Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Photographing a Quilt, a tip!

One problem that all quilters seem to face is photographing a quilt, really - of any size. I have a system that really works well for me, so I want to share it!

It starts with an outside wall. Preferably, a wall with Northern exposure, so you always have shade for the best lighting (my available wall has Western exposure, so I have to take the pictures in the morning or on cloudy days. Kind of a drag, but we do what we can...)

Anyway, start by using these screw in hooks:


You can get them for very little at Home Depot or the like. I spaced mine about 90 inches apart, which works for most of my quilts. And,they are so small, that they aren't an eye sore when you aren't using them.

Then, get some thin rope. On one side, tie a square knot.



On the other end, tie a Trucker's Hitch (don't know how? Neither do I. My Eagle Scout hubby tied mine for me, but there are some instructions HERE.) This knot is awesome, because you can start with it totally slacked, then slide it tight, then loosen it up when you are done. You never, ever have to untie it. It's great!!!

Hook it onto your second hook while loose.

Then slide it until the rope is tight.

Then you have a nice cloths line type set up, and can hang that quilt for well lit, even pictures! Just use cloths pins!


So, there's my tip for the day! Happy sewing!

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Hexagon Circus Quilt - complete!

Well! Here it is in all it's glory!!!

Finished size: 54 x 49. I used the piecing method from the pattern Mini Merry Go Round, but added sashing, using the instructions from Hexagon Park Quilt on Moda Bake Shop. I really love how it turned out!

Fabric: Carmel Town (SO CUTE!!!)

The back! I really love how the back came out!!

Here's a closer look at the back and quilting! I hope you can see the hexagon shapes! They look fantastic in person! )


This has been such a fun quilt to make! It's so bright and happy! I have decided to list it in the shop for now! Yea for another fun finish!!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

WiP Wednesday...

We may have to call this "Princess addition" because she seems to have as much as I do! lol!!

Seriously - here are the Princess's projects:

Her first Ticker Tape block:


Turned out great! It was fun to watch her. She kept whispering "concentrate... concentrate!" as she sewed! It. Was. Awesome!!!!!

Today, my incredible friend and neighbor watched her and the little monkey for me while I got my haircut, and she came home with this:


And SHE made it with only a little help!! Awesome!!! Thank you Shelley! She is SO proud and I am tickled pink!!

Okay - now for mine...

Hex 2.

I got the top finished, got the back pieced, and got it basted by bedtime last Wednesday. Then I decided on how to quilt it. I went with stitching 1/4 inch on either side of all the seams in the hexagons. Yep. That would be 4 laps around all 42 hexagons. As I was quilting (which I only just finished yesterday, mind you...) I kept thinking, "WHY?!?!" But then I would look at the quilting, especially on the back, and say, "Oh, yes! This looks great!!!"


I just got the binding attached today. I don't have a single picture of the completed quilt top. Give me a day or two, and it'll be all done and pictures will abound! :)

Kaleidoscope Quilt a long:


Cut, and ready to go for the next set! Yea! I love this already!! I have already decided to quilt with pink thread. ;)

Skill Builder Sampler Quilt a long:
Block #2: Value 9 patch


I am pretty bad with the whole "value" thing, so I really tried to work on that with this block. I learned something about value! IT'S AWESOME! I had to go through about 4 sets of fabric picks before it clicked. And I really love how this block turned out! The only problem? I am using scraps for this QAL, and most of my scraps are out of print, so there is zero chance for me to have a whole quilt with these fabrics. *sad face* Seriously. I would love it! ;)

Well, that is all for this wonderful WiP Wednesday! Linking up to Freshly Pieced! Be sure to check it out!

WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced

A contest!

Okay... I went ahead and entered a contest over at Riley Blake Designs! It's fun!


I entered my Mod Times #1 in All Stars 2!


Wish me luck!

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Thursday, June 23, 2011

A Place for It at Last...

Last week I repainted my 4 year old's bedroom. Today, I asked him what kind of picture he would want above his bed. He responded with, "I want a quilt on my wall!" **Heart melts**

Then it came to me: I have a quilt that I designed and finished almost a year ago, neatly folded waiting for me to decide what on Earth to do with it. Ever since I finished it, I've been trying to decide if I should give it away (NO!) or write up a pattern or tutorial (even though changes would definitely be made now...) But I just hadn't decided yet. I still might do a little pattern, but for now, it's here:


And I couldn't be happier!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

WiP Wednesday!

It's Wednesday again!! It sure seems to creep up on me. I was THRILLED to have a great finish this week!! Yay for Bottled Rainbows!! And thank you all for the BR love! It means a lot! :)

As far as my "In Progress" drawer goes... it felt shockingly empty. With the BR quilt out of there, there is a lot of space! LOL! Must... fill... space... which leads me to a story. The kids and I went up to Cedar City on Monday with my husband who had to work up there for a few hours. Now, when I have a few spare hours in an unfamiliar place, and happen to find a fabric store in my "safe zone" (I get lost easily...), things happen. I don't think I should have to take responsibility for my actions in those circumstances... ;)

What happened? This:



Fabric for a Bottled Rainbow-esqe quilt! But!! This one will not be made by me, but by my 7 year old daughter!!! Yep, she wants to make one for her bed, but instead of Rainbows, she wanted blocks in just four colors! See what she picked out? I think she's got a great eye for colors. Anyway, I will piece the blocks, but she will do all of the scraps! So from now until this one is done - expect a "Princess WiP" section! I am tickled!

Now, for my WiPs...

Skill Builder Sampler Quilt-a-long - Block #1, Log Cabin


I like how this one came out. A lot. I am planning to make every block with nothing but scraps, if I can help it, so it might end up being wild, but that's okay. I'm building my skills, and that's what matters!

Hex


Almost have the top pieced! Only 4 rows left to go! And that won't take long! I am loving this! I can't wait to piece a back as well!! I also am having visions of awesome quilting floating around... we'll see! :)

Oh, dude. That's all! See, I really do need to fill my "In Progress" drawer... I know! I'll pull out this long forgotten project!


Yea!! Dancing Squares! :)

Be sure to check out all of the awesome WiPs at Freshly Pieced!

WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced