My newest design, a quilt titled "Emerald Cut."  I am quite proud of this one.  Daydreaming one day about nothing at all, the idea hit and hit hard.  I had no intention of entering, making, buying fabric or having anything to do with the Emerald Quilt Challenge, but once the seed was planted, I couldn't help it, it had to be made.

I don't know where the idea came from, but I know I was pondering the color Emerald, and then suddenly, a quilt block constructed in the emerald cut shape!  Then the research began.  What exactly was an emerald cut?  Once that was determined, I drafted a pattern, did a lot of math, ordered a bunch of emerald fabrics from Hawthorne Threads and set to constructing this block.  Three strips sewn together, cut at specific angles, templates developed and then Y seams commenced.  Each corner of this block is a Y seam, and I loved every moment.  My test block turned out perfectly (so I guess I did my math correctly) and I was on a roll!  I was so excited that all that math in high school has finally payed off for something.

After I had constructed six blocks, I stepped back and thought, "What am I doing with these blocks?"  When I ordered my emerald fabrics, I also ordered this beautiful eggplant shot cotton.  I thought if I was making jewels, why not have a jewel tone quilt?  Oh and it helps that purple is my favorite color.  This is my first time working with shot cotton in larger pieces and I will say that I do wish it were thicker, but boy are the results worth it.  So beautiful, it looks different from every direction and in every different lighting, and has such a beautiful hand.  I played with the layout for a while, liked this one the best, so here it is.  My husband does not agree and it bothered him that one was going, "the wrong direction."  I explained that I was really trying hard to make a modern quilt, he didn't get it.  Oh well, you can't win them all over.

Each individual "emerald" measures 8" x 11".  I knew I wanted them to be rather large to be able to showcase the prints, but not too large, I think I found the happy medium.  There are several Art Gallery prints, a shot cotton emerald, a Joel Dewberry print, and a Lizzy House print.  I love how close in range all of the emerald fabrics are and how well they all work together, in my opinion at least.

This quilt top measures 36" x 50" and was made for a specific spot in my house, so yes, the dimensions are a bit odd.  We have this window in our bedroom that is going to be torn out, and for the time being replaced with just plywood until the whole wall is redone, probably a few years from now.  So for the time being, this quilt will hang in that spot to cover up the ugly plywood.  Problem solved!  Hence the size was dictated by the window.

I haven't decided on quilting yet, I've been pondering it for a while.  If you have any ideas I would greatly appreciate them.  I did purchase an Eggplant oval elements print for the binding that will reflect the emerald oval elements that appear in the emerald blocks.  I will have a simple pieced back.

I apologize for the tape on the corners and center of my quilt.  Apparently I was trying to photograph this quilt on the windiest day of the year and had to tape it down to keep it from blowing away.  You can still see "movement" in most of the shots, but hopefully not too badly.

I am entering "Emerald Cut" into the Emerald Quilt Challenge sponsored by a.squared.w.  Since this is just a quilt top, I am entering it into the "Just the Top" category and this quilt measures 36" x 50".

I am also playing along with Family Ever After Sew-Vivor Sew-Along, and since the first challenge is Emerald, this quilt top fits right into that category!

At the beginning of the year I stumbled across a great block of the month starting up over at Gen X Quilters.  It is named the Sister's Ten Modern Block of the Month and the finished quilt was presented right up front, no surprises here.  Perfect, I knew what I was getting into!  So I dug through my fabric stash and pulled these wonderful fat quarters from designer Melissa Averinos, the line is named Swoon.  I added in Kona Snow and got ready to start making these blocks.  Each month a new pattern is released, and you make two blocks from the same pattern, just different fabric placement for each.  I am making the 12" version, which will result in a large twin size quilt.

January's blocks are named Grandmother's Frame and had quite a few half square triangles, but it was simple enough.  I love how this block features a rather large fussy cut center.

February's block is named Susannah and the construction of this block was pretty simple and quick.  I love how different each of my blocks look!

I have been keeping up with this block of the month so far, I just forgot to take pictures until recently.  I haven't done March yet, but I think I still have some time!  If you want to follow along and see a TON of great block made by others, you can visit the Flickr group HERE.

