Starting on Round 2 {Round Trip Quilts}

Heather's Round Trip Quilt package arrived on my door step on October 18th, after Liz worked her magic on the "Wishes for my Daughter" themed quilt.  Heather's note book is extremely detailed, outlining what she sees this quilt becoming and what sort of things she would like to see included.  Heather is making this quilt for her young daughter to use in her first 'big girl' bed and wants it to be full of things that she loves as well as things that Mom and Dad love too.

At first I thought I'd go with some cute paper pieced flowers and trees that I found online and add a nice big garden and forest to the quilt since her daughter loves flowers and being outdoors.  But I felt like the scale of these blocks would be too much this early in the stage.  I might still throw some in though.....we'll see.

Then I was leaning towards butterflies.  But I still wasn't feeling it.

Bee Vintage Butterfly Block

Garden Party - free PDF pattern

Butterfly simple 5' Paper Pieced Pattern

Heather also mentioned how much she likes paper piecing and, being adventurous, I though I might try something really out side of my comfort zone with these two cute little girls.  However, I'm not sure that I'm feeling quite that adventurous.

Girl Skipping

Girl chasing Butterflies

Then I remembered a block that was demoed for us at my local quilt guild's October meeting.  I don't remember what she called the block but my first thought was "Oh! I could size that down to make easy cathedral windows blocks.... and that's just what I did.  The method is similar to a tutorial posted by Elizabeth at Don't Call Me Betsy.  If I remember I'll take some photographs to post a more detailed tutorial of the method I'm using to make my blocks.

As I said already, Heather's notebook was incredibly detailed so pulling fabrics for her quilt was a breeze.  Her color inspiration was based on the Wee Wander collection by Sarah Jane.  Girly, but not too girly.  I dug into my stash and pulled some easily coordinated Cotton + Steel and other fabrics.

Then I got to work cutting.

Cool colors and low volumes

Warm colors

As an aside, wouldn't these look great as simple color coordinated four patch blocks? I'm thinking a full quilt in this palette is in my future.

Here's what the block will look like when it's all together.  Cool colors and low volume four-patch blocks with warm color cathedral windows.  I still need to top-stitch the curves, I'm leaning towards a variegated purple thread that I purchased for my triangle quilt awhile ago or simple invisible thread to avoid taking away from the design.  Now the question is, should I top-stitch before or after I piece the blocks together?  I'm leaning towards before.

Happy Quilting!

I'm linking up with Stitch by Stich for anything goes mondays.

Around the World Blog Hop

I was tagged last week in the Around the World Blog Hop by two fabulously talented ladies: Chelsea @ Patch the Giraffe and Leanne @ Devoted Quilter.  You can see their posts from last week here and here.  I had the please of meeting both Chelsea and Leanne through the New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop earlier this year and will be working with both of them further in the Round Trip Quilts round robin bee this coming year.

To keep the chain going I nominate:

  .

Amy Friend of During Quiet Time.  Amy is a prolific quilter and quilt blogger.  You may know her from the To Boston With Love project or from her new Little House on the Prairie Sew along.  Amy's blog was one of the first I started following when I found the online quilting community.  And over time, her work has never ceased to amaze me!

Hilary of Young Texan Mama is one of my very first online quilting friends.  We met through multiple Flickr block swaps.  Between juggling a young son and a quilt blog, Hilary is always working on something!  Her cross-stitch work is so cute and her quilts are always stunning.  Hilary was also recently accepted as a contestant in Sew-vivor 3: Quilter's Edition.

Karin of Leigh Laurel Studios is another New Hampshire native!  I met Karin through the New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop though I'd been following her blog for some time before hand.  I love Karin's use of saturated colors.  Her quilts are so full of life and so fun.  She's also started releasing patterns.  Her Fruit Ninja quilt is sure to be stunning! Karin also has a prolific collection of tutorials on her blog as well!









I spent some time introducing myself earlier in the year that you can read here so I won't go into too much detail again.  I've been quilting for about 5 years.  I'm a born and bread New England girl who loves the outdoors and bright colors.  My husband and I live in northern New Hampshire with our two cats, Martin and Agent Archer.  I work as a Financial Analyst at our major area hospital.  In addition to quilting, I enjoy running, cycling with my husband, and hiking and skiing the mountains near our home.

left: visiting MQX 2014; top right: Color Vibe 5K; bottom right: Martin and Agent Archer

What am I working on? 

Oh my gosh.  So so many things.  I'm pretty bad at finishing things sometimes.  I have just finished the center for my Round Trip Quilts block.  Mailing deadline is today!  I'm also participating in the 2014 Sugar Block Club and love it!  I've got the pieces for 4 more Wiksten Tanks cut out.  I've fallen out of love with my Orange Peel Quilt along top but hope to finish it soon.  I need to finish quilting my Triangle Quilt Along top.  I've got a few pieces left to finish on a my Modern Double Cross quilt.  I need to piece the top for my Pink - Yellow - Grey bee quilt.  Also need to piece the tops in my Red - Orange - Green bee quilt.  I've also got a low volume scrappy trip around the world quilt top started too.

1. #roundtripquilts #nhbeauty, 2. January through August #sugarblockclub blocks, 3. #wikstentank !, 4. Orange Peel Quilt, 5. Triangle Quilt Along quilt, 6. Modern Double Cross quilt, 7. Pink - Yellow - Grey Blocks, 8. Sew Pieceful Blocks Received, 9. More Low Volume Scrappy Trip Blocks

How does my work differ from others of its genre? 

I think that we all hope that our work differs from everyone else's but in reality we are all working off of each other for inspiration.  Because of that, I think that our work is inherently connected and thus similar to the next persons.  That is what makes the quilting community unique.  I do know that when I sew I leave a little bit of myself in the pieces I make, whether through the choice of or placement of fabric, or in the layout of the quilt.  In general I like to work with bright, modern fabrics but usually like to sew more traditional blocks.  I also try to combine colors in unique and interesting ways.

Why do I quilt? 

Wow... This is a loaded question.  I'll give you the medium-length answer.  Most people are good at Math/Science or English/Art.  I've always been good at Math and Art.... I guess my brain is wired a little funny.  I've always excelled at algebra, geometry, and even calculus and always had a passion for creating beautiful things.

When I was in grade school, I painted and threw pottery.  In college I minored in Art (and was once scolded for making something too perfectly square..."That's not art! That's manufacturing!" Another long story).  After college I needed a creative outlet and happened to stumble into a quilt shop on day...and the rest is history!

After college, when I was working in a job that I didn't enjoy and didn't feel challenged in, quilting was my sanity.  It was the challenge I was seeking.  It was the creativity that I needed.  It allowed me to engage my brain in a new way each day and to stretch both my critical and creative thinking.  Quilting forces me outside of my comfort zone.  It allows me to create.  To make beautiful things.  To help others and make them smile.  In my opinion, quilting is the perfect combination of my interests and skills.

How does my creating process work?

I am usually influenced by the things around me.  It could be from the tile on a patio floor or the combination of wild flowers on the side of the road or even the logo on the conference phones we use at work.  I tend to find creative inspiration suddenly and without warning.  My notebooks and meeting notes are always dotted with new inspiration or ideas that I was struck with and had to get down!  I prefer drawing on graph paper and coloring it in with a sharpie pen later to using computer programs to design.  Once I get my idea down I love the process of seeing it come to life in fabric and eventually a finished quilt.  It is such a rewarding process!

1. Sketching a design for the #orangepeelqal happening with @quiltyhabit, 2. Sketching some ideas for my round robin quilt. My theme is modern NH cabin quilt., 3. Doing some more sketching today. Nothing relaxes me like drawing on graph paper. Weird. I know., 4. sketching quilting designs, 5. Can you see the pattern emerge? How do you like to sketch quilt patterns? I still resort to good old graph paper. #quiltsketch

Well,that's all from me!  Check in with Amy, Karin, and Hilary next Monday, September 8th for their posts as part of the Around the World Blog Hop!

