Thursday, April 28, 2011

Picnic and Fairgrounds

A post Easter break fabric delivery:


This fabric bundle is Picnic and Fairgrounds by Denyse Schmidt, sold exclusively at Joann in the USA and eventually (May 2011) at Spotlight Australia, but also re-sold on Etsy through several sellers.  I purchased my bundle here. 


It is only fabric and I have cut into it already!  I've started by whipping up a small storm of patchwork.  It handles, feels and stitches much like any other quilting weight cotton.  Picnic and Fairgrounds also combines well with both the earlier fabric collections by Denyse Schmidt - Katie Jump Rope and Flea Market Fancy. 


But then again there are many fabrics in my stash that will go nicely with these prints.

Happy Stitching,
Rita

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Holiday Stitching

I've enjoyed a little Easter holiday stitching!

Whilst at the Australasian Quilt Convention I spent quite some time browsing around the Nicole Mallalieu Design stall. Such pretty bags, pouches and hats, so many patterns, bag/pouch hardware, and different interfacing materials.  So tempting to branch out, but where to start?


Well, with the simplest of all, an easy (but not too small and fiddly) pouch.  I purchased the Make-up Purse Kit  which came together with 4 zippers and a detailed pattern including step by step instructions, diagrams and photos.  Nicole provided much needed assistance in choosing the appropriate interfacing.  (Nicole also has loads of information on her website regarding WHEN, WHERE and WHAT TYPE of interfacing to use on her blog:  click here).
.

My first attempt at following this pattern was the blue pouch (on the right) with interfacing, but I chose to omit the lining. It eventually came together beautifully, although not without having to use my seam ripper on a number of occasions!  I also realized that a pouch without lining isn't all that pretty on the inside.
....

And so on my second attempt, and together with some patchwork piecing on the front and back of the pouch, I followed all of the patterns instructions including the lining ~ a pretty Katie Jump Rope fabric print in green.

In the process of making these pouches I've practised my zip sewing technique, changed the presser foot more often than in any other project,  snapped two sewing machine needles (because I'd forgotten to change the presser foot) and spent time with the seam ripper, but I've learned so much.

Handy references:
Nicole's Blog:  http:  http://nicolemdesign.blogspot.com/  
Nicole Mallalieu Design website: http://www.nicolemdesign.com.au/
Nicole's Sewing Tips and Tutorial : http://www.nicolemdesign.com.au/tips/index.html ~ and I wish I had read some of these before I started making these pouches.
Tips on applying interfacing: http://nicolemdesign.blogspot.com/2008/10/few-hints-for-using-interfacing.html

Stepping outside of my comfort zone was a little intimidating.  Now back to making more quilts ...

Edited to add:  the blue/white floral fabric (as seen in the pouch without any patchwork piecing) is a linen/cotton blend print by Cosmo.

Blog Anniversary Giveaway Winners

A big thank you to everyone who entered and for your enthusiastic response, there certainly was a lot of blog love there ~ more than 1500 comments/entries.  Thank you, thank you!

And without further ado, the winner of the Sherbet Pips Fat Quarter bundle is:
moira said...
I got into quilting about a year ago and you have been a real inspiration to me. Keep up the good work! 
 
AND the winner of the Innocent Crush Fat Quarter bundle is: 
Jennifer W. said...
I love coming to your blog to get a little sewing inspiration! And the two collections you have selected to giveaway are tops on my list of favourite fabrics that I don't yet have in my stash! Keeping my fingers crossed... and wishing you a happy blog anniversary!
Congratulations Moira and Jennifer!  Both lucky winners have been contacted by email.

Thank you again for your enthusiastic response, I will continue to keep on stitching.  Please know that your visit here is always appreciated and never taken for granted. 

Rita

Monday, April 25, 2011

Sherbet Pips @ the Circus Quilt

I have had a box of fabric scraps from a half used Sherbet Pips Layer Cake for some time now, and thought it might be fun to mix up this collection of fabrics by adding some splashes of color and make a cute quilt.


And with a motto of keeping things simple for a few sessions of relaxing Easter break sewing this quilt involved some fabric color play and quick patchwork piecing.  Adding a selection of new colors to the Sherbet Pips color palette has certainly changed the overall feel of this fabric range.


The back of the quilt features my favorite print from the Sherbet Pips range ~  Girl on Swing in Vanilla Ice Cream ~ rather indulgent and a little extravagant but also delightfully sweet.


In keeping with both the simplicity of this quilt and my motto for the weekend, I have kept the quilting at a minimum.  I have stitched straight lines using a walking foot just a quarter inch away, and on both sides of all seam lines.


