Stars in Stripes Ohio Star Quilt at IQF

I have to say, when my guild found out (many months ago) that we had the opportunity to create a special exhibit for the International Quilt Show here in Cincinnati, I was blown away. I never thought I would have the chance to show one of my quilts in a serious, legit quilt show.

But that feeling was nothing compared to the crazy, over-the-moon, little-kid-like excitement I felt when I rounded the corner at the show and saw my quilt hanging there. My quilt! I can't even express how excited/anxious/scared/humbled I felt (and still feel). 

That's my quilt - the red one!

\

Dudes—I felt like an artist! I've never felt like that about anything I've made (I mean, not since I was four year old and drew what I still feel is one of the best Crayola renderings of a "family-under-blue-sky-by-house-with-chimney" in existence to date). 

Anyway, here is my "Stars in Stripes" quilt, pieced and designed by yours truly, and quilted by the inimitable Angela Walters. 

Happy stitching!

Kelly

Swoon Quilt: Block #5

I think after I finish this quilt, I'm going to be working with reds and oranges for awhile, but I have to say, this navy blue and bright, grass green are really doing it for me!

Here's Block #5 (of 9) of the Swoon Quilt (pattern by Camille Roskelley):

full block

detail

Swoon Block 1

Swoon Block 2

Swoon Block 3

Swoon Block 4

I think these colors are also going to require some re-stashing....

Happy Stitching!

Kelly

Swoon Quilt: Block #4

I'm cookin' with gas now, y'all! This Swoon Quilt is starting to come together . . . but I refuse to lay all the blocks out until I'm finished with all 9, so who knows? Maybe I'll totally hate it. but I don't think so...

Here's Block #4 (of 9) of the Swoon Quilt (pattern by Camille Roskelley):

full block

detail

Swoon Block 1

Swoon Block 2

Swoon Block 3

Is it wrong that I'm already day dreaming about the next quilt I'm going to start? Whatever happened to that "finish the UFOs resolution"? 

oh well

Happy Stitching!

Kelly

Swoon Quilt: Block #3

I know I say it every time, but I LOVE this quilt! It's so fun to watch these blocks come together!

Here's Block #3 (of 9) of the Swoon Quilt (pattern by Camille Roskelley):

full block

detail

Swoon Block 1

Swoon Block 2

What are y'all workin' on?

Happy Stitching!

Kelly

Weekend Resolutions

Hi bloggy friends!

So, I'm starting something new . . .

I don't think I'm alone in this, but I just feel like the weekends go SO FAST! There are always a million things that I'm looking forward to doing over the weekend (plus a lot more that I NEED to do!) and I never seem to get all of them done. Too often, I spend my entire weekend sleeping in, watching TV, and running boring 'ole errands. And there's no excuse! There are way too many fun things I want to be doing. And now with Pinterest there to collect all of the things I'm longing to do with my down time, there's REALLY no excuse!

So, I'm going to start sharing with y'all some of the things I'd like to try over the weekend. Maybe I'll do it all, maybe I won't; but the idea of narrowing down the massive list of things I want to do into a manageable list of things I could potentially accomplish is terribly appealing.

So that's the long explanation! So without further ado, here are the things that I want to use to fill up my weekend!

A beautiful paper-pieced pattern from the amazingly talented Charise Creates!

Scrabble tile coasters, as seen on Curbly.com.

Healthy Green Thai Curry from one of my favorite blogs, Skinnytaste.com

Strawberry Lemonade Bars for Easter Sunday dinner from K & K Test Kitchen

So . . . what're y'all up to this weekend???

Happy Stitching!

Kelly

How To Make A Wonky Star Quilt Block

Hi All,

I wanted to share with you how to make a wonky star quilt block. Essentially, this block is just a 9-patch. Some improv, scrappy piecing on the center side pieces forms the star. You can make this any size you'd like; just divide your desired finished block size by three, and add 1/2". 

For example, if I wanted to make a finished 9" block, I would need to start with squares that measure 3.5" square. 

Here goes! 

Cut 8 background squares and 1 center square.

On one of the background squares, sew on a scrap of fabric matching the center square,
so that when you flip the scrap right side up, it will completely cover one corner.

Press the scrap out, covering the corner. Then sew on a second
 scrap to cover an adjacent corner.

