A Sneak Peek and NTT

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, friends.  We're on day 7,354 of quarantine and though I am SO ready to get out of my house, I have to admit that I've been getting a ton of sewing done for my upcoming book.  Here's a sneak peek for you-

I'm sure you can guess by the photo that my second book will be related to Stash Statement, but it has a totally different spin.  I can't wait to share more details later.

Last week's party was ahh-mazing!  So many wonderful projects were linked up, like this quilt by Margo at MY Quilts and Crafts-

This fun quilt is by Kris at Sew Sunshine-

Joyce at heARTS Creations shared is scrappy beauty-

I love the ombre effect in this quilt by Nancy at Grace and Peace Quilting-

Liz at Savor Every Stitch showed off this striking quilt-

And finally, Anne Marie at Stories From the Sewing Room linked up this finished Meadowland quilt. Love the colors so much!

Just, wow!  Y'all are so inspiring.  I can't wait to see your pretties this week.  Let's 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 within your 

    post.  

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!  :)

Happy NTT!

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, y'all!  I've been sewing like crazy in the past week, which is going to be the norm for awhile, but because the sewing is for my upcoming book, I can't show you just yet.  Next week, I promise to have a few sneak peek pictures for you!

So, let's get right to the highlights from last week's party.  Jayne at Twiggy and Opal showed off this gorgeous quilt-

I love this quilt by Leanne at Devoted Quilter-

Nancy at Grace and Peace Quilting linked up this pretty Meadowland quilt-

And Sew Yummy shared this striking quilt!

Before we get to the party this week, I owe you three winners from last week's sponsor post.  First, the winners of the Abby Rose and Jolly Season charm packs from Fort Worth Fabric Studio are comment numbers 90 and 12- Chiska and Di.  And the winner of the $25 gift certificate from Lady Belle Fabric is comment number 70, Elizabeth.  Congratulations to all of you.  I'll be contacting you soon via email so you can get your prizes!

 

Alrighty, friends!  Show me what you've got!

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 within your 

    post.  

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!  :)

Sweet Honeybee and NTT

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, y'all.  Okay, so technically I know that my latest quilt finish is a collegiate quilt for a graduate heading to the University of Southern Mississippi in the fall, but when I look at it, the vibrant yellow and black make me think of honeybees, so I'm going that direction for the name.

As I mentioned last week, USM doesn't have any licensed fabric in print, so I pulled fabrics in the right colors and ordered these Golden Eagle embroidery patches to sew to the front.  There are six patches scattered across the quilt, and I think it was a great solution to give the quilt definite college flair.

When I placed the patches, I was careful to avoid sewing them on the horizontal and vertical center seams so the patches don't get creased whenever the quilt is folded.  I ironed them in place and then stitched them to the top before basting.  Since they are thick, I did not quilt through them though.

I used all of my leftovers for the backing, which is a good thing since getting extra fabric isn't exactly easy peasy these days.  In fact, I actually ended up pulling more prints than I really needed so I would have enough leftovers.  I rarely have more than half a yard of a single print, so pulling more prints is really the only solution.  Since scrappy looking quilts are my favorite, I do that quite often during normal times anyway, and it makes a big dent in my stash too!  While we're all quarantining, you should give it a try.

A nice, relaxed stipple gives this quilt lots of snuggle factor, and I used the last of my Kona Corn Yellow for the binding, which worked out perfectly!  This quilt has already been delivered to its new home, and I truly hope it gives cheer to its new owner.  This year's senior class has missed out on so much.  I know (and she and her mom agree) that in the grand scheme of life, these missed moments are not as important as health or family, but it doesn't mean that the disappointment isn't real.

So, let's get to the highlights from last week, shall we?  I'm crushing on this gorgeous quilt by Linda at Flourishing Palms-

DonnaleeQ posted this adorable Curb Appeal quilt-

Julie's Quilts and Costumes shared this happy quilt-

And I love this gorgeous quilt by Sophie at Luna Lovequilts-

Okay friends!  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 within your 

    post.  

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!  :)

Masks, a New Quilt, Big News...and NTT

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, friends.  Well this week, with the new CDC recommendation that everyone wear masks, I set out to start making some for family, a few friends, and our elderly neighbors next door.  We are still staying locked down, but if we absolutely have to get out, it is nice to know that we have something to cover our faces  My dad works in an essential business, so he still ventures out to work each day, and I was glad to send some for him.

1/4" elastic is nowhere to be found, but I have plenty of Kona White, so I decided to make masks with ties.  At first, I did a double fold tie, doing all of the pressing by hand (because I don't have a binder attachment, bias tape maker, or serger), and they took FOREVER.  Then I came up with a different solution.  Instead of finishing the raw edges completely, I used the pinking blade on my rotary cutter and just did a single, raw edge tie with zigzag stitching.  Between the zigzag and the pinked edges, the fabric shouldn't fray.

I also made a pocket on the back side so that an additional filter can be inserted, and added a pipe cleaner to the top to make it fit snugly against the nose.  Single pipe cleaners are a little flimsy, but folded in half and twisted together, they are just rigid enough to work perfectly.  I slid them into the fold of the seam and stitched them into place so they don't slide from side to side (that's the little stitches you see at the top of each mask).

Even with these modifications and assembly line construction, I spent about an hour on each mask.  I'm just not very fast at it, so I'm going to leave the mass production to others who really have the tools to make the process easier.

My other project this week has been working on this fun collegiate quilt top.  This is for a friend whose daughter is graduating and heading to the University of Southern Mississippi in the fall.  They are the Golden Eagles, and their colors are black and yellow/gold.  Funny enough, I think I actually spent less time sewing this quilt top than I did on all those masks!  Snowball corners are my jam.

I have the backing and binding all ready to go for this quilt, but I am still waiting on an important part of the quilt top before I can baste and quilt.  There isn't any licensed fabric for Southern Miss, so instead, I ordered six embroidery patches that I will sew onto the top, just so it is very clearly a college quilt.  They should arrive tomorrow, and then I can get this one finished up and delivered (no contact, of course).

Last week's party was full of amazing creativity in the midst of these difficult circumstances.  Sew Preeti Quilts linked up this simple but sweet quilt-

I love this baby quilt by Alison at Little Bunny Quilts-

Check out these scrappy stars by Shannon at The Flemings Nine-

Look at this super cute fabric scrap wreath by Nancy at Grace and Peace Quilting.  She has a tutorial for it!

And this quilt gy Tiina at Kasityolainen - unelmissaan is absolutely gorgeous.  By the way- Tiina's blog is also written in English.

Before we get to the party, I have a bit of great news to share with you.  I have just signed a contract with Fox Chapel Publishing (Landauer Imprint) to publish a second book, yay!  I'm not ready to share additional details just yet, but I'm super excited about it and I think you're going to love it!

Okay y'all, let's party and get all the eye-candy!

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 within your 

    post.  

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!  :)

NTT...The Roundup Edition

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, y'all.  I hope you're all staying safe and sane at home as I am.  This week has been an exercise in balance for me.  With everyone home all the time, it is very easy to slip into doing more house and family things and a little less quilting stuff, since I usually do the bulk of my quilting and pattern work while my husband and son are gone.  So, finding a good work/school/fun balance that keeps everyone happy and productive has been the number one priority.

I've managed to clear a couple of things off of my to-do list this week that have been lingering a little bit, including the release of a brand new(ish) pattern!

I first created the Waverunner pattern last spring as a guest designer for the International Association of Quilters group, and at that time, I released the lap size quilt pattern exclusively to their members.  I've now expanded the pattern to include three different sizes, and I'm making it available to everyone!  This pattern uses fat quarters with virtually no waste, and it is so quick and fun to put together.

For such a simple design, the quilt really is striking!  This quilt looks great with a controlled palette, but it would also be an amazing scrap buster.  It is now live in my Etsy shop, and I hope you'll check it out HERE.

I also finished up the queen size plus quilt that I first shared in January.  I sent this quilt to a longarm quilter, and because she was waiting on a part for her machine, I just got it back a couple of weeks ago.  I was already in the middle of my Pocket Full of Posies quilt, so it had to wait until that was done.

I love the design I picked for this quilt.  I think the curved lines add great movement to the hard angles in the plus blocks, but I have to be honest.  I don't love the size of the quilting.  I know it's my fault for not communicating more clearly with my quilter, but the design is much bigger than I envisioned.

I like denser quilting than this, and the spaces between the lines (at the widest point) measure two full inches.  When I'm quilting something myself, I would never leave spaces that large.  The quilt is much puffier that I really like.  I thought that because I paid the more expensive price per square inch, that I was getting a denser quilting design, and I'm pretty disappointed that wasn't the case.  As a comparison, I paid the same rate for THIS quilt, which was incredibly dense, so I don't know??  Maybe there is just something I'm missing here.

I really do hope the puffiness grows on me, because there's absolutely nothing that can be done about it at this point.  The lesson here- ALWAYS be very specific about your desires when communicating with your quilter, even if you think they already know what you want.  Even the greatest longarm quilters (and mine definitely is awesome) are not mind readers.

I used two different Anna Maria Horner prints on the backing, and I even found the main print on sale, so that was a huge win!  The ground was wet (still so much rain here), so I didn't get to lay the quilt out to show the binding, but I used a purple Cotton and Steel Basics, and I love how it looks with both the front and back.

This quilt is a large queen size, measuring 96" x 108", and I'm calling it Staying Positive, because we definitely need as much of that as we can get right now!

I've been feeling pretty accomplished these past few days by checking these two things off my list.  Before we get to showing off your accomplishments, check out the highlights from last week.  Kris at Sew Sunshine linked up this gorgeous quilt-

Linda at Flourishing Palms shared her progress on this fun, unique quilt-

This amazing mini is by Jayne at Twiggy and Opal-

This scrappy beauty is by Cynthia at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework-

This striking starry quilt is by Sandra at mmm! Quilts-

Shannon at The Fleming's Nine showed off this soft, sweet finish-

And I love this quilt by Liz at Savor Every Stitch-

I showed LOTS of highlights from last week, because I thought we could all use a little extra eye candy these days, and there were so many awesome projects last week that I just couldn't help myself!

Okay friends!  I can't wait to see how you've been keeping yourselves busy lately.  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 within your 

    post.  

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!  :)