, and any one else in our quilt along group. It's a casual quilt along, that you do at your own pace; I really just wanted a place to be available to answer people's questions and see everyone's work. Kelly did do an awesome job testing for me, and gave me very valuable feedback for clarifying, but if any of the rest of you have a question or just want to show off, that is a good place to go. I won't be giving explicit cutting or piecing directions; we'll basically be sharing our work. So if you love the pattern, and want to join with us... please do so. :) (AND -- for any of you paper pattern lovers, I called a printing company yesterday to figure that out; they will hopefully be available soon).

____________________________

For the first time this week, both my children are sleeping.

I didn't know what to do with myself; I just knew I had to stay QUIET so as to not jinx it (seriously, Scarlet has been cat-napper extraordinaire, and Steiger hasn't been napping at all).

Cutting is quiet, and since I went on a teeny tiny fabric binge this month, I started cutting.

These aren't all the exact fabrics I'm cutting right now, but some of them are in my pile.

I've decided I'm going to make a Spring quilt, and I'm going to name it "Favorite Quilt." If the fabric doesn't make me feel happy, it doesn't get included.

Anyway -- my mouse might have got me in to a little bit of trouble. (side note to my Honey -- they were all really good deals... extra coupons on top of sales kind of good deals, and it motivated me to pull out more things to destash, so it's like breaking even if you really think about it -- and I promise I'll wait a long time before I do it again...yes, I feel guilty...)

Lots of pretty blenders... if you're curious about any specific ones, click on the picture and I'll name them for you in flickr (or leave a comment if you don't have a flickr account).

But who doesn't love a rainbow, right Kelly?

I practiced incredible restraint with the Pez prints, and only got a FQ bundle with a few selected half-yard additions.

I just love these Michael Miller "Falling Flowers."

(and again Honey -- I wanted to get all the color ways, but stuck with these four; you should be proud because they were on sale and I have had them in my virtual cart for a couple months).

I snagged a few pieces from Heather Bailey's re-release of Fresh Cut (oh how I wish that woman would release a new line... and soon!)

And of course, I had to get some Flea Market Fancy Legacy.

My fabric.com history told me I hadn't placed an order since October of last year (!!!), which really I just used to justify my bad behavior.

I've decided next year I'll need to give up buying fabric for Lent.

♥

(but they're so pretty)

the way it goes... (and destashing)

2012-03-28T17:55:00.002-07:00

No binding done.

No sewing done.

Sicky baby girl snuggled all day long. - check. (She's actually not doing too poorly, just a bit needy)

The hubs came home from work today puking; I'm hoping my super duper ex-teacher immune system will come through for me as it has so many times before.

I also managed to list a few destash items.

You can find them here:

Great deals, I'll refund shipping overage charges if you want multiple items -- but these were just fabrics I bought that I had great plans for, but I'm finally accepting the reality that it's not going to happen. I've got a few more to pull out of the closet and get listed... enjoy shopping in the mean time!

I'll post the winner for the Rouenneries Deux layer cake and French Kisses pattern ASAP, but I need to count comments!

Join us in our flickr group in the mean time. :)

a pretty little dress

2012-03-26T11:10:00.003-07:00

Before I get carried away... some logistics:

Thanks for all the love on my first pattern. :)
My giveaway for a Rouenneries Deux layer cake and a copy of the pattern, French Kisses, is going on here until Wednesday.

Secret Garden version of pattern -- back from Eileenquilts.com and ready for binding!

On Wednesday, we'll be starting our Quilt-Along. Really I just want to see how everyone's quilt looks, because I have yet to see a fabric group used in real life or in computer form that doesn't look good (like look at this progress from Kristy, in Patty Young's Lush). I also thought it'd be handy to have a place where I can help give clarification and what-not. I won't be giving explicit cutting or piecing directions, as they're all included in the pattern (with lots of diagrams if you're feeling intimidated), but I'll be around to help answer questions, make sure you have enough fabric if you want to change sizes, that sort of thing. :)

______________________________

Now -- on to my post for today.

