No Prints Allowed Challenge

Thursday night was the big reveal of the Kansas City Modern Quilt Guild's "No Prints Allowed Challenge." Robert Kaufman donated charm packs in every color grouping. Participants chose a charm pack, used each color in the pack, and added any fabric as long as it was solid...no prints allowed.

I had such a hard time deciding which direction to take with my Brights Charm Pack. I sketched out a ton of ideas and kept changing my mind. The only thing that really stuck was the idea to use a circle. I had seen Paula do the 6 Minute Circle in a demonstration at a guild meeting and have been thinking about circles ever since. But I kept coming back to layering them and decided to try applique. 

In the end I used this as my inspiration. It's a paper book cover from Target's dollar bin that I gave to Jenna to color. 

I used this fusible web to create the circles. I chose the size circle I wanted, stitched on the solid line, trimmed on the dotted line and then turned it inside out through the cuts in the middle. When I first started, I thought I would only use circles but after sewing about two blocks it already seemed a bit boring. 

So I just started throwing and stacking different shapes up on the design wall (squares, circles, and rectangles) choosing the layers and color instinctively. I decided to just play and see where it would lead. Starting with the bottom layers, I fused and appliqued the shapes onto the charm square. I worked my way up to the top. The only thing I changed was to add an extra small layer on some blocks to include more colors.

I was left with four charms and decided to try incorporating them into a scrappy binding with a couple scraps from my stash. I love the look and it was super easy. The back was also from my stash. I just finished up by quilting a grid along the seams. 

If I had to do a project like this again, I would go with a circle cutter to get a perfect circle and use Wonder Under underneath it rather than the method I chose. I think I'd end up with rounder circles.

It was such a fun and inspiring meeting! We had record attendance of about 91 people (I think because of the Kansas City Star article on modern quilting) and it was great to look out into the crowd and see people of every age from teenagers up to great (great?) grandmas (and grandpas!). A couple of people used this challenge as an opportunity to finish their first quilts and received a standing ovation. I know I say it every month but I'm just so amazed at the talent in this group, at their willingness to try something new no matter what level of experience they're at, and the warm, sincere encouragement they give to new quilters. Every meeting seems like a celebration!

If you'd like to see some great pictures of other quilts in the challenge, visit Carla at Lollyquiltz. She stood at the back and got some great shots.

I'll wrap this up by asking for suggestions on naming this little quilt. It's a bit over 18 inches square and will be a doll quilt for Jenna. I'm terrible at naming quilts! Help!

Should be cleaning...

I should be cleaning but a laptop sitting in my kitchen is not the best idea. I sat down to find a podcast...but then decided to check Google Reader...then that lead to a few new blogs....oh how about a quick blog post of my own? Then I'll get back to the cleaning...promise!

We spent a great family weekend together and even made it to the zoo on this beautiful warm weekend. Can you believe it's snowing right now?! That's weather in Kansas for you!

Here's a completely random photo from my desktop. I can't tell you how long ago I bought this fabric and pattern. Maybe two summers ago? After I finish up a couple of projects, this will be on the agenda while Jenna still loves her sock monkey. And before she outgrows the pattern. I was just so nervous about clothes but now I'm thinking it will be a piece of cake.

I'm hoping to get some photos of my finished No Prints Allowed Challenge tomorrow. Maybe they'll be snow  pictures :) Now off to load the dishwasher and catch up on some laundry....But I need to find a podcast first!

Seeing {Pink} Squares

Well, here it is! I finally got to see it in person tonight when Shea handed it off to me at the Kansas City Modern Quilt Guild tonight. This is the pink version of the Seeing Squares quilt that I made for Jenna. You got to see a little peek here and it's so nice to be able to share it with you now.

Angela Walters quilted it in a beautiful flower design that's flowing and feminine. I've had fun hunting for the squares that she put a special little design in. I can't wait to wash it up and see it in all of it's wrinkly goodness.

It's 48″ x 56" and I think it will make a great sized quilt for Jenna to cover up with on chilly mornings while I make breakfast. I hope it will live in our family room for a while and add a touch of sunshine while we wait for spring to arrive. It'll be interesting to see if Jenna agrees with that idea.

Shea is featuring this little pink quilt on her blog today.  When you visit, make sure you take a look at the other three versions of the pattern. They are all very beautiful and yet unique in choices of fabric. Enjoy!

Seeing Squares

I'm so excited to introduce you to a new pattern that my friend Shea recently released. Shea was the first person that I met when I visited the Kansas City Modern Quilt Guild and her friendly, warm personality made me (and everyone else) feel right at home. 


I was just tickled when Shea asked me to test Seeing Squares. I found it to be very clear and concise, with helpful hints along the way. I suspect that Shea's experience as a teacher helped her communicate the directions in easy to understand illustrations and graphs. She's made whats looks like a complicated pattern into one that was so fun to put together. I'm amazed at the care she puts into creating her patterns before they are released.  Shea made the pattern twice. Paula made the gorgeous quilt on the cover and I made a small pink one that you'll see later this week. Shea even included measurements for a pieced back which is a huge time saver!


