Gloaming Fabric Blog Hop

I've been posting teasers on IG and the wait is finally over!  Today is my day on the Gloaming Blog Hop featuring the beautiful line of fabric by designer Shelley Cavanna of Cora's Quilts.  You can read all out it and see the full selection available by visiting Sew in Love (with fabric) HERE.

The blossoming tree made for the perfect backdrop to show off the quilt because as you will see later in the post, there are floral motifs throughout the fabric line.  My favorite are the subtle prints that read as a solid from a distance but are beautifully detailed close up.  These were great for the graphic design that I had in mind.

My granddaughter helped choose the three fabrics for her dress and hair band.   The largest print was fun to use and she loved it so much she didn't want me to hem the bottom so I added a fussy cut trim instead.

For the quilt, I knew I wanted to create an original design so I played around with options in Inkscape, landing on this one.  As you can see, I gave myself artistic freedom to modify along the way.  It still feels in the spirit of the original concept and I'm very pleased with the result.

Mock up design Gloaming06

I had fun finding the repeat and using that as a width guide rather than a predetermined measurement.  That's the bonus of making things up along the way.

Lately I've been doing single fold binding for my quilts as long as they aren't going to be heavily used  or frequently washed.  Turning just at the flower's edge made for an easy reference.

My friend let me us her longarm for the quilting and I finished in two sessions.  Which was a good thing since I was heading to QuiltCon the next day and wanted to have it done before the trip.  (See the recap from yesterday)

Usually I just stitch until I run out of bobbin or break a thread but this time I started and stopped taking time to bury my thread.

Here you can see the dress in progress and the detail on the pocket.  This is the same treatment that I used for the trim at the bottom.  So Cute. 

A break in the storm made for pretty puffy clouds but it also meant a battle with the wind.  Here are a few out takes.

I'm lucky that she takes her job seriously when it comes time for a photoshoot but also has a good time too. 

Thank you Shelley for designing such a delightful line of fabric and to Benartex Fabric for generously giving me the opportunity to sew with it and be part of the Blog Hop.

Here's the full line up for the Benatrex Hop this week:
Monday: Introducing Gloaming - interview with Shelley CavannaTuesday: Gloaming Hop - Cara Cansler @Sew_Colorado and Becky Jorgensen of Patchwork Posse; @patchwork_posseWednesday: Gloaming Hop - Karen Foster of CapitolaQuilter; @capitolaquilter and Kate Colleran of Seams Like a Dream; @seamslikeadreamquiltsThursday: Gloaming Hop - Julie Cefalu of The Crafty Quilter; @thecraftyquilter and Rene Stout @QuiltingNonaFriday: Shelley's Virtual Trunk Show

Benatrex is letting me give away a Gloaming Fat Quarter Bundle to one of my followers.  (open to US addresses only)  Head over to the Gloaming Giveaway Post on my IG account for details and to enter.  Leave a comment here on the blog (limit one and be sure you are not a no-reply blogger) for a bonus of 10 entries! Giveaway is open until Friday March 9, 2018 at 8pm Pacific Time. EDIT: Giveaway is closed, congratulations to the winner.

Blog Anniversary-ish and Reflections revealed

Reflections 

March 16th was the 5 year anniversary of my Blog.  I usually post exactly on that day but this time I'm throwing in a huge finish that's worth the wait.  "Reflections" is a bit tardy so that makes it all seem intentional with a touch of serendipity mixed in for good measure.

"Reflections" 2015 BeeSewcial  70"x60"

Blocks made by BeeSewcial mates Stephanie, Leanne, Melissa, Diane, Hilary, Marci, Felicity, Kari and Debbie for the July 2015 "Reflections" challenge has finally become a finished quilt.   Thrilled is an understatement and the inspiration palette in the background made for a fun shoot.

So much so, my friend Sanda walked down for an encore session the following day when the wind had settled so that we could capture the colors mirrored in the water.  Be sure to check out #beesewcial and the makers on Instagram and their blogs to see their creative and highly skilled work:

@spontaneousthreads @weshallsew@diane_stanley_sews @entropyalwayswins@marci_girl @felicityquilts@quiltsforthemaking @aquilterstable @shecanquilt

Because of the recent storm, there are many more props to use on the beach.  

