Churn Dash :: Finished Quilt

Just pulled this beauty out of the dryer. It crinkled up so nicely, don't you think?

I chose to hand tie this one as well as echo stitch with chunky pearl cotton around each block. It turned out so darling. I think the quilting added to its vintage appeal.

The quilt consists of several lavender, violet, and peach reproduction prints I purchase a few years ago on vacation in Montana. I picked up the Kona Cotton solid in peach at a store closing sale. I didn't have a vision for this fabric stash until I purchased Denyse Schmidts' book Modern Quilts Traditional Inspiration. Remember this post?

So this is pretty much how things are going today. Two finished quilts, my feet are up, and I'm watching a new movie with my little Boo! I'll get to sharing about the Granny Square quilt in a couple days.

The Churn Dash Quilt has been listed in my Etsy shop. You can see it here. Thanks for visiting.

Lindsay

 

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Settling In

Oh how I've missed you guys.  Man a month has flown by with business.  Thankfully I can now say, life is back to normal.  Well at least a new normal!  Sadly the only boxes left to unpack and organize are my fabrics.  Selfishly I would have unpacked them first, but if you know me, I'd never sleep until my house, especially the kitchen is in order.  Two hungry boys depend on me for food.  Soon I hope to share with you pictures of our new home, but I haven't picked up our new couch yet, and my walls are naked.  So stay tuned...

I did manage to meet one of my 'before I move' goals.  A finished a quilt.  Not just any quilt, but one for my mother. 

 Freedom Quilt

She received it at her birthday dinner at the end of March and has mentioned more than a few times how much she loves it.  I still can't believe it took me this long to make her a quilt.  She has been high on my priority list, but I had to collect the perfect fabrics over time.  She was worth the wait and I'm so happy with the combination that unfolded.

Please pardon the picture quality.  It really doesn't do the quilt justice.  The FREE pattern/tutorial I used was Starry Eyed by Angela of Fussy Cut.  Its was an easy tutorial and I thought the star theme went really well with my Red, White and Blue selection of fabrics.  

This here is my favorite block because I managed to add a piece of Anna Maria Horner into the center.  This small piece of fabric was a swatch thrown in with an fabric bundle I received a while back.  I kept it on top of my growing fat quarter stash for my mother's quilt for inspiration.  In this quilt, it adds a fireworks kind of effect. 

You may have noticed I used a bit of Bliss by Bonnie & Camille, as well as a very large variety of DS Quilt fabrics and a few reproduction prints from Darlene Zimmerman and P&B Textiles.  But my ultimate favorite was that I was able to use the Holly Hobbie-ish fabric as my white background.  It was the perfect low volume print.  This print I picked up at JoAnne Fabrics, oh gosh, I don't know.  Maybe 8 years ago.  I had 3 yards on hand so I had just enough for this large throw quilt.  I think it was the perfect touch, don't you?

For the back I scored on the clearance rack both DS Quilt prints for only $6/yard...and then I did a center scrap strip to join the two together.  It was really fun to design the pieced quilt back.  

For the quilting I don't have a detailed shot, but in case you are interested I used my walking foot to quilt in the ditch.  I quilted in the ditch between every print and the white background, including every star.  It was a serious trying of my patience, kind of test.  But the end result was just what I was hoping for.  

Well I'll be back hopefully soon to share some pictures of my sewing corner all set up.

xo,

Lindsay

Lately

This summer has been an easy one, and I've had fun with a few new projects.  Since fall has been declared, its best we recap on my end of summer sewing.

I started my first Cross Stitch pattern.  Here is my boy enjoying one of the many hot days we've had since July.

 After a two week vacation in Montana, here is it's present state:

Unfortunately my right hand now suffers a bit of an ache in it.  Needlework is a little more strenuois than I anticipated.  I must be doing something wrong.  Since I'm using a self taught method and a book, I'm sure I'm missing some good tips from a few pro Cross Stitchers out there.  Is the back supposed to be one big mess of threads?  The messy back made it very hard to get a needle through on the quilts.  

I'm not sure when I'll pick this up again.  I'm gonna stick with the machine work for a while and give my hand a rest.  It even hurts to use my computer mouse.  Ok, enough complaining, already!

On a funner note,  I also started my Churn Dash Quilt.  

These reproduction prints in purple and orange are so much fun to work with.

My blocks are all pieced, pressed, and stacked awaiting my attention.   However, they will have to wait.  They have been added to a growing pile of WIPs (works in progress).   The good news is,  this quilt is on hold for a good reason, because...well,  I've just recieved my first custom quilt order...EEEK!

I know!!!  I've been so excited...This is one of the best feelings.  When you get to do what you love and someone will pay you for it.  Remember this quilt I made for my sister?  Well I've got a customer asking for something very similar.  So all is on hold until I finish it up.  I'll share more as I work on it.  

Lindsay

Charming Chevron :: A Finished Quilt

Hi!!!  I'm back.  Well, actually I've been sewing away here, just haven't joined in blog land in a while.  Its been a nice break, but its time for some sharing...  

Here is the Charming Chevron quilt all finished up.

