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

WIP Wednesday!

I am pretty proud of myself folks!  I have been BUSTING MY STASH (slowly, haha).  I have been working on projects that have been looming over my head for quite some time, and I've actually been getting things done!  It feels so good! 

Here is the current list:

Projects that are being pieced:


Civil War Sampler (still needs it's last border)

Classic Strippy Quilt

Kaffe Fassett Postcard Quilt

Scrappy Friendship Braid

Giant Granny Panties

DS Quilts



Tops awaiting quilting:

Gabe and Renee's Wedding Quilt

Garden Party Shadowbox

Plume Quilt

1974 Quilt

Meadowsweet 2 Quilt

Amy Butler Picnic Quilt

Happy Hour Quilts (x2) (Hanging in the store)

Patches and Pinwheels (scrappy)

Stack and Whack (Parrots)

Vintage Floral Quilt

Make it You! Log Cabin

Batik Scrap Quilt

Deer Valley Girls Best Friend

Sparkle Quilt-Along

Christmas Wall Hanging

Charlevoix




Projects that I have not started (but have the fabric):

Neptune quilt

Parisville quilt (still not sure what pattern)

Solid flying geese

Bella Medallion Quilt

Grinchmas Quilt


Total Projects: 27


New Projects this week: 0
Total finished this week: 1


The list is still daunting, BUT it is getting shorter.  I think I am going to renew my resolution from last year, and only work on projects from this list (here's to hoping).  I definitely have a problem with finishing projects after I complete their flimsy.  I have yet to explore free motion quilting on my home machine, and the turn around time at my local quilter is agonizingly slow.  Maybe I'll have to take her a few next time! 

Cristina

Finally a Finish!

I have been working on a special project for my Mom for quite a while.  It was intended as last years Mother's Day present (don't judge me for being so slow), and I FINALLY got it done. 

This quilt is not traditional.  My mom had a coverlet for her bed that she liked, but wasn't "colorful" enough.  She asked me if I would applique some fabric onto it, and I reluctantly agreed.

Why reluctantly you ask?  Because this quilt is HUGE, and I have a small throat machine.  Also, I do not have adequate hand applique skills.  Nevertheless I got it done after struggling to fit it under my machine.

I also made the pillow shams, and the throw pillow.  I had a great time with making these because they were easier to maneuver.  I was able to piece batting scraps for the pillow shams so I felt extra resourceful, and the last of the fabric scraps were just enough to make the throw pillow!  Score!

My mom loves it (thankfully), and my favorite part is that I have one more project crossed off the list!  I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Cristina

P.S.  Thoughts and prayers to all the victims of the Connecticut shooting today.  It is a terrible tragedy, and the nation is mourning with you today.