Fluff and Nonsense Baby Quilt

Today Leslie from Fluff and Nonsense is sharing a quilt made for her soon-to-be-arriving sweet baby girl.  This is such a perfect little pattern for a baby, and I love the fabrics that Leslie chose.  So put your feet up and enjoy a good quilt story!

I did it!! I checked off another finish before the baby comes....this baby girl quilt(using Oh Fransson's pattern, inspired by Emily) turned out better than i had hoped.

I had the flimsy finished last week in time for sew and tell...however it took me a little longer to complete the rest of the steps...piecing the back, basting, quilting and binding. You know, all those things that make a bunch of fabric that you cut into tiny pieces a real quilt.

I even gave it the good old wash and dry. I was fighting with myself about this, as usual, but in the end i forced my own hand and it was just fine. Thank goodness for color catchers...i use them even when i probably don't need them, because it makes me feel better. I was worried that the nicey jane fabrics and the osnaburg would shrink differently, but they were surprisingly the same! Hooray!

I quilted it with my standard straight line method using my walking foot and some thread that i had stashed away for just the right project. I used a king tut brand variegated thread that had most of the colors in this quilt and just a hint of pink. This was my first time working with variegated thread and it looks really cool. I like it. I am not sure if you can see it in any of these pictures, you might just have to take my word for it.

Many thanks to my little quilt holder. I chose these pictures, above, because i loved the shadows of her in each shot.

I am so flattered to be featured and included in your blog along with the other amazing quilters that you have shared before....people whose blogs i read and i never consider myself at the same quilting caliber as they are. this is so amazing to me. thank you.

Thank YOU Leslie for letting us share!  This quilt is beautiful.

Fabric Tuesday!

FABRIC TUESDAY #6

 and a runner tutorial!

You know the rules...but here we go again... we have still seen a few posts without our button or a mention in your blog post. We don't want to be mean, but we will start deleting your links...  :(

Also, last week there were a few link ups that had NO COMMENTS! Let's all be nice and comment on each other, especially if you see people without any. Everyone loves to be noticed.

Step 1 easy peasy...

Step 2 easy peasy

I did 3 rows with 4 blocks each...

This is my Mom's view....LUCKY this is why we love to go to her house to craft!

Depending on your runner, I wanted a little longer, but didn't want to spend the time to make up more blocks. I cut in half a  fat quarter and matched it up on each short end of the runner and trimmed. I loved the giant polka dot print, but knew I would need to use large peices, so this worked out perfectly...

I will post the finished project soon! Promise!

And now FABRIC TUESDAY

Link up a recent craft project that uses fabric.

Mention us in your post with either a link or make it easy and add the button to your blog sidebar and you won't have to remember each week. ***You can take either of our buttons on the sidebar.***

Please make sure to link back, we don't want to delete links, so please make sure to link back!

You don't have to do this to link up, promise. However if you want to follow us, we follow back :) But please comment telling us you did so and we will hop right on over and make sure we're following too!

And how about we each take time to comment on the link just before yours, that's easy enough right? We'd love for this to be a linky party where everyone gets comments, so if you take the time to look, take a second to leave a comment!

Can't wait to see your creations! Thanks for coming by!

PS GO TO FRESH POPPY DESIGN and check out Megan's fall mantel...

Love Laugh Quilt

Meet Beth from Love Laugh Quilt.  We found her blog through a linky party and she gets stuff done!  Her finished quilts of 2010 list would put most to shame!  I especially love this striped pinwheel quilt.  Heart.  And she's got some really great tutorials like how to make a yo-yo or how to make a spiral log cabin block.  Today she's sharing her charity quilt.

One charity quilt ready to go!!

And it is 100% scraps.

Isn't it a fun one?

I quilted long lines...

no marking....

red thread....

very ORGANIC.

I like that word.

As I quilted

I tried to make

Confident lines,

since I knew they wouldn't be straight.

IF

you're going to quilt lines that are NOT perfectly straight....

then, I think....they'd better be .....

CONFIDENT lines.

I had a few hiccups.

In other words, They're not all

CONFIDENT.

