"Neptune Swoon": Progress Update!

Well folks, I did it.  The top is pieced.  Neptune Swoon is now a flimsy!!!

I am super proud of it!  The blocks took a lot of time, but once they were done the top came together very quickly.  I suppose that's the blessing of large blocks!!!

The sun was extra bright for pictures, so sorry if they're a little shadowy.  This morning was super foggy, and that would've been great if I'd had the time to snap some photos before heading to work!

 It almost feels like summer today.  The sun is shining, and there is a slight breeze coming off lake Michigan.  They finally filled the pool here at my condo, and I am looking forward to having pool/dinner parties in the coming months. 

The background fabric I used on this quilt looks like cracking paint.  I thought it was perfect because it reminded me of the dock posts here in the harbor.  See what I mean?!

Anyway I need to get outside while I can enjoy this great weather!  I hope everyone is having a great week!  Happy "Hump Day"

Cristina
The Quilted Mitten

WIP List Madness!!!



My Sewing Corner!  This is where all the madness happens!!!







































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

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

DS Quilts: Pick-a-Nick Basket

Scrappy Trip Around the World

Neptune Swoon



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

Parisville quilt (still not sure what pattern)

Solid flying geese

Bella Medallion Quilt

Grinchmas Quilt


Total Projects: 27


You may have noticed that my "Neptune Swoon" is now waiting to be quilted.  Pictures will be up soon, I've been waiting for a sunny day to take it outside!

I am also contemplating a new project using up some of my scraps.  I love making quilts that use what I have on hand. 

I feel like I am making progress, and yet this list never seems to get shorter.  What to do!

I hope everyone has a happy tuesday!

Cristina
The Quilted Mitten

A Lesson in Persistence

Remember this quilt?  It's finally a top!

I got this quilt "webbed" (see here for explanation) right before I packed up and moved to Charlevoix.  It got shoved in a closet, and I didn't get back to it until a few weeks ago.  Thankfully it wasn't a lot of work to get this top finished!

Next it will need quilting, and I think I will quilt this one myself on my home machine.  I am thinking that I will just echo the seam lines with my walking foot.  I have A LOT of tops that need to be sent to a long-arm quilter, so when I find one that I can do myself I get excited.

It was made with fabric from the first DS Quilts collection for JoAnn's.  I normally don't like to quilt with fabric from JoAnn's, but I LOVE Denise Schmidt, and the greige good was a better quality so I went for it.  Since this line came out DS Quilts has released quite a few collections, and they've all been beautiful.

This week I have been enjoying the *slightly* warmer temperatures (it's still under 70 degrees, ick), and I finally finished planting my flowers (photos to hopefully come soon).  I don't have a lot of outdoor space, but some small planters really made a difference.  I had some help from my mom this week rescuing the few flowers that I had planted too early (they suffered frost conditions a few times and looked horrible).  Now it almost feels like Spring! haha.

I am still making headway on my "Neptune Swoon" and I have a sewing date on Saturday with my friend Emily that should help me make quick work of the top!  Can't wait!

I hope everyone is having a great week!

Cristina
The Quilted Mitten

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