Tuesday, June 19, 2012

A Collaboration Involving Chickens...

I had the happy fortune of being involved in Madame Samm's Table Topper blog hop earlier this year and as a result found Marcia's blog and won a fantastic and very personal giveaway for free quilting of a quilt top.  I immediately thought of my McKenna Ryan Chicken blocks and could not be more thrilled with the outcome!

These patterns are fusible raw edge applique done with batik fabrics.  The idea is to trace the pattern pieces onto fusible (such as Steam a Seam 2 Lite or Heat n Bond Lite) which you then fuse to the batik fabric, and then fuse that down on another batik background using an overlay placement template.  I thoroughly enjoyed cutting all these pieces and slightly modifying the design to make it my own and came up with this...

 
 These are my four blocks which I joined to make a 20" x 20" wall-hanging top.
 And this is the quilt before binding as I received it back from Marcia.  As great as it looks in these pictures that Marcia sent me, it is far better in person!
 Here in her close-ups you can see all the detail of the feathers and the background of chicken wire...
 The stitching in the eggs and the chick feathers are some of my favorite elements...
 As is the stitching in the daisy petals...
Here you can see how densely and detailed the quilting really is.  The above pictures were all taken by Marcia and she has more as well as a post on the process of the quilting on her blog here.  Make sure you hop over to her blog and let her know what a gorgeous job she did!  I am so lucky :)

I did the binding in gold and this is the finished top, complete with hanging sleeve:
 Then I got a little silly and drafted my husband to hold the chickens above our real chickens with a broom handle.  Then I fed them some bread so they'd come out and pose...who thought I was the biggest goofball- my husband (no, he is used to my crazy)...the chickens? (no, they were too interested in getting some bread)...probably our dog who thought it was the height of cruelty that he wasn't given any of the bread snack!
 The Banty Rooster in front is Purdue and for whatever reason the guy in back who is most definitely in charge (just don't tell Purdue) never got a name...It has been so dry this year so the chicken yard is less than picturesque...sorry about that!

Anyway, I'm over it now and it will be proudly hung in the dining room, where it belongs!

Thanks does not seem adequate for such a lovely gift!  I am so honored that Marcia has collaborated with me on what will be a treasured quilt in my home!

You Better Be Quick!

 Sew we quilt


Madame Samm and Lesley are hosting a Think Christmas Blog Hop and the spots will go fast if it's anything like the July Red, White and Blue Blog Hop coming up!  It filled in a matter of days.  Go to the link for Lesley if you want to join in the fun or use the button on my sidebar on the top right. 

I have been working on a few Red White and Blue blocks and can't wait to see what everyone else comes up with!  The start date of July 1st is just around the corner and my day is July 4th!

July 1st

July 2nd
Elaine (we host)

July 3rd
July 4th

July 5th

July 6th

July 7th
Diane P (we host)

July 9th
Quilted Sisca (I will Host)

July 11th
Nancy R

July 12th
July 13th
Plum and June
Kathy H (we host)
July 14th
Diann C  (we host)
July 15th
July 16th
PolkaDotClassic

Monday, June 18, 2012

I Must Have Missed This One

A couple of weeks ago, Heather from the Olive and Ollie blog had a review and giveaway of the premiere issue of Modern Quilts Illustrated by Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr you can also find them at FunQuilts.  I was lucky enough to win Heather's copy and it arrived today.  I think I may have to subscribe.  From their website, it appears that #2 is out and #3 is coming soon.  There are 3 great patterns in this issue and I could see making all of them if I could make the time ;) !  As it is, I think the one called Stacks will be in my list of projects to make soon...but I really like the cover girl pear quilt too!  Heather has a great review of the issue I received here.

I don't remember seeing this when I've been on Fun Quilts website but I see it now that I've looked for it!  It looks like if you subscribe you essentially buy 2 and get 1 free.

The printing is high quality, the pictures are gorgeous and they have packed a lot of information into 17 pages...no filler or ads, just quality patterns and tips.

Thanks Heather for introducing me to this publication!

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Needlecase Finish

 So I am taking Rachel's Handstitched Class and I finished the needlecase project...

 I changed the circle design slightly from her pattern and kinda let one of the circles fall along the spine because I like the way it looks...
 The inside has room for needles, floss, and tiny scissors!


I used the piece of wool felt from the class kit and the green fabric is one I won from the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway a few weeks ago from Terri.  I don't even know from what line it comes from but I love the combination with the wool and expect to really use this practical sewing aid!  It will be a great addition to my embroidery project bag.



Wednesday, June 13, 2012

New QAL I'm Joining, How 'Bout You?

Angela at Cut to Pieces is starting a new QAL that I think will be lots of fun.  It's Mario Bros. and will be a block a week...I don't know if I can keep up or not!  The button to get there is over on the right. It's supposed to be about twin size but if I can't get to all the blocks she suggests making a pillow or two.

Any of you want to join me and help keep me motivated?!  There are so many projects out there but my son assures me this one would be a worthy endeavor...lol!  I am going to try to get my Harrington and Hannah block started today as the new one comes out on Friday...better get sewing!

Thursday, June 7, 2012

BOM Pattern Giveaway


 Home sweet home BOM



 These are pics from Helen at Hugs from Helen
 home sweet home embroidered block

I am tempted to join this Australian Embroidery BOM called Home Sweet Home.
The detail on this is amazing!!

If you enjoy embroidery and quilts, go to the site (click on the link above) and sign up to win a pattern, I couldn't resist and signed up myself although we all know, I don't need another BOM, lol.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Lego Sewing Machine Goodness

So I was trolling around reading blogs this morning and what did I find, but the most amazing Lego Bernina...

made by Carrie at the blog Suchity Such...

Well, it was more than I can stand so since I have a June birthday I asked my son, our in-house Lego expert and hoarder to see what he could do...

I love it!!  I swear, can't tell it apart from the real thing!

Thanks to Carrie for such a great tutorial!!