Remembering the Lady in Red

This is a very special quilt.  I made it for me.  And it has a story...

This coming week marks the one-year anniversary of my mother's passing.  Not a day goes by that I don't think of her and feel her presence.

She was a very talented Interior Designer and had her own business for many years.

Several years ago she gave me a bundle of fabric samples.  Most of her fabrics were decorator fabrics, not really suitable for quilting.  But these were 100% cotton - slightly heavier than quilting cotton - but I thought I might be able to do something with them, so I brought them home and added them to my every-growing stash.  They probably date back to the 1990's and the colors are gorgeous.

I started making coasters.

Quilted, hexagon coasters - pairing the cotton samples with Essex Linen.

I love them, and they are addictive to make.

Recently, I spread the samples out on my cutting table, and once I saw all the colors lined up together, I knew that I had to make a quilt.

I planned, sketched, and researched, trying to come up with a design that would really show off these samples.  Then I remembered this quilt that I saw on the Poppyprint blog a few years ago and knew it would be perfect.  (Thanks for the inspiration, Krista!)

I chose this modern gray and white print for the background  Classical Elements by P&B Textiles.  It highlights every color perfectly.

While cutting the samples into squares for the quilt, I decided to omit the brightest red.  It just seemed so much brighter than the rest and I wasn't sure it would work.

But while making the blocks, I suddenly stopped and thought of how much Mom loved RED.  The last time she visited me, I took her shopping and I'll never forget the image of her walking down Main Street in her Red cape, Red hat, Red purse and Red shoes.

She turned heads.

Sure wish I had taken a picture...

So one one red square went back into the quilt and it became the "heart" of the quilt.

I don't think I would have been happy with the quilt without it now that it's done.

Krista quilted her quilt with concentric circles and I chose to quilt mine with one big spiral.

It is quickly becoming my "go-to" quilting design.  I've done it several times (here and here) and it never gets old.  I just love the modern look and the texture it gives.

So that's the story of my quilt,

"Remembering the Lady in Red".

I think Mom would love it.

(and there is still lots left to make more coasters!)

New Etsy Listings

Remember the Checkerboard Baby Quilts I blogged about starting in December?

I finally finished 5 of the 6 quilts, and spent the last couple of days taking and editing photos, writing new listings, and generally updating things in my Etsy Shop.

Then I rewarded myself with a walk on this sunny 60 degree February day.  Good for the soul.

As I worked on these quilts, it occured to me that there is nothing that limits them to just baby quilts!

As I wrote in my listing descriptions, they are:

"Perfect on the floor for baby's "tummy-time" play - for a toddler to snuggle under at story time - or for adults who simply want to add a splash of color to a room."

Here is a picture of the five new quilts...

...and a link to the listings in my shop, Cotton Cellar.

Cheers!

Sitting Pretty

Yesterday, my friend Ann and I spent a fun afternoon together recovering our sewing chairs.  We have talked about doing this forever and finally made a date to get them done.  It was a little harder than we thought, and took longer than planned, but we are both so happy with our results!

Here is my chair, before and after...

And here is Ann's...

Such an improvement over boring old beige!

I think my computer chair is begging to be recovered next...

Cheers!

Elephant Quilt

The Elephant Quilt is done and the elephants are just too cute!

I chose to quilt this one in one continuous spiral, then decided it needed to be a little denser, so I went back and stitched a second spiral in between the lines of the first pass.  It really gives the quilt an awesome texture that you just can't help but touch.

Now all that's left is for the expectant parents to get it hung on the nursery wall before this baby boy arrives.

Cheers!

Tasting Table Tuesday - Elephant Quilt

Last week I received a special request for an Elephant Quilt for a baby boy's bedroom wall.  Together, we picked this pattern.  Cirque d'Elephant by Sew Much Ado.  The pattern was an instant download after purchase from her Etsy shop.  So easy and quick!

The nursery colors are aqua, celery green and gray.  I found a great selection of fabrics at Shores Quilt Stop in Towanda PA and was able to buy everything I needed in one place.  It's about an hours drive from here along scenic Route 6 - a good excuse to go for a drive.

I used Sharon Schamber's Raw Edge Applique technique to make all the elephant blocks, using spray starch, freezer paper, Liquid Stitch glue, and blanket stitch.  I've used this method before, find it works really well for me, and it has become my preferred method of applique.

I hope to have more pictures to share soon.

Cheers!

In The Mood

I've got my mojo back.  I admit, this was an emotional holiday season.  It was the first Christmas without my Mom, and one of my closest friends passed away 10 days before Christmas.  But now it's a new year, and I'm forging ahead with lots of new ideas.

I was busy pin basting a quilt today...

...when it occurred to me - I know what I've been missing...

My MUSIC!

The battery in my bluetooth speaker died in December and I had misplaced my charging cord.  (Well, not really misplaced, I just hadn't taken the time to go look for it.)  My dear husband found it (in my sewing room, no less... ) and brought it upstairs for me.

Once I turned my music on, my quilting MOJO returned. 

 Now I'm In The Mood...

Do you listen to music when you sew?

Cheers!

Last Post of 2015

I finished assembling all six quilt tops this week.  Guess I know how I'll be starting out 2016 - quilting!

Cheers!  And Happy New Year!