Flowering Vines Quilt

I am at the beginning phase of working on the Flowering Vines Quilt I first posted about on April 23, 2010.
Here is the fabric stacked nicely, cut into various sizes from 1"x 3 1/2" up to 2 1/2" x 3 1/2".


Fabric splayed out to see the variety of patterns and colors. Most of this fabric is from scraps that I have had in a large paper bag, not knowing what project to use them on! I finally went through the bag and was so excited to see they would work perfectly for this quilt.

I have on 3 1/2" x 58" strip done so far. Only for of these left to do!



This is the book I am using, Flowering Favorites.


Remember to check back to see the progress of the quilt!

Cute pencil pouches.

I have been working on getting stuff ready for my etsy store. It has been a long time since I have posted things there but want to dust the shelves off and put out some new merchandise!

I have always loved pencil pouches and though I would give them a try. They are super easy to make and a great quick project.


I used the zipper foot to sew on this cute lime green zipper.


Here are two finished pencil pouches. I didn't realize how many colors zippers come in! I bought these zipper's at Joann's fabric store. The fabric is from Thimblecreek quilt store in Concord, CA.



The inside of the pouch.


These pouches are 3"x7" when finished.

Binding take 2.

I have complained many times about binding a quilt. It is something that I have struggled with and had a hard time learning. Well it seems that I finally figured it out! Yeah!!! I even showed my boyfriend, saying, "See?! Isn't this awesome?! I FINALLY did it!!". He gave me a weak smile and a "yeah". He didn't realize that he should have thrown me a quilt binding parade! He did give me a nice hug though, so that was good enough!

After studying this tutorial (over and over): http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2008/10/binding-tutorial.html I then felt confident enough to try again. I first put binding on a few of the quilts I have made for my puppy. These turned out well so then I put binding on my Roman Squares quilt and the Rainbow Quilt.


This is the rolled up binding.



Pictures of the finished binding from many angles! I was so happy with the results. I cannot tell you how good it feels to have this turn out!!

My puppy loves quilting!

I finished it!

I finally finished the Roman Squares baby quilt! Part of why I did this one was to learn new skills. My repertoire has now expanded slightly! I think I am more of a make it up as you go girl rather than a pattern follower. I like how it looks but I will let you in on a little secret, it doesn't fold up square! It's totally uneven! I laughed about it last night when I finished it, seeing the silliness in my mistake!


I like especially how the back turned out! I think it's very pretty. Well, onto the next quilt!

Beginners mind.

When thinking about today's post I kept hearing in my mind the phrase "beginners mind". It basically means setting aside all of your judgments, preconceived ideas about outcome and being eager and open to the process.

As a beginning quilter I am truly struggling with learning something new. I can't help but compare myself to others, feel frustrated with my mistakes, and have moments where I feel completely discouraged.

Some of you know my "story" and others don't. About a year and a half, to two years ago I decided to let go of my chosen career path. It was something that I was (and still am, but in a different way) deeply passionate about. I had gotten my master's degree, began working in this field and felt I was pretty good at what I was doing. As painful as it was I had to let this all go due to major health issues.

Some time has passed and after much searching I feel I have finally found something I am passionate about again. That new passion is Quilting. I want to know all there is to know about it, I want to become really good at it, and I want to help others in someway through my quilting.

But as a beginner, wow, it is a rough place to be in. I don't think I have set my goals too high, I know it's possible to do well because I love quilting. I just wanted to put this out there. That I am trying to be open to what comes with learning and trying this new path.

Roman Square quilt.

I am almost done with this Roman Square quilt. Well, almost done with the top, which feels then like I am close to being done. I started it maybe two weeks ago and hope to finish it in another week.

I recently decided to work my way through the Quilts! Quilts! Quilts!!! The Complete Guide to Quiltmaking Second Edition. I am a very new quilter and up to this point have made quilts without patterns. I need some quilt skills and find this book very approachable. So onward I go in my learning adventure and here is my guide, this great quilt book!


This amazingly cute puppy fabric will be the corners. I decided to use my Sushi Roll of fabrics (check out April 20, 2010 posting). I wanted to save it for a special quilt but then decided to just dive in and use it, I didn't like waiting!

Quick, simple potholders.

My sister came over one afternoon for a quick visit. We decided to make some potholders for some random reason. I may have seen a cute pattern in a quilt magazine. We didn't follow any pattern though.Basically we just made a 8"x8" quilt square with a little extra batting to help protect against a hot pan.

Mason decided he had to help my sister with her potholder.


My sister added a pretty floral square to her zig-zag yellow potholder.


These are the two sandwich squares put together, ready to for binding.



My sister busy binding her potholder.

Here are the finished potholders. So cute!

It's on!

In the words of my sister, "It's on!". Indeed it is my friend, it's on, so let's get started!
My sister Katie and I took a little trip to Half Price Books in Concord during her lunch break yesterday. We both loved their quilt book section! After spending most of her hour break looking at books we both found what we loved. One in particular stood out to both of us, called Flowering Favorites, from Piece O' Cake Designs, by Becky Goldsmith & Linda Jenkins.



I have been wanting to learn applique and this book is perfect for some spring/summer quilts! My sister and I decided to choose a quilt from the book and work on them at the same time. I chose the quilt on the cover called Flowering Vines. What I love about this quilt is that it goes along with the previous quilt I just made, the Rainbow Stripes quilt. It seems fun to continue the theme in some ways.



