Poolside

When I took a photo of my stash a couple of weeks ago, I noticed that my cabinet was very heavy on teals, aquas, and grays.  When I'm out shopping for fabric, I am drawn to those colors and tend to purchase them more often as stash builders (obviously), even as I show discipline with fabrics in other hues.  Of course I know this about myself, but actually seeing the evidence in a picture really made me realize that I should stop stashing those colors for awhile, and put some of those yummy fabrics to good use.  I haven't done a two-color quilt in a little while, and thought a classic Bowtie pattern would be a perfect way to tame those sections of my stash.

Before I go any further, let me apologize for not making a post during the process of this quilt.  I think it's important to do that, since we all know that quilts don't just magically appear out of thin air, but we've had some rainy days lately, and the indoor photos I took didn't capture it well at all.  This one did go together rather quickly as well.

Because I love aqua and gray, I had some larger cuts of most of the fabrics in this quilt, and I used up all of the leftovers on the back.

The quilting is done in Aurifil 50 wt. #5006 (Light Turquoise), and it adds another layer of sweetness to this one.  And I decided to bind it in one of the darkest teal prints.

The colors in this quilt remind me of a backyard oasis, with glistening water surrounded by stone, so I've decided to name it Poolside.  I'm loving the way the modern prints set off the traditional Bowtie block, and I especially love that I used up 10 aquas and 10 grays from my cabinet.

Lolly, Lolly and NTT

Lolly, Lolly, Lolly Get Your Adverbs Here!  Any other Schoolhouse Rock fans out there?  I watched them as a kid, and fell in love with them again as an adult when I showed them to my students, and when my son watched them.  Even though I named this quilt Lolly, Lolly because it looks like sweet lollipops all lined up, when I say the name aloud, what secretly goes through my brain is one of my favorite songs from the collection.

On the back of this fun quilt, I used all of the leftovers, plus some yardage of the hot pink polkadot that I had in my stash as well, making this a zero purchase quilt.

A nice relaxed stipple and a pretty purple crosshatch binding, and this quilt is all ready for the silent auction coming up at my son's school.  I think the colors seem pretty perfect for a tween girl.  This quilt measures 60" square, and I hope it goes to a good home!

Last week's party knocked my socks off!  Take a look at this Storm at Sea quilt by Jayne at Twiggy and Opal, and be sure to go to her original post to see more pics of the quilting!

This amazing mini is by Jess at Quilty Habit-

Ali at Arabesque Scissors shared this barn quilt-inspired mini-

I love the beautiful low volume background in this plus quilt by The Lilac Cat-

and just look at how the ombre fabrics in this quilt by Sarah at Quilt Moderne make it look like it is shimmering!

Okay friends!  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!  :)

Stash Sewing and NTT

As often as possible, I try to pull fabric for an entire quilt from my stash, and make it without purchasing any extra fabric.  The discipline in this practice was born of necessity a few years ago, as quitting my teaching career to be a full-time quilter and pattern designer meant that finances immediately got a little tighter.  That being said, I have really grown to love the challenge of stretching my stash.

As I'm sure you've guessed, this bright and happy quilt is entirely from my cabinet, including the Kona Ash background, which I scored as three separate remnants (major luck)!  I'm really not a pink person, so I don't use it very often, but it can be sweet every now and then.

You know, many people are surprised when they see my fabric stash, thinking that surely a full-time quilter has mountains and mountains of fabric.  Though I try to keep a decent variety of colors, my stash is very modest in comparison to many, and I like it that way.  Because the fabrics in my cabinet turn over pretty quickly, I hardly ever come across a print that I've had for so long that I no longer care for it.

Shopping my stash becomes more difficult as the selection dwindles, but that's part of the fun of the challenge!  Don't get me wrong, of course I love buying fabric too, but when I feel like I've sewn an entire quilt from "free" fabric, I really feel like I've accomplished something.

What about you?  Do you like to keep a huge stash and shop from it exclusively?  Do you prefer to purchase fabrics specific for every single quilt, or do you use a combination of approaches when you're starting a new quilt?

Okay y'all!  Let's check out last week's party highlights.  This beauty by Savor Every Stitch is just fabulous, and my oh my, just look at that quilting!  ps- There are more close-ups on her post!

Barb at Mountain Quiltworks shared this fun sampler quilt-

Take a look at this awesomely round mini by Kittens and Threads.  I can't resist a rainbow, friends!

I love this Postcard From Sweden quilt by Anja Quilts.

Michelle at From Bolt to Beauty linked up this pretty reminder that we are on the downhill slide of another year, and Christmas will be here before we know it!

and finally, Kitty at Night Quilter shared this colorful bit of EPP awesomeness.

Yes, you counted correctly.  I did actually link up six features this week, rather than the usual three.  Double the features = double the fun!  I simply could not help myself.  There were just too many fantastic projects, and I couldn't narrow it down any further.  I'm super excited to see the fantastic projects that you bring this week!  Party on!

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!  :)

Needle and Thread Thursday

Happy NTT, friends!  I finished up my Classic Meets Modern sampler quilt, and I am super excited to share it with you today.

