Sewing with Linen & a New Quilt Top

Hi!  I'm excited to share a new quilt top with you.  I sewed blocks into the wee hours of the weekend, and yesterday started sewing the top up with my morning coffee.  I really wanted to see this quilt top come together!

Sewing with linen....it's kinda squirrelly and needs lots of pins.  As the weave is larger than the cottons we typically use, it has a tendency to not hold it's shape.

  I carefully pressed and blocked each piece as I added it to the block, to keep things as square as possible.  This quilt top is not perfect, cutting was a challenge as well since it was 60" wide and my longest ruler is 24".  But the fluidity that it adds, and the heft are really nice.  It is slightly heavier than my quilting cottons - but I like it a lot!

 I know that there are a few linens being marketed to quilters, but I've not had a chance to work with these yet.  I'd love to, and compare - eventually :)  I love how the colors pop in these pictures!

My quilt measures 60x72 inches and I have a pattern in the works!  I need a little help naming this quilt...how about, if I pick the name that you suggest, you win a copy of the pattern when it's ready!?


Here's my kiddos- they were enjoying an evening swim, their cool down after dinner :)  They keep me on my toes!

My crazy monsters!  Love them :)

I hope you like my quilt as much as I do!
Amy
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Another Project

Yes, I'm cutting into some more fabric!  I use to be a one project at a time sorta girl, but that's so not true anymore :)  In fact I might cut another quilt while I'm at it - I love being able to piece and press in an assembly line!

Crossweaves + Natural Linen

These are the colors I'm planning to use from the stack - I love the brights!

I originally purchased my FQ stack from Fat Quarter Shop, but they aren't carrying the Cross Weave collection right now - I added the dark brown yardage from Pink Chalk Fabrics.  And the linen I had on hand! 

How many projects do you currently have in progress?

Stay tuned - there's always more to come!  :)

Amy

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Challenge Quilt

A couple of weeks ago I told you about my challenge quilt, and proceeded to leave you hanging...sorry about that!  I learned that the deadline was pushed back a month and ceased production.

This previous post will explain it a bit more if you missed it :)

I randomly laid down the circles I cut out and pinned them down, just to keep them in place.  Then spray basted and did a little quilting :)  I'll have to finish things up and take another picture, SOON!

Blessings~
Amy
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Tumbler Quilt Top

Hi there!  You've probably noticed that I'm off my usual schedule this week :)  The massive giveaway and end of the school year have changed things up for me - we have just been enjoying our days, and next week the new routine will be put into motion.  Complete with chore chart - don't tell my kids yet!

Remember this stack of tumblers?

I sewed them up into this quilt top!

 These are all Art Gallery fabrics, from three different lines I believe.  Together a fun, scrappy quilt, that went together beautifully!  No seam ripper required - that's my kind of sewing :)

I did pin all the junctions as usual, and used a consistent seam allowance - you do need to use the basics - but the perfectly cut pieces make for much easier sewing!  It measures 44"x72" right now - I'm going to dig through my box and see if I have any good borders, but I may just leave it :)  

AccuQuilt is offering a huge sale on their Go! Cutters, if you are ready to make a purchase (hint, hint!) there's no end date available, so hopefully it's still available after I announce the winner on Monday.

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 I've had a couple of questions about my bar for hanging quilts...Joe rigged it up for me a few months back.  A couple of brackets from curtains, no longer being used in the living room, and electrical tubing cut down to 10 feet.  The clips are from Ikea (different curtains) and I move the quilt around often so that I don't have too much stress on anyone point.  I have been thinking about adding sleeves to future quilts.

I need to email a bunch of featured quilters and get those set up for the next month or so - it completely slipped my mind this week!  Next week we will resume the regularly scheduled Friday posts.

Have a great weekend!

Amy




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Still In Progress...

My Tuesday was like a full Monday!  Celebrating Sophia's birthday made for a fun day thou :)  All that to say, I didn't get to work on my design challenge quilt more, BUT I did take a couple more pictures for you!

We were given a page from a seed catalog, and told to select one picture to use as inspiration.

This is where my focus landed - peas!  I love the picture on the left, all the shades of green in the shadows, and the shape.  Nothing has to be literal, just our inspiration, so I cut a circle template!

 Maybe now the photo from yesterday makes more sense?  I'm planning to be back tomorrow with more :)

Our Birthday Girl!  Sophia had a great day being the center of attention.  We also went to the doctor for her and Owen, a little reactive airway trouble...I'm thankful that it's nothing worse, just a nasty cold that doesn't want to leave.

What are you working on today?

Blessings~
Amy
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In Process

Hi there!  I hope you all had a great weekend!  I had fun catching up with a good friend and hanging out with the family.  And I'm finally feeling better - yay!  Today is Sophia's 5th Birthday, I will spend the day baking a cake and planning for a special dinner.  Happy Birthday Sophia!!
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Almost two months ago at our last guild meeting, I decided to participate in a design challenge.  I selected an envelope with inspiration and a few instructions - it's due this week....so I got started over the weekend :)

This is all I've photographed so far, tomorrow I will have to show you a little more and share my thought process.  I'm enjoying the challenge.

I'm waiting to hear from a few winners still, be sure to check the list for your name!
Amy
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A Quick Peek!

I had a fun and productive weekend - I hope you did too!

I cut these up and have been working on a tutorial, for you!
Happy Monday~
Amy
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Under Construction

I spent most of yesterday cutting a quilt - here's where I left it for bed --

I can't even show you the fabric yet, but it's gorgeous!  Go visit Natalia, she's having a giveaway for her lovely followers, and has some beautiful quilts that you can see :)

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OOhh, and did you see the poll results?  Very interesting!

Which way do you press your seams while quilting?
40% consistently press to one side
10% consistently press open
48% are pressing both ways
and 2% don't iron

One year ago the results were this --
Which way do you press your seams while quilting?
56% to one side
1% open
37% depends
3% don't iron!

I have a few more readers in the last year but cannot avoid the differences here!  More people are pressing open at least some of the time.  Have you changed your process in the last year?  What made you try it?

Quilt guild is tonight!  I missed the last two meetings, so I'm really looking forward to going....I just remembered I need a name tag!  I'll have to get on that :)

Blessings~
Amy
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Question For Quilters

I've really enjoyed getting to know the featured quilters better, and so thought I thought I would ask each of you a quick question!

What is your favorite part of making a quilt?  And why, if you care to share.

For me, I love putting the rows together, and seeing my vision realized.  I also really love tacking down the last few feet of binding, and finally having a finished quilt!

What about you?  Is it the cutting? pressing? selecting fabrics? piecing?

Tell me!

If you follow me on Facebook, you may have seen that I've been working on a pattern the last few days.  Above is a peek of what I'm up too, you might notice that my seams are all pressed open - old habits die hard!  I'll share more after I have a few friends test the pattern.

Blessings~
Amy
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Sew-n-Tell

I can hardly believe that it's Friday again - this week has been fast and slow all at the same time! Sew-n-tell is organized by ms. Amylouwho and all are invited to participate - yes even YOU :)

Remember those Panache fabrics? Last Friday I cut them up, and started putting them back together -- the end result -- a quilt top for my sister!



A peek at the details -



And my helpers -



Looks nice and sunny out, but just a few hours later we had this - he's pointing at the lightening he just saw, and was about to run into my lap for the thunder. Poor boy - still gets to him.

However by bedtime (for the kids) we were rewarded with this beautiful sunset.
Really pretty, and more beautiful in person. I hope you have a great weekend! We are having friends over tonight, and I hope to baste this quilt top, probably tomorrow, and get started on finishing it.

Blessings -
Amy
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Quality Time

With my sewing machine - yay! I managed to find a few minutes here and there over the weekend to work on my sisters quilt.
I'm hoping to have a quilt top to show you really soon! I hope you are well -
Amy
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Here We Are

This mama is a little emotional! The first day of kindergarten is exciting and new, and a little bit hard. Sophia's first sentence this morning was "I'm 5 now too." She wanted to go with her sisters and not be the one left at home. We all sat on the kitchen floor for a few minutes explaining how fast the hours would go (it's 2.5 hrs!) and that we would get Emmalie as soon as she is done, and then go back for Ella, of course.

I was reminded of when Ella went to kindergarten, Sophia was 3 months old, and Emmalie was 20 months. Thankfully Joe was a Pastor at the time, and worked from a home office. But still, it was a lot! It was also the first time that Emmalie reacted to having a new baby in the house - she wouldn't sleep, didn't want to be left alone in her crib - and so forth. It took us a week to put together all the clues she was giving us, change is hard no matter how old you are :) So glad that I have constant support in Christ! There is no way I could do it on my own.
These are the fabrics that my sister and I selected for a new quilt for her! What do you think Natalie!? I'm excited to get started - hopefully later today.

I have nothing sewn this week to show you - but sew-n-tell is happening over at Amy's blog if you do :)

Have a great weekend~
Amy

PS - THANK YOU to everyone that signed the Flea Market Fancy Petition and voted! You guys really are the BEST!
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Getting There

Hi there! Just a quick post to check in with all of you. This has been one of those weeks - you know the kind. When nothing is normal, and finding motivation is a challenge. Little Sophia seems to have a flu bug, and is currently asleep on the couch. I'm praying that it doesn't spread - say a little prayer for me too - k?

Yesterday I finished up my DQS7 quilt top - I really like it! Now to decide how to quilt.

Also from the list, the sample bag is half complete, and I'm half way around Sophia's quilt binding. I think I will go sit for a bit more with it now.

Many blessings to you today ~
Amy
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A To Do List & Drama

Hi there! Thanks for taking the time to complete the survey - lots of great info there, and it is helping to get me even more excited for the Fall Quilt Festival! If you haven't done it yet - I would love to have your input too!

