Saturday, June 30, 2012

Friday, June 29, 2012

Thoroughly Modern

Earlier this year I fell in love with this pattern.

It is so different then anything I've ever made before.

Sooooo here it is!

Although I loved the pinks, I had a fat quarter bundle of Bespoken by Pat Bravo. I think it made up very nicely :-)

Happy Quilting!

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Even the pebbles

The quilting is done!

Even the pebbles.
I love the effect of the pebbles on this table topper. I thought it would look like coffee beans.

Another UFO finished!

Happy Quilting!

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Late Breaking News


I am so delighted to find out that Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie's Quilts has her newest patterns available at her online store! Thelma shared her version of "Bounce" yesterday on her blog Cupcakes 'n Daisies. She is such an amazing quilter. It's a beautiful pattern, and Thelma has a copy to giveaway!

AND Amy Smart of Diary of a Quilter did a review of Shape Workshop for Quilters, and is giving away a copy of this amazing book.


Oh and one more thing. The Queen of Quilting has a free download and a very cool video, BUT it is only available until June 30th. Check out Eleanor Burns Block Party if you would like to download her Melon Patch Pattern. But hurry, after Saturday it will no longer be a free download.

Happy Quilting!

Monday, June 25, 2012

Two things I learned this weekend

# 1. You are committed when making free motion pebbles!

And #2 DON'T catch any of the batting on the back of your quilt :-( It is very hard and time consuming to rip out pebbles!!!

Happy Quilting!!

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Patterns, patterns everywhere

When machine quilting, everywhere you look, patterns just seem to appear!








Where do you draw your inspiration?

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Progress???

I've been working on my NewFO and it has shown itself to be a pretty tedious project.

The pattern is Chain Reaction -

Cutting up LOTS of 6 1/2", 4 1/2" and 2 1/2" strips

And then sewing them into the chain pattern.

It's definitely a modern look for this traditional quilter ;-) But I am plugging along in the evenings.

And a question for all of you. Do you use bobbin thread??

I have started using Sulky Bobbin Thread and I do think my bobbin doesn't run out as quickly as it used to. Have you used any other brand of Bobbin Thread? Sulky only comes in white and black. I buy it at JoAnn's when the threads are on sale for 50% off. I'd like to know if you have used this type of thread before. What are your thoughts as there is always so much discussion about the new threads available.

Happy Quilting!

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

NewFO

Have your read about Cat Patches 2012 NewFO Challenge?? It's starting at least one new project, whether it's a quilt, or a pot holder.

This month I am taking the challenge. I was the recipient of a Fat Quarter bundle of Art Gallery Fabrics "Fresh Bespoken". So I am cutting it up and working on a new project :-)

Are you taking the challenge??

Happy Quilting!

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Miss Ladybug

Miss Ladybug is all finished and ready to be delivered.

There were a couple of questions on how I quilt on my domestic sewing machine and not have puckers on the back. I've been using the Quilt basting spray adhesive AND safety pins. I have found that using only one or the other does not seem to do the trick for me. And even so, this time I still had one pucker along the border. All in all, it was a fun quilt to make and I hope the baby will enjoy using it.

Have a great weekend, and happy quilting!

Friday, June 15, 2012

It's Friday!!


So what are YOU doing this weekend!!

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Country Homecoming Block #3

I was a little late jumping on board, but it's been so fun making these Homespun Prim houses. Here is #3, windows and all!

You can see the other neighborhoods being built at these blogs -

Cottons'n Wool

Quilt Hollow
Sweet P Quilting and Creations
Loves to Quilt
Kim's Big Quilting Adventure
Pondering Quilting
Cricketwood Prims n'Gardens

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood :-)

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Off the Cuff

About a year ago I bought this book.

There are several really cute pincushion patterns and lots of creative ideas.

But truthfully, this is the one that caught my attention.

I had this idea if you use men's shirts for making quilt blocks (like Bonnie Hunter does), wouldn't it be cool to cut off the cuffs and make pincushions??