Palette Provided to my bee mates

My instructions to them were "your block does not HAVE to be literal, but it CAN be.  It's as much about the relationship of colors and/or shapes within the block.  A change of value or scale from top to bottom or side to side. An exaggeration or distortion that the word Reflection evokes.  The transition doesn't have to be in the middle or a hard horizon but there should be some design element that varies within the composition."

Photo Inspiration 

During a member spark week of QDAD, I took this photo of the Venetian's in Capitola Village for the inspiration.  It was a favorite and yet the designs I came up with fells short.  Fortunately, the concept and palette found a successful place in my creative journey when it was time for me to be queen July 2015 with the BeeSewcial challenge.  Can you blame me for freaking out a little about sewing these together?  They are each an individual work of art. 

Bee Blocks Received

This is an early version of the block placement at one stage of the process.  Pretty much the entire four day retreat in October was devoted solely to getting it right and every night I would stay up late convinced that it was ready to roll the next morning only to wake up and change my mind.  Even knowing there is no one right answer to the puzzling question, it was difficult to commit.  One move would domino a series of other moves.  My guild mates marveled curiously at my flighty obsessiveness I am sure.

Backing Fabric - Sugar by Pat Bravo

It's no secret that Pat Bravo is an all-time favorite designer of mine.  Isn't this fabric from her Sugar line the sweetest backing?  Every time I repositioned while putting the face binding on I'd get a peak at the front and get all giddy about how well it complimented the colors.  There was exactly enough yardage in my stash to fussy join the print at the seam too.  

Long arm quilting

My friend Pat generously lets me use her Handi Quilter Avante to quilt with.  I went with a random-ish pattern that has sort of become my signature quilting.   With so much going on in the quilt, an overall seemed appropriate.  My go to color of Glide thread in Celery was a no brainer with the range of lights and darks.  Bamboo batting for the win. 

FMQ done and trimmed

She also has the most gorgeous hardwood floor and a stairs that allow me to take flattering photos from above with ease.  The lighting exaggerates the texture which can be fun but terrifyingly revealing at the same time. 

Me and my Sew and Stroll friends

It was the perfect project to finish during this weekend's "Sew and Stroll" mini-retreat because I could sit and visit while hand stitching and then take advantage of all the hands to hold up the quilt later for the shoot. This group picture was taken by the nicest stranger who interrupted his slice of pizza to offer and help when he saw me struggling to extend my arm out for selfie.  That one was worth a good laugh but nothing I'd ever share! 

The FAL Q1 is coming to an end and it thrills me to no end to have a second quilt that I can call finished.  Our MQG challenge to complete WIPs runs longer so there's still hope for checking more off that list.  

Photo Credit Sanda R

Now on to making a quilt from my BeeSewcial Stretch blocks from 2016 and the most recent set of  EYES for 2017.   Stay tuned. After much procrastination and fear that I wouldn't be able to do them justice,  I'm on a roll.

a Finish and a Top

Finally a Finish

They feel few and far between but today I've got one!

My coworker's retirement party is on Tuesday night so I'm please to have the quilt done and ready to give to her.  I've got enough IOU gifts haunting me - ugh! Nothing personal -really - just not enough time in the day.

One of my more recent tools purchases was this lovely 16.5" and the dark/light cutting mat.   Both came in very handy for squaring up.  Getting to the point of trimming was not the journey I'd planned for. 

The FMQ was suppose to be a quick stipple. Torture I tell you.   I now think the culprit was a wrong-type needle, replaced by a recycled correct-type-but-bad needle followed finally by a wonderfully correct and new needle - there was nothing simple or quick about it.

Glam Clam Top 

Near final layout   I was worried about finding space in my house to layout the final parts and was fortunate to use the big design wall at intrepid thread - thank you Julie !  

Since the entire quilt was from stash and the remaining cut clams lacked the color variation I needed, there was a bit of fabric shopping that took place while I was there :)  Now I have the beginnings of a mostly mustard-yellow perpetual glam clam quilt.  

I brought the top with me to breakfast at the yacht harbor thinking that it would be fun to photograph.  We couldn't find a ledge or bench to stand on and then the wind picked up just enough to shrink-wrap my good humored helpers.  Happy to have this shot. 

Linking up to Finish it Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts and TGIF at Glory Be Quilter.

2013 Finish-A-Long Q3 Recap -let's call it Six and a Half

Today you can find my Giant x and + Block Tutorial at Leanne/shecanquilt  as part of the Finish-A-Long Q3 Linkup festivities.  For the first time every - I'm a Guest Blogger - how fun is that?  

My ambitious FAL Q3 Goal Mosaic and the Recap of how I did.  

#1 Ring Around the Briar Rosies

Finished and given away at the Baby Shower.  I borrowed it back to hang in our South Bay Area MQG 2nd Annual Quilt Show and need to toss it in the wash to give to my new Baby Grandgirl.

#2 Ombre Cradle Quilt

The FMQ was so much fun on this one and I'm happy to say my Baby Grandgirl is sleeping with it along with item #3...

#3 Cradle Bumpers and Sheet Set

#4 Fairies Log Cabin

Given to a local charity at our August SBA MQG meeting and linked up to 100 Quilts for Kids. 

#5 Row Robin

Hand stitched the binding on and now use it to snuggle with.  Thanks again beemates of Around the Bend and Across the Pond 

Binding Hand stitched on to make it an official finish 

#6 Tire Rotation 

This finish came as the clock struck midnight.  Tire Rotation was also my September goal for A Lovely Year of Finishes and after much procrastination, I got it done.  This one is a surprise for - you guessed it, my new Baby Grandgirl (are you sensing a theme here). Although the bike chain and some gears are pink, it's a lot less girly than the other projects and I thought my son might really enjoy that about it.   

The final finish: Tire Rotation

Pattern is Taffy by Jaybird Quilts made with the fabric line called Ride by Julia Rothman. The minute I saw it I knew what I was making.

My favorite Swirly Circles on the Tires.

Started in May at the BamQ Retreat where I also worked on # 4, #5 & #7.

and now for the Not So Finished that will be rolling over to 2013 FAL Q4:

#7 Mixed Scale XPlus 

Terrific progress and oh so close but only a TOP at this point so I'm unofficially giving myself a 6 1/2 out of 9 tally and linking up the six that count! 

#8 Sparkle Punch & #9 Rip Curl, both untouched. Now to set the rest of my goals for Q4 to go with these two.....

Check out the many many finishes and hop on board if you haven't already been playing along.  Read more about it and read the list of wonderful sponsors on Leanne's post.

With Tire Rotation finished this week I'm also linking up Can I get a Whoop Whoop, TGIFF Oct 4 Linky Party with Laura at Quokka Quilts and also with Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish it Up Friday. I think her scrap baskets are a rainbow delight!

Tweet Tweet Twist Complete

Just in time for the Charity Auction benefit for Leukemia Lymphoma Society- I'm pleased to present a classic front porch shot of Tweet Tweet Twist, complete for Finish it Up Friday.

Moda's Tweet Tweet fabric with a Twist and a Twirl

Yummy Green flannel Back

The quilt was inspired by Jaybird's Fast Forward pattern only I used squares of fabric following the directions on my Lazy Angle ruler rather than stripped pieces.  After I was done cutting all of the units I realized that I could have cut a rectangle instead and saved a couple of steps - oh well.

FMQ partially done

I don't usually pre-wash my fabrics except for flannel and linen but in this case the Pink was from my stash and had been washed so I tossed the Tweet Tweet in as well.  I used Pellon Cotton batting and Aurifil 50wt for piecing and quilting.  Finished size 48"x60".  This is also my March ALYoF entry so I'll be linking up to that when it goes live. 

mis-cuts and left overs

Collaborative projects are so much fun and my friend did the binding on this - machine stitched - it looks great and I'm warming up to the idea (I've been a hold out in case you didn't know that about me). There will be more to come since I have a stack of mis-cuts and left overs - enough to make an entire quilt. So typical !

This morning I'm also playing around with photos and the palette builder at Play-Crafts as part of Intrepid Thread's fabric bundle giveaway contest.  I owe my oldest son an Oak Tree Quilt inspired by a photo shoot I did of him back in High School... and the picture of him as a little kid playing with crocheted finger puppets that grandma made was too cute to resist. Not sure which I'll enter...

love this picture of him....

Better get back at it - Happy Quilting
P.S. Tomorrow is my one year Blogiversary and I'll be having an Echino giveaway so be sure to check back!