Bliss-ful Progress

This lovely little handful, is the beginnings of some great fun. First off, I am partial to red, so this collection caught my eye and second, I am really partial to red and white polka-dots (see upper left of picture), and what happens when you put that together with a little Christmas money...

What you get is Jam and Jellies (Fig Tree Quilts Pattern). Eye candy! Sigh! This one square is almost enough for me, but why stop when you have a good thing going...

Do you want to know what happens when you put all of these parts together? What you get is a quilting girl who can hardly wait to show her momma this pretty quilt. I had to text her practically in the middle of the night (hmmmmm...I'm not telling why it was in the middle of the night...but it might of had to do with my recently reactivated night owl skills). My momma is off playing in Mexico, but she assured me she is eager to see my newest creation, and that she would love it. O.K. So I know I am a big girl now, but I still want to show my momma my creations (at least the ones I am proud of). And this one, I am proud of... drum roll please....

Not the greatest of pictures, we had a beautiful sunny day, but the quilt top was not finished in time to see the sun. I quickly snapped a couple pictures so I could post tonight. I will try to get some better pictures tomorrow if the weather cooperates.

So after I snapped those pictures and took a little break from smiling at that pretty top, I felt like doing a little star gazing. That is Bliss-ful isn't it? Well it was for me...

I am not sure how many stars I will be able to make with my scraps, but it seemed like a nice way to use up the leftovers and make something else beautiful.

I hope you have a Bliss-ful week!

Quilting Bliss

Fig Tree Quilts has published the cutest pattern called Jelly and Jam, I have had my eye on it for some time now. Last time I was in LA, I picked up the pattern and planned to make the quilt with Breakfast at Tiffany's, but I purchased charm packs instead of Jelly Rolls, so that put a large kink in my plans. Do not despair--I came up with plan B for my Breakfast at Tiffany's:

So back to the Jelly and Jam, in November of 2010 I discovered Bliss, literally the fabric collection called "Bliss". It is Bliss-ful! I went a little crazy and had a Merry Bliss-Mass. I made myself a new Bliss-mass Stocking---finally a stocking for me which I LOVE! For a good friend and hostess with the most-ess, I made a Bliss Table Runner. And finally I settled into the Jams and Jelly quilt pattern in the Bliss collection.

The colors range from these cool browns and sage-like greens, all highlighted with ice blue and red or pink.

So far I have these blocks going, they will all be sashed with a Bliss custard cream polka dot and posted with some of the red. Since I think it is time to put away the Christmas Fruitcake Quilt, I am planning on Bliss taking its place in the front room--which means I probably had better use flannel on the back (which IS available in Bliss as well).

These colors are so great together. Although I do enjoy mixing and matching my own fabric combinations, it can sure be fun to use a coordinated set. I can't wait to see this quilt come together. Stay tuned!

A Big 21 Gun Salute For 2010

I have not been completely ignoring my quilting life (just the blogging part). I think the extra work hours in front of a computer make me less likely to come home and get in front of a computer again. Not that surprising. But I still managed to make time for some sewing therapy and finished the year off with a big bang!

A big job for two KING size quilts came in as Christmas drew near, but I was pretty motivated and excited, so they were done in plenty of time for wrapping. This is the Lemley 1 & 2, both are double Irish Chains and backed in their own mustard yellow prints. I thought they turned out great, and I hear they were well received.

My Mom came over for Christmas and we put her big machine to work finishing one of her 2 year projects----I wish I had a picture, she hand sewed hexies til her fingers bled (there was actually quite a bit of blood on that quilt), then we framed it and she quilted like mad for a very satisfying gift under the tree.

I had to sneak the machine when Mom was out to finish quilting and bind a secret gift for her. I think this is my LAST Embroidered Bird quilt. A perfect gift for my mom.

For the first time ever I used Fleece for a backing. My wonderful husband loves snuggley things so I wanted to try the fleece as a backing. It quilted nice and looks good, but it feels wonderful. I am not sure if I will use fleece again (so bulky), however I also tried a flannel backing for the Christmas Fruitcake quilt and really like that. My kids are not willing to put that quilt away now that Christmas is over. So I will definitely do the flannel back again.

Cindy requested something Hot Pink from the Sewing Santa, I am not sure if I actually hit Hot pink, but it is rich looking and comes pretty close.

And finally Dad was surprised with a quilt made from the fabric findings he has brought to me over the last year. He picks up different fabrics when he can for next to nothing, so I put together a nice neutral scheme with coral splashed. He was sure surprised. I tried my best to use all reclaimed materials for his quilt--I know he likes that sort of thing. Plus, it was a new type of challenge for me.

As is our tradition, Mom and I created something while we were together....this time a French Roses quilt for Aunt Laura. It turned out so fresh and bright. Laura's favorite color is red, so we dug through all my fabrics and pulled every red I had and set to work in a quilt as you go fashion (also new to me). We used my very favorite ever green for the leaves (kind of a fresh green apple tone on tone) (p.s. Mom, I know you have more of that fabric stashed away somewhere.......), Mom picked a luscious crisp white for the background and back, and of course I requested we use my favorite red polka dot fabric to border. It was almost finished when Mom left and I know she was working hard to finish it--and I just got a call tonight from Aunt Laura: guess what? She loves it!

So, a BIG finish for me in 2010 : 21 quilts completed. I can hardly believe it! But is sure does feel good.