"bricks" baby quilt

I have a lot of friends & family having babies in the near future!  My sister-in-law, Leah, is due with a baby girl at the beginning of December.  She asked me to make a quilt for her baby, which was a no-brainer since I was already planning on it!  She said to shoot for a pink / aqua color scheme & I had another jelly roll of Hello Luscious by Basic Grey, so I made 2 quilts out of that fabric line back to back.  I worried I might get sick of the fabrics, but I definitely did not!  It's too bad I don't have a 3rd jelly roll of it to make a quilt for me!  (haha) 

I decided to go with a "brick" layout for this version.  I thought the larger pieces of fabric would really show off this line.  Again, this was such a easy and fun quilt to make.  And again, the "hardest" part was just making sure the fabrics were dispersed evenly.    

I had seen a number of quilts on Pinterest and Instagram with the "brick" pattern and they were all straight line quilted.  So I decided to try it on this quilt.  I thought the straight lines would really accentuate the brick pattern.  I think it turned out fairly good for only my 3rd time quilting anything!

The quilt measured 54" x 56" before washing and shrunk to 50" x 52" after washing & drying.  In hindsight, I wish I had made this quilt a little less wide and a little bit longer because I don't particularly care for square quilts.  I'm not sure how I miscalculated the size of the quilt because I had thought it would come out closer to 48" x 56".  Oh well. 

For the backing fabric, I had this beige fabric in my stash and I thought it complemented the cream and beige colors in the quilt top.  It wasn't quite enough fabric though, so I pulled 3 fat quarters from my stash and pieced them together, along with the beige fabric, to make the back.  I like that it is a pieced back without being too fussy / busy.  

For the binding, I used the beige fabric left over from the backing.  I wanted something neutral and calm and I really like it.  I forgot to get a decent picture of the binding.  I ended up being just about 3 inches short on the binding, so I pieced in a little scrap of pink fabric.  You barely notice it from the front of the quilt.  From the back, it is kind of a fun, unexpected pop of color.  I really like it. 

Quilt Stats:
Fabric: 
          Quilt top - Hello Luscious by Basic Grey
          Backing & binding - beige solid (Moda) and 3 miscellaneous fat quarters pulled from stash

Pattern: brick pattern
Dimensions: 50" x 52"
Started: August 7th, 2014
Finished: September 4th, 2014
Quilted by: myself! 
Made for: Leah's baby girl, Sophia

Thanks for reading!
-V

Linking to:
NTT @ My Quilt Infatuation
TGIFF @ Quilt Matters 
Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts
Whoop Whoop @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Link a Finish Friday @ Richard & Tanya Quilts   

Around the World Blog Hop

You have probably seen the "Around the World" blog hop going on around the blogosphere.  I was invited to participate by Shelley Folkerts of The Carpenter's Daughter Who Quilts.  Shelley is a fellow Iowan.  She has been quilting for over 20 years, but just recently started blogging.  Go check out her blog (after you look over my post, of course).

Painted Ladies WIP

1. What am I working on?

Currently, I am working on a Painted Ladies quilt using a quilt kit from Fig Tree & Co.  The fabric line is Honeysweet.  I absolutely fell in love with this pattern and fabric line in May of 2013 and ordered the quilt kit directly from Fig Tree & Co.  I had unrealistically high hopes that I would get a chance to work on it LAST fall.  I don't know what I was thinking since I had Easton on September 23rd (2013) and we were trying to get our house finished before winter.  I really want to get this quilt finished before fall is over so I can enjoy it before winter sets in!

Sidewalk by October Afternoon & Miss Kate by Bonnie & Camille recently purchased from Latimer Lane Quilting

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I don't really know how to answer this question.  I have made 2 quilts using patterns (Swoon & Painted Ladies).  The rest of my quilts haven't required patterns or I designed them myself.  I am hoping to continue to design my own patterns.  I don't think anything I do is particularly different or unique.  I just like making quilts with pretty fabric.

Little House pins & some mini-charms from Miss Rosie's Quilt Co

3. Why do I create what I do?

Mostly for relaxation and for a "hobby".  I find it really relaxing to cut & piece fabric.  Pressing - not so much, but I guess it is a necessary evil.  And of course, there is the satisfaction of knowing you made something with your 2 hands that is both beautiful & functional.  I think we all hope that the quilts we make will remind our loved ones of us after we are gone.

Just a little crafty organization for my daughter's art supplies. Acrylic jars, chalkboard labels, and chalkboard marker were all from Amazon.

If you want to participate in this blog hop, just write a blog post and let me know!  I will link it up here. 

