Spring Fever!

Some time ago, I purchased Jen Kingwell's book, Quilt Lovely.

What a fitting title!

Everything in the book is LOVELY! I couldn't decide what to start first...until I saw Spring Fever at Minneapolis Quilt Market.

 

I saw Spring Fever in person and fell in love with the butterflies and flowers...and that scalloped border!

 

 

In between a gazillion other projects and family obligations - did I mention we have a newly engaged daughter - I have been plugging away at the blocks...

 

I enjoy working on it because it is a combination of machine piecing and hand applique. That works so well for me right now. I can piece with the machine and take the hand stitching with me as I go! Perfect!

 

 

I decided the new Heather Ross line Tiger Lily would be perfect for this quilt pattern. We received our selection of Tiger Lily in the shop - and if you are itching to pick some up...we have it at a great price! Personally, I would love to stash tons of this line, but as of now, it is not being reprinted...and there are only a couple of prints available from the manufacturer.... **insert sad face**

 

     

 

 

 But since I can't just work on one project at a time....I picked up the Farmer's Wife 1930's Sampler Quilt....oh my! What a lovely book!

More on that next time! 

xo mary

 

A Place For Everything....

Just a quick stitch today! An adorable soft nursery container...a couple of seams, a lining and a gusset.  It doesn't get much more easy or much more cute! 

A great idea for a baby shower gift! Useful and adorable! 

Happy Tuesday

mary 

A Christmas Quilt....

There is nothing more satisfying than stitching a quilt to be gifted for someone special.

This quilt is from the pattern {Trees!} by Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts

and intended for my lovely friend, Rachel.  You can find Rachel at Family Ever After 

Rachel and I met through a mutual friend, although I knew who she was, I just hadn't formally met her. I was fortunate to be part of a small group of friends who got together every now and then to quilt and chat.  For about 2 years now we all meet to work on quilts, blocks or individual projects.

Rachel will be leaving Ohio next summer and just the thought of it makes me so, so sad.  I know she will love having her family closer to her mom and dad, so I can't be too sad.  Family is a good thing!

       

As for the quilt....the color palette needed to be simple....I love red and white quilts.  Red and White for Christmas. I used a variety of red prints.  A Japanese dot, a gingham, apples, and a vintage large red and white check. Then I added a touch of grey...a text print called Dictionary by Tim Holtz.  The grey binding and splashes of the same text in the blocks, is a nod to our OSU Buckeyes. 

In the lower right hand border, I added a pieced heart...for Ohio!  Ohio is shaped like a heart and our state slogan is Ohio, the heart of it all!

                       

Here and there, I fussy cut a heart for the top of the tree from a Maze and Vale panel.  A sweet little heart because Rachel and her family have touched my heart.

  

I added a great red check from the new collection by Molly Hatch...and the backing fabric is also a Molly Hatch fabric...

  

And, finally, I hand quilted this with a color I LOVE!  Valdani size 8 perle cotton in Orangey Red.  Stitched with love.

Of course, pieced using Aurifil cotton thread.  

This is a small quilt...great for a wall hanging, over a chair or on a table.  I can just imagine Rachel unpacking it every Christmas and remembering her group of friends in Ohio who will always love her dearly.

Love you, Rachel :)

One week to go! 

happy thursday!

xo mary