Happy Ever After Princess Pillow Pocket by Riley Blake

Mar5

Ok … Just for those of you who might decide to buy this adorable panel, even though you can’t really read the instructions clearly enough on the online picture or get a picture of the completed project to go along with the instructions…

Let me just share with you.  The first step says “Cut pillow pocket and pillow base 1/4″ beyond design.”

Let’s stop right there.  Look at those pictures.  What do you call a ‘design’?  Well, for me, challenged in the art of doll making and general sewing, I took that to be the bed and armoire pictures.  So, … I cut around the bed first, leaving a 1/4″ seam allowance. 

NO NO NO NO NO NO

The ‘design’ includes the cute little pink pinstripe area as well.  You are making an actual rectangular pillow with this project.  I thought we would be making little furniture shaped pockets.  NO NO NO NO NO  Once you have screwed it up this far, the rest of the instructions really don’t make sense and you start yelling at the kids to leave you alone for a few !@#$!@#%$ minutes while you try to figure it out, and to stop asking me every 30 seconds when I’m going to be done with it.  Then you start looking for a YouTube video or something that might be a tutorial on this nightmare.

I found a singel picture in internet land that showed the completed project:

They should include this picture with the panel, or give you a website link on the panel to let you get further instructions or a tutorial or something.

So… I will make do with what I have done and adjust.  I can make it work out and my 4 year old daughter insists that I finish it the way I started.  So, it’s all ok for me.  BUT JUST IN CASE YOU BOUGHT THIS PANEL … be forewarned.  Or just accept the fact that I’m not that bright.  Either way.

Since I don’t know how to properly give credit for the picture above, I’ll just share the link to the site that has it:

http://www.hawthornethreads.com/fabric/designer/sandra_workman_designs/happy_ever_after/panel_in_pink

You’re welcome!

Jennifer

BOM Rehab and a new Blogger Girls Block

Mar4

Happy Monday!

So glad that BOM Rehab coincided with a new release for the Blogger Girls BOM pattern.  The third block in the series was available Friday, and I was done with both versions by Saturday night.  I have even tackled my fear of Flickr and uploaded my pictures into the Blogger Girl’s group for all to see!

This was a neat block…  I didn’t much like how my first one ended up.  Not enough variation in scale of prints I think.  But it will mix in overall, so I’m leaving it.  I love my alternate block setting and fabric selections.  I went with a layout that I saw from Lisa of Stashmaster blog fame.  She highlighted the churn dash design in the center, which I did as well.

Here’s the primary layout:

BG BOM Block 3

BG BOM Block 3

And here’s the alternate layout for the same block pattern:

BG Block 3 Alt

BG Block 3 Alt

I came across some random stash yardage of La Petite Ecole by French General and used the red floral from it to frame the outside square-in-a-square and the churn dash blue fabric.  It mixed in really well.  I’ve pull some other items from that group to consider on the next blocks too.  The rest of the fabric is still from the La Belle Fleur collection that just came out.

Here are all six of my blocks completed:

BG BOM Blocks 1 - 3

BG BOM Blocks 1 – 3

Not bad for a BOM Rehab finish!

Here’s a sneak peak at something else I worked on yesterday.  I’ll reveal it more later this week… 🙂

Avalon Blue Basket

Avalon Blue Basket

Have a wonderful week and thanks for stopping by!

Jennifer

Avalon progress

Feb25

I have finished the center portion of my Avalon quilt.  Now to trim the edges and decide on borders.  I have partial strips left over from all the prints in the jelly roll.  Thinking of some interesting way to put them to use in the border, while keeping with the flower theme.

Sorry for the poor lighting.  It was still early this morning and it was starting to rain outside, but I couldn’t resist posting today!

 

Avalon Quilt Center

I had originally intended to leave out the cream colored floral strips from the quilt, because I thought they didn’t have enough contrast with the background.  After I was almost done with the block construction, I started laying out the blocks on the bed for the connecting stage.  I decided to use those three cream strips and make uniform blocks instead and I REALLY like how they turned out.  I am almost willing to say that this is my favorite block in the quilt now:

Avalon Cream Block

So, there are three same-fabric, cream colored blocks scattered in the quilt top.  I’m so glad I did that.

Here’s one more gratuitous picture from the side of my ‘design bed’.

Avalon Quilt Center 2

 

Hope you are having a great start to the new week!

Jennifer

A new love starting to kindle…

Feb21

Hello Thursday!  So glad you could make it again this week.  And thankful that you are already half-way over!

Wrapping up a lunch hour in front of my computer, trying my best to stay awake after a very long week at work.

I didn’t help myself much last night with a very late finish to the Blogger Girls BOM – Block 2 alternate block.  But I got it done!

Here’s the new block in the alternate colorway:

BG Block 2 Alt

I’m STILL cutting off a lot of those outside points !@#$!@$.  I’m going to have to figure that out before I do the next set.

Here’s the two blocks together for month two:

BG Block 2 Both

And, here are all four blocks done!  I’m actually caught up on this BOM!

