Latitude

I got a half a day of "my life" back today. My kids are ALL in school on Fridays as of two weeks ago. But some of these I am a parent chaperone for field trips so they don't count. In fact, I consider it "negative" time because even when it's over you are still exhausted. And if we balance the equation it means even less gets done. But I thought my down time could be used up this morning sharing a quilt I finished a while ago. I don't even know when - probably a few months but if it's been longer, please don't mention it, haha. The fabric strips of Latitude were sent to me by the fabulous Kate Spain. And gosh they are luscious.

This one wound up at 52" x 52" and is in the shop (because, let's face it, I'm nearly drowning in my quilting at this point - don't tell the husband, ha). 

April Showers

Should we  ring in the New Year? 
Oh, that was bad. 
Really bad. 
Are quilt puns a thing? 
Probably not.
All the same, here it is. 
In April Showers by Bonnie and Camille for Moda.

I actually finished this quilt last year probably around March. 
And I've been so busy with the kids I haven't even posted about it.
Sad. So sad. 
And many others actually. 
But now I have a little extra motivation to get it done - reason may be soon to follow. 
There's always an adventure to be had in life. 
Wish me luck.
I don't want to jinx it. 
And it's in the shop.

Texas Hill Country Quilt

One jelly roll of Cotton and Steel Basics, a bit of yardage, some time, a lot of deliberation, and a "few" stitches later...

You get a quilt that belongs in the Texas Hill Country! 

This one is being gifted to a wonderful family we have been friends with for a long time. And they just bought a "ranchette" a few minutes west of Austin. We just spent the weekend out there with them and seriously, "Ahhh, beautiful." is all that I can say.

The shadows highlighting the quilting from the back.  

Rattlesnake print backing. Appropriate, no? Stitches, and more stitches.

I opted for a medallion like quilt again on this one. 

One more picture.

Horizon

Every year I try to go to Quilt Festival. 

Simply amazing.

Everywhere you look.

A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.

Inspirational on every level.

And every time I think up something new I want to try.

And it's less than an hour's drive. 

This year I left dreaming of quilting fabulousness.

(Not a word, I know.)

"Horizon" (Kate Spain for Moda) was the next fabric on the cutting table.

I went with a very simple modern design with lots of negative space for the quilting to share the spotlight.

I highly recommend this sort of quilting. 

VERY fun.

I didn't want this project to end. 

At 36" x 37", I felt like this project ended too soon. 

I need to just start another one. 

It has a random assortment of free motion feathers, flowers, vines, paisleys, swirls, and any other design I could think of to quilt doodle. 

Granted it did take a lot of hours. 

But they were some happy hours! 

And more pics of the quilting. 

Courtyard Batik Quilt

Hello and good morning sunshine! 

Have I got a new quilt to share.

Picture me sitting here lightly clapping my hands together really fast with a big cheese on my face. 

There is something about color order that appeals to people (not just me, whew).

And a good strong graphic design. 

And a perfectly sunny day without a cloud in the sky to snap some quilt-y goodness.

See?

Ahh, happy.

  

Pattern available here and here.

Scrap Baby Lovey Quilt

Someone (other than me) is having a baby boy... so before I end up "out of commission" I thought it would be a good idea to get a baby gift ready... 

Now I'm debating mailing it or snuggling it for a few months until they are done "incubating" out of my typical selfish tendencies.

I'm not entire sure how it happened, but "baby gift" to me now implies something with fabric - preferably designer quilting fabric, of course. ;)

Long gone are the days of quick and easy purchases at the store. 

I almost feel guilty buying something cute at Gymboree...

like I short changed them... 

It's a funny little predicament because a couple of outfits are a lot cheaper and easier but not near as special, personal, loving, heirloom-y, etc. as a baby quilt. 

So a simple scrappy (not pink, purple, or floral) patchwork quilt was in order.

And for babies minkee (minky) makes one heavenly substitute for batting and backing.

I would dare say easy to quilt even. 

Hopefully the person this is intended for doesn't ever check this blog and this stays a surprise as I have a few pictures for your viewing today... 

Tracks in the Snow

From a distance the fabric actually doesn't look all that "Christmas-y" but it is BasicGrey's Jovial for Moda.

The idea behind this one is tire tread.

This concept will likely be a pattern for you soon.
Just have to iron out a few kinks.
Like the ridiculously non-standardized measurements.
I squared them up to 1/16th inch increments.
Odd, huh?

Runner is in the shop.

Etchings

I was just wanting to play with these fabrics (Etchings by 3 Sisters for Moda) and thought up a little table topper for it.

This fabric line has some awesome achitectural drawing prints that will be fun to buy in yardage when they are available in stores.

Of course their floral designs are exquisite as always.

This one is also in the shop.

Christmas in July isn't over yet!

Christmas in July is definitely a quilting thing.
My husband just doesn't understand.
I walk around humming and sometimes singing LOUDLY all sorts of Christmas songs.
All the new Christmas fabrics are hitting the stores with projects to do.
And because it's only July I buy TONS of it knowing that I'll have plenty of time to make things. **insert sarcastic laughter here**
This idea was born a few weeks ago and after spending half a day drawing and coloring (with the help of my 3 year old - she really colored a lot of it for me) I had a pseudo-pattern ready to go.
Then I just had to execute the plan.
And I really really liked the results.

This one is a Stylized Christmas Tree Wall Hanging in 12 Days of Christmas by Kate Spain for Moda and it's in the shop.

A Slow Walk in the Park

I feel like everything takes forever to accomplish now.
A simple run into the store to grab 3 items takes over a half hour.
Efficiency is a "thing of the past" these days.
Such is life.

But with much effort and my running outside at dusk to get this picture - this quilt happily moves to the completed column in my head (you know, that endless to do list that lives in there!).

It's a large baby quilt/small lap quilt size (40" x 50") in Central Park by Kate Spain for Moda (love).

More pics are posted with the listing in the shop.

I'm sure none of you other moms ever find that there's too little time in the day, right? :o)

Blissful Day?

On the upside, at least one part of my day was blissful!!

We won't discuss the disaster of a day I had...
Anyway... this one is -

Bliss by Bonnie and Camille for Moda

Table Runner in Zigzags!

Swirly quilting... yum.

18.5" x 31"

More pics in the shop.

More to come...

They are done! All 4!

Alright, this stuff took me a while. But it should have - it was a lot of work. And the jumbo rick rack - love, love.

My mom got me this fabulous fat quarter set (Wild Thyme by P&B Textiles) for Christmas and it was just dying to become something. I have the best mom, huh?

4 quilts! 2 babies and 2 twins - one boy and one girl of each size...

The thought process behind making these sets was that boy/girl shared rooms sometimes happen...

so why not coordinate? :o)

That and I sometimes feel guilty if every cute thing I make for the shop is girly...

What about all the moms of boys out there who need some frill in life?