Sweet Baby Diamonds are here!

Finally!  

My LONG ago promised tutorial for these quilts is up at the modabakeshop!

If you're new here -- welcome!

I have to give my little disclaimer -- this tutorial does not give all the specific measurements; however, I did make two of these quilts (with slight variations), and tried to share my methods for those who might want to try a design that seems intimidating (at first).  I would recommend some quilting background, but then you should be able to use the tutorial and end up with something like those things pictured up there.

But I'm not making any promises. ;)

Story on the quilts --

The boy version was started forever ago, but then I changed my mind on the design, and then I made it in Sunkissed and gave it to my new niece, and then the quilt sat.  And sat and sat and sat.  And my belly grew and grew.

Then I had a baby, and the baby this was going to was almost 1 -- so I got it finished.

Then I didn't want to write the tutorial (those are a lot of work yo!)  BUT -- I did it this weekend. :)

And I hope you all like it!

Some more pics of the quilts: 

I really need to get pictures of these with the babies that own them!

I want to add -- I used this same method for piecing the little lonestar I made Krista!

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In other news -- 

I've almost got my Penny Candy pattern done! Hooray!

The pattern will include directions for the full size (84" square) or baby/throw size (54" square).

It's a super fun little pattern, that I'll tell you more about soon... but some of you have been asking about the fabric requirements -- so here they are:

Twenty-five assorted jelly roll strips (2 1/2" x width of fabric) -- OR -- 

Twenty-five assorted 10" squares

3 yards background (white)

1 5/8 yards contrast (red)

1 1/2 yards outer border 

7 1/2 yards backing (if you don't piece any in) -- OR -- 2 1/2 yards of 108"  (I'll use 5 yards and piece some scraps in)

5/8 yards binding (at 2 1/4" wide)

Here's a picture of the baby version!

These mock-ups feature Vintage Modern by Bonnie & Camille for Moda, but I have made another sample,  but in Denyse Schmidt fabrics (she did inspire the design after all!)

Anyway -- Thanks for coming by!

I hope you enjoy the tutorial!

♥ Tracey

(and now a couple recent family pictures)

the little ringbearer at his Uncle's wedding last weekend

Mama and miss Scarlet. :)

done in time

I put it in the mail for my sister-in-law this morning (apparently, they already have their tree). :P



The design was an amalgamation of Allison's Easy Double Hourglass (but done with jelly roll strips instead of 2 1/4" strips) and my "Fruitcake under my tree" pattern.  And then I added a mitered border (mitering corners on an octagon is not as straight forward as right angles... by the way... but it still worked).



I didn't do the math specifically; I just had to bisect the angle where the setting triangles and blocks met to make the border like this.

The fabric is from the 12 Days of Christmas line, by the lovely Kate Spain.



For the quilting -- I went to a class called "Beyond Stippling," last weekend with Debbie of One Stitch Off. :)  Debbie actually let me borrow her Juki after the class so I could finish it up!  (Thank you again Debbie!)
The quilting was done free motion in a holly leaf pattern, that I was really quite proud of actually.





I ♥ this tree skirt a lot, and didn't want to send it away.



But I did.

I hope you love it Sharon.

(It was freezing out this morning when I took these, so I didn't get the best shots/have the best light -- but it works!)

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A few closing words:

* I am still working on gathering logistics for some kind of quilt shop where the proceeds go to Haiti's orphans.  (If you'd like to donate some benevolence in the mean time, you can go see what Heather and the gang are up to with Modern Relief.)  I think we'll call it "Quilt in Hope..." Any other suggestions?  (Lee at Freshly Pieced is going to design our logo). :)  Be making/saving your quilts for donating though. :)

* My mom took me shopping on Monday.  I didn't get a Juki.  I got this.  It is probably the closest I will ever come to feeling like I felt when I went wedding dress shopping.  Pictures coming soon.

* Happy Thanksgiving friends.

*If you're in the mood for some Black Friday cyber shopping... Accuquilt is having a sale. :)

it's up! (I dance in circles)

Go see it in the Bake Shop! 

Tell me what you think (if you haven't already). :)

Show me when you make it! :)

Read more about the inspiration here.

Oh!  If you want to make this with fat quarters or yardage, instead of a layer cake, I'd recommend using 8.5" or 9" squares instead! :)

This quilt really was so fun to make. :)





and here's the back if you're the kind of person who likes to see that. :)

Bloggers' Quilt Festival! - I dance in circles

I'm cheating a bit,  because I want to show you a new finish for my Festival quilt..

Here is "I dance in circles."

The full tutorial will be posted in the Moda Bake Shop on November 8.

And here is how "I dance in circles" came to be.

