Oh Dear Me Pillow Cover

Oh hello lovlies!! How is everyone this fine fall day?? 

It's been a bit since I posted and boy do I have a doozie for you today!!

I did another tutorial over on the Sizzix blog today and I am so in love with this pillow cover.  I may have to make a ton more!!!! 

It's crazy easy and the best part, besides it being adorable, it has no waste except for the trimmings to square up your fabric!!! 

It uses the actual die cut piece and the negative space so you don't have to throw anything away!!! 

If you want to make one of your own using the same Reindeer Die or even a different one, head on over to my post on the Sizzix blog and you will see just how easy it is!!!

Much Love!!!

Tidbit Tuesday #45 - Starching

Good Tuesday to you my friends! 

I have another tidbit for you today! Two weeks in a row even! 

This is a tip that I have grown to love and use all the time.  At first I groaned because I thought it took too long but after giving it a fair chance, I can't imagine not doing it.  

Starching.  Is. Amazing. 

I don't know about you, but I use a lot of Fat Quarters and Fat Eights.  Upon opening these, they always have folds that are not always so easy to get out. If you are anything like me, you want to give those pretties a quick iron and get to cutting so you can delve right into your project, right? That was me.  Inpatient and quick to cut.  This almost always resulted in inaccurate cutting which doesn't bode well when it comes to putting the quilt together.

Fabric is Ansonia by Denyse Schmidt for Freespirit!

Here is what I do with all my fabric before I cut it. 

First open up the fabric and lay it wrong side up. Using your favorite starch spray the wrong side of the fabric.  I like to use Faultless Heavy Starch as I can just starch one side and be good.  If you use a lighter starch, you may have to repeat the process on both sides, and perhaps more than once.  You will have to test to see what works for you. 

Note:  When I am pressing my blocks (using the same method) I use a lighter starch like Flatter! Love that stuff!! It smells sooooooo good! 

Love my Oliso Iron and Flatter by Soak!!

After you lightly sprayed the starch, let it sit for a minute or two.  I usually work in pairs.  I will starch two fat quarters, or whatever, wait two minutes, press one and before I start the second one, have a third sprayed.  This way one is always ready to go after I am done pressing. 

BEFORE you press, flip your fabric so the right side is now up.  Now press your fabric.  Go kind of slow.  You want the starch to raise up through the fabric as you press and you don't want the fabric to be wet so give it a good pressing. If you still have stubborn wrinkles in your fabric, after pressing the right side of the fabric, now spray the right side of the fabric with the starch, let sit, and then flip it to the wrong side and press.  Just remember you always want to draw the starch up through the fabric to your iron.  Never iron directly on the starch you just sprayed.  

Once you do this, your fabric will be wrinkle free and crisper.  Starching also stabilizes the fabric which is extra good when you are working with the bias edges!! It also helps  your fabric from fraying.  Who doesn't love that when you have to trim all those frayed edges from the back of a pieced top before getting it quilted??!! 

Another thing I have noticed with starching is that my cutting has been much easier and more accurate.  Nice crisp clean cuts! 

Oh and don't worry.  Your quilts won't be super stiff from starching (unless you go reallllyy overboard..lol)  and all of it will wash out!!! 

The morale of this story is that if you take your time in prepping the fabric, your quilts will go together easier and will come our more accurate.  Who doesn't want that? :)

These are all my personal thoughts on this subject matter.  What are your thoughts on starching?? 

Much Love!!!!

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour

So, um, I have a secret. However, if you read Julie's blog, it's not really a secret anymore! My quilting momma approves!! Yeah! ;)

You have all heard of this magazine, right?

Well today marks day two of the blog tour for the release of Volume #3 of this "must have" magazine!

If you happen upon this magazine, check out page 75. You will see this...

It's my block!! See!! **jumps up and down**

I am so excited to be among 99 other amazing quilters!!! 

This magazine goes on sale on May 10th, 2011 so keep your eyes open!! You won't want to miss all these amazing blocks!! 

Also, keep checking Quiltmakers blog, Quilty Pleasures, for more quilters on this blog tour to have a chance to win this magazine!!

In case you are interested in seeing how this block would look in a lay out, here are a few examples:

Now, on to the good stuff, right?! 

Want to win a copy of 100 Blocks, Volume #3?? 

Just leave me one comment, say whatever you wish, (but remember we are creative folk here) *wink* and I will randomly choose a winner on May 6th at 8pm (cst)!!

Good luck and I hope you join us on the blog tour!! Lots O giveaways going on that you won't want to miss!!

Much Love!!!

Opposites Attact

I've been working on a quilt for my nephew and today I can say that it's done. Well, almost. 

I don't usually, actually never, take photos of a "completed" quilt before it's washed. Mostly because I see that as the final test and it's actual completion. However, with it being winter and it not being light out as long, the opportunity to take good photos is very limited. I wanted to be able to show this quilt before it was sent off to its new owner and today is the last day of good light that I will have. 

So, I have the binding pinned down (which will be stitched down by hand tonight) and a quilt to share. :)

This is the quilt he will hopefully love for many many years...

Opposites Attract - Pattern by Julie Herman

Pieced and Quilted by KarrieLyne

Started 11/29/10

Completed 12/19/10

 

I used the Opposites Attract pattern from Julie at Jaybird Quilts. She has them in her shop and it's such a wonderful pattern! So easy and so versatile! Julie shows her quilt matching up the prints, I changed it up a bit and jumbled mine all around to give it a bit more of a scrappy look.  I used the All-Star 2 line  by My Minds Eye for Riley Blake. Soooo Cute!

Here is an up close shot of how I quilted it. I just used an all over meandering being careful not to stitch over the raw edges. I've made the mistake of doing that before and the fraying process was a mess! I can't wait to see how this one comes out of the wash! I may have a chance to take more photos on Wednesday (hoping for the day off...lol) so maybe you will see it all squished up and frayed too. :)

Merry Christmas little guy! :)

Much Love!!!

Daisies and Dots Quilt and Tutorial

So I have been teasing you for a spell now with this fabric, and it is finally time for the reveal!

I adore this quilt! With all the bright colors in the prints, you just can't help but smile! 

Introducing.... "Flower Boxes"... 

Daisies and Dots line by Piece O Cake for Robert Kaufman - Fabric releases January 2011!  

Pieced and quilted by KarrieLyne.

Began 12/03/10. Completed 12/10/10.  

The cutting is fairly minimal and soooo easy! The piecing, simple too! Definitely a quilt that you can put together in a weekend! 

Would you like to make one too??!! 

Guess what? I've made a tutorial for you!! Whoop! 

Just head on over to the Swatch and Stitch on Robert Kaufman's site and you can download the PDF tutorial there. :)

Want to make it in this fabric line?! Run, not walk, to your local quilt shoppe and beg, on your knees, for them to get this yummy line in! Seriously, they can't resist that kind of begging. :D  

I hope you like it! I know I do. :)

Much Love!!!

Productivity!

This weekend I was REALLY productive in the quilting arena! 

I showed you the Daisies and Dots fabric. That quilt top is complete, sandwiched and I am about half way done quilting it! 

I also started playing with this fabric at about 10 am today...

And by about 4 pm, in between entertaining the kids, starting lunch and dinner, and doing laundry, I completed the top!!

I am loving this quilt. I think it's definitely one of my favourites so far. I can't show you too much right now, but I CAN tell you a few things! 

• It is made with a new line from Moda called Java by Deb Strain
• Yes, it is a Moda Bake Shop project which means ANOTHER tutorial for all y'all. :) 
• I'm pretty sure Leah over at Burgundy Buttons will have this in a kit for you! If you've never been to her shop, head on over there. She has a TON of inventory and lots on clearance too! Click HERE to head to her shop!
• Oh... when can you see this? Mark your calendars for December 30th! Not too far away...
• Until then...here's a sneak peek ;)

Not only did I do all that...but I also worked on my Pillow Talk Swap 4 pillow! I'm wishing I would have cut enough for me to make two of these. I'm really loving it! I was also ahead of the game this time and took photos along the way so I can do a tutorial for you if you want to make one yourself. :) 

Here's what I have so far...I just need to put the back on it and send it on it's merry way. 

