A finish this Friday

I finished my pillow for the Pillow Talk Swap!   The center block is the Rose Dreams block from Kansas City Star circa 1930.  I added 3" borders, lace  and a border of hand quilting in red.  The border trim is bias gingham. 
If you want to make this block I have the pattern here as part of my Vintage Block Quilt Along.

Wishing you a happy Friday!

xo

Charise

WIP Wednesday

Pillow.....

 

 

Pouch....

 

 

& More Little Houses!

 

Link up your WIP at Freshly Pieced!

 

 

I'd love to see what you are working on!

 

xo

Charise

Quiltmaker Blog Hop Winner and Stay tuned for another give-away!!!

Thank you so much everyone for your wonderful comments.  I loved reading them and wish I had time to reply to all of them.  You know how to make a girl feel good : )

 

The winners are :

A copy of Quiltmaker and a F8 bundle of Vintage Modern from Becca at Sew Me a Song

Lou

Carol SC

 

A copy of Quiltmaker and a F8 bundle from Brenda at Pink Castle Fabrics

Gill

 

 

And a little tease.... I will have another give-away, soon, celebrating my projects - yes plural, : )

 in the new Stitch Gifts 2012.  Just in time for your holiday sewing projects!!!

 

 

xo

Charise

Vintage Feed Sacks - Thrifty Saturday

I wanted to share some new feed sacks I purchased from Ebay.

 

 

The colors are looking really fresh and Fall to me.

Love the Red, Brown, Gold and Green combo.

 

I was so excited to find the top feed sack! 

The bottom print is a Japanese print by Kumiko Fujita if I'm not mistaken.  I find it fascinating that the only thing changed from the original is the scale and the addition of some text. I also noticed that the holly leaves and berries are replaced by a stalk of celery : )

 I got the Fabric from Ayumi's fabulous shop on Etsy.

I think it looks great with the previous feed sacks pictured.

 

 

 

 

 I love these sweet colors and motifs!

 

 

 

 

This little booklet has some fun quilting patterns.  I think "Night and Day" may be the next block for the "Vintage Block Quilt Along".

 

Have a lovely Day!

 xo Charise

Bundle Sale at Pink Castle Fabrics

Hope you are enjoying your Friday!  It is brisk and sunny here in Seattle : )

Brenda at Pink Castle Fabrics is having an awesome sale this weekend!  15% off on all bundles.

Click on THIS LINK to see the Bundles she has on sale!

The code is BUNDLE15 and it works on anything in that link. 

Here is one of my favorites, The Sweetest Thing by Riley Blake:

 

xo

Charise 

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks & A Give-away

I'm so excited to be in Issue #6 of Quiltmaker 100 Blocks. 

  When I was asked to contribute a block to the magazine I was beyond excited and flattered.

"Two Dresses" is a block inspired by my love of all things sewing related.

 It is so much fun to pick the fabrics for this block. 

 

Here is a peek inside. I'm right next to Jennifer at Sewhooked!!!  Her block is so cute! 
There are so many great blocks in this issue!!

 

 

 

 

**I am giving away three prizes!***
Prize #1 and #2 
A copy of Quiltmaker Magazine and a "Vintage Modern" F8 Set
with a F8 of "Script" in Cream and Sage from the Library Collection by Timeless Treasures
from Becca at Sew Me a Song!!

Prize #3
A copy of Quiltmaker Magazine and this adorable F8 set
from Brenda at Pink Castle Fabrics!

 

For one chance to win, Leave a comment by Sunday, November 11th.
For a second chance to win,  Become a follower (leave me a comment letting me know).
Please be sure to include a way to reach you : )

 Doesn't the block look great in "Vintage Modern"?

 

 

 

 I had some fun in photoshop combining "Two Dresses" with the "Rose Dream" block

from "The Vintage Block Quilt Along"!

 

 

 

And be sure to check out Quiltmaker's Blog for more give aways!
The issue will be on news stands on November 13th.
 

Good Luck!!

xo

Charise

What I'm working on Wednesday

 A few things I'm working on.....

I love this pattern.... the link is here.

 

 

Choosing thread for hand quilting!

 

Have a lovely day!

xo

Charise

Change of Heart

So today I made 16 squares for my "Pillow Talk Swap" pillow.  Each block is  1/4 of the Rose Dream block which is the first block in my Quilt Along.

