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2010 goals – the halfway check-in

June 30, 2010 in Finished Objects, Quilts | 4 comments

Wow, half of 2010 is gone? It’s been such a blur.

Thought I would check back on the goals I set for myself at the very beginning of this year and see how I’m doing!

  1. Quilts for both kids. Done and done!
  2. Duvet cover for us.  Not yet, but I’ve got it written down on the white board of insanity as something to design and have an idea of what fabric to use. So I haven’t forgotten!
  3. Matching Pillows. Not so much. Realistically, not sure I’ll make those for the kids. But maybe for my bed…
  4. 2 Project Linus donations. Not yet, should definitely work on that.
  5. A bag. Also not yet. Hrm. Gotta pick a beginner-friendly pattern…
  6. Clothing. Two sets of pajamas, hooray! Have been tempted to make a skirt or something more complex, and may make more pajamas in the fall, but they’ve fallen off the priority list.  But still, goal accomplished!
  7. Name quilts. While they haven’t necessarily been the most interesting names in the whole world, I am glad to now insist on calling my quilts something other than “that one with the pink squares.”
  8. Say “no” more often. Though it obviously has gone undocumented here, I have actually said no to a number of requests from friends, and decided against joining in two swaps that were calling my name. I’d love to do it all, of course, and I never want to say no to a friend.  But being realistic about my time and my to-do list has allowed me to hang on to a few extra threads of my sanity.
  9. Use scraps/stash more. I’m doing a bit better on the pull-from-the-stash front. Charlie and In Full Bloom were, by and large, stash quilts, and the circle quilt in progress is all stash.  Trichromatic was the only one so far that I’d call a “scrap” quilt, but I’ve got at least one big scrap project planned for late-summer/early-fall (which I might work as a quilt-along if anyone is interested).
  10. Use fabrics from all one line less.  Hrm. I still have five finishes on the year that are all-one-line-of-fabric quilts (Big D and the Bean, Cobblestones, My Favorite In-Laws, and Lucy Elizabeth), plus one more that I’ll show in the next day or two.  Plus two in progress and one in my head. Hrm.  I’m not going to beat myself up about it, though. The fabrics are meant to look good together, why fight it?  And with at least three on that list of five, I think I’ve done a good job bringing in a lot of solids to make it more interesting. Still something to be conscious of, since I don’t want to get creatively lazy by only using the fabrics that were designed to work together.
  11. Bigger quilts. Not super on this one. In fact, with the exception of the doll-sized quilt, nearly all of the quilts I’ve finished this year have been in the baby/lap-size range.  That said, I’ve got a twin and a full in progress, and the duvet for my bed would be a queen. And two of the quilts, though not huge, are actively in use in two small beds. So I’ll take it.  That goal wasn’t 100% about size, it was also about being used on a bed. So I’m partway there.

I’m not going to add any new goals at this point, nor am I going to take any away. I think there’s still plenty to work with on this list for the next six months.

What about you? Did you set any goals for yourself for this year? If so, how are they going?  If not, why not set some now?

My favorite in-laws

April 10, 2010 in Finished Objects, Quilting, Quilts | 4 comments

My husband’s mother used to always tell him, growing up, that he was her “favorite” son. As you might guess, he was also, conveniently, her only son.  And his sister was the “favorite” daughter, too.  At the rehearsal dinner the night before our wedding, she was kind enough to announce that I was her favorite daughter-in-law.

They’re long overdue for a quilt of their own.  Way back in the fall, I made sure to take a picture of the rug in their sitting room as an inspiration for what to make them.

I then bought an Aviary layer cake, and promptly let it sit, untouched, for months.  You know how it goes.

Anyways, I finally decided it was high time to put it to good use.  I decided to make big hourglass blocks, which would allow me to use the layer cake squares as-is, but not have it look like I just sewed a bunch of plain 10″ squares together (not that there’s anything wrong with that).  They came together super fast, and I used all 42 squares to make it a nice 6 x 7 block layout. (Yes, I know those dark pinks stick out, but I wanted all 42 blocks, so I couldn’t omit them!) A thin cream-solid inner border and print outer border made it a little more generous in size.

Aviary for my Favorite In-Laws

Of course, I had the top finished several weeks ago, and then let it sit while I got distracted with other projects.  Then, last week, I found out my in-laws were coming up for a visit this Saturday! Nothing like a deadline to get you moving.  Pulled it out of the dryer last night, they arrive in a little over two hours.  Hence the early-morning light in the photos.

Aviary is pretty much out-of-print, but I managed to find a shop that had enough yardage in stock for the border, back, and binding.  The large blue print on the border is the one that reminds me the most of my in-laws’ rug, so hopefully it will go nicely with their decor.