My sister chose the Briar Rose quilt. This picture does not do it justice. I cannot wait to see what fabrics she will use!


Of course no post would be complete without sharing a picture of our puppy Mason. He likes to always be right there in whatever I am doing, especially when I am taking pictures!


Remember to check back and see our progress on these quilts!

Spring in full bloom!

I love these two fabrics. Oh, they just make me giddy! I tend to be drawn towards flowers that are very showy. I am in love with dahlias, especially the "dinner-plate" dahlias which are huge and so magical. These fabrics called out to me, I had to add them to my "stash"!

The blue fabric is called, French General Classic Floral Aqua for moda. The other fabric is called Josephine Rose printed by Lecien.

Sewing space!

I am interrupting this weeks focus on fabric to show off my make-shift sewing space! I am sooo excited! Yeah!! This is a little nook we have in our kitchen that we haven't quite figured out exactly what we were going to do with it (right honey?).
I just moved our cookbooks and our only plant I have managed to keep alive miraculously for the last few years. Doesn't my sewing machine fit perfectly there? It has only been a week since we moved but that seems forever in time spent away from quilting!


Of course this post would not be complete without a little picture of my constant companion, Mason. He isn't feeling very well today, but he is always curious to see what I do next!

Sushi Roll

This "Sushi Roll" is a collection of fabric's that I had been looking at for awhile. You will learn from my blog that I tend to pine away for certain patterns and fabrics before I purchase. Of course once I buy them I think of them even more, like how I will use them!
I had heard of layer cakes and jelly rolls but never a sushi roll. I stumbled upon this one in my local quilt store, ThimbleCreek Quilts, thimblecreek.com.





I picked up this lovely sushi roll about a month ago but haven't found the pattern I want to use yet. I have been looking at a lot of different quilt books that focus specifically on jelly rolls, layer cakes, etc.


Check out other Sushi Rolls at: www.lecien.co.jp/en/hobby.

Focus on fabric!

This week join me as I look through my fabric stash! Today we are going to look at my collection of yellow fabric. I began buying bits of yellow fabric here and there, wanting to eventually make a quilt all made of this beautiful color.

The yellow dot fabric in the picture above is from the Pokemon quilt I made for DJ over a year ago (please see post from June 10, 2009).

In the picture below is a yard or more of this very brilliant and bold yellow. Oh, I love it so! It's almost an egg yolky kind of yellow. I also got this fabric for DJ's quilt but it was way too girly to use in his quilt!


The fat quarter of yellow leaf fabric below I bought at JoAnn's probably over six months ago when these were on sale. I also love a sale!!


My favorite of all is this yellow umbrella and bow fabric called, Aunt Grace Fifteenth Anniversary Collection 2006 from the Collection of Judie Rothermel for Marcus Brothers Textiles Inc. I love the whimsy of the bows, and the fun of what I like to think of as parasols.



Join me again tomorrow for more fabric fun!

Dream Quilt

I recently dreamt about a new quilt design. I cannot tell you how thrilled I was! Immediately once I was awake I sketched out the idea, trying to describe the quilt square in as much detail as possible. Not the easiest thing at 4 in the morning!

Creative ideas used to come to me in my dreams much more often. I can remember in high school when I wanted to be fashion designer I had sketchbooks full of designs I had dreamt about. Over the years I have sketched out and used ideas in my card making, scrapbooking and various sewing projects. I am so excited to try out this new quilt idea! Check back to see my idea come to life!

Craft closet

Now that we have made the move, the setting up of our home begins. The most important part to me, apart from the kitchen, is my craft closet. Right now I just have my craft stuff packed in the closet willy-nilly!


Some of my fabric and finished amigurumi stuffed animals hang out waiting for me to use!

My most favorite thing in this closet, my sewing machine! Kind of hard to see but its down in the right hand corner hidden next to that box holding all of my handmade cards. Even though it's not fancy, it is my sturdy friend, and I cannot wait to use it again. Unfortunately we got rid of our dining table where I used to sew. I am searching for a smaller sewing table that I can quilt on.


I found a small desk on IKEA.com that may work for my quilting projects. What do you use to quilt on? Any suggestions?

Finished the move!

We made it through the move! I never remember all the work that goes into moving until I am in the middle of it! Wow, I am so glad it is all done. Now time for the unpacking!

The best part of the move was that we finished early enough for me to attend the "Voices in Cloth 2010" quilt show at the Oakland Convention Center. What a wonderful way to finish the weekend spending time with these amazing quilts.
My sister also surprised me with the gift of a new quilt book! She said I need to build up my quilt book library, which is so true! The book, Material Obsession, Modern Quilts with Traditional Roots by Kathy Doughty and Sarah Fielke is beautiful and inspiring. I can't wait to get my sewing machine set up and get back to quilting.

Moving!

We are moving to a new apartment. In the middle of packing up all of our things, the quilting and blogging will be on hold. Please stand by for more to come!

Beginning quilter.

As a beginning quilter I am struggling most with binding my quilts. Once again I ripped out the binding on this striped rainbow quilt since it didn't turn out how I wanted. After looking at many different ways of binding, and trying them I still cannot make it look good!
My first few quilts I used the already made binding from the fabric store. As I have made other quilts I have wanted to make a coordinating binding. So this current quilt sits unfinished until I can bind it! It really is my learning curve right now.