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Sunny Days are Here Again

March 30, 2011 by 5 Comments

Need a quick color fix?  Maybe pictures of the latest quilted throw will do the trick.  You may remember the beginnings of this project–here and here.  One charm pack and one jelly roll of Amy Butler’s Soul Blossoms with white Designer Solid and Fuschia Dapples, all from Free Spirit.  It’s quilted with Amy’s Soul Blossom thread collection, color 0726 Bright Pear.

The sun was shining brightly this afternoon and a quick shot in the dappled shade under the mandarin orange tree seemed appropriate.  I was sorely tempted to throw myself down on all that color and not move for the next hour or so.  But there is work to do and quilts to sew and no time for slacking.  But more on that at a future date.

Hang in there!  The weekend will be here soon. 

Filed Under: color, fabric, quilting, quilts

Warm Weather Wishing

March 27, 2011 by 10 Comments

The weather is warming up.  Perhaps enough to get by without layers.  I’m hoping for the kind of weather that allows for tunics and jeans.  In anticipation yesterday, I took a few hours to make McCalls 5556.  Thanks to Jennifer, I had Honey Child on hand just waiting for an opportunity to show off.  

I used Mikaela in periwinkle and Nelly in blue to create this lively tunic.  I substituted soutache braid for the fabric loops the pattern called for.  The resulting closures are slightly more delicate and allow the fussy cut front bands to do their thing without competition.

It took some persuading but I submitted to a photo–with me in it.  It helped that I love this tunic.  Comfy and bright.  What’s not to like?  Thank you, sweet Jennifer, for such gorgeous fabric!  Drama is effortless with Sis Boom.

It’s going to be a busy week around here. Hopefully, I’ll get a chance to get out to enjoy warmer temps and sunshine. And wear my latest wardrobe addition. Have a great week, everyone!

Filed Under: clothing, fabric, sewing, sis boom

Nature Lesson

March 25, 2011 by 3 Comments
Image in Public Domain

It’s Friday already and I thought I’d give you a little visual inspiration to carry you into the weekend.  Both of these prints are by Haeckel.  The illustration above is a representation of Ceylon, now known as Sri Lanka.  The illustration below is of jellyfish

Image in Public Domain

What I find intriguing about the juxtaposition of these two is the similarity of form.  Above ground, the banyan’s aerial roots hang down like tresses.  So too, the jellyfish tentacles resemble a mass of curls flowing from it’s softly domed head.

It makes me think about free motion quilting designs.  And about color combinations.  And about doodling.  What does it evoke for you?

Filed Under: art, color, nature

Easter Egg Eye Candy — A Tutorial for You

March 22, 2011 by 3 Comments

Spring is officially here and Easter is on the way.  It’s the perfect time for a little fabric play that will brighten up your space.  Remember the Valentine tutorial?  Switch out those hearts and replace them with Easter Eggs.Easter Egg Eye Candy Tutorial

I’ve used scraps from past collections of Sis Boom for mine.  The colors and patterns make delightful eggs.

Even my favorite Sis Boom zebra print looks good with them.  Gather up your fabric scraps, fusible fleece scraps, some buttons, embroidery floss and glue.  That’s all you need to create your own Easter confections.

Filed Under: crafts, fabric, freebies, house and home, sis boom

It’s Contagious

March 21, 2011 by 5 Comments

Gray skies, wind and rain.  Not my favorite forecast.  However, I took advantage of the perfect yarn weather and sat down with hook in hand.  This is the result of my efforts since Saturday just before bedtime.  Ten rows of granny stripe make a good beginning to a blanket.  (I chained 219 to begin mine.)

If you haven’t succumbed to the Granny Stripe Blanket Fever, you may not understand the attraction.  Repeatedly, I read that people have been turned off to the idea because granny squares are so boring.  After giving the granny stripe a chance, lo and behold, they find it is completely different.  It’s fun and highly addicting.  Highly.  It’s good to know I’m not the only one who can’t put it down.

Check out Flickr for inspiration.  (Lucy at Attic 24 is my inspiration.  I love her colorful blankets and other crocheted goodies. They’re so fun and full of life.)  Then grab some yarn and a hook.  And be ready to be taken over by the Granny Stripe Blanket Fever.

