Summer Storm

Sometimes you just have to love things for what they are.  I intended for this to look like a bento box quilt, but there isn't really enough contrast in the fabrics to truly reflect that pattern. I love making quilts with lots of different, busy fabrics, and I'm just not sure that works with a bento box.

Instead, it really looks like a scrap explosion of yellows and grays, and frankly, I'm okay with that.  Even though it doesn't have the look I envisioned, I'm still pleased with how it turned out.

I know I cannot possibly be the only person who over-collects fabrics for quilts (please tell me I'm not the only one!).  In the name of fabric variety, I always end up with way too much!  I had so much fabric for this quilt, that I refused to buy more fabric for the backing, and just made it reversible with the leftovers.

I had tons of Kona Coal left over from when I made the four quilts from my grandfather's shirts, so I decided to use it (well, some of it anyway) to bind this one.  I think the solid amongst all of the busy patterns works really well.

I love those summer storms where one part of the sky is dark gray and pouring rain, and yet the sun shines brightly right through it.  It's almost magical.  The shades of gray dappled with sunshiny yellows in this quilt remind me of those times, and so Summer Storm seemed to be the perfect name.

Nope.  It's not a bento box in the traditional sense of the pattern.  But the colors and fabrics are fresh and modern, and the very angular pattern still works with them.  Well, sometimes you live and learn- and then end up loving it anyway!

The Bento Box Quilt That Wasn't

I finished the top of my bento box quilt this afternoon.

So here's the thing-  I actually really like this quilt.  That being said, despite the fact that it is technically a bento box pattern, it doesn't really look like one to me.  The cool thing about bento box quilts is the effect that is created when the contrasting parts of the box are put together.  There are some parts of it that have that neat contrast, but other parts that look more muddled.

Again, I do like the ultra modern feel of the quilt, but I think these fabrics, although they are all individually beautiful, are just a little too busy to allow the bento box pattern to really show up well.  What do you think?

The Beginnings of a Bento

Ahhhh... Fall Break...  finally.  We have been in school since August 4th, and teachers since July 29th, with only Labor Day to offer a brief respite from the craziness that comes with the start of the school year.  So after nine loooong weeks, to say I've been looking forward to this break is quite an understatement.

Since finishing Fishing at the Creek and delivering it to my principal (who loved it, by the way),  I've been working on turning this-

Into this-

A bento box quilt with shades of yellow and gray.  I've been collecting fabrics in these colors for awhile, and have finally gotten around to making it.  So far, I'm loving the way these super modern colors and graphic prints are working with the bento box pattern.  I can't wait to get these blocks mixed up and sewn back together.

I'm hosting the Memphis Area MQG meeting at my house tomorrow, and for this month, we're doing a sew-in.  Looks like I know what I'll be working on!

Tips for a Fast Finish

As I mentioned in my yesterday's NTT post, this quilt was done in a big hurry- three nights to be precise.  I know...crazy!

I will admit that there were some late nights involved in getting it finished, but since next week is Fall Break and this is for my principal, that simply could not be avoided.  There are a few tricks I have up my sleeve to finish quilts FAST when I need to.

1.  Pattern choice is key-  I pick patterns that are simple to sew and quick to cut.  Even with varying the 

    direction of the strips in this quilt, this top was quick to put together.  I could have had the strips 

    going all the same direction and it would have been even faster.

2.  Shop your stash-  Rather than choose colors that I wanted and try to make my stash fit those colors, I  

     allowed my stash to determine the colors.  I didn't have to go the the fabric store in order to get 

     down to business.  I also try to keep a well-rounded stash so that I have plenty of choices!

3.  Multitask-  I know this is easier said than done with little ones, but I sew while helping with 

     homework, between stirring dinner on the stove, while watching TV, etc.  If I have 10 extra 

     minutes, I'm sewing.

4.  Make the quilting easy-  Everybody has their favorite go-to quilting method.  Mine is 

     meandering/stippling.  I just love it (I know you can tell).  It's relaxing for me, and really quick.

Even with a fast finish, quilting should be fun!  These are four ways that I keep my sewing stress-free- even when I'm under pressure to get something done quick!

I've named this one Fishing at the Creek.  I can just see a little boy in overalls on the banks of beautiful, clear water on a summer day.  I always tend to have lots of blue and green in my stash.  I guess it's because I find these colors so happy and peaceful, that I'm just drawn to them.  

You can also see the backing fabric really well in this picture.  I really lucked out with this Denyse Schmidt fabric with the perfect shade of blue and the little green dots.  Incidentally, this is the only fabric I purchased especially for this quilt.  You probably recognize those lime dots too- that's left over from Serendipity.  And of course, no backing of mine would be complete without adding in the scraps!

The finished quilt measures 48 inches square and I hope that it is loved for years and years by that sweet little baby boy.

Needle and Thread Thursday and a Sneak Peek!

Well friends, I have officially been sewing like a crazy woman this week.  On Monday, I took Neapolitan Sundae to school to show, and my principal loved it.  As it happens, she has a nephew that will be born in the next week or so and she really wanted a baby boy quilt.  Sure, I said.  No problem at all!  I usually finish a quilt every week(ish) so I figured it would be no big deal.  Except for one little problem-  I forgot that next week is Fall Break (thank the sweet Lord above).  So, that turned a Monday quilt delivery (which would have allowed me the weekend to finish up), to a Friday deadline.  Four nights-  yikes!

I managed to pull it off y'all- and a day early to boot!  Here's a little sneaky peek!

We have a really pretty wooded area right next to our school, so I'm planning on a quick photo shoot during my lunch break tomorrow, and then I'll get to deliver it.  So, keep an eye out for the reveal post with all of the good daylight pics!

Last week, NTT had some amazing projects linked up.  I just love looking at all of the links and getting oodles of inspiration!  Here were a few that really caught my eye-

**As a courtesy to these bloggers, if you want to pin the images I'm featuring, please use the links and pin from the original source.  Thanks a bunch!

Ms. Midge's Scrappy Refractatorium just took my breath away!

The Cozy Pumpkin shared this beautiful quilt for her husband.

and Quilts With Personality shared this beauty!

I can't wait to see the stunning projects you all share this week!  Let's party!

Here are the party rules.  You know the drill!

1.  You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post to make it easier for others.

3. Spread the word and post my button or a text link.  Please find my new button on my sidebar!

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

**And once again, as a courtesy to these bloggers, if you want to pin one of the fabulous projects linked, please click on the thumbnail to go to the original source and pin from there!  Thanks!

Neapolitan Sundae

My parents came in town to visit this weekend, but I still managed to take a few hours to quilt and bind up this little baby quilt.  In fact, my mom had never seen me do FMQ, so it was kind of fun to show her how it's done (she does not sew at ALL)!

I made this quilt with my Giant Log Cabin tutorial, and it measures 47 inches square.  I love the fact that the smallish size made it a super quick finish.  And of course, now that it's done, I do like it better, and I think it will be perfect for a baby or little girl.

The weather has been so dreary today, so I had to do this photo shoot in about 5 minutes, which severely limited the creativity in my pics.  I'm just glad there was a tiny break in the rain that allowed me to get outside shots at all!

When I was trying to come up with a name for this quilt, my mom mentioned that she thought it looked like neapolitan ice cream with chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry all together.  So, I have to credit her with the name- Neapolitan Sundae!  I didn't notice the stray thread on the label until just now (no kidding- a 5 minute photo session).

For the backing, I had a 1 yard piece of one of the Daisy Cottage fabrics, added some Kona Baby Pink and of course added all of the scraps from the top.  I used Kona Chocolate for the binding, and quilted with a meander in soft pink thread.

I don't know if anyone noticed the button on my sidebar (because I haven't mentioned it), but I opened an etsy shop last week.  I'm just running out of quilts to gift, and although I do donate some, I just thought, why not?  We'll just see how it goes!  So far, Grapefruit Fizz is the only quilt in the shop, and she's getting pretty lonely, so this one is going to join her!  I think I'm going to try to get a few more quilts in there before the Christmas shopping season really gets in full swing.  If you happen to have an etsy shop and have any pearls of wisdom to offer, I'm all ears!

NTT- It's the Place to Be!

Yeah, I'm a rhyming kinda girl.  It runs through my head every week, but I have successfully squelched the urge to actually use it as my post title until now.  Now that it's right there on the screen maybe I'll stop thinking it every. single. Thursday.  I said maybe.  ;)

I finished up Grapefruit Fizz on Sunday and until this evening, I had gotten zero sewing done since.  Nope, nada.  Not a single stitch.

I think it's because I've decided that it's finally time for me to use this little bundle of Riley Blake Daisy Cottage, and I'm just not truly in love with it.  That, and my life has been madness these last few days.  One or the other.

In truth, I wasn't absolutely in love with this bundle when I got it, but I found it on sale (isn't that always the way), and I thought, "Well, it's nice, and will make a cute little baby girl quilt." And I went ahead and bought it.

So, I went round and round with myself about what I should do with this fabric, and I decided to make another giant log cabin.  They're quick to cut, speedy to sew, and totally stress-free.  And it means I can use up this bundle fast, and without a lot of fuss.

I finally got some time at my machine tonight.  I spent about 15 minutes cutting and one hour sewing up this baby quilt.  One hour, y'all- seriously.  That's my kind of quilt top- which, by the way looks way better in person.

I do think it's a sweet little quilt, but still...lesson learned.  Only buy fabric if you truly love it.  Am I the only one who's done this??

Oh, and one other thing!!  I'm sad to say that Vickie, the winner of the FQ bundle giveaway never responded back to me when I emailed her, so wild thing picked another random number.  The lucky winner is number 23- Lisa Cox!  Lisa, I'll be emailing you soon so I can ship out those FQ's ASAP!

Now, check out some of the awesome link ups from last week!

**As a courtesy to these bloggers, if you want to pin the images I'm featuring, please use the links and pin from the original source.  Thanks a bunch!

Paula, The Sassy Quilter revealed this breathtaking Prism quilt!  What a beauty!

Y'all know I'm a sucker for Swoon quilts, and this one by Izzy at Dizzy Quilts is just gorgeous!

and Melissa at My Fabric Relish shared her broken herringbone quilt progress along with this awesome pillow!

Let's party, y'all!

Here are the party rules.  You know the drill!

1.  You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post to make it easier for others.

3. Spread the word and post my button or a text link.  Please find my new button on my sidebar!

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

**And once again, as a courtesy to these bloggers, if you want to pin one of the fabulous projects linked, please click on the thumbnail to go to the original source and pin from there!  Thanks!