a baby quilt and destash this fine Monday morning. :)

Good morning friends!

I've had a few quilt finishes in the last couple months believe it or not! ;)  One I can't blog yet (bummer), but a couple I can (even if they're small).

This first one I started when the little owner of this quilt was just brand new, and for some reason, her name inspired me. And then it sat. For a very long time. Not sure why... but it just happened that way.

Until one weekend I decided I wanted to finish something.

I knew I had to use this map fabric from SarahJane, not only because of the color scheme, but the symbolism. (The year of Jubilee, Biblically, was when slaves were freed, and all kinds of mercies were bestowed - I like the idea of that covering the whole world).



The quilt is very simple. Just some pretty patchwork squares and a name from Kelly's Wonky Alphabet pattern. (Lindsey even got a whole 'nother quilt out of the extra squares! :D

Infinity loops and loop-di-loops for the quilting.





I hope miss Jubilee loves it!

(You know what's kind of funny? She is one of Scarlet's little dopplegangers... see???)

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In other news: 

Big destash going on in my pattern shop! I'm giving away a free pdf pattern with each purchase -- just leave the note of your choice in the little check out note and I'll email it to you. :) Most things are priced at $5/yard!

Kiley's Princesses and Mermaids quilt

I finished this little custom quilt last week.

This was my starting stack of fabric.

Kiley's mom told me a few colors and that Kiley wanted "princesses, butterflies, and mermaids." I thought it would be a perfect excuse to use this Alexander Henry "Once Upon a Time" print.

For the design - I stole from an idea I used a long time ago, when I made this little Plume quilt. It lets you feature a big focal print with the frame as well as the wide directional border.

The half-square triangles make a nice contrast.

For the quilting, I used a basic, loopy free motion all over. It gives good texture, looks cute, and complements all the triangle points well.

I have made quilts for Kiley's brother, and baby sister, and I didn't want her to feel left out by not having her name on this quilt.  So I decided to put it on the back, so that when it was folded down, it shows up the right way.

Cute, huh?

I screwed up the piecing on this a couple times, but ripped a few seams, and eventually got it right. :)

Kiley picked the mermaid backing herself (from Out to Sea by Sarah Jane for Michael Miller).

Binding was a pink and purple from Tula Pink's Parisville from my stash.

I don't do very many custom quilts, but this one was fun to work on! Thanks Kiley! ♥ I can't wait to see it in your room!

I got a picture of Kiley with her quilt too! So sweet!

Roundhouse - Finished and Published!

This is my Roundhouse quilt.

This is also my first magazine published quilt pattern!  You can find the full pattern in this month's American Quilter magazine.

The story behind this quilt -- 

When Scarlet was about four months old, I was able to attend one of Anna Maria Horner's classes in person.  She was teaching her Patchwork Prism quilt, and though I chose different fabrics for that quilt, I was inspired to make a spectrum quilt using as many of Anna Maria's fabrics as I could.  

For the design, an architectural feature behind one of the characters on Once Upon a Time caught my eye.  I used the idea for my Pillow talk pillow, and reworked the size and layout so there would be no inset seams. 

I was THRILLED when I realized that one of my acrylic templates from my Cosmic quilt fit perfectly to make the Roundhouse block.  When paired with some half-square triangles, you get a very easy to construct block with the primary design of Roundhouses, and secondary design of pinwheels.

To make the quilt, I cut and arranged all my house shaped pieces in color order.  

Then, starting from the top left, and using purpley-pinks, I laid out my pieces alternating light and dark values. Some of the pattern is not completely obvious due to my fabric selections on this, but I love the scrappy spectrum effect.  

Lindsey made an alternate version of the quilt for me using Happy Go Lucky and white.  Definitely gives a different dynamic.  

Here, with the quilt mocked up in black and white, you can clearly see the primary and secondary designs.  Super versatile pattern, no?

Lindsay from EileenQuilts.com did the quilting, and it is gorgeous!  She did a fairly dense all over paisley design.  I wanted something with movement all over it, and this was a perfect design.  I have worked with Lindsay many times before, and highly recommend her if you're looking for longarm quilting services.

The quilt is backed in one of my favorite AMH prints from her Field Study line, and bound in Buttoned up in Ink (thanks to Kelly).

I expect to be receiving a few copies of this month's American Quilter magazine, but if you would like to buy a template, it is available through my shop.  I will have the pattern available for sale separately once the magazine is off newsstands.

Overall though, I love this quilt, and hope you do too.

Scrappy Sprouts for Chelsa - Festival Quilt

My Blogger's Festival Quilt is the most special quilt I think I have ever made.
And absolutely a favorite.
It was made with the help of so many of you... so thank you. ♥ Here is the story of my Scrappy Sprouts Quilt, and a transcription of the letter that was mailed with it:

To my dear friend:

When I first read your story, my chest and stomach just clenched.  I was sick with anxiety; trying to pray, but angry and scared.  You had just come through so much; how could this be added to it?  I really was angry.  I especially prayed for you while I was in the shower... I wanted to do something to help.  I couldn't really send you money, at least not much.  I couldn't come visit.  I knew though I could make you a quilt.
  One day, while I was praying for you in the shower, this idea came to mind.
  This quilt is my, "God... when I think of Chelsa and what she faced and is facing, I don't know what to say."  This quilt is my prayer for you Chelsa... it says what I can't always.
  These little sprouts are my favorite time in a garden -- they're so cute and new and growing... so much potential in those two little leaves.
  They show my prayer for new life.
  I did not like the helplessness I felt when I thought about those icky words like "incurable."  So I gathered women to my cause, and they joined in sending love and wishes for healing, and in literally covering you.  I got blocks from women in three or four different countries.  They put tiny bits of precious little fabrics in these blocks -- pieces that are hard to find and out of print and hoarded like gold by quilters.  They join my prayer.
  I wanted to make sure the quilt was big enough you could share it with your love.  We don't forget about you on this difficult road Matt.
  And it's a rainbow -- the symbol of God's promise.  And again -- my prayer for you. ♥

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Specs for my quilty friends:

• Fits well in the Group or ROYGBIV categories for Bloggers' Quilt Festival
• a mini tutorial for folks who might want to make their own block is here.
• The sashing is the yarn-dyed Essex in flax by Robert Kaufman.

