potluck

I am loving scrap quilts lately. I am calling this one "Potluck*" because it's a hodgepodge of lots of favorites all combined for one big feast, or in this case, one big quilt. To make this one I:

1. Decided it would be a throw size: approx. 63" x 57".
2. Planned out my diamond shaped pattern on graph paper. This told me how many patterned and white squares I would need.
3. Gathered up my leftover cheery, bright fabrics I have used in recent years. Not hundreds, but definitely dozens. It was fun to remember how and when I used each and every one.
4. Cut 3 1/2 inch strips from each fabric.
5. Paired up random fabric strips and sewed them together.
6. Cut the paired strips into 3 1/2 inch sections.
7. Cut 3 1/2 inch white strips, then into 3 1/2 squares, according to my drawing.
8. Laid it all out to make sure it looked like I wanted.
9. Sewed it all together.
10. After quilting and binding it, I washed it (with a little white vinegar to set the colors) and dried it to give it that softness I love.

I quilted it diagonally through every square, going one direction. Then alternated every third square diagonally going the other direction. This gave me rectangles on the back.

The back is gray and aqua flannel.

The recipient of this quilt is a friend who took our family photo last year. Actually in 2011. Yep. Overdue.

*The term, Potluck, seems to be used a lot by quilters. Just did a quick search on pinterest. Guess I'm not that original.

slow and not-so-steady

I am making some progress on the beginnings of a quilt I posted about awhile back. But quilting is not priority lately. Life is busy. And good. Can't wait to show more.

procrastination or progress?

I have lots o' quilt projects waiting to be finished. But I could not resist the urge to start a new one. I am crazy. But pretty excited about this one.

wild thing you make my heart sing

I gave this quilt to a friend back in January, at her baby shower. Well, actually, not the whole quilt, just the quilt top. She kindly gave it back to me and I promised to have it finished very soon, before her baby would be born, hopefully.

But baby Henry was born in February. And his quilt remained neatly folded and neglected at my sewing machine. My finicky machine was in desperate need of repair (tension! tension!) and I did not dare test it on this quilt, because I hate to unpick things.

But this week, I got the itch to finish it and decided to test the machine once again. She has been sitting and resting for weeks now, though still unserviced. I oiled her up and adjusted some tension, and what do you know? The stars aligned and there was no unpicking necessary.

The pattern is Camille Roskelley's Wild Thing.

Fabric is Nicey Jane by Heather Bailey + some moda bella solids mixed in.

i'll take your scraps

Look what I just won.  This fabric is so pretty and I can't wait to get my hands on it. Her new patterns too. Thanks Camille!

multiple choice

My temperamental-lately sewing machine is to blame for these unflattering nighttime photos. If she'd just behaved and worked her normal goodness during daylight hours, I could have easily captured this quilt's beauty. But since she was uncooperative and finicky, I finished this quilt only moments before a baby shower deadline and was afforded only the minimal light in my living room for photos. In fact, I almost forgot to take any pictures in my haste to get it wrapped and to the party. (Mama is expecting her 7th, and it's her first girl.) 

I need to: 

a) learn how to use my camera at night. 

b) not ever take nighttime photos again
c) not rely on photo editing to fix really bad photos - some are just beyond repair
d) learn how to use adobe lightroom

e) get better lighting in my living room (sheesh!)

f) get my sewing machine serviced (sheesh!)

g) borrow back the quilt for some better daytime shots

h) call someone with skills to take my nighttime photos

i) all of the above
j) so many choices - sheesh!

OK, so now that that's out of the way, I have to say I love the fabrics in this patchwork quilt. They are mostly 1930's reproduction prints, mixed with some pink and purple solids and polka dots. I promise, the photos don't do it justice. I cut 3 1/2 inch squares and pieced 13 across the top, and 16 down - simple and classic. Oh, And that's my new gray couch.
The end.

what i'm up to

• Making this quilt. I am loving this nicey jane fabric.

• Trip to Ikea last week. 

I went by myself, which was quite nice.  Mark does not like to browse at that store.  But I do, so he opted to stay home with the kids while I perused.  

One of my purchases was this cute striped tote for $6. {it has been sitting next to my sewing machine, waiting for a more permanent storage place, but I like looking at it.} 

Also some cute baskets I originally saw at Anthropologie. They contained beautiful grassy plants and succulents. When I inquired of their price, the sales girl told me they were not for sale, but their design director had bought them at Ikea. So that was the main purpose of my trip.  When I get the plants, I will share my discovery with you. 

cross it off the list

Last night I did not sleep soundly. I kept waking up because of the undone things on my to-do list. #47 was "Buy gift for birthday party (Grace's friend)."

