a trip around the world, in scraps!

scrappytrip

Well, this quilt was not one that was on my list, nor was it one that I had even considered, but now? Well, I’m a bit obsessed! Right after Christmas, Megan posted a photo or two on Instagram of a few of the blocks she was working on. I thought they were pretty, and probably commented as such, but I was working on another quilt, and didn’t give it too much thought. Then there were pictures of additional blocks and before long, there were also more fellow instagrammers starting the same quilt. It didn’t take long before I had my scrap bins out and I was joining the fun!

scrappytrip3

I already mentioned that my goal this year will be to use some of my stash, and this seems like the perfect quilt to help with that. I’ve pulled out lots of the larger scraps, but also had a chance to pull out older fabrics that have been sitting for a while. And what’s great is that it seems like anything goes with this quilt! I love seeing the different variations being made – even though most are scrappy, they still each have a unique look.

scrappytrip2

In the midst of winter, I tend to be drawn to bright, happy colors, so I pulled a bright, vibrant rainbow of colors, along with some light grays. I’ve eliminated brown and black this time, and have mainly stuck with one color prints. I’m not sure yet how large this one will end up being, but since the blocks are somewhat quick and easy to make, you could probably make a bed sized quilt in a relatively short amount of time! (tempting!)

If you’re in the mood to follow along, the free tutorial can be found here. There’s also a Flickr group set up if you want to see other variations, or if you’re on Instagram, you can find photos by searching for #scrappytripalong. Thanks Megan, for the fun quilty start to 2013!

Happy New Year!

Posted in Fabric, Posts about Quilts, Quilt Blocks | Tagged , , , , , , | 16 Comments

after Christmas shopping?

Well hello! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! As I logged into my blog today, I realized again how I’ve been missing posting. I suppose that’s the case each December – things are sewn that can’t be shown online (and then that never get photographed!), and there’s the last minute rush to get everything done, and somehow there just isn’t time enough for posting. And this year my own blog kept me from posting – refusing to give me access to my site. Ah! Anyway, hopefully things will get back to normal soon!

But for today, just thought I’d pass along a few fabric sales… you know, in case you didn’t find fabric in your stocking this year (I did not!). I did however, find out my job was ending, somewhat unexpectedly, so while there may not be much fabric shopping in my future (I think I shall make 2013 the year where I really go to town on the stash! Maybe you’ll hold me to that?), perhaps you’d like to snag yourself a deal or two…

Marmalade Fabrics is offering 20% off your entire order today and Saturday with code MERRYSALE

Bloomerie is having a Sewing in the New Year sale with up to 50% off a wide variety of prints

The Fat Quarter Shop’s End of Year sale is on now, also with 50% off many many fabrics.

Fabricworm is having an Inventory Reduction Sale through the end of the day today

Canton Village Quilt Works is having an End of Year Clearance Sale, with 20% off your order with code yearend20

Know of others? Feel free to leave the info in the comments!

snow

And now? We’re headed back out to the snow. We received about 14″ over the last couple days, and Max is both thrilled and somewhat mystified by it all!

 

Posted in General | 11 Comments

a little liberty patchwork quilt

liberty1

I had a chance to take a peek at an electronic copy of Alexia Abegg’s upcoming book, Liberty Love, and wow, is it beautiful! If you love Liberty, you’ll love flipping through this book, as its pages are filled with gorgeous Liberty prints. It’s even better if you love Liberty and love to sew, as Alexia has provided lots of great projects – from smaller household projects, to gorgeous quilt patterns and even a few clothing patterns. And of course, while they look wonderful in Liberty, they’d be equally as nice made up in your choice of fabrics.

liberty5

I was immediately sold on this patchwork baby quilt, made up of 16 patch blocks of Liberty. Having made a few Liberty quilts now, I had a lot of tiny leftover pieces so this project, using 2.5″ squares, was perfect for using those up!

liberty1

And while I rarely, if ever, copy a pattern exactly, I couldn’t resist doing so here, going so far as to copy Alexia’s choice of the gray polka dot Nani Iro double gauze for the alternating blocks. I’m not sure its a combo I would have put together on my own, and boy do I love it! Not to mention that the combo of the Liberty lawn and the double gauze makes for one super soft quilt!

liberty4

To add to that softness, I backed it with an Anna Maria Horner voile, and bound it in a solid voile. I just wish you could feel how soft this combo feels!

liberty3

I’m so glad to see all these little Liberty scraps put together in this one quilt. It’s awfully fun to see them put to use!

Liberty Love is available for preorder at Amazon now!

(a note: the links for the book are Amazon affiliate links, meaning if you click through and buy, I get a little kickback, which I’ll put towards the purchase of this book once it’s available!)

Posted in [search] Charm Quilts, baby, Fabric, Quilts | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments