Monday, January 31, 2011

Connor's Rear Window

Last year, our 17 year old son Connor, discovered the beautiful, Gracy Kelly.  Alfred Hitchcock's famous film, "Rear Window", became his favorite movie.  You have to see it to understand the name of Connor's quilt.

I used Kate Conklin's tutorial on fussy framed blocks


 labeled with Heather Ross, of course.




Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Exercising? Accessorizing? how about QUILTING!!


I can't come to the gym for my training session today, Val.   I'm at home quilting, I mean, I'm home in bed with a fever :)

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Olivia Strip Quilt


Who can resist a strip quilt?  My good friend Nettie @ a quilt is nice, introduced them to me.  Here is one of hers with Katie Jump rope fabrics.


Olivia fabrics make a great strip quilt.
Be sure you "stitch in the ditch" between your fabrics, and where your stripes are wider, quilt inside.
 
 A tight stipple around figures makes them POP!

Monday, January 17, 2011

Beany Boy Quilts

 Meet Benay of Beany Boy Quilts, a very talented artist and passionate quilter.  Some of her beautiful quilts feature fabrics manufactured by Moda and Riley Blake.
Being a mother of children, some of her quilts are interactive, bringing a whole new dimension to quilting.   She invited me to help in her booth at Market in Houston this past fall.  If I had a day, I'd tell you about all the things we learned, people we met, treasures we purchased (or didn't purchase), and all the hard work we put into this incredible experience!

Here are some of her interactive children's quilts:

This one is called SUGAR HIGH.  It was the most popular pattern.  It has some simple applique, and has a Pantograph designed especially for it by Benay, as do most of her quilts.

This beautiful quilt is called LOVE BUD.  It also has some simple applique and it's own Pantograph.  
 PETAL PARTY is an interactive quilt.  Behind each flower pedal and leaf, you will find pictures, for a matching game.



 
FARMING FUN has corn, carrots and strawberries which can be velcroed to their designated spot, or housed in a pocket.
  corn . . .
 carrots . . .

This one is called SECRET POCKETS, to be filled with what ever your imaginative child can find. 

Her quilts have been officially and throughly, "kid tested" and approved.  You can find her patterns here.
Don't forget to look at Benay's pantographs here.  My favorite is "drip", so adorable!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Rice Warmers

Have you ever worried about keeping your heating pad with you in bed while plugged in all night?  Looking for the perfect solution?

For Christmas gifts we made Rice Warmers.  You can use them in place of a heating pad for soreness or cramps.  You can take one to bed with you on a cold night.  If made correctly, they can stay warm for 20 to 30 minutes.  
Pick 2 coordinating, pre-washed fabrics.  I found some in my Heather Ross stash.  Flannel works well, though a tight weave such as poplin, gives a light feel to the skin:  
 
 Lay your fabrics right sides together, cutting both at the same time.
 Using your rotary cutter, cut 2 - 8.5 x 14 inches.
 Sew around 3 sides, leaving a smaller end open.  Trim corners.
 Turn right side out, and press.
 Turn under unfinished edges and press.
 Fill with 8 1/2 cups rice (largest size grain you can find).  Sew 1/8th inch seam along pressed opening, double stitching at beginning and end.
Put your Rice Warmer in a clean microwave for 3 1/3 - 4 min.  You will have to experiment on the time.
Enjoy!
 
We made some with pannels, but I don't think they'll stay warm as long.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Hamilton's 9 square slash

 Take 9 -5 inch squares, and sew them into a block, slash down the middle, and again across.  Lay your squares out, and randomly toss them.  White Kona sashing makes your blocks pop.  

I love this quilt, it finished up real nice.  I had a hard time letting it go, but it went to the home of our newly married son and his darling wife and I know it will be loved and appreciated.  (Hamilton is the name of their dearly loved pet Hedgehog . . . yes, you heard right).
 This was my first quilt made with bamboo batting.  It is so soft, and light weight.  Please leave me a comment if you have used bamboo batting.


 I love meander quilting.  It is by far the fastest to quilt.  I picked a variegated thread for this one.


 I found a fun new way to add a little more character to a quilt, and use my sacred Heather Ross scraps at the same time.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Finished Quilts

Noteworthy Raggy Squares 2013


Reunion Raggy Squares 2013


Corner Bakery 2012


family tree 2012


Quarter Reunion 2012


reunion @ midnight


apron strings


play quilt


play quilt  


Play quilts



Tanner Reunion 2012


Monaluna Ellie 2012


Play Quilt 2012


Pear Decadence 2012


Boys will be boys - 2011


Hometown Charm - 2011

Sunkissed Sally - 2011


Monaco Log Cabin -  2011

Greek Squares - 2011


Monaluna Monaco in pink - 2011


Sherbet Pips - 2011


Calico Calvin - 2011


African Safari - 2011


Rear Window - 2010


Hamilton's 9 Square Slash- 2010



Laura's Fish - 2010


Joseph's Pinwheels - 2010 


Olivia Strip Quilt for McKenna - 2010


Westwood Pinwheels - 2010


Scrappy Log Cabin - 2010


I Spy for Richard - 2009



Ken's Cats - 2009



Potomac River - 2008


Clowns Turning Twenty - 2008


Brick Wall - 2008


Card Trick - 2008