Nesting Houses

When I saw this, I had to get a photo to show you! I love to have a good reason to stop the car and take photos of cool things. This is south of Kent, Connecticut, near the New York border. I have no idea what is in this building, but I hope there is another door someplace!

Pin Cushion by Bea in Germany

Bea's quilt group in Germany made pin cushions from recycled materials for a swap in 2006, and this is the one she made. Very "cutting edge," Bea!

What a great idea to add black ric rac to make a curvy edge. And it looks like she included a label as well. Very cool.

Something for Everyone:)

These fashion footwear items (What else would you call them? Sneekers?) are on display at the Galleria Mall in White Plains, New York. I guess no amount of lacing is too much trouble when you want to look this good, but 20 rows of eyelets?

I like to stop and enjoy outrageous items like this because I think it fills my "creativity tank." And you, dear readers, don't even have to go to the mall to enjoy this enrichment!

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!

Selvage Quilt Featured in the New AQS Calendar

If you are using the new AQS Quilt Art Engagement Calendar, you saw Alice Weickelt's selvage quilt today. Isn't it beautiful? She used thin interfacing to foundation piece the quilt top, and she machine quilted it. This quilt was exhibited at the AQS Show in Des Moines in October 2008, and juried into the Wisconson Public Television Quilt Expo in Madison. I wonder what Alice will come up with in 2009!

A Selvage and Two Labels

This is the first time I've seen a fabric with a label in addition to the selvage. Two labels, at that! They are paper labels with adhesive on the back.

This is another of the fabrics from my friend's daughter who's living in the Ivory Coast. I'm thinking of making a quilt (throw size) for my friend, but I'm still pondering what kind of quilt that might be. There are 5 blue/ivory prints, 2 yards each. Maybe I can add some subtle blue solids to the mix. Any suggestions?

Selvages from the Ivory Coast, Africa

This interesting fabric is from Cote D'Ivoire (the Ivory Coast). The daughter of a dear friend of mine moved there in 2008 and sent me some very interesting fabrics.

We've seen the reference to "real wax" on African fabrics here on this blog (in the Red Zinger quilt), referring to the printing process. This fabric has a very tight weave, and feels a little stiffer than our typical quilting fabric. I haven't washed it yet, but I will because I want to know if that navy blue is going to run!

What a bold pattern. I have no idea how it will work in a quilt yet, but it will.

Sossy's First Selvage Quilt!

Sossy browsed through her friend's copy of "Quilts from the Selvage Edge," and then whipped up the most challenging quilt in the book! Now she's working on her second selvage quilt, and planning her third. She keeps a container for selvages on her cutting table, then transfers them to a selvage drawer so she's ready for big ideas. Way to go, Sossy!

Visit Sossy's blog at http://www.sossyquilts.blogspot.com/.

Meet Fabric Designer Heather Bailey!

Here's a powerful dose of color-therapy for January! Isn't this a gorgeous quilt? I love the ruffle around the edge. It's so feminine and luxurious. This photo came from Heather Bailey's fabulous blog: http://www.heatherbailey.typepad.com/. She's a talented designer of fabrics, paper craft items and clothing. Also visit her store at http://www.heatherbaileystore.com/.

Movie Alert: Heather mentioned on her blog recently that there is a scene in the movie "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" where Cate Blanchette dances on a terrace wearing a stunning red dress. She says it's a breathtaking moment. I plan to see it just for that scene.

New Selvage Blocks in Quiltmaker Magazine!

Take a look at the new issue of Quiltmaker magazine to see the selvage version of the quilt featured on the cover. (It's on page 54.) Mark Lipinski designed the quilt on the cover, and I was asked by Quiltmaker to make a selvage version.

I was delighted to discover how quick and easy it is to make flying geese blocks with selvages. It's one of those projects that looks challenging, but is surprisingly simple! And I love how it came out! They also included a review of "Quilts from the Selvage Edge."

Thank you to my friend Linda Lasco (Senior Editor at AQS) who alerted me to the arrival of this issue on the stands. She is "up to the minute" when it comes to quilts!

Two New Ideas from June Calender

June Calender of New York City is busy making selvage postcards. This project was inspired by a postcard that she received from Sam Farman of Perth, Australia. (Sam and her selvage postcards have been featured here on the Selvage Blog.)

