The final unveiling..................

Here we go! This is Jan's Beautiful Quilt! So there are no questions about it, here is Jan's description of the quilt in her own words!

"The quilt is from a Block of the Month from Fabric Boutique in Las Vegas. Blocks made in some nice year….2008 or 2009 I think. They sat around quite a while anyhow. It was originally supposed to be white, browns and black. I thought it was way too stark, so I used the butterscotch for the background instead. I put the paisley in
the border because I was trying for a tooled leather look. Not sure if I made it, but I tried!

Setting is an adaptation of one of the quilts in Brenda Henning's School House Sampler. Center medallion is from one of Jane Wilson's patterns from the early 2000's, or maybe the late 1990's.

These aren't colors from my usual palate, however I really like how they worked together. I was shooting for a Western/Manly type quilt. I think I made the grade, what say you?"

Okay, quick stats and then I will talk about the quilt.
Two layers batting - Hobbs 80/20 & 100% cotton Hobbs
4 thread colors - mostly Highlights and Gold Metallic by Superior Threads.
This quilt took me over 90 hours to quilt, I started on January 2nd and finished tonight at 5:15 pm on the nose! I used 30 bobbins of thread, So Fine was my thread of choice for that!

When I first pulled out this quilt, I have to admit - I was stumped for about 10 minutes - then a thought and image of a directional compass popped into my head. I knew this would be the center of the quilt and kind of the theme for the quilt. This was the first time that I had to draw on the quilt before I put it on the racks because the center block is so large. I drew out the compass outline - can you believe that I drew it out in one try? Well, I did - and I won't take credit for that - just amazing luck!

Not one block is the same - I had fun taking each block and giving them their own character.

I had a hard time choosing which pictures to put on my blog, so I have more on Flickr if you care to look - just click on the pictures and it will take you to my Flickr page.

I wanted these blocks to look like they were spinning.

Love, love how this one turned out!

Another spinning block!

As you can see the sashing is a miniature mimic of the gold colored border. These little beauties took FOREVER - and boy was I so happy when I quilted the last one.

(this happens to be my favorite block)

I quilted most of the cream fabric first - stitching in the ditch around the rest of the colored triangles - then I went back and did the rest of the quilt.

There was a TON of ruler work on this quilt. My hands cramped up a little at the end - especially with the borders.

Miniature directional compass blocks - I just may have a tutorial or a PDF coming up soon for these nice blocks.

All in all - it was a labor of love. I absolutely love how this quilt turned out. I am also grateful to Jan for allowing me "do my thing" and turn this quilt into a masterpiece.

And, I can't show pictures without showing pictures of the back!

I am totally joining a quilt along

First off - thank you for all the fun comments from my last post. I feel like I opened a can of worms, but I am glad to know that we can talk out quilting frustrations! Yay! So anyway, I am almost done with the quilt. Naturally I have been blog hoping instead of quilting the last half hour and I came across this quilt along. Count me in!! I hope I have the time to do it! I saw this block on Jenny's blog and couldn't resist - holy cow this girl is talented and I want to make her cute blocks! I have never done a quilt along, not sure what to do - and if I don't get to it right away - then I just want to make sure that all of you who have more time then me have a chance to join!

(picture blatantly stolen from Jenny's blog)

Okay - so head on over to Jenny's blog and join her quilt along - I have my ruler on order now and I can not wait to make this cute, cute block!

Sittin' on my soap box....

Okay - I am not big into making a big deal about what people say. I really try to just let it go because some people just say things without thinking and I don't think they are trying to offend and for the most part I am not offended. But, I am still human and some things just bother me. I was reading a facebook thread asking quilters if they want their quilts custom quilted or if they prefer a simple all-over by their Long Arm quilter. It was fun reading what people were saying until one lady said "I don't cheat, I hand quilt all my quilts." (While this comment was not directed to me I took it personally as a long arm quilter).

HUH?!!? Cheat? Really - so I guess I have been cheating all this time.

So, here is my response to that comment. Is it cheating to use your sewing machine to piece a quilt? I am sure our ancestors would have LOVED a sewing machine. Just because you prefer to hand quilt doesn't mean it is cheating.

I absolutely love every aspect of the quilting process. Everyone has their style and preference and that is absolutely great. I think hand quilting is a beautiful art and if you love it - DO IT! I just don't want to. I prefer to free motion quilt on my long arm , while others use their computer guided long arms - that is just fine too because it is art no matter how you look at it.

Isn't the end result of seeing a finished project the best feeling to every type of quilter out there?

Just sayin'!!

At the breaking point.............

During each quilt that I have on the racks I go through the "breaking point" where I just have to do something else. I can only quilt the same stitch over and over again before I go a little crazy - I know I have said this before, but with each quilt I think I will get over that part of the process. Not so.
One of my dear friends mentioned to me the other day that she had forgotten that I know how to piece because it's been a while since I have really done something for myself - this post prompted her comment. I just had to laugh because I do know how to piece and I absolutely love it. So, I have been piece strippin' tonight and it's fun - real fun! Not to mention a nice little break......I have to get this all in tonight because next week is the week to finish the quilt on the racks - I am excited for it to be finished and excited to move on to something new!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Thoughts, Sneak peek, and UPS

Some days are better than others and I feel like I accomplish a lot on most days. One of my resolutions this year was to be a little more organized when it comes to everyday life. I have to say that it has been great to find out that having a plan on how to keep this house rolling makes my life easier. I haven't felt sad or overwhelmed and I have found that if I keep up on the housework and keep up with the kids, I still have time to quilt and read (another resolution). My day starts at 7:00 am and ends at midnight six days a week. It certainly isn't perfect each day, and boy am I tired and crave a nap - but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Here's my little Noah - I can't believe he's 14 months old now - he's still not walking (the little poop), but he makes up for it by being the most mellow yellow sweet little boy.

Last night my sister sent me a link to a blog about a little boy who recently passed away. I read the last few entries on the blog and just bawled, imaging the heartache that his mother is going through. It makes me remember that life's moments are so incredible and each day I need to cherish the time I have with my kids. I hugged and kissed my kids more today than normal and thanked God for their sweet little spirits that bless my life each day.

I am progressing on my quilt - slowly but surely. It's going to be amazing and I can't wait until I can reveal it. I might just have to do a few blog entries on this quilt because there is a ton going on and I don't know if I want to put it all into one entry. I am convinced that I am INSANE - but I just have to live with it!

We have UPS frequenting our house everyday, but today was a little more than normal because Moda just released 7 new lines. If you want to see what they are, check out our New Arrivals page. Yay for more fabric!!!

Just call me the insane crazy detail quilter...........

sorry the lighting isn't the best

because that's what I am. Oh, it will be worth it I say to myself. But a little quilting break is in need. So, maybe one afternoon I can do something else.

Oh look - fabric! I hit a couple fabric stores this morning. Sometimes just a break from the routine is needed and I need to get my "fix" of fabric. It always helps when I can make a quilt for someone special, so this cute bundle of fabric is going to be made into a quilt for an up and coming niece. oh, I can't wait to cut into these little beauties!

Okay - what I loved about my giveaway was that I found out that quilters are very similar and we all have the same issues when it comes to scissors. We would rather buy fabric then scissors - we will use any scissor in sight - we seem to lose our scissors - or those darn kids & husbands take our scissors and use them for anything but thread or fabric. The list goes on........... It was so fun reading all your comments on why you needed the scissors more than anyone else. So, congrats are in order for Val who said:

"Being a retired teacher I thought 'What can you tell me about a pair of scissors that I don't know?'. Well. It seems I have been missing out on the benefit of curved scissors all my sewing life. I definitely need these scissors more than anyone else because I like to sew more than anyone else in the world."

Email me Val at judi(at)greenfairyquilts(dot)com with your address and I will get your scissors in the mail right away!

Oh, and if you need to get your "fix" of fabric - then go and grab some jelly rolls in the shop - we have them on sale for $26.95!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Blog Hop and a giveaway!!

****Giveaway Closed****

This is a tale of two scissors. I was asked by dear sweet Kelly to participate in a blog hop and when I found out it was for Famore Cutlery - I was all in. I had the choice of what scissors I wanted to review and what else would I choose? Well, of course curved quilting scissors. The deal is, I have been using my curved scissors from my manicure set. It wasn't until I tried the Famore 4" curved scissors that I realized I haven't had a good pair of scissors. I was dealing with thread shredding and I could not get as close to the thread start and stop point. What did I expect? I was using the same scissors to cut my baby's fingernails.

The curved shape is ideal for cutting super close. These little babies are sharp - no thread shredding here. They cut through thread like butter and I have had so much fun having a real pair of scissors to use.

Another look at the thread/scissor closeness. What I love about the curved scissor is how I don't have to worry about poking into my quilts - that's a big deal for me.

The points are nice on these scissors as well because I can take out stitches when I make a mistake. All in all - I love these scissors. No complaints here and they are only $12.00 - so inexpensive for an awesome pair of scissors that are perfect for the quilter!

I have one more pair of these lovely little scissors to give away - you will love them! All you have to do is leave a comment telling why you need them more than anyone else and you are entered into my little giveaway!

Don't forget to check out these other blogs this week for more fabulous reviews and giveaways!

Monday - Patsy Thompson Designs

Tuesday - me

Wednesday - IHaveANotion

Thursday - Happy Cottage Quilter

Friday - SewCalGal

Good luck everyone!

4 New Moda Lines Are Here...

We have 4 new Moda lines to show you, and have put all 4 at 25% off -

Redwork Renaissance by Chloe's Closet
Summer Breeze II by Sentimental Studios
Urban Cowgirl by Urban Chiks
Tropicana Batiks by Moda

Two down - lots more to go.......

I had a few minutes to spare today so I finished up two of the quilted pillows for my daughters room. I still have a ton of things to do - including quilting the quilt, but it feels nice to have part of the project finished!

I went for a binding around each pillow - love, love, love the green and red. So cute!!

The pillows are packed with stuffing - I mean packed. I hate it when pillows die and become flimsy too fast - hopefully these won't do that.

On my back looking up!

When I start a new quilt I always take a minute to make sure I like what is going on from underneath the machine. It always helps when the fabric shows off the quilting and I am really excited about this quilt, really excited!!!

Almost done quilted pillows...............

These quilt little pillows to be are apart of my surprise. I used some of my scraps from my quilt top to make these cute little pillows. Of course they had to be quilted - I am really excited about them. I used a silver metallic thread for the quilting and I like how it turned out.

Who knew straight lines would be my new best friend?

It's a shame this back is going to be covered up - but hey, I have record of it now - so I can look at it whenever I want!

I wasn't sure I was going to like this one as much since it's not the straight lines, but it will be fun to have a nice variety when it's all said and done.

Such happy fabrics!

There you go, another back! I hope you all had a wonderful New Year's Day and I hope your 2012 will be a wonderful year! I am looking forward to what this new year will bring.

Take care!