Not exactly a quilt, but almost as much work...

Another finish before 2012 runs out. I pieced these at the beginning of the year, when I had all my fun oranges out for a quilt I completed. Couldn't put those colors away until I tackled something on my "to do" list: placemats; 12 placemats. (We have a large dining room table, in an odd shape (parallelogram) so tablecloths generally aren't a good fit). I routinely use placemats and thought making some would be fun. I had lots and lots of 1/2 square triangles in some of my very favorite colors and pieced them with Kona snow. Since my dinner wear is unique, I thought each placemat should be different as well. Without too much over planning and having the requirement of only one blue triangle in each placemat, off I went, playing more with the designs than the placement of each colored triangle. In the end 12 finished placemats, that when all is said and done, was just as much work as a quilt, and way more binding than I thought (yards and yards of binding).

The details:
The (not-so) Dirty Dozen: 1/2 square triangle placemats (12) 20" x 16" each
Pieced: various quilting cottons and Kona Snow (background)
Batting: Warm and Natural 100% cotton
Quilted: (straight line) with Auriful 50 wt cotton thread, in off-white and variegated orangy-red. (I think tutti-fruity but I'm not certain). Tone on tone threads for depth, but not contrast.

Oh, and by the way, this is my 200th post. So, if you've gotten this far and leave me a comment, I'll have a little something to give one lucky person to celebrate the New Year. Check back on 1/4/13 and see if that lucky person is you!!!

Now all I have to do is find someone willing to cook a feast,  I've got the table setting covered!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas, Be safe, happy and warm!

For baby….

My Daughter's Japanese teacher had a baby girl a few days ago. Since I hardly had time years ago to sew, work full time and sleep (part-time at best), I'm now seizing all opportunities to make all the cute baby clothes I hardly ever (I did make some, mostly for the Holidays) made……
(Plus the fabrics are so much nicer).
Baby Kimono top by Martha Stewart  (with additional instructions just in case you have a hard time following Martha's) and pull-on pants by Made by Rae:

The ties (which I liked better than buttons) are made with vintage up-cycled silk kimono fabric. So soft against baby skin. I added 2 additional ties to the side (In the pattern the ties are just at the shoulder).  The cotton top and pants fabric are both Amy Butler. I made the Kimono top in the longer length, since it's a little girl. (Yes, I know she's not walking yet, it's just so cute with the little coordinating pants peeking out the bottom).

12-12-12

I just knew there was something special about today.

This is why……...
A beautiful pouch, with  just perfect hand embroidery, full of my favorite candy (Atomic Fire Balls). The hand-stitched Christmas Tree card is equally lovely.
Thanks Whitney -  All of it is perfect!

Dear Santa-

I've been very, very, very busy this year! So, since it's that time of the year when it is much better to give than to receive, I am showing you what I made to give to my family and friends this Christmas. I'm photographing them all, but keeping it a secret as to who gets what. You see, I also love surprises, even when they are not mine. So, Merry Christmas everyone. I hope you see something you like!!

Table runner, pillows, little pouches, pot holders, and note books

Close-up of the Christmas goodies

Folded log cabin, I love the 3-D effect

Bee blocks finally in a finished pillow, Christmas Bee, Oh,  Fransson! block Pattern

Covered note books, pattern here

Holiday pot holder, Christmas Bee, Oh,Fransson! Block Pattern

Long, long table runner (this might give it away). Christmas Bee Blocks, Oh, Fransson! Block pattern

Holiday winners

Congratulations to the Holiday winners, all who left great comments.
The 2 winners, one each for November and December are:
Gill: who said:I'm thankful for my husband's continuing recovery and for my daughter's first real job!
I'm a happy follower!and Marcia: who said:I'm thankful that my grandnieces are healthy and happy. I'm hopeful that will win this fabric so will have enough themed fabric to make a throw quilt by next Halloween!
Send me your snail mail addresses so that I can get your packages into the mail.
And to all of my followers, and to all who left comments- may your holiday season be happy and may 2013 hold may happy days of sewing and fun for each of you!
Check back in 2013 for some new years happenings right here!

