My friend Donna is into all kinds of creative endeavors including needlepoint and crochet.  Several months ago I made her a zipper pouch and she decided to use it to store some of her supplies.  From there it grew to wanting a basket to store projects she was working on.  Then she needed a tray to hold her supplies while at retreats.  People who enjoy needlepoint and crochet are just like quilters....they love their tools and gadgets and love to go on retreats!  So, I ended up making a kit of several items that can easily fold up for travel and be used while on retreats.  

I love everything in Anna Graham's Handmade Style book!  Her style is so classic, simple and elegant.  I finally got the nerve to make something.  Not that her patterns look difficult, it's just out of my comfort zone.  I fell in love with the Market Bag and knew that was what I wanted to make first.  And there were for sure some "firsts" for me.  I had never used Soft and Stable, attempted leather handles, sewed an inside zip pocket or had I used any of my treasured Robert Kaufman Essex linen fabric!  I am so pleased with the results and that I ventured out of my comfort zone!

I chose Robert Kaufman's Essex Linen in black as the main fabric and picked some of my favorite scrap fabrics from Alison Glass and Caroyln Friedlander.  I struggled with the leather straps and ended up using the linen instead.  I ordered some beautiful leather on Etsy but then decided it was too soft and flimsy.  I just read that Anna is selling leather on her website so I'll have to check that out for next time.

I used Soft and Stable by Annie and it was super fun to work with, really gives the bag stability and structure.  I lined the bag with an Abacus print from Alison Glass.  

​I am so happy with the way it turned out!  Everyone that sees it, wants one.  I guess I need to get busy and start making some more! :)

Have a great evening!!  And remember to create something everyday, even if you have to step out of your comfort zone!

Happy Easter everyone!  I hope you are enjoying this beautiful day giving thanks to our God for all he has done for us. I also hope you are spending time with your loved ones.  I am so looking forward to going to my daughter and son-in-laws house this afternoon for Easter dinner.  It's their first Easter in their new house and I can't wait to see all she has done with the house so far - it's only been three weeks!  And of course, I can't wait to see my grandbabies!

I made a special gift for Grayson and Kyler and am super excited to give it to them.  Their Mom, my daughter Kirby, always loved Easter and everything associated with bunnies.  So.....I decided to make the boys an Easter Bunny Pillow!  

I used Elizabeth Hartman's Bunny Quilt pattern. Just made one block and then added borders to make the pillow 20" x 20".  I found a free appliqué alphabet pattern online from Shiny Happy World.  I quilted the pillow top first, fused the cut out fabric letters to the pillow top with Heat N Bond and then stitched a zigzag stitch around the letters.  I used Kona cotton solids and Riley Blake dots to match the quilts I made for them for their first birthday.  I decided to add a binding to give the pillows a finished look.

Hope they are well loved!!

Have a awesome day everyone!!

Tricia

I've had this gorgeous fabric called Doe by Carolyn Friedlander for a long time.  As usual, it takes a while to finally cut into the fabrics you absolutely love.  The orange has got to be my ultimate favorite!  I decided to try a quilt of all hexagons and just see what happened!

I used the Hex N More ruler by Jay Bird Quilts and cut 4 1/2 half hexies from my jelly roll.  This ruler is awesome and has so many different shape options.  I for sure need to play with it some more!

It actually was pretty easy cutting and piecing.  Each hexagon is made up of two pieces.

I quilted it in straight lines following the shape of the hexagons using an off white thread.

Used my "go to" black and white stripe for the binding which I machine stitched to the front and sewed by hand to the back.  I know its so much faster to sew it on by machine but I just can't make myself do it....I enjoy the hand work and especially how it looks!

Love the fabric on the back which is from Ikea and is impossible to find.  One of my fellow Houston Modern Quilt Guild members scored a whole bolt and shared it!!  I should have bought more than I did!

