Challenge Quilt Complete

Hi friends :)  I hope you had a great weekend!  We spent ours in Dinosaur, camping with the kids.  I'll have to tell you about it later this week.  Right now I want to show you the mini quilt I made for a design challenge with the local guild.

I was given this page from a seed catalog, and given instruction to take inspiration for a quilt from it.  I mentioned before that I really liked the picture on the left, with the shadows and variety of green...Here's the finished product ::

 The most artsy quilt I've made to date!  I first put in the lines, thinking about the vines, while not straight vines do offer structure and support.  Then I added as much haphazard free motion quilting as I could in order to keep all my circles in place.

 Some of the edges are bent over onto itself and others flap a tiny bit.

I hope you can see the texture in this one.  I didn't wash it, but I did throw in the dryer with a bunch of wet clothes!  I wanted it to fluff up without too much fraying :)  What do you think?  I had fun just being creative with it - I tend to over think stuff...

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If you are planning to quilt-along with me this week, here's a few posts that will help to prepare you ::

Basics:  Accurate 1/4" Seams
Basics: Cleaning a Sewing Machine
Basics: Squaring Your Fabric
Basics: Unpicking Stitches
Pressing Seams Open

I'll be back tomorrow with our first two blocks!
Amy
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Simple Times Quilt Pattern

Hi there!  Another finish for me - I hope you enjoy seeing another new quilt :)

I'm setting on a new path, I hope you will join me!  I have a pattern to offer you and I hope to have more in the coming months too.  This is a quilt that I originally designed to use my scraps from another project.  I call it Simple Times - 

This is a small lap quilt, 52" x 52" and can be made with a layer cake (10" squares) and charm pack (5" squares) or yardage of your choice.  Instructions for cutting and piecing the quilt top are included for both.

I pieced this top with Oz fabrics, and I love the bright colors!  I had two friends test it, Amber did a scrappy version, and Heather made her's in Blush.  I hope that you can see the versatility of this pattern!

It is available for immediate download on my patterns page,  I set it up so you won't have to wait for me to email it to you :)

ETA - Natalia quilted this for me - the flowers in there are a perfect match!

Natalia has kits available in her shop for this top your choice of Whimsy, 12 Days of Christmas, Tweet Tweet, Adoring, or Nautical & Nice - I think this would be a perfect Christmas quilt too - quick and easy!

**If you would like to win a copy of the pattern, leave a comment!  I will select a winner on Friday (if you happen to purchase and win I will refund the cost!) - Good Luck!

Amy
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Hunky Bars -- Quilt Tutorial

Hi there!  I'm pretty sure most of us quilters have to do lists miles long, so long in fact, it gets overwhelming.  I have a fast, easy, super cute quilt that you can finish in a couple days!  Most of you could probably figure this out - but I already did all the math for you, no thinking, just cut and sew this quilt!  Show off the prints you love most :)

Hunky Bars - 60" x 62" - you do get the play on words, right!?

My quilt is made with six beautiful Hunky Dory prints, use the same prints or raid your stash for your favorite prints that you can't cut into, but would love to have a quilt with!  I've simply numbered the fabrics so that you can decide which works best for you - be creative!

Hunky Bars Materials - top #1 thru #6 on bottom

Here's what you need --

Fabric #1 - 7/8 yard

Fabric #2 - 7/8 yard

Fabric #3 - 1/2 yard

Fabric #4 - 2/3 yard

Fabric #5 - 5/8 yard

Fabric #6 - 5/8 yard

Binding - 5/8 yard

Backing - 3 3/4 yards

Piece of batting 62”x 64” 

Before cutting, press your fabrics, and if you need a refresher in squaring your fabric check out my tutorial prior to your first cut.


Cutting Instructions ::

Fabric #1 cut:

2 - 12 1/2” x wof strips

Crosscut into 12 1/2” x 24 1/2” and 12 1/2” x 18 1/2”

Fabric #2 cut:

2 - 6 1/2” x wof strips

1 - 12 1/2” x wof strip

Crosscut into 2 - 6 1/2” x 24 1/2” and 12 1/2” x 18 1/2”

Fabric #3 cut:

1 - 6 1/2” x wof strip

1 - 8 1/2” x wof strip

Crosscut into 6 1/2” x 36 1/2”, 8 1/2” x 20 1/2”, and 6 1/2” x 18 1/2”

Fabric #4 cut:

1 - 12 1/2” x wof strip

1 - 8 1/2” x wof strip

Crosscut into 12 1/2” x 36 1/2” and 8 1/2” x 40 1/2”

Fabric #5 cut:

1 - 6 1/2” x wof strip

1 - 12 1/2” x wof strip

Crosscut into 6 1/2” x 42 1/2” and 12 1/2” x 42 1/2”

