Random!

When I first started quilting...I guess it's been around ten years now...I can remember feeling daunted by all the fabric choices out there.  I loved looking at what other quilters were making...and still do...but never really believed I would be able to put random fabric prints together to make the fabulous quilts I would see and love online.  It took a while but I found myself putting together fabric groupings that I was really loving.  I felt like I was finally able to break out of the habit of buying a bundle of fabric from the same line to make quilts...which I still do...but I really started to love the creativity of putting fabric together.  When first buying fabric I would often feel overwhelmed by all the choices...what to buy...what was my personal style...what fabric would work with what I already have at home. In time I realized that if I just bought fabric that I really loved it would all work...and it has (in my opinion)!

Having said all that...I have recently been purchasing fabric here!  This great Canadian online shop has the cutest curated bundles...as well as yardage. 

Here is my latest finish from one of their bundles...

I just love how all these prints work together...the soft salmony  pink and gray, and the pop of orange of navy!

I am also really enjoying not following a pattern...just cutting fabric and putting it back together.

Linking up with Finish It Up Friday!

Have a great weekend!

Another Finish!

I think I'm on a roll here...which is a good thing!  I had finished up this cute little patchwork quilt top ages quite a while ago but was completely stumped as to how to quilt it...

I didn't want to go with my traditional meandering, and straight lines seemed a bit boring.  In the end I came up with a design of slightly wavy lines with leaves interspersed, which I used every second row of quilting with plain wavy lines in between.  Here's a close-up...

I think it turned out pretty good. You can still see all the cute prints without the quilting being too distracting! Coming up with a quilt design was a little challenging with this fabric (Tiger Lily). There are so many directional prints. In the end I decided to do just random patchwork which I really like and I think worked out well. 

How do you quilt your modern quilts? 

Linking up with Finish It Up Friday!

Have a great weekend.

A LOOOOOOOOONG BREAK...BUT A CUTE FINISH JUST IN TIME FOR VALENTINE'S DAY

Okay...seriously...the longest break ever from blogging...and I think my longest title ever!

Anyway...I'm here and I wanted to post about this sweet little quilt I managed to just finish....

I had actually made these blocks ages ago and put them away.  On a recent fabric-buying outing I found this adorable print with tiny hearts and somehow remembered the blocks I had made and thought it would make a perfect backing...

 And it did!  Oh it feels so good to finish up old projects...doesn't it. Especially when they turn out so well!

I was going to list this one in my shop but in the end have decided to donate it to one of the patients at BC Women's Hospital where I volunteer in the high-risk pregnancy ward.  Due to fetal distress, a lot of the patients have been taken to BCW from out of town at a moment's notice without a chance to bring anything with them due.  Most of them are here alone without friends or family.  I like to think I can bring a little comfort to someone who may be lonely and not feeling well and hoping their baby or babies will survive.

Well, my plan is to blog more often this year...but we all know what happens when we make plans!

Linking up with Finish It Up Friday!

Have a great weekend!

FABRIC FINDS!

Just what I need...more fabric! I seriously can't help myself. I admit it...I have no control when it comes to fabric. Just when I think I've got things under control, this happens...

I couldn't resist these vintage fabrics...and, of course, I had to throw in a little Cotton and Steel.

If you happen to be in the Penticton area, be sure to drop in to Poppin's Quilt Parlour, one of my favourite quilt shops in BC, and well worth a visit.  They have a wonderful variety of fabric, notions, and patterns, and a great staff, too!

Finally, I couldn't resist this gorgeous Denyse Schmidt  Eastham Jelly Roll. I think Stewart likes it, too!

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer. My travels are over for now and it's time for some serious sewing!

Pretty Patchwork!

Oh the joys of simple patchwork! How often I forget the pleasure in putting together patchwork quilts.  I spend so much time looking at patterns, pulling fabrics, making test blocks, studying quilts online, etc., that I miss out on the enjoyment of just sewing and making quilts. To that end, here is a pretty patchwork quilt made with 4 inch squares (cut at 4 1/2 inches)...

I think the backing is the prettiest fabric I have ever found...

Linking up with Amanda Jean for Finish It Up Friday!

Have a great weekend.

Now...onto those Y-seams!

ANOTHER ONE OFF THE LIST!

Oh it feels good to finish things up, doesn't it?  This cute little quilt had been waiting for it's turn for so long...

 

 

I had a pile of odd-sized pieces of Out to Sea left over from two previous quilts and was determined to eke out another one!  It took a while - lots of moving things around and trimming - but in the end I'm really pleased with the results.  I do love Sarah Jane fabric so!

I'm slowly making my way through my WIPs and it feels sooooo good! This one will be hard to part with but it's headed to the shop!

Linking up with Amanda Jean!

Happy April Fool's Day!



I FINISHED A QUILT!!!

It's been a while...but I actually finished a quilt!  In my own defence, the 440 was in the hospital for an extended stay while having a very expensive part replaced.  She's recuperating at home and we're getting to know each other all over again! (As a side note...don't put off having your machine serviced.  I learned the hard way)! Anyway, here's the finished quilt...

 

I couldn't resist ordering a FQ bundle of Paperie (despite our crashing Canadian dollar). This has got to be some of the sweetest fabric I have ever bought.  This quilt was made with my go-to pattern - what I call a simple 3-patch.  (If you would like the block instructions send me an email!) I had enough bits and pieces left over to cobble together another top which isn't quite done but I will post a picture - promise! It feels great to be back in the saddle again!

 

I will leave you with this adorable picture of my big guy watching me sew...

 

 

The machine you see is my new Janome! While I don't normally name my sewing machines, I'm calling her Janet! I broke down a bought a little machine for the dining room table.  Sometimes I feel isolated in my little sewing room!

Have a great weekend!

Linking up with Amanda Jean for Finish It Up Friday!