Modern Mini Challenge - Architexture of TangledZen

It's the Modern Mini Challenge month and Jennifer is hosting once again this great event. Lots of wonderful prizes to be won by entering your mini quilt, pillow, mug rug, table topper .......

This year I am entering my Pillow made with Mini Charm Squares of Architexture by Carolyn Friedlander on a Moda Bella White background.

I joined all the mini charms and made a city skyline which I raw edge appliqued to the background. 

The fun part was mindlessly doodling with my Pentel Fabric Gel Pen all over the background and then quilting heavily in about 10 different threads colours, weights and mediums all over the piece.

The finished size is 20" and was made into a pillow/cushion backed with a Kaufman Quilters Linen in Chartreuse.

Hurry. Entries to the linky party close 16th June at 5PM. 

$125 Gift Certificate to the Fat Quarter Shop

$75 Gift Certificate to the Intrepid Thread

$50 Gift Pack of Pellon Products

$50 Box of Coats and Clark Threads

(2) $50 prize packs of Dritz sewing products

$25 Gift Certificate to Christa Quilts

A Bundle of Marblehead fabrics from Fabri-Quilt

Back drop Fabric by VeritasDesign

Yeah Baby! Groovy

The groovy quilt is finally done and gone to it's new home. This quilt was inspired by the fabrics of Pat Bravo - Carnaby Street - with it's psychedelic patterns and groovy colours.

 

I used a combination of applique techniques, including needle turned and fused with decorative stitch. The needle turn makes the petals standout and gives them definition and a slight dimensionality.

The background is one of my favourite Pure Elements colours - Nocturnal - a very dark navy. I prefer using navy or charcoal over black as it softens the project but does still adds a deep contrast to showcase the main fabrics.

Quilted with the Superior King tut - Nile Delta #934 40wt cotton and Aurifil 5015 40wt, 2530 50wt, 2784 50wt. I rarely use variegated threads but the deep navy background just cried out for this subtle variegation of yellow, lime and orange.

Using a combination of digital and free hand designs I highlighted areas of the quilt and made a faux border of funky flowers. The background was heavily quilted in a blending thread in an irregular filler design (my scribble).

Backed in a Moda "It's a Hoot" by Momo, 32375-26. Aurifil 50wt 5015 used  as the bobbin thread.

 

This quilt was a prototype and I plan to make another and slightly alter the design. It now rests on a groovy teenagers bed where it shall be eternally loved. Yeah, Baby!

Changes

Many people visiting my shop will have already noticed that there are no pre-cuts. Don't worry, they have just moved to a new home with Lesley at Blue Lily Quilting. Lesley will be taking over from me and providing Moda pre-cuts at the fabulous discount prices that I have offered for last three years.

Source

Lesley will be opening up her new e-store tonight after 8pm AEST. In addition to Moda, Lesley will be expanding her stock to included Tilda, Riley Blake, Rasant thread and Aurifil selected threads.

Source

I would like to thank each and every customer for their support over the last three years. I enjoyed sharing my love of Moda with you and am now eager to concentrate on my long arm and design business.

I hope to bring you many patterns, books and fun projects over the next few years. My little e-shop will still be selling a limited stock of notions, threads, templates and patterns.

All things Kate

Alyce has invited me to join in on the Kate Spain blog hop. Kate Spain is not only one of the nicest people in the world but is bursting with creativity and imagination, notably reflected in her beautiful designs. 

Over the years Kate has designed the following fabric collections :

Verna , 12 Days of Christmas, Fandango , Central Park, Flurry, Terrain, Good Fortune, Serenade, Joy, Cuzco, Honey Honey, In from the Cold and soon to be released - Sunnyside 

I have bought everyone of Kate's collections and over the years have made and gave away many quilts using these fabrics. I still have a stash of pre-cuts of my favourites, like Central Park, that I cannot seem to part with.

This is my Snowflake quilt from the book Sweet Celebrations. I love the fresh blue Kate used with her Christmas collection - Flurry - as well as the crisp spring greens and vibrant reds.