Some of the lines do not f-l-o-w.

You know what I mean, right?

Well, I'll practice some more and

maybe I'll improve in my

organic quilting abilities.

:)

 Scrappy Binding.

Scrappy back.

 What a happy little quilt!!!

Kristie from OCD: Obsessive Crafting Disorder...

Here we have Kristie Maslow from OCD: Obsessive crafting disorder. Kristie is a woman after my own heart! I have OCD too! (so does Megan!) This is her second feature and I am sure she will have more. Anyhow I came across these quilts on our FABRIC TUESDAY linky party and LOVED them! Make sure to check out her blog...fun tutorials here and here and more on her blog.

After 39 weeks, followed by 2 days of labour, one natural birth and one c-section (S., you are my hero!), two cute little bundles of love have finally made their way into the world! And, at long last, so have their quilts! So, without further ado, here they are: Evan's quilt...... ......and Sam's quilt! I loved working with the Riley Blake Wheels line. The fabric had a great retro feel to it and strong colors, which made them feel so rich. Evan's quilt was made as a strip quilt, with a vertical strip intersecting the horizontal, like crossroads! I used a chocolate brown color as sashing and binding to add to the "man factor." For Sam's quilt, I modified this quilt design to allow for rectangular blocks, to best suit the fabric for fussy cutting these cars.I opted to use the Wheels blue dot fabric as a base, and paired it with the same chocolate brown sashing for continuity with his big bro's quilt. I was striving for 2 complimentary quilts, but with individuality, just like these boys. The backs- I will abandon all modesty here and just say....I rocked it!! :-) I couldn't take a picture that did these justice. These turned out even better than expected. At some point in the process I came up with the idea of the stop light, using each of the lights as a way to record the birth information- name in the red light, date and time of birth in the yellow, and weight and height in the green. I love how these are now embedded in the quilts as a keepsake. I hand stitched these in brown embroidery thread (though I wish I had used a slightly darker brown), using the same method as I did for the Mckinley quilt. I used a circle cutter, then attached the embroidered circles using Heat and Bond, with some stitching around the sides with Perle 8 thread. The edges are raw, and I love how they frayed up a bit after washing. Quilting- my FIRST go at free motion. I was so scared! But I knew the design of the quilt called for it, so I sucked it up and went for it. This is where I was glad I had a "third" twin quilt.....remember how I didn't like one of the originals, so I made another? Anyways, the third quilt became my guinea pig. During the course of it there were many s-sharps uttered, tons of spikes and loops in the stippling, and let's not forget that basting/puckering fiasco.....Up close it kind of looks like crap (to a quilter's eye), but when you look on it as a whole, the imperfections kind of fade....that is what I love about quilting. So, not bad for a reject. For the second/third go round at free motion on the "keeper" quilts, I tried out 505 spray adhesive for basting, and it was a dream. I know it adds cost, but in the end I will pay a premium for my sanity! Not a pucker on any quilt since (I have used it on 4). My free motion vastly improved as I went, and I can honestly say I enjoyed it by the end. I love how the stippling adds that puckered feel, and the brown thread looks great highlighted against the blue solids on the back. Some people have asked me what I intend to do with the third quilt. Well, when I started quilting back in the springtime, it was in response the the amazing Quilting for Babes program started by my friend Kathy at Magnolia Designs. Baby quilts were made and donated to the NICU at the Children's Hospital from all around the world. I had planned to make 3 to donate, in gratitude for the health of my 3 gorgeous kids. I donated 2 "girl" quilts (my first quilt, plus another), but had yet to contribute a "boy" quilt.....so, here it is. Hopefully it will give some joy to a family who is in need of comforting.
In other twin news....2 more twins have just arrived to another good friend of mine. Yes, it is true. Something in the water up here?? And boys again. So that means...."Twin Quilts 2" will be coming to a blog near you (er, right here, actually). New designs, but (hopefully) equal Awesome Factor. I'll give you a hint: I will be using the stack of blues and greens.....

Controversial Quilt from Cookie Mondays

Heather from Cookie Mondays whipped up this darling quilt for her little BOY gasp! That is what she got in her house when she made this darling quilt. I like her stance. Boys can have flowers and bright colors. It is not all about trucks and balls and monsters. I LOVE the quilt. Lover her blog, go check out all she has going in her busy household, and welcome to her fourth baby Cole...

There has been a lot of nesting going on around here!

And lots of action on the old Viking...

I loved this quilt so much, that I knew it was going to be the way to go for Baby 'C's newborn quilt. I'd been saving up bits of fabrics for a while now, just waiting to be cut up and sewn together. The quilt top is done, and will be sent off with batting and backing to the longarm quilter today.

I love how it turned out. That doesn't go for all the members in our household. In fact, this quilt has been a huge topic of controversy around here for the past few days. [quote: "Don't you have any sports or surfing fabric?"]

Yeah, so I'm having a boy, and yet I still managed to use a plethora of polka dots and a few vintagey florals. There's no pink! There's no purple! I think a newborn blankie should be bright, cheery, and visually stimulating. I really like this combination!

I'm not a fan of stereotypical "boy" or "girl" themes (until they're old enough to have opinions, at least!)... especially when it comes to fabric. And don't get me started on character bedding {*shudder*}, which kids are sure to outgrow in 5 minutes. I will admit, shopping for boy fabric is HARD! I recently bought a ton of yardage for Chayse's quilt & pillows, and it was waaaaaay more challenging than Chloe's! And no, there are no flowers involved.

So Cole will get a masculine quilt one day. But for now (while Kevin panics over the possibility of his baby quilt scarring him for life), how am I supposed to know whether he'll like dinosaurs or baseball or tractors or surfing?

Fabric Tuesday!

Welcome to Fabric Tuesday!

Edition 5

Every Tuesday we share a recent craft finish that uses fabric. Whether you have a project to link up or you're coming to look, make sure to stop by and comment on all the great projects!

Tonight I got to do one of my favorite things.

Bind my quilt.

Sit on the couch.

Be with my love.

My favorite part of the whole quilt process?

BINDING!

as in handstitching it to the back, the very last step

What about you?

What's your favorite part of the quilting process?

I will post this finished quilt within a week or so.  It's almost done, I've got about 1/2 of it left to bind.  This was my first time using a multi colored binding and I think I like it for this quilt.

Also check out my latest post on Fresh Poppy Design of some cute fabric bracelets!

And now FABRIC TUESDAY

read on if you need a refresher

Link up a recent craft project that uses fabric.

Mention us in your post with either a link or make it easy and add the button to your blog sidebar and you won't have to remember each week. ***You can take either of our buttons on the sidebar.***

Please make sure to link back, we don't want to delete links, so please make sure to link back!

You don't have to do this to link up, promise. However if you want to follow us, we follow back :) But please comment telling us you did so and we will hop right on over and make sure we're following too!

And how about we each take time to comment on the link just before yours, that's easy enough right? We'd love for this to be a linky party where everyone gets comments, so if you take the time to look, take a second to leave a comment!

Can't wait to see your creations!  Thanks for coming by!

And she does it again...

This is the second time we've been lucky enough to feature Amy from Diary of a Quilter.  You can check out our first feature here.  Make sure to check out some of her tutorials, including a darling table runner and 32 minute messenger bag.  Here is one of her latest quilts and stories:

An old friend of mine got married this summer. Not that that's unusually big news, but this friend has had quite the journey.  We've been friends a long time - high school, college roommates. Years later we even ended up getting married within weeks of each other, had our first babies within months of each other - and then things changed drastically for her.  Her first husband was diagnosed with severe mental health issues.  She was pregnant with her second baby and no longer in a safe situation. Tragedy of the cruelest kind.

As I get older and find out about more people I knew in my adolescence who have grown into serious mental health issues, it breaks my heart. Because there's so much stigma, and so many helpless feelings there. I have another friend who's husband has cancer.  While equally tragic, it's socially normal to rally around someone battling something like cancer, but how to help someone who is battling their own brain turning them into a different person is daunting. It's not like you can just bring them a casserole and hope they get better. Mental health issues are not for sissies, I tell you.

