2 Quilts for 2 Girls from a quilt is nice

Super sweet quilts and sweet stories from Nettie of a quilt is nice.  Nettie is a stay at home mommy of three cuties and has been quilting for 10 years.  She has a finished quilts list that most quilters (especially me!) would be covetous of!! :)  Hard to pick a favorite but this crazy geese quilt is definitely at the top!  Also see Nettie's tutorials for some great quilting tips too!  Thanks Nette!

 

My oldest daughter is 7 years old, and just before she was born I made her this baby quilt.  She LOVED that thing (still does).  It went everywhere with us, church, grocery store, airplanes, bed.  It was her number one comfort item.  Over the years it has suffered from wear, and eventually she didn't "need" it as much.  But it was still always in bed with her. 

Fast forward 5 or so years and my 2 year old discovered how soft and cuddly it is, and pretty much stole it from her big sister.  Luckily she just likes it for sleeping, but it has always bugged her older sister.  I haven't been super fond of it either.  It's pretty ragged, and I don't want to see it completely wear out.

One day, my 7 year old suggested I make a new one for my 2 year old.  I thought that sounded like a fair plan, so we went to work making a new one for Christmas.  At first I wanted to make it as close to exact as I could, but decided I didn't want to buy any fabric for this project, so really only the pattern is the same.

I kept warning my 7 year old that this might not work.  Her sister might not care for a new, crispy quilt.  She might just want her older sisters quilt that is broken in and soft.

But you know what, it worked.  My 2 year old loves her new quilt and was even willing to give back the old one!  Yay!

I love both of these quilts, they seem so sentimental to me.  I keep wondering if I'll have to make another version for our next baby.

Solids Quilt from Pippa Patchwork

Meet today's feature, Pippa from Pippa Patchwork.  Talk about creative...take a look at her gallery!  It was very fun to look through Pippa's work, she's original, colorful and you can tell she loves to create!!  I've loved looking at her work and how she uses solids, it's fabulous. I've never done an all solids quilt but she makes it look so fun!!!  Also make sure to see Pippa's flickr and Etsy shop :)

So I decided to turn over a new leaf and get in touch with my frugal side over the next few months (blame it on an absurdly large bunny vet bill and fondness for Sonia Rykiel clothing that I can’t really afford). There are certain non-negotiables– including unlimited monthly yoga and truffle cheese from Whole Foods– but I’m trying to cut back on some of the excess in my life. Now, like any fanatic quilter, I don’t believe you can ever really have too much fabric, but I decided to challenge myself to make good use of the abundant stash and scraps I currently have. I hate waste and hence have a pretty full scrap basket so I spent the past few days transforming all my leftover bits and pieces into this lap quilt.

Those would be 2″ squares and strips ranging from 1″-2″. So yes, it took quite a while. But I can say without exaggeration that it’s one of my new favorites. And using up so many scraps (believe it or not, I didn’t use them all!) was immensely gratifying. It was even more fun than a fabric shopping spree, believe it or not.

Now I remember why I save all those little bits and pieces. Totally worth it.

I even used scraps for the binding.

I had so much fun taking it out into the fall weather, photographing its brightness against the neutral surroundings– and it’s now up in my Etsy store.

I think I’m going to continue down this path for a while, with the goal of not purchasing any new fabric (except for commissioned work) until January. It just feels like the right time of year to appreciate what I have, to explore the possibilities within limited means and see where it takes me.

Log Cabins from Meg!

Welcome to week 4 of the Modern Rockin' Robin QAL!  I hope you're having fun seeing the different rows in the flickr group and with the other participating bloggers.  Click here for more information.

This week LOG CABINS!  I was really excited actually because I have never made any log cabin blocks.  And anytime I am stumped when working on a quilt or pattern our mom says, "How about a log cabin?!?"  She loves them.  Here's to you momma!!

Week 1: Rectangles

Week 2: Stars

Week 3: Houses

Week 4: Log Cabin

Week 5: Hexagons

This weeks row design is by Anne Marie from Gen X Quilters.

This is the row I deterred most from the original pattern.  And it has nothing to do with Anne Marie's design...I love hers!  I just decided I wanted to do something a little funkier with my quilt, and it helped me with my warm vs cool rules :)

I used the same widths as in the tutorial, I just pieced it together in the traditional log cabin way...ultimately the piecing went Right, Bottom, Left, Top.  For my rules one side is warm fabrics, the other cool. You can tell, right? 

