Free-Form Crochet

On a recent car trip I decided to try my hand at free-form crochet, and these are the two pieces that resulted. I have to say that it was lots of fun. I don't have any idea what I'll do with them, but the fun of making them was worth it. My husband just shook his head. My 25 year old son said, "Oh, that's cool." Kids are so smart! Haha.

The chunky yarn is by Rowan. I love the colors and how soft it is. Using yarns of different thicknesses adds to the scrappy, shabby-chic look.

It's Snowing and I'm Sewing - Perfect!

Perfect quilting weather! I just took these photos a minute ago. This is the view from my sewing machine. I've got a nice cup of tea and no place I have to go. Ahh, perfect.

Cute Handmade Baby Skirt!

This cute baby skirt is the creation of Emily Cookson of California. She makes all sizes, from tiny doll size to size 10. Emily sends me her selvages, and as you can imagine, they are beautiful.

So click on over to her store and say "Hi, Emily!"

Winner Announced!

The winner of the book "Back to Charm School" is Connie from Quilting by the River. Here's one of her quilts, called "Bullseye." Connie lives near the Mississippi River. Yayy, Connie!

Selvages by Moda

I'm working on a new selvage quilt today and I'm enjoying a new package of selvages from Emily in California. These are Moda selvages. I really like those scissors above.

The acorns and the little house logo on Deb Strain's designs are cute too. Why don't all the fabric manufacturers add a little more charm to their selvages?

Have you seen any good ones lately? Email a photo to me at karengriska@optonline.net.

New Red Zinger by Michelle Bishop

Michelle Bishop just finished this Red Zinger selvage quilt. Isn't it a beauty? Nice job, Michelle!

An Urban legend Debunked

This beautiful work of art by Inga Nielsen is titled "Hideaway." Inga said she created it on her computer using a scenery generator.  But it has been circulating around the Internet as a photograph since 2006, and was even featured as NASA's "Astronomy Picture of the Day."  

You can read more about it on Hoax-Slayer.

It is a beautiful scene in any case. Nice job, Inga!

Tumbleweed Tiny House Company

Thinking of down-sizing? Take a look at the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company site. I hope there's room for a sewing machine.

Andie's Specialty Sweets

These are candy buttons by Jason and Andie of Andie's Specialty Sweets in Los Angeles, CA. They offer a huge selection of amazing edible creations including green ferns, chocolate keys, and the vanilla mint lolly-pops below! Nice job Jason and Andie!

Smoky Mountains Springtime

On a recent trip to the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee we saw some signs of spring! These daffodills had the slightest fragrance. They were bent downward a little because of a snowfall duing the night, but it was nearly noon when I took this photo to show you.

Quilt Book Giveaway!

Have you seen the new book, "Back to Charm School" by Mary Etherington and Connie Tesene from Country Threads in Iowa? This is Book #2 with more ideas for small quilts you can make using 5" charm squares. Some are simple and others are more challenging, but they're all very pretty. This book also has instructions for making quilt binding and other good info for new quilters.

Leave a comment to enter the random drawing for a signed copy!

This book is also being featured today at A Quilting Life.

(Sorry, you can't "Click to Look Inside" as it says above. This photo is from Amazon.)

Carla's Freeform Crochet Scarf Tutorial!

Doesn't this look like a lot of fun? Take a look at Carla Barrett's free tutorial on Feathered Fibers. I have a road trip in my near future and I think I'll make one of these. Don't worry, I won't crochet and drive at the same time. I can't wait to show you what comes of this!

See more of Carla's free tutorials.

Amazing Optical Illusion Quilt

This quilt by Meena Schaldenbrand is called "Different Points of View." It measures 16"x20." I can't imagine how she made it, but I love it.

Mary Keasler's Selvage Quilt

Accomplished quilter Mary Keasler of Tennessee made this amazing selvage quilt.

Also take a look at her blog for lots of quilt inspiration: Fiberliscious.

Riel's Valentine Quilt

This is Riel Nason's latest selvage quilt. I love the lattice, and the arrow feathers too.

Visit her blog to read more about it: the Q and the U. Nice job Riel!

This Canadian quilter is also the author of the new novel: The Town that Drowned. I enjoyed this book as soon as it came out, and I highly recommend it!

Selvage Scarf

This pretty selvage scarf is the creation of Linda Hall from Florida of The Quilting Violinist. It measures 3.5" x 88" and sells on Etsy for $23. She shows it worn as a belt too. I like her scarf: raw edge, long and skinny. Nice job, Linda!

Enid Silva's Selvage Quilt

Enid Silva made this beautiful selvage quilt with hand-embroidery on the inner border. She's a member of the Hearthside Quilters Guild in Harwinton, CT. Didn't she do a great job?

Happy Valentine's Day

Pretty red quilt from Cluck Cluck Sew. This is such a classic.

Virtual zero-calorie chocolates! Have one.  :)

Meet Katell from France

Katell from France made this beautiful blue selvage star quilt. Take a look at her blog: Hive of Quilters. It's in French, of course, but you can click on "Translate" at the top of the page.

