A Peek Inside My Design Process

Sometimes the most bizarre things inspire unique design ideas...and that was definitely the case when working on a recent AccuQuilt project. Today, I thought I would share a bit of my design process for the Studio Quilter's Basket Table Runner Pattern that was created for the new Studio Super Giant Strip Cutter. This new strip cutter die has four sizes of small strips all on one die:  ¾", 1", 1½", 2" (¼", ½", ¾", 1½" Finished)...and the challenge was to use all four of these strip sizes in a single project. I didn't want the project to be long, boring strips...I wanted something that stood out a bit more...something that hadn't been seen a million times....something that had some oomph! I immediately started playing with some design ideas in EQ8 (Electric Quilt 8 Quilt Design Software)....but I just couldn't compose a design that stood out to me. I decided to let the project rest for a moment - pause and hit the reset button. I resolved to take our German Shepherd puppy for a walk and clear my head...and along the way, I found my inspiration...

While walking several blocks away from our home, I spied a couple vintage-looking webbed lawn chairs (which I hadn't seen since my childhood)...retro folding lawn chairs with woven bright colored webbing strips for the back and seat. At that moment, it became clear - I would use those lawn chairs as a base design for my current project. I grabbed my iPhone, snapped a few photos, and headed back to my studio to get my idea drawn up in EQ8. To my surprise, it translated really well! I got a single block designed....then reversed two colors for a second block...at that moment, I knew I had it figured out...the Quilter's Basket Table Runner was born. Once I had the pattern written, I really wanted to name the design after those retro-looking webbed lawn chairs, but I thought it might get lost in translation...with the pattern having a "basketweave" look, Quilter's Basket seemed like a logical title...but you, my friends, now know the true story behind the design!

It was quite fun to create the sample...and I only used two cutting dies - the new Studio Super Giant Strip Cutter- ¾", 1", 1½", 2" (¼", ½", ¾", 1½" Finished) and the Studio Super Giant Strip Cutter-2½" (2" Finished) for binding. The blocks are easy to piece by creating strip sets and sub-cutting...

You can currently download the pattern for free by visiting:
https://www.accuquilt.com/studio-quilter-s-basket-table-runner-pattern.html

There you have it - design inspiration found in an unlikely object. I hope this post will encourage you to look for creative ideas in unusual places! Take a little time this weekend to see the beauty that surrounds you...

Friendship Friday - A Celebration

Today was the perfect day for a friendship Friday gathering...it has been rainy, gloomy and gray all day, but having a long lunch with dear friends was like having a beautiful, sunny day! Spending a few hours with Kimber and Mary is incredibly good for my soul - and today was extra special because we were celebrating Kimber's birthday. We had lunch at our favorite local restaurant and enjoyed great food and extremely fun conversation...so fun, we completely lost track of time and were there for three hours (is there any better way to spend a rainy afternoon?)! It was delightful putting together a birthday box for Kimber...she truly appreciates handmade gifts and really notices personal touches...and now that she has received everything, I can share them with you. I decided to make her a couple small zippered pouches to use in her favorite purses/bags...and since she loves wool, I thought one of my wool applique pin pillows (featuring pink, of course) would be a perfect addition. I have also been collecting yardage of ribbons in her favorite colors that I wrapped around a large vintage wooden spool (found at a local antique shop). I wrapped all the presents in gift gloss and tissue paper and put them in a photo storage box, tied with a bright pink grosgrain ribbon.

I don't know what was more fun - putting together Kimber's birthday box...or watching her open each of her gifts...it made my heart happy. To have many of the important people in my life spread across the country, what a joy it is to have two wonderful friends just a few miles away - I always look forward to our special outings!
...and just like that my rainy day was filled with sunshine!

Pumpkins for Cathey

Happy fall y'all - today is officially "Pumpkin Day"!

This post is dedicated my dear friend Cathey (aka Pumpkin) and her beautiful and brave blog...today is the perfect day to celebrate this amazing woman and her blogiversary! That's right, Pumpkin's friends have banded together and posted pumpkins galore...to see a complete list of all the blogs participating and the hundreds of pumpkins honoring Cathey and her blogiversary visit:
http://www.itsdaffycat.blogspot.com/....and for some great reading, make sure to visit Cathey's blog "Pumpkin Patch & Co." at: http://pumpkinpatchandco.blogspot.com/

Cathey - today I celebrate YOU - you are in my thoughts and in my heart...and I am proud to walk 60-miles for you in November!

I had a marvelous time collecting my pumpkin images for this post...a couple vintage pumpkin themed cards...a couple photos from my personal collection...and a pumpkin project from Bunny Hill Designs that I adore!

The first photo was taken at the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, IA...I snapped a photo of these pumpkins lining the path all around zoo - autumn is definitely a wonderful time to visit our local zoo! The second photo was taken at the Enfield Shaker Museum (Enfiled, NH) on my teaching trip last year - these itty bitty pumpkins were outside the back door and made me smile each time I entered the Great Stone Dwelling House...plus I thought they looked great with the brick and stone...

...and since this is a creative blog, I just had to post a quilting project I would LOVE to add to my stash - "Pumpkin Pie" by Bunny Hill Designs - isn't it incredible?! I just love the look of this pumpkin themed quilt, complete with blackbirds and an owl...and the polka dot border makes me happy...it is such a cheerful autumn quilt!

...and finally, here is one more vintage card...there is just something special about old postcards and images - I have collected quite a few over the years and was happy to find a couple that were all about pumpkins!

I hope you have enjoyed my collection of pumpkins...and be sure to check out all the other blog posts titled "Pumpkins for Cathey"...they just might inspire you, as much as Cathey inspires us!

Bird On A Bobbin

A sewing bird pincushion - a 2011 Christmas
 gift from my friend Kimber...

Wednesday, after taking in the AQS Quilt Show & Contest, I visited a local antique mall with my dear friend Kimber and her husband Tom. Each year during the AQS Show, local vendors at the Brass Armadillo Antique Mall display quilting and sewing items in prominent places in their booths...hoping to "cash in" while thousands of quilters are in the area. Throughout the building, we found assorted antique quilts, textiles, and quilt blocks...along with vintage sewing notions, laces, and trims. Kimber was looking for some particular items...I was looking for some large wooden bobbins...and we both managed to find a few items to take home. Turns out, both Kimber and Tom have a knack for finding hidden treasures and they assisted me in finding quite a few antique wooden bobbins - I  was able to narrow down my choices to four favorites (all very reasonably priced at a few dollars or less)! It seems antique bobbins are making a comeback...and many needleworkers are seeking them out to use with Cross Stitch and Embroidery patterns. Earlier this year my friend Lorrie gifted me a beautiful large wooden bobbin that stands about 6.5" tall and at the time I had plans to use it with a needlework design...but as they often do, my plans changed, