The Golden Ticket at the Portland Quilt Block Party!!

Posted on March 25, 2013 by nwquiltedcat

On Saturday, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a class at the Block Party in Portland sponsored Quiltmaker.

Just before lunch, the class attendees learned that a quilt made by one of the instructors, Peg Spradlin, would be given away in a treasure hunt! The winner had to find a special golden ticket hidden somewhere on the lower level of the host hotel. With that announcement, I felt determined to win!!

After lunch, I started searching around for the ticket along with a few other quilters. I checked quite a few places, but just couldn’t come up with the prize. Then, I noticed a guy standing near several hanging display quilts with a quirky smile. I thought that maybe the ticket was pinned to one of the quilts behind him and sprinted towards him. As I got closer, the light hit a piece of paper in his pocket and looked golden. I grabbed the paper and discovered that it was the ticket! I’m so glad that it was the golden ticket since I was rather cheeky just plucking something from a stranger’s shirt, and it could have turned out to be an embarrassing situation.

Here are some pics of the beautiful quilt that Peg made using green, yellow, and blue batiks:

Prize Quilt with Golden Ticket

Me with Peg and the Prize Quilt

Prize Quilt in Sunshine

Prize Quilt Closeup

In my next post, I plan to write about the fun class that I attended called Boxed In by Julie Herman. I really hope that the Quiltmaker Block Party returns to Portland next year because it was such a great event!

Enjoy!
~Jennifer

“So Tweet” Bird Test Block for Guild Exchange

Posted on March 20, 2013 by nwquiltedcat

My sister recently invited me to make 6 blocks for an exchange with her quilt guild. There are 3 basic rules:

must be 12.5 x 12.5 inches unfinished

must use bright primary colors

must have a bird on the block

I made up a test block using both piecing and applique techniques. This is block #555 (So Tweet) by Paula Stoddard from the Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks collector’s edition, volume 6.

I went with some birchy/aspen type fabric for the tree trunk. Instead of using green leaves, I keep with the primary color theme and used yellow tone leaves to suggest an aspen tree in the fall. While I do like the tree fabric, I think I may jazz it up on the next block and use a bolder fabric.

I machine-appliqued the bird and leaves to the pieced background and then added some fun thread accents by using Ricky Tims’ Razzle Dazzle thread #266 with a bobbin technique. I think it adds a nice touch of color and sparkle to the stitching.

The bird’s eye is a button which I did not sew down in case the block goes on a long-arm. I’ll probably include the buttons separately with the blocks so they can be added after quilting is completed.

Here’s a look at the block:

So Tweet Test Block

So Tweet Thread Close-Up

What do you think of the test block? A bird themed quilt seems like a fun spring or summer project.

Enjoy!
~Jennifer

Block Party with Quiltmaker Plus Ticklish by Moda

Posted on March 16, 2013 by nwquiltedcat

I heard about the Block Party sponsored by Quiltmaker coming to Portland next week so I signed up for a class. Unfortunately, I was too late to sign up for Bonnie Hunter’s class called Talkin’ Turkey. Instead, I found another great class called Boxed In by Julie Herman that looks really fun! If you’re in the area, I think you can still register by visiting the Block Party website.

Since I’ve been doing quite a few seasonal and batik quilts the past year, I decided to change things up and go for some bright and cheerful fabrics for the class. I chose the Ticklish line by Moda. Isn’t the name fun? It just seems to evoke happy summertime gatherings and memories.

Here’s are some pics of the Ticklish jelly roll:

Ticklish – All Rolled Up!

A Ticklish Rainbow!

In the class, we should be able to sew some blocks so I will post another update to this project after the Block Party. I also plan on taking lots of photos during the event so you can have a look at quilters gone wild in Portland!!

Anyone else planning on attending?

Happy quilting!
~Jennifer

Summer Flip Flop Project

Posted on March 5, 2013 by nwquiltedcat

I saw a cute flip flop paper pieced pattern the other day while browsing on Etsy. Immediately, I thought it would make a lovely little wall-hanging for a co-worker who is having a big birthday in a couple of months. I decided to purchase the pattern (only $4.50) and make up a test project for myself. The pattern is by Amy Friend of During Quiet Time. She has other fun patterns so check out her store!