Thanks for reading!
-Valerie

Linked to:
Freshly Pieced

"postage stamp" baby quilt

My good friend, Heidi, is due with a baby girl at the end of this month.  She asked me to make a quilt for the baby, which was a no-brainer since I was already planning on it!  She said she wanted simple patchwork.  One afternoon when she was over, she went through my stash, and decided on Hello Luscious by Basic Grey.  I had 2 jelly rolls of it, so it worked out good to use my stash - plus I had been wanting to use that fabric line for a long time!  

This was such a easy and fun quilt to make.  The "hardest" part was just making sure the fabrics were dispersed evenly.    

Because it was such a classic and simple pattern, I had it long-arm quilted at my LQS.  I really love the swirl pattern!  

For the backing fabric, I used one of the fabrics from Wee Wander by Sarah Jane.  I didn't have enough, so Kim (who owns my LQS) suggested using the blue fabric to make a "cross".  I really love the way it turned out! 

The quilt measured 48" x 56" before washing and shrunk to 44" x 52" after washing & drying.

I debated on what to do for the binding.  I initially thought I would go with a pink fabric, but after auditioning a number of fabrics, I couldn't find one that was just the right shade.  The blue fabric that I used on the back was a near perfect match to the blues on the front, so I went with it. 

I can't wait to meet the little peanut!

Quilt Stats:
Fabric: 

Quilt top - Hello Luscious by Basic Grey
               Backing & binding - Wee Wander by Sarah Jane

Pattern: simple patchwork
Dimensions: 44" x 52"
Started quilt top: June 27th, 2014
Finished quilt top: August 2nd, 2014
Quilted: by Kim Barrett, owner of Quilt-N-Kaboodle
Made for: Charlie Joan

Linking to:
NTT @ My Quilt Infatuation  
TGIFF @ Quilt Matters 
Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts
Whoop Whoop @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict 
Link a Finish Friday @ Richard & Tanya Quilts  

easton's baby quilt :: finished

Well, yet again I have inadvertently taken a 3 month hiatus from blogging.  However, I have worked on a few projects this summer. First up to show you is my son's baby quilt....

Last summer I started working on a quilt for my then yet-to-be-born baby boy.  I was pretty sure I wanted to work around a navy / aqua / green color scheme.  I had pinned a few quilts with similar color schemes on Pinterest.  Somehow I came across the striped fabric from the Seaside fabric line by October Afternoon.  It was exactly the colors I had in mind, so I purchased a yard of it and slowly collected fabrics that coordinated. 

I finished the first (test) block for Easton’s quilt on August 26^th, 2013.  I was really loving the way it looked; the colors, the fabrics, everything.  So, I made 47 more blocks.  Chain-piecing made quick work of it and I had all the blocks done about a week before Easton was born.  And I could have had the quilt top together before he was born, if it hadn’t been for one little glitch….  

When I laid out all the blocks as I had originally planned, the values were not quite right. I wasn’t getting the secondary pattern I had hoped for.  My goal had been Sunshine & Shadows (pictured on the left), but even the Barn Raising layout (pictured on the right) didn't look right.  As I was mulling over my options (over-analyzing as my family would say), I ended up going into labor & having Easton.  So the blocks sat.  Finally this past April, I couldn’t look at the poor blocks any longer.  I was adamant that they get sewn into a quilt top…. But I still couldn’t decide on a layout.  I toyed with sashing them, but ultimately decided that was more work than I wanted to put into it and I didn’t think it would look any better.  

Finally, I decided to go with this zig zag layout, which is officially called Fields and Furrows, and is quite fitting since we are a farm family.  Plus, it was the only layout that looked half decent.    

This quilt top was sent to Abby Latimer for quilting.  She suggested the "Modern Leaves" pantograph & it turned out perfect.  It complements both the fabrics & the zig zag layout.  

I decided to bind the quilt with the same green fabric that I used for the backing since I thought the top could use a little more green to balance it out.  (And I had plenty of green fabric left over.)

 

Easton turns 1 on September 23rd.  I thought Tensley's first year went fast, but Easton's first year went even faster!

Quilt Stats:
Fabric: 

Quilt top - compilation of fabrics based on navy / aqua / green color scheme
               Backing - green fabric

               Binding - same green fabric as backing
Pattern: log cabin blocks in the Fields and Furrows layout
Dimensions: 48” x 64”
Started quilt top: August 22^nd, 2013
Finished quilt top: April 23^rd, 2014
Quilted: by Abby Latimer of Latimer Lane Quilting using the “Modern Leaves” pantograph pattern  
Made for: Easton Cronin

Thanks for reading!  I have 2 more baby quilts to share, so hopefully I will get those blogged soon!

