Shannon's Recycled Art Clock

This rolled paper clock has the dazzling look of a scrap quilt, don't you think? There are rhinestones among the paper too. This is the creation of Shannon in San Antonio, Texas. Her Etsy store is SHANNYBEEBO.

Thanks for the creative inspiration, Shannon! 

I'm Going to Ireland!

I'm going to Ireland in June with my sister, Mom, Mom's cousin, and her 2 daughters. Mom's grandmother came to the US from Waterford, Ireland around 1900. We'll travel around the perimeter of the whole island for a week. I can't wait. I'm reading up on Irish history now. Very interesting! 

This is a photo of the Cliffs of Moher on the west coast. 

I hear the Limerick Quilt Center is a good destination. Any other suggestions?

I found this quilt label in a Google image search for "Limerick Quilt Center." Haha.

Night Ice LED Earrings

These LED earrings are made by Night Ice. They light up when you attach the battery on the back, behind your ear. Night Ice earrings come in 6 colors, $25/pair. I think they're pretty, but I can't imagine when I would ever wear them. Maybe they'd be a fun gift for my son's girlfriend. 

Low Volume Pre-Cuts at Fabric Fascination!

Look at this! A package of 250 pre-cut 2 1/2" squares from the Kaffe Fassett Collective for Westminster Fabrics. All light colors! I could have some fun with this! Available from Kym at Fabric Fascination. Enter SELVAGEBLOG and you get 10% off because of course you are all VIPs.

I wonder what Westminster does with all the selvages when they make these collections. I've asked them for some selvage bundles for a giveaway here. Stay tuned!

New Sunshine Quilt Pattern!

Here it is! Volume 22 in The Perpetual Quilter series: Sunshine. This easy quilt is a stash-busting scrap quilt that's fast and fun to make. Are the triangles a pain to measure? Hah! No measuring here. This is definitely liberated quilting. 

Yesterday was warm, but windy. After I took this photo (above), the quilt blew right off the fence.

I love making scrap quilts. Team up with a friend and trade scraps to get an even bigger assortment.

More info here.

Machine Quilting by Jill Schumacher

Jill Schumacher of California says that machine quilting is like learning to ride a bike. Isn't her quilting beautiful? She offers classes, workshops and retreats. For details visit Quiltmaker to the Queen. 

Jill has quilted more than 550 quilts! I love the hummingbird!

Anna Chan's First Modern Quilt

This stunning quilt was made by Anna Chan of California and recently exhibited at the San Francisco Quilter's Guild show. The title is: "All is Bright Upon that Cross." It's her first modern-style quilt. 

Fantastic job, Anna!

New Architextures Fabric

I've been on the lookout for interesting "low volume" (light colored) fabrics, so I was pretty excited to find this new fabric by Robert Kaufman, one of the "Architextures" collection designed by Carolyn Friedlander. And take a look at the selvage in the photo below. I think that funny shape represents a tree (from above) on a landscape plan. 

Puff Quilt and How-To Video

This puff quilt was made by Katie Olson of Serendipity Studio in Washington. It measures 46" x 38." She used a soft, minky fabric. The ruffle is a nice touch too. They're also called bubble, biscuit, or Yorkshire puff quilts.

There is a video by Rose Smith on You Tube showing how to make a puff quilt. 

Have you ever made one? I haven't, but it looks like fun.

Vintage Quilts in Mississippi

I've been attracted to "low volume" modern quilts lately. Here's a vintage version of the quilt that I was thinking of making! Haha, "what's old is new again." 

These quilts are offered for sale on Etsy by Amanda Knox in Mississippi: Magnolia Avenue.

I like the way the maker of this circles quilt made the square blocks obvious. It has a soft translucent look which is very charming.

The maker of this quilt arranged some of the blocks in groups of 4. You can see some darker blocks to the right of the "6" sign. These quilts make me want to get right to my sewing machine!

Visit to Purl Soho in NYC

Yesterday my sister (and quilting buddy) Eileen and I met in NYC for a day of fun. The highlights of our day involved The City Quilter, Purl Soho (shown in the photos), and lunch in Chinatown. Great weather for walking too and we covered a lot of ground. Had a wonderful time.

