My quilting blog

Well, I started a specific blog for my quilting with my business logo and name.  If you would like to follow it, here is the link!

Quilted by Holly

I'll still be posting my personal projects here on this blog!  I need to get better at keeping this updated!!  I've been working on a lot of projects since I last posted!  :)

Monogram quilt finished!

I love getting projects completed.  This quilt has been delivered to its recipient and they are in love with it.  She said she doesn't want to use it so it doesn't get ruined!!  Ahhh...good news.  I encouraged them to have some snuggle time with it!   She may hang it on their wall!!

I love Monograms.  

All rolled up!

I've been thinking much these days about personalization...in our interactions, in our gift giving, at my work, etc.  Monograms seem to make something so special...people know it was meant and made for them.  I think as time goes by I will be making this quilt for other family members.

Butterflies for the backing...

This is a special quilt to me now as it is the first quilt I have quilted on my new long arm machine.  I'm so excited to have such a lovely piece of equipment to make my quilts (and other people's quilts) much more professional.

I stippled this quilt since it was so busy and tried a new thread to me called "Glide".  It has a lovely pearlized look to it and really added some "wow" to the quilting.  Too bad my photos don't really show this!

I've been working on some other practice quilts and will share those soon.  They need binding!!!  Can't wait to finally get all the quilt tops I've made over the past 5 years finally made into finished quilts.  :)

I love monograms in quilts!

A while ago I made this quilt from a book by Camille Roskelley called Simplify with different fabric for my brother's family.  A cousin saw it and asked if I'd make one for their family!  It is really a fun pattern and so easy to make.  Called "Happy-Go-Lucky".  I am finding I love monograms on quilts.  So much personalization.  This quilt has borders on it now but I took the photo before putting the borders on.  I think I actually like it without the extra border...so as it is in this photo, may be how I make it the next time!  :)   It's on my list to finish!!  

Clothing for a cabbage patch

I've just entered the world of doll clothes!   One of my nieces has become a collector of Cabbage Patch dolls.  I have lost track of how many she has now!!

I seem to have a lot of "brilliant" ideas that sound great at the time and then remind myself that time is a limitation and I can't do everything I want to do, at least not at the same time!!  One brilliant idea I had was about making some doll clothes for my niece's dolls.  Looking for specific patterns for Cabbage Patch dolls was uneventful so I thought I would try the popular styles for 16-18" dolls.  (I always see the American Girl dolls wearing these patterns so had no idea if they would work well with a Cabbage Patch!).  Now I know they fit but maybe need a tad bit of care around the midsection as my final outcome was a bit snug around the chest.

If you are looking for great doll patterns, I am now a big fan of Patty Young's patterns called Modkid...found here (Patty's website).

And here is the new outfit...

 The bandana scarf is her original...will work on that next for her as this pattern has one very similar in the pattern.  I'm surprised at how easy this was to make.  And I used fat quarters...love small projects that turn out so cute, with small amounts of fabric!!!  :)

Now on to the week ahead!!!  Enjoy and let's go sew!

Gettin' busy...

I hear busy people get things done!  I've been busy...

Disappearing 9 Patch with "Sunkissed" fabric by Sweetwater

 Made a baby quilt for a sweet baby girl's soon arrival.  I can't wait to meet little Gwenyth!  This fabric makes me happy for spring and I had such a great time making it.  I LOVE quilting baby quilts...small and easy to manage on my machine.

Rag quilt,  fabric "Summersville" by Lucie Summers
for Moda

And my dear friend, Kristen, has designed this rag quilt, pattern available soon I hope at my favorite quilt shop, Stash.  I learned a valuable lesson with this quilt on not rushing the process.  My finger is still healing from the nice cut I gave myself while clipping it!


















And now on to more projects...have a happy spring day!

Words for 2013!

A friend shared this with me recently...good to have focus!

"You've got this life and while you've got it, you'd better kiss like you only have one moment, try to hold someone's hand like you will never get another chance to, look into people's eyes like they're the last you'll ever see, watch someone sleeping like there's no time left, jump if you feel like jumping, run if you feel like running, play music in your head when there is none, and eat cake like it's the only one left in the world!"  - C. JoyBell C.

and I'd like to add to this.....sew, sew, sew...and keep sewing!

Cheers to a really great year ahead!

Holly

It's been a year...

Last day of 2012.  I'm actually very glad.  It's been a year...

As the year comes to a close, I look back on it and realize while it had it's down moments, it truly was a good year.  As most things, it did not turn out quite the way I may have planned but life never seems to really turn out that way anyway!

Machine Embroidery...

The past few weeks have flown by.  I finally took the plunge and started my photography business officially!!  While I am in the process of getting things started, I've managed to get some sewing done.  WooHoo!

Looking forward to 2013!  Lots on my to do list and sewing is at the top of my list!

Happy New Year!  (just realized I didn't send this yesterday, the 31st!)...

I-pad case - my own made up pattern using 2 Tula Pink Fabrics

Zenfolio embroidery pattern, Amy Butler origami bag pattern (without the corners squared), and the fabric is The Ghastlies by Alexander Henry

The assortment of various gifts I made...mostly origami bags, few hand-towels, ipad case

Embroidery on t-shirts!!!!  

My AnnaLee Elf...made a photographic story each day of  December!  Here he's lost his holly-berries from  under his hat.  

I've been busy...

Quilting a baby quilt...frogs!!!!

making an Amy Butler coin purse out of my "little black dress" scraps!

Making the "Trip Around the World" quilt pattern for a class I get to teach!! You can make this too if you like!  Kits are being sold for this quilt at Stash (and I hear their online store will open soon!)

   Using Christmas fabric!  

Riley Shedder would not get off this quilt...!!

Finished this bag, a Butterick Pattern.  I'll be making a scarf next!  But it is not quite done and maybe will get a big button or flower or...????  This may be headed to the auction though in support of Girls' Council.  

And a dear friend gets this lovely baby quilt for her soon to be little one!  I love this pattern, "Hip Baby" using "Little Black Dress".  

Always more to do...SEW glad sewing is one of my hobbies and a passion.  :) 

Stacks...

Stacks quilt top is complete!

Just needs backing and then off to the quilters!  I'm still not sure what I want for my backing...something fun and cheerful!

I really love Tula Pink's new line called "The Birds and the Bees".  Lovin' the colors.  This photo doesn't do the fabrics justice...

Lots on my mind lately...seems fitting for this "stacks" quilt.
Things pile up
sometimes get lost in shuffle
some taken off the shelf and dusted
some things stand out
some things make sense and some don't...

and it all seems like a balancing act...

I love to sew...

Curious Nature Quilt

It's so nice to be doing some sewing again after a bit of a hiatus due to yard work, trips, daily grind, and just stuff!  I may need to start practicing sewing for 15 min. a day but I think I'd get sucked in and spend more time, which might not be a bad thing!!

The latest quilt top I've finished is called Curious Nature by David Butler and is a free pattern that can be found on the Free Spirit website at: click here to find!!

I LOVE it...fast, fun, and easy to make.

Curious Nature

COLOR and Tula Pink!

Tula Pink

This weekend I had the pleasure of attending a workshop with Tula Pink (who can be found here).  She is one of my favorite fabric designers - such a unique and talented artist!  Last night's quilt class ended with Tula sharing about being a fabric designer and the process.  My favorite part was hearing Tula say "Every day I get up and try to do me as best as I can."

I think that's the best way to live life...being the best possible version of myself and putting 100% me into whatever I am up to.

Tula also stated that COLOR is the most important part of a fabric line.  I'd agree...my eyes are drawn to color first.

My stacks waiting to be made into pinwheels

Getting my quilter's facial...more steam please!!!  j/k!

My first pinwheel...

 This is a close-up of Tula's quilt called "Beanstocks".  I am so amazed at her quilter, Angela Walters (you can find her here).  Just got Angela's new book about machine quilting.  Can't wait to read it and start doing more quilting!

COLOR!!!!!  from Tula's Spacedust quilt

closer up of COLOR!!!!

And so...here I go...smiling about color, sewing, photography, and life.  Plan to blog more too...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

I can't believe how quickly this month is already moving!

I've gotten off track with blogging for a while.  I miss it.  There is something special about sharing what I love with others who love it too.

For today I have an article to share.  It's about Creative thinking...very good article, I think!
If you are someone who knows me, you know I think...A LOT!  This year I hope to put my thinking into creative avenues...


http://m.psychologytoday.com/blog/creative-thinkering/201112/twelve-things-you-were-not-taught-in-school-about-creative-thinking

A new post!

