Scrappy Trippin’

Gotta little story for ya.  July 21, when our family was in bed, our house caught on fire. We made it out okay, fortunately.

Before we move on, see that window upstairs? That’s where my longarm used to be. Notice that there isn’t a roof right there? Flames. Notice the floor is missing right there? Flames, y’all.  See the plastic sheeting downstairs where the back door used to be? Flames. This fire was a beast, and we were so, so lucky that we all made it out safely.

So things have been tough, but there are so, so many good things– like our support network.  My quilt guild mobilized immediately. They brought diet coke, toiletries, clothes, some cash for anything we needed, and a million other things. One thing I didn’t expect was a tub of fabric.  Beautiful fabric that was just my flavor. And when I saw it, I just crumbled. Who else would know that in times like this, having something to do, to create, would be so imperative to me keeping my sanity.  They knew.  Our guild is 100 members strong, and we love being together. And when we aren’t together, we are texting and calling and hanging out online together.  One of the things we do regularly is have quilt-a-longs.  At that time, we were just starting the Scrappy Trip Along. I had already made one, in May, but decided to join in on the fun anyway.

Little did I even know that making this quilt would pull me through to the other side of healing. I only did it so that I could connect with my tribe, people who I love so dearly and I know love me the same, but I got so much more from this experience. Soon, I’ll tell you about some other silver linings❤️

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Always Kiss Me Goodnight

I’ve been playing around with embroidery like crazy lately. It all started when I found Urban Threads. Holy Mama! Their stuff is pretty awesome. And every week or two they have a free design, a new release, and something on sale.  So I made a pillow because this design was FREE.  And no, this is not a sponsored post.  I just love their stuff.  The fabric is Art Gallery’s Reminisce.  And no, they did not sponsor this post either.  I paid for the fabric, kids.  But I did get it on sale because this girl loves a bargain!

And yes, I stipple quilted it. I know, I know, it’s kind of like the cobbler’s kids having lousy shoes and teachers’ kids acting like little turds. I’m a quilter and have stippled quilts. It’s a travesty that I can live with, though. I mean, usually I’m not inviting people into my bedroom, so aside from you guys, no one will know.

As for the quilt on the bed, that’s a fun story, too.  I won my guild’s block of the month.  Well, actually I made 11 blocks so that I would have the odds ever in my favor!  And I did win.  In fact, I won 60 blocks!  So I ended up making about 70 more, threw them together into a quilt, and voila!  A summer quilt for the bed.   And just because I wanted one quilt that wasn’t stippled, I did a light custom job on it.  Now I have 3 quilts I’ve made for my bed.  My goal is one more, then I can switch them out seasonally.  In theory anyway:-)

Happy Quilting,

Danielle

 

Boy Scout Quilt

Another quilt for another graduate.  All done using Robert Kaufman boy scout fabric, Yarn-dyed Essex Linen, and a handful of scraps for the feathers.  This was improvisationally pieced with only a slight vision of where it was headed.

I love Anna Maria Horner’s feathers and swear I could use them in every quilt.  I’m not sure if feathers and boy scouts are related, so if they aren’t, let’s just pretend.  Isn’t there Order of the Arrow or something?  Anyway, you know I’m a shameless AMH fangirl, so the feathers were the first thing to jump in my mind when I knew I needed to make a boyscout quilt!

  

And have you met Lillie?  She’s my mother’s dog and came down to Texas to retire.  She’s 15 and just isn’t up for Kansas winters any more. But she loves Texas!  And boy scout quilts!

Tex-Mexican Birthday Party

The first time I saw this pattern, I saw piñatas in the negative space.  We love all things Tex-Mex down here in San Antonio, and when I look at this quilt, I feel the need to drink a margarita, do a Mexican hat dance, and bust a pinata.  In that order, mind you.

Truth be told, this wasn’t a quilt I wanted to make.  I was sort of pushed into it by a friend.  And thank goodness for her because this was seriously the most fun I have ever had making a quilt.  I worked on it at two weekend quilting retreats because I just had to make one more block.  16 times.

And now the quilt is living with my friend Keri.  I miss the quilt so much that I might need to file for visitation.  This is the quilt I wish I had in my collection. The one I was saddest to let go (yet thrilled it was going to someone who loves it like I do).  My favorite from the last 21 years of quiltmaking.