Aviary for my Favorite In-Laws

I went with a small floral for the border, and a green floral for the back.  The collection as a whole was a little heavy on the pinks, so I didn’t want to overdo it with even more pink.

Aviary for my Favorite In-Laws

I quilted it in straight diagonal lines along either side of the hourglass seams, and used a washable marking pen to extend the lines through the borders.  I especially like the effect of the quilting on the back.

Aviary for my Favorite In-Laws

Will this go on the list of my most favorite quilts I’ve ever made? Probably not. The prints are lovely, but not really my personal style.  That said, I’m really happy with how it turned out.  And we’ll find out shortly if my in-laws like it, too!

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What would you do?

April 4, 2010 in Quilts | 7 comments

First, as for the yarn… you guys are totally right, and I’m going to send most of it to Susan V for her charity knitting. Hooray!

So, as I was going through my yarn, the kids got curious and asked about it. My husband was telling them that it’s used to make hats and sweaters, and that Mommy once made Daddy a PIRATE sweater! (It’s true – it’s black and has white skull & crossbones on the arms.)  The kids got all excited and asked when I was going to make them a sweater.  And while I’m all done on knitting right now, I informed them that I would, in fact, be making them each a quilt.  I even showed them the pile of fabrics.

The trouble is, now my daughter pitifully asks me a few times a day, “where’s my quiiiiilt?”

So, I guess I’d better get started.  And that’s where I need your help.  Here’s where we’re starting:

Far Far Away FQ Set

I bought this fat quarter bundle of Far Far Away almost a year ago, and knew I would use it for my daughter’s big-girl quilt.  But, of course, I’m stalled with indecision and haven’t yet dared to cut into it.

I’ve got coordinating solids, especially in pinks & purples, to go with it. I’ve got scraps I can pull in.  It will be a twin-sized bed quilt, and I’m leaning towards something with more solid-color space and fewer blocks. Maybe. But what kind of blocks? How many of them? How big? Where do I begin??

What would you do? Any favorites you’ve seen in the blogosphere or on Flickr that you think would be just perfect?  Should I just do straight patchwork squares and be done with it?  Should I do completely different front and back so it’s reversible?  Gah!  That’s the trouble with quilting.  The possibilities are nearly endless.

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Charlie

February 2, 2010 in Finished Objects, Quilts | 15 comments

That’s right, it’s madness up in here! Two finishes in less than a week! Well, it makes sense, as these two babies were born less than a week apart.

My nephew, Charlie. My very first nephew. My brother’s son.  He was born last Wednesday, about 10 days ahead of schedule. I was already working on the quilt when I got the call, but obviously his arrival sped things up a bit.  I hope they like his quilt. Because if they don’t, I’m taking it back. Because I am in love with it.  It feels so “boy” without beating you over the head with BLUE and TRUCKS and STEREOTYPES!

Charlie

It all started with a fat quarter bundle of Robert Kaufmann’s Animal Party prints that I bought from an Etsy seller, ages ago. I bought it on a whim, thinking it would be great for a baby boy at some point. Lo and behold, the ultrasound revealed that my brother’s first child was, in fact, a boy. And my sister-in-law mentioned something about a jungle/animal/explorer theme.  Golden!

I was undecided on what to do with these prints for a long, long time. I toyed with a whole bunch of different ideas, and couldn’t settle on one that I liked. And then Ashley posted about the Spotted Squares quilt she’s working on, and I had my inspiration.

Charlie

I felt compelled to be somewhat organized about it, not totally improvisational. (Because, seriously, improvising takes time! I like to chain-piece, people!)  They are all 8″ (finished) blocks. There are two different sized center squares (2″ and 4″, finished). There are two different layouts (centered and off-center). And there are two styles (print/color borders and white borders).  I picked fabrics from my stash to coordinate with the prints I already had, sticking mostly with brown, green, blue, and orange.

Oh, and the back. I kind of love the back. As much, if not more, than the front. I have to remember to do an actual quilt like this. Maybe for my kids…

Charlie

I was also torn as to how to quilt it, as I seem to be on almost every quilt I make.  I didn’t want to quilt it too densely, that much I knew.  But I’m psyched with what I went with: straight horizontal and vertical lines at random intervals.  I love that it kind of works with the square-but-wonky style of the front. I marked the lines with a washable pen and my ruler to keep them as straight as I could.

Charlie

Binding is from Connecting Threads, their Riviera line, which is now discontinued and on major clearance (those circle/dots are still available in three different colors).

Charlie

Anyways, I’m thrilled that this one is done. And I can’t wait to deliver it in person on Saturday, when I fly to Chicago to meet my sweet new nephew. Hooray!

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2010 Sewing Goals

January 2, 2010 in Finished Objects, Quilts | 5 comments

For posterity, I thought I’d record some of my quilting-related goals for this year. I won’t call them resolutions, but these are things that I’d like to get done this year.

