A Blond Quilts

Time Consuming Much?

2012-02-20T10:00:00.009-06:00

Hexies are awesome. They are addictive, easy, and fun! Plus you can make them anywhere! At home, in front of the tv, or in the car while moving yourself across the country!

I have been working on these hexies made from Tula Pink's Parisville line for a while now, picking them up when I have time, and have made quite a bit of progress!

I do have ~~a plan~~ ~~a design~~ a vague idea of something or other in my head for a baby blanket made from these hexies. Until then I just love love taking them out and staring at the pile.

I made these hexies from two charm square packs and 2.5" inch hexagons. The best part was that the charms were sometimes cut so perfectly as to look fussy cut!

Now I have been making hexagons for quite a bit now, and thanks to Fat Quarterly Issue 8 and its coupon inside for PaperPieces.com I decided to branch out and try a bunch of new sizes! So hopefully soon you will be seeing triangles, squares, and diamonds in this gorgeous line too!

If you want some inspiration for paper piecing I highly suggest you check out this flickr group!

The New Kid

2012-02-19T13:33:00.001-06:00

Yesterday I got to be one of the new kids at the Boston Modern Quild Guild's meeting. Thankfully it was a great turnout and I was only like 1 of 5 new kids! Gotta love company! Everyone was extremely sweet, kind, and welcoming, and I really enjoyed myself. They did show and tell, talked about an upcoming retreat (which sadly I am too late to sign up for), and an upcoming quilt show they are participating in this fall!

After the meeting the amazing ladies behind Sew Fresh Fabrics invited us to their "store" to do a little bit of shopping! Normally they are not open to the public, and only sell through their etsy shop, but they were awesome enough to the members of the BMQG to come over to their space, paw their bolts, drool on their fat quarters, and make a significant dent in their inventory! And please note, I have NOT been asked to blog about the shop, I simply feel that when I receive excellent customer service I should share it. So if you have never shopped with Sew Fresh Fabrics before I highly recommend them.

Also, Amy from During Quiet Time took some great pictures of their space and stock! So be sure to check out her post!

They have a fantastic selection of Japanese fabrics, including this gorgeous alphabet panel that I snatched up immediately.

Any idea what I am going to do with it? Of course not - but how could I resist it?! The colors are bright, the texts sweet, and the pictures adorable.

These are just a few of my favorite panels on this adorable piece! And the great part is that 1 panel is 2 complete sets of these tiles!

They also have sooooo many modern lines - I was damn near drooling on the bolts. So many of these lines I hadn't gotten to see in person yet, including Lotta Jansdotter's Echo line. I have seen swatch pictures, quilts, handbags, skirts, and tons of other things made from these prints, but was never all that attracted to the line.

But seeing it there in front of me - all those bolts in these deep jewel tones with pops of pink and aqua was just too much for my poor wallet to resist. Suddently I LOVED THIS LINE!

And then I found a fat quarter bundle pre-cut and just waiting for me to take it home, love it, pet it, and transform it into a cuddly, super warm, blanket!

Plus to make this even more irresistable Sew Fresh Fabrics makes Kona Cotton solid bundles to match the line! This way I don't have to wait till I get home, pull out my color card, and try to match up solids myself! The work is already done for me!

I got both the warm and cool colorways....of course. They match the prints gorgeously! Colors include Aqua, Sage, Ash, Candy Green, Glacier, Nightfall, Snow, Ochre, Curry, Amber, Sable, and Coffee.

Plus they label all their konas, which I LOVE. Seriously, I have so many konas and 95% of them are not labeled despite my best efforts and I no longer have any idea what they are.

Ahhh, so lovely! I cannot wait to cut into these beauties! Of course I need to finish the quilt currently attached to my machine....hmmm....details.

Also I can't do much new sewing before I leave on vacation this week! When I get back get ready for several pictures from one of the happiest places on Earth!

Until then my lovelies!

365:January

2012-02-09T22:34:00.000-06:00

Well I have been keeping up with this project pretty well which frankly suprises the hell out of me!

Seriously I thought I would have quit this about 2 weeks in but it has been proving an excellent way to document my move and my crazy new life. Although I wish I was better about always using hipstamatic and not just my regular camera.

Anyways, without further ado,,,my life for the last month!

1. 365:1, 2. 365:2, 3. 365:3, 4. 365:4, 5. 365:5 i love vintage mailboxes. Sometimes i think i was born in the wrong decade., 6. 365:6 packing my life away to move on sunday!, 7. Not available, 8. 365:8 Cleo was soooo good on the trip up to Massachusetts., 9. 365:9, 10. 365:10 welcome to the snowy north! The land of the snow shovel!, 11. 365:11 a good fortune for my new life!, 12. 365:12 there ws a whole window full of Harry Potter stuff at a store in Salem!, 13. 365:13 My new apartment has lights up in the living room! They are so pretty!, 14. 365:14 quincy market in Boston!, 15. 354:15 watched my favorite movie Pride and Prejudice with a fantastic friend!, 16. 365:17 My favorite thread!, 17. 365:18 My Baby :), 18. 365:19 A clover necklace which is so appropriate for living in Boston!, 19. 365:20 Snow in my Neighborhood, 20. 365:21 Where is my car??, 21. 365:22 Cleo sitting in the window, 22. 365:23 i <3 my kindle, 23. 365:24 the cozy i won from last years sew mama sew giveway!, 24. 365:25 yet ANOTHER new coat!, 25. 365:26 I'm all offical!, 26. 365:27 I love Boston architecture - but all i can think is "dude, wheres my house??", 27. 365:28 My favorite piece at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 28. 365:29 The courtyard at the Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum., 29. 365:30 A church thats down the street from the museum., 30.

Why can't I make this the correct size?!?! ARGH! I make it large its only this big, I make it extra lange and it takes up almost the whole screen! Super annoying.

Oh well, such is life!

Enjoy this glimpse into my current insanity!

I'm not dead, but I am a Popsicle.

2012-01-29T20:42:00.000-06:00

HELLO PEEPS FROM THE (currently no so) SNOWY NORTH!!

This is my first post from my new home in Massachusetts! The last 4 weeks have been exilerating, stressful, fun, intense, tiring, thrilling, and like 27 other emotions founds on the farthest reaches of a spectrum.

I have changed my entire life by picking up and moving 2,000 miles away to a place where I had never been, to a place where I didn't know anyone, to a place that is drastically different from where I have always lived. So sorry about things being a bit quiet around here while I have been getting settled and attempting to adjust.

Oh and I want to apologize for those of you that just read the blog for crafty things because while I have pulled out all my sewing stuff and set most of it up its not done and I haven't sewn a stitch on my machine! Although I am making some good progress on hexie paper piecing. Oh and all these photos have been taken on my iphone since my SLR is still in Texas and my point and shoot camera is still packed away somewhere that I have yet to find.

I am lucky enough to have one friend up here but she lives about 40 minutes from me so I wont get to see her to often. But my first weekend here she took me shopping to get all my winter gear and took me up to Lake Winnipasauke so that I could see snow for the first time!

We stayed at her parent's cabin right off the lake. It backed up the woods and was surrounded by other cute homes. It was gorgeous and peaceful and I totally got at that moment why people would live in all that snow!

I loved getting to see snow and I had so much freaking fun playing around in it! Then the very next weekend it snowed where I am living! It snowed from about 9am to 5pm and I enjoyed every second of it. My house and the surrounding houses looked so adorable and lovely covered in that snow but my car had no idea what the hell was happening! LOL! Oh and here the mail stops for no one or nothing! I was amazed.

Cleo was a bit freaked by the snow too! She sat in the window almost all day, her little head constantly moving, very jerky, as her eyes shifted from one falling snow flake to another. In her fascination she was would get to close to window pane, touch her nose, realize how FREEZING it was, freak out, jump off her window perch, and run about 10 feet away from the window. Then within about 5 minutes she was back at the window watching the flakes!

I also took a quick little video from one of my windows of the snow falling! So peaceful and pretty!

So y'all I hope that has given y'all a bit of insight into my crazy, fun new world! I will have of my recent adventures to share with you all soon!

I just want to thank all of you for being patient with my silence (and now craft related scilence) as I have adjusted to my new surroundings. But my first project up is finishing quilting a quilt I was working on before I left Houston, and am trying to have it done by Valentine's Day so there is that to look forward to!

Heart y'all!
Bry

Why do we love gnomes so much?

2012-01-09T17:11:00.001-06:00

And do you still love it when it's like 20 feet tall??

Crafting cross country!

2012-01-09T13:47:00.001-06:00

Me and my hexies traveling through Maryland!

Whoa.

2012-01-06T17:16:00.002-06:00

There it is.

All the crafting supplies I am taking to Boston (except my jumbo fabric brick *cough cough*). My sewing machine, some crochet hooks, yarn, thread, etc etc etc.

I can't believe I got it all to fit into 1 small Rubbermaid container (that I can barely lift - damn Bernina's are HEAVY!)

365

2012-01-02T03:36:00.002-06:00

Or maybe a better title would be "I think I've lost my mind".

That's right folks I am jumping on the proverbial band wagon (or off the bridge) and am going to attempt to accomplish the amazing feat of a photo a day for 2012.

I am doing this because 2012 is going to be witness to the biggest changes I have yet to experience in my life. And what better way to document it than with a phone that never leaves my side and an app that produces my favorite kinds of photos! The goal is that at the end of the year I can have all the photos printed up!

So without further adieu me, my iPhone, and Hipstamatic are going to attempt to record this upcoming year and my new life!

And what better way to start than with a shot of my new life planner from Erin Condren! If this thing can't keep me organized nothing can!

Only half...

2012-01-01T00:20:00.004-06:00

Here it is - the first moments of 2012 and I am sitting in my place staring around at all the boxes, bags, and piles I have packed. (And there is still so much more to do!)

And despite my slight embarrassment at the sheer amount of it I had to share this photo with you guys. A jumbo space saver with about 1/2 my fabric stash.

Yeah - this is only half...

Oh and I cannot lift it by myself. I am actually really tempted to weigh it! Plus if you have never used a space saver bag, they become hard as a ROCK after you have sucked all the air out. And this one is like a giant boulder.

Oh and to give you a sense of the size - that's my moms hand in the upper left corner and my gym bag on the right.

What a Crafty Year!

2011-12-30T14:08:00.001-06:00

2011 has been a bit of a crazy year! Full of swaps, bees, quilts, and tons of craftiness.

I cannot explain how much flickr, blogs, and my online peeps have brought to my life. It has provided me with inspiration, creativity, new skills, new friends, and more crafty loves!

2011 was full of quilts and swap items.

2011 was full of bee blocks.

In 2011 I even learned that needles are in fact sharp....oops.

2011 proved to be a year of creative growth thanks to all your crafty people and your impact on my life! And I can't wait for 2012! I am even breaking my normal rule about making goals or resolutions.

In 2012 I want to do so much!

Sew using my "special fabrics", i.e. my Tula Pink, my Heather Ross, my Anna Maria Horner - regardless of the fact that I can't get any more without paying an arm or a leg.
Just say no thank you! As others have pointed out I completely overloaded myself this past year with swaps and bees. I found myself stressed out trying to make deadlines (made worse by my CRAZY work schedule), stressing when I just couldn't make a block as well as I thought I should since it was techniques I hadn't done before (I''m looking at you starburst block!), and just stressed in general that people wouldn't like what I made them. The worst part though was because I had committed myself to so many other things I never got to sew as much for my family. I was supposed to make a quilt for one of my grandmothers, a tree skirt for my mom, and a bunch of other things. So next year I really want to focus on sewing for my family.
Make a quilt for myself!
Attend Sewing Summit! I didn't get to go last year because I was already going to my Jane Austen conference, and this year they are on different weekends so I AM GOING!
Keep up with my blog a bit better! Sometimes I go a little longer than I would like without blogging and sometimes I make things and give them away without remembering to take photos of them so I can blog about them!
PAPER PIECING!!! I want to practice, practice, practice!!!
HAND PIECING!!! I love doing this but don't have a lot of time for it, but I want to make it a priority this year!
Make 1 honest to god wearable garment! Just 1! (I am trying to make these goals attainable! LOL!)

