Give away! Fat Quarter Shop "Fat Quarter Style" and "Great Granny Squared"!

It has been a bit quiet on the blog, I've been working on lots of things but nothing I'm able to share so I thought I'd take the opportunity to have a little give away.

My sponsor, Fat Quarter Shop, sent me copies of  "Fat Quarter Style" and "Great Granny Squared" to give away to one of my readers!

I love the quilts in Fat Quarter Style.  My favorite quilt is the Primrose which would be so cute in these Lecien Flower sugar prints. 

The book includes layouts and instructions to make a crib up to a queen size quilt and all are fat quarter friendly.

And of course you know how much I love everything Lori Holt designs!  I am a big fan of her fabric and her newest book, Great Granny Squared, is wonderful!  

Please leave a comment telling me what you are working on this summer even if it is your tan : )

and I will pick a winner Monday August 4th.  The comments will be open until 9:00 pst on Sunday August 3rd.  Give away is open to domestic and international commenters! Good Luck!

Have a Wonderful Day!!!

xo

Charise

Vintage Furniture in Petal Pinwheels

When the Modern Quilt Guild announced their latest fabric challenge I wanted to join!  The fabric for the challenge is Petal Pinwheels by Michael Miller Fabrics.  I love the fabric and had the perfect

pattern for it - my Vintage Furniture pattern.  I had designed the pattern quite some time ago and was excited to finally sew it up.
Since the original post about this project I completed two of the blocks pictured above!
  

The plan is to make a mini with the couch in the middle and the chairs surrounding.  Or if I get uber ambitious it would be an adorable lap quilt for the couch.

I missed the deadline to enter my quilt for the challenge, but that is OK.  It will be a fun project to work on this summer.  Oh, and of course, the pattern will be available soon : )

xo

Charise

Jam Jars and Fruit ~ paper piecing pattern

I have a long list of "to do's" and my Jam Jars and Fruit pattern has been on the list for over a year.

This was a block I made for Ayumi in the Ringo Pie bee.  Ever since making the block I've wanted to make one for myself : )  Fast forward almost two years and they are complete!!!

The pattern includes 7 1/2" x 10" blocks for the strawberries....

Cherries....

and Lemon.

It also includes a pattern sheet for smaller 3" x 3 3/4" jars

As well as artwork for the labels!

You can find the pattern in my Etsy and Craftsy shops.

Hope you are enjoying the summer!!!
xo
Charise

Enjoying July.....

It has been a wonderful summer so far.  The weather has been beautiful and the temperature has been in the 80's and low 90's the past few weeks.  The boys and I have been to the beach, the pool and have been hanging out enjoying the beautiful summer! 

 I have found some time to work on a few projects here and there : )

I have wanted to make a quilt with the pattern from my Summer Blossoms blocks from my Vintage Block quilt along.

After reading this blog post, I purchased some drunkard's path acrylic templates and purchased new blades for my 18mm rotary cutter.  I'm pleased with where this quilt is going.  I'm using 5" blocks so each flower is just under 20".  It has been sewing together extremely fast ~   I've spent most of the time on this picking out fabrics.  

My Jam Jars and Fruit pattern is close to being finished! 

I've included a cherry block as well as a lemon block.   

This pattern has been on the "to do" list since I made the original block for Ayumi in the Ringo Pie Quilting bee on Flickr almost two years ago!

Spending time with the boys has been tops on my priority list.  At just 7 and almost 11, I don't have too many years left......trying to enjoy every one I have with them  : )

Wishing you lovely summer days with your family and friends!
xo
Charise

A winner - Summer Give-away

Thanks everyone for entering the summer give away!  The winner is Anita who said - "I would love to make a summery table runner with the berry basket pattern."

Congrats Anita.  I will email you now!  : )

Work in Progress Wednesday ~ Inspiration Strikes

I love a challenge ~ especially one that involves fabric.  The Modern Quilt Guild's latest challenge is to use Michael Miller's Petal Pinwheels fabric to make a quilted project.  I got the bundle and knew exactly what I wanted to make!  The motifs have an Orla Kiely vibe and I had a paper piecing pattern I designed 1 1/2 years ago that would be perfect for the fabric!

Only problem, I needed all the prints to finish the project!  Well..... today I got the package with the remaining fabrics.  