BG Four Blocks

I’m using the French General fabric collection, La Belle Fleur.  The next free block pattern gets released on March 1 from Monique at Open Gate Quilts.  You can visit her blog and join in anytime.  Two blocks a month for six months.  Or just do six.  Or whatever you want – I’m not your mother.  🙂

But, to comment more on my blog header for today … I have been considering doing a quilt pattern by Kim Diehl for some time.  I love the ‘just enough folksy’ aspect of her designs.  I wouldn’t want too many really dark quilts (she uses a lot of rich, dark fabrics) – but, I could use at least one in my WIP (lol).  So… although I had browsed her books and internet pictures and such, I had not taken the plunge.  I came across this pattern yesterday in the latest Fons & Porter magazing (March/April 2013). 

Disclaimer:  I don’t know if it is illegal to show these pictures, but since I can count on my two hands the number of people who actually visit my blog – I thought I would take the chance.  Worst thing that could happen is someone will be inspired to buy a copy of the magazine.  Right?

The pattern is called “Sprigs & Twigs”:

FP Mag KD Pattern

Here’s a closeup of that picture on the right:

FP Mag KD Closeup

I LOVE those nine patch blocks that are made into the center of the four corner flowers.  And the bias stripe fabric for the stems and vines are adorable.  I felt myself getting so totally excited about this quilt.  I haven’t stopped thinking about it, so I figured it is in my future.  I have enough reproduction fabrics to make the center part, but I didn’t have anything really to be used for the black border.  Took care of that this morning with a quick order to FQS!  I have two fabrics selected from the Kansas Troubles Favorites collection.  I’ll decide which one works better on the scale of the print once I see them in person and audition them with my other fabrics.

Either this one:

Or this one:

I think I favor the top one, with the little daisies… but it may be too busy – or it may be perfect!  I’m not sure yet.  I’ll keep you posted.

I hope you find something that lights your fire today!  All the best!

Jennifer

Presidential Posting

Feb18

Happy President’s Day!  To all of you who got off work, congratulations.  Enjoy.  Really.

I technically should have been off today, but my function is such that we had to come in.  Therefore, I look forward to another day where I can stay home and quilt, quilt, quilt.  Or run errands.  Or clean the house.  Or get that mammogram that I’m overdue for.

Well, anyway…  since today is President’s Day, I thought it was fitting that I show you my completed Stars and Stripes quilt!  My MIL visited this past weekend, and early in the morning on Sunday, I stitched down the binding and handed it to her as a belated birthday/Christmas/Valentine’s Day gift.  She seemed happy to receive.  Here are the two quick snapshots I got before the quilt drove off into the sunrise (it was still pretty early when she left):

 

Stars and Stripes Finished

And my cutie patootie holding up the corner to show off the back and binding:

Stars Quilts with Oliver

Stars and Stripes pattern by Mark Lipinski, found in Fons & Porter magazine, Fall 2012.  All the fabric is the Hurrah collection by Jo Morton.  Started in October 2012, finished on Sunday, Feb 17, 2013.  Machine quilted by LiMa Sews.  You can see a couple more pictures which better highlight the quilt design from her blog.  Please visit here.  She did a really great job and I will certainly use her services again.  It is so great to get a quilt actually completed and in use.

If I were to keep count, this would probably be my fifth completed bed quilt.  I have made a crib quilt, one wall hanging, one bed runner, one quilted shawl, and two table toppers as well.  (Four out of six of those I have given to my mother.  Why is that?  Because she is so hard to buy for!!  But no bed size quilt yet!)  I have five bed quilt flimsy tops that are ready to be sent off or done on my small home machine.  Lots of WIP though!  I should probably gather a picture of each and catalog them on the site somewhere.  Someday.

Also, today is REHAB!  I pushed myself last night and this morning to finish another block in the Blogger Girl’s BOM.  Two goals with one block!  I have to make the alternate block still, but this one was a little tricky for me.  Will do better on the second block to keep those points from getting cut off in the future sashing.

BG Block 2 Done

One of the steps in this block left me with the perfect triangles to run through my machine and end up with four 3 1/2″ HSTs…

BG Block 2 Leftovers

I’ll keep them with my French General stash, for when I come across a good use for them.

Hope you had a very productive weekend, or at least fun and relaxing.  Thanks for stopping by today!

Jennifer

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Feb14

Nothing new to report on my own progress since the last post.  But, wanted to wish anyone following my blog a Happy Valentine’s Day!  I’m about to take myself out to lunch – perhaps some Shrimp Alfredo!  Yummm!!

For a beautiful inspiration though, please visit these blogs to see a spectacular quilt that will get you in the RED mood, if you aren’t already…

Cupcakes ‘n Daisies

Sister’s Choice Quilts

The Quilted Pineapple

I’m officially adding a Basket Block quilt to my bucket list!

Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by!

Jennifer

Some weeks are better than others

Feb7

Well, !@#$@!.  I really, really wanted to get my blocks together for the quilt top on the Avalon jelly roll project.  But, as it happens, I haven’t had a chance this week to sew for more than 15 minutes at a time.  Some days, the most progress I could muster is pressing newly attached strips on perhaps 10 blocks.  That’s it.  Like 5 minutes or less.

