Shadowbox in the Shadows.

A week or so ago, I finished this quilt top.  I used the pattern "Shadowbox" pattern by Mountainpeek Creations.  To be honest, I did not enjoy piecing this quilt.  It's super quick and easy, but the directions are often vague, and there is A LOT of fabric waste.  I had a lot of fabric to cut into scrap strips after finishing this one, and normally I would much prefer having very little left over.

This past weekend I was in Lansing to babysit our family parrot, and I decided to take this to the park to get some photos taken.  It was kinda gloomy out, but the overcast light was perfect for taking pictures.

 The fabric that I used in this quilt is mostly "Garden Party" by Anna Maria Horner.  I had been hoarding this fabric for quite some time, and it was about time that it got pulled off the shelf.  I had the "shadow" fabric and background in my stash, so I didn't have to buy any fabric to complete this project!  Score!  The rose print in the picture above is my favorite from this line.

 I had a super fun sewing day with my friend this weekend, and I have some other fun projects in the works.  I am still waiting for a special project to come back from the quilter, and so I'm hoping to have some things to reveal soon!

With hurricane Sandy bringing freezing rain to my area, I am looking forward to a week snuggling in the indoors and getting some quilt projects sorted out.  It feels great being so productive!

Happy Tuesday!

Cristina
The Quilted Mitten

Charlevoix the Beautiful

This past weekend I got the opportunity to hang out in Charlevoix.  It was absolutely beautiful this weekend as the sun was shining, and the trees were in full color.  I took some time on Saturday to go out to the nature reserve near Mt. McSauba and take some photos.  I am a total amateur photographer, but they almost capture how beautiful it was that day. 

I don't know that there is any other place in the world that is as much a part of who I am.  Being in Charlevoix feels like coming home, like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders.  Overall I had a pretty lonely weekend, as I went by myself.  Still the land around me felt like a trusted friend and advisor, reminding me of all the moments spent here that changed and shaped my life.  I can't wait until I can go back!

Cristina

My Picnic With Fiona on WIP Wednesday

I finally have a finish to share with you!  This quilt was a long time WIP that I finally got back from the quilter and got the binding on!

This fabric is "Fiona" by Anna Griffith, and I found it at the cutest little shop in Battle Creek called Sew Unique Threads.  They had a couple 5" design rolls on display, and I couldn't pass one up!  I had no idea what I was going to do with the fabric, but it was calling to me (I'm sure we all know how that goes).  Anyway, it sat in my stash for a long time because I didn't know what to do with 5" strips.  Eventually it hit me that if I cut the strips in half (length-wise) that I would essentially have a jelly roll.  Eureka!

The pattern I used is "Picnic" from the book Scrap Basket Sensations by Kim Brackett.  It was super fun to make, and almost worked like instant gratification.  This top waited a long time to get finished due to a lot life changes getting in the way.  Finally I found a shop in Okemos, MI that has amazing quilting prices (Cutom Quilts).  They had a long turn around time, but you can't beat the price!

I finally bound this quilt a few weekends ago when I was in Charlevoix, MI.  These pictures were taken right outside our family condo downtown, isn't it beautiful!  It is truly one of my favorite places on Earth.  I am excited because I will be able to make another trip in the very near future!!! :)

Because I was so happy with the quilting, I decided to charge them with the quilting for a very special quilt that will hopefully be revealed soon! :)



Cheers!

Cristina

My recent fabric favorites.

Hey there everyone. 

Recently I kinda gave up on buying fabric for a few reasons.  The first being that I don't really have the budget for it, and the second being that I have SO MUCH to begin with.  Also I expect to move in the near future, and I didn't really want to add anything to the collection that would just have to be hauled around some more.  HOWEVER, there are a few lines out this fall that I am completely in love with.  I'm sure you've all seen them since they're not exactly new news, but it's fun for me to share anyway.

The first collection is "Field Study" by Anna Maria Horner.  I have always loved her use of color, but I love the animal prints and feathers that she uses in this collection.  It feels a little edgier this time around.

The second collection that I am in love with is "Chicopee" by Denise Schmidt.  Again it's a color thing.  She's always been one of my favorite quilters, but often her color usage is not what I personally would put in my home (don't hate me.  I really do love her).  The colors in this are richer than usual and like "Field Study" they are bright, but still warm.  Actually, these collections might work well together.

Neither of these collections are currently in the budget unfortunately.  I'm still going to keep my eyes open for them though, and see if I find any good deals.  In the meantime I'm going to try to use up some of my other fabric so that fabric purchases won't make me feel so guilty.  Part of the reason I have so much fabric right now is that my wonderful grandmother gave me a TON of it that she wanted to get rid of.  I nearly doubled my stash in one day, and my stash was HUGE to begin with.

Well...I guess I'd better get sewing!

Cristina



Should I live in a Postcard?

Recently I've been faced with the choice between staying in Kalamazoo, moving to Lansing, or moving to Charlevoix.  I think I finally decided that I don't want to stay in Kalamazoo, but I'm torn between the other two places.  Right now I'm leaning towards Charlevoix because I could really use the quiet life that such a beautiful place can provide.  Living there would be like living in a post card.

Here is the view from the place I would live if I move north:

What do you guys think?  Should I move to a place that inspires me with lower living expenses, or to a place that is familiar with a higher potential for income?

Cristina

Yikes!

So I did the math.  If I pay someone else to quilt all the large tops I have sitting around, it amounts to $7000 in quilting.  I could buy my own machine for that price, and then I'd never have to pay a quilter again.  I'm thinking it might be time to take the plunge, especially considering some other projects I have in mind.

Tell me, would you buy a longarm machine?

It's a Giant Star on WIP Wednesday!

Giant Star, a set on Flickr.

This was one of the easiest quilts I've ever made. I absolutely LOVE it (no pun intended)! The background is from Amy Butler's Love line, and the star points are all amy butler as well.

I purchased the amy butler sheets that match the background a few years ago, but I didn't know what quilt I wanted to make. When I saw the tutorial for this quilt on "In Color Order" I knew that this would be perfect, and that it would go quickly. I finally finished it a few weeks ago, and now I can use my beautiful sheets!

The backing is pieced with a stripe of amy butler, and two other floral pieces I found on sale. I thought they were valori wells, but I think that might be a lie. :/

There has been little progress on other projects this week.  I have been trying to finish a wedding quilt, and I did finally get the borders on that last night.  Hopefully I'll be able to post on that soon.  The wedding is August 25th, so I should be able to share after that.

Happy Wednesday everyone!!