Free Quilt Pattern!

From Chickpea Sewing Studio... its made with 56 four-inch squares... and of course some white!

oh fransson quilt pattern- finally!!

All week, Elizabeth from oh fransson has been tempting and teasing us with sneak peaks of her new quilt pattern, a Simple Modern Baby Quilt. I can honestly tell you- I've never awaited a pattern with so much excitment. I actually woke up this morning and thought, first thing, "Oh yay!!! Its quilt pattern day!!!". Thank goodness she's an early riser and the pattern is already up at her etsy shop!!

It is a 33-page pdf tutorial that includes full color, step-by-step instructions for simple patchwork quilts with luxurious chenille or microfiber fleece backs and adorable animal appliqués. Finished quilts are approximately 40” square – the perfect size to take along in a car seat or stroller!

Would it be terribly rude for me to cancel all of my plans this weekend in order to lock myself into my studio and try out this pattern?!

Free Amy Butler Holiday Patterns!

Some gorgeous new patterns available from Amy Butler just in time for the holidays. Best of all- they're FREE!

Tula Pink - Neptune!

The much awaited Neptune collection from Tula Pink has finally arrived!! Much to my excitement- its similar to Flutterby in that it has tiny little creatures peaking out from the designs... just look at those adorable sea turtles!!

"Boy oh Boy" Baby Quilt

A woman I work with commissioned me to make a quilt for her grandson (who is on the way soon!). I used "Boy oh Boy" by Lakehouse. Some of the fabrics have a really great shimmer to them... I really enjoyed working with them!


It's a tie-quilt... I'm still working on my free motion quilting technique, and I wasn't ready to take on a full quilt.

It's got a pretty high loft- she wanted it to be "really fluffy & thick". The binding gave me some trouble- but ultimately, I think it ended up pretty cozy!!


They really loved it, and have already commissioned a second one!!

The Most Important American Election of our Generation

Some of my favorite crafty websites have a message I wanted to share with you...

i heart linen

Just Something I Made

Plush-a-holic

feeling stitchy

(Inside a Black Apple)

Tula Pink - Neptune

Tula Pink is very quickly becoming one of my all-time favorite designers... she's the brilliant mind behind Flutterby, Full Moon Forest & Nest...

And her newest line, Neptune, is so close I can almost taste it...


Speaking of tasty- how delicious is this Neptune quilt she created for the Houston Quilt Market?

Shame on me...

I've been procrastinating for way too long on the Spare a Square Scrap Challenge I joined awhile back... the problem is, the more I look at the amazing things my fellow challengers are coming up with- the less willing I am to finally cut into my own scraps! I worry about screwing up!

I know, I know... how badly can you screw up scraps? Thats what I need to keep telling myself... the worse that can happen is I'll end up with more scraps!

Here are some of the gorgeous things created in the challenge so far...

1. Scrap Challenge, 2. My take on the Ugly Fish, 3. Scrap Challenge Pin, 4. Scrap Challenge - Home Pillow, 5. the shirt, 6. ::scrap challenge:: group 6, 7. snug as a grub in a rug - group 4, 8. Spare a Square Scrap Challenge Results 002, 9. Owl 1, 10. spare a square scrap challenge, 11. scrap challenge wall hanging - close up, 12. Scrap Challenge brooches

The reason I love my job...

... is because this little devil gets to come in and hang out with me while I work...


Her brother Zack, much prefers to hang out with the other dogs in Doggy Daycamp... but Kaya would rather be with me...

And today, a 5 month old Greater Swiss Mountain Dog named Ginger is here and up for a game of "Tug"...

This is the view I get from my desk... they just play, and play, and play....

Its nearly impossible for any of us to have a REALLY bad day...

Awww... look at all that puppy love!!!

Graphic Design Project - Type "Face"

Basically this assignment was to use letters to create a face. There were a number of specific rules to follow for each face, such as using "san serif, capital letters for hair". I won't go into those, because I'm sure your not interested!!

But then we did have to write a little "story" to give each face a personality & character. I'd like you to meet Jacques & Eve.

The secrets of fusible interfacing revealed!!

Kathy of Pink Chalk Studio takes us step-by-step through her interfacing methods...

I particularly love the advice "Enjoy the zen of fusible interfacing while watching the birds outside and listening to a book on tape". Personally I tend to "Enjoy the zen of fusible interfacing while watching Gilmore Girls episodes on DVD". How do you pass the time while crafting?

And speaking of interfacing... for those interested, the demise & rebirth of TimTex! (Unfortunately, I hear Amy Butler has already gone through the trouble of rewriting all her patterns with alternate interfacing options... she's the Timtex queen!)

Want some bats in your belfry?

Free pattern & instructions for making this batty little guy available at Soto Softies!

Amy Butler Preview: Midwest Modern II

I just found this fantastic tidbit at True Up... Amy Butler's upcoming line, Midwest Modern II!!

The Fall 2008 Hancock’s of Paducah catalog contains a preview of Amy Butler’s next line, Midwest Modern II. It is a mixture of new and reworked/recolored prints from earlier lines. I'm sure we're going to hear more from the Houston Quilt Market!

In Black and White by Faye Burgos

In Black and White is a fabulous new fabric line that shows just how ornate and interesting patterns can be when just using two solid colors...


The most exciting thing about this line is the "Strip It" the fabric that is actually a print of all the other fabrics in the line, in strips across the yardage.


Marcus Fabrics shares some great ideas on how to use this fabric to its highest potential...




But I'm sure the possibilities are endless....!

Selvedge...

Jodie over at Ric-Rac is the selvedge queen. She's been collecting pieces for a "big project", and making a couple little ones along the way...

A simple little square-selvedge purse...


A fantastic scarf I'm completely wishing I could get my hands on...


And the pièce de résistance... a gorgeous selvedge dress...

How will any of us ever throw that little "scrap" away again?!!

An Etsy Halloween...

Some great finds from our favorite handmade destination!

1. Mr Owls Haunted Castle 2. Ouija Board Necklace 3. Changeable Halloween Pendant set 4. Little Witch 5. Penny the Zombie Girl 6. Knit Spookies Toy Pattern 7. Mummy Doll Pattern 8. Pumpkin Party Girl With Black Cat Treat Pail 9. Bat Pendant Necklace

Halloween Extravaganza!

Over at A Fanciful Twist!! Be sure to check out the festivities!

...and puppy dog tails!!

Its a snail kinda day!!

And we have this adorable guy from My Paper Crane (love that bow tie!!)...


This modern-style shell-dweller, from Soto Softies... (anyone else craving soft-served ice cream?!)


And last but not least, this cozy critter, from Ric Rac (tutorial included on her site!!!)...

And I just love the various ways these ladies interpreted the same tiny bugger... so much creativity!

Modern-Style Baby Dreamcatcher

Every now and then someone comes up with an entirely new idea, by building on a very old one. This dreamcatcher by Lulu Carter is the perfect example- I'd be willing to bet you've never seen one quite like this.




I just love how it incorporates scraps and flowers and other small pieces- the way an actual bird does when building its nest. And the bird? Just adorable!!!