First, a handful of specific projects I’d like to accomplish:

  • Quilts or duvet covers for both kids – This is the year that my kids will move from cribs to big-kid beds, and I thought it only appropriate that they get a quilt upgrade (the first ones I made for them, while sentimental, are kind of crappy).  In my head, this is shaping up to be a many-faceted project, but I’ve got some time.
  • Duvet cover for us – Ack! How on earth do you commit to a quilt for your own bed?! But it’s high time, if I really want to call myself a quilter, that I sleep under my own work.  Except, well, we like to sleep with a down comforter, so duvet cover it is.  We’ll see.
  • Matching pillows – That’s right. Pillow shams. Decorative pillows. My husband is just shaking his head at the thought.
  • Minimum 2 Project Linus donations – I would really like to make some quilts for Project Linus. My kids were the recipient of a PL blanket (knitted) when they were in the NICU, and my daughter still sleeps with hers. Seems only right to pay it back.
  • A bag – There are so many cute bag patterns out there, I am dying to leave my comfort zone and make one.
  • Clothing – I’m not sure whether it’ll be a skirt for me, a dress for my daughter, or what.  But again with the comfort zone, I want to try to make a piece of clothing.  Redeem myself for the disaster that was the formal dress my mom and I made when I was in high school.

Second, some more general, overarching goals:

  • Name quilts – I’m sick of referring to my quilts in generic terms. They need names. Except, I kind of suck at creative names.  But, you know, I’ll try.  I might just give them people names, we’ll see.
  • Say “no” more often – I’ve said “yes” a few too many times to people who want me to make a quilt for them.  I mean, I’m torn. I enjoy doing it for my friends, and hey, I like that they pay me for it.  But I find I’m spending so much time on those, that I don’t get to the other things on my list.
  • Use scraps/stash more – Trying to use what I have and put things together in more interesting ways, instead of always buying new fabric for a new project.  Plus, scraps are cool!  If I learned anything from my retreat, it’s that you can do SO much with even the littlest pieces.
  • Use all fabrics from one line less – Related to that last goal, I want to get away from using only a single line of fabric in a quilt.  I mean, sure, it looks great together. It’s supposed to.  But I want to do it a little less.
  • Bigger quilts - I know, size doesn’t necessarily matter.  But I want to make more quilts for use on actual beds this year.  I will not fear quilting them.  I will not fear quilting them.

So, what are your sewing goals this year?  Similar to mine?  Totally different?  Any suggestions for me?

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Olivia’s House

November 3, 2009 in Quilts | 6 comments

Yesterday the mail carrier brought the most awesome package to my house: my swap quilt from Michelle for the 2nd placemat quilt swap!  Holy crap, do I ever love it.

PQS2, Recieved!

Can you stand the awesomeness?  I love the whole scene.  The cherry tree, the house, the little dog, everything.  Love the colors.

PQS2, Recieved!

The quilting is to die for.  On the white parts, she did the teeniest little stippling I’ve ever seen. Yes, I had to put a nickel there, so you could get a sense of scale! That’s some serious skill, people!  And I love the effect of the brown thread on the applique.  Gives it a sort of hand-drawn look that is SO cool.

PQS2, Recieved!

The details are just awesome.  My kids love hunting for the little peeks of Olivia here and there, and would you believe the house’s chimney even has smoke coming out of it?!

PQS2, Recieved!

And because she’s an all-around awesome person, she even sent these little house softies/ornaments for my kids. Could she be any sweeter?  The kids love them, and I’ve decided to call the whole project Olivia’s House.  It just works.  It’s AWESOME.

I’m not worthy! I’m not worthy!

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Two months ain’t much

October 17, 2009 in Quilts | 2 comments

I have come to the realization that the holidays, for all practical purposes, are less than two months away. There will be no late-night sewing marathons on December 22 for me, because I will already be gone. We leave to visit my family probably around the 16th of December, so anything that needs to be done by Christmas has to have nothing more than hand-sewing remaining.

I like lists. When my world starts to feel out of control, or I get overwhelmed, I make lists.  Sometimes on paper, sometimes on a white board, sometimes in an elaborate spreadsheet.  Today: blog.  Here’s what I need to complete between now and December 15:

  • Commission – pink, lavender, and cream zig-zag, due before Thanksgiving.
  • Commission – doll-sized toddler quilt, due early December.
  • Commission – small (~30×36″) baby quilt, Odyssea double hourglass, due before I leave.
  • Gift – Sister-in-law’s Mod Rainbow, due …?
  • Gift bags – Friendship bags in Figgy Pudding, must be done before I go home… unless I can finish them on my mom’s ancient Singer… ooh, now there’s an idea.
  • Potentially a small Christmas gift or two, but not full quilts.

