back to blackbirds

And it's so nice to be back! This little mini is for secret bird swap... I'll say no more (except that I'm hooked... again!).

mini quilts... in print!

Oh, glorious day! My quilties have been officially released in print. They're part of the collection in Pretty Little Mini Quilts. These minis represent the first incarnations of my long obsession with the kelpy shape. Here they are in their natural habitat (aka my home).

The two-panel set was the inspiration for my most recent office set (seen in the previous post). I love the set aspect, but I think it's kind of like knitters' second sock syndrome. Nevertheless, I'm sure I'll convince myself I need to make more.

These blue ovals (they kinda look like eggs, huh?) were a little mini series I experimented with for a while.

kelpies attack!

Hmmm.... know why I love crafty quilters so much? We all have a favorite color. Some people haven't had that since kindergarten, but we quilters always have a current fave (or 14). I'm having a brief love affair with teal at the moment, but what's more... these kelpy shapes and I are just about to celebrate our 1 1/2 year anniversary. It's been a lovely romance, bordering on obssession at times, but I'm still in the throws and loving it.

These kelpies are hanging in my office and they just make me happy. Do not adjust your screen: there are two of them, mirror images in fact. They're actually based on a design I created for Pretty Little Mini Quilts (a Lark Book due out any minute)... but more on that later. For now, just kelpy fever!

girls at work!

It's scary how quickly time passes. I swear I've been busy making the past two weeks, but I can't seem to remember what. Let's see: blocks for Common Threads (check), mystery project (check), and a wee bit of work on the Gee's Bend blocks (check). Most recently, I've started work on a pair of mini quilts in this color scheme... loving it! I don't know for sure, but I'm thinking something kelpy...

At least one of us has been productive.... (ahem, excuse me, Miss Violet).

trees and more trees

Last weekend was my family's official yearly girls-only camping trip (with margarita machine, of course). It's unseasonably warm for November (or at least it was last weekend) so we got to take in some lovely scenery. These images are from Craggy Pinnacle, just one of the many awesome spots along the parkway. Every time I hike past this tree, I wish I spoke entish.

And perhaps it was the hardy trees of the upper elevations that inspired this little mini. The little hand stitches are my favorite part. I can't wait to see these last few little minis on stretchers... I just received the stretchers so I'm thinking I'll finish a whole batch over the holiday weekend. And then maybe a store update?

many minis!

You think I'd know better and give my Singer a nice and easy settling in, but no! I've been wanting to try pebble quilting for a while, and I must say, the results are a nice compliment to my wonky...er...messy quilting style. This one is made with the same hand-printed stripe fabric and is bound for the stretchers. I do love the minis!

And speaking of minis, the vet just told us our little Violet is probably a bit older than we first thought, maybe 8 or 9 months. Which means she may not be getting much bigger after all. She's about 25 pounds now, and she may not top 35... We like the sound of that even better: an itty bitty pitty! She looks a bit business-like in this photo, though I think she was actually trying to figure out if my straight pins were edible!

Love song for Singer 6105

Oh, happy day. My sewing machine is back in action! And working better than ever. I continue to be surprised by how attached I am to this machine. The thought of learning a new machine positively horrifies me. And, I guess, it's also related to the fact that this was my mom's machine (until I "borrowed" it 10 years ago), so I've always imagined I'd make my children's clothing on it... Or at least puppy costumes. Speaking of puppies, things are finally starting to settle down at the homestead. Violet is doing well (see puppy montage - my favorite kind - below!), and Baby is starting to enjoy her new little buddy, despite that constant gnawing feeling in her ears, lips, legs, face, bum....

With the ensuing calm, I've had a little time to create. Gosh, the place didn't feel like home until I got to be creative here. The first experiment was printing my own fabric with cardboard cutouts: based on an idea I saw in a magazine, I cut out strips of cardboard, glued them in a stripey pattern on another piece of cardboard, put paint on the strips, and pressed them onto the fabric. Easy, fun, and that imperfect look I've learned to love.

Then I used the printed fabric as a background for these little red corals. I don't know why sea life - kelp, coral, greenies - keep popping up. I live in the mountains; I suppose I should be making pine trees and mountains instead, but... I do like this little mini and it's the first of a little series I have in mind.... we'll see where it leads.

tat-pplique

Okay, okay... I'll admit it: I do have a fondness for made-up words. And I decided that I wanted a word to describe the process I've been using to make these little birdy mini quilts, using my tattoos as applique patterns. I'm having some major fun with it, but I think I'm going to have to either get more tattoos myself or borrow my friends' tats. I'm in luck, though: I happen to have a fairly inked up group of buddies to borrow from!

And it has happened: I'm actually (officially, finally, unless I crack from withdrawal) done making mini quilts for my craft show in July. On to lino prints and, gosh, you know, I've been thinking about glass again recently. Ahhh.... we'll see how long it lasts.

micro and mini

I finished up another little framed mini, just in time for Mini Quilt Monday. This time, I turned my microscope lino print into an applique design: fun, fun! And I kind of like the two - the microscope and the beetle - as a set. But, of course, I have had thoughts about a third and fourth framed mini... Just can't help myself, it seems.

I spent the better part of the weekend at Devil's Fork State Park in South Carolina with my mom (who loved her pink and green apron) and my neice. Nothing like a little lake swimming to set my world right, except I did have some minor crafting withdrawal. Not to worry though: I'm recovering nicely... with mini quilts, of course.

Oh, and here's a promised sunlit shot of my beetle mini... much better than the previous installment, I think.

beetle mania

Yay for beetles! This one is based on a lino print I did last fall and is made with some of my birthday stash fabric. I've been meaning to make this for a while; I love taking a design from one form or medium to another. And it's a good thing I like beetles: those little legs were a bugger to stitch down. The picture is a little less than thrilling. After dark, I have the hardest time getting a photo that's anywhere close to the actual fabric colors. Any suggestions? Maybe it's time for a new camera... in which case I'm also open to suggestions. And oh, hold the presses: I just realized this is the first thing I made as a 29-year-old!

welcome to summer

I will turn 29 on Sunday and I think it's taken me this long to figure out what makes me most happy. My wonderfully silly hubby: check. A super spoiled pit mix, a lovely family, inspiring friends, an awesome job: check. And crafting: a big check. I also happen to live in a beautiful part of the world, and I do a pretty good job of exploring it on the weekends. Canoeing, hiking, scootering, or good ole Blue Ridge Parkway sitting (very good at that last bit)... Asheville is a lovely place to get to call home. So, that being said, I think I'd like to incorporate a little more scenery into my life and blog: more to come! Installment #1: Dinner Hike to Pilot Cove.

But (BUT!) this past week was not totally void of creative adventuring of the fabric variety: I finished what I think will be my last black bird mini before the Big Crafty. This little mini combines a lot of my quilting ideas into one. And I did a little something different with the wing. Now, to get printing....

hello, black bird

Yes, I think I'm officially in the icey grips of another crafting obsession: this time, it's black birds. I have at least two more black bird designs in mind... those will be on their way soon. Maybe I'll combine all the little elements I've used in the past few months: kelpies, tombstones/Us, and blackbirds... Ooo la la. Thank goodness for loooonnnngggg weekends!

And maybe one day I'll share a photo of the ones on my legs. Using my tattoos as a design element has got me all excited: I feel like I'm carrying an applique design with me wherever I go... you know, in case of emergencies. It's kind of given my work a new life as well as my tattoos. I like it, but now I'm thinking about more appliques/tattoos I might need to add to my collection. Well, I do have a birthday around the bend...

mini quilt monday/mania

Just...can't...stop...making...minis... seriously, this condition probably has a name. The trees were because, well, I'm just really in love with green right now. And I had some crafty energy to exorcise after our trip to Delaware last weekend.

And the birdy...well... that was for Mini Quilt Monday. And these birds WILL be around for a while. This design is based on a pair of birdy tattoos on the back of my legs: my husband's Christmas present to me about four years ago. I've got two others planned, and they'll probably happen sooner rather than later, with the Big Crafty just around the corner.

poppy pods

I knew it wouldn't be long before I'd have to make a mini based on the poppy pods in my yard... and I was right. Malka over at a stitch in dye has this great Mini Quilt Monday, and, well, I just couldn't help myself. I made it fast, too: in about an hour and a half. It was nice, just moving forward without second guessing myself. And I didn't even have my "design star" hubby to consult; he was busy napping. Here's to more Monday stitched adventures!

on to the next!

I finished my wedding tree mini quilt based on my friend's wedding logo... and it's a good thing, too, since the wedding is next weekend. I love the way it turned out, but all that cutting and crazy curve sewing was a lot of work.

And then it rained, a light spring sprinkle. And the poppies in my yard looked so inviting... especially those little pods that happen after the petals drop off. I think that's my favorite part.... after the flower. Anyway, these little guys are bound for mini quilt stardom: on to the next!

apron-tastic!

May means my mom's birthday is near. Time to whip out something in her favorite color scheme: magenta and green. I actually worked on this apron (from A is for Apron) in our beginning sewing workshop at Lark. I did fight the urge to add flamingo paraphernalia (just barely). And I couldn't resist posing in front of our impossibly-pink azalia: I just love spring!

I'm also finishing up a mini quilt for my friend's wedding gift. I turned their wedding invitation insignia into an applique design. Here I'm just about 1/3 of the way through... but none of this would have been possible without fusible web. That stuff changed my life.

After all this follow-the-lines sewing, I'm in the mood for something a little more freeform... Pods anyone?

a big day...

...I finally made something besides a skully or a little greenie! Hot off the presses, here is my ship! Like the skulls, this guy is based on a lino print I carved last yearl and was created in the first place as an homage to my past life as a sailor (we're pretty sure my hubby was the bar maid). I had trouble with this one, and I can't quite tell if I'm done yet. But it feels good to branch out a little; I've been so busy creating things for the Big Crafty!

The stitching on the border was a total accident: I just didn't feel like doing all those little Us (but oh, how I love them). And I'm okay with the imperfections....

Up next, a dog-themed mini for an animal shelter benefit: this should be interesting!

skully takes form

I finally turned the skully embroidery into a mini quilt. I'm really liking it, although it might need a few more details: any suggestions? I've got a few more in the works, in various colors. I hope these guys represent some kind of acknowledgment/celebration for people (and maybe for myself): death is such a huge part of life, especially recently it seems. So I'll crank out a few more of these and then on to more linoleum... I promise.

obsession....

I made the brown raspberry truffle mini for my mini quilt swap partner in The Netherlands, but the lemon truffle mini quilt (top) followed soon after. I just can't stop myself; this design is so much fun! I think I'll take a short break from sewing to see if I can't shake the truffle/kelpy thing... although my first plan was to make a lino print of just that! Oh well...

stitch-o-rama

I'm still loving the little greenies doodles (and will have many more to post soon). Here's a recent one in teal and green. I loved being able to take something crafty with me on my mini vacation to Edisto, SC with my mom. Turns out the beach is perfect for laid back creativity.

Also, here's something I'm really excited about: I turned one of my lino prints into an embroidery design. I like the way it turned out but I can't wait to frame it up in a little mini mini. More to come soon as I get crankin on some Big Crafty projects!