Flickr Updates

Have you checked out the flickr pool lately? If not, you're missing out on Muriel's pillow, Lydia's table runner and some totally sweet blocks.

Awesome, right? Keep the blocks, projects and quilts coming! We love to see what you're working on.

Archive - Round 2 Blocks

1.  Broken Dishes
2.  Corner Star
3.  Dandy
4.  Eight Hands Around
5.  Forest Paths
6.  Hither and Yon
7.  Love in a Mist
8.  Magic Cross
9.  Quatrefoil
10.  Shoo-Fly
11.  Sunshine
12.  Martha Washington Star

Giveaway Day!

Today is giveaway day! It's our last giveaway for Round 2 so make sure to comment before Sunday for your chance to win!



Today's question is about picnics, of course. Do you like or dislike picnics? Do you have a favorite blanket? Did you make it? What are your favorite picnic foods? Do you have a favorite picnicking memory?

I'm crazy about picnics! I look forward to picnic season all year long. I design picnic quilts in the middle of the winter, just so I'll be ready when the time comes to use them. To me, there's nothing better to do on a summer's afternoon. My boyfriend and I usually go to the park by his house and order seafood from the restaurant there. When we're not in the mood for that, we bring freshly baked bread (Ian makes it) and various cheeses and fruit. I made a new picnic blanket last summer that's just big enough for two people. We haven't picnicked yet this year but we will soon!

Flickr Inspiration

When I saw this Courthouse Steps quilt on Sew, Mama, Sew I couldn't believe my eyes.  What a beautiful, ethereal work of art.  I contacted Chawne (cauchy09 on flickr) and she shared some information about her inspiring quilt.  Read on, readers!

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Back in 2005, my mother mailed me a giant box of these pants she'd been collecting at my request. I always knew I wanted to try to make utility quilts but it can be a challenge to gather up enough discarded fabrics, especially if you want them to be fabrics and quilts with meaning. Seeing the range of colors and patinas in the fabrics reminded me of this stunning Gee's Bend quilt ( this one) and so I made my own version.

I should mention that this courthouse steps quilt was the second one that i made from that supply of pants. The first one was entirely improvisational--my first improvisational project, in fact. The two quilts are meant to be companions to represent many dichotomies in my family: black/white, rich/poor, blue-collar/white-collar, religious/atheist, liberal/conservative, slave/freedman, etc.

I only have a photo of the quilt top. Here's the [photo] for that one:

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Make sure you stop by Chawne's flickr photostream and thank her for sharing about these unique quilts.  

Picnic Blanket

Good morning everyone! I'm sad to say that this is our last project tutorial for Round 2. But! Jennifer and I are cooking up some new ideas for the near (and not quite so near) future that we hope you'll like just as much.

But, for now, today's project is a sweet and simple picnic blanket:



The finished size is 5' square, big enough for a proper picnic or to cuddle up in on a cool summer night. You don't need batting or binding for this blanket but I do recommend flannel for the backing. It adds weight and warmth and softness.

Martha Washington Star

This block is named for the first First Lady of the United States.  According to her biography at US History.org, she seemed to be a beautiful but uncomplicated woman.  Maybe that's why this block is named after her.

As usual, 12" block measurements are listed first with 8" block measurements in parenthesis.  Before you start, make sure to check out the Flying Geese Tutorial to refresh your memory on our fast and easy flying geese method.  The math is done for you, but it's necessary to be familiar with the steps of construction (they are not shown here).  

Giveaway Winner!

This week's giveaway winner (picked by random.org) is #17, Eileen! An email is on its way!

Also, tomorrow Jennifer is posting our very last block for Round 2. It's a sweet star block that I think you're really going to love! See you all tomorrow!

Giveaway Day!

Today is giveaway day! For a chance to win this quilted wall hanging, comment before I draw a name on Sunday:



Today's questions (should you chose to answer any of them) are: how many quilts have you finished? How many did you keep and how many did you give away? Which was your favorite and why? Do you have a picture to share?

In my four years of quilting, I finished twelve quilts and I only kept three! My favorite is the quilt I sort of accidentally made for a giveaway on my blog last year.

