Back At It!

I was so excited and could hardly wait for the 2nd block pattern in the Vice Versa Block of the Month!  You know the feeling...like a kid waiting for Santa!  (that may be a stretch!) That was 3 weeks ago!  I just never got to it!  Little things here and there got in my way of having fun.  

Today was the day!  I haven't made a thing in nearly 2 weeks.  What the heck is up with that?!  Let me share...

First One

Second One (favorite one)

Together at last

I really love this one, so it gets its own special close-up!  I promise not to take so long next time...I will try not to take so long next time...maybe I can get them done sooner next month!

 Gen X Quilters Vice Versa Block Of The Month

Link Up's:

LET'S BEE SOCIAL @Sew Fresh Quilts

WIP WEDNESDAY @Freshly Pieced

WHOOP WHOOP Friday

FABRIC FRENZY Friday

FINISH IT UP Friday

My Exciting News!

I have been such a slacker the past week!  Not one stitch, not one piece of fabric cut. There aren't any in progress or finished projects to share.

I'm in neutral.  It isn't because I haven't any ideas or my creative flow has dried up.  Its a pleasant time.  Calm.  

Except for my exciting news!!!  I am so thrilled, giddy and maybe a little irritating to some... but I'm in my very first ever quilting magazine!  Yes, really!  I didn't want to say anything just in case they decided they didn't want to use my pattern after all.  Just to be safe and not have egg on my face! 

It has been something I have dreamt about.  Wished.  I don't really know how to go about it.  This magazine found me.  I haven't any idea how.  A very lovely lady, Deb Orhn contacted me through my Etsy shop.  She was interested in patterns for two of my pillow covers for a new magazine:  FRESH QUILTS ~ modern sewing for fun.  It's new, fresh, and looks fantastic!  Oh, and it's out in a shop near you!

How about that!  But wait...if you look closely, my pillows are on the front cover!

I didn't expect that!

These are the pillows that are featured!

Needless to say, I'm a pretty happy camper!  Excited, honored and thrilled.  The magazine is fantastic and has some really great projects in it.  

Thank you Fresh Quilts!

I decided to celebrate, I would put together a 'FRESH' giveaway next week!  Yep!  It will include a copy of Fresh Quilts Magazine!

I hope you get a chance to stop by.

Linking to:

WHOOP WHOOP Friday

FABRIC FRENZY Friday

FINISH IT UP Friday

Check!

Mini's are checked off the list for good!  

Just to see what they would look like on a wall, I did a little photo shoot!

Four Square

All five in a not so straight row!!!

Stacked

A mosaic!

Certainly not a perfect photo shoot!  Do you ever have a hard time taking great photos of your quilts?!  I keep trying!

Have a great week-end and Happy Valentines Day!

WHOOP WHOOP Friday

FABRIC FRENZY Friday

FINISH IT UP Friday

Extraordinary Etsy

I spend a lot of time on Etsy.  Maybe too much time.  Having two shops keeps me on my toes!  Just when I think I have seen it all...well, one little click and there it is!  Something else that amazes and captures my attention me!

Why not share?  Not everyone has the time to peruse on Etsy and if they do, maybe this one got by you!  Once a week I will share a great find, a great shop and a beautiful photo!

Today's shop is Worthygoods Textile.  It is awesome!  Based in Maine, Dory has a beautiful stock of Organic Fabric and many incredible vintage textile pieces.  From fat quarters to bolts and everything in between!  Dory has graciously allowed me to share her shop on my blog...what a treat!

I was captivated when I saw this photo.  Vintage wooden spools wound with beautiful silk thread!  Be still my heart!  My thread obsession just hit a new level!

Vintage Wooden Spools

How about these vintage industrial era textile wooden quills?!  Talk about history!  Each listing has a detailed description full of history.  I love reading the item descriptions!   

Wooden Quills

Take a moment and check out Worthygoods Textile.  Dory has offered 10% discount in her shop!  Yippie!  Use coupon code:  SAVE10 at check out...I will be!  

Read the history.  See the beauty. I know I will be keeping an eye on this shop!       

A Happy 'Mini~ish' (mini finish)

Mini's Finished!  

