Book Inspiration....

I love books....especially quilting books....

I have purchased a couple in the last few weeks that are stuffed full of inspiration....

These aren't new publications, but definitely a great resource for future {and current} quilting projects.

This is by Maggie Malone {gotta love the name}...the book is full - cover to cover - of quilt blocks.  It does not include patterns for the blocks, but is divided into sections based on the grid with which the block is drafted.  I think the grid helps make the blocks easier to draft on your own.

The other is a Kaffe Fassett from 2001.  I have a few of his books, but this one has vintage quilts and it is more for inspiration....how could you not be inspired by Kaffee Fassett?

      

Not much else going on....

I have been fussing with some arcs today :)

Again...another cool autumn-like day.....yippeee!!!

mary

We Are Back! And Just In Time!

Well, that was fun...I wasn't sure if I had totally messed something up with my Blogger Account, but hopefully all is fixed and the fun can begin!

What fun, you ask???? 

 Why Amy's Bloggers' Quilt Festival of course :)

That clever Amy holds her festival twice a year....to coincide with Quilt Market....

It is easy to join in on the fun!  So be sure to head over to Amy's!  

Here is my entry for the Spring Festival...

Gypsy Kisses!!!!

This is a pattern by Kathy Doughty from Material Obsession 2.  It is a pickle-dish, one of my very favorite designs.

  

I think I love this so much because it combines all of my favorite elements.  The use of light and dark, and high contrast fabrics.  Inherent in the design is lots of movement with these long spokes that swirl around and are connected by four large squares.  Pickle-dish just screams vintage so I was able to play with lots of vintage looking fabrics....including this fabulous Betty Dear for the background...

   

Along with the bright bright fabrics, adding black to a quilt is always key for me.  The large black and white eyes with the smaller black and white binding gave this quilt an added punch!

Two sides have a piano key border.  And I hand quilted it with red and black perle cotton.

Thanks for visiting and enjoy the Festival!

mary

A Quilt Along, Some Basting and Some Binding....

If you haven't heard, Lynne, at Lily's Quilts is having a Quilt Along!  This is my first QA...but I couldn't resist when I saw that the design is a Dresden /  wheel design....and I love Dresden's!  I have done a few....here and here and here .  There have been a few wheels that have tickled my fancy as well.

So today I spent the morning mulling over the fabrics I want to use....

I want it to have a scrappy look...which will be easy since there are plenty of scraps to be had...and for the background fabric I am leaning towards Heath by Alexander Henry.

I also printed off my templates - so I am almost ready to go....

Then, I basted my Tea Party Quilt...

And I cut the strips for binding my Gypsy Kisses (pickle-dish) quilt!!!  Whoo- hooo!!!

Pretty good for a Monday!

mary   

A Work Day....

I love Thursdays....everyone is gone and I have a quiet house.  I usually get up about 5:00 am...the boy {my husband} gets up about 4:30 am to get his shower....so at about 5:00 I drag my bag of bones out of the bed and down to the coffee pot. 

Once everyone is gone...I do a little jig and get going.

This morning the Strawberry Fields got me cookin'....

After some deliberation over the cutting instructions....I have a few blocks beginning to look like they belong in a quilt....

I love this fabric!!!  It is Flower Sugar by Lecien.   Very Spring- y....

And I think I have decided that this Strawberry Fields quilt should be re-named Tea Party Quilt...

It is turning out to be a very feminine quilt ....

Delicate Lace....by Hokkoh....

So - of course - in honor of the Tea Party quilt....I had to make Blueberry Muffins :)

YUM!!!!

A girl has to keep her strength up....you know.....

I hope you are having a lovely Thursday....maybe I will have some blocks all sewn together to show you soon {and yes the pickle-dish is almost all quilted}....

Flanders and I wish you a happy Thursday!!!

mary