Uncle Sam (Dresden Buddies)

So, I started making a few new shop samples for the store and I'm really having fun with them!  I'd like to introduce you to Uncle Sam from Susan Marth's (designer, Suzn Quilts) new-ish Dresden Buddies series:

Susan has a really fun way of making tiny and mini dresden plates and incorporating them in to all sorts of designs.  I've gotta say, I've never enjoyed a machine applique project so much!  

For the most part, my husband is very supportive of my quilting, but I think he's getting a bit too comfortable with his commentary.  This time he pointed out that Uncle Sam has no nose!  "Where's his nose?" was the first thing he said when I showed him the finished wallhanging.  Susan Marth's response to this, "Noses are ugly.  He's cute enough without one!"  Hehe!  I like that chick!

When it came time to quilt, I just added an allover pantograph, but the stars and waving striped suited Uncle Sam just fine!  I know many people do not like to quilt over their applique, but I don't mind one bit!  Let's face it, quilting is not my favorite part of the process.  So, by the time I get there, I'm just ready to be done and on to the next project!

Uncle Sam is awfully cute and I can't wait to have him back home, hanging on the wall, tormenting my husband :)

Uncle Sam

Pattern:  Dresden Buddies - Uncle Sam 

Designer:  Susan Marth (Suzn Quilts)

Size: 10x43"

Panto:  Star Spangled Allover (Jessica Schick)
Quilting Thread:  Fil-Tec Glide (linen)

Disclosure: I received supplies to make this project from Jackman's Fabrics in Fairview Heights, IL.  The quilt will be hung as a shop sample in their store to promote sale of both the pattern and fabric lines.  In exchange, the quilt will be returned to me and becomes my property at the end of the promotion.  They did not require me to write a positive review of any of the products.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Uncle Sam is my second completion from my 2018 Q1 FAL list!

For fun stuff happening today in the blog-o-sphere, check out the link-ups on my sidebar!

~ Heather

Tutti Frutti (for Mishayla)

Who's Mishayla?  I don't know...that's just the name of the quilt pattern!  I just labeled mine "Tutti Frutti!"  No matter......  How's this for a quick and easy quilt?

Just one layer cake, add some strip piecing and a border and I've got a cool ocean-y quilt!

 I quilted it with an edge to edge pantograph (details below) and attached the binding. 

Finished it off with a label (actually I stitched it to the backing before quilting this time).  

I do confess to having a little bit of trouble with some of the batik 10" square precuts.  They weren't very square (more parallelogram in shape).  It took a little finessing to make them work, but otherwise, this quilt was super simple and so much fun!

Tutti Frutti

Pattern (Book):  Tutti Frutti for Mishayla (Easy Weekend Quilts)

Size: 64.5x83.5"

Featured Fabric Line: Mystical (Tonga Batik for Timeless Treasures)

Quilting:  Dandy (Keryn Emmerson)

Quilting Thread:  Fil-Tec Glide (Wisteria)

Batting:  Quilter's Dream Orient

Disclosure: I received supplies to make this project from Jackman's Fabrics in Fairview Heights, IL.  The quilt will be hung as a shop sample in their store to promote sale of both the pattern and fabric lines.  In exchange, the quilt will be returned to me and becomes my property at the end of the promotion.  They did not require me to write a positive review of any of the products.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Tutti Frutti  is my first completion from my 2018 Q1 FAL list!

For fun stuff happening today in the blog-o-sphere, check out the link-ups on my sidebar!

~ Heather 

Fat Man Squeeze

Fat Man Squeeze was a quick, easy and fun jellyroll quilt.  The focus fabric is Bees'n'Blooms, but because jellyrolls don't always have enough light fabric included in the line for variation, I added a few extra strips of other Kansas Troubles and repro collections in similar tones.                   

 I love working with Kansas Troubles fabrics.  Most all of their collections include interchangeable colors that work together year after year, line after scrumptious line!

Have you ever noticed backing fabrics are so thin?  They even have a sheen sometimes.  The weave is really different from that quilting cottons we find on the 44/45" bolts for piecing.  Why is that?

i really enjoy picking out panto designs to quilt on each quilt. My machine is not computerized, so I tend to choose designs that do not overlap with relatively easy to follow lines.  I'm getting to the point where I only have 2 or 3 pantos that I haven't tried yet, so I guess it's time to order a few more.  Any favorites?

Once again, another finish from last year...this one was quilted and taken to Jackman's for display in April 2016 (and yes, I have it back now).  

