A FINAL FINISH!!!

Well, my plans for my week off didn't pan out but I did manage to start and finish this little quilt...

I have been wanting to make one of these cross quilts for ages.  I put together a sweet stack of fabrics (see previous post) and drafted up a pattern.  It actually came together quite quickly. You can't see the back but it's a really cute print with tiny little daisies!  Very sweet! I just might have to make a boy version of this one! I'm so glad I went ahead with this quilt despite my hesitation I mentioned in my previous post.  This one will be heading over to my shop in the next few days once I get some decent pictures.

Finally, here's a picture of Lissie all tucked in and ready for a nice long sleep!  Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year!



Is It Just Me???

I spend hours days choosing fabric and mulling over patterns...



I draft up a pattern...

and then I choke with my blade poised over the fabric.  Why do I do this?  Is it just me?  Why don't I have the confidence to make that first cut?  I pretty much like what I make (for the most part, anyway)!  Where does this self-doubt come from? Is it fear of wasting my precious fabric? Or wasting time making something that doesn't turn out as planned? Do you ever feel the same way?

IF YOU'RE WONDERING...

If you've ever wondered why my Etsy shopped is called 'The Tabbie and The Pea,' perhaps this will help...

Is he winking at me? 

These quilts are headed for the Dunbar Craft Fair this Saturday. Hope to see you there!



A FAST FINISH!

I can't believe how fast I went from this...

To this...

I absolutely love these circle quilts.  This is the second one I have made (this one a little smaller). They actually come together very quickly.  The quilting is a little challenging as the foot likes to get caught on the free edge of the circles making for lots of stops and starts.  Here's a picture of the finished quilt...

I love this colour combination. I already have the next one planned out in my head!

 Before I get started on that, next on my list is my Christmas quilt! 

CIRCLES!

I have been wanting to make another circle quilt for ages...I finally gathered enough fabric and got started on my cutting...



Of course, it was made much easier with this....



This was a birthday gift a few months ago (thanks Jeanette)!

And finally, here's another finished quilt. This one has been in my head for ages, too!  Love the rounded corners!

QUILT IN A DAY (#2)!!

This is the second time I've completed a quilt in a day. Here's the top (which took about two hours)...

I had some help with pinning (or at least some supervision)...

And here's the finished quilt...

This is Lil' Rascals from Moda - it's soooooo cute and a little different from the fabric I have been working with lately! I got a charm pack about six months ago and came across some yardage a while ago. I sat down with some graph paper and a pencil and came up with this little pattern. I think it turned out really cute. It's headed over to the shop!

NO CONTROL!

Okay, I admit it (that's the first step, right)? I have no control over fabric. Everything I see I want to make (or at least try to make)! It doesn't matter if it's vintage, modern, simple, intricate...I want to make it all! So I'm giving in...sort of (I'm pretty sure that's NOT the second step)! Anyway, I came across two projects here that I fell in love with (Baby Lattice Quilt and Mod Circles Quilt). I seemed to remember that my LQS had Lily and Will but wasn't sure they had what I needed. Well....they did!

I also picked up a few necessities for the Mod Circles Quilt, too...

I`ve decided to let go of my guilt and give myself permission to make only those things I absolutely LOVE (and to finish one project before starting on the next)! Ahh, the world is full of good intentions!

SOMETHING NEW!

I have been wanting to try bias binding for a while but was a little nervous. I found a few really good tutorials and gave it a go on this little patchwork quilt. This is the result...

I think it turned out really well. I LOVE the rounded corners. It was actually easier than I thought. It does use more fabric but not having to deal with mitered corners makes it worthwhile! This little quilt is headed over to the shop.

LOOT!

We took a quick trip to the US this morning and I picked these up. Don't you love those little houses. I couldn't resist the pink flannel snowmen, too!

Oh yeah, I also got these...

in case I get hungry while I'm doing all this sewing!

BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN (I THINK)!!!

I finally managed to get some sewing done including these cute little blocks! These were made with the leftover scraps from the two quilts I made with my Hoo's in the Forest FQ bundle. I've actually made 20 of these blocks and I'm in the process of sewing them together, but in my effort to blog at least once a week I thought I'd show some of them to you. I'm planning on backing this quilt with minkee. I haven't done any FMQ with minkee so this is going to be a bit of an experiment (hopefully succesful). Any tips on quilting with minkee would be appreciated!