I also made the outer border wonky.

Besides getting to try something new on each row, my favorite part about this QAL is that I chose to use scraps!!  I have so many of my favorite fabrics in here, and some of them were down to itty bitty pieces...I thought I may not find a way to use them.

Again, if you'd like to join the Quilt Along you can find out a little more here, check out the flickr group.

If you want to check out the other bloggers participating and see their blocks see
AnneMarie from GenXQuilters
Jen from ReannaLily Designs
Melissa from Lilac Lane
Lisa Marie from That Crazy Quilty Girl

Click here for the full tutorial on today's Block by Gen X Quilters!

The Undercover Crafter shares wonky stars!

Hollie from The Undercover Crafter is very talented! She's been creating practically her whole life.  Check out her Quatreflowers Quilt, so pretty!  If you'd like more eye candy see her flickr.  Make sure to say hi and see her blog...but check out these wonky stars first!

Look what I just pulled out of the wash...

My first commission is complete. Isn't it delicious? I really had such a fun time making this quilt for Nancy. Her brother recently welcomed a beautiful little boy into the world and this is her gift to her new little nephew. And I'm warning you now, I went a little overboard on the pictures.

The original plan for the back was plain Robin's Egg Kona but I was just a tad shy on the yardage so I decided to add large squares of each of the fabrics from the stars on the front to help extend the width of the Kona solid. And I'm really glad I did. I think it added a lot to the back and showcases all the fabrics really well.

I want to thank everyone who gave their input on both the layout and the quilting of this quilt. I loved all of the feedback. In the end Nancy won the Great Layout Debate (the quilt is for her after all) so the Central Park Zoo squares run diagonal through the middle and the subsequent rows are more orderly. As for the quilting, which sparked a little debate, I went with Natalie full force on this one. I favored Option #3 and then not only echo quilted around each star but I also echoed each long seam on either side.

I really love the patterns the quilting created. And I think on the next wonky star quilt (because I am sure there is another in my future) I may play more with echoing the stars both on the inside and out.

I think the binding may be my favorite part of the quilt, though. I think the orange dots provide the perfect amount of contrast and color to the quilt. I really am dying to run back to my LQS to pick up some more yardage for my stash. I think it makes a terrific binding.

Alas, I think completing this quilt brings my Wonky Star Madness to an (temporary) end. I hope Nancy is pleased with the final outcome and this quilt provides her nephew with years of warmth and comfort.

Modern Block Loner Party!

I got my American Idol fix tonight.  I can't help it, I love it.  I really like the new judges too...a lot!  I can't believe I'm saying this...but I don't even miss Simon.  And Paula and Kara?  Who now?  What do you guys think, have you been watching the new season?

The Block Party is coming up soon!  You'll be able to link up your blocks on Monday, are ya'll excited??  We certainly are.  So pathetically that we made up our own personal contest.  Last week we shared our traditional quilt blocks, and Heather won, about 60% to 40%.  It's okay, that's the way it's been our whole lives...she's always 10% better. *sniffle*  :) EDITED TO ADD:  Sad, I guess I am 20% better at math than Megan too..and I am horrible at math!-Heather RE-EDITED TO ADD: OKAY, MY ENGINEER NERD HUSBAND AND KRISTIE FROM OCD BOTH INFORMED ME THAT THE DIFFERENCE IS INFACT 10%. I STILL DON'T GET IT, BUT I TRUST THEM OVER MY MATH SKILLS. PS I AM NOT 10% BETTER AT ANYTHING THAN MEGAN, EXCEPT MAYBE BODY FAT. :(

Here is a collection of blocks we'd consider modern.

Let us remind you, you choose which category your block(s) fit into...it's completely subjective so we aren't going to be critical of that!

1. Audrey's Block 2, 2. Bee Modern-July, 3. Bee - String 2 for Carrie, 4. SNTMVQB Block from Heather, 5. Bee Block for Jolene, 6. house block, 7. 3by6 beehive 4, 8. Block 2 for Lolablueocean, 9. Fresh Modern Bee 2 - November, 10. [Bee]-autiful VQB block for *Suzanne*, 11. Bee block, 12. Bird Tree fabric block, 13. fourth block!, 14. Fresh Modern Bee 2 - January, 15. Around the Block - December, 16. My first ever wonky log cabin quilt block!

And for our modern quilt blocks...

Megan's Block

Heather's Block

There is a poll on our sidebar for the next week, so please vote! :)
this poll is now closed

We will be posting on Saturday a couple of informational things regarding the Block Party for Monday, so make sure to check that out.  We'll also remind you of all the fabulous prizes from our sponsors there on the sidebar.

PS We've gotten a few of the same questions....your quilt blocks should be UNfinished, UNquilted, UNbinded (?), just straight-up raw edges pieces!  I've updated the original post to add this.

Fabric Tuesdays!

Welcome to Fabric Tuesdays!! We've been bouncing this idea around forever and we are finally ready to start, and we hope you'll play along and tell your friends :)

First we want to show a fabric finish of our own for the week. Heather and I felt like we had a lot of spare time and hardly anything on our plate, so we decided to sign up for a virtual quilting bee. Essentially every month we receive fabric and instructions from another member, create a block for them and mail it back by the end of the month. This bee happens to be a house block bee. c.u.t.e.

Here is Heather's finish.
This block was totally freestyle. I ended up loving it! It helped that the instructions were for a "wonky" house. I started with the window and put a little gnome and girl with a balloon in it. Then I added shutters...Then I made the little piece with the door and frame. I just kept adding and adding.

The address is just because I felt there was alot of extra space floating on the house. I feel like I should have made it part of her home address, but that genius didn't come to me until I finished the numbers. I hope she likes it!

This is my second block. She wanted freestyle too. At first my house was to tall and skinny and I thought it looked like an outhouse. I added the grass and made it a shorter house and it fixed that problem.

She also gave us some cute owls and little kids playing and wanted them added in. I appliqued them and the tree. I like the final product. Hopefully the lady in my group does too... (if I make them cute houses, I think I will get them back. I am one of the last to send out fabrics) So far virtual quilting bee's are fun!

Now we want to see YOUR fabric finishes!

Here's how our linky party will work.  First, the new button.

<center><a href="http://quiltstory.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Fresh Poppy Design" src="http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad311/freshpoppydesign/fabrictuesdayfinalcopy.png" /></a></center>

HOW TO PLAY
Link up a recent craft project that uses fabric.
Mention us in your post with either a link or make it easy and add the button to your blog sidebar and you won't have to remember each week.
Follow us, we follow back :)
Oh and comment, because Heather wants to know how great her house blocks look!
Oh and comment on each other, that's so much more fun right??
EDIT NOW YOU CAN SUBMIT! Nothing like starting your first linky party and having the time wrong!

Purple Wonky Quilt by Merry Made Quilts

Rebecca from Merry Made Quilts created this oh so happy purple quilt for her grandpa. It really caught my eye because I've been going back to the days were I love purple!  I love the look of this wonky bento box, very fun and refreshing.  And what's more?  This girl likes to hand quilt!  Amazing! Hop on over to her blog to read about her love of fabrics, quilting and her cute kiddos.

Never, mind the crazy baby in the background!!

Over the course of about 3 months (mostly evenings) I hand quilted this lapsized quilt. I really enjoy the look of a hand quilted quilt. They just look so much more cuddly!

I made this one from scraps of purple mostly from Joanne's fabric, some from my mom's stash, some from mine. I love the feel of a "wonky" quilt so that's why I chose to do a variation of a wonky bento box.

There are a ton of examples of this online so after some blog cruising I decided to make it up as I went! I made this one for my Grandpa because he LOVES purple. That's his favorite color and I decided it would make great payment for a wooden quilt hanging he recently made for me!

I think my favorite part of a finish (besides getting to start the next) is the photo shoot!!

I just love the feeling of accomplishing something!

Linking to amylouwho

 

Thanks Rebecca.  I still can't believe you hand quilt...so talented. :)

 

AND be sure to check back Monday!!  Some of you may have noticed our new sponsor in the corner, Ladybug Quilt Shop...she has an absolutely amazing FABRIC GIVEAWAY for you on Monday.  And there will be more than one winner, so check back!