Meet Mandy from the UK

We haven't had a neighborhood photo in a while and this is such a pretty one. This is the view from Mandy's bedroom in the UK. She is a teacher, quilter, knitter, gardener, and a musician. You will enjoy her blog: http://www.crazydaisytime.blogspot.com/.

Mandy awarded the Sunshine Award to the Selvage Blog for sunny inspiration. Thank you all for sending me your selvage project photos. I love it that we can share our passion for fiber art with friends all over the world on the Internet. The sun never sets on selvage quilting.

Happy Groundhog Day!

Have you seen this movie? It makes me laugh every time. Good fun. Stay warm!

Innovative Toaster

What a great idea: a toaster with insulated transparent glass sides from Magimix. Duh!
This is one of the clever topics on www.psfk.com.

Significant Objects - Smiling Mug

Have you ever heard of www.significantobjects.com? Writers are assigned an inexpensive flea market object and asked to write a fictional story to go with it. The objects are auctioned off on eBay and the profits go to charity. The $2 items sometimes sell for big bucks due to their stories (even though buyers know that the stories are made up).

What a great creative writing exercise! If you have some time, make a new cup of coffee or tea and get comfortable. These stories are fun to read.

String Quilt Block

This beautiful string block is the creation of "jmbmommy" on flickr. She says it's a little fluffier than she intended, but I think it came out great. I love the colors. You could add a few selvages to these trees too. I don't know if you can see it in this photo, but the trunk is made from 2 pieces of purple fabric, one on the right half and one on the left. Nice job!

My Email is Working

If you have emailed me since Jan. 21, please try again. Thanks.

Fan Blocks for February BOM

The Empire Quilter's Block of the Month for February is this fan block. Take a look here to see an easy method for make them: www.empirebom.blogspot.com.

The only difference between these and the "popular string quilt blocks" is that the seam allowances gradually increase or decrease. So you don't have to cut wedges; you cut long rectangles. A picture is worth a thousand words, so take a look.

Warming up in Florida!

Above photo by Express Monorail on Flickr.com.

Above photo by Cory Dishbrow on Flickr.com.

Above photo by Jim Bricker on Flickr.com.

This week we visited our sons. My husband, a big-idea kind of guy, said "Why don't we go to Epcot for a day?" So we flew/drove to FL and had a wonderful day in Disneyworld. Our favorite area is the World Showcase in Epcot. You can "visit" China, the UK, Mexico, Canada, Italy, Germany, France, Norway, Morocco, Japan, and the US. The bottom photo shows part of the Japanese area. Each country has restaurants, exhibits, shops and entertainment. In the evening there is an astonishing fireworks/light show. It was great.

When you read this, we'll be dragging ourselves home and unpacking. I'll be back to checking my emails soon.

Sis Boom - Designer Jennifer Paganelli

Is this photo cute or what? It's from the website of fabric designer Jennifer Paganelli who has produced some of my all-time favorite fabrics. She says she gets inspiration from everything for her vintage fabric designs. She spent her youth in the Great Lakes region, her adolescence in the Caribbean, her college years in traditional New England, and her early career years in New York City. Now she lives in Connecticut, like me. I hope to meet her sometime.

Take a look at Jennifer's website and blog to see her fabrics and patterns. They are so gorgeous; you won't be disappointed. Visit: www.sisboom.com and www.jenniferpaganelli.typepad.com.

Since I've been paying attention to selvages I now know who designs the fabrics I love.

Barb's Whooville Selvage Quilt

Look at this whimsical selvage house (and tree) quilt by Barb from Northern New Jersey. It's called "Whooville." Didn't she do a wonderful job? The more I look at it, the more things I find to admire. To name just a few: the monkey in the window, the cat on the chimney, and the selvage strips placed askew in the tree. The background fabric looks like a snowy night to me, nice choice. Black and white fabrics are perfect with bright prints and selvages. Yayyy, Barb!

See Barb and Mary's blog: www.funwithbarbandmary.blogspot.com, and you'll see why they named it that. They have an awesome blog.

Selvage Quilt from "2 Hippos"

The quilter from "2 Hippos" blog saved her selvages in 2009. When Stephanie at Loft Creations announced her String Quilt Challenge, she was inspired to make a selvage quilt. After all, a selvage quilt is a string quilt, right?

You can see that she uses the "stitch and flip" method for adding selvages. That looks nice, but adds a little more bulk. I like her colors and the subtle diagonal seam. We'll have to wait to see the whole quilt, as well as all the other quilts in the challenge. It's all online:

See "2 Hippos" blog at: www.2hippos.blogspot.com.
See Stephanie's Loft Creations blog at: www.loftcreations.blogspot.com.

Wanna See Some Interesting Selvages?

Kay Rindall of St. Paul, MN found these unique selvages and took some photos to share with you. Rather than color "dots," these manufacturers use cats and strawberries. Why not? Thanks, Kay!

Click on "Labels" below to see more interesting selvages, and one of Kay's selvage projects.

Happy Birthday, David! (Our son is 23 yrs. old today!)

Lynne's Selvage Quilt - 4" Squares!

Lynne Demeter made this amazing selvage quilt. It has 64 four-inch blocks! And take a close look at the border. Isn't that clever? I love it. Take a look at Lynne's blog: www.quiltsandcats-lynnedemeter.blogspot.com. Nice work, Lynne!

Flower Car

My friend Rose took this great photo at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. I love a whimsical display like this. I'm thinking of painting my wheels pink. My husband would like that!

Brenda's Selvage Tea Cozies

I'm sure you know Brenda from the Scraps & Strings blog in Manitoba, Canada. Take a look at these charming selvage tea cozies. I also like her black and white selvage block. It has no printed pattern showing, and hardly any dots. I like how she used that "Dick Jane and Sally" fabric in the middle. I learned how to read using those books. Good memories for me. Nice job, Brenda.

Visit Brenda's blog at: http://www.scrapsandstrings.blogspot.com/.

New Blog from Canada - Quilt Sampler Journal

Stop by Darlee Byron's new blog and website throughout the coming year. She is featuring her favorite quilt books, and projects inspired by them. In February she'll be working from "Quilts from the Selvage Edge." Her objective is to try lots of new ideas in 2010, and she invites readers to participate. Take a look: http://www.quiltsamplerjournal.com/, and http://www.quiltsamplerjournal.blogspot.com/.

You may have already been following her on http://www.mumblescafe.blogspot.com/.

Selvage Quilts from Cape Cod

June Calender on Cape Cod has been making selvage quilts. The top photo is a little quilt (a "quiltie") that she made for a swap. June is originally from the Midwest. She lived in New York City for a long time, then moved to the Cape. I met her at the Empire Quilters guild in NYC. She has an interesting blog where she tells about her new life in MA and the projects she's working on: http://www.calenderpages.blogspot.com/ Hi June! I like that "Gems on Point" quilt.

Inspiration for Quilters

Does this sort of display make you want to start a new quilt? If this was my thread collection, I'd take all the spools out of the rack and rearrange them in a more pleasing way. Then I'd take a photo and rearrange them again. Some good music and a cup of tea, and I'd be happy all afternoon. Yes this would be a very expensive peg-board toy. I don't even want to know the price.

This photo would make a nice poster for my quilt room. I have a high-resolution image; maybe I'll make some. And it does make me want to start a new quilt. (What doesn't?)

Jill's Selvage Circle

Jill Bunis in New Jersey made selvage wedges to form a circle! She has some great in-progress photos on her blog: http://www.cre8fmomquilts.blogspot.com/. You'll remember Jill made the selvage cornices shown here recently. She's thinking out of the box!

Jackie's Butterfly Love Wall Pockets

Take a look at Jackie's blog to see more great photos of her recent project. I love the colors in this. She does beautiful machine quilting for customers and for herself.

Also, see her post about clipping vs. not clipping those little "ears" you get when piecing. Tons of comments from readers, very interesting. You will like this blog!

Here's the link: http://cvquiltworks.blogspot.com/

*

The pattern for Butterfly Love Wall Pockets is from Stephanie at Loft Creations. You can see more of her beautiful work at: http://www.loftcreations.blogspot.com/ and be sure to visit her Etsy site too. There is a link to it on her sidebar. The prickly pear bags on Etsy are really nice!

