note to self:  never ever buy a neutral solid for a project without noting the color name / number.  (or any solid for that matter).
especially when you decide to change the sashing width and run out 3/4 of the way through the project.
 

I was fairly certain that it was a Bella Solid, and fortunately found the matching bolt at the LQS without too much anxiety.  Phew.  From now on, I'm taking photos of the bolt labels when I make a purchase, and attaching a note to any leftovers!

In other solid news...I think this little bundle of Art Gallery Pure Elements (purchased at Quilt Market last spring) has decided it wants to become an inverted giant starburst a la Canoe Ridge Creations.  I'm trying to be disciplined and not start until I finish at least one wip.  We'll see how that works out!

Turkey's Dilemma.  I stumbled upon this block on Wednesday in my 5,500 
Quilt Blocks book.  With a name like that, how could I not make it!?  I used three different solids (Art Gallery Cabernet, Appletini and an unknown pale blue) paired with Essex Linen in Sand.

I love making individual blocks just for fun.  It's a great way to practice piecing skills (I definitely need work on my flying geese!), experiment with color, and just audition ideas.
Can I say I'm smitten?

This one will stay as a single block until I finish up other projects, but it certainly has potential!

Head on over the annex for a little tutorial on putting this beauty together.

I arranged my scrappy trip blocks.

Got photobombed by the cat.

And turned my back for 30 seconds.  I'm pretty sure a second cat was involved in this debacle, but she was smart enough to flee the scene.

(In case you're wondering, the new couch is covered in plastic to keep a few trouble-makers from using it as a scratching post.)

Linking up to Freshly Pieced's WIP Wednesday.

I've decided to enter my bright blocks quilt in the blogger's quilt festival.   Not only is it my only finish in 2013, it's also one of my all-time favorites.

Inspired by the work of b.perrino and the color palette found in this quilt and this one, it was gifted to a new baby with modern-design loving parents.    I started with an assortment of solids, cut into random strips, and then took full advantage of my design wall to work through the layout.  Backed in a single geometric print.  Bound in lime green with a few accent colors thrown in the mix and qulited with straight lines. 

I think my favorite spot in the quilt is the upper left of the top block, with the orange square finishing the corner of the red and pink stripes.

I recently came across the finish-a-long hosted at she can quilt.  A little virtual accountability might be just what I need to tackle my growing pile.  


Here's my list for Q4:

1.  night shade swoon. 
This one is close with only one block to go.  There's no reason I can't get the top finished.  The back is going to take some thought, so that will mostly get pushed off until next year.

2.  lucy's trip. 
All 30 blocks are done and need to be assembled into the top.   I don't expect the back to be be too difficult as I have scraps and yardage for it already.   I hope to have it sandwiched at least this quarter.

3.  four square flowers. 
This one is so old.  Like years and years old.  It needs to be quilted and bound.  Or else abandonned.

4.  mod squares.
Top and back are done....sort of.   The back isn't quite up to par and needs a little elective surgery before it will be ready for quilting.  Hope to get this one completely finished.

5.  circus pinwheels.   
Top is done.   It needs a blog post or two, and a back.  This one I should be able to finish as well.

6.  crazy blue.
Another ancient quilt.  Sandwiched with some quilting done.  I've been holding off finishing this one because number seven is hogging the big machine and I really want to have the knee-lift for turning at all those dang corners.

7.  summer sampler.
This is actually on the frame, mid-quilting.   It would have been done some time ago except for tension problems with the machine resulting in endless frustration.  I need to get this one finished.   Not only is my daughter nagging me about it, it's causing a back-log.

I also have a few small sewing projects I've been wanting to tackle:  A small tote bag, a window-seat pillow for the cat, and some new pot holders.  I'll call these 8, 9, and 10.   Just to round out the list.

Linking up to the finish-a-long.

Spring Quilt Market was in Portland this year.   I don't know where to even begin, so I'll just post photos.