Fabric #6 cut:

1 - 6 1/2” x wof strip

1 - 12 1/2” x wof strip

Crosscut into 6 1/2” x 36 1/2” and 12 1/2” x 42 1/2”

Binding fabric cut: 

7 - 2 1/2” x wof strips

To assemble ::


Row #1 is fabric #5 - 42 1/2" x 6 1/2" + fabric #3 - 18 1/2" x 6 1/2"
Row #2 is fabric #1 - 24 1/2" x 12 1/2" + fabric #4 - 36 1/2" x 12 1/2"
Row #3 is fabric #3 - 36 1/2" x 6 1/2" + fabric #2 - 24 1/2" x 6 1/2"
Row #4 is fabric #2 - 18 1/2" x 12 1/2" + fabric #6 - 42 1/2" x 12 1/2"
Row #5 is fabric #4 - 40 1/2" x 8 1/2" + fabric #3 - 20 1/2" x 8 1/2"
Row #6 is fabric #5 - 42 1/2" x 12 1/2" + fabric #1 - 18 1/2" x 12 1/2"
Row #7 is fabric #2 - 24 1/2" x 6 1/2" + fabric #6 - 36 1/2" x 6 1/2"

I pin everything!  :)

Using 1/4" seams sew the rows together.  Press your seams (open) and sew your rows into a quilt top!  Press your seams again and get ready to quilt.

It really is that easy!  There are so many fabric combinations that would look great with this simple layout.  Once again I am reminded that quilts don't have to be complicated to be beautiful and well loved!  This is a perfect first quilt too, if you've been lurking in blogland, building up the courage to have a go at a quilt - do it!

In the coming days I also have a few Basics Tutorials to add to my collection.  I took pictures start to finish with this quilt - pretty sure Joe thought I was nuts - oh well!  The tutorials include straight line quilting like this - 

and tacking down your binding.  

**Some great news - Natalia at Piece N Quilt has put together a kit!  It is in Tweet Tweet fabrics which I think is adorable, and can't wait for one of you to make it up!  Check out the kit options - here. - Thanks again Natalia!!


Also I have a pdf available, complete with quilt diagram - download yours today!  In two weeks I will have it with my patterns for a small cost.

Finally - if you want to sell a quilt using my pattern - go for it!  Just be sure to give me, Amy's Creative Side, credit by linking back here, and no major manufacturing - Thanks!


I hope you like it!  Happy quilting ~
Amy
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Natalie's Quilt -- Finished!

Well taking a picture outside, with only little helpers, wasn't working today. It's very windy - so I found the best indoor spot and snapped a quick pic of most of the quilt! Then moved to the kitchen where I have lots of good light for the rest.

To see all of it - check this post out.

I worked through a couple of options for quilting, but came back to a quick stipple. I managed to quilt it in just a few hours :)

We used a couple of coordinating Kona cottons to back it - do you see them peeking out?

I love dots for bindings!

I used the alphabet on my machine to make a label this morning too.

I love the color palette and the simplicity of the design - now I just have to send it off to my sister! I know it will be well loved!


Time for me to get the rest of the laundry done - hope you are having a good afternoon.

Blessings~
Amy
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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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16 : : A Finish!

I have to tell you up front - I'm going to stray from my picture format for the month. I just have to gush about this quilt, and the journey it has taken me on!


The making/piecing of the top, was straightforward and a breeze!

More of the challenge came when it was time to select thread for quilting, decide on fabrics for the back, and mentally preparing myself to quilt it!

I knew that it needed curves and movement in the quilting - it was crying out for it. But I was determined to have a solid plan before setting to quilt it. In the end it was Cheryl's comment that made everything click for me!

"Take one of the floral patterns from your fabric and use as an inspirational repeat. You could do it in each block, or as a linear pattern."

Make it a flower! In my sketch book I had already been doodling ideas and practicing the movement - when I read her comment I was put into action - thanks again Cheryl.

It's really hard to capture the entire quilt and highlight the quilting - but here's a few details :

In the center, I traced five circles, big circles, and then filled them in with circles - Like the center of a flower. I would do some quilting, pull it out and lay it on the floor again, see where I needed more and go do it! It was in those moments of looking at it I felt like an artist, like more than a simple quilter! I knew that I needed to do this quilting, but was more assured of why as I was actually doing it :)

Then I taped (painter's tape) the diagonals working out from the center. There's a few rows quilted, that had all four sides included -- lots of repositioning!!

