Make It Madness

I just received an email from Craftsy that my Quilted Leaf Potholder was selected for the Make It Madness Quilting Pattern challenge. 

http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2016/03/makeitmadness-quilting-kickoff/

Today they are up against a mighty awesome pattern by Lee Heinrich at Freshly Pieced. 

Feel free to click on the link above to see how YOU can win a free online class if you vote for my pattern (Or if you vote for Lee's. I can handle the rejection) !!!!

Join in all the fun!  I plan to myself!!!

Fanfare {Quilt}

Introducing, or rather, reintroducing my Fanfare quilt pattern.

I made this quilt for our family a while ago and I have had several requests for the pattern. 

 

 It is such an easy and simple pattern that it is free. 

 I also named it a generic Fanfare name because I actually think it is a wonderful quilt to show off novelty fabrics or showcase your favorite character, superhero, or even a simple symbol.

We love our quilt so much. 

 We take it on our Disney trips and have the characters sign the back with a fabric marker.

You can find the download link on Craftsy HERE or click on image below.

 

If you have any questions. Please let me know!!

Just Call Me A Plotter

Here's the deal.  I am a plotter.  I am methodical.  I look at all the angles.  I consider all the options.  I take FOREVER to to plan and plot.

  However, when it is time to execute?   I work lightening fast. 
I quilt that way too.  I spend months, even years planning quilt patterns and idea.  

So do not fear. When you see me "whip a quilt out" in a weekend or even a week.  I promise. It took me FOREVER to get there.

Source: Quilted Leaf Potholders via ButtonsButterfl on Craftsy

This pattern is one you are familiar with.  I am sorry if it disappoints, but the methodical planner just had to give to try out the Craftsy store with a free pattern that is already done.   Now that I have it set up, I can't see why I can't just finish the quilt patterns I have in the works!

Are you a slow planner and quick executioner or are you the opposite?  I'd love to hear!

Gramm's Garden Party Quilt

This quilt is really all about learning.  Even after 17 years, I am still learning.  Not only new techniques, but learning more about myself.

The pattern is from Angela Walter's  Negative Space class on Craftsy.

I bought the class last year when it first came out, and have used the techniques ever since on many quilts.   Particularly my Artist Palette Mini, Primarily Sean's, and Stars and Stripes.

 Because I missed the opportunity to piece the quilt by Christmas last year for my mom, I didn't really rush to piece it until this past August.

It came together fairly quickly and is officially my very first ALL solids quilt.  

The colors aren't really my first choice.  But if you saw my mom's family and living rooms, you would look at this and say "Yes.  Yes indeed".   Growing up, I would not have pegged her as a "modern" gal, but looking back, she always has had pieces that were clean lined.   

Now to the REAL purpose of this quilt.  The quilting.

I really feel like this quilt is ALL about the quilting.

And boy, did I quilt the heck out of it.  I  had originally sketched out a VERY broad plan of leaves and pebbles.  And it just kept becoming very organic and botanical.  Because the other thing about my mom is that she loves botanical prints.  A LOT.

As I was quilting from top to bottom, I was "seeing" a tree.  Leaves dipping down from branches.  I had the urge to do bark on one side and then grass at the bottom.  But then felt it was getting too literal as I worked my way down.

Instead, I did some bark in the squares.

Different types of leaves.

And just organic movement.

 

I have to point out this mess below.  I struggled with tension issues and the flower was SO much prettier the first time.

So here is my "keeping it real" photo.  I sure hope washing gets all the yuck out below!

 

I did quilt one obvious flower.  Because I just needed a little "Heidi" on the quilt.

The backing is exactly what I wanted and also happens to be called Garden Party Stripe which I promptly started calling the quilt.

The binding.  My gut was to do a brown or really dark green, but knowing my mom's taste for the pastels and mild colors, I restrained my urge and decided on one of the softer greens.

 Quilt Stats:

Measures:  53" x 71"

Pattern:  All Mine Quilt by Angela Walters

Fabric: Kona Raffia (background), Cloud, Sea Foam, 

Sable, Spring, Palm, Green Tea, and Celadon.  Garden Party Stripe (Backing)

Quilting: Avante 18" longarm by me!