Purl Soho offers a beautiful selection of yarns, fabrics (including Liberty of London, and all the Kona solids), colorful folds of felt (you can see them in the top photo), and other related goodies.

They also have loose tea in case you want to add that to your knitting experience.

This chunky yarn looks like it would be fun to knit. Behind the cash register they had scarves on display knitted in every color of this yarn. I should have taken a photo of them to show you. The colors and the luxurious texture are so pleasing to the senses! 

Skip the Borders! Julie's New Book

Julie Herman's new book "Skip the Borders" looks like one that I want to get. You probably know her from her blog Jaybird Quilts, a real treasure trove for quilt inspiration. Her pattern for "Snack Time" will be out soon. Nice job, Julie!

International Pillow-Fight Day!

Did you know it's International Pillow Fight Day? The "fighters" above are celebrating in Sydney, Australia. 

From "Guest of a Guest," New York City (above).

From Daily Mail in the UK (above).

Vancouver, Canada (above), and Paris (below).

The pillow-fight dates vary. Check your local listings. This looks like fun...I think.

Selvage Quilt from Canada

This beautiful selvage quilt with green and red gingham HST's was made by Riel Nason of The Q and the U in New Brunswick, Canada. If you haven't seen her blog, don't miss it! She is one talented quilter. 

Riel's an author too. I read her book "The Town that Drowned" and I enjoyed it very much. Don't worry, it's not too scary. It's also good for young readers. There's a book link on her blog.

Beautiful Little Fashion Models

Doesn't this photo warm your heart? These pretty girls are modeling hand-dyed dresses made by their Mom, Kim Lapacek of Persimon Dreams. 

The photo was taken by Karmen Linder Photography. 

***

P.S. My Mom got me yesterday on April Fool's Day! A bogus story about her car being damaged on Easter. Yup, I fell for it. Arrgh!

Don't Get Fooled, It's April 1st!

 "Chain Gang" by Rosalie Gray won the Viewer's Choice Award for Humor at the Quilts Kingston (Ontario, Canada) Show in 2012. 

"Woof Meets Warhol" by Kelly Gallagher-Abbott of Jukebox quilts. There is a post about this quilt on Quilt Inspiration.

My Mom tries to fool me every April 1st. Some years she really gets me! This year I'm ready for her.

Happy Easter! Four Beautiful Quilts

I'll be making a Thanksgiving-style turkey dinner after church today. Just my Mom, DH, one DS, and me. Easter and Thanksgiving are my favorite holidays. Meaningful and good for the heart.

Happy Easter!

The Easter quilt above was made by Susie B Designs. 

This Easter Basket Quilt (above and below) was made by Penny.

Here's a cheery Easter Basket Quilt (below) by sallgood from Make it a Wonderful Life.

Here's a Cherry Basket Quilt from Cindy's Antique Quilts (below).

And  finally, some gorgeous Easter Eggs from Deb at Just Short of Crazy.

Design Wall Update: Sea Breeze

Here's my newest project, a light and airy design with pieced-by-eye saw tooth frames, and hand-applique squares in the middle of each block. I think the triangles look like little flags fluttering in the wind, hence the name "Sea Breeze." 

I'm considering sending this to Maika in Utah for machine quilting. My usual wavy parallel lines might be a little too boring with so much open space.

Aren't these featured fabrics nice? I had fun picking them out.

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter weekend!

Helen's Asterisk Quilt

This gorgeous Asterisk Quilt was made by my friend Helen from Islip, (Long Island) New York. She and I are members of Empire Quilters in NYC, and we organize the Block of the Month together, along with Lisa Kehrle. You meet the nicest people when you get together with quilters.  :)

HaliMatu on Etsy

Alexis from Boulder, Colorado makes these colorful plush animals using fabrics from Africa and she sells them on HaliMatu on Etsy. This little guy is 6 1/2" tall. I love these colors. Very nice job, Alexis!