I made Scarlet a little dress.

Amy at PeekaBoo Pattern Shop needed her new pattern, the Natalie, tested. And she needed it in the 6 mos. size.

"I have an almost six month old, and I've been wanting to learn how to sew her clothing," I thought. So I volunteered. And I made her this dress.

There were a couple tricky spots for me to figure out (it's been a LONG time since I've sewn clothes, like since junior high long time, and I haven't worked with knits), but it still turned out pretty cute.

I changed a couple things, and would change my methods again were I to make it again, but it was still fun, and I felt accomplished. :)

And it fits her pretty well too!

The fabric is a pink knit I got at JoAnn's, and a piece from Laura Gunn's new Garden Walk (Wee Sprig I believe it's called... in pink).

It's fun having a baby girl to sew little baby girl things for.

I love her expressions

So I hope you don't mind seeing pink around here more often. :)

I'm sure I'll branch out eventually.

(and her fuzzy hair and her sticky-outy ears). :)

But why mess with a good thing, right?

(Baby girl got sick last night, pukey sick, for the first time. I felt clueless about what to do! Steiger didn't get his first pukes until he was 2 1/2, and it's only been once - yes, we're lucky - she did OK last night, and has kept her breakfast down so far this morning and is sleeping now, I hope we're through the worst of it!)

And I hope I get my binding done! :)

Linking to Quilt Story's Fabric Tuesday. :)

Giving away French Kisses (my first pattern!)

2012-03-22T17:02:00.014-07:00

Giveaway is closed, but you can still comment if you'd like. :)
_____________

In my ongoing effort to make quilting sustainable, I give you my first pattern, French Kisses -- all published and ready to go!

And I feel really grateful...

Grateful I will no longer be agonizing over how to design the cover (which I hope you like)

Or grateful I'm not sitting at the computer editing...

Or grateful I'm not still trying to figure out EQ7 and come up with cute virtual quilt options (like this one in Vintage Modern)...

You know, it's just exciting to be "done."

This quilt measures 64" x 80" -- so it makes a good twin or big throw size. You can see that it very nicely covers my tall husband while he snoozes on the couch.

The design is a result of day-dreaming while Scarlet was eating, and we were the only two awake in the house. It dawned on me that two of my favorite block designs could interact nicely. Rouenneries Deux had yet to be released at the time, but I thought it might be a good design to justify adding to my French General stash.

I already had some Secret Garden stashed, so I made some test blocks (and then kept going) until I had enough blocks to make a quilt for our bed (this one is actually on its way back to me now from Lindsay, and I can't wait to see it -- and sleep under it)

"The hubs" got me a FQ bundle of Rouenneries Deux for Christmas, and as soon as the yardage was released, I went about to finishing this quilt.

Lindsay of Eileen quilts did the long-arm quilting for me, and it is so beautiful; I love the big roses all over.

________________________________

I have made this quilt design twice now, and my friend Kelly tested it for me. The blocks are big, come together quickly (remember I made both of these with a newborn not yet sleeping through the night... which she's still not doing, but she's cute nonetheless), and have lots of movement. It's also got a great spot for fussy cutting or big focal prints (though you might need to figure in extra fabric, depending on how you cut it).

This one was made by Kelly at KelbySews

You'll notice in Kelly's quilt (which uses a layer cake of "It's a Hoot" by Momo for Moda), that she used the light gray as her solid. When you're using a layer cake, you'll want to choose your background fabric to contrast, even a little, all the prints. Because "It's a Hoot" has the white prints, the gray worked well.

Stained Glass French Kisses by Kelly at KelbySews

So if you like it, and want me to do your math for you, or just need a way to use up an extra layer cake or fat quarter bundle (yes, fat eighths should work fine, but I didn't create explicit directions for them) you have, then I'd love for you to buy my first pattern.

