Hummer Storm at Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show!

Posted on June 22, 2013 by nwquiltedcat

In an earlier post, I showed you the BOM quilt that I’m entering into the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. I’m also entering this Happy Halloween applique quilt.

I finished my third and final quilt to display at the show called Hummer Storm! This quilt is entirely paper pieced using just 3 fabrics. The design is by Cherry Blossoms Quilting Studio.

I just love how this quilt turned out! The movement of the Storm at Sea blocks combined with Snail Trail blocks showcases well and the turquoise zinger really adds that extra pop.

Here’s a look at the quilt front:

Hummer Storm Quilt Front

For the quilt back, I used leftover pieces of fabric to add some interest to the label area:

Hummer Storm Quilt Back

The finished quilt is about 66 inches by 66 inches.

I can’t wait to see it displayed at the quilt show in just a few weekends!
Enjoy,
~Jennifer

Little Bird!

Posted on June 20, 2013 by nwquiltedcat

I saw the cutest little stuffed bird pattern called Friends of a Feather by Indygo Junction recently and just knew that I had to make it!

This little bird can sit in the palm of my hand very easily so it is the perfect size to perch upon my computer while I work. I used a Kaffe Fassett fabric for the bird body and tail. The pink fabric is something that I pulled out of my stash so I do not know the fabric line, but I think it pops nicely against the body.

For the eyes, I used mini turquoise buttons and attached them with embroidery floss. I didn’t have the proper gauge of wire on hand as the pattern recommended, but I did have some thinner crafting wire in a pretty turquoise color that complements the eyes and the body fabric.

Here are some picks of my new little bird friend. Click on the pictures to see a larger image:

: Sitting in a bonsai plant

: Hiding in a tree

: Perched on my monitor

I’m definitely going to make some more of these little birdie friends to give as gifts! The pattern is quick and easy to follow and the birds require minimal supplies that I usually have on hand.

Tweet, tweet!
~Jennifer

Red, White, and Blue Swap Block

Posted on June 14, 2013 by nwquiltedcat

Happy Flag Day everyone!

I’m the hostess for a red, white, and blue block swap on Carol Doak’s Yahoo group! This swap is so much fun to host because I love these colors and the 4th of July is my favorite holiday! Each participant makes 4, 8, or 12 blocks to swap with other members.

Here’s a look at the block that I made today:

Red, white, blue swap block

This is the Austria block from Carol’s book called Mariner’s Compass Stars. The white fabric in the background is actually a white-on-white print featuring stars but the camera didn’t pick up the white stars very well.

Now I need to decide if I’ll make all my blocks the same or make 4 different ones.

Hope you enjoy this little red, white, and blue post today and stay tuned for more patriotic blocks!

Happy quilting!
~Jennifer

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show – Block Contest

Posted on June 10, 2013 by nwquiltedcat

Westminster Fibers is sponsoring a quilt block contest at the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show this year! I decided to join in on all the fun by creating my own blocks. I selected the blue colorway from the official block contest fabric line – Parson Gray-Seven Wonders.

The rules are pretty straight forward:
– You must use only the fabrics in the packet ($10 from the Stitchin’ Post in Sisters).
– Blocks must be 9.5 x 9.5 inches (includes seam allowance)
– Any method is allowed – piecing, applique, handwork, just no machine embroidered designs.
– Embellishments are welcome!

I’ve been on a bit of a bird kick this year so I continued with that theme by creating my first block with a birdhouse and a little birdie! Then, I had fun adding a bunch of embellishments.

I used blue metallic thread to applique the upper portion of the birdhouse and green metallic thread along the ground to imitate grass or little plants. I used hot-fix crystals to add plenty of sparkle when the block is displayed in the beautiful central Oregon sunshine! I hope the sparkles will catch your eye if you visit the quilt show.

For additional accents, I hand embroidered a sunshine, the bird’s details, and tall green grasses. On a whim, I stitched on a cute little lizard, making his way towards the birdhouse.

Here’s a closeup of the bird and the lizard details:

Lizard button

Bird detail

Here’s a look at the whole block:

Sisters Outdoor QS Contest Block

For the second block, I decided to make a geometric paper-pieced block without any added embellishments. This was a challenge because we only had a 10-inch piece of blue fabric plus 4 individual 6-inch pieces of fabric to work with to create the block! I used Unit 18 from Carol Doak’s book, Simply Sensational 9-Patch Stars.

Here’s a look at the second block:

Contest Block #2

I had so much fun making these blocks. If you missed my earlier post here, I also sent in some fabric postcards that will displayed and auctioned off at Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show this July.

The quilt show instructors will each select their favorite block and the number one block will win “best in show.” I would be so thrilled if one of my little blocks got selected to be a favorite!

Until next time, enjoy these blocks!
~Jen

Quilted Mystery BOM for the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show

Posted on June 6, 2013 by nwquiltedcat

A few weeks ago, I posted that I had completed piecing together the top of Carol Doak’s year-long mystery block-of-the-month that she created for her Yahoo groupies.

I plan on displaying this quilt as one of three quilts this July at the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. I’m calling my completed quilt “Yahoo Stars” in honor of Carol’s Yahoo group and because I used 2 star themed fabrics in the quilt. I will write about the other two quilts in a future blog post.

I finished up the quilting and binding this week and took a few photos of the completed project:

Quilt on a log swing