Sunday, December 16, 2012

Aidan's Baby Quilt

It seems I always know someone pregnant. I should learn to accept that I will always be making a baby quilt or two. As a matter of fact, I have three other women in my life pregnant right now, so I'll have plenty of baby quilt posts in the upcoming weeks.

I found this cute line from Bernartex, called Mischief which I thought was just perfect for mom and dad to be. I did just an easy strip-type quilt...the fabric was just too cute to cut up!





I used the cute green on green polkadots for the backing.


In case anyone is wondering, these pictures were taken back in early September if I remember correctly. We are covered with snow right now!
 

Such cute fabric! I'm partial to the pirate dude...my son loves pirates so we have been very pirate friendly the last few years.



Wednesday, November 21, 2012

My First Lone Star

My quilting goal this past year has been to challenge myself (my goal next year is to actually quilt and finish all these wonderful tops I've been making!). I'm a sucker for easy and quick patterns with modern, fun fabrics. But after awhile, I was getting bored.

Here is the finished quilt top for my very first lone star quilt.


Before you become too impressed with my mad skills, this was pieced using what I describe as the "cheater method." I used a jelly roll and followed a pattern out of the Jelly Roll Quilts book:
This means I didn't have to do any of that pesky y-seam piecing shananagins. I simply sewed some strips together, then cut at an angle, sewed strips together again, and wall-lah! 8 diamond chunks to sew together for each star. I would show a picture from the book that shows this technique but that is probably illegal, so I won't. Just know it sure as heck was quicker and easier than the traditional method.

First step, selecting strips to go together for each of the four stars. Sounds easier than it was. I had plenty of brain fart moments trying to figure out which color went where to end up in the finished star how I wanted it.

Here are my four sets of strips:


First star done:

All four done, sans sashing and border:

And another shot of the final top:

The fabric used was a jelly roll of Hometown by Sweetwater for Moda. No clue how I will quilt this baby.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

The Ghastlies

I just got done with another wonderful weekend at CJ's Quilt Retreats. I was able to finish three quilt tops, almost a fourth (just have a little bit of sashing left), and start one additional project. So much fun! Love quilt retreats!

Here is what very well be may be my favorite quilt of all time...not just that I've done, but ever in the history of quilts. Just love this!



I have been admiring The Ghastlies by Alexander Henry for a couple years now, but I already had a Halloween quilt in the works and just wasn't sure I should start another one until I finished the first one. But, like any good quilter, I realized how foolish I was being and went ahead and picked up some yardage a couple weeks ago. 

I didn't really have a plan, other than I had to have this fabric. Then I was flipping through some quilt books for inspiration...and it hit. Strawberry Fields from Material Obsession. This pattern is by Sarah Fielke and it is fabulous.
It had a big center piece - 10 inch squares for each main center block - that would show off the wonderful Ghastlie family, and some fun additional piecing. I wanted a bit of a challenge. I think it complements the fabrics and showcases The Ghastlies perfectly.

I can't wait to do this pattern again...maybe in something less scary next time!


How much fun are these guys!







Saturday, September 15, 2012

Can't Wait!


Don't you just love the excitement of a new project with the most awesome fabrics!? I do!

I picked these up at a local quilt store the other day thinking I would use them for a sunflower quilt I am doing at my upcoming quilt retreat this fall. However, after thinking about it, I don't think these fabrics will be right for the pattern. The pattern uses an unfinished raw edge for the sunflowers, and I think these fabrics would look better in a more polished pattern. I may have found just the right pattern, but am not ready to commit yet.

For right now, I'm just going to enjoy these beautiful fabrics. I could just sit and look at them all day.

I think the large flower pattern and a couple of fat quarters are from Free Spirit, and most of the fat quarters (and pink dots) are from the Lucy's Crabshack by Sweetwater for Moda. There may be some Reunion by Sweetwater for Moda as well. I don't know. I just LOVE THEM ALL.