I love how the Michael Miller's Dim Dots fabric works with the Petal pinwheels line.

It is a lengthy process paper piecing all those chairs....... I started last weekend and have been sneaking in a bit of sewing when I can  : )  It is a bit tricky to fit in sewing during summer time as my boys are with me all day!  And the weather here has been so nice so it has been extra difficult to be inside sewing : )

Pop on over to Freshly Pieced and share your Work in Progress.  I'd love to see what you are making  :)

OK ~ off to sneak in a bit more sewing this evening!

xo

Charise

Summer Giveaway ~ 30's playtime fabric + Berry Basket Pattern

Hello!  The Fat Quarter shop is celebrating its 11th anniversary.  In celebration they are generously donating a F8 set of Moda's 30's playtime fabric from Chloe's Closet. It is the entire set of the prints!  You can find the fabric [here] and see all the beautiful prints.

Since it works so well with my new Berry Basket pattern I will add my new pattern as well!
You can find my new pattern in my Etsy and Craftsy shops!

The give away is open until Thursday July 3rd at 9:00 p.m. pacific standard time.   Please let let me know what you would you would make with the Fat Quarter Shop's anniversary bundle.
Give - away is open to domestic and international commenters!

Good Luck!
xo
Charise

a few finishes during a crazy, beautiful summer ; )

It has been a wonderful summer so far!  The weather has been beautiful and I've been spending lots of time in the yard gardening.  We even made it to the beach on Wednesday - I love Seattle in the summer!  With the boys out of school, and the distractions of summer, I have not been sewing as much lately.

But there is a bit of Progress ~ I have mailed some bee blocks!  It is so nice to be caught up!  We just started round 2 of the Cocorico - the sewing machine is for Erin and the berry basket is for Melinda.
The dress is for Penny in the Ringo Pie bee.
You can find patterns for the sewing machine and the strawberry basket in my Etsy and Craftsy shops!

I have found some time to create a larger version of my twelve patch pouch - it is made with 3 1/2" squares so it measures a nice and large 8" x 12".    You can find the tutorial for the smaller version [Here]

 I added the small tabs to attach a shoulder strap or wrist strap.

This project is a request from my mom for a smaller bag that she can use to carry her wallet for walks to nearby shopping destinations.

I put together this stack of fabrics while organizing my stash - they just look so yummy and summery! 

I'm thinking a parasol quilt - umbrella blocks similar to one adorning the bag I made for Stitch Magazine last Spring.  Or a simpler half square triangle quilt to show off the beautiful fabrics.

Have a lovely day!
xo
Charise  

Sponsor news - FQ Shop 11th Anniversary Shipping Sale

The Fat Quarter Shop is celebrating their 11th anniversary with a shipping sale!  Head on over and see the wonderful selection of fabrics!

I love the new line by Bari J for Art Gallery Fabrics.  Wouldn't this print be cute in a summer shell top?

Have a lovely day!

xo

Charise

RJR Supreme Solids Winner - RosieGMA!

We have a winner for the RJR Supreme Solids blog hop - RoseGMA who said "I would make a mariner s star table runner....".

Thanks everyone for entering the drawing!

Have a lovely day  : )

xo
Charise

Berry Basket & Sponsor News

Today I took some time out for fun sewing!  Melinda in the Cocorico Bee asked for Farmer's Market bee blocks.  I re-designed my Berries in a Bowl pattern and put the berries in a basket!  

It was a fun block to make and I used some of my favorite fabrics.

Fabrics used:

Left Berry - Atsuko Matsuyama, Center Berry - Atsuko Matsuyama, Right Berry - Daiwabo Fabric by Ayako Kugimaru, Background fabric - Flower Sugar by Lecien, Berry Basket text - Bake Sale by Lori Holt Riley Blake fabrics.

As luck would have it, Becca at Sew Me a Song carries the Daiwabo and some fruit themed Atsuko Matsuyama Print Fabric!
She is running a flat rate sale on shipping through June 15th.
$ 2.50 US
$ 9.00 Canada
$12.00 Everywhere else 

No minimum purchase required.
No coupon code needed. 

Have a lovely day!


xo 
Charise   

RJR Supreme Solids Blog Hop & A Give Away! Pinwheel Coaster Tutorial, Too!!!

