Come Link Up!

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday (finally)!  Technology is a beautiful thing...when it works; and when the internet is completely down, it's funny how nowadays we feel lost.  I am just old enough to remember a life without being connected all the time.  Then later, the magic of dialing up to connect to the internet in college.  It's amazing how so many crafts and industries have changed in such a relatively short amount of time, and my dependency on the internet is in sharp focus when it's gone.  So, thanks for being patient with me.  I'm glad to be back up and running!

My most recent finish is this fun LSU quilt, made for a family member.  This pattern goes together so quickly, which is just what I have needed lately with the busy start to the school year.

I opted for wide stripes on the backing, utilizing a little more of the licensed prints, and pulled a Kona Purple binding from my stash to finish it off.

Before we get to the party, check out some of the highlights from last week.  Something Rosemade shared this simple, yet fun quilt.

This pretty, scrappy quilt is by Gretchen's Little Corner-

And I'm loving this awesomely modern quilt by Sophie at Luna Lovequilts-

Okay y'all!  It's (finally) time to 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!  :)

Off the Grid

Well friends, I am sad to report that I am completely without internet and have been all day long.   I am actually making this very short post from my phone. If it gets fixed by this evening or sometime  tomorrow, I will post NTT, so be on the lookout.  I even have a finish to share!  Right now though, I am completely without internet, TV, and even my home phone. Boo.

*Edited 8/30- hooray!!  My internet has been restored, and NTT is happening right HERE!  Thanks so much for your patience, friends!

Eleven More Days

Happy NTT, friends.  Do you realize that college football season is less than two weeks away?  I've been so busy that it has sneaked up on me this year.  I figured now was the perfect time to whip up this LSU quilt for a family member that is getting married soon.  Yes, that's how I roll.  After all, color preferences can change over time, but sports fandom is eternal, and both the bride and groom love LSU.

I got all of the blocks finished and pressed today, and I had just enough time before this post to get most of them up on the design wall to show some progress.  These blocks are so quick, and I love the rounded look.  I'm planning on a fast finish for this one.  The top will be put together tomorrow, and it will hopefully be all done by the weekend.

On another note, I've been working on my teaching schedule for 2019, and it is starting to fill up!  I try to limit my travel to one trip per month, which still gives me plenty of time to be home for my family, and I already have several months booked.  If your guild would like to schedule something for next year, please contact me soon and we can discuss all of the details.  If you are on Instagram, I'm sure you saw this weekend's post from my class in Arkansas, but even if you didn't see it, take my word for it- my classes are tons of FUN!  Check out more information HERE!  :)

Just one more thing before we party.  I owe you a giveaway winner from my August sponsor post!  Comment number 56, Charlotte Nash, is the lucky recipient of the bundle from Fort Worth Fabric Studio. Congrats, Charlotte!  I'll be contacting you very soon so you can get your prize!

There were so many great projects linked up at last week's party.  This fox pillow by Anja Quilts is just precious!

Louisa at Sewmotion shared her Rainbow Rings quilt hanging in a quilt show!  Stunning!

Jen at de Jong Dream House shared this gorgeous quilt, called On Ringeis Lake-

and Sew Yummy showed off this vibrant scrappy trip around the world graduation quilt-

Okie dokie, friends!  It's time to share your projects.  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!  :)

Aloha Sunrise and NTT

Happy NTT, friends!  It has been a whirlwind week around here.  On Monday, I presented a trunk show to a local guild, and I'm leaving on Friday to travel to another guild.  I still have some availability in 2019, and I would love to visit YOU.  My calendar is filling up though, so contact me soon for more details.  Let's get something booked for your group!

Since it also happens to be the middle of the month, between my two teaching engagements this week I've also shared my August Classic Meets Modern blocks as well as my monthly sales roundup (with an awesome giveaway that you can enter HERE).  Even with all of that, I found time to finish my latest quilt.  I'm calling it Aloha Sunrise, and I'm thrilled with the way it turned out.