Psheww... I'm pooped! LOL! 

I love weekends like this! It definitely makes my plate a bit lighter, which means I can work on things that I've been putting off. 

I have one last thing to show you. Can't have a post with out kitty photos, right? :) 

The kittens were born outside and spent the first 8 weeks or so of their life out there so they are constantly trying to get outside. Ugh! I wouldn't care, because they are fixed, but I'm afraid they might not come back and that would break my heart, so I try and keep them indoors. Except for today. 

My daughter and I thought it would be funny to see what they would do in the snow (we got our first *real* snowfall this weekend...boooo)  and maybe deter them from wanting to go outside!

Ummmm..

Odyssey checking out the snow, not bothered at all...

Sunny...she's got it all over her face and not bothered by it...

Well, so much for that reverse psychology bit...Sunny now meows at the door wanting to go out. LOL!

Here's hoping you had a productive weekend as well!

Much Love!!!

Pocket Full of Pinwheels Tutorial

I normally do not post twice in one day....but today calls for another post.

I was just notified that my tutorial for Riley Blake's Cutting Corners College quilt posted today!!!

Woot Woot!!

Here she is.... "Pocket Full of Pinwheels".... <--- click there to take you to the tutorial! :D

This is the back of the quilt. I made an extra block to use as the label. :)

What do you think?! I think it's the sweetest thing...I just love this line by Quilted Fish for Riley Blake.

*Swoon*

Much Love!!!

A Second Look at Binding Thread

I get so many comments from readers that tell me how much they enjoy my "tidbits". (Thank you!). I think I like them more than you because whenever I post them, I get additional suggestions related to that tidbit! (Thank you!). 

Yesterdays tidbit was in regards to using silk thread when doing the binding on a quilt as it glides smoothly and does not knot up. 

In my excitement, I may have posted in haste. I'm not saying that what I said is wrong or bad, but I really hadn't worked with this type of thread to really be able to give it a fair assessment. So let me share with you some of the suggestions I received, and you can make your own decisions on what you'd prefer to use in your own quilts. :) 

A lot of people said they used hand quilting thread to bind their quilts. I guess you can find it coated to help prevent the tangling. I don't know why I never thought of using hand quilting thread, since essentially, that is exactly what you are doing. I am going to have to give that a try too. I know that the thread is thicker than normal piecing thread so that would lead me to believe it would last longer. 

Julia had said that she had used silk thread and in a year or so the thread snapped. *gasp*. I'm a bit worried about that happening. I did a test.....I took my 100% cotton thread that I piece with (and used to bind with) and pulled it to see how much uumpfff it took to break it. Then did the same thing with the silk. To me, there wasn't a difference. If there was, it was unnoticeable to me. This made me feel a little better. 

Someone else also suggested to use a product called Thread Heaven. This product is supposed to condition your thread for ease of use AND it is supposed to lengthen the lifetime of the finished work. I'm totally getting some of this!! Once I receive it and have a chance to use it, I will do a review here. Thank you Diane for suggesting this!

Then....Sequana said she used straw needles. Who'd a thunk it?! Not I! She even shared a tutorial she found for her binding and now she loves doing binding! Check out the tutorial she shared HERE.  I am a bit worried after reading the tutorial because it speaks of using regular cotton thread for piecing and if you use it for binding, it should be doubled up. I've never done that. I hope my bindings don't start coming off.  (o_O)

So I've decided I need to change my ways.

I think I am going to try two things. No, three. I am going to get some hand quilting thread and I am going to pull out my straw needles and give that a go. I am also going to get some of that Thread Heaven and use that, perhaps even on my hand quilting thread. Can't hurt.

Even though I loved using the silk thread, I'm not sure its my best option unless I double it up. I say that because it's the same weight as the thread I used for piecing. 

So I apologize for being so quick to post on the silk thread and I hope that this post will help you make a better informed decision on how to bind your own quilts so they last forever! :D 

I also haven't shown any sneak peeks lately..... I know how you all love to be teased. :) 

Have you seen this line? Sweet Divinity by The Quilted Fish for Riley Blake?! 

