A Regency Mini

I FINALLY finished my Jane Austen mini quilt for an amazingly patient Suzanne. When she first suggested a private swap I was totally excited as I was already lucky enough to have her as a partner in a previous flickr swap when I got this little beauty.

Rainy Daze by Suzettra

But when she suggested a Jane Austen swap AND introduced me to the world of Pintrest I was ecstatic.  She made me the little beauty I shared with y'all on this weeks Inspiring Monday post and I made her this little regency mini.

I took the real silhouette of Jane Austen, inversed the color, and after downloading Jane Austen's actual handwriting digitized from her letters, put the first paragraph of Pride and Prejudice within the silhouette.

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, hat a single man in possession of a large fortune, must be in a want of a wife.  However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering the neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered the rightful property of someone or other of their daughters."
- Jane Austen

Suzanne teaches English and is going to be using the book Pride and Prejudice in her classroom so I chose this passage.  Plus it is one of my favorite passages from the entire book due to the duality it reveals about the society at the time.  Men ran the world, women the house, and marriage was everything.  Yet, as seen here, women could also control men in times of courtship - at least in the minds of themselves and their mothers. 

Then I decided on a black binding to act like a frame, and a large satin ribbon to hang it instead of a back hanging piece.

I embroidered a scallop edge to mimic lace, and the bow was a sublime stitching pattern.  For the scallop's I made them by using notebook paper hole reinforcement stickers. I stuck the stickers to the quilt and then just embroidered around it. I thought it was one of my more resourceful moments!

For the quilting I knew it needed a lot of dense quilting but due to the oval shape would need different quilting styles on the different sections, thus the crosshatching and the straight lines on the outside border.

And I am so glad I rebinded this little baby. It still curves ever so slightly but I LOVE the effect of the pin dot. The idea was to mimic a frame while executing a traditional idea (the silhouette) with a modern flare (the colors and polka dots). I hope this makes a wonderful addition to Suzanne's mini quilt collection!

Told you guys I was a Jane Austen nerd.

Also, keep your eyes open for a giveaway to celebrate the blogs 1 year anniversary!

*hint hint wink wink*

Inspiring Monday

Inspiration can come from anywhere, from fellow crafters, your surroundings, your imagination, and even others imagination. 

Or your favorite author. 

I don't think it is a secret anymore that I am a total Jane Austen NERD.  I have read every book she wrote MULTIPLE times (plus a ton of the insane number of rewrites and sequels), have a Jane Austen action figure, visited the Jane Austen Centre in Bath, England, and am even a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America and am going to the annual general meeting this fall in Fort Worth, TX. 

So yeah.....NERD.

And from this love others have used this obsession love for interest in Jane Austen to create some beautiful pieces for me that I will love always.

Beth made this for me for my birthday back in June.  What Would Jane Austen Do?

And Suzanne made me this for our Jane Austen swap and I got it over the weekend!

Seriously, I cannot even express what these pieces mean to me and how much I will treasure them.

The lesson here though is to keep your eyes open, because inspiration is ANYWHERE and EVERYWHERE. You just have to notice it.

No consideration at all!

BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY POST HERE.

Flickr is addictive.

Swaps are addictive.

Sewing is addictive.

Work though sadly, is a major portion of my life. And has currently taken it over with no consideration for how much I am neglecting my Bernina, my fabric, and addiction to quilting. No consideration at all!

So while I am going to staying in my bee's - you can't take those from me work! you can't! *shakes fist in anger* - I am going to finish my current swaps and then swear them off for the rest of the year. I came to this decision after realizing I have not sewn a single thing for myself or a 'in real life' person at all this year! That's just not normal for me!

Besides I have a HUGE sewing to do list that I REALLY want to get cranking on!

Now if only I could start sewing tonight - but alas it is not to be. *insert sad face here* but come this weekend it is just me, my sewing machine, and my fabric!  I can't wait!

A Darling Package

So now that my Make Mine Modern swap partner, Amanda, has received their package I can reveal what I sent! 

When I first started stalking getting to know Amanda I realized quickly that what was most important to her in life is her family.  So I wanted my gift to her to be something that celebrated that.  Thus this little mini quilt which has a photo taken by her husband, and embroidered with 'Family is darling' which is what she has nicknamed her family.





I also sent her a bunch of other goodies including some handmade coasters made with Kona Natural and various vintage laces that I have been hoarding.



All in all I think she and her family really likes the quilt which is what I was hoping so I am super glad!

*****

On a different note...here is what I have been working on this weekend!



Can't wait for the Bella Parade to get started!

Seriously, I have luck pouring out of my ears.

No really, I do. 

So insert the same warning from my last post here...I am not responsible for any feelings of jealous, envy, or your skin turning green due to my insane luck.

(Oh and get ready for LOTS of pictures!)

