far far away

I'm on a roll finishing up quilts that have been so close to being done for a very long time, and it feels so good. 

I started this quilt a long time ago and really didn't like it much...I guess I kinda wished I'd used the fabric in a different way.  That's the main reason it took me so long to finish.

Plus, the quilt is pretty big, and main fabrics are linen/cotton blend and it's heavy.  I was really dreading the quilting process.  

But it all turned out in the end.  I really like it now, and quilting it wasn't too bad.  

I used this fun zigzag print on the back and decided to use those zigzags as my quilting guide.  

 I didn't do a great job, I'm going to call it organic as opposed to sloppy--if it weren't for that dark purple print you wouldn't even be able to tell.

I'm mildly opposed to white binding, but it just worked so well for this quilt.  I had to use it.  I think it really frames it well.

cottage quilt

It was probably over 2 years ago now that I was involved in the Cottage Quilting Bee, and I have finally put my quilt together and I think it turned out so great.  

I received soooo many blocks, and it was so fun to figure out where to put them all.  I ended up framing them on the front in white. 

I pieced my back with orange fabrics that I had along with my remaining blocks. 

I quilted it in large loops.  It's not perfect, but I do like the effect.

and an orange stripe binding to finish it off.  I am loving this color of orange.   A big thanks to all those friends who contributed to this quilt.  I love it.

flower garden

I feel so happy to be quilting again, I actually forgot how much I enjoy it.  My husband gives me a hard time because I usually plug in my headphones and ignore the kids so I can quilt...it's pretty therapeutic I guess.  

Another really simple baby quilt, but I am really diggin' the colors--a little out of my normal range.  But really pretty. 

A close up, I love this little "dutch girl" print.  It's so sweet for a baby.

I am determined (again) to make a dent in my stash, so I used this yellow 30's print that I've had forever.   I think if I used what I have more for quilt backs, my stash really would start to shrink.  That is my goal for the remaining quilts on my to-do list.

pinwheels

I actually finished a quilt!  Wow!  Summer was rough this year for sewing.  It seems like we were just busy doing other things.  But I did get this pinwheel baby quilt finished up recently.  I have several friends having babies right now,  so I have to keep my baby quilts pretty simple.  I kind of like them that way anyway.  

I used the new Children at Play line from Sarah Jane (I've been a fan of hers for a very long time!  I think she was one of the first etsy shops I [hearted] when I first discovered etsy.), it is a great line.  I wish I could justify buying every single piece of fabric...

Inspired by this pillow, (I like it better, the smaller pinwheels are cuter.)

The Jack Quilt

Well, I certainly didn't intend to take the whole summer off from sewing and this blog,  I can hardly believe August is nearly over.  I have lots of good excuses, but the main reason is I am pregnant (again).  This will be #4, and we are really excited.  We find out next week what we are having, I can't wait.  My oldest started school last week, and we finally have some routine in our lives, and I might possibly have some time and energy to quilt.

Several months ago Sarah contacted me about testing her Union Jack Quilt Pattern for her.  I happily obliged and think it turned out really great.  There is no paper piecing, and fairly simple to put together.  I originally thought this would make it's way into a complete quilt, but lately I am thinking it would look really cool as a pillow.  hmmm...

you can find the pattern in Sarah's etsy shop, The Aftercraft

winner

The winner of Block Pary--The Modern Quilting Bee is,

Tracy who said:   It looks wonderful. I would love to win this. 

I've sent you an email Tracy, and look forward to hearing from you soon.


don't forget to stop by the other stops on the tour for another chance to win:
6/23/2011 Tallgrass Prairie Studio
6/24/2011 Oh, Fransson!
6/25/2011 All Buttoned Up
6/26/2011 West Coast Crafty
6/27/2011 Connecting Threads
6/28/2011 Crafty Girls Workshop
6/29/2011 Whip Up
6/30/2011 Pink Chalk Studio
7/1/2011 True Up
7/5/2011 Block Party Bee Blog
7/6/2011 Anna Maria Horner
7/7/2011 Craftzine.com

block party blog tour

I'm really excited to be the next stop on the Block Party blog tour for a couple reasons.  First, because I think the book is a good one, and second, because I was lucky enough to be involved with each quilt in the book--and I think they are all great.

Block Party--The Modern Quilting Bee was written by Alissa Haight Carlton and Kristen Lejnieks, but the quilts were a collaboration of 12 quilters--the book followed our virtual quilting bee.   I love actually seeing bee quilts finished...don't you?

Here are a few of my favorite quilts:

 and here's my quilt:

my kids even made it into the book, and now they think they are famous. :)

My favorite thing about this book is there isn't really a pattern for each quilt, there are guidelines and suggestions, which leaves lots of room for your own creativity!

****giveaway closed*****

The folks at Stash Books are offering a copy of the book to one of my readers.  To enter, leave a comment, one per person (make sure I can reach you via email).  I will choose a winner on Thursday (june 23) morning.  Good luck.

You can also follow the tour as it makes it's way around blogland:

6/22/2011 I Heart Linen
6/23/2011 Tallgrass Prairie Studio
6/24/2011 Oh, Fransson!
6/25/2011 All Buttoned Up
6/26/2011 West Coast Crafty
6/27/2011 Connecting Threads
6/28/2011 Crafty Girls Workshop
6/29/2011 Whip Up
6/30/2011 Pink Chalk Studio
7/1/2011 True Up
7/5/2011 Block Party Bee Blog
7/6/2011 Anna Maria Horner
7/7/2011 Craftzine.com