Fiestaware Quilt

Fiestaware, the timeless classic style of dinnerware Americana, draws many into its clutches... myself included.

As a long-time lover of orange, I've been drawn to Fiestaware's colors. My most recent quilt reflects Fiestaware's influence. I used all Kona solids!

I backed it with a fun print from Jo-Ann Fabrics and used a bright green binding.

The quilting was done by a new quilting friend, Martha, who offered to quilt it on her long-arm. She stitched-in-the-ditch smartly around each ring. It's glorious, warm, and snuggly soft!

The next hand-quilted project: The Naked Forest

This "Naked Forest" quilt already has a story.

I used a great tutorial from Film in the Fridge. Her work is always fresh & modern - it was a perfect choice for all of the green print fabrics I'd collected.

Once I completed this quilt top, I knew I wanted to hand-quilt it.

I sent it to Melear Fabrics to baste on their longarm quilting machine.

They shipped it back to me, but the address was read incorrectly by the postal service. It ended up three states away, sitting in a holding area. Fortunately, the folks at my local post office were able to track it down.

There were a few very uncertain weeks.... Luckily, it arrived 27 days after it was shipped, unharmed.

Here, you can see the black basting thread up-close.

I started quilting it on Sunday, December 18, 2011. Today, I have 4 of 169 blocks quilted.

Let's see how long it takes for this to finish!

(If anyone wants to help the hand-stitching....)

details: 104x104, backing: Kona Tarragon, expected binding: Kona Basil Green, Batting: White Quilters Dream Request Loft W3K

Waverunner in Red

I saw this tutorial at Bumble Beans and knew I had to make it. This is for a good friend's TV room that is without color - until now.

The top came together pretty easily - in just two afternoons. The quilting and binding took less than a day. Improvisational piecing was more enjoyable than I thought it would be.

Not having straight lines is a little bit daunting.

I put a warm, fuzzy, light blue flannel on the back. You can't see this in the picture, but there's a light design on the binding fabric.

I really enjoyed working with all of the solids in this quilt!

Details: 60x80, flannel backing, 2.25in binding, grey quilting thread

It all started with tupperware

Amy, from Amyscreativeside.com, is hosting a Blogger's Quilt Festival to coincide with Quilt Market. To see some amazing quilts by bloggers everywhere, click on the link below:

I'm pretty sure that my love of orange is directly related to my love of all things from the 1970s.

What really epitomizes the color palette for me is, and always has been, my mom's funky set of tupperware:

I've always loved this set!

It's still in pristine condition, too. That handle really keeps the set together.

My name is on the bottom of the yellow bowl, made with a labelmaker much like this one:

I can't think of one thing that wasn't labeled with that label maker.

Coming up with a palette for a quilt for myself wasn't too hard. I usually start with orange.

Above is a shot of all of the blocks together, but not in the final arrangement.

Below, all set together:

The best part of this quilt, tho, isn't the color palette.

(even tho they're all my favorites)

The best part about this quilt is that it is just my second quilt hand-quilted piece.

And, it is the quilt that brought all of these fabulous people together to put it in a frame and help me start hand quilting.

We put it up in the driveway - on my grandmother's frame.

We used the quilt stands my granddad made.

Above, the backing is pinned to the boards first.

Then (below) the batting and top are attached.

And the quilting began.

These two great gals took me into their quilting circle!

Some quilt-enthusiasts showed up to support us:

Here's a great picture of one of my grams' best pals, showing me how it's done:

It was a perfect day to start a fun 70's tupperware-inspired quilt!

Particulars: 42 blocks, log cabiny, cotton batting

Progress to date: 29.5 blocks complete, binding machine-stitched to the backside.

Anna & her commissioned quilt

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

Icepalooza has taken over the Midwest.

I woke to this kind of icicle action:

Just a mere week ago, we had this much snow:

(and I'm hoping for much, much, more)

Oh, how I love a winter storm.

And, of course, my trusty sidekick can't get enough of the magical white powder, either.

Today, I took advantage of the time iced-in and finished up two quilts.

The Striped Monster....

100x100 inches.

I have been collecting striped fabrics for years. years.

Finally, I finished the quilt top with them:

I braved the cold for a few photographs.

It was treacherous!

And wonderful.

This is a second, baby/lap size - about 40x50 inches.

The stripes came out a little screwy - I think it was too much for my baby camera to handle.

Tinkerbell D9P

Here's this weekend's work on a very special quilt for a very special girl who adores Tinkerbell.

In the bright sun, I was not able to capture the vibrant colors of the quilt.

Here's a shot of the sun-lit backside:

And...

Thanks to the handiwork of my Aunt Mary,

We have a personalized touch -

I hope Jasmine loves it!

It's not quite done as of this posting.

Here's the quilt on the table freshly basted:

My nifty new scissors I picked up in Paducah this year, made by Kai, cut thru this big roll of flannel & cotton batting:
Here, you can see the scissors, too:
The binding will match the small green squares!

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County Fair (cheater fabric) Quilt!

The cheater print is back from Melear Fabrics, quilted beautifully!


I used Denyse Schmidt's County Fair cheater blocks, county fair sashings, and flannel on the backside to make this especially warm.

Caitlynn's Hearts-a-Fire Quilt

Here's Caitlynn's birthday quilt!
Wrapped, before it made the journey to Baltimore:

Quilted by the gals at Melear Fabrics. It's looks great - there's little hearts all over it!

I think it was the perfect size, color, and pattern for her.

Happy Birthday, Caitlynn!