Honey Bun Quilt Idea

Last summer/fall when I was going through my extremely large (and out of control) fabric stash, I found a Honey Bun that I had NO idea where it came from.

I don't particularly purchase Honey Buns.  I'm more of a Jelly Roll/Charm Pack/Layer Cake kinda gal.  What is a Honey Bun?  It's a roll of 1.5 inch strips of fabrics from a single line.  This particular Honey Bun was from "Oh Cherry Oh" by Me & My Sister for Moda.

So, since I didn't remember buying it, and I had no idea what to do with it, it sat on my sewing table, unrolled, for about two weeks.  Then, suddenly, it hit me.  I was having a baby girl in a few months and if I sewed the strips together it would be the perfect size for a baby quilt.

Like most of my own personal projects, it's been sitting at the shop waiting for its turn on the quilt machine for a while now.  I finally got some time last Saturday to quilt for myself (I'm still technically on maternity leave until Tuesday, but I just couldn't help it! I had to quilt something!) so I threw this on and quilted it up.  I used a light pink colored thread (So Fine! It's a Girl!) and quilted an all-over flower design.  It turned out really great.  I got it bound later that night and in the wash, and my baby girl was able to use it over the weekend.

Spring Quilt Along FINALLY finished

Last April I joined a Quilt Along for the Verna quilt and bag pattern by Kate Spain over on Above All Fabric.  Well, I made the quilt top pretty quickly but didn't finished the bag until September of last year.  The quilt top has been sitting at the shop waiting to be quilted for months.

Last week I finally got some time to quilt for myself.  I've been on maternity leave, waiting to be medically cleared to go back to "work" and I finally got the clearance on Thursday.  Saturday I came into work and quilted a bunch of things for my new baby (her single baby quilt was getting very used and she needed some more to alternate with it), and this quilt was one of them.

I used a not-quite white colored thread (So Fine! Snow) and quilted flowers in the outer border, leaves in the sashing, and giant daisies in the blocks.  It turned out so great, I couldn't have been happier with it.  It didn't take very long to bind, either, only about an hour or so.  It's since been washed, dried, and is currently in use under baby girl today.  :)

Quilt UberFest, Block Progress

Block 1

Block 2

So remember my last post?  The one about how I was quilting the Quilt UberFest quilt but I hadn't made any blocks?  Yeah, I started to feel some quilt guilt about that.  So, I rummaged through my ever-expanding (much to my husband's dismay) fabric stash and found the perfect fat quarter stack to use!  I am using Bari J's Paris Apartment, by Lecien.  It is beautiful fabric, and I can't wait to see the finished quilt.

Block 3

Block 4

I had this grand idea yesterday that I would catch up totally.  I would be able to do all 15 blocks, no problem.  I'm laughing now as I type this because I clearly wasn't right in the head when I set that goal!  Somehow I kind of forgot that I have a 5 year old and a husband to look after, and that food is kind of a necessity to survive and be able to function.  Needless to say, I didn't get all 15 (now 16) blocks finished.  BUT!  I did manage to get 6 of the blocks done.  A few were really quick and easy (my favorite kind of blocks!) and some were more challenging (block 6, for example).

Block 6

The theme of the quilt is half square triangles, or HSTs, and log cabins.  I don't so mind the log cabins, although sometimes mine seem to turn into more of a circular cabin instead of a square if I don't watch my seam allowances.  It's the HSTs that get me.  I swear they are the bane of my existence, but I am determined to do them and finish this quilt!  Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right? haha

Block 5

Anyway, enjoy my pictures of my blocks, and keep checking for my finished top....hopefully by the end of the month!  Also, if you're joining in all the Quilt UberFest fun, be sure to join our Flickr group and upload photos of your blocks, finished projects, fabric selection, whatever!

P.S. - sorry about the weird photo placement. I'm not really liking the new Blogger photo thing....doesn't let me do so much as far as placement.

Quilt UberFest

I feel like I've kind of dropped the ball here a little with promoting this fabulous quilt along I am a *small* part of, but better late than never, right?

So first off, what is Quilt UberFest?  Well, it is 16 days of awesomeness.  Each day there will be a new block by a different designer.  It started October 1st (see, I told you I dropped the ball a little!)

Block 1 was by John Adams of Quilt Dad fame.  You can find the block on his blog, here.
Block 2 was by Kaye Prince of Miss Print.  You can find the block on her blog, here.
Block 3 was by Karen Linton (@savinggrc on Twitter).  You can find the block here.
Block 4 was by Konda Luckau.  You can find the block tomorrow on her blog, here.

Oh, did I mention that the fabric all of the designers is using is Sleeping Beauty by Nel Whatmore?  Scott over at Blue Nickel Studios (who also put this whole UberFest together - he is amazing!) has posted an interview with Nel about her new line for Freespirit.  Check it out on his blog, here.

Also, because I will probably forget to keep posting who did which block and where you can get it, you can find the complete UberFest schedule here on Scott's blog.

So, you've clicked over to the schedule and haven't found my name on the list, right?  That's because I am actually going to be quilting the quilt.  I cannot tell you how excited I am to be a part of this quilt along by quilting the finished top!  I will post pictures for sure, once I can.  Until then, I would love to see what you have done as far as the UberFest blocks.  Join us over on Flickr and post your progress in our Flickr group!

I am - hopefully - going to get a chance to quilt along, too.  I still have to pick out my fabrics!  (I am sooo behind!)  My husband has decided that 24 drawers full of fabric is TOO much.  HA!  I actually don't blame him.  So, together we agreed that I cannot purchase any *new* lines of fabric until I use up some of my stash.    And can I just say that I happen to have some darling fabrics in my stash?  Yeah, I do.  And I have no idea what to do with some of them.  This quilt along would be the perfect chance to use up some of those sets.  And the bonus?  All of my fabric is girly.  I might just end up with a darling quilt for baby girl before she makes her appearance in January (or December, if she comes early).  :)

So what are you waiting for?! Join us on this awesome UberFest of quilting. :)

I'm Back!

Man, has it really been over a month since I posted?  Huh, guess it has.  I am so SORRY I have neglected this blog lately.  But, I have a really good reason!

First of all, for those of you who do not know already, I am pregnant.  Yes, we are really excited.  This is our second.  We have a boy, and are expecting a girl.  They will be 5 years apart.  I am perfectly fine with this.  I am not due until January, so (hopefully) I won't go into labor until after Christmas.

Whew!  Now that that is out of the way! hahaha

I have also been busy coordinating our first ever quilt retreat in conjunction with the Annual Salem Days Quilt Show.  Both took place earlier this month, and both were really fun to be involved with.  Sadly, this will be my last year coordinating the quilt show, as I don't foresee being able to do it with a 7 month old baby next summer.  I took lots of pictures at the retreat, and a few at the quilt show, so watch out for those posts to be up on this page....eventually :-)


Also, in case you haven't been here for a while, or this is your first visit to the blog, please note that there are more pages across the top of the blog.  Be sure to check them all out!  There are new payment options, hours of operation, Christmas pre-booking is going on, and there is a brand, spanking new FAQ page!

If you have downloaded the old order form, please take a moment to grab the new one from the link in the sidebar.  (or you can just go here).

Hopefully I'll have lots of more fun stuff throughout the coming months to post here, so please keep visiting!  Thank you for stopping by.  And remember, if you have any questions, you can always contact me! :-)

Salem Days Retreat: AN UPDATE!!!

Have you met the fabulous ladies from Izzy n Ivy Designs?  They are so much fun, and so fun to be around! Plus, they're all uber-creative and make the cutest things!!  Their newest notion is called Sprinkles, and they are the sweetest little tags to finish off your handmade item.  They are so darling!!

 (photo from Izzy n Ivy Designs)

Well, we are happy to announce that these fabulous ladies have agreed to come to our retreat to do a little Show n Tell.  

And by Show n Tell, I mean a FASHION SHOW!   We can't wait to see all of the cute things they've done, and hear any tips or tricks that they've discovered to help you make their fun creations.

2011 Salem Days Retreat

I am so excited to be able to announce the First (hopefully annual!) Salem Days Quilt Show Kick-Off Day Retreat!!!!

It is going to be so much fun!  I can't wait to be able to spill all of the juicy details!

But, here's a sneak peek of what's in the works:

Awesome trunk shows (we are working on lining up some really GREAT guests to show off their stuff!)

Quick and Easy Make and Takes - Learn some new tips, tricks, and techniques.  Kits will be provided

LUNCH!!!  We have a yummy lunch planned for everyone!

PRIZES!!!!!  We will be holding drawings periodically throughout the day for special prizes.  Plus, everyone gets some sweet swag to take home with them!  You won't be going home empty handed, that's for sure!!

The retreat info is as follows:

Saturday, August 6, 2011
10 AM - 4 PM
Registration is $20, and includes ALL of your kits, handouts, and lunch! (such a good deal!! seriously!!)

Join in the discussion on our Facebook event page (it's a public event, so anyone can join in the fun!!)

Print off your registration form and mail it in (or bring it in in person, if you're in the area).  Don't forget your registration fee though!

This is seriously going to be so much fun, and we are so excited about it!!!  Keep checking in here or on the Facebook event page for updates!  We'll be announcing our awesome guests as soon as we get everything locked in!  It's going to be a blast!!