Quilted Wall Hanging

Today's project is a quilted wall hanging. Of course, I know you all know how to make a mini quilt. I just thought it would be nice to show you my favorite way to create nearly invisible hanging tabs.

Love in a Mist

I love blocks that look complicated but are actually very easy, don't you? I looked long and hard for a block like this and I think I have a new favorite! But I say that about every block, don't I?

Giveaway Winner!

I apologize for the lateness of the giveaway drawing but sometimes life just gets in the way. So, with the help of a co-worker (in place of random.org), this week's winner is Jewel. An email is on its way!

If you have a chance, check out Jewel's lovely blog. She's up to quite a few things including the Pinwheel Sampler and Hexagon quilt-alongs. I'm quite excited to try a hexagon quilt for myself. Or, you know, at least a block or two before I move on to another project.

Anyway, this week's block tutorial will be up in a little bit. It's another one of my favorites, of course.

Giveaway Day!

It's giveaway day again! To win this week's project, hand made by yours truly, comment below before I pick a winner on Sunday.



Speaking of hand quilting...everyone seems to be catching the bug lately. I blame Anna Maria Horner for her beautiful and bold stitches. In fact, Jen is even planning to hand quilt her Modify Tradition quilt from Round 1! She even found this great deal on Perle cotton thread. I've just placed my order! You know, for when I somehow have time to hand quilt something.

So, the question for today is: have you ever hand quilted a quilt of any size? If you have, feel free to link to a picture so we can all see. If you haven't (or if you have), what's your favorite quilt that you've made? Why is it your favorite? Again, link to pictures if you want.

Hand Quilted Embroidery Hoop

Today's project is a great way to display smaller quilt blocks as art. It's also super easy and a fun way to practice your hand quilting/embroidery skills on a small scale.

Magic Cross

Magic Cross is a fun and simple block.  I especially like this block because it's reminiscent of a star block, without messing with all those flying geese.  The devil is in the details, though, so make sure that you at least read the whole step before sewing.  Otherwise, keep your seam ripper handy!  As always, measurements for the 12" block are listed first, with 8" measurements listed in parenthesis.

Giveaway Winner!

This week's giveaway winner is commenter #17...Barb! Seriously, you should check out her blog. I'm especially in love with the quilt she made for DQS8. I love that green!

Anyway, stay tuned...Jennifer has a really neat block for us tomorrow.

modify tradition sampler quilt

modify tradition sampler quilt

Originally uploaded by bittybirdquilts

Wow! I love that contrasting vertical sashing and the myriad prints that bittybirdquilts used in this quilt top. Great job!

Giveaway Day!

I can't believe it's Thursday already...but it is and that means it's giveaway day. To win this little drawstring bag (filled with various goodies), comment below before I pick a winner on Sunday.



I don't have a bag-related question so I'll ask a getting to know you question: why did you start quilting? Why do you quilt now? I know not all of you are quilters so: why did you start knitting/crocheting/painting/whatever you love to do that's creative? Why do you continue creating?

In case you're interested, here's why I quilt and here's why I crochet. If you've already written a post about this, feel free to link it so we can go check it out!

Petite Drawstring Bag

I really like the idea of giving gifts in bags. I like that the wrapping is reusable and it can match the gift. (I like things to match.)



Today's project is a petite drawstring bag. The finished size is 8.5" x 6".

Forest Paths

I know some of you are participating in one (or more) pinwheel quilt-alongs right now so I hope you don't mind one more pinwheel block. This block was so perfect for tomorrow's project that I couldn't pass it up. Hopefully you'll agree.

Giveaway Winner

It's a late drawing tonight so I'll keep it quick. Random.org says #11 is our winner! Stefanie, an email is on its way.

Thanks to everyone for sharing your favorite vacation memories! :)

Giveaway Day!

Today is giveaway day! To win the travel checkers, comment below before I pick a winner on Sunday.



And speaking of travel, what was your favorite vacation? What's your favorite vacation destination?

My favorite trip as a kid was the summer my family and I drove to the west coast, camping the entire way. It was my first time seeing the ocean and the water was surprisingly (and disappointingly) cold off the Oregon coast. My favorite vacation as an adult was the trip Ian and I took to Venice a few years ago. I'd love to go back for a weekend during Carnival. So what about you? Where do you love to visit?