Art Gallery's Pure Elements Booth

Carolyn Friedlander presenting new quilt patterns, Tangelo shown

Carolyn Friedlander, Alturas

Denyse Schmidt presenting her new collection, Florence, due August

Jeni Baker's Booth

Seven Island's Booth featuring echino

Emily Herrick, Technicolor

The amazing work of Angela Walters

Portland's own Violet Craft and Waterfront Park, due July

Brigitte Heitland, Zen Chic Shine Through quilt

Tula Pink presenting Acacia (more on Tula's quilts later)

Did you see that Moda is re-releasing Erin Michael's coveted Lush collection in new colorways?  I nearly fell out of my chair.  And then promptly placed an order for the shop.

Stop by the coming soon section to see more future fabrics and click on their images to sign up for notification when they arrive!

I finished this quilt in record time (for me at least).
I cut the first pieces Friday evening and took the finished quilt out of the dryer first thing Monday morning.   It helped that I had a strict deadline (even if it was self-imposed), and that I abandonned all housework for a few days.

Though far from perfect, I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out.  I love the simple blocks and bright colors.

It has been gifted to a co-worker and his wife (both architects) and their new little one.  

A combination of solids from Moda, Robert Kaufman, and Michael Miller.   Inspired by a quilt by B. Perrino.  Backing is Olavi in Blueberry from Lotta Jansdotter's new Glimma Collection.  Somewhat straight line quilting 1" apart. Finished quilt measures approximately 42" x 60".

color studies. inspired by work of b.perrino. 

My first attempt turned out a bit too neon.  It's much brighter than the photo.  But I think the second has potential. I replaced one of the oranges with  yellow, substitued the other with one less zingy and added in pale pink. 

Hopefully this will turn itself into a baby quilt by Monday.

For our spring sale this year, I thought we'd play along with Fat Quarterly's Modern Madness fun as their reader's pick the best fabric collection of 2012.

To kick things off we're offering store-wide discounts of 20% off all purchases with code madmod1320, 25% off purchases of $64 or more with code madmod1325, or 35% off purchases of $200 or more with code madmod1335.

Store-wide discounts are good through March 13th or when Fat Quarterly annouces their starting lineup of 64, whichever is later!

Now here's where it gets interesting:

As the Modern Madness field narrows, so will the sale, with discounts increasing by 2% with each new round but just for the fabric collections we stock that are still in the running for the 2012 title. Collections that have been eliminated from the competition will be dropped from the sale.    

Waiting may get you a bigger discount - but on select collections only - so shop now to take advantage of the discount on older collections, and come back later to get the best deals on 2012 favorites.    Sale ends when the final winner is announced.

FINE PRINT: Discount threshholds are based on the cart total, not just the total value of fabrics eligible for the discount. Discount codes are case sensitive and are entered on the shopping cart page. Please allow for up to 12 hours for discounts to be updated after round advancements are announced on the Fat Quarterly Blog.

This was definitely not on my project list, but I finally succumbed to the madness and started my own trippy quilt, which has turned out to be exactly what I needed - easy and quick sewing with cheerful fabrics. 

I cheated and used a jelly roll from Sweetwater's Lucy's Crab Shack Collection. In case you're curious, you can get (13) 12" blocks made from 2 1/2" strips from a standard jelly roll with two full strips and about 8" of each 42" strip left over - enough for some scrappy fun on the back. (To take advantage of the full strip, making an 8x8 grid would yield (10) 16" blocks from one jelly roll). 

 If you're making your own scrappy trip quilt, here's a tip I picked up from Monica over at Happy Zombie - after sewing your six strips together, cut the first strip off BEFORE sewing the fabric tube together. Unfortunately, I was too far along to take advatage of her brillance, but certainly will next time! 

I haven't decided on an overall layout yet, or if I'll break out another jelly roll to make more blocks, but I'm excited with the results so far.

This cat, by the way, is NOT helping. 

And neither is this one. 

I've been delinquent.   
i finished up two more swoon blocks several weeks back.  
it was a windy day.... not the best for a photo shoot, but here you go, blurriness and all.