Quilt Details
The quilt measures 48 inches by 49 inches.
All fabric is 100% designer cotton.
Doe by Carolyn Friedlander on the front.
Nummers on the back.
Warm and Natural Batting by the Warm Company.

This quilt is for sale on my Etsy shop at www.piecelovequilt.etsy

Thanks for stopping by and happy sewing!! 

I attended the Houston Quilt Festival in October 2015 and took a couple of classes.  I learned how to make this quilt in a class called Modern Sampler by Gyleen X. Fitzgerald.  The class was really enjoyable and Gyleen is super knowledgeable as well as entertaining!  She calls this the "B" side or back side as many times the back side of a quilt is just as gorgeous as the front.

The pre-course materials we were provided were not super clear (at least not to me!). We were told to bring an assortment of solids.  I wasn't really sure how many solids or how much and I procrastinated until the last minute and then realized I didn't have enough in my fabric stash.  So, not knowing exactly what I needed, I went online to the trusty Fat Quarter Shop and found a half yard bundle of solids that coordinated with Elizabeth Hartman's Rhoda Ruth line.  The colors are stunning, so incredibly rich!  Once I got to class I had way more options of colors to choose from and I was really pleased!

Gyleen provided us with the pattern and her special ruler and then we just started cutting the fabric!

The pattern is made up of 9 different blocks.

Each block consists of a variety of shapes and each is framed with a border and cornerstones. 

I finished the quilt with a solid black border, used a gorgeous print from the Abacus line by Alison Glass (I loved the touch of color) on the back and used my signature black and white stripe binding. 

I stitched straight lines across the quilt about an inch apart using an off-white thread.

Quilt Details
The quilt measures 57 inches by 57 inches.
All fabric is 100% designer cotton.
Kona Solids on the front.
Alison Glass Abacus on the back.
Warm and Natural Batting by The Warm Company.

This quilt is for sale on my Etsy shop at www.piecelovequilt.etsy.com

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Tricia​

I was the featured artist in Silly Mama Quilts monthly Go Create Inspire Newsletter! Click here to read the article.  http://us5.campaign-archive1.com/?u=edf1cd01928c5fc38ffff4361&id=31f5a3b239&e=f76d211aff

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It's been way too long since I took the time to blog anything so I don't really even know where to start!  I decided I would just do a recap of the last several months of 2015 to get caught up.  My goal for 2016 is to be much more active on my website!  

Seems like the end of the year flew by!  In no particular order, here is what kept me busy:

• I participated in my first ever craft fair!  It was held at my husbands office complex and there were about 50 vendors.  I worked hard making sure I had plenty of things to sell in a variety of prices.  I learned a lot and would do a few things different the next time.  Sold several items so I feel like it was a success!
• Finished up several Christmas gifts including a pencil case for my mother, fabric valet trays for Gene and a huge, gorgeous quilt for my mother-in-law.  I think everyone was pleased.
• Sold numerous items on Etsy which is totally exciting!  Lots of zipper pouches, pillow covers, holiday items, quilts and a couple of custom orders!  I received lots of very positive feedback which makes me happy.  I need to get busy and replenish my inventory!​
• I attended the Houston Quilt Festival and took two classes.  They were not the best but I did learn a few things.  I have finished one of the quilts and it is for sale in my Etsy shop.  The other is still a WIP!
• Participated in a workshop with the Houston Modern Quilt Guild and learned how to make a pattern by Jamie Mueller from Sunflower Quilts called Red, White and Blue.  It is for sale in my Etsy shop.
• And lastly I made quilts for my twin grand babies, Kyler and Grayson, for their first birthday on Christmas Day.  My goal is to make them each a birthday quilt every year!

​That about wraps it up other than spending lots of time with family over the holidays.  Hope everyone had a great Christmas and Happy New Year!

Talk to you soon, I promise. :)
​Tricia

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When I attended QuiltCon 2014 in Austin, I attended an improv class from the ladies at Bees Gees.  I remember feeling completely lost - how do you just start cutting up your fabric randomly? And then how do you sew it together to make a design?  It takes a lot of courage, especially to cut up those gorgeous pieces of fabric you have been collecting!  But do it.......it feels so good!

