Nine-patch curves from Quilter's Mixology

I am lucky enough to be friends with the lovely Angela at Cut to Pieces, and knew instantly I wanted to make the Nine Patch Curves quilt from her A Quilter's Mixology: Shaking Up Curved Piecing

Another dear friend of mine got married this past September, but harvest and a new job and a family tragedy impeded my actually getting there. The next best thing I could do was make a quilt. 

I got to give it to her and her new hubby over Thanksgiving break. 

I think they loved it. :)

And it was good to give my dear friend something so special.

My color palette was inspired by her bedding set, and I quilted it in a basic all over stipple. 

I added a row to make the quilt a little bigger from the pattern in the book, and had some acrylic templates made to make the cutting more enjoyable for me (I really like having templates for cutting).

Here it is before I finished (with my people helping to hold it up).

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As far as Angela's book.

I highly recommend it. Her patterns are unique, fun, graphic, pretty, and totally doable. 

Leaded Glass - BQF entry

Welcome to the Bloggers' Quilt Festival! 

This is my entry for the year -- my "Leaded Glass" quilt



The design was about 3 years in the making, inspired by its namesake of a cool window I wanted to re-create in fabric, and is featured in this month's issue of American Quilter Magazine (on newsstands now!)



The quilt measures 72" square, and is machine quilted by Natalia Bonner from Piece and Quilt. She did amazing feathers, and pebbles, and cool cathedral shaped petals in the centers. And swirls... I just love it.

You can see more of the quilting in this angle.



This quilt uses a combination of basic piecing and paper piecing, in order to ensure those "grout" lines line up just perfectly, and other than carefully planning your color placement (if you don't want to go scrappy), is actually not a hard quilt to make.

Julie from Intrepid Thread has the kit for sale using the True Colors fabrics featured here! (and she had a coupon code for 10% off the kit + whatever else you buy with code TJLG10 --> only works with the kit too though!)

Thank you for visiting! (You can find me in the ROYGBIV quilts!)

Midwest Family Life giveaway

Giveaway now closed!
Winner -- Mary on Lake Pulaski. :)

 As a mama who tries to work from home, I like to support others who do as well!

Meet Midwest Family Life!

I met Erika through blogland, and a few months ago (yes, it's been that long!) She asked if I would host a giveaway for her. She sent Scarlet this adorable hat and purse as a thank you, and is offering a $20 shop credit to a winner here!

Scarlet really likes her little purse, and often fills it with her babies, or princesses or jewelry.

Initially she wouldn't let me take a picture of her with her bonnet, but she finally did! :) 

To enter:

- Go to Midwest Family Life etsy shop and pick what you'd like if you win! There are GREAT baby shower gifts in there if you don't have littles at home. Leave a comment.

- For a second entry, Like Midwest Family life on Facebook. Leave a comment and let me know.

Winner picked Saturday. :)

So Pretty Christmas Star

I'm back with my Christmas in July tutorial with Sew Lux Fabric!

Chrissy has set up a series of tutorials this week, including a link up, coupon code, and prizes at the end! :)

I was working with the 25th and Pine line from Basic Grey. I plan to turn this block in to a table topper, but for now, here is my So Pretty Christmas block!



The pattern will be available for free on Craftsy for a limited time, and then I'll turn it in to a full-fledged block pattern with multiple sizes.

...when I finish this one in progress.

The pattern is compatible with a charm pack, a little background, and some larger scraps (5" x 6 1/2" is the largest size needed -- info is in the pattern).

The pattern includes the paper piecing templates, directions, and a coloring page!

(it does not include a full paper piecing tutorial...)



Enjoy! ♥

Source: So Pretty Star via traceyjay on Craftsy

wip Wednesday - Pretty star

I need a name for this block pattern I'm working on for the SewLux Christmas tutorials with SewLuxFabric.

It will be up tomorrow morning... right now, the top contender is "Pretty Star." :)

I had a different plan, but this felt more inspired. 

I do not love paper piecing, so I needed to test the pattern to write it up, and figure out the cutting sizes, etc. 

I had this pretty stack I was really anxious to use...

