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Saturday, July 30, 2016

A New Quilt Top

I love playing around with quilt design.  Sometimes I sketch on paper if an idea strikes me and I don't have my computer around, but usually I experiment in my design program while watching TV at night (I use Quilt Canvas).  Regular practice keeps my creativity flowing, and I definitely notice a slump in my creative mojo when I haven't played with design in awhile.

Lots of times, I don't even like a design enough to save it, and other times I save it, but tweak it over time before actually turning the pattern into a quilt.  Still other times, I create a design and have to make the quilt right away.  Such was the case with this new quilt top.


I immediately loved the interesting shape of the blocks, as well as the secondary cross pattern created in the negative space, and I knew it was perfect for my Amy Butler stash (plus a few additions).  I can't wait to finish this quilt, and I am planning to release the pattern.

This one has kind of a southwestern feel, or I think the shapes look a little like ancient Egyptian scarabs, or maybe even vintage brooches.  This one needs a name, so tell me- what do you see?


Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Winners, Another Mini, and NTT

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday!  The weeks of summer are slipping right on by, aren't they?  Well, my house is still not put back together, so sewing has been happening in small snippets lately.  I did manage to finish another mini quilt for my wall though.


This is my Baubles pattern (sized way down, of course), and it measures only 15 inches square.  I found all of the fabric bits for this one in my scrap jars, even the binding!  On the back, I used this fun fat quarter that I just haven't been able to work into another quilt.  The peacocks and flowers in this print are the perfect colors and so much fun, and I'm so happy I finally found a great place to use it.


So, before we get to the party, I owe you some July giveaway winners!



First, the winner of the gorgeous polkadot half yard bundle from Five Monkey Fabrics is comment number 25, lalaluu!











and the winner of the $50 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop is comment number 126, mpv61!

I am so excited for you ladies!  I'll be contacting you soon via email so that you can get your prizes.   Congratulations!





Okie dokie!  Time to share the amazing highlights from last week's party.  Look at this cutie from Deb at newcreativestate!


or this finished Star Light, Star Dark quilt called Illuminate by Jess at Quilty Habit.


and this Merry Mermaids quilt by Jen's Craft and Quilt Scrapbook is so fun and summery (ps- she made a second mermaid quilt, too)!


I hope you're ready to show me your latest projects in your sewing space!  It's time to link up!

1.  You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!
2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.
3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link.  
4. Spread the comment love far and wide!
5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)










Monday, July 25, 2016

Sun Dappled Sea

My sister is expecting her first child in November of this year, and is decorating the nursery in a nautical theme, with navy, aqua, and yellow.  A couple of weeks ago, I made a quilt to match the nursery, and since I was finally able to give it to her this past weekend, I can finally share it.


She asked for a quilt with the colors of the nursery, but with the exception of a couple of nautical fabrics, she did not want a themed quilt.  Since I prefer to make quilts without a theme anyway, that was perfectly fine by me!  I think the anchor and wave fabrics are the perfect subtle touch.


When I think of nautical themed decor, I usually think of navy, aqua, and red, and although I really love that combo as well, the yellow is a fresh twist.  This is definitely a palette that my nephew will appreciate for many years.


The colors and pattern of this quilt remind me of sunshine sparkles on the ocean, so I've named this one Sun Dappled Sea.  I am pleased to report that my sister loves the quilt, and I can't wait to see a photo of it draped across the crib!

I first made this pattern with my Strawberry Season quilt, and several people asked for a little block tutorial.  The blocks are a modified nine patch, finishing at 10 inches.  The main squares were cut at 4.5," the strips were cut 2.5" x 4.5," and the center square was cut 2.5."  This diagram shows the finished measurements of the block-


This quilt goes together quickly and easily, but I really love the lattice effect created when they are put together.


Wednesday, July 20, 2016

More Minis

You know, until I had the space for lots of minis, I never fully appreciated how much fun they are!  They are fast and a make great use of treasured bits of fabric.  Right now, I'm also working on some secret sewing, so minis are also a great way for me to sew something I can actually share with you.  In the last couple of days, I've made two more!


This is my Courtyard Tiles pattern, and this whole thing measures just 20 inches square.


