Penny Candy pattern

It was one of my goals, and hooray -- the pattern is ready!

It's available for instant download here...

It's a happy and fun little quilt to piece.  The pieces go together like a little puzzle, and many of the sections are easy to strip or chain piece.  I need to get some new pictures of it, but here it was before I added borders.  (I used Vintage Modern by Bonnie & Camille for moda fabrics, with Bella Porcelain and Scarlet).

I have a baby size almost done too using some of these fabrics: (also chose these as a nod to the inspiration)

The pattern is jelly roll or layer cake friendly, and includes full color diagrams and illustrations (some of them made by the fabulous Ali at asquaredw), with directions for the full size or baby size.  Fabric requirements are on the back cover... OK, here's a picture of the back cover.  

You can see the pattern done up in Marmalade by Bonnie & Camille as well as AppleJack by Tim & Beck (both for moda fabrics) there at the top of the back cover (that is the baby size).

If you want to try to win a copy, leave a comment about your favorite kind of candy... wait... that's a bad idea if I'm trying to not eat sugar... leave a comment about a favorite summertime bit of sentiment or nostalgia! :)

I'm still trying to decide if I'm going to brave quilting this myself, or send it somewhere... maybe you could give me advice too.  Either way -- I am excited to show you pictures of it all done!  This one will be going in to Scarlet's hope chest I'm sure. :)

colorful

The cotton couture by Michael Miller are my favorite solids.

I hope this picture captures why. :)  And if you could touch 'em, it would make even more sense.
drape, hand, color... they've got it all. ;)

(some are from Michael Miller for a new project; some are from fabric.com when they were on sale -- if you go to fabric.com, use a coupon code and shop through big crumbs -- tell 'em traceyjay sent you! -- they were only $4.77/yd that way)

P.S.
I'd write a whole post about solids, but Corey has already done a great job on it!  If you're curious about the other solid options, she summed up how I feel pretty well. :)

P.P.S. Penny Candy quilt pattern is ready for purchase!  (more on that soon)

WIP Wednesday - for a new baby

Oh yea, I have a gazillion different projects going on... all the time.  This is nothing new for me, nor is it anything I'm terribly uncomfortable with (obviously).

But *this* is why I quilt.

A friend of mine just had her baby a couple days ago.  They were keeping the name a secret until she was born (healthy, complication free delivery! yea for mama and baby!)... when I saw the announcement, I don't know...

Something about her name.*

I wasn't planning on making her a quilt, but with a name like Jubilee??? I had to.  (Besides, her mama is pretty great)

I printed out enough letters from Kelly's Wonky Alphabet pattern (OK, so I might have had to reprint a few of them a couple times -- I'm still not great with paper piecing)

And voila.

I've been wanting to use this color combo forever.  New baby = perfect excuse. :)

I can't wait to get it all cut and sewn together!  ♥

The end of July is quickly approaching us!  I've got some goals to finish before it sneaks away completely!

(And I really did have every good intention of not starting another quilt until that one was finished... but alas... babies come first around here) ;)

*I don't remember all the specifics from when I studied it back in college, but the year of Jubilee, Biblically, is a time of renewal, freedom and celebration.  Makes me especially proud of that first "e" in her name, and all the significant words. :)

Linking to Lee's!  

better late...

...than never!

I pulled out my Chubby Stars this weekend, and got a few blocks made!

I've changed my original plan (since I have a quilt for my bed now, and the chain/X blocks are SO tedious to make), and it should be done soon!  It'll look great on the couch too. :)

My motivation --
Next month I'll be starting a new quilt along, and it was just shameful to not have the other one done. :)

Here's a peek...
It was inspired by this little quilt, but I sized up the blocks.  (I'll have instructions for both the small and larger blocks).
Now I just have to wait until Julie @ Intrepid Thread gets her Out to Sea in... This block is MUCH simpler than the Chubby Stars, and I'm so excited to make -- and donate -- this quilt!

Details coming soon...

a hunky dory baby...

I finished a little quilt.



This is the second half of a trade I did with a local photographer (she also got my "if it's a boy" quilt).  Inspired by Kelly, and the quilts she makes for her photography friend, (I'd link you to her pinterest board but I can't see anything on pinterest right now???), I thought another photographer might want to use quilts as props, and happily, Nicole was interested! :)

Kelly had a picture of this little quilt done in Hunky Dory, that Nicole saw a picture of and really liked.  But much to my chagrin, I do not have a Hunky Dory stash, and just had some leftover wonky nine-patch blocks from when I made this quilt.