Anyway, after years of being a single mom, putting herself through graduate school, and supporting her girls  all alone, my friend married the greatest guy this summer. If anyone deserved a big dose of happiness, it's her.  And so, to celebrate a new family, I wanted to give them a quilt. 

As I shared this story I've been touched by the number of people who have been through similar experiences in their own lives. Mental illness is an issue shared by people across all walks of life - probably more than we would ever suspect. I hope that it is an issue our culture can come to understand better and that we can remove some of the stigma so that more support can be given to the individuals and family members who are so deeply affected.

The inspiration for this quilt came from a picture of a throw-pillow I saw in a magazine. (Don't you find that sometimes you find quilt inspiration everywhere?)  Everything came from the stash, including the back and binding. I love that feeling. My only regret is the binding. I don't love it, but it was too late by the time I finished to change it. These pictures were hastily taken 10 minutes before I had to leave for the wedding. (Such is the life of our crazy summer.) I am publishing the pattern for this quilt this week. You can find more information at Diary of a Quilter.

Congratulations to your friend, that is such a sweet story and kind gift.  Thanks Amy!!

Hot Cross from Madame Samm

First, congrats to Madame Samm of Sew I Quilt for her 2nd place quilt win through Moda/Schnibbles Martingale Contest!!  It is an amazing quilt, she definitely deserves to be one of the winners.  And lucky us, today we get to see and read more about this oh so pretty quilt.  Also, make sure you stop by Sew I Quilt, and check out some of her great projects on flickr.

I just won today (Wednesday) the Moda/Schnibbles contest, came in 2nd overall~! This was my very first quilt, and my very first win. I chose Carrie Nelson's Hot Cross for a variety of reasons. I love them, they symbolize for me Christmas and they would go very well with 12 days of Christmas Fabric by Kate Spain. I added the lyrics of Let it Snow all around the quilt which I called the same. I added black patent leather buttons to represent raisins on the buns and to me it screams HOLIDAYS.

    I have already been approached for patterns and a book...I think some are possibly over the top excited, but really no match to the excitement of feeling like I sew belong to the Quilt World. My passion has been decades of sewing creatively in vintage design, home decor and a home wear line...'cause home is where you where them... I began as a doll maker and soon was sew inspired each time I placed orders for quilting fabric that I thought why not venture in the unknown , I am a quick learn...   

Sew here I am, now on my 3rd design, I hand quilt each of my quilts and even have time to make

halloween towels, runners and purses..
blessings madame samm
http://sewdollswhosnext.blogspot.com

Quilted by Dawn, Family circle quilt

Here is a darling quilt done by Dawn of "Quilted by Dawn." We LOVE this quilt, so when Dawn submitted her quilt to us, we were so happy. I am a big fan of wedding ring quilts, this looks like a more modern take. Make sure to check out her blog, Dawn is fairly new to the blogging world, so give her a big welcome. Thanks Dawn!

This is a Denyse Schmidt quilt pattern (Single Girl), but since I made it for our happily married bed, 'Single Girl' didn't seem like quite the name I wanted for it, so we call it 'Family Circle.' I had been wanting to make this design for a long time, trying to get Katie Jump Rope fabrics to make is, but alas - I came into the game too late to scoop up that fabric line. When the Hope Valley line came out, I quickly bought some fat quarters, then added and subtracted fabrics from my stash until I came up with an acceptable balance.

I brought this quilt everywhere, dragging it around on a cookie sheet to keep the peices flat, while our kids went to soccer games and dance practice. I actually really hated the colors as I was making it - in little pieces it just didn't seem to flow, but now that it's together, I like it again.

I love tags - stuck this one on included into the binding, and love that idea. I think I'll do it again sometime.

Anyway - it's done!!! That was a lot of work, and sure is nice to snuggle up with at night - all the stippling just makes it drape so nicely. Well done, me!

Fabric Tuesday!

Welcome to Fabric Tuesday!

Every Tuesday we share a recent craft finish that uses fabric.  Whether you have a project to link up or you're coming to look, make sure to stop by and comment on all the great projects!

