Home State Love and NTT

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday!  This week has been all about scrap play for me.  I've finished a scrappy quilt that I have to keep secret for now, but while my scraps were out, I also sewed a few of my precious AMH bits to make this pillow.

This pillow is for my mom for Christmas (she already knows, so I'm not blowing a huge surprise here).  I already have a collection of embroidered state pillows, one for each of the four states that my hubby and I have lived during our marriage, but believe me, if I didn't have those, I would definitely be making one of these for myself as well.  I'm working on a full tutorial for this 18-inch pillow and it will be ready very soon, so be on the lookout!

Last week's party was filled with great stuff happening in your sewing spaces!  This blue beauty by Gemini Jen is called Halfmoon Bay-

Just look at this Modernized Double Wedding Ring quilt by Jess at Quilty Habit!  I love the modern twist on this traditional pattern.

and check out this cool orange gem mini by Anja Quilts!  Her post actually contains four different gemstone minis, so be sure to hop over and check out the other three!

It's time to link up all of your eye candy from the last week, 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!  :)

Opulence and NTT

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday and happy November, y'all!  I've been sewing like crazy around here lately and have a newly finished quilt to share.

These Joel Dewberry Heirloom fabrics have such a pretty palette, and since it's heavy on purple and warm golden tones, it looks very regal to me.  I'm calling this one Opulence.  In case you missed my last post, this quilt is made with my Stems and Stones pattern (available HERE and HERE), and the curvy illusion sets off these beautiful prints so well.

When I'm making a quilt, I always choose to use as many prints as possible, so I can have lots leftover for the backing, plus, I hate having to decide which prints to eliminate from an entire collection.  I prefer the little bit of extra work to put together a pieced backing, rather than having to search out a single fabric that coordinates perfectly.  I had a bundle containing 34 prints, and I used every single one!

This quilt even got a scrappy binding.  Since the strips I had leftover were only 10 inches long, I worried that the binding would look too choppy, but I actually love the effect.  I just know the recipient of this quilt is going to love it, and I can't wait until she gets it.

Before we party, take a look at some of my favorite projects from last week!  Liz at Savor Every Stitch linked up this beauty, called Starlight Symphony.  Oh my goodness, that quilting!!!

Tisha at Quilty Therapy shared this cute string quilt with cute, woodland themed fabrics.

Sophie at Luna Lovequilts linked up this fun circle quilt with such an interesting layout!

and Alison at Little Bunny Quilts showed off this pretty star quilt.  Beautiful colors!

Okay, friends.  I know you're busy sewing all the awesome things, and I can't wait to see.  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.  

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!  :)

Heirloom Score!

Don't you just love a good fabric score?  A couple of weeks ago, I was browsing though Etsy to find a specific fabric, and stumbled across the shop of a quilter who was destashing.  She was letting go of this luscious bundle of Joel Dewberry's Heirloom collection.  The colors are just gorgeous and these fabrics are hard to find these days, so I snatched it right up.  I couldn't help myself!

I decided to show off the vibrant jewel tones and bold prints by using them with a crisp Kona White background, and my Stems and Stones pattern (available HERE and HERE).  The curvy illusion of this pattern is so fun, and easily created with all straight piecing.

This quilt is for a friend's daughter, and I think these feminine fabrics are just perfect without being too sugary sweet.  I know she's going to love it as much as I do!

Vintage Soul and NTT

Welcome to another Needle and Thread Thursday, y'all!  Today, I get to share a new quilt finish with you, and it is already right at home in my living room, getting lots of use.

Anna Maria Horner fabrics are so rich with color and print, and yet, they have such a lovely vintage vibe, so I've decided to call this one Vintage Soul.  With strips finishing at just two inches wide, many of the larger prints get lost, but I don't care.  I am in love with the way the colors move across the quilt.

I did have some trouble figuring out what to put on the back.  Since I used the last bits of my scrap fabric, I couldn't do my usual backing with leftovers, so I decided on this pretty robin's egg blue floral, with a nice wide strip of Bella Solids Leaf.  It compliments the top nicely, but doesn't take away from it; and this warm, golden crosshatch fabric is a perfect frame.

This finished quilt measures 60" x 72" so it's a perfect snuggle size; just in time for the chilly autumn temperatures.

Before we get to the features from last week's party, I owe you FOUR giveaway winners!  

First up, the winner of the $25 gift certificate from Lady Belle Fabric is comment number 136, Karen.  

Next, the winner of the gorgeous Sweet Prairie bundle from Shabby Fabrics is comment number 133, Shauna.  

Our third giveaway winner of four Moda mystery charm packs from Fort Worth Fabric Studio is comment number 31, Ann.

And finally, the winner of the $25 gift certificate to LouLou's Fabric Shop is comment number 116, Kathy.

Congrats to all of you ladies!  I'll be contacting you via email very soon so you can get your prizes from my amazing sponsors!  

Now that we have all of the business taken care of, let's take a look, at some of the awesomeness from last week.  Check out this beautiful charity quilt, made by members of the New Hampshire MQG.  

This pink and gray string top by Cynthia at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework  is so much fun!

and Yanicka Quilts linked up this baby elephant quilt finish.  I love how all of the different gray fabrics add so much dimension!

Okie dokie, friends!  It's time to link up the latest from your sewing space!

