Dog Days of Summer Mini Quilt Swap Signups!

Posted on March 31, 2015 by nwquiltedcat

Hi everyone,

I’ve decided to host my first Instagram mini quilt swap, using a dog theme! I recently participated in a cat themed swap so I think we need equal time devoted to our canine friends.

Dog Days of Summer SignUps Now!!

The signups for the “Dog Days of Summer” mini quilt swap are now live. This is an Instagram only swap so you need to have an account. My Instagram name is @nwquiltedcat so please visit me!

The URL to sign up is here.

I’ll leave signups open until April 15, 2015.

The rules:

Swap is open to everyone of all skill levels.
You are committing to making and sending a mini quilt to your partner by August 10, 2015.
This is a blind swap. Don’t tag your partner!
Mini quilts are typically no smaller than 12×12 and no larger than 24×24.
Use the tag #dogmini2015 for all IG posts.
Post an inspiration mosaic to IG for your partner to get ideas!
Post a minimum of 3 progress photos throughout the swap.
Be sure to post a pic of the mini you receive and thank your partner!
Additional details will be in the partner assignment emails.
Have fun! woof! woof!

If you have any questions, please email me!

Enjoy!

~Jennifer

Spring Break Adventures!

Posted on March 30, 2015 by nwquiltedcat

Last week we had spring break here in Oregon. My husband and I were able to take Thursday and Friday off work to make a 4-day weekend getaway to the Oregon coast. We started in Newport and worked our way south to Gold Beach before returning home.

Here are some of my favorite pictures!

Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Newport, Oregon

Yaquina Head Lighthouse

Near Yaquina Head

Cape Blanco Lighthouse, Port Orford, Oregon

Cape Blanco Lighthouse

Near Cape Blanco

Near Gold Beach, Oregon

Ophir Wayside State Park

Gold Beach, Oregon

West Coast Game Park Safari, Bandon, Oregon

Black Bear Cub named Bonnie

11-month old, Tigger the Tiger

Wildlife Safari, Winston, Oregon

Peacock at Wildlife Safari

Lion brothers at Wildlife Safari (with mom, aunt, cubs in background)

Giraffe at Wildlife Safari

Deer and feeding cup at Wildlife Safari

We’re now back home and back to work! Can’t wait to get back sewing again.

Enjoy!
~Jennifer

Charley Harper Mini Quilt Swap

Posted on March 25, 2015 by nwquiltedcat

Hi quilty friends!

I’ve got 4 Instagram mini quilt swaps due in late March and April. I’ve finished 3 out of 4 so I’m going to start sharing what I created.

For the Charley Harper inspired mini quilt swap, my partner indicated that she liked the penguins from the Nurture fabric line so I decided to create a penguin mini.

First, I started by creating a larger sized penguin and chick by making my own applique pattern. I used Kona snow, black, and yellow for the adult penguin body. For the chick, I used Kona black, snow, gray and a piece of medium blue Charley Harper fabric.

Next, I created the background piece by stitching together 2-1/2 inch squares, using some Charley Harper fabrics and adding in other fabrics from my stash. I decided to use aquas, blues, and neutrals with the aquas/blues starting in the upper left-hand corner and fading slowly into the all neutrals. The bottom gray portion resembles the ground and is also Charley Harper fabric.

Then I carefully added my penguin appliques to the background and used a blanket-stitch in matching Aurifil thread colors to secure all the individual pieces to the back. I used yellow Aurifil 40 wt thread to add some detail stitching o the adult penguin (mimics the Nurture fabric).

Here’s a look at the completed mini:

Charley Harper Penguin Mini Quilt

Closer look at the penguin:

Penguin close-up

I added a few extras to the swap package, including a open wide pouch that I made from the Charley Harper Nurture fabric. I couldn’t resist adding a little stuffed penguin plus some chocolates and wildflower seeds to represent my home state of Oregon:

I hope my partner loves this mini as much as I do! I had so much fun making this quilt, and it was very hard to take it to the post office yesterday for mailing.

I received a wonderful red cardinal Charley Harper mini in return. I’ll show pictures on my next post!

Until then, happy quilting!
~Jennifer

Forest QAL, Weeks 1 & 2

Posted on March 15, 2015 by nwquiltedcat

Hi everyone!

Hope you’re having a good weekend, and working in a little bit of sewing time. We’re having a windy and rainy Sunday afternoon in Oregon so it’s the perfect weather to sit in and sew.

I’ve joined a new quilt-along by Quilt Art Designs called the Forest QAL. This is a 12-week QAL, and I worked on weeks 1 and 2 this weekend. It costs $1 per week for the pattern, and there is still time to catch up if you want to join. This is a paper-pieced pattern, and I’d recommend that you have some paper-piecing experience since some of the pieces are small.

For week 1, we pieced together some trees and sky:

Week 1, Forest QAL

I’m using a combination of modern print fabrics and solids for my quilt. My goal is to work entirely from my stash for this project.

For week 2, we pieced together more trees plus a little red bird and a chameleon, both hiding in the trees. Look how tiny some of the pieces are in the chameleon’s face!!