Gah! See??? Pretty star. :)

It took me 3 quadrants to get measurements I was happy with, so I would only need to cut once. :)

Now to stitch it up in this pile! See you tomorrow morning! :)

Christmas in July

I'm happy to announce I'll be participating in a little Christmas in July sew along with Sew Lux Fabric.

I will be working with this beautiful bundle of 25th and Pine

And here is my inspiration for my tutorial! Won't this make the cutest Christmas pillow?

Here's a little more info!

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While the holidays arrive at the same time each and every year, it never fails that they seem to sneak up on so many of us.  Our goal with this series is to help you get a jump on your holiday sewing by sharing tutorials as well as providing an opportunity to link up your projects and win some great prizes !  Like last year, we've enlisted the help of some friends who will be working with one of six different Christmas in July bundles and preparing a fun holiday tutorial for the series.

With bundles from designers like Kate Spain, Basic Grey, Gina Martin and more there's something for everyone!   And this week you can save 10% on all of our featured Christmas in July Bundles with coupon code NICELIST.  Offer ends 7/13/14.

Here's our Schedule of Events for the Series:

• July 7th - Series Announcement & Bundle Sale
• July 14th - Solstice Wreath Mini Tutorial (See that cute wreath in our series button image? We'll show you how to make it here on the Sew Lux Blog!)
• July 21st - Sewing with Winter Wonderland - Lee of May Chappell
• July 22nd - Sewing with Be Jolly - Chrissy of Sew Lux
• July 23rd - Sewing the Folk Art Holiday - Sarah of Stitching & Bacon AND Megan of Quilt Story
• July 24th - Sewing with 25th & Pine - Tessa of The Sewing Chick AND Tracey of traceyjay quilts
• July 25th - Sewing with Solstice - Christen of Love by Hand AND Stephanie of Quarter Incher
• July 21-August 4th - Linky open to link up your projects
• August 5th - Winner Announced

Sew with Us!

To encourage you all to also get a start on your holiday sewing, we're offering up some prizes!  All you have to do is make a project using one of the tutorials from the series and link it up by August 4th!  You can use a bundle or fabric from your stash - it only has to use one of our 9 tutorials from this series!

Prizes

There will be two winners chosen at random and announced on August 5th. International friends are welcome to participate - your prize will be included with your shipment upon redeeming your gift certificate.

• Grand Prize: $50 gift certificate to Sew Lux Fabric, a set of 6 You're Sew Nice cards, and an assortment of three patterns by May Chappell
• 1st Prize: $25 gift certificate to Sew Lux Fabric, a set of 6 You're Sew Nice cards, and a pattern by May Chappell

Who's excited?!

Happy Sewing! :-)

Cotton + Steel 10" square swap sign-up!

All Full!
If you filled out the form, you are in (as long as you buy your fabric and pay shipping & handling). :)

It is time to sign up for the Cotton + Steel swap! 
(Note: Just filling out your form doesn't guarantee anything - I will be in contact to finalize things, and I'll close form when we're full)

This is your registration link here.

How the swap works:

1) Fill out your registration form. I will close it when slots are filled.

2) Buy your fabric from our sponsoring shop, Intrepid Thread. (you are not buying a specific print -- all prints will be covered from her. To participate in this swap, you must pre-order through Intrepid Thread)

*I will provide Julie with a shipping list; only people who are registered for the swap will receive fabric from this listing.

3) Send your shipping & handling payment.

4) US people: Get your fabric and cut it and send it back to Tracey Jacobsen (address will be provided of course).

5) Int'l people: Wait patiently and smile.

6) Receive your Cotton + Steel layer cake!


Terms of this swap:
EVERYONE:
- Pre-order 5 yards of a single Cotton + Steel quilting cotton print from our sponsoring shop Intrepid Thread. Her price (link below) includes a 10% discount and shipping in the price. She is reserving 5 yards of each print so that all of them will be covered. I will try to give you one of your top 3 picks, but it might not happen -- first come, first served!

US participants:
Cut your fabric in to 68 squares, 10" x 10". Mail them to Tracey within 2 weeks of receiving them (dates will be announced when the shipment comes in). Pay Tracey $12 shipping & handling through paypal, check, or cash. You will not receive any fabric back until shipping & handling have been paid. Shipping will be via priority flat-rate padded envelope.

Canadians:
Pre-order your fabric and it will be shipped to Tracey Jacobsen to cut. Pay Tracey $30.00 for cutting + shipping & handling back to you via Priority flat-rate padded envelope.

Other International friends:
Pre-order your fabric and have it shipped to Tracey Jacobsen to cut. Pay Tracey $33.00 to cover cutting + shipping & handling back to you via Priority flat-rate padded envelope.

Everyone promises to play nice and keep in communication with Tracey if there is a need to. You also promise not to post anything rude about traceyjay quilts or Intrepid Thread if there is an issue, but let them know and trust that we will work it out together.

Disclaimer from traceyjay: My home is smoke-free; however, I do have one dog. I will vacuum before I sort all the piles, but be aware that a stray hair may find its way to you. My plan is to have everything shipped back to you within 1-2 weeks of receiving all the fabric. In order to maintain consistency, I will not do any sorting until I have received all 68 prints, and plan to make all the piles in one sitting.

To summarize:
You must order through Intrepid Thread for this swap.

You can send the money to me through paypal via the "send money" link.

I will post here when we reach 68 people!

I hope I've covered everything! :)

- Tracey

Gauging interest?

*ATTENTION -- SIGN-UPS ARE HERE ON JULY 2 AT 9 AM PST!*

I am considering organizing a 10" square swap of all the Cotton + Steel prints, and gauging interest ahead of time. It would involve the quilting cottons only from the designers' individual collections, which you can see here. 

Comment below if you're interested, and more details will follow if it looks like we can get 68 people to play along!!! :)

what am I thinking??? Not sure... ;)

A little giveaway

*Giveaway now closed - Barbara Woods was the winner*

I am hosting a little giveaway on Instagram, but will share here in case, like I wasn't for a long time, you're not there. 

You can enter for the Grand Prize on Instagram, or comment here with your favorite pattern and which essential oil sample you'd like to try!

Find the patterns here, and a list of the oils to try here! (Frank and PanAway not eligible for the sample). 

Thank you all for the support! ♥

Easy, lacto-fermented pickles

About a year ago or so I learned about fermenting veggies, and as requested, here's my little blog post on how I do pickles. 

Supplies:
- mason jar
- fresh cucumbers (I picked these last night)

- real salt (NOT iodized - I use the himalayan pink salt from Costco)
- pickling spices, herbs, garlic, etc.
- NOT chlorinated water (we have well water, so I use from the tap)
- optional: starter (will explain in a bit)
- optional: airlock type lid (I use this Perfect Pickler)

- optional: tea leaves or grape leaves (for their tannins; my pickling spice has bay leaves in it, so that works for me)

1) Fill your jar with cucumbers and herbs and spices. (My jar is usually stuffed full - it's OK to pack those cucumbers in tight, and actually can help with the ferment). 

2) Make a brine with some salt. I don't measure in anything but quilting, so I just go for salty. My book, Real Food Fermentation, recommends a ratio of 1/2 cup of salt to 2 quarts of non-chlorinated water. Remember: NOT iodized salt!

3) Here's where I cheat:
Sauerkraut is my only ferment I do that I don't add a starter. For these pickles, I saved some of the brine from my last batch of Bubbies (you can get them at a health food store in the fridge). They're fermented pickles. 

4) Add the brine and starter to the pickles (I think it's about 1/2 cup of starter -- for the next batch; I just reserve some of the brine and herbs from this batch and that has worked really well for me).

Make sure the pickles are covered with brine!

5) Let them sit on the counter for 3-5 days. They will bubble and change color, but they're delicious! My Scarlet especially loves them. If you don't have an air-lock lid, open once or twice/day to release some of the pressure. If your home is especially warm, they will ferment faster. I sometimes put them in the fridge in the middle of the day to slow down the process. Move to the fridge and they keep for a long time!

This is my fresh batch, and my last batch after 4 days of pickling!

I use cabbage leaves, a little stainless cup, a smaller jar inside a jar, or other ways to keep the pickles below the level of the brine. I went back and added more to this batch because I noticed my pickles had floated up a bit. 

Enjoy!

#getbacktothegarden
#probioticsforthewin

"Emily's wedding quilt"

My sweet friend has a sweet baby girl named Emily. Emily's big sister already had a quilt, but we didn't know if this little lady was a baby boy or girl, so her quilt wasn't ready when she was brand new. 

Emily just turned one, and over the past year I've had many, many different ideas for her quilt, until I saw this fabric, and knew I wanted to design something around it. 

I asked Instagram and some friends for ideas, and Kelly showed me this quilt, called "Emily's Wedding Quilt" from Fons & Porter. I reworked the block sizes, and got to fussy cutting! 

Here was the plan. 

A couple cute blocks

Almost there! 

Now to make a border and quilting plan!

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P.S. I still have a bunch of destash items available. Free PDF pattern with a purchase... I'm even happy to take offers! :)

a baby quilt and destash this fine Monday morning. :)

Good morning friends!

I've had a few quilt finishes in the last couple months believe it or not! ;)  One I can't blog yet (bummer), but a couple I can (even if they're small).

This first one I started when the little owner of this quilt was just brand new, and for some reason, her name inspired me. And then it sat. For a very long time. Not sure why... but it just happened that way.

Until one weekend I decided I wanted to finish something.

I knew I had to use this map fabric from SarahJane, not only because of the color scheme, but the symbolism. (The year of Jubilee, Biblically, was when slaves were freed, and all kinds of mercies were bestowed - I like the idea of that covering the whole world).



The quilt is very simple. Just some pretty patchwork squares and a name from Kelly's Wonky Alphabet pattern. (Lindsey even got a whole 'nother quilt out of the extra squares! :D

Infinity loops and loop-di-loops for the quilting.





I hope miss Jubilee loves it!

(You know what's kind of funny? She is one of Scarlet's little dopplegangers... see???)

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In other news: 

Big destash going on in my pattern shop! I'm giving away a free pdf pattern with each purchase -- just leave the note of your choice in the little check out note and I'll email it to you. :) Most things are priced at $5/yard!

Steiger turned five

(his birthday was actually April 10 -- I am a little late on this...)

Oh my Steiger Jay. (his name rhymes with "Tiger," by the way)...

I really like being your mama. At this moment, you are battling a mylar balloon we got you for your birthday, telling me how great your fighting skills are.

There are many things about you that are very stereo-typically "boy" (as pictured in the Iron Viking costume above). While I was typing, you put down the balloon, and climbed in to the chair with your sister, surrounded by pillows and quilts. You two are chatting about something. You are an excellent brother.

For your birthday, I gave you a "yes" day. The rules were that as long as you were being nice, I'd say yes to your requests. You had pretzels for breakfast, PB & J for lunch, and dinner, at your request, was "chicken, rice, crunchy carrots, cheese, and pizza for dessert." We changed pizza to ice cream and Dad pulled down a candle off the mantle to light. I wanted to ask you what your wish was. :)

All morning, you watched videogame walkthroughs on youtube. I think MineCraft battles is what you were on. I make you mute the volume, because some of the people who do videogame walkthroughs, even for kids' games, do not have the nicest language. You then love to tell your dad and I all about the "mods."

When we took you to your friend Jack's farm a few days ago, you didn't really show your farmer's boy roots... You were squeamish of moving the chicks, and your dad can't get you to grab worms. I will take the blame for those genes my dear boy... along with a few others. BUT, you sure do know how to play. You guys ran, and squealed, and poured water down the slide.

You love to be squirted and play games. You're actually very, very good at playing games with other kids. So conscientious. Almost too conscientious at times... when we were watching the pigs, you were more concerned with making sure the smaller kids didn't get too close to the electric fence than you were with watching the piggies. ♥ You notice everything and care mucho.

You and your sister are best friends. And it is my greatest joy.
I love snuggling you, listening to you, going on "dates," and being your mama. You are an exceptional boy my Steiger, and we all love you.

Your birthday Interview
Nicknames: "I don't have any nicknames" (with a name like Steiger, who needs 'em, right?)