I got my inspiration for the colors in this quilt from a quilt challenge for QuiltCon 2016.  I really liked the red, turquoise and yellow.  I know nothing about entering a challenge and am probably a bit intimidated too but I could just create my own quilt with the colors and not have to submit it, right?  I ordered a FQ stack with the colors from Sew Modern and then went through my stash to add some more prints using the same colors.  I ended up with about 20 FQ's of prints and solids.

Then I  started randomly cutting up the FQ's into different size strips.  It's difficult to do but very freeing.  Look at all this beautiful color!

After I created my first block, I learned it's best to start with small pieces and try not to get too hung up on wasting fabric - just start piecing your fabric together!  It's a lot of up and down going from the sewing machine to the ironing board but I refuse to set up a small ironing station next to my machine.  That makes me think of quilters with huge butts and that isn't something I aspire to have!  I figure it's a bit of exercise to get up from your chair and walk to the ironing board a million times in a day!

One block led to another and I ended up with ten blocks that I decided to space evenly down the middle of Kona Ash solid fabric.

Now it's time to pin baste (ughhh, not my favorite part) but you feel so accomplished once it's done!

I decided to do straight line quilting (duh!!) in a pattern with 3 lines then 2 lines.  The finished quilt!

I actually had the courage to show it off during Sew and Tell at the very first Houston Modern Quilt Guild meeting I attended.  This is a group of amazingly talented women and they gave me lots and lots of positive feedback.  Made me feel really good.  Improv, if you haven't tried it - get busy!!

Every once in a while you have to create something that doesn't take forever to make (like a quilt) so you get some "instant gratification".  I was having one of those days and so badly wanted to piece something with fabric that created a picture.  I saw a darling panda bear on Instagram posted by Fat Quarter Shop with a free pattern called Panda-Monium so I decided to make that my project for the day.  

I have not figured out how to insert a link yet so bear with me on these small things!  The link is above.   Just go to the FQS blog and you will find all kinds of information about the cute little Panda-Monium pattern.  There is a kit to purchase and also a great instructional uTube video.  It's really not a difficult pattern, just lots of small fabric pieces to cut.  Remember.....measure twice, cut once!

I just used solids and pulled from my stash.  Decided to do a turquoise blue background rather than pink since my grandchildren are boys!  Look on IG under #pandamoniumquilt and #fqsfun and you will see lots of different fabric varieties.  All are so cute.

It's just a mini-quilt, measures 19 1/2" x 20 1/2 ", and is quick to make.  I used green minky on the back of mine.

I also made a couple pair of navy seersucker shorts for Grayson and Kyler, my twin grandchildren.  I found a free pattern online from oliver + s called Sunny Day Shorts.  Super easy and fast!!!  

I'm working on a really fab improv quilt.  I had to order some more fabric so I'm waiting on that but will update you with pictures just as soon as I am finished.  Here's a sneak peek of the gorgeous colors!

Hope you have a great day and remember to use your creativity!!!

I went with Kirby last week to her kinder classroom to pack up all her things.  Now that the twins are here, she is going to take some time off from teaching.  I figured it would be a bit emotional for her to go back and see her class after being gone for the last 5 months and it was tough.  But we were on a mission to pack as much as possible and then get her home to those sweet little babies.  Lots of decisions had to be made about what to keep and what to just leave for the next teacher.  She had collected quiet a bit of stuff over the last three years.  She was about to leave a white wicker basket that was full of stuffed animals.  Most of the animals were in sad shape and the fabric lining of the basket was pretty bad.  I'm not for sure but this may have been a basket she took to college so it has seen some use.  I couldn't stand to leave it when I knew I could figure out how to make another fabric liner and how cute it would be in the boys nursery or their playroom.  So........I snagged the old basket and took it home for a transformation!