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Happy Friday!

May 3, 2013 by 5 Comments

Happy, happy Friday! After spending a bit of time cleaning up and organizing over the last couple days, I sat down with my scraps. While putting things in order, I found my paper pieces and could not resist making a star flower using Anna’s lovely Field Study print for a wild, exotic look. Wild Star Flower in AMHSomehow, I pulled myself away and finished trimming up these left over bits for a future something.Pieced scrapsThere was even a bit of “what if?” play with other left over scraps.What If? ScrapsI’m clearly having a hard time focusing.  But I’m enjoying the deadline free, pressure free play time. Ideas need execution and that’s the goal for next week. Before that happens, time to have fun!

Have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend!

Filed Under: Amy Butler, Anna Maria Horner, blog buddies, fabrics, Heather Bailey, Kaffe Fassett, quilting, sassaman, scraps, sis boom

Safari Garden – A Free Quilt Pattern

March 17, 2013 by 6 Comments

The year started off with some talk about pre cuts, if you recall. (And if you don’t, or if you hadn’t joined me yet, here’s the introductory post.) So far, I’ve given you free patterns for a couple wall hangings (Garden Geometry and Fruit Smoothie) and a table topper (Fresh & Easy) and a picnic cloth (Country Picnic). Now it’s time for something a little bigger.Zebras in the Garden

High drama carries the day with a mix of zebra and colorful prints in the blue and green range. The piecing itself is quite simple. There is no matching of seams on these tumblers. With the tumblers stacked top to bottom, the row arrangement creates a visual pattern of secondary interest without any extra work on your part.

Here are the details on the quilt:

  • Measures 43″ x 55″
  • Uses 12 fat quarters and one yard of zebra or other high contrast print for patchwork
  • Fabrics in this quilt are from Jennifer Paganelli’s Happy Land collection for Free Spirit (zebra is from her Flower Power collection)

When deciding on fabric to use for this pattern, keep two things in mind. First, use one high contrast print. I’ve used zebra but you could substitute black and white dots or checks–anything that really stands out by itself.  Second, the broader your range of prints for the non-zebra tumblers, the better. It creates all-over interest and keeps your eye moving. Pull out your scrap pile. Scraps would work beautifully in this quilt.

You can get the pdf of this free pattern by clicking here. And you’ll be able to find it easily in the future by heading to the Freebie section. If you’re not acquainted with Jennifer Paganelli yet, be sure to visit her website and blog. Jennifer lives color and beauty with every breath. And she would love to have you join her in celebrating them.

Enjoy this one!

Filed Under: color, fabrics, freebie, freebies, pattern, quilting, quilts, scraps, sis boom

More Stacks

March 3, 2013 by 4 Comments

The stacks of fabric waiting to be sewn into projects just keep growing. Some of the stacks themselves grow larger. New stacks seem to appear overnight. AMH fabric stackAmy Butler stackSis Boom piecesWith stacks like these, who can complain?

Filed Under: Amy Butler, Anna Maria Horner, color, fabrics, sewing, sis boom

One of the Stacks

February 24, 2013 by 5 Comments

Charleston Farmhouse FQsThe sewing area is filled with stacks of projects waiting for completion. This is one of them. Felicity sent some Charleston Farmhouse for a Melissa P touch. It’s transformation is well underway and I hope to have a reveal for you, complete with pattern, by the end of this month. It all started with some small cuts.Charleston Farmhouse cutI love the pops of yellows and oranges amid the grays. They keep it lively. I have a couple small things to add, which means I better get off the computer and start sewing. Just wanted to share a glimpse of what’s going on here at Casa P.

What color combinations are in your stacks? I know I’m not the only on with stacks of projects waiting for attention. 

Filed Under: blog buddies, color, Disclosure, fabrics, quilting, sewing

Grandpa’s Toolbox Makes The Cover

February 22, 2013 by 7 Comments

Generation Q’s February/March issue is out! And that quilt on the cover…it’s a Melissa P. original called Grandpa’s Toolbox.GenQ cover issue 4The pattern to make the quilt is found in the magazine, which you can purchase directly from Generation Q if it is unavailable at your local quilt shop.Grandpa's Toolbox on trailer1I thought you might be interested in the story behind this little quilt–where the idea came from, how I chose fabrics, and that sort of thing. It started with a simple thought–using hexagons to do something masculine, something as different from Grandma’s Flower Garden as I could get. I knew I wanted Parson Gray prints to solidify that masculine edge. While I was cutting out the hexies, I realized the gray hexies reminded me of nuts and bolts. That thought led me to memories of my father’s toolboxes. 

