Pretty Little Pouch Swap #7

I'm so excited to show you what I've been working on!  I signed up for the Pretty Little Pouch Swap on Flickr, as I LOVE any kind of bag (who doesn't, right!?!).  The Pouch Swap is kicked off with each participant posting an inspiration mosaic, so that their secret partner can pull colors and ideas for their own creation.  This was my mosaic...lots of bright colors, applique, and beautiful details!

1. Not available, 2.  a truly foxy pouch, 3. Not available, 4. Not available, 5. Not available, 6. Fun Summer Bunting Pouch, 7. Pretty little pouch swap - front, 8. Not available, 9. Not available, 10. Not available, 11. Not available, 12. Not available, 13. Pretty Little Pouch Swap - front, 14. Feather pouch exterior, 15. hexie pouch, 16. Owl pouches

I can't show you my partner's mosaic, as she hasn't yet received her pouch, however this is what I created for her!  She mentioned that she liked bright colors, black/white/gray, and texty prints.  I hope this is what she had in mind!

The Front and Back are mirror images of each other, with the dresden plate meeting connecting along the side seam.  The dresden is made up of Simply Style prints by V and Co., and the texty print is Mon Amie by Robert Kaufman (love!!!).

 My partner mentioned that she like gray (as do I!!!), so I opted for a gray Simply Style lining, which brings the pouch all together.

Here's a quick look at the side seam, where the dresden plates meet.

This beauty, along with a few goodies, is headed out in today's mail (aka the last day to mail for the swap!).  I really enjoyed the time I spent on this pouch, and hope to make one for myself in the near future. 

Fresh Mini Quilt Club - March 2013

I took a much needed day off from work (Friday) and created my own three day weekend (at home) sewing retreat.  It felt so good to have the opportunity to sew all weekend with no interruptions.  I'm not a doctor, but I honestly believe that sewing is good for the soul!  :)

Have you heard of Canoe Ridge Creations' 6 month Fresh Mini Quilt Club?  I signed up a couple of weeks ago and am SO glad that I did.  At the begin of the New Year I challenged myself to choose more difficult quilt projects (aka the Swoon that I'm working on for the Bestie QAL) and to get out of my quilting comfort zone (aka start making mini quilts that I can practice my free motion quilting skills on). 

Although I haven't yet found the courage to practice my free motion quilting skills, I did finish two mini quilt tops this weekend, which means I'm well on my way.  The first quilt top is for me, and will soon brighten up my sewing studio.

The second mini quilt top is for my Momma.  I think she might hang it in her office at work!  :)

Both mini quilts are made from a very old Riley Blake fabric line (Andrea Victoria), which I love.  It made its debut when I first started quilting, and unfortunately none of my local quilt shops carried the fabric (and I wasn't a savvy Etsy shopper back then).  A year or so my quilting friend was getting cleaning out her stash and offered me pieces of what you see above.  I've held onto Andrea Victoria for quite sometime, as I new the perfect project would come along!

4x5 Modern Quilt Bee - Spring!

Do you spend much time on Flickr?  I was browsing around yesterday, and noticed that the Spring sign ups are open for the 4x5 Modern Quilt Bee!  This will be my first Bee ever, and I am quite excited to participate and get to know the other ladies.  If you're interested, make sure to visit the Flickr group and sign up, as the hives are filling up quickly (note- I am the caretaker for hive #9- woo hoo!).

Here's a glimpse at my color inspiration board - Tangerine & Aqua!  The colors are so soothing.  :)

1) Modern Quilt Guild 2) Dorrie 3) Jeni Baker 4) N/A 5) coco+kelley

6) yolanda 7) Bluprint Textiles 8) elnorac 9) mrsmcporkchop

Swoon - Blocks #4 and #5

Blocks #4 and #5 of my Bestie quilt are complete, which means I only have four more to go- whew!!!

 I love the green/blue combo!  From my personal experience, if you're making a Swoon quilt of your own, I find that sewing the blocks in pairs is most efficient (rather than sewing one block at a time).

Truth be told, this block is a bit dark for my liking.  It may be a challenge to place the block within the quilt, but then again, I"m always up for a good challenge!

I'll be back soon with Blocks #6 and #7!  :)

Riley Blake Designs' Fabric Fest!!

Have you seen the details of Riley Blake Design's Fabric Fest in sunny Las Vegas, NV!?!    Fabric Fest is happening September 9-12, 2013 at the Southpoint Hotel, Casino & Spa (only 5 miles south of the famous Las Vegas strip!).

The ticket price includes accomodations, meals, classes, lectures, and make and takes!  Eleanor Burns is the scheduled Keyonte Speaker for Tuesday, Septemeber 10th, and Nancy Zieman on Wednesday, September 11th.  There are also a TON of classes/lectures to choose from, which are being taught by Amanda Herring, Amy Smart, Kim & Kris, and Lori Holt (just to name a few).