Well, once again it's been a very long while since I have posted much as to what I'm doing inside my neck of the woods.  Here are the latest projects I have recently finished...

 This is the Oak Park bag pattern made out of Circa fabric...I donated this bag to an auction for "Girl's Council"...empowering girls to become STRONG women!  I love a good cause!

 This is the knot tie bag made from Hometown fabric by Sweetwater.  I love this bag and I love this fabric. :)

 This is my first "Don't Look Now" pattern.  I chose a simple one to start with...love the raw edge applique and had a lot of fun practicing my free-motion quilting.  This was very inspiring to get busy and quilt some of my unfinished quilt projects!

And here it is finished as a pillow. I chose to leave off the binding as the pattern calls for.  I think I'll add it on my next one...was ready to be done with the project when I had finished the quilting.

And that's what I've been up to!

More soon...

Raising money for the guild...

Our local quilt guild is having a sale soon of handmade items to sell in an effort to raise money for our quilt guild.  I've been looking around for some ideas of easy and useful items to make for this sale.

ANY IDEAS??????

I love how so many people have tutorials for everything under the sun out there.  Thanks to all who create them!!  :)  I love getting ideas...

It's been one of those months....

that just flys by.  Where did the time go?

It's been a while since I posted here so I thought I'd say a quick hello and share a tidbit of happenings.

This month I took classes from Tula Pink in Sisters, OR.  Great times...Tula is awesome and I love her fabrics.

 Tula holding her amazing "Modern Alphabet" quilt.  Her quilter is AMAZING...

 Tula taught us how to bleach and dye fabric.  This fabric turned out amazing in every color...wish I had more of it!  If you know what it is and who makes it, please let me know!

Started my "Cartwheels" quilt pattern by Tula Pink.

 And finished 2 blocks in class!  I really love this quilt pattern.

 Last class I took was the Modern Alphabet.  I'm using Christmas fabric.  This photo spells out "DONT"...just need the apostrophe!

 Joined my first quilting bee.  I had month #1 and chose to use this merry-go-round pattern.  It's a fantastic block.

 Also part of another quilting bee and made 3 blocks.

 Went on a fun road trip over the river, through the woods, and to the city I go...really great trip with great friends.

Heard some Kenny Chesney and friends...
Good times.

Had fun doing another photoshoot for some pattern testing by my friend, Kristen...

...it's been a very busy month and I feel like I've hardly sewn!   Time to change all that!!!

4-Patch trip...quilt top almost complete!

 I finished this top tonight...still have borders to put on it and then the rest of the goodies to quilt/bind, etc.  I LOVE these colors and the black and white.










I think my favorite part is the outer edges...love that black/white fabric with the skulls!

After I took these pics I realized I sewed my pieces together incorrectly...grr...oh well...not sure I care that much since it's just for me...might take it out...we'll see if I can problem solve!

I love flowers...

Summer feels like it's finally here!   I've been busy with the usual yard work, gardening, and flower shopping! I've also been busy taking photos...for fun of course...it's one of my many passions.  I probably need to learn how to place a watermark on my photos (so if anyone wants to share a fast way of doing this, please send me an email).  I think I tried it once using picasa but I rarely use that program...I have much to learn in the blog world!

Well...here they are.  (Please do not copy my photos without my permission!!  Thank you.)

I've fallen in love with poppies this year.  Last year I bought this one...and am so happy to see it return this year! :)  I love perennials!










This makes me want to hop on a plane and fly out to Hawaii!  Anyone want to join?!  :)  wishful thinking...!

 I love flowers in the daisy family...anything with lots of petals and large centers!  (I wish I knew my plant/flower names better!!)

Purple....ahhh...I am using this color a lot more lately in my quilting.  Quilt inspiration...visions of sugarplums dancing in my head!!!
















I think this one is becoming one of my favorites!  I love the colors...truly amazing how each flower is so brilliant and unique.










And now for the reveal of my favorite part of flowers...the inside center.  I find there is often a surprise waiting, something that I may not observe until I take time to actually stop and "smell the roses"! This is the inside of a poppy.  Oh just lovely.  (kind of reminds me of a hedgehog or porcupine!).














The best part of my photo adventure was spending time with a friend.  I am a lucky girl to have some very amazing friends.  ;)  Thanks friends for everything...xo!