SewKatieDid

Because thread is the best glue

sunday stash

::Escapism::

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My home is a disaster.  Everyone is sick.  So I sat down and put together my quilt top for some sanity.  I’m hoping this fabulous Halloween weather will hold so I can get some photos outside tomorrow.

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I ended up adding a row to make it square.  This will actually be the first quilt I’ve ever made for myself.  I’m looking forward to cuddling up on the couch with it.  Mine all Mine!

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So this week it’s time to stitch the rows together to finish the whole quilt top!

I pin the intersection of the blocks only when I piece the rows.  I pull a bit if needed to help them through and line them up.  I’m going to be lame and not reinvent the wheel with a tutorial of stitching the rows together, there’s plenty of info out there and I need to get ready for Trick-or-Treating with my little SQUID MAN!

Be thinking of your quilt backing, that comes next week.  I’m thinking some of the new Amy Butler, this one is perfect.

Happy Halloween!

::Making It Right::

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When I contributed my photos and bio to Amy Butler’s Inspiration Gallery included in her new software, I wasn’t expecting such generosity on her end.

One of the samples I’ve been waiting for has been her organic line of sheets that she designed for Welspun.  The company producing the sheets has some problems keeping track of things on their end, and after much patient waiting (and I admit it, some nagging) I received my samples.  The blue and green couldn’t be any more fitting for my home.

But wait, I got Pink and Orange…and in Full…so no review based on how they look on any of the beds in our home.

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I need my Irish Sister-in-Law flown in to iron them.  There is beautiful edging all around the duvet.  My favorite bit, besides the organic softness of 400 thread count is that the duvet is reversible.

PINK SIDE:

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ORANGE SIDE:

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So let’s just pretend this is my incredibly clean home, and my Sister-In-Law had flown 13 hours to iron my sheets and her pajamas (I caught her doing this once) before she climbed in for a slumber.

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My plan now is to cut them into bits and make the Bento Box Quilt in orange and pink.  How perfect, I have backing, binding and some to add to the quilt top.

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Yeah, I’ll get right on that.

::Sunday Stash/Sunday Swap::

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DSC_0091I love this print.  In Black and White by Michele D’Amore for Marcus Brothers.  I’ve just ordered more from Quilting By the Sea.  It is a great “almost solid” for patchwork.

I used it in this patchwork pillow that I made my friend for her bridal shower.

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Wanna join the Sunday Swap Group?  My Sunday Swap is some Robot Flannel by Springmaid.  Come on, you’re thinking about Winter projects aren’t you?  These Robots are adorable and I was finally able to find more on E-bay.  They are about 4 inches or more in height and make the most adorable pj bottoms.  This is almost 3/4 yard.

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Looking to swap other children’s flannel.  I’m open to suggestions.

We’ve got the Northern Irish side of the family here!  Loads of fun with the kids.  Happy Sunday.

SWAPPED Thanks!

::Fancy a Sunday Swap Anyone?::

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I’ll come up with a button here in a few, but would you all fancy the ritual of a Sunday Fabric Swap?   Maybe added into your post for the Sunday Stash?  Just give the photo,  the quantity, and what you’re on the hunt for.

I created a Flickr group here.

I’m all over THIS fabric swapping Flickr group.  Thought something less obsessive for me, like a once a week thing, could fit into my computer time perfectly,  AND keep me focused more on life.

Sorry, I’m out this week due to my SOLO vacation to New Mexico (insert “YEAH” here.),but if you are in, I’ll try my best to compile a list of Bloggers who are all about it.

Happy Hunting!

Katie

::Sunday Stash/Mendocino::

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Occasionally,  fleetingly, I feel that I need a daughter.  But, only to have someone to sew this cute Mendocino fabric into frocks, and such for.  Thanks, but one boy (currently having a dragon battle in the sunshine patch in the living room) is plenty.  I’ll borrow the girls.

I bought a ton of the Mendocino line in batches when it was released.  I’m a huge fan.  It’s fueled me creatively through a few Christmas gifts, plus some birthdays.

Now it’s Rose’s Birthday.  Some detail of her pillow, pictured at the top of the post.

Apparently, her Far Far Away line is the last for a bit (due to contract issues).

Hope you all got a bit of sewing love in for the weekend.  My Stepping Stone quilt is coming along and I hope to have some photos up this week.  Off to make biscuits!

::Sunday Stash #12/Denyse Schmidt::

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Here’s another Sunday Stash, and some sewing highlights of the week.

How could you not love this print.  The colors are splendid and I knew I needed some.  For once I actually bought fabric with a project in mind, pillows for the kitchen bench.

As a matter of fact, I even bought the wonderful Amy Butler fabric on the opposite side with pillows in mind.  How’s that?!?  I so wish both of these would be reproduced in quilting fabric, as well as the Nigella line that my ironing board and all the pillows in my living room are covered in.

I believe this photo will appear in the new Amy Butler Program that will be out in May.

So really I should maybe do a ritual of a Friday night post.  This is what my sewing night was like with no kid and the happy hubbie glad to have the laptop on his own for a few hours…so romantic aren’t we.

I don’t know about rotary cutters and margaritas, but I keep it on the right hand side of the sewing table…out of the way in case there are spills at least.

I made some progress on my dear friend Kara’s quilt.  It is still evolving, but some cohesion is happening.  I need to get myself together, and order some Kona from Pink Chalk Studios to come clear on its direction.  BTW, if you aren’t familiar with Carolina Chambray solids, then you NEED some.   I was so excited that Kathy at Pink Chalk started carrying it!  It’s what I used in this quilt, that so many have inquired about.  It adds depth and texture to any project.

In fact, I used some of the mustard in my fourth bird block today for my “Flock of Birds” quilt I’ve been working on.