There are directions for using either a layer cake or fat quarters, and I've included a bonus layer cake pattern (called "Just Hugs"), because hey, we all love a bonus (and it was a cool design).

The pattern is a pdf file that will be emailed to you immediately after purchase, and includes detailed and diagrammed instructions for how to cut and construct your own. I did not write up the directions for the larger size, but if you'd like to join our quilt along, I'd be happy to help you with the math for adding blocks (you would pretty much just double the fabric if making the size I made in Secret Garden pictured above).

To celebrate and launch my new pattern, I'm also giving away this layer cake of Rouenneries Deux, along with a copy of the pattern (and I'll probably give away another copy of the pattern too).

To enter the giveaway:

- Leave me a nice comment {can be about the pattern, how to potty train an almost three year old boy who is as (cute and) stubborn as his father, how cute Scarlet is, how cute I am, how your day is going, whatever}.

- Pin, Blog, or Facebook with a link to my pattern for a second entry and leave a comment telling me so.

I do hope to have this as a paper pattern, but honestly don't understand all the goings of getting a paper pattern published yet, but I'm learning!

Thank you, and I hope you all like French Kisses.

♥ ♥ ♥

P.S. -- If you buy it and then win, I'll refund your purchase. :)

Linking to AmandaJean's Finish it up Friday.

Breakfast at Tiffany's finished quilt - and 5 months big

2012-03-12T11:46:00.006-07:00

Pin It

My Scarlet turned 5 months old last week.
And I'm taking the opportunity to tell about her, and finally blog about a quilt I finished back in January.

I was making Steiger a big boy bed quilt for Christmas (which I still need to blog about), and decided Scarlet needed a quilt for Christmas too. I had this one basted for over a year, and because I was still on the feeding every 3 hours around the clock schedule with Scarlet, I decided an almost done quilt was the perfect one to finish. :)

I made this quilt by using the "Rob Peter to Pay Paul" die on my Go! Cutter. (You can read my full review here), and I love this die and design -- but will change a few things when I use it again. Because I don't pin these curves, all the bias edges stretched a little, and it was difficult to get it to lie truly flat. I solved this by minimal quilting (just followed the line of the petal shape), but would have done little petals in the print pieces too if I had a smoother surface (maybe spray basting would help this?) I will make sure to starch the pieces before cutting next time -- I'm thinking that might get things a little more flat.

The back is pretty flowers.

It's a beautiful quilt though, and getting a lot of use. I LOVE the chenille border (and not just because it makes sewing the binding on really easy -- the stitches disappear in to the chenille, so a machine sewn binding is still so pretty).

Now about my little Miss.

We took you to the doctor last week Scarlet, and you are 15 lbs, 2 oz, and 26 1/4" tall. You are actually in the 90th percentile for height, and even though I am only 5 feet tall, because 100% of your nutrition has come from and through me, I'm taking the credit... (it's the last time I'll be able to do so, since you'll be starting solids soon, and every one will think it's your tall dad that has made you tall). ;)

It's hard to write about your traits without comparing you to your big brother, but you two are definitely different... but you hold your hands the same way he did.

He is one of your favorite people.

This was your face when you saw him run over to you while you were lying on your quilt.

For about a month, you were only waking up once in a twelve hour night, and Mommy was loving it -- but either your ability to roll around (you're a tummy sleeper, like your brother was), or your increased activity, or growth spurt or little teeth popping in, or something has you up more often lately. I don't mind as long as you fall back to sleep (which you did last night... thank you baby). You're a thumb sucker too, which I suspect is part of why you used to scream when swaddled... when you were born, you had one hand by your face... I'd guess you've been sucking your thumb for quite some time. ;)

You like me to sing you to sleep.

You will sit and watch for a long time, and be happy about it.