Press the the second scrap open.

Flip the piece over, and trim the overhanging scraps
even with the edges of the original square.

Do the same thing to three more blocks. Lay your 9 blocks out as shown above.

Sew the rows together. Press the seams in each row in
opposite directions, so they will nest together when you sew the rows together.

Sew the rows together, nesting and pinning the intersecting seams together.

Finished! 

 Happy Stitching!

Kelly

Liebster Blog Award!

Ok, I feel extremely famous. My dorky little blog (which I am ever-so-fond of, don't get me wrong) received an award! This blog award originated in Germany, and bloggers who receive the award then pass it on to their favorite blogs (with less than 200 followers). I'm very proud and honored, and I shall wear my Liebster badge proudly!

Thank you so much to Cherilyn from A Farm Wife's Journal for giving me the award! And seriously, check out her blog. She has lots of great crafty tutorials and posts, as well as recipes and other uber-delicious photos of fresh farm veggies - - and more! Thank you again, Cherilyn!

I'm passing the Liebster Blog Award on to these four inspirational blogs:

INSPIRE ME GREY
IN STITCHES
SARAH STITCHED
CONCEPTUAL RECEPTION

To accept the award:
- Acknowledge the person who gave you the award and link to their blog. 
- Choose 3-5 blogs with less than 200 followers to pass it on to. 
- Display the Liebster Award somewhere on your blog.




Thank you again to Cherilyn, and happy stitching!


Kelly

My NuBees Blocks Are Here!

I just participated in my first round of the NuBees Block Swap on Flickr! I have to say, I had no idea how much fun an online swap could be. Not only did I get some beautiful blocks, but I had such a great time connecting with new people from around the country. Very cool.

For this swap, each participant makes any 12-1/2" block pattern they want for each of the other participants, but they make the block in that person's request colors. (Wow - that's convoluted, but hopefully you understand what I mean.) I asked the other group members to make my blocks in all grays and whites (mostly because I was having trouble deciding which colors I would want! I want them ALL!!!).

Here are the amazing blocks I received from my NuBees Hive! I couldn't even wait to press them - I just had to get 'em on the design wall and take a photo to share with y'all. How COOL is this?!?!?

And I made these for them:

Thanks to Melissa, Deb, Diane and Shelley for the gorgeous blocks and a super-fun swap!

I'm curious - do you participate in any online swaps? Which have been your favorites?

Happy Stitching!

Kelly

Improvisational Pieced Mug Rug Tutorial

Mug rugs are so big right now! As I've said before, these uber mini quilts are great for trying out new techniques, and in this case, perfect for using up scraps and orphan blocks. All you need to make this mug rug is a big ole handful of scraps, your sewing machine, and your rotary cutter, mat, and ruler.

Improvisational piecing is just that: improvised. You'll learn things as you go, and discover new ways to add to your piece. It's all straight-line sewing, but remember you can sew at crazy/steep angles, or on normal vertical/horizontal paths. Every time you add on a new piece of fabric, cut a new straight line for yourself. I think you'll see what I mean in the photos.

I'll wait for you to get your things gathered.

pile 'o scraps

(waiting)

Ok, here goes:

How To Make an Improvisational, Pieced Mug Rug

1. Pick a scrap. Any scrap.

2. Sew another piece of fabric to the first scrap.

3. Sew on a third piece. This time, I stitched the new piece of fabric across the main unit at an angle.

4. Press the new piece of fabric open, and then trim your the fabrics to create continuous straight edges.

5. Repeat until your mug rug is the size your want. Sew a scrap onto the main unit and trim a new straight edge. Also try piecing fabrics together before adding them to the main unit. See what I mean below:

Sew two pieces together before joining them with the main unit.

Sew orphan blocks (like the hour glass block here) to more scraps, and then to the base unit.

 6. Trim your mug rug top to the size you want (rule of thumb: about the size of a hardback book). Make your quilt sandwich as normal and baste together.

7. Quilt that bad boy up! I did some seriously wacky straight line quilting on this one, following the shapes of the scraps.

 

8. Add binding as normal. I pieced together some scrap binding I had laying around to keep the scrap theme going. Don't throw that stuff out!

tada!

back

9. Add a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy your new mug rug!

Happy Stitching,

Kelly