i have to say...

the thing about simple...

...is that it's oh so quick!

I got this quilt done in record time--for me anyway!

Most of the time I spend up to 2 months on a quilt since sewing time isn't always in abundance.  This one just came together in a few little sewing sessions.  

I love that!

This quilt is for a lovely girl who has some pretty intense medical stuff coming up in her life, which will keep her in the hospital for a couple of months.   A little bit of quilty comfort seemed in order.  She loves bright colors and lots of pattern.  

And I accomplished that, don't you think? For some reason my cat always has to get into the quilt-picture-taking action!  At least she stopped herself from rolling on it.  She seems to think she needs break in the new ones that way!

This quilt is a big mix of bright aquas, oranges and yellows, and I hope it brings some cheer to a lovely girl.

About this quilt:  I used seventy-two 8" squares and the quilt measures 57" X 62.

sale of the week--solids

All solids are 15% off in my shop this week.  You can choose from Konas and Quilter's Linens.  Click here to see what's in stock.

Have a happy Monday! 

shop notes: summersville

The adorable Summersville by Lucie Summers for Moda is in the shop!  You can check out the cuteness here.

Have a wonderful weekend!

thankful for...

...the 3 girls playing in the sprinkler in the front yard.

...sunshine that makes that possible.

...a quilting foot that works correctly.  Yeah for the right tools!

...a husband who can quickly put out a fire.  On the BBQ.  That I started.  Which caused a big black mark on the side of the house.  Sheesh!

...chicken that tastes great even though is totally blackened.  Taking the skin of was all it took!

...being surrounded by lovely fabric.  And having a business that is a hobby for me.

...James Morrison songs.

...painted toenails.  Coral.

...a running partner for tomorrow morning.

...the weekend coming soon.

...being able to plant a few garden plants tomorrow.  Potatoes for sure.

Have a wonderful Friday!

may's sew-along project preview and supply list

Hi Friends!

It's time for another sew-along!

I know you are all expecting to see a sewing-machine cover here, but since I just placed the order for the templates last night, we are going to do something else first.  Sewing-machine covers will be in June.

In May we will be making this absolutely adorable quilt by Jennifer @ That Girl That Quilt!   AND-- just so you know--this is a beginner-friendly quilt!  Lot of you have mentioned your desire to make a quilt, but you have been a little hesitant.  Let me say that this just might be the time for you, since you will have both Jennifer and I to guide you along the way.            

(All photographs are Jennifer's and are used with her permission)                                                                   

You can see Jennifer's post about making this quilt here.

This quilt measure 44" X 52" so it perfect for a baby-quilt or a lap-sized quilt.

Supply list: sewing machine, cutting mat, ruler, rotary cutter, pins, coordinating thread and scissors

5 fat quarters, 1-1/2 yards of background fabric, 2 yards for backing, 1/2 yard for binding, batting 55"x60"

That is a pretty simple supply list, don't you think?

I am offering a kit in my shop (this includes the pattern and fabric), plus Jennifer is offering a the pattern by itself in her Craftsy shop.

Our starting date for the sew-along will be May 9th, and will continue with a second class on the 16th.  On the first week we will talk about cutting and piecing the blocks together, and the second week will include sewing the entire quilt top together.  After that I will link you to my sandwiching, machine-quilting and binding tutorials for finishing the quilt.

We will be having two chat-room sessions with both Jennifer and I available to help you out.

Also, the Flickr group is a perfect spot to showcase your progress.

Can I just say that I LOVE the binding fabric that Jennifer used?  Truly perfect!

Let me know in the comments section if you have any questions and if you plan on participating.

And, guess what?  Since I have never made this project, I will be sewing right along side you on this one.  I am thinking pink background with navy blues, light blues and pink-y reds.  Just need to pull out the fabric and see what that actually looks like!

Happy crafting, friends!

and the winner is...

...Robin @ Not Ever Sewing!

Robin, email your mailing address to me at freshsqueezedfabrics (at) gmail (dot) com and I will get this lovely bundle of pinks in the mail to you!

You need to check out Robin's blog!  There are lots of fun projects to be inspired by, including this adorable zig-zag totebag.  So cute!

Have a lovely day!

it's fat 1/8 tuesday!

It's Fat 1/8 Tuesday!

And today it's all about pinks!

To win this fat 1/8 bundle, simply leave a comment in this post.  The winner will be announced tomorrow morning.

Feel free to "like" my Facebook page, follow me on Twitter, or sign up for the my newletter (it's low-volume).

This bundle is available in my shop.

Have a lovely day!

 

what i did this weekend

I attended Penny's paper-piecing workshop!  And it was great!

The ladies who attended were wonderful.  We had a great time and laughed a lot.  

The food was completely amazing, which, of course means that my pants are fitting a bit tighter.  But I don't care!  

And, the main thing, I aquired some paper-piecing skills.

I wouldn't quite call them mad paper-piecing skills, but I am on my way!

Penny's Kitchenaid block is one of my all-time favorites.  It's such a charming block and I just love the vintage-y feel the block has with the right fabrics.  It's a possibility that I over-pinked my block, but I am pretty happy with it, as is.

I also made a little strawberry soda block.  I suppose it looks a bit like watermelon with the green glass, but it really is strawberry.

And last but not least is my very own design which is trying really hard to become a cherry pie.  It would be done by now if I hadn't cut the patchworked cherries too short.  I just need to add one more row and this one will be done too.

I hope to have some finished pictures soon!

All in all, the retreat was wonderful and I am so glad that I attended.  I am so thankful to Penny for sharing her mad skills with me!

***You can also find Penny here.

Have a lovely day!

my breakfast crush

My latest breakfast obsession is a mango smoothie,  What's funny is that I generally don't like mangoes!

But I bought a box of Champagne Mangoes because the price was great, and I discovered that I love them!  Lucky me!

Here is my super simple smoothie recipe:

1 cup plain non-fat yogurt, 1 mango chopped, 1/2 frozen banana, small handful of frozen strawberries.  Toss all of this in the blender and whirl around until smooth.

Drink and enjoy!

simple

There are times in life when simple is what's needed.  Not too much planning or thinking involved.  Straight forward.  Simply pretty.

This little quilt is for someone special, but it needs to be done soon.

Even picking the fabric was super quick.  About 5 minutes

Laid out, this looks really yellow, but there is more aqua in "real life".  The camera just didn't pick it up.

I hope to have some progress pictures soon!

What about you?  Are you working on something simple?  Or not so simple?