First of all, thank you for the advice and ideas on hanging Mini's!  Quilters are probably the best people...EVER!  I appreciate all the comments and help!

In my previous post: Mini Quilt ~ Color Squares, I didn't have a clear idea how I was going to hang these mini's.  After hemming and hawing (lots of hawing) I came to a conclusion.  I decided there was no reason to re-invent the wheel!  I mean really!  Sometimes trying to be inventive or clever isn't necessary!  Stick with a tried and true method!

Each little quilt is happily crinkled, secure with a snazzy binding and outfitted with a perfect hanger! 

I'm a skinny binding kinda girl.  2 1/4".  Using left over binding scraps,  I made two triangles for the corners.  Perfect size.  I also wanted to make sure the wood piece stayed put, so I added 1/2" cotton twill tape on either side of the center.  They were 2 1/4" long and then folded over.  

My favorite part is the wood piece!  It is 1/4" thick and 1/2" wide.  Thank you Home Depot for having just the right size!  A nice center hole and viola!  I must give due credit to my husband.  He masterfully cut and drilled each one for me!

Next time I will sew the corners and twill tape on before I add the binding.  DUH!  I couldn't help it.  I was anxious to finish.

Neat and tidy!  
ANYTHING GOES Monday
LETS BE SOCIAL @ Sew Fresh Quilts

Mini Quilt ~ Color Squares

I've been having a great run with hand dyed fabric!  After months and months and months (a year for some of it), I have conquered my anxiety of actually using it!  Believe me, it was hard and nearly a 12 step program.  I kept telling myself:  it will be even more gorgeous in something.  And it is true.  Very true.

I went a head and designed some Mini Quilts.  I love Mini's.  I thought this design and the combination of colors would make for some interesting Mini Quilts/Wall Hangings.  

How about that?  I can see these hanging on a wall, either in a group setting or not.  What a great way to add pizazz to a blank wall.  I'm excited about this 'batch' of Mini's.  I think they could really be a beautiful display of color!

Yellow

Orange

Blue

Green

Pink

I quilted a different design on each one, different borders, backing and eventually binding.  

Back

They will end up being 14.5" square.  I'm debating on how to add a hanger.  Of course there is the usual hanging sleeve.  I'm thinking something different, but have yet to nail it down.

How do you feel about Mini Quilts?  What is your 'go to' method for hanging these little gems?  I would love to know...it may help me in deciding what I would like to do!!

MINI ~ denoting a miniature version of something.

Linking up with:

LET'S BEE SOCIAL @Sew Fresh Quilts

WIP WEDNESDAY @Freshly Pieced

I QUILT THURSDAYS @ Pretty Bobbins

NEEDLE & THREAD THURSDAY @ My Quilt Infatuation

WHOOP WHOOP Friday

FABRIC FRENZY Friday

A Sweet Surprise!

There isn't anything better than getting packages in the mail.  Usually fabric or supplies for me.  The anticipation of getting something in your hot little hands!  Love it!

However...you know what's really fun?  Getting a package in the mail that you never expected!  A surprise!  The unexpected!  And boy, was I ever surprised!  

How sweet is this? 

A Little background.  I received this beautiful Mini Heart Quilt from Anne.  Anne lives in Portland and has been sewing/quilting forever...as long as I have known her.  She and my daughter Britt, have been best friends since kindergarten!  Kindergarten!  I can still see those two playing together, usually doing something artsy/craftsy-ish.  

Anne's Mom was the one who got Britt into quilting, which led to Britt getting me into quilting, which eventually led me having a new connection to Anne!  

These are all hand dyed fabrics.  Who would have thought a gift of hand dyed fabric to Anne would result in a gift for me?!  

Pretty, huh?  The purples are gorgeous together and surrounded by a neutral linen they really stand out.

What a great touch sewing hearts on the enclose card!  Way too cute.  There was even a little heart on the envelope!

I absolutely love this and will hang it proudly on my wall (somewhere) and will cherish it forever!  

Getting an unexpected surprise is the best feeling.  It makes me think we should all surpise someone more...make someones day...give a little gift!

Anne, I love this!  Thank you!