I have so many projects and quilts in my head right now. I'm trying to be disciplined and finish one thing before I move on to the next, but it's HARD!! We're in the midst of a heatwave right now which is supposed to end mid-week. I'm hoping the cooler weather will increase my productivity. Time at the machine these past few weeks has been extremely spotty! It seems I go through periods when I finish at least one quilt a week, and other times when I spend more time organizing my fabric and staring at it!

HOO'S IN THE FOREST #2

This is the second quilt (so far) I've made with this fabric - I love this one, too! I think I have enough left to squeak one more out - fingers crossed! This one is headed to the shop.

I've hardly touched my sewing machine in the last few weeks. There's something about this time of the year - I just can't seem to get motivated. I have so many things I want to get started on and so many ideas. I pull fabric out and look at it and end up putting it away. I think what I need is a little inspiration!

ALL SOLIDS...WELL, ALMOST!

As I was finishing up this quilt a few days ago I thought - Hey, this is my first 'all solids' quilt only to realize the orange binding has teeny tiny while polka dots! Oh well, back to the drawing board. I love how this one turned out. I would classify this as ultra-modern. I love the simplicity of it and will definitely make more of these! If anyone is interested I purchased the pattern here! And let me just add, this was a great pattern - very easy to follow and lots of photos! And now for something very different...

After several weeks of staring at it, I cut into my Hoo's in the Forest FQ bundle and came up with this. This fabric is so gosh darn cute - little forest creatures, polka dots, etc. Love this colour combination! This one was lots of fun to make! These two are headed to my shop!

A PEAK!

I started this quilt before we went away and I've been dying to get it finished. I'm in LOVE with this colour combination. I've always loved gray but hadn't used a lot of it in my quilts until lately. Now I can't get enough of it! This picture was taken in the little park across the street from our condo. I've been scouting out sites for a while. For some reason I never thought of it. We finished dinner and I grabbed my camera and a few quilts and set off, not sure where I was headed. Little did I know I would end up right across the street! This will definitely be my go to site from now on. For anyone who's interested, the Kona solids I used were Ash, Robins Egg, Snow, Cactus, and an unidentified pale aqua from my stash. I'm hoping to get this one finished this weekend (fingers crossed).

Quilting By The Lake

We just returned from our annual trip to Osoyoos! I took a couple of quilts with me that just needed the binding hand stitched. Fortunately, it wasn't too hot this year so I was able to get them done. Sitting with a quilt on your lap in Osoyoos can be a bit of a challenge! I took the opportunity to practice my photography skills. There's definitely something to be said for natural light. I think these turned out great (thanks for your help and suggestions, Jeanette)!

This is my citrus squares baby quilt made from the Juice Boxes pattern by Allison at Cluck Cluck Sew (a definite favourite of mine)!

I finally decided to use my one and only Sherbet Pips charm pack and whipped up this little baby quilt! These two quilts will be headed to my shop in the next few days.

Lastly, this picture pretty much sums up the week. We had a great holiday this year. I can't believe it's already over. The week went by so quickly. The weather wasn't perfect - a few days of cloud and rain, but overall not bad at all. We all enjoyed the lack of wasps this year but it was made up for by an overabundance of mosquitos (I have nine bites on one leg)! I missed my sewing machine (a little) and I'm looking forward to lots of sewing over the next few weeks. We're STILL waiting for summer to arrive, so I'm going to take advantage of the cool weather!

A LITTLE PROGRESS (AND A FEW FINISHES)!

I finally finished the top of my Heather Ross scrappy log cabins. Not sure what I'm going to do for the back of this one. I have a few ideas in mind! In the meantime, here's a few finishes..

I finally cut into my Fifi and Fido. Oh, how I love this fabric! The colours are so cute - pale lime green, pink, and a little black. This little quilt is heading to my shop! Here's a close-up of the fabric...

Isn't it cute - dogs and cats, houndstooth, flowers - LOVE it!

Here's another little quilt headed to my shop (as soon as the mail strike settles, that is)...

I saw this fabric online (Hawthorne Thread) and thought it was gorgeous. I paired it with a Kona solid pink from my stash (not sure of the colour) to make this simple little quilt. I really love how this turned out! I definitely see more of these in my future. I love how this type of quilt showcases the fabric!

BYE-BYE DARLA!

I got my first custom order in my shop for a Darla baby quilt that I had previously sold. Fortunately, I had JUST enough fabric to make another. This little quilt is on it's way to the buyer. I love this fabric and I think I made four or five baby quilts from it! It's hard to say goodbye to her! She was definitely a favourite. Oh well, on to other things...