Back in April, the lovely Jacquie  posted a link to this video.  I had recently completed a wonky nine-patch, and wondered if the techniques of making that block could be combined with the gem in the video to make curves.  Because I love curves.

So I gave it a whirl that day, and made this:

I wanted to make it with Kate Spain's Fandango, and wanted solids that coordinated.

The geniuses in Moda's sample department sent me Grunge solids.  

♥

♥ again

What I love about this quilt:

• It has a lot of freedom in making the blocks
• The interplay of color
• The interplay of solid with print
• The interplay of scale with print with color
• Choosing the fabrics and cutting based on whatever I felt like at that moment
• Easy construction and piecing
• Steiger loves it.
• More glorious color

What I don't love about this quilt:

• I'm sure there was something, but I can't think of it at the moment.

Oh!  I know!  I don't love that my machine was having some MAJOR tension issues while I was trying to free motion stipple it.  

But all turned out well in the end.  And I might be getting a new sewing machine based on the fact that my husband sat next to me while I was battling said tension problems.

Go check out all the other Quilt Festival Quilts at Amy's!

(I'm just hoping I get to go to Market next Spring!... there's a good chance!) :)

Sneak Peek-a-boo

I have a horrible time being patient, and I'm not so great at surprises...

I finished sewing the binding on my next Bake Shop project today, and pulled it out of the wash all fresh and crinkly.

And because it won't post for another couple weeks-ish, I'm giving you a little preview.

With some help from Steiger.

Oh... I'm calling it "I dance in circles."  Good name, no?

The fabric is Fandango by the lovely Kate Spain (who's already showing us her next line).

  

Drool worthy for sure.

Full tutorial coming soon.

Fruitcake under my tree

Hmmm... this will make two Christmas-themed posts in a row...

I've got a new Bake Shop project!

A really easy to piece, octagonal tree-skirt...

...that Leah, over at Burgundy Buttons, is offering as a kit!

(Kit includes backing, and is only $55... marked down from $72!)

It's cute.

Though not as cute as this guy.

Likes to swing.

Or hang around.

Doubles as a barber cover.

(that's my dad)

I like it. :)

Steiger likes it. 

Hope you do too.

Please show me pics if you make it.

The results are in...auction, giveaway, and diet.

First - Layer Cake Giveaway

#99


Jenny said...

I am on Leah's newsletter list.

Congratulations Jenny!

Thank you for emailing me your info; I'll get it to Leah!  And thank you Leah (of Burgundy Buttons) for sponsoring this giveaway! :)

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Next -- 


Julie had the winning bid for the Garden Stars and Stripes Table Runner.

Julie said...

Thank you for reminding me to remember and honor our country's brave men and women in the armed services. I bid 100.00 on the woven border runner.

Thank you Julie!

(I don't have a way to contact you... could you please email me your info?)

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Last.  A certain little Steiger is now weaned. 

Those who told me breast-feeding would help me lose weight, lied.  (OK, I lost a good deal of it, but have been stuck for months...)

Now I can diet. 

The South Beach Diet for me...for now.

If I sound a little crazy, it's because I'll be restricting carbs for a couple weeks... don't worry, I'll be sensible.  But I am determined.

I'm telling you all as that little extra dose of accountability really helps.  I can't wait to report to you all that I'm back at my pre-pregnancy weight.   

To remember -- a quilt auction -- Closed

(If you're looking for the giveaway, scroll down or click here)


It's Memorial Day weekend, and while for some of us that means a trip to the lake, time to pull out the white capris and flip-flops, a very needed and appreciated day off, or a chance to light up the BBQ, for others it has a much deeper significance.  

Operation Family Fund is an organization whose mission (from their website) is to "assist the injured and families of the those who have been injured or killed as a part of the Global War on Terrorism, whether domestic or abroad, military or civilian, with financial grants for transitioning to their new circumstances and achieving financial self-sufficiency" (www.operationfamilyfund.org)  


They are staffed by volunteers, with low overhead -- All donations go directly to the families needing help.  


Because I made two "Garden Stars and Stripes" runners, I am blog-auctioning one of them, and asking my fellow quilt and fabric-lovers to consider donating to this organization.  


To sign up for the auction -- let me know which runner you would like (Option 1 - pieced border or Option 2 - woven border), and your bid amount.  You can also leave a comment if you leave a donation to the site (it's easy -- they even take paypal).

Happy Memorial Day Weekend, and a big thank you to all our Veterans, Soldiers, and Warrior Families!  

I'm starting the bid at $50.

Auction closes at 6:oo PM PST on Tuesday, June 1.

(Make sure I have a way to get a hold of you)

Happy Memorial Day!

(If you'd like to see the tutorial for this quilt, it's over in the Bake shop...

and show off your finishes here at Amy's Sew & Tell)