Need a reason to make a quilt?

Because it's cold outside! Doesn't this picture make you want to get to work on a new quilt? One with wool batting?

To you quilters in Australia, it may be summer, but the cold is coming, so you need to get quilting too. Every season is perfect for quilting!

This photo was taken along the highway in Western Massachusetts. It's such a massive wall of ice. I'd love to get some food coloring on that!

Moda Selvage Scrap Bags? Yes!

Elena McDowell of Raleigh, NC bought this scrap bag of Moda selvage strips at her local quilt shop, Wish Upon a Quilt. The bag has 40 different fabrics, all 2 1/2" wide and 32" long - all for $9.99. She says they're selling pretty well too. This is the first time I've heard of this! Has anyone else seen these for sale?

Brenda's Selvage Bag

Brenda of http://www.scrapsandstrings.blogspot.com/ in Manitoba, Canada recently whipped up this zippered selvage bag. For this project she decided to feature lots of color windows. I think that looks twinkly! (You know, like stars.)

I like how selvage quilters roll with the punches and come up with do-able solutions to quilt "situations." Near the top of the middle photo, there wasn't enough overlap of two selvages, so she just applied a patch. (It's checkered fabric.) I think it looks good. Would you ever have noticed that if I hadn't pointed it out? I doubt it, unless you're one of those forensic types.

Brenda sometimes pieces her selvages together without the use of a foundation fabric. Her objective is to minimize bulk to make the machine piecing easier. She says it works fine. Thanks for the idea, Brenda!

Golden Delicious Pin Cushion by Heather Bailey

This is one of Heather Bailey's "Fresh Picked Pin Cushions." Isn't it beautiful? I love her color sense and her creativity! She imagines this as a parade of green apples carrying their champion on thier shoulders.

Heather Bailey is a talented designer of fabrics, paper craft items, and clothing. You really have to visit her fabulous blog: http://www.heatherbailey.typepad.com/ and her store: http://www.heatherbaileystore/ Her incredible photography makes me happy and inspires me to make something beautiful.

Meet Silvana Flamini of Rome!

Silvana Flamini of Rome, Italy is a talented crafter, cook and photographer. You can see evidence of all three on her blog: http://www.unpopercelia.blogspot.com/. It will help if you can read Italian, but the pictures are worth a thousand words.

She made this belt from recycled jeans. Very clever!

And I love that photo of the cabbage. Wouldn't it be interesting to print it on fabric for a quilt?

Martina Odenthal - Selvage from Germany!

Remember Martina Odenthal, the quilter and lawyer from Cologne, Germany who made the selvage cuffs (posted the day after Christmas)? She sent me a nice gift package that included this pretty selvage from Germany. I'll have to save this one for a special spot in a selvage quilt. Thank you, Martina.

Visit Martina's blog at: http://stufenzumgericht.blogspot.com.

Sonya's Selvage Wall Panels

Sonya of Ballarat, Australia made these three padded wall panels with selvages. You really should read her story on her blog: www.sagoontuesdays.blogspot.com. She came to love the look of selvages a long time ago when her Grandmother left the selvage on some cupboard curtains. She told Sonya that the fabric was too expensive to throw any of it away.

Does Ballarat, Australia sound familiar? Yes, that's where Jodie of Vintage Ric Rac fame lives. She's the creator of that amazing selvage dress that I keep a photo of on the sidebar. About 16 quilt bloggers in the Ballarat area got together for a picnic recently. Of course, it's nice and warm there right now. They had such a blast. You can read about it on all the blogs! Jodie links to all of them, so if you have lots of time, visit: www.vintagericrac.blogspot.com.

Woven Selvage Postcard by Vicki Welsh

This cheerful woven selvage postcard was created by Vicki Welsh who lives near Richmond, VA. It was made for a swap that had a recycle theme. The flower fabrics came from old tee shirts. I like how she made the center of the flower using lots of thread.

Vicki says she is obsessed with anything involving fabric and thread. (You're among friends here Vicki!) Don't miss her blog: www.vickiwelsh.typepad.com, especially the post about Christmas ornaments. She has 120 teacup hooks in a closet where she stores the most beautiful collection of handmade ornaments. You have to see it. She is funny, too.

Thank you to Ann Marie (of Run and Sew Quilts) who told me about this postcard. This is what inspired Ann Marie to start sewing with selvages!

Ann Marie's Red Zinger!

Ann Marie of Run and Sew Quilts (http://www.runandsewuilts.wordpress.com/) from Oregon just finished quilting her Red Zinger, and what a stunning quilt it is!! Her friends at Boersma's Sewing Center in McMinnville got to see this quilt in person; lucky quilters. The binding will be red. Perfect!

That quilting is just gorgeous! She got some quilting ideas from the gals at Machine Quilter's Resource (http://www.MQResource.com/ ). Didn't she do an incredible job? The quilting in the red areas reminds me of that old fashioned ribbon candy my grandmother had at Christmas when I was little. Take a close look at the outer border. I love this quilt.

Selvage Journal for Daughter in College

Stephanie in Ohio made this beautiful journal for her daughter Allison, a student of industrial design at the University of Cincinnati. Allison has her mom saving selvages for her because she likes the color windows. (What a smart kid! I've sent her a copy of the selvage book.)

I like the color windows on the selvage Stephanie used for the bow. Isn't that a nice idea: black and white, with soft colors across the middle? Mom has a good eye for design, too! See her blog at: http://loftcreations.blogspot.com.

"That's My Q" by Kathleen Loomis

This amazing selvage quilt by Kathleen Loomis of Louisville, Kentucky measures 56" x 87 wide!" Her father was a typographer, so she developed an appreciation for letters at an early age. You can read her interview on the Alliance for American Quilts website (Save our Stories):http://www.allianceforamericanquilts.org/qsos/interview.php?pbd=qsos-a0a3g7-a

I would love to see this quilt in person.

Are You Suffering from SO?

Elena McDowell is seeing selvages everywhere...even when they're not selvages! Tell your doctor if you experience this symptom as it may be a sign of Selvage Overload. (I've been watching too many TV commercials.) We're all here for you, Elena!

All those color windows really would look nice in my upcoming "Triangle Trellis" selvage quilt. I feel a case of SO coming on too!

June Calender's Selvage Postcards

June Calender of NYC is on a selvage postcard-making binge! Take a look at these fairy tale theme prints surrounded by selvages (in a modified courthouse steps arrangement). What a fun idea.

See June's blog to read more about her project: www.calenderpages.blogspot.com.

Necktie Pillows - A Keepsake from Quilt Diva Julie

I am so excited to bring you this idea from "QuiltDiva" Julie Sefton of Memphis, TN. She made these pillows for the children and grandchildren of a lawyer who passed away. What an excellent memorial keepsake! He had some pretty interesting ties too. I love how she put them together in a playful improvisational way. I plan to make some of these. Thanks, Julie!

Julie is planning her next necktie project, so keep an eye on her blog: www.quiltdivajulie.blogspot.com.

Selvagey Basket Block

Brenda of Manitoba, Canada made this artistic and charming string block. While it's not a selvage block, it is definitely selvagey.

There is so much that I love about this piece! The writing on the basket fabrics interests me, especially my old favorite, "Run, Dick, run." The strings look nice ararnged on an angle. And that splash of color is perfect, near all those neutrals. The black and white bias handle has an appropriately woven look. And the background is quiet, but interesting; a little askew like the basket. I bet Brenda threw this together intuitively, and it's just right!

See more of her work at www.scrapsandstrings.blogspot.com.

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.