Keep Your Face to the Sunshine

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Do you ever try something way outside of what your usual just for fun? I love doing just that! It gives my brain a bit of a break, but also stretches my creative muscles!

Sunflower and butterfly art mini quilt

This month's Island Batik ambassador challenge was to use three (or more) different weights of Aurifil thread to make an art quilt. And last month's Aurifil Artisan challenge was to use a new-to-me thread weight. This sunflower mini quilt is the result of combining both of these challenges!


Needle punch butterfly made with Aurifil 12wt thread as art quilt accent

An Island Batik Christmas in July

Saturday, July 27, 2019

As you know, I'm an Island Batik Ambassador this year. As part of the program, I get two shipments of Island Batik fabrics to use in monthly quilt challenges. Today I get to share with you what came in the second box!


Fabric, thread, batting, and Accuquilt die I received as part of the Island Batik ambassador program

Shark Attack!

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Have you heard the baby shark song? It's been around for ages, but it's recently gotten quite popular in this age of viral videos.

The son of my friend, Kiffany, turned seven this month, and he chose Baby Shark to be his birthday theme. Well, I knew I had the perfect quilt in my stash just for the occasion! (And I've never shared it on the blog!)

Baby Shark quilt with Riley Blake fabrics for the Modern Quilt Guild fabric challenge

Sew, Let's Quilt Along - Block 10

Monday, July 15, 2019

It's time for the 10th block release for the Sew, Let's Quilt Along!

I designed this block - buttons!


Modern buttons quilt block pattern
 

Sew, Let's Quilt Along is the current quilt along for the Partners in Design group of quilt pattern designers. Be sure to read this post if you need more information, and join the Facebook group to meet lots of quilty friends!

Sew Let's Quilt Along


Ready to make the buttons block?

The directions make a 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" unfinished quilt block. The block is made with raw-edge applique for a quick and easy finish! The buttons are created by using both the right AND wrong sides of the fabric!


Modern buttons quilt block pattern

Be sure to visit all the hosts of the QAL to see their versions of the block! My favorite thing as a pattern designer is seeing the same pattern made in many different fabrics!

Abbie at Sparkle On!
April at JANDA Bend Quilts
Becca at Pretty Piney Quilts
Bobbi at Snowy Days Quilting
Karen at Tu-Na Quilts
Kathleen at Kathleen McMusing
Sandy at SandyStar Designs
Sherry at Powered by Quilting

Modern buttons quilt block pattern

To quilt along, be sure to join the QAL Facebook group. Here, you can see other participants' blocks, post photos of your block, and ask questions. On Instagram, use the hashtag #sewletsqal.


Modern buttons quilt block pattern

If you complete Blocks 10-13 (Segment 3), you'll be entered to win some great prizes!

Sew Let's Quilt Along Segment 3 Prizes

The prizes includes:
4" Needlecraft Scissors from Omnigrid (a Prym Company)
5-piece Fat Quarter Bundle from the "ring Ring" collection by Hoodie Crescent for Paintbrush Studio Fabrics
Craft Storage Tool Box from Everything Mary
13-piece Fat Quarter Bundle of the Colette Collection from Timeless Treasures

Sew Let's Quilt Along Segment 3 Prizes

The Segment 3 prize winner will also receive a free digital pattern from each of the Segment 3 Pattern Designers!

Laura at Slice of Pi Quilts <--- That's me!!
Becca at Pretty Piney Quilts
Sandy at SandyStar Designs
April at JANDA Bend Quilts (*Christmas Tree Farm Table Runner pattern)


Modern buttons quilt block pattern

To enter the Segment 3 giveaway, complete all four blocks in Segment 3 (Blocks 10 through 13) and post one photo showing all four blocks in the Facebook group, on Instagram using #sewletsqal, or the ending linky party (posted on August 27th).


Modern buttons quilt block pattern

Here is the schedule for the remaining blocks in the QAL:
July 16th - Block 10 - Laura at Slice of Pi Quilts <--- That's me!!
July 30th - Block 11 - Becca at Pretty Piney Quilts
August 13th - Block 12 - Sandy at SandyStar Designs
August 27th - Block 13 - April at JANDA Bend Quilts

There's also an amazing Grand Prize giveaway for those that complete all 13 blocks!

The prizes are open to international participants and all participants must be at least 18 years old. Please make your blocks your own in fabrics and embellishments, but only those that make the designers' patterns are eligible to prize entry.


Modern buttons quilt block pattern

Let's quilt along!




Everyday Tank

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

I have wanted to sew my own clothes for several years now. I always have some sort of excuse, but it really boils down to the fact that 3-D sewing (especially sewing clothes!) scares me!

Everyday Tank by Indygo Junction sewn with Art Gallery fabric

My BQF (best quilty friend) Heather, is always sewing the cutest clothes, and she makes it look so easy! This month's Aurifil Artisan challenge is to sew something seasonal. That combined with our upcoming summer vacation was just the motivation I needed to dive in and attempt getting over my fear of clothes-making!


Glowing Lone Star #2

Friday, July 5, 2019

I'm so excited to be able to share my second Glowing Lone Star quilt with you!


Glowing Lone Star quilt for Bluprint

The first one was made with blues and greens and is available on Bluprint as a kit here. (UPDATE: Bluprint has closed. You can buy the pattern for the Glowing Lone Star quilt HERE.)


Glowing Lone Star quilt for Bluprint

This quilt is exactly the same design, except it has completely different fabric colors! I absolutely love seeing the same quilt made out of different fabrics!! This one is so striking in both the warm and cool colorways!

Adding a laser to ANY sewing machine!

Thursday, July 4, 2019

Do you remember when I discovered a laser that would work on a sewing machine? (You can read that post here.) Well, I'm happy to be able to share with you that there's a new kid in town!


Adding a laser to any sewing machine!

Meet the ViviLux Laser light!

Many new sewing machines come equipped with a built-in laser. The laser line can be used to sew straight lines to make half-square triangles (HSTs) or stitch-and-flip corners without drawing the lines corner to corner. It can also be used for dot-to-dot straight line quilting. BUT buying a new sewing machine equipped with one of these fancy lasers is expensive!

But now, you can add a fancy schmancy laser to ANY sewing machine!!