I put them all together and it was 16 squares and  24 inches of "too much" !!

So.....after much rearranging I decided on this.....

 

 

Sometimes simpler is so much better!

I think it is the right decision......I hope my partner likes it!!!!

 

xo

Charise

Sunday Stash

I love this new line from Riley Blake.  It is "The Simple Life" by Tasha Noel.

You can purchase it for 25% off the regular price at Pink Castle Fabrics!!!  Brenda is opening a brick and mortar store and is hoping to reduce her inventory to help make the move a bit easier.
Use the code MOVING for the month of October for 25% off her Entire Stock!!!

 

Happy Shopping!

xo

Charise

Thrifty Thursday

A few weeks ago as my husband was walking home he happened upon a garage sale.  They had this painting for sale. $10.00!!!

  The artist is Stany Lemmer and the woman that sold it to him bought it in France. It is dated 1948 and I can tell it is old by the canvas back that is aged a light brown.  It is a bit moody and dark though it may just need a good cleaning.

I think it looks great with the other oil paintings in our "gallery".

 

A few weeks ago I was near a Value Village and had to take a peek.  My finds there have been hit and miss but it is always a fun "hunt".   I was intrigued by this "Georges Briard" piece.  Mid century collectibles are usually not my thing but for $5 I couldn't resist.  A bit of sloothing on Ebay put this right around a $15 - 20 value.

 

 

 

I then spotted this little compact in the jewelry case.  I love the buillion top and the patina. 

 

 

It has the original label inside.  I was able to find "Schildkraut" brand but nothing in this design when searching online.  Another $5 treasure that looks great next to the Briard! 

 I love to imagine the fashionable lady who brought this lovely compact out to powder her nose.

 

xo

Charise

Fab Fabric & Stay tuned for a Give-Away!!!!

I squealed with delight upon receiving these wonderful fabrics from Becca at Sew Me A Song!!

Fabrics pictured:

Red Dot: Robert Kaufman

Red/White sewing print: Suzuko Koseki

Fabrics Pictured:

Blue Dot: Riley Blake

Blue/Creme Sewing Print:  Suzuko Koseki

I have some plans for these little beauties - the pattern I will be using for these Fab Fabrics will be available in Stitch Gifts 2012!!!. 

 Stay tuned at the beginning of November for a magazine give away (with my patterns inside!!!!)  and a fabric give away too!!!  Click here for an inside peek at the table of contents!!

xo

Charise

Pop up Sale over at Pink Castle Fabric

HI!!!  Brenda is having a "pop up sale" over at Pink

Castle Fabrics.  Lots of great stuff and they are end of bolt cuts.

Click Here for the link to her sale.

 

These are my faves:

Happy Shopping : )

Vintage Block Quilt Along - Block #1, Rose Dream

Vintage Block Quilt Along
One Vintage 12" Quilt Block per month
Starting in October 2012
for 1 year!

Here is the tutorial for the first block in the quilt along - Rose Dream.  This block is one I just adore. It is from the Kansas City Star Newspaper circa 1930.  There are lots of curves and I promise you will be an expert after making this block!
  My helpers include lots of pins and starch!  

You can download the pattern [HERE]
I am reworking the pattern - join my email list for pattern updates.
You can find the link to sign up on the right side of my blog.

This pattern makes a 12" finished  / 12 1/2" unfinished block

FABRIC
*You will need approximately a F8 each of light and dark fabrics for one block.
-OR-
*If you want to make it scrappy you will need:
DARK FABRIC - 2 squares 5" x 5", 4 squares 2 1/4" x 2 1/4", and 2 pieces 2 3/4" x 4 3/4"
LIGHT FABRIC - 2 squares 5" x 5", 4 squares 2 1/4" x 2 1/4", and 2 pieces 2 3/4" x 4 3/4"

OTHER SUPPLIES
Acrylic Ruler
Cutting Mat
Rotary Cutter
Sewing Scissors
Fine sewing pins
Spray Starch
Matching thread
1 sheet cardstock

CUT
A - 4 dark and 4 light
B - 2 dark and 2 light
C - 4 dark and 4 light

Printing out the Template
Set your printer to "page scaling - none".  You may want to do a text print to make sure your 1" test square in accutate.  When it is,  print the template onto card stock.    The templates includes a 1/4" seam allowance. I use a scant 1/4", so when I am sewing my seam edge is just inside the 1/4" mark on my sewing machine.

