Classic and Heirloom Quilts Book Sew Along.

Classic and Heirloom Quilts by Betsy Chutchian is a lovely book of eight 1800's inspired quilts, in three sizes.  Each quilt inspired by history, antique quilts, and Betsy's great-great grandmother, Lizzie. 
(I really enjoyed reading Betsy's family history and inspiration behind her beautiful quilts.)

The quilt that I chose to make is Stepping Out.  I love the look of the brick type rows and couldn't wait to combine all my Fig Tree and Co. charm packs I had been saving, for it.

Then binding with Fig Tree and Co.'s strawberry fields revisited sand gingham (be still my heart).

Thank you so much for dropping by today!

I'm so glad you did! xo

sugar stars quilt.

Hello and Happy May!  This is my favorite "spring" month and with the weather being unseasonably dry down here in the south, I am just one happy girl!  Windows open, doors open, cars being washed, no bugs to shoo away!  Yep!  Happy!

And to top it off, I received another quilt that Kathy quilted!  She is just the best!!  Thank you so much Kathy!!

 quilt stats :

pattern is sugar stars by Lori Holt

measures 64" x 84"

quilt top fabrics are misc. 1930's reproductions that I had been collecting

backing fabrics are "children at play" by Sarah Jane for Michael Miller Fabrics and "dress up days" by Shari Butler for Riley Blake Designs

beautifully quilted by Kathy Olkowski

*** check out Kathy's monthly quilting specials *** 

how do you choose fabric

If you were to describe yourself based on the fabric in your stash, what is the first word that comes to mind?

Whimsical?

(happy campers by Alexander Henry Fabrics)

Modern?

  (origami oasis mountain and valley by Michael Miller Fabrics)

Eclectic? 

(ahoy matey sailboats by Windham Fabrics) 

Low volume?

(let's pretend by Sarah Jane for Michael Miller) 

Americana?

 

(nantucket floral by Quilting Treasures)

How do you choose your fabrics?  Do you look specifically for the color, subject matter, texture, etc?  Do you mix and match or do you buy complete fabric lines and strictly use them together?

Being a "first generation quilter" I have learned a good bit about myself by the fabrics I choose.  For starters, I am a "sentimental quilter", in other words I am drawn to fabric that speaks to me.  

In 2013 when October Afternoon and Riley Blake Designs introduced Sidewalks I knew immediately that I wanted to build a special quilt with it.  (stay tuned for the reveal of said quilt-wink)  Those sweet images of childhood tugged at this momma's heart.  Not to mention my own memories of growing up.    

 (column 1 - riding hood story, rocket age stars, wildflower meadow spot, washday symbols, wild and free plaid column 2 - a beautiful thing dot, honey house, billowing petals, fancy bikes column 3 - magnolia, milk sugar and flower, wedge geo,  knit gray stripe (would make such a cute skirt), good friends

Something else I realized about my fabric choices ... I like variety.  Scrappy quilts are my very favorite to create and variety allows optimum scrappiness.  Which make my heart happy - wink 

Fashionable Fabrics has a fabulous selection of fabric!  Every fabric in this post is from their site (click on red letters to see each one up close) and there are so many more to see!!  Be sure to visit Fashionable Fabrics for your fabric needs.

GIVEAWAY DAY!

*** CONGRATULATIONS ***
Kathy from Kathy's Cottage
is the winner!!!

"I'M IN LOVE I'M IN LOVE 

AND I DON'T CARE WHO KNOWS IT!"

(I swear, that is just how I feel about my sweet fat quarter bundle . wink)

Hello my dear readers!  I am so incredibly excited about what I have to share with you today!!  The Fat Quarter Shop is giving away my very own blogger's choice fat quarter bundle.  I had so much fun choosing these lovely fabrics!  Each one brings the biggest smile to my face!!

To enter : leave your name and way that I can contact you (sadly so many in the past did not have adequate contact info and I had to pass over them).  

For an extra chance to win : follow my blog and let me know you are doing so (no pressure though, I am just so happy you dropped by).

giveaway closes on Friday, December 5th - so spread the word

 xoxo

an instagram sort of month.

Since the nearest Starbucks is an hour away (as is every other little bit of civilization - ha ha ha), I came up with a little chilly day treat that I can make from home.  What I do is : make the vanilla latte according to directions then add eggnog (amount is to your liking).

baddah boom baddah bang - yum!

And with said chilly days, I baked a batch of snickerdoodles for my awesome husband who works so hard to take care of our family.

I'm a lucky girl to have such a great guy!

Getting a little sewing in since it is so cold outside - new lined checked pillow covers have been my latest sewing endeavor, and I am so happy with them!

This is typically what my day looks like, so it has been nice having a break from all the outside work that keeps me busy during the fall!  That and I like not smelling like a campfire for days in a row.  ha ha ha  Seriously though, I am not complaining, what I do is hard work, but it has it's perks too.  I love being outside and it keeps me fit and young.  So it's a win win!

