Recent Fabric Favorites

There were some fun lines of fabric released at this past Quilt Market, but I personally didn't feel drawn to most of them.  Its not that they weren't great fabric collections, its just that they aren't something I would choose to use in my home.  However, there was one collection that I really loved, and the best part is that it's from a designer that I haven't sewn with before.

It is "Splendor 1920" by Bari J for Art Gallery Fabrics.  The colors remind me of an autumn sunset, and they are warm and invinting.  According to Bari J's website "Inspired by the high society of the 1920s in Europe, Splendor 1920 has a deliciously decadent feel with a modern mix of florals, lively nature-inspired prints, and art deco geometrics that will inspire quilters and sewers alike." 

The 1920s seem to be a reoccuring theme in current pop culture.  With shows like Downton Abbey, and The Great Gatsby, it's no wonder that print design is taking suit.  I am excited to see more art deco influences mix into modern design principles, and there is a pleasant mix of the geometric and ornate.

Sadly, I'm still not allowing myself to buy fabric.  However, if I can get some projects finished before Christmas, I MAY allow myself a splurge for the holiday season.  Here's to hoping right?

I am currently counting down to Thanksgiving, and I can hardly contain my excitement.  It is time for a much needed break.  I hope everyone has an enjoyable and safe holiday filled with food, football, and LOTS of recharge time.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Cristina

It's a great day for Kaffe.

One of my goals for this year (and I suspect for next year as well) has been to finish some old WIPs.  Yesterday I was able to cross one of this old projects off the list, and it feels GREAT!  I pieced this quilt in 2005 while I worked at Kean's Store Company in Mason.  The top hung on display for a long time, and now 7 years later (yikes) it is finally finished.

This quilt was made with a pattern called "Granny Squares" (sorry, I haven't been able to find the pattern anywhere, I think it's out of print).  It is very different from the recent Granny Square quilts that have been so popular, but I can definitely see the inspiration.  All of the fabric are older Kaffe Fasset designs.  I love his use of color and the fact that the designs are all hand painted.  We've become so reliant on CAD in this industry, that it is refreshing when someone goes back to basics.

I quilted this quilt by sewing straight lines in the sashing, and then sewing "x's" through the center of each block.  I did the quilting this way because my piecing left something to be desired, and that way miss-matched corners are a little left obvious.  I did all of the quilting on my home machine with my walking foot, and I have to say it's gratifying to be able to finish something myself.  I would love to get a darning foot for my machine, and see if I can experiment with some free motion.

I finished the binding yesterday with added motivation from my dear friend Justine.  She always is a great cheerleader, and we got done with our projects with barely enough time to snap some photos before the sun went down.  Thanks Justine!

Anyway, I had a great weekend quilty-wise and otherwise.  Now it's Monday again and it's nose to the grindstone!  Have a great day everyone!

Cristina

WIP Wednesday!!!

So, I have a lot of projects.  It's daunting.  However, I have been getting a lot accomplished lately.  I'm nearly done with my mom's quilt and sham project, I've been getting some old WIPs quilted, and I am working through stuff slowly.

I posted about this quilt earlier, but it was my most recent top completed.  Now I just need to get it quilted and it's one more off the 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

Tops awaiting quilting:
Gabe and Renee's Wedding Quilt
Garden Party Shadowbox
Plume Quilt
Kaffe Fassett Wall hanging
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
Mom's Quilt

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
DS Quilts
Total Projects: 29
New Projects this week: 1

Total finished this week: 1

So, this list doesn't show how much sewing I have actually been doing, haha!  Still, I am making progress on stuff.  It seems that most of my projects are hanging in limbo awaiting quilting.  I am hoping that I can find a new job that will allow more wiggle room in the budget for such things.  The good news is that I haven't had to buy ANY fabric in nearly a year.  I am making stuff disappear!

On a serious note, I hope everyone on the east coast affected by Sandy are safe and healthy.  We experienced some snow and high winds here in The Mitten, but nothing compared to NYC and New Jersey!  You guys are in my thoughts and prayers!

ALSO HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Cristina

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