So hopefully I can actually work on these things, and 2012 will be even craftier that this year! I am pretty sure making a quilt for myself though will be accomplished quite soon since I am moving to such a cold place!

Happy new years everyone and may your 2012's be beautiful and creative!

Goodbye Houston - Hello Boston

2011-12-23T23:43:00.000-06:00

Well guys it is going to get pretty quiet around here for a while because I have big news.

I got a new job!!

Only it's on the other side of the country in Boston, MA. So I am in the process of turning my entire life upside down and move almost 2,000 miles away from my home in Texas. And holy cow y'all moving is the most expensive thing ever. I have moved a couple of times before but always for school - always with set time limits. So I could leave things at home and only take what I needed in a dorm or an apartment. Now I am taking everything - or actually it seems like nothing as I am getting rid of almost everything I own, which is a lot harder than I thought. Although when I get there I am going to buy a whole new wardrobe as it apparently gets a lot colder in the north east than it does in the south!

In moving I am leaving a lot behind more important that just stuff - namely my entire family. My immediate family though is very close. Especially my little sister who is who I made this quilt for back in 2008. Even as I type this I am questioning my decisions like crazy. In taking this opportunity I am giving up my life here, my possessions, and precious time with my family. I know they want me to be happy and do what I need to do for my career, but damn its really hard especially since this inst like school and I will be around again in 2 or 4 years.

To date this is my favorite quilt I have ever made. I used Heather Ross's mendocino line because the Little Mermaid is her favorite movie, and those mermaids were just to die for. So even though I am going to be almost 2,000 miles away I hope my sister will continue to love her quilt, which she uses everyday now, and I get to come home and visit them all often.

I quilted it really heavily by following the piecing and following my previous quilting line, so they are about the width of the walking foot apart. As a result of all of the crazy time consuming quilting and the softness of the mendocino fabric it has the most lovely drape ever. Plus I am a total sucker for white bindings. I love them because they just totally pop. You can especially see the denseness of the quilting and the brightness of the binding on the back side.

So as I prepare to cross the Mason Dixon and head up north (geeze I am going to miss BBQ and Tex Mex) I am trying to stay strong, keep breathing, STAY WARM, and spend wisely (no crazy fabric purchases for me anytime soon) as I start a new life.

Addiction

2011-12-20T13:41:00.000-06:00

It's a terrible thing.

It takes up your valuable time. It distracts you from work. It keeps you from other tasks.

And I love every minute of it!

OMG YES PLZ

2011-12-08T10:09:00.000-06:00

Tula, how I love thee let me count the ways!

Preorder??

You bet your sweet ass!

So Many Blocks - So Little Time!

2011-11-27T13:32:00.001-06:00

I am a bad bad bee block person.

My life is kinda turning upside down right now as I am attempting to make some HUGE changes. So I am now so late and so sorry!

Seriously, I am totally hanging my head in shame over here.

But I am caught up now!

First off the one I was most behind on, do. good stitches. For September we made green monochromatic blocks with a pop of color that was our choice so I used some scraps of Flea Market Fancy gold seeds.

For October we made rectangle and cube blocks using a pattern from Ashley at Film in the Fridge.

Finally for November we all made mod circles blocks using a pattern from Moda Bake Shop that is just adorable. Sadly though my machine doesn't do a blanket stitch as called for in the pattern so I had to use a satin stitch.

Next up are the blocks for my String Me Along bee. Back in September we were asked to make half square triangle blocks using all Amy Butler fabrics. And can I say how much I LOVE HST!! Seriously, that is easily my favorite quilt block. So simple, so versatile, and so pretty!

Then in October we were asked to make more Nicey Jane string blocks, which are always a pleasure to make. So easy to make, yet it makes wonderfully complex blocks.

Finally we have the Neptune Bee, which uses my favorite fabric line ever!! Oh Tula how I love your fabrics! Back in September we were asked to make hexagon blocks - one hand pieced hexie block and one using the awesome Lee's tutorial. This one took me a while simply because of the hand piecing but I loved making them!

Then in October we were asked for 2 dresden blocks, but sadly I really only had enough time to make 1. This was my first dresden block, and while I love the outcome, I did not like the process. I had so many complications with this block. I couldn't ever get it to lie flat, the circle just barely fit. Overall it was just frustrating.

Finally for November we were asked to make Rain or Shine blocks from Elizabeth Hartman's book Practical Patchwork. I loved making these, and I love the outcome, but good grief I had issues making that center point come together, and still obviously failed. Thank goodness the lady these are going to has plans to cover the centers with some awesome buttons.

Finally I did a little bit of secret sewing! I tried out an X-block and it was a ton of fun! Sadly though I think I didn't choose my fabrics very well so the contrast isn't quite what it should be. Still I do love this block!

So there you have it - 3 months of blocks that I have been working on the last few weeks and have finally finished!

Now I just have to get them mailed out on Monday so they can fly their ways home!

Also this weekend I have finished a quilt and finally photographed another that I actually made in 2008 but is my favorite quilt ever that I want to share with you, so there's more to come!

Warning! Warning!

2011-11-13T19:19:00.000-06:00

Not only is this post super picture heavy but it is full of wonderful and fantastic goodies that might make you pull your credit card out and commit a serious online shopping spree.

This year at the International Quilt Festival I was determined to be better than in years past - when I exercised NO CONTROL whatsoever and came home with a HUGE bag full of fabric. So this year I kept asking myself do I need this, will I use this, and I am happy to report I put SO MUCH back on the shelves.

Yet, somehow I STILL came home with all this.

Whoops.

Fist off I got Yoko Saito of Quilt Party Japan's 156 Patchwork Designs book which is STUNNING. Seriously y'all this book is awesome and worth every shiny penny. Plus she signed it for me!! (And photographing that liquid pencil she used sure was difficult!) I also picked up a copy of Carol Doak's 50 Fabulous Paper Pieced Stars which I have been wanting ever since seeing this epic mini quilt.

Then my most epic find of the day was these 3 yard bundles of Tula Pink's Neptune line which is one of my favorite lines of fabric EVER. Plus these are 2 of my favorite prints from the lines EVER! And they weren't crazy over priced like some rude people on ebay, and I only paid $9 a yard! LUCKY!!!

I got 2 charm packs of Cosmo Crickets 1934 line which I love, a fat quarter bundle of these gorgeous South African fabrics from Coral Tree fabrics, and a GORGEOUS oakshott fabric bundle that is my favorite range of colors.

Being that I adore all things English and Irish I totally jumped on these British themed prints from Kokka, Echino, and who knows what!

Oh course I kept my eye out for some Japanese fabrics that I couldn't bear not to take home and I was not disappointed. I have been looking for these little blue bunnies for a month! I also got these lovely cotton square with this fabulous design and color scheme that I want to use as a center panel in a quilt. This is my favorite brand of shasiko thread. It is strong, brilliant white, and a good price.

Another Japanese print I got was this awesome Kokka print that has large stripes of different prints. I love the burnt orange color scheme and especially the washing labels!

Another fabric love of mine is cutsie type fabrics that are great for small projects and fussy cutting, and I managed to find tons of those! My special fabrics is the aqua sushi print on the right, and those cracked out looking bunnies on the bottom. I mean come on their eyes are bulging and their little tails are all fluffed up like a really pissed off cat. That just says cracked out to me!

Finally I got a couple more random prints without much rhyme or reason. Those stripes were just lovely colors, the etchings print of the architectural drawings were just pretty, and the Japanese buttons too sweet. That fun truck print is going to become the backing for a quilt for my dad (someday).

All in all by the end of both days that I spent at festival it is safe to say my shoulder was hurting from carrying around sacks of stuff and my wallet was much lighter, but it was all oh so worth it!

Geeze I LOVE quilt festival!!

Also today I went to the opening of the Texas Quilt Museum in La Grange, Texas but more on that later in the week!

Why do you create?

2011-11-10T15:58:00.002-06:00

Ever since my craftiness (nerdiness, or whatever you want to call it) was revealed to everyone I know with the Houston Chronicle article I have been asked several times why I like to quilt, why I like crafting, why I like being creative.

I have had several answers and no answers all at the same time. I just boiled it down to this generic "because I like it". Can we same LAME. I just can't seem to come up with a concise, meaningful answer to any of these questions.

One of my favorite photographers, Zhang Jingna, whose work I have followed for years, was able to sum it up for me perfectly.

"I pursue a beauty that to me makes being alive more bearable even if just for a little while. This is the reason I create."

Her works (as seen all throughout this post) is a true testament to that powerful statement.

So tell me, why do you do what you do? Why do you risk cricks in your neck from hours over a sewing machine or hand work, why do you risk cuting off fingers with a rotary cutter, why do you risk sleep deprivation trying to create an entire quilt in 2 days because someone asks for a baby quilt at the last minute??

Why do you create?

Is it Halloween 2012 yet??

2011-11-08T08:19:00.001-06:00

Because I NEED THESE NOW!!!

Tula, Tula, Tula - how can you do this to me?!

How can you tell me about these fabrics when they won't even be available until Halloween of 2012?!?!

Oh my goodness, I am exhausted.

2011-11-07T14:34:00.001-06:00

Quilt Market and Quilt Festival have come and gone leaving me in a whirlwind of exhaustion!

The Houston Modern Quilt Guild Market Meet Up was a bundle of awesome-ness. So many people showed up, so many prizes were given out, so many great conversations were had. Then in the middle of the week I got interviewed by the Houston Chronicle. Then I spend wednesday and thursday shopping till I literally dropped (pics of all those goodies are coming!) Wow my feet were killing me at the end of both those days! Then friday-sunday I attended a conference for work in the Hilton Americas next door to the quilt festival meaning half the time I was at my conference I was wishing I was at the festival! Then saturday night was the HMQG Festival meet up! Not as many people came but it was still a blast with new friends made, prizes galore, and a fantastic chocolatini!

Sadly though during this crazy week I took almost NO PICTURES!! Argh! It was just too hard to shop, chat, laugh, drink, and enjoy myself all while taking pictures. And the few I did take were half blurred and pretty crappy.

I do have to share this AMAZING FIND with you all though! 3 yard Neptune bundles!! OMG be still my heart!

All in all though it was the most awesome week ever. And I need a 3 day nap.

Embracing Modernism

2011-11-06T18:46:00.002-06:00

Photo by Nick de la Torre of the Houston Chronicle

Cherri House and I were interviewed by the Houston Chronicle about modern quilts and the International Quilt Festival since she is the founder of the Houston Modern Quilt Guild and I am the current president.

You can read the article here if you are interested!

Eeeeeeep!!!

2011-10-31T20:33:00.000-05:00

No I am not scared because it is Halloween - I am freaking out because I am so happy and excited right now!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE International Quilt Festival. I love how quilting fever basically takes over the city. The shops are in high gear, everyone online seems to be getting ready to come to the city and I feel like everywhere I turn there is more fabric I should by.

I don't know if many of you guys know this but I am president of the Houston Modern Quilt Guild, and to make it an even better week we held a Market Meet Up on Saturday and SO MANY PEOPLE CAME!! Seriously, I was scared everyone would be too tired after a full day of market to come and it would just end up being our guild members hanging out having a beer (which would still have been fantastic!) but seriously like 50 people came!!

I was totally starstruck like 20 times!!!

