soul blossoms.

I have a 6.5" square pack of Amy Butler Soul Blossoms that I got here that I've been hoarding and saving for the perfect project.  At first I was going to use it for the FWQAL, but I decided to go another route.  So I was still in search of the perfect project for this lovely fabric...

Then I came upon this tutorial and knew right away what I wanted to do.

So yesterday I whipped up these blocks:










I still can't decide if I want to piece the blocks with our without sashing.  The blocks are only 8" square (smaller than the tutorial, but I wanted to get as many blocks out of my fabric as possible).  I think the quilt may be too small without sashing.  We'll see.  Loving it so far, and it's incorporating a bunch of other prints from my stash, so I'm making a dent!

Looking forward to seeing how this pans out over the next few weeks.

robert kaufman charm pack challenge.

The new Baltimore chapter of the Modern Quilt Guild participated in the Robert Kaufman Charm Pack Challenge.  We received Kona charm packs in the classic colorway and were charged with making a quilt that used a bit of each color in the pack, no patterned fabric, and a technique we haven't tried before.

Here's my quilt:



I had a hard time working without patterns, but I think I'm happy with the result.  It reminds me of little framed works of art.



Here's the back:



Working without a pattern at all was my new technique.  Looking back, I probably would have spaced the log cabins a bit closer together, but ah, well....it's done!

You can view the other MQG challenge quilts here.

Our next challenge is hosted by Jay McCarroll, featuring Free Spirit Habitat.  I already have the fabric in my possession (the jewel tones colorway) and played a bit with it today.  Will share soon!

more farmer's wife blocks.

So, we were supposed to be making 2 a week, but I'm not sure I'm following directions properly, lol.  I'm just kind of making them as I feel like it.  Here are the next four:

Block 7 - Birds in the Air



I'm not 100% happy with this one - some of my triangles are wonky.  I love wonky, but I think it looks kind of funny.  For right now it's staying as-is, but I may redo this one in the future.

Block 8 - Bouquet



Block 9 - Box



LOVE this one.

Block 10 - Bowtie



All in all, I'm very happy with the way this is coming out!

You can see more of the FWQAL block by checking out the flickr group here.

florida adventures.

We took a trip down to Daytona Beach to visit my parents this past week...just a nice low-key trip.

Though we did get in a trip to Universal Studios to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter...

And a mini-golf adventure...

But mostly it was hanging around with Grandma and Grandpa, going in the pool, and relaxing.  We all needed the break.

But it's nice to be back in my sewing room, too. ;)

Some WIP pics to come - I'm excited about my next project!

farmer's wife quilt along.

My first quilt along!

I saw a few of these blocks scattered here and there on blogs, became intrigued, and purchased the book:

Normally I wouldn't give a traditional book such as this a second glance, but the blocks I saw made with modern fabrics and bright colors completely changed my mind!  I joined the Farmer's Wife Quilt Along Flickr group and got to work.

I decided to use this as a scrap-buster, doing monochromatic blocks in various colors and including a black/white print in each to unify it.  So far, I'm very happy with the blocks I've completed.

Block 1 - Attic Windows

Block 2 - Autumn Tints

Block 3 - Basket

Block 4 - Basket Weave

Block 5 - Bat Wing

Block 6 - Big Dipper

And here they all are together...

A very addicting project!  Anyone else want to play?

graduation quilt.

I had a pretty special student this year.  she was smart, funny, a bit sarcastic like me, and really loved being in my classes.  I taught her in both my upperclassman electives and was her senior thesis coach.  Rarely does a student touch my heart as she did.

So, for graduation, I finished this quilt up for her:

It's Elizabeth Hartman's free Birthday Cake Quilt pattern made with the Tula Pink Prince Charming designer bundle from The Fat Quarter Shop.

She loved it.  It was her favorite colors.  And now she'll have something to take to college with her to remind her of her senior year. :)

garden :: week 10 :: june 6.

Wow.  Awesomeness.

And our first real harvest...

I left the broccoli a little too long, but it was good nonetheless.  So proud of this.

table runner complete.

I absolutely adore how this came out.

I used this bundle from Fabricworm, which happened to be the perfect colors for my dining room!

The quilting is simple.  I'm still scared to death of free-motion quilting, so I just did some straight diagonal lines.  I think it was perfect for this design.

Success!

in progress

I've been working on a few things over the past two weeks.  Monday (Memorial Day) was kind of a crafty-ADD day for me.  I hopped from project to project for an hour at a time.

I worked on my mug rug for a swap on flickr.  It's finished now, but I'm waiting a bit before I post the pictures.  Here's the sneak I posted to my pal:

Cuteness, huh?  I hope she likes it.  I've been cyber-stalking her on flickr and her stuff is way more polished than mine.  I hope she's kind when she receives my package.

I also worked on this for a bit...

Not sure what this is going to be...another mug rug, perhaps?

I spent some time working on a table runner for our dining room with this bundle as well.  It's nearly done and I will hopefully have some pictures soon.

I joined up to receive the Designer Select Fat Quarter Club and received my first kit last week.  It's Tula Pink Prince Charming and I love it!  I'm trying to decide what to do with it and am debating this pattern by Elizabeth Hartman.  Or maybe this one by Jaybird Quilts.

I'll keep you posted.

strawberries.

We went strawberry picking at Butler's Orchard this past weekend.  Hubby and I in our mid-30s and this was the first time for both of us!

And for the boy as well...

And look what I found at the market...

Rhubarb!  So cool!  I can't harvest ours until next year, but I've been itching to make strawberry rhubarb pie.  So we grabbed some and tried it out...

Oh. My. Gosh.  It was SO good.  This will definitely become a springtime tradition in our household!