To Grandmothers House we go...

To Grandmothers House We Go

I think I mentioned that Robot Child #1 named this quilt.  She likes to assist in the name process.  And the name for this one is very fitting!

I finally finished this one...this time I used an 80/20 batting, and although I normally don't stray from my go-to batting choice of Warm & Natural, I do like how this turned out...a little bit poofy and extra cozy.  I love it.

I ♥ those big dots!

I think fall is officially here!!  Or I'm hopeful anyway.  We've had severe weather warnings twice now and the rain has been crazy.  Robot Husband nearly lost his brand-spankin new BBQ as I watched it blow across the deck.  I've never seen him run so fast!  Luckily he caught it before it plummeted to its death down the stairs. ;)  Phewsh..Nice save husband!

Today looks to be another stormy day.  I am LOVING it!  I like summer (like is a broad statement here folks), but I love rain and the fall.  The heat this year was a killer.  I'm looking forward to snuggles under quilts, sweater weather, warm drinks and Halloween!  Yay!

Note the slight poofy-ness?  ♥  I straight line quilted it, this time I was able to use the squares as my landmarks, resulting in near perfect straight lines. ;)  Unlike the Ginorma-churn quilt mentioned earlier.  Oh well.

♥

I'm nearly to 100 followers on Bloglovin.  I'm thinking when I hit that 100 mark, I'll do a giveaway!  Sound fun?  I think so.  Stay tuned friends!

Ginorma-Churn

Ginorma-Churn

Yesterday I decided I was going to make a Giant Churn Dash quilt, entirely out of my selvages.  I ♥ me some selvages.   When I saw  Ella's Cottage make one, I knew I had to dive right in. :)  Be sure to check hers out, she also gave tips on how to make it!

I used everything I had in my stash.  People, let me tell you that this is a first for me!  I usually have a project in mind, but have to buy stuff for it.  Yes, yes, I have tons of delicious goodies in my stash, but I like to match my goodies with projects.  And if the perfect project doesn't come along for that fabric, it's held in limbo until said perfect project arises. ;)

Instagram pic of my selvage stash

As you can see, I hoard collect selvages.  I love them. Especially the cute and unique ones.  Well, who am I kidding...if it has a selvage, I keep it.

I went out of my comfort zone and tried not to be too fussy on which selvages I chose.  I just grabbed what fit.  I used parchment paper for my template, because these blocks are biggies.  Parchment paper worked really well to sew the selvages on.

I straight line quilted, rather organically.  Didn't want it to be too fussy.  As you can see, my lines aren't straight in most spots, so ahem, we call this 'organic' line quilting. ;)

I used some backing fabric I had for another project that didn't turn out.  Ooops...oh well, at least this backing didn't go to waste.

 And, my all time favorite - the black and white stripe-y binding.  ♥!

Linking up to:
Quilt Story
Better Off Thread

Labor Day Weekend accomplishments

This weekend I holed myself up in my sewing room and accomplished QUITE a lot.  We have been so busy this summer, it was really nice to not go anywhere and not see anyone. Hahaha!  Feeling a little anti-social, I went upstairs, turned on my black & white movies and didn't really come out for much.  The family for SOME reason, expected dinner tho, so I did manage to do that. ;)  We all just did our own things.  It was a nice relaxing weekend I must say.  Ever feel like you need to just be inside, know your family is there, and not do anything besides what YOU want to do for a change?  I'm feeling very relaxed and accomplished after our Labor Day weekend. 

Churning

I've had my churn blocks sitting on my sewing table, begging to be finished...which is mostly what took me the ENTIRE weekend.  I love the Baby Jane fabric and I think these turned out lovely with it.  Some of my points don't match (as usual) but I still love it...and it will be well loved in our collection.  The binding just needs to be finished on this one. :)

To Grandmothers House we go...

Robot Child #1 came up with the name for this little red quilt. :)  She likes to help me name the quilts.

I love this line, I think I've mentioned that.  This is my 2nd (or 3rd?) quilt made using this fabric.  It's SO presh. ;)

Gray Matters big polka dots for the back.  I am LOVING this print too!  I need to stock up on it.  I am also loving straight line quilting these days.  Something about the drape it gives the quilts makes me swoon in delight.  Also, it's relatively fast to do!  Another bonus.

Do you like my new tags??  I'm loving them.  If you are on the lookout for new tags, check out Mommie Made It on Etsy.  You won't be disappointed.  She's fast and her tags are lovely.

