Crazy for Neon

I have let another little obsession take me over. NEON! I'm crazy for it. My 80's life is coming back and I am loving everything about it. I think it started around Christmas time when my sister brought my niece up for a visit. Her entire wardrobe had something neon on it and I thought it was so fun.

When Brenda over at Pink Castle Fabrics told me she got neon fabric in, I just died a little! Of course I rushed over and tackled it right from the gate. The neon she received is a blend by Michael Miller. Almost like a linen but thinner. I love the texture because it didn't fray at all even cutting it into small pieces. For me a little goes a long way so I mixed it up with a few different ideas that were storming my brain.

I just loved pairing it with this essex yarn dyed linen in black by Robert Kaufman

Zipper bags......

and, fold over clutches  - using LBG Studio's killer pattern for the fold over clutch.

If you are feeling the NEON craze, you can get these fantastic items in my shop here, or buy your own neon fabric at Pink Castle fabrics here.

There is also a fabric special going on for 25% off all bundles with coupon code - BUNLDE25 it's only good through Sunday though so hurry!

Stay Creative!

Amy Ellis "Modern Basics II" Blog Hop

Hey Quilters! Thanks for stopping by to visit my take on Amy's new book "Modern Basics II". I was lucky enough to meet Amy at last years Sewing Summit event. She has a clear affection for quilting, and teaching others her wonderful techniques  When I first received a copy of this gorgeous book, I was drawn to the quilt on the cover "To the point".

I believe I was drawn to it first of all for it's simplistic modern feel, then for the awesome twisty design, and of course because I believe that any quilt done in kona solids is amazing! I am pretty sure this will be my first project from the book. I love the wait it looks twisted just by simply changing the color an rotating the block.

 If you have any experience with Amy's first book "Modern Basics" You already know the detail, and explanation she puts into every pattern.... If you have not seen her first book, Get it too!!  Amy makes it easy even for beginning quilters to go from point A to point B with ease. Helping you select exact yardage, cutting strips and then crosscutting into pieces saving sanity and fabric. Her explanations and terms are so easy and its a great support for those of you who have quilted for years, or even those just learning the ropes. This book definitely keeps you feeling like you know just whats going on. I am even more impressed with her new book then I was with her last!

I made Amy's "Tumbling Cubes" Pattern from her first book "Modern Basics", as well as her pattern "Knotted Squares". The ease of making everything into simple straight lines is something I loved, and also something she carried over into this book "Modern Basics II". The ability to "chain piece" an entire quilt with ease is something I look for in my modern patterns. YES! I love Chain Piecing,  (it's my favorite and that's your clue *wink*) To Explain:: I find many blocks that have to many pieces, or confusing piecing instructions to them. It just makes me more concerned on the outcome of my: cuts and of the block, weather it be straight or curvy. I tend to cut one at a time in order to be sure I am getting everything correct. I do not worry about this with Amy's patterns. It's simplistic, and straightforward. That makes chain piecing less worry-some for me. (I can't be the only one, right?) I feel confident cutting out an entire quilt and not feeling like I wasted fabric, at any time.

Take a chance to visit the blog hop and see what others think about Amy's book "Modern Basics II". Here is the schedule and linkage!

Links :

Participants : 

Emily Herrick    http://crazyoldladiesquilts.blogspot.com/

Amy Newbold    http://sukiedontyaknow.com/

Dana Bolyard    http://oldredbarnco.blogspot.com/

Amy Webb    http://www.amylouwhosews.com/

Martingale    http://blog.shopmartingale.com/
Victoria Findlay Wolfe    http://www.bumblebeansinc.blogspot.com/

Katie Blakesley    Www.swimbikequilt.com

Chelsey K    www.fatquartershop.blogspot.com

Terri Harlan    http://sew-fantastic.blogspot.com/

Mary Kolb    http://maryonlakepulaski.blogspot.com/

Pat Sloan    http://blog.patsloan.com

Natalia Bonner    http://www.pieceandquilt.com/

Candy Glendening    http://www.candiedfabrics.com/

Vicki Christensen    http://www.sewinspiredblog.com/

Get this great book now here - 

Amazon

Autographed copies in Amy's Bookshop

Win a copy of this awesome book by visiting all the creative blogs on the schedule  and answering a few questions about each post. Amy will also include a fantastic bundle of prizes from her Stash!

Fill out this form to win!

Stay Creative!

Rainbow Hexadaisey mini quilt

 Pardon me while I run around the house screaming about how awesome this new mini quilt is........ (Ahhhhhhhh) In love is an understatement!.

I met this fantastic person at Sewing Summit last year, (Audrie from Blue is Bleu) Somehow we both got on the topic of swapping mini quilts with each other.. Well yadda yadda we did it!

Audrie made me this fantastic Dresden mini - 

I had to make her something just as cool of course.

  I perused online for something that I could feel challenged by. When coming across the Hexadaisey pattern by Beth of Pieced by Number I knew that was it! 

After that, I only struggled with two ideas.. Rainbow, or Neon! I decided the rainbow would be more fitting of the pattern.

The best way I could tackle this 42 piece pattern was to take it slow and try not to get frustrated  I had almost told myself there was no way I could do it. 

Lucky for me Beth's pattern was amazing! It included a coloring page, detailed instructions, different metric pieces for the pattern and a graph to downsize the block if you had the desire to make it smaller. (whew! Thank you Beth)

I found it easier for me to use a light-box and write on the back of each piece what color it should be, as well as print or solid. Being that paper pieces are backwards this helped quite a lot. I could also suggest using a window instead during the day so that you can see the lines on the backside through the paper.

There were quite a few pieces, but it came together so easily after I took the time to write on the back.

I would totally make this fun pattern again now that I know how Beth makes her patterns I would even recommend any of them for people with basic knowledge of paper piecing. She sells them for around $3.00 each on Etsy, and Craftsy, 

This mini is now on it's way to a new home with Audrie. I am so thrilled to give it to her.

Quilt Details 

Measures 24 x 24

Solids - Kona Cotton

Neutral White - Architextures  by Moda

Binding - Black and White Narrow Stripe by Timeless Treasures

Backing - Delight by Windam Fabrics.

Stay Creative!

Happy Valentines Day friends. I hope you feel the love surrounding you today, and always.

XOXO

Stay Creative!

Knotted Squares mini quilt

I have a tendency to start projects, and then never finish them. (who does that) I think it's pretty much expected in our quilting community now being that there is so much to be inspired by.

I also realized that sometimes I just need to get it out of my head! I don't necessarily need to make a giant quilt of every pattern I love. Why not just a mini?

As I pulled through old projects to hopefully get into finished mode this year, I found four random quilt blocks from three years ago. 

The quilt pattern is from Amy Ellis's "Modern Basics" and the pattern is called "Knotted Squares"

After a four square placement I had a cute mini top. I love that this was almost a one day project being that the blocks were already made. I am sure I could get one done in a day or two though. I plan on using this genius idea to get more experience on those patterns I avoid due to lack of time. 

I see many mini quilts in my future - Plus they make awesome wall art!

Stats:: Measures approx 24.5 x 24.5 

Fabric line is Habitat by Jay McCarroll

Solids are Robert Kaufman Kona in Pomegranate and Honeydew 

Background is Kona in Medium Gray

Quilted with Aurifil 50wt in 2600 (light Gray)

Bound in Kona Pomegranate and hand sewn with Gutterman 

Backing fabric is "Two Young Street" By Prints Charming

Do you love minis too?

If you are looking for a little retail fabric therapy Pink Castle Fabrics is doing FREE USPS domestic shipping right now. I just picked up some awesome stash builders that I cannot wait to share.

Stay Creative!

Love is in the air....

You know as much as I try to fight it, I always get sucked into the "Hallmark" part of Valentines day. Decorations, cards, candy, and perusing etsy for the red heart things I absolutely NEED in my life. 

It's also my favorite theme when it comes to creating new ideas for etsy. The hearts just get me every time. 

Valentines Day in itself is just another holiday to most, but seeing decorations, and things around the house that resemble love just make us smile. I think when you have kids it just makes it that much more important to surround yourself with love and happiness. I was excited to share the new heart items I put in the shop last night. Texty fabric meets love... Well of course it's a match made in heaven.

What do you think?

I am happy to have "almost mastered" my new years resolution #2 of managing my time better. Designating time for all those things I pin on Pinterest, or tell my daughter we will do someday. It has actually made us quite happier and we manage to get more done.. Go figure!

I made Sophie the pajamas I promised her ages ago. She is a 2T waist in a size 4 girls length, so there was no way we would get away with store bought. We made a few pairs for her the other day and she was over the moon about it.

 We found some cute snuggle flannel on sale at Joann's for $2.99yd and picked up a pack of shirts at Target to match each pair of bottoms. Pretty much perfection in her eyes. 

What have you been up to? How are your new years resolutions coming. Have you made anything? A quilt, purse. or toothbrush holder? :) 

P.S. My Friend, and local quilt shop owner Suzanne from Strawberry Patches is giving away a copy of the "Pillow Pop" book by Heather Bostic. Stop on over and try your luck.

STAY CREATIVE!