Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Sunday's fabric

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DSC_0522

We got our carpet cleaned this week.

In trying to get the floor cleared, I sorted through some fabric, and decided to audition some options for my month of the VIBees (not until March).

I started with this recent acquisition (Alexander Henry's Amelie)

AH's Amelie

Added in some other florals

starting to pull fabrics

And went with the whole "green, beige, blue, mustard, brown" color scheme (Don't ask me what the relationship of that is on the color wheel).

DSC_0519 edit

What do you all think of this pile?  Think it will make a good modified wedding ring?

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Thank you for all the love on the Urban Lattice quilt! (from Cara's Urban Lattice Quilt along)

Krista Poppyprint pointed out that I'm fulfilling my own prediction of mixed neutrals... but they do go together so nicely.

Here are twenty-eight of the required forty-eight blocks done.

Urban lattice quilt along progress

These are not in their final lay-out, I just wanted to see them together on my (clean) floor.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

reflections and predictions

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Sew Mama Sew asked for our Reflections and Predictions -- and here are mine!

Looking back on the sewing scene of 2010, what trends stand out in your mind?
Gray.  It's becoming the "new" neutral.

From Cara's (Me? A Mom?) Urban Lattice "manly" quilt, to the purl bee's New Year's coasters, to my pillow talk pillows, to Krista (Poppyprint's) cute mug rug, to Izzy Inspired's quilt for her son (that I'm dying to shamelessly copy), to Aneela Hooey's much anticipated Sherbet Pips -- gray is everywhere.

some examples of gray - reflection and prediction


1. Urban Lattice quilt (aka manly quilt), 2. New Year's Coasters, 3. Poppyprint - mugrug pears 3, 4. Sherbet pips!!!!!, 5. trenton's quilt, 6. Pillow Talk Swap 4 pillow


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Linen paired with prints was also really popular (and I'm sure will continue to be)


Here were some of my personal creations using linen.


My creation

What were some of your favorite things? (Trends, fabric collections, patterns, blogs? Whatever you really loved.)


My personal favorite fabric collection of this year was Nicey Jane by Heather Bailey.  


I've got two quilts going in it -- 
My top from the Fat Quarterly Quilt Along, 
My Nicey Jane FQ quilt along top
and
My chubby stars (that I will finish even though it's going to be gigantic).


Chubby stars progress


You can see my blog roll for some of the blogs I love. :)
What was your very favorite fabric collection or print? (If not listed above.)


My favorite prints became blenders -- I love 'em.


Like these from the Bliss line


bliss blenders


and these for my Urban Lattice quilt


the prints for Urban Lattice Quilt along


and voile (also love it)


some more Little Folks voile
What was the best thing you made in 2010? (Be sure to share a photo!)


My "best thing" -- I think would be my Chubby Stars (photo above and in the header)... when it's finished. :)  But to be honest, my best thing is what I'm making next. 


On second thought -- maybe my Christmas quilt top was my "best thing" -- even though it was mostly made by my friends. :)


Christmas bee quilt top
What is one of the best things you saw that was made by someone else?


I saw so many things I loved... so here's a mini collage.


other people's creations I love



1. Fussy Flowers, 2. Pillow Swap Outside, 3. Triple Irish Chain with flowers 2, 4. DSCN0752, 5. munki starburst quilt, 6. Nicey Jane hexies

What do you think 2011 has in store? (Again, trends, fabric, patterns, etc.)
2011 undoubtedly has in store too many wonderful things.  I'm really hoping Heather Bailey comes out with a new line. :)


As a trend in neutrals, I think there will be a shift from gray and white to mixing creams.  I plan on doing it with my Urban Lattice Quilt, and I've seen it in quite a few places in flickr lately.


neutrals trend


1. Untitled, 2. scrappy - done!, 3. modern argyle pillow, 4. IMG_0047


I think there's also going to be even more of a shift to using more plain fabrics to make your design, with fussy-cut accents.  I think big prints will be down-played, unless they are a large focal area, and make a very big statement on their own.


In piecing -- I think these are some design inspirations we'll see more of this year.


cool geometry


1. October star block for Shelley, 2. String Knot, 3. November Hexagon Block for Lynne, 4. 3x6 Mini Bee Block, 5. Block 1 for Kristy/Handmade Retro, 6. Three by Six - for hanies, 7. Quilting Divas--Tracey, 8. 3x6 Bee 3rd Quarter Beehive 8 chez - j, 9. Oregon Star, 10. Sew New to Me VQB--July, 11. Doll Quilt Swap 9, 12. 3x6 Mini Bee 3rd Quarter


I think diamonds and curves will replace hexagons.


In color -- I think monochromatic, or clashing will be the thing.  I don't know what the relationship on the color wheel is exactly, 

Anything you’re ready for the sewing world to get over?


Not really.  I'm not wild about the crosses look, but I know a lot of other people like it.  