-V

Linking to:
NTT @ My Quilt Infatuation  
Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts
Whoop Whoop @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict  
Link a Finish Friday @ Richard & Tanya Quilts 
TGIFF @ Quokka Quilts 
Fresh Sewing Day @ Lily's Quilts  

destash giveaway winner announced

The winner of the destash giveaway has been chosen by Random.org!

 Congratulations to Margie, who said:

Stay tuned for future giveaways!  I'm hoping to go through my sewing room bins and destash some scraps as well.

- Valerie

starry christmas quilt :: finished

I finished this quilt top back in January of 2013.  You can click this link to go back & read more about how I pieced the top, if you are so inclined.   

I sent this quilt to Abby Latimer for long-arm quilting.  We decided on the Flurry pattern, which I think turned out really great on this quilt.  With the grey thread, the quilting shows up really nice on the back of the quilt as well.  Abby does a great job of keeping the quilting fairly open, which is how I like it, so the quilt has a really nice drape. 

I went with a red solid fabric for the binding.  I actually had this binding left over from my Swoon quilt because I accidentally made waaaaay to much.  It turned out to be a happy accident though because I really like it on this quilt.  

One last picture, which is slightly blurry because I find it nearly impossible to get a full shot of a quilt that is laying on the floor.

The "giveaway" ends Saturday, May 31st at midnight CST and then I will draw the winners.  Click back to this post for the details & to enter, if you are interested!   Giveaway now closed.

Quilt Stats:
Fabric:  
         Quilt top - Blitzen by Basic Grey for Moda               
         Binding - Red Moda fabric left over from Swoon quilt

Pattern: July Star Block by Allison Harris of Cluck Cluck Sew
Dimensions: 61.5" x 82"
Started quilt top: December 2012
Finished quilt top: January 31st, 2013
Quilted: by Abby Latimer of Latimer Lane Quilting using the Flurry pantograph pattern  

By the way, Abby is having a Christmas Quilting in July sale.  Click on over to her website for more details if you are looking for a long-arm quilter!

Thanks for reading!

Valerie

Linking To:
TGIFF @ Ms Midge
Whoop Whoop @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Link a Finish Friday @ Richard & Tanya Quilts 
Finish it up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts 
Fresh Sewing Day @ Lily's Quilts 
NTT @ My Quilt Infatuation

blogger's choice bundle quilt ---> cracker quilt :: finished

I finished this quilt top in August of 2013.  You can click this link to go back & read more about how I pieced the top.  

I sent this quilt to Abby Latimer for long-arm quilting.  We decided on the 30’s Flower pattern, which I think turned out really great on this quilt.  

For binding, I went with a minty green with white polka dot that I think has a great vintage feel to it and works perfectly for this quilt. 

And how about one more picture of the quilt "in action"...

The "giveaway" will remain open through the month of May.  Click back to this post for the details & to enter, if you are interested!   Giveaway now closed.

Quilt Stats:
Fabric:  
          Quilt top - Fat Quarter Shop’s Blogger’s Choice Bundle by Katy Jones of I’m A Ginger Monkey + 5 fat quarters I pulled from my stash
          Backing - Summer Garden print from the Children At Play fabric line by Sarah Jane for Michael Miller Fabrics
          Binding - green with white polka dot
          Pattern: Based off of an antique quilt my sister has, although I later found out it is commonly referred to as a Cracker pattern (Moda has a free tutorial here) 
Dimensions: 54” x 72”
Started quilt top: August 8th, 2013
Finished quilt top: August 21st, 2013
Quilted: by Abby Latimer of Latimer Lane Quilting using the 30’s Flower pantograph pattern 

Thanks for reading!

Valerie

Linking to:
NTT @ My Quilt Infatuation
TGIFF @ Georgia Girl Quilts 
Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts 
Whoop Whoop @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict 
Link a Finish Friday @ Richard & Tanya Quilts 

the accidental quilt ----> christmas coins quilt :: finished

I finished this quilt top back in August of 2013.  You can click this link to go back & read more about how I made this quilt, if you are so inclined.  I had originally named this quilt the "Accidental Quilt" since I hadn't really planned on making it, but now that it is finished, I have decided to name it "Christmas Coins".      

This quilt top was sent to Abby Latimer for long-arm quilting.  We decided on the Christmas Snow pattern, which I think turned out really great on this quilt.  The only thing I wish I had done differently is used a different backing fabric.  I didn’t want to spend a lot of time on the backing, so I used a wide back that I found at my LQS.  I like the backing fabric, but the quilting really gets lost on the busy fabric.  I love when quilting stands out on the back of a quilt, so going forward I will try to choose fabrics that will allow the quilting to shine! 

I decided to go with the same grey fabric for the binding as I used for the background so the coins could appear to float on the background fabric.  

The “giveaway” will remain open through the month of May.  Click back to this post for the details & to enter, if you are interested!   Giveaway now closed.

Quilt Stats:

Fabric:

          Quilt top - Blitzen by Basic Grey for Moda and a grey solid for the background fabric

          Binding - same grey solid that was used for the background fabric

Pattern: simple coin design

Dimensions: 69" x 83"

Started quilt top: August 1st, 2013

Finished quilt top: August 7th, 2013

Quilted: by Abby Latimer of Latimer Lane Quilting using the Christmas Snow pantograph pattern

By the way, Abby is having a Christmas Quilting in July sale.  Click on over to her website for more details if you are looking for a long-arm quilter!

Thanks for reading!

Valerie

Linking to:
NTT @ My Quilt Infatuation
TGIFF @ My Quilt Infatuation 
Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts 
Whoop Whoop @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Link a Finish Friday @ Richard & Tanya Quilts  

tensley's "baby" quilt :: finished

So, in other news, Tensley started preschool on April 7^th.  She goes 2 days a week (Monday & Wednesday) from 8:15 – 12.  Easton naps 9 – 11 so I have been trying to catch up on my WIPs.  The first one I pulled out was Tensley’s “baby” quilt.  (Nevermind the fact that she turned 3 on April 13th.)  

I finished this quilt top in October of 2012.  You can click this link to go back and read more about making the quilt top, if you are so inclined.  I went with this brown / grey fabric for the back.  

I sent it out to Abby Latimer for long-arm quilting.  We decided on the Candyland quilting pattern & I really like it!  It is perfect for this quilt.  

I went back and forth on what to do for the binding.  It was between using the same fabric as the back, which would hide dirt, or doing the same cream fabric with green polka dots that I used as the background fabric.  Of course, the drawback of the cream was that it would be more difficult to keep clean, but ultimately I decided I wanted the binding to blend into the background.  I’m really happy with the result.  

 One more picture, just because....

With this quilt finished, Tensley now has 4 quilts, so I decided a quilt ladder was in order!  My local quilt shop has them for sale & so I picked one up the last time I was in.  I went with the unfinished pine because my plan was to paint it white.  However, now that it is in her bedroom, I am not so sure.  Perhaps staining it to match her woodwork would look nice.  Or maybe a darker grey color?  Her walls are Repose Gray by Sherwin Williams, which is a really lovely light gray that takes on different colors in different lights.  If you have any suggestions, I’d love to hear them!  

Also, the "giveaway" will remain open through the month of May.  Click back to this post for the details & to enter, if you are interested!   Giveaway now closed.

Quilt Stats:
Fabric: 

Quilt top - It’s A Hoot by Momo for Moda and background fabric is cream with pale green polka dot by Robyn Pandolph              

Binding - same as background fabric 

Pattern: simple HST design
Dimensions: 48” x 56”
Started quilt top: September 24^th, 2012
Finished quilt top: October 13^th, 2012

Quilted by: Abby Latimer of Latimer Lane Quilting using the Candyland pantogram pattern  

Thanks for reading!

Valerie

Linking to:
NTT @ My Quilt Infatuation
TGIFF @ Quilt Matters
Whoop Whoop @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Link a Finish Friday @ Richard & Tanya Quilts 
Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts   

playing catch up :: Easton's nursery bedding

Did I say I was getting into a routine & would be blogging more soon….?  Ooops….

I took a hiatus from the blog because life got a little hectic.  Easton was born September 23^rd.  October & November were busy with finalizing things for the house & overseeing the final work.  We moved in on December 14^th. (More pictures to come in a future post.)  The unpacking & Christmas shopping & present wrapping kept me busy until Christmas (okay, the unpacking kept me busy until January).  January started with the 3 of us getting sick (me, Tensley, & Easton).  It took us nearly 2 weeks to completely recover.  Both kids were sick again in February and then both had ear infections in March / April.  During that time, I also had mastitis – twice.  Ugh.  So, needless to say, we are more than ready for Spring! 

Somehow during that time, I did manage to finish quite a few projects.  I’m hoping to be able to post about each one over the course of the month of May.  Also, as I was organizing my sewing room, I found a number of items that I think could go to a better home.  Stayed tuned for more about the items at the end of this post.  If you are interested in them, comment below & I will pick a winner at the end of May.

Easton’s crib bedding was on the top of my “to finish” list.  I decided to make a crib bumper for him because he moves a TON in his sleep.  From his back to his tummy and from one end of the crib to the other.  I have found him cross-ways in the crib many, many mornings.  I didn’t want him getting stuck in the crib rails and now that he is 7 months old, and “crawling” (okay, lunging forward repeatedly until he gets where he wants to go), I am not worried about him getting stuck up against the bumper. 

I had purchased a yard of this striped fabric about a year ago as the color inspiration for his quilt.  The fabric is Seaside by October Afternoon.  I decided to go ahead & purchase another 4 yards of fabric to use for the bumper & crib skirt.  To make the crib bumper, I essentially made a “duvet cover” for Tensley’s old bumper!  I lined the “duvet cover” since Tensley’s crib bumper was pink & yellow stripes that otherwise would show through the Seaside fabric.  I went back & forth on making the piping, but eventually decided it would look nicer to do the piping.  I used my zipper foot and followed this tutorial.  It actually was not difficult at all and I kind of enjoyed it!  I made the piping & ties out of fabric I had left over from backing Tensley’s quilt.  It matches the brown / grey color in the striped fabric perfectly!  

I also made the crib skirt, which was even easier.  Because I had purchased 4 yards of fabric & it was cut continuously, I used the length of the fabric to my advantage to wrap it around the bottom of the crib! Easy peasy!  I hemmed the top, bottom, & sides, but that was the only sewing required.  I didn’t even think to line the crib skirt, but I wonder if it would have given it more structure.  It is kind of “floppy”.  I could always go back and do that in the future (if / when I have time & decide it bothers me enough).  I also should have pressed the crib skirt before I put it on, but again, I could do that when / if I decide to line it or when I decide it needs washed.  

 Just in case I get questions about how I attached the crib skirt to the crib, I have a piece of plywood under the mattress (on top of the mattress spring).  I was originally going to staple the fabric to the plywood, but my dad suggested I try taping it to the plywood first to see if that would hold.  The benefit being, when I need to lower the crib mattress, I don’t have to pull out the staples to shorten the crib skirt.  So far the tape is holding great (I used masking tape).  Thanks Dad!

I ended up with the original yard of fabric left after I made the bumper & skirt, so I decided to make a blanket.  I used a blanket I already had for Easton, but one side was sports themed.  I sewed the right sides together (striped fabric & blue minky fabric facing each other), then pulled right side out through an opening, then topstitched the opening shut & topstitched around the blanket.  Quick & easy!

The best part is that I made a crib bumper, crib skirt, and blanket for Easton – all for about $50!

Now for the “giveaway”.  If you are interested in the items below, leave a comment, and I will pick a winner at the end of the month of May.  (US entries only please since I am shipping this myself.)  I’m going to leave the giveaway open for the entire month of May to give more people a chance to enter.  Some of these items are things that would be most beneficial for a beginning quilter, so even if you don’t have a use for them – perhaps you know someone who would like them...   Giveaway now closed.

 

"A Caboodle in a Box" - not sure exactly what this is... a pattern of some sort

"A Scrap Savers Solution Book", "Scrap Quilts" pamphlet, "Quilting the Quilt" pamphlet, "Bound and Determined to Finish that Quilt" booklet, "12 Quilting Guides" booklet, "The AQS Guide to Quilt Care" booklet, Sulky thread color card, & Bonnie Bonnet pattern

2 Quilt Journals (each with 15 entries for journaling about your quilts), Amy Butler Swing Bag pattern, Essential Quilting DVD

Miscellaneous floss, iron-on patches, bias tape, twill tape, seam binding

Triangle square ruler, 6" square ruler, & binding tool

10 HST on the left & 1 HST on the right (I forgot to measure these, but they are maybe 6" HSTs...)

2 Swoon practice blocks (I believe these finished at 24.5")

3 fat quarters & 2 Moda Turnovers of Fig Tree & Co Patisserie

If you are interested in the items above, comment below & I will pick a winner at the end of May.   Giveaway now closed.

Thanks for reading!

Valerie

Linking to:
NTT @ My Quilt Infatuation
Fresh Sewing Day @ Lily's Quilts 
TGIFF @ Quokka Quilts
Whoop Whoop @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Link a Finish Friday @ Richard & Tanya Quilts 
Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts