Independence Day Decorations

I finished something...and now I am taking the time to blog.  Will wonders ever cease?   Even more amazing is that it is already hanging in my freshly painted dining room in time for the Fourth of July!!

This banner is about 17" x 45" and made entirely of Jennifer Paganelli fabrics.  (If you've visited very often you know she is my favorite fabric designer.)

I used some of the scraps for the back.  The colors were too good not to make the most of.

Behold, my new favorite way to hang a small quilt!  So simple, and I will be able to switch out with a picture or another wall hanging seasonally.

I especially love the table topper to match, which measures about 28" square.

Oh, and while editing, I realized that there are water spots from vacation on my camera lens.  By the time I noticed breakfast was already happening on the table.  The lens is properly cleaned for next time!

Also made scrappy bindings for both quilts.  There is something about using as much as is possible of favorite hoarded fabric that makes me happy.

After marking the quilting pattern with a Frixion pen, I used a walking foot to quilt these gentle waves.

This block was inspired by the work of Amy Smart at Diary of a Quilter.  I love the web for seeking out new and interesting ideas.  With no time in my life for a quilt guild meeting, I rely on the online community of quilters for inspiration and encouragement. 

Linking up to Show and Tell Tuesday,Fabric Tuesday and WIP Wednesday.  You can check out tons of lovely projects and be inspired by visiting the links using the buttons on my side bar.

Blessings,

KT

Tutti Fruity Tuesday

Over in the land of Instagram, the #scrappytripalong was born.  I fell so hard for making this block that I worked start to finish on this quilt.  Such a rarity for me, who has so many WIPs.  Many of these fabrics are hoarded Jennifer Paganelli fabrics that I love.  As I was playing with block placement, four blocks with purple played ring around the rosy...and they were having so much fun that I couldn't bear to break them up.  

From there the colors get softer out to the edge of the quilt.  

I decided to break into my vintage sheet stash to back this quilt.  Since the top was all from fabric I had, it just didn't seem right to buy fabric for the back.  

I love how the soft, muted back plays with the bright, cheerful top.  The bright purple binding is the same fabric that is focal pattern on the front.

I added a border of some OOP Jennifer Paganelli fabric that I bought the last few yards of when I saw them at a quilt shop.  Alas, only a wee bit remains in my stash.

Those who have visited here before know that I often can't resist some decorative stitch quilting.  I did manage to limit it to where the border meets the patchwork.

Full disclosure, I am not a prewasher.  The back had no puckers before I washed the quilt.  It does make sense that it loosened up a bit because the rest of the quilt shrank a bit.  I have no problems with this because it is one of the softest, cuddliest quilts I have ever made.  If this is something that would drive you crazy, you could pre-wash, or not use vintage sheets.

Linking up to Fabric Tuesday and Show and Tell Tuesday.  Please use the nifty buttons in the sidebar to visit all the other great finishes!

Blessings,

KT

Scrappy Trip Works in Progress

Just a note, Google Reader is going to shut down this summer.  You can follow this blog with Bloglovin.  I am finding it to be a sleek reader, especially on my iPhone.

 

 

Well, my scrappy trip along quilt has been a constant ray of sunshine since I started it.  Sticking with one quilt from start to finish is not usually how I roll.  This quilt is just different for me I guess. 

I also had this drool-worthy block that Rene' sent to me all cut out and ready to sew in some of my favorite Jennifer Paganell fabrics. Well, I had been toying with the idea of my family needing some big puffy pillows since we removed the carpet in the living room. I pulled some Paganelli stash out and made a border and binding.

 

                       

 

This block was made to be part of my scrappy trip along quilt, but it didn't play nice with the others.  So I put it in time-out and made another one.  Funny, I still love the naughty little thing.  So another pillow was born!  More Paganelli stash for border and binding.

 

 

 

 

Now they are in my busy bag waiting for a moment for hand sewing.

 

 

As for my scrappy trip quilt, it is telling me nicely how it wants to be quilted.  I am just loving this sweet quilt.  Violet, my Singer 201, is speeding right along.  This has been an exceptional week already, in that I have gotten two days already with chunks of time to sew.  That just hasn't happened.  Don't know if there will be more time this week, but I am sure hoping!  I just can't wait to finish this quilt.

 

Be sure to visit all the other ladies playing along with WIP, by using the nifty button on the sidebar! 

 

Blessings,

 

KT

I Think I Might Live in a Cave

Grainy, dark picture alert.

Recently, after some research and being nearly out of needles, I ordered a few packages of these. While I was at it, I ordered some trial thread. If you let them choose the color, you can get it much cheaper. My needles happened to be a deal too. Bonus! Bless their hearts, they sent me lavender! Well, I was itching to try both out to see what all the fuss is about.

Being a purple sort of girl, I was sure to have something that would do. Needing a little pick me up, I grabbed my Paganelli Pile.

Well, wouldn't you know, one thing led to another. Purple led to pink, blue, and green...

Before I knew it, nine, count 'em NINE blocks done!

One in the incubator.

( Why, oh why did I only buy a half yard of that yummy blue on blue print, Pretty Please, Sally?)

After I get the tenth one done, I am going to go back and finish some of my other WIPs. This Paganelli quilt is just for my own selfish entertainment. I never understood what people meant about savoring the quilt, until now. I want to take my own sweet time!

On the left are fabrics to still incorporate into the Paganelli quilt. In the middle are the Hunky Dory blocks I am about to finish off. I may just leave that perfect pile of Paganelli out to sing to me while I sew.

Oh, and the needles and thread, like butter! I will try to keep you updated as I use them more.

Be sure to visit all the other entries for Fabric Tuesday by using the cute button on the side bar.
Edit:

1. Hunky Dory Quilt--14 blocks to go.

2. Grandma's Peacock---nearly done!!

3.  March FMQ Challenge--not yet begun.

4.  Paganelli Pop--new project, 10 blocks down, countless to go.  NO Deadline.

5. New commitment.  Baby quilt for missionary trip.  Undisclosed destination, deadline--SOON!

Also linking up to WIP Wednesday.

Blessings,

KT