I was always intrigued by the things my father had in the garage, in his truck and anywhere else he might find a place to stash them. I liked the way toolboxes had trays for the small stuff. It seemed pretty cool that he had little cubbie holes and compartments for different parts. You could open the lid, remove the tray and find all sorts of odd little bits, some of them brightly colored and some not. Naturally, the uses for all these things were not nearly as interesting as the colors and shapes. 

And those colors made their way into this quilt. The blue and red of a Craftsman screwdriver set, the yellow of a Stanley tool handle, the bright colors of wire nuts (yellow, red, green, gray and blue)–it’s all there in simple geometry. The addition of some of Amy’s Cameo prints was almost a no-brainer. (Search Google Images for all of those and you’ll see what I mean.) The black strips running through the darker hexies are representative of the handles on the toolbox trays. For me, the quilt is a top down view into a place filled with memories.

By the time I sat down to sew the pieces together by hand, I knew I’d accomplished my goal. There’s nothing Grandmother’s Flower Garden about this piece. (Not that I don’t appreciate the Grandmother’s Flower Garden pattern. I do. My second attempt at quilting was a failed GFG. But that’s a long story from a long time ago.) The best thing though, it makes me think of my father and grandfather and all the happy memories I have of each of them. 

Filed Under: Amy Butler, color, fabrics, family, magazine, Parson Gray, pattern, quilting, quilts, Rowan, sewing

Scraplets

February 19, 2013 by 7 Comments

What do you call the scraps from your scrappy projects? I have no idea. I just know I have a hard time throwing even those little scraplets away.AB leftovers from scrapsThese are the leftover bits from my scraplets, believe it or not. Right before that box of fabric with a deadline arrived, I had been working on a project using some of my Amy Butler scrap stash. After finishing, I still had scraps leftover. More importantly, I had an idea for how to use them. 

Yesterday, I sent off the box of finished samples having met the deadline by the skin of my teeth. I needed something to reward myself–besides coffee and chocolate, of course. So I jumped into the scraplets and started sewing. This morning I finished the piecing. Basting, quilting and binding still need doing.

For now….I think I’ll have another cup of coffee and dream up some more scrappy fun. The more I use my scraps, the more I seem to have.

Filed Under: Amy Butler, fabric, fabrics, scraps

Pre-Cut Project – Fresh & Easy Table Topper

January 25, 2013 by 5 Comments

It’s Friday again! It’s also time for another pre-cut project. This one is quick and easy, so whether you want instant gratification for yourself or something easy to give as a gift, look no further than this table topper.Fresh & Easy Table TopperThe Fresh & Easy Table Topper pattern is a freebie, ready for download whenever you are. I used a designer roll of Felicity Miller’s Gypsy plus Designer Solids in cream, all by Free Spirit. For the circles, I pulled out my Sizzix and their Circles #2 die. (You can easily cut these by tracing around two different sizes of round objects–like spools, small jars, etc.)Fresh & Easy Table RunnerHere are the details:

  • Measures 27″ square
  • Uses 1 Designer Roll and 5/8 yard of a solid (there will be leftover 2 1/2″ strips for your scrap bin) for the top
  • Circles are fused raw edge applique 
  • Binding is made from various strips in the Designer Roll

For the free pattern, click here or visit the Freebies section. To find out more about Felicity, click here. I had the pleasure of meeting her at Quilt Market and I can tell you, she is someone you want to get to know. Not only is she a wonderful artist, but she is a delightful person–kind and sincere. The kind of person you want to support and encourage. You can follow her blog here. She has a new collection arriving in March called Charleston Farmhouse which is sure to inspire. But more on that at a later date.

For now, grab some strips and get sewing! And Happy Friday!

Filed Under: blog buddies, fabrics, freebie, freebies, house and home, Market, pattern, quilting, sewing, tutorials

It’s Going To Take Another Cup

January 21, 2013 by 5 Comments

Monday morning. I need some more coffee if anything is going to happen here today. It’s slow going and a gorgeous weather day lies ahead. At least I have some lovely fabrics to tempt me.
Felicity's Gypsy rollLike little designer rolls. (This one is Felicity Miller’s Gypsy.) Cute with potential for a quick and easy project.Amy Butler yardage and Aurifil threadAnd beautiful yardage with colorful thread. (All of these prints are Amy Butler prints. They keep whispering to me.) Doesn’t this stack look promising? 

What’s tempting you these days? Anything bright and colorful sitting on your cutting table? Have you made any short term plans for easy projects? Or long term goals for big ones? Tell me I’m not the only one with more fabric than time.