I’m soooo close too!  I just have to attach the last strip to my 36 blocks and then cut the setting triangles and I can start my assembly. 

As soon as I have that done, I have my eye to jump in on the STARBURST sew along hosted by Happy Quilting.  I ordered a fat 8th of Posy fabric by Aneela Hooey for Moda fabrics (along with four Bella solids that FQS pairs up with collection), and I think it will be adorable!!  The bottom fabric swatch is what I will use for the background.  CUTE! 

 

 

I also want to ‘whip up’ a little item from Sinta Borland’s (of Pink Pincushion) fabric grouping that Fat Quarter Shop is featuring this month as a Blogger’s Choice.  Aren’t these fabrics together great?  More on that later though when I actually get started on it…

Hope you are able to squeeze more time into sewing this week than I am!

Thanks for stopping by!

Jennifer

BOM Rehab – Feb 4th

Feb4

I worked on many items this weekend, but I just have a short amount of time today for blogging, so I’ll link up to Sinta’s BOM Rehab and show off my completed TREE #1 from my Away From Home BOM.  I finished up the applique of the leaves last night during the Super Bowl.  Some I needle turned and some I did on the machine.  I like the eclectic mix of the result.  You can’t really tell with this picture, given it is too far away and I think a little fingerprint has been smudged on my camera lens…

AFH Tree 1 Finished

However, I’m going to take a break this week from applique and try to complete two other projects.

1 – I have machine stitched the binding to my MIL Stars and Stripes quilt.  I need to finish it by hand sewing it to the back and add a label.  MIL is visiting us in two weeks, so I have a definite deadline!  Pictures when I’m done!

2 – I have almost finished all the blocks for my jelly roll quilt with the Avalon fabric collection.  They look great!  I can’t help myself but to square up after each round of strips though.  Slows me down, but hopefully it is worth it when I go to put it all back together.  Cheater trick, I’m going to make my final two strips about a 1/4 inch larger (they are both in the background fabric) before I sew them on.  That way, if my blocks try to come up a little short anywhere, I have the extra fabric to keep them at an exact measurement.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!

Jennifer

I want to do what I want to do!

Jan29

My headline is a quote taken from my 6 year old son.  I can emphasize completely, but as we grow older, we learn to compromise on our desires and our obligations.  He hasn’t mastered this yet, and honestly isn’t really trying either.  But, who can blame him.  Life is short and then you die.  No really, I do parent better than that – but it is a good transition into my post for today!

I came across this blog entry yesterday that captured the essence wonderfully.  Take a read if you have a chance.  It is from a blog called Quilting Daze.  I was either laughing out loud or shaking my head in agreement while I read it.

http://quiltingdaze.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-quilt-police.html

So, this leads me to my activities for today.  I jumped at the chance to get a jelly roll and charm pack of the newest collection from Fig Tree Quilts called AVALON.  It won’t be in stores (and when I say stores, I generally mean The Fat Quarter Shop) until March 2013.  However, I usually find the precuts showing up on eBay well before then.  I didn’t want to just sit on my new treasure too long.  I really, really wanted to do a quick jelly roll quilt and see something produced from these fresh colors immediately.  Some instant gratification!

I looked online and through my patterns at home, and decided on a quilt setting from this book:

Jelly Roll Quilts Book

Got it at a great price during a Joann sale – 40% off this week!

I picked a flower block that is assembled much like a log cabin block from the book and started cutting and sewing…

Avalon Cuttings

Most of these strips are combined with a white/background square on one end and then trimmed corner to corner.  I recently watched a Fons & Porter Love of Quilting episode where they shared tips on stitching these little leftovers and made a little doll blanket out of them.  So I thought I would try to make use of my scrap corners too!

Scrap Recycling

Starting from the top right corner and moving clockwise… I had the strips sewn, trimmed the corners off, kept the fabric together and ran them through the machine, then pressed to the printed fabric and trimmed them down to 1 3/4 ” square.  Notice what my leftovers look like now.  Barely enough threads in that pile to even save for my stuffing bag.

A great tool I used for this was the Fit to be Quarter 2.5 ruler from Open Gate Quilts.  I got it with my purchase of another ruler from their site for the Blogger Girls BOM project.  It worked GREAT for this task.

Fit to be Quarter 2.5

Here is what I did with my little half square triangle units!

Avalon Pinwheels

Aren’t they ADORABLE?  They are 3″ square, unfinished.  And I LOVE this fabric – did I say that already?

Here is my initial block, which took a bit of a back seat to my pinwheel project – so I only have one made so far:

Avalon Block

These will be set on point and I will use all but 4 strips from my jelly roll and I had all but 1 yard of background fabric in my stash for it already.  I’m using Bella Porcelain solid as the background.

I’ll finish up today with a look at my design wall as of this morning.  I even added a couple more leaves to my AFH tree!

Design Wall 01-29-2013

I definitely did what I wanted to do for sure this past weekend.  I hope to continue that this week, because I’m loving my new project.  Also, can’t wait for the next block from the Blogger Girls BOM to be released on Friday!

Have a great week and thanks for stopping by!

Jennifer