Giving Thanks

                                   

That about sums it up!

                                                  To see what I am thankful for, go here.

Pillows, that's what I've been up too

Round 3 of X-factor pillows is now complete and I mailed off my pillow to my partner. She should be getting it soon. The "theme" was triangles, so "Triangle Fiesta" a 17" x 17" pillow with lots of triangles, some quilted, some as accents along the pillow border. In contrast to the sharp lines of the triangles I opted for some dense pebble quilting. The back is closed with a zipper and I stuffed it with an 18" pillow form for extra plump. Various quilters cottons were used, along with tone on tone cotton threads. The background is Kona Snow. ¡Ole!

November- December De-stash Giveaway Info.

Ok, a little different format for the end of the season. Why not!? For November and December there will be 2 prizes, 2 winners. Both will be announced after Thanksgiving, at the end of November. As some of you may know, my "Tail Wind" quilt was chosen to be part of the Modern Quilt Guilds Special exhibit at the International Quilt Festival in Houston, TX. I went to see it and all the other beautiful quilts in the exhibit. And when there are quilts there are quilt making goodies, so I picked up a few.
So, 2 winners, each getting something from the International Quilt festival AND a $15.00 gift certificate to Hawthorne Threads. The entries are open to all, so all are welcome. I appreciate all of you either checking out my blog or following it, and it is the time of the year to give thanks for that. So, thanks everyone and good luck! Just leave a comment  and if you feel up to it, let me know what you are thankful for this time of year.

To Houston I did go…...

My entry photo, "Tail Wind"

I did it, I went to see my "Tail Wind" Quilt at the International Quilt Festival in Houston, TX. It was part of the Modern Quilt Guild exhibit and we made it a family affair.  It was only for a day, but it was so exciting to see it hanging among all the other fabulous modern quilts in the exhibit. I'm still pinching myself!

Here are some of the days highlights….. (well, at least of me).

Waiting in line to go into the show

The nice ladies manning the Modern Quilt Guild "desk"

The red carpet……..

My quilt was hung right with the Modern Quilt Guild Sign

Here I am…...still wondering how this all happened

                                             

My family came with me: (L-R)
Bridger, Robert, Lydia, Remi, Steve and me

Yup, loving every second!

                                     
Thanks to all of you who posted kind words while I was trying to navigate my mobile Facebook page and enjoy myself at the same time.

Looking forward

Well, it's up and if you're not going to Houston, TX, you can see all 33 quilts in the Modern Quilt Guild Exhibit at the International Quilt Festival. Yee Ha!
Here is the link.
I am truly humbled to be in such company.

Bloggers Quilt Festival Quilt, Fall

                                                             VISIT THE FESTIVAL!
It's that time of the year again, when Amy's Creative Side Hosts the Blogger quilt festival, so many gorgeous quilts…..

My entry for this year, in the category of Group (Bee Quilt) is "It all depends on who you ask"

You can read the complete post about the quilt and the very talented ladies who made this a reality here.

Quilt stats:
Title: "It all depends on who you ask"
Size: 82" x 74"
Design: Free form pods, technique by:  Quilting Modern by Jacquie Gering and Katie Pedersen
                                       quilt design by: Stephanie Ruyle (me)
Quilting: Free motion quilting (regular sewing machine) by: Stephanie Ruyle
               Pattern: modified feathers/leaves within the pods, loop-d-loops, background
Batting: Warm and Naturla 100% cotton
Fabric: various quilting cottons, background, Kona Coal, front and back
Thread: Aurifil, grey, 30 wt. Quilt front and bobbin
Special Techniques: free form curved piecing

I can't wait to spend a few more hours looking at all the other beautiful quilts……. such inspiration.

October winner is…...

Happy Halloween and…..The October De-stash Give away winner is Shannon…… who said "My favorite holiday tradition is going Christmas tree hunting in the mountains with my family. There's always lots of yelling back and forth to come look at this one or that one, and invariably one of the dogs wanders off and gets stuck in a thicket from which it is lovingly rescued. Usually the air is brisk but not too cold and we find an almost perfect tree that's wonderful for the rest of the holiday season. " Congratulations Shannon. I will be contacting you via email for your snail mail address.
Check back on November 5th for the November - December giveaways. I will be combing in the 2 months, 2 winners, so that you can have your goodies by the end of November and enjoy them for the Holidays.

