McCall's Quilting -- Carnaby Street

Today in the mail came McCall's Quilting's newest issue -- January/February 2012.

Inside this issue is a quilt that I love -- Carnaby Street!

http://www.mccallsquilting.com/articles/Carnaby_Street

I love to see what McCall's does with my quilts!

Here's  a picture of the full quilt from McCall's.

The fabric is England Swings by Rebekah Merkle for Timeless Treasures.

http://www.ttfabrics.com/cgi-bin/fabricshop/designer.cgi?designer=71

It was a fun design challenge to work with this fabric.  I first worked with the digital images and came up with a design that I loved.  Then I was told that the fabric was a much larger scale than I thought I was working with.  It took a few more designs before I came up with this finished product, but working through things like that is part of the creative process.  I love the result!

This is a large quilt.  It's almost 88" square.  Because of the large scale fabric, the blocks had to be large, and the quilt is actually fairly quick to make.

So . . . do you know where Carnaaby Street is?  I had to look it up.  I'm not cool enough to know things like that.

Block Four Winners

There's always a week or two where the holidays make a quilt along a bit of a challenge.  But there is a reward for two of those who found a few minutes to spend with their sewing machine.  Sorry for the lateness of this post, but in my time zone, it is still Wednesday.

The winner of the jelly roll from Machelle is:

lindaofthelakes!

And the winner of my fat quarters is:

budsmam!

Congratulations! Love all the stars in the flickr group!!! Email me your name and address and Machelle and I will get those right out!

Happy Quilting!

Block Five with Machelle Preston

Time for another Fat Quarter Stars quilt block!  This is a great one for a holiday -- nice and easy!

Our block today is from Machelle Preston of Cherry Tree Cottage:

http://cherrytreecottagequilts.blogspot.com/

Machelle had a pattern published in Fons and Porter's Easy Quilts this summer:

http://moosequilts.blogspot.com/2011/07/fons-and-porter.html

Now from Machelle:

I have been so excited to design a block for the Block a- long.  Konda has such

great ideas and I love following along with her.  I have been busy designing a few

new things.  The lastest has been for Shabby Chic fabric.  The sample is up at Broadbent's

in Lehi.  A fun baby or twin quilt for a little girl. 

I have been doing some holiday sewing.  Making tree skirts for the married kids, and fun

neighbor gifts.  I will be doing a January Sale for all those that live close to me in Spanish Fork, Utah.

 or email me and let me know what you want.  It will be a fun Snow day Sale.  Watch for details on the blog.

Have a great time sewing and stop by to see what we will be doing next.

Have a great Holiday.

Machelle

Here's Machelle's block called Strawberry Star.

Here's my version of the block.

Click HERE for the link to the instructions.

What happens next?

The drawing will be from the flickr group. The drawing tonight (first thing in the morning really) is for any blocks posted since my last block was posted. The drawing is technically for block 4, but any blocks posted will be in the drawing. There will be some of you who are quick and will get your blocks posted.

This block is "due" in two weeks. I say due, but it really doesn't matter. Post your block when you get it done, and it will be entered into the next drawing. If you make one block, post one picture. If you make two blocks, post two pictures.

What's up for grabs this time?

Fabric!!!
Machelle has generously donated a Moda Jelly Roll,  Hometown by Sweetwater!

I have another 5 fat quarters as well!

Happy Quilting!

A New Name and Two Winners!

Thank you all for the wonderful names for my ABC Quilt!  I was amazed, 1) at how uncreative I am when it comes to naming, 2) how creative other people are, and 3) how I could have used pretty much any of them!  There was one suggestion that I am actually going to use.  It's because the Dr. Seuss ABC book is one of my all time favorite books!  In fact, I can't believe that I couldn't come up with this one on my own. 

Because I am actually using one of the names on the list, I thought we needed two winners. 

First is Amber because I am going to use her idea!

Second is Jan who was chosen randomly!

Email me your mailing information so I can send you both some fat quarters.

Just one other note about the patterns on Create H.O.P.E. Designs.  This pattern as well as the other patterns are all pdfs.  That is how they can be $5 each, and how all the money can go directly to the charities.