I just thought I would pop in to share my fabric choices and first block constructed as part of the Dancing Stars Quilt-Along hosted by Amy Ellis over at Amy's Creative Side.  I only need to make 14 of these blocks because I am making a table runner, and I will not lie, they are time consuming, but I think the result is totally worth it.  It is also nice to brush up on my paper piecing skills.  I am using some Kona solids, this great letter text print and some of my precious Liberty of London fabrics from a swap I participated in last year.  So fun!

The whole family had this terrible stomach virus yuck last week, so it is nice to start a new week fresh and hopefully done with the sickness (fingers crossed!)  Maybe I will actually get some time to make a few more of these blocks.

Interested in joining in this quilt-along?  You can follow along or join over on Flickr.

Ok, so I haven't posted any bee block pictures on here in months, like literally since October maybe?  Don't worry, they have all been shipped to their owners, some a tad or a lot late, some on time, but none of them live with me anymore.  Anyways, these blocks deserve their moment in the sun, so here they are in all their glory:

Parisian Star from the Modern Blocks Book, found on pages 128-129.  This block is for Susan over at The History Quilter and is part of the Modern Blocks Bee.  She sent some lovely Anna Maria Horner voile and a rough open weave type fabric for the background.  Very interesting combination of fabrics together.  Hard and soft all rolled into one.  Lovely block!

Leanne over at She Can Quilt requested improv asterisk blocks.  This block is part of the Always Bee Learning group.  I went for a simple asterisk block, but on a large scale, this block measures around 16" x 18" or somewhere around that.  She sent me Madrona Road and Chicopee fabrics, both of which are fabulous together.  I can not wait to see what Leanne does with these blocks, she is so talented!

Toni over at Hoosier Toni requested this half square triangle block from the Modern Blocks book, it is entitled Diamond Ripples and can be found on pages 46-47.  I'm not even going to lie to you, I did not like making this block, way too many hst, but boy was she smart to have everyone make one for her, and this quilt will be so cool once she has it together.  The effect created with this block is very neat and there are multiple ways to put it together.  This block was part of the Modern Blocks Bee.

Also for Toni are these two blocks here, above and below.  As part of the Always Bee Learning group she requested the herringbone block above, tutorial found HERE.  She sent us Chicopee by Denyse Schmidt strips and then asked us to create an imrov block with all the scraps left over from the herringbone block.  I used them all up and created this 12.5" x 12.5" block seen below, improv is so fun!  I see a fish, what do you see?

Last, but not least is another block from the Modern Blocks Book and part of the Modern Blocks Bee.  This block is named Piece of the Garden, and can be found on pages 134 - 135.  It is for ellebee'squilts and she gave us the option of making this block in several different size options.  Boring old me, chose to do it at 100%, so this block measures 12.5" x 12.5".  I believe this is also Denyse Schmidt fabric and my first time piecing hexagons like this, very fun!

That is it for today folks!  Thanks for hanging in there!

Determined to have a bunch of Birthday and Christmas gifts made and set aside for the following year (to reduce the holiday sewing stress,) I decided to make a lot of Triple Zip Pouches to give this year. Featured here today are the first five I have finished.  I have another six cut out, interfaced and ready to sew.   They won't be finished in time for the Triple Zip Along hosted by A Quilter's Table, but at least they are ready to go!  I think the hard part is going to be deciding who will get what pouch.  They are all so pretty, in my opinion at least!

These five went together so quickly, especially when sewing assembly line style.  Once you have made one and understand the process, it really is so easy to construct the rest.  I just love them and am seriously considering keeping one for myself!  I will be adding these to the Triple Zip Along Flickr Pool and if you get a chance, head over and be prepared to be awed by the sheer amount of people who have made the same pouch, but yet they all look so different.  So impressive!  Thanks Debbie for such a great tutorial and such a fun sew along!

I also wanted to briefly mention that all my zippers were purchased from Zipit, a wonderful etsy shop with great prices and fast shipping, I can not recommend them enough.  Also, all of these pouches were constructed using Pellon interfacing.  Both of these businesses are sponsors of the sew along!