Lets Play

Oh, you know me and my affection for Sarah Jane.  ♥   I wanted to do a log cabin giant block using the Children At Play panel.  I love it.  I incorporated some fabrics from the same line, but threw in some others too...just for fun.  Wow, log cabins are fun aren't they?   Giant sized are even better. ;)

Just Stay Little for the backing

Oh that elephant gets me every time.  She's so adorable.  I tried to outline the balloons in the quilting, and then made it loopy like balloon strings.  The binding just needs to be finished on this one too.  I can't wait to sit and veg out and bind them.  

I have an immense dislike for Minky.  However, my good friend is having a baby and she loves her some minky.  So, I had to put aside my disdain to make her a baby minky blanket.  Those of you who follow me on Instagram, got a delightful peek inside my sewing machine. Haha.  I will spare you all of that picture here. ;)  Your welcome.  

I was sewing along, only to realize I was having a struggle with the feed dogs...they simply were not 'feeding'. I tried to push the slide button to get them to move and it wouldn't budge.  So, I dissembled my machine only to find that there my feed dogs were literally bogged down with fluff and gunk!  It was so packed in there, they couldn't move!  Poor dogs.  So, I cleaned it.  And now, my hatred for minky has disappeared!  It's awesome what a little cleaning of your machine can do for you. ;)  Haha.

Anyway, so with that being said, I made two mustache minky blankets.  O.M.G.  I ♥ them so hard!  AND they were SO easy!  The bonus is, even Robot Husband liked them...which is saying a lot!  I usually get the standard answer...'Cute'.  Then back to the TV.  However on these, well, the first thing he said was 'Wow, that's a lot of mustaches'.  Then after I made him pet the minky, he said he really liked them. Score!

Black & White Staches

Multi-colored Staches

Look at that soft minky goodness!!  ♥

Wow....that was a lot.  I don't know if I was productive or just down-right crazy!!  Well, probably both.

What are you working on?

Linking up to:
Quilt Story
Better Off Thread
Lily's Quilts

♥

Quilty Photo Shoots

The lovely and talented Beth from Plum and June is hosting a photography workshop for all to link up to and learn about weird camera terms like, ISO, apertures and a bunch of numbers.   And/or, if you are an expert, post tips for people like myself!!  I know nada, zip, zilch about photography.  This is my very sad attempt at a photo shoot, with all my favorite quilty items as my subject matter.  That being said, please don't judge me.   Oh, and I have nothing to offer tip-wise, just pictures of my favorite things. ;)

Ehem.  Here we go.

Inside sewing room with natural light

I have a Canon Powershot A3100.   That's about all I know about my camera, besides being able to 'point and click'.  Inside my sewing room, I have a lovely window that brings in just the right amount of sunlight.

Sarah Jane fabrics, of course

I finally got my hands on the robin egg blue Olfa rotary cutter.  LOVE IT.

Yummy selvage

Here is where it gets dicey for me.  I do my best pictures outside.  It's easier for me to take halfway decent pictures being out.  I tried to take different pictures in different rooms, but they didn't pan out so well, so we eliminated those. ;)

Moving outdoors, Petunia and I found better light.

Little Red quilt - just needs the binding done

My outside pictures look better, no?

As a side note, Petunia needed a friend.  I bought a pattern from Melly and Me over the weekend.
I picked Kiki the cat to make for Robot Child #1.  Sigh.  I attempted this last night and it was disastrous. Sewing in those 'paw bases' has me baffled.  Has anyone attempted, or succeeded with this pattern?  Any tips?

I made Petunia a few years ago for my Robot Baby-Child #2.  I have since lost the pattern and realized upon Googling this morning that it, too, was a Melly and Me pattern.  HA!  How funny.  If I could manage Petunia with that skirt and sleeves, I think I can handle this cat.  Darn that cat. ;)

Anyway-this was my sorry attempt at taking photos.  Thanks for sticking with it through the end.  Check out Plum and June's Workshop linky party for better pleasing-to-the-eye photo visuals.  ;)

♥

A big quilt needs a matching pillow!

I'll admit that I have previously been afraid of making pillows, shams, the envelope closure etc.  I have no idea why. Honestly, it is the easiest thing I've ever done and when you stuff a big old pillow in it, it is INSTANT gratification!

So, of course the 'biggest quilt I've ever made', needed a matching pillow case right?  Yes.

I used a pink chevron print for the back, and of course the adorable Lets Pretend panel for the main center of the front.  With matching squares lining it.

I know I've said it a bajillion times, but those marionettes get me EVERY TIME. ♥  SO stinkin cute.

She's all wrapped up and on her way to Oregon!  Safe travels my big lovely quilt!!  ♥

I used this tutorial for the envelope closure, and based my pillow off of Sarah Jane's tutorial here. 
If you haven't made a pillow but have been dying to, this tutorial is the one you need. :)

♥

The Largest Quilt I've Ever Done!

Custom Sarah Jane Patchwork Quilt

Are you all tired of seeing my Lets Pretend Sarah Jane projects??  Sorry!  But here is yet another one!

I had a client request a twin size quilt for her daughter made out of Sarah Jane fabrics.  I had already been hoarding collecting this line of fabrics for some time, so this was an easy and happy request for me!  She wanted it simple, patchwork and in Lets Pretend.  I got started and the thought of doing a twin size, made me a teensy bit nervous, but I figured it couldn't be all THAT bad...right?  It's only a twin.

Well, it wasn't too bad.  Basting it was an all nighter and as we all hate basting, this was true ten fold.  UGH. After basting it, I had to take a break and calm myself for the quilting portion.  After calming down, I decided to buy some 505.  I've heard so many of you fellow quilters rave about it.  How could it be any different than the basting spray I get from JoAnn's?  Well friends....it is.  My spray from JoAnn's does the job, but I still pin the quilts because I'm not too confident that with the moving and thrusting the quilt under the machine, that it will stay basted.  Oh, and there is the clogged nozzle issue that happens EVERY time. This wasn't the case with Mr. 505.  Wow.  Pricey, yes.  Pins needed?  Nope.  You heard me...and this is a LARGE twin size.  After measuring the final dimensions on this quilt, it is on the larger size of even qualifying for a Twin, based on Google results.  Oh well. ;)  I'm sure it will be loved all the same.  So, yes - I will be buying more 505.  I bought a small can and um, used it nearly all for this quilt. Haha!  But hey, no pins ma!

Can you see the puppies in the background?   They were mildly confused as to why a quilt was on the grass and they weren't romping on it.

The back

My client had specifics for the back.  She is getting a blue bedroom set to go in her daughter's room and she'll be painting the walls grey.  Making a quilt back this large took some creativity however.   I did have just enough fabric tho.  Phewsh!

The marionette print is my favorite.  After making this, and not wanting to give it away, I decided I had better make me one...or the kids one...or two, oh great we need three of them!  ;)

Princess Crown Binding, what else?

♥

Quilt Stats:
ALL fabric used is from Sarah Jane's, Lets Pretend.  Have I mentioned I need SJ's autograph? ;)
67 x 91 (large twin size - borderline Queen?)
Crosshatch quilting produced the softest, quilty delicious effect that I was going for. :)

Now that this is done, she wants a pillow sham to go with it.  I will be doing that tonight - you can find me in my sewing room. ♥

Linking up to:

Quilt Story

Sew Cute Tuesday

Highland Fling

The booth was great.  It was hot, the kids AND the husband whined and complained, but overall it was a success.  All my business cards got taken, I met some awesome people and ladies who quilt themselves and got to talk to them and share the love of quilting.  I even got some custom quilt requests!  I sold almost all of the crayon wallets.  I told my husband I didn't want to take ANY home. ;)  I ended up with 3.  That's acceptable. Haha.  I even sold a quilt! It was worth it. Thanks to everyone who stopped by!

I wanted a vintage suitcase to be part of my display, so a couple weeks ago we went on a hunt for one.  We found this one at a local antique store and it was just what I wanted!  I wanted red and I wanted the inside to be cute - and hello!  Polka-dots??  Couldn't be cuter in my opinion. :)  Sold!

Crappy iPhone photo :(

I made a pillow to match the Lets Pretend quilt.  I used pink chevrons on the back and filled it with a pillow form at Joann's.  They had a two pack on sale for 50% off!  If you are in need of pillow forms, go snatch some up now!  I think i paid like 5 or 7 bucks for 2 18 inch pillows.  Woohoo!

The 'Peek-a-Boo, I see you' quilt was a hit because of the cuddle fabric.  Everyone loved touching it.  Yah, cuddle fabric is adorable and the quilt itself is SOOOO cuddly (hence the name maybe?)  BUT, it's painful to sew with.  It's true.  You may have read that if you pin your minky and your cuddle fabric it's easy, but let me tell you, it is STILL a bear to sew with.  It's heavier and slippery.  Make sure you have a walking foot, a beverage of your choice (maybe spiked) and close the door so the little ears don't hear cussing...cuz it'll happen.  And if it doesn't for you, then you are amazing and can I send mine to you to quilt?  ;)

I'm working on a custom quilt right now with my favorite SJ fabrics.  I'm LOVING it.  It's a twin size, a bit bigger than I normally do, but it's fun.  What are you working on?

♥