(I love your squishy little tummy baby girl)

You really are an "easy" baby. And oh so charming. You use as few words as possible, and really only cry when you're wanting out of your car-seat, or Mommy kept you up too long, and you got overly tired. You usually ask to be held about fifteen minutes before you're ready for your next nap. You spend a lot of time in your pack in between, and even let Mommy do dishes or shower while you're awake (a luxury your brother never afforded me).

You love your nightly massages, and stretch your little legs as long as you can, and smile and coo.
You watch us move around the room, and flirt with whoever isn't paying attention to you by smiling at them. Because I'm usually studying you, I tell those people that you are smiling at them so they'll return the favor.

You and Steiger play together all the time.

You roll on to your back easily, but have trouble getting back to your tummy. Sometimes Steiger will help you get back around, and you don't mind. The other morning, he was holding you on the couch while the two of you were watching Curious George, and when Mommy brought the laundry back out, he had laid you down and was snuggling next to you. Thank goodness he put you to the inside. He loves you as much as you love him. ♥ I'm hoping to do everything I can to keep it that way.

Your eyes are blue and you are definitely a fair little white girl.

We hope you keep your blue eyes; everyone tells you how pretty they are.

You are unassuming, watchful, charming, and curious... and have seamlessly welded yourself in to our lives. And oh how we love you for it.

(linking to Megan's Sew Modern Monday and Quilt Story's Fabric Tuesday)

(and if you're curious, there's a picture of Steiger when he was about the same age in this post.)

"Pottery Barn" pillows

2012-03-04T15:11:00.000-08:00

My cousin is getting married at the end of this month... I knew that.
My husband's birthday is March 1... I knew that too.
My cousin's bridal shower was March 3... knew that.

BUT -- somehow, I didn't put together that March was THIS MONTH of all things. Oh yes, I remembered Jay's birthday, but still, I manged to not quite grasp the fact that March 3 was this Saturday, and oh yea, I hadn't got a gift yet.

Being's that this was Friday when I finally understood that the shower was the next day (my mom asked me if I had RSVP'd yet), and the shower was a brunch in the morning, getting in to town to get a gift wasn't going to happen (especially being that they were registered at stores that are 90+ miles away).

OK - So I figured I'd make her a couple pillows.

To further complicate things... she didn't actually register for any textiles, so I couldn't copy her color schemes that way. Knowing that she works at Pottery Barn though, I pulled out my latest catalog, and figured that she'd like the colors from their latest issue... a lovely mix of taupe, cream, gray, and with touches of steely blue and a bit of green.

This was me working on them late at night (Scarlet didn't go to sleep until 11:45 pm... yes, she has teeth coming in)

Triangles.

And I only had one pillow form on hand, but this is a really cute panel from French General's La Petite Ecole line I cut up and framed with some Kokka. Looked very Pottery Barn to me.

All wrapped up and ready to go Saturday morning!

And she seemed to like them very much. And was even impressed with my little gift tag. :)

for a quick laugh

2012-03-02T15:24:00.000-08:00

I'm sure you've seen these before...

Even if you don't have grandkids, it's pretty funny.

a little makeover

2012-03-01T15:40:00.002-08:00

I try to do this every year.

This year was a little late, for obvious reasons.

I've been in love with this peachy/strawberry/corally color lately... so I went with it.

This was my first one -- I liked it, but something felt off.

This was #2 -- felt a little more balanced, but still not right.

This was #3 -- I finally figured out how to use the frame feature, but it was heavy to the left.

Ah -- shrink down the quilt blocks, balance out the photo size a bit -- ♥

So what do you all think? (just tell me I picked the best one so I can get back to sewing)... ;)

I'll actually be doing other makeovers at home too.

Starting, I think, with this framed little window-box type thing that is painted a garrish gold. It will be going in Scarlet's room (after we put the wall in Steiger's new room)... I see Robin Egg's Blue perhaps.

Making over a baby girl's nursery is thrilling and scary at the same time; I'm just hoping my mom will give input... she's much better at this sort of thing than I am.