A grey and white pin stripe fabric was used to bind the quilt and ...


... labels were added to the back of the quilt including a piece of the selvage from the Sherbet Pips collection.



As usual, I have updated my Etsy Store You can find the listing for this quilt here:  Sherbet Pips @ the Circus.

Thank you for stopping by,
Rita

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Sunday Stash #94

Stashing solids, again!  This time a range of lovely new Bella Solids.


2011 Bella Solids by Moda

Wishing you all a Happy Easter break / Holidays.
Rita

Reminder:  Don't forget to enter the 2 year Blog Anniversary Giveaway if you haven't already done so.  Click here for details.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

A Blog Anniversary and Giveaway

Picnik collage
Earlier this month the 2 year anniversary of Red Pepper Quilts slipped by without much ado.  When I started this blog two years ago it was at the encouragement of a friend who insisted that my quilts were worthy of sharing and without any expectations whatsoever I stitched and blogged to my heart's content.  Never did I dare dream that I would  develop a following of kind hearted quilters and fabric-aholics who faithfully stop by and continue to encourage me to keep stitching every day.

And so after two years of blogging and because you know I have a thing for numbers -:
  • 500+ blog posts
  • Thousands of comments - thank you, thank you!
  • More than 1.1 million visitors!
  • More than 2 million page views
  • and faithful sponsors who certainly make it easier to keep on doing what I am doing.
It's now definitely time to celebrate and say THANK YOU!  Thank you for stopping by, I truly appreciate your visits, and for all of your comments and kind emails!  And what better way to celebrate than with a giveaway?  or two?


First up for grabs is a FQ bundle of Sherbet Pips by Aneela Hoey for Moda Fabrics.  All 27 prints.


As well as 18 Fat Quarters from Anna Maria Horner's fabric collection - Innocent Crush.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
 
To be in the draw all you have to do is leave a comment on this post.  Please be sure your email address is available on your profile page or leave it in your comment.  NO EMAIL ADDRESS = NO VALID ENTRY.  International visitors are very welcome to enter. Only one comment per person/email address.


The draw will take place at 8 pm  (AEST) on Tuesday 26 April 2011, at which time comments to this post will be closed. The two winners will be announced here on my blog the same day, and will also be contacted by email.  The first name drawn will win the Sherbet Pips FQ bundle.  The second name drawn will win the Innocent Crush FQ bundle.

It's been a wonderful journey and I've learned so much along the way.  I promise to keep on stitching and blogging for as long as I continue to love and enjoy sharing my quilting endeavors. 

ENTRY HAS NOW CLOSED.

Good luck and with thanks,
Rita

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Downunder Doll Quilt Swap #2

The pressure is on!  Round #2 of the Downunder Doll Quilt Swap has commenced and I have ummed and ahhed over what to make for my very talented swap partner.  It wasn't until I picked up the latest issue of Down Under Quilts Magazine (#147) at the Australasian Quilt Convention last week that a final decision was made.


The cover of the magazine features a quilt designed and made by Sarah Fielke.  The quilt/pattern is called Ups and Downs, and Sarah has combined her new fabric range, From Little Things, with a neutral colored linen to create a traditional nine-patch quilt with modern charm.


So I did the maths and re-worked the pattern included in the magazine to suit a doll size quilt without losing the overall effect of the design and the fabrics.


I enjoyed playing around with the left-over squares and triangles to piece the back of the quilt, basted, and then quilted diagonal lines to create an overall cross-hatch grid.  Mini/Doll quilts really are very satisfying projects to make!


Some quick reference details:
  • Finished doll quilt size:  24 inches x 24 inches
  • Solid fabric used for this quilt:  Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton in Bone.
  • Binding fabric also From Little Things by Sarah Fielke
  • With thanks to Kate from One Flew Over for again organizing the swap.

Easy peasy and loads of fun.  Ready for shipping.
Rita

Monday, April 18, 2011

More Stripes ~ Two Patchwork Pillows

I bet you're over the whole stripes thing happening here.  Well I promise, this is the last of it ... for a while anyway.





The details:
  • Two patchwork pillow covers each measuring 20 inches x 20 inches.
  • Suitable for use with 22 inch square pillow inserts which will nicely fill and plump up these pillow covers.
  • Patchwork tops have been quilted.  Quilt sandwich includes a layer of 100% cotton batting as well as backing fabric.
  • Zippered pillow backing for easy insert removal and washing.
  • Home Decorator weight fabric is used for the pillow cover backings.  The backing fabric is from the Isso Ecco & Heart 2 collection by Lecien.