I had so much fun designing and making this quilt, though with so many things going on, I was a little stumped on quilting.  It would have been super cool to quilt each block differently, but I'm more of an "all over design" kind of girl.  So, I decided on my favorite fall-back, a nice stipple with 50wt. Aurifil White thread.  It adds just enough texture to give it a good crinkle, and doesn't add to the busy design.

In case you're wondering, I used seven shades of Kona in this quilt- White, Steel, Pool, Turquoise, Royal, Berry, and Parrot.

On the back, I had just enough of this awesome print for a nice center stripe, and the fabric looks like it was just made for this quilt, and I chose to border it with two stripes of the Parrot.  The low volume print on the edges is by Cloud 9, and I really lucked out and found it on clearance.

When it was time to bind the quilt, I really struggled with whether to give the quilt a frame with Berry, or have the binding disappear with Kona Pool.  Ultimately, I wanted this quilt to be cool with a pops of warmth, and I decided I didn't want to add more warm color.  I'm very happy with the choice.

The response to this quilt becoming a quilt along in 2018 was overwhelmingly positive, but I still need to work a few things out before I decide for sure whether that will happen.  I plan on making the decision with plenty of time to spare before the new year though, so stay tuned!

Before we party, take a look at some of my favorite projects from last week!  Nancy at Grace and Peace Quilting linked up this pretty rainbow HST quilt-

This fun one was made by Laura at Slice of Pi Quilts-

and finally, I love the transparency illusion in this quilt by Paige at Quilted Blooms-

I can't wait to see what's happening in your sewing space this week.  Let's party!

I'm working on a quilt right now, and I can't wait to share it with you, but right now, 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!  :)

Classic Meets Modern

As the name of this post suggests, I've been working on a sampler quilt blending classic blocks with modern design.  Each block in this quilt is actually a traditional block in the public domain, but the block sizing and layout, as well as the fact that the quilt is made in solids, really gives it a modern twist.

I don't work exclusively with solids very often, but they really give a graphic feel to the blocks in this quilt.  I had a blast designing this top, and putting it together.  With so many different blocks and sizes, the entire process was so much fun!

I'm working on finishing this one up and writing the pattern.  Right now, I'm considering hosting this as a Block of the Month QAL next year, but that is still something I'm mulling over.

Eclipse Trip

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, y'all!  This week has been a whirlwind, with the beginning of the week being dominated by the solar eclipse on Monday.  My mom and grandmother drove up from Louisiana, and on Monday, we took a four-generation road trip to see the eclipse in all its glory.

From the Memphis area, there were a few different driving options to get into the line of totality, but since Paducah is within just a few hours, there really was no question about where we would go.  The workmanship and artistry on display in the National Quilt Museum are just stunning, but my favorite quilt by far was the Corona II: Solar Eclipse by Caryl Bryer Fallert.  I purchased a lapel pin that depicts the quilt, but since I don't have permission to include a photo of the quilt itself (and photos are not allowed in the museum) you'll have to do a little online search for yourself to see how gorgeous it is- and even the photos don't do it justice.  This was actually my first trip to Paducah, and I can't wait to go back when I can spend more time enjoying all the town has to offer.

The weather was perfect for eclipse viewing, and since Paducah is not a major metropolis, we had zero traffic on the road, and it wasn't the sea of humanity that I was expecting.  It was an unforgettable experience, though it did make for a tiring day.  In fact, after cramming all of that into a single day, I feel like I'm still recovering.

Last week's party had some amazing projects linked up.  Check out this beauty by deJong Dream House-

or this cutie by Yellow Cat Quilt Designs-

And this one called Racing Rails, by Little Bunny Quilts is so pretty!

I'm working on a quilt right now, and I can't wait to share it with you, but right now, 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!  :)

Playing Dress Up and NTT

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, friends!  I'm delighted to share my latest quilt finish with you.  It is a class sample of my Paper Doll Dress-Up pattern (available in my Craftsy and Etsy shops), and because the colors and fabrics remind me of airy summer dresses, I am calling this one Playing Dress Up.

This is a color palette I've never used before, and I love how light and crisp it is against the Kona White background.  Best of all, every single one of these prints came right out of my stash.

I quilted this one with a gentle stipple with a soft, minty green thread.  I think the softly colored thread adds just a little unexpected loveliness to the quilt.

I used up all of my leftovers on the back, and paired it with this awesome mint green wood grain print, from Moda's Into the Woods collection.  I've been eyeing this fabric in my local shop for awhile, and just hoping I could fit it into one of my quilts because I love it so much.  Look how perfectly it blends!

I had just enough Kona Navy in my stash to bind this one, and the dark binding creates a great frame for the quilt.

Okay then!  Time to check out some of the projects from last week's party that caught my eye!  Like this Cotton and Steel beauty from Deb at New Creative State.  Welcome back to the party, Deb!

Next, check out this amazing quilt by Laura at Slice of Pi Quilts.  Friends, at first I thought that pattern was printed on the fabric, but boy, was I wrong.  Those little strips are all pieced!  There are plenty of closeups, as well as a link to the tutorial for this quilt in her post, so go check it out.

And finally, this improv quilt by Sophie at Luna Lovequilts is awesomely fun and modern!

My goodness!  So much inspiration.  Y'all knock my socks off every single week.  Time to show me 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!  :)