Coming Home

We'll today is my last day at Market, and by the end of the day, I will be back home, tucking my little kiddie winkies into bed :)  

And then it will be off to the sewing room.  

I have got samples to make for my fast approaching classes in June.  I decided that rather than make new samples every time I teach basic block skills that it might save me a lot of time to just make some generic go to every time samples.  So I have cut out some squares and strips to show the step by step process of  No Waste Flying Geese, Half Square Triangles, Goose in the Corner, and Simple Lattice blocks.  I can't believe I didn't think of this the first time I taught a class ;)

And once I am done my samples, I get to cut into this lovely stack of goodness.  It's Simply Sweet by Lori Whitlock for Riley Blake Designs and it is so adorable!!!  These beautiful prints will be making an adorable baby blanket for my best friend who is expecting a new little wee one in July :)  And did I mention there will be a tutorial involved in all this :)  Stay tuned :)

See you on Monday with lots of Market goodness!!

A Bit of an Applique Challenge

As part of the Sweet Celebrations Book for Moda I designed and created this quilt for my husband.  Obviously, he is a U of U alumni.  Well ever since I finished this quilt, I have wanted to make another for me that would match his as my Alma Mater, SUU, also uses red, black, and white for it's school colors.

And I am so excited that I finally moved it onto the cutting table!!  A little while ago I drafted a design that I really fell in love with.   I was going for a matchy geometric look, but not the exact same pattern.  I started cutting, then sewing, add some pressing, and before you know it, I have a finished quilt top, basted and ready to be quilted!!  Yippee :)  (Sorry for the little sneak peek, I am saving the final reveal for a bit ;)

And here is where the challenge comes in.  My husband's applique of the U was a bit tricky but manageable.

My Alma Mater's logo is a bit trickier.  Seriously, this is by far the hardest applique design I have tackled.  Wish me luck, I really think I am going to need it :)

Star Value from Beejeeber's

So you remember my Star Value block tutorial ??  We'll it is the block that I asked my fabulous bee mates to make for me this month :)  And I have already received some fabulous squishy packages!!!  And can I just say, I am in love!!!

This block was made by Lindsay.  I love the way she fussy cut the purple center block, so cute!!!

And this block arrived from Bethany.  I just love the color combo in that center block!!

And I have to say, I freaked out a little when I laid them out to make the first row!!  So stinking fantastic!!!  Seriously, I loved the block, but I think I am just going to flip over the quilt top!!!  I seriously can't wait for all these to come in and stitch this top together :)  So exciting!!!

And there are already some more squishy packages in the mail on their way :)  I will be sure to share as soon as they arrive ;)

Leaving for Portland!!!

I am stepping out my front door and heading to Portland.  International Quilt Market here I come !!!  

I am so excited!!!  Like seriously, I can't stop smiling :)    This will be my second market so I feel a little more knowledgeable of how to take it all in. (but just a little :)   Oh, so much fabric, so many stunning booths, so many happy quilters, and oh so much fun!!!

I don't see myself getting anything posted about market while I am gone (I don't have a fancy phone and I doubt I will have internet in my room) but I promise to have a whole rundown come next week full of lots and lots of pictures :)  (anything in particular you want to see???)

In the meantime, I did a few scheduled posts of things I was working on earlier this week ;)  Wouldn't want it to get to quiet around here :)

So that's it for today :)  Next time we chat, I will be at Market, Squeal!!!

My New Mini, aka Julie is Awesome!!!

Isn't it just the cutest mini ever!!!!   I received this fantastic mini from Julie as part of the Fab Little Quilt Swap!!!  Julie could not have possibly made a more perfect mini for me!!!  I love it to pieces!!!

 I was so excited when I got this little squish in the mail and saw Julie's name on it!!  I had been stalking this mini in the group for weeks and just hoping that it might come my way!!

I have always loved cathedral windows and Julie even took the time to hand stitch each of these, amazing!!  The little tiny buttons in the points are just the cutest finish!!  And yes, I love, love, purple!!!

Photo courtesy of Julie

And if the mini wasn't enough to must make my day, there were also lots of fun goodies in the squish package!!!  Julie is just the nicest swapper ever!!

How cute is this little basket!!!  So adorable :)  It is now on my shelf and holds all of my precious cards and notes from sewing friends :)

And Julie loves purple just as much as I do and was so sweet to share some of her purple stash!!  Seriously, freaking out of what to make with all of this fabulous purple!!

And here it is on my wall of purple mini's right about the ironing board so I can ohh and ahh over it ever time I press!!!

Thank you a million times over Julie!!!  I could not be happier!!