Strawberry Biscuit Blog Hop Here Today!

 
Welcome to my stop on the Strawberry Biscuit blog hop!  Oh my goodness - have you seen all the adorable projects being made with Elea Lutz's new collection?  Quilts, bags, kitchen accessories, baskets, pillows, skirts and even dolls.

I love the happy colors and sweet motifs of this vintage-y collection (I mean, how could you not?), and since they are the colors in my sewing space, I thought baskets to hold sewing supplies would be fun to make.       

I made three sizes so they could hold a variety of items like threads, scraps, notions, leftover binding, leaders & enders, you get the idea.

small

medium

large

For the inside of the largest, I used this pink print which has sweet little animals playing together.

There are MANY good tutorials available for fabric baskets, but this one is the most similar to the method I used.  It's basically like making a pouch without the zipper, and adding handles.  I used Pellon fusible batting ironed to the outside instead of interfacing.  Quilting would have added a nice touch and more stiffness.    

Because I loved the gray floral so much, and because my other phone case was getting a little ragged, I used some scraps to make myself a new one. 

I made the case so my phone would be snug, added a loop for my house key, and used the selvage to give it a cute tag.  Now when I go for a walk, I just grab my phone and go.  For a quick trip to the store, I can also tuck in my license and debit card. It even garnered a compliment from my teenage son. *smile* If anyone is interested in a tutorial, let me know in the comments and I'll get one done. 

I hope you enjoyed your stop.  Thank you Elea and Penny Rose for allowing me to participate!  For more inspiration, go check out the next stops on the hop:

28 April - Megan of Sew Style Love (@dollyhenryau)

28 April - Kimberly of Fat Quarter Shop (@fatquartershop) 

29 April - Christa of Cotton Berry Quilts (@cottonberryquilts)

29 April - Elea of Elea Lutz Design (@elealutz)

 

Come see me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/farmroadquilts/

 

Winner! And Some Advice About Quilting Large Quilts

Rebecca you are the winner of the Machine Quilting With Style e-book!  (Sorry I'm a little late.)  Send me your email address and I'll forward it to the publisher, who will in turn send you your copy.   To pick the winner, I numbered the comments and chose a number using the Random Generator.  (You can see it in the lower right-hand corner.)  

OK, speaking of comments, thank you for a great response!  It seems that quilters are really interested in improving their quilting skills.  I started replying to each one and I just couldn't keep up.  So if I didn't answer yours, know that I read and appreciated every one. 

In reading the comments, I noticed a common theme.  Most of you are willing to quilt your own smaller quilts, but send out anything larger than a twin size (me included).  Christa offers suggestions in her book that will help us quilt those larger tops:

• Make sure your machine is at the same level as the work surface around it
• Support your quilt well on the back and left sides of your machine
• Use gloves made for machine-quilting to help with grip (I've even resorted to kitchen gloves which worked well in a pinch, kind of hot though)
• Use good body and hand positioning (more about these in the book).  

When I asked her if she had any other large quilt advice, Christa reminded me to "Just take it nice and slow".   Sounds like great advice Christa.  For more great info, get your own copy of Christa's book here or here.  

Machine Quilting With Style Blog Hop & Giveaway

Hello there!  Welcome to day #7 of the Machine Quilting With Style blog hop.

It's my turn to show you my version of a quilt from Christa Watson's great new book. But first, the original from the book:

Modern with a nod to traditional.  Love it!  OK, here's mine:

As you can see, my little twist on this quilt is a subtle Halloween theme.  I am loving the trendy combo of aqua and orange right now, and it fits right in.  The style of quilting I chose is called "Gentle Wavy Lines" in the book and it's one of my favorites.  It's quick, easy and gives a nice texture.  I quilted the lines vertically from top to bottom, approx. 1" apart.  I just marked a few straight lines to guide my quilting.  In the book, the name of the quilt is "Square in a Square". 

In her book, Christa shows you that YOU CAN quilt your own quilt on your domestic machine.  This book shows lots of designs, from easy (like gentle waves) to the more complex (swirls, pebbles, etc.).  And she gives instructions for 12 modern quilts to use those designs on.  Machine Quilting with Style is a great resource for every quilter who has even thought about quilting her own quilt.

For as long as I've known Christa (since our 15-year-old sons were babies!), she's been a cheerleader of quilting your own quilt.  She's devoted much time to sharing and teaching her awesome skills, and loves to see you succeed with your quilt.  She'll be leading a quilt-along in January and is encouraging everyone to vote for their favorite (here).  The winner will be the object of the quilt along.  How fun!

 

More good news -- I've been given permission to give an e-copy to one lucky reader.  Leave me a comment saying whether or not you've ever quilted your own quilt (with your domestic machine).  I'll choose a winner on Sept. 28. 

If you don't win (or just can't wait), get yours here 0r a signed copy from Christa.    Right now it's the #1 new release in patchwork on Amazon.  Woohoo!

Hop on over to these blogs to check out their versions:

• 9/14 Start at ChristaQuilts
• 9/14 Color Crystals – Vicki Reubel from Orchid Owl Quilts
• 9/14 Technicolor Backing – Ida Ewing from Ida Rather Be Quilting
• 9/15 Pearl Gray – Alyce Blyth from  Blossom Heart Quilts
• 9/16 Broken V – Sharon McConnell from  Color Girl Quilts
• 9/17 Candy Pop – Linda Hungerford from Flourishing Palms
• 9/18 Ripples – Melissa Corry from Happy Quilting
• 9/19 Little Man’s Fancy – Tina Guthmann from Mod Geometry
• 9/22 Static – Lee Heinrich from Freshly Pieced
• 9/23 Rain – Cheryl Brickey from Meadow Mist Designs
• 9/24 Lightning – Leanne Chahley from She Can Quilt
• 9/25 Facets – Kristy Daum from  St. Louis Folk Victorian
• 9/26 Focal Point – Amy Garro from 13 Spools

Plus, there will be additional stops on the hop from the awesome people listed below. They will be sharing their insights including book reviews, interviews, sample blocks, and other interesting content you won’t want to miss.

• 9/15 Andover Fabrics
• 9/16 Amy’s Free Motion Quilting Adventures and Leah Day’s Free Motion Quilting Project
• 9/17 Do You EQ? from Electric Quilt and Darlene from Quilt Shop Gal
• 9/18 Jacquelynne Steves’ The Art of Home and Scott Hansen from Blue Nickel Studios
• 9/19 Moda Fabrics – The Cutting Table
• 9/21 Katy Cameron from The Littlest Thistle
  
• 9/22 Debbie Grifka of Esch House Quilts and Generation Q Magazine
• 9/23 Rebecca Bryan of Bryan House Quilts
• 9/24 Stitch This – The Martingale Blog and Riley Blake Fabrics
• 9/25 Michele Foster of The Quilting Gallery and Teri Lucas from TerifiCreations
• 9/26 Pellon Projects and Amy Ellis from Amy’s Creative Side

Linking to:  Crazy Mom Quilts' Finish It Up Friday

   

Around The World Blog Hop Post

My good friend Christa of Christa Quilts asked if I'd like to participate in the Around The World Blog Hop.  I said sure!  Each hop post consists of answering a set of questions about the writer's creative process.  I'm always curious to know how others think, and I'm guessing you are too.  I was supposed to post this on Monday, but due to computer problems (ugh!), it had to wait until today. 

1.  What am I working on?  I am a quilter, but lately I've taken a little break from quilting to work on some simple projects.

Chevron tote

Moonflower tote/purse

Such instant gratification.  : )  I'd like to make some matching accessories next, like wallet, sunglasses case, tissue holder, etc.

Before making these bags, I started on a 16-patch quilt made from Moda Printemps fabrics.  It will be set 6 blocks x 6 blocks (72" square). 

I'll get back to it soon, maybe at the retreat I'm going to with Christa later this month.  Can't wait for that.  

2.  How does my work differ from others in its genre?  Doesn't everyone's?  I love how each person interprets a particular design differently.  Quilts that have vintage roots and modern style are my favorite to make.

3. Why do I create what I do?  I am a born sewer; I begged my mom to teach me at an early age (6, I think).  I began quilting when I took a continuing-education quilting class at the local university and decided to make my now grown daughter a baby quilt.  At first, I thought it was so much work! Of course, I was hooked and have been making them for myself and my family every since.

4. How does my creative process work?  I'll see a quilt or color combination that I like (I love Pinterest for this), and then think about how I'd interpret it. I rarely work with a pattern.  Whenever I make a quilt, it almost always takes me 3 times to get it right, with both the arrangement of the fabrics, and the quilting.  That frustrates me, and there's always a lot of ripping involved.  But, I've learned to accept that it's the way I work.  It doesn't seem to help to sketch it out first, makes no sense. ; )

I hope you enjoyed a little insight into my process. I'm tagging my good friend Linda at Linda's Tangled Threads, so look for her Around the World blog post next Monday.

Things That Are Green

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  In honor of this special day, I'd like to share a few favorite green things: 

My new letter "S" that my friend Pam made for me.  She's been following along with Moda's Spell It With Fabric blog hop.  Pam, our friend Linda and I get together once a month to sew and chat, and she surprised us with our own letters.  It's now hanging in my sewing area.  

Not having very many St. Patrick's Day decorations, I started this embroidery project.  When it's done, I'll put it in a little pillow to decorate with {next year}.  

A green pinwheel from a current project.

Lovely green pine trees at our cabin, which we visited this weekend.  We could only get there by 4-wheeler because of the snow and mud, which we didn't mind so much. 

 

Hopefully I can get some time in tonight sewing on that pinwheel project I mentioned earlier.  I only have a few blocks to go and then I can start sewing them together.  Can't wait to share that!

Linking to:  Sew Darn Crafty Linky Party

                     Quilt Story Fabric Tuesday

Winner!!

Hi everyone!  We have a winner of the Quilter's Blog Hop & Giveaway.....nicolesender!  She is lucky number 103 (chosen by the True Random Number Generator).  I have emailed her and hope to hear back soon so I can get the goodies in the mail.

Turkey #1 is thawing in the sink and almost ready for the oven, and everyone's been assigned their side-dishes.  Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!  I hope to be able to take some time this weekend and get my first-ever Christmas quilt (for me) basted.  Be back next week with pictures if I'm successful.    

Blog Hop Giveaway!

Hi!  I'm happy to be participating in the Quilters' Blog Hop & Giveaway today.  I'm giving away a few goodies I got when I attended the Fall Quilt Market in Houston - four of the latest quilt magazines and a lovely little bundle of QT's Matrix greens.  I'm also adding a package of my favorite sewing pins by Little House.

All you need to do to enter is become a follower of this blog, either by email or bloglovin' (and leave me a comment telling me you did).  Happy hopping!  (Sorry, this giveaway open to US bloggers only).  Ed note:  winner will be drawn on Nov. 27, thanks!

.

Charm Pack Winner!

Congratulations to Missy Shay!  She's the winner of the charm pack from my "Dare to Dresden" blog hop giveaway.  I'll be notifying her right away so I can get her charm pack in the mail. 

I asked commenters to say who their favorite designer is, so just in case you're interested.....Kate Spain (Moda) had the most votes, Riley Blake (actually a fabric co.) came in second, and Bonnie & Camille (Moda) came in third.  You guys have great taste.  : )   

A Teeny Tiny Dresden & A Giveaway

Hi Hoppers! (And those who just happened by.)

Today is the day I show off my project for Sew We Quilt's Dare to Dresden Blog Hop.  Mine may be the smallest of them all (hmm, I wonder if there's a prize for that). I turned my teeny little Dresden, made of American Jane fabrics (love those), into a little pincushion which measures 4" square. And since it has a heart button for the center, it also doubles as a Valentine decoration. Sweet. 

For more Dresden projects, check out the other blogs participating today:

Charlotte H @ “that Other Blog”

Clothes and Crafts --- Moved to 31st

It Seams to be Sew

Merry Gay in Stitches

Water Penny

Granny Good Stuff

Under the Presser Foot

More Stars in Comanche

      Sew Me Something Good

The Day Before This Day

Livin' Blue Quilter
 I Piece 2 Mary

      Kwilty Pleasures
  Espritpatch
   Nutz4Redwork

Actually the hop runs from Jan. 24-31, so there are several projects for each of those days. Thanks to Mdm. Samm and Christine for hosting this fun event.

Now for the giveaway part - leave a comment telling me who your favorite fabric designer is.  The randomly chosen winner will receive a charm pack of her (or his) choosing from my store.  Winner chosen on Jan. 6. Oops!  Drawing will be Feb. 6. Thanks M.E. Stephens!

I'll be back in a few days to give a report on my trip to Road To California.  See ya then!

Linking to:  Sunny Simple Sundays
                Katherine's Corner Thursday Favorite Things 
                     Crazy Mom Quilts Finish It Up Friday

My 1st Scrappy Trip Along Block

Sooo, have you joined the scrappy trip along yet?  I signed up with the Flickr group and there are now over 700 members!  Fun to see all the variations.  I finally got my first block done (and finished a second late last night).  I've been wanting to make this quilt forever, and was thrilled when I saw the group get started.  I plan on making mine from several lines of American Jane fabrics; they all work together so nicely.

I took some of the scraps and cut 30 degree wedges for a tiny Dresden plate.  Each unfinished wedge measures 2 1/2" long.  This is for an upcoming blog hop so stay tuned.  : ) 

Still working on the binding on this quilt.  Will do a show'n'tell when it's finished.  

Linking to:  Sunny Simple Sundays

New Giveaway!

We're joining in the fun for Quilting Gallery's new Blog Hop Party with Giveaways!  Here's what we're giving away:

$15.00 toward any notion in my store.   Just sign up to receive my blog posts by email. For an extra entry, sign up as a follower.  Be sure and leave me a comment that you did so, or that you already are. I'll randomly select a winner on Dec.17.  Ed. note:  This giveaway is open to both US and int'l readers.

Be sure and check out the other Blog Hop Giveaways to see what goodies they're giving away.  Should be fun!

Holiday Lane Bloghop & Giveaway

Thanks for stopping by!  I've so enjoyed making my version of the Holiday Lane pillow by Jill of Jillily Studio.  I pretty much stuck with the original design because I just liked it so much.  Red and green is my favorite color combo, and the white and black make the colors pop nicely (the red looks orange in this photo, but it's not).  I added a few details, like the glittery-felt roofs outlined in silver metallic thread, a felt wreath and beads on the trees.

I hope you like it, because I'm going to give away a kit of the fabrics that I used!  To enter, just sign up as a follower of this blog; and for a second entry, enter your email address to get my blog posts by mail (see both at the right).  And I'd be thrilled if you'd leave me a comment.  : ) 

*The drawing date has been changed to Dec. 8.  Entries will be accepted until Dec. 7.  Sorry for the change.

After you're done here, visit these other blogs who are posting their Holiday Lane creation today.  And then jump on over to Madame Samm's "Sew We Quilt" blog (where it all started) to sign up for her fun giveaway. (Sew We Quilts drawing now closed.)  Thanks Pauline for cheerleading the bloghop!  (Her pillow is darling, by the way.)

Wednesday November 28

Quilt n Queen

Keep your fork There's pie

Quilts My Way

Grandma's Stories

Quiltscapes

Espritpatch

Quilt on the Edge

Farm Road Ramblings

Rose Prairie Quilts and Farm

Peach Patch Quilts

Cherry's Prairie Primitives

Mary Jo - that other blog

Linking to:

Share Your Cup Thursday 
Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop 
Crazy Mom Quilts Finish It Up Friday
Sunny Simple Sundays 
Sew Mama Sew! 
Quilt Story: Fabric Tuesday! 
Sew Many Ways...

Product Demo: The Angler 2

I recently needed to make some triangle corners for my Holiday Lane Pillow, so I got out my Angler 2 to make the job easier.  The Angler 2 is a cool little tool that makes half-square triangle units, like Flying Geese and Snowball blocks, much simpler to sew.

So, I thought it might be a good time to do a little demo for you.  You'll need the tool, a sharp pair of scissors and some tape.  Cut out the key on the tool according to the package instructions.

Place the key under the presser foot, and place your needle down in the marked dot.

Make sure the key is parallel with the side of your presser foot, then lower your foot to hold the key in place.  Get the The Angler 2 and fit it around the key.  Make sure everything looks straight and tape it down.  (Sorry, I forgot to take a picture of taping it; I taped the front and sides.)  Remove the key, but keep for later use.

And you're ready to go!  For sewing a seam right down the middle of a square (to make a triangle corner), just line up the nearest corner with the center line.  I like to sew just a teeny bit off to the right, so I adjusted for that. 

Flip, press and trim your block.  It's personal preference whether to trim those background triangles or not.  I do, just to eliminate bulk. 

If you have lots of triangles to sew, this method is a real time-saver compared to marking a line down the middle of all those squares, and is much more precise than eye-balling it.  Can't wait to get my pillow done and share it as part of the blog hop.   My debut date is November 28.  

holiday lane pillow blocks

I've also been working on my Sunflower Rail Fence Quilt.  Yippee!  I finished quilting it and am sewing the binding on.  I should have it finished right after Fall is over.  : /  Oh well, it will be ready for next year.  So I'm a year early.  Right?

quilting curvy lines on my sunflower rail fence quilt

The Angler 2 is available in the store.

Linking to: Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop
                  Sunny Simple Sundays