So, I bought a $1.00 bargain mans shirt from the Thrift store and gave it a try.


Isn't he cute?? I did not follow the directions given in the book, but just did my own thing. And I still think the pincushion turned out cute :-) The ears are flower buttons.

How about let's be creative today and make something outside of our comfort zone! I hope you have a Happy Quilting day!!

Monday, June 11, 2012

A Quilting we will go........

Lady Bug quilt........

Happy Quilting!

Friday, June 8, 2012

What have you been working on??

Here is the Lady Bug quilt I've been working on.

It's for a sweet little baby that was born this week.

And I was wondering if anyone is interested in swapping some fabric. I have two packs of assorted purple fabric cut into 5" squares. Each pack has 42 squares. I'd love to swap them for some reds. The fabric doesn't have to be cut. 3/4 yard equals 40 charms. Let me know if you'd be interested in one pack or both.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

BOM Rehab

Sinta over at Pink Pincushion has been encouraging us to dig out and finish our BOM projects.

So I have been working on a Fat Quarter Shop Mystery BOM that has been sitting around here for a couple of years.

One bit of advice. Do NOT make a mistake in cutting :-S There is no extra fabric to re-cut anything. I am having to rob peter to pay paul on one of the blocks. I think I can make it work, but we will see. I'm feeling good about getting my BOM finished and at least making up a block here and there.

Happy Quilting!

Monday, June 4, 2012

What's up this week??


Who is having a giveaway this week??

SewCalGal is hosting a Fun Friday Giveaway. Martingale is donating a collection of Kim Diehl's beautiful Note cards.

FaveQuilts is giving away a copy of Whip Up Mini Quilts book.

Jo's Country Junction
is offering a copy of Pretty Patchwork Quilts.

Sew Bitter Sweet has a Layer Cake of Quilt Blocks to send home with one of their readers.

And how about a sweet charm pack of Cuzco from Quilt Karma?

Modern Quilt Guild London has a fabric giveaway going on this week.

Rather have a gift card? Check out the giveaway at Nap Time Crafters.

Looking for some inspiration for your next quilt project?
Have you checked out the Free Quilt Patterns website?? Lots of free patterns and tutorials. Be sure to bookmark this page, as it will take a month of Sundays to get through them all :-)

You can always check for updated giveaways at Insights from SewCalGal or
Giveaway Blogs.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Support your LQS

A very sad thing has happened lately. As most of you know, many brick and mortar shops are closing. So recently, when I heard that one of my favorite Quilt shops had closed, I was deeply saddened. Patchwork Pig carried a large and diverse selection of fabrics, where you could always find something that would work for any specific project.

It made me think about how supporting our local Quilt Shops helps to keep their doors open. It's hard sometimes, as Quilt shops are becoming more and more scarce, at least in our area. Some have veered away from carrying traditional fabrics. It seems because we live in the deep south, some of the shops have limited their lines to tropical or modern fabrics. I like these just fine, but as a traditional quilter, I do so love the traditional fabrics like Civil War and Reproduction fabrics.

The other day I stopped in at Country Quilts and Bears. It's a small shop but they carry the type of fabric that I like. On the day I shopped, they were offering a sale of 30% off if you finished the bolt. When I have been to this sale previously, there were many shoppers, cleaning out the end of bolts. But this time, there were few in the shop. Actually there were only two other people. I was there looking for fabric to make a baby quilt for a friend. I could have gone to the big chain store, but decided that I would make my purchase there. I found this cute fabric with the ladybugs, and already had a pattern in mind.

I also came across this Jo Morton fabric that I can use with a Civil War pattern.

So I dug out my pattern.

And have started working on this baby quilt.

As fabric prices continue to escalate it will be harder and harder to buy much fabric from my Local Quilt shops. But I will try to shop smart, and watch for sales.

Are you finding it harder to support your local businesses?? Do you buy fabric online?