Jolly Bar Bon Bon {Quilt}

"Don't mind me. I'm just sitting here with my feet up, watching soaps, and eating bon bons".

 For long as I can remember, my husband would call home to check on me and always ask "what are you doing right now?"  Naturally, I was doing whatever full-time, part-time, or stay at home moms do when they are home...cleaning something, washing something, changing someone, disciplining someone, feeding someone, or cleaning something. 

However, instead, I ALWAYS went the sarcastic route.

 I would simply respond to that loaded question "What are you doing?" with:  "Oh...just sitting here with my feet up, watching soaps and eating bon bons...."

(and for the record...I have NO idea what bon bons are nor have I ever eaten one...it just sounds fancy!)


See why I had to make this quilt with Fat Quarter Shop? 
 The fact that it is are really cute and adorable certainly helped its case too!

This pattern is super straight forward to make.   Thirty six Jolly Bars (exclusive Fat Quarter Shop precut of Moda Fabrics) and some background fabric and you have simple construction with a great overall impact.

 I used the gorgeous Garden Variety line by Lella Boutique from Moda Fabrics.

For some, HSTs can be tricky to create.  I am going to be COMPLETELY honest.  Whenever there is a suggested start size for HSTs?  I try to see if I can make them just slightly bigger.  I am notorious for making my seam allowances more generous than not. 

For this quilt, it is suggested that you cut 3 7/8" squares for the HSTs, but I found that there was plenty of room to cut 4" squares.   I know there are a lot of confident quilters that don't even trim their HSTs, but I am NOT one of those.  Even after 22 years of quilting, I have not mastered that ability. I think knowing it and owning it are better than pretending I'm perfect.  If you are like me?  I definitely suggest cutting larger squares and using a Bloc Loc ruler for trimming your HST's to size.

Today, I'm also sharing one of my tricks for "marking" my HSTs without using a marker.  

I have a video on my Instagram stories and I've uploaded it to my YouTube channel this week explaining how I use my pattern tracing tool to make a crease on your fabric along with other marks I make with my tracing wheel.

For my backing?  I used my favorite print from the line in my favorite color. I used my Prostitch computer program to make these fun "flying" pumpkin seeds.

  I haven't made a quilt binding that was the same as the backing in a long time, but this quilt really wanted me to do so!

Quilt Stats

Measures: 60" square

Pattern: Jolly Bar Bon Bon by Fat Quarter Shop

Fabric: Moda Fabrics Garden Variety by Lella Boutique

 and Robert Kaufman Essex Linen

Quilted: Pumpkin Seed on HQ Avante with Prostitcher

I'm so happy with the results of the quilts. I can see a few quilt gifts in the future!!!

Reversible Utitlity {Apron}

"An apron is just a cape on backwards!"

I NEVER wear full aprons.  They are usually too long for me, so I decided to make a half apron with the second apron kit I had in my stash after I made the first one for my grandmother.

  I had to keep it for myself so I can have warm memories of my grandmother. She is an important person in my life. You can read more in my POST HERE.

I don't generally use an apron in my kitchen, so I thought a utility apron for my studio would be more practical for me.

  I figure I can slip scissors, rulers, or various other notions I need while 

working at my cutting table or long arm. 

Not to mention my phone to take my quilty photos for Instagram!

Of course, I had to make it reversible like my grandmothers!!

 Have you ever tried to take a photo of yourself modeling an apron?

Let me know how you did, because this was the best I could do!

New York Beauty Hoop Clock

A hoop.  A quilt block.  And a clock. 

A match made in heaven if you ask me!

I have a confession. I can't function without an analog clock or watch.  Digital clocks strain my brain.  I need to see the clock face.  I need to see time in pie chunks. 

When we did the recent Studio Makeover, I mentioned that here were still many things to do.  This was one of them. I had a standing clock that was just taking up valuable floor space.  The focus on the makeover was to simplify.   The second mission?  If I add pieces or artwork, I want them to be inspiring.

But when we decided to donate it, I was left with no clock. I saw some seriously adorable clocks Like this one. 

From my Pinterest

But I really wanted to do something more. Not so cutesy, but more quilty. (is that a word?)

I scanned my Pinterest and I noticed the New York Beauty with flying geese blocks I adore and knew it had to be done. 

The background fabric is linen.
Full Disclosure:  It was not easy.  It paper pieced very nicely, but then it became squirreley when I pieced the curves. 

I tried piecing them with and without the papers in. Still stretchy.  

I was not impressed and got to the point where my repairs starting making it worse so I stopped. 

It was time to quilt. And I was excited. Until I realized most of the quilting just blended right into the loose weave. 

I had hoped to be able to see the quilting from afar.  No luck.

Again...it was just time to move forward.  Place it in the hoop and add a clock mechanism.
I cut a foam circle slightly smaller than the hoop so it would be snug.

I had to cut out a small square hole because the batting and foam were just too thick.

It's nice though because it is nice and snug and stable and doesn't pull the front to the back at all.

The hands were gold so I painted them black for more pop.  I still would like them longer so that might be an improvement in the future. 

But for now...I am happy.  Makes my right and left side of my brain are satisfied.  

Simple and clean....and inspiring!

(pssssst.....my camera died so these are phone pics.  Its amazing how many wonderful shots they can take and how many meeeeh pics they can take!)

If You Give a Quilter a Studio.....{Studio Makeover}

 If you give a quilter a studio....

Before photo

She'll ask you for new floors to go with it.

Maple Country by Home Legend

If you give her new floors,

She'll ask for the walls to be painted.

Paint:  Behr Bon Voyage

If you paint the walls,

She'll ask you for new window treatment fabric.

When you hang the new window treatments,

She will notice the fan blades don't match the floor, so you'll flip the blades around.

Since you are standing on it, she will probably ask you to move the island back towards the windows.

When you move the island, she'll notice she has more floor space to take pictures of quilts and blocks.

When she notices how clean the room looks with more floor space, 
she'll decide to she'll need some closet organization.

When she has more room in the closet, 

Cart from Country Door (vintage shopping cart)

She'll realize she has more space and store her rolling iron cart in it.  

She'll like the wire closet drawers from the closet so much, that she adds a unit with pre-cuts, 

When she realizes she likes to see her fabric, 

She will decide to rearrange her fabric and add her fat quarters with her mini bolts. 

She'll like the rainbow order so much, 

She'll organize her thread and buttons. 

But then she'll say she needs rainbow storage for her fabric scraps.

When she makes the storage bins, she'll say she needs to use up the fabric scraps.

You suggest she makes some more quilts.
She spies some empty areas above her cabinets.

When she thinks about minis, she'll want to go in the studio...

But if you give a quilter a studio.....

She'll want a longarm studio to go with it......

(To be continued)