One of my first Moda Bake Shop recipes was the Fandango Clams quilt.

Fandango had an almost seaside feel with it's crisp turquoise, and warm yellow, oranges and a splash of purple.

String quilt made with Bella solids and Good Fortune. A present for the teacher in 2011.

The gorgeous cushion below was made by Danielle with a Jelly Roll of Serenade I sent to her. The colours are reminiscent of Autumn with their greys, dusky blues, oranges and warm browns and a drop of purple.

Back

Front

To celebrate 'All things Kate', I am giving one lucky blogger the chance to win a Serenade Layer Cake.

To enter, leave a comment on this blog using the names of some of Kate's collections. For example, 

'Verna and I went for a walk in Central park. We met a man whose sweet Seranade made us do the Fandango'

Good luck and the winner will be drawn 30th June 2013.

Monday June 3rd – Interview with Kate Spain at Blossom Heart Quilts
Tuesday June 4th – Jane at QuiltJane
Wednesday June 5th – Christa at Christa Quilts
Thursday June 6th – Kimberly at Fat Quarter Shop
Friday June 7th – Laura at Quokka Quilts

Monday June 10th – Chrissy at Sew Lux
Tuesday June 11th – Lynne at Lily’s Quilts
Wednesday June 12th – Julie at The Intrepid Thread
Thursday June 13th – Kristy at Quiet Play
Friday June 14th – Link up your favourite Kate Spain project!

Monday June 17th – Gemma at Pretty Bobbins
Tuesday June 18th – Heidi at Fabric Mutt
Wednesday June 19th – Melissa at Ms Midge
Thursday June 20th – Jess at The Elven Garden
Friday June 21st – Janice at Better Off Thread

Monday June 24th – Diane at From Blank Pages…
Tuesday June 25th – Alyce at Blossom Heart Quilts
Wednesday June 26th – Kara at Me And Elna
Thursday June 27th – Readers’ Q&A with Kate Spain at Blossom Heart Quilts
Friday June 28th – Link up your blog hop projects!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

I'll be off the air for a week while I enjoy a break in Hong Kong. I am not a big shopper and have no idea what I would buy if I could. I think I am at that stage of my life where I just want to declutter, with the exception of fabric, of course!

When I get back I will be forging ahead with all my WIP's and reducing the back log so I can get on with some new and exciting adventures.

In the meanwhile, tell me what your thoughts are on this interesting blog post I discovered this morning - http://www.lovebugstudios.com/2013/05/21/the-dumbing-down-of-the-quilting-and-sewing-industry/

Blogger's Quilt Festival - Refractatorium

The Blogger's Quilt Festival is on again over at Amy's Creative Side. Come join in the fun and show the blogging world your beautiful quilts.

I was lucky to be part of the AusModBee group co-ordinated by Heidi, where we had to chose or design a 12" finished block and send the pattern and fabric to each member of the hive. This is the first Bee I have participated in and was so happy to receive all the blocks ready to be made into a quilt.

The block is a foundation pieced pattern which can be found here. It looks harder than it really is. I used sketch, Madrona Road, Michael Miller Dots, a variety of black on white designer prints and Spotlight text fabrics. I used a splash of lime, turquoise and hot pink fabrics to highlight parts of the pattern. 

Backed in an IKEA print and Kaufman Quilters Linen. Quilted with Aurifil 2530 Hot Pink 50Wt using a digital pattern from It's a Quilt Thing. 

I really love this quilt. Thank you Bee Members for giving me such a wonderful gift.

• Lorena
• Charlotte
• Jeannette
• Belinda
• Catherine
• Penny P 
• Kirsten
• Julie
• Bronwyn H
• Jess
• Jessica R
• Danielle
• Julie Mc

It now hangs in my sewing space.

Refractatorium Progress

Yippee! All my blocks are back from the AusMod Bee group. I can now attached some borders, quilt, bind and keep it all to myself. ( I usually give away all my quilts ). Refractatorium block can be found here.