2012 Long Beach Quilt Show

So did you make it to the 2012 Long Beach International Quilt show?  It was tiring but definitely a lot of fun. Here we are at the Sewing Party booth.

It was a little bit of a challenge for me last Thursday evening (Preview Night) as I had sort of sprained my left foot the evening before.  I was concerned about being on my feet and making it worse.  But, I did ice, compress and elevate my foot so it wasn't too bad.  A bag of vegetables had to be sacrificed in the process but oh well.

It was definitely nice seeing some of our vendor friends especially Carrie Bloomston of Such Designs.

We first met Carrie last year and immediately loved her and her patterns.  Sewing Party carries a few of her patterns and have made kits, as well.  Carrie's mom didn't come to the show this year and I missed her.  Her mom is just so  friendly, lovely and generous.  Hope to see her again next year!

Here's Carrie in front of her new patter- Giggle and Squeak.  It is so cute in person and I am thinking of making it for my godson.  You can make it for both a little boy or girl.  I love that it is whimsical without being too cutesy.

It was also great to meet Julie Herman of Jaybird Quilts.  I have been a fan of Julie's patterns for a while and was really excited to pick up her first book, Skip the Borders.

Here she is signing a book for me.

Julie and her boyfriend Lawrence are also in Generation Q magazine and Lawrence had generously offered to autograph a copy for me.

They make such a cute pair.  I believe they are first time vendors at the show.

It was also great meeting Jeff and Debbie of Metropolitan Quilt.  I first discovered Metropolitan Quilt patterns in Portland lat year.  I picked up the Eiffel Tower pattern (big surprise) at the Pine Needle last year and Lumineux this year.   

Debbie shared with me that she used to manage Hollyhill Quilt Shoppe prior to venturing out and starting her own company.  

And finally, I am lusting after these silk dupioni fat quarters from The Quilter Studio.  They were selling these gorgeous coordinated fat quarters in a tin box and it was so difficult to make a decision.

(Photos from the Internet)

Holy cow!  Talk about analysis paralysis.  I couldn't decide which one was my favorite.  I figured I am just going to put them on my Wish List and decide later.  

Here are a couple of photos from the internet of what you can do with them.  The patterns were designed by Blue Underground Studios specifically for the silk dupioni boxed sets.  Aren't they just luscious?

I will post photos of the beautiful quilts from the show/exhibit soon.  

Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee

This year marks the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne and the UK  and its commonwealth countries are celebrating her Diamond Jubilee.  I was very inspired by Pam Kitty Morning's jubilee pillows that I decided to make a couple of my own.

I hauled out some of my pink, red, white and blue stash and this is what I decided to use for this project.

Check out the tiny soldier fabric.  Isn't it just perfect?  I found that at M&L for less than $5.00 per yard!  Ooh, that just made my day.

So, first up, I wanted to make a Union Jack pillow.  This is a little tricky because all flags are rectangular and I had to tweak it for a square pillow.  I wanted the proportions to be as authentic as possible.  So I drew the flag on paper first and then calculated how much fabric I needed and how to cut and piece them back together.

Ta Da!  I just love how this came out.

Then, I decided to make a Queen Elizabeth pillow using the second set of fabrics and here is what I came up with.

The center is supposed to be the queen's silhouette framed by an oval scallop frame.  However, there isn't enough of a contrast and the background was too busy so I decided to change just the center fabric.  

Here's the tricky part, I I had to cut a center oval and either applique or piece it on.  And to just fuse the blue oval border might not look to "finished" since the seam would show through so I decided to applique the blue frame on instead.

Here it is.

I included the queen's monogram and also embroidered the words "Diamond Jubilee 1952-2012".  Too bad the photo doesn't really show the embroidery on top.  By the way, the red fabric in the center is from JoAnn's.

Here are my Jubilee pillows.  I love them and I'm glad I pushed myself to design my own patterns.

Now, I'm seriously considering making a London inspired quilt..  I would have to design and execute my own applique pattern and that is sort of intimidating because I CAN"T DRAW!  But London is one of my favorite cities.  In fact, it is the first European city I visited.  So, I'll seriously consider taking on that project.

The Long Beach Quilt Show starts next Thursday.  I will be working at the Sewing Party booth on Thursday (preview night) and Sunday.  So,  If you are in the area, I hope you stop by and say hi.

I've Been a Busy Bee

I got another quilt top completed.  Yipee!  This is a Block of the Month project I started last November and I got it completed yesterday.  This project is from Keepsake Cottage in Bothell, WA (one of my most favorite stores in the world!).  

The pattern is called Berries and Bluebirds by Gail Pan and here is a photo of her quilt.

But I much prefer the bright colors that Keepsake Cottage chose for this Block of the Month.  Here are a few close up pictures of the quilt top.

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I have not yet decided on a name for this quilt but I will be basting it tomorrow and will most probably be quilting it myself.  I have another completed quilt top to machine quilt so it will probably take 2-3 months before I get to sew the binding on.

And since I'm on my "brights phase", check out these fabrics I bought.  I just love fabric with rose prints.  I can't wait to show you what I've done with them.  

I've been on a creative roll, so I also made this huge paper flower for my wall.  I purchased some sheet music from an antique store for 10 cents a piece and got this done in about an hour.

Here it is on my wall with another flower made from encyclopedia pages.  Which one do you prefer?

And finally, I've got to show you this cute little trash can I got for $1.50!!!

How cute is that?  Till next time. 

J'Adore Marie Claire Idees

I spent part of the weekend in Coronado Island, San Diego and picked up this gorgeous issue of Marie Claire Idees.  •Swoon•

This is a French craft magazine and the photos are absolutely yummy!  Wish I can find this in Orange County.  Barnes and Nobles doesn't carry it. :-(


Here's a peek inside.

I'm planning to spend some time sewing on the 4th of July.  Hope you are too!