Some in attendance were Houston's own Cherri House and Lizzy House (omg her new Outfoxed line is to die for), Aneela Hoey, Laurie Wisbrun, Ann Kelle, Kathy Mack of Pink Chalk Fabrics (one of my fave online retailers!), the original Mama herself - Krinstin Link of Sew Mama Sew, John aka Quilt Dad, Julie of Jaybird Quilts, Pokey Bolton, Rashida Coleman Hale (whose new Washi line has me near fainting), and so many others. Plus there were people there from modern quilt guilds all over North America including LA, Philly, Albuquerque, San Antonio, and Calgary just to name a few..

Oh and not exactly quilt related but Bobby King of the Houston Texans was at the bar too!!Although not exactly for Market!

The sad part was that I didn't get any pictures of the night because there were just so many people and I spent the majority of my time talking with people and handing out door prizes. I was even lucky enough to snag a charm pack of Lizzy House's Outfoxed fabric which I have already made a pillow out of!

Another awesome thing this week was the Cherri House invited me to talk to the Houston Chronicle with her about modern quilting! This meant I got to go down to market, get a badge, and a sneak peak at the exhibition.

I was so excited and had a lot of fun chatting with her as we walked through the exhibition hall and pointed out modern quilts to the lovely lady from the newspaper. Plus I loved getting to check out the show before the festival starts, but was pretty bummed the winners of the quilt show hadn't been announced or hung yet.

After we were done talking I went upstairs just to watch people start taking down their market booths. Y'all may not know this about me either but I work in a very large museum and part of my job includes installing and deinstalling the exhibits so I have a pretty good idea of the time it takes to load and unload a room that size, and the fact that they basically do it between monday and wednesday night BLOWS MY MIND.

Sorry the photo came out a bit blurry, the window on the second floor I took this through wasn't the cleanest.

Either way it is GOODBYE MARKET, HELLO FESTIVAL!!

And if any of you lovely readers are going to festival be sure to join us Saturday night at the Hyatt hotel bar at 8pm for the HMQG Festival meet up. There will be TONS of prizes, people, and chatting! And seriously, the prizes are awesome - just take a peak at the sponsers!

HMQG Meet Ups at IQF

2011-10-27T15:26:00.001-05:00

HMQG Meet Up Name Badges, a photo by A Blond Quilts on Flickr.

Name badges for our Market and Festival Meet Ups for the Internation Quilt Market and Fesival!

EVERYONE IS INVITED!! And there will be AMAZING door prizes!!

Details here.

Modern Quilt Guild Market Meet Up

2011-10-25T20:56:00.004-05:00

The time has come!

This Saturday is the Modern Quilt Guild Market Meet up hosted by us here in the Houston Modern Quilt Guild.

The details:

Market MQG Meetup:

Saturday October 29th

The Hilton Lobby Bar

8:00 PM

We are having some crazy awesome door prizes from some amazing sponsors.

And next Saturday we are having a Festival meet up! At which there will be EVEN MORE PRIZES!!

Festival MQG Meetup:

Saturday November 5th

The Hyatt Lobby Bar

8:00 PM

All are welcome to either event so please come and enjoy!

Inspiring (House) Monday

2011-10-24T06:00:00.013-05:00

A few weeks ago I went to a vintage sale here in the city that was held at the most inspiring place ever! It was an event coordinators place (I can't remember the name but I will try to find it!) and was the epitome of romantic, soft, and vintage. These are just a few shots of her place... (sorry about the quality of the photos, they were taken on my iphone with 1 hand because my other hand was full of the goodies I bought which are below!)

Hanging empty frames?! Totally brillaint. Plus I am seeing this as a quilt with different sized boxes with neutral borders on maybe a pink and white background.

That felt pillow in the chair is welcome in my house any day! There is a similar pattern in the felt issue of Stitch magazine.

Random quilts stacked on the furniture??? YES PLZ.

Adorable garlands and sweet quilted pillows? Oh definitely.

Bunting, pillows, and vintage dresses, OH MY!

This typewritter makes me swoon. Like I am going to need the fainting couch in the next picture kind of swoon. Plus the colors in the photo would make the most gorgeous quilt ever!

A pink and white chaise!!! My life desperately needs this.

Plus I got these baby's from the same that day!

Heather Ross pj's for $25!!!! A 1942 edition of Etiquette by Emily Post for only $12! Plus a gorgeous print from a local artist named Rachel Szitas who is now near and dear to my heart with her love and enthusiasm for art. She is in the process of starting an Etsy store which I am definitely passing on to you guys once it is set up!

Hope this makes you want to try something new, maybe out of your comfort zone for all you bright, rainbow quilt makers out there!

Pretzel, pretzel, who wants a pretzel??

2011-10-19T14:54:00.001-05:00

So a few weeks back was the Red River Shoot Out - for those who don't know this is the football game between the University of Texas at Austin and some other school......you know those red people....ug...the University of Oklahoma.

So per tradition me and my best friends from college got together for the weekend to watch the game, hang out, catch up (and eventually console each other over the horrendous loss we suffered in that day game....ug...)

Everyone was bringing something, snacks, drinks, etc, and we were going to cook out for lunch and dinner. Well here's the thing...

I HATE COOKING.

Cooking in my mind is akin to torture.

Srsly.

But I do love to bake and have realized the hand kneading and punching dough is a fabulous stress reliever! So I made mini pretzel bites using a recipe from the Curvy Carrot (my new favorite cooking/baking blog!)

I decided to double the recipe since so many people were going to be at the game watching party but then ended up with so much dough and didn't think I needed to make 150+ pretzel bites so I made me a cinnamon sugar full sized pretzel and it was awesome!!!

Of course the down side to baking....THE DISHES!!

Again please excuse the photography - I didn't finish making this till almost 1 am, so it was dark and I couldn't find my camera and just used my iphone.

WARNING - these things are best eaten immediately. They did not last well until the next day which was totally sad. In hind sight, I think of course they ended up as rock hard little dough nuggets, the salt zapped all the moisture right out of them!!! But why didn't I think of that then?? *facepalm*

Inspiring Monday

2011-10-17T15:47:00.000-05:00

Wait, did I just go back in time and miss something??

Where are the rest of my best weekend ever posts with photos of the cutest vintage aqua, pink, and white house, and photos from my day antiquing in Round Top Texas when I got the most awesome vintage aprons and flour sack?? Or even where is my Inspiring Monday post from LAST MONDAY???

That's right folks - I am so totally failing at being a blogger right now.

Plus I spent the last week out of town in both Richmond, VA (one of my now favorite cities) and Ft. Worth, TX (for my Jane Austen conference!!!) so yeah - I am a bit behind!

So in the effort of catching up a bit - here are some of the things I am totlaly finding inspiring right now! (Click the photos to go to their flickr page for all infomation.)

Ok so now that I have tickled your eye balls with some pretties I hope everyone had as fantastic weekend as I did at my Jane Austen confernce, and is now going to go sew!!

GO!!

SEW NOW!!

Best Weekend Ever Part 1 + WINNERS!!

2011-10-01T16:46:00.005-05:00

This whole weekend has been amazing so far, full of art, antiques, great friends, good buys, and beautiful weather!

So last night was part 1 of my most amazing weekend. I got to go to an art opening for an artist named Joshua Bienko who recreates master works on the bottoms of Christian Louboutin shoes!

Now some of you know that my shoe ~~obsession~~ ~~love~~ ~~interest~~ obsession (lets just be honest shall we) is intense and spans the gambit from Converse to Manolo's, and the appearance of Louboutin's red soles just walked straight into my heart. Here are some of his works.

And my personal favorite!

Sorry for the bad photos as they were taken with my iphone with 1 hand because my other hand was holding one of the best cocktails ever from Flemings!

I love this whole idea because I think art can come in any medium whether it is cloth and quilts or paint and $1000 shoes! I loved the art, the event, the food, and getting to wear my tallest stilettos and not get funny looks because I was wearing 5" over the top shoes. LOL!

*****

And now time for the winners of my blog's first birthday!

Yay!! So here are your winners!

Baker's Twine - The Hungry Crafter
Polka Dots Bundle -Eileen {BlueBirdLuxe}
Stripes Bundle - Virginiabobro
Grunge Bundle - Melissa @ Sew Bitter Sweet Designs
Bliss Layer Cake - Amy and the Bad Cats

Congrats y'all! I will be sending out emails to notify the winners.

EDIT TO ADD!! Virginiabobro I can't get a hold of you! Your name links to your blog but your blog doesn't have your email! Email me at bomara {at} gmail {dot} com with your address. If I don't hear from you in a week I will select another winner for the stripes bundle.

Inspiring Monday

2011-09-26T06:09:00.000-05:00

This week I want to share with you some color pallets that have been ~~speaking~~ screaming to me to sew pretty pretty things.

Do y'all have a favorite pallet?

If so leave me a link! I'd love to see it.

Innocent...Something or Other Quilt

2011-09-25T20:47:00.001-05:00

GIVEAWAY POST HERE!

Have you ever spent $100 on fabric, hours and hours in planning, changing, sewing, ripping, resewing, changing some more, and finally throw your hands up and just finish the quilt just to be done with it??

I now have.

I finished this quilt a bit ago but just never got around to photographing it. Lazy? Me??? Or maybe it just has something to do with my apathy towards this quilt.

This quilt was definitely my first real foray into making an entire quilt improve style. It started out as a charm square quilt, morphed into a charm square on point quilt, and ended as a charm square on point with sashing quilt with days/weeks of agonizing mental debate over each step.

After every change I made it still just didn't look right and I am still not sure if I got it completely.

I really did love this I first saw this collection of fabric, when the idea popped into my head, while it was making it - but now, I don't know, it's just kinda meh to me. Either way I am hoping someone loves it because I am donating it to the Texas Wildfire collection.

Also as the title suggests I am totally at a loss as to what to call this quilt. Any ideas?

Fabric: Anna Maria Horner Innocent Crush, Kona Sky, Kona Eggplant, and Kona Windsor

Vintage Life

2011-09-24T18:05:00.002-05:00

Giveaway post here!

Today I got to attend an awesome event through by Houston Vintage!

There were vendors, pin up hair and makeup demos, swing, tango, and burlesque dance performances, and a great time to be had by all!

First off the shopping was awesome and full of inspiration! These were some of the lovely things I saw.

And aren't these boots crazy awesome?!?! Oh my goodness I wish I had the money to bring these beauties home with me. I mean come on, linen embroidered go go boots!! I'm swooning here.

This is what I ended up getting! A beautiful hair piece/brooch from Violet Peacock, that I wanted to wear in my hair for the Jane Austen confernece I am going to. I also got this amazing scarf for the simple reason that as soon as I saw it I thought QUILT!!! It would make an incredible quilt!!

What was the best part though was the dancing! All the dancers were so beautiful and talented! Check out this couple doing a fantastic tango!

Someone even brought this awesome car. Y'all may not know this about me but I love classic cars because my dad has restored these kinds of cars and trucks my whole life. And did anyone notice the baby car seat in the back?? Talk about coolest Dad ever!

On a totally unrelated note I was checking out sewing patterns at Joann's and they have a whole book dedicated to Halloween costumes and came across this weirdness. Instead of models wearing the costumes they are using the cheaper illustrations, only do you notice how anime in style these are?? It just seemed a bit odd to me. I made me want to run home and watch Sailor Moon!

Happy 1st Birthday to Me!

2011-09-21T09:00:00.000-05:00

Star Sprinkles by Star Bakery via Flickr

Where has the year gone?? Seriously! I have looked under every rock and cannot figure it out!

I had considered starting a blog for months before I actually took the plunge as I was ~~stalking~~ reading 50+ blogs already (now its like 3x that!) Now after 'meeting' so many amazing people I wish I had started earlier!