Before I go, have you seen Green Fairy Quilts huge charm pack sale??  I buy charm packs regularly, so that I can mix and match and get a real nice scrappy look when I am sewing.  They are super affordable and make fun stocking stuffers for your quilter friends!

Thanks for dropping by my little blog today!  xoxo

20% OFF ALL ROBERT KAUFMAN FABRIC at The Fat Quarter Shop.

Happy first day of fall!!!  Oh this is my very favorite time of the year!  And since fall is my very favorite ... here are fall - ish prints I chose from some of Robert Kaufman fabrics. 

The Fat Quarter Shop has listed ALL ROBERT KAUFMAN FABRICS ON SALE AT 20% OFF!  Use code : RK2014. 

Betty Dear Screamin' Yellow Block 

by Darlene Zimmerman

Betty Dear Mango Block Tower 

by Darlene Zimmerman

 

Gnome Living Garden Bicycles 

by Illustration Ink!

Botanics Curry Screen 

by Carolyn Friedlander

Botanics Tangerine Screen 

by Carolyn Friedlander

Remix by Ann Kelle : 

chocolate argyle plaid

Remix by Ann Kelle : floral mosaic

These browns are absolutely delicious!

I can say that about fabric, right!?

Kona Cotton Solids : brown

Kona Cotton Solids : cinnamon

Kona Cotton Solids : cocoa

Kona Cotton Solids : mocha

flower patch sightings.

Lori Holt has another adorable new line by the name of Flower Patch and I am just aching to get my hands on some .... wink.   

(image borrowed from Lori's blog - thanks Lori)

A couple of my dear sponsors are carrying these cute prints.  Here are their links :

Donna's Lavender Nest is carrying these adorable six prints in yardage.  Donna will also cut to the size you need (ie; fat quarter, quarter yard, half yard) - isn't that so sweet!!

The Fat Quarter Shop has fat quarter bundles, 5" stackers, 10" stackers, and 2 1/2" rolie polies.  

In addition they are carrying brown one yard bundles, 

 mint one yard bundles,

and white one yard bundles.  

Each one yard bundle includes 8 one yard cuts.

 

I'm aching I tell ya!

This fabric = pure love!  xo

fabric finds.

I A.DORE this Red Riding Hood by Timeless Treasures found at Fashionable Fabrics. 

And these Lecien Old New 30's cherries at Donna's Lavender Nest?  Delicious!

Miss Kate has arrived at Green Fairy Quilts ... so dear.

I am longing for fall something fierce!  This Woodland Adventure (in chocolate) at Five Monkey Fabric couldn't be cuter!

Thanks so much for visiting today!  xoxo

pulling fabrics from some of my favorite shops.

Wouldn't these make such a fun quilt?!  I can see the stripes as a binding and that delicious floral flannel as backing.  Our favorite couch quilt is backed in flannel and it gets a lot of love!

1.  Sketch in Lime Timeless Treasures from five monkey fabrics

2.  Moda Bella Solids Christmas Red Yardage (9900 16) from Green Fairy Quilts

3.  Country Girls Green Floral by Tasha Noel for Riley Blake Designs from The Fat Quarter Shop

4.  Large Gingham Green by Riley Blake from Green Fairy Quilts.

5.  Home for the Holidays Multi Stripe by Doodlebug Design for Riley Blake Designs from The Fat Quarter Shop

6.  Lecien Little Red Riding Hood from Donna's Lavender Nest

7.  Quatrefoil in Red by Riley Blake Designs from Fashionable Fabrics.

8.  Lecien Old New 30's from Donna's Lavender Nest

9.  Flannel Sugar Hill Scattered Roses on Green by Tanya Whelan for Free Spirit Fabrics from Fashionable Fabrics

10.  Michael Miller Ta Dot in Emerald from five monkey fabrics

fabric friday.

Fun fabric finds for Friday!!

(say that ten times fast - wink)

Happy Shopping!

All mini charms are $3.49 for this week only, at Green Fairy Quilts.  Wouldn't these make such cute stocking stuffers?!

Here are a few of the Riley Blake fabrics that I absolutely love at Donna's Lavender Nest.

I am always on the look out for cute prints that will make a great backing to a quilt.  I just fell in love with this Michael Miller Gay Paree in red over at Five Monkey Fabrics!

Growing up in Northern California, where I was always outdoors, this Let's Pretend by Sara Jane over at Fashionable Fabrics, just tugs on my heart strings.  Such simple times.

Be still my heart, did you see the latest Favorite Storybook Playtime by Whistler Studios for Windham Fabrics?  The Fat Quarter Shop has these two fat quarter bundles (yes please) and a fabulous selection of yardage.