Monday, February 25, 2013

Purple "Baubles and Beads" Design Wall


I have been sporadically working on the purple "Baubles and Beads" in between quilting tops.   I cannot believe how quickly it is coming together.  I am half way through with the horizontal sashing and have the vertical sashing cut out and ready.  Did you notice the Tiger print???  There is just enough for the binding.

This is all I have for the design wall to link up at Judy's, Patchwork Times.




Saturday, February 23, 2013

Purple "Baubles and Beads"



The "Baubles and Beads" modern quilt pattern designed by Susan Guzman, that I highlighted on Thursday, from the FREE McCalls ebook,  is coming together VERY quickly. (It is not too late to download your free copy).   I needed 72 purple blocks, but did not quite make it with the 2 1/2" strips I had on hand.  Looks like I will have to cut into yardage to finish up.  If you look closely, there are no more than 2 of the same blocks -- I used up a lot of purple strips!  I can't wait to add the unique sashing -- but I will save showing the color for another day.

Behind the camera, I am busy quilting tops and making sample quilts for patterns coming out.  The "Rainbow Quilt Challenge" is the perfect project to keep me moving. It is the last Saturday in February, however I will have a round up of everything purple before the new color is introduced.  

Thursday, February 21, 2013

McCalls Modern Quilt Pattern

As a quilting magazine hoarder  I am delighted with the infusion of ebooks in our quilting world.  These books are delivered right to our inbox, with the ability to read at our leisure.

The McCall's Quilting Family has just published a new FREE ebook, called "Modern Quilt Patterns" with three beautiful patterns.



 These  free modern quilt patterns come to you thanks to McCall's Quilting magazine and McCall's Quick Quilts magazine and are free for personal use. As a quilter, I am delighted with both traditional and modern quilt forms and always looking for patterns that work with my limited time and satisfy my creative side.   

Included in this free eBook are:

⁃    The "Baubles and Beads" modern quilt pattern, designed by Susan Guzman is filled with bright colors and easy quilt blocks complete with lots of white space.   As you can see below, I have already pulled fabric and started this one right away.  Love this pattern and the ease the blocks came together from the instructions provided.


⁃    Tricia Camp's "Rainbow Rhythm" modern quilt takes advantage of half-square triangle quilt units and gives them an asymmetrical setting. 

⁃   "Lemon Squeezy" , by Sherri Driver is a beginner quilt that features a free-form quilt piecing as part of a quilt-as-you-go modern design. 

Be sure to visit the McCalls Modern Quilt Page and download your free book today and come back to let me know how you like it.  On Saturday, I have a feeling you will see several more purple blocks on my design wall.

Have a Great Day!




Monday, February 18, 2013

Great Granny Mary's Quilt


A few weeks ago, I showed off one of my Great Granny Mary's Quilts -- one that I had hoped to remake.


A close-up of one block, they looked simple -- I made one test block with scraps and then pulled a stash of romantic florals and matching solids.  I cut out enough to sew a few here and there and ended up with a wall full of the blocks.  


I also made several HSTs to play with a pieced border -- for now it will have to stay.  I have tops to quilt and deadlines to make.

On a personal note, last Thursday I had a small procedure to correct my right eye's distant vision, called Lasik.  On Friday, I went back to work -- driving, working on computers and came home to sewing.  I use my left eye for close-up and now my right eye for distant.  AMAZING!  I fully expected a period of adjustment and downtime -- one day, that is all.  No more contacts or glasses.  I am a happy camper.

For more design walls, visit Judy at Patchwork Times.

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Pink/Purple Log Cabins


I am having so much fun with the Angela's Rainbow Challenge.  In January, I finished two quilts with pinks (only because I needed one of them for Breast Cancer Awareness fun raiser.)  The rest of the year, I will stick with blocks -- no stress.

This week, I have added eight log cabin blocks combining the pink and purple.  Next month, I have purple strips cut out ready to join with the new color.


Thanks to a reader's comment from yesterday, I found the antique quilt that inspired the above block (looks like it was adapted from the Jacob's Ladder Block). Stella Rubin's Antique Quilts has the awesome quilt and many others.   The link here is my version's instruction, finishing the block size at 16".


Friday, February 15, 2013

Cowboys Need Quilts Too!


The Mountain Majesties Quilt, (Quiltville) has been delivered to my nephew Mike, who is married to my oldest niece Kristy Lynn.  While visiting this past weekend (Mardi Gras), I asked Mike to model with a quilt I made for a "cowboy".  He is such a good sport, he also gave me the picture above of him and his horse.


Here he is with the quilt, which is now his -- of course he did not know it until he saw the label.  


A close-up of the quilting as it came off the machine.


While Mike was playing the guitar, I hurried and draped the quilt over the pool table for another shot. 


And of course, the backing -- Texas stars surrounded by the cowboy hats.

Joining Sarah, Confessions of a Fabric Addict -- see ya there!

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Block Information

 Long before Pinterest -- I found a beautiful antique quilt using this block (on point) in Navy and White.  I saved a picture in my phone and did a quick sketch and forgot about it.  Over the weekend, I scoured the internet to give credit to the antique dealer selling the quilt and was unable to find it.  It was not a waste of time, because I had no idea there were so many antique quilts out there.   If I ever do come across it again, I will post it right away.

The units are 4 1/2" (4" finished).  Eight (8) HST's and Eight (8) Four-Patches -- that is it!

 The layout is equally simple -- I used scraps of black and whites.  The Four Patches used 2 1/2" squares.
Everyone has their favorite way to make HSTs -- whatever method you decide to use, they are 4 1/2" (4" finished).

Sew the units together to make the 16 1/2" block (16" finished).  Great way to use up scraps!  I am using the block for the 2013 Rainbow Scrap Challenge hosted by Angela at SoScrappy.  So far, I have done the block in pinks and purples for the challenge -- and the black/white as extra because they are fun!

Saturday, February 9, 2013

RSC - Purple Progress


Oh, I think I am going to like this.  After I made the two large purple blocks, I pulled out the pinks for a side by side display.  I have no idea of what I will do with them yet -- I am a 'design on the wall kind of girl' -- VERY visual.  Not sure where I am going with the 16-patches either.

We have 2 more Saturdays in February - so - maybe more damage to the Purple Stash to come.

Angela has her weekly Saturday Linky so all of us can share our rainbows over at SoScrappy -- lots of inspiration.

Friday, February 8, 2013

Friday Finish - Utility Quilt #2


Well -- almost finished!  I still have the binding, however this will be done by machine.  I am using the Utility Quilts to practice the binding by machine.  Even though my sister does my handwork, I have wanted to do this for some time now, especially those quilts that will be washed and used many times over.


And the back -- I love using the big prints from my stash for backing -- I just don't want to cut up the beautiful designs.

Linking up with Whoop Whoop Fridays, with Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Mountains on the Frame


The perfect guy quilt -- more specifically, a cowboy!  Bonnie Hunter's Scrappy Mountain Majesties is all over the web and I just love it.  The quilting is a free-hand southwestern sun, edge to edge.  Nothing fancy and nothing frilly for this guy.  I only have a few days to finish it, with hopes of taking the ultimate "Cowboy Meets Mardi Gras" picture.  This "thank you" quilt has been a long time coming, so I am glad the time is near.

Happy Mardi Gras!

Monday, February 4, 2013

Quilting Tops, Stars Over Scott


I can't wait to start quilting this "Stars Over Scott"!   Feathers, feathers and more feathers.  I will also get to use the beautiful pearl pink Glide Thread -- love the stuff!  The quilt is for a Breast Cancer Awareness Event called "Ladies Night Out" in March.  I was asked to something "Pink" -- well it is 'PINK"!



The Scrappy Geese Quilt is almost done.  This one is from the string blocks left behind by my grandmother and with Bonnie Hunter's help, they became flying geese.  My goal is to finish at least one Utility Quilt per month using my grandmother's string blocks for family members.  A little more of the story behind the strings is here.  Month #2, Utility Quilt #2, YEA!

Monday Design Wall Link with Judy at Patchwork Times -- see ya there!

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Seeing Purple!



First, I dumped the box of purple scraps!



Then I sorted, pressed and cut -- no sewing today on the purple.


However, I was determined to finish sewing the pink units from last weekend.  I made 2 of each of these blocks and have packed them away for the end of the year Rainbow quilt.

Now it is time to link up -- I have already seen several purple sites linked and look forward to visiting each from the Rainbow Scrap Challenge at SoScrappy.  Tomorrow, back to quilting tops.