I finished my Heather Ross scappy log cabin blocks. I haven't quite decided what to do for the backing, but I have a few ideas. In the meantime, onto these...

Fifi and Fido! I spotted this fabric on my last trip to the States. I couldn't stop thinking about it, and managed to find it on Etsy. I've had it for a while and couldn't quite make up my mind what I wanted to make. I finally have a few ideas! They're having their bath right now in preparation for a good pressing and then a session with the rotary cutter!

WHAT ELSE I LOVE ABOUT QUILTING!

I love turning this...

into these...

I finally decided to cut into the only two pieces of Heather Ross fabric I ever managed to get my hands on - the bicycles and camper vans! I think the bicycles came in a kit and I didn't end up using them, and I got the camper vans a few years ago before I even knew who Heather Ross was. Anyway, I have been hoarding them for a long time, pulling them out occasionally to drool over them! I've paired them up with some pink and orange scraps for these free-pieced log cabins. I know I've mentioned this before, but this type of quilting has fast become my favourite! These blocks will be sashed with Kona white. Not sure what I'm going to do for the back yet...perhaps all white with one 'floating' bicycle or camper van. This little quilt is going to be ALL GIRL!

WHY I LOVE TO QUILT!

The possibilities are endless! I can make this...

or this...


or even this...



(not this...)






Lissie taking advance of some rare sunshine!

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that I LOVE the endless possibilities - vintage, modern, simple, intricate. All I need is a little inspiration and an idea. I have been reading a lot of posts lately about inspiration. Where does it come from, etc? I find inspiration everywhere - a stack of colourful towels in a department store, changing colours outside my living room window, and, oh, quilts, of course! What inspires you?

BACK TO BASICS!

I spent a good part of last weekend cutting templates and fabric, trying to match points, etc. and was really feeling the need to get back to basics! I put this little quilt together one evening and quilted it with straight lines on the diagonal (quite a departure for me)! It was fun to just sit and do some mindless sewing. This one may go to the shop!

I REALLY DO MAKE QUILTS!

It seems like I haven't posted any finished quilts for ages. Anyway...here are two recent finishes from one of my favourite fabrics of all time - Robots by David Walker. These are the last two I'll be making from this line. Oh how I love these colours! These two are destined for the shop! It will be hard to say goodbye

And...

My stack is completed and I'm ready to get started on a new project. I showed you a few of these in my previous post. I'm happy with my fabrics and I'm ready to go. This quilt is going to be a real departure for me. I'm not used to working with templates and with these colours. I hope it works out! I'll post some blocks soon (hopefully)!

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT...

I've decided it's time to face my fear and give solids a try! I couldn't bring myself to go cold turkey so I added a print and a polka dot. This stack is earmarked for a tres moderne baby boy quilt. What am I so afraid of? Is it the lime green, the gray...I don't know. I keep putting them away and getting them out. They sit on my cutting table and taunt me - wash me, cut me, use me! This is going to be a real challenge for me. These colours (and the pattern) are waaaaay outside my comfort zone. I promise to post a picture of the finished quilt (and maybe a few sneak peaks along the way)! Wish me luck!

THE FIRST CUT IS THE DEEPEST!

I finally got started on my citrus Juice Boxes quilt. This is the third quilt I've made from this pattern and I LOVE it more each time! It took me FOREVER to decide if I wanted to add in Kona white or just use the prints. It's amazing how I can become paralyzed by these decisions. Sometimes I just have to force myself to pick up my blade and cut. In the end I'm usually happy with the results. I hope to have the top pieced this week.

In the meantime I'm having lots of fun with "sewing" projects. I've never considered myself a sewer per se, but I'm learning. There are so many fabulous tutorials out there and I'm enjoying the challenge (and frustration) of trying some of them out. My mom was a fabulous sewer and I regret not paying more attention when she was sewing and asking her to teach me. I just wasn't interested at the time. How I would love to have her expertise now. I'm not sure if I "inherited" her sewing genes - maybe time will tell!

CAN'T GET ENOUGH!

I just can't get enough of these fabrics! LOVE the Michael Miller Zoology! I squeaked out two quilts with a fat quarter bundle of six plus a few fabrics of my own (one being Kona Robin's Egg)!

I'm loving these improv blocks!

Ahhhh, Darla - one of my all-time favorites! This quilt is my own design (I previously showed a sneak peak)! This may just be my first pattern! Anyway, these two quilts are listd in the shop! Now, onto Robots (pics soon)!