I got my amazing Make Mine Modern swap package from Elizabeth yesterday, a box of Bella Solids for some awesome, super secret sewing that I will be revealing in about a week, I won Kaelin's ADORABLE bunny mini quilt from her blog giveaway (which I will show once I get it), and yesterday I received my Doll Quilt Swap from Julia from Little Girl Quilts!  I mean come on - I have been lusting over this little guy in the group pool since Julia started posting little tid bit teaser photos!







She did my favorite color combo of navy and aqua, pleating, circles, used 2 of my favorite fabric lines, Neptune and Parisville, by one of my favorite designers, Tula Pink, and straight line quilting to finish it off. It's like she peered right into my head and took all my favorite quilt characteristics and put them together!Here's some detail shots!









Check out the back! All that straight line and echo quilting is gorgeous and gives it so much depth and texture! Plus a label that mentions sweat is too funny and sweet!





She also sent me the cutest little embroidery with my name on it that I actually commented on yesterday morning saying how I was convincing myself that it was my name on it, and low and behold just a few hours later it was delivered to my doorstep!Too freaking awesome!!



She did a whole post too on her creation process which was really awesome.  I totally let me know how much time, effort, and care she put into this quilt for me.  It made me feel so special. And showed me how special and amazing Julia is!

THANK YOU JULIA!!!!

This was my first time participating in Doll Quilt Swap and I hope I get to be a bebe many more times! It was such a fun and completely wonderful experience, and between this swap and Make Mine Modern I have never been happier that I finally stopped lurking on flickr and started participating!

And if ALL OF THAT isn't luck enough I have also been nominated for the Stylish Blogger Award by Kristen of K*D Quilts and Janet of Entropy Undone! Thanks so much ladies!  Hugs!

By getting this award there are a few things you are asked to do:
1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Award 6 recently discovered great bloggers.
4. Contact the owners of the blogs you nominated to tell them about the award.

So 7 things about myself...

1. I read...A LOT.  Pride and Prejudice is my favorite book, but Harry Potter is a close 2nd!
2. I have a motorcycle license.
3. I love classic cars!
4. Shopping is my main addiction - fabric and shoes my drugs of choice.
5. I have never broken a bone or even had a cavity. Although dislocating my knee was one of my most ever painful experiences.
6. I was a competitive dancer for 16 years - tap, ballet, point, jazz, modern, street...you name it I competed in it.
7. I have a master's degree in museum that I am actually using!

Now to pass the award along...
(I am going to pass this onto bloggers that have less than 100 followers who I think you should all know about!)

* Sarah from Pings and Needles - Sarah is so kind, fun, and talented!  Just read her About Me page to see what I mean!  And check out what she made for her Make Mine Modern partner and the video showing the process!

* Shruti from 13 Woodhouse Road - Shruti is an awesome quilter who has some amazing things coming down the line on her blog that you will all be interested in!!  HINT HINT WINK WINK!

* Completely Cauchy - This is a strong woman who is down to earth, a talented quilter and knitter, and who speaks her mind.  She is the creator of one of my favorite quilts ever! (And yes, she probably has more than 100 followers but it isn't posted on her blog so I am including her anyways because she is awesome!)

* Beth of Smazoochie - Beth has been quilting almost her entire life and has a great eye for combining modern and traditional! She is my go to person for any and all quilting related questions!

* Tamiko from Patchwork Notes - Tamiko is crazy talented as most recently exhibited by what she created for her Make Mine Modern partner and Urban Home Goods partner!

* Meghan from Purl and Piece - What a great blog name huh?!  Meghan has great taste especially in colors, just check out her chubby stars quilt!

The Mailman Saves the Day!

**WARNING: I cannot be held responsible for any feelings of jealousy, envy, or wanton temptation to go fabric shopping as a direct result of reading this post!**


Yesterday was intense. Long, emotional, and painful. At the end of days like that all I want to do is curl up with a book until the day is officially over and I can go to bed and prepare to welcome the next, better day.

Some days though, the mail man and your flickr friends really come through and save the day!

When I got home last night there were 2 AMAZING packages waiting for me.  One I knew what it was, but the other I totally started freaking over thinking it was either my DQS10 package or my Make Mine Modern package!

I looked at the return address, recognized the name, say the message she had written on the outside saying "Make Mine Modern goodies just for you" and started ripping open the box as quickly as possible thinking I knew what it was and hoping I was right!  And I was!!



It was from Elizabeth!! I got her bookshelf mini quilt!



Isn't it stunning?!?! The backing is one of my new all time fabrics - I mean just look at all those books!



And the machine binding is beyond perfect! I have always been afraid to learn how to machine bind my quilts, but seeing first hand how neat and pretty it can be makes me want to try it!



Not to mention all the other awesome goodies she was so kind to send to me!



Seriously, this is my favorite swap. I have gotten such beautiful things from my 2 partners in this swap and I really feel like they both took the time to really try and get to know me and create something for me that I would not only like, but truly love. AND I DO!!!

My other package was this lovely box!! And seriously whenever you get a box this big from Fat Quarter Shop means you know it will be full of the most wonderful lovelies.



And it was!!!!



An entire box full of BELLA SOLIDS!!



Can you even count the number of beautiful shades in this box??



A hint....



31!!! They are for some super secret sewing that I will be doing this month. So stay tuned for some AWESOME NEWS!!

A Cacophony of Color

Finished! Just in time! PHEW!

(Note to self....STOP PROCRASTINATING!)

Now I just got to finish up a couple of small goodies and this little baby will be in the mail to my partner!

I am calling it a Cacophony of Color because it consists of 27 (!!!) different Kona Cotton Colors!

And please don't ask me to list them as I have NO IDEA.

And yes, it is a plain non-pieced backing, but I just LOVE this fabric with the crosshatching!

Plus, all the colors was just to perfect to disturb by piecing it.

It should be off to my swap partner by Monday, so here's hoping they love it as much as I do!!

*FINGERS CROSSED*

*****

And speaking of awesome swaps check out the new Pretty {little} Pouch Swap!  

It's gonna be fantastic! Look at the inspiration...

Sign ups go from April 1st thru April 8th!

Swapping Integrity

This is fabulous and everyone should sign the pledge!

I, Bryanna, pledge to do my very best to have integrity and honesty in my swap commitments. To be on time, to participate in discussions, and to communicate if I am going to be late or unable to complete my obligations to my swap partner.

Also, I will be out of town the long weekend - heading to Arkansas for a wedding - so there won't be an Inspiring Monday.  No worries though it will be back for next week!

A Color Frenzy

DSQ10 is proving to be an emotional experience!

I get one idea and I feel brilliant!

I start to work on the idea then feel completely unsure.

I change ideas and feel empowered!

I start to work on the idea then feel like an idiot.

Good idea...great idea...horrible idea...they will love this...they will hate this...they will be so disappointed...

Finally though I think I came up with an idea that I love and think my partner will love too.

This is my upteenth sketch but I do love it. It took forever to narrow down my color choices, but in the end there are 27 different Kona colors not including white and possibly 2 grey (although those might still be cut).

This is what I have so far. The color squares are 2.25 inches square and the whole piece so far is 11 inches square. At this point I have about 10 different borders in mind, but I am trying to narrow them down by making a bit of it and auditioning it.  Any suggestions though would be appreciated!

Hopefully now my brain will settle down and stop yo-yo-ing like crazy over this swap!

Hope your prepared!

I finally got my digital camera working again (my poor canon though is still sick) which means you all will have it coming!  So I hope you prepared!

Well are you??

Because I have 3 completed quilts, and a couple of tops waiting to be photographed and shared so I hope you are ready!

Seriously - I recommend a series of jumping jacks, pull ups, and a long session with a thigh buster. 

***

And so this post isn't pictureless despite my camera woes...this is what I am thinking for my Make Mine Modern swap partner!



Click the picture to follow to flickr for the individual photo's information.

***

Now get back to those jumping jacks!!

Howdy Partner!

I know blind partners can be really daunting!  So the stalking begins in an effort to create something you think they will like!  Believe me I know - I stayed up about 2 hours past my bed time last night stalking my partner because I thought it would be a great idea to check my email just 1 last time before bed!

So in an effort to make things a bit easier for you I wanted to direct you to my inspiration mosaic, inspiration gallery (I will keep adding things to this gallery as well), my photostream, and my favorites. Also I have updated my profile and hope that helps a bit too (although that is just a list of random loves/not so loves). 

I plan on hanging this mini in my room where I can see and smile at it everyday!  But I want you to feel free to create anything you want though.  Don't feel you are restricted to my mosaic or gallery.  And also don't feel the need to go out and buy fabric!  This year seems to be the year to 'sew from the stash' and goodness knows that is what I am trying to do, so don't feel pressured to spend a bunch of new fabric.  I am ready to love whatever your creative mind thinks of 

And just so this isn't a picture-less post how about I share some of my favorites from the last round - DSQ9!











If you are asking yourself did she really just write a whole post just for her DQS 10 Partner - yes, yes I did. I AM JUST TOO EXCITED!

All A Flutter!!

Because I am now a bebe in the latest round of Doll Quilt Swap!  So many people entered the lottery to be able to participate and I am so freaking excited that I was lucky enough to get in!  And check out the insanely cute button that Amy made for the group.



Is that not adorable!  That is Amy's Blyth doll named Smith holding a TINY foundation pieced Circle of Geese block that only measure 4 inches! So talented!  

For the swap you are given a partner, but they don't know who they got, you stalk their preferences relentlessly, and then create a mini quilt for them!  I am so excited to participate in this group despite being super intimidated by some of the other insanely talented participants that constantly inspire me!

So yes, my heart is all a flutter and I can't wait to get my partner and get to stalking!