Sister's Choice Quilts

Surprise Blocks=New Quilt

I was out in the gargage rummaging around, looking for a nice large bin for all my new happy fabrics, when this project practically fell on my head.  Years ago, two houses and a lifetime ago, I began this applique project with some Fig Tree fabrics my friend Lisa sent me.  I was so shocked to find that the four applique blocks were already completed, and all the units for the other blocks in the top had been cut out.

Intrigued, I took the project box up to my sewing room, and had a closer look.

Oh.  I really am not that fond of this method for making flying geese units, but a commitment had been made, so I had to go with it.  (I prefer to make my units larger and trim them down with Monique Dillard's Fit to be Geese ruler).

You can see by the photo, if you cut on the drawn line, and flip up the corner square, you will have two flying geese units.  Actually, this method provides you with four matching flying geese.  I used to love making them this way until I discovered the joys of accuracy using Monique's ruler.

I got to work, and in no time, I had a good number of the blocks finished.  The photo below shows what I had accomplished by the end of the day Friday.

I spent all day Saturday sewing.  Didn't leave the house, stayed in my house slippers all day long.  And by 5:00 PM Saturday this is what I had finished!

There is a pieced border, which hopefully I can get together this week.

I have to add----I had forgotten how much I dislike working with triangles.  All those bias edges.  Ugh.  This pattern calls for surrounding each star block with borders of pieced triangles, and the outer border is all pieced triangles.  Really annoying.  Piecing blocks with bias edge triangles makes me feel like a complete amateur.  I hate that.  Lots of fudging, tugging and pinning to make things line up. That being said, the quilt is pretty cute, and as Grandma Higgins would have said, "A man going by in a bus would  never notice any imperfections".

 

The Mailman Came.

Holy Cow.  I really  need to knock off on the chardonnay before shopping on the internet.  The mailman came and there were certainly a lot of packages with my name on them.  Sara said, "Mom.  It's like Christmas".  Oh dear.  Well, I can tell you, that I have definitely beefed up my non-existent Happy Fabric Stash.  Happy projects, I am good to go.

I love the Denyse Schmidt fabric, and the Joel Dewberry (front and center) is to die for.  I love the black/grey/yellow colorway, and can't wait to add more blacks and greys to the mix.  The Anna Maria Horner fabrics, I am going to have to get used to.  The prints are large and the colors are very bold.

I also received a Kaleidoscope ruler, which will be good for the larger Kaleidoscope blocks I hope to make.  I am also getting a smaller Kaleidoscope ruler that trims up pin wheel blocks into the proper kaleidoscope shape.  I am super excited to try that, but the largest size block I can make with it is 6 inches.  That will be wonderful for table topper sized projects.

Have a wonderful weekend, Friends.  I hope to show you a completed Maison Joyeuse top on Monday!

I'm Starting My Happy Collection

I am starting my Happy Fabric collection!  Truth be told, the collection in the photo above I have had for a year or so, but haven't quite had a plan as to how to use it.  It is Hope Valley by Denyse Schmidt for Free Spirit Fabrics.  Something very special will come of this, I just know it.  Thelma made two quilts using this group, Bounce by Miss Rosie's Quilt Company and Summer Day, a Miss Rosie Schnibbles pattern.  The fabric is super cute, you should try to get some if you can.

I came into a small amount (very small) of money this month, and have decided to put it towards expanding my Happy Stash.  I have had the best luck on Etsy, of all places, finding collections by more modern designers that had passed under my radar, given my obsession with Civil War Reproduction fabrics in the past year.  Some designers I love are Joel Dewberry, Kate Spain, Denyse Schmidt, and Anna Maria Horner.  I will share the goodies with you as they arrive in my mailbox.

This is what came today---Flea Market Fancy by Denyse Schmidt.  How yummy is that, and notice how it would go great with the Hope Valley line in the top photo.  Oh my goodness, this is way more fun than I was expecting.

Still In My Happy Zone

 

 I've been happy as can be working away on my happy blocks.  Debbie suggested that I rename the quilt "Maison Joyeuse", which I thought was an excellent idea.  Several of you have inquired as to the size of the blocks, and they are a perfect 8 1/2 inches.  Love that size block.