I have constantly been flabbergasted (yes, FLABBERGASTED!) by the talent, generosity, and humor that I have witnessed in the quilting community. You ladies and gentleman are, simply put, amazing.

Through see all of y'all talent I have been so inspired, and created so much because of it!

To thank all of y'all for sharing the last year of my crafty life with me, sharing all of y'alls knowledge with me through your own posts, comments, and tutorials, and sharing all of y'alls sweet and happy personalities I am doing a big giveaway!! I also decided to give the blog a tiny face lift since I haven't really changed it since I started it!

Up for grabs are 5, YES 5, fabulous prizes!!

First prize:
150 yards of bakers twine - 50 in each color

Second prize:
Bundle of polka dots - most fat quarters, some smaller

Third prize:
Fat quarter bundle of vintage striped sheets

Fourth prize:
Fat quarter bundle of Moda Grunge

Fifth prize:
Layer cake of Moda Bliss

Rules for entry:

Leave a comment - any ole thing is good.
Leave a second comment if you are a follower (new, old, doesn't matter).
Leave a comment if you decide to blog/twitter/facebook/whatever about the giveaway to help spread the word.

I will pick winners on October 1st. The first winner chosen by the random integer will get the 1st prize, 2nd winner 2nd prize, etc.

GOOD LUCK and thanks for reading.

Heart you guys!
Bry

Inspiring Monday

2011-09-12T07:30:00.000-05:00

I am super excited because I bought a new Kindle 3 on Saturday. I did have a Sony ereader but I was never all that happy with it, and the new kindle seems like it will be much more my speed. So for like the last 2 days I have been scouring flickr looking at everyones beautifully made Kindle covers for inspiration so I can make one for mine! And just look at some of these little pretties!

1. Deb's Kindle cover, 2. Kindle Cover, 3. kindle cover, 4. pac man kindle cover closed, 5. Sakizome Kindle Cover, 6. Kindle Covers, 7. Kindle Covers, 8. Ghastly kindle cover, 9. Kindle Covers

Anyone have an tutorial suggestions???? Pretty pretty please!!

10 years.

2011-09-11T14:31:00.000-05:00

10 years. It's hard to realize it has been this long. I was just coming out of an 8am archaeology class at UT Austin when I saw a number of students clustered around a huge tv in the pharmacology's lounge area. I stood there with a bunch of strangers I didn't know, crying, holding hands, and just trying to understand what was happening. I don't remember any of those people I shared something incredibly profound with them that I will never forget.

*****

I am happy to live in a place that allows me so many freedoms, and the ability to work in a good job and have the time to spend my free hours doing things I love like quilting and sewing. Last weekend which was Labor day weekend I spent almost all my time sewing for various bees and myself. I finished a tons of bee blocks and a quilt that I will show you later that I am going to donate to those who have lost everything in the Texas wildfires.

I got caught up on my String Me Along bee and finished Lee's July block and Vicky's August block.

I also got kind of caught up on my Bee Neptune and finished 1/2 of Yolanda's August bock (still working on the hand sewn hexie block) and Julie's September block.

Finally I got my August block done for do. good. stitches!

I am so glad I got all of these blocks done and caught up a bit! Keep your eyes peeled for a huge giveaway coming up real soon!

And remember to be thankful every day for what you have.

Helpin' A Girl Out

2011-09-10T16:00:00.000-05:00

Last weekend a couple of us Houston Modern Quilt Guild girls got together to help a fellow member churn out a quilt top for an soon upcoming wedding gift. Fi had a great idea for a quilt inspired by Ashley's recent creation.

The idea:

Which was followed by cutting by Amy (in blurred action!):

Sewing by me and Fi:

And ironing by Liz:

(I caught Liz mid amusing story, which made me love this picture even more!) Saf was also there but somehow missed out on picture time.)

By the end of a couple of hours sewing we made our way half way through the top!

And holy cow is this thing going to be huge!! Its made of 12x12 blocks and its 7 x 9 blocks!

I love it that the guild has helped us all find some kindred quilting spirits in this huge metropolis of ours!

Last weekend I also got a HUGE amount of personal quilting/sewing done but more on that later when I can get some pictures taken. This weekend I plan on doing the same - getting some sewing done, relaxing (as I have to travel for over a week for work next week), and watching all the 9/11 memorials on tv on Sunday.

My Stash...

2011-09-09T23:05:00.005-05:00

Well one of them that is...

My fabric stash is one of the loves of my life, but another of them is my nail polish stash. I have - well - a lot. My favorite brand is OPI but I am also addicted to Essie, Orly, and Deborah Lippman. And I tend to organize them just like my fabric stash - in rubbermaid systems and color coded of course.

This is one (yes, only one) of my polish containers that houses *most* of my OPI collection.

And color coding them like I do my fabric is just a given.

I love painting my nails. It is another creative outlet for me just like quilting is, but gives into my desire for instant gratification much more than making a throw sized quilt does. It allows me to play with color, texture, and lines in about 30 minutes.

This is my current manicure (which for me lasts about 2 days before I redo them because I have thought of another combo I would love to try!) inspired by this image on Pintrest.

Essie Topless & Barefoot, Sephora by OPI Only Gold For Me, Seche Vite base coat and top coat (seriously the best top coat EVER! It makes your nails dry so much faster, and dries like glass leaving your nails with that wet glossy shine for days.)

Try it the next the time you are choosing quilt colors! It's a fun way to combine colors and accessorize all at the same time!

Oh and here are some of my favorite nail art blogs if you want to check them out for some ideas/tutorials/color swatches!
Chloe's Nails
Nails by Asami
All Lacquered Up

Plus check out this video for Chanel's polishes! This is creative, cute, high end, and oh so Chanel!I especially love the "Cast listing" at the very end!!

PS. There will be a HUGE giveaway at the end of the month to celebrate the blogs 1st birthday!

My Maw Maw the Master

2011-09-05T10:36:00.000-05:00

Meet my Maw Maw.

She is 91 years old this year and was my first quilting inspiration and teacher. She pieces, bastes, quilts, EVERYTHING by hand with the most beautiful, small, and even stitches.

She has made both me and my younger sister each a quilt. Each one is gorgeous and so lovingly made.

And she still churns them out today. She is currently working on this quilt.

And she just finished this one which I LOVE!

I love her quilts, and treasure the ones that I have that she made. Love you Maw Maw!

I heart...

2011-08-31T22:38:00.001-05:00

I heart my instagram app on my iphone which allows me to take such fun photos, my Lime Crime Retrofuturist lipstick, and new brunette hair - and I'm thinking of trying out an auburn too! (Although I am still blond at heart!)

I heart my current manicure! Don't they look just like fishnet hose?! And they were super easy to apply thanks to Sally Hansen!

I heart working at a museum because on days like today I get to play with baby alligators!! The one on the right is a year old and the one on the left is 1 week old! So cute!

Inspiring Monday

2011-08-29T06:58:00.020-05:00

This week I am totally into red crosses whether they are quilts, mini quilts, or embroideries.

peace and comfort by Jacquie G

Mini Red Cross Quilt by Fashioned by Meg

Red Cross by Miniature Rhino

I love that such a simple shape can create such a powerful statement.

A Regency Mini

2011-08-28T18:49:00.002-05:00

I FINALLY finished my Jane Austen mini quilt for an amazingly patient Suzanne. When she first suggested a private swap I was totally excited as I was already lucky enough to have her as a partner in a previous flickr swap when I got this little beauty.

Rainy Daze by Suzettra

But when she suggested a Jane Austen swap AND introduced me to the world of Pintrest I was ecstatic. She made me the little beauty I shared with y'all on this weeks Inspiring Monday post and I made her this little regency mini.

I took the real silhouette of Jane Austen, inversed the color, and after downloading Jane Austen's actual handwriting digitized from her letters, put the first paragraph of Pride and Prejudice within the silhouette.

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, hat a single man in possession of a large fortune, must be in a want of a wife. However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering the neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered the rightful property of someone or other of their daughters."
- Jane Austen

Suzanne teaches English and is going to be using the book Pride and Prejudice in her classroom so I chose this passage. Plus it is one of my favorite passages from the entire book due to the duality it reveals about the society at the time. Men ran the world, women the house, and marriage was everything. Yet, as seen here, women could also control men in times of courtship - at least in the minds of themselves and their mothers.

Then I decided on a black binding to act like a frame, and a large satin ribbon to hang it instead of a back hanging piece.

I embroidered a scallop edge to mimic lace, and the bow was a sublime stitching pattern. For the scallop's I made them by using notebook paper hole reinforcement stickers. I stuck the stickers to the quilt and then just embroidered around it. I thought it was one of my more resourceful moments!

For the quilting I knew it needed a lot of dense quilting but due to the oval shape would need different quilting styles on the different sections, thus the crosshatching and the straight lines on the outside border.

And I am so glad I rebinded this little baby. It still curves ever so slightly but I LOVE the effect of the pin dot. The idea was to mimic a frame while executing a traditional idea (the silhouette) with a modern flare (the colors and polka dots). I hope this makes a wonderful addition to Suzanne's mini quilt collection!

Told you guys I was a Jane Austen nerd.

Also, keep your eyes open for a giveaway to celebrate the blogs 1 year anniversary!

*hint hint wink wink*

Inspiring Monday

2011-08-22T07:21:00.000-05:00

Inspiration can come from anywhere, from fellow crafters, your surroundings, your imagination, and even others imagination.

Or your favorite author.

I don't think it is a secret anymore that I am a total Jane Austen NERD. I have read every book she wrote MULTIPLE times (plus a ton of the insane number of rewrites and sequels), have a Jane Austen action figure, visited the Jane Austen Centre in Bath, England, and am even a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America and am going to the annual general meeting this fall in Fort Worth, TX.

So yeah.....NERD.

And from this love others have used this ~~obsession~~ ~~love for~~ interest in Jane Austen to create some beautiful pieces for me that I will love always.

Beth made this for me for my birthday back in June. What Would Jane Austen Do?

And Suzanne made me this for our Jane Austen swap and I got it over the weekend!

Seriously, I cannot even express what these pieces mean to me and how much I will treasure them.

The lesson here though is to keep your eyes open, because inspiration is ANYWHERE and EVERYWHERE. You just have to notice it.

Too much of a good thing??

2011-08-14T00:02:00.000-05:00

Woah. Today has been awesome.

I took Betty on a bike ride today. Went 8.25 miles which was great, but going from 11:30 to 12:30 pm when it was over 100 degrees outside wasn't exactly my brightest idea ever.

Yesterday I finished my Jane Austen mini quilt for Suzanne, but after binding it I realized I must have bound it too tightly because the edges were curling up. Since I wasn't happy with how the binding print ended up looking anyways I decided to redo, so I went to our new Joann's in search of the perfect black pin dot and found it. Monday this little baby should be ready to mail out!

Then this evening I decided to make some homemade white bread from the Curvy Carrot which I found via Eleganitis who had the best photos of what the bread should look like when you hand knead it. I decided to do it by hand after realizing the recipe made way more dough than my artisan could handle at once (and it doesn't help that I forgot about the lock for the head...)

Once it was all kneaded I had to wait for what seemed like forever for it to rise.

But patience proved to be worth it once these beauties came out of the oven.

Once it cooled just a smidge it didn't take long to slice and devour it!

And holy cow was it good!!!

Especially as a muenster cheese grilled cheese sandwich with tomato basil soup! And tomorrow I am thinking french toast is a MUST.

And I have realized you can never have too much of a good thing - that is until you eat so much you feel sick! LOL!

Inspiring Monday

2011-08-08T15:50:00.003-05:00

So I totally need another craft addiction like I need a hole in the head, or as my awesome crafty friend Beth said I am taking a crafting detour but will eventually find my way back to the quiling path!