How old are you? 5

What is your favorite color? Red

What is your favorite animal? Bears

What is your favorite book? Creepy books

What is your favorite TV show? Power Rangers (He also loves Wild Kratts)

What is your favorite movie? Star Wars

What is your favorite song? "I don't have a favorite song"

What is your favorite food? Rice (now that's fitting)

What is your favorite drink? Milk

What is your favorite snack? Pretzels

What is your favorite outfit? Black

What is your favorite game? Star Wars on the Wii and computer

What is your favorite toy? "I don't have a favorite toy"

Who is your best friend? Cooper (his cousin)

What is your favorite thing to do? Snuggle (for real... you see why I love him so much?)

What is your favorite thing to do outside? Running and squirting the hose

What is your favorite holiday? "My favorite holiday is Christmas"

What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Bears

Where is your favorite place to go? Cooper's house

What is your favorite restaurant? "the toy restaurants"

Where do you want to go on vacation? to the beach.

What do you want to be when you grow up? a police man 

What did you do on your birthday? go bowling

Dreaming of rainbows.

If you aren't familiar with that quilt there, it was made by the lovely Lindsey at Happier than a Bird Quilts. She made it from my Linky Love pattern, and Vanessa's Simply Color ombré jelly roll.

She sent it to me this past week. ♥

This winter has been very bittersweet for me.
This blog has been quiet because I had been working on the best kind of WIP, but the baby lost his or her heartbeat around the end of 2013. :( It was our second loss in a row, and just hard. And confusing.

My heart has been so soft to the women who go through these things without two littles at home to snoogle. And I've been even softer to those two littles at home. Appreciating them more. Seeing them better. And their wonderful dad too... who has been so incredibly good to me.

So I hadn't been doing a lot of sewing. But it's picking back up again. And it felt like time to get back to the blog. I anticipate you'll be hearing more from me again, more often. You can find me on Instagram too (Hubby bought me an ipad for Christmas). :)

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I'm going to be running a few pattern sales in the next few weeks, because not only have the last few months been kind of rough, they've also been burdeningly expensive. So the Linky Love pattern is on sale for $6 for a limited time if you'd like to buy one! Here and on Craftsy. :) Thank you! ♥

(and P.S. Go look at pinksuedeshoe's version of Linky Love that lives on her bed! It's amazing!)

2 1/2

My little Scarlet Grace. ♥

You didn't get a post when you turned 2. You will get one now.

You have a smudged face in this picture because you insist on doing all things yourself. "I do it." So I (usually) let you clean your own face.

Your bright blue eyes still surprise me.

You are an amazing little shopping buddy, and you know just what you like. "I no like dat." "I want dat one!" You exuberantly exclaim, "Pretty Mommy!" when I try something on (even if it's just so-so).

Daddy says you are all "Fire & Ice." He is on to something. Mommy says you are equal parts "Sweet & Sassy." I am also on to something.

You love to have your back rubbed, with mama's piano fingers.

You, like your brother at this age, like to be told stories. Cinderella is your current favorite. Nemo is a frequent contender for top spot in the rotation.

You love Anna. Steiger loves Elsa. This correlation fits not only your birth order, but your personalities as well.

You hop, skip, or jump almost everywhere. I adore watching you run more than most anything I can watch, or jumping on the trampoline.

I could also listen to you talk all day. You repeat highly sophisticated phrases with a newly forming voice and diction, and it is adorable.

You still love your "banties" (blankies). Thank goodness you are not discriminating against which of the 8 little flannel receiving blankets you hold. Though you prefer to have all 8 of them at once. ♥

You suck your thumb when you hold them.

You're still rear-facing in the carseat, and I attribute the blankies for helping make this as stress free as possible.

You love your brother utterly, but I still don't think as much as he loves you.

You want to sit on our laps to eat your dinner lately. You ate more independently at 8 months than now at 30 months... hmmm...

You love soups and broth. Which makes me really happy because I love them too. You also love broccoli.

You love to copy Steiger. When he writes his name, you must write yours... you make a mean backwards S. :)

You do not have any trouble voicing your opinion, but can be flexible too. Again -- sweet & sassy.

You love to hold on like a monkey, be loved, be in control, be independent, and be comforted all at once.

You have your mama's heart (Daddy's and Steiger's too). We love you little Scarlet Grace.

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(and yes, I am aware I've been gone for quite some time... I'll give you an update shortly)