Beware of Fainting Fits, Beware of Swoons

I have been IN LOVE with the "Swoon" quilt by Thimbleblossoms for a LOOOONG time.  Last year (or was it 2011? eek!) the Swoon-a-long swept the blogosphere, and I desperately wanted to be a part of it.  However, life (big life) happened, and I had to focus my energies elsewhere. 

Since moving to paradise my life has taken on a refreshed, stress-killing momentum and I've used that to my advantage.  I have been hoarding some "Neptune" by Tula Pink for a while, and I thought this would be the perfect quilt for it!  I had this great neutral in my stash that looks like weathered paint (think dock posts), and it blended beautifully as a background!

True to what others have said online, each block takes about 2 hours to complete.  I have a tendency to steer away from quilts like this simply due to my lack of patience (I'm a lazy quilter), but with this one I'm trying to stop and enjoy the process.  I am already in love with this quilt, and I feel like it is the perfect quilt for living near the water.

As I write this I am sitting in front of my window, staring at the sun shining on the lake.  I am feeling truly blessed today.  I hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

Cristina

A Little Late to the Game

So, I'm sure a lot of you have heard of the "Scrappy-Trip-Along".  I fell in love with Bonnie Hunter's version of this pattern a long time ago, so when it went viral I could hardly resist!  With my move, and new job I was a little late getting started, but once started I couldn't stop!

These blocks are SO MUCH FUN!!!  You can put some of the most random fabrics together, and collectively the result it beautiful!  I used up a ton of scrap 2 1/2" strips in this process, but I have enough to make 10 more of these quilts!  I tried to put the darkest fabric in the center of the block, but that was the only fabric placement that was planned.

This past weekend we had BEAUTIFUL sunny weather!  I could hardly wait to get outside and get fresh air!  After a 3.5 run on Monday, I was blessed to see a Bald Eagle flying circles around the harbor. :)  I about jumped out of my skin with excitement.  Today has been cold and rainy, but having a sunny weekend was a great cure-all for a long winter indoors.

My Favorite Block!

I have really been settling in to Northern Michigan, and I am LOVING IT!  This past weekend was a riot, and non-stop!  There is a lot of local culture, as well as tons of ways to explore nature.  I think I may have found my forever-home; I don't think I'll ever want to leave.

Also, don't forget that my new pattern "When In Rome" is now available on Craftsy!  Find it HERE.

Have a lovely week!

-Cristina

It's Official!!!

I am now, officially, a published designer!

Meet:  "When in Rome"

I FINALLY managed to get some respite from the weather in order to get some photos taken.  This little baby has been in the works for quite some time, and the photos have been holding us up for the last 2 months.  All in all I am so proud of this.  To see something come together from start to finish is humbling, and a constant trial in motivation. 

Thankfully I didn't have to do it alone.  My dear friend Justine not only helped test the pattern, but she helped motivate me to move forward on this project.  Thanks a million Justine!  Also, Justine's husband Nate deserves credit for the name.  :)  Thanks Nate!

Justine's beautiful version of "When in Rome"

This pattern works great with scrap 5" charm squares or with charm packs.  However, the most important part is the focus fabric.  This is great for that fabric that you love, but you'd hate to see cut into tiny pieces.

This pattern can be purchased here:(Craftsy)

or here:  (Etsy)














I hope you love it as much as I do, and I can't wait to get working on the next one!!!

Cristina
The Quilted Mitten

Living in a Winter Wonderland

Well...I have been delinquent, and for that I am sorry.  The dust is finally settling from my move, and I finally feel like I can settle back into a routine.

So far I am LOVING my new home, and my new job.  The day I moved in it started snowing, and it's hardly stopped since.

Earlier this week we did have some rain and thaw happening, but when I woke up this morning there was a new coat of snow.  It was heavy and wet, so it had the most beautiful effect on everything it touched.  I didn't have a lot of daylight left after work, but I ran about and snapped these few pictures while I could.

 

They're certainly not my best work, but I think they will at least help to hold it in my memory.  I DO have some quilty things to share soon, so stay tuned!

Cristina

A Non-Traditional WIP Wednesday

Today I have a work in progress to share that does not involve quilting.  I am moving to Charlevoix!!!  I got the news last week at about this time, and the time since has been spent packing and purging my stuff.  I have gotten a lot accomplished and I am excited to start settling into my new home. 

Here are some pictures of Charlevoix.  These are not my photos, and they are available for purchase at Mike Barton Photography.

Due to this move, some of my sewing projects have been temporarily put on hold.  However, I DO have a quilt to pick up from the quilter when I'm in Lansing at the end of this month.  It is a very exciting project and I can't wait to share it!

There is a great quilt shop in Charlevoix as well, so I'm really excited to scope that out and share it with you as well!  I hope everyone has a great week, and wish me luck!

Cristina

Making Progress!!!

This weekend has been productive for me on the sewing front.  I finished my blocks for my quilt using DS Quilts fabric.  I got the blocks laid out on Saturday, and today I sewed the top together.  I will be able to show some photos of the top soon.

Here are some pictures I took once the blocks were laid out.

It is a great lap size, and I'm excited to get this finished and crossed off the list.  I've had this fabric for nearly 2 years, so it feels good to be using my stash as well. 

While I was sewing yesterday I also had a visitor out my window:

This little lady sat with me for nearly an hour, just content to sit and look around.  I did wonder where her mate was though, it's not often that you see a female Cardinal all alone.  Anyway, I hope everyone had a great weekend!  I'll hopefully have more progress to report soon.

The Best Laid Plans...

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season!  I was fortunate to have a 10 day vacation from work, and it was a much needed break at that.  Of course I had the best of intentions to get a lot of sewing done, and take lots of pictures showing my most glamorous and fabulous holiday self.  Instead I got the flu. 

Therefore, instead of showing you how "glamorous" (or disgusting) my holiday was, I decided to share my biggest quilting goal for this year.

I have been working on Kaffe Fassett's "Postcard Quilt" (from "Quilt Road") for nearly 10 years.  About 3 years ago I finally made some progress at a retreat, but it hasn't been touched since.  The reason for this is that the quilt freaks me out.  It is written as a template pattern, but I have been converting it to rotary cutting.  My original piecing is not perfect either.  However, I intend to square up what I've already done, and keep going.  My goal is to get this quilt done this year.

This is the original quilt that is published in the book, not my personal quilt.

This quilt made it onto my "Big 5" list of goals this year, so you know it's important haha!  My friend Justine has an equally impressive quilt as one of her big 5.  It's a beautiful template pattern by Edyta Sitar.  I'm sure you'll get updates on our progress throughout the year.

I did get some sewing done over break but not a ton.  I have all the blocks finished for my lap quilt using Denyse Schmidts first line for JoAnns.  It feels really good to be busting some of my stash, and see some of these beautiful fabrics used in something.  I have also been watching the #scrappytripalong, and I think it might be time to jump on that bandwagon and use some of the random fat quarters that have been sitting in my stash for far too long!

Also my Plume quilt is finally getting quilted, and I should have a pattern to share with you all soon!!!  I'm so excited.

Do you have any big quilting goals for 2013?  I'd love to hear about what you're working on!

Cristina