Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Stash Strippy Quilt Top is DONE!!

Hello Everyone,

First off, thank you to everyone who has entered the giveaway so far!! I have been enjoying reading the comments and visiting new blogs too. Thank you all for becoming followers, I promise not to disappoint. If you haven't entered the giveaway, click HERE to do so.

Now onto the eye candy!! Remember these strip sets? Here they are all sewn together. I am going to show you the progression of this quilt top to the finish in the next few photos. Enjoy!


They look wonderful all sewn up.


Auditioning how I would like the border to look. I decided on Kona Windsor Blue for a small inner border and a larger outer border. This quilt will be going on a twin bed and I think it will make for a nice drop, especially with the 1.5 inch strippy border in between the Kona borders.


Here it is with the first border applied. Looking good.


The small strippy border is added. Looking better!


Close up of some of the stash fabrics used. You can see some Kaffe, Brandon, Kona, and then some various older fabrics from my stash. If you look closely you will see an Australian print too.


Yay!! The third border was applied! Looks great!


Love how they all look in the corner, just makes my heart sing!


Here it is in all its glory! I am looking forward to quilting this one really soon as it is a special gift for my nephew's 7th birthday in July! He has been asking his mom when Aunt Jackie would be making him a quilt for his bed. So, obviously I could not refuse this request. As I am pretty sure he does not read my blog, I felt pretty safe posting all these photos. I can't wait to give it to him. I love the quilt and I love him!

Although, I know it is not complete for Stephanie's No Strings Attached Challenge, I tried really hard. The next time time you see this quilt it WILL be quilted!

Until Next Time...


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Sunday, June 27, 2010

Cherri House and City Quilts = A Great Interview and A Giveaway

Hello Everyone,

For those of you who don't know Cherri House and her wonderful work, you must go visit her on her blog! But first a short introduction to her wonderful sense of design and color right here. So sit back relax and enjoy! There is a surprise at the end for you when you are finished reading...


1. Your signature style of quilting is simple and streamlined, which is just beautiful. You also use mostly solids. When it comes to designing your quilts, what inspires you most?

Grids...I just love grids, I see beauty in them, and fortunately for me; they are everywhere. There is no shortage of inspiration for quilts though, I'm always trying to turn whatever I see into a quilt.



2. Prior to your wonderful hit book, City Quilts, you had started a pattern business. Do you intend to continue with patterns that can be purchased singly and if so, will they be themed around something particular like your book?

Yes, I'm definitely continuing with my pattern business...I have several coming out in the next couple of months. I'm kind of at a loss in regards to a theme - I was on such a roll with my city quilts, and I still have so many of them in me, but my daughters have forbidden me from doing any more city quilts. They were afraid that I would turn out something called City Dump, or City Tramp, etc. They thought I should move on while on top! So, I am on a search for my new series.


3. Solids are wonderful to work with and come in a great array of colors. Do you enjoy adding pattern with printed fabric as well? And if so, what is your fabric of choice, i.e. batiks, prints?

I love fabric period...I love it all. Solids work best for me in regards to the results I am seeking - timeless, classic, contemporary, and minimalistic. There are some quilt patterns that work best in combining solids and prints, and I always look forward to the dynamic that creates. I do quite a bit of work with fabric manufacturers, and this gives me plenty of opportunity to work with a large variety of fabric types.


4. When it comes to quilting your quilts, how do you go about determining what quilting design will best fit your quilt design? And what type of thread do you like to use, i.e. cotton, rayon, variegated?

So much depends on the quilt, something like City Aviation required incredible quilting, which was done by DeLoa Jones; because the quilt is so "plain", the quilting is really the star of the show. In other quilts such as City Green, or City Play, the quilting played '2nd fiddle' to the multitude of colors in the quilt. Generally if I am quilting a quilt myself on my domestic sewing machine I use YLI's silk thread...it's my favorite if I need the quilting to blend into the piece. If matching thread to fabric is needed, and I want the quilting to stand out, I use Gutermann 50 weight cotton thread which comes in such a great variety of colors.


5. Your quilts have a dramatic impact and make quite a visual statement. How long does it take for you to design a single pattern and then decide on the colors and fabric to use?

Generally I see quilts in my mind first, then it becomes a matter of translating the vision to EQ, working out the logistics, then fabric, etc. The clearer the vision, the faster the whole process flows. The most exciting thing is when the quilt is done, and it is exactly what I had envisioned some months before.


6. Now a silly question, you have a dog and three cats, do they tend to "help" you when you are quilting? If so, can you let us in on what they do? Or is your studio off limits?

Well, we might have to redefine "help" in order to make that work. My dog Mickey makes sure that I get up to take breaks (to let him go outside for business), one of my cats, Pinecone makes sure that I stop working by a certain hour so that I can sit down on my bed, so she can lay in my lap. One of my other cats, Finn encourages me to keep my desk clean so that when he comes to visit, he won't knock everything down when he decides to lay across every object in sight...so yes, in their own special way - they do help!


7. One last question, how big is your fabric stash?

Not as extensive as I would like! I've worked really hard to keep things managable after watching a few episodes of Horders. Many, many bags of fabric have been donated to the humanitarian efforts through my church. It's so easy to buy it, and so hard to give it away - but it's necessary, and it definitely goes to a good cause.

I hope you have all enjoyed the interview and are inspired by Cherri. Stay tuned for an upcoming Podcast with her at the end of the year!

Now for the Giveaway!! The last two photos are what is up for grabs. Yes, an autographed copy of City Quilts published by C & T Publishing and a Robert Kaufman Hot Spicy Fat Quarter Bundle. There will be two winners!

To enter :

1. Leave a comment on this post for one entry.

2. Leave a comment on Cherri's Blog and then come back and leave a separate comment to let me know for a second entry.

3. Follow both of our blogs and leave a third comment to let me know for the final entry.

Remember, I MUST have a way to reach you (make sure there is an e-mail available). The drawing will remain open through July 4th.

Oh and if you aren't one of the lucky winners, you can purchase both the book (20% off retail) and the bundle on my shop by clicking here. This bundle will make the quilt City Tracks in her book. You will just need to add some Kona Black (also found in my shop)!

Good luck to you all!

Until Next Time...


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Friday, June 25, 2010

Stuff and Winners!!


Hello Everyone,

First up new items in the shop!! The Kaffe Collection Threads are here!! They are absolutely gorgeous. Along with NEW Kaffe Fabrics, aren't they wonderful and summery.


The threads are perfect for quilting or piecing and are 50 weight. They match the Kaffe palettes just beautifully. You can find them here.


Also, check out these yummy brown fabrics. They are so much nicer in person. You can find them here along with a beautiful Kit and Pattern called Cinnamon and Ginger!

But now what you have been waiting for the big winners of Karen Eckmeier's Books and patterns! With the assistance of Mr. Random Number Generator, these are the numbers that were drawn.



The winners are:

#47 Needled Mom said...

I would love to have her lizard quilt on her home page!!! I actually really enjoyed looking at all of her amazing work, but the landscapes were my favorite.

I have never heard of Karen but from what I see so far I am going to have to listen to the podcast and visit her website. Thanks for showing us her work!!!

I never heard of her but I am off to check out her site. Thank you so much for the chance to win.


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Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Batik Inspiration Vol. IV

Hello Everyone,

Are you up for a little more Batik Inspiration?? First, don't forget to enter my giveaway here, today is the last day!! Hurry!!

This next quilt I am going to show you was a kit that was given to me years ago by a friend. It was a laser cut kit from John Flynn Quilt Company. I had always admired the Wheel of Mystery pattern and this was a great opportunity to give it a try. Plus, I didn't have to cut these shapes. It was all ready to sew.


A great combination of light and dark batiks really make this particular pattern really show off the circular motion.


With the batiks being laser cut they went together relatively smoothly and with the points matching well to complete the curves.


This photo really does capture the batik circles really well. Although this quilt was done with tone on tone batiks, there is no reason that you can not use printed batiks or any other printed fabric you might like. Just remember to get a good enough mix of light and dark fabrics to show off those circles.

New Brandon Mably fabrics just into the shop, click here to see!

Giveaway results on Friday!!

Until Next Time...

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Monday, June 21, 2010

Beauties!

Hello Everyone,

I hope all the Dad's out there had a wonderful Father's Day!! We did here for sure. It was a beautiful sunny day and treated the hubs really well. Unfortunately, my dad leaves quite far from here, so we talked for a while on the phone.

Recently, my friend Vicki at Field Trips in Fiber had giveaways while counting down to her retirement (lucky girl)!! She hand dyes and sells her beautiful fabric on Etsy. Go stop by her blog and shop and see what she is up to today.

I was pretty lucky too... I won the last of the giveaways, the big Kahuna!! And here is what I won...



One yard of this wonderful swirled tie dye.


One yard of this beautiful caribbean blue and green hand dye.


One yard of this yellow, brown, and green swirl.


Another yard of a caribbean blue/green hand dye. And if that wasn't enough she made this...



wonderful tie dye t-shirt for my son!! I cannot thank you enough Vicki, your work is impeccable. You know I love it!! And guess what I am waiting for some custom dyed fabric, that I ordered from Vicki, to arrive in the mail this week. Too much excitement!

So if you like hand dyes, check Vicki out and tell her I said hello!!

Also, if you wish to receive notification of special sales, discounts, and new arrivals in my shop, please go to my left sidebar and enter your e-mail address! You will be the first to know!

And don't forget to enter my giveaway here...

Until Next Time...


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Saturday, June 19, 2010

Quilting Sneak Peek

Hello Everyone,

I thought you might like a little sneak peek at a project I have been working on... Unfortunately, I can only show you the back and the quilting. The rest will have to wait.


I quilted a beautiful daisy design over the entire surface of the quilt. The thread I used was a Superior variegated poly (Lava). I love the effect of this because it gives a little sheen.


Here is a closer look at the quilting. You may be able to see it even better by clicking on the photo. So I will most likely be able to show you the rest sometime in July, so hang in there.

Oh, if you like Art Gallery Fabrics they are on sale in my shop today and tomorrow only for $6.50 per yard. You can find them by clicking here.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway here.

Until Next Time...

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Thursday, June 17, 2010

Waves, Villages, Landscapes, and a Giveaway... What Do They All Have In Common?

Hello Everyone,

Unique post title, don't you think? Well this post is in celebration of my newest Podcast Episode 14!! I had the opportunity to sit down with my friend Karen Eckmeier. For those of you who are not familiar with her, she is a talented quilt artist, teacher, designer, and award winning quilter.

I have had the pleasure of knowing Karen for many years and first met her when I scheduled her to come lecture at our guild and teach a workshop. I took the workshop and was just fascinated.

Anyway, I would love for you to get to know her better too.



When she came over to do the podcast she gave me this beautiful little postcard as a thank you! Actually I was thanking her! This was made of some of the leftovers from her quilt Positive Energy 4. Beautiful!!


Here she is... She is just as bright and sunny as she seems in the picture. But you really want to get to know her better by listening to the Podcast! Not only is she bright and sunny, but she is generous too! Look what she brought for me to giveaway to 3 lucky blog readers!! Oh, did I mention, she publishes her own patterns and books....


Prize one... Layered Waves Book and Silly Snowman Pattern.


Prize two... Happy Villages Book and Colorific Quilters Pattern.


Prize three... Accidental Landscapes Book and Turquoise Turtles Pattern.

Anyone of of these will be a terrific addition to your project list!! The books are all autograped too! So how do you get entered, you ask???

1. Leave me a comment here and let me know if you have heard of Karen or not.
2. Go check out Karen's website and come back and leave a separate comment telling me what you like best.
3. Listen to the Podcast HERE or in iTunes and then let me know if there is anything more you would like to know about Karen, leave a separate comment.

So you can do all three, or just one, your choice. The more you do the more chances to win. Also, it is really good feedback for myself and Karen! But you MUST have a way for me to get in touch with you (i.e.... leave your e-mail if you are a no-reply blogger).

The giveaway will close at the end of the day on June 23! So go out and tell all your friends, share some inspiration.

***The Giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all who entered***

Oh, also thought you might like to know, I am trying to go a little techie here. This Podcast is enhanced. Which means that if you listen to it from your computer, you will actually see images of what we are discussing. Or if you download it to your iPod/iPhone (it must have a video screen) you will be able to see the images there as well!! Let me know what you think!

Until Next Time...

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Tuesday, June 15, 2010

MacBook Bag Courtesy of Linda

Hello Everyone,

A little while ago I won a giveaway on Linda's blog All Stitched Up! What I won was a beautiful purse that she made. Love the colors and it is just impeccably put together. Thank you so much, Linda. Isn't it cute?? She sells her patterns and quilts on her Etsy shop. Just click here to take a look.



But the best part is that it fits my MacBook!! Yay!! Now I can go to my Apple classes in style.


She also included these really cute Mary Englebreit notebook and checkbook/coupon holder. They are so cute and definitely will be used.


So again many, many thanks to Linda!! I just love my bag!

In other news, I now have Gift Certificates available in my shop. You can find them by clicking here. Also, lots of new Patterns... here. But best of all today NEW Essex and Kona Cotton solids are arriving!! You will be able to find them here.

Hopefully, we will finally have some sun in the next few days. I really need a little break from all the dreariness. Send some good thoughts for good weather!

Until Next Time...

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Sunday, June 13, 2010

Hole In The Wall Gang Camp Delivery!

Hello Everyone,

This post is long over due. On May 21st, I had the honor of helping our guild and another guild make a very special delivery to the Hole In The wall Gang Camp!! This is what we delivered...



Thank you to all of my readers that helped us to achieve our goal! So many of you from close by and far, far away sent tons of pillowcases. You will all be happy to know that EVERY child will go home with a pillowcase and a quilt!


Here we are all ready to go on a wonderfully sunny day. It was truly a magical day.


The cars were packed to the roof! We had two fearless leaders with two packed cars!


Unbelievable, isn't it?


Here they are all stacked and ready to be unpacked.

Now just a little detail. While there, we were given a tour. This was enlightening. Every child goes to camp for free for one week. They are a self sustaining camp run only on charitable contributions. This camp is fully staffed with all the physicians, nurses, staff, and volunteers needed for each child's specific needs. The amount of forethought that has gone into the building and maintenance of this camp is astounding.

The children all come with a variety of medical problems ranging from Hemophilia, Sickle Cell Anemia, Cancer, and a multitude of other ailments. They come from all over the world. However, there are Hole In The Wall Gang Camps located literally throughout the globe. To find out more about this amazing facility, that was started right here in Ashford, CT by Paul Newman, and the other facilities throughout the world, please click HERE for their website.

To see more beautiful pictures and a more in depth look of the camp from our visit, click HERE to view my slideshow. Turn on your volume, there is music.

And once again, a HUGE heartfelt thanks to all!!! We continue to collect pillowcases throughout the year to be delivered in the spring of 2011, e-mail for information.

Until Next Time...

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