Anyone else like me? Great with fabric and not so much with decor???

I think this will be my inspiration...

from Riley Blake's Marguerite line coming soon

I also really want to figure out how to make one of these for Steiger man too... (from Sweetwater)

And we need to get the garden ready for planting... hmmm, this weekend is looking busy.

Oh! It's the hubs' 30th birthday today (yes, that does make me a cougar) ;)

I love that handsome bloke.

Happy Birthday Honey.

We are more grateful for you than you know.

(and y'all just have to see this picture of him from when he was little... you see where Steiger gets his good looks, no?) My mother-in-law says it's eerie sometimes when she's with Steiger, because it's like having little Jay all over again.

Thanks for passing those good genes on to our kiddos honey. ;) And Happy Birthday.

well phooey...

2012-02-27T12:13:00.000-08:00

The UPS man had this for me today...

But sadly the laundry and dishes fairy didn't visit our house this weekend, so it will have to just sit there looking pretty.

This is the fabric for my next quilt pattern. I've had the design all worked up in my head (another one I dreamt up while nursing Scarlet in the wee hours of the morning) and on EQ for a while, and I am really excited to see it actualized in fabric.

Speaking of things looking pretty... here is Miss Scarlet in her new hat.

Perfect.

My friend Jen made it... we're doing a little trade; I'm making her daughter a quilt, and she's making my kiddos little hats. I know how to crochet blankets (or I used to at least), but nothing fancy like this. I REALLY want to learn to knit... anyone know a good "teach yourself to knit" resource?

♥

And thank you for all the encouragement with the coming very soon French Kisses pattern. :) It's nearly complete! I just have the finishing directions to add... oh, and it'd probably be good to get the quilt back from Lindsay (at Eileen Quilts) and take a pretty cover photo. I'm trying to think of Parisian places I can take it to... I'll have to keep thinking.

Sharon from Lilabelle Lane was so sweet to ask her husband to make me a quilt along button...

It's in the sidebar, but feel free to grab one!

Fabric requirements again:

10 light fat quarters as background (+ one quarter yard for border pieces)
10 medium/dark fat quarters

-- OR --

2 5/8 background yardage (includes border pieces)
and a layer cake or 10 medium/dark fat quarters

2 1/2 yds for the outer border (if you want to miter your corners)
5/8 yd. binding (cut at 2 1/4")
5 yds backing (will be more than enough to create the extra needed to send it to a long-armer if you'd like -- I used some extra fat quarters for my backing + 3 yds I believe)

"French Kisses" top and quilt along

2012-02-21T16:42:00.003-08:00

My first pattern is almost done! And here is the quilt top. :)

It just needs a few finishing touches... you know, like...
quilting (by Lindsay of Eileen Quilts -- can't wait to work with her!)...
testing (by Kelly)...
editing and publishing! (by me)

I'm sure it will be available as a PDF, and I'm trying to figure out if it will be cost-effective to have it available as a paper pattern too, but because of how I'm diagramming everything, it really will be best in color (easy to do with a PDF of course).

If you study the design, you can see that it is a play on a couple basic half-square triangle designs, two of my favorite HST designs. One night (hmmm, I believe it was actually the wee hours of the morning), while I was nursing the Little Miss, I dreamt up combining the two designs (I do a lot of imaginary quilt play while I'm nursing). The thing is, I love HST designs, but I don't like all the piecing that goes with them; all those little triangles really make for a lot of pieces! So I thought about how I could potentially simplify the blocks, and here it is -- "French Kisses."

Wanna see it again? But with different colors?
The first quilt I did up with this pattern is actually going to go on our bed. Here is a picture of it without the borders added (fabric is Secret Garden by Sandi Henderson, if you're curious). I did a lot of fussy cutting for this one, and also played with solids on the corners of the blocks.

Sleeping under it will be cozy.