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Recently, I heard the composer Sodenheim say in a quick blip from his new HBO documentary that (and I'm completely paraphrasing) if you write music to be popular or to make money, you will not do well.  You must do it for the love.  

It was then that I remembered why many of my quilts are so successful.  Love.

A lot of love goes into my quilts!

Highlighter Quilt Top

The one great thing about knowing some quilter friends that design patterns is that I get to test them!  The only problem with that is that I have had this done since June. 

 It's hard to not to share secret projects, I tell you!

Introducing the Highlighter quilt by my friend Bree @ Distant Pickles. 
You can find it HERE at Craftsy!

I had originally wanted to do prints, but my new rule this year was that any quilt I add to my already quite long list has to have a distinct home.   The second limitation I put on myself was to try to use current stash as much as possible.   I needed to be tough on myself.

I already had a pattern for Button's nursery that is still in the works.  (Somone please put a firepoker at my back to get me going?!??!)  I couldn't find enough fabric for Teenboy that worked in his room.  And I am glad I didn't choose it for him because the Argyle quilt that I am working on suits his room so much better.

That left the middle boys.
 Their room is pretty much done, decorating wise, but they each don't have their own quilt yet. 



Bad quilt mom, bad.  

So I pulled this Kona solids stack.

Kona Orange, Kona Turquoise, Kona Sour Apple, Blue Marine, Kona Medium Gray

I went to work, and I now have my first all solid quilt.

I'm pretty excited.  I have not quilted it yet. The 13 year old boy decided that this one was his.  He just didn't like the fact that I chose Ikat Orange for the Simply Color line. 

How dare he, right?
As soon as we settle on it, we will be quilting!

WIP: More "In Progress" than "No Progress"

I am excited today because not only is it WIP Wednesday, I actually don't have a lot of No Progress items this week!!  I feel bad because so much was accomplished this week and I know how frustrating it is when I see others make a lot of progress and I have made none, but I am happy that it is MY turn!!!  I can totally give credit to the Virtual Sew In I participated on Saturday!  I have a lot of great in progress photos on that post...I just grabbed a few for this post here to share!

Finishes:

Utility Aprons

I finished these aprons up on Friday!!!
I wanted them done before the Virtual Sew In, but ready to go for Monday.  This is just a sneak peek:

These were a gift for a good friend of mine!  I will elaborate on another post later this week and tell you all the details because the reason for the gift, the tutorial and fabrics deserve their own spotlight!!

In Progress:

Spiders and Webs, part deaux

Last week, I was having camera downloading problems and this is a picture of the pieced rectangles from last week. 

I was able to cut all of my triangles on Saturday.

And I have it in a sort of layout on my portable design wall waiting to be pieced.

 I have decided to do a black background and found this cute fabric for the backing.

Figgy Pudding Christmas Quilt

I finally pulled out my pieced background for the top of the quilt.  

I was able to cut out all of my trees and trunks...so all that is keeping me from a finished top is to get them appliqued and piece the large piece you see above to the lower half of the quilt!

Baby Girl Quilt

Remember how this baby girl kit has been sitting and waiting for me.  I think I have changed the recipeint in my head about a million times now?

I have a new recipient and cut out the pieces!!!!

Craftsy Quilt &  August do. Good Stitches block

My fabric arrived!  Thanks to my Kona color card, I think I chose my colors well.  When I showed the backing fabric to the boys and asked them if they were the right colors for the recipients family room, they responded with a resounding..."Ooooh, yeah mom".  Phew!

All those oranges and purples are some additions to help beef up my stash.  The do. Good Stitches block this month made me realize I need more orange and pinks to be able to pull from!

I consider fabric purchase as progress...don't you?

No Progress: 

Retro Flower Quilt

Thank You Quilt

Merry, Merry Snowman Quilt

I am tickled pink to see only 3 things on this list!!!!

New Projects:

A Secret Quilt 

I can only show you a snippet because I can't reveal all.