Heather and I have a niece that is about to turn 19, eek!  She's the oldest grandchild and just started her first year of college.  I am in town visiting all of my family and last week my mom and I drove the couple of hours to see her in her dorm.

Here are some highlights of the trip.

a. She's stinking adorable.

b. Bringing her food is like Christmas and birthday combined.

(don't you remember how amazing any food was in college?!?)

c. She could not wipe the silly grin from her face as she was initialing her pasta, gum, sauces, etc.

(my husband and I still have spices with our initials on them! Did you all do that?)

d. She is such a good, strong, smart, sweet girl.  I am so excited to see where her life goes.

Naturally, the night before I decide to whip her up a couple of decor items for her side of the room.

And I have pictures of her on my cell phone in her room with the stuff, but of course I have no idea how to send pictures from my phone to my email or something fancy like that.

This pillow I penciled the letter "K" on the fabric and embroidered it using a back stitch.

I used probably about a 2" border with the stripe fabric and maybe a 3.5" finished bordered with the flower.  It came together really fast.  And I had no pillow form so I just stuffed it with batting.

And this super easy banner to go with. 

Giant ric-rac + 4 triangles cut with pinking shears

=

 darling banner above college girls bed

And now FABRIC TUESDAY

read on if you need a refresher

Link up a recent craft project that uses fabric.

Mention us in your post with either a link or make it easy and add the button to your blog sidebar and you won't have to remember each week. ***You can take either of our buttons on the sidebar.***

Please make sure to link back, we don't want to delete links, so please make sure to link back!

You don't have to do this to link up, promise.  However if you want to follow us, we follow back :) But please comment telling us you did so and we will hop right on over and make sure we're following too!

And how about we each take time to comment on the link just before ours, that's easy enough right?  We'd love for this to be a linky party where everyone gets comments, so if you take the time to look, take a second to leave a comment!

Thanks everybody, can't wait to see!

Swim, bike, quilt....

Today Katie from Swim, Bike, Quilt has a great story rich in the history of WWII.  I just loved reading the details of this story, as our grandfathers served as I'm sure many of yours did too.  Make sure to check out her cute blog and her great pics on flickr!

Ten years ago, I wrote my senior college thesis on a group of amazing women in Salt Lake City, Utah. During World War II, these women, known as the Salt Lake Minute Women, organized their neighborhoods and communities in preservation and conservation activities in support of the war effort.  One of their rallying cries was, "Save 'em, Wash 'em, Clean 'em, Squash 'em, referring to salvaging tin cans specifically. Did you know, for example, that women across the country salvaged waste paper, nylon and silk hosiery, scrap rubber, metal, and even kitchen fat to be transformed into needed commodities, at home and abroad?  They would hip today, as I found story after story of women repurposing garments and items during the war.  Somewhat related, I specifically remember women telling me they would draw lines on the back of their legs with eyeliner to mimic stockings when theirs ran out. Utah, incidentally, was the first state in the nation to completely organize its efforts--more than 13,000 women and children were officially registered in the effort. I was surprised to learn, among other things, that salvaged kitchen fat could be used in manufacturing nitroglycerine for anti-aircraft shells, alkyd resin paint for tanks, and dynamite. 

(http://history.utah.gov/historical_society/educational_resources/lesson_plans/minute_women.html)

I think about those women, every once in a while. I am always interested in women's history--I was interested in quilts as material culture long before I actually started quilting.  While doing research, I  was thrilled to find that my own great grandmother was the Minute Women leader of her small Utah community. She was also a quilter.


Last December, my sister in law gave me her leftover reproduction fabric for a 30s quilt that is on the list, but not yet started. Inspired by this quilt, this week I pulled Sam's scraps and different shades of white  from the bin, and this mini quilt was the result.  Many of the Salt Lake Minute Women were undoubtedly quilters, due to the prevalence of quilting in Utah during that time.  The dates are a little off, but I can imagine that not a few of them pulled out their scraps from the previous decade to make something useful, or lovely, during the war. I think I am going to hang this mini-quilt (about 18 inches square) above my sewing machine.