Monday, October 31, 2011

Winner ~ Pretty in Patchwork: Doll Quilts

Thank you!   ---   for all of your entries to win a copy of Pretty in Patchwork:  Doll Quilts by Cathy Gaubert.


And without further ado, the winner as selected by random number generator:

Lucky entry #22:

Congratulations Epban.  Be sure to keep an eye out for the postman as this book will shortly be heading your way!

With thanks to Lark Crafts (Sterling Publishing) for sponsoring this giveaway.

Rita

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Sunday Stash #117


Echo by Lotta Jansdotter has arrived!

Scandinavian born Lotta is the author of Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing  as well as numerous other highly regarded craft books, and this is her first commercially produced range of fabrics.  This fabric collection is called Echo (Windham Fabrics).

The very first time I saw an image of this fabric collection I admit that an audible gasp may have escaped my lips.  Now that this bundle of fabric has arrived at my home and I have had a chance to arrange (and re-arrange) the bundle and taken a much closer look at the designs, I can reassure you that I haven't been disappointed.

I so love the simple (but hip and graphically bold) motifs and the colors?  What's not to love?  Especially the blues and greys, with an air of sophistication, 100% cotton and quilting weight ...

And the gold/mustard and black/white set ... so contemporary ...

Sign up to receive notification of arrival of Echo by Lotta Jansdotter here:

Enjoy Sunday!

Friday, October 28, 2011

Pretty in Patchwork: Doll Quilts ~ Review and Giveaway!

   by Cathy Gaubert.


I am so excited to have been part of the journey of this book, and was thrilled to have even been asked to contribute in the first place, and then to have my submission published!

 
Jacob's Ladder Doll Quilt

Cathy Gaubert, the author, and Amanda Carestio, from Lark Crafts (Sterling Publishing), have been wonderful to work with, and all of 18 other designers were incredibly helpful and supportive.  Truly, contributing to a book is such a fun way to get to know so many other interesting and talented quilters.


My contribution to the book is Jacob's Ladder; a Doll Quilt version of a traditional quilt pattern using modern fabrics and finished to measure just 22.5 inches square.  Loads of tiny piecing, and as you can see, I've had fun with the quilting!  Of course, you'll find the details in the book!


To celebrate the release of the Pretty in Patchwork: doll quilts book, the ladies over at Sew Mama Sew are sponsoring a Doll Quilt Contest.   This sounds like fun, and the prizes up for grabs are indeed awesome.  You'll find all the details here:  Sew Mama Sew Doll Quilt Contest  and the relevant Flickr Group:  Lark Doll Quilt Contest.  I hope you will join in!

Ticker Tape Quilt by Cathy Gaubert
Image from Pretty in Patchwork  book by Cathy Gaubert

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

And one more thing ...  let's celebrate with a book giveaway!
Here is your chance to win a copy of Pretty in Patchwork: Doll Quilts by Cathy GaubertI have one copy of the book to give away to one lucky reader.  To be in the draw all you have to do is leave a comment on this post  (please ensure that an email address is available on your profile or is included in your comment - NO EMAIL ADDRESS = NO VALID ENTRY).  International visitors are very welcome to enter!  One comment per person/email address will be eligible to enter the draw.

The draw will take place at 11 am (AEDT ) on Monday 31 October 2011, at which time comments to this post will be closed. The winner will be announced here the same day, and will also be contacted by email.
The book will be shipped directly to the winner by Lark Crafts (Sterling Publishing).

Aaaah ... lengthy post but, as always, thank you for stopping by!

ENTRY NOW CLOSED.
Rita

Thursday, October 27, 2011

[workinprogress]

My scrap bin is OVER-flowing!  I kid you not, I can't close the lid.  Even with a little force it just won't stay on.  I've taken this is a sign that it is time for a scrap quilt project and have jumped into my scrap bin feet first (literally!).


And just in case you thought I may have my scraps all nicely cataloged and arranged by color, shape, pattern, ... please know that, although I love each and every tiny piece very much, they all unceremoniously squashed together in one (or maybe two!) large plastic boxes.


It's messy business working from my scrap bins (tipped over and spread out on the floor for better viewing) and slow going, but I thoroughly enjoy working with my fabric scraps.  In fact, so much so, that it has reminded that I perhaps should work more often with my scraps. 


