That’s why I wanted to make Aria her very own picnic blanket. She will soon begin a new phase of life as a young married woman. I wish her and her someday-family happy memories together that are too many to count, in the great outdoors and sometimes on this very blanket.
Read MoreWouldn’t you know, she chose the apples? Actually she’s had her eye on that fabric since I brought it home last year. It is by Heather Ross from her Forestburgh collection. Isn’t it wonderful that a yard of fabric can be transformed to give us both so much pleasure? Yay for sewing!
Read MoreTa da! Even the daffodils are smiling at my finished New Maid quilt. She’s a total classic. I’ve sewn the old maid’s puzzle block in a nostalgic, spring palette. And the prints are super cute and playful as well.
Read MoreWhat a quick and easy-going project. Not too many choices since I followed the look from the pattern cover, plenty of certainty and a satisfying, predictable result. I used the Sew Kind of Wonderful pattern called Happy Together and colored it in with Forestburgh fabrics by Heather Ross and Windham’s Ruby + Bee solids.
Read MoreHere is my wall full of children! They do look happy together, don’t they? To me the bright, solid backgrounds are key to that effect. The solid backgrounds stamp the quilt with a sense of childhood joy, without being crazy-busy to the eye.
Read MoreThis quilt is made up of big blocks, each one of a different child figure. I arranged solids as colorful backgrounds and paired them with various print fabrics to ensure a nice spread of patterns, colors and value. It looks happy, no? Come see the first blocks!
Read MoreWhat usually comes first - falling in love with a patchwork pattern or with a group of fabric? For me it varies so much that I don’t think I have a usual flow. This time it was perhaps both, if that’s possible. I am equally smitten by the pattern and the fabrics, and so excited to get to marry them together.
Read MoreFriends, I am so pleased with how this turned out! My latest Teeter Totter quilt exudes a happy energy with a confetti of bright colors on bright, solid white. It looks positively resplendent in Keukenhof’s lush, colorful gardens! This was fun to sew and to photograph.
Read MoreYesterday, when it was quite overcast, little miss braved the cool weather for a lightning fast photo op. We dashed out our front door, across to the road to the daffodils and were back inside in less than five minutes! Aren’t you glad she was a good sport?
Read MoreWhen mild weather and spring flowers first shyly showed their faces, Elora and I caught spring fever. One afternoon she nosed through my fabric stash for favorite fabrics that might become new dresses, shirts or skirts. I got right in the spirit, dreaming along with her. Today I started on that strawberry dress.
Read MoreCome see what Elora made! It’s her first sewing project. Plus, my tips for how to ease a first machine sewing experience with a cautious child, like my sweet 6-year-old.
Read MoreHip, hip, hooray - a finished quilt! This new pretty thing is Economy Stars Parade in Heather Ross fabrics. I expect it’s the first of a series. I’ve got to try this patchwork layout with scraps sometime this summer!
Read MoreThe economy quilt block is a classic. With just three fabrics and square-in-square shapes, it’s the ideal block for framing cute prints like those created by Heather Ross. Here are some different ways I went about combining the fabrics.
Read MoreI thought this was going to be a post about my Economy Star quilt, which is coming along quite nicely. But as I prepped the pictures, I realized that even more exciting than my patchwork is my new BIG design wall - hoorah!!!
Read MoreI loved reading all of your reactions and ideas to the Economy Star sketches and fabric options. Of course there was support for each one. It just goes to show that there is no right or wrong when it comes to art and fabric choices!
Read MoreHeather Ross fabrics are made of fairytales and sunshine. Today I’m designing a quilt starting with a very special stack - the Heather Ross 20th Anniversary collection. My design process flows from fabric to patchwork and back again.
Read MoreHello friends! I hope you had a nice weekend. We had some beautiful, sunny weather here in The Netherlands, which enticed Elora and I out on a walk with our mommy and toddler friend. So nice! I also managed to finish a quilt I’d like to share with you today.
Read MoreA leader or a follower? I ponder the two opposing roles as I watch Elora play at our neighborhood playground. If I’m honest, her propensity to observe, bide her time and stand apart from the crowd can make me uncomfortable.
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