Roundhouse - Finished and Published!

This is my Roundhouse quilt.

This is also my first magazine published quilt pattern!  You can find the full pattern in this month's American Quilter magazine.

The story behind this quilt -- 

When Scarlet was about four months old, I was able to attend one of Anna Maria Horner's classes in person.  She was teaching her Patchwork Prism quilt, and though I chose different fabrics for that quilt, I was inspired to make a spectrum quilt using as many of Anna Maria's fabrics as I could.  

For the design, an architectural feature behind one of the characters on Once Upon a Time caught my eye.  I used the idea for my Pillow talk pillow, and reworked the size and layout so there would be no inset seams. 

I was THRILLED when I realized that one of my acrylic templates from my Cosmic quilt fit perfectly to make the Roundhouse block.  When paired with some half-square triangles, you get a very easy to construct block with the primary design of Roundhouses, and secondary design of pinwheels.

To make the quilt, I cut and arranged all my house shaped pieces in color order.  

Then, starting from the top left, and using purpley-pinks, I laid out my pieces alternating light and dark values. Some of the pattern is not completely obvious due to my fabric selections on this, but I love the scrappy spectrum effect.  

Lindsey made an alternate version of the quilt for me using Happy Go Lucky and white.  Definitely gives a different dynamic.  

Here, with the quilt mocked up in black and white, you can clearly see the primary and secondary designs.  Super versatile pattern, no?

Lindsay from EileenQuilts.com did the quilting, and it is gorgeous!  She did a fairly dense all over paisley design.  I wanted something with movement all over it, and this was a perfect design.  I have worked with Lindsay many times before, and highly recommend her if you're looking for longarm quilting services.

The quilt is backed in one of my favorite AMH prints from her Field Study line, and bound in Buttoned up in Ink (thanks to Kelly).

I expect to be receiving a few copies of this month's American Quilter magazine, but if you would like to buy a template, it is available through my shop.  I will have the pattern available for sale separately once the magazine is off newsstands.

Overall though, I love this quilt, and hope you do too.

Cosmic quilt top in solids

This quilt top is destined for my God-sister, as a gift for her college graduation.

I like it, but -- like always, am stuck on how to quilt it.



I really prefer piecing to quilting I think.

Right now I'm thinking of an echo or free motion loops in the negative space, and then a little straight line with black on the black stars???

#ifIwasoninstagram

Yes I feel left out!

So I'm doing a pretend Instagram post. :)

If I was on there myself, here's a bit of what you'd see (from the last week or so):

Scarlet meeting my dear friend's new baby Emily. ♥  She was so sweet with her!  It reminded me of when Steiger met Scarlet for the first time, and didn't want to share her with his grandmas.

Steiger falling asleep in his little chair after a big day playing and too many days in a row of staying up late waiting for Daddy to get home.

You'd probably see a close-up of his amazing eyelashes too.

You'd see what Scarlet could do with ONE hershey Kiss (that I gave her to distract her so I could finish the dishes)

And what she thinks when I put a youtube music video of a song she doesn't want to listen to at that particular moment.  (She loves to watch music videos on youtube, but has very particular taste... this is how I get dinner ready during this crazy busy season).

Not much working on quilts to photo in the moment sadly, but I am trying to get this one done for my God-sister's college graduation gift.

And one more... an oldie, but a goodie.  This photo is from the summer of 2008... This is my hubby, dad, sister-in-law's dad, and Grandpa Jim.  My grandpa passed away yesterday morning, so I went and found this picture after the kiddos and hubby were asleep.  ♥  We'll miss him, but I'm glad he lived a long and full life and is no longer suffering.  We love you Grandpa!

WIP Wednesday - 6.5.13

These pretty blocks will be going to a friendship quilt for a mama who is in the midst of some really rough times.  A group of friends and I are hoping they will bring her some comfort!

The color inspiration was this palette from design-seeds.  So pretty!
The block tutorial is from Elizabeth at Don't Call me Betsy.

I've also got these WIPs on my counter.  I call it my "fermentation station."  A few months ago, I learned about the benefits of lacto-fermented veggies, and good bacteria and am really enjoying it!  And Scarlet LOVES the pickles and beets!  (they're also my favorites).  I've got yogurt culturing, water kefir grains fermenting, and pickles, beets, and sauerkraut going.  The water kefir grains are amazing because they make this delicious sparkling soda drink that is much more palatable for me than kombucha. :)

Here's to good bugs!  (Read more about lacto-fermenting here)

Linking to Lee's!

Chubby Stars top FINALLY!

I am both really curious, and kind of frightened to go back and see how long this WIP has been a WIP.

