Loulouthi love

I decided a few days ago that I should make a quilt for a rapidly approaching gift-giving occasion. Because of the time crunch, I gave myself the self-imposed restriction of only using materials I had on hand. Also, not spending money always trumps spending money. It didn't take me long to settle on my Loulouthi stash, paired with some yardage of Kona Snow.


I flip-flopped on the layout a few times. Loulouthi is one of those lines I had to have, but then it languished on my shelf because I didn't know what to do with it. I think the large-scale prints trip me up, so I decided to leave them fairly large. At first, I wanted to do some simple squares set on point, but I couldn't make the math work with the fabric I had. Then I thought I'd do some simple sashed squares. I ended up offsetting the squares to make the layout a little more interesting.


The layout is definitely reminiscent of my Colorbrick quilt that I made with Rachel's quilt-along. I cut the Loulouthi fat quarters into 8-inch squares, and sashed them with 2-inch strips of Kona Snow.


I used this dark brown solid for the binding because (a) there is a lot of brown in these prints and (b) I had some. I sewed on the binding by hand while watching the first few episodes of season 1 of Downton Abbey on Netflix. Seems like I'm the only person on the known planet who isn't watching this show, so I'm catching up.


I had a couple yards of the Summer Totem print, which worked out perfectly for the back. This is one of my favorite prints, and there's no way I could cut it up. I just added a few strips of Kona Snow to either side to make it wide enough. I'm not sure I'm done with this print...I can't shake the Summer Totem quilt by Noodlehead. You can kind of see the quilting pattern from the back--just double lines zigzagging through the sashing.

I know I paid for all of these supplies at some point, but it still feels awfully thrifty to make a quilt from stash!

Linking up with Sew Modern Monday at Canoe Ridge Creations!


I'm linking up to Kati's Slash the Stash over at From the Blue Chair!

Three things on a rainy Saturday

Seems like the weather is keeping lots of folks close to home this weekend. It's warm here, but it's been rainy enough to keep me home from my usual trek to Target.


Thing 1: I entered my Houndstooth quilt in the Black & White quilt contest over on the Quilting Gallery blog. Pop over there and check out the entries, and vote for mine if you're so inclined. :)


Thing 2: I started a quilt using my Loulouthi stash. Should have the binding sewn on today. More soon!

Thing 3: I saw this post on using Perle cotton like regular thread in your sewing machine, and I was all what the?? If you've tried this, I'd love to hear about it.

WIP Wednesday

Wednesday again? Here we go!



Finished:
Bookshelf mini

Elizabeth's tutorial is here.


In progress

Scrap Attack quilt-along

My tumbler quilt top is awaiting further attention.

Swoon-along

Block 2=Dunzo

Completed tops awaiting quilting:
Postage Stamp quilt
Kaleidoscope baby quilt #2
Fabricland
Scrap Attack tumblers

To do:
LynneBob block for VIBeees
Drunkard's Path Quilt-Along
Block for Jeni
Seuss quilt

Head to Lee's to see what everyone else is working on!

Bookshelf mini

I figured a mini quilt would be the ideal project to put my new machine through its paces. I've been wanting to make Elizabeth's Bookshelf Mini for a long time, and I decided it was the perfect use for the strips of treasured scraps and selvedges I unearthed in my scrap bin.


I had a few strips of my beloved Good Folks fabric left, so I put those to use along with some Innocent Crush and Loulouthi and a background of Essex linen. I didn't intend this to be an Anna Maria Horner tribute quilt, but that makes me love it more (there are a few bits of Hope Valley in there too). I didn't notice the book on the left was so wonky until I looked at this photo!


I picked out a few selvedges that seemed like they could be book titles and sewed those on there. I even got brave and tried out a little embroidery, and I think it's a fun addition. The new machine and I seem to be getting along pretty well so far (although it clearly doesn't make me any more likely to sew in a straight line. sheesh). This mini is now making my office a happier place.


I'm linking up to Sew Modern Monday at Canoe Ridge Creations.

My New/Old Friend

A few weeks ago it became clear that the time was near to say goodbye to my trusty Kenmore sewing machine. My mom and sister gave it to me for my bridal shower nearly 10 years ago, and it has seen me through almost 50 quilts and lots of other projects without a single service. Lately, it has gotten really loud and vibrated so much that the power cord kept falling out and the light no longer worked. The service places around here wanted $79+ to look at it, and I figured I'd rather put that money toward a new one.

So I started looking at new machines and got a little overwhelmed (although that Janome with the built-in walking foot was mighty tempting). I really don't need 120 decorative stitches, just a bit of a workhorse that can take some abuse. I figured a used machine might meet my needs (and my budget!).


I found this Husqvarna Viking Freesia 415 on Craig's List for a really good price. The seller told me he bought it for his 71-year-old mother who didn't like it from day 1 because it wasn't a Pfaff. :) She used it maybe six times, and he had it serviced before listing it for sale. I met him in the airport parking lot this morning to make the exchange. (Wow, that sounds sketchy when I write it out.) I've only had a few minutes to check it out, but it seems good so far! Definitely quieter than the old Kenmore. I think we'll have some "getting to know you" time this weekend.

Scrap Attack: A quilt only a mother could love.

Seems like 2012 is the year of the scrap! Scrappy projects are popping up all over. I'm participating in Rachel's Scrap Attack, and I decided to face my bulging bin of scraps head-on.


I admit--there were times during this process when I wasn't sure if I was attacking the scraps or they were attacking me. But I persevered and sorted my scraps. I threw away any that were too small to be useful.


I pulled out any larger pieces. They belong with the rest of my fabric where I can find them.


I took any tumbler-size scraps and cranked them through my Go Baby, and I ended up with 456 tumblers.


I put the tumblers in a paper bag, shook them up, and pulled out random pairs and sewed them together. I ended up with this quilt top, which measures about 54 x 54 inches.


It was fun to see all of these long-lost bits of fabric! Kind of a trip down quilty memory lane. It's definitely a loud and crazy quilt top...but I kind of love it.

WIP Wednesday!

We stayed up late watching Moneyball (very good), and then I was woken up several times by thunder/dog nervous about thunder. At about 4 a.m., the kid wet his bed, so there was cleanup and laundry to do. It's a rainy Wednesday, but unfortunately staying in bed is not an option, so we WIP! (Diet Coke, stat!)


Finished:
4x5 Bee blocks

Tutorial here.

In progress

Scrap Attack quilt-along

The scraps have been attacked, my friends, and I have 456 tumbler shapes to prove it. They have since been sewn into a quilt top. Pictures to come if/when it stops raining.

Swoon-along

Block 1=Dunzo

Completed tops awaiting quilting:
Postage Stamp quilt
Kaleidoscope baby quilt #2
Fabricland
Scrap Attack tumblers

To do:
LynneBob block for VIBeees
Drunkard's Path Quilt-Along
Block for Jeni

Head to Lee's to see what everyone else is working on!

Swooning along

One of my quilty 2012 quilty goals was to make a Swoon quilt using my beloved Hideaway fabric. Thanks to Katy/I'm a Ginger Monkey, this will be happening sooner rather than later! The block is a little time-consuming, but we're just making one a week, so it's doable.


I knew the Swoon block was big, but I didn't realize just how big! I think it measures 24 inches.


I'm happy to be putting this fabric to use.

Are you Swooning along?

X marks the spot

Glad to have my blocks for the 4x5 bee in the mail!

I used this tutorial from Jonquils & Ladybugs. If you're planning a Scrap Attack, this would be a good block to make!

WIP Wednesday!

Oh, WIP Wednesday, I've missed you! After a few weeks off, I realize how much I rely on Lee's link-up to keep track of my projects.



Finished:
Scrappy Triangles for do. Good Stitches



More here.

Starry bee blocks


More here.

Hexing Around the Block for Rene

Tutorial by Lee
freshlypieced.blogspot.com/2011/05/hexing-around-block.html

In progress
4x5 Bee blocks
I don't know why I'm dragging my feet on this one. They need to be in the mail by January 15. I'm not working on anything else until these are done.

Scrap Attack quilt-along

I'm very grateful for Rachel's Scrap Attack quilt-along. If this didn't come along, I'd surely end up on Hoarders: Buried Alive. This is my tub of shame--my scraps are all crammed in there, completely unorganized. I'm going to start pulling out scraps, cutting tumbler shapes using my Go! Baby die, and sewing them together randomly. I'm actually pretty excited about this!

Completed tops awaiting quilting:
Postage Stamp quilt
Kaleidoscope baby quilt #2
Fabricland

To do:
LynneBob block for VIBeees
Drunkard's Path Quilt-Along

I'm not sure if Lee is hosting her link-up today, but if so, I'm linking up!

Seeing stars

I'm getting caught up/getting a jump-start on my quilt bee blocks. Evidently, stars are "in."


Cherie sent us beautiful Secret Garden fabric to make Carpenter's Star blocks using her own tutorial. I love the way this turned out, and it makes a huge (18 inches) block.


For the Peace circle of do. Good Stitches in December, we made the Ring of Sars block using Angela's tutorial. These are adorable and fun to make, but I can't say I'll be making another anytime soon. SO many tiny pieces!


For do. Good Stitches in January, we're making 4-, 8-, and 12-inch stars for a quilt inspired by the Oh My Stars quilt-along. I used this tutorial for Sawtooth Stars at Thought and Found. I love the way these are put together. Very clever.


This is my 12-inch star. I used Becky's Sunrise Star tutorial, and I think this might be my new favorite block!

Scrappy New Year!

Hope you're having a great start to 2012! We rang in the New Year with football, basketball (go Hoosiers!), and more football before falling asleep on the couch while watching Rise of the Planet of the Apes. That's right, things got pretty crazy up in here.


I technically finished this quilt before midnight, but as I didn't pull it out of the dryer until 1/1, I'm counting it as the first finish of 2012. Big thanks to the ladies of the Peace Circle of do. Good Stitches for putting these blocks together. I gave them this for color inspiration (from Design Seeds):


And the Scrappy Triangles tutorial from Ashley/Film in the Fridge. This is a fun block and a great way to bust through some scraps! The Peace Circle sends quilts to My Very Own Blanket (an organization that provides quilts for children in foster care), and I thought this combination would make a sophisticated quilt for an older girl.


The quilt top came out a little small and squarish, so I added some strips to the top and bottom. I think these strips add to the preppy vibe of the quilt.


I'm a big fan of Megan's wavy organic quilting, so I gave it a try on this quilt (she gives instructions here). I admit I struggled with this a little at first--I was worried that my lines might not look organic enough and instead would just look like I can't sew in a straight line (insecurities, anyone?). I kind of exaggerated the waves, and I LOVE the finished look! I think it goes nicely with the nautical feel of this quilt.


For the back, I used this zinnia print from the Flights of Fancy line by Paula Prass that I had been hoarding saving for the right project. I added the pink and green prints from Mod Green Pod by Nancy Mims and the awesome gray print from Wildwood by Erin McMorris to make it big enough.


I used Kona Grass for the binding, and I gave Rachel's Zig-Zag Binding Tutorial a try for the first time. There are a few rough spots, but overall I'm happy with it!


Big thanks to my Peace Circle friends for helping with this quilt!


I can't wait to send it off to its new home.

Lucky me!

I was so excited to find out I won a giveaway from Jen/BettyCrockerAss! This awesome pouch was waiting for me when I got home from my Christmas travels.



But that's not all! Jen filled the pouch with fabric, thread, and rickrack (oh, my!).




Love that hand-stitching. Thanks so much, Jen!!

P.S. I pulled my do. Good Stitches quilt from the dryer this morning. Pictures soon!