Couch pillows

Couch pillows, a photo by redfirquilter on Flickr.

Couch pillows

Been Traveling

I've been traveling....2900 miles from my home in Oregon to Washington D.C.

In a Honda Accord, with literally EVERY inch crammed with the stuff a 21 year old girl thinks she needs to take with her to her new home; oh, and a Chihuahua named Charley that likes to sit on the drivers lap most of the time.  (I'm gonna miss that little guy darn it)


Before I left I almost finished a quilt for my daughter.  As in, it was 1/2 quilted and instead of finishing it for her, I went out and had margaritas the night before we left and didn't feel like finishing it then!


So, first thing (well, two days later) when I got home I finished the quilting on her quilt and now I'm making some pillows to match.  Once they are done I will post some pictures of the set.  (See below for the pictures of this quilt so far)


Also, I'm happy to say that I have joined some on-line block swaps, the all solid modern swap on flicker http://www.flickr.com/groups/fortheloveofsolids/ and the http://www.flickr.com/groups/6x3bee/  I'm super excited to get started, although a little worried that I may quickly get addicted and join every swap I can, LOL.


And finally, on the ETSY front, I have been commissioned for another custom made quilt, how awesome is that!!!  This quilt will be done in the "Dreaming in French" fabrics by Patricia Bravo, Art Gallery Fabrics.  I just love this line and swooped some up the first day I saw it!  We're thinking the pattern will be simple stripes to enhance each fabrics beauty.  I will post pictures of everything as I go!


Have a great day till next time--Shirley

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2011-06-18 12.21.15.jpg, a photo by redfirquilter on Flickr.

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2011-06-20 12.29.32.jpg, a photo by redfirquilter on Flickr.

2011-06-20 12.29.32.jpg

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2011-06-18 12.58.06.jpg, a photo by redfirquilter on Flickr.

2011-06-18 12.58.06.jpg

What! It's JUNE? How did that happen?

I really can't believe that it is June already, the middle of June even!  Where have all the days gone?   Since I thought I would start to be a good blogger in January, it's fitting to get it together in June, right?  


I had a major kitchen disaster in January, so my house has been in various stages of repair/remodel and is just nearing the finish line!  New cabinets, counters and floors.  New paint...everywhere.  Once my carpets are cleaned today I can start to put it all back together, I will be so happy!

No matter what stage my house has been in, I have managed to keep sewing as much as possible (although right now I cannot find the cord to my machine, maybe someone hid it?).  I made my Mom this super cute pillow from this tutorial  http://comfortstitching.typepad.co.uk/comfortstitching/2010/01/raw-edge-applique-tutorial.html .

I also had my first sale on ETSY!  A wonderful lady from Montreal asked me to make her a version of the hexagon quilt in some AMH Little Folks voile.  What a wonderfully soft and silky fabric to work with!  The colors were beautiful and I think she liked the end product.  Here's a copy of her comment, I am so amazed that she took the time to leave such a long and glowing comment on my shop page, thanks so much Caroline!   Callanit says:

I just can't say how much I love this quilt, and I couldn't be happier. I asked Shirley to make a hexagon pattern (which I adored on her Etsy store) but using different fabrics. She agreed, and the result is just so beautiful! Very very well-made - all of the sewing even, with no pulling, (not so easy with voile) and the quilting design perfectly suited to the patterns in the fabric. Shirley made a pieced back as I'd requested, and it is truly lovely enough that the quilt is reversible. I also asked for the edges to follow the hexagon shape, without thinking of how much extra work it would be, and the binding is just lovely and even (all done by hand). I asked Shirley to follow her own taste/judgement in piecing the fabrics, and her sense of colour and style is impeccable. She used a light-weight batting (perfect for the voile) so the quilt is beautifully summer-weight and big enough tp use as a blanket. Shirley also included several little gifts in the package, including TWO CUSHION COVERS made from scraps of the voile and the same Kona Snow as she'd used for the quilt backing. They are so pretty, and go so well with the quilt, it took my breath away. The price was so low for all this work that I feel embarrassed - I imagine that as Shirley gets more established on Etsy her pricing will go up - so get your orders in now, ladies! - but this quilt was truly a labour of love and I am honoured to have it. Shirley also made and attached a "provenance" label to the quilt, which I will leave on as I expect this quilt to become a family heirloom and last for generations. It's truly that well made. And I will be a repeat customer FOR SURE.

There is also a hexagon quilt made with a jelly roll of Betty Dear, I didn't pay attention when I made it and it needs one more row of the hexies, when it's folded in half they don't match up, drives me nuts, oops!  It's pretty anyways though.

The back.

I've got a lot more, but too much for this time.   For now, I'm off to find that cord, and I guess finish a little painting and carpet cleaning so I can get back to the important stuff, like sewing!

Catching Up in Pictures

Here's a photo story of what I've been doing lately and I'll try to do better in the future!

 I just finished my Santa Wall Hanging!  This is an Aunt Martha's iron on transfer set; I've started another one in color too!

 "It's a Hoot" fabric by Moda works up into a nice little girls quilt, this was just a charm pack and less than a yard of pale pink Kona solid.  The backing is a cute ladybug flannel (gotta de-stash!).

 Another Aunt Martha's pattern, there are seven of these cute little guys.

 I had some scraps of this fabric left over from some cute handbags I made last year.  I mixed them with the light and bright pinks so they will match my step-daughters red couch.  Her birthday is in November, the perfect time to give a "holiday" themed item.

That's it for now, but there's a lot more to come!