Its been finished for a while, but I waited to share it because I didn't want my niece to see it before I gave it to her.  Sunday was her golden birthday.  Have you ever heard of that?  Its when you turn the same age as the number of your birth-date.  In her case, she turned 23 on the 23rd.   

This quilt is just a small throw and I used 6" charms to complete it.  For the backing and binding I used the a turquoise flat sheet I had on hand and never used.  I think using flat sheets is a great way to back large quilts.  No piecing and it all one piece of cloth.  Sooo much easier.  

I created a tutorial to make this block.  You can see my tutorial here.  I opted to make all the blocks point the same direction rather than alternating them each row.  I like how it turned out.  And the recipient was in love with it.  So glad she was too!  

More sewing updates coming soon!

Lindsay

Charm-ing Chevron Tutorial

Zig Zags are so HOT right now, are they not?  I think I could go dizzy walking the aisles of Target with how much I see them.  Still, they are so fun and timeless.  Everyone needs a touch of Chevron in their home.  Even me!

Back in January I posted about going to my first Quilt Show, here.  And I picked up this lovely 6" Charm Pack of Reproduction prints with out a hint of what I would do with them.  99 prints = scrap quilt I guess, but what kind of pattern?   Then I saw the quilt pattern 40s Chevron by McCall's.  

40s Chevron by McCall's

 

I contemplated for months how to cut up the charms since they were only 6".  I knew I'd have to break a few rules.

Since I didn't have the same size fabric available for the pattern I ended up coming up with a plan of my own using what I had to make the half squared triangles.   I thoughtfully paired prints that would both compliment and contrast each other.  Its possible too much thought went into this step;-)  Running out of options, left me with a couple blocks I don't particularly like, but thats fine, its a scrap quilt, right!?!

Anyway, taking the first two blocks I layered them right sides together.  You can do this two ways.  Sew along all four outside edges, then cut from corner to corner.  And then corner to corner again.  I know this isn't the best technique in quilting.  But, again its a scrap quilt, so I said to myself, "what the hey!"  Not every block turned out super square, but I just tried to not let that bother me this time around.

Option two is to cut corner to corner first then sew your 1/4" seam along the longest edge of each triangle sandwich.  Either way you get the same result.

Next press seams open trying not to stretch the material.  Trim your dog ears, and square up the half square triangles as best you can. 

Next lay your chevron out the way you want it to appear.  Sew the top two HST together first, then the bottom two.  Press seams open for the least amount of bulk. 

Now sew the top and bottom rows together.  I pinned in this step, using the center as my guide to align the top and bottom rows.  Press seam open.  Be sure to square up, trimming off any irregularity. 

Here is my first finished block.  

Honestly, I wasn't loving the scrappy randomness of these prints at first.  The prints were a little busy for my taste, so I grabbed a few 30s Kona solids (lapis, bubblegum, canary, black, red, and turquoise) to give the eyes a bit of a rest.  It'd be too busy if not for the solids.  You'll see...

Up next I'll have my quilt top to share with you.

hugs,

lindsay

Garden + New Stuff

Oh I'm so excited to share a few fun things with you.  Today Mr. Postman brought me some things that have been on my 'want' list for a while.  This Fiesta pitcher for one:

Got it on eBay for like $30 and I love it.  Its not quite the aqua vintage color, but I can't find one under $60.  So Turquoise it is.  Isn't it pretty?

I've been looking for some craft to put on my sewing corner walls.  Not really knowing what to look for, I stumbled across this cross stitch pattern called Home of a Quilter by Told in the Garden.  And...its Amish!  Bonus, I know!  

I just got home from the craft store and got all the DMC threads and cloth.  Now I just have to learn to cross stitch.  Any tips out there? 

Next I scored on Jeni's Destash shop on Etsy and found this fabric:

I was just thinking someone should reproduce the Amish Pyrex bowl print on fabric.  Thank you Henry Alexander!  Its called Harvest Town.  I have no idea when it came out, but I'm so happy to own one whole yard of it!  The colors are super fun too!

Okay, bare with me.  I've got a few more photos to share.  

This lovely stack of fabric was graciously given to me by my very good designer friend.  It's called Vintage Butterflies by Christine Adolph. 

Aren't these pastels and brights pretty?  There are two panel prints too.  This will make a precious little girl a pretty quilt.  I think I love the butterflies and script prints the most.

Okay time for a garden update.  Today we had a small harvest:

 Red Beets

 Tomatoes are ripening

 Cauliflower doesn't seem to love my late planting, but there is one little head forming.

Corn!  Jack is especially excited about the corn.  What kid doesn't like corn?

Sadly, I caught a opossum eating 2 of the 4 apricots on my tree.  Little rascal!  He better not come back...or else!  

We thats all for this week.  I do have a quilt top finished, by haven't taken the time to snap any shots of it.  Have a great weekend my friends!

Linds

:: weekend ::

Well my very first quilt show did NOT disappoint!  I was in fabric heaven!  My Grama & my Mom attended Road2Ca with me.  I can't think of anyone I would have rather gone with.  Although it was a wet day, we were happily walking around from booth to booth enjoying every little hand crafted item and all the beautiful fabrics and quilts galore. 

