Monday, March 30, 2015

Terra Australis Swoon mini

The "Swoon" pattern by Thimbleblossoms is one of my favourites and after seeing Janelles beautiful quilt, I decided to make a mini quilt using some of the Terra Australis fabrics by Emma Jean Jansen.
I chose a few combinations of prints from TA1 and TA2 for the 4 blocks and cut all of the pieces out, and fussy cut a few of the designs for the centre block.
Once the blocks were made, I added in a few squares of the yellow and grey boomerang fabrics into the sashing.
And then quilted it in straight lines - I love how vibrant these fabrics are against the grey background. And although I do participate in quite a few mini quilt swaps, this one is definitely staying with me:)
Linking up with Fabric Tuesday @ Quiltstory.
2015 FAL at On the Windy Side
This project was on my FAL Q1 list for this year so linking up with Adrianne @ On The Windy Side.
Kirsten.

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Kitten Mini quilt Swap

Last week I mailed off the Kitten Mini quilt swap package to my secret partner and now that she has received it I can post some photos
I actually had the swap mama Marni (@ Frankiesfabrics on IG) as my partner and one of the things she liked were Drunkards Path blocks. So inspired by a pillow I have here which was made by Rachel (@ woodenspoon quilts), I did a scrappy version using various cat print fabrics including the Aneela Hoey Hello Petal Kitty Cats, Cotton and Steel Hatbox cats, and quite a few others from Catnap by Lizzy House.
I  tried to mainly use some of her favourite colours of black, hot pink, orange, lime and purple and fussy cut the prints to focus on the cats, especially "Frankie". 
The mini is backed in another cat print and is quilted in straight lines. I bound it in a cute kitty paw print fabric.
I also included a zippy pouch and mug rug (made using some of the cat blocks from over at Oh Fransson) and a few other kitty themed extras. A special thank you also to a few quilty friends who sent me some cat fabrics in exchange for some charm squares as they were much appreciated!
Linking up with Fabric Tuesday @ Quiltstory
Fresh Poppy Design
This was on my FAL Q1 list for this year so linking up with Adrianne @ On The Windy Side.
2015 FAL at On the Windy Side
Kirsten.

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

"Star Jump"

A few months ago, Jess @ Elven Garden Quilts put out a call for pattern testers and now that she has released her wonderful "Star Jump" pattern, I can show the finished quilt I made.
I used some of the Denyse Schmidt Picadilly fabrics with a coordinating deep blue solid for the background.
The FQ friendly pattern is written for 3 sizes - baby, lap and Queen size. 
I made the "baby size" and it was a fairly quick pattern to put together as the blocks are quite large at 24" x 24".
This was quilted by doing some straight line quilting through each of the smaller blocks which form the Irish chain element of the pattern.
Once again I used the Ikea numbers fabrics for the back ...
 And bound it in one of the plaid prints from the DS Quilts Picadilly collection.
Jess has generously offered a copy of the "Star Jump" PDF pattern to one of my readers so if you would like win, please leave a comment - maybe tell me which fabrics you would use to make this pattern?  Giveaway now closed ! 
I will randomly draw a winner next week, And in the meantime if you would like a copy of the pattern, it is available here at Payhip.

ETA: The winner of the "Star Jump"pattern is Cindy @ Fluffy Sheep Quilting! 
I have emailed Cindy and will pass her details onto Jess so she can forward a copy of the "Star Jump" pattern. 
2015 FAL at On the Windy Side

This quilt was on my FAL Q1 list for this year so linking up with Adrianne @ On The Windy Side.


Kirsten.

Saturday, March 14, 2015

Auction for Eleni

There is an auction this weekend to raise funds for the Hauser family whose baby daughter was born recently with some health complications. If you would like to read more about Eleni, Rachel from Stitched in Color has written some very heart felt posts here and here.
For the auction, I have donated a tote bag made using the  Quilted tote pattern by Jessica VanDenBurgh (@ sewmanycreations).  
The patchwork panel is made using a few floral and paisley prints along with some coordinating shot cottons. The straps and boxed base are made from denim which has also been quilted.
The bag measures 12"w x 15"h x 5"d (28" long including the straps). There is a slip pocket in the lining and the tote has a magnetic snap closure.
So if you would like to bid on this tote bag or any of the other beautiful items that have been donated, please follow @auctionforeleni on Instagram and check out everything that will be available to bid on starting 14th March at 4pm EST.
Kirsten.

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Marsala Maples quilt

The Marsala Modern Maples quilt is all done! All of the leaves were made from a selection of Denyse Schmidt prints which were all from my stash.
The background fabric is like a Basic Grey "Grunge" fabric so there are areas of mottled light and darker grey - I love how the prints glow against it. 
In fact the entire quilt was made from fabrics and batting in my stash so this is a true #sewmystash2015 quilt!! The fabrics are from many of the Denyse Schmidt ranges including Flea Market Fancy, Chicopee, Picadilly, Aunt Edna, Hope Valley, Richmond, Sugar Creek and Winding Road.
I used the Serpentine stitch on my new sewing machine to quilt this - I love how it has turned out and will definitely be using it again!
I used some of the Ikea numbers fabric for the backing  - it was just not quite wide enough so I added a strip of print to make it up to size.
I bound it in a woodgrain print which is also happens to be very Marsala-ish in colour
And of course my little quilt inspector had to come and check it out:)
Quilt Stats:
Size: 59 x70"
Fabrics: Denyse Schmidt, 
Backing: Ikea Britten Nummer, Denyse Schmidt
Quilted: Serpentine stich by me:)
 Linking up with Fabric Tuesday @ Quiltstory
Fresh Poppy Design
This project was on my FAL Q1 list for this year so also linking up with Adrianne @ On The Windy Side.
2015 FAL at On the Windy Side
And linking up with the 2015 Pantone quilt Challenge also over at On The Windy Side.
2015 Pantone Quilt Challenge: Marsala
Kirsten.

Monday, March 9, 2015

Rainbow Ripple Rug

I have always loved the look of Ripple blankets but I haven't really done much crochet since my teens when granny squares were popular.
I decided to start by making a ripple blanket using the fabulous Neat Ripple tutorial by Lucy over at Attic 24.
I chose about 16 colours of yarn to make up a rainbow of colours.
I did about 4 rounds of each colour so ended up with 64 rows plus the borders - the ripples really give the blanket such a great texture!.
Once I got going, it was quite easy to do as it is mainly just treble crochet or variations of the same stitch - I usually did this of an evening whilst watching TV or catching up on shows/movies I had recorded. 
I have really enjoyed making this blanket so the next crochet project I am going to do is the Cosy-Crochet along which is also by Lucy, and is being hosted by Sharon @ Lilabelle Lane.
This was on my FAL Q1 list for this year so linking up with Adrianne @ On The Windy Side.
2015 FAL at On the Windy Side
Kirsten.

Sunday, March 1, 2015

The Quick Brown Fox pillow

 The Quick Brown Fox pillow was made using the Fancy Fox quilt pattern by Elizabeth Hartman.
This was the initial fabric pull for the fox pillow...
I ended up not using the C&S dark brown on the far left as the black eyes blended in too much with it.
The Henna fox is probably my favourite one:) 
I added a border to the four foxes to bring the pillow up to about 20" square.
I used my hera marker to mark out a cross hatch style grid for quilting the pillow. 
And it is bound with a wood grain print from Juliana Horners "Modbox" range
Linking up with Fabric Tuesday @ Quiltstory
.Fresh Poppy Design
This was on my FAL Q1 list for this year so linking up with Adrianne @ On The Windy Side.
2015 FAL at On the Windy Side
Kirsten.