Jodie's Softies

You've probably seen this, but I wanted to make sure. Check out Jodie's blog to see her wonderful new softies. She casts them in stories. She is so imaginative!!!

http://vintagericrac.blogspot.com/

Spider Web String Quilt

This very up-to-date spider web string quilt was made by GoingSewCrazy. The crisp white sets off those pretty colorful prints just right.

Who would have guessed that in 2010 we'd like chartreuse...next to turquoise and kelly green too! Years ago I would have said "Ewww!"Now I think chartreuse goes with everything. What does that mean? That I just ride the tide of fashion (although usually about 10 years late)? I don't care; I'm just going to enjoy it.

When I was little my Mom told me that green and blue don't go together, red and pink were out of the question too. I think we're having more fun now, Mom too.

See more photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/goingsewcrazy/3789901038/

Computer Problems Finally Solved!

Now I'm going to sleep like a baby. Thanks for your suggestions. I remember saying (years ago), "Why would anyone need a personal computer?" Now I know. Nighty-night.

Computer Update

I'm about to throw my computer onto this junk pile! Figuratively speaking, of course. This satisfying photo came from flickr. (I'm using DH's computer now.)

My computer got a virus and I had the whole thing wiped clean. Now I'm trying to get all my stuff back on it, like my operating system, for starters. I have an external hard drive with my photos and files, thankfully. I had McAfee protection, but it didn't work in this case. Apparently hackers are targeting computers with McAfee and Norton security systems, according to the repair techs.

Helpful hint: If you get a screen saying that you have a virus, and another screen pops up offering to fix the problem if you simply click on "Install," don't touch it! Even though it looks like official Microsoft stuff. Those are villans looking for your credit card info. I didn't fall for it, but it's still a hassle to fix.

If you have sent me an email in the last week, it will be a while before I get to read it. I'm not ignoring you :) Don't worry; I'm not contagious.

I'm Enjoying This Book

Marilynne Robinson's book "Gilead" is a real treat. It's written as a letter/memoir from an elderly father to his young son, to be read when the son is older. Remember the New Year's Eve post here on the Selvage Blog? We were talking about this exact idea. Oh, I wish I could write like Marilynne Robinson! She teaches at the University of Iowa Writer's Workshop and she won the Pulitzer Prize for this book. No surprise there! Just read the first page and you'll be hooked. Here's the link to amazon where it's rated 4 (of 5) stars by 344 reviewers:

http://www.amazon.com/Gilead-Novel-Marilynne-Robinson/dp/031242440X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263310072&sr=1-1

Karaku's One-Patch Design

I've been thinking about the humble one-patch lately. There's so much you can do with it. I like this arrangement of Asian patterns. I bought a box of 2" square papers with designs like these to arrange and frame. This time of year we need some color in the Northern Hemisphere. Thanks, Karaku!

See more at http://www.flickr.com/photos/8485049@N07/2563269383/

Colorful Quilt by Stitchindye

This gorgeous quilt was dyed, made, photographed, and posted on flickr by "Stitchindye." I love the bright colors and the casual piecing. What a perfect location for the photo too. Lots of creativity going on there!

You can see more quilts by Stitchindye here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stitchindye/3385577968/

My computer is in the shop, so if you are emailing me, please wait a few extra days. Thanks.

Color Your Own Dress

"Colour-In dress by Berber Soepboer and Michiel Schuurman allows you to create your own designs by adding different colours using textile markers." -Toxel.com

Well this would give you something to do during those quiet moments!

Have a creative day!

Meet Erika from Austria

Erika from Wien, Austria made this cell phone pouch (above) and these needle cases (below).

Erika made these selvage needle cases for her friends who have been saving their selvages for her. She's hoping that her friends don't decide to keep their selvages for their own projects now!
Nice job, Erika!

Be sure to take a look at Erika's blog: http://erika-meinscrapblog.blogspot.com/. She has give-aways and beautiful photos of Austria. While there, click on "Translate" in the upper right hand corner so you can read her blog in English.

JoAnne's Selvage Tote Bag

JoAnne in Keller, Texas made this beautiful blue selvage tote bag. I really like this one.

"I made this bag with blue and white polka dot lining and straps. It's for a friend who is much taller so maybe it won't drag the ground when she carries it. I'm planning to make another one for our guild's silent auction at the quilt show in April. These bags are large and will be great for keeping in the car for quick trips to the grocery. Be green - take your own bag and keep the plastic out of the landfill."

Take a look at JoAnne's blog at: http://nappinnanaquilts.blogspot.com/2009/12/another-selvage-bag.html

Paper Dress

This dress was made by Julios Paons using only phone book paper! Have a very creative day.
(found on Toxel.com)

Fiesta's Selvage Basket

Fiesta from Florida made this pretty selvage basket cover. What a nice job! When she's not quilting or gardening, Fiesta is a Spanish teacher. Take a look at her blog:

http://www.quiltingfiesta.blogspot.com/

Jill's Black and White Zinger

Jill from New Jersey made this wonderful black and white selvage zinger. Isn't it a beauty? See her blog at: http://cre8fmomquilts.blogspot.com/ Yayyy Jill!

LEAVE A COMMENT ON JILL'S BLOG TO WIN A GIVE-AWAY!

Nancy's Selvage Bags are Gifts

Nancy in Connecticut made these small zippered selvage bags as gifts. I like how she used a zig zag stitch to attach the selvages. Good idea! Here's what Nancy said about them:

"These are some small sewing bags that I made for the ladies in our church's quilting group, Peace by Piece Quilters. They save selvedges for me. I had them pick three selvedge strips and I picked out 3-4 matching ones. They didn't see what I picked until the bags were finished. The bags are for their seam rippers, scissors, threads, needles, etc. I think they came out great! Hope the girls like them."

I'm sure they will! Nancy has a blog about her quilting group: http://peacebypiecequilters.blogspot.com/.

Jen Duncan's Selvage Chair

Jen Duncan of Eureka, California just finished this great selvage chair for her sewing room. I like it. Here's what she says:

"I've wanted for some time to recover my sewing chair in selvages. It was an ugly fabric covered office chair but still worked fine so I couldn't justify throwing it away. Spent my free time during the past couple of days finally getting it done. Overall I like how it turned out and thought I better share it with you, since you are the original source of all my selvage-y inspiration! :-) Not sure what I'll be making with them next but you can be sure it'll be something because I really do enjoy working with them."

Nice job, Jen!

Meet Geta from Romania

Geta made these shopping bags as Christmas gifts. She has a detailed tutorial on her blog showing how to make them. It looks quick and easy. Maybe a selvage version would be nice too. Did you notice the quilted background in the top photo? Wow!

See Geta's blog at: http://cadouri-din-inima.blogspot.com/ (It's in English.)

Barn Quilts and the American Quilt Trail

Suzi Parron of Stone Mountain, Georgia is a lover of barn quilts. She's writing a book on the subject and posts her progress on a blog: "Barn Quilts and the American Quilt Trail: Making my way across the country documenting this grassroots art movement." You can hear her enthusiasm in the quote below:

"By the time I got to Woodstock, I had seen about 800 quilt barns! Hard to believe, but true. And still--when I round a corner and see a great barn with a beautifully painted quilt, I say to myself (aloud, mind you). Oh, WOW."

See her blog at: http://americanquilttrail.blogspot.com/ Maybe leave a note of encouragement too.

The barn in the photo above is in Woodstock, New York. Photo by Suzi Parron, of course.

Hen House in the UK

Hen from London makes and sells a colorful assortment of goodies that you'll enjoy looking at:
http://henhousehomemadeagain.blogspot.com/. I like how she mixes Kaffe fabrics with old fashioned fabrics for a charming look. The little crocheted flowers are perfect, don't you think?

Browse her sidebar and choose categories "that you fancy." But be sure to view the teacup candles.

Happy New Year!

Warmest wishes to you for a very happy and healthy new year!

And thank you for all the Comments yesterday. Very tender and inspirational.

Photo of fiber optics by matstc from Flickr.