The loops just kept on going! But working on the diagonal was great - so much less bulk to deal with - at times :) Having the areas taped off helped me to have a clear idea of where I was going and how big to make my loops as I went. Also, I've mentioned recently the perpendicular sewing machine, while quilting - I remembered where I learned that! My friend Andrea has actually posted a video of herself quilting this way, go check her out.

All the loops are random heights and widths - some have little ones inside the big ones. To me it is very organic and flowery feeling without being over the top. Just what I was hoping for!

And it is right at home in our room!

Some of these pictures were taken outside in the heat of the day - thus the colors vary a bit. I was too excited to wait for the evening sun - Oh well :)

I'm sure that I have more to tell, but I have managed to stay up to late getting this posted :) I'm hoping to catch up in my reader a bit before the zig-zagging gets underway! See you soon~
Amy

ETA: It is 100x110" and 110 blocks, I used spray baste for the first time and loved it! More freedom to move while quilting - but it needed 2 cans, I only bought 1 :) Next time!

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Wonderland Finished Quilt

I love polka dot bindings and could not resist this shot - or a couple of others over in my flickr. I took pictures of the entire quilt but realized that on the computer it looks the same as the unquilted picture - so I took some close ups! Loop-de-loop quilting adds to the whimsy of the fabrics - at least I think so :)



For the back I chose the patchwork print, in jam. It has lots of teal and green, along with mulberry, yellow, brown, red and the mauvey pink of course!



And because Owen was patient while I took pictures this afternoon - he got in with the quilt too! My kids love seeing themselves in the window after I have taken their picture :)



While stitching down the binding this morning I was brainstorming up a use for the scraps - I have a bag in progress. Hopefully tomorrow I can share it with you :)

Are any of you Utah locals planning to go to the HMQS Show this weekend?? I have Joe committed to Saturday afternoon, and I won a ticket from Barbara at Quilt Soup! I will have fun on my own, but thought I would see if anyone wants to meet up. Leave me a comment or email me from my profile :)

Hope you are having a great evening.
Blessings~
Amy

Squares Askew -- Complete!

I hope that you aren't getting bored of this pattern! I love the simplicity of it and how I'm able to show off the fabulous prints with this pattern :)





I love the back, almost as much as the front! I even used the alphabet on my machine to make a label - trying to be better about labeling. I stitched it down with my machine too, as it is a baby quilt, and I figure will be washed lots - mine always have been :)



This will be in my etsy shop soon, it's a custom order, but I have others if you are interested, and I'm willing to do custom - obviously. he he

I hope you have a good day/evening -- no fooling :)
Amy

Baby Doll Quilts

After seeing my pictures from Christmas, a friend on Facebook asked for a doll quilt for her little girl. At first I thought about doing 1 or 2, but I seem to work in threes when it comes to doll quilts! I couldn't weed out my fabric selections - so three it is :) I love this combo and so another kitty cat quilt. Emmalie wanted to keep it - of course!


Sock Monkeys for dolly's. I put a blue chambray on the back, and I love how the little faces are framed out. cute!

I think this little one may be able to be labeled improvised. The quilt I had made from these fabrics previously were fat quarters, and the remaining bits were strips, cut to the same width. Some I cut down a little more and I sewed them together, added a side piece and the top and the bottom as I saw what worked as I sewed. What do you think - improvised?

We've had a cleaning day around the house! Owen went down for a nap after lunch, and the girls went to play outside so I got busy cleaning floors. I was busy working downstairs still, when the girls came in (cold toes). ------ Being the oldest, Ella seems to have this incredible power over her sisters! She convinced them to help clean up - so they could surprise me when I came upstairs. I came up to Ella getting the broom out to sweep the kitchen and a clean living room floor - now that Owen has just woken up, it's time to get it vacuumed too! My girls are so precious and sweet - I am so thankful that they seem to know just when I need help :) Why is it that they seem to be better helpers when I don't ask!?

***If your still reading each of the doll quilts have been listed in my etsy shop. Hopefully they go fast! I'm in the midst of a spending freeze along with all the cold weather :)

Finished Doll Quilts

I am feeling a bit disconnected! I've had extra people in the house, some crazy back/shoulder pain, and lots of baking still happening - it all adds up to not much time for blogging.

This one is for Ella - the back is the same as the yellow binding, simple.

This is for Emmalie, she's been on a anti-pink thing lately, so it's mostly not pink. I couldn't resist the pink binding though :)

This is the backing - cute dog print.


And for Sophia the pink button print. With cute little clowns holding balloons on the back!

I hope that all your preparations are coming together, maybe even winding down :) We've had a foot of snow in the last 6 hours - so I've been busy inside wrapping presents and trying out the last recipe I had on my list for this year. I have a killer french toast casserole for Christmas morning, I'll be back with soon :) Gotta run - my girls are too close for comfort right now :)
Amy