I'm linking up with Stitch by Stich for anything goes mondays.

Sugar Block Club Catch Up

After playing catch up in May, I again fell behind on my Sugar Block Club blocks, partly due to a lack of motivation and inspiration, partly due to my new race training plan (I'm running a half marathon in October), partly due to the beautiful, perfect summer we've been having here in New England, and partly due to increased workload and extra projects at work.  But after a roughly three week hiatus from my sewing machine, I finally had the chance to sit down and sew this afternoon.  What better way is there to spend a Sunday?

This is one of my favorite blocks so far (along with February's Mercy block).  I think its the on-point center square that I really like.  I played around with the color placement a little bit and made a few changes to the block but it still holds true to Amy's original design.  In June, Amy (of Stitchery Dickory Dock), or rather her husband, Mr. Dock, challenged us to be a Teacher, to share our passion with others.  I've always loved teaching people about the things for which I am passionate.  I taught downhill skiing for 8 years through high school and college, and my friends know just how passionate I am about the sport.  Though I still have much to learn about sewing, I have been able to share my passion for quilting also.  Online groups through Facebook and Flickr give us the the chance to share knowledge and hard learned lessons with others.  Our shared passion for quilting make us all teachers.

June Block | Teach

In July, we were challenged to be Servants.  Mark 10:44 says “And whoever wishes to be most important and first in rank among you must be a slave of all.  For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as ransom for many.”  And Matthew 23:11 says: “The greatest among you shall be your servant” -Matthew 23:11.  Amy challenges us to be a servant by practicing humility and be a servant to others.  This means being there for other when they need you, helping to pack a lunch or taking extra projects on at work to help out a co-worker,or volunteering or donating.

July Block | Serve

For the August Beyond the Block challenge, Amy challenged us to be Bold.  This means speaking up about the things that are important to us.  For Amy, it was standing by her decision to home school her children, regardless of how others perceived her.  For me, it could be many things.  So often I struggle to speak up to voice my opinion or share my beliefs, fearing how others will react.  It is that confidence that I have struggled with for a long time.  Amy's Beyond the Block challenge helped encourage me to speak up.


Finally, Here are all the blocks together.  Aren't they pretty?  I can't wait to see the last four blocks to finish up this pretty sampler.  Hopefully I won't fall behind again... unlikely as that is.  I take over as President of my local quilt guild (visit us sometime if you're ever in New Hampshire!) and it's very likely that I won't have anytime for sewing for awhile.

January through August Sugar Block Club blocks

I'm linking up with Stitch by Stich for anything goes mondays.

Triangle Quilt Along - Making Progress

I finally had some time to work on my Triangle Quilt Along quilt.  Paula has graciously given us slow pokes and overachievers until July 31st for one final link up party and I'll tell you, I'm determined to meet that deadline.  I decided to spray baste this quilt since I've had trouble with pin basting on the last few projects I've done.

getting ready to baste

I picked up this fantastic Homegrown Bicycles on Cream fabric for the backing last time I was over at Keepsake Quilting.  It's the perfect amount of colorful and whimsy.  I had to piece the backing to make it large enough but I think I did a pretty good job of matching up the pattern.  From far away you won't even see the seam.

seam on backing fabric

The spray basting went really well too.  I started out by taping my backing fabric to the floor in our living room with painters tape.  Then I carefully spray basted the batting down to the backing, making sure to smooth out any wrinkles in the batting.  I used a nice, thin cotton batting that will make this quilt perfect for use on the sofa.

I always work from top to bottom in about 6 to 8 inch rows when spray basting.  It allows me to go slowly and correct any mistakes as they happen rather than getting the whole thing down and realizing there's a big wrinkle in the middle of the quilt.

In the past I've had difficulty with the quilt becoming sort of wonky and stretched as I worked but I was very careful with this one to only press and stretch top to bottom.  All those bias edges could have made for a nightmare!

