L'Amour

The end of a long imprisonment.

Fabric jailed away for years waiting.

Waiting for the moment when it finally gets center stage.

And something happens in minutes! 

Okay, maybe hours. 

But it seems so much happier now.

One honeybun of L'Amour by Sandy Gervais for Moda. One wire wreath. Valentine rag wreath.

Love the texture and colors. And it even says love on it. 

In the shop. 

New year, old projects.

It seems that each new year we take stock of life and evaluate our accomplishments and failures. Some decide to try to make changes with lists of resolutions. And the crafters? We have piles of unfinished projects that we look around at and realize it's been another YEAR and we still haven't gotten them out of the UFO pile. STILL!

Well, that list seems to be ever evolving but some of my projects have been on it for multiple years. Don't worry, I won't list them for you. Or even show them to you. That would take a LOT of photos.

So I'll start this year's blogging by sharing one project that I've been working on for the better part of a year already that hopefully will see a completion in the next few months. 

Hopefully. 

At this point in life you'd think I'd know better than to be hopeful about quilting projects getting finished. 

But I thought it deserved a share at the completion of over 200 blocks. 201 to be exact. Just need 41 more and I'll have enough for a king size quilt. It's all scrappy and happy and is the "rainbow rows" from the #apqquiltalong2015 pattern. So close to finishing. 

So close. So far. Still a lot of work before this one is ON MY BED! Can you imagine? I've never made myself a bed quilt. My kids all have quilts. But a king still seemed like a lot of work and time and commitment. Good thing I picked a super quick project. HA! not. 

Wish me luck finding some time to finish this one! 
I love it even from this picture. :) 

Striped Diamonds

See, I had a LOT of fun with that fabric.

Strip heaven.

I made paper pieced diamond strip blocks out of them.

And I used the same fabric for the backing as the giraffe applique quilt. 

Look at all those happy strips. :)

It is also in the shop.

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... 

Wonky Scrappy Coaster Tutorial and Giveaway!

So the promised coaster tutorial is ready for your creating!

**this means something got finished and I am a very happy me**

These make awesome gifts and let you use up all the delicious bits of your favorite fabrics.

These instructions are for 1 coaster (gotta simply for me, and you can multiply right?). So for each coaster you will need...

2 (5" x 5") squares of fabric for back and front (not the patches)

2 (4.5" x 4.5") squares of cotton batting

5 (1.5" x 1.5") square fabric scrap **mine are from Moda's Objects of Desire**

And the usual: scissors, sewing machine, coordinating thread, ruler, cutting mat, rotary cutter, and something to poke out corners.

Sew 5 (1.5" x 1.5") into a strip and press seams open.

Lay strip over one (5" x 5") block such that it overhangs both sides but is not horizontal - we're going for wonky here people. Line up your ruler so that the edge is in the middle of the block strip. Then, without moving the cream fabric, pull the block strip out and cut the (5" x 5") block on the diagonal.

Align the strip block (right sides together) with the edge that was just cut (making sure that when you open it you will be able to square the sides) and sew together. Open and press.

Trim off the excess from both sides of the strip block.

Align the other cream top piece with the strip block (notice the overlaps on each end match so when it is sewn and opened it will be square) and sew together. Open and press.

Trim to (5" x 5") square.

Place 2 (4.5" x 4.5") squares of cotton batting on the back of your coaster top.

Quilt as desired to hold the batting in place for turning.

Line up the (5"x 5") backing square with the quilted coaster top. Sew around leaving a 2.5-3" gap on one side for turning.

Clip corners. I do a 45 and two 30 degree clips on each one so that the corners are a little pointier. Of course, it's up to you.

Turn coasters right side out, tuck the opening in and top stitch around the edge, very closely! Sometimes I like to do this twice for decorative effect.

Admire the coasters you have made!! Please post links to pictures of your projects in the comments!

And... my blog's first giveaway.

This set of coasters can be yours if you just follow my blog and leave a comment telling me.

Drawing will be held Feb. 14th so you might just earn yourself a little Valentine's present! Thanks and good luck!

-F.N.