Thanks again!  Got a new block about ready to post for you tomorrow!

A Mini Finish!

This quilt was my Ode to the Red and White.  I actually got it finished a month or so ago, but I hadn't taken pictures of it yet.  The quilt is 13" square.

I am pleased with the way it turned out.  I have decided that I like mini quilts.  I even like hand quilting them.  My quilting needs lots of practice, but I don't mind. 

The one thing I have wondered about it is how to use them.  I don't really know how to use quilts as home decor yet.  But, even if I don't get that figured out, I have decided that I am going to make the quilts anyway.  Maybe one day I will have granddaughters to give them to as doll quilts.

This is the next one I am going to work on. 

I have it basted. I haven't decided how to quilt it yet. It is different looking at a quilt and thinking about hand quilting it versus machine quilting it. I love the cross hatching I did on the last one, but . . . I did that on the last one.

Oh yes, I love the names I am reading for my ABC Quilt (that's what I call it - which is why I needed help)!  You are all so clever!  Definitely helping turn the gears in my head!

Quilt Naming Help -- Please!

I finished this new pattern a few weeks ago.  It has been sitting here waiting to be put to good use, but it really needs a name!  I have not come up with anything even close to clever, or even acceptable for that matter.  I would love some help!  Please!

I am donating this quilt pattern to an organization that a friend of mine from Izzy and Ivy started called Create H.O.P.E. Designs.  The patterns on this website are all $5, and all of the money goes straight to an organization that helps orphanges around the world.  There are different organizations, but they all help orphanges.  Here's the website:

http://www.createhopedesigns.com/

And here's my quilt that needs a name before it can go to the website.

The fabric is Taali, a fun new organic line from Monaluna:

http://www.monaluna.com/

I thought it was perfect for this pattern!  My favorite print is a toss up between the sheep and the landscape.  There wasn't a good picture of the landscape, so here's a better one.

The quilting was inspired by the blue and white zig zag stripe fabric.  I wasn't sure what width I wanted between the zig zags, so I tried one inch.  That was too much, so I put one in the middle.  Then I didn't want three zig zags, but I also didn't want to unpick.  What to do?  Alternate!  I put a couple double rows between the triple ones.  I love how it turned out! 

As with all requests for help, I've got some incentive --

Monday I will have a random drawing for those who comment and give me a suggestion on a name. 

What's the random prize?

5 fat quarters!

Thanks in advance for your help!

A finish?

I used my churn dash blocks as an excuse to visit one of my local quilt shop -- as if I need an excuse!  I was a little worried I would find a sashing and border that worked.  Actually, it was just the border print I was worried about.  That is the challenge of using a line of fabric for the blocks.  Sometimes you feel like you need part of that line for the other fabric in the quilt.  In this case, I easily found fabric to match.  I found three that I really liked.  One was too white.  I wanted to buy it to use on the back, but I can't pay full price for backing, no matter how much I like it.  The second was more blue.  That wasn't a problem, I just decided to go pink instead of blue.  The sashing isn't a solid, it just reads like one.

And that is as finished as it is going to get for now.  Sigh. . . I'm trying not to get discouraged about my quilt machine.  Right now I am waiting for another part and praying it will work.

I have one quilt on a deadline that needs custom quilting.  It is at a friend's house right now getting quilted.  It is much harder than I thought to give up control of the quilting.   Can't wait to show you that quilt, but it will be a few months. 

As Seen on Newstands

I finally spotted my quilt on a local newstand!

I must confess that I did move it to the front! 

Look at all the quilt magazines!  This was at my local Smiths grocery store.  I occasionally buy them here if I see one that I don't have.  I try to keep my subscriptions current.  It's cheaper that way.

On the Design Wall

This has been a frustrating week for me.  My quilt machine isn't working, and I have been trying to troubleshoot it with the great folks at Statler in Missouri.  We have tried three things that haven't worked, and are in the process of trying a fourth.  I am praying that this is the one that finally gets thinkgs running again.

In the meantime, what better than sewing to work with the anxiety!

This is a quick pattern from my book Simply Charming Kids.  I love the classic churn dash block!  This churn dash is put together with charm squares.  Perfect for times like this week when I didn't want to do a lot of cutting, and I didn't want to have to think much about what I was doing.