I wasn't sure how I wanted to quilt this one.  Most of the ones I've seen are just following the lines of the blocks to create a diamond or triangle grid.  I wanted to do something a little different though.  I printed some isometric graph paper from this site and started sketching.  This is also where I print all of my graph paper when I want to draw out blocks or quilt patterns to visualize them before I start.  I still prefer good old graph paper over all of the fancy design programs when working out block designs.  I decided to go with some echo quilting, but in what will hopefully be an unexpected way.  

skteching designs

I got some pretty variegated purple and magenta thread to use for the quilting but neglected to capture a photo of it before I started.  It's a Coats & Clark cotton thread called Plum Shadows.  It will blend nicely in the darker ends of the quilt but really pop on top of the white, orange, green, and yellow blocks.  I'm hoping it will be nice.  My goal is to finish this quilt up this week while my husband is away on business.

quilting!

I'm linking up with Stitch by Stich for anything goes mondays.

Special Delivery!

Last week I purchased some of the limited edition Arizona fabric line, designed by April Rhodes from Hawthorne Threads.  My real-life friend Megan and I have been drooling over the collection since it was first announced.  

I spent probably a solid 50 minutes on the website going back and forth over what to buy and how much of it.  I finally decided that I really wanted a taste of each so I ended up purchasing a yard of the 8 prints and a half-yard of the 5 supporting solids.

I also really wanted to try making some more clothes so I also picked up 4 yards of the Triangle Tokens Voile in Agave since I'm not sure what I'm making yet.  I'm leaning towards the Date Night Dress, also designed by April Rhodes.  I picked up the pattern awhile back and haven't tried it yet.

The colors in this collection are just wonderful!  I love the combination of strong navy with offbeat mustard, soft aqua, and girly peach.  And the geometric designs are so fun.  These are so soft too.  Not like regular quilting cottons.  I could easily see them working for clothing as well.  I can't wait to get to work with these beauties.  I"m leaning towards something inspired by Maureen Cracknell's Arizona quilt.  What do you think? What would you make with these?

Be on the look out on Wednesday for day two of the 2014 New Quilt Blogger Blog Hop.  I'll be posting along with 24 other talented, new quilt bloggers.

I'm linking up with Stitch by Stich for anything goes mondays.

Spring 4x5 Modern Quilt Bee

After months of waiting I was finally lucky enough to get a spot in the spring round of the 4x5 Modern Quilt Bee.  It's hosted on Flickr and happens quarterly so if you miss sign ups you have to wait 3 months to try again (which is exactly what happened to me).

I choose the classic Ohio Star block and tried to make it fun and modern with my fabric placements.  I've been steadily sewing away for the last few days and just managed to finish up my blocks on Sunday.  Here are the finished blocks:

This elephant print is one of the first fabrics I bought when I started quilting a few years ago.  I'm glad to be able to show it off in this block.

Block to keep

I love this tea bag background print.  It's called Tea Bags in Cream, part of the Cream and Sugar collection from Windham Fabrics.  The cream print isn't available any longer but they do have the same pattern printed on bright orange.

Block for Flickr user Karriofberries

I used some long horded little red and white birdies in this block.  I have no idea what project they are from or where/when I got them.

Block for Flickr user 1toefeather1

Found the perfect Kaffe Fassel fabric for this block (and to selfishly use in my pink/yellow quilt as well) called Lotus Leaf in Yellow.

Block for Flickr user Jennicakes

I adore the little sheep/sheep dog fabric in the middle of this quilt.  I've used it in several bee blocks but have yet to use it in anything for myself.  That will have to change soon.

Block for Flickr user Texasquiltinggal

The large scale background worked beautifully in this block.

Block for Flickr user Principiessa

And here are all of the blocks together.

I'm linking up with Stitch by Stich for anything goes mondays.