The party was today, immediately after school. I needed to have the gift ready this morning so she could take it to school with her.  Didn't happen.  So this morning, we searched through my emergency gift trove, but found nothing suitable in Grace's eyes. I assured Grace I would run to the store and pick out something cute/fun, then bring it to school since I would be there anyway teaching Art Masterpiece in Jonah's class (#23 on the list - that's a whole nother story).

The reality of it all is that I have twin toddlers.  I don't ever take them to the store.  I could, I suppose.  But I don't.

Nonetheless, I was ready to make an exception in the name of a birthday party. I would just load H and G in the stroller, make an unwavering path through a cute boutique Target, and it would be easy.

My brave plan was thwarted when both boys demanded a nap.  So I spent my whole morning making a gift instead (it took longer than you'd think).  I found a headband Molly bought last summer at BYU's Campus Craft and started copying it. I made 2. They turned out better than I hoped, for my first try.

[The raw edges are deliberate. They already started fraying a little, but Molly's has frayed too and it still looks cute.] 

Molly just came home and saw these images and is begging me to make her some.  That's the true sign of success.

tessa girl

There's something special about the following:

progress

surprises

cute fabrics

growing babies

time in my day to quilt

All of these are factors in this quilt I made for a friend's baby.

A long overdue quilt delivery. That's pretty much my style - very delayed gratification.

fabric: amy butler's midwest modern
pattern:  yellow brick road

i don't know what to name this post

The funeral for my mother-in-law's husband was really nice. It was a funeral, which, by definition, is never "really nice," but Ron was loved by so many and it was touching to hear inspiring stories from his children and close friends. He is dearly missed. And we are deeply saddened for Mark's mom.

Mark's sisters, Erin and April, flew in from Canada for the funeral and I decided I should finish my nephew's quilt so I could send it home with April.  Her baby, Charles Golden, is one year!  We will meet him next month when April brings all the kids down for a more relaxed visit.

I can't get enough of these blue fabrics by American Jane. Literally. They are not in print anymore, and it's becoming difficult to find leftovers on the internet. I have used this line on many quilts for friends and family.  Also for the quilt I made for the school auction, which someone got for a steal.  Can I blame it on the lousy economy?

The pattern is Camille's "Abundance."

Model is from our in-house agency.

Clara's Quilt

This quilt is for our new niece, Clara.

She was blessed on Sunday, so we got to meet her and give her mommy the quilt.  [Baby quilts are really for the moms, anyway, right?]

I think Helena really liked it.

I hope Clara will someday love it too.

Tiny Clara makes Hank and George look like big boys.  It's so sad that babies have to grow up.

Sometimes I wonder why I say things like that, because months 0 - 3 with twins were pretty much horrible.  Maybe if they could just stay 4 months forever.

top: George with Aunt Debbie.
bottom: Hank with Aunt Diane.


Pattern is Abundance by Camille.
Fabric is Nicey Jane by Heather Bailey. 

i don't even have time to brush my hair; don't get me started on quilting.

Officially, there is no time to quilt.  But I am making time, unofficially. A little here, a little there.  The boys are sleeping exactly opposite each other these days, so it makes it difficult.  These seemingly messy scraps are soon to be Camille's Wild Thing.  I've never made this one before and so far I love it.

for Jonah's first grade teacher's first baby

I cannot believe I finished this in time to give to Jonah's teacher, right before Christmas, and in the middle of so many other must-dos. Miracles do happen around here. I bought this fabric in July, in Cedar City (after watching a fabulous production of Fiddler on the Roof... and my tangent ends here) not associating it with Christmas at all. But it is rather festive, I must admit. Jonah's teacher is due to have her baby girl any day now, so I suppose it is very appropriate.

Fabric: Swell by Moda.

A+ for Amy Butler

Amy Butler's new line, August Fields, is amazing. I love it all. It only comes in home decorator weight: wouldn't ANY of these be a FABULOUS chair!? Her Midwest Modern is also out, but I think I like A. F. even more. I can't decide which colorway is the prettiest! Which of these sets would YOU choose? Update: Alice asked where to buy. purlsoho has a big selection. Also these new quilting solids are so pretty. I have some ambitious (read: maybe someday, somewhere) plans for them involving the talented Denyse Schmidt. And if you like all of these fabrics, have you seen Heather Bailey's latest? And Joel Dewberry's? WOW.