Or click on "Traduction" in the sidebar. Voila! Great quilt inspiration there.

Harney Tea Visit

My DH and I recently visited the Harney Tea tasting room in Millerton, NY. All those black and gold boxes on the shelves are filled with wonderful teas from around the world. They have some already brewed for you to taste, and they'll recommend other teas you can try too. I found a new favorite: Chinese Panyang Golden Tips. The one I bought was a Darjeeling, and less expensive.

They also have a tasting room in SoHo, New York City. Go visit if you're in the area.

Itza Chick Thing

Deb Shull-Andrews from Lincoln, Illinois makes these upcycled wearable art bags and offers them for sale ($45-$75) at: Itza Chick Thing.  What fun!

Totally Tutorials - Free Craft Directory!

This bag is just one of many clever projects on Kym's site: Totally Tutorials, a directory of free craft tutorials. There is so much to see here, and new tutorials are being added daily.

 If you're looking for a tutorial, or you have a tutorial that you'd like to share, or if you'd like to test free sewing tools, or you'd like to promote your blog, this is the place for you.

This site has over 5,200 followers! Can you imagine? It's the place to be!

Meet Shannon of Kramp Kouture

Shannon Kramp of Buffalo, NY has this selvage dress for sale at KrampKouture on Etsy. Shannon refashions used and vintage clothing. She offers the edginess of couture without the big pricetag.

If I was going to wear this dress I'd have to learn not to walk too close to doorknobs and drawer pulls! I'd need handlers to walk with me like Mickey Mouse has. Haha. Shannon is definitely thinking out of the box!

Finally, Selvage Fabric!

Christina of A Few Scraps in Portland, OR made this selvage fabric on Spoonflower! Isn't this amazing? The biggest dots are about an inch across. Christina decided to make a smaller version too. You can see both on her blog, and you can purchase this fabric at Spoonflower ($18/yard): large dots, and small dots. I'm liking the busyness of the smaller dots. I've been thinking of this for a long time. Actually doing it is so much better! Yayy, Christina!

Thank you to Lori Kay for the heads up about this new fabric.  :)

International Quilt Festival of Ireland! June 2012

Have you heard about the upcoming Quilt Festival? June 7-10 in Galway, Ireland. This looks like it would be a wonderful experience! There's still time if you want to enter a quilt or other quilted item. Photos due very soon. See Exhibit page for particulars.

Quilter's Brain

We already know all this, but I thought it'd be fun to post it anyway.

 I found this on Jill's blog: Cre8fMom Quilts.

Giveaway Winners!

Here are the winners in the fat quarter giveaway! At least this is how I imagine they look. I'm not really sure.  That must be me in the white dress, presenting the prizes. I don't know if the winner in the middle is wearing a crown, or standing under a chandelier! Heehee.

Okay, back to business. (Drumroll please....)

The lucky winners are:

1. Three Old Keys

2. Char from Cloth Stitched

3. Jodi from Come Tarry With Me

4. Brenda from Scraps and Strings

Congratulations! I'll email you for addresses today.

Another giveaway coming soon: Remember we're making a group quilt? Skinny strings. Sit tight.

Narrow Stairsteps and YOUR Quilts

This simple block is a good project for new quilters, and it goes together fast. It looks like hedges in a formal garden, doesn't it? Take a look at the book, then leave a comment for the fat quarter giveaway. I hope you're not going "stair-crazy" yet! Haha. I do get a little carried away sometimes.

YOUR QUILTS: Email a photo of your stairstep quilt and I'll feature it here on the Selvage Blog. (Please send it as an attachment.)

Ray Koshy, Rice Straw Museum Shop

Ray Koshy of Galveston, Texas is one of less than a hundred rice straw artists in the world. He hopes to preserve this ancient art form by introducing it to the public on Etsy. His shop is: Rice Straw Museum Shop. I had no idea that rice straw looked like this. The "tree trunk" above looks embroidered, like a satin stitch, doesn't it?

This 8" x 10" portrait was made with leaves of the rice plant. How amazing!

Be sure to enter the giveaway in the post below. Drawing for 4 winners of Kaffe Fassett fat quarter bundles on Sunday.

Attic Stairs: Scrap-Buster!

"Attic Stairs" is one of the quilt patterns in my new book. It's a no-thinking-required scrap-buster. As you generate scraps from other projects, cut and toss into 2 piles: one dark and one light. Sew pairs, then trim into final size. Before you know it you'll have that gift you've been meaning to make. See the book, and then comment to enter the fat quarter giveaway.

See My New Book! Fat Quarters Giveaway Starts Today! (4 Winners)

My new book is out today! It features eleven fabulous versions of the Stairstep quilt.

 It's easy enough for new quilters, but it has design options that will tempt experienced quilters too.

I'm really excited about it!

The book is a pdf, so you get it immediately via email. Print it if you like. Take a look. Then come back and leave a comment. You'll be automatically entered in a random drawing for a package of 4 fat quarters by Kaffe Fasset. Four winners will be announced on Sunday Feb. 5.

If you "Favorite" it, tell your friends, or blog about it, etc., please enter 2 comments.