I used batik fabrics from my stash with pink for the flip flop pieces because I love pink at the moment! The background is a nice light blue for a summery sky or day at the beach. The base uses a tan fabric with a weave-like texture that reminded me of sandal bottoms. The binding is a lovely dark gray/light black batik that I picked up at the Sew Batik booth at the Northwest Quilting Expo in Portland last fall.

Here’s a look at the finished wall-hanging (approximately 12 inches by 12 inches):

Summer Flip Flop

I used a sparkly flower button to accent the front part of the flip flop sandal. I always love a little bling!

I’d recommend quilters be familiar with paper piecing before creating this little cutie (confident beginner or intermediate). If you’ve never paper pieced before, I would start with a simpler block or take a class at your local guild. I also highly recommend Carol Doak’s teaching CDs and books!

Enjoy!
~Jennifer

Easter Bunny Hopping in Early!

Posted on February 27, 2013 by nwquiltedcat

I purchased an Easter Bunny table runner kit several years ago, opened it to admire the pattern and fabrics, and then packed it away in my to-do-someday stash. Last week, I decided to work on it since Easter is just around the corner, and I wanted something bright and cheerful.

This table runner is called “Hopping Hares” by Connecting Threads. It uses a combination of appliqued bunnies with pieced borders.

I embroidered the bunny whiskers and mouth using a gold-toned floss. I plan to add button eyes once the quilting is complete. The binding will be the same striped fabric as the inner border.

It was a pretty easy project, and I’m really happy to see the spring colors. Spring itself is trying to make an appearance here in Oregon with buds appearing on trees and early bulbs peeking up through the soil. I have some purple and white crocus blooming in the garden and several early daffodils are just waiting for a sunny day to burst open!

Here’s a pic of the bunny table runner before quilting and binding:

Easter Bunny Table Runner

Bunny Close-Up

Hopefully, we’ll get some more sunshine soon and chase away all the winter blues!

Enjoy the bunnies!
~Jennifer

March 2013 BOM (and with a twist)

Posted on February 23, 2013 by nwquiltedcat

The March 2013 block is the final one in an almost year-long mystery block-of-the-month (BOM) quilting odyssey hosted by Carol Doak on her Yahoo group site. She gave us all a little treat and posted it a bit early! Next month, she will reveal the mystery solution and everyone will be assembling their quilt tops and posting gorgeous photos to the group site. It’s not too late for you to join in on the fun!

Here’s my March block:

March Mystery Block

For a twist, I decided to shake up the colors a bit for a black/white/zinger swap. This is the same block, but the look is completely different!

March B&W Block

And here are the blocks side-by-side:

March Blocks Together

I hope to finish up both my traditional BOM quilt plus my black/white/zinger quilt this spring! What crafty projects do you have going this spring?

Have a sewful weekend!
~Jennifer~

Finished One Sunny Day Mini Quilt!

Posted on February 17, 2013 by nwquiltedcat

I started this mini quilt last week in my post about a batik play day. I had to take a quick 3-day business trip to Austin, Texas during the work week so I did not get any sewing time. On Saturday, I had a whole sewing day and finished the One Sunny Day mini quilt pattern by Carol Doak.

There was a brief ray of sunshine this morning that illuminated my back fence. I decided to snap some quick pictures of the completed quilt. It measures approximately 21 inches by 21 inches.

Here’s a look at the whole quilt:

Completed One Sunny Day Quilt

I used a really pretty fabric that changed from dark blue to turquoise for the binding. Then, I thought: why not add a little bling? I added just a few sparkles by applying crystals to the sun rays and the tulips. I also practiced using some different types of free-motion quilting using my home Bernina. I did some wavy lines, pebbles, cloud shapes, and swirls. You can click on the individual photos to see a larger image.

Close-up of the crystals on the sun rays:

Crystals on Sun Rays

Close-up of crystals on tulips and dragonfly button:

Crystals on Tulips and Dragonfly

How do you like the little dragonfly? I had wanted to put a cute little frog button at the base of the tulips, but I didn’t have one in my button stash. Instead, I found this sparkly silver dragonfly that I think adds a little fun to the quilt.

Enjoy this early taste of spring!
~Jennifer~

Batik Play Day!

Posted on February 10, 2013 by nwquiltedcat

Originally, I had planned to work today on a snowman block-of-the-month program that I started more than a year ago. I have all the blocks pieced, but I needed to add on the inner and outer borders before prepping it to quilt.

Then, Carol Doak surprised us Yahoo groupies with a special paper pieced project since we have reached 8500 members. Usually, we get a great block when we reach milestones, but this time she wowed us with a mini quilt pattern called One Sunny Day – yippee! A little bit of sunshine and springtime is most welcome!

I’m going to do this mini quilt in batiks. I spent a good hour or so this morning sorting through my batik stash and loving the rich, warm colors. I’m picking the fabrics out as I go along and selected a few for the top portion of the quilt.

Here’s a look at the first row:

One Sunny Day Top Row

I just love the beautiful rays of sunshine and the gorgeous rainbow colors in the flying geese!

These flying geese are quite small, and Carol recommended that we use the add-an-eighth ruler rather than the usual add-a-quarter ruler for paper piecing and I did take her advice.

Here’s a close-up of how tiny those flying geese are as compared to my finger (picture compliments of my adorable 7-year-old son!):

Flying Geese Close-Up

I only had time today to finish this top row. I hope to be able to work on this fun little quilt some more next weekend.

If you’re interested in making this quilt, please join Carol’s group by clicking on the Yahoo Groups button in the right-hand column of my blog.

Enjoy!
~Jennifer

Black, White & Zinger Blocks

Posted on February 1, 2013 by nwquiltedcat

I’m working on a swap using 12-inch blocks with a black & white color scheme or a black & white plus zinger color scheme. All the blocks must be designed by Carol Doak since the swap is with members of her Yahoo group.

I’ve made some black and white blocks, but wanted to try adding a zinger color. For the zinger, I knew that I wanted to stick with batiks but didn’t really know which color to choose. My 7-year-old looked at my collection of batiks and promptly picked out a lime green!

So I present the first black/white and zinger block:

August 2012 Block with Lime Green Zinger

This is the August 2012 block from the current mystery block-of-the-month program on the Yahoo group.

Here’s a pic comparing the black/white/zinger combination with my blue/cream combination that I’m using for the BOM:

Comparing August Blocks

Next up, I decided to try using a solid black in the background. I chose the Africa block from Carol’s book, Mariner’s Compass Stars, and used a yellow batik zinger.

Africa Block with Yellow Zinger

I think it is very dramatic, and I’m going to make a second one to keep for myself.

For this last block, I wanted to make a block in memory of my grandma Sylvia who passed away several years ago at 98-years-young. She was born in beautiful British Columbia so I used the Canada block from the Mariner’s Compass Stars book with a red batik zinger.

Canada Block with Red Zinger

I’m going to keep this block and use it in my black/white/zinger quilt once the block swap is finished.

Hope you enjoyed these zinger blocks!

Enjoy,
~Jennifer~

Stitches in Bloom Quilt Show – Oregon Garden

Posted on January 30, 2013 by nwquiltedcat

This past Saturday, I had the opportunity to visit the Stitches in Bloom quilt show at the Oregon Garden in Silverton. This part of Oregon is lush, green, and famous for the nearby waterfalls at Silver Falls State Park. Since it is so green, the area naturally has plenty of rain and this weekend was no exception!!. The $10 admission to the quilt show did include entrance to the gardens, but it was chilly rain so I decided to stick with the show. I definitely need to make a return trip in the spring to see the garden in bloom.

The show had some great vendors, and I picked up a wonderful wooden quilt frame, a paper piece pattern, a wooden quilt coaster, and some fat quarters.

Here’s the wooden quilt rack that I picked up:

The quilt is one that I made a couple of years ago called the “Bear Went Over the Mountain” by Susan Schwarting. The fabric is from the Lake of the Woods collection by Julie Ingleman for P&B Textiles. P&B Textiles has the pattern available for free on their website; however, the fabric collection is probably out of print now. I think it goes so well with the oak quilt rack above my brown leather couch!

I took a few pictures of quilts displayed in the show. We were not able to take flash pictures so many of my pictures turned out too blurry, but I did manage to get few decent ones.

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What a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon!

Happy quilting,
~Jennifer~