I am delighted to be a part of the RJR Supreme Solids Blog Hop.

My original design is the quilt pictured made with half square triangles.  The colors graduate from dark to light with the motifs fading at the edge of the quilt.  I used the quilt design as inspiration for a table runner and coordination coasters.    

I think the colors are perfect for summer.  Read through this post and you will find a simple tutorial to make your own set of summer coasters at the end of this post!

RJR Supreme solids cottons are a lovely quality with a beautiful hand and saturated colors.

The colors I used pictured in the pinwheel coasters from Left to Right, Top to Bottom are :

Rio #311, Lemon Chiffon #182, Cornflower #94

Crimson #108, Custard #265, Celeste #102

Background Fabric - French Vanilla #111

Colors used in the table runner:

Background: French Vanilla #111, Center Star - Crimson #108,  Right and Left Stars - Rio #311, Yellow Border stars - Cornflower #94l

RJR Supreme solids can be found at Pink Castle Fabrics [Here]

All the swatches for RJR Solids can be found on their site [Here]

A link to the Facebook page with all the beautiful projects can be found [Here]

RJR is giving away a FQ set of all the solids used in my projects!

Please leave a comment on this post and tell me what you would make with the FQ set of RJR Supreme solids.  Give away is open to US and Canadian residents.

Commenting is open until June 12th, 2014, 9:00 p.m. PST.

Good Luck  : )

Now for the Tutorial!!!

Pinwheel Coasters Tutorial

Supplies (for one coaster):

1 - 4" square background fabric - French Vanilla #111

1 - 4" Square Solid fabric - As listed above

2 - 1 1/2" x 4 1/2" strips print fabric

2 - 1 1/2" x 6 1/2" strips print fabric

1 - 6 3/4" batting

1 - 6 1/2" square solid or print fabric for backing

Matching Thread

Rotary Cutter and self healing mat

Acrylic ruler

All seams are 1/4"

Step 1

Place the 4" squares of the solid and background fabric right sides together.  Pin in place.

Step 2

Stitch around the perimeter with a 1/4" stitch.

Step 3

Cut the square diagonally, corner to corner creating 4 triangles.

Press seams open.

Step 4

Arrange the pinwheels as shown.  Stitch the top row together.  Press seam open.  Stitch the bottom two rows together.  Press seam open.

Stitch the top row to the bottom row.  Press seam open.

Step 6

Stitch the 1 1/2" x 4 1/2" strips to the top edges.

Stitch the 1 1/2" x 6 1/2" strips to the side edges.

Press seams toward the outer edges.

Step 7

Place the finished coaster top on top of the batting square.

Quilt in the ditch along the diagonal pinwheel seams.

Trim to 6 1/2" square.

Step 8

Place the backing square right side to the front pinwheel top.

Stitch around the perimeter leaving a 2 1/2" opening.

Clip corners.  Press seams open.

Turn right side out.

Slip stitch the opening closed.

Stitch in the ditch around the pinwheel square through all layers.

Enjoy!!!

xo

Charise

  

Sunday Stash

Kei Honeycomb Dots from Sew Me a Song

Happy Sunday everyone!  Thought I would share some of my favorite fabrics this week!

Kei Geo Dot from Sew Me a Song

Sew Me a Song has some beautiful dot from Kei by Yuwa Japan.  Love the Honeycomb Dots and the Geo Dots!

Becca is also carrying Jen Kingswell sewing patterns!  I Love The Gyspy Wife pattern.  Some day, when I have a bit less on my to do list, I'd love to try one of her patterns.

Apparel Fabrics From DryGoods Design.  Left: Ditsy Floral Cotton Floral, Right: Cotton Voile Salmon Pink

I am always in search of apparel fabrics. Luckily I live 15 minutes from DryGoods Design in the lovely Seattle neighborhood of Ballard.  I picked up these two lovely cotton voile fabrics and cannot wait to cut into them!  You don't have to live in Seattle to purchase these fabrics.  Kelli has an online shop with an amazing section of apparel fabrics and quilting cottons!  If you "need" any of the apparel fabrics, don't wait, they sell out fast!  Believe me - a few I wanted are already gone : (

Have a lovely day!

xo

Charise