Filed Under: Amy Butler, color, fabrics

Little Changes Make A Huge Difference

January 13, 2013 by 7 Comments

It isn’t always easy to visualize how simple changes in fabric choices will alter the look of a pattern. Let’s look at the quilt block for the Garden Geometry quilt in the last post. Not that exciting on paper. But oh the drama it can provide! We saw it work its magic with Amy & David’s fabrics. Now let’s see what happens if we choose different fabrics. Garden Geo in SassamanHere it is done in Jane Sassaman fabrics. I’ve used two of Jane’s dots–black on white and white on black–to provide an even starker contrast for the light and dark sections. Instead of the patchwork of color for sections 2 and 5, I substituted a large bold print from Jane’s Hothouse Garden collection (one of my all time favorite Sassaman collections). Sashing and corner squares frame the four blocks and provide the perfect top for a pillow cover. But you could easily make this your block and start building a quilt.

Don’t be afraid to go a little crazy with your fabrics. If you stay true to the basic principles, you’ll get a grand result. Most importantly, keep the contrast on the high side. If the contrast is too low, you’ll lose the movement and end up with something that confuses your eye instead of leading it.

If you make a project with this block, please send a picture. I would love to see your interpretation! I’m so thrilled by all the commenters  who are eager to start sewing their own Garden Geometry quilt. Seriously….thrilled!

Filed Under: blog buddies, color, fabric, fabrics, pattern, sassaman

Garden Geometry — A New Free Quilt Pattern & A Chance To Win

January 8, 2013 by 116 Comments

Garden Geometry tabletopReady to kick off the new year in a big way? There’s nothing like a punch of pattern, color and design to get your creative energy flowing. We’re going to start the pre-cut series of projects with a very special piece. It utilizes 2 1/2″ squares, aka mini charms, in an unusual way. It’s name is Garden Geometry.Garden Geometry QuiltYou may remember this post. It happened in a deliciously serendipitous way. Several Parson Gray’s Seven Wonders fat quarters sat on my table waiting for attention. It wasn’t until that particular morning, and those numerous cups of coffee, that everything clicked. And you know me, when it clicks, it clicks dramatically. I knew immediately that my Amy Butler scrap stash had to come out to join in the fun. 

My favorite thing about this piece is how it represents these two incredible artists and their very different design aesthetics. Whenever I get to work with fabrics designed by my friends and people who inspire me, an additional bit of magic happens. In this case, doubly so. Can’t you just see Amy’s flower beds soaking up Dave’s wind and rain? I’m quite smitten with the way these prints all work together. Dave’s fabrics make for an interesting play of movement–the dark and light colors, the wavy lines in the design, the alternating placement. And Amy’s prints get a chance to play with each other across numerous collections while providing the perfect balance to all the gray and blue.351The details on the project are simple:

  • Measures 35 inches square
  • Blocks are foundation pieced and finish at 8 inches
  • Patchwork strips are pieced first and then treated as one unit for block assembly
  • Hand quilted with big stitches using Anchor threads 

I’m so excited about this project. And I want you to share my excitement! I’ve written a pattern so you can make one of your very own Garden Geometry wall hangings. It requires a basic understanding of foundation piecing, although I do provide a quick run through if you need a refresher. There are many videos and guides available online if you want to learn. The block is an easy beginner block, so don’t fret. You can find the free pdf pattern here as well as the “Freebies” section. Garden Geometry SwagTo take that excitement level up a notch or two, I’m giving away some fabric! One lucky commenter will receive a stack of 128 mini charms (2 1/2″ squares) of Amy Butler prints along with one yard each of the two Parson Gray prints pictured above. It’s all the fabric required for the quilt blocks! I pulled from my Amy Butler scrap stash to cut the squares so it contains prints from at least five of her past collections of quilting cottons. Free Spirit is generously providing the Parson Gray yardage. Sound like fun?! I thought so too.

Here are the details of the Sweepstakes:

  1. Leave a comment on this post before the deadline to enter. Tell me anything you’d like, there’s no magic comment.
  2. One comment per reader. Duplicate entries will be deleted.
  3. You have until 12:00 midnight Pacific Standard Time on Friday, January 18 to enter. 
  4. International entrants are welcome.
  5. Winner will be selected by Random Number Generator the weekend of January 19-20.
  6. Winner will be notified by email and will have one week to respond. If winner does not respond, a new winner will be selected by Random Number Generator and notified by email.

Good luck!

Filed Under: Amy Butler, color, creativity, Disclosure, fabrics, giveaway, Parson Gray, pattern, quilting, quilts, Rowan, scraps
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