Normally I would sash wonky nine-patch blocks, but Kelly advised me that for photos, keeping it as one solid background is best.  I used a Bella pale pink for the border, as white is often too harsh.  The corner blocks are just some coordinating kona solids -- and I think those two blocks might be my favorite in the quilt.  I love the juxtaposition of the ordered solids, and the wonky, somewhat chaotic prints.

AND -- when I tested the quilt with my less than mediocre photography/photoshop skills, and my very adorable daughter, it turned out beautifully.

♥

and *phew*

I decided to quilt in cross-hatch because I love the look of cross-hatch, and I thought it would be a nice contrast to the wonkiness of the blocks.  I especially like how it looks in the border.

Because I wanted the quilt to be reversible for Nicole, I found a pretty Hunky Dory print on ebay, and used it as the backing.  

I think it looks so soft and fresh and pretty!  

I got to see a sneak peek of the family pictures that we got in exchange for the quilts -- I love them!

And I CAN'T WAIT to see what Nicole does with these little quilts, and all the sweet babies who will borrow them. :)

July's Just Three (with bribery!)

I am SO happy to say that spray season is almost over!
It is huge reason to celebrate... because even though it's only a month, it's a month that the hubs' alarm goes off at 4 am, and he doesn't get home until 8, 9, or even 10 at night!  Every day!  I'm so proud of him, but am VERY GLAD they only have a couple more fields to get, and that he spent the last couple days at home with us.  I really do love that guy...

BUT - why I'm here.  It's time to report July's "Just Three."

If you're new, here's how it works --
1) Pick three quilty-type goals for the month.  OF COURSE you can do more than three things, and there is no gestapo to come check in on you if you decide to alter your course, it's really just meant to be fun, and maybe give a little direction/report.

2) Blog about it!  Reflect and report on the previous month, and then set course with what's coming.

3) Come link up during the first week of the month. :)



This month -- if you link up, you'll be entered to win this custom charm bundle, of 50 charm squares, lovingly cut from my stash, and used in my "Glassy" quilt (that will one day be going in Scarlet's nursery that is very much still in progress).

(If you don't have a blog, leave a comment telling your three goals -- if you do have a blog, link up!)

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So here's my report:

Last month's goals were: 

1) Quilt those three quilts I basted.  (I am tempted to leave my goal at this honestly... but I will go on). 

- I got the baby triangles partly quilted, the Sophie Chenille finished, and the baby Hunky Dory finished!

2) Make window coverings for my baby's new rooms (I'm thinking ruffles for Scarlet, and colorblock for Steiger).

I ordered the fabric for Steiger's, and decided on patchwork for Scarlet's.  I got all the panels pieced, and one of them lined (still need to hem).  I really like them, and they make a great photo backdrop for my little cupie doll as well. :)

3) Work on, or don't work on whatever best helps my sanity.  This is our busiest month of the year -- even busier than planting -- and if I get through without a complete meltdown, I will be proud proud proud.  I'm a Mom first... and will be working to show my babes how much I adore them.  (And make sure my husband is fed... but I won't really be seeing much of him, so I'll adore him next month). ;)

I did all right on this one... I worked on some fun projects, and sent the boy to his Grandma's when I started to feel like I was losing it.  And now we're almost done!  I can see the end! (and want a vacation). ;)

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July's goals!

1) Get Penny Candy done! 

It's absurd how long this is taking... but with the time of the year it is, and my previous goal #3 above there in place well... it just hasn't been at the top of the priority list.  My favorite quilter also just had a baby, but I don't know if I want to quilt it myself... it's kind of big!  Those are my excuses, but NO MORE I say!  Time to finish!

2) Finish curtains for kiddos' rooms, and a couple other pretty little projects.  I'm trying to choose prints... Steiger is easy, but Scarlet's a little trickier.  I'm having trouble deciding.  

(Links are, clockwise from left- Meant to Be, LOVE, cherry tree flowers, Believed, and Peony)

3) Make something amazing...

Like my Glassy quilt, or Pickledish, or the new design I've been working on...

OK -- Link up, and enter to win that charm pack!  I'll pick a winner after the linky party closes in a week. :)

I'm linking to Lee's!