You'll find these patchwork pillow covers for sale in my Etsy Store. You can find the listing here:  TWO PATCHWORK PILLOWS.



With apologies for picture overload,
Rita

ps.  All stripe fabrics have been bundled together and stored out of reach.  Until next time.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Sunday Stash #93

A trip to the Australasian Quilt Convention packed with 95 stall holders under the one roof obviously means some fabric purchases.  How can it not?

No surprises here ~  dots!  These dot prints are Japanese fabrics.  The white dots on both blue and green backgrounds (randomly featuring the word love) have Olympus and Made in Japan on the selvage and are 100 % cotton fabrics.


The multicolor dots are printed on a natural cotton/linen blend base and are by Japanese company Sevenberry.  Available from Ballarat Patchwork.

Some fat quarters for stash building:
  • His Cruiser (bicycle fabric) is from Avalon by Jay-cyn Designs for Birch Fabric collection.  Available soon:  from Fabricworm
  • Measuring Tape fabric is from Tailor Made by Cosmo Cricket for Andover Fabrics
  • Black and White Stripe and broad Red and White Stripe ~ no selvage means no details, but both are 100% cotton fabrics.
And finally more Japanese fabric 30cm pre-cuts by Yuwa Fabrics and/or Cosmo Textiles with a focus on florals (again no selvage - feel free to leave info in comment section if you have specific details for these fabrics).  A few of the floral prints are re-stocks of long time favorite prints. 

Enjoy Sunday!
Rita

Friday, April 15, 2011

Australasian Quilt Convention ~ 2011

The Australasian Quilt Convention is on in Melbourne from April 14 to April 17, 2011 at the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens; it is one of my favorite quilt shows and of course I have been counting down the days and it was everything I hoped for.  As is tradition, I spent this day with my sister and mother.  We had a fantastic time enjoying the company of fellow bloggers,  like minded quilters and fabric addicts.  Quite some time was spent gazing at stunning quilts.  For those of you who couldn't be there I thought I would share with you some of my color, pattern and quilt inspiration:


Transitions by Carol Taylor:  Teach Me ~ Exhibition of Tutor's Quilts
Randomly cut small pieces of hand dyed cotton sateen fabric enhanced by appliqued shape, such as a circle or square, in the center of each.

3D TV - Not For Me by Agnes Girdwood (One Step Further 2010)


Lucy's Friendship by Jill Christian (Best of the Best Exhibition)
Mini Quilt measuring only 22 inches x 22 inches.  Teeny tiny piecing!

Playing with Color by Yvonne Williams (Best of the Best)
Hand dyed fabric by quilter, machine pieced and quilted.

Double Circle and Cloud #1 by Barbara Macey
Foundation Piecing


Homage to Federation by Valarie Robinson
(One Step Further - pushing the boundaries of art quilt making)
The quilting stitches - the variety and designs - are amazing and delightful!
(Click on the above image to Flickr and see larger view).

Harlequin Stars designed and pieced by Emma Jansen
Machine Quilted by Vicki Jenkin
Raffle Quilt

The Australasian Quilt Convention is on until Sunday 17 April 2011.  For an update of my fabric purchases check back here this Sunday ~ Sunday Stash #93.

Rita

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Seashells by the Seashore ~ A Finished Quilt

Are you tired of seeing more of these stripes?  Not just yet, I hope ...


More sewing this week with a mix of new and reclaimed striped fabrics offset with Robert Kaufman Kona Solid White giving this quilt an overall nautical/summer sentiment.  For the record the reclaimed prints are from Whimsiedots on Etsy whereas the new prints include some Yuwa Big StripesFrom Little Things Stripes by Sarah Fielke, and fussy cut Kaffe Fassett Marquee Panels.


The back of the quilt is pieced and features a large panel of Alexander Henry's Spotted Owl print which I have been saving to use for a special quilt back for some time now. 


Quilted with straight lines ~  from edge to edge ~ first by stitching a 1/4 inch distance from either side of all seam lines, followed by diagonal lines in both directions through the white rectangles only.


Some quick details:
  • The finished quilt measures:  46 inches x 60 inches
  • The fabrics are a mix of old and new  ~  all stripes.
  • Solid fabric is Robert Kaufman - Kona Cotton Solid ~ White
  • The reclaimed fabrics are from WhimsieDots (Etsy) 
  • Binding fabric:  Yuwa Big Stripe
  • The design is super simple - cut rectangles 4 inches x 7 inches and alternate a printed stripe fabric with a the solid fabric.

I have updated my Etsy Store You can find the listing for this quilt:  here.
 
Thank you for stopping by,
Rita