Oodles of scraps ready for use, and many more log cabin blocks still to be made...

Happy stitching everyone!
Rita

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Ruby Star Spring Placemats

I wonder if you recall Sunday Stash #114 which featured Ruby Star Spring by Melody Miller?  These fabrics are such fun, and I thought it might be interesting (and a little quirky) to feature some of these "beasts" on a set of place mats.


Placemats are relatively quick to make, and much like a mini quilt you still get to play around with the patchwork piecing as well as the quilting.  For these placemats I have used the "Quilt As You Go" technique which ensures that you can create interesting quilting grids without having to stop/start in the middle of the project.


For the back of the placemats I have fussy cut four different panels that are part of the Ruby Star Spring fabric collection.  The size of these panels determined the finished size of the placemat:  11 inches x 15 inches.  These prints are definitely my favorite design from the Ruby Star Spring range.

I have also used the bagging out technique as per this tutorial for making a quilt without binding, to finish off the placemat.  A placemat or mini-quilt is a great place to start if you are interested in experimenting with this tutorial.


Now listed in my Etsy StoreSet of FOUR Ruby Star Placemats - Reversible  SOLD!

I hope you're having a great sewing week!
Rita

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Sunday Stash #116

Sunday Stash this week is about black and white


From left to right they are:


Despite the lack of color these simple designs really appeal to me and I know I will find a way to incorporate a little piece of these black and white prints into most of my quilts.  No doubt. 


Just for fun and to inject a little color into this Sunday Stash post I thought I'd also show you another colorway of the Zig Zag Stripe by Ann Kelle from the Remix collection:  in Bright.  Love!

Enjoy Sunday!
Rita

Friday, October 21, 2011

The Mystery Puzzle Quilt

This week has simply flown by but I have manage to finish yet another quilt to be added to my quilt stash.  After some consideration I've decided to call this one The Mystery Puzzle Quilt


I've really enjoyed making this quilt. The components (squares and Half Square Triangles) are simple, and the layout is like a puzzle that fits together in endless ways.  There is no "wrong" in trying to make the blocks all work together; there is no room for a humility block.


 Fabrics include:
  • Pure Organic Solid in White by Robert Kaufman 
  • Kona Cotton Solids in a selection of colors including Pepper, School Bus, Coral, Corn Yellow, Clover and Coal.
  • Stripes from From Little Things by Sarah Fielke in Orange, Grey, Green and Pink
  • Wider Stripes (Marquee) by Kaffe Fassett
  • Backing fabric:  Anika by Monaluna 100% organic cotton
  • Binding:  Lecien Color Basics - Black and White narrow stripe

The double set of quilting lines that outline all seam lines (except for the diagonal seams) have added a lovely texture to the quilt and feature particularly on the colored solid fabrics. The effect of the quilting lines, as well as the black and white stripe binding, compliment the quilt design beautifully.


I have listed this quilt in my Etsy Store -  and now that Etsy allows for changes to store names my Etsy Store is aptly named:  redpepperquilts!
You can see the listing here:  The Mystery Puzzle Quilt @ Etsy SOLD

Thank you for stopping by,
Rita

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Sunday Stash #115


Sunday Stash on Tuesday (and I am sure it isn't Sunday anywhere else in the world either)! It happens ... some weeks just pass by too quickly, although last week was one I'd rather not repeat.


I hope I haven't confused anyone? 


Kei Honeycomb in reverse pattern:
Dots in Orange, Grey, Red, Blue, Black, Green, Aqua, Yellow and Pink
all on a white background.
Because you just can't have too many dots in your fabric stash
- from Blije Olifantje @ Etsy (translate - the Happy Elephant)

And ... I may have dropped in at my local fabric store yesterday and spotted some Amy Butler - Lark:


... and perhaps brought a few pieces home.

Enjoy Tuesday,
Rita

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Alivia

No stashing today, but I do have a finished knit to show you - trust me, a really simple knit.  I know I say that every the time I post a knit project, but this one truly is easy peasy.  



If you haven't used a chart before to knit a lace project, then Alivia is the one to start with.  Although this project requires row counting, the main chart repeat consists of only 12 rows,  6 of those being a combination of purl/knit rows.


