Little Easter Bunny . . . Start of Something BIG!

It's DONE!

It's off to the quilter for you my little friend. You are my first applique project designed from beginning to end. Now to sit don and write your directions. Though I have written countless card instructions, this intimidates me. Buckle up and hop to it! You know you are just the start of something big . . . my own line of patterns. In a year from now I hope to debut at Quilt Mart in Houston. Wish me luck!

Newest Applique Project

Sweet little 4 inch blocks

Before the applique starts.

Hippity, Hoppity Easter is on it's way.

Close up on the applique details.

I'm loving my sewing machine right now, well that and my two hands. Applique is really fun and satisfying to do. You will find this as a pattern sometime soon. I use the freezer paper and starch method for my applique and then sew it on by hand. No shortcuts on that process I am afraid. Can't wait to get it quilted.

Is it a Winner?

Well, I decided that I would enter my first quilt contest and design my own to boot. It's Joann Fabrics 2010 Quilt Contest. I went to see what was available and got sucked into a couple of new fabrics that I had never seen before. Then as if by magic I had a cart full of fabric and a plan in my head. Thank goodness for my "QuiltFab" app on my phone so I could make educated guess on ho much to buy. It's going to be bold, playful and most of all bright. A little applique, a little piecing and a whole lot of fun. I'm hoping to market a pattern after the contest. I'll keep you appraised of it's progress.

The Finished Quilt

So, I got frustrated at waiting so long to have my "Cherry Quilt" done. It seemed like an overwhelming job quilting a full size, finally I just dove in and started. You know what it was way easier then I thought. I got a few little tucks underneath, but learned that basting spray is a machine quilters best friend. All in all I think it turned out great.
Today, I decided that I need to finish all partially started quilts must be completed before I go on to any other projects. This kind stifles my creative process because the joy comes in the new and exciting, the choosing of supplies and the creation of something new. Somehow I'll make it work but watch out I may change my mind yet again.

My first One . . .Why I got hooked

So, last year I went to visit my sister in Ridgefield, Washington and I became addicted. Yes, I know the northeast has the highest rate of substance abuse problems in America, but I didn't go there. . . I went to the "Chicken Lady's" quilt shop. I don't know the real name of this exciting place, all I know is that in a metal outbuilding, behind the house and yard lays a great quilt store. You have to dodge the chickens, that seem pretty "free range" to me, to get in the door, but when you do look out.

You see I've never been a quilter. My mom DeAnn, sister Krista and sister Shelly have all created beautiful quilts and have great taste in fabric, but I stayed away because I am slightly obsessive compulsive when it comes to craft supplies. I was already heavily invested in paper crafts because I teach scrap booking and card classes. I was fearful for my wallet and studio space.

But this lovely store held too many treasures. Bolts upon bolts of beautiful fabric, silky to the touch and pleasing to my artistic eye. I picked up a jelly roll of "American Jane" fabrics. I bought Michael Miller's "Dick and Jane" collection for our soon to arrive son's nursery. Lastly, I bought a beautiful "Cherry" fat quarter bundle. Since that fateful trip just over a year ago I have created 4 quilts, pieced two others, have fabric for about 4 more and written a pattern for one.

Yes, I have an addiction problem and I have the "Chicken Lady" to thank. So, if you know the name of the "Chicken Lady's" store in Ridgefield, Washington let me know and I can thank her personally.

So, now I show you the quilts I made from that fateful day.

A New Quilt Pattern

So, I did it! I jumped in and started writing and designing a quilt project. Of course it has a liberal dose of red, as well as some of my favorite crayon colors. The problem is that I'm not sure where it's headed. Originally, I thought it would be table runner. Then I thought a baby quilt, but it seems to want to be a small throw for the back of my couch. I firmly believe that creative projects take on a life of their own. You'll just have to check back in to see how and what this fabric wants to be.

Lastest Selection

I love the creative process. I love collecting fabrics for a project. I love looking through all sorts of patterns until I sit down and create my own pattern. I'm not picky about the colors or patterns, but when you start to group them together magic happens. That is what happened when I started to group these fabrics together. On the surface many people wouldn't put aqua and red together, but somehow they work. I only wish I had a little girl because I would love to do a whole room in this color scheme. I plan on starting this quilt next week. It will have some checker board, some pinwheels and some applique. You'll just have to come back to check out the progress.