Trying the Locks

I am back on the long arm again today doing some straight line quilting.  I am quilting straight lines all the way across the quilt in random intervals.  I am almost done with the horizontal lines then I will need to unload the quilt and put it on in the other direction so I can turn it into a cross hatch design :)

These are the little guys that are making this super straight line quilting possible.  Channel Locks.  They keep the long arm from moving up and down.  It just goes back and forth.  There is a bit of a learning curve to keeping the puckers out (same as there is on a home machine when using your walking foot) but it sure beats using a ruler :)

This makes me wonder how many other amazing long arm tools are out there??

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!

Modern Trees

So have you seen the new Quilt-A-Long that Christa from Christa Quilts is hosting.  It is called Modern Trees and it is such a fun pattern.  This is the particular variation that I love :)  I just think those scrappy improv trees are so fun!!!  Christa does such a great job with her Quilt-A-Long's and has wonderful step by step instructions along the way.   Pop on over and check out all the details ;)

Now sadly, I don't have time to join this particular Quilt-A-Long.  But I really want to have this quilt for Christmas, so I decided to call on the help of my trusty Bee Mates from the Bees Knees group :)   My plan is to add 2more rows, one of 6 tress and then one more row with just one tree to represent the trunk :)  Yippee Skippee!!!  October is my month and the timing could not be more perfect.  I whipped out my Blitzen fat eighth pack that I have been saving for just such an occasion and got to cutting.  Oh, I just love these prints, I am so excited!!!

I cut some white and brown for the background and trees and got them all bagged up.  Now I just need to print off the paper pieced pattern I made (I didn't want everyone to have to buy the ruler for just 2 trees) and address some envelopes and they will be ready to pop in the mail.

That's my goal for the day ;)  I am just so excited about this project.  Each tree that comes back will be it's own special design and I just can't wait to see them all come together ;)

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!

By the numbers 2, 10, 25, and 40

Today's post is a little of this and that all brought to you by the numbers 2, 10, 25, and 40 :)

Yesterday was a special day for our sweet little girl ;)  No more babies in our house, she practiced telling everyone that she was 2!!  So now she has decided she is a Big Girl.

She seems pretty happy to be growing up.  Or maybe it is just the cake :)

October is the 10th month in the year and my month for the Bees Knees group.  So today, I plan to slice up this Fat Eighth bundle of Blitzen by Basicgrey and package it all up to hopefully go in the mail tomorrow.  I can't wait to have another quilt for the 25th!!!!  I love Christmas Quilts!!  More on the plan tomorrow ;)

And lastly, I totally forgot to pick a winner on Saturday for these 40 fantastic Soho jelly roll strips!!  Sorry about that.  So let's pick  a winner now :)

The winner is . . .    So fun #1 . . . . Cynthia Brunz Design.  Congrats Cynthia, I sent you an email ;)

Well that just about wraps all of our numbers up for today ;)  See ya tomorrow and have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

In Your Neighborhood - A New Quilt

Okay, I know I always say my newest quilt is my new favorite, but this one really, really, really is.  I am just so thrilled to share this new quilt with you today.  The design was inspired by a lamp I saw in home good store a while back.  It took a little while to get the design to play nice, but I stuck to it and I am so glad I did.  So , here it is . . . In Your Neighborhood, my newest pattern!!   It is available at  my  Etsy shop and once again, I listed it on sale since it is all kinds of brand new and I am just so happy about it :)

Oh my, I just can't say how thrilled I am about this finish.  It is just so fun to see a simple little concept take shape into a beautiful quilt.  I love the big blocks and all of the movement they create!!  It really just grabs your attention ;)

The fabric is Road 15 by Sweetwater by Moda.  I just love this fabric, and it has a special little treat for me as well.  When the gals at Sweetwater were designing it they asked for people to submit their street address to add into the design.  And yup, my street address is printed in the texty fabric.  So fun!!!

And a bit about the pattern.  It is suitable for beginners and up.  It really is pretty easy to piece as there are not a whole lot of seams to worry about matching up.  Love that about a floating layout ;)

And yes, there are size options !!!!  In Your Neighborhood has options for a Baby, Picnic, and  Queen.  The quilt I made is the Picnic size :)  

And I am so excited to share some of the quilting detail ;)  I quilted this on the long-arm and I tried out some new things and they turned out so great.  So happy!!  

In all of the print squares, I did a echo repeat rectangle pattern moving inward.  And yup, I used a ruler for the first time on the long-arm.  It was so wonderful.  It really helps to have the right tools for the job. I just love how nice and straight they are and the little diamond effect it creates ;)

In the background, I used a super fun "tile" quilting pattern that I learned from Angela Walter's Machine Quilting Negative Space  Craftsy class.  It worked perfectly with the pattern as it added to the feel of the "neighborhoods".  And more importantly, it was so much fun to quilt!

And lastly, in the "roads"  or at least that's what they seem like to me, I did a little back and forth wiggle.  These were a little harder then they looked for me.  It was difficult to keep my wiggles the same distance apart and the corners were a little tricky.  But they got better the more I practiced :)

  

All in all, super happy with the overall effect the quilting added to the quilt.  It really just finished it off perfectly :)  And now, I get to take this fun quilt and run it down to my LQS, Stiching it Up, as I will be teaching a class on it in October ;)  I also get to teach this quilt to another class at Quilt St. George in January.  I can't wait!!!

  I hope you like In Your Neighborhood.   I get a huge grin every time I walk past it on the table.  It never ceases to amaze me how wonderful it is to see an idea translated into a quilt.  I just love the process!!

And speaking of the process,  Jennifer Overstreet of Gable House & Co. did a wonderful little interview with me on being a pattern designer and it posted this morning.  You can find it here :)

Alright, I will wrap it up now.  Here is one more link to the pattern.   I have listed them on sale for $5.00.  They will be $5.00 until next weekend (or when I remember to change the listing) and then be listed for the original price of $8.50.   They can be found in my Etsy Shop.

Have a Happy Quilting Weekend.  I know I plan to ;)

Linking this  finish  to Amanda's and Sarah's

A Visit From Christa :)

I had the loveliest visit from this afternoon.  Christa, from Christa Quilts stopped by on her way to the sewing summit.   And oh my, what fun we have had for the last 2 1/2 hours!!!

We started with a tour of the house to show her all of the quilts that are piled on all the beds and corners of rooms ;)  And of course, my little one was just so excited to show Christa everything in her room :)  

And then we ventured down to my sewing room where we couldn't help but get a little silly with some picture taking of picture taking ;)  Good Times :)

After the "tour" we sat and chatted about all things quilting for 2 hours.  I feel so inspired, invigorated, and just happy!!  There is nothing quite like getting to chat with someone who shares your passion.   It really is so incredibly enjoyable.  Thanks again Christa for taking the time to stop by :)

And now that I have enjoyed my afternoon, it's time to start some laundry :)

Until next time, Happy Quilting!!