So for this detour I am totally exploring CROSS STITCH! Because seriously how could you not want to make pieces like these...

Entomologie Set by What Delilah did

Check out her shop with so many great patterns!

Or better yet these AMAZING pieces by Cauchy that are on her blog. WARNING...NSFW!! (But doesn't that make you want to click the link all the more?!?) I mean seriously, I have never been so sad that I don't read my blog reader everyday so that I could have been one of the lucky few to get the patterns for those samplers!!

And the Winner is...

2011-08-02T17:11:00.000-05:00

SALLIE!!

I will be contacting you by email and send you your prize this week!

Anthology Giveaway!

2011-07-24T20:28:00.000-05:00

Another giveaway?? Really??

YES!!

This time it's a copy of Issue 3 of the beauitful magaizne Anthology that I got at Anthropologie for one of your lucky readers.

This magazine is full of beautiful photos that is total eye candy and cover to cover inspiration!

To win:

1. Leave a comment. Any comment. Easy peasy right!

2. Leave a 2nd comment if you are a follow, new or old.

The giveaway will be open for 1 week and choose a winner on August 1st!

xoxo

Bry

Inspiring Monday

2011-07-18T10:35:00.000-05:00

After completely forgetting last weeks Inspiring Monday post (sorry about that) I bring you this weeks which is more inspiration for a way to use our quilts than make a quilt!

This stems from the fact that I just picked up my new Electra Townie over the weekend and want to ride it in every park in the city to have a picnic! But you will meet her in a different post!

Picnic by Bordons

To me this scene is why we make quilts - to use them! Now I am not talking about art quilts that are made to be hung. I am talking about everyday quilts that are meant to be thrown on the ground, have juice spilled on, wipe potatoe chip grease on, and roll over in the grass. This is why I make quilts.

I want to learn to sew clothes.

2011-07-09T07:44:00.000-05:00

Yes - I have said that before.

But what usually happens is I go buy 37 patterns, tons of fabric, attempt 1 pattern, get half way through before realizing I have sewn an arm on inside out and to the neck hole instead of the arm hole, get annoyed, squish the fabric "creation" into a ball, throw said ball across the room, and then go back to quilting.

No - this is not a one time occurance, but an ongoing pattern throughout my life time of sewing.

Still - I do really want to learn! And there are 4 books coming out that I think might finally do it for me in that they look like they have awesome patters, good illustrations, and clear directions.

*****

First up on my wish list is I Am Cute Dresses: 25 Simple Designs to Sew.

From the publisher: 25 easy-to-make and wear dresses. Start sewing simple and adorable dresses that you’ll love to wear. You don’t need complicated patterns to make these 25 easy, loose, and effortlessly stylish garments. Each of these dresses is designed from basic, simple shapes that require no difficult or advanced tailoring, and will be flattering on everyone. You just need the basic template for each dress, and then you can adjust the width using an included formula, and length by simply raising or dropping the hemline. These easy-to-sew and easy-to-fit cute dresses will quickly become staples in your wardrobe.

*****

Next there is The Colette Sewing Handbook: Inspired Styles and Classic Techniques for the Modern Seamstress by the amazing chick who makes Colette patterns.

From the publisher: A great plan, a great pattern, a great fit, a great fabric, and a great finish: These are the five fundamentals for perfecting any sewing project. Sarai Mitnick, an independent pattern designer setting the high water mark in the industry, shares her knowledge of these fundamentals and offers five beautiful projects to go with them.

Powerful instruction: A former expert in user experience in the tech industry, Sarai Mitnick's Colette Patterns line has gained a great deal of respect for comprehensive, clear instruction.
Comprehensive resource: The chapters cover sewing techniques, planning and fitting, working with patterns, working with fabrics, working with linings, finishing techniques… In essence, each chapter focuses on what the entirety of another book might cover.
Gorgeous package: Pitch-perfect combination of illustration, step-by-step photography and beautiful project shots, all with a clean, lovely design.

*****

Then there is Simple Modern Sewing: 8 Basic Patterns to Create 25 Favorite Garments

From the publisher: 25 fabulous, wearable garments from only 8 simple patterns. Make a closetful of comfortable and easy go-to garments without needing tons of patterns. You need just the eight included basic templates which show you how to fold and cut for each of the 25 unique designs. The patterns are easy and adaptable with no-fuss sizing, so it’s simple to sew clothes that are perfect for you. If you’re a beginner sewer you’ll love the basic shapes and stylish results. Once you’ve mastered the patterns you can get creative and make each piece your own by using a variety of fabrics, or by adding fashionable embellishments like a print lining or contrast-stitching. Fill your wardrobe in no time with these easy to make and wear garments.

*****

Finally I want Liberty Book of Home Sewing which isn't so much about clothes sewing but COME ON!!

IT'S LIBERTY!!

Besides when there is a Liberty book available no Amazon wishlist is complete without it.

From the publisher: Crafters and fashion lovers will be lining up to get their hands on the very first sewing book from internationally popular and uber-stylish textile brand Liberty. Brimming with lavish photographs of bold, graphic fabrics, The Liberty Book of Home Sewing offers 25 irresistible and easy-to-make projects that allow readers to incorporate a touch of Liberty elegance into their home. Simple enough for beginners, the projects range from feminine totes and aprons to handy pincushions and book covers, full-sized quilts, chic throws, plush cushions, and more. With color step-by-step illustrations, detailed instructions, and plenty of inspiration, plus an exquisite fabric cover, this enchantingly beautiful book will be treasured by longtime Liberty fans and young crafters alike.

*****

If none of these books can teach me how to sew clothes or at least inspire me to get off my quilters butt and LEARN then I don't think anything will!!

Time is a slippery thing...

2011-07-07T14:32:00.000-05:00

That is why I am totally late on some blocks, but am now ahead on others!

(Sorry for the bad photos, but it's night time and I was in a hurry so I could get these packaged up and ready to ship out!)

First up my crazy late blocks for the 3x6 bee! This was my first time doing real applique with fusible and everything! I love them! I want a whole quilt of bubbles now!

Next up my block for the String Me Along Bee. Nichole sent us some Kona Ash and Hope Valley and asked for flying geese! Another first for me as amazingly enough - I have never made geese flown!

And finally for Bee Neptune Paula asked us to use the Broken Dishes tutorial to properly showcase her gorgeous Neptune fabric!

Now I just have to make my July String me Along lock and my Do Good Stitches block and I will be good for the month! Thank goodness for finally having some sewing time!!!

Come on down....

2011-07-06T14:37:00.001-05:00

JUNE and BREE!!

You are the winners on the Price is Ri----

Uh.... I mean on my blog!!

June is the winner of the It's a Hoot jelly roll and Modern Log Cabin Quilting!

Plus I decided to do a secret 2nd giveaway! A copy of Mollie Makes, Issue One. It is a brand new crafting magazine from the UK that was a bit hard to find here in the US.

And that went to Bree (love that we share nicknames!!)

Thanks for reading, entering, and sharing in my love of crafting, quilting, and fun!

And super thanks for all the wonderful birthday wishes and hilarious and sweet birthday memories you all shared!

xoxo Bry

Inspiring Monday

2011-07-04T08:00:00.000-05:00

For you Fourth of July inspiration!

Army Star Block by Lynne of Lily's Quilts

Lynne designed this block for a bee and I just adore it! Tiling, amazing paper piecing, curves - I swear there are so many hard and beautiful techniques in this single block I am just amazed!

To Virginia and Back.

2011-07-02T10:52:00.001-05:00

BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY POST HERE.

This past month I went to Richmond, VA for work and loved every minute about it!

I loved the city and everything was so inspiring and made me want to come home and QUILT!

Look at the color of that sky. So gorgeous and so blue at 30,000 feet.

The city itself was also gorgeous. The Fan District where I stayed was home to the cutest houses! And one even had actual cathedral windows!

Then there was the AMAZING Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. This museum just recently completed a new expansion and both the building and its collections were gorgeous.

These were some of my most favorite pieces on exhibit. Especially this first one!

All in all it was a great trip and it totally gave me a bajillion crafting ideas.

There are tons of colors, patterns, shapes swirling around my head just waiting to get out!

(Please excuse the quality of the photos as they were all taken with my phone.)

No consideration at all!

2011-06-30T20:39:00.001-05:00

BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY POST HERE.

Flickr is addictive.

Swaps are addictive.

Sewing is addictive.

Work though sadly, is a major portion of my life. And has currently taken it over with no consideration for how much I am neglecting my Bernina, my fabric, and addiction to quilting. No consideration at all!

So while I am going to staying in my bee's - you can't take those from me work! you can't! *shakes fist in anger* - I am going to finish my current swaps and then swear them off for the rest of the year. I came to this decision after realizing I have not sewn a single thing for myself or a 'in real life' person at all this year! That's just not normal for me!

Besides I have a HUGE sewing to do list that I REALLY want to get cranking on!

Now if only I could start sewing tonight - but alas it is not to be. *insert sad face here* but come this weekend it is just me, my sewing machine, and my fabric! I can't wait!

Birthday Giveaway!

2011-06-28T08:00:00.006-05:00

What better way to celebrate my 28th than have a giveaway for all my wonderful internet buddies!

Whats up for grabs you ask??

A 'It's a Hoot' by Momo jelly roll and a copy of Modern Log Cabin Quilting!

And it all goes to one super duper lucky reader!

Here's the low down on how to enter...

1. Leave a comment - it can be anything from an breezy hello but I would also love to hear about your best birthday memory - whether its a gift, party, or the most spectacular cake crash ever! (Y'alls stories about your LQS's from the last giveaway were hilarious!)

2. Leave an additional comment if you are a follower - new or old - doesn't matter!

The giveaway will be open for one week and I will announce the winner next Wednesday.

GOOD LUCK!

Inspiring Monday

2011-06-27T20:14:00.001-05:00

Our inspiration this week comes courtesy of the amazing Graphic Nothing!

Check out some of his colorful, geometric, gorgeous graphics!

Amazing right?!?! Check out his blog and marvel at the patterns and then let your quilting mind run wild!

And be sure to come back tomorrow for a birthday giveaway!

And the winner is...

2011-06-15T23:46:00.000-05:00

...The Knotty Gnome!!

Congrats! You win!

(Sorry about the late posting! I could have sworn I hit post, but apparently not. Oops!)

I will be contacting you be email for your address. Thanks for entering everyone! And come back at the end of the month. I will be doing another giveaway on my birthday!

Inspiring Monday

2011-06-13T07:20:00.000-05:00

This week I want to share with you one of the coolest quilts I have seen in a long time made by my awesome friend Beth!!

Skirting the Circle by Smazoochie

I LOVE the colors, the graphic artistry, and most of all that it was made from her mother's skirt and holds a ton of wonderful memories.

Fabric, Blocks, and A Giveaway! Oh My!

2011-06-05T20:11:00.000-05:00

Hello lovlies!

So this past month has been one of insanity in my life. One complete with life changes, annoyances, long working hours, trips out of town, meeting unbelievable people, and many other things. So needless to say - I have been a bit busy. Thus the small absence.

But now things thankfully seem to be back to our regularly scheduled broadcasting and I have time to sew (and buy fabric online) again!

First off - can you believe that I totally missed the release of Tula's Prince Charming in online shops?! I couldn't! Bad Tula Troop! Bad! So I quickly rectified this by ordering a FQ set of the entire line. Now I just need to get my hands on the lovely lovely voiles.

Also I got my act together and finished my May bee blocks and even got started on a June set! First up is Elizabeth's blocks in my String Me Along bee. She asked for 15" square in a square blocks. Love making these!

Next up are some crazy blocks for do Good. Stitches May. These blocks were hard for me even with the tutorial. I tried so hard to just go with whatever scrap I pulled out next, but I don't think they have enough angles (too many squares) and the sizes of the scraps are a bit all over the place. Oh well. Hopefully they can be used and appreciated once the whole quilt is done!

