Short and Sweet

The Viking and I are steadily stitching along as

more and more bags are finished for my Etsy shop and 

our very own local Cinch Art Space.

Bags will be landing in both shops soon.

As always, each bag receives special details like this 

hand covered button using Amy Butler's Fairytale fabric.

My process takes time, which I truly enjoy,

because I believe we all deserve quality and should

feel special every time we pick up that bag.

 That's my goal.  :)

 Well, the iron is on and the sewing machine is calling.

Let me know what kinds of details you look for in a hand bag.

I'd love to hear!

A Stack of Generosity

 I'm such a lucky girl (and quilter)!  

Just a few weeks ago, I won this stack of 

V and Co.'s "Color Me Happy" fat quarters by Moda 

on superstar Julie Herman's blog: jaybirdquilts.com.

WooHoo!! I'm ecstatic!

What a generous giveaway. 

Many thanks to Julie Herman, V and Co. and Moda.

I've been following Julie's blog for a few years,

and I think all of her quilts look fun and interesting to make.

So, imagining a fresh update for my dining room table, 

I purchased Julie's Sidekick ruler and Seaside table runner pattern.

(You can find her tools and patterns at your local or online

quilt shops. Julie provides a list by state on her blog.)

Believing one good turn deserves another,

I will use the Color Me Happy fabrics to make a quilt 

for Project Linus.

Would you help me choose the quilt pattern for 

a special child in need of comfort? 

Here's the link to see all of Jaybird's patterns, 

and here are the ones I'm leaning toward: 

Ballerina

Radio Way

Traffic

Teacup

Of course I'll post the progress of the Project Linus quilt,

and I can't wait to hear what you choose. Thanks so much!

They're Here!

 Yes, that's right, "the ghastlies" collection of fabrics from 

The Alexander Henry Fabrics Collection (C) 2009

are piled high on the cutting table!

You know how some fabrics just make you smile? 

This collection of fabrics is so much fun to work with. 

I can assure you that clever tulip bags, bucket bags and 

my "Essentials" purses are fast on their way to

 Cinch (in time for Cortland Blooms, April 27th),

and to my Etsy shop (which is in dire need of restocking!)

Did I mention how fun these fabrics are?!

 How about Lost and Found, you ask?

I'm happy to say progress continues.

Here's the layout I'm leaning toward. 

Personally, I think the sashing is a tad too dark; however,

the sashing will decrease in visual weight once the seams are sewn.

Before I go cutting up more fabric, if you have a moment,

 I'd love your input!

What do you think: choose a range of softer grays for 

the sashing, or leave them as they are?

Thanks a lot!

New Class at Cinch!

I'm thrilled to be teaching my bookmaking workshop

at Cinch on Saturday, April 26th!

There's still plenty of time to sign up, 

and with enough interest 

I'll happily teach it again.

There truly is something magical about making one's own book. 

I hope to see you there!

Last week, I began documenting my latest quilt adventure,

Lost and Found, and here's an update:

I settled in to the chain piecing and pressing.

I found it relaxing, enjoyable and so worth

the time and care.

Next, I squared up each block to measure 5.75".

As I trimmed this particular block,

something caught my eye.

Barely visible evidence of something that was.

Can you see the double row of needle holes in the pink square?

A piece of trim? A hem?

One of the things that intrigues me most about 

these anonymously pieced blocks

is the mystery life each fabric lived before

being cut up and made anew.

I'm anxious to see what's next for this quilt top.

Stay tuned!

April is suddenly a whirlwind of teaching classes, taking classes, 

shop hopping, quilting, sewing and much more.

Come back to catch all the fun!

Lost and Found

 Over a year ago I posted about these charming 
hand pieced blocks that came into my life 
after a trip to a local antique shop. 

All this time, I've just been looking at these blocks. 
And moving them around the studio. Looking some more.
 Until finally, this past weekend, these beauties came out
of their bag, received a fresh pressing and squaring up.

I thought it would be fun to share my first attempt 

at making a quilt using existing blocks, 

let alone hand pieced blocks

made by someone else.

Lost and Found.

Who ever stitched these blocks certainly let nothing
go to waste. Do I see fragments of handkerchiefs? 
Retired work shirts and dress pants? House coats? 
One thing's for sure, they make a delightful, eclectic mix.

