Open Window: A Finished Quilt

A long, long time ago I bought a bundle of turquoise and orange fabric. I put it aside and years later revisited it and added some teal. I still wasn't sure but I picked a pattern ( I used the Squares and Strips tutorial from Cluck Cluck Sew) and got to work.

When I was finished the quilt top it still was not what I had been planning it my head. The lack of white? Too much orange? I'm not sure. So I put it aside. Again.

The thing is, I don't like WIPs. I'm a finisher. And so this summer I pulled this out and finished it up. I decided that the recipient is my friend's mother, a wonderful woman who has had a rough go lately. That is why I named it Open Window.

The backing is some Joel Dewberry True Colours that I got at a good price last summer.

It is quilted with teal thread echoing each seam line for the larger blocks.

 I quite like the little 16-patch blocks. That raindrop fabric delights me.

The recipient ended up loving it, which is the best and most important thing. The weird outcome that I was not expecting, however, was that when I posted the finished quilt on my Instagram there are many people who love it! People who have never commented on my other finished quilt photos. I guess the lesson is that even though a quilt may not be to my taste, someone (or many someones!) will probably love it. 

WIP Going Into Storage

After having a crisis of faith in a bundle I pulled years ago, I reworked and went ahead to make the pattern, using the FREE tutorial for the Squares and Strips Bed Quilt put together by Cluck Cluck Sew.

The pattern itself is fantastic. Like all patterns by Cluck Cluck Sew, it designed to look more complicated than it is and the top comes together very quickly. The only blip I had on my radar was that I really needed my fat quarters to be 21" tall and they were not. As in, all but 3 of my 12 fat quarters were too short. What the heck is that about?

Too short meant I had to do some improv.

And I got the blocks made in no time and I put the top together and...

Orange, turquoise and teal in real life.

...I don't dig it. It's okay. The pattern is great. It isn't ugly, I don't think, but it just isn't me. Despite the use of many fabrics I love. Despite that fact that turquoise and teal are so my thing. I just don't really like this quilt top. It is intended for someone in my family, and I will finish it, but nothing in my stash works for the backing and I just don't have the heart to work on it anymore. This is the first time ever, I think, that I'm putting a finished quilt top away in the closet and shrugging my shoulders over getting it done. It can stay a WIP longer. My heart just isn't in it.

Which taught me a lesson. I had some other bundles I put together ages ago, with fabric I probably would not buy now. And seeing how this top turned out and how I just don't love it, I'm breaking up those bundles and putting the fat quarters I like back on the shelf and the rest in the "Maybe someone else will like these fabrics" box in my closet.

Like this penguin bundle here. No idea what possessed me. I might fussy cut a penguin or two, though.

It is those beiges that kill me. Just no.

And for a long time I was planning to make a rainbow circus sort of quilt. I built up this combination over many shop hops:

But no. Too much. Too bright. No. I don't want to make this quilt.

Do you have any bundles languishing somewhere in your stash? I have more that I haven't reviewed yet that are going to get a hard look very soon. Why make things you don't love?

When Love Wanes

Ages ago I put together a bundle of oranges and turquoises and set it aside to make a Squares and Strips quilt. Every year it seems to make it to my "To do" list but I never get to it and I was starting to wonder why. Why was I not excited? 

I pulled out the bundle, to which I've added a couple of prints over the years, and contemplated. Once you pull fabric for a project, if that love wanes and you no longer are inspired, should you keep it in the to do pile? I decided to look at it carefully, draw it out in my sketch book, and if it still wasn't speaking to me then I would abandon it. I've learned the hard way that if I am not loving the fabrics, then the quilt itself will feel like labour instead of pleasure.

Here is the bundle.

I drew it up in my sketch book and started to fill it in. And something clicked for me. There was too much of just two colours. When I started adding more teal to the mix, like that one on the far left of that top picture, there was more depth to the quilt and more interest. And, most importantly, I was more excited.

Sometimes sketching it out helps!

So then I went into my stash and update the bundle a bit and I was much happier.

Doesn't teal make it so much better?

And then that yellow-y orange was bothering me so I pulled it, added a Lizzy House print (of course) and now I'm happy and wanting to work with it again!

Here is the new pull. This is something I could see being worth working with!

Have you had that happen? Put together a fabric pull and then had your love wane? Did you stick with it or is your less-than-loved bundle still sitting on a shelf somewhere?

Stone Arrow: A Finished Quilt

There are times when a quilt sticks in your head and you can't get it out of there until you make it. When a dear friend mentioned to me that she wanted to commission me to make quilts for her two little boys' "big beds" and that she wanted the quilts to be dark grey I could not get the idea of a Pow Wow quilt from Cluck Cluck Sew in assorted greys out of my head.