In case you missed last week's NTT, this quilt was created with the Kona Birds of Paradise bundle.  I picked it up at Quilt Market in May, and it will be available in shops very soon.  PS- this is not a sponsored post, I just love the colors in this bundle so much, so I figured I'd give you the info.  I added four additional solids from my stash, and all sixteen colors are listed for you in last week's post HERE.

I quilted this one with a dense, allover swirl design.  There were so many gorgeous thread colors that would have looked great on this quilt, but I ultimately chose Aurifil 50 wt. #2140, Orange Mustard.  The darker, orangey-yellow added a little extra dimension to the quilt without standing out against the white too much.  I almost quilted each part of the quilt with a different matching thread color, but did I mention that I've been busy lately?  Ain't nobody got time for that, ha!

Y'all, I might be as excited about the back as I am about the front of this quilt.  I had this Maywood Studio Gelato Sunrise fabric in mind for the backing, and was lucky enough that one of my local quilt shops had it in stock.  Winning!  I widened it out with some leftover solids and a solid Kona Berry strip right from my stash.  I love how the ombre glows, and the quilting texture shows up so beautifully against it.

My swirls on this quilt make me so happy.  The last time I quilted swirls, they were much bigger, which made it more difficult to nest them together and keep them looking smooth.  I decided to size them down this time around, and it made all the difference in the world.

I had plenty of Kona Papaya in my stash for the binding, and though I didn't really choose the thread and binding colors together specifically, the fact that they are the same work so well on the quilt.

Aloha Sunrise measures 60" square, and I am currently finishing up the pattern for it.  It will be ready very soon, and will be written in three sizes.  If you want to make one with exactly these fabrics, the pattern will be available just in time for the release of the Birds of Paradise bundle!

Before we link up, take a look at some of the eye-candy from last week!  This lovely, classic HST quilt is by Michelle at From Bolt to Beauty (and don't miss the fun story of the origin of the fabric!).

This round robin quilt, called The Wall, is by Kris at Sew Sunshine.  Isn't it fantastic?

I love this value quilt by Cynthia at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework.

This improv diamond quilt is by Jen at de Jong Dream House.  So scrappy and fun!

I can't wait to see what you're working on this week.  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!  :)

---

CMM August Blocks!

It is the 15th of the month, which means that it's time to share August's blocks for the Classic Meets Modern BOM Quilt Along!  Each of this month's blocks finish at ten inches, and are pretty quick to put together.  First up is the Dutch Pinwheel block.

I love blocks that have a scrappy look, so a block with five different fabrics (including the white) was really fun for me.

The Chevron Diamond block is the second block for August, and it is lighting fast if you chain piece those squares on the flying geese.

Instead of a white background, I chose to make my chevrons white.  Even though there is exactly the same amount of pink and white in this block, the white chevrons just pop right out and really draw the eye.  When I was determining my color layout, I also thought that this area of the quilt needed a little more solid white.

How are you deciding on your fabric placement?  Are you using your blank coloring/planning sheet?

Something Rosemade has a fantastic method for making sure she has an even distribution of colors.  Check out her post HERE to see how she is cropping her block photos and laying the blocks out digitally.  It really is awesome, and I think I'm going to have to take a little time to do that with my own blocks soon.

Can you believe that we're getting into the home stretch of this QAL?  We only have two more months of blocks, plus a month of flying geese and snowball "fillers" and then it will be time to put the quilt top together.  So, let's link up.  I can't wait to see your August blocks!

1.  If you're a little late to the party, it's okay!  You can still join in anytime.  This is a Block of the Month Quilt Along, so we will only be completing two blocks each month.  The pace is leisurely and it will be easy to catch up.  You can get the Classic Meets Modern pattern in my Etsy or Craftsy shops (links on my right sidebar).  As long as you have a finished quilt top at the end of the year, you'll be eligible for the prizes.

2.  Remember, the link party opens on the 15th of each month, and will close at midnight CST on the last day of the month.  You can certainly link to the weekly NTT post if you like, but be sure to link your quilt along blocks to this party, so everyone is sure to see your progress.

3.  You don't have to have a blog to join in!  You can link to an Instagram post, or even a Flickr account.  Use the hashtag #classicmeetsmodernbomqal on Instagram!  If you do have a blog, grab a button to let everyone know you're participating!  You can get the button on my right sidebar.

