A quick update

Today I've been working on my guest post for the Minneapolis Modern Quilt Guild blog, including phone interviews (aren't you intrigued??). It will be up tomorrow, but in the meantime, here's a smattering of what I've been up to lately.

My son, Paul, who is 7 and has great taste in fabric ;), has been begging me to make him something with the Riley Blake navy tone on tone chevrons.

I suggested a tie but he said it wouldn't fit into his wardrobe. After going around and around we agreed on a pillow. I whipped this up in about 20 minutes. He's happy. I'm happy.

Not the best photo. The sun refused to shine today :(

Remember these little postage stamp mini quilts I was working on a few weeks ago?

Now they look like this:

Finally, I've been invited to participate in an in-home holiday boutique a week from tonight. Yippee! I've made 9 infinity scarves and I'm working on a stack of cloth napkins for kids. I'm hoping to get a baby quilt or two done, too. Hubby says I should whip up a few chevron pillows after seeing the one I made for Paul. Perhaps that's not a bad idea.

This week is going to be busy, but not too busy to watch the latest episode of Project Runway All Stars, so I'm outta here.

Happy sewing!

-Annik

Stamp Collection

There's nothing like a simple patchwork project to cure a bad case of sewing malaise.

Postage Stamp "mini runner" using Juggling Summer by Brigitte Heitland for Zen Chic for Moda 2.5" candy pack.

Another mini runner using ABC 123 by American Jane Patterns, Sandy Klop for Moda 2.5" candy pack.

I haven't felt much like quilting lately. Making clothes - yes. Reorganizing my sewing room - yes. Refolding the stash - yes. But piecing and quilting? Not so much. When quilting fatigue sets in, I find nothing cures it quite like making a mini quilt (or five). Nothing fancy, no pressure, just something simple and quick. I pieced these two postage stamp minis yesterday and you know what? It was fun!

What's your favorite way to get your quilting mojo back?

Sunday Stash #3

Ah, green.

Left to right - Kaufman's Quilter's Linen, Erin Michael's Lush for Moda, and 1974 by Urban Chiks for Moda

I picked up these little lovelies at Digs in Northfield, Minnesota this past week. The store is a treasure trove of OOP fabrics, at least for now. They're moving out old inventory before they move their store to Minneapolis in July. The new location is a mere 1.5 blocks from my house! Fabric within walking distance - you have no idea how long I've been dreaming of this.

Here's some red, white, and blue in honor of the rapidly approaching 4th of July holiday.

Top print is from Wee Play, all the others are from Recess by American Jane for Moda

These are all American Jane prints, long out of print (yes, I'm obsessed!!!). Some I already had in my stash, others I picked up this week at Digs.  I'm planning to make a flag bunting or two with these this week. Fourth of July decorations, anyone?

Happy sewing,
Annik

Simple and Satisfying

I finished this today -

Okay, wait, here's a bigger view complete with loads of clover-

 

Hats off to Minick & Simpson for their beautiful Charlevoix line for Moda and of course, my beloved Sandy Klop for her super versatile pindots.

Don't you think this quilt is a slice of Americana? It makes me want to sip lemonade and talk about the good old days (whenever they were).

Here's the back - I love this print. It reminds me of my childhood, although I'm not sure why. Those little flowers seem really familiar.

Mapping out the straight line quilting was a bit slow and required lots of painter's tape but was totally worth the effort (in my humble opinion).

It occurred to me this evening that I've made this quilt before, albeit a much smaller version, right down to the red with white polka dot border. Odd.

So, at the risk of being repetitive, I'm planning to make another one with Sherbet Pips. Will I add a red with white dots border? Perhaps!

Want to make your own Americana throw? You'll need eighty-eight (88) 5" charm squares (11 rows of 8 squares). Cut 4 WOF and .5 WOF x 1.25" wide strips for the narrow border (finished size is .75" wide). Cut 5 WOF x 5" strips for the outer border (finished size is 4.5" wide).  I like  2.25" wide binding strips, but use whatever size you prefer.

I still owe you a post about the International Quilt Study Center and Museum, but that will have to be tomorrow because I'm pooped out after a long week of wrangling kids.

Happy sewing,

-Annik