That green bird fabric is the only one I'm a bit unsure of. It was on the ultra-ULTRA sale rack, and I got all three yards for only $6. Couldn't pass it up. Just not 100% this is the right fabric or not to be a border for this project.

Getting Back On Track

 

I purchased this quilt kit quite awhile ago and finally got the top together. It is Cluck Cluck Sew's Off Track quilt pattern and the kit was put together by Material Girls (in South Jordan, Utah). This is a jelly roll friendly quilt pattern.


Just loved the fabrics they picked out for this!


It came together very quickly and easily once I figured out what to do (my mother can vouch that I was never great at following instructions).



I can't wait to get this one on the quilt machine. I'm thinking of just an all-over meandering pattern of some sort. Of course, I need to find a backing fabric first. Probably should have picked out my favorite fabric from the kit (which is the white and turquoise striped fabric) and gotten it at the time, but that is life. 

Friday, August 10, 2012

Sometimes It Just Doesn't Quite Work Out How It Should In Your Head

I worked on these granny squares at CJ's Quilt Retreat in the spring. The squares themselves went together just fine, and then I'm not entirely sure what happened once I started getting the sashing on.


Okay, that's a bold-faced lie. I know exactly what happened...I got lazy. I was so anxious to get this top done and move on to my next project, I tried to cut corners (not literally of course!).

I don't HAVE to measure super carefully AND pin the sashing, right? It will be fine!

WRONG!

That is some MAJOR waving I've got going on. Seriously, this borders on ruffling! I'm not sure I could get that much waving if I tried! Sheesh! And it didn't look THAT bad until I put it up on the design wall and then I didn't even want to take a picture I wanted to take it down so bad...embarrassed =(

Once I unpack - WE ARE MOVING THIS WEEKEND! - this quilt is definitely going to require some quality unpicking time. Sounds like a great way to spend a few minutes in front of the TV post move.

Then I will return to good quilting habits and measure carefully and pin and THEN sew.

Lesson Learned

Friday, August 3, 2012

Getting Braver!

I acquired a new-to-me long-arm quilting machine. This has been very exciting and scary and overwhelming and fun all in one.

I've used it to quilt six or seven quilt tops now, and I have done stars and loops, loops and flowers...basically pretty easy patterns...but all free motion. I finally decided to be brave and try a more challenging pattern. This is a quilt my mom and I worked on together that is for my almost-two-year-old baby girl. I love how it turned out! And I'm super excited to try new patterns and get some of my quilt tops finished.



I love the idea of making an entire quilt from start to finish, and I've gotten much better at embracing the imperfections. After all, if I wanted perfection, I could have machines and computers do it for me.

This quilt is actually done...the binding is even sewn on it, and now I just need to hand stitch the binding to the back. And it's been seen sitting that way for a couple months now. Must get to it.

Monday, July 30, 2012

Schnibbles Picnic Quilt Top

I've been trying to challenge myself lately and take on some more traditional patterns. I had been part of a Schnibbles group at Thimbles and Threads quilt store in Draper, Utah. Love that place! Cathie is the owner and she takes such pride in her store and I love visiting her shop.

I found a couple charm packs of Cherry Fizz and used them to make Schnibbles' Picnic pattern. I found this one in my Another Bite of Schnibbles. Love this series of books by Carrie Nelson!

I started this quilt at CJ's Quilt Retreat in the spring. I finished up 10 right before I left. I just picked this project back up.


It is far from perfect, but I'm happy with the results. I can't decide how I'm going to quilt this one though. Any ideas?

Cluck Cluck Stars Top Finished

I've been on a role over here. Some people stress eat; I'm beginning to realize I stress quilt. I guess it's better for the waistline! I finished the stars quilt top. I'm extremely happy with it and can't wait to get this baby quilted and in use.


My daughter MUST try out all quilt tops. Here she is doing her thing:


Here are some more shots of the quilt top.


