Sunday, June 24, 2012

Resistance is Futile!

I caved...


When I first started quilting, I'm pretty sure Flea Market Fancy wasn't available, or at least only at astronomical prices on Ebay or Etsy!  I liked it and thought how great it would be to have a quilt made with it!  When I heard that it was being re-released I was pretty excited realizing I might actally be able to get some of this great fabric and make myself a quilt!  Well...my excitement waned a little. You know how it goes... forbidden fruit! In the end I gave in and decided to take the plunge!
I actually got this from a Canadian online shop - Mad About Patchwork. I figured it was time to spread the wealth in my own country.  My order was perfect and arrived pretty quick. In fact, I paid regular shipping and for some reason was upgraded to expedited at considerable cost to the seller!  I got the entire line in FQ plus some yardage to make a little baby quilt plus one for ME!!!!!  I'm looking at patterns but may just stay with simple patchwork. I can't wait to cut into this great fabric!

In other news, I've been working with this...


Isn't it pretty!  It's Bella Butterfly!  I ordered this quite a while ago and was waiting until I found the perfect pattern. The prints are so gorgeous and I didn't want to cut them into small pieces.  I found a great pattern I already had on hand.  Here it is all cut up...


I think this one is going to come together pretty quick!  I'll post a picture of the top when it's done!

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Snowballs in June!!!

Not really!   I mean THIS kind of snowball...


I finished this little quilt last night and I LOVE it!!! I was worried it was too traditional (see previous post) but I really like it. I didn't enjoy sewing all those little squares onto the corners but I really like the look of this quilt!  I think I'll be making this one again. It's going into the shop!

Now, for something really out of my comfort zone...


I picked up a ton of these almost 10" squares at a pound sale at my LQS shop a few months ago.  Wasn't sure what I was going to do with them, but the prints are so cute I couldn't resist ( I think they might be Lecien).  Anyway, I found a tutorial for these cute little 'mini' granny squares and made up a sample...


The blocks are supposed to finish at 6 1/2" but mine is actually closer to 6 1/8".  After seeing these blocks everywhere I'm glad I gave it a try - I think it's adorable. I spent about an hour this afternoon fussy cutting the centre squares.  I can't wait to see how this one turns out! It's so different from anything I've ever made.  I'm hoping to do a combination of machine quilting and hand quilting.  My last attempt at hand quilting was far from successful. My plan is to machine stitch in the ditch each block and then do some hand quilting in each little square. I'll keep you posted on this one! Wish me luck. 

Friday, June 8, 2012

Evolution of a Quilt!

This is why I love making quilts...

 I love turning this...



into this...


into these...


and finally, into this...


I'm pretty happy with the way this turned out.  I modified the blocks a little - they didn't have doors and I thought they looked a little too plain.  I'll definitely make these little houses again but I might try my hand at paper piecing them.

Here's a sneak peak of what I'm working on now...


I made these blocks ages ago.  I wasn't in love with them and put them away. I thought they were a little too traditional for me. In an effort to complete some half-finished projects I dug them out and decided that I really do like them.  Hopefully, I'll be able to show you the finished quilt soon!