I want to clarify that I did not mean to villify the woman who wasn't willing to share her quilt design with me.  I thought she was kind of eccentric, but laughed it off as just one of those things.  She was kind of a loner, a woman who obviously had not traveled the easiest road through life, and perhaps hanging on to the uniqueness of her special-one-of-a-kind quilt was a way for her to feel as if she had control over something.  I was ok with her not sharing, truly.

What I was not ok with was a couple of comments I received yesterday regarding her behavior.  One was just kind of mean, but the other was obscene.  No call for that sort of thing here at all people.  Snarky or off color comments will be deleted.

There are 15 to 20 people who comment on my blog regularly, and I am so appreciative of all of you.  I make an effort to reply to your comments as often as possible, and I have come to think of you as my friends.  None of my regular commenters have ever left remarks that were inappropriate.  I realize of course, that the nature of the internet is that what you put out there is really "Out There" for any and all to see.  Lots of folks read my blog and never comment.  Most of those people are probably wonderful, and we would like each other a lot if we were to become acquainted.  Others just pass through, leave a nasty or obnoxious remark and go on, never to return.  Hopefully that was what happened with the unacceptable comments that were left here.

On another note, Carol left me a question regarding a Daisy quilt I had made, but I can't figure out which one that was.  When I tried to respond to you Carol, your email was "do not reply".  Contact me again and hopefully I can answer your question!

 

 

Are You Happy Yet?

YES!!  I am very happy now.  Look how cute these little blocks are, who wouldn't smile to see them?

I have been dreaming of making a Kaleidoscope quilt, like Cindy at Hyacinth Designs made, but I have to wait for my special ruler to arrive.  As soon as it comes, I will start cutting out the next quilt in my future.  Meanwhile, since I am a creature who craves instant gratification, I had to start on something springy while I wait for the mailman to come.

This block is from a pattern called Maison Bleue by Crazy Old Ladies.  Adorable name for a company, don't you agree?  I have had the pattern for ages, but you can still buy it on the Crazy Old Ladies website.  The pattern is layer cake friendly, and the blocks go together very quickly.  Plus, you get to combine three different print fabrics in each block, which is a factor that really holds my interest when I am making a quilt.

So, what the heck is the fabric I am using?  Well, I have had it for years in my stash, but as my sister Kate says, "It doesn't go bad".  It is a Moda collection, I believe one of the first ones designed by Basic Grey, called Urban Couture.  Basic Grey started out as a paper design company, well known to scrap bookers.  Thank heavens they ventured into fabric design, because their stuff is great.

The story of the fabric is a funny one.  Years ago, as I said, I was in an open sewing class at a quilt shop and a woman in the class was making the most stunning quilt out of this fabric group.  I absolutely planned to copy her and bought all the Urban Couture I could get my hands on, which amounted to ten or twelve fat quarters, a layer cake, some brown solid and the large brown floral print.  Then I cozied up to her and asked her what pattern she was using.  She claimed not to be using a pattern, just making something up.  She totally refused to share with me what she was doing.  O-kaaaaay.

I figured, no sweat, I was creative, I could come up with something.  But she wouldn't even allow a photo of what she was working on, so of course as soon as I was out of sight of it, I couldn't remember a single thing about the design.  So, this fabric collection has been sitting in my closet for, what, going on 10 years without me coming up with an idea. 

Not any more.  Hah.  I am going to have my very own happy Urban Couture quilt, and I don't mind sharing a bit how I am coming up with a design!

Let's Have Some Color

Hey there.  Hope you all had a good weekend.  Mine was pretty good, with great springtime weather, some family time, and some sewing thrown in for good measure.  I got the center section of Victory Stars all sewn together, and am going to set that project aside for a bit.  I will be adding a beautiful border of stars all around the center section, but not for a few months. 

I love this project, I really do, but am craving some brighter colors right now. I've got a couple of projects in mind, and will be sharing my plan as soon as I formulate it a bit better.

Have you heard of Hyacinth Quilt Designs?  Cindy Lammon is the designer and blog writter, and does some truly beautiful work using more modern fabrics and designs.  I am quite smitten with her most recent quilt, Kaleidoscope.  You have to go take a look.  She has used a palette of orchids and greens from a Heather Bailey collection, and the Kaleidoscope quilt block makes the most interesting visual pattern.  This quilt just screams SPRING. 

Have any of you made the Kaleidoscope block?  I have been looking up construction techniques and there are a number of options.  The block can be paper pieced, or you can use templates for cutting, or special rulers.  I am stymied as to how to proceed, but know I must make this quilt!

Paganini

It feels so good to have finished something.  This little table topper is from the pattern "Paganini", a Schnibbles pattern designed by Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie's Quilt Company.  The pattern has three or four variations, including a beautiful one with a scalloped border.  I made a variation of my own with this project, making my version rectangular, to better fit my oval dining table and outside table.

 

Once it is quilted and bound, it will be the perfect centerpiece for a spring or summer brunch.  Those faded vintagey colors are so pretty.

This is what the rest of the house looks like with my Easter decorations.  I kept it pretty simple this year.

Some Happy Sewing

Time for some happy sewing!  I decided due to some recent comments by a certain guest blogger/family member that it might be time to set aside the dark Civil War Reproduction fabrics for some cheerier stuff.  It's ok.  I get it.

Yesterday morning I pulled out a couple of Schnibbles and Cotton Way patterns with the idea of whipping up a quick table topper in spring colors.  Paganini by Miss Rosie's Quilt Company won out.  For fabric, I had a harder time deciding.  I fondled a fat eighth bundle of Ruby by Bonnie and Camille, and played around with a couple of other older collections that have been sitting around for way too long.  In the end, I chose a layer cake of Breakfast at Tiffany's by Fig Tree.

While Eva watched Dora the Explorer, I got all my fabric cut out, and while she napped, the blocks practically made themselves.  By the time she woke up, this is how far I had progressed.  Today I hope to get the lattices and borders on and maybe even do some quilting.

This happy project was a mood changer!

And so is this.

Needed Distraction

I definitely needed a distraction last week, and applied myself to assembling a Princess Castle.  What do you think about that?  This sort of task is not my forte by a long shot, so I went into it with some trepidation.  My first problem was trying to figure out the drawings and assembly instructions.  After putting a piece or two together backwards, I became a bit more careful.

The second issue I had was that my hands aren't strong enough to really turn those little screws in as tightly as they are supposed to be.  After rummaging around in my husband's tool boxes, I came up with a screw driver that was a little more user friendly and had better success.

It took me a lot longer than it probably should have, but Princess Eva will now have a Princess Castle doll house to play with!

I got the set on Amazon, for around $50.  Putting it together must not have been too difficult if someone like me could manage it.  It seems to be made adequately, but there is an "elevator" on the left hand side that really doesn't work very well.  I guess it is for Rapunzel's prince to get up to the balcony where she is letting her hair down.  We don't have that prince in our set, so who knows if any of the other characters will be using it.  I think Eva is going to love this and put in a lot of play time with it.

Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for all the sweet messages of condolence that you shared with me and the family.  We truly suffered a terrible loss and will be a long time waiting for the sun to shine again.  My niece would want us to perk up and carry on, so we are all doing our best to put on a smile.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

 

Guest Post: Sara's "Silver Linings" Quilt

 

Mom's taking a little break, but will resume soon. The death of my cousin has hit all of us quite hard. Still, we wanted to have a little content for you. If you are long time followers of my mother's blog then you might be familiar with me. Four years ago, my then husband and I moved to the country to start a winery, while our marriage failed, the business is flourishing. We share it still, and our time with our lovley daughter Eva. I know you've all become very familiar with her! 

Life is and has been in transition. My sewing machine has gathered a thick layer of dust and as I begin to focus on the things that make me happy, I've decided to make a cheery quilt for my beau, M. I'm getting back to the basics of life that bring me joy.

Quilts for men are difficult, as everything these days seems to be civil war, feminine florals, modern kitch or hideous novelty prints. While he bleeds blue & white for his alma mater, Penn State, I couldn't bring myself to buying a sports logo print in scratchy cotton. Luckily, I stumbled upon Kate Spain's Sunnyside line. I was able to focus on the navy, purple and orange color-ways, and have supplemented with additional navy fabrics from sellers on Etsy. These were just stash building bundles I purchased at random. The pattern, pictured below, is a simple zig-zag from Shabby Fabrics, and I plan on a Kona Snow background. To follow my progress you can find project updates on my new blog, pistachioleek.com

 

  

 ~Sara