Star Struck!

Last week, Angela Walters was in the Handi Quilter's studio filming for QNN tv. I had the honor of meeting her and somehow convinced her to sign a few things for me. She's one of my quilting idols - I think her approach and attitude towards quilting is phenomenal and so inspirational, especially to non-professionals like myself.

Before she began, I suggested she warm up and make sure the pen worked (wink, wink) on my whiteboard in my office (like I hadn't already tested the pen before she came in!).

Then I had her sign my trusty Fusion first (just in case she ran out of time or patience ;)

And it turned out amazing!

Then I had her sign two books she authored that I owned copies of...and as if that wasn't enough, she gave me her one and only hard copy - her advance copy!! - of her new book Shape by Shape (due out in September)!! 

And by the way quilty peeps, this book is fantastic! Pre-order now! Each section has a typical pieced shape, and there are a bunch of different ways to quilt it with detailed instructions on how to quilt the design. Angela breaks it down and they are easy enough for even me to follow! I love the hexagon section so much - it inspired me to work on finishing up a hexagon quilt. 

That's her signing...

She's just as nice and genuine and down to earth as you might expect. I can't wait to see her again. 

Happy Quilting!

Urban Candy Quilt - and My First Quilt Label

This past weekend my wonderful, beautiful, amazing, kind and generous mom turned 60! And for the record, she doesn't look or act a day over 45. I wanted to make something special for her, and I knew she would love the Urban Candy quilt pattern by Sew Kind of Wonderful.

This quilt uses Anna Maria Horner's Crush line. Gorgeous colors that popped on this Essex Linen fabric from Robert Kaufman.

For the quilting, I left it simple and just did some straight lines, which I think enhance the curves on this one. Plus, I wanted this one to be super cuddly so I avoided heavy quilting.

My first quilt label - so proud and it is like a birthday card she will always keep =)

And for the backing, I used an old Art Gallery print I had in my stash. My mom's favorite color is yellow, and the Art Gallery fabric have such a great soft feel to them, they make the perfect backings.

The pattern was easy enough to follow. I will definitely be making another quilt using the Quick Curve Ruler.

Didn't quite have enough of the backing, so I added in a piece from the Crush line - loved pieced backings!

Tilted Spools

This quilt is called Tilted Spills designed by Cyndi Walker from her book Pretty Patchwork Quilts: Traditional Patterns with Applique Accents. It is such a fun pattern - looks like stars at first glance, but then you realize it is a fun take on the classic spool block.

I used up a bunch of my low volume scraps for the background and a bunch of my favorite bright scraps for the spools. The original pattern did not have a border, but I felt it was a wee bit too small and wanted it bigger, so I added the turquoise pearl bracelets.

I quilted Orange Peels all over the quilt...I think it turned out beautifully! And yes I used my Handi Quilter Pro-Stitcher for this one =)

Close-up of the quilting:

I also went ahead and used the pearl bracelets on the back (and I will use it for the binding - when I get around to that =)

Modern Crosses

I finished up this quilt about a year ago and failed to take final pictures of it. Lots of scrappy low volume lights for the background with pops of bold colors for the crosses - most of which I believe are Free Spirit prints.

The pattern is called Modern Crosses out of the Modern Log Cabin Quilting: 25 Simple Quilts and Patchwork Projects by Susan Beal. I wasn't thrilled with the instructions - I ended up just making up my own pattern/cutting instructions, but in the end, I love this quilt.

I quilted a bunch of straight lines with random distances from each other - love the modern look it added to this quilt. Also love the yellow butterflies for the backing and the black and white stripes for the binding - just the perfect finishing touches for this one.

Will be finding a place to hang this one up in our home.

Quilting Progress - Finishing Quilts!

I have been loving my HandiQuilter Fusion machine. I am also super lucky to have the Pro-Stitcher for it, which is the computerized quilting for the HandiQuilter quilting machines. Although I love the process of and results from free motion quilting, sometimes it's nice to sit back and let the machine do all the work...and frankly, sometimes all a quilt really needs is a good all-over pattern.

According to Instagram, both of these quilt tops were finished a year ago (heavy sigh), but alas they are quilted!

First up, my Houndstooth Quilt. Simple navy and white solids.

Close-up of the quilting...the pattern is called Turbulence by Apricot Moon. I thought it added the perfect touch of movement and curve to the straight lines of the houndstooth.

I found this Alexander Henry print called Sloane and instantly new this had to be the backing. I think it adds the perfect contrast and complement to the front.

And my St. Louis 16-Patch Quilt. I used a variety of Anna Maria Horner and Art Gallery prints - and there is even a token Tula Pink print in there.

I found this great all over digital pattern for the quilting - it has some leaves, flowers, and a swirl. Thought it was the perfect pattern for this quilt top. Here are some closeups.

 Now my to-bind stack of quilts is growing! I'm thinking a binding/movie/netflix weekend may be in order.

#MoxieQuilt Done!

I couldn't be happier with how this Moxie quilt turned out!

I love Tula Pink's Fox Field line. It was so much fun - the colors and the prints - and the Moxie pattern was easy to follow and so fun to do! You can find Tula Pink's free pattern by clicking here.

For the quilting, I put on my big-girl panties and got really - REALLY!!! - brave and tried all sorts of new things. Only the top and bottom "wave" were done using the Pro-Stitcher, the rest was completely free hand.

More closeups of the quilting...

Another Brick in the Wall

About this time last year I wanted to whip together a quick and easy quilt that used up a bunch of bright and fun scraps I had lying around. This quick and easy quilt is called Rows of Bricks and the pattern is found in Julie Herman's Skip the Borders book.

Used IKEA fabric for the backing and finished it off with an easy all-over stipple on my long arm.