Fat Man Squeeze

Designer:  Kathy Brown (Strip Smart Quilts)

Size: 44.25 x 55.5"

Featured Fabric Line: Bees'n'Blooms (Kansas Troubles for Moda)
Quilting:  Ambrosia (Hermione Agee)
Quilting Thread:  Fil-Tec Glide (Wheat)
Batting:  Legacy Wool

Disclosure: I received supplies to make this project from Jackman's Fabrics in Fairview Heights, IL.  The quilt will be hung as a shop sample in their store to promote sale of both the pattern and fabric lines.  In exchange, the quilt will be returned to me and becomes my property at the end of the promotion.  They did not require me to write a positive review of any of the products.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

For fun stuff happening today in the blog-o-sphere, check out the link-ups on my sidebar! <\br>

Quilting with Laura

Last Spring, Dennis, the Andover national sales representative visited Jackman's Fabrics and gave a presentation regarding their Little House on the Prairie fabric line.  The Andover presentation are so fun and informative - if you ever have a chance to sit in on one, do it!  Over the last few years, we were lucky enough to have 2 Downton Abbey presentations, as well as the Little House on the Prairie show.

I staked my claim on the fabrics early on, as soon as I knew they were being ordered for the shop, and I was asked to provide a few quilts for the presentation and display.  Along with Country Haven, Lunch Box Social, and the Carpenter's Star, I made this quilt, Quilting with Laura from all of the tiny leftover scraps.

I've had this book for many years (it was first published in 1999) and after seeing my friend Vicki's beautiful purple bed-sized version of the quilt, I had a renewed interest in making it.  I love scrappy quilts and I also love sampler quilts; this little doll quilt is the perfect combination of both!  It wasn't until I learned about Andover's licensing of the Little House on the Prairie images that I decided that, of course, now was the time!

The pattern book is a bit tough to follow.  There are pretty good directions for most of the blocks included in the quilt.  I did have to do quite a bit of math, though.  There was some simple counting to figure out how many of each block I would have to make, but again, that was the easy part.  When it came to piecing the whole top together, the author gives a primitive diagram that includes finished border sizes.  I spent many hours with blocks on the design wall figuring measurements for filler strips and block frames to make everything fit together nicely.  It was worth it - I finished the little quilt up with a little meander and I am so pleased with the outcome!

Quilting with Laura

Designer:  Linda Halpin (Simple Appeal)

Size: approx. 37x46

Featured Fabric Line: Little House on the Prairie (Andover)
Panto:  allover small meander
Quilting Thread:  Madeira AeroQuilt (8010 - White)

Disclosure: I received supplies to make this project from Jackman's Fabrics in Fairview Heights, IL.  The quilt will be hung as a shop sample in their store to promote sale of both the pattern and fabric lines.  In exchange, the quilt will be returned to me and becomes my property at the end of the promotion.  They did not require me to write a positive review of any of the products.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

For fun stuff happening today in the blog-o-sphere, check out the link-ups on my sidebar!

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Bohemian Rhapsody

I LOVE this quilt!  It just made me smile when I finally put those last stitches into the binding back in March 2016.  I know it's not to everyone's taste - and to be honest, I have gotten a lot of wishy-washy feedback, but BasicGrey (the creator's of this fabric line) has been a favorite design company of mine since I discovered them in scrapbooking!

This is Bohemian Rhapsody made with the Mon Ami fabric line.  The pattern comes from the Book Country Girl Modern by Jo & Kelli of Jo's Country Junction, a really fun farmy-quilty-family blog to read!

A really simple  construction technique made this quilt really fun to make!  It's a great design for medium to larger scale prints - they really pop!  For the label, I showcased a few of the BasicGrey fabrics and finished it up by quilting a big daisy pattern all over. 

Bohemian Rhapsody

Designer:  Jo Kramer  &Kelli Hankin (Country Girl Modern)

Size: 80x70"

Featured Fabric Line: Mon Ami by BasicGrey (Moda)
Panto:  all over daisy (panto borrowed from Debbie Wilson)
Quilting Thread:  Glide (Sea Green)

Disclosure: I received supplies to make this project from Jackman's Fabrics in Fairview Heights, IL.  The quilt will be hung as a shop sample in their store to promote sale of both the pattern and fabric lines.  In exchange, the quilt will be returned to me and becomes my property at the end of the promotion.  They did not require me to write a positive review of any of the products.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

For fun stuff happening today in the blog-o-sphere, check out the link-ups on my sidebar!

