Friday, November 30, 2018

Cozy Log Cabins Challenge with Island Batik



This month, we are challenged to play with log cabins, so I had to do one of my favorite variations of a log cabin block...the pineapple block!  One of my favorite tools to make this block is Gyleen Fitzgerald's Pineapple tool.  It is so easy to use!  

I used Island Batik Alpine Jingle cut into 1 1/2 inch strips to make my pineapple, starting out with a 2 1/2" square.  Made 9 blocks and sashing is 1 1/2".  Then, with the leftover fabric, I started on my December challenge...wonky and whimsical...making wonky 6" x 8" tree blocks.  While they were on the design wall they started to mingle, and I decided I had to use them for my border.  I'm glad I did, as it turned out to be a fun quilt!  

At Thanksgiving, I gifted it to my sister, and it hangs on her dining room wall.



Stay tuned for more holiday inspiration coming soon!

grace and peace.....Sharon


Monday, November 5, 2018

Monday meanderings...

I cannot believe that I did not sew one stitch last week....not until Saturday!  Had company, then I had strep throat and was on the sofa for the rest of the week.  But I did get a little crochet blanket done for Project Linus, and some hand applique...so I feel a tiny bit productive! and I used up scrap yarn!



I'm working on my Island Batik November challenge and I thought I was working on my December challenge when I first started piecing these blocks using the Alpine Jingle fabric Island Batik sent to me.


 My pineapple blocks are made with 1 1/2" strips, the center square is 2 1/2" with a 3 1/2" square flipped on the corners.  I LOVE using Gyleen Fitzgeralds Pineapple Tool...so easy!


Then I decided to make some wonky improv trees using my left overs.  Once I got them made, I did like the idea of making a quilt, but then I thought...what if?  And tried the blocks out as a border around the pineapple quilt.  I like it! (except now I need an idea for my December challenge)

Hopefully I get this completed this afternoon and start quilting it!  What's on your Monday afternoon agenda?

A view of my back yard....we are having the most amazing display of color here in Missouri this year.  Hope you are enjoying some beautiful fall weather!




Linking to: Main Crush Mondays


Sunday, October 21, 2018

Candy Cat


I love paper piecing, so the Island Batik challenge for October was easy for me....until I had to pick a project!  This adorable Candy Cat has been on my list for a bit, so I printed out the pattern and used up my scraps from previous Island Batik projects.



A favorite tool of mine to use is the Add-a quarter ruler....makes it so much easier. Also, I grab my markers and make colored marks to help me remember where each piece goes.  



You can download this project here.....Unicorn Hearts.  Oh...and cute fish bones are available too!  FREE!  
Check out the #candycat on Instagram to see all the wonderful, colorful cats using this adorable pattern.  There might be a quilt in my future using this pattern!



For this project, I decided to make a pillow.  The border is fabric from Island Batik Petting Zoo...don't you love it????


I took this picture right before the freeze last week....not so pretty this week, but a bit spooky which is ok!  Hope you are having a glorious fall!

If time permits, I may have to make another paper pieced project, as I found some darling Halloween projects to make.  So many ideas and not enough time and energy!

Grace and peace....Sharon

Monday, October 15, 2018

Star Struck with Island Batik

I found this quick and easy pattern in the Missouri Star Block magazine, and decided to use the 2 1/2" strips provided by Island Batik.  I love how this turned out using the Sweet William line of fabric.  
As usual, Jenny Doan provides and easy strip quilt to make in no time!


Stars and Stripes

You can find the pattern in Block magazine, Summer Volume 5, Issue 3.  Very fun to make!  


Starstruck was the September challenge, and I am woefully behind! 



But I really have been sewing and designing, things are not so foggy anymore. Stay tuned...hopefully I can manage to show you what I have been doing once I get back from a short trip to Branson, MO.  We have been married 10 years on the 17th and decided to take a little anniversary trip.  

grace and peace....Sharon

linking to:  Main Crush Mondays













Tuesday, September 25, 2018

And the winner is......

  The Happy Go Lucky Sew Along is finished and I hope all of you enjoyed making this quilt.  As you complete your quilt I hope you will share a picture with me or put it on Instagram.  

Shelley aka Happy, has won the grand prize for a completed quilt top.  I love the bright colors she has used.  It turned out beautiful!




Happy had fun making  the extra blocks and rearranging, to make a larger quilt with her hand dyed fabrics.  Since the fabric came from a project she and her mother made, she named the quilt Happy Fayes Sampler.  I think she did a great job with this!

The Fat Quarter shop has graciously donated a gift certificate !

Thanks so much to all of you for sewing along with me!  Hope to see your quilts soon!

Monday, September 17, 2018

Bloggers 2018 Quilt Festival

It's that time of year again!  I love all the quilt shows that happen every fall, but I fail to make it to all of them!  So this is one of my favorites....I can get a glass of cold tea and go to the quilt festival in my comfy easy chair!



A huge thank you to Amy  at Amy's Creative Side for hosting the Blogger Quilt Festival.  And there are some wonderful prizes....you might like to enter as well!

I am entering my All a Flutter quilt which I made this summer.  It is made from Island Batik fabric...All a Flutter.





If you look closely in the lower right had corner, there is a little butterfly that has come to inspect the flowers on the quilt.  So, I decided that All a Flutter was the right name for this quilt!


Not an appliqued butterfly! 💓💓💓💓

Hope you will go visit Amy and all the beautiful quilts that have been entered!

Grace and peace....
Sharon


Friday, September 14, 2018

In the Pumpkin Patch....new pattern in time for fall!

This is my newest pattern that I have added to Etsy and Craftsy.  I think you will like how easy it is to make, and if you really do not like applique, there is a pieced pumpkin version as well.  This quilt pictured is made with fabric provided by Island Batik...perfect for fall decorating.




Here is the version with the pieced pumpkin.  I pieced the one below using fabric from my scrap basket.  Hope to get it quilted tomorrow!


Why not use some fun Halloween fabric?  Once again...check that scrap basket!



If you would like to purchase a pattern, you can do so at Etsy or Craftsy.  On sale this week end  only! Sale ends Monday, September 18.

Have a great weekend!



Linking to these great parties: Whoop!  Whoop!
                                                 Let's Bee Social
                                                  Main Crush 
                                                  Oh Scrap!