**Swoon**

Well, I've been playing with it...I can't show you much right now...but soon. I promise. :) 

Is it ironic that it is waiting for binding to be tacked down? LOL

I tried a new quilting technique as well. The lines are spaced about 2" apart in a cross hatch design. I can't wait to see it washed and all smooshed up!!! 

Much Love!!!

 

 

Boxed In With Lollipops

Sounds kind of fun huh? Well, it would be if you liked lollipops anyway. :)

I'm not talking about the sweets though, I'm talking about Sandy Gervais' new line for Moda called Lollipop! Ohhh...her lines are always so fun to work with. They just make me smile!

Here's a peek at my latest Moda Bake Shop Goodie using these fabrics...

"Boxed In"
Began September 22nd, 2010
Finished September 26th, 2010
Quilted and Pieced by me

Click your mouse right HERE if you'd like to see the entire quilt and the tutorial that goes along with it. :)

Enjoy!!!

Much Love!!!

Autumn Strings Tutorial

Remember the shots of this yummy fall fabric? I've put it to good use and I'm thrilled with the results!

I've wanted to make a string quilt for a while now but in case you haven't noticed, I like quick quilts. Not ones that will take me forever to complete, so I never started one.

Anyone else in that same boat? Love the look of a string quilt but just don't want to spend the time it takes to create one block by block? 

This kept nagging at me and then one day it hit me and I figured out a fast and simple way to achieve this look using a technique using tubes of fabric. It's not quite as variable as an actual string quilt, but depending on how you choose to piece it, it could be, but much quicker!

Began on October 2, 2010 - Completed on October 9, 2010

Pieced and quilted by me

Fabrics: High Society by Khristian A. Howell and Kona Cottons and Crush by Robert Kaufman

I actually made this in just a few days! Yes, you heard me right. A string quilt... in a few days!!!

What do you think?!! I absolutely LOVE it!! It's sooo....sooo....fallish! LOL!

If you love it too and want to make your own, you are in luck because I created a tutorial just for you!

Instead of step by step on my blog, I've created a PDF that you can download and print if you'd like.

Click HERE to download the PDF for the Autumn Strings tutorial. 

Note: It will take you to Google Docs where you can view the file and download from there if you wish.

I'd like your feedback on this though. Do you like it better posted on the blog AND a PDF or is it better with just the option of the PDF?

If you put one of these babies together, I hope you will share it with me! I'd love to see it! There is also a Flickr Group that you can add your photos to of any project tutorial that I share either here, on Moda Bake Shop, or Robert Kaufman!

Enjoy and happy quilting!!

Much Love!!!

Double Trouble

I was working on a quilt tonight and as always, the kitties like to help. Their favourite spot is right on my ironing board which sits by a window. The birds and chipmunks like to tease them... :)

They were just too cute sitting there so I snapped a few shots. Sunny is in the back and Odyssey is in the front with the "don't even think about moving me" look on her face...lol!

Odyssey wanted to help a little bit more by offering up a sneak peek of the quilt I was working on. She told me not to share too much though. :)

I hope you like what you see so far, because I will be doing a tutorial on it soon! My goal is sometime next week! Keep your eyes peeled!

So, what have you all been working on? I'd love to see! 

Much Love!!!

Another Finish!

I was sitting here the other day and had an itch to sew but I didn't know what I wanted to work on.

Then I remembered one that I started back on April 3, 2010 following THIS tutorial from Film In The Fridge. 

So it started with this yummy stack of goodness...

Then it turned into this...

For some reason I stopped taking photos of what I was doing (bad Karrie) but I had sewn all the blocks together and then cut them apart per the instructions. Then it was time to re-assemble the blocks. This is where I got frustrated again because my seams were not matching up.  I was still kind of getting my feet wet and hadn't learned the VERY important rule of the 1/4" seam accuracy. So...I put it away. 

Until Tuesday.  I thought that there was no way I was going to let all that fabric go to waste, especially since it was a quilt that was supposed to be for my son, and I had an itch. I pulled it all out, remembering why I put it away the first time. Only this time I wasn't going to let it bother me that not all the seams would match because if you look at quilts now days....all those wonky ones...unless I tell you they were supposed to match, you'd never really know. So I sat down and put all 20 blocks together, not paying one bit of attention to seams. That was a bit liberating....lol! 