The second one is my Gyroscope pattern, and it is even smaller- just 16 inches square.  Those little green sashing pieces are only at a half inch (finished), y'all!  This is another pattern that I need to expand to three sizes, but that will have to wait!  For now, I'm looking forward to making a few more fun mini quilts.

Last week's party was amazing!  Myra at Busy Hands Quilts shared her Brick Cottage Lane (2) quilt-


This pretty Palisades quilt is by Afton at Quilting Mod-


and this beauty, called Prairie Scratch, is from Jennie at Porch Swing Quilts-


Y'all are amazing!  Time to show me what you've got going on this week in your sewing space!

1.  You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!
2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.
3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link.  
4. Spread the comment love far and wide!
5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)










Monday, July 18, 2016

July Fabric Deals and Giveaways!

It's the middle of another month, and that means it's time for my monthly roundup of the coolest news and fabric deals to help you beat the sweltering summer heat.  This post contains two amazing giveaways, so read on, friends!

Kicking off this month's post is Five Monkey Fabrics with the first of the fantastic giveaways of the day.  Five Monkey Fabrics is my favorite place for basics like polkadots and chevrons, but I would be remiss if I didn't also point out their great prices on yardage, and direct you to their awesome clearance section too!


Five Monkey Fabrics is giving away a half yard bundle of these rainbow polkadot fabrics- so cute, and perfect for stash building!


Five Monkey Fabrics



Five Monkey Fabrics also offers free shipping on orders over $50 with the code FREESHIP at checkout!





Up next is Fort Worth Fabric Studio, where so many new holiday collections have arrived lately, I can almost smell the pine needles and see the twinkling lights!

Fort Worth Fabric Studio stocks so many great holiday collections (these are just a few) that there is a dedicated section of the shop for them, called their Holiday House.  so, if you want to mix fabrics from different collections, you don't need to search the whole site.  They're all right there for you!

            Fort Worth Fabric Studio


If you're looking for bundles of an entire collection, Lady Belle Fabric has you covered!  They have so many beautiful bundles at great prices.  Right now (among many other things), this Joel Dewberry Flora bundle is on sale for a ridiculously low price.

I have used these fabrics before, but I didn't get to keep the quilts, so I'm seriously considering buying more of them for myself!


Lady Belle Fabric



Right now, Lady Belle Fabric is offering free shipping on US orders with the code freeship.  With so many beautiful fabrics at such great prices, that's hard to pass up!





Shabby Fabrics is another great place to build up your stash.  Their Seventh Heaven bundles are the perfect way to add to a color that you are lacking.

There are 25 different gorgeous color ways from which to choose!  This is just a sampling of a few of my favorites.


            Shabby Fabrics



Though my next shop is not a purveyor of beautiful fabrics, I love them just as much, because they make it possible to add a professional touch to each and every quilt, pillow, and mini I make.  I am referring of course, to my beautiful ribbon labels from Finer Ribbon!

I purchased my labels almost exactly a year ago, and I have not regretted that decision for one second.  The labels are soft, fully washable, and the printing is vibrant and rich.  Best of all, Finer Ribbon's customer service is top notch.

     

My labels can be found HERE.  They are 2.25" wide, and printed from side to side (not running the length of the ribbon).  The spool contains 1000 labels, which means that they are less than ten cents each!  I know that it will take me years to use all of them, and that's an amazing deal.  They can be designed with a logo if you have one, or with just a loving message.

I fold and sew the label right into the binding, and the laundering instructions are on the back side.  So, if you're looking to add a professional touch to your quilts, pillows, or garments, I highly recommend checking out Finer Ribbon!

                      FinerRibbon


Lots is happening at LouLou's Fabric Shop!  There are lots of newer arrivals, including Bonnie and Camille's Handmade, and several collections are due any day, like Juniper Berries, Bumble Berries, and Lullaby.

but right now I am drooling over all of the pretties in their sale section!  I love the happy, summery colors of the Gooseberry collection by Lella Boutique, but LouLou's has just dropped the prices on lots of favorites, like Woodland Spring, First Crush, Dot Dot Dash, Sweetness, and SO many more!

Another cool thing about LouLou's, is that you can pay in installments on their preorder items.  I know that sometimes those large, full-collection bundles can be tough to budget, so this helps this shop stand out!


LouLou’s Fabric Shop               


LouLou's is offering 10% off of your entire order with the code quiltinfatuation, good through Friday, July 22nd.  Don't miss out!