April and May Sugar Block Club

I have been so far behind on all of my block of the month projects recently.  I was two months behind for Sugar Block Club, three months behind in the Aurifil BOM and 4 months behind in Pat Sloan's Globetrotting BOM.  Luckily this weekend I was able to change some of that.  I'm now caught up with the rest of the Sugar Block Club gang and manged to get two of the three blocks for the Aurifil BOM done also (I'll share those later).

This is my version of the April block, called Presence.  It was fairly simple to construct and came together quickly.

In April, Amy challenged us to be more present in our daily lives.  In this day and age of technology it can be difficult to spend quality time together without the distraction of screens.  I was especially sensitive to this, having just upgraded to an iPhone in April.  Often I'd find myself spending more time with the people on my phone than I was with the people around me.  Now I try to put the phone away when I'm with someone so that they can have my full attention.

May's block was a unique paper-pieced star called Joy!  I had fun choosing directional fabric to carefully place in this block and I think the final result is pretty nice.

For the May Beyond the Block challenge, Amy challenged us to find the joy in every day.  Simply to live a positive life.  This is something I struggle with sometimes, having fought with depression for most of my life.  And for a long time I was very unhappy.  But one day I woke up and decided I didn't want to be sad any more and started down the long road of looking for joy in the everyday and overcoming the sadness that had gripped me for so long.  So I challenge you, can you find the joy in today?  Today, it was the sound of the birds outside my window this morning when I was getting ready for work.  It was the feel of the sun on my face.  It was the knowledge that I have a job that I enjoy and pays my bills.  What is your joy for today?

Unfortunately the picture of all 5 blocks together thus far is on my other camera so I don't have that to share with you yet.  I've also got a few other blocks to share with you later this week so stay tuned!  Happy Quilting!

I'm linking up with Stitch by Stich for anything goes mondays.

Machine Quilters Exposition 2014 - Part 1

As expected, I didn't get much sewing done this weekend, only accomplishing another row of my triangle quilt and some more of my "Waiting Quilt" hexagons that I first posted about way back in January.  I did, however, get to visit the 2014 Machine Quilters Exposition quilt show in Manchester on Saturday with my husband.  I had a great time and he was a good sport about the whole thing.

Since I don't have anything new to share I wanted to share some of my favorites from the show.  For all of the pictures from the quilt show visit my flickr set: MQX 2014.

One of my favorites of the show was this itty-bitty, teeny tiny miniature quilt by Mary Kay Mouton.  I had never heard of her before the show but a quick Google search discovered that Mary Kay teaches a method of paper piecing called "Flip-Flop" piecing.    Her blog describes it as a new paper-piecing system in which a quilter works on not one, but both sides of every foundation.  Hmm... Sounds interesting.  Does anyone have any experience with her technique?

What really blew me away about this quilt was the size of the finished blocks.  They must have been only 1.5" or smaller even still.  Those little rosettes are no bigger than 1/4 inch!

There was also a wonderful display of quilts by Melody Johnson.  Melody's art quilts are one of my first introductions into the world of quilting as a art form.  To this day, I am awed and inspired by her work.  The signage introducing the exhibit had this to say about her:

Melody Johnson is a curious hybrid in the quilt world.  Her quilts look pieced or appliqued but are actually fused.  Viewed from a distance, one of her distinctive quilts might be mistaken for a painting.  Her quilts are full of dazzling colors resulting from her specially hand dyed cottons and silks.  There is a casual feeling to her lines and shapes, sometimes like those found in abstract art (she is also a painter) and sometimes they echo the imagery in nature.  Many have remarked that her quilts 'look happy'.  Ms. Johnson's favored technique is fusing...

Enough words.  Let's get to her amazing quilts.

Distinctive leaf pattern found in Melody's quilts

Loved the giant X this one created

Almost looks like watercolor or pointillism but when views up close....

... they were little tiny match stick strips of fabric

Loved the border on this one.

I'll leave you with this for now.  Be sure to come back for more about the show!  I'm linking up with Stitch by Stich for anything goes mondays.