Last night I stitched down the binding, threw it in the wash, and this morning, threw it in the dryer.

This quilt is soooo busy! If I were to do it again, I'd be sure to add in some solids to break it up. However, this one is so busy, just like my son, who I refer to as "Bug"...hence the name of the quilt...

"Busy Like A Bug"

I think he likes it, actually he loves it, and even after all the frustrations....that is all that matters!! This is the third quilt I have made for him and he uses one every night and he makes a point to let me know that he is using it! Isn't that sweet? 

Began: April 3, 2010

Finished: September 29, 2010

Pieced by me

Quilted by me

Fabrics: Alexander Henry, Caleb Gray, Monaluna, Jennifer Moore, and Amy Schimler

So the moral of this story..... perfect your 1/4" seam because it really is worth it and it makes sewing even that much more fun!! And sometimes...you just have to break the rules and just do it anyways, even if the seams don't match, because in the end, you might just love it that much more for being unique!

Much Love!!!

Happenings!

So I've been busy with a few things over the last week. 

 

 

Last Saturday I finally got my Kindle in the mail! Long time coming since I ordered her on August 9th! I was a bit apprehensive about this new device, despite all it's reviews.

I can tell you that I love it!! A lot! I can't believe I went so long with out it! I've picked it up everyday since I got it! It's small, but not so small that its a hindrance. I mean, it slides right into your purse! You can't do that with many books unless you have a HUGE purse...lol! It holds more books than you can even imagine. So no matter where you are, as long as you have your Kindle, you can read whatever you want! Imagine all the space you save by not having to purchase the actual book! Lots and lots of saved space! The best part? They dropped the price waaaayyyy down!! Over $100! 

 

I've seen some people say that they may get the iPad because you can use the Kindle app on that, but the iPad is so large and bulky, heavy even. Besides that...you would have a hard time reading books in the sun with it!  It's cool if you want the iPad....but I wouldn't use it to read books. So get them both! Just my opinion though. ;)

I can say I am extremely happy with her! I've already read one book (The Hunger Games) and I am on to the second in the series called Catching Fire and I am about 3/4 of the way through! I think I can read faster with this baby! LOL! 

 

Now what are you waiting for? Go get one!! :D

Now I know y'all moan and groan with teasers, but I have to show that I've been working on something besides reading. 

Last Saturday I started out doing this....

I've been itching to do a quilt completely in solids. I finally got the chance and started cutting up some Kona Crush! I love this stuff! A lot! 

Today I was able to get it quilted....with some help of course.. :)

I only have to stitch down the binding and its done!! Keep your eyes out for the reveal. :) 

One more thing....you gotta go get the new Stitch magazine!! So many cute projects in there!! 

Now....if I could just decide on one. :)

Much Love!!!

Did Someone Say Chocolate?

Guess What?

I've been baking again ;)

Head over to Moda Bake Shop to see more :) 

Much Love!!!

Labor Day 2010

Thirty four years ago my mom went into labour with me. Ironically enough, it was Labor Day then too (09-06-76)! I wasn't born till the day after (yes tomorrow is my birfday :) !!) but my mom and I always laughed about it! So....happy Labor Day!! Hope you all had a safe weekend!! 

Just a few things to show you. :) 

My DSQ9 (Doll Quilt Swap #9) is done! I put the finishing touches on it tonight and it will be in the mail tomorrow! I hope my partner likes it! 

Here is "Little Star-lits"...

A better view of the quilting...

 Then a shot of the label.....with the name covered of course. :D

 Now I just have some cuteness for you to see.... Odyssey sleeping on my ironing board....

Odyssey still sleeping....she's out like a light!

And still sleeping....

 Isn't she the cutest?

 She finally got sick of me taking her picture and sat up.... still half sleeping...

 Then she yelled at me.....

 Twice!! LOL!!

Nah...she was only yawning...but I thought it was funny just the same!! :)

Hope you enjoyed the slideshow!

Much Love!!!