In fact, I started sending her texts with pictures and ideas the day after she mentioned it. I would normally not make a quilt for someone on order. This was different in a few ways:

1. I love her to pieces.

2. She gave me complete creative freedom. She said "I trust you."

3. She was willing to pay for all the materials.

These parameters allowed me to give my time and creativity but still be able to afford to make two double sized quilts!

The first I will show you is Stone Arrow. It is for her elder son (who just turned three). He has an "E" name. I love this quilt so much, I can't even express how thrilled I am with how it turned out.

Front of quilt. It is quite big. The pattern only goes up to a twin size so I had to modify the pattern myself. The background white is Kona White (as always).

Fabrics used include: Denyse Schmidt grey eyelet, Madrona Road by Violet Craft, Juggling Summer by Moda, Ikat in grey by V&Co., Here Fishy Fishy by Heather Mulder Peterson for Henry Glass and Co., Minimalista by AGF, Feather by Alison Glass, Bella by Lotta Jansdotter, Pearl Bracelets by Lizzy House, Dumb Dot by Michael Miller, Botanics by Carolyn Friedlander, X+ by Alison Glass, Bike Path by Alison Glass, Remix Zig Zag in grey by Ann Kelle, Peppered Cotton

The back is an Art Gallery fabric called Pointelle in Shade.

My favourite part is the "E" done in tone-on-tone Pearl Bracelets using a tutorial from the Moda tutorials that went around the blogosphere a while back.

Doesn't it look so awesome bundled up? I used Art Gallery Squared Elements in Carbon for the binding (my go-to print for binding these days). I straight line quilted horizontally along each row and then did double lines down each vertical strip. I then did FMQ squares-in-squares for the white borders. All done with white Aurafil on the top and light grey Aurafil in the bobbin.

I was thrilled to bring this to the mom, R. She absolutely loved it, and the fabric choices. She loves the pattern and after admiring both quilts she cried! Stay tuned for my next post which will be the quilt I made for the younger brother, J. I made sure to take shots of the quilts together since they are meant to be a pair without matching.

The mom did say that she hopes they have their quilts for the rest of their lives and that she can imagine these quilts lasting them into adulthood because they aren't babyish in any way. And the dad gave me a high five for making "boy" quilts (he is generally anti-quilt because in his experience they are always girly and flowery).

It was a bit sad to say goodbye to a quilt that I think turned out so beautifully, but I love this family so much that I was also excited to see it go "home."

Lynn

Blog Around the World

I started to sew by teaching myself after asking for a sewing machine for my thirtieth birthday from my husband. That was four years ago. After a year and a half of sewing I tried my first quilt, something I thought would take years before I could accomplish. I got totally and completely hooked. That included being hooked on quilting blogs, which led to me starting my own blog.

Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago when Jenn from A Quarter Inch from the Edge contacted me to ask if I would be interested in participating in Blog Around the World where she would direct her readers to my blog (and two other blogs). I encountered Jenn when I had a giveaway on my blog from Sew Sisters and she entered. I checked out her blog and a few entries in I had her on my Blogger dashboard so I wouldn't miss a post! She is sort of a Kona solids genius. Check out what she did with these strip colour quilts or how she made a silk purse out of a (Kona) sow's ear. Also check out her epic solid Starburst quilt with the coloured Aurafil quilting. AMAZING. I'm interested to see how the addition of twins (!) will impact her quilting time (she accomplishes a zillion projects a week, or so it seems). Jenn is also Canadian but she is in Halifax in Nova Scotia whereas I am close to Toronto in Ontario. Google maps tells me it would take 17 hours and 53 minutes to drive there. Ouch.

And so here I am to answer the following questions about myself, my blog and my creative process.

What am I working on?

I used to be a woman who finished projects. My quilty friends C and A would comment that I was great at actually following through and that I didn't have very many WIPs (works in progress). Somehow that has changed this summer in particular. Or, perhaps, it has changed while being on maternity leave because the addition of a new baby (on top of my almost six-year-old) has changed how I am able to work. Currently I have the following projects "on the go" (including those for which I have already selected fabrics):

1. Oldest WIP: Stitchery Dickory Dock's Sugar Block Club Block of the Month. I have the blocks made and the binding made (with the scraps from the blocks). I made this using a bundle curated by Red Pepper quilts and purchased from Pink Castle Fabrics. I already know the backing (IKEA Nummer fabric) but I have not been motivated to do the boring sashing bits.

2. Swoon. I participated in a #Swoonalong with several quilty friends this summer. I completed all nine blocks using Tula Pink's Fox Field line and a LOT of Kona Shadow. I decided to add sashing which really helped make the quilt look right. Now I just need to add the border (which are cut and ready to go) and then baste (yuck) and decide how to quilt this sucker.  I think this will end up being a 2015 finish.