  I was able to complete the full top and pieces for the backing.  I hope to get this bad boy on Ole Betsy this week.  I have given myself a deadline of Friday!  You will see more of it soon!  I promise!!!

****Note:  I have A GIVEAWAY running this week until next Tuesday, September 4, 2012.  It is a thank you to all of my followers...old and new! 

Don't miss your chance to enter and win one of these fat quarter bundles of yummy Amy Butler and Kumari Garden. 

Off to link up with Freshly Pieced.  Today's guest poster is  Michelle from CityHouseStudio

I am in love with her library tote.....Go check it out!!!

WIP: School Blues

I feel like a broken record, but man....I am so sad that school started....

So are they?

The Middle J's are now in Middle School and the oldest is a SOPHMORE.  A SOPHMORE?!?!?!?

Button and I are pretty lonely and I think yesterday, I may or may not have gotten mad at him like a three year old child.  We were yelling at each other because I was trying to clean the kitchen and he was being counterproductive and emptying out all the cabinets.  I think I may have even stomped my foot?

Ever have one of those days?

And to further the depression...my grandmother (who is 82 now) sent me this email yesterday evening:

"So Summer is over.  I can remember that first day of school was always filled with conflicting emotions for me.  Glad for the few hours of peace and quiet, and structure in the days, but regretting having used up another year of childhood.  How can such important years of our lives, parents and children, evaporate so quickly?  Even now, if I let myself dwell on the subject I get a little pang!"
 

 Yeah....get the tissue out.   But hey..isn't she the coolest grandmother EVER?  My kid's great grandmother not only emails regularly, designs and prints her own cards on the computer, but she also Skypes now....wooooah!!

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Finishes: 

Sibling Sets

Non-quilting, but I made these cute applique sets on Saturday! 

 One for a friend/client (aren't most of our clients friends?) 

 

And since I was in the mood, I made another set as a gift.

In Progress:

Black and White Spiders and Webs Quilt

I am I have successfully pieced my eight rectangles. 

(No pictures at the moment...my iPhoto is misbehaving...just picture 4 jelly roll strips sewn together in black and white, okay?)

 I have more rectangles this time so I am not sure how big or how many "webs" I will get.  When I did the the first Spiders and Webs for the Moda Bake Shop, I had eliminated about 5-6 strips for the binding.  I think because Halloween is approaching I was contacted about how many rectangles I did.  I had reconstructed my tutorial AFTER I had completed the quilt, and I am now wondering if I finagled a shorter rectangle with two strips by cutting them in half because I recall doing so....we shall see how it plays out.  

You will be the FIRST to know Whitney!!!!!!

Teenager's Room

I hung up the curtains...but no pictures yet because it has been dreary, dreary, oh...and dreary! 

I have the pile of fabric out 

and all of my magazine/catalog clippings to stir up some throw pillow ideas.

Craftsy Class

The class asks us to make a quilt using her free pattern that is included in the class or purchase a fabric panel from her Spoonflower sets.  I, of course, have to make a quilt. 

 I decided Friday that I would make the solid quilt for someone in particular. 

 

  Fabric.com just informed me yesterday afternoon that the solids and striped backing I ordered are on their way!

No Progress:

Retro Flower Quilt

Button's Nursery Twin Bed Quilt.   

A Figgy Christmas Quilt 

Baby Girl Quilt.

Thank you quilt 

Merry, Merry Snowman BOM quilt

August do.Good Stitches Block

 

New Projects:

 I may or may not have said I would do a quilt pattern test.  Yup, shoot me.

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Off to check on WIP.  I am so excited....since Mr. Boss was gone for four nights, I caught up with my WIP blogs and made a special category in my Google Reader just for my WIP friends.  That way I can just scroll down and read theirs today FIRST!!!  And then go back to Freshly Piece and read any new quilters!

Rebecca from Pieces and Cream is guest posting over there.  I used to live in the Milwaukee area and went to Marquette University with Mr. Boss.  I wonder if she will think I am stalking her if I follow her?

Sorry for the long post.....it may be because my only conversation lately is with an 18 month old.