Quirky But Solid {Quilt}

This quilt is for my 14yo son for Christmas.  I did quilt it and had the binding attached by Dec 13th. However, the entire family decided to get sick starting Dec 21st.  It's been a fun ride!  I finished up the binding on Dec 29th, so it goes on the 2013 finish list!

You are seeing it all washed and crinkly because the fuzz from the backing was pretty horrendous!
Bold colors?  Yes!!  The colors were inspired by their bedding and room colors.

More info about their room makeover here.

The pattern is Highlighter by Bree at Distant Pickles.  Take a look at the different printed versions!

I loved the woven look from the start.   I won't deny, I have one single regret.  

The solid.  I really want to do this quilt in prints and not solids. I have a baby quilt in mind!  This is my second all-solid quilt and I can honestly say....not a HUGE fan.  However, I was sticking to my stash only rule last year and will continue to do so for next year for Make A Pledge.

Plush/Minky Backing was his request.  I had purchased significant yardage of Simply Color for it, but he was adamant that he wanted this backing.  Who was I to refuse?

It did show off the pantograph pattern well.  Quirky by Willow Leaf Studios.

The Simply Color binding is my tongue sticking out at dear son #2.

  I still got some of my favorite fabric in there! HA!

I find this pattern really wonderful for a boy.  There is something about plaids and woven that say masculine to me.  Certainly wonderful for a girl too, but I like having patterns available that I won't question whether it is too "feminine".  I have a little baby boy in mind for the next one!

Quilt Stats

Measures: 68" x 68"

Pattern: Highlighter by Bree

Fabric: Kona Orange, Kona Turquoise, Kona Kiwi, Kona Marine, and Kona Iron,
Backing: Orange Minky Plush, Binding: Simply Color Orange Ikat

Quilting:  Pantograph Pattern Quirky by Willow Leaf Studios. 
Longarm quilting by myself on Avante 18"

Spirograph

One of the major culprits of my piecing addiction.

This is my version of Julie Pickle's Spirograph quilt.  

I used Moda's Winter's Lane by Kate & Birdie.  I love this fabric.  

Better yet?  Mr. Boss loves it too and said how much he loved it and the pattern.  He does not always love all my quilts as much as I do!

I cannot stress enough how fun this quilt was.  It is an intermediate level pattern, but if I had a day where my boys weren't distracting me, I am positive it can be done in a day.  It only took two short afternoons.

She is debuting it on her blog at Distant Pickles TODAY!  All of the links are there for you to go purchase the pattern so you can make your very own.

I highly recommend you check out her blog to see the other versions also!  Some of us used yardage, a few of us used fat quarters with yardage, and Bree, her blogmate, made one entirely scrappy with a fat quarter bundle!!

Now to decide on my backing and quilting!!!

WIP: Oy Vey

I was about to post that I didn't do much since last week's WIP post, until I did a rundown on Instagram. Oy vey...I've been busy.

Pattern Testing

I finished my quilt top for Bree at Distant Pickles.  I started it just a little over a week ago.

I seriously can't wait for her to release this pattern so I can share this quilt!
  Off to buy backing material this week!

Stars and Stripes

I pulled out my hexagons on Memorial Day.

I have machine appliqued the hexagon rows to the stripes and pieced the stripes for the upper portion of the flag.  Still have to do the much longer rows next!

Group Quilt Block

A special top secret group block.  The kind of quilt that will be awesome.  

Don't worry, you will see more of it because I get to quilt it!

Friendship Hexagon block tutorial by Don't Call Me Betsy!

End of the Year Teacher Gifts.

I started these last year, but I finally finished three for the preschool teachers by last Thursday! 

Not a finish though...still have eight or so to go for the middle schoolers.  And I can't take credit for the little Mug Rug saying. A Facebook friend designed them and was sweet enough to share them!

Hex on the Beach

I ran out of hexagon templates.

  I am at 357/1008 hexagons!

This was taken at 196 this week.

 Loooong way to go.  And it's definitely official.  I hate glue.

Mini Vac Attachment Bag

I love my mini vac attachments to clean my sewing machines so much, that I had to make a drawstring bag for them!

My First Pattern??

In January, I designed a quilt for Button.  I have finally decided to get working on the quilt and the pattern this month.

I have crib, lap, twin and queen sizes worked out.
The king is alluding me a bit because I didn't realize they were wider than they are longer?

Second Client Quilt

I was waiting on my latest pantograph order!

Can't wait to use the larger scale Maple Syrup.
 The one I did awhile back was too small for the quilt I'm about to do!

Blogger's Quilt Festival

The voting has begun.

 I have two quilts over there.  Tumbleweed in Home Machine quilting at #2.  and Imagination for Group Quilt at #1.  If your bored and want to vote for someone, I won't stop you!  My secret confession? I didn't vote for any of mine!  Shhhhh....


Now I just need to figure out how to catch up on all the sweet comments and also my blog reading. Something always has to give, doesn't it?

Blowfish Pincushion

 I wish I could say that I came up with this sweet girl, but I can't!!

 About a month ago, Bree at Distant Pickles posted a picture of her completed fish on Facebook. 

Image via Distant Pickles

 I immediately went goo-goo, ga-ga over it.  I think I even squealed when I saw hers.

And, first off, I am bound by duty to tell you that Bree is one of TWO contributors to Distant Pickles.  Their story of how they blog from afar HERE is too cool!  I love Bree, she is superwoman with amazing creativity and quilts like a mad woman.  Julie, on the other hand, is just as crazy with her skills, but her humor constantly gets me.  Seriously, the email banter that we have is out of control some days!

Okay...back to the point of the post!  Bree asked me if I would test the pattern for her. 

Ummm........YEEEEES! 

 I knew EXACTLY who I wanted to make this pincushion for!  My friend who not only bakes (and blogs at Baby Got Cake), but is really getting going on her sewing talent. I love to see her grow each day.  And I was waiting for a perfect thank you for sending me this shirt.

Why the shirt? I use DUDE at least once a day, but more like 10 times a day.  With four boys, it is a quick way to tell them most ANYTHING.    "Dude, can you please remember to take your shoes off before you come in the house before your dad yells?"  "Dude (random driver on the road), where did you learn to drive?"  "Dude, seriously, how many times do I have to tell you to brush your teeth in one day?"  "Dude, mommy is tired. I am really not in the mood for games" 

And probably the most used phrase "Duuuuuude, you have a stinky diaper!!!!!".

I digress......

Bree has her tutorial here for Riley Blake.  Go check it out!

Here is my girl in Riley Blake's Alphabet Soup Girl by is in all her glory. 

psst...confession time...I couldn't believe that I actually had a Riley Blake in my stash!

In case you are wondering...the bow was added because, in good ole Heidi-fashion, I was sewing late into the night and did NOT follow her VERY clear directions and did not do the panels in the correct order.  Also, I highly recommend you use batting like Bree did.  I filled mine entirely with crushed walnut shells, which are actually great for pins, but they made the entire pincushion VERY heavy and it all settled and made her fat more than round.

But, aside MY missteps, I think she turned out great!  

And my friend was pretty surprised and happy too!