LOVE this quilt. It is a perfect summer quilt and I know my family will get a lot of use out of this one.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Cluck Cluck Stars

When I saw Cluck Cluck Sew's finished stars (click here), I knew I finally found a patriotic quilt for me. The traditional red white and blue quilts don't really do it for me, so I was excited to find this pattern and inspiration for my summer quilt.

How awesome is this quilt!!??
IMG_4229

Did I mention Cluck Cluck Sew also has a tutorial on it? AWESOME! (click here for tutorial)

When I started this quilt, I thought I could have this done in no time. Well, these blocks took longer than I thought. I think it was mostly the planning and putting fabric together and cutting part. The sewing part was a breeze.

Here are my final blocks cut out and waiting to be sewn.






And here are all 48 blocks finished. Now I just need to fiddle and rearrange the blocks till they are just perfect.


I found a perfect backing, which after looking at Cluck Cluck Sew's backing, I might have copied that! Let's just say I have good taste and great minds think alike =)






Monday, May 7, 2012

Lexi Pop Finished

This quilt is made using Fandango by Kate Spain for Moda. I used a Jelly Roll and a few extra strips from some fat quarters I had. The pattern is inspired by Sugar Baby Quilt from Moda Bake Shop. I basically used the block instructions but made more and then just used one size sashing. I thought the log cabin-ish block would complement the geometric type patterns found in the Fandango line.

(Notice my cute little helper!)

This quilt is for my niece Lexi who just turned 18 and will be graduating high school this month. I think this will be a super fun quilt for a young woman heading out into the world on her own.

I love how the quilting turned out. I did an all-over freehand flower pattern on my HandiQuilter 16. Finally getting used to the machine and really loving it! Can't wait to get more quilts up on it.

And the binding turned out super cute too - love striped bindings!
I hope she likes it!

Friday, May 4, 2012

Let the Quilting Begin

I cannot express how excited I am! I will be attending CJ's Quilt Retreat in Seaside, OR next week. I'm going with my mom - what a great trip for Mother's Day weekend.

I have been busy packing...

Trying to decide what to bring is posing quite the challenge for me. I have never really had more than a few hours in an entire weekend to quilt, so having FOUR (1-2-3-4!!!) full DAYS to quilt is mind boggling.

Currently, I have settled on six quilt projects (with enough extras from one to make some half square triangles to see where that might go), and fabric to work on the group bag/purse project as well as maybe a dress and/or skirt for myself. None of the projects are particular difficult, time consuming, or intricate. No idea if I will finish two quilt tops or finish all.

My mom and I are also planning at least one hike and a few walks on the beach. The Oregon coast is so beautiful. I hear there is surfing watching outside the condo. Should be a fun weekend!

I also finished up a quilt last night...Lexi Pop using Fandango by Kate Spain for Moda
This is the project for my niece Lexi who is graduating from high school this month. Can't wait to get some better (aka...not at night in my basement) pictures this weekend.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Brianne's Quilt

Thank goodness for deadlines or I would never get a thing done! I have been working on this quilt for my new neice for quite sometime and hand't finished it up yet. She had her blessing this morning, so I made it my goal to finish it up pronto!

Some detail shots:

After washing:



Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Lexi Pop

I have not had much (or any) time for quilting lately. I started a new job and have also been taking a couple classes on the side (including evil chemistry). But I did take some time to myself and finished up this quilt top for my niece who just turned 18 and will be graduating high school this spring.



This was made from a jelly roll - Fandango by Kate Spain for Moda. I can't wait to get it up on the quilting machine and see how it turns out. 

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

On a Roll

Another quilt done and finished...yay! And it might be my most favorite quilt yet that I have done! Here is a link back to an earlier post about the start of this quilt.


I love all the colors. It's like I've gone back to the 90s and I'm going to go surfing in California! It is so not your typical quilt, and I am putting it on my mental list to make one for myself someday!


Here you can see the back and the quilting a bit better:


More details...



So my list progress. Two down in one month! Couldn't be happier with my progress!
Quilt tops done - waiting to be quilted and binded:
1. Georgia's quilt
2. Tiffanie's quilt