 Here we are together just after the show.  We are dog tired at this point, but so happy to have enjoyed such a fun day together.  Here are a few of the things we saw:

 This quilt was one of my first favorites I saw on display.  My photo doesn't do it justice because you can't see the detail that was put into it.  For one the siding on most of the buildings is pleated fabric to make it look like wood.

This is taken at a vintage quilt booth called BJ's Designs.  My Grama loved the title because her initials are BJ.  Anyway, I just fell in love with this idea of making a little girls coat from a vintage quilt.  Just adorable.  

This was another one of my favorites.  All reproduction prints, but she used a ton of black.  I love that!  I hadn't seen that done before, and I've had the itch to try black as a background or boarder with vintage prints.  I wasn't sure how that would turn out.  Loved the inspirations I accumulated at the show.  

I did stop in at the American Jane booth and Sandy Klopp was there.  I was too nervous to introduce myself.  Silly me, but I so loved listening to her speak with others and see all her work at my finger tips.  It was really hard for me to spend money at the show.  I didn't know what to buy or when to buy something.  I kept thinking I might see something else I really like, so I waited till we nearly reached the last aisle before I splurged.  My Grama kept saying you have to leave with something.  I'm very happy with what I scored.  

Here is my loot:

 

The 3 crocheted flowers were 3/$5, a stack of 99 6" Reproduction prints, and this cute little cloth book kit I can't wait to make my son.  I loved elephants growing up and so does he.  Well, that about wraps it up.  I'm still on a little high from the show.  My creative juices are beginning to flow.  Well I'm off to meet up with a childhood friend of mine. 

xo,

Lindsay

ReCap :: Something New

Hello and Happy New Year!  Just thought I'd recap on my first year of quilting.  Crazy how looking back I feel so much more accomplished.  I think 7 quilts finished my first year is a great start.

1. Joe's Quilt detail, 2. Jack's Quilt, 3. Bliss Wild Thing detail, 4. Play Date Quilt Top, 5. Summer Cottage Quilt detail, 6. Katie Jump Rope, 7. Whit It detail

 Plus two pillows:
   

 1. katie jump rope pillow, 2. Hope Valley Pillow Created with fd's Flickr Toys

And of course my Farmer's Wife Blocks...I miss making these.  Stopped when we left for vacation in August, returned and then moved, then started up new things.  I hope to begin again in February. 

It was a good first year.  Thank you all for supporting me.

And last but certainly not least, something I haven't shared yet.  I made my twin nieces who turned 9 on Dec. 29 these mini wall quilts:

 

M is for Mikayla

 

 R is for Rylee

  These were inspired by Amy at Nana & Co.   I love her use of linen and reproduction prints.  She is better at choosing prints/colors than I am.  The linen was fun to work with.  I hadn't thought of mixing it with other fabrics before.  I learned lighter prints compliment it best.  My bright blues and reds were a little too much contrast.  I used my trusty Yo Yo Maker to make the center of the Dresden and then added a few buttons and hand stitching to give it a more finished handmade look. The girls loved them.

Well, I've got a quilt to finish basting and plot out my quilting. 

xo,
Lindsay

:: Obsess Much? ::

YES I do... the moment I enter a fabric shop my eyes immediately scan for Reproduction prints.  I don't know what it is about them, their cute little flowers, the geometrics, the colors...  Honestly, I could go broke collecting them.  Most shops only have a small selection though, and not many coordinates.  I have a lavender stash I'm spending oodles of time trying to make plans for.  Sigh. 

While scanning over pics on the internet for ideas, I realized I still have quite a few projects in my shop.  Last year they sold like mad at Christmas time.  Great gifts for the ladies both young and young at heart.  So, here is some eye-candy for those that love reproductions to. 

My 'I Heart Play Dates' Quilt

I Heart Play Dates - Doll Quilt

Mother's Apron Strings - Butter

Mother's Apron Strings - Blue Bird

Summer Cottage Quilt

Mother's Apron Strings - Fresh Fruit

FYI: these are all available in my shop and are ON SALE for the Holidays.  

For an additional 20% off use coupon code:  BabyJesus

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Lindsay

Vacation :: Hex

 My homemade cherry pie Yummy!

Surprised was I when my darling husband decided to extend our vacation for another 5 days.  We left the beautiful 'Big Sky Country' and landed in Wyoming for one night and visited my husband's cousin for a few hours.  Check out this amazing ranch:

Now we're in Colorado for 4 days to see my sister + her new baby
(sweet new baby skin, YES please!)  Here I am with the little one: 

I'm so spoiled by my man... I love him so much!  This has been an EPIC vacation.  So full of wonderful memories.  Although we were sad to leave MT, we've never been to WY, and CO together.

I finished The Help in the first week of vacation and  I loved it!  I laughed and almost cried.  I'm not easy to tears when reading, but then again I think Twilight got me at one point.  I''m such a softy.  Now I'm looking forward to a sister night at the movies, possibly this weekend.

My hexagons are coming right along.  I've gotten half way through my little bundle I purchased for my trip.  You can see my progress on the sidebar on the left.  

Well, I'm off to enjoy more sister and baby loves!

Lindsay