Best of 2015

Cheryl, of Meadow Mist Designs, is holding a Best of 2015 Linky Party this week.  Be sure to join in the fun!  The linky is live through January 2nd and is chock full of the most wonderful Quilty Goodness.

It wasn't easy to choose, but here are my five favorites from the projects I worked on in 2015.  You can click on each picture if you want to know more and it will take you to the original post.

My favorite adult quilt: "Serenity Now!" - a design my son Sam chose, based on a painting by Emma Biggs and Matthew Collings.  It was made with shot cottons.

"Serenity Now!"

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My favorite children's quilt: "Elephant Parade" a pattern from Lorna McMahon of Sew Fresh Quilts

"Elephant Parade"

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My favorite baby quilt: "Little Totoro" featuring Totoro appliqued on Connie Kresin's "Blue Sapphire" pattern: 

"Little Totoro"

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My favorite project: Modern Mermaids Thread Catcher & Pincushion with appliques inspired by Heather Ross' Calypso Mermaids fabric.

I think I would have picked the Charly & Wilbur mug rug I made for Ruth too, except that was my most recent post and I imagine you all have seen enough of that by now.  

Modern Mermaids Thread Catcher

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And last, but not least, my most viewed post, by far: 
Delectable Mountains - Paper Pieced Miniature Quilt - Four Free Patterns and a Tutorial

It's interesting to look back and see where you've been.  I hope to see you at the party if you take a stroll down memory lane yourself!

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Charly & Wilbur - a Puppy Mug Rug for Ruth

When Ruth and I decided to do a mug rug swap together, I had a lot of fun "stalking" her and figuring out what to make for her.  If you've ever spent time at Charly & Ben's Crafty Corner, then you probably can already guess what I made for her.  :)  

Charly & Wilbur, going for a spin in their red wagon

I would have been hard pressed to have picked any other subject than her two loves: Charly, the spunky Jack Russell terrier & Wilbur, the soulful Basset hound. Luckily for me, Ruth has participated in Pets on Quilts at Lily Pad Quilting for a few years and there were a lot of great photos on her blog, so I was able to keep my plans a complete secret. 

We had decided on 6" x 9" mug rugs, but mine turned out a little larger at 7" x 10", if I recall correctly.  

Here is my preliminary sketch.  I had initially thought I would do them wearing aviator goggles.  I decided to forgo that part, as their faces were too cute to hide.  I had to change Charly's legs so she could sit in the wagon and hold onto the handle.  After all, a Jack Russell has to steer.  

Sketch of the pups

I don't know which is truer colors, the first photo at the top, taken outdoors, or this indoor shot.  I took the pictures rather hurriedly. The outdoor shot, in natural light, is definitely clearer.  

Charly & Wilbur

I knew Ruth would be super generous, because that is how she is, so I made sure to include some fun extras in her package.  She has plans to do a Polaroid quilt project, so I sent along a couple dozen of the center squares and some pretty feather fabric.

Ruth's Swap package - ready to send to her

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For those of you who like to scrutinize whenever I make something with applique (ahem...Maryse LOL) Yes, I used my no-fray technique for the appliques.  

We've had quite a bit of excitement this last week, because the AQS editorial team let me know they have started editing my upcoming book Crafted Applique'..... New Possibilities  So now I feel a lot more confident that it is really going to happen!  (Plagued with insecurities much?)  It is due out on April 12th, 2016 and is now available for pre-orders.  

Adriana, the proofreading editor said that the cover tested very positively with their marketing department.  :)  So, it looks like this really will be the cover, which I'm very happy about!  It's a shot of one of the projects, but I'm not sure if I can say what it is, so will keep it a secret for now.  

 

Crafted Applique'.... New Possibilities

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I probably won't be posting again until Cheryl's Best of 2015 Linky Party, which runs from December 26th til January 2nd, at Meadow Mist Designs.  I hope to see you all there!  

Until then, I wish you all a blessed Christmas and a happy holiday season!  

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Mug Rug Swap with Ruth - Part 1

This summer, Ruth, of Charly & Ben's Crafty Corner and I decided it would be fun to do a mug rug swap with each other.  And it was!  

Doing a private swap is a wonderful way to start getting to know a quilting friend better.  I really enjoyed going through more of Ruth's blog than I had seen previously.  (I was on the hunt for photos of her two favorite pals - Charly and Wilbur.)  Ruth is such a warm and friendly person, a lot of fun, and a very talented quilter and if you don't know her yet, hop over and pay a visit! 

Today I'm sharing the two wonderful mug rugs that Ruth made for me. Yes, she went all out and sent two, along with a whole bunch of other goodies.  Ruth does not do swaps half way, so be prepared for that if you are ever her swap partner!

This first mug rug is so touching to me.  Ruth got her inspiration from an email conversation we had about how nice it would be to be able to sit and have a cup of tea and sew together. She did hand sewn blanket stitching around her appliques, embroidered the words, and finished it with playful, swirly quilting.  

Tea Break Mug Rug - by Ruth Bourke

Did you see that she even quilted a little bee on there?  Here's the back view.  Love Ruth's Wilbur-the-Basset-Hound labels!

Here is Ruth's second mug rug... which is ever so pretty!  She did a wee Ohio Star.  Is it called a Limerick Star when you make it Ruth?  Actually... if there isn't already, there should be a quilt block named a Limerick Star.  Don't you all think that would be a great name?  The quilting and patchwork Ruth did is ever so tiny and sweet!  I love it!  

Star Mug Rug - by Ruth Bourke

I won't dare use these as mug rugs.  They are up on my wall in my sewing area so I can see them every day!  

And last of all, look at what else was in Ruth's package:  Quilt Now Magazine, a pin tin, fat quarters, and Cadbury Chocolate!  Like I said, Ruth is not a halfway sort of swap partner, LOL.  Thank you for my beautiful mug rugs and for such a fun time Ruth!

Next time, I'll share pictures of what I sent to Ruth. :)

Thanks for stopping by because...

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