Vintage Cherries

Why is it so hard to sit down at the computer and post about all of these projects?  So, why do I blog?  I blog so that I have a record of details of my creative endeavors (quilts, scrapbooking and even some of the photography of our trips).  So why do I find it so difficult to just take an hour out of my day to commit to this?  Well, as usual, I'm going to try harder!  I guess we'll see....

Here's Vintage Cherries...a quick and simple Irish Chain made with the Marcus Brothers line of Red is the New Neutral.  I made this as a shop sample for Jackman's Fabrics last spring.

Aside from the chain, backing and binding, this quilt is made strictly from fat quarters!  All those little black chaining squares are cut to the same size, so I had to be a bit careful in lining them up to be sure seams were nice and matched where the little  squares come together to create the large squares.  Otherwise, the construction of Vintage Cherries is easy peasy!

The pattern was a fun to make.  I remember being so excited to sit down with these fun fabrics and make a traditional quilt with an updated look.  I finished it all up with a big cheerful sharp-pointed feathery pantograph in a thread matching all those reds to pull it all together.

Vintage Cherries

Designer:  Jeanne Large & Shelley Wicks (Fat Quarters)

Size: 61x73"

Featured Fabric Line: Red is the New Neutral (Marcus Brothers)
Panto:  Dusty Miller Grande (Patricia Ritter)
Quilting Thread:  Glide (Candy Apple)

Disclosure: I received supplies to make this project from Jackman's Fabrics in Fairview Heights, IL.  The quilt will be hung as a shop sample in their store to promote sale of both the pattern and fabric lines.  In exchange, the quilt will be returned to me and becomes my property at the end of the promotion.  They did not require me to write a positive review of any of the products.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”For fun stuff happening today in the blog-o-sphere, check out the link-ups on my sidebar!

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Country Haven

It's been so long since I've posted any finishes, that I've got many to share.  Today, I thought I'd start with Country Haven, a quilt I finished using the Little House on the Prairie line of fabric from Andover.

Somehow, I cannot find a photo of the entire quilt - it's already out for display at Jackman's Fabrics.  The weather must have been terrible if I don't have a picture of a quilt outside on the line, but you get the idea.

One of the best things about Country Haven is the corner treatment - nothing to match up...just end the bias vine with a nice big strip block.  And, I actually really loved doing this appliqué!  Jackman's really pushes me to expand my education by learning new techniques for display, and appliqué is one of those things that I generally shy away from!  On this quilt I used a stitch and turn technique using a thin double sided fusible webbing.  I also got to use bias bars for the first time - so fun and easy!

The pattern was a fun take on a Irish chain pieced log cabin style - so cool!  I finished it all up with a big cheerful feather pantograph in a thread matching the green border to pull it all together.

Country Haven

Designer:  Kim Diehl (Simple Appeal)

Size: 76x76"

Featured Fabric Line: Little House on the Prairie (Andover)
Panto:  Bountiful Feathers (Hermione Agee)
Quilting Thread:  Glide (Key Lime)

Disclosure: I received supplies to make this project from Jackman's Fabrics in Fairview Heights, IL.  The quilt will be hung as a shop sample in their store to promote sale of both the pattern and fabric lines.  In exchange, the quilt will be returned to me and becomes my property at the end of the promotion.  They did not require me to write a positive review of any of the products.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

For fun stuff happening today in the blog-o-sphere, check out the link-ups on my sidebar!

Great Granny Squared

It's been quite dreary here in Illinois, with all the rainy weather and flooding all around the St. Louis Metro area.  You can see how green and high the pond is looking from all the water.  It's at the overflow stage (but the overflow valve is doing it's job and emptying the excess back into the creek) so we've had no flooding issues here at home.

And since it's so dreary, I thought it might be a good time to show off some Downton Abbey prints (I always think of the English weather as a bit dreary - I know the Dutch weather often was)!  This is the Great Granny Quilt. a pattern by Lori Holt...

...and of course the cute not-so-little label that goes on the back.  In fact, the pattern for this label makes it the size of a FQ (18x22)!  It's pieces with leftovers from the quilt front and then there's lots of cute hand embroidery to label everything and make it absolutely adorable (you're gonna wanna enlarge it to see...so sweet)!

The Great Granny Quilt is all finished off with an English rose inspired pantograph and scrappy binding strips!  Love, love!!!

Great Granny Squared

Pattern:  Great Granny Quilt

Designer:  Lori Holt

Size: 72x85 1/2"

Featured Fabric Line: Downton Abbey (Andover)
Panto:  Rose Vine (Simple Quilting Stitches)
Quilting Thread:  Glide (Cool Grey)

Disclosure: I received supplies to make this project from Jackman's Fabrics in Fairview Heights, IL.  The quilt will be hung as a shop sample in their store to promote sale of both the pattern and fabric lines.  In exchange, the quilt will be returned to me and becomes my property at the end of the promotion.  They did not require me to write a positive review of any of the products.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

For fun stuff happening today in the blog-o-sphere, check out the link-ups on my sidebar!

Sunflower Song Duo

Busy days lately, but I thought it's about time I begin sharing some of the projects I've been finishing up over the last few months!  Today, these are a couple of small wall hangings I made for display at Jackman's Fabrics...

This is Sunflower Trio and the details are all below.  The ladies at the store really challenged me with this one as applique is not really in my repertoire, but I followed the directions (step-by-step exactly) for the raw edge applique and it seemed to work...well!  I really worried that I couldn't make a display worthy quilt, but I've pleased to say "I did it!"

Pattern:  Sunflower Trio

Designer:  Lynne Hagmeier (Kansas Troubles Quilters)

Size: 34x38"
Featured Fabric Line: Sunflower Song (Kansas Troubles)
Quilt Panto:  Flirtatious LG by Irene Steele

Quilting Thread:  Star Multi-Color

This one is Rising Sun, another applique project I was hesitant to take on for store display.  {Doesn't our pond look so pretty this time of year???}  Again, I followed the pattern directions and was able to accomplish a pretty decent hand turned applique.  My only regret is that my "V-points" aren't great, but I'll research a bit more about tackling them and hopefully do better next time.  Yes, I'm even willing to try again!  I found it really interesting to learn two different applique techniques on these two separate projects...another technique tried!  

Pattern:  Rising Sun

Designer:  Barabara Cherniwchan (Coach House Designs)

Size: 16x52"

Featured Fabric Line: Sunflower Song (Kansas Troubles)
Quilting:  freehand echo
Quilting Thread:  Aurifil Mako NE 50/2

Disclosure: I received supplies to make this project from Jackman's Fabrics in Fairview Heights, IL.  The quilt will be hung as a shop sample in their store to promote sale of both the pattern and fabric lines,  In exchange, the quilt will be returned to me at the end of the promotion.  They did not require me to write a positive review of any of the products.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

For fun stuff happening today in the blog-o-sphere, check out the link-ups on my sidebar!

Carpenter's Star

Last month, I was approached by the managers of Jackman's Fabrics in Fairview Heights, IL, asked if I would be willing to help them out by making some shop samples.  I was flattered and after discussing all of the details, I agreed to make one on a trial basis.  They even took notes on my preferences of design and fabrics!!!!

A week later, I got a call asking if I would be interested in making a Carpenter's Star.  Sure, why not?  I hadn't made one before and it sounded like a fun project!  And it was!  No "Y" seams...all half square triangle construction...fabulous!  I only veered from the pattern once and that was to miter the corners of the large outer border.  For this particular fabric, it just worked better than the straight set seams.

I was a bit nervous about quilting this one (what with it being for display in a large quilt shop and all).  With so much "white space," this would be a great candidate for a custom quilt job and feathering, but...I'm not a custom quilter - yet.  So, I went with a gorgeous floraly paisley panto that I thought really complimented the feature fabric!  Check the quilt stats below for more information.  I sure hope Jackman's is pleased with my work --- I guess they could always refuse to hang it and never invite me to make anything for them again!  Time will tell; we'll see....

Pattern:  Carpenter's Star ~ Bali Sky & Queen Size
Designer:  Debbie Maddy (Calico Carriage Quilt Designs)
Size: Lap Quilt 70x70"
Featured Fabric Line: andover by Margo Krager (Andover Fabrics)
Supporting Fabrics:  Downton Abbey (Andover Fabrics), Paula Barnes (Marcus Fabrics) Ladies' Album by Barbara Brackman (Moda)
Backing Fabric:  Clara's Garden by Kansas Troubles Quilters (Moda)
Quilt Panto:  Paisley Playtime by Hermione Agee
Quilting Thread:  Madeira AeroQuilt

Disclosure: I received supplies to make this project from Jackman's Fabrics in Fairview Heights, IL.  The quilt will be hung as a shop sample in their store to promote sale of both the pattern and fabric lines,  In exchange, the quilt will be returned to me at the end of the promotion.  They did not require me to write a positive review of any of the products.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”