The Yarn:  Madelinetosh Merino Light - Thunderstorm

Although it isn't my most "impressive" knit of late, I really do love the geometric design of this project.  The no frills, straight lines and repeating squares appeal to my traditional eye for pattern/shape.  I can see another Alivia in my future already.


See more pictures and all the details of this project on Ravelry: - here

Thank you for stopping by,
Rita

Friday, October 14, 2011

[workinprogress]

Not all that long ago I pinned this breakfast tray onto my Pinterest board (Pattern, Shape, Color, Design), although it has been floating about in my Tumblr favorites much longer.
patchwork tray
I enjoy both Pinterest and Tumblr for these are both sites where I can collect and share my favorite pictures as well as be inspired by and keep up with what everyone else is creating. 


The above breakfast tray - by Maria Dahlgren - caught my eye for it's colorful patchwork design, that surely with the right fabrics would look like a fun quilt!  And so it started ... pulling fabrics from stash, cutting squares and piecing half square triangles ....


Although fabric selection is critical to the overall look of the finished quilt, the construction and piecing of the quilt top was really very simple.  I tried hard to not over think the layout, and allowed the "pattern" to unfold without assistance.


I've had fun with this quilt top!  It was a little experimental and involved loads of fabric play.  I also tried out several different block sizes and soon realized that block size had little impact on the effect of the design.  I settled on a 5 inch finished square.

Now thinking about making the backing and starting the quilting.
Thank you for stopping by,
Rita


More:

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Daisy Chain by Prints Charming

Back in August the Sydney based Prints Charming girls, Kirsten and Cath, emailed me to see if I would be interested in having a little play with their new fabric collection.  Of course, that's a no brainer! Yes, yes, fabric always received with open arms!


Daisy Chain by Prints Charming for Kokka Fabrics
"Starting with the notion of 70’s summers, 
love birds nesting in fields of daisies, 
spots and stripes decorating their world.
Layers of color create hexagon lakes, 
and strung from tree to tree chains of daisies brighten up the rose tinted skyline."


I've tried to incorporate many of the fabrics in the range to make the quilt, and have made a feature of my favorite prints - those gorgeous birds.


Daisy Chain is 100% cotton fabric, and it is a heavier weight fabric - canvas - suitable for all home decorating applications, and also quilts!  I encountered no problems with the patchwork piecing, basting and quilting of this quilt - in fact I think it was easier to baste as there was little stretch in the quilt top. 


I finished the quilt with a stripey binding fabric also from the Daisy Chain collection.


This quilt is going to be well traveled, having already spent some time in Sydney, it has since made it's away across to Purl Soho in NYC where the Prints Charming girls are teaching this week, and will then make it's way to the Houston Quilt Market to be part of the Kokka booth.

Daisy Chain already available:

Thank you for stopping by,
Rita

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

The Sawtooth Star ~ A Finished Quilt

I've never before been as indecisive about a quilt in progress as I have about this one!


I made the decision to go ahead and finish the quilt without adding borders.  During quilting  however I started to doubt if I had made the right decision, not just about the lack of borders but also about how I had decided to quilt this quilt.

I was quite unhappy (to say the least!) with how this quilt was starting to look, and the "puffed up" stars without any quilting were certainly not adding to my love for this quilt.  Having nothing to lose I threw the quilt into the washing machine, hoping that I would like it a little better when it later emerged from the tumble dryer, all crinkled and wrinkled.


And rightly so. It came out of the dryer like a crumbled up ball of fluff - so soft!- especially as I've used the yummiest and softest ever flannel fabric for the back of the quilt:


The backing fabric is from Diamond Mine in Sun from the Folksy Flannel range by Anna Maria Horner; this flannel makes me oh so happy!  I am not sure if I've ever felt a softer flannel fabric, and it has washed and tumble dried beautifully.



My final doubts about this quilt were removed once the binding was on. The solid yellow binding makes for the perfect quilt edge and adds that touch of contrast it needed.  This yellow binding fabric is Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton in Corn Yellow - it is ever so slightly darker and more saturated than the yellow fabric used for the peaks of the stars.

This one is staying with me!  When I am having a nap on the couch you can be assured I will be snuggled under this one.  There won't be any more fighting over who gets the quilt when we're being couch potatoes!

Thank you for stopping by!
Rita

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