Swoon - Blocks #2 and #3

This past weekend proved to be a Swoon weekend, as I was able to finish 2 blocks (only 6 more to go!).  I love these blocks, especially with the fussy cut bouquet smack dab in the middle.  Seriously, could they get any more beautiful?  :)

Block #3 just may be my favorite to date. It might have something to do with the fact that I'm using the bouquet in turquoise print for the quilt backing, and the gray eyelet print for the binding.

I've been thinking a lot about Swoon possibilities, everything from holiday to everyday. Right now I have my eye on the Sweetcakes Hearts print (2nd row from the top) paired with pink/white/red solids. I think it would make a marvelous Valentine's Swoon quilt. Now I just have to find the fabric and the time!

Dr. Seuss Birthday Quilt

One month into 2013, and I have one finished quilt under my belt- not too shabby!  I love Dr. Seuss, and the fact that I read his books as a child and now my friend's kids are enjoying them.

My sweet friend Kiara's son turned one, and had a Dr. Seuss themed birthday party to celebrate!  Once I spotted the sweet Robert Kaufman Dr. Seuss fabrics on Etsy, I knew that a Dr. Seuss Birthday Quilt was in order for the big party!

I used Patchwork Plaza's One Block Two Block Red Block Blue Block quilt pattern.  Kiara and I took laid out the fabric, and then I whipped up the quilt in a day or so.  There are hardly any matching seams, thus the quick sewing!

My friend Joyce did the long arm quilting for me.  I love the circles and the choice of yellow thread. 

The quilt is backed with all of Dr. Seuss' book titles, and bound in a red and white stripe.  The quilt is so fun and colorful- perfect for a one year old!  :)

Progress!

With the Bestie QAL well underway, I'm excited to share my first Flea Market Fancy Swoon block- ta dah!!!  Each block takes roughly 2 hours to sew, and is 24" square.  These blocks are seriously huge- which I love!

 

If you haven't joined the Bestie QAL, don't fret as there is still time!  We chose to use Flea Market Fancy and the Swoon quilt pattern, but there are no rules for this QAL so feel free to start something off of your to-do list!  As always, if you need a Bestie I will volunteer (feel free to ask Jana and Jackie about my Bestie skills, as they are quite top notch!).  :)

We've also set up an official Flickr Group for the Bestie QAL, so feel free to join and browse (one of my favorite past times!).

Simply Color Plus Quilt

Its so hard to believe that Christmas has come and gone!  This beauty of a quilt was a Christmas gift for a very special guy.  I've always found it hard to select fabrics for a manly quilt, let alone a Christmas present for someone special...like a boyfriend!

I went to a local quilt shop one day at lunch, looking for the perfect "manly fabric" (although I was skeptical that such even existed), when I stumbled upon a selection of Simply Color by V and Co. (only green, blue, and gray - paired with Moda Bella Solids).  I went home and thought about what I had seen at the quilt store, and while rummaging through my stash I found an unopened fat quarter bundle of Simply Color, that I had picked up at Sample Spree in Kansas City, MO (Spring 2012).  With that, the "manly quilt" was born.



I used In Color Order's Plus Quilt Tutorial for the pattern, and most definitely recommend it.  I'll be the first to admit that cutting 320 4.5" square is not something to write home about, but the end result most definitely is (wouldn't you agree?)!

I started this quilt well after Thanksgiving, with the goal of having it completed for Christmas (which I accomplished- thank.you.very.much!).  The cutting took time, sewing the quilt together was quick.  My sweet friend Joyce did the long arm quilting for me, and I took the time to hand stitch the binding (which I finished Christmas Eve morning).

Detailed view of the long arm quilting, the chevron stripe binding (my favorite) and the backing.

Another detailed view of the pieced top and long arm quilting- love!!!

Bestie Quilt Along - Details

Besties are great, aren't they!?!  Way back when, I had a brilliant idea of having identical Bestie quilts, you know so that you can snuggle "with your Bestie" wherever you are!  

Cue the music for the introduction of the Bestie Quilt Along (QAL for short!).

I, along with my quilting Besties Jana and Jackie are hosting a Bestie Quilt Along- are you interested!?!  The details are quite simple.  Select fabric and a quilt pattern with your Bestie, and make identical quilts!  For this QAL, Jana, Jackie, and I will be using Flea Market Fancy by Denyse Schmidt, and the Swoon Quilt Pattern by Camille Roskelley.  The best part, is that there isn't a rigid QAL schedule that you need to keep up with, just sew at your pace and know that others are rooting for you to finish.  

Feel free to use the fabric and pattern that we're using, or come up with your own combination- the choice is totally up to you!  Need some help?  What about Simply Color by V and Co. paired with In Color Order's Plus Quilt?  Or Flutter by The Quilted Fish paired with Oh, Kaye (or Fantastic-O Fat Fun) by Threaded Pear Studio? Or Chicopee by Denyse Schmidt paired with Stitched in Color's Scrap Attack Triangle Quilt?

I'd love to hear if you're interested in joining; simply leave a comment below and I'll work on setting up a Flickr Group, so that we can share progress photos!  :)