Designing with Kaffe

Rhonda and I will be teaching a 5 session long class at Quilted Strait starting in February.   

This is the quilt we will be making:

A big focus of the class is asking "what if"?   So often people see quilts and want to make the exact thing....or think they hate it simply because they don't like the color or a particular block.  We need to be able see beyond what we see!    Why not change the block you hate to one you love?  Why not make a scrappy quilt a two color one?  Why not try to achieve a modern look or a traditional look?   Why not?

I am challenging myself to combine Kaffe fabrics (which I happen to love) with solids (very trendy in modern circles)....something that is new to me.

Here are my fabrics so far that I'm playing with:

Who knows what I'll stick with, what I'll take out or what I'll add.  Rhonda is also working with some Kaffe fabrics (stripes mostly) and also wool.  It'll be exciting to see what her version will look like.   That's the fun of it!    I absolutely LOVE this process.  

Happy Recipient

As you can see it was a pillow I made for Liam.  He was pretty excited about it and who doesn't love it when the recipients of our gifts love them?  :)   

Merry Christmas

I took this picture at my friend Yvonne's house the other day.  I LOVE the blue bowl with those little bitty bulbs in them.  If you look closely you'll see my reflection in each one.....so there I am over 40 times.....wishing you a Merry Christmas!!!!

Child's drawing to fabric

I am working on a Christmas gift for my oldest grandson and the picture is a little sneak peek.  :)     Several months ago I asked Liam to draw me some pictures and this dinosaur is one of them.  I wanted to take the drawing and turn it into some kind of fabric project.....not a quilt!    So easy to simply trace the drawing shapes onto the paper side of fusible web and then adhere to fabric.  Isn't he cute?     I'll show you the finished project after Christmas.  His Mama reads my blog and I want her to be at little bit surprised too!  :)

Comedy when you have nothing to post

It's been nearly a month since I posted anything.  Yikes.  I've been making quilty/sewing things but its been for birthdays and Christmas and I can't show anything yet.   I'm also not a fancy photographer who can blur shots just right so you get a peek but can't tell exactly what the project looks like.  So until I can reveal a few things, here's a chuckle for you:

Last One Yard Wonder project

This is my last One Yard Wonder project for work.  Its a dog bed.  I made it for my sons dog, Charlie.  Unfortunately I couldn't get a picture of Charlie on his bed so Carrie had to stage a photo for work.   :)

The bed in the book didn't have a zipper but I added one and used a pillow as "stuffing".  This way the cover can be removed and washed!    The directions also called for piping all the way around but I just pieced those side panels to give it the same look.....easier for me.

This project has been great to participate in.  Gave me lots of new sewing experience with things other than quilts.  

Playing With Big Huge Labs

I see these mosaics all the time on blogs I read and in Flickr when I'm peeking at beautiful things. I have always wanted to know how the gals were making them.  I started noticing this phrase underneath them: "created with fd's Flickr Toys".  When I clicked that phrase it took me to Big Huge Labs......and a new BIG world of FUN!   :)    

This is my first mosaic of projects others have made that I have in my "favorites" on Flickr:

1. DSC_2541, 2. Pretty Pouch- front, 3. Pretty {Little} Pouch, 4. lillian and jill, 5. Untitled, 6. Sewing Machine Block for Amisha, 7. Patchwork Strap Clutch, 8. Pretty Pouch- front, 9. Shirt block for Amisha

Mitered Blanket - One Yard Wonder

This was my latest "One Yard Wonder" project.   It's a small (18 inch square) blanket...doll size.  I used one of the striped fabrics in the picture.  It's a very fussy quilt to do....I wouldn't make another. It took 5 hours just to make those 9 blocks!  

You can see my other One Yard Wonder creations here and here and here.

Little Pouch

I made this little zippered pouch today as a thank you gift.  Its a pattern from Keyka Lou Patterns.  It was an easy pattern to follow and turned out pretty cute.  I did so much better on the zipper this time. Practice is definitely helping.  :)

Fully lined.  And see that cute zipper pull?  I got it from Zipit...a fun Etsy store.

The Mailbox and Six Year Old logic

I first told you about this mailbox in this post.  Hubby and I put the mailbox out some where on our property for our grandsons to find when they come to visit.  There is "mail" of some kind in it but WHO the mailman is is a secret.   :)    David is too young (3) to care about much more than what's inside.  Liam, on the other hand, is really trying to figure out who brings the mail....a little bit like wanting to see Santa bring your presents.

So this last visit, he asked me if he could write a thank you note to the mailman.  I said yes, of course.  He was hoping to catch the mailman getting his note!   LOL!!

Note written and gifts included:

Don't ya just love the handwriting of young ones?   So sweet. 

I have no idea how long we can keep the ruse up.  Hope it lasts a couple more years!

Mini Stacked Strips

We made a full size version of this quilt at work.   I took home the scraps from the jelly rolls when I was done cutting them to size at work.  The colored strips on the big quilt are 32 inches long and 2.5 inches wide.  I cut the scraps down to 6 inches long and 1.5 inches long to make a mini version.   It was such fast sewing....nothing to match and the stacks can be arranged any way you want.  Now I need to quilt it and that's where I'm stuck.  Easiest thing would be to stitch in the ditch.......but that's so boring.   

Any other ideas???

Finished Pips Quilt

I finished this top back in February and had it quilted a of couple months ago but never put up a pic of the finished quilt here on my blog.   I do that all the time!    Shelly Nolte quilted a clam shell design on it for me and I bound in one of the blue Pips fabrics.   It's neatly folded and waiting for just the right time to become some little girls blanket.   :)

Modern Row Robin Quilt Along - last row complete!

This is my last row.  As you can see it's hexagons.....oh boy...hexagons!   The row designer, Jen, had them straight across on a six inch background but I chose to change my layout.   Everyone seems to be doing something to make the quilt uniquely theirs.  :)   I also chose to fuse them on and will either stitch the edges or have the quilting secure them down...haven't decided that yet.

Here is a close up of the three large hexie's that I pieced:

And here is the final row lay-out that I decided on:

I just have to sew the rows together now and I can officially call the top done!  I've had so much fun making this quilt and absolutely love the fabrics.  Gonna be a keeper.  :)

Latest One Yard Wonder Project

I made this Classic Jumper for All-Ages (page 191) for my grand daughter.  It's my latest project for the One Yard Wonder year long project at Pink Chalk.   

Isn't it adorable?   I LOVE it.  Sewing for little ones is so much more fun than for me....no fitting fussiness.  :)

I made these covered buttons by fussy cutting the flowers from my fabric.  Much more fun than a plain button.   We started selling covered button kits at work and I've wanted to try making them but didn't have a reason....till this dress.  Gotta say, they are super easy!  

My next project is the only quilt in the book.   Woo hoo!

Modern Row Robin Quilt Along - row 4 done!

I finished row 4 of the Modern Row Robin Quilt Along. I tweaked it a bit like I've been doing.  I made mini-hourglass blocks for the centers rather than a plain square and I made the last border the white (actually Kona Snow) background to keep the quilt open and airy.   Here it is:

And here are all 4 rows so far:

These are the bloggers behind the quilt:

That Crazy Quilty Girl did row 1

Lilac Lane did row 2

Quilt Story did row 3

GenXQuilters did row 4

ReannaLily Designs will do row 5

Modern Row Robin Quilt Along

I am loving all the different sew-alongs there are in blogland these days.   My Bottled Rainbow blocks are part of a sew-along (I'm still not done with those due to my machine needing work).   3 weeks ago I joined another one.  It's a mystery row robin that you can read about here.  I'm using the leftover blue fabrics from when I made this blue quilt last month!

This was row 1.   Some gals oriented the rectangles vertically...some alternated....but I liked it all horizontal:

Row 2 was stars...oh how I love stars!   I left off one of blocks (a partial 16 inch one) and substituted an 8 inch with a 4 inch in the upper corner.   Personalizing the rows is one of the fun parts of this sew-along.

And row 3 were these cute houses.  I love the itty-bitty ones.

Here are all the rows:

There are two more rows to go.  New ones are posted each Monday.  I can't wait to see what they'll be.  

It's not to late to join in.  The blocks have been fun and fast.

More "One Yard Wonders"

One of the fun parts of doing this project at work is that Kathy let's us have our pick of fabric from the store....woo hoo!   Some times it's hard to narrow it down.  I know...poor me!   :)

Here are the next three projects I did for the "One Yard Wonders" project.

This was the "Yoga Mat Bag":

And my first try at clothing....the "Summer Nightie":

LOVE this Valori Wells fabric for the  "Grocery Tote":

I'm currently making a little dress for my grand daughter, Heidi.  It's not due till the beginning of August but I started early because there are buttonholes...and it's clothing, not my favorite thing to do!   

Finished projects are posted every Friday on the Pink Chalk blog. 

One Yard Wonders

At the beginning of the year the team at my work, Pink Chalk, started working our way through the book "One Yard Wonders"  making every project - two a week.   We each take turns choosing projects to do...kinda amounts to one a month.

 Diana  is our photographer and takes way better pics of our work than I do.  I asked her if I could use her images instead and she said sure!   I'll share my first three today and the other three tomorrow.

The "Organized Bed Pocket" was my first:

Second was the "Tea Cozy":

And my third project was the "Not-Ugly Car Trash Bag":

You can see I picked easy projects to do.   I pretty much make quilts and was worried about being able to make these craft things.   Quilting lets you hide "not so straight" seams but you can hide a curvy top stitch!   :)

You can see all of the teams projects on the Pink Chalk blog.  Just click on "One Yard Wonders Sew Along" on the top tab.  

My Yaya's

This was the only group picture I got of all of us Yaya's on my 50th birthday bash.  We were in the bathroom taking the shot via the mirror.....such a Yaya thing to do!    

Once I borrow a few more shots from the girls, I can show you the fun things they had me (us) do that day.

Fried Foods

I think I have some hidden Southern roots in my lineage cuz I *love* fried food!    Last week I tasted the above treat and have been craving them ever since.     I wonder how much time I have to spend on the treadmill to work those babies off?     :)

Bottled Rainbows - Block 8

 

My yellow block.....which is not a good color to photograph well.   I've stalled a bit on my Bottled Rainbow blocks cuz my brand new sewing machine makes a noise when zig-zagging that bugs me big time.  I took it back to have it serviced.......it was gone for 4 weeks........just got it back last night and made this yellow block.....but the noise is still there.   It's sewing fine, stitches look perfect...but I can't stand the noise.   Sigh.

Quilt Retreat in Leavenworth

This was the 12th year that Tink and I have gone to Leavenworth on a quilt retreat with friends from our online guild, WASIQ.    It is such a treat to spend 4 days quilting and having fun.   Leavenworth offers other diversions that take me out of the sewing room......shopping, of course....food....and a fabulous spa just 2 doors down where I enjoyed a 90 minute massage!

One of our favorite restaurants is South...yummy Mexican.  Actually they say its Latin.  We went three times this year!  Twice for dinner and again for happy hour.

Here we are with our server Jessie, who remembered us from last year...including where we sat!  I didn't think we were that rowdy!  LOL!

Something new we did this year was have a "Jelly Roll Race".   This link best describes the race.

Here are the gals with their quilt tops right after they finished...I labeled who came in 1st, 2nd & 3rd.  You can click on the collage to see it bigger.

Here we all are with our tops:

A better shot of mine:

I also made this quilt top at retreat:

Another great retreat over.   Can't wait for next year!

Bottled Rainbows - Block 8

Oh gosh....my picture taking has degenerated!   All those wrinkles!

This is my pink block....number 8 of 12.  Getting there.   :)

I found this fun "rainbow" fabric at Hawthorne Threads for the backing for my Bottled Rainbow quilt.  It's Ann Kelle's line called "Remix".  I love it!  Unfortunately it had bad company in the washing machine and is now dingy looking with some smudge spots.  I considered buying more but then changed my mind.  Fabric is too expensive these days and it is just the back.   

Seeing Blue

I sewed with my co-workers from Pink Chalk on Thursday.   Kathy let us finish up early and we sewed the afternoon away....each working on their own projects using a pattern from the store.  I chose to make a quilt using a Blue Underground Studios pattern called "Green Glass Door".   As you can see below my "doors" were blue!   :)

I had collected quite a few prints in various shades of blue and decided this would be the perfect pattern to showcase them....and be fast!  I got half the top done at our sew-in and the other half at Yaya day on Friday. 

A little close-up:

My camera (and the operator!) doesn't take great pics but you get the idea.   

This was a fun quilt to make and would be perfect for that stash of fabrics you don't want to cut into little pieces.  

Me with my Lampshade hat on

I've had requests to see me in the Lampshade Hat.  Here's the only picture I have...taken by the owner of the tea house.   Not all the Red Hatters were brave enough to wear theirs!      :)

Quilted Lampshade Hat

I am a Red Hatter and for this months luncheon we were to wear a hat made from a lamp shade.   I decided mine had to be quilted!   Of course!    I made a template of the shade and cut it out of batting. Glued down red squares of fabric till the batting was completely covered and then machine quilted it to hold it all together.  Added binding to the bottom  nd top edges.....added some pom-pom trim and a fabric flower....and voila.....a cute hat!   I wore it today for lunch and now it proudly sits a-top a lamp.
Fun project!