Showing posts with label carolinasquirrel.etsy.com. Show all posts
Showing posts with label carolinasquirrel.etsy.com. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Valentine Quilts by Elena McDowell

These tiny Valentine quilts are so sweet! And there's still time to whip up some of these before Feb. 14. One has writing on the selvage and the other doesn't. I like the buttons sprinkled across the quilts, and the cross-hatching and echo quilting too. Oh, and the black and white striped binding is a nice touch. Perfect.

I like everything about these little quilts. Nice job, Elena!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

More Selvage Ornaments from Elena McDowell


Here are two more versions of Elena McDowell's selvage ornaments. She is so creative, it blows my socks off! Don't you just love these cheerful ornaments. There's still time to whip up some of these for your tree or to use as gift tags or to give as little gifts to your quilting buddies. Check out her etsy listings and her website to see more of her creations. (See "labels" below.)

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Cheery Selvage Ornaments

Elena McDowell of NC has made these beautiful selvage star ornaments. I think the bright colors and the white selvages would stand out nicely on a Christmas tree, but I'd display these year 'round in my quilt studio to feed my creative spirit. Pinking the edges means no binding. Nice job, Elena!

Monday, November 17, 2008

Framed Selvages


Take a look at this framed selvage arrangement made by Elena McDowell. This colorful rainbow of selvages is surrounded by a black and white frame made with newspaper, and upon close inspection: Chinese newspaper! This is a real treat for a font lover like me.
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Saturday, November 15, 2008

Selvage Postcards as Christmas Greetings!


Here is the perfect way to use those selvages from your Christmas projects. Some of them even read "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays." I like all three selvage arrangements that Elena McDowell has created here. Isn't she amazing? Look at the precision in her arrangements! (I think she sews, while other quilters sleep!)

Friday, November 14, 2008

Log Cabin Pillow - With Selvages

Take a look at this innovative log cabin block made by prolific selvage quilter Elena McDowell. This is a 16" pillow cover for sale on etsy at: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14375734. I love the playfulness of this block. Nice job, Elena!

P.S. Elena makes custom selvage items (like table runners, quilts, and pillows). You can contact her via http://www.quiltsbyelena.com/.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Notecards for Extreme Scrap Quilters!

These great note cards (Star of LeMoyne, done in selvages) were made by Elena McDowell and are for sale on etsy! Click on the photo for a closer look. I made a selvage quilt using that same selvage featuring the horse!

To go right to the etsy page where you can read about these cards, click on: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13953035

Monday, November 10, 2008

Christmas Tree Ornaments!

Aren't these the sweetest ornaments? What a great idea! Elena gave these to me and I have them displayed in my quilt studio where I can enjoy them all the time, not just at Christmas.

They are 4" wide at the bottom and 5" tall (not including the jute loop). They are "selvaged" on both sides, and there is batting in the middle, so they feel nice and soft. A pretty vintage button at the top, and a selvage tree trunk at the bottom, and there you go.

You could whip up some of these for your quilting buddies (or yourself), or go to Elena's page at etsy: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16311891.

Where does she get all these creative ideas?

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Selvage Christmas Tree Skirt!

Elena McDowell makes the coolest selvage quilts and other selvage objects d'art! This one is for a small tree. This should inspire some quilters looking for Christmas decorations/gifts that are fun to make!

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Very Sweet Selvage Postcards!

Elena McDowell makes the most amazing and beautiful things with her selvges! (Check the older posts for her simple instructions for making these postcards.) Just holding them in your hands feels good. Add a message from a friend, and that's a real treat.

Click on the photo above for a nice BIG view.

See Elena's creations at http://www.quiltsbyelena.com/ and http://www.carolinasquirrel.etsy.com/. You will definitely be inspired.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Possibly the Strangest Fabric Ever!

I guess you could call this "shirting," if you think anyone would want to sport a shirt decorated with skewered grasshoppers. (Well, I do know some guys who would like that, come to think of it!) I don't know what this image has to do with 1870-1890. If you know, please post a comment!

This selvage photo was contributed by Elena McDowell from Raleigh, NC. She sees a lot of selvages, and she's keeping a keen eye out for the "good ones" for us. Thanks, Elena:)

It makes you want to check out her work at: www.quiltsbyelena.com and www.carolinasquirrel.etsy.com.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Beautiful Blue Postcards


Check out these stunning selvage postcards made by Elena McDowell of NC. I love how she adds a splash of red in the sea of blue selvages. Notice the "shaggy" selvages on both postcards. And I like the big flowers too. She has such a killer selvage stash! Look at those selvages: Califon, Westminster, American Folk Art Museum, and even one that says "Happy Holidays." Bravo, Elena!


Saturday, October 11, 2008

Elena Tells How to Make Selvage Postcards




If you don't already know how to make a selvage postcard, you will in 1 minute. Apply your selvages to stiff interfacing like Pellon (the non-fusible kind). Trim to a rectangle a little larger than your postcard stock. Attach your selvage block to the postcard by sewing a nice zigzag stitch around the outer edge. See the bottom photo.Trim. All done. Aren't these pretty? They travel well in the mail, and require a first class stamp.
These were made by Elena McDowell, and she told me how to make them. If you have been following this blog, you know that she is the one who received that 5 pound bag of selvages from her friends at a quilt shop. That explains how she can make such a fancy color arrangement:-)
Check out Elena's work at http://www.quiltsbyelena.com/, and http://www.carolinasqsuirrel.etsy.com/. Also, look for Elena's quilts at the North Carolina State Fair. Go Elena!!

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Here is the Finished Quilt Top

Readers of this blog will remember that recently Elena was asking for suggestions for the border of this quilt. Well, here it is. I think it looks great. I love the "fence rows" of selvages, and the little trees in the corners are just perfect! Stunning job, Elena:)

You can see more of Elena's work on her website: http://www.quiltsbyelena.com/, and at http://www.carolinasquirrel.etsy.com/. Etsy is an online marketplace for artsy items.