Finishing out today's roundup is Fat Quarter Shop.  If you aren't following FQS' blog, the Jolly Jabber, you are missing out!  Each month, the Jolly Jabber highlights four monthly deals that are out of this world!  They choose a basic, a book, at pattern, and a notion, and offer 20% off of those items for the entire month!  This month's picks are awesome!

The basics of the month are Cotton and Steel's Lawn solids, and this cheerful Aurifil thread box is the notion of the month!
            

Fat Quarter Shop



Fat Quarter Shop is also sponsoring the final giveaway of the day- a $50 gift certificate to spend however you choose!  What a fantastic prize!





Alrighty then!  I know you all want to know how to enter these great giveaways!  Just leave a single comment to let me know your favorite way to beat the summer heat!

*Edited to add- my sewing space is definitely air conditioned, so that's not an issue for me either!  :)

Remember to leave an email address if you're a no-reply blogger, and only one entry per person please!  Unfortunately, replies to your own comment counts as an entry (the system numbers those, too), so remember to put your email address in your comment.  Additional replies/comments/entries are always deleted.  I'll announce the winners at NEXT week's NTT (July 27th).

This giveaway has closed!  I host awesome giveaways every single month, so be sure to subscribe by email or with your favorite blog reader so you don't miss the next one!

Best of luck to all, and happy shopping!



Saturday, July 16, 2016

Space to Fill

Lately, I've been working on and idea that I've wanted to execute for quite some time.  I am finally creating a display of mini quilts in my sewing studio, and yesterday, I finished one for the wall.  Right now, with the madness of putting my house back together, I really need projects that I can finish in small snippets of time, so this is perfect!


This little mini measures 16 inches square, and has 228 pieces in it!  Those little HST's are only one inch finished, which is by far the tiniest piecing I've ever done.


My goal is to make a mini version of each of my published patterns, made in the colors of the original quilt.  This is a sized down version of my Paper Doll Dress-Up pattern.  Needless to say, I'd better get used to the tiny pieces, because sizing down patterns will mean more teeny pieces in my future.

For a long time, I have wanted a place to display mini quilts in my sewing space, but since the room was converted from my dining room, there were already some large things hanging on the walls.  The perfect wall for display had a set of iron gates on it.  The gates came from a salvage yard in New Orleans and I love them, but they are very heavy, so moving them was no small feat.


With all of the upheaval going on in my kitchen, I figured that now was as good a time as any to move some things around to get my mini wall space.  The gates have been moved, and once those patches get touched up, I have all of this space to fill.  I better get busy!


When I looked at the pattern to make the mini, I realized that I only wrote this pattern in one size.  It was my very first published pattern, and I didn't start writing patterns in multiple sizes until a little later.  Well friends, I decided to remedy that.  I have revised my Paper Doll Dress-Up pattern for three different sizes (lap, twin, and queen) and am re-releasing it.



The revised Paper Doll Dress-Up pattern is now available in my Craftsy and Etsy shops.  I hope you'll check it out!  This one was so quick and fun, and I can't wait to pick another pattern to start filling up that wall!


Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Chickadee and NTT

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, friends!  I have been working on a little baby quilt for the last couple of days, and it didn't occur to me until after it was already quilted that I didn't take a process photo to share.


This quilt is for a baby girl due this fall, and this navy, poppy, and mint palette is super cute.  I pulled my favorite colors from this Michael Miller folk art bird print.


On the back, I pieced the leftovers, which included the very last of the bird print.  I'm not totally sure I was ready to part with this fabric just yet, but at least I have plenty of it on the back of my Dabbling quilt.


With the pieced binding, I was able to finish this one entirely from stash, which is something I've really been trying to do more of lately.


I named this one Chickadee, because the birds and colors are so fresh and happy!

Alrighty then!  Check out some of the amazing inspiration that was linked last week!  Oh my!  Maryse Make Things shared this stunner!


This beauty is from Shauna's World, and I love the variation in the low volume background.


and The Creative Side linked up her Colorful Quilt.  Love this palette!


One of the greatest parts of my day is at night, right before bed, when I ogle all of the quilty goodness that you share each week!  So, let's party!

1.  You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!
2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.
3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link.  
4. Spread the comment love far and wide!
5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)










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