It all depends on who you ask

Another quilt finished. This one a group project from one of my favorite Bees, Always Bee Learning. I asked my Bee mates to make improve curved "pod" blocks from the fabric that I sent in the mail. They got the technique here and could make them any size or shaped they desired.

Quilt, front

Quilt, back

close-up front

 The quilt is destined to be a gift to my sister-in-law; belated birthday and house warming.

Title: "It all depends on who you ask"
Size: 82" x 74"
Pattern: pod construction directions: from the book Quilting Modern by Jacquie Gering and Katie Pedersen.    Quilt layout and design: me
Quilting: FMQ loop-de-loops with pod interior in various leaf designs

FMQ- interior pod, front

FMQ, back

Fabric: various 100% cotton fabrics (pods); solid: Kona coal
Thread: Aurifil
Batting: 100% warm and natural cotton

Special thanks to my Bee mates for their pod contributions, I'm sure you will all have fun finding the ones you made.

October De-stash Giveaway time!

Its officially Fall, October, my favorite time of the year. But this box will have a Holiday theme, and I wanted to get that in the mail this month so that you could actually use it for the upcoming holidays.

To be eligible for this month's give-away, you need to be a resident of the USA and you need to let me know your favorite Holiday tradition. (It can be Thanksgiving or Christmas, or Hanukkah). For instance, every Thanksgiving at our house, the kids and I make  place markers for the table. Each one different, with the person who place marker it is, in mind. When the kids were really little they were mostly made by me, but Thanksgivings of late, they have been 100% made by the kids. I love to see what they have come up with. Although we generally have the same group of people every year, we make new place markers. Our guests like them so much they take them home!

Details for the 2012 Monthly Giveaway:

I will post a photo of the give-away each month during the first week of the month- so check back often, so you don't miss out.

You will have until the 21st of each month to leave a comment.

Leave only one comment per person.

I will pick a winner and get your package in the mail on or about the 25th of each month (postal holidays and weekends excepted). (Make sure you don't fall in to the no-reply blogger category- if I can't get you I'll pick someone else). And don't forget to answer the monthly "question". Just saying "thanks for the giveaway" won't secure the win for you.

I know some of my followers are outside the USA. Because international postal rates abroad are much more expensive I will be doing international mailings only a few times during the year (these are big packages and costly to send). Please know- I haven't forgotten you and appreciate your following me- I really do. So, I will specifically post whether the monthly destash-give-away is open to international entries on any given month.

Thanks for all your support and good luck in 2012! Remember 3 chances remain to win this year- Go for it!!!

September De-Stash give away winners

2 winners this month:

in the US:
Pauline who said "My favorite fall activity is going to the outdoor markets, the fall fairs, going to the apple orchard, sipping apple cider and celebrating birthdays. We have 2 'grandones' that celebrate September birthdays. We have 2 grown sons, one with a birthday in October and one was almost a 'goblin' but waited until November 1. It's a great time to get together with family before the colder weather sets in. I'm looking forward to the warm days and the cooler nights. Thanks for the chance! Pauline  "

and international:
Cherie who said "My favourite thing had got to be kicking through the leaves. The crunch of them under my feet, has a nice feel to it. As well as the colours the trees go. 
Thanks for the chance to win I'm over in the UK =D  "
Thanks to both of you for your fall favorite things.

I need a snail mail address from Pauline and a preferred email address from Cherie (so I can email your Hawthorne threads gift card).

Just a few more days until the October give-away……...

