The Less than Exciting Navy {Quilt}

"Navy. Never looks like it's trying too hard- It's understated cool."

After a week of seeing our 14 year old son's long legs and arms hanging off the edges of his twin bed, hubby and I agreed it was time for an upgrade to a full sized bed frame and mattress. 

Only problem? New bedding. And working with teenage boys and home decoration can make a person beat their head against the wall. Not to mention that finding bedding to fit that awkward transition between boy to man can be a task worthy of a saint.   After weeks of showing him a million online options and bringing home different quilts and comforters from local stores?  He finally just said, "Mom.  Why can't you just make me a navy blue quilt?"

Uhhh.....why didn't I think of that?
 

Enter in 5 yards of Robert Kaufman 108" wide solid Navy. 

Note:  Lint.  SOOO much lint while making this quilt

6 M class bobbins filled with Navy Blue Superior Threads Omni Thread.

 And a Paradox pantograph by Urban Elementz. 

I translated his "it's fine" as 
"YOU NAILED IT, MOM!!"
after I took it out of the dryer and it was warm and crinkly.

I, personally, love how the pattern reflects the pattern in our carpet and his Minecraft Slime Quilt. 

 I *may* have pat myself on the back for finishing what is, generally, a boring whole cloth quilt in less than three days.

He even vetoed any "different" color or texture of binding. 
More Navy cotton *yawn*.

Quilt Stats

Measures: 86" x 94"

Fabric: Robert Kaufman Navy 108" wide

Pattern: Whole Cloth

Thread: Superior Threads Omni Thread Navy Blue

Quilting: Paradox Pantograph by Urban Elementz on HQ Avante. 

Meanwhile, Button has been patiently waiting for me to finish his older brother's quilt so I can start his new quilt. 

I have a feeling it's going to be a bit more exciting!! Stay tuned!

Frosting {Quilt}

"Grandmothers are moms with lots of frosting"

I adore these quilts. I actually finished them in January and was supposed to mail them off to their recipients. But I just couldn't let them go. 

Honestly, I just didn't mail them because I never got around to making their labels.
And I let a lot of other projects, and life, get in the way. 

I used jelly rolls I had that I had picked up a million moons ago at either Joanns or Hobby Lobby. The Granny Square pattern by Blue Elephant Stitches from Moda Bake Shop was well done and it came together quickly. 

Very quickly!

My big problem was that I had a matching white issue. After a long drawn out process, I discovered that there are actually, not just dye lot issues, with Kona White, but there are actually two different manufacturers for Robert Kaufmann and the whites are NOT at all the same. 

After hunting down some that matched thanks to Hayley from The Plum Bobbin, I was able to find the right white and add the sashing. 

The quilting. These were quilted at a time where I was just really discovering my "feathers" and was playing around with them. 

I may have over-feathered them. If that's possible?

One backing is flannel and one is cotton. They both washed up really nicely!

From the beginning, I had in my mind to do scalloped borders/binding. I just knew I wanted them to have a vintage feel and if scallops don't say that?  I don't know what else would!

The key to scallops is a good amount of border space, a good scallop ruler to mark, and bias binding. 

The other thing I learned was to not get too worried about mitering the corners.  The bias binding started just naturally curving into the inside turns. 

My IRun4 buddy, Reagan.

And the final touch, sweet labels.  I forgot to take pictures, but one of the recipients  took one!

These are going to two super special people that had no idea that they were coming. 

Quilt stats: 

Measures:Approx. 54" x 64"

Pattern: Granny Square by Blue Elephant Stitches at Moda Bake Shop

Fabric: Kona White, Joann Fabric jelly rolls, Joann flannel and cotton

Quilting: Free motion feathers on Ole Betsy longarm (18"Avante)

I was so excited to get messages from them when they arrived!

Fat Quarter Bundle Winner

I loved EVERYONE'S thoughts on the style of quilter they are. 

Me?  I struggle. I love all quilting. As the interior decorator that came to my house said once, I love traditional/classic things with a nod to modern and whimsy. So I just keep calling myself a plain old quilter!

And now. The winner. Linda!!

 You won!!

The Solids Paintbox bundle from Fat Quarter Shop is yours! 