3. Aviatrix Medallion. I don't even like medallion quilts all that much. Or at least I didn't until I saw Elizabeth Hartman's pattern in all Kona solids. I bullied a friend into doing it too and she is so much further ahead. This is a very very VERY complex quilt so I knew it would take ages. I have finished the centre medallion and I'm working on the grey HSTs for Border One. This one may be a very late 2015 finish or, dare I say it, 2016?

4. Grey quilt #1: A Plus quilt. This is for a friend's son, J. She commissioned me to make two double quilts for her two little boys, ages 1 and 3. They both are dark greys and lots of Kona White. I only agreed to make these quilts because I adore her and because she turned creative control over to me. I am at the hand binding stage with this quilt.

5. Grey quilt #2. This is for big brother, E. It is a Pow Wow quilt from Cluck Cluck Sew's pattern (which I LOVE). I love this quilt so much I don't really want to let it go. I have it basted it and I'm waiting for the FMQ fairy to inspire me.

6 and 7. Mint Julep and Monkey Business, simple patchwork quilts for twins due in November to a work friend. These should be quick finishes. You know, if I stayed focused.

8. Black and White shower quilt. A lifelong friend got married two years ago and I was her maid of honour. Her mom and aunt both quilt so I came up with the idea of having the guests at her bridal showers sign squares of fabric and make a "guest book" quilt. Her aunt had the squares for two years without touching it so I took over to get the project going. Now I just need time to fit it in!

9. A very modern quilt for a neighbour expecting a little girl in November.

10. A red and white quilt for my husband's stepmother's mother, Nana. I want it done for her for Christmas.

I also need to make a baby quilt for a friend from work who is due in January, a special car holder project for my nephew for Christmas and a bunch of crayon roll ups for my daughter's loot bags at her sixth birthday party. Oh, and have I mentioned I'm going back to work from maternity leave starting tomorrow?

How does my work differ from others who quilt?

I don't really know how to answer this question. I know that when I compare my quilts to that of my friend's mother and aunt, or my great aunt, I am definitely more modern in my pattern and fabric choices. I know that compared to my quilty friends I am more adventurous than one of them (she chooses more modern fabrics but more traditional patterns) and less adventurous than the other (who chooses patterns because they are hard). Maybe at only three years into quilting I don't have a solid identity yet.

Why do I quilt?

I have always been drawn to quilts. For my high school graduation I didn't want a class ring. I asked my parents to pay to have a quilt made (I guess at 18 my parents should have read the warning signs). My job is incredible and challenging and rewarding but I also need something to do that is not related to the consuming nature of my job. Quilting fits the bill because it is very challenging and I am constantly learning and my mind is busy but on something other than work. I find that refreshing. I also think I can express love through my quilts, and since I am a pretty tough cookie that is one of the few ways I do!

What is my creative process?

I read a lot of blogs and go on Instagram and Pinterest a lot. Sometimes fabric or patterns just speak to me. They jump out at me and then get stuck in my head and haunt me until I at least write them down in this little notebook I have that is just for quilting. I will sketch out or write out my thinking behind the quilt and then I will have it sitting in my brain begging to be made until I actually get to making it. The problem is getting things done because my mind has sometimes already moved on to the next project before I finish the grunt work (like basting) for the one I'm on. This hasn't been too bad until recently. The grey quilts are an example of this madness. My friend mentioned wanting quilts in dark grey for her boys and I couldn't stop thinking about it. Within two days I had sent her inspiration photos and explained my vision. She was sold without much consideration and then I jumped on making the quilts happening. Alas I am nearing the finish line but I'm already itching to make something colourful!

So that is all about me. Now check out THESE amazing women and their blogs. On September 8th they will have new posts similar in flavour to mine. Check them out!

The Edgy Perfectionist
Her title encapsulates her perfectly. Crissa works full time and yet creates the most incredible quilts and projects. She is meticulous and it shows in her work. She likes BOLD colours and fabrics like Tula Pink, Amy Butler and Kaffe Fassett. When her mojo is flowing, watch out! I think the quilt she made that blew me away the most is her Out in Space quilt. Epic. Another Canadian, but closer to home than Jenn as she is in a neighbouring city here in Ontario.

How My Time Flies
An experienced sewer and quilter, this woman can do it all. Anita makes quilts but also clothing (including her own bras!), pillows, drapes and, well, anything you can sew. And she knits, too! She works full time and she is a very detail-oriented quilter (read: perfect seam matching every time. She told me she would teach me how but I know I wouldn't have her patience!) so her finishes are fewer. Anita has been working on a Dear Jane quilt for two years and I can't wait to see it together. Also, check out her incredible landscape quilt. She made this after taking a class on Craftsy. This is her first landscape quilt. WOW. Hooray for another local Canadian!