Shea's been sharing the different versions of this quilt this week on her blog and I know you'll love seeing them. Get started here and make sure to read through the past few days of posts. She'll feature my pink quilt tomorrow.

And I have to share a photo of her first pattern just because I think it's brilliant and adorable! This will be a perfect Christmas gift for a friend who has several little kiddos running around. No noise makers, provides hours of entertainment and can store easily when needed. 


Shea's offering FREE shipping on both patterns until St. Patrick's Day!

 

Little Stitcher

I got to sew on my challenge quilt a bit tonight and I like the way it's coming together so far. Once I start sewing, it's hard not to just go all night, into the wee hours of the morning. 

Jenna likes to do everything related to a project in one sitting too. I love the little Chicken Socks books that Klutz Books publishes and I found this sewing one. She has been asking me to sew for a while now and I thought this looked like something she would enjoy.

With some guidance, she was able to put all of the little projects together pretty easily. 

The plastic needle that was included was very easy for her to use. I'm planning on taking some felt or cardstock and punching holes in it so she can make some other things.

If you have little ones, are they taking an interest in sewing? How are you finding ways to involve them?

Birdie Stitches BOM - Jan

I've been meaning to share this block for a while now. It's the Birdie Stitches BOM for January. I actually finished it in January but now I need to catch up February's block. 



The embroidery goes together pretty fast. I'm not sure what I think of the stabilizer. I chose to use it because I don't want any threads from the back to show through the front but I don't like the wrinkly look it gives. I hope it will look better after it's washed.

I love this little bird! Especially the ear muffs.

Robert Kaufman No Prints Allowed Challenge Sneak Peek

I finally got moving on my Robert Kaufman No Prints Allowed Challenge. I've been sketching, planning, sorting, changing my mind over what to make. I had all these ideas but I think I got really hung up on feeling like I need to have a purpose and recipient for what I made. Tonight I let go of that and just decided to play with an idea I've had for a while. If I like it enough, I can always plan something bigger for the right person at the right time. So for now, it's just something for me to enjoy. 

It's coming together fairly quickly and I've had fun working on it tonight. But I'd better get myself to bed. The little preschooler will be awake before I know it!

Pretty Pleased

I've been trying to figure out how to change my blog header with a correctly sized photo...FOREVER! Finally figured it out. So simple, now that I know how! I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself. 

I took the picture last summer when I was out on a bike ride with the family. I just love the colors.

Thought I'd share a picture of fabric my sister sent for my birthday in a while back. I don't have any plans for it yet but it's so pretty. Such potential there.

Hope you all are well. It's been raining like spring time here. Maybe it's around the corner.

Sunkissed Scraps

I finally let go of this pile of teeny tiny scraps left from trimming blocks on a quilt that's off being quilted. I used Sunkissed by Sweetwater for Moda along with some Kona Solids. These bright fabrics breathed a bit of sunshine into a cold winter. No photos of this top secret quilt yet...I can hardly wait!

What I can share is an article from Kansas City Star about modern quilting. It's a great story full of beautiful quilt pictures, great resources and even a bit of history. Jacquie Gering and Lauren Hunt are leaders in the KC Modern Quilt Guild and gave lovely interviews. I wish you could see how passionate, talented and funny they both are in real life. Well, you can if come to one of our guild meetings!

This warm weather that's been giving me the itch to get outside and walk (or maybe even run a little) is headed out. I just heard rain hitting the windows and there's snow in the forecast. Maybe I'll see more of those little birdie tracks in the morning. I'm so glad we got in a trip to the playground this afternoon!

Hexagon Doll Quilt

Here's Jenna's little doll quilt! I had so much fun with this quilt and it was the beginning of my love for hexagons.

It all started in Knoxville last summer when I watched a gentleman making hexagons in the Paper Pieces booth at the the AQS Quilt Show. I picked up an Urban Chicks 1974 charm pack at a scrapbook store and used it to practice making hexie's with my mom and sister. I decided to make a little sampler of flowers and strips just to see if I liked working with hexagons before I embarked on a larger project. It was a great portable project and Jenna even helped pull the needle through a few stitches.


I handed it off to my friend Sheryl to quilt and knew she would do an amazing job because she is a very talented quilter.  I almost cried when I saw Jenna's name quilted into the top. It's just beautiful and I know Jenna will treasure it.

This is my favorite hexie. I have to laugh when I think of the woman at a retreat that looked at the flowers I was making for this quilt and asked if I REALLY liked all those colors. Honestly, some of them aren't my absolute favorite but I think it gives the quilt some interest to have a nice variety. And REALLY what kind of question is that? Would I have used them if I didn't like them! I guess that was her way of saying she didn't like them :)

I just love the design that appears on the back.

I have another hexagon project in the works. I imagine it will come along slowly until I get some other things finished or have another long car ride.

Here's a hoop and a Halloween kitchen towel made with hexagons. I'm sure more hexagons will pop up again from time to time since I enjoy it so much

Happy Valentine's Day!