A Lasting Impression

It's time for another Project Quilting challenge! The theme for this week's challenge is "well-dressed man." I had a unique way to interpret this one!

Sewing with friends

Have you ever been on a sewing retreat? Maybe you get together with your friends to sew?

Photo courtesy of Sew Cozy Quilt Lodge

This past weekend I got to do something new to me! I went to the Sew Cozy Quilt Lodge with eight other quilters to enjoy some uninterrupted sewing time!

This was my first time being away from my kids since my oldest was born - almost 4 years ago!

The Sew Cozy Quilt Lodge is a brand new retreat located in Wakefield, Kansas. The house was built specifically for quilters by a quilter! Every need, want, and desire you can think of has been taken care of in this retreat house! Each quilter gets two tables with extra plug-ins, an ergonomic adjustable chair, and a design wall. There are cutting and ironing stations to share - both at the perfect height to keep from straining your back. It's designed so you can start sewing as soon as you arrive!

Quilting is for the Dogs!

As an Island Batik ambassador, this month's project was to make kennel quilts. As you know, I love to support our local animal shelter (see my recent quilty donation to them here). The kennel quilt initiative allows for helping our four-legged friends in another way!

I started my first kennel quilt with a pack of Island Batik 5" squares. These are called "Island Stamps" and the collection is "Lake Life." I added a couple more fabrics from the packs of Island Batik stash builder rolls in order to get enough lights and darks. I made a few HSTs (half square triangles) and cut all the fabrics into 1 1/2" squares. Then I sewed the squares together to create a dog bone quilt!

Shine Bright

This week's Project Quilting challenge prompt was "Brighter the Better."

I immediately knew I wanted to use reflective fabric. After I couldn't find any locally, I decided to repurpose some clothing items we had around the house. My first choice was this construction vest from the kids' toy bin, but I couldn't take that away from them!

Happy Galentine's Day!

I have lots of fun quilty things in the works this year, and one of those happens to be that I am an Island Batik ambassador!

What exactly does that mean? The fabric company, Island Batik, sends me a box of fabric and I get to make things!

I just received my first box of happy mail Wednesday night. And boy was I shocked at what was inside! Not only was there (by my rough calculations) over 30 yards of fabric, but also 9 spools of Aurifil thread and 4 spools of Superior threads!!!! And this is just supposed to last the first six months!

Here Comes the Fun!

It's time for the third challenge for Project Quilting! This week's prompt was "Tuned in to Texture."

I love creating quilts with texture. Some recent examples include my Fruit of the Spirit quilt and my triaxial weaving pillow. In fact, the top quilt on my list of quilts I want to make in 2017 is a fabric weaving quilt!

Of course, I haven't decided on fabrics for that quilt, nor have I purchased any. With the project quilting deadlines of just one week, I knew I wouldn't be able to order anything and get it delivered in time to finish. So I had to work with what I had in my stash.

Sliced

Sliced is the third pattern (of 3) I'm releasing in January/February! (The first was Speak Love and the second was Rockslide.)

Just like the previous two, the cover photo on the pattern isn't final. But limited time, wind, rain, and now forecasted snow...well, I'm not sure when good photos will happen! So I thought I'd just go ahead and put the patterns out there while I'm waiting for the perfect photos. (Update: The cover photo is FINALLY done! Look at that gorgeous blue wall! I want to take all my quilt photos there!)

I originally finished the throw sized Sliced quilt way back in September! (Can you tell from the green grass photos??) So this has been one of many secret sewing projects that have been under wraps for a long time!