Assembling the Block
The following instruction are for 1/4 of the block.  Repeat these instructions for all four sections of the block.

1)  Place your blocks on your work surface as you will be sewing them.

2)  We will stitch block A to B first.  Fold piece A and B in half along the edge you will be stitching.  Finger press at  the center fold.

3)  Place piece A on piece B matching the center finger press mark, right sides together. 

Pin the center fold mark first.

Gently pull on the edge of piece A to fit the raw edge of B. 

This is most easily done flat on a table or flat surface.

Pin the edges and then towards the center.  As you can see, I use lots of pins.  I find I get a better seam this way : )

4)  Stitch the seam with a 1/4" seam allowance. 

I like to sew over the pins to keep the raw edges in place.

Just be careful to slow down when you approach a pin and remove it if your needle is going to hit it.

5)  Press your seams towards the darker fabric. If you have puckers and some creases, that is OK!!  Spray the block with starch and give it a good pressing!! Because the curve is on the bias you can manipulate this seam fairly easily.

6)  Stitch the top portion of the block together - A + C.  Press the seams towards the darker fabric.

7)  Fold both the top section - A/C and bottom - A/B section in half, matching seams.

Finger Press.

8)  Place the A/C section on top of the A/B section, right sides together.

First - match the center fold marks, pin.

Second - match and pin both seams.

Third,  slightly pull on the bias curve of piece A/C stretching to fit section A/B and pin the seam.

Stitch seam with a 1/4" seam allowance.

9)  Spray you block with starch and give it a good pressing making sure to pess the seams toward the darker fabric on piece A.

It is OK if your block is not 100% square!

Get our your acrylic ruler and cutting mat and true up your block to 6 1/2" square.

Repeat for the other three sections.

10)  With right sides together, pin the two bottom blocks together matching seams.  Stitch with a 1/4" seam allowance. Press seam open.  Repeat for the two top blocks.

Place the top two blocks right sides together with the bottom two blocks.  Match and pin seams.  Stitch with a 1/4" seam allowance.  Press seam open.

Yay!!! You have completed the Rose Dream Block.  If you have any questions, please comment below and I will add any replies to the thread.

I'd love to have you join my Vintage Block Flickr Group HERE!!

xo

Charise : )

     



Sunny Seattle Sunday

So how is your weekend going?  It is just beautiful here in Seattle.  We haven't had rain in over two months which I love.....it is a bit chilly but sunny.  Perfect Fall weather in my opinion!! My roses are blooming - again!!!!

I stitched two of the blocks together for my Pillow Swap Talk Pillow yesterday.  I'm over my doubts about whether or not my partner will like it.  I'm going for it!!

It is not stitched together - that is why the seams aren't lined up.  I'll add a yellow and aqua square so it won't read so pink.

If the block looks familiar to you -  it is going to be the first in my Vintage Block Quilt Along.  I'm so excited about this. I have been collection vintage quilt patterns and have wanted to make a sampler quilt with some of my favorites.  I will be posting a pattern and tute at least once a month.  This is a no stress, no pressure quilt along....I hope you will join me!  Details coming soon!!

On the home front,  my hubby has ripped out the porch and front steps.  It was becoming a hazard with boards and nails popping up! Here is the before:

This is my inspiration pic for the "after".

Have a lovely Sunday!

xo

Charise

Liberty Love

I got the most amazing package of goodies yesterday from Pink Castle Fabrics!  I am madly in love with the Liberty Art Fabrics - Bloomsbury Garden.   She doesn't have the entire line*yet* but will be getting more in next week or so.  Take a look at these lovelies.......

From Left to right:  Annies Seed catalogue in yellow (Brenda still has some of this HTF fabric which I just adore!)  Liberty Bloomsbury Garden "Leonard", Liberty Bloomsbury Garden "Dorothy", Liberty Bloomsbury Garden "Dance", & Liberty Bloomsbury Garden "Catherine". 

I love the line so much I'm going to order the few prints I missed!!!

Brenda has also expanded the sale section!  Take a look, there is some great stuff there!!

 

Have a lovely day!!!

xo

Charise