Finally, I worked on the June blocks for do. Good Stitches which were these awesome slanted diamond blocks! These were so fun and easy to make, the tutorial was super simple, and I cannot wait to see the finished quilt!!

Now onto what you all have been waiting for!

A GIVEAWAY!

While I was totally absent from the internet this past month I surpassed 10,000 page views, plus the Bella Solids Parade was conducted and concluded! For the parade I made another of my Cacophony of Color mini quilts with 31 different Bella Solids courtesy of Fat Quarter Shop, which means I have TONS of left overs!!

So the giveaway is for a HUGE STACK of Moda Bella Solids (scrap to over 1/4 pieces) as well as a ziplock bag full of small scraps!

To enter is easy! Plus you have 3 chances!

1. Leave a comment - it can be anything from a simple howdy to a story about how quilting has caused you to be known in all your LQS to the point that the employees have a picture of you behind the counter so that they know when they see you they are about to have to earn their paychecks by cutting 42 pieces of fabric.

2. Leave an additional comment if you are a follower - new or old - doesn't matter!

3. Leave an additional comment if you participated in any way in the Bella Solids Parade!

Easy right?! I will leave comments open for a week and will draw a winner next Sunday evening (6.12.11)!

GOOD LUCK!

Lookie Lookie!

2011-06-04T20:19:00.000-05:00

Look at this film I saw this week!

Stitched.

Here is what the filmmaker has to say about the film.

Stitched captures the enormity of the quilting world with more than 21 million quilters in the US alone. It’s an industry filled with quilting superstars who have developed a following by teaching their craft.

Stitched begins with the largest quilt show in the nation held annually in Houston. The documentary also features the Paducah quilt show, one of the largest tourist attractions in the state of Kentucky.
There are tight bonds of friendship between many quilters including among the three main characters who are friends and who have mentored each other. Caryl Bryer Fallert taught Hollis Chatelain who in turn taught Randall Cook.

Behind every stitch, there is a story of friendship, art and passion.

Check out the screenings for the film for a location near you or just go ahead and get the DVD!

You won't regret it!

Inspiring Monday

2011-05-30T11:23:00.011-05:00

First off -

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

A huge and heart felt thank you to all those who have sacrificed so much and fought for our country, our freedoms, and our way of life.

*****

If it weren't for the constant inspiration I have been getting from my everyday life and my moleskine that I keep all my ideas in I would be freaking out from a serious lack of sewing in my life and an overabundance of work. But hopefully in the next week that should all be cleared up and I will be able to pull my machine back out. First thing to work on - finish bee blocks and my Jane Austen inspired mini quilt for my private swap with Suzettra!

But until then I have to live my crafting life vicariously through others!

Like this Scrappy Bowties Quilt by Jolene!

I LOVE this quilt! Especially the fact that all of the back grounds are different colors which Jolene says is only because she didn't have enough of any single color, but I say is due to serendipity! The subtle back ground colors, the brights in the bow ties and the fun floral binding are all just so incredibly sweet and innocent!

The Quilt Along Post 4!

2011-05-29T23:22:00.000-05:00

Here's the final post!

Enjoy!

The Quilt Along Post 3!

2011-05-18T13:33:00.000-05:00

Sorry about the lack of an Inspiring Monday post this week! I was out of town and completely forgot to schedule a post! Oops!

Instead I bring you the next post in my Bella Solids Parade Quilt Along!

Enjoy!

**And hopefully soon I will be able to return to my normal amounts of craftiness but not just yet**

The Quilt Along Post 2!

2011-05-13T23:34:00.000-05:00

The next installement of my quilt along has been posted over at Shruti's blog!

It's all about piecing the center panel!

Inspiring Monday

2011-05-09T15:12:00.000-05:00

Here some more inspiration to get you through the week!

by Somethings Hiding in Here

I ADORE this color pallet. The soft hues ranging through the cools, warms, and neutrals match to wonderfully together and would make a gorgeous quilt. Not to mention I have been wanting to make a Pantone inspired quilt and this is totally pushing me in the right direction!

Inspiring Monday

2011-05-02T14:15:00.002-05:00

This weeks inspiration comes from the always incredible Ayumi of Pink Penguin.

My Block by ayumills

Ayumi created this block for her month in the Ringo Pie Quilt Bee. Is it weird that I stalk their flick pool even though I am not in the bee just because I find everything they are making to be so inspiring and amazing?? I mean seriously - EVERYTHING in their pool makes my heart skip a bit and my fingers start reaching for fabric without my even realizing it. To be able to create this little masterpieces would be amazing, and while some might find it intimidating, I find it to be so incredibly inspiring I want to stay home from work and just SEW SEW SEW!!

Go check out this bee and the amazing ladies participating in it if you haven't already!

The Quilt Along has begun!

2011-05-02T08:12:00.000-05:00

The Bella Solids Parade of Color has officially started!

And so has the quilt along for my Cacophony of Color mini quilt!

The post on how to cut and prepare your fabrics is now up at Shruti's Blog!

If you are participating I would love to see your creations in the flickr pool!

The Parade Begins!

2011-05-01T11:49:00.002-05:00

May 1st is finally here!!

Let the Bella Solids Parade BEGIN!

For my part in the Parade I will be conducting a quilt along of my mini quilt 'Cacophony of Color'

Posts will be over on Shruti's Blog
May 2: Preparing and Cutting you Fabrics
May 9: Piecing the Center Panel
May 16: Finishing the Top
May 23: Quilting Tips, Binding, and some Special Extras

Today I put the finishing touches on my quilt (nothing like being a procrastinator huh!) and here are some finished shots of what you can make too with the fabulous colors being celebrated this month!

This little baby is going to be given away to the GRAND PRIZE WINNER along with a HALF YARD BUNDLE of all 31 colors featured in the parade thanks to the awesome Fat Quarter Shop!

So what's the first color you ask?

WHITE

So get over to the flickr pool and start uploading your pictures that celebrate the color white!

Hope you guys enjoy playing along!

A Wonky Neighborhood

2011-04-27T22:23:00.000-05:00

For this months Do. Good Stitches bee blocks Jolene asked for some wonky houses.

She was inspired by this quilt.

My Neighborhood by A Quilt is Nice

This was the first time I have ever made wonky houses and I was a bit nervous at first but found it pretty fun in the end!

I loved picking out all the contrasting fabrics, and a few fussy cut pieces and just going for it!

I just hope the style and colors matches well enough with everyone elses and it makes someone's day once it is sent off to My Very Own Blanket!

Inspiring Monday

2011-04-25T07:31:00.003-05:00

Jane Austen + Hexagons

LOVE

Jane Austen Mug Rug by meanfish2

ETA: Correction! It was made for meanfish2 by Four Monkeys Quilts for the Scrappy Mug Rug Swap!
Original upload here.

Seriously to combine two of my favorite things makes my heart just flutter! Not to mention the gorgeous hand stitching! Check out the blanket stitch around EVERY hexagon!!

I think I need a fainting couch.

Prince Charming is here!

2011-04-20T10:06:00.002-05:00

oh.

my.

goodness.

Prince Charming is here.
as revealed by the amazing Tula

In 4 different colorways!
Click the photos to see them larger.

CORAL!

HONEY!

OLIVE!

and INDIGO!

and of course the line would not be complete without some voiles...

and laminates!!!

I. AM. FREAKING. OUT. OVER. THE. CUTENESS.

WANT.

Inspiring Monday

2011-04-18T11:30:00.000-05:00

Ok, so if you haven't noticed...I have something of a irrational, unsatiable, and definitely unhealthy for my bank account love of Tula Pink fabrics.

Her new line Prince Charming (which I keep accidentally calling P-R-I-N-T-S Charming) has me a wee bit excited.

And now that she has released the following photos on her flickr I am freaking out even more for this new line.

Also I am just loving the wonky letters and adorable hand stitching (especially the peace sign in HOPE's "O"! Too cute!

So get your sketchbooks out and start designing because once these prints are released the inspiration will over flow!

A Darling Package

2011-04-17T17:21:00.000-05:00

So now that my Make Mine Modern swap partner, Amanda, has received their package I can reveal what I sent!

When I first started ~~stalking~~ getting to know Amanda I realized quickly that what was most important to her in life is her family. So I wanted my gift to her to be something that celebrated that. Thus this little mini quilt which has a photo taken by her husband, and embroidered with 'Family is darling' which is what she has nicknamed her family.

I also sent her a bunch of other goodies including some handmade coasters made with Kona Natural and various vintage laces that I have been hoarding.

All in all I think she and her family really likes the quilt which is what I was hoping so I am super glad!

*****

On a different note...here is what I have been working on this weekend!

Can't wait for the Bella Parade to get started!

Fat Quarter Shop Bella Parade GIVEAWAY

2011-04-15T00:43:00.003-05:00

Hey everyone! Bry here.

Remember that super secret sewing and giveaway I hinted at?

Now you get to know, and Shruti is here to tell you!

Welcome to the cool crowd!

*****

Hi all, I'm Shruti from 13 Woodhouse Road. I am happy to take this opportunity to invite you to participate in the most Colorful Blogger Fest of this summer!

The Fat Quarter Shop Bella Parade

@ 13 Woodhouse Road...

How do you usually buy solids? You buy some lovely print that you found online and then buy solids to go with it! Its time to change the view! Know more about 31 delicious Bella solids that will be featured on my blog and the Flickr Group from 1st - 31st May...

We will be giving away about 70 yards of fabric in this month!!!

For details and a launch giveaway hop over here.

Cheers!!!

Shruti

*****

Awesome right?!!?

And yes, you read that right... 70 YARDS!

See, told you it was awesome.

To make it even better the amazing Kimberly at Fat Quarter Shop has FQ bundles of all 31 colors being featured in the Parade.

PLUS she is offering 20% off all Bella Solids (yardage and precuts!) with the code BELLAP

My part in all this is that I am running a Quilt Along to make my Cacophony of Color mini quilt!

So join the Flickr Group, enter the giveaway, grab your camera and your solids and get ready for some fun!

Oh and if you want to put this button on your blog use the following HTLM

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1616186@N25/" title="Fat Quarter Shop Bella Parade by 13 Woodhouse Road (Shruti Dandekar), on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5189/5619120666_81fe7881c9.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Fat Quarter Shop Bella Parade" /></a>

xoxo

Bry

A Hint...

2011-04-12T08:06:00.000-05:00

Remember that super secret sewing I mentioned???

Remember this beautiful stack of Bella Solids from Fat Quarter Shop?

Then come back on April 15th, and I will reveal all!

Including how to win this AMAZING bundle of joy!

Inspiring Monday

2011-04-11T07:52:00.000-05:00

This week my Inspiring Monday post has some major shoes to fill considering the sheer awesomeness of pieces featured in my last 2 posts, but I think it does a pretty great job!

Color Stripe Quilt #1 by Blue is Bleu

Color Stripe Quilt #2 by Blue is Bleu

This quilt speaks to me on so many levels! I adore the colors, the slight wonk of stripe by not having each row line up with the one next it, THE STRIPES, the polka dot binding, and just the simplicity!

It also reminds me of an optical illusion because the stripes almost seem to be moving due to the dark/light combination. Such a fantastic quilt with so much dimension all from solids! Be still my heart!

***For more fun with solids, check back with me this friday on the 15th for some awesome news!***

Seriously, I have luck pouring out of my ears.

2011-04-10T09:32:00.000-05:00

No really, I do.

So insert the same warning from my last post here...I am not responsible for any feelings of jealous, envy, or your skin turning green due to my insane luck.

(Oh and get ready for LOTS of pictures!)

I got my amazing Make Mine Modern swap package from Elizabeth yesterday, a box of Bella Solids for some awesome, super secret sewing that I will be revealing in about a week, I won Kaelin's ADORABLE bunny mini quilt from her blog giveaway (which I will show once I get it), and yesterday I received my Doll Quilt Swap from Julia from Little Girl Quilts! I mean come on - I have been lusting over this little guy in the group pool since Julia started posting little tid bit teaser photos!

She did my favorite color combo of navy and aqua, pleating, circles, used 2 of my favorite fabric lines, Neptune and Parisville, by one of my favorite designers, Tula Pink, and straight line quilting to finish it off. It's like she peered right into my head and took all my favorite quilt characteristics and put them together!Here's some detail shots!

Check out the back! All that straight line and echo quilting is gorgeous and gives it so much depth and texture! Plus a label that mentions sweat is too funny and sweet!

She also sent me the cutest little embroidery with my name on it that I actually commented on yesterday morning saying how I was convincing myself that it was my name on it, and low and behold just a few hours later it was delivered to my doorstep!Too freaking awesome!!

She did a whole post too on her creation process which was really awesome. I totally let me know how much time, effort, and care she put into this quilt for me. It made me feel so special. And showed me how special and amazing Julia is!

THANK YOU JULIA!!!!

This was my first time participating in Doll Quilt Swap and I hope I get to be a bebe many more times! It was such a fun and completely wonderful experience, and between this swap and Make Mine Modern I have never been happier that I finally stopped lurking on flickr and started participating!

And if ALL OF THAT isn't luck enough I have also been nominated for the Stylish Blogger Award by Kristen of K*D Quilts and Janet of Entropy Undone! Thanks so much ladies! Hugs!

By getting this award there are a few things you are asked to do:
1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Award 6 recently discovered great bloggers.
4. Contact the owners of the blogs you nominated to tell them about the award.

So 7 things about myself...

1. I read...A LOT. Pride and Prejudice is my favorite book, but Harry Potter is a close 2nd!
2. I have a motorcycle license.
3. I love classic cars!
4. Shopping is my main addiction - fabric and shoes my drugs of choice.
5. I have never broken a bone or even had a cavity. Although dislocating my knee was one of my most ever painful experiences.
6. I was a competitive dancer for 16 years - tap, ballet, point, jazz, modern, street...you name it I competed in it.
7. I have a master's degree in museum that I am actually using!

Now to pass the award along...
(I am going to pass this onto bloggers that have less than 100 followers who I think you should all know about!)

* Sarah from Pings and Needles - Sarah is so kind, fun, and talented! Just read her About Me page to see what I mean! And check out what she made for her Make Mine Modern partner and the video showing the process!

* Shruti from 13 Woodhouse Road - Shruti is an awesome quilter who has some amazing things coming down the line on her blog that you will all be interested in!! HINT HINT WINK WINK!

* Completely Cauchy - This is a strong woman who is down to earth, a talented quilter and knitter, and who speaks her mind. She is the creator of one of my favorite quilts ever! (And yes, she probably has more than 100 followers but it isn't posted on her blog so I am including her anyways because she is awesome!)

* Beth of Smazoochie - Beth has been quilting almost her entire life and has a great eye for combining modern and traditional! She is my go to person for any and all quilting related questions!

* Tamiko from Patchwork Notes - Tamiko is crazy talented as most recently exhibited by what she created for her Make Mine Modern partner and Urban Home Goods partner!

* Meghan from Purl and Piece - What a great blog name huh?! Meghan has great taste especially in colors, just check out her chubby stars quilt!

The Mailman Saves the Day!

2011-04-09T12:46:00.000-05:00

**WARNING: I cannot be held responsible for any feelings of jealousy, envy, or wanton temptation to go fabric shopping as a direct result of reading this post!**

Yesterday was intense. Long, emotional, and painful. At the end of days like that all I want to do is curl up with a book until the day is officially over and I can go to bed and prepare to welcome the next, better day.

Some days though, the mail man and your flickr friends really come through and save the day!

When I got home last night there were 2 AMAZING packages waiting for me. One I knew what it was, but the other I totally started freaking over thinking it was either my DQS10 package or my Make Mine Modern package!

I looked at the return address, recognized the name, say the message she had written on the outside saying "Make Mine Modern goodies just for you" and started ripping open the box as quickly as possible thinking I knew what it was and hoping I was right! And I was!!

It was from Elizabeth!! I got her bookshelf mini quilt!

Isn't it stunning?!?! The backing is one of my new all time fabrics - I mean just look at all those books!

And the machine binding is beyond perfect! I have always been afraid to learn how to machine bind my quilts, but seeing first hand how neat and pretty it can be makes me want to try it!

Not to mention all the other awesome goodies she was so kind to send to me!

Seriously, this is my favorite swap. I have gotten such beautiful things from my 2 partners in this swap and I really feel like they both took the time to really try and get to know me and create something for me that I would not only like, but truly love. AND I DO!!!

My other package was this lovely box!! And seriously whenever you get a box this big from Fat Quarter Shop means you know it will be full of the most wonderful lovelies.

And it was!!!!

An entire box full of BELLA SOLIDS!!

Can you even count the number of beautiful shades in this box??

A hint....

31!!! They are for some super secret sewing that I will be doing this month. So stay tuned for some AWESOME NEWS!!

And the winner is....

2011-04-08T12:30:00.002-05:00

And the winner of the Kona Cotton scraps and the Yoshinko Jinzenji's Quilting Line + Color book is...

Karen!! Congrats! I will be emailing you!

Thanks everyone for joining along in my very first giveaway! It will be the first of many!

Inspiring Monday

2011-04-04T19:40:00.000-05:00

**The giveaway post is here!**

Double Wedding Rings - those 3 words often incite feelings of fear, anxiety, and frustration in quilters everywhere.

Despite this Kaelin plowed ahead and tackled this project after only quilting a few years and did a FABULOUS job!

If this quilt doesn't make you want to make your own DWR I don't know what will!

Double Wedding Ring by The Plaid Scottie

And now she is considering doing some tutorials and a quilt along. So head over to this blog post and tell her how awesome it would be!

Giveaway Time!

2011-03-31T20:02:00.004-05:00

Who wants to win some goodies!?!?

Now everyone leave your hands up so I can count...1...2...3...hmmm...

How about you just leave a comment instead and you could win a gallon size bag of Kona Cotton scraps from making my DQS10 mini quilt and a copy of Quilting Line + Color by Yoshinko Jinzenji!

If you want to follow me that is cool, but not required.

Everyone is eligable!

Entries open until midnight CST April 7th! Winner will be announced on Friday April 8th!

******

By the way make sure you are not a NO REPLY BLOGGER!
Follow these instructions courtesy of Lynne to make sure you can get replies to your comments and possibly win this giveaway!

A Cacophony of Color

2011-03-31T00:17:00.003-05:00

Finished! Just in time! PHEW!

(Note to self....STOP PROCRASTINATING!)

Now I just got to finish up a couple of small goodies and this little baby will be in the mail to my partner!

I am calling it a Cacophony of Color because it consists of 27 (!!!) different Kona Cotton Colors!

And please don't ask me to list them as I have NO IDEA.

And yes, it is a plain non-pieced backing, but I just LOVE this fabric with the crosshatching!

Plus, all the colors was just to perfect to disturb by piecing it.

It should be off to my swap partner by Monday, so here's hoping they love it as much as I do!!

*FINGERS CROSSED*

*****

And speaking of awesome swaps check out the new Pretty {little} Pouch Swap!

It's gonna be fantastic! Look at the inspiration...

Sign ups go from April 1st thru April 8th!

Inspiring Monday

2011-03-28T13:44:00.000-05:00

And now it is time to get back to our regularly scheduled programming!

This week I am sharing with you some stunning paper piecing work from Penny at Sew Take A Hike that she made for a bee.

Kitchen Aid by sewtakeahike

I so want to learn how to do this kind of stunning work! She is giving a retreat that I wish I could go to, so I hope that whoever goes tells us all about it!

Swapping Integrity

2011-03-17T21:18:00.000-05:00

This is fabulous and everyone should sign the pledge!

I, Bryanna, pledge to do my very best to have integrity and honesty in my swap commitments. To be on time, to participate in discussions, and to communicate if I am going to be late or unable to complete my obligations to my swap partner.

Also, I will be out of town the long weekend - heading to Arkansas for a wedding - so there won't be an Inspiring Monday. No worries though it will be back for next week!

Inspiring Monday

2011-03-14T07:08:00.000-05:00

This week I am totally gushing over this herringbone pattern.

Made from Anna Maria Horner's innocent crush line and without paper piecing!

Herringbone String Blocks by bijoulovely

Holly blogs here.

Best. Weekend. Ever. Take 2!

2011-03-13T18:59:00.000-05:00

Ok, so last weekend was totally awesome.

But this one was just as great!

I went to go visit friends up in Austin and soak up the SXSW atmosphere!

Check out the amazing tattoo that one of my friends got!

While there I went to my FAVORITE fabric store - The Stitch Lab.

Seriously, if you ever get to go to Austin, TX - GO THERE!

I got Alexander Henry's Heath line in the quilting cotton in 5 colors! Plus some other prints on clearance!

Seriously, this Heath line is AMAZING!

Then I went to another great store Common Thread and got my hands on some great Japanese prints!

While in Austin I also managed to buy 4 pairs of shoes.

What can I say?

I love shoes like I love fabric, and these boots were too amazing to pass up!

When I got home I had a package waiting from Hawthorn Threads stuffed full of amazing prints!

Thank goodness for Christmas gift certificates!

All in all a most fabulous weekend!

I hope you all had as great a weekend as I did!

Best. Weekend. Ever.

2011-03-09T18:07:00.001-06:00

Seriously.

Not only did I get to do a lot of awesome non-crafting stuff like play with a baby bunny, go to a book signing with the AMAZING Patricia Briggs, and hang with one of my best friends, but I also finished all my bee blocks for the month and got new fabrics!

SO PRODUCTIVE!!!

First I worked on a drunk love style block for Beth in my bee String Me Along. She sent some super yummy Anna Maria Horner Innocent Crush strips and a bunch of Kona greys!

Then I worked on my row for Liz for the HMQG Round Row! I am loving this traditional indigo and white color scheme!

The only problem I had...well you see I am blond, so even though I did the math I ended up doubling it somehow and cut and sewed enough for 2 rows! Oops!

Also I completed my 2 blocks for the do. good stitches Joy circle. Our leader for this month asked for star blocks in a light colored color scheme so I used charms from Kate Spain's new Central Park line (which I ADORE!) and Sweetwater's Sunkissed line and this tutorial.

Also, I finally got off my butt and created my blocks for the 3x6 Bee! I really hope the girls from Beehive 24 love them! I especially loved working on the green, yellow, and grey color scheme!

I also got these fabulous fabrics in the mail!! YUM!!

Anna Maria Horner's Folksy Flannels FQ set.

A FQ set Jay McCarrol's new Habitat line in the plum colorway.

And just to make you go AWWWWWW - this is the new baby bunny I mentioned way back at the beginning of this post!

Me and the Bunny! I <3 Bunnies!

Inspiring Monday

2011-03-07T07:22:00.003-06:00

This week I am sharing one of the quilts made for Doll Quilt Swap 10.

Basically *EVERONE* is hoping this little beauty comes to live with them!

Tile Quilt by Di 2Quilt who blogs here.

I love this quilt for the colors, the tiling, the stitching, the white binding...all lovely!

Jam Session

2011-03-02T23:05:00.001-06:00

This quilt was finished back in December but it was not gifted until February! Oops!

It is for my best friend Meagan's oldest boy Aiden who is 6 and is kick ass at Rock Band and Guitar Hero.

Seriously look at this face!
Say it together now...
*HEART BREAKER*

Her other kids Daniel and Michelle (who are both younger than Aiden) got quilts before him!Oops again!

I see this kid being a musician for the rest of his life so this fabric was PERFECT.
In that respect I am glad I waited to make this for him!

This quilt was a beast for me to quilt!
Being twin sized I could only ask so much of my Bernina 1008.
She is a boat anchor and all but this huge quilt was a bit much for her to handle.
Thank goodness I love the look of this simple straight line quilting!

Here is the pieced back.
I used the scraps from the front since I ran out of the Kona Coal so it all worked out!

There is something about striped bindings that just makes my heart flutter!
They add so much character and fun!

And what made this quilt perfect was that when he got it he immediately went upstairs, ripped off the comforter from his bed and replaced it with this!! So I am pretty sure he likes it!

All in all I just hope he loves and uses it whether it's on the kiddos bed...
or used as a picnic blanket while he serenades a girl in 10 years!

Fabric: Michael Miller Jam Session and TaDot in Teal;
Kona Coal, White, Teal, and Peacock
Pattern: Avalon from Material Obsession (slightly altered)
Size: Twin

And just because this picture is too cute!! Here he is getting a sewing lesson from his grandma!

Inspiring Monday

2011-02-28T07:31:00.001-06:00

This week I am showing my school pride with your monday inspiration!

UT Quilt by Stephanie who blogs here.

Not only does this quilt celebrate my alma mater (why yes, I do bleed orange) but it also showcases so much of what I love about quilting! The irregular shaped squares and rectangles, the varying shades of orange, grey (the binding!!), and black, plus the straight line quilting (and of course Bevo down in the corner there!) are all some of my favorite aspects of quilts being made today.

A Color Frenzy

2011-02-27T07:00:00.003-06:00

DSQ10 is proving to be an emotional experience!

I get one idea and I feel brilliant!

I start to work on the idea then feel completely unsure.

I change ideas and feel empowered!

I start to work on the idea then feel like an idiot.

Good idea...great idea...horrible idea...they will love this...they will hate this...they will be so disappointed...

Finally though I think I came up with an idea that I love and think my partner will love too.

This is my upteenth sketch but I do love it. It took forever to narrow down my color choices, but in the end there are 27 different Kona colors not including white and possibly 2 grey (although those might still be cut).

This is what I have so far. The color squares are 2.25 inches square and the whole piece so far is 11 inches square. At this point I have about 10 different borders in mind, but I am trying to narrow them down by making a bit of it and auditioning it. Any suggestions though would be appreciated!

Hopefully now my brain will settle down and stop yo-yo-ing like crazy over this swap!

Covet

2011-02-26T09:50:00.001-06:00

Stargaze

Land of Ampersand

ABCs

Katie Daisy is an amazing illustrator whose work is fun, colorful, personal, and just simply gorgeous! And I want like *all* of her prints and greeting cards!

Website | Blog | Flickr | Etsy

Sewing Obligations...

2011-02-25T01:06:00.000-06:00

Wait...obligations is too strong of a word.

Especially when I enjoy it this much!

So lets call it Happy Sewing for February instead!

This month I worked on Beth's Row Robin for the HMQG!

Her original row is on the left and my addition to it on the right!I adored her fabric choices and it was so easy to pull matching colors for this!

I also made blocks for do. Good Stitches! This month we made Starburst blocks using the amazing Ashley's (from Film in the Fridge) tutorial.

Working on that block on the right was when I managed to have my blond moment of the year. Oops.

Can't wait to get to next month's Happy Sewing!

Inspiring Monday

2011-02-21T06:37:00.000-06:00

I did have something different to show you today, but it is now coming next monday as I could not wait to share this video I found!

If this is not inspiring I don't know what is!

Quilt by Gayle Thomas

From her page: A tribute to the unique and long-established art form of patchwork quilting, this abstract animated film uses computer and experimental techniques to choreograph quilt motifs and designs to music.

More from the National Film Board of Canada's blog.

This is so beautiful, pretty funky and psychedelic, and has some great music. I totally want to sew after watching this even though my finger is still sore from yesterday's blond moment.

Needles are...uh...sharp

2011-02-20T16:20:00.003-06:00

Yeah...sharp.

In one side and out the other.

So much for a nice leisurely day of sewing.

ouch.

Although I should have taken a picture of it in my finger. Actually kind of cool. Like a piercing!

(And please ignore my horrid cuticles. Thank you.)

Hit the Road Again

2011-02-18T19:56:00.002-06:00

Dear sweet baby Daniel entered the world on October 5th. I finished this blanket in early January, and gifted it for ~~his birth~~ ~~Christmas~~ just because in February. Better late than never right?

The pattern I just created as I went. Fabrics are Riley Blake, Kona Cotton, and the blue stripe is from Hancocks.

The backing is a super soft red flannel and I made a tag for it using TLC Stitches tutorial which was very easy and yielded nice results. Although after washing it did fray slightly on the ends so next time I will be sure to spray them first.

His mom, one of my best friends Meagan, snapped a pic with her cell, and all in all I think it was a success!

*****

And I was featured yesterday on Modern Day Quilts!

Yay! Go check out this blog! Every day is total inspirational eye candy!

Inspiring Monday

2011-02-14T08:28:00.002-06:00

Well this past week has been pretty busy at work and the next 2 weeks are going to be the same for me so I don't see much sewing in my near future unfortunately, but that doesn't mean I am not still continuously inspired. So now I am just stocking up the inspiration until the next time I have a day off and am not sick.

This week I want to share this mini quilt made from selvages!

Selvage Star by Twinfibers

I love that selvages have become so versatile in sewing today. Waste not want not! And the tiny green flange around the binding - too cute! Plus the hand stitched accents around the star! I mean geeze! My heart is fluttering over here!

Anyone in the Club?

2011-02-13T18:23:00.000-06:00

So I found out about this awesome new Solids Club at Pink Chalk Fabrics and I am totally excited!

I usually buy my solids at my LQS or Hobby Lobby but they always have the same colors, so this will greatly expand my solids stash! I can't wait for my first package!

Also the super sweet Lynne over at Lily's Quilts has a new project on Moda Bake Shop today! You must all go check it out! She is also doing a giveaway on her blog for an oh so coveted Sherbet Pips layer cake to help you start making this quilt!

I know I will be making one of these quilts if not more! Congrats Lynne on an awesome quilt!

I Dream of Triangles

2011-02-09T22:58:00.000-06:00

This quilt was so wonderful to work on. I am officially in love with half square triangles. Granted this quilt didn't go all well, but still I love it!

This quilt is going to be a gift for my great grandmother on her 91st birthday. She is the person who inspired and taught me to quilt in the first place. I have 2 quilts made by her and I treasure them. One day I shall have to get them out, photograph them and share them with you all. She pieces and quilts by hand and each and every stitch is perfect.

I made it using Moda's Dream On line which I didn't much like at first as I am not a fan of vintage sheets, but as I was working with it really grew on me and now I quite like it!

I backed it in one of the large floral prints from the line and binded it with the green stripe which is one of my favorite prints. I straight line quilted it and now just can't wait to give it to her!

Inspiring Monday

2011-02-07T12:20:00.000-06:00

This week I am sharing a quilt that I simply adore. I think in this case it is the color pallet that calls to me. Usually we are all so caught up in the brights, the bolds, the patterns and prints - but these neutrals, simple shapes, and echo quilting are all just so subtle yet compelling.

Sun and Moon by Square One Studio

2 Tops Done?!

2011-02-06T12:49:00.001-06:00

This weekend I go so much sewing done - it was so relaxing and so much fun. I did a lot of sewing obligations for the Houston Modern Quilt Guild but more on that later. This weekend I got 2 sewing tops done!

To be fair this top was already done - just needed some tweaking and squaring up. I did also get it basted though!

Pattern: Amy Butlers EQ program
Fabric: Kona Solids in White, Pomegranate, Bubble Gum, and Coral

I also finished my Innocent Crush lattice top. I loved this quilt so much when it was on the design wall but now I am not so sure. I am hoping the love will return though once I get it quilted.

Pattern: Started as a charm square quilt, then turned on point, then decided to narrow sash it - so yeah no pattern just constant tweaking!
Fabrics: Anna Maria Horner Innocent Crush, Kona Sky

Farwell My Mini Penny

2011-02-04T20:08:00.002-06:00

This is Penelope Elizabeth Cooper - my Mini Cooper - my Penny.

Only now I have to say goodbye to her.
She was my first new car.
She was a beautiful car, and I loved her.

But sadly even brand new she was always pretty sickly and no matter how many times I took her to the doctors at the dealership she was never completely healed.

So I have to move on - and it is heartbreaking.
I cried. She is a car, but I cried.

But will be better in the long run I think.

Less stress, less money, less worry.

But still sad.

Thanks for allowing me this short diversion from crafting.

Inspiring Monday

2011-01-31T07:55:00.007-06:00

This week I bring you one of my all time faves from Flickr!

Selvage Hexies by Jednoiglec

I mean come one!!

REALLY?!

Selvages, hexies, a lovely grey base?

Say it with me everyone -

FABULOUS!

Where are my pearls and stilletos?

2011-01-30T23:45:00.000-06:00

I need them when I iron because I love to iron (*at least when it is for quilting*) - and when I get to do it on this little baby!

It was created using Oh Fransson's tutorial. Talk about super simple and a fantastic outcome!

Just a simple TV tray covered in batting, duck cloth, and one of my favorite Tufted Tweets prints!

I totally recommend making one of these for yourself! So easy, and useful! Especially for ironing small pieces right next to your machine and for taking to quilt meetings.

A Blond Quilts

Time Consuming Much?

The New Kid

365:January

I'm not dead, but I am a Popsicle.

Why do we love gnomes so much?

Crafting cross country!

Whoa.

365

Only half...

What a Crafty Year!

Goodbye Houston - Hello Boston

Addiction

OMG YES PLZ

So Many Blocks - So Little Time!

Warning! Warning!

Why do you create?

Is it Halloween 2012 yet??

Oh my goodness, I am exhausted.

Embracing Modernism

Eeeeeeep!!!

HMQG Meet Ups at IQF

Modern Quilt Guild Market Meet Up

Inspiring (House) Monday

Pretzel, pretzel, who wants a pretzel??

Inspiring Monday

Best Weekend Ever Part 1 + WINNERS!!

Inspiring Monday

Innocent...Something or Other Quilt

Vintage Life

Happy 1st Birthday to Me!

Inspiring Monday

10 years.

Helpin' A Girl Out

My Stash...

My Maw Maw the Master

I heart...

Inspiring Monday

A Regency Mini

Inspiring Monday

Too much of a good thing??

Inspiring Monday

And the Winner is...

Anthology Giveaway!

Inspiring Monday

I want to learn to sew clothes.

Time is a slippery thing...

Come on down....

Inspiring Monday

To Virginia and Back.

No consideration at all!

Birthday Giveaway!

Inspiring Monday

And the winner is...

Inspiring Monday

Fabric, Blocks, and A Giveaway! Oh My!

Lookie Lookie!

Inspiring Monday

The Quilt Along Post 4!

The Quilt Along Post 3!

The Quilt Along Post 2!

Inspiring Monday

Inspiring Monday

The Quilt Along has begun!

The Parade Begins!

A Wonky Neighborhood

Inspiring Monday

Prince Charming is here!

Inspiring Monday

A Darling Package

Fat Quarter Shop Bella Parade ****GIVEAWAY****

A Hint...

Inspiring Monday

Seriously, I have luck pouring out of my ears.

The Mailman Saves the Day!

And the winner is....

Inspiring Monday

Giveaway Time!

A Cacophony of Color

Inspiring Monday

Fat Quarter Shop Bella Parade GIVEAWAY