I was a little hesitant to use smaller bird fabric since my intention was to do all the blocks in a log cabin style with the bird as the center.  I thought they would get lost.  But messing with values really can make anything work.  I love it.

Some of the fabric combo was inspired when I was looking at The Gentle Art of Domesticity last night in bed.  I love it when inspiration just strikes you!

Awful picture, but that makes four.

It’s been such a wonderful weekend for my family.  I feel so lucky.  My thoughts are with my friend who we lost this day.  I will miss you just popping by for a beer and a chat on a warm Seattle evening.  We wish you would have stuck around…but I know that life was painful for you in a way that I will never understand.   I hope, and wish you are at peace.

::Bird Quilt Starts::

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Finishing up Katy’s Block reminded me once again of my fondness for all the bird fabric that has been popping up.  I had showcased for Sunday Stash some of the bird fabric I have in my stash, and was happy to add a bird scrap from Katy’s leftover stash to my pile of birds.

For awhile now I have been wanting to do a Bird Quilt.  I’d admired quite a few on Flickr.  I liked the idea of an improv scrappy log cabin block with a bird center.

I finally sat down and put together the first block.  I like its outcome.  The purple bird fabric were scraps from a friend that passes them on, and most of the other scraps are from swaps, little of my own really.

I was thinking this will be my Nothing But Scraps Quilt.  We’ll see if I can stick to it.  I had cut a bunch of birds out originally for another project that never was fruitful, so sitting in my scrap bin I would think qualifies them as scraps.  I do like to dive into my stash though, so it might not work out for me.

I was ambitious to think I would get to another over the weekend, but worked on a wedding quilt instead.  I am in communication with another quilter that has the same love of bird fabric and we are on for a swap!  Perhaps more this week.

::Saturday-Sunday Stash #11/Martha Negley Tree Rings::

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Last week’s Sunday Stash was Amy Butler’s Sunbloom Fabric with tulips.  A sort of celebration to Spring and the lovely weather we have been experiencing in the Northwest.

The past week has brought the reality of Spring for me home.  The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Spring for me personally,  ALLERGIES….Urghhhhh.

In honor of those trees that signify with their amazing blooms, and the mesmerizing snowing of blossoms the arrival of Spring, , I give you a display of their beauty when they aren’t blooming…in fact the polar opposite, tree rings.

I love this fabric.  Found quite on the cheap in various E-Bay shops.  I used it to make my friend Eli’s Flagstaff Wedding Quilt last Fall.

2957325512_d417d60900I can’t believe it is already Sunday (ok, woops…I gained a day, it’s Saturday.  Why did I think it was Sunday?).  Hope everyone has a good weekend!

::Sunday Stash 8/Henna Garden

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dsc_0082Sandy Henderson’s Farmer’s Market Henna Garden.

I was able to use the red of this line in my first block for the Cottage Quilting Bee.  It wasn’t something I would have picked up in the store.  I fell in love with it, and as you can see a bit of it made it into my stash.

I’m going to try to stick with Sunday Stash as my reminder that I really don’t need anymore fabric, and that there will always be something out there that I must have.

I’m sure everyone in the world, but me, has know about The Fabric Shopper.

Our relationship via RSS injection was short lived.

It started with Quilting Arts having their “Luck of the Irish 50% off Sale.  Hey, I’m Irish, and I “needed” some solids for an upcoming wedding quilt…

Then, today I spot Alexander Henry’s April Showers line on one of the sites showcased.  I’ve seen it in town and it has that nice feel, you know, like Heather Ross’ somewhat, and the graphics are to die for.

I all a sudden think I “need” it.

So I cut the line.  I’m “unsubscribed.”  I don’t need ANY influence when it comes to buying fabric.  I admit it, I’m fully addicted.  I do ocationally lapse and stop in for the fabulous giveaway information.

Plus, it takes up time I really could be sewing, or hanging out with my kid, who seems particularly needy right now.

So I’m trying to remember to:

dsc_00601(Print by Nicki McClure, don’t look at this link if you are tying to save money.)

…and I picked up some fabric from my stash to make a receiving blanket, because there’s a new baby on the planet!  This Moda flannel is a favorite, and I always oh and ah over the cozability of it.  It truly is baby soft.  The mushrooms are surprisingly from Joanns.  The picture does no justice.  I wanted this blanket for myself.

Hope you’re having a good Sunday!

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::Sunday Stash 8/Oilcloth Search::

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I use to travel.  My friend and I would pack up our bikes and dog.  Drive three days into Mexico, until we reached the sleepy little fishing village of Troncones (which is not so sleepy anymore).

I loved the mercados and would search for the perfect things to take home.  Oilcloth that was not the standard prints you would find in the states was one of the obsessions.  I loved the vibrant purples and oranges.

I have some other fabrics I will share another day.  So wish I was the crazy fabric addicted person then, that I am now.  I’m sure I’d have some beauties added to the stash.

What made me think of the oilcloth is Anna Maria Horner’s newest line.  Has anyone felt Anna Maria Horner’s new oilcloth?  It’s like butter.  My friend constructed Amy Butler’s Sunhat (Blue Sky) pattern in it the other day.  Very appropriate for Seattle.  No one carries an umbrella here.

::Sunday Stash 6/Alexander Henry Arvika::

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Thanks to my friend Joree at Nine Fireflies I am owner of this fab fabric.  I was able to visit her over Christmas.  So much fun to sit, drink beer, and look at fabric with someone as equally obsessed!

I wanted to pull my bed into her studio so I could stare at her fabric stash as I was drifting off to sleep.  For my Birthday she also gifted me the black of this line.

If anyone EVER comes across it…please remember me and that I want some more!