Preparing the Nest

It has seems like the Project Quilting challenges have triggered snow around my house.  Pictures for the challenges have been so hard to come by when it snows and blows every time a project deadline is here.  Today was no exception.  (Maybe if I could have my project finished in the middle of the week, this wouldn't be a problem.) 

Preparing the Nest

If you haven't heard about Project Quilting at Persimon Dreams, you can check it out here.  This is the last challenge for Season 4 except for the bonus challenge which is due in May.  Maybe I'll get my house clean now....

English Paper Pieced Hexagons.

Preparing the Nest
Project QUILTING, Season 4, Challenge 6–Hurray For Spring!
Made by Carla in Dodge City, Kansas
http://www.createinthesticks.blogspot.com/
Size 37"x 51"
Baby Quilt

Time was not on my side this week and I had to design something I could sew on the go.  English Paper Piecing was perfect.  The hexagons are scrappy  spring fabrics.  Applique and machine embroidery were other techniques used.  Quilting is a large zig zag both horizontal and vertical which was inspired by Norma Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts.

The back shows all the wonderful bumpy goodness.

Fused Applique and Blanket Stitched Bird.  Machine Embroidered Vine.





This is now my favorite.  I just love the crisp white fabric with the bright colors.  The binding is so bright and fun and the ziggy quilting just makes me happy.  This will be the perfect gift for a baby.  If I can bear to part with it.

You can Vote for your favorite Hurray For Spring quilt in this challenge HERE.

You can vote for 3, but you can only vote once. I would appreciate one of your votes if it's not too much trouble.    Voting closes on Sunday, March 31st.

I have 2 more projects to finish before the end of the month, so off I go...

Linking up with:

Crazy Mom Quilts finish it up Friday

 

 



   

 

   

   

St. Patrick's Day Mug Rug

Who says mug rugs are just for coffee and tea?   Can't a mug rug be a green beer coaster too?  Not that I am much of a beer drinker, but in observance of the upcoming holiday I may be known to enjoy a cold beverage.

Shamrock Mug Rug

I found this little foundation pieced shamrock pattern on Craftsy.  It is a free pattern by Jennifer over at http://sewhooked.com/.

My little four leaf clover and tulips on their way

I wanted to show the the progress of the bulbs we planted last fall around the flag pole. Here is the post about planting.  They are coming up!!!

Of course Molly wanted to be in the picture....  She is an Irish Setter after all.

 

 

Here's to a Happy St. Patrick's Day,

 





Linking up with:

 

Crazy Mom Quilts




 

Let Your Passion Shine

More snow?  Really?  Wind?  Really?  Have you ever finished a quilt and you just can't get any pictures because of the weather?  Could someone turn off the wind machine in western Kansas, please?

The challenge for Project Quilting is a finish, but I have struggled to photograph this one.  Maybe it's an armature photographer block or THE WEATHER....

Project QUILTING, Season 4, Challenge 5–Print Publications

The challenge:  Pick a print publication, open your publication to page 28, and use this for your inspiration.

You can see all of the quilts for this challenge and voting has begun.  Voting closes at the end of the day Friday, March 15th.  PLEASE VOTE HERE.

Shine Quilt and page 28 from "Launchpad January 2013"

SHINE

Project QUILTING, Season 4, Challenge 5–Print Publications
Made by Carla in Dodge City, Kansas
http://www.createinthesticks.blogspot.com/
Size:  24" x 29"

Choosing a publication was easy for me.  I have a stack of trade magazines for work that I have neglected lately.  As a hair stylist, inspiration is a constant need.  I never want to become stagnant in my work or in quilting.  I loved combining two of my passions into one project.

Some of the techniques I tried on Shine were thread painting, thread painting words, applique, free motion quilting, pieced binding, and beading. 

The magazine

Check out the model's necklaces.  Talk about great inspiration....

Drawing
 

From Drawing to fabric

Closer view of the beads and quilting (No sunshine=No seeing of the black quilting)

The back.  Notice the scissor fabric.  It works for my collission of passions. 





Hair styling and Quilting collide

 

 

 

Blowing away in Kansas,





Linking up with:

 

Crazy Mom Quilts

 

 

   

QuiltCon from my Sewing Loft

Wow, what a great day.  I actually feel accomplished and I learned so much this afternoon by attending some lectures from QuiltCon.

You think I'm crazy.  QuiltCon is over and there is no way I could be at a lecture.  WRONG.  Craftsy is offering a FREE class with a few lot of lectures from QuiltCon.  It's fantastic.  The link to the QuiltCon Lecture Series 2013 at Craftsy is Here.  Last week I couldn't have watched from my sewing room.  The Internet signal wasn't strong enough, but my awesome hubby put some sort of thingy (lol) out there and now it's all systems GO!

The March goal of finishing this T shirt quilt is well on it's way too!  The top is all put together and I feel like I may finish if I keep up this pace.  I even cleaned my sewing room a little. 

Here's to a fantastic day and an even better evening!

Linking up with:

A Lovely Year of Finishes March Goal

I am participating in A Lovely Year of Finishes over at Fiber of All Sorts.  Every month is started with a goal and by the end of the month, hopefully I will post the finish.

t shirt blocks

lattice and corner stones

I am going to be ambitious this month and finish the t-shirt quilt I've been commissioned to make.  I have everything cut and pieced and ready to put together.  This quilt is for graduation and I would like to have it finished in time to start another one before the big event in May.  (I was asked yesterday if I would make another one.)

This means it will be quilted and the binding done.  Wish me luck.....



The snow is melting nicely today :^)

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