Monday, December 29, 2008

New Blanket


I just finished these blankets and I am really happy with how the green one turned out. I was a little bit nervous about how dark the brown edge is. However, it turned out great.The next one is the pink and yellow one that I am working on. The pinks are a lot of scraps of strawberry shortcake and the yellows are just a contrast color. I haven't quite figured out what color to put on the border. I think that a yellow would be too much and with a pink you have to decide the shade of pink. If I can find one that matches the darkest solid pink scrap, I think that I will use it. That pink is a contrast to the brightness of the blanket but won't be to dark and be a distraction.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Bandana Beauties

So, you might have noticed that I am a huge huge!!! fan of bright colored fabrics. I esp. love the oranges, pinks and greens. I found this on Wish Upon a Quilt. They are having a huge sale until the end of the year. Like all material stores they are trying to get rid of their stuff to make way for the new stuff coming in Jan. The collection is called Bandana Beauties from Benartex Studio.

The other fabric collection that I found on there that I really like is called Za Za by Erin Michael. There are a few different paisley one and some matching fabrics. The red on is pictured below.

While they are sale items, the price is now $6.99 a yard. That must mean that they are pretty pricey regularly. I hope that you enjoy these two fabrics as much as me. They are just fun to look at.

Duquesa pattern.

So a couple weeks ago I posted the material from the Duquesa II collection from Moda. Well, here is the pattern that I found on Blank Quilting that uses that fabric. I kind of like it.
Here is just the cutest little boy quilt you have ever seen.

Fun flower material

I know, I know. I think that this is going to make 3 or 4 posts today, but how fun to have some time and interest to look at these thing right!?! That's what you do when you are window shopping on the web. So I found the following materials on Blank Quilting. They had a bunch of great stuff and a few free patterns too.

Two More patterns

So, I wasn't quite finished with the pattern looking on New Leaf Stitches. Here are a couple more really really cute ones!

Snippets of Spring

On New Leaf Stitches, they have a list of different patterns. They are mostly quilts and wall hangings, but a few of them are pillows and purses. I really liked this one called Snippets of Spring.

And these table runners called Spice Rack.

Friday, December 26, 2008

My new magazine

While I was on vacation, I went to the store with my mother-in-law and while we were waiting to get our fabric cut, we started looking through different magazines. There was an ad for the new Moda precuts. Right now you can buy cuts of each fabric in a collection in Jelly Rolls (strips 2 1/2"by 40"), Charm Packs (5"by5"), Fat Quarters (18" by 22") and Layer Cakes (10" by 10" squares). Now they are going to have Sweet Rolls (strips 1 1/2" by 40") and Turnovers (6" squares cut to be triangles!) This is going to be awesome. One less thing to cut if you want a quick project. At Homespun Hearth, they are selling the Sweet Rolls 20% off right now.

Speaking of quick projects, I subscribe to Quick Quilts. One of my favorite things about getting magazines in the mail is looking up the ads and seeing what new things there are to find. I found this site Pacific Rim Quilt Company and they specialize in Hawaiian Quilt prints and applique. They are sure pretty to look at. I am not particularly into this but, it is fun.

On Andover Fabrics they have a new fabric called Alpha Buddies by Nancy Davis Murty. They are sure cute if you have little kids! There is a free pattern download with this collection too. Well, the picture is a little small, but the animals are way cute!!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

New Projects

Here are the new projects that I sewed while I have been staying at my in-laws house. First I put a back on the blue blanket that I have been sewing for a while. It is so cute now that it is finished.
I finished a bright colored one for fun. I loved the material.
And while those were fun, the next rag quilt is sooooo cute. I love the pink and the black. It was really fun to find matching material for the pink patterns. The black stripes with the dots is so fun close up.

I have been working on putting the backs on my other pieced ones. I will post the pictures when I am through. Merry Christmas!!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Ah, new fabric link

Check out fabric guru. Awesome site for any type of sewing!

Instructional Websites

I have updated the links to the instructional websites. Anyone that wants to know a litle bit more about quilting or are new to sewing should check out this site. Quilting ehobbies Online.

Interesting, different site

So, I found this site Fabric 411. It seems to be a combination of different links to different places and they said that they sell fabric, but I am unable to find out where on their site. However, they have a couple cute patterns, good prices on cutting boards and rotary cutters.

You should also check out the new list of crafty blogs that I have listed. Yes, not all of them are in English. I speak Spanish and so I look at those and Italiain ones too. These blogs are mostly non-quilting and just dolls and home projects. I thought some people would be interested in those sites.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Ah!! A pattern!!!

So this free pattern that I found on PB textiles and uses the Morrocan Spice material that I posted down below a couple weeks ago. Now, I think that I am going to have to buy the material to make this.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

New Site and Fabric

I got my Christmas present from Abby today, and opened it. I know, it is several days before Christmas, but I just can't wait. (Unless it is from my mom and she is trying it on me and I have my eyes closed. Then for some reason, because I can feel it, it is ok to wait until Christmas.) She gave me two really really cute patterns. One of them led me to Thimble Blossoms. She got me this one, which is called Babydoll and it is pattern #105. It has instructions for one little girl sized quilt and one quilt for her baby doll. I love the circles in the pattern.Sorry the image is so small. I couldn't get the page to load on my computer. My computer is having a lot of problems right now. I really like this site because it has a lot of more modern designs. You can buy any of them on their Etsy shop.

The best part of this site was seeing the creations of the people that have made one of my most recent new Moda Collections: Cotton Blossoms. I love the brown fabrics in this collection. You must take a look at it on any fabric website. You can mix and match all the different colors that are in this collection: green, orange, brown, and much more.

Then I clicked on a link to another shop and found Cotton Way. Wow, there are some really really amazing patterns on this site. Like this one called Star Struck.
The lady that runs this site has an amazing list of patterns. Everyone really must check it out!

So, the next new site that I added I found on a fabric at Walmart of all places. I don't really like the picture of this fabric online, but I loved it in the store. I really really like butterflies. This is something that if you read this blog you will realize from time to time. Cranston Village has a few unique and different materials. Here is the one that I really like. As far as I can tell, all of the projects that they have on their site, you can download all the patterns. While, I particuarly don't like all the projects, they are really good instructions. I really like their fall harvest table runner. Hope that you enjoy the new sites!

Friday, December 19, 2008

Project Rag Quilt: started, worked on, completed

Wow. I can't tell you how long it has taken to work on this quilt. I started working on it 4 1/2 years ago, before I had bought my own first machine and learned how to sew anything else. But, I was told that a rag quilt was the easiest to learn on. Well, everyone is right about that, but it isn't that great when you are continually changing your mind on what to do.

So, I first set out to find material. I think that I went to about 6 stores before I found the plaids that I liked. Then, I asked everyone for spare jeans. My dad and my brother quickly gave me about 20 pair and I was set to go. Not long after starting my project, I started dating my husband. He goes through at least one pair of jeans a month because of his work. So, he began donating jeans for my cause. He thought that I was making a straight jeans quilt and was a little disappointed when he found out that it wasn't. (But, I have enough jeans to make him his jean quilt. That is the next project.)

Well, I had to move the supplies to 4 different homes and each time I would work on the quilt I would cut out some more, assemble and then sew a little. I first started out thinking that it was going to be a twin size. Then, I was going to finish it for the wedding and use it for our bed. So it changed to a queen size. Of course, that was before I found out that my husband doesn't want or like the cabin-like look in bedrooms. So, then I stopped working on it for a year because I didn't where or what I was going to do with it.

This problem was solved this summer when I went to my in-laws cabin for a weekend. I had decided to just finish it so that I didn't have to store the fabric in my dresser anymore. I was working on it and laying it out on my in-laws bed at the cabin and decided that I would finish it and give it to them to put on their bed. (Which, by the way, means that I get to use it anytime that they are not at the cabin!!!) Their bed is a CALIFORNIA KING!!! Wow, so it just kept getting bigger and bigger. Here's a preview of it on the bed at the cabin this summer. (While it didn't have the last row.)And, HERE IT IS!!! All FINISHED!!! (Shown on a king size bed which is 6 inches longer in length and 4 inches smaller on the width.)The original fabric for the binding was a tan plaid, however, I didn't buy enough 4 years ago and try finding a match was almost impossible. It just isn't to be found. Then the other night I was cutting up squares for the last row around. I was going to make it green in each square. I had just finished cutting the strips and was about to begin the squares and realized that I had cut them way way toooo small. So, instead of finding more fabric I used the strips for the binding that it turned out great! (You can sort of see the binding in this picture.) Now I will get to cut the rag part on our drive to Vegas for Christmas to give it to them. When we head back to the cabin after the snow melts I am going to measure the window and make a matching valence to look like this one that I found at Cabela's.I am going to ask them if they like the squares turned like this or square like the next one. The last touch will take some time, but I think that a bed skirt made out of just levi would be awesome underneath. We will have to see what comes in time. Hope that you enjoy! I am excited and happy to finally be finished.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

New Scrappy Blankets!

So, I have been having fun sewing the last two days while I am not working. I love it, especially since I wouldn't be leaving the house anyways because I hate driving in the snow and it is really coming down here. So the following image is a blanket that I made for Shayla's daughter Jocelyn. I love pink and purple which, if you ever see me you would know from my daily outfits.I am sorry that it isn't the best picture. However, now you can see the border that I am going to attach to the two that I finished already this week. This on is made from blue flannel scraps that I have in boxes. I have been collecting scraps and then I cut them into 2 1/2" squares. I decide the size that I would like to have the middle of the blanket and then I just sew the squares together. On this one I am going to put a dark blue edge and back. I am really excited about it.This one I actually made from cotton fabrics. I love the different patterns on the material. I chose all vines on the purples. The lightest purple has hearts in the vines and I love to look at it while I sew. The pinks are just an assortment of different ones that I couldn't put down while I was at the store. The border and backing is going to be the same color as the dark purple in the blanket. While they do take a little time, it is fun for me and I love the final product. I love that it is very different from the plain baby blankets that you can find in the stores.

Well, I am off to finish the green scrappy one that I am working on.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Quilters Blogger

Oh, no. I know that I have posted a ton yesterday and today, but I just get looking at things and then I just want to share. I started looking at peoples blogs after looking at the Quilt Soup Blog and then I started clicking on peoples links and then I clicked on the Quilters Blogger logo on on site. Wow!!! I can't believe what you can find on that site. Pictures, blogs, shops...everything that you would want to check out. Be prepared, you might spend hours just looking.

Going through my patterns

So, I was going through my patterns since I don't have to work in the mornings this week and I am going out of town for a whole week next week, I wanted to plan out what I am going to work on and take with me. So, I found this pattern in my stuff. I had totally forgotten about it. I am so excited to work on it. It is called Ciopinno from Quilt Soup pattern co. Ciopinno is apparently a Italian seafood stew and the stew recipe is attached in the pattern. Fun. But then I checked out the Quilt Soup Company website and also their blog. Oh my! They are just a pattern company and they have some really really fun stuff. This next one is the other one that caught my eye. It is called Love Ya Oodles. Cute huh!! It looks like most of the patterns a little more than beginner piecing and some applique involved. But, don't let that scare you! Piecing is easy after you start and the pictures and diagrams in the patterns are easy to figure out. Do a google search of applique and you will find lots of videos to help on youTube. There are also a few free patterns. This next one, called Spoonful of Sugar is one of the free patterns. I think that I am going to have to make this one. So, you need to also check out their blog. They have some great links to other blogs. I am going to try and put them on the list of blogs on this page so you can all get to them from here. Hope that you enjoy!

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Ooh!!

So, I just found a link on Confessions of a Craft Addict to In Town Quilters, and that led me to this fabric!!! Ah!! It is so cute! It is called Lei Breeze by Sandy Henderson by Michael Miller Fabrics. The Second on Below is called Ginger tile in the same collection. There are several different shades of this material. This. I love this material. It is so different from the Moda prints that I love so much.

New Pattern Sites

So, most of the patterns I like that don't come in books come from Pieces from my Heart. They have a store and I thought that their prices would be different from the other online stores, but they are exactly the same. Also, for those who look at the blog regularly I added a few new stores to the material list today.

1st- Burk Fabrics- good prices not to huge a selection. Easy site to use. You can't scroll though the list of fabrics it goes page by page. That I don't like too much.

2nd- Colonial Crafts- this material is exactly what the title states. It is a little more old fashioned prints, twills, oilcloth, homespun, plaids. This is an excellent site for material for types of projects that you might put up around the 4th of July.

3rd- For those who are into Knitting and Crocheting, I have added two new sites that have great patterns and also some free patterns.

4th- Heart of Dixie Quilt Shop- very easy to use site. Has a good selection of fabric, no necessarily designer fabric. There is a 15% of your purchase code 01122 right now on their site.

5th- The Home Town Quilter- This site has designer prints and patterns. They are having a Christmas sale of 25% of a purchase of $25 or more. It is a good addition to my list of material shops.

Well, I have to finish posting, but I have a list of several more posts that I will be adding in the next couple days. There is just so much to find and see!

More material and patterns!!

So, Sunday morning is definitely my morning to surf the web. I probably shouldn't, but that is how it goes. So, Hickory Hill Quilts has some really cool and different stuff. They have some material that I don't remember seeing on other sites that is really cute and some patterns and are also unique. They also have links to articles, free blocks and stuff that is great for reading! Their sale items are still a little pricey at 6.40 a yard, but not bad. Hope you enjoy!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Fabric Site for clothing material

If you like to make swimsuits and anything that doesn't include cotton, linen fabrics check out Lucy Fabrics. She has a great bulk order discount.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Butterfly Rag Quilt


I am so excited about this one. I am really sad that I am putting on my etsy site because i love it. But, that is how it goes. It took forever to decide what fabric I liked together, but it turned out. I don't care as much for the rag quilts that are in blocks and so most of the ones that I make are in strips. Plus they are way easy to sew. The next one I will try and put up a tutorial for everyone to make themselves.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Material Sale!

Gracie Lous Quilt Shop is having a huge sale this week. Your order is 25% off if you type in a code in your shopping cart. She has a great collection of material. Check it out!

Monday, December 8, 2008

A new blanket finished

So, I have been working on this white flannel set for a week to sell in my etsy shop. I am so happy to have it done. Everyone at the family gathering this weekend thought that I was trying to tell people that we were expecting by working on a baby thing in front of them, but they are all just going to have to be disappointed. However, I am really happy about it. I love the scalloped edges and it is just something fun to keep my hands doing while people are talking or I am working.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

A couple more fabric finds


OH MY!!!!! Check out this line by Terry Atkinson and Liz Lois-Paisley Party. I found it on the Dakota Cabin Quilts site. This is more than a must have!!! There are 6 paisley patterns themselves, but there is a whole collection to go with it.
Their is also this Moroccan Spice from P&B Textiles that I found on Pennington Quilts.

Fabric findings

Oh, I was looking for some fabric Rai told me about last night at a family party (fabrics by Joel Dewberry, and they are all home decor ones and very cute!) and I started looking up new sites. I love this fabric! It is from a 3 Sisters collection by Moda called Paris flea market. Argh! I think that this is a must have!Ah! I know that I have told some people about this fabric, but I think that I am going to have to buy it. It is amazing. This is soooooooo me!!!! I love bright fabrics. I don't know why, I just do.

Oh,oh,oh. I go check out Homestead Hearth on the list. They have great sells of designer fabrics. Many of the ones that you can't order anymore are only $4 a yard. The Jelly Rolls oh their discount list are only $20 or cheaper. Normally they are $60 or more expensive.

Also, you need to check out Purlsoho. This is seriously a fun site. It is all designer stuff, but a good selection all in one spot. It isn't as huge a selection as some of the other sites that I have listed, but it has great lists of fabrics, patterns, magazines and so forth. Their sale stuff ranges from $5-6 on designer stuff.

Check out this flannel that I found on Harts Fabric. It is called carnival bloom cotton flannel fabric brown. Hopefuly in a week or two I am going to separate out the list of online quilt shops and I am going to put them in lists of my favorites and some that are something to look at, but not necessarily my favorites. I like the sites that have a lot of different kinds of things and great fabric and some sites just have a couple things or fabric I don't care for. If you have any suggestions, let me know. I want to add sites that people like to look at.