My last post showed off the two Triple-Zip Pouches that I made back in December.  At the time I figured out a different way to finish up those pouches (different from Debbie's tutorial.)  You see, the last steps of the tutorial were really hard (virtually impossible) for Debbie to photograph, so there weren't any photos, just step by step directions.  Well that is a problem for me, I'm totally a visual learner, so I was kinda like "what?"  So I stopped and I thought about it for a few days.  The more I thought about it, I started pondering a different way to finish, then decided to try it out.  Success!  It worked!  Debbie has so graciously given me permission to share my method (tutorial) with you guys here today!  I have photographed every single step of the process, and hopefully for those of you who are visual learners this alternate ending will help you finish it up!

I know that several of you have figured out this method already and have even posted basic directions in the Flickr group and online.  In no way do I mean to step on anyone's toes, and only hope to provide a visual step by step to this already great award winning tutorial.  If you have any tips or tricks in regards to this tutorial, feel free to add them in the comments section.

Triple-Zip Pouch Tutorial by A Quilter's Table found HERE.  Use this tutorial all the way through until the last photo.  This tutorial picks up and replaces the "To Finish" section in Debbie's original tutorial.

This is a photo of the last photographed step in Debbie's tutorial.  Your pouch is inside out, all zippers and linings are sewn into the pouch and basically it is an odd looking tube.

Separate out the main (largest) lining from the main body and two other linings.  Zipper should be centered in the middle.  On the left (in this photo) is the main body fabric, and the two lower pocket linings.  On the right is the main (largest) lining.

Flatten out and pin.  Zipper should be centered.  One side will be the main lining only, the other side will be the main pouch with two other linings flat on top.

This is the same step, just the back view, pinned.  Basically if you flip it over, it should look like this.  You can see the fusible fleece on the main body of the pouch.

Using a 1/4" seam allowance.  Start sewing on one side, following the directions of the arrows in the above photo.  Stitch up to the zipper, as close as you can without going over the zipper.  Repeat for the remaining three seams.   Leave a 3"-4" opening on the bottom of the main lining.  This opening is for turning the pouch later on.

There are two main reasons for not stitching over the zipper.  First, it is easier not to stitch over all that bulk.  Second, by not stitching over the zipper, once you turn your pouch, it allows for you to push out those top corners further than you could if you had stitched over the zipper. Creating a nice square pouch.  If you choose to stitch over the zipper in one continuous line (it can be done.)  Be sure to go slowly, and to push the zipper itself towards the main body fabric and two pocket linings.  This method creates more of a "rounded corner look" when you turn the pouch later on, which some deem as a slight downfall, but it is totally up to you and your preferences.

Press the 3" - 4" open edge of the main lining in 1/4".  You can always finger press this opening, you don't have to use an iron.

Turn the pouch through the 3" - 4" opening, leaving the main lining sticking out of the pouch.  At this point, push out all your corners to get them nice and square.  Pin the opening of main lining closed.

Stitch the opening closed, very close to the edge (normally in a matching thread color.)  Push the main lining into the pouch, push out the corners, then iron to smooth out and flatten, creating a nice finished crisp look.

Congratulations, you now have a finished Triple-Zip Pouch!

This tutorial is part of the Triple-Zip Along hosted by Debbie over at A Quilter's Table.  The event runs from January 28, 2013 through February 15, 2013.

It begins!  What, you ask?  The Triple Zip Along hosted by Debbie over at A Quilter's Table.  Debbie designed and created this great tutorial for a super cute triple zippered pouch.  I made two pouches right before the Christmas holidays for my son's two teachers Christmas gifts.  I think they turned out too cute. I plan to participate with everyone who has signed up for this fun sew along, I need to make more!  Debbie has created a Flickr group for you to join and follow along.  It will be so neat to see so many variations of this great little pouch.  It really is easy and totally doable, uses scraps of fabric and is so rewarding in the end - you have a great pouch that is the perfect size to tuck right into your purse.  The event runs from January 28, 2013 to February 15, 2013, so gather up your supplies and get ready to sew!  Hope to see you there!

My work in progress today.  I can see the end of these two table runners.  Once they are bound, my January goal will be met.  Woo hoo!  I'm off to stitch on those bindings.  Finished projects here I come!