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!  :)

Scrap Strips and NTT

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, friends!  I'm still working away at busting through my 35 yards of Anna Maria Horner fabrics, and it's really getting down to the nitty gritty.  After my king sized quilt, and the backing of the quilt, I was left with lots of strips.  I cut them to a uniform 2.5" x 12.5" and put together in this fun quilt top.

I love the way the light and dark colors move your eye across the quilt.  Even when the quilt is in indoor light, it kind of looks like sunlight is scattered across it.  Little by little, I've been changing out some of the accessories and decor in my living room to freshen it up a little bit, and this quilt is destined to bring warmth and a pop of color to my sofa.  We've had some chilly fall weather here lately, so I'm going to hurry and finish this one up so I can start enjoying it!

Before we party, check out some of last week's fabulousness.  This beauty is by The Lilac Cat.  The colors are so soothing and are perfect against that dark blue background!

Ali at Arabesque Scissors showed off this pretty quilt.  So clever to add "bubbles" to classic piecing!

And this Marmalade baby quilt is by Tisha at Quilt Therapy.  Sometimes simple and sweet is just right!

Before we get to the link up, if you haven't already, be sure to hop over to my October Sponsor News post and take a minute to check out all of the amazing coupons and sales going on.  There are FOUR awesome giveaways included in the post, and you don't want to miss out!

Alrighty then!  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!  :)

A Reversible Quilt and NTT

Happy NTT, y'all!  If you're a regular reader, it's no secret that I love to piece my quilt backings with leftovers from the front. What happens though, when the fabric hoard is so out of control that there are is more fabric left over than I actually used in the quilt top?  Make the quilt completely reversible, of course!

Most of the time, when I piece a quilt backing, I don't worry too much about print and color placement, but for a truly reversible quilt, I took my time to make sure that everything was balanced nicely.  I had to work with the sizes I had leftover, which dictated the design, but I love the fact that the three narrow strips will be centered on the bed.

If you assumed that this backing (which measures 116" square) used up the remainder of the AMH, you were mistaken.  Shockingly, I still have enough fabric left for a scrappy binding for this one, plus a nice sized throw quilt for my sofa, and probably even enough for the backing of that quilt to have some scrappy interest.  The lesson here- 35 yards of fabric is a ton!

As big as this backing is, it isn't the biggest thing I've been working on this week!

My publisher sent my book pages for review, and when I opened them, I'm pretty sure my squeals of delight could be heard for miles around.  It is surreal to see my creative work take shape in book form, and I can't wait until I can start revealing little snippets about the concept, title, and of course, the quilts.

I hope your week has been as fun as mine!  Before we party, let's take a look at some of my favorite projects from last week.  Sew Preeti Quilts linked up her Esmeralda quilt tutorial.  Just gorgeous!

Check out these fun, scrappy pineapples by Angel on flickr.

Something Rosemade linked up this beautiful quilt top, and I'm Smitten with it too!

Jess at Quilty Habit is a free-motion maven with this whole cloth clamshell quilt.  Look at all of the amazing details!

and finally, I love this pretty, curvy quilt called Teal Fizz by Lori at Crossquilt!  I had the pleasure of seeing this finished top in person at my guild meeting last Sunday and it is fantastic!

Okay, my friends!  It's time to show what you've been working on 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.  

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!  :)

King Sized Difficulty and NTT

In case there was any doubt, every step in the process of making a king-sized quilt is more difficult, right down to photographing it.  Add a little wind in there, and getting a nice, smooth shot of this massive (108" x108") quilt top was next to impossible.  That being said, I love love LOVE it!

Since this quilt is going on my bed, I had to take the opinions of Mr. MQI into account, which usually doesn't happen with quilt design.  Finding a pattern that kept the larger prints intact and wasn't too fussy was key.  Just in case you missed my last post where I showed my AMH hoard, you can rest easy knowing that I had way more prints than needed, so I also decided to pull out some of the fabrics that were heavy on hot pink and fuchsia, leaving just enough to keep the quilt balanced.

I opted for a 12" block that I like to call 2-4-6.  Beyond basic patchwork, this one is about as simple as it gets, but it lets those prints shine beautifully.  Here are the block measurements, just in case you're wondering-

These are finished measurements, so you would need to cut your pieces 6.5", 4.5", and 2.5" wide x 12.5" in length.  Then I just alternated the position and direction of the strips in the quilt.  Easy peasy!

I have enough fabric to make a completely reversible quilt (plus some), and I'm working on the backing now.  I've decided to turn this monster over to my friend who is a professional longarm quilter.  Her Christmas rush is already on, and since I'm not on any sort of deadline, it will be after the first of the year.  Having someone else quilt for me is a first, and though I truly enjoy quilting my own (reasonably sized) projects, I'm not going to lie, the fact that I don't have to baste this sucker is making me do a little happy dance.

Alrighty friends!  I've been super busy sewing this week, and I know you have as well but before we party, let's check out some of the amazing projects from last week.  This set of cheery quilts is by Simply, Sarah, and I love the bright colors and fun, random piecing.

Soma at Whims and Fancies shared her crisp and pretty Squares Plus quilt.

and finally, check out the quilting on this modern beauty by Leanne at Devoted Quilter!

Okay, y'all!  Let's kick off our first Needle and Thread Thursday of October with a bang!  It's 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!  :)