Filed Under: color, crochet, yarn

Saturday Progress

March 19, 2011 by 3 Comments

Just catching up on some projects today,  keeping it colorful at the sewing machine.  The afternoon, however, is for crochet.  Right after my lunch of left over Chicken and Cheese Enchiladas.  I’m looking forward to some coffee and settling in to hook. 

What about you?  Any color in your world today?

Filed Under: fabric, quilting

Solid Enhancement

March 16, 2011 by 4 Comments

A magical brown cardboard box was delivered to my door yesterday.  You know the kind–the one delivered by a person in brown uniform from out of a brown truck.  The magic had nothing to do with the delivery company and everything to do with the contents.  Smart readers that you are, you have already guessed fabric.  And you’re right.

To be precise, these were Free Spirit’s Designer Solids and Dapples.  True, they don’t seem very magical on their own.  But they play so well with others that you are able to explore new possibilities with some of your favorite designer prints.

I’ve been waiting to finish this quilted pillow cover until I had the black Dapples.  I wanted a relief from the kaleidoscopic pattern of the pieced center.  I also wanted to play with a decorative stitch on the machine.  My only disappointment is the color of thread for the decorative stitch.  A more brilliant pink or fuchsia would be more dramatic.

Other than that, I am very, very pleased. I like the way the stitching reminds me of ribbon.  It’s a small twist but one that I find whimsical and fun.

I’m curious.  Do you use solids and blenders in all or most of your quilts?  If so, do you have a favorite that keeps showing up in your work?

Filed Under: crafts, fabric, house and home, quilting, sassaman

A Daily Dose of Blue

March 15, 2011 by 3 Comments

I’m a big fan of wall hangings.  There are many reasons for this.  Not only does the size lend itself to near instant gratification, but they fit nicely on the wall in my sewing area.  And the living room.  And the bedroom.  It’s easy to switch them out whenever the mood strikes.

Because they do not get used in the same way as a bed quilt or throw, they only require spot cleaning and vacuuming (to get rid of dust).  Which means that adding paint to the quilt top is perfectly acceptable.   Like Extreme Glitter.

The fabric is Sis Boom’s Honey Child collection quilted with rayon embroidery thread for just a hint of shiny softness.  Adding  Extreme Glitter in Turquoise and Peridot increased the movement of the kaleidoscopic medallion.  It has a mandala feel to it like some of my other wall hangings.

Hanging in my sewing area, it’s like having sunny blue skies every day.  And who couldn’t use that?

Filed Under: fabric, quilts, sis boom

Habitat Meet Mod Podge

March 14, 2011 by 7 Comments

Spring is almost here.  Time for some cleaning, organizing and the addition of new decor around the house.  After winter’s long grip, the infusion of color to your interior spaces is a must.  And naturally, Mod Podge and fabric both figure into this scenario. 

I apologize for the lighting in these photos.  Even with matte Mod Podge it is difficult to get a good shot of these.  And lack of sun hasn’t helped either.  But I think these are good enough for you to get the idea and to motivate you to grab some fabric, a couple canvas frames and a jar of Mod Podge.

I used Jay McCarroll’s new collection, Habitat.  These two prints are particularly well suited for this project.  These frames measure 8″ x 10″ but larger sizes would look even more dramatic.  They can be hung without frames or you could use mismatched frames for an eclectic look.

I cut the pieces large enough to wrap around the frame to the backside and applied them with matte Mod Podge.  Several coats applied to the top and sides was all that was needed.  If you want to bring out the golden tones, apply Shimmer Mod Podge in Gold.

Check out the entire collection at Free Spirit.  With so many possibilities there’s no excuse not to try this project.  What are you waiting for?  Get your Mod Podge and get going!

Filed Under: crafts, fabric, house and home, mod podge

Getting Close

March 12, 2011 by 2 Comments

Lots of productive activity at Casa P today.  In my little corner the sewing machine was humming away.  This wall hanging in Sis Boom’s Honey Child has been quilted.  Now it needs a bit of embellishment and binding.  The blues and greens are just right.  They bring happy energy–precisely what I was seeking. 

How was your day?  Full of the right kind of energy?

Filed Under: fabric, quilting, sis boom
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