I will also be emailing and posting this on Instagram. Just need your address so I can have FQS Mail you the bundle!

If I don't here from you by Friday, I will redraw!

Congratulations!!!!!

Brittany's Butterflies {Quilt}

 This quilt was made for a special young, and I mean YOUNG, lady with cancer.  My friend asked me if I could make one and I knew I had to pull out my new "quick and go" Quake quilt pattern!

I'm embarrassed to say that the photo above is the only one I have of this quilt in "full".  

I've forgotten to take "good" pictures before, but this one takes the cake!

 I was actually a bit concerned about the prints from my stash I had curated from my charity bin of being juvenile for a young adult, but my friend approved it.  I loved the butterflies for her Cancer Walk theme "Brittany's Butterflies" and the angels for everyone praying for her! The purple for the T-shirts they wore!

Again, I might gush, but I love how this pattern goes from Fat Quarters to strips in a blink of an eye and creates a stunning pattern.  I was able to stitch it up quickly, but it got stuck in the queue for the longarm.

Luckily, I had picked up some new pantographs in that time period and this Bossa Nova was fun with some light yellow thread.   

This was the only photo I could find of it complete!  You can see the yellow binding and that's about it.  It actually is a sweet soft butterfly print on yellow, second row from the top of the fabric pull above!  As you can see, I had a lot of deadlines by the end of the summer and these were just the ones that were being mailed out!

All I know is that I hope she enjoys it.  And I hope she knows that there are a lot of people praying or her to win the battle!!

Jolly Bar Book {Blog Hop}

Have you seen the new book by Fat Quarter Shop?

I was intrigued when Fat Quarter Shop emailed me about the book.

Twenty? Yes. You read that right!  Twenty quilt patterns!!

I chose Summerfest by April Rosenthal. 

Many would say that Fall began when Pumpkin Spice Lattes arrived a week ago, but I'm willing to wait until the 22nd to enjoy this quilt longer.  My last hydrangea flower agrees.

Next was choosing from all the amazing patterns!!! After long thought, I picked the Regiment Quilt. 

I liked it's simplicity and that it used every single Jolly Bar to the fullest. I also had just enough pink and white dot, Kindred Spirits by Bunny Hill Designs, for sashing, which played nicely. 

 I adore the tiny red cornerstones. 

The cutting was simple and the piecing went quickly. 

I couldn't wait to try my new pantograph pattern, Lotus Blossom by Urban Elementz. 

For the backing I found two flannels leftover from two other projects. 

I probably mentioned before that I dread pieced backings.
 But I'm relatively happy with the result. 

I'm more than happy with the way the quilting looked on the back. 

I found some leftover white on red flowers
 from the Bonnie & Camille line Hello Darling for the binding. 

Even Button begged me to have a picnic with him yesterday afternoon. 

Fall can wait just a bit longer....

Interested in seeing some other Jolly Bar quilts?  Please go visit the other bloggers!  You won't be disappointed. 

Melissa from Happy Quilting
Tina from Emily Ann's Kloset
Amanda from Jedi Craft Girl
Connie from Free Motion by the River
Afton from Quilting Mod
Pam from Pam Kitty Morning
Heidi from Buttons and Butterflies
Renee from Sewn with Grace
Remona from The Stitching Scientist
Andy from A Bright Corner
Angie from Gnome Angel

Solids Paintbox Fat Quarter Bundle {Giveaway}

Did you know that September is National Sewing month?

National Sewing Month

"The observance of National Sewing Month began in 1982 with a proclamation from President Ronald Reagan declaring September as National Sewing Month
 'In recognition of the importance of home sewing to our Nation.'"

What better way to celebrate the kickoff day of the month with a giveaway, sponsored by my favorite online fabric store, Fat Quarter Shop!!!!

This bundle contains 26 Kona solids that would be awesome as coordinates with prints for my more traditional followers or stand on their own for my more modern quilt followers!

All I'm asking you to do is to comment on this blogpost by midnight (CST), Saturday, September 3, 2016. I'll announce the winner on Monday, September 5th!

What should you comment about?

Tell me if you consider yourself a modern, traditional quilter, both or neither!
 I really would love to hear everyone's thoughts!!!!