Fiery Solids

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, ya'll!  Well, my wild thing started school on Monday, and I am happy to report that my sewjo is back in full swing.  Apparently, all I needed was a little color inspiration to get my creativity flowing, and it started with a bundle of the most luscious Kona Solids.

This quilt started with a gorgeous Kona collection called Birds of Paradise that I picked up at Quilt Market in May.  It is not available in shops just yet, but you will be able to get it in just a couple of weeks.  

The bundle contains twelve colors- School Bus, Kumquat, Tangerine, Flame, Red, Watermelon, Pomegranate, Sangria, Bordeaux, Berry, Eggplant, and Midnight.  Then, I added four additional colors from my stash (shown on boards in the photo above)- Corn Yellow, Papaya, Poppy, and Melon.  When design inspiration struck, I didn't think to get a pretty picture of these solids in natural light before cutting into them, so not all of them are showing "true," which is why I definitely wanted to list them out for you.


I tend to gravitate toward cooler colors much more often, but, I love all of the warmth in this quilt.  I picked up the backing fabric from my LQS (and I'm super excited about it), so I just need to get this quilt basted and then I can start quilting it.  In case you're wondering, I will be writing the pattern for this one, so stay tuned.

Last week's party was full of amazing work (as it always is).  This precious bird quilt is by Karen at Quilts...etc.  Y'all, this quilt is hand quilted and it is so fantastic, so be sure to check out her close-ups.

Shannon at The Flemings Nine linked up her pretty Poolside quilt.

This Double Take quilt is by Laura at Slice of Pi Quilts- love it!

This quilt by Sew Preeti Quilts is made with all of her orphan blocks.  Isn't it super cute?

And finally, this Stacked Squares quilt is by Something Rosemade.  I never seem to tire of the fun 3D illusion in this pattern, and these fabrics are just lovely.

Alrighty, y'all.  It's time to party!  I can't wait to see what you've been sewing lately.

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!  :)

AMH Pillow and NTT

Happy August and happy NTT, y'all!  My wild thing starts 8th grade next Monday, and I don't even know how that's possible.  In my mind's eye he is still my bouncy little boy, while in reality, I'm living with a man-child who stands eye to eye with me, and whose feet are already bigger than mine.  Don't get me wrong; I am loving his personality and more grown-up humor these days, but the start of a new school year is a stark reminder of just how quickly the time slips by.  Hug those babies tight Mommas, because it's true- the years really are short.

This week has been all about back to school prep.  Supply and clothes shopping, schedule pick-up, and iPad pickup have consumed our days lately, and when we aren't gearing up for the new school year, we have been holding onto the last days of summer vacation with family movies and game time.  Sewing has taken the back burner lately, but I did manage a small finish.

 

This AMH patchwork pillow measures 20 inches square, and was made for my bed as a compliment to my Epic quilt.  I quilted this with a free motion paisley design using 50 wt. Aurifil #2620, which echoes the paisley loop motif on the quilt.  And the same maroon wood grain binding fabric ties the pillow and quilt together nicely.

Some larger leftover chunks made a perfect envelope closure backing.  I actually crammed the pillow form into the cover right before taking these photos, and it occurs to me that I should probably stuff it a little more evenly to straighten out the back.

I don't like things too matchy in my decor, so I have cream crocheted shams which add to the great vintage vibe of the AMH fabrics, and when this pillow stands up against them, it really pops.  I love it so much!  My bedroom is getting a mini makeover with new paint and accessories (and obviously a new quilt), and when it's all done, I'll be sure to post a photo so you can see the Epic quilt and pillow in their natural habitat.  :)

Without further ado, let's check out the highlights from last week.  These Mondrian pot holders by Jayne at Twiggy and Opal are so chic!

Sally at Crafts, Cavies and Cooking shared this pretty Stepping Stones quilt.

And Kris at Sew Sunshine linked up this awesome improv plus quilt.  Love the gingham!

Okay, friends!  It's time to share what you've been working on this week!

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!  :)