I don't know if I want to look.

But I do LOVE the quilt top.  ♥  So proud that after all this time I still really love this quilt.  It's not as big as I originally intended, but it's awesome.  And will be gorgeous on the couch or my side of the bed or in the stack of quilts that Scarlet will have to choose from for her bedroom.  I'm working on the backing now and hope to finish soon! ("soon" being a very loose/relative term)

I am VERY open to quilting suggestions.  Right now I'm leaning towards all over free motion loops.

For info on making your own, go here.

P.S. My apologies for being such a terrible Quilt Along hostess.

P.P.S. I'm destashing if you want to look.  Hoping to add more listings here soon.

P.P.P.S  If you'd like to vote for the Scrappy Sprouts quilt in the Blogger's Quilt Festival, you can go here.

Chelsa also wrote a beautiful post about receiving her quilt if you'd like to read it! ♥

Scrappy Sprouts for Chelsa - Festival Quilt

My Blogger's Festival Quilt is the most special quilt I think I have ever made.
And absolutely a favorite.
It was made with the help of so many of you... so thank you. ♥ Here is the story of my Scrappy Sprouts Quilt, and a transcription of the letter that was mailed with it:

To my dear friend:

When I first read your story, my chest and stomach just clenched.  I was sick with anxiety; trying to pray, but angry and scared.  You had just come through so much; how could this be added to it?  I really was angry.  I especially prayed for you while I was in the shower... I wanted to do something to help.  I couldn't really send you money, at least not much.  I couldn't come visit.  I knew though I could make you a quilt.
  One day, while I was praying for you in the shower, this idea came to mind.
  This quilt is my, "God... when I think of Chelsa and what she faced and is facing, I don't know what to say."  This quilt is my prayer for you Chelsa... it says what I can't always.
  These little sprouts are my favorite time in a garden -- they're so cute and new and growing... so much potential in those two little leaves.
  They show my prayer for new life.
  I did not like the helplessness I felt when I thought about those icky words like "incurable."  So I gathered women to my cause, and they joined in sending love and wishes for healing, and in literally covering you.  I got blocks from women in three or four different countries.  They put tiny bits of precious little fabrics in these blocks -- pieces that are hard to find and out of print and hoarded like gold by quilters.  They join my prayer.
  I wanted to make sure the quilt was big enough you could share it with your love.  We don't forget about you on this difficult road Matt.
  And it's a rainbow -- the symbol of God's promise.  And again -- my prayer for you. ♥

_______________________________

Specs for my quilty friends:

• Fits well in the Group or ROYGBIV categories for Bloggers' Quilt Festival
• a mini tutorial for folks who might want to make their own block is here.
• The sashing is the yarn-dyed Essex in flax by Robert Kaufman.

The setting was part by design, and part by necessity.  There were a few variations in the idea of a "scant" quarter-inch (happens when gathering blocks from 40 or so different people), but I think it made for a more dynamic quilt than if the rows had all been straight.  I love the off-set.  I was also quite pleased with a mostly even distribution of color, because I simply told people to make their favorite.

The quilting was done by Lindsay at EileenQuilts.com.  The design is called Xanadu, and looks so organic and swirly.  I love it.

The backing is the Summer Totem from Anna Maria Horner (and I think Steiger likes the back more than the front; he kept telling me, "the back is really nice Mommy.") 

For binding, I chose an Alexander Henry stripe cut on the bias.

And of course, a special label.

A huge thank you to those who made and sent blocks.  They are so special, and the quilt was all I was hoping it would be.  

P.S. I'm extending the 20% off on patterns until I get back.  Use code "springmarket"

WIP Wednesday - to market, to market...

I leave for Market tomorrow!

I don't really know what to expect.  I'm really excited and a bit nervous...

I've got about 2 hours for Scarlet's nap; do you think I can finish this?



It's the Bijou Bag from Sew Serendipity.  I just a la patchworked it.

I want it to be my carry-on, but don't think I have time to get it done.  I should just let it go... and fold laundry instead.  Or pack.

Especially since Kelly sent me this adorable bag (that I'll be carrying all around)! (I'll have hubs take pictures of me with it tonight or tomorrow).

Anyway -- just saying hello!  I am not on instagram (don't have a smart phone), but I will take lots of pictures and update when I get back with all the new and exciting lines coming out!

(And P.S. I'm so nervous to leave these little people!  I am rarely away from them, and think I'm having some Mommy separation anxiety!  I think once I get there I'll be great, but driving to the airport could be a little sad!  Yes I'm a sap!)



Anything you especially want to see pictures of?  Leave a comment and I'll do my best to get it up!