The whole point of sewing and crafting is to do what you like... so if someone else likes it, I'm fine with that.


Me personally - I'm pretty much getting over using a single collection for a quilt; I've got to mix things up, and that makes me happy, and I think makes the quilt less dated by the fabric line.

What’s on your sewing agenda for 2011? What are you excited about? What would you like to learn more about?



tomorrow I hope to post my personal year in review... 

In the mean time, on my list is:
- The quilting of four quilt tops
- My Chubby Stars quilt
- My Urban Lattice quilt
- A Schnibble in French General
- A couple Bakeshop quilts (so far)
- A baby boy and a baby girl quilt for the baby I hope we make soon... (but I'll need both because I'm really hoping to give my husband his wish of not finding out the gender early!)
- A big girl quilt for my niece
- A baby quilt for my niece due March 1
- A baby girl quilt for a good friend
- A couple baby boy quilts for other good friends
- the blocks for three bees

I really want to start writing some patterns, and I'm excited that I'll probably be going to Quilt Market in the Spring!

For learning -- my piecing got pretty good over the past year, so I would like to learn about quilting, now that I have a bigger and better machine!  I'd also like to figure out paper piecing.

Last but not least -- I'm excited to see what happens with Quilt Hope In!
  Because I want it to be successful, I'm still working out the details of getting items listed, getting funding to the right spot (so that it doesn't go through my personal checking account), and organizing sponsors! :)


Sunday, October 17, 2010

I gave in.

Pin It Pillow Talk Swap Round 4.

I had to.

It's my favorite swap, and last time I got such a great pillow.

My inspiration mosaic.

I'm thinking something to go with my Chubby Stars quilt.

Pillow talk swap round 4 inspiration


Created with fd's Flickr Toys


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(I'm waiting for the final Go! ahead from AccuQuilt to start the giveaway... soon!) :)

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

need to do an "I'm grateful" post

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grateful

So, most of you know last week was a bit rough...

What I didn't tell you, is that our washing machine also went out, in the middle of doing the camping laundry.  I'm not normally great with laundry anyway (why is fabric so much more fun?), but it's bordering on OOC (out of control) at the moment.

Yesterday, I was intentionally focusing on bits of gratitude... and it was really flowing (I mean seriously -- I was grateful that I could throw away the heel of the bread because it meant we had enough to eat).

This morning, I got in the car to go pick up laundry from my mom, and the Check Engine Light was on... for the third time in six months.  The car is about 1 1/2 years old, with an awesome extended warranty -- that doesn't cover bunnies.

That's right -- I said bunnies.

(We no longer think they're cute)

You see, for reasons I will never understand (it was record breaking heat here yesterday), they like to climb in to the car and chew on the wires that go to the power steering and O2 sensor.  We have already spent $900 on bunnies this year (I actually had to cancel a fabric order after the last time we discovered their dirty work), and I'm feeling pretty sad about the $400 more, on top of the new washing machine (it was already a hand-me-down, and we didn't want to put $$$ in it).

So there you have it.

I need to be grateful again, like I was yesterday...

*deep breath*

I'm grateful for fun people like Krista, who rambles with me about doll quilt woes;
and Natalia, who gets excited for me and even snaps a pic with her cell phone when she sees someone who tried a design of mine;

and then emails me another copy of the tree-skirt her friend made.
(This one Tamara made is hanging in this quilt shop)
(and let's be real here -- I'm grateful there are people out there who like my ideas...not that they're mine 100%; I think everything out there in quilting is just recycled, right?) ;)

and Amy, who I'm hoping will win more than a Go! cutter;
and Kelly, who sends me pretty pieces of linen and cute scraps;
and Erika, who listens to me chat about the fears of mommydom, and even shares some of her own... and...

I'm grateful for pretty Dresden plates, and my new Dresden ruler that can make them even "chubbier" ;)

Quilting Divas Dresden
(For my Quilting Divas group)

I'm grateful that all the cups of clam chowder I ate while here aren't showing on the scale any more.



I'm grateful for my this little darling, who loves to snuggle his bears

loves his bears

and for ice cream on a stick, that can cheer him up when Mommy can't.

ice cream on a stick

And I'm grateful that pickle is sleeping... so I'd better get back to sewing.

And lastly -- I'm grateful that even though we don't have the money for the car and washing machine, I'll be here when he wakes up.

Feel free to make your own grateful list, or add to them in the comments. ;)






Saturday, August 14, 2010

a quilt along???

Pin It Christmasy giveaway going on here.


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I'm thinking of hosting a quilt along

Of chubby stars and Irish chain.

Inspired by these.
Chubby stars for 3x6 bee Beehive 12, Q3

And this.

Inspiration from Material Obsession

And this (from APQ's October edition).