The setting was part by design, and part by necessity.  There were a few variations in the idea of a "scant" quarter-inch (happens when gathering blocks from 40 or so different people), but I think it made for a more dynamic quilt than if the rows had all been straight.  I love the off-set.  I was also quite pleased with a mostly even distribution of color, because I simply told people to make their favorite.

The quilting was done by Lindsay at EileenQuilts.com.  The design is called Xanadu, and looks so organic and swirly.  I love it.

The backing is the Summer Totem from Anna Maria Horner (and I think Steiger likes the back more than the front; he kept telling me, "the back is really nice Mommy.") 

For binding, I chose an Alexander Henry stripe cut on the bias.

And of course, a special label.

A huge thank you to those who made and sent blocks.  They are so special, and the quilt was all I was hoping it would be.  

P.S. I'm extending the 20% off on patterns until I get back.  Use code "springmarket"

Little Kisses pillow (and coupon code!)

I've got this little pillow in Fat Quarterly's new issue: Modern Traditional.

It went to the lovely Crystal, as part of a swap we arranged.

You saw me working on it back here:

For the design, I re-sized my French Kisses pattern to make a good pillow size.  And though I named it "Little Kisses," that is only a relative term.  The pillow actually fits a 24" pillow form!  But we like big pillows around here, and Crystal said they would too.

Crystal was part of a small group who managed to collect a charm square of every single one of Anna Maria Horner's quilting cottons, and she asked for a pillow to go with that epic quilt she has planned.  Anna's fabrics from all her collections play so well together.

And look pretty on the couch too.

In a little over 2 weeks, I'm going to Portland for Spring Market, and I'm having a pattern sale to earn some spending money!

20% off everything, including templates, in my little pattern shop through May 15.  Use code "SpringMarket" for the discount!

Union Jack quilt for Ty (finished quilt and free block pattern)

I got the quilt for this little guy done last week, and mailed it Wednesday morning.  It arrived Saturday, just in time for his birthday on Sunday!  *phew!*

Previous posts on this quilt here, and here.
Tutorial for similar quilt here (quilt size is different).
Free Union Jack block pattern in my Craftsy shop here.

This was a custom order for a little guy who is just a few days younger than Steiger.  His mama is British, and wanted a Union Jack theme.  We picked out some fabrics with an Anglophilic flair, and she said she wanted his name, and that flag in there.

I could not find a pattern I liked, so I made one.  I think it really looks great in there too!

I re-sized my Bricks in Bloom quilt so it was a nice twin size, this was (64" x 88").

Rachel posted this picture of the quilt on the bed (by the way - I didn't make the sham), and I was so glad it fit so well!

She says he loved it too. ♥

I free motioned the quilt all over, except in the flag part.

For the backing, it's mostly a cute plaid print. 

Hooray for another quilt finished!

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My friend Lindsey just emailed me this picture!  I LOVE the fabrics she used!  (and am happy that the pattern works!) ;)

Easter sewing

Just Three is going through this week -- link up your goals for the month! ♥
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Around 10 p.m. Friday night, I decided Scarlet needed a Mommy-made Easter dress.

Around 10 p.m. Saturday night, I decided Steiger and Scarlet needed Mommy-made Easter baskets.

For the dress, I used the little Sugarplum top from SeeKateSew,

and for the Easter baskets, I used Nova's Nesting fabric bowls.

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Dress specs:

Fabric - the sweetest, prettiest, most feminine pastel goodness double-gauze from Nani Iro's little letter collection.  She will continue to get the sweetsiest things I can find until she is older and can voice her own opinions. 

I made size 2T so she'll be able to wear it longer as a tunic type shirt.  I used a length between the top and dress length.

I'm not a huge fan of the ribbon closures at the neck -- I think I'd prefer a button, and will modify it if I made another.  The design of the dress is really sweet though, and thankfully, it came together quite easily. 

And Scarlet was too precious in it.  I squealed at her most of the day.

Looking out the window:

Easter egg hunting (with her coordinating basket!):

(Daddy still makes her look so small!)

She loved carrying her basket around. (was very possessive of it in fact)

I tried to get a picture of her with her brother in front of the Lady Banks roses... this was how it went:

(herding cats I tell you)

Steiger (who turns 4 in a week!!!) got a globey-type basket made with Out to Sea's map panel print.

The Nesting bowls pattern made these super simple -- Nova has size options, measurements, and a visual for how to add a handle.  I have mental deficits when it comes to the area of spatial awareness, so I appreciated the clear instructions!  Makes me want to whip up a set for my scraps... one day that is.

I was really proud to give these hand-made touches to my babies' Easter.  Even if it meant I got behind on a couple other obligations... what good is it to have a mama who sews, if she doesn't make things for her own babes after all?

I hope your weekend was blessed...I listened to this song over and over while sewing, made it even sweeter.

When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realise just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me...