Here's a piece cut from a garment that includes the seam.

Love that!

Can you spy the double row of hand stitching 
near the lower left corner?

A subtle reminder that we quilters are a humble lot. 

So, what to do with these pressed and squared blocks?
Good question. Graph paper, please.
I made some sketches, chose my favorite block design
and arrived at a quilt layout based on thirty useable blocks.
The overall quilt size will be about 36" x 42", a modest crib quilt.

Next, I listed the individual pieces needed for the design, 
and with scrap fabrics, I figured out dimensions 
for each piece, as well as the overall block construction (above).
If you look closely at the sample above
you'll see that I made an adjustment after noticing that 
the right point of the inside diamond didn't touch the sashing.
Thankfully, all it took to correct this problem was to
trim the block before attaching the sashing (see the left point).

  With the design decided and the math completed,  
I auditioned fabrics that I felt would work well with 
the scrappy blocks. 
In keeping with the spirit of scrap quilts, 
I promised myself to only use a variety of fabrics 
I already had on hand.  
A lucky assortment, don't you think?

Next came the first round of cutting...no turning back!
For now, only the ivory triangles are cut.
I'll wait until after the blocks are pieced and squared up 
before I set to work cutting the sashing.

So, let the chain piecing begin!

Stay tuned for the progress on this crib quilt. 
I have a feeling it's going to be sweet!

Have any of you used inherited blocks? 
I'd love to hear what you've made!

Transported

trans-port 1. v.t. to carry (goods, people or animals) 

from one place to another...to cause (a person) 

to be carried away with strong emotion. 

Only a few days in to the "enchanted journey" course, 

(see the Magic of Myth) 

and I'm already stunned by my own realizations and connections -

yes, I'm gleefully transported, to say the least!

 Since starting the course, I've happily taken to

stitching and reading my way through each evening, 

a comforting space that seems to encourage 
valuable connections and insights.
In the spirit of evoking sprites, 
spring time-colored flosses slip through my fingers as I work

 Rebecca Ringquist's Blanket Stitch sampler.   

Then when enough new stitches are made, turning  
the pages of another Grimm brothers' fairy tale 
is nothing short of entertaining, 
and enlightening....

With great anticipation and excitement,
I'm looking forward to each class, each assignment 
and each discovery. This course has already become
a meaningful platform for personal growth, 
and I'm anxious to see how the coming weeks unfold!

In the event that Elizabeth offers this course again, 

which I hope she will,

I'm refraining from sharing details of our class work, 

discussions and readings so as to prevent spoiling what would be

your own experience, should you take the course. 

For a better idea of "the Magic of Myth, an enchanted journey 

with Elizabeth Duvivier", click here. 

You'll be so glad you did. ;)

Now, to bring it all together, 

the enchanting Priscilla Ahn:

Priscilla Ahn, Dream

Fairy Tales Divine

From "The Giant Who Had No Heart In His Body", Illustration by Kay Nielsen

If you've ever received a gift 

that literally stopped you in your tracks, 

rendered you speechless, caused you to tear up, 

and most important, had you treasuring that gift for ever more,

then you already know how I felt upon receiving this 

Christmas gift two years ago from my very dear friend, Tracy. 

This reprinting of fifteen Scandinavian fairy tales was originally 

published in 1914, illustrated by the Danish artist Kay Nielsen. 

As you can see, even by my amateur photo above, Kay Nielsen's 

Art Deco-inspired illustrations are something to behold. 

Curling up with these fairy tales, ginger tea and a soft 

hand knit blanket transports me to a wonderful other world.

I'm pretty sure Tracy would be pleased to hear that.

 I'm currently reading these fairy tales and a few others

 as more than a lovely way to pass chilly winter evenings - 

it's all leading up to the highly anticipated online class, 

The Magic of Myth, led by Elizabeth Duvivier,

the founder of Squam Art Workshops.

The course is sold out, so I feel fortunate to 

be taking part in the whole experience. These next six weeks

hold the promise of discovery, creativity and growth,

and I'm ready! 

What treasured gift(s) have you received?

 I'd love to hear.