The pattern cover will feature the quilt in Rouenneries Deux, (as you all know how I like the French General fabrics) and the directions will be written for both fat quarters or a layer cake. The pattern should be conducive to a fat-eighth bundle too, with the cutting diagrams easily lending themselves to figuring that out (all the cut sizes are less than 9").

yea! Someone's making a button for me!

When the pattern is all ready, I'll be kicking it off with a quilt along, and a giveaway of this Rouenneries Deux layer cake!

So, if you like the design, and would like me to do your math for you, I'd love you to join us. :)

And if you want to get your fabric ready -- these are my (not 100% final and published, but really close) fabric requirements:

Quilt measures 64" x 80"

20 fat quarters (10 light/background and 10 medium or dark)

2 1/4 yds. outer border (I used the roche solid because it looks like linen)

(If you want more variety for your focal centers or for fussy cutting, throw in an extra fat quarter or two)

A layer cake

2 1/2 yds. background fabric

2 1/4 yds. border

(Again, throw in a fat quarter or two if you'd like more flexibility with your fabric choices, or to fussy cut)

I hope you like "French Kisses" as much as I do.

(sorry, again, couldn't help myself). ;)

And now may my children sleep dreamily so I can get the computer work for this done!

setting triangles for Granny (and mommy pics)

2012-02-20T16:24:00.001-08:00

This is a mini tutorial, with a slight alternative to the original as posted by Jolene and Blue Elephant Stitches (you can also see her inspiration quilt here). Krista is also doing a quilt-along with this quilt! :)

Anyway -- I didn't have time to actually sew this block together, but in case you do, here's the idea behind using setting triangles for making this block, rather than trimming and ending up with bias edges. This is the same concept as you would use with blocks set on point. Because I can never remember the equation, I use this resource: http://www.laurenandjessijung.com/resources_charts.html

I hope it makes sense!

1) You need:
- eight 2 1/2" squares outer color
- five 2 1/2" squares inner color
- two 4 1/8" squares sashing (for sides)
- two 2 3/8" squares sashing (for corners)

2) Cut the 4 1/8" squares on the diagonal twice; these will be used for the side setting spaces.
Cut the 2 3/8" squares on the diagonal once, and use these for the corners.

3) Arrange and sew in to rows on the diagonal (as Jolene showed!)

You want to keep the straight edges of the square lined up with the side of the triangle, so the acute angle edge of the triangle will stick out a little, and you'll have to trim the little "dog-ears." (this is what I'm talking about -- Kristen has yet to trim hers).

Hope this helps! Both methods work; I just prefer no bias edges!

These blocks are just adorable however you cut them! :)

Thank you again Jolene for your quilty genius.

________________________________________

(and now for a couple gratuitous cute kiddo pics)

Steiger likes to hold Scarlet's hand. ♥

And Daddy holding his baby girl.

And how Scarlet and I roll...

Oh wait! One more -- Steiger did this the other night, and I promise neither Jay nor I had any hand in arranging these letters...

But it did make us laugh.

Come back tomorrow!* I finished my "French Kisses" top and backing, and it's off to the quilter! I will show you the top, give you fabric requirements, and you can think about if you want to quilt along with us! (There might also be a giveaway involved... *hint hint*)

*"Tomorrow" is totally contingent on my two little ones... and whether or not my new glasses come in, because this morning I broke the nose pad off the ones I've been wearing the past three years.

oh granny...

2012-02-13T16:13:00.000-08:00

I hope I'm as cute and sassy as you when I'm a granny.
(links to the inspiration for this quilt, and a tutorial in this post)

Linking to Fabric Tuesday. :)

getting ready for Granny

2012-02-11T15:34:00.000-08:00

Many of you saw this quilt, and the subsequent craziness it has created...

As soon as I saw it though, I knew it was the quilt for me.

So I'm getting ready.

I'm just cutting and cutting. I think I'll end up with a couple extra kits I might sell when I'm done.

Since my most recent quilts have been made from one collection, I am thoroughly enjoying this mix. And hoping to get at least one block done tonight.

Jolene (the instigator of this craze) posted a tutorial on how she made her blocks. I'm going to mostly follow it, with a couple changes. Because I can't stand trimming blocks once I'm done, I plan to use setting triangles. This is the link I use for calculating mine...

But this cutting is taking me forever...

Scarlet met Anna

2012-02-06T17:42:00.000-08:00

... and they looked great together. :)

I told you before that Amanda and I were going to sew with Anna Maria Horner last Friday...

The quilt class was for Anna's new Patchwork Prism quilt, that is destined to be a free pattern on her site, and the Janome site.

Even though I brought my own fabric bundle (the quilt will be for Scarlet of course), I had to buy Anna Maria's bundle too. Because it was amazing and I didn't have most of those fabrics, and I'd never get a chance to get all those together ever again.

I might share it with Kelly, if I can bring myself to.

I could blather on, but I have to mop before Scarlet wakes up, so I'll summarize the highlights --

- Watching Anna (by the way -- it's pronounced Anna with a short o sound, not short a sound) sort fabric at lightning speed -- it was amazing
- Getting to show off my daughter in her new little jacket

- Chatting the whole way there and back with Amanda.
- Chatting with AMH, and realizing she is every bit as genuine in person as she seems
- Seeing previews of Anna's new line -- Field Study -- I think it's my favorite of hers ever
- Listening to her describe how she does designs and colors -- something that really stuck with me is when she was explaining that in most fabric lines, the pink is the same pink throughout every print, but she tries to change hers a little, so they blend, but aren't the same color or too matchy-matchy. She's really an incredible artist
- Only being a little bit starstruck... I really had to tell her that she has written my favorite blog post I've ever read... ever.

You know, it was just a happy, happy day. Scarlet did great with Grandma, and was a little hit when I got to introduce her. And Anna didn't even mind that she wanted to 'nom nom' on her finger. :)

In fact, I think she might have even liked it a little.

(And I *just* noticed the title of the quilt book behind me!)

patchwork prism choices

2012-02-02T16:04:00.000-08:00

I *think* I've chosen my fabrics for my Patchwork Prism class with Anna Maria Horner.

This is the quilt featured at the class Amanda and I are going to attend tomorrow.

I've thought long and hard about buying the kit, because well... even the mock-up up there is amazing.

But goodness knows I have enough fabric already, and rainbows are gorgeous, but not as guaranteed to get a lot of use at our house.

Partly inspired by my Blogger's choice bundle (that didn't win), and partly inspired by the fact that I am determined to make a red quilt in honor of my favorite color and my favorite girl I think I'm going with this palette.

It's my gray, taupe, cream, brown, red, and pink palette

And shot outdoors

I really can't help it.

This sweet print from Urban Chiks was my starting point, and I went from there.

And I think I'm going to love it.

And I think our lovely teacher is going to laugh at me when she sees my GIGANTIC pile of fabric I bring.

Now wish me luck!

* It wouldn't seem that luck was needed beings that I'll be sewing all day, and with wonderful people, but I have to set an alarm for 4:00 so I can feed Scarlet (if she isn't awake by then), and then feed her before we leave about 7:00, and then drive 90 miles and hope there isn't traffic, and then Daddy has to get Scarlet to Grandma's who is going to bring her to the sewing day (I figure no one will mind if I feed my girl), and then Grandma is going to run errands, and then Scarlet will come back and eat again, and then Mommy will keep sewing while Scarlet goes home with Grandma, and then Amanda and I will drive home and I'll get my Scarlet again. I'm just hoping Scarlet does well with her bottles when she's not with me, and I don't explode or anything like that... oh, and traffic's not too bad. So yea, I'm a little nervous too.

And I have to sew the buttons on Scarlet's little jacket.