First, June tried weaving her polka dot selvages (new idea #1). Next, she arranged her selvavges horizontally. Finally, she put a fabric with a picture on it in the center, then surrounded it with selvages (new idea #2, not shown). I think that's a great idea for a selvage quilt. My log cabin has solid red center squares, but I like the idea of using novelty prints in that spot. Thanks, June.

Visit June Calender's blog: http://www.calenderpages.blogspot.com/.

As the Twig is Bent, So Grows the Tree

It looks like this tree is doing his happy dance amid his more serious companions. I like how the dusting of snow highlights the shape of this tree. This photo was taken in Connecticut. I see so much more when I look with my camera.

Miniature Quilt Cabinets by Cindi Hatch

Cindi Hatch made these beautiful cabinets for her friends. Here's the story in her own words:

"After I painted these, I sanded down some edges and antiqued them. I wanted a vintage look. Then I cut small pieces of cardboard and wrapped fabric around them to look like little bolts of fabric. I fan-folded fabric to put on the shelves. I didn't take time to put batting in them...I was in a hurry! Then I folded little squares of fabric and made miniature fat quarter bundles, and tied string around them. Instead of being miniature quilt cabinets...I guess mine are more like quilt store cabinets! I used hot glue to secure everything down. Anyway....here are the pictures. Thanks again for the idea. I had a lot of fun making them...and my quilting friends LOVED them!!"

Cindi lives in Utah and is the mother of 5 grown sons. She used to design quilt patterns for Tenderberry Stitches. Great job, Cindi! Now I'm inspired to do a more interesting paint job on mine.

New Idea: Selvage Binding!

Erica Spinks of Australia is making selvage tulips again and this time she has added selvage binding. I think this looks very nice. I also like the polka dot fabric and the echo quilting. See more of her work at http://www.creativedabbling.blogspot.com/.

WinFabric.com Opens Today!

Isn't this gorgeous fabric? I found it at http://www.winfabric.com/. This is a brand new online fabric store. Enter the drawing for weekly prizes of 2 yards of free fabric. This starts today, so you will be at the head of the line. (Am I taking care of you, or what?) You also get to pick the fabric you want to win, and they donate to charity too. This should be interesting!

Happy New Year!

I hope that each of you has a wonderful New Year!

This is the Swarovsky crystal chandelier at Radio City Music Hall in NYC.

"Stitchalicious" by Mindy Sue Meyers

Mindy Sue Meyers created this fiber art show called "Stitchalicious" for her MFA thesis. The show was held at the Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix, Arizona. All these goodies are made from household items, so up close they aren't as tempting as they look from a distance! See more photos on her blog at; http://www.mindysuemeyers.blogspot.com/.

I thought this would make a nice New Year's Eve treat for all you "Onion Chair" enthusiasts out there! Isn't blogland full of amazing delights and inspiration?

Tutorial for Cool Zippered Bag

Check out this excellent tutorial to learn how to make a zippered purse like this one! This is from Anna Torborg in Minneapolis. Click here for the tutorial: http://www.twelve22.org/2006/07/zipper_tutorial.html Thanks, Anna!

Anna is a publisher, gardener, photographer, crafter, long time blogger, and she has a great sense of humor. Check out her website at: http://www.twelve22.org/

Zippered Selvage Purses

Ann Marie of Hillsboro, Oregon made all of these goodies to give as Christmas gifts: potholders, pillow cases, a quilt, and lots of zippered selvage purses. I like how each purse has a color theme...so you can coordinate with your outfits, of course! She says, "I am loving this selvage stuff!" She's making more now.

The blog address has a typo; if you correct the spelling, it won't work. Go to: http://www.runandsewuilts.wordpress.com/.

Check back here tomorrow to see an excellent tutorial for making a zippered bag!

Jodie Carleton's Newest Idea!

You remember Jodie Carleton; she's the Australian quilter who made THE awesome selvage dress. (It's so wonderful, I keep a photo of it on the sidebar at right.) Well, she has a new idea for using your "tape-measure stash." What? Yes, she says use your tape-measure stash! Oh, I am so far behind Jodie! She has a 10-Minute Tutorial on her blog for making these bracelets, and that includes 5 minutes for finding your hammer! I am definitely going to make some of these.

Visit her blog at: www.vintagericrac.blogspot.com. (Regular Selvage Blog readers may recognize Jodie's hand model; it looks a lot like the rather aloof Cecelia! See: selvage scarf. The dress is modeled by her daughter.)