Our weekend was a little dramatic - on Sunday our Emmalie was spinning on her foot in the kitchen, with a cup in hand, when she slipped and fell - face first. It happened so fast! She was in immediate pain, and bleeding, I was the one dressed so we scooped her up and ran to the hospital. Thankfully it is just 5 minutes away. In the end she has 4 stitches on her bottom lip and chin - but owie! That is a painful spot for stitches, and a couple of them he did twice to get the lip line right - I'm thankful he took the time, but it was hard to watch! She also had a puncture inside her lip, bruised top lip, and battered gums - sorry if this is too much, I don't have pictures :) Today she's looking and feeling much better! All the swelling has gone down, she can eat more than milkshakes, and the stitches are healing. Now if I can stop stressing over every move she makes! Some of you may remember I had stitches in my finger back in January - I would do that all over again if I could keep her from hurting. She's a brave girl.

My list of stuff to get done this week -

- Tack down the binding on my zig-zag quilt.
- Sew sample bag for LQS.
- My Doll Quilt Swap mini.
- Try another bag in my head.
- Bee blocks? that may be pushing it :)
- Quilt Festival prep behind the scenes.
- The zig-zag quilt-along is complete, I need to make a big post for reference here.
- Of course the laundry and dishes all need to be done constantly - that goes without saying right!?

Looking at it now, this is more a wish list than to-do list! At least I have a goal :) What are you working on?

Amy

PS -- Are you local to Park City/Salt Lake area, or willing to drive to PC?? A lady contacted me, she is selling off 400 bolts of mostly high quality flannels for $1.50 a yard!! Email me directly if you would like to contact her.

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The Quilted Quilt

Usually I wait until I have bound and washed a quilt to post, but this quilting was so inspired and I love it! I had actually thought I would be selling this quilt, as my girls are no longer babies (and I'm not having more!). BUT, Sophia claimed it, we "tried it on" her, and after all the quilting I've grown pretty attached to it. It will be staying here! Even Joe mentioned it would be a little sad to sell it since I've put so much effort/time into it!

Here it is - do you see my addition?



There's a heart, stippled right there -

There's a bit of puckering on one side of the heart - if I do it again I would do the heart first. Live and learn :) I'm hoping it will be less noticeable once it's washed.

What do you think? Are you inspired to try something new!? I hope so :)

I had originally planned on doing an exaggerated zig-zag to be more interesting. I found the heart when I was adding tape to the quilt top - and had to work out details around it.

Joe and I are having dinner out tonight to celebrate our anniversary. Thank you for all your congratulations and well wishes! I agree we need a current picture of us together - those are hard to come by. And so it will be a little project for me - thanks for the push :)

Have a great weekend, and many blessings ~
Amy


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The Quilting Process

For me, I like to try things that may be a little unexpected. Go with the flow to a point, but then add my individual point of view that makes it my own. What about you?



I've been quilting my zig-zag quilt - and I love it so far! Of course there's a twist, but I'm going to save it for when the quilting is complete :) I'm really looking forward to showing you!

Also on my mind - Fall Quilt Festival! Need to get a few things lined up in my head, but I'm looking forward to that too. I'm amazed at how many people are daily looking through the links from the spring. Lots of great inspiration!

Blessings to you ~
Amy
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Zig-Zag Quilt Top

Hi there! Did you miss me? I'm still here, I needed to catch up on a few things and I wanted to finish my zig-zag to show you!



I like this one a lot - super girlie and really fun! I did learn a few things making this one, when working with half-square triangles (hst's) I prefer to press open. Also, explaining the process via words and pictures is a lot of fun. (I made a pdf with some handy information on it if you are thinking about a zig-zag - you can download it here.) Working with the smaller size was a nice change from my last finish too!

In other news -- Today is Joe's birthday! We are having a little celebration here at the house with brat's and a curry potato salad (a new one for me!). Joe took the day off of work, went to visit a friend recovering in the hospital, and will eventually pick up his cake at Coldstone - saving me a trip :) Good thing too, as there are floors to clean, dishes and dusting.

I found this in the garden when I went out to photograph my quilt top --Baby ear of corn! We will see how big it gets before the cold is back - doesn't take too long around here.

Also, I took my patterns over to my LQS this morning, met two more sweet ladies and brought home fabric for a sample. Over Labor Day Midway has Swiss Days, lots of booths and fun - I have a deadline :) Oh, and I've had a couple of sales in the shop!!!

I keep thinking I would like to join the local quilt guild - but I haven't put it on the calendar and end up missing the meeting each month! I feel a little shy going somewhere like that by myself - well maybe a lot shy. Are you in a quilt guild? Did you first go alone or with a friend? I need to get over it and go!

I need to get cracking before Owen wakes up! I hope that you are having a great day.
Blessings~
Amy

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24 : : Embroidery Work in Progress

You all are such great sports, I had to give you a sneak peak! More details to come :)

Have a great weekend~
Amy
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20 : : Zig-Zagging

The Zig-Zag Quilt-Along is underway on flickr!

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Quilted!!

4 1/2 spools of thread
9 bobbins
3 quilting needles
6 hours of quilting time (roughly)

It's done!! I am so excited, and proud to have this accomplishment under my belt. I will probably never do it again - but I am happy to have quilted this "monster quilt" myself :) I'll show you more of the quilting once the binding is on and it has been washed - I can't wait!!

Blessings~
Amy

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