Multi-tasking

Quilting can sometimes be monotonous and lonely. Some days, the monotony is welcome, and I find myself in kind of a quilting trance. Other days, I get bored and a bit antsy. I found an ideal way to ameliorate the boredom--audio books! I love reading, but my quilting time often comes at the expense of my reading time and vice versa. Audio books allow me to engage in both activities at once!

I love reading fiction, but I have found that I'm not keen on listening to novels. I much prefer non-fiction audio books. My local library is a great source for audio books (I use the Overdrive app). Recent selections have included GI Brides by Duncan Barrett, Beneath the Surface by John Hargrove, Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth, Instant Mom by Nia Vardalos, and I'm currently working on First Women by Kate Andersen Brower.

What have you read or listened to lately? Any suggestions for my next book?

Binding Trick

I happened upon an easy trick to keep your binding neat and tidy when finishing your quilts. My machine (a Bernina 350) has two spool holders--one vertical and one horizontal. The vertical holder is perfect for placing the rolled binding while you're attaching it to the quilt edge. The usually unruly mess of binding sits neatly and unrolls easily. Happy quilting!

Winner!

We have a winner! Stacey is the lucky winner of the beautiful Flight fat quarters. Stacey, look for an e-mail from me in your in box!

Thank you to everyone who entered! I loved reading through the comments everyone shared about their favorite trips. Many of the comments hit on places I've dreamed of visiting--Iceland, Australia and Costa Rica--and others brought back memories of some wonderful trips I've been lucky enough to take. 

Happy travels, everyone!

New Pattern on the Bakeshop and a Giveaway!

Two exciting announcements to share! First, I'm thrilled to announce my third pattern is available on the Moda Bakeshop blog. This pattern was created using a new fabric line, Flight, by Janet Clare. The fabric is gorgeous, with deep reds and blues and lovely small scale prints. There are planes, clouds, an awesome diagonal stripe and all sorts of goodness.

My pattern is called "Runway" and it's inspired by the markings on a runway. I particularly enjoyed photographing this quilt. A trip to the Outer Banks coincidentally coincided with the completion of the project, so I took some photos of it at the Wright Brother Memorial in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. What a perfect backdrop!

After peeking at the pattern, I know you'll want some Flight fabric of your very own. I had some pieces leftover, which the awesome folks at Moda kindly allowed me to offer as a giveaway! 

To be entered to win, simply use the Rafflecopter widget below and leave a comment telling me about the best trip you've ever taken or a trip you've been daydreaming about taking. The prize is five fat quarters of Flight fabric in the delicious cream colorway. 

I'll randomly select a winner on July 30. U.S. residents 18 and older only, please.  

Click here to enter using Rafflecopter!

Selvage Surprise

I can’t say I’m a devotee of this whole selvage craze, but I am tickled by the creativity I’m finding on selvages these days. It’s such a fun little surprise to see something imaginative in place of the traditional color dot. Is there a name for that little circle of color? At any rate, there are so many imaginative variations that give that functional strip a little added joy. Here are some of the more delightful ones I found in my stash.

What's the neatest selvage surprise you've found?

Book Review: Wanderlust Quilts

I've long considered the connections between architectural details and quilting. Floors, mosaics, arches, tiles...these all have influenced quilt designs. The author of Wanderlust Quilts: 10 Modern Projects Inspired by Classic Art & Architecture takes this idea and runs with it. 

Author Amanda Leins studied classical Archaeology and her depth of knowledge is evident in her patterns and her descriptions of the thought process behind her design choices. I love Leins' assertion that modern doesn't mean simple. She employs many advanced techniques in her patterns, with contemporary results. 

This book is brimming with creativity. Several of the designs are irregularly shaped, and some of Leins' patterns are more descriptions of techniques that specific step by step instructions. She employs innovative piecing techniques and encourages a creative style of quilt-making.

My favorite project in the book is Aqueducts. It's a bright, happy quilt and I was intrigued by the idea of made fabric and her descriptions of getting together with friends to piece scraps. 

While there wasn't one quilt that jumped out at me as one I just had to make, the book is a great resource for the creativity it inspires. The projects really get the creative juices flowing!

I'm a Chef!

I am incredibly proud to have a quilt featured on the Moda Bake Shop. My Charming Peels quilt was a fun project. An orange peel quilt has long been on my quilting bucket list, and it did not disappoint. I love machine applique, and this quilt would be a great introduction to the technique! Check out my pattern, Charming Peels.