Linking up with the following:

In a mere two days, my little baby boy will be a whole one years old.  Hard to believe, oh how the time flies.  We had to push back his birthday party a bit because of the never ending illness around our house these days, but that is ok, it gives me more time to plan and prepare.  I am thinking about going a simpler route for his cake.  One cake for the party goers, and cupcakes for my little man and the kids.  I always scheme these elaborate cakes and then end up cursing and swearing I'll never do it again, especially since all my cakes seem to fall into a million pieces every time I have to transfer them.  That being said, I am sticking with it, going the easy route, and plan to do a simple cake like the one below.  Easy enough right?  Maybe I will fancy it up with a pudding layer in the middle.  Yum.

Speaking of cakes, I realized I never shared the cake I made for my older sons fifth birthday.  A pirate cake, yes, he is still obsessed with pirates, which is fine with me!  I found this image originally through Pinterest, but have included the direct link here, just in case you attempt to make one yourself.  I was pleasantly surprised to find all the supplies needed at Walmart, all those different pretzels and all!  The only thing I did differently was to eliminate the breadstick on the front and instead just use another pretzel rod in its place.

What do you think?  It turned out pretty good, in my opinion.  I have a number five candle and 4 pirate themed candles stuck in the center if you were wondering what all that junk was.  The only thing I would do differently is to make the sails a tad bit smaller and work at getting more of a "yellow" icing color than the peach that is below.  My son was tickled pink and that is all that matters.  I had left over icing, so I dyed it blue and made the "ocean" around the ship, which also hid those crumby edges.  As good as this looks, the cake fell into a million pieces and is held together by mushing it with my hands and icing.  Very frustrating at the time, but at least the end result is good.  All this talk of cakes falling apart had me wondering, do you know of a store bought cake mix that holds together well?  I know for sure that Pillsbury is just too spongy and soft, it falls apart every time.  I used to think that Betty Crocker was perfect, but lately those cakes have fallen apart too?  Any ideas or suggestions?

Linking up to Tuesday at the Table over at A Quilter's Table.  Hop on over and visit all the other wonderful link ups.

Wow, I had no intention of taking a two month blogging break, but alas it happened and nothing I can do about that, so Happy New Year!  I am starting this New Year with a fresh approach, fresh outlook and fresh new goals.  I'm excited!  This is the first year in many that I made a New Year's Resolution!  Oh my!  This is a big deal for me, I'm normally not the type, but it feels good and I'm going with it.

Last year I started organizing and taking stock of the unfinished quilts and works in progress I had laying around and stuffed in cabinets and drawers.  Low and behold I discovered that I have 14 unfinished, started on, in pieces quilts.  Yikes!  So, my solution is to finish one a month for twelve months during this year and knock out the majority of them.  Most of them have all of the blocks done, they just need to be put into a top.  A few are finished tops, and a few need more work than that.  I am only focusing on one at a time, until it is finished.  Hopefully I can keep up!  If I finish it early in the month, then I will go ahead and move on to the next!  Below is my mosaic showing all 14 unfinished quilts.  Below that is my intentions for the next three months, and I will be linking up with She Can Quilt, who will be hosting the quarterly Finish-A-Long this year.  Monthly I will be following along with Cut To Pieces, who is hosting the Flickr group Project: UFO 2.0.  Wish me luck, I'm excited about this challenge and ready to get to work!

1.  January - Two Christmas table runners, made from these 10 blocks (see photo above.)  I need to construct tops, sandwich, quilt and bind it.  I have all of the supplies needed.  Good to go!

2.  February - One quilt made from these blocks, throw size.  I have either 15 or 16 blocks ready to make a top.  I just need to figure out what I am doing with them, make the top, sandwich, quilt and bind it.  I have all the supplies needed for this quilt too!

3.  March - Time to finish up Cosmic Burst!  The top is done, so all I need to do is sandwich it, quilt it and bind it!  Once again, I have all of the supplies needed.  Easy peasy!  This will be a wall hanging quilt.

4.  Anytime During the First Quarter - Construct three pairs of pajamas.  I have all the needed supplies, just need to cut them out and sew them together!  I want them ready for the boys to wear next winter.

That is it folks!  Interested in following along or joining in yourself?  Click on either photo below to go to either of these ladies lovely sites!