Boston Lobsters

I can't find the words to describe how much I love this quilt. LOVE. 

Isn't she perfect!? I made this quilt for my manager who is having a baby boy in about a month. She loves Lobsters, Boston, and the Red Sox. When I found this lobster print (which I'm hoping really is lobsters and NOT crawfish), it just seemed perfect. When I was looking for fabric to go with it, I came across a Reunion Jelly Roll (by Sweetwater for Moda) I had in my stash, which complements it perfectly - so many great navys and reds.

Just a simple 16-patch that I strip-pieced and then alternated with the lobster squares. In case you are interested, these are 8-inch finished blocks, so this is somewhere around a 40x40 quilt.

I just did a simple stipple for the quilting, and did machine binding.

Aren't they cute!?

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.

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.

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

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.

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!!??


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 =)

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!

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.

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:

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. 

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

QA - Quilter's Anonymous

This is going to be one of those embarrassingly honest posts, where I hope no judgement is given....just your love and support. So, you all have seen those hoarding and buried alive shows right? Well, if you entered my quilt room, you might sign me up.

Here is a sneak peek into my quilting room and what I am working on right now. Please, PLEASE tell me other people's quilt rooms look like this! (Of course I will not be sharing my stash bookshelfs.)

Here is a picture of the quilt top I just finished up using Extreme Sports by Riley Blake:

Here are some pics of my projects somewhat organized in some plastic bins:

Still excited to get working on my Sweetwater Countdown to xmas quilt (can be seen in the bottom bin):

Here is a list of projects I have (and that I'm hoping to get through this year get a good chunk done).

UFOs (Unfinished Projects)
This is a list of projects I have started, in one way or another:

Quilt tops done - waiting to be quilted and binded:
1. Georgia's quilt (see previous post! one down, many to go!)
2. Tiffanie's quilt
3. Brianne's quilt
4. Extreme sports quilt
5. Gathers n' giggles quilt
6. Halloween quilt
7. Reflections quilt
8. Ginny's quilt
9. Utah stadium blanket

In process:
10. Give a hoot quilt
11. Xmas quilt
12. Flowers quilt
13. Off track
14. Schnibbles picnic
15. Alphabet quilt

Quilt kits or most of fabric ready to go:
16. Kaleidoscope quilt
17. Robotz
18. Daisy Cottage
19. Basket quilt
20. Buttercup jelly roll sampler
21. A Boy's Story
22. Pirate quilt

Fabric I have ready to do something with:
23. Hullabaloo layer cake
24. Sherbet pips layer cake
25. Fandango jelly roll (and lots of other goodies including yardage and fat quarters)
26. Urban chiks Dream On jelly roll
27. A couple of various xmas projects
28. A couple of gift items
29. BYU stadium blanket or two
30. University of Utah stadium blanket or two

I think when you hit 30 projects, that is a good time to stop counting, and start quilting!

I would like to try out a plus or cross quilt...maybe I will use the Hullabaloo or Sherbet Pips layer cake for that.  And of course I have dreams of making my daughter a few cute things this summer.

The one project I will be purchasing this year (and the only one I have plan on getting!) is Moda's Urban Cowgirl line coming out. Not sure if I can stick to this or not, particularly with the way cute lines Riley Blake and other fabric makers have been coming out with, but that is my goal as of right now.

I am trying to commit to only buying fabrics necessary to finish the above projects! Here's to a wonderful and productive 2012!

Happy Quiltings!

Another Finished Quilt!

This is SOOO exciting! I am actually finishing projects...of course, these ones have due dates - much like the mommys these are going to. Having a deadline always helps.

This morning I am taking this quilt to my girlfriend's baby shower. She is having a little girl. She is doing the room in a dark purple/plum-ish type color and I thought these fabrics would go well.

Here you can see the quilting a little bit better. This is the third quilt I have quilted using the HandiQuilter 16. I did a simple freehand loop and flower all over the quilt. I'm still getting comfortable with the machine.

You can see there is an assortment of prints in this quilt. I believe I picked up this custom charm pack from Quilts Etc. awhile back. There are some Moda It's a Hoot, which is one of my favorite Moda lines in quite awhile.

I picked up the border and backing fabric from Thimbles and Threads - a quilt store I just recently discovered that is right in my backyard! Who knew!? I'm so glad I found it. Cathy and Janet are so wonderfully helpful and nice.

Back to the fabric. The mommy-to-be is a hip, modern mommy so I thought this simple plum-brownish with simple flowers would be perfect for her and tie into the crib collection she purchased.

Here it is all ready to go!

Boy Quilt Top

This is probably my most favoritist (yes, I'm making up words again) project I have done in a long time! I love the way this quilt is turning out!

It is SOOOOO difficult to find fabrics that are for boys/men, especially if you aren't a fan of the baseball and football fabrics. This quilt is for one of my sister-in-laws who is expecting a boy this fall. She has a little bit of an edge to her (in a totally awesome way!), so I kind of went with it.

The pattern is from Moda Bake Shop, Building Blocks Baby Quilt, which I just made a bit larger than the recipe called for.

I basically just decided to go around the fabric store and pick out fat quarters that I liked, that weren't completely girlish. I found about 4 fabrics that reminded me of a skater/80-90s era, and I decided to just go with it. I ended up with 8 fat quarters that went together pretty well. There are a couple of Ty Pennington designs, a few Sugar Pop from Moda, as well as some others mixed in there. Can you spot them?

And I loved the herringbone-ish sashing fabric! One of the girls at the quilt store helped me pick it out - thanks Emily!

I will be going back to the fabric store on Friday to try to pick out the border fabrics. I really hope she likes it! I kind of want to keep it for myself!