Pattern is in Material Obsession 2.

The Panda Quilt: theme-y without being too theme-y

My cousin graduated from high school last year, and my aunt ordered a couple quilts for her son’s friends.  My inspiration for this quilt was that the graduate loves panda bears.  Okay, fun challenge– how can I make a quilt that matches my aesthetic without being too theme-y?

I found a panda and a bamboo fabric, and I added some solids, as I love to do in every quilt.  Then I threw in a few prints to add some texture.  And then I started chopping up the fabric.  This is what came out on the other side, after some mouse-maze quilting.  So there you have it.  The panda quilt.

 

Double Wedding Ring

On every quilter’s bucket list is the double wedding ring quilt, right? Two years ago, I finally started one.  Again.  Confession:  I started one years and years ago (paper piecing and piecing the rings the traditional way), but a few years ago I traded it at a UFO swap.  But this new one, well, I just needed a fresh start and a fresh technique.

I opted for the QuiltSmart method because it seemed much more do-able.  QuiltSmart is pre-printed interfacing, so it’s like paper piecing, and applique.  And the verdict?  I think I prefer the original method using templates.  It makes for a less-bulky seam.

The colors were chosen by my client.  She wanted a dwr in red, blue, yellow, and green.  What shades of those colors, I asked?  Any.  So this is my interpretation.  Did I mention this is king size?  I swear this weighs 30 lbs, too.  It’s giant and heavy.  But fun, oh so fun.  Can you tell I had a great time quilting it?

I just wish I had taken a pic of the backing.  I’m hoping that this quilt is enjoying it’s new home and is loved by its new owner as much as it was loved by me.  Also, a special thanks to Kelly P and Kim C for helping with the piecing and especially the turning of the arcs.  After I did about 8, I was over it, so this quilt could have never happened without those awesome friends of mine.

T-Shirt Quilts

My friend Vickie and I make tons of t-shirt quilts.  Seriously, it’s beyond ridiculous.  Here’s the latest batch for your perusal.  

 

 

If you are interested in having one made, give us a shout!

Christmas Gift Tags

My handmade Christmas didn’t quite go as planned.  As usual, there was a grand vision that didn’t happen.  Okay, so maybe there wasn’t even a grand vision, but rather grand intentions:-)  The good news, though, is that I did make a few homemade gift tags.  That counts, right?

 

 

I would tell you that I have a master plan to make a bunch more of these, but if I throw that idea out there, you know it isn’t going to happen (even though I did happen to buy $16 worth of craft felt today).

Beautiful Wedded Bliss

Be You.

Today I celebrate my ten year wedding anniversary, and I’ve always said the thing I love most about my husband is that he lets me be me and loves me for it– my glorious faults and all.  

So my guild had an emerald Pantone challenge, and last night, I presented my little green quilt.  It seemed fitting on the eve of this milestone of an anniversary to create something that reflected where we are  and who we’ve always been in our marriage.  And for the rest of you, I hope that you get to be who are you are, too, and most importantly, I hope that your true love loves you for it.  That to me is a beautiful love.

In real life, this quilt is square, but it’s hard photographing it flat on the table without keystoning it.

Scrappy Placemats

I don’t know about you, but I love placemats.  I use them every day.  In fact, I use placemats and a tablecloth most days.  There is just something that feels wrong about putting a plate and silverware directly on the table.  Do I have issues?

And we all know about my scrap problem.  Well, I’m so over making scrap quilts for a while (I was going to tag posts of my three recent scraps quilts, but I realized I haven’t blogged about them yet.  Fail!).  Which is one reason I started making prayer flags.  And then I decided to whip up these placemats.  And oh, this was fun!

I just chopped up a bunch of scraps into 2 1/2 inch squares.  I used pretty much anything except red.  I heard that when making a scrap quilt, you should eliminate a color or two so that everything will go look slightly intentional.  Or maybe I dreamed it.  Anyway, I didn’t use red (and instead opted for a red bowl in the center of the table).

I grabbed spools of thread and quilted each placemat with a different color of thread.  You know, it helps me justify my obsessive need to buy more.

And then I used my serger to finish the edge because I’m a lazy ass.  I am pretending that this is temporary until I get a real binding on there, but let’s be honest.  This is the way it is.

I’m tempted to cut up all my scraps into 2 1/2 inch squares now.  How about you?