Peas in a Pod Creations
Kymberly is American, from Iowa. She was one of my first followers on my blog. She blogs about quilting but also about her knitting (gorgeous stuff that I could never make!). I am particularly captivated by her foray into making a Farmer's Wife quilt (a zillion tiny blocks with a zillion pieces each, much like a Dear Jane) because she is doing it entirely in black, white and grey. I have never seen one with a colour scheme like that and she is so good about explaining her process with the blocks and when she makes mistakes that she can live with and when she scraps it and tries again! I can't wait to see how it looks when it is all together because I think it is going to be worthy of a quilting show.

Lynn

Colour Collage: A Finished Quilt

This pattern, Color Block, comes from Growing Up Modern by Allison Harris of Cluck Cluck Sew. I wanted a rainbow quilt for my newest daughter's room as my older daughter has a colourful rainbow quilt in her room (also a Cluck Cluck Sew pattern!). I found the instructions very easy to follow and well written, and playing with the fabrics themselves was my favourite part.

Here she is- Colour Collage (named so because it strikes me as a collage of fabrics from my stash).

I straight-line quilted it through the centre of the fabric strips going horizontally. One person (Kymberly, a follower here at my blog) suggested doing a big spiral pattern. That is a GENIUS idea, but having never tried it before and wanting a quick finish, I went for something easier. If I make another one of these, spiral quilting is a MUST. I bound it using leftover binding (how awesome is that?)- half Lizzy House Jewels in turquoise and half Kona Jade. I love the deep teal/turquoise with the rest of the quilt.

The backing is this delightful bear fabric. I love it because it is turquoise, I got it on clearance ages ago on a shop hop, and one of the baby's nicknames is Hungry Bear. Perfect!

I am totally in love with this quilt. I told my husband I might have to leave him for it. There is something so enchanting about colour order quilts, don't you think? I can't wait to hang it in baby's nursery (the ribbons for hanging it are already on, now I just need my hubby to put the screws in the wall since I'm too short!). 

Lynn

Jungle Jewel and Jungle Jam: TWO Finished Quilts

When friends of ours found out they were expecting twins, I knew I wanted to make a pair of quilts that went together but weren't identical (much like the twins themselves!). I ordered Bungle Jungle fat eighth packs and picked the Tagged pattern from Cluck Cluck Sew's book (Alison Harris) Growing Up Modern.

The babies were due in October. They ended up arriving at the end of September. Alas, I am only just now finished (and delivering the quilts to the babies this afternoon so they don't get lost in Christmas chaos when we see that whole group of friends (including 14 kids) on New Year's Eve).

Here is a very picture-heavy post about Jungle Jewel (the grey and turquoise and white version, destined for the little girl twin) and Jungle Jam (the red, blue and green version for the little boy twin).

Jungle Jewel

Jungle Jewel- The binding is the grey crossword fabric from this line.

Jungle Jewel is FMQed using a very light blue Aurafil and doing a loose meandering stipple.

Back of Jungle Jewel- turquoise crossword print with some grey prints down the edge for interest.

How cute are those elephants?

This gives you an idea of the weather conditions during this shoot- right after a major ice storm. This little Alberta Spruce was solid ice and right next to where I am shooting (in my backyard).

Jungle Jam

Jungle Jam was FMQed with loops through the white and red strips and a spiral at the centre of every block. It took FOREVER.

Jungle Jam- back is grey crossword, the binding is turquoise crossword and the edge of this one has some happy yellow prints.

I loved pieced backings, and you can really see the FMQ pattern here.

Another ice shot to remind you how COLD it was while I was taking these pictures!

A pair.

Jungle Jam at the back, Jungle Jewel at the front. I love how they look like they belong together and yet are not exact (which would be boring).

I hope the mom and dad love the quilts, and that the babies get lots of use out of them. These will be the last quilts I finish for 2013 (and hopefully I'll get one done for my baby before she comes, with an expected due date of January 16, before the end of January).

Look for a post of all my 2013 quilts coming over the next week.

Lynn

Slow and Steady

I have been sneaking in a wee bit of sewing. I am working on the two Tagged quilts I am making using Allison Harris' pattern (of Cluck Cluck Sew).

I turned this:

Kona white and Kona Tomato

Into these:

A clever trick!

The initial layout calls for placing the vertical sashing first. All those verticals will be filled in with more white and tomato.

Boy Twin colourway

Girl Twin colourway

Now I need to get those rows finished so I can put the darn thing together.

Also, Pink Castle fabrics (my go-to online quilt store) had a big sale. I tried to show restraint. Honestly, I did. This is the least I could purchase:

I am loving the feather print by Alison Glass. Plus one of the text print in indigo. And more of my favourite print from Bonnie and Camille's last line. And some Wonderclips to try for binding.

I definitely need to incorporate some of that Alison Glass fabric into baby's rainbow nursery wall hanging quilt.

But no time to elaborate and dream! I need to actually sew!

Wish me luck finishing those twin quilts soon...they are almost ten days old already!

Lynn