Ever so pretty....#Laugh Love Quilt

I spent a lot of time last week working on an idea I had for the Henry Glass Desire to Inspire Challenge this month. I get to work with the #Laugh Love Quilt fabric by Amy Hamberlin. As you can see, it's a beautiful collection with many soft, pretty floral designs. There is also a large quilting themed print, which I don't know if I can cut up.

Working on an idea usually means I start with one idea and it keeps evolving until it's something else that I like. I decided that those soft prints would look great together, all mixed up, so I cut some strips and started sewing them together. I chose a white cotton for the background fabric so that the fabrics would stand out. Since the navy really stands out, I have another plan for it!

When I make a project for the first time, I figure out what I will need to cut, cut it and hope for the best. That helps with pattern writing later. It's a double check for me too, as I'm checking my notes as I go.

Yep, soft to the touch!

Smokey and Conrad are always around to help with decision making and quality control.

Conrad was swishing that tail back and forth over the fabric. Lint rollers are my friend.

Luscious! I love the colors together and can't wait to start on the next step.

Small projects are big fun!

Nancy

Two of my Sampler Clubs have been working on smaller projects in their sessions.  I let them choose from a variety of projects that I have made over the years. Some in the Second Tuesday Club are making the Modern Cathedral Window Pillow. They worked on putting their squares together the other night.

Deb

Deb came with her blocks sewn together in a different way and knew something was wrong, but couldn't quite figure out what. She could put hers together and add the windows even though they made a different pattern and it looks great too! Can you tell the difference? When she showed the others, they had a hard time figuring out what she had done differently. Once they are sewn into the windows, it's harder to tell.

Nancy 2

Shirley didn't have hers sewn together, so I will get a pic next time.

Linda

Two of the quilters wanted to make the Dresden Plate Special Tabletopper instead. It's a great way to try a Dresden Plate block and have a nice project when you are finished. They chose really different fabrics so that made it interesting and fun to see them come together. These could be made into pillows as well, but they will add borders to make a tabletopper or wallhanging.

Martha's corner triangles pinned on. 

I will meet with the other group that is making the Modern Cathedral Window Pillow next Wednesday. Can't wait to see what they have done!

A new challenge for May

The Henry Glass blog features a monthly Desire to Inspire Challenge for sewers and quilters to use fabric from a new line in a project or two. They are doing it a bit differently than they did in the past. At the beginning of the month, they announce what fabric line is featured. You (yes, anyone) can leave a comment on the blog post if you are interested in taking the challenge to make something original out of the fabric chosen. If they choose you, you have about 3 weeks to make it, which can be a bit daunting! I loved the fabric line for May, Laugh, Love, Quilt, so I was excited when I found out that I had been chosen to take the challenge.

I looked online to see pictures of all the fabrics in the line, wondering which ones they would send. I was excited Saturday when they came in the mail. So much prettier in person. Now to decide what to make. There has been a lot going on the past few months, plus I have been sick so I feel like I haven't done much creating/sewing for months. A challenge like this is just what I need to get going again!

What would you make? 

Spinning Parasols!

Elsie's Parasol block and partial border

My Spinning Parasols Tablerunner class went well on Saturday. I loved seeing the different color choices come together. 

Patty's Parasol block and partial border

They were fun and playful...I made them promise to send me pictures when they have completed them. They had such a good start, it won't take long.

Dan's Parasol block and partial border

I want to make a quilt using these blocks, wouldn't that be cute? I have a baby quilt to make, so maybe....

My Spinning Parasols runner

I'm finally feeling better and hope to get some quilt planning/sewing done this week. I have class tonight and tomorrow night, so maybe Wednesday.....

The Laugh, Love, Quilt fabrics came from Henry Glass for the Desire to Inspire Challenge on Saturday. I still need to take a picture, and will share with you soon. Now...what should I make? I have to have something made by the end of the month. Stay tuned!

New little iron pouch

 I have been meaning to make a little carrying pouch for my traveling iron for awhile now, but haven't gotten around to it. I have made many pouches using the Boxy Quilted Zipper Pouch tutorial on Craftsy. They are so fun and easy to make. I used the same instructions, but changed the dimensions of the rectangle to 10" x 16".

 As you can see it fits my travel iron and cord perfectly. I put a large handle on one end, not sure if I will need it, but thought I might. I can always tie it in a decorative knot if I find it's not useful.

I love making these pouches....they make great gifts too!

New class, new location....

The new Larkspur Sampler 22 met at Hobby Lobby Monday night. This was my first class there, so had to figure out the logistics of plugins, table arrangement, etc. I'm sure we'll try many different things before finding the perfect arrangement! 

 Things went well, though, and everyone got their first block finished or very close!

 David is making the Double Four Patch out of his two favorite team fabrics, and will start making blocks next time. He got some of his Four Patches finished.

 The others worked on Tiptoe. Lots of different color choices will make many interesting quilts.

Marilyn and Kelli's blocks

Dorothy and Lora's blocks

 The next night I met with another Larspur Club, they are farther along on the quilt and made the Crosstown block this time. Dianne got her block finished....soft and pretty.

 Here are all of Dianne's blocks so far. She usually opts for bright fabrics, so it's interesting to see her using the more subtle prints.

I only have 2 sessions left at Hancock, and then all will move to Hobby Lobby. 

Oh where, oh where has my time gone?

...Veronica's More Peas in a Pod

The past few weeks have slipped right past me and in a blur. I have been fighting a cold, working at school and teaching quilt classes a couple nights a week. Here are some pics I took recently at classes. The beginners are working hard to finish their first quilts. I haven't ever taught this class monthly before (usually teach it 6 weeks in a row), but it seems to be going well and they are happy with the schedule. Next month the borders.

Amanda's More Peas in a Pod

I've also been trying to get things figured out as far as where I will move my classes since Hancocks is closing. For many years, Hancock Fabrics (formerly a Northwest Fabrics) was the only fabric store in our city. Hobby Lobby moved here about 6 - 8 years ago (not sure, really just guessing) and my favorite quilt shop, Cut Up and Quilt opened 3 years ago. I started teaching about 12 years ago and taught evening Sampler Clubs, Beginning Quilting and Sat. classes at Hancock. I started designing my own patterns to teach that first year so that I would have different classes to offer. When Cut Up and Quilt opened, I started teaching there too, once or twice a month on Saturdays.

Sharon's More Peas in a Pod

Bev's More Peas in a Pod

So with Hancock Fabrics bankruptcy and closing, I needed to find another place that was open nights and had a classroom. Renting a place is out of the question right now, though it would be so much fun to do! So I will be moving my night classes to Hobby Lobby soon. The whole process is different there, so I have been working on getting the things I need ready so I can start my first new class there Monday night.  I will be teaching Larkspur, Sampler 22.

Larspur, Sampler 22

Jane's Larkspur, Sampler 22 blocks from the Second Monday Club

Since all of my night classes are 6 month sessions, most are not finished, so they will finish at Hobby Lobby and then maybe start another club. I need to come up with a new sampler design by June and it's not even close. Oh, I shouldn't tell you that part, huh? So you see where my head is at.

Billie Jo's first Modern Cathedral Window Pillow block

Melinda's Modern Cathedral Window Pillow blocks

Things are starting to fall into place, though, so I am relaxing a bit and excited to see how it goes in the new classroom next week.

Marta forgot her machine cord, so she worked on having a snack and pressing for the others.