Sewing break

I haven't sew this week.  Why?  I don't know.....  I have ideas, I have a lot of fabric, and I have ten books on CD to listen to while I sew.  I've not been creative I suppose.  This can't last too long..... I hope!  One thing I did do, was iron and cut 2 1/2" strips out of a huge stack of stash fabrics.  It's amazing how different fabrics look, once cut into strips.  The old 80's homespun checks and stripes look totally new when cut up.  I do have plans for these strips....  just no desire to sew right now.  I have been busy knitting though.  I've made two of these:

I found some wonderful Cashmerino yarn in my yarn stash, and have five different colors of this supersoft yarn.  I have listed this hat in my Etsy shop.  We have a new grandbaby on the way, but I'm secretly hoping for a girl, so I will only keep the pink items I knit!

Well, I'm going back to knitting and maybe looking through some old quilt magazines for inspiration to sew.

Colored Jewels

I just completed "Colored Jewels" and am quite happy how easily it came together.  I especially like the fabric choice for the boarder and back.  This quilt will be available for sale in my Etsy shop soon. 

I have also been working on more diagonal 2 1/2" square blocks.  I love making these blocks and can't seem to stop making them.  I love how it only takes 6,  sixteen inch, 2 1/2" strips to make one.  And I think they look great when put together.

I will begin packing tonight for my quilting retreat which is coming up soon!  I am anticipating all sorts of fun activities and sewing up a storm with like-minded quilters!

Work, work, work.....

Yup!  A whole lot of work going on here.  I have been in the basting position for the past few days.  Actually that would be the basting and quilting positions. 

I've managed to get four baby quilts finished in the last few days and am very happy they are done.  You can see them and a few others in my Etsy shop:  Holly Field Designs

 Believe it or not I still have many more quilt tops to finish.  I'm dying to buy new fabric and plan something from scratch, but will try to hold off for awhile.

I have been invited to attend the Friends Church Quilting Retreat later this month.  I have never been on a quilting retreat and am getting excited to go.  We also plan a day of quilt store hopping and a side trip to Shipshewana, Indiana.  http://www.shipshewana.com/shopping.php  If you've never heard of Shipshewana, you are missing out.  Check out the link.  Lollys is one shop I'm anxious to see.  I'm hoping to see a vast array of Kona solids.  I will keep you posted.

New Labels!

This is exciting!  I've never ordered printed labels before. I always have placed a big label on the back of the quilt that is handwritten, signed and dated.  Usually I add something personal about the quilt or to the recipient.  I probably will continue to make those personalized labels, but it's nice to have a quick little tag to put on smaller items.

I'm still cutting strips around here.

I may never be done
As I cut and stack this fabric, all sorts of design options are going through my head.  I can see he possibilities of limiting colors, adding rows to my pattern to make a larger block, the ideas are endless.

I think this will be a good thing.

More cutting.....









And below you can see what I've made so far.  I love this idea.

Cutting it up, getting it used up

I have spent the last few days cutting 2 1/2" strips.  Cutting up everything that I haven't used in the last six months.  If I've been storing it, it's getting cut up.  I know that seems a bit harsh, after all some of this fabric has even been to Egypt and back with me, and some is at least 25 years old (or vintage by today's description).

But, If it hasn't been used, time to use it up!  I've figured out a fast way to make this block out of 16"  strips and like the way the quilt is turning out.