One thing about this pattern is that the triangles in each block are actually different, but similar.  A lot of charm packs have similar fabrics, so this usually works well.  I messed up a little on this one.  I was matching up the small squares with the triangles before I started, but I mixed them up when I put them back together after I had sewn the pieces.  I thought I could remember how I had them, but I couldn't.  I think I liked my original pairings better, but I am not going to worry about it at all.

The ladies at church wanted a quick table topper to start after Christmas.  I thought this fit the bill!  I had this Michael Miller charm pack from a few years ago.  I paired it with a Moda solid charm pack.  It will be finished with sashing and a border.  I haven't thought about with what yet.

Does sewing help relieve your anxiety too?

Block Three Winners

Good morning!  We have winners!  Two charm packs from Mama Spark, and one fat quarter set from me!

The winner of one of Mama Spark's charm packs is:

SFmitchell!

The winner of the other charm pack from Mama Spark is:

Kate in OK!

And the winner of the 5 fat quarters from me is:

sallie789!

Congratulations! Love all these fun stars!!! Email me your address and Pam and I will get those right out!
Happy Quilting!

Block Four with Mama Spark

It's Tuesday again!  Are you ready for another block?!? 

Well, ready or not, we've got another fun star block for you!  This block is from Pam Lincoln, otherwise known as Mama Spark: www.mamaspark.blogspot.com

Here's Pam!

HI Everyone,

My name is Pam Lincoln although you may know me by Mama Spark.  You can find my blog at www.mamaspark.blogspot.com and I would love you to stop by for a visit!  I’ve always felt that strangers are just friends we haven’t met yet. 

I was first introduced to sewing by my mom who used to sew all my clothes when I was little.  She taught me to sew when I was young and I have done a fair amount of sewing since.  My own three children never wore a store bought Halloween costume!  I am a scientist by day and a mad crafter the rest of the time. 

I started out with counted cross stitch, which I still love.  I had taken the odd quilting class but it just didn’t stick with me.  About 6 years ago a dear friend was sewing binding on while we were watching our daughters at swim practice.  She encouraged me to get back into making quilts.  I looked for a group to join and found one at my church.  About a year later I was running the group!  I have since left that group and formed another one.  I love hanging out with other quilters, so inspirational!

I began blogging around the time I began quilting, and have never looked back!  Who knew there were so many kindred spirits in the world?  The internet has a way of making everyone seem so close.  My quilting has evolved from making quilts from patterns to designing my own.  I love to make a design my own and to develop new designs of my own.  The blogging community as well as Flickr are such a rich source of information and inspiration. 

I have three children, one is currently in graduate school at North Carolina State, while the other 2 live at home.  The eldest works at the University of Michigan (that’s where I work too) and the youngest is working 2 jobs trying to decide what he wants to do with his life.  I also have a wonderful and very supportive husband that never complains that his living room has been turned into my sewing room.  We share our home with 5 cats and one dog.  We have raised some peacocks, chickens and ducks as well, although now they live at our friend’s farm.  Life is never dull at our house!

I am so excited to have been included in this wonderful Quilt along.  Konda is the BEST!  I can’t wait to see what you do with my block and I hope you enjoy making it as much as I did!  Don’t forget to stop by my blog and say “HI”, I would love to meet you!

Thanks Pam!  Here's Pam's block called Fiesta Star:

 Here's  my version of the Fiesta Star!

Click HERE for the link to the instructions.

What happens next?

The drawing will be from the flickr group. The drawing tonight (first thing in the morning really) is for any blocks posted since my last block was posted. The drawing is technically for block 3, but any blocks posted will be in the drawing. There will be some of you who are quick and will get your blocks posted.

This block is "due" in two weeks. I say due, but it really doesn't matter. Post your block when you get it done, and it will be entered into the next drawing. If you make one block, post one picture. If you make two blocks, post two pictures.

What's up for grabs this time?

Fabric!!!

Pam has 2 charm packs from Michael Miller.  It's Fairy Frost!

I'll add a set of 5 fat quarters!

Happy quilting!