NTT- Mustard Misadventure

Welcome to Needle and Thread Thursday, y'all.  I have spent an inordinately long time on this little quilt, and frankly, I'm happy to add it to the finished list.

This quilt only measures 38" x 40", but it really felt like a chore to get it to a place where I didn't hate it.  I ended up cutting up my blue/aqua/teal scraps and shuffling them again, and then I liked the look much better, but it needed something else to give it some pop.  I auditioned several solids in my stash and decided to use this rich yellow-orangey Kona Papaya.  I really like the contrast it offers.  These strips are just under a 1/2" (finished), and when it all came together I thought it looked like a mustard bottle had been shaken up with the cap being open, so Mustard Misadventure it is!

I went straight into my stash for a backing, and found this tonal aqua chevron print, and used up the last little bit of my Papaya on the binding.  Though this is still not one of my very favorite quilts, it is growing on me, and I think it will make a cute little baby quilt to donate to our local children's hospital.

Aside from this project, I have also been working on something that I can't share just yet; and of course, cheering on team USA!  

Last week, there were tons of amazing projects linked up, like this quilt by Linda at Flourishing Palms-

And this patriotic quilt by Institches with Bonnie-

Or how about this beauty by Marga's Crafts-

And finally, look at this gorgeous quilt by Sandra at mmm quilts-

Y'all are amazing!  So, without further ado, let's get to the 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 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!  :)

Beachy Scraps and NTT

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, friends.  Do you ever have a vision of a quilt in your head and then as you work on making it a reality, find that it's just not coming together?  Welcome to the story of my last few days.  My blue and aqua/teal scrap jars were getting a little full and these watery colors always feel beachy and summery to me, so I decided to pull them out and play.

My original idea was to make a single, giant crashing wave.  I planned to slice scrap pieces on the diagonal, insert strips, and then arrange them so that the strips would create the wave shape.  Since the scraps are not consistent sizes, I planned to fit them together with extra scraps.  Sounds like a neat idea, right?  

Well, I sewed the strips into the scrap pieces and went to lay them out, and...yikes.  It was just a mess.  So, I took them down and tried another layout.  Again, no.  I love blue and aqua together, and this pile has some really pretty scraps, so I'm not ready to give up on it just yet.  I'm now on my third plan for this pile, and we'll see how it goes...

Before we get to the highlights from last week, I owe you a giveaway winner!  The winner of the $25 gift certificate to Lady Belle Fabric is comment number 70, Cindy!  Congratulations!  I've sent an email to you so you can get your prize.  :)

Okay, time to check out some of the gorgeous projects from last week's party.  This quilt by Anorina at Samelia's Mum is a stunner!

I love this quilt by Something Rosemade-

And this cheery quilt is by Sew Preeti Quilts-

Okay, my friends!  Who's ready to party?  Let's do this thing.

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!  :)

Hit the Ground Running and NTT

Welcome back to NTT, friends!  We had the BEST vacation ever, but it felt sooooo nice to climb back into my own bed after almost a month.  While we were gone, we put a hold on all of our mail, so a giant stack (of mostly junk) was waiting for us upon our return.  One super surprise was waiting for me in all of that mess though- an advance copy of my new book!

This book takes the scrappy improvisation technique in Stash Statement in an entirely different direction!  Scrappy Improv Quilting contains 22 fun mini quilts that use this technique to create texture and interest.  Not only does this book give an alternate method for constructing the improv pieces, it is also perfect for beginners because it contains full instructions for finishing your quilt, as well as tips for displaying them.  The official release date for the book is August 23rd, which is actually earlier than I expected!

I'm so proud of the way Scrappy Improv Quilting came together, and seeing it in print gave me the kick in the behind that I needed to get everything all set for a blog tour to celebrate its release.  So, I've spent the past week scheduling the blog tour and planning my trip to Fall Quilt Market!  

I also had to pick up my beloved Regina BERNINA from the spa treatment she had while we were gone, so now I'm all set to get back in my studio.  It's been too long!

Our last party was waaaaayyy back on June 9th.  I know that even though I haven't, you've probably been sewing up a storm since then.  So after checking out the highlights from our last party, feel free to link up as many projects as you like.  I want to catch up with everything you've been sewing!  :)

I love this striking quilt by Jan at The Colorful Fabriholic.  That green really pops against the black and white!

This quilt by Viridian is just lovely.  What a great background color to really show off those blocks.

This sweet finish is by Maggie at Making a Lather-

Angela at Better'n Dog Biscuits linked up this fresh, summery quilt-

I love the spiral effect of this quilt by Vasudha at Storied Quilts-

I love this quilt by Frederique at Quilting Patchwork Applique'-

And finally, the progress on this quilt by Jayne at Twiggy and Opal is just stunning!

Okay, y'all!  It's time to show me what you've got!  And remember, link up as many projects as you want.  I know I've missed a lot.  :)

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!  :)

**Oh, and by the way- if you haven't yet, be sure to hop over to my post from yesterday and enter the awesome giveaway!  

Christmas in July Sponsor News and a Giveaway!

Hey there, friends!  I'm back from vacation and it was absolutely fantastic.  I'm so happy to get back into the swing of things at home though, and that includes highlighting the latest happenings at my favorite shops around the web.  Summer is when all of the fabric companies debut their latest holiday collections, so I can't think of a better way to get back into the groove than highlighting some of my favorites.  There is also a giveaway this month, so keep reading!

LouLou's Fabric Shop has tons of new Christmas collections and patterns to really show them off.  These Christmas Morning fabrics by Lella Boutique have more muted tones and fresh prints that showcase lots of Christmas greenery.

LouLou's even has several patterns that showcase this line, in case you're stumped on how to use them.

I'm also in LOVE this Santa in the Pines kit.  It's so much fun, and such a unique use of basic quilting shapes.

                     

Up next is Fort Worth Fabric Studio, where there are tons of new Christmas fabrics as well.  This Merry and Bright collection by Me and My Sister Designs is filled with holiday cheer, and perfect if you're looking for brighter shades of classic Christmas colors.

The prints are a little more whimsical in this line, and definitely sure to put you in a cheery mood.

This Ribbon Candy quilt kit is the perfect way to make these fun, energetic prints really shine.

                   

And finally, if you're looking for a Christmas collection with a non-traditional palette, look no further than Lady Belle Fabric.  Warm ginger, rosy pink, and earthy teal are the perfect accompaniment for the rich, Christmassy red fabrics.  

Though this palette is very unexpected, it feels very warm and comforting to me.

Take a look at the sweet quilt kit that uses this collection.  It looks like a neighborhood full of sweet candy and gingerbread houses!

Lady Belle is generously offering a $25 gift certificate to one lucky winner this month, and you can spend it on whatever you like.  I promise, you won't have any trouble filling your shopping cart!

                

Okay, y'all.  Of course, though I've only highlighted a snippet from each of these shops, they each have lots to see.  I hope you'll take a few minutes to browse these shops and show them some love, but before you go, take a minute to enter this month's giveaway!

To enter, just leave ONE comment on this post.  

Don't forget to leave an email address if you're a no-reply blogger, and remember, 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 if necessary. 

Additional replies/comments/entries are always deleted.  I'll announce the winners at next week's NTT (July 21st).  
This giveaway has ended.  Thanks to all who entered!
Good luck and happy shopping, y'all!  Now, I'm headed off to watch another Christmas in July movie on Hallmark.  :)