Swoon for 10 Years

Later this year we celebrate 10 years of matrimony.  We will be taking a trip back to our honeymoon destination, Hanalei Bay, Kauai.  I can't express my excitement with words!  So I thought a quilt was in order to commemorate our milestone year.  

In the process of making this Swoon Quilt I carefully selected fabrics that I love and thought went well together.  Many many fabrics were auditioned but didn't make the cut.  I wanted to steer away from my first love (reproduction prints) to what I've matured into loving (modern, bold, & bohemian prints).  I ended up with a mixture. 

Although the swoon block is very traditional, which doesn't suit the theme of our home much; I feel the prints that won my heart over give it the modern-ness we both love.  If I could go back to the beginning I think I would still use the traditional swoon block, but in a more modern approach, like maybe only a few down one side of the quilt, kind of the way Denyse Schmidt does it in her quilt pattern Point Me.  

Mostly I love this quilt in parts, like each individual block, binding/backing fabric which is Drop Cloth by Jay McCarroll, and the hand stitches.

I hand quilted it, which felt like it took forever.  I knew in the end I'd love the effect, which I do.  As you can see it isn't perfect.  One thing that bugged me at first was the subtle difference in whites.  The saching was a second order of Kona Cotton in Snow.  Now I don't mind it so much.  I actually like it!

The size fits perfectly with our bed frame, which is incredibly hard to tuck anything into, even a sheet, but covers us perfectly.  

To sum up my fabrics I used prints from Denyse Schmidt, Jay McCarroll, Anna Maria Horner, Juliana Horner, Joel Dewberry Martha Negley , Pat Bravo , Carrie Bloomston, Heather Bailey and Amy Butler.  Solids were Kona Cotton in Snow, and Aqua.

This corner is the first I see when I walk in the room.  It's my favorite!

>>---Lindsay--->

Earlier posts on this quilt: Swoon Blocks, Just Swooning Along, Lately

Lately

It may seam pretty quiet around here, but I assure you it hasn't been.

I managed to finish some table linens.  My dear friend and neighbor shared this fun ikea fabric with me she didn't end up using and it was perfect for this project.  

I've been a quilting away on the never ending swoon quilt.  Although I am enjoying the peaceful act of hand stitching, I'm getting a little 'over it.'  Still I will persevere.  I love thinking of how the Amish women have ultimate patience when it comes to quilting, but I do envy the whole group quilting effort.  Community like that isn't easy to find around here.

I ordered myself a couple Amish related books recently and am really enjoying the first which is called Money Secrets of the Amish - by Lorilee Craker.  Its a study on some of the Amish money habits that keep them out of debt, living simply, and being content.  Its pretty meaty and is helping challenge me in my spending habits.  I caught my husband reading it the other night, and he even loved it.  I've found that nothing says "I love and respect you, dear husband"; than truly appreciating his hard earned money by managing it wisely.  

The second book, which I'm looking forward to next is Amish Values for Your Family - by Suzanne Woods Fisher.  Another thing I admire about the Amish is their tight family relations and strong values.  

Back to conquering the 2014 List.

Lindsay

Time Out

Wow its been awhile since I sat down at my sewing machine. I've spent most of my free time hand quilting my swoon quilt.

Although it will certainly be some time before she is complete, I'm enjoying the process. Did I just call my quilt 'she'? Isn't it funny how we do that?

Today a stack of blocks that have been sitting neatly at my sewing table began calling me.

And so another quilt top was born. I'll just put it on top of the other top. I'm having quilter's block:: the lack of a quilting plan. You can read more about this flying geese quilt in this post.

I have no idea when I'll be back here to share more being that we are smack dab in the middle of the holidays, so Merry Christmas!

Thanks for stopping by.

Lindsay

 

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Swoon Baby

I've been anxiously waiting to share this sweet baby quilt with you.

Today this Swoon Baby Quilt arrived safely in the arms of my good friend in North Carolina. She is expecting a baby girl later this month. I'm so happy for her.

You may recognize this center block from my last swoon post. It was one of my favorites, however it just didn't jive with the other blocks. And...I kept thinking how much my girl friend would really like a handmade quilt for her baby. It blessed me so much to get her text messages this morning after she received it. It reminded me of her last visit here. From the moment she walked through my door she wrapped herself up in one of my quilts. It felt so good to have her appreciate my work.

Doesn't if feel good to know something you made will be well loved and cherished? Since I shipped this one off, I've been awaiting fabric for a replacement block. Now, I've got it and will begin my last swoon block.

>>---Lindsay--->

 

 

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Swoon Blocks

I nearly feel like an expert at the swoon block piecing, although mine are far from perfect. I am glad to announce that today I completed my last 5 blocks. I decided to do them all together, which has taken me about two weeks of a few hours here and there. What do you think?

I think that leopoard one is my favorite and will most likely be my center block. Do you have a favorite? The feathers comes in second I think. For those of you who may have noticed the slight color variation in the grey seed print in my last block, its true. I used some old scraps from the original line of FMF prints, which is surprisingly lighter weight as well. Its also a little darker. This doesn't matter much, but I can't help but hope that that print doesn't wear out before the others do.

Now on to the saching. I can't wait to see this thing on my bed. I forgot how long the process is for making large quilts. The anticipation is killing me! But...in a fun way;D

>>---Lindsay--->

 

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End of Summer

We had a wonderful camping trip to Yosemite National Park. Above is a picture of us at Tunnel View lookout. Behind us is El Capitan. Wish the photo-taking stranger had stepped a little further to the left and gotten Half Dome in the picture. Oh well! Our first camping trip was about as perfect as they get. Our 4 year old even hiked up 900' of elevation to Vernal Falls without one complaint. So proud of him. The weather was warm and wonderful. We are definitely doing this again.

This past week we've been spoiling ourselves at the beach. The sun finally decided to come out in San Clemente just as most vacationers were heading back to school. Funny how that works. FYI if you ever plan a trip to SoCal, come in Sept/Oct if you want sun at the beach. We always have overcast along the coastline. You can drive inland about 2 miles and it'd be blazin though.

Today this little guy started PreSchool. Can you see the excitement on his face? He basically ran in and didn't look back. You can imagine how I felt. I had to ask him to come back and give me a kiss. He did of course, he 's sweet like that. I love him so much.

Now back to quilting...more often. Please ignore the tear drops on my stitching.

As a distraction I finished up sewing these rows together. I've changed my mind on adding a boarder to this one. Its big enough and I kind of like it without a boarder. Not sure if I'll get to basting and quilting this one right away. I'm anxious to finish up my swoon blocks.

Got all the prints cut. Now I'm just waiting for more Kona Snow to show up at my door. I'm about 4 blocks shy. This is gonna be so pretty on my bed. I can't wait!

 

>>--------->

Lindsay

 

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Just Swooning Along

It may seam quiet around here, but I assure you, it's anything but. Slowly over the last two weeks I've been gathering goods for our first ever 4 day family camping trip. Now as a mom, I appreciate all that went into my childhood trips camping. I'm sure my family did well with a lot less than I am taking. There may be no end to my preparedness. It's ridiculous how overly excited I am. Tomorrow I prep the food and finish up packing our bags.

Swoon #2

Today, however I took a mental break from preparing and went swooning. I'm not sure why Camille named the quilt pattern Swoon, but I bet it had something to do with the love of working with your favorite fabrics and creating giant star blocks. Since my last post, I've finished 3 more blocks. That's a total of 4 out of 9. I figured out today it takes me 2 hours to complete one swoon block. Phew, thats a lot, but man are they pretty.

Swoon #3

Swoon #4

My mind is already back into packing mode. 2 hours wasn't enough. Dare I pack my epp hexagons pouch of scraps for the trip? Will there be anytime to sit and stitch with kids around and so much to explore? Did I mention we are going to Yosemite? Epic hikes and camp fires! I've been on Pinterest more than is legally permitted for a mom. My justification will be my undivided attention to wilderness. Not to mention the time was well spent because I found so many awesome tips on camping with kids, how to and what to pack. Ok, wow, I'm scaring myself.

Confession: When I get excited about something that has a theme, like this trip; I get a little obsessive right down to my outfits, know what I mean? Naturally this calls for a few new wardrobe items. Such as a new hat, or two. I'm already into plaid shirts, but a new one is called for, some sweat pants and shirt (army green + black) and chevron necklace to feel somewhat pretty since I probably wont be wearing any makeup.

Lindsay

>>------------>

 

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Fun Filled Weekend

Phew! My weekend really began on Thursday last week. My sister and I drove into LA's Fashion District to shop for fabrics. Our goal was to gather fabrics for her photography studio. It was a success! She needed my textile know-how and I needed an excuse to visit the heartbeat of fabric. She thanked me for coming by purchasing this super cute vinyl for our family camping trip coming up. And I found these cute red & coral melamine dishes at Wal-Mart that match perfectly.

It'll be the cutest camping table ever! Thanks sister!

Check out that crazy hair! I look like I just walked off a 10 hour sweatshop shift. Ha! Hope I can tame the mane on our camping trip. Then again, it might keep the bears at bay.

Warning!!! This is a heavy picture post.

Friday was a melow day at home. I did however beigin Swooning again.

I was the most excited about this fabric combo. This one will probably be my favorite. Or I might say that everytime I make a block, we'll see.

Saturday, was super fun! I attended the International Quilt Festival in Long Beach. Sadly it is the last time the festival will be held here. But I'm so blessed I got to go. Here is the loot I picked up for a steal.

Some Anna Maria Horner prints and the Hex N Moree by Jay Bird Quilts. I went with my mother-in-law and it was a pleasure to walk about the gallery with her. We were on a mission to be inspired for a guest room quilt. We took lots of pictures. I can't wait to see what design she decides on. Here are just a few of my favorites.

See a modern theme?

And on Sunday we went to XGames.

Here are my boys in their happy place.

I'm sure you can imagine I'm looking forward to a slow week ;)

<3 Lindsay

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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