Two Bees are Better than One

My biggest quilt yet-

Front

Back

Title: "Two Bees are Better than One"
Size: 98" x 98"
Design (front): Starburst blocks from 12 Month Quilting Bee, set in an original design
Design (back): Seminole Patchwork Strips from Always Bee Learning, set in an original design
Quilting: FMQ "scallops"
Material: 100% cotton quilting fabrics, assorted; Major solids- Kona curry and paprika; Threads: YLI (paprika), Auriful (curry)- top; bobbin- YLI paprika
Batting: organic bamboo

close-up of scalloped quilting (after washing), front

use of Seminole Patchwork strips from Always Bee Learning , back

Lessons Learned:
1. It was time to use some of the beautiful blocks I have received from various Bees. In this case, I used one set for the front of the quilt and the other set for the back.
2. Some times procrastination makes for a beautiful quilt
3. I tried organic bamboo batting for the first time and had some interesting problems. I found it to be very fragile. While quilting the batting often coated the thread and pulled through to the top and bottom of the quilt. I thought perhaps washing would get rid of the batting "dust" but instead, this is what happened:

Much like pilling on a sweater. It was embedded in the quilt top, and it wouldn't come off with one of those tape rollers, so I had to resort to a sweater shaver to remove all the pill. It took hours to get both the front and the back pill free. I haven't ever had this happen with cotton or wool batting. I'm not sure I'm excited about using bamboo again (even though I have enough for one more quilt).

A tale of 2 pillows

"Tic-tac pillow", 20 x 20", left
"Not your grandmother's flower garden", 20 x 22", right

 I've never done this before. Made something for a swap, liked it so much, I kept it, made another and liked it too. I will not resort to eeny-meeny-miney-mo! One of these pillows has got to go (to the swap that is). They are different, but somehow complimentary. I think it's the circle thing going on. Or perhaps the colors, or perhaps the slightly organic quilting. (Ok it's more than slightly organic). But here they are. I made them in late summer, but cannot post until now because the swap entailed not letting anyone know who made what pillows, part of the rules for the Modern Quilted Pillow Swap.  Well, atlas I can say here they are! I won't say for sure which one I kept, but the person who gets one of them will know which one is hers.

Close-up quilting on front of Pillow 1

Close-up quilting on front of pillow 2

and here are the backs

Pillow one with circles and "weaves", free form pieced

Pillow 2, whole cloth quilting with an echoed flower.

So, Modern Quilted Pillow Swap recipient, I sure hope you like your pillow, I know I do!!!

September De-stash Giveaway, a few days late….

Ok, what happened to the last few days of August and a few days in September…. yikes.
Well, here we are with month 9 of the De-stash giveaways.
September, what I think is the first "fall" month. So, what's up for grabs in September??? (2 winners this month)

Autumnal things of all kinds…… for the US residents and a $15.00 gift certificate to Hawthorne Threads for the international winner.
So, for an entry in September, which will be open to US and International residents, tell me:
What is your favorite fall activity??? Mine, it's picking out the perfect pumpkin for Halloween.
Good luck!

Details for the 2012 Monthly Giveaway:

I will post a photo of the give-away each month during the first week of the month- so check back often, so you don't miss out.

You will have until the 21st of each month to leave a comment.

Leave only one comment per person.

I will pick a winner and get your package in the mail on or about the 25th of each month (postal holidays and weekends excepted). (Make sure you don't fall in to the no-reply blogger category- if I can't get you I'll pick someone else). And don't forget to answer the monthly "question". Just saying "thanks for the giveaway" won't secure the win for you.

I know some of my followers are outside the USA. Because international postal rates abroad are much more expensive I will be doing international mailings only a few times during the year (these are big packages and costly to send). Please know- I haven't forgotten you and appreciate your following me- I really do. So, I will specifically post whether the monthly destash-give-away is open to international entries on any given month.

Thanks for all your support and good luck in 2012! Remember 5 chances remain to win this year- Go for it!!!

August De-stash winner!

Congratulations to Gwen who said (in reply to the question on rainbows) "My husband and I were on an October vacation in the mountains-- driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The leaves were in full color and absolutely breathtaking-- couldn't imagine *anything* that would have made the scenery more beautiful--- UNTIL we rounded a curve and saw a full rainbow arcing from one mountaintop to another! We pulled over, took lots of photos and just enjoyed God's handiwork! Amazing!! :-) "

Gwen, I will be sending you your package as soon as I get your address. Check back on September 1st for the next months giveaway. There are still 4 more chances to win this year!