Fresh Cottons...and a Giveaway...

I've really enjoyed sewing with Fresh Cottons lately...I'm currently working on my third quilt with this line and keep thinking of so many additional projects I want to make with these gorgeous fabrics. The quilt above is one I  recently sewed for Joanna Figueroa.  It's her newly released pattern called "Paper Roses." One of the things I loved about this pattern is that it only calls for one charm pack...and with some background and border fabrics you can make a nice sized quilt.

These photos of "Paper Roses" are courtesy of Joanna Figueroa (she shared the photos on this post along with some interesting insights into the fabrics--it's just fascinating to me to read about the variety of things that inspire designers as they design such beautiful fabrics and patterns).

And now for a fun spring giveaway...Jenny at SewFabulous Quilt Shop is offering a $25 gift certificate to one of my readers.  You can visit her shop here...and her blog here.  Hmmm...let's see...to enter leave a comment on this post about your favorite spring cleaning hint for sewing rooms/supplies...I'm hoping to clean my sewing room this week during spring break so any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I'll keep the comments open until Friday and announce the winner next week.  Oh...and I'll be back on the first with our Roundabout Schnibble parade!  Have a great day!

Spring Break

I'm hoping to sew a lot this week since spring break has arrived here...yay!!!  I really want to finish these Wonderland log cabins I started last month.

And, I have lots of half-square triangles I'm sewing out of Fresh Cottons!

I must send out a huge "thank you" to Quilter's Home magazine who included my blog in their article found in the April/May 2010 issue...Thanks So Much--I'm honored! Not only was the article so much fun to read, but I've also found some great new blogs to visit!

And...this dreamy book just arrived in my mailbox today...I'm hoping to spend some quality time reading this afternoon! (Where Women Create: Book of Inspiration: In the Studio and Behind the Scenes with Extraordinary Women) Have a wonderful day!

Wordless Wednesday-- Favorite Basket Quilt

Fabric: Patisserie, Mill House Inn, Whimsy, Fresh Cottons
Pattern: "Laundry Baskets" from Fresh Vintage 14

National Quilting Day

My Hope Valley quilt is quilted, bound, and washed. Try as I might I could not get my camera to capture the depth of these colors. I'm completely drawn to these fabrics...must be those 60's and 70's memories...and yet these fabrics are fresh and modern as well.




I'm really not supposed to be working on this today...but I'm drawn to these baskets as well. I had the idea recently to arrange a block on my sewing table right before I leave the sewing room for the day. That way, I can't do anything the next day until I've completed the block that's ready to sew...this keeps me progressing on projects that might not be my main focus at the moment.

I really am trying to finish up some things in progress...but since tomorrow is National Quilting Day, I decided to let myself start another quilt (again, the photos don't really capture these fabrics...probably should have waited until later in the day to take these pictures). This one's been brewing in my mind for a little while, and I think I finally have the fabrics to make it happen...going to use some Hope Valley, Modern Meadow, Timber, Amy Butler, and Michael Miller Polka Dots...Hope you have a happy National Quilting Day!

Makes Me Happy Monday

I love the "Makes Me Happy Monday" posts by Paula...and thought today I'd share some things that make me happy. First, the new issue of Cotton Time...can't wait to get some time to savor this magazine of inspiration!

It's always a good day when the FatQuarterShop Designer Mystery Block of the Month arrives...and this one is a gorgeous block by Joanna! Can you believe this is month 10 already?

I love the new Riley Blake line...not just because I love rain, but because these fabrics are so cute! My daughter thinks I should make a bag so I'll always be carrying an umbrella!

These delightful Minny Muu by Lecien fabrics make me smile...on sale over at FatQuarterShop!

I've started binding my Hope Valley Quilt (pattern "Off Kilter" by Heather Mulder Peterson). This fabric and this quilt definitely say "happy."

Some secret sewing with Fresh Cottons by Joanna Figueroa for Moda!

And...my block two of the Jelly Roll Sampler Quilt Along = happy...I just love these fabrics. Last week I had a giveaway for a free blog button by Designer Blogs...Jackie is the winner...I'll get your e-mail to them right away!

Have a wonderful day!

Spring Is...

A white wicker chair, and a new spring bag...

With a wonderful over-sized fabric-covered button...

I love it so much, I've already started another! Fabric: Verna by Kate Spain...pattern: "Mixed Bag to Quilt" by Nanette Merrill.

Happy almost spring!

Miscellaneous...

I probably use the word "miscellaneous" a little too often. But I honestly couldn't think of any other post title that fit my thoughts today any better. The fabric above is fabric I heart...Japanese fat quarters that I received from Kerri. I love them all, but the Matryoshka dolls have to be my favorites. Thank you Kerri!

And some of the new Willow prints from Alexander Henry....I heart them too...wish I could have bought them all!

Yesterday I decided to join in the Jelly Roll Sampler Quilt Along after seeing so many of these great blocks all around blogland. I'm really glad I decided to do this quilt...after all, I had a jelly roll of Shangri-La that I'd been hoarding saving... and it will be much better used as a fun, family room quilt than just sitting in my sewing room! The cream tonal from Simple Abundance coordinates perfectly with the Shangri La, so I'm using that for my background fabric.

I'm still working on my favorite basket blocks ever...(halfway finished...can't wait to set them together)!

And, I got my Blush Jelly and Jam back from the quilter--

I'll be busy getting the binding finished today. This quilt is a shop quilt for a class I'll be teaching in April! I have several projects almost finished and almost to the stage where I can post about them--hoping to get some good "sewing room" time in soon!

How about a giveaway too...the wonderful girls over at Designer Blogs would love to give a free blog button with html code to one of you...just leave a comment on this post to be entered...I'll keep the drawing open until Friday, March 12th!

Oh, and I also wanted to mention Kari's giveaway over at Fresh Cut Quilts I think you'll want to go see what she has for a giveaway. See...this was a very miscellaneous kind of post! Have a wonderful day, and I hope you get to sew!

Favorite. Baskets. Ever.

I've been wanting to make this basket quilt from the moment I saw issue 14 of Fresh Vintage. This morning I was just going to make one...and then move on to another project. But I couldn't stop at one. I absolutely love this block with these fabrics.

I'm using Fig Tree scraps in this quilt--just as in the cover version...so far I've used Patisserie, Mill House Inn, Whimsy, and a small bit of Fresh Cottons left over from making this Satchel for Two bag. (I made the second version of this bag shown in the post--super pattern)!

These blocks are foolproof..no cut-off basket points possible. Well, gotta run...I must get back to making more baskets--have a wonderful day!

"Sunday Best" Winners

Not much sewing here lately...but I did bind 5 quilts during the second half of February! I do have something to share, though...the winners from the "Sunday Best" Parade of Schnibbles!

And so, on to announce our winners...Carrie is sending a layer cake of Hunky Dory to Carol of Carol's Crafty Creations from Sinta's post and to Jayne of Jayne's Quilting Room from my post.

Fat Quarter Shop is awarding a $50 gift certificate to Megan from my post!

Cottage Quilts has donated a $25 gift certificate to Suzie from my post.

Quilters' Paradise is donating a $25 gift certificate to Cynthia from Sinta's post.

Quilt Taffy is donating a Roundabout pattern and choice of Moda charm pack...this prize goes to Jocelyn of Sinta's parade!

Bear Paw Quilts is donating this fat quarter bundle to Trish from my post!

And finally...the Missouri Star Quilt Company is donating 2 charm packs that will go to Sandy, aka Strlady, from Sinta's post!

Hope you have a wonderful day...I haven't been able to sew for a few days...but definitely hoping to sew today!

Roundabout!

Hello March--although I absolutely cannot believe it's March already! Our Schnibble this month will be "Roundabout." I really loved this pattern (as I love all Schnibbles)...and had fun using Aster Manor by 3 Sisters for Moda. We have a wonderful "Sunday Best" parade today--two, actually! The rest of the quilts will be over at Sinta's blog! There are so many wonderful quilts using a variety of fabrics...on with the parade!



First up is Kari of Fresh Cut Quilts...love her version done in Eva!

And then we have Edith's wonderful version!



This is Jayne's first entry in our parade! I absolutely love this quilt!

And this "Sunday Best" is from Quilt Tales and Cat Tails--she used such beautiful spring fabrics!.

Ariane decided to make a larger Sunday Best; I believe this will be a twin-sized quilt when she finishes.

Another spring-colored "Sunday Best" was made by Julie.

And Robin used some wonderful brights.

This is Mary's "Sunday Best"--love these peaceful blues and yellows!

This is Megan's "Sunday Best". These colors say "spring!"

Sandy used pinks and browns--another great color combination for this pattern.

And Trisha made a baby boy Sunday Best...all from her stash!

Rita (no blog) used Civil War Homefront fabrics.

Marianne made another lovely spring version.

Sandy F. (no blog) made this wonderful version...I love her fabrics!

Pam also made a larger sized "Sunday Best."

Lisa used red, white and blue!

Stina's...love the applique'd flowers she added! Stina's choice of fabrics also shows she's ready for spring!

Mary of Quilt Hollow has been making quite a few Schnibbles lately...so glad to have her Christmas version in our parade!

Regena created a wonderful "Sunday Best" using these great fabrics!

Sandie L.'s version...love it!

And Sasha made this beautiful Schnibble. She is also new to our Year of Schnibbles!

Simone also used a variety of fabrics in her quilt...love it!

And finally...for this parade...this one is from Suzie! Hope you can join in for "Roundabout!" Oh, and I'll be back tomorrow to announce parade winners! Have a great day!