And, as if that weren’t enough, there are two babies due in the very early part of 2010 (my friend’s first, a girl, due mid-January; and my brother’s first, a boy, due early February) who need quilts.  So I should probably get a start on those, too.

GAH!  Anyone else already feeling the end-of-the-year pinch, here in mid-October?  Note to self: must say NO to any more quilt requests between now and the end of the year!

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Blogger’s Quilt Festival

October 10, 2009 in Finished Objects, Quilts | 27 comments

Amy is hosting an online Quilt Festival over at her blog, and a few hundred folks have already joined in.

I wasn’t sure if I was going to play. I’ve blogged nearly every quilt I’ve ever made, which has all been over the course of the last year or so.  Plus, it’s hard to pick a favorite.  But I think I’m going to go with the one I made for the unnamed-at-the-time Marcella, my friend Mallory’s baby girl.

Zig-zag quilt front - vertical

I was really happy with the way this one turned out.  I loved the zig-zag, I loved the colors.  And I am so happy I started over and made this one instead of the original.  The first attempt was a total failure. It sort of worked in theory, but ended up being ugly as sin.  Not to mention totally against my personal taste, which was only just developing (still is, but there was a steep jump last spring in finding out what I like and don’t like).  I’m glad I trusted my gut and made this one, instead.

Zig-zag quilt - backing

I loved it so much, I barely wanted to let it go.  But I am so happy it is being used and loved by a sweet little baby girl (and I still get to see it, from time to time).

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For Me?

September 22, 2009 in Quilts | 5 comments

Ooh, ooh!  You can just imagine the happy squeals when my mail carrier arrived yesterday and had a big envelope for me, all the way from Australia!

DQS7 - Received!

Hooray, it’s my adorable DQS7 swap from Erin!  It is so lovely.  Great colors, simple but pretty blocks. Adorable cherry print on the back, and a great purple (arguably my favorite color!) binding.  I love it!  And just because she’s sweet, she included some TimTams, which she says are a big favorite in Australia. I tried one last night, and I can see why!

DQS7 - Received!

I’m not the only one who adores it. My daughter carried it around for half the morning, mostly saying it was her “dress” and delightedly pointing out all of the colors.  Erin, clearly she is a big fan of your work!

DQS7 - Received!

DQS7 - Received!

So thank you, thank you!  What a delightful package to get in the mail.

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What I like

July 20, 2009 in Quilts | 2 comments

I’m totally jazzed up for the Doll Quilt Swap, and I believe we are to expect our partner assignments sometime Wednesday. There are several suggestions for getting the word out to your (secret) partner to let them know what you like and what you want.  Some people are putting together inspiration mosaics and posting them to the Flickr group.  Some are trying to update their Flickr favorites.  Another person suggested an actual blog post on your likes and dislikes, and I thought I’d try to put one together.

Honestly?  I like just about everything.  There’s very little I straight-out dislike.  And there are plenty of things that, while I wouldn’t do them myself, I think they’re lovely and would be simply tickled to get it in a swap.

I suppose I am not really into things that are, for lack of a better word, country-ish.  I think “traditional” quilts (Ohio Star this, Walking to Oklahoma that) can be quite lovely and impressive, but it’s not necessarily what I gravitate towards.  It’s just not my cup of tea, as far as what I choose to make.  I’m also not into a very fall-ish color palate right now. This one I made for my stepmom?  Yeah, doesn’t really resonate with me at all, but she liked it, so that’s cool.  And I suppose I don’t really get into holiday-themed things, since I don’t tend to swap out the decor in my house by season or holiday.

What I am particularly digging right now are fairly modern designs.  I like almost anything AmandaJean does (of course), and same with Red Pepper Quilts and Film in the Fridge.  Links to more folks I enjoy following are on the left sidebar.  As for other styles… I’ve seen some incredible applique and embroidery work, and while it’s not something that I do (AT ALL!) myself, I think it can certainly be wonderful when done by those who are good at it.

Anything else helpful to know about me? Hrm. I can’t say I have a single favorite color, as I have seen things that I love in seemingly every color of the rainbow.  I like pretty vibrant colors, and I think throwing in a solid neutral (white/gray/etc) is very pretty, but certainly not everything I like has solid white in it!  I have two rather active toddlers, so probably best not to put too much effort into delicate beading that could be ripped off by little hands (and swallowed!).  Though, honestly, whether it’s something kind of artsy or fancy to hang on the wall or something meant to be in the playroom with the kiddos, I think either would be great.

I’m relatively new in the quilting world, and still have a ton to learn. I just love to see what other people come up with and try out new things that I see and think are cool.  And I think the great part about a little quilt like this is that it gives you an opportunity to experiment with something new without spending too much time and money in case you don’t end up loving it.  So, dear Swap Partner, I leave it entirely up to you, and I’m sure I’ll love it!

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