Here was my quick partial sketch up. (The corner stones of the blocks and sashing pieces would make the Irish chain -- which I didn't color in yet because it was quite small)

Top-8

This is the fabric I'll be using (mostly Nicey Jane, a little Amy Butler, some Anna Maria Little Folks, and a touch of a couple others).  

quilt planning with Jane

It'd be a massive undertaking for me because I want to make it King-sized (y'all can pick what size you want to do).  But -- since the Jacobsen family is planning on adding to its numbers fairly soon... I think I better knock this out before morning sickness knocks me out.

Saying I LOVE that fabric, is such an understatement.  And I LOVE chubby stars.  And I LOVE Irish chains.

I'm gonna go for it.
What do you all think?

I'll be back soon with giveaway results and fabric requirements. :)  (You'll need focal prints, contrast pieces, and background pieces)

My husband is going to love me to death if I actually make a quilt for our bed.  Maybe it will inspire me to actually re-do our whole room (that is in desperate need of it)

(the chubby stars quilt pictured above can be found in this book)

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

300 peeps giveaway -- closed

Pin It I've been working on cutting my bee fabric...

Bee fabrics for cartwheels

And since there are 300 of you, I decided to cut a little extra, and have a giveaway.

Here are 13 fat-eighths(ish).

a baker's dozen of fat-eighths to giveaway

Thirteen of them because it makes a baker's dozen, and my friend Erika likes Baker's dozens. :)

Oh, and I finally decided on my bee blocks.

Christmas bee "plan"

My fellow Christmas bee ladies will be making one cartwheel, and one tree (or ornament) block.

And I hope they still like me at the end of my turn, because I need the blocks to be 22 1/2" !!! (sorry ladies!)

I'm using Fun Christmasy prints, and some white Kona Crush for the cartwheels -- and random fun Christmasy prints for the tree blocks (sashed in white).

I think it's going to be fabulous.

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To enter the giveaway:
- Be a follower and  leave a comment  (one entry/person please).
- I like fun comments... just saying...I haven't decided yet if I'm going to pick at random or not...maybe tell me about Christmas... or pointers for camping with a baby...or what you'd make with these...or what you're working on...or...

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I joined another group *gulp*
The Hoop Up swap.  For embroidery.

Here's my inspiration mosaic -- vintage ornaments.  It's also going to be fabulous.

Hoop Up! Vintage ornament inspiration

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I'll also be putting my I-spy fabrics in the mail (hope you don't mind I'm sending 11 different prints Stephanie!)
Can't you hear little babes all over the world now... "I spy a Winnebago."

I spy squares

I spy stack

*New followers are of course welcome... but as always, only if you actually like it here. :)
* Giveaway will close next Monday
* I'm thinking about hosting a quilt-along...more on that to come. :)


Friday, August 6, 2010

You know you've arrived when...

Pin It ... the lovely Heather posts one of your creations in her inspiration mosaic!

Thanks Heather!

{ Urban } HOME goods - a modern Swap  ROUND 2 SIGN-UPS!!

(some other people even followed suit... I feel so honored). :)
(Top left pic is mine, by the way...)

pretty petal clutch

For {Urban} Home Goods Swap.

I want to make another Pretty Petal Clutch.  And I want to get this book too.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Putting the Bee in Christmas

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So, two nights ago while I was laying in bed listening to my husband snoring, I thought, "I'm going to start a Christmas bee!"  (even though I'm already in two).  I wanted to get a Christmas quilt (or 2) done, but sometimes my project ADD gets the best of me (you know, make 2 blocks and then be ready to move on to the next thing).  I figured for the same amount of work, I could get other people to join in!

I got up too early the next morning to talk myself out of it, and emailed some bloggy friends to see if they'd be interested.

They were!

Our little bee is starting next week, and we will be done by Thanksgiving, so we can actually enjoy our Christmas quilts. :)

Here are the ladies I can't wait to work with:



Karrie @ Freckled Whimsy


Natalia @ Piece 'n Quilt

Rene @ Luv2Create

Cherie @ (her flickr photostream -- don't know your blog Cherie!)

and me, @ traceyjay quilts


This is a little inspiration mosaic I put together.  Just finding some random Christmasy ideas.  


"Putting the Bee in Christmas" idea mosaic

1. December Dresdens, 2. Quilted Christmas Tree Skirt, 3. Christmas Stars, 4. Maria's block, 5. Mel's Block, 6. Block for Caroll, 7. Beth's Quilt, 8. Machine Applique for the Terrified Quilter, 9. xmas, 10. Jane's Block, 11. Mini received from Ruthiequilts, 12. Deck The Hall, 13. Quilted Cupcake Pink and Green Christmas Trees, 14. Flossybossy's Block, 15. Jen's Winter Spy Glass, 16. Courtney Havenwood, 17. for Beth, 18. Traveling Threads block for myself!, 19. single girl, 20. Fabbbbulous vintage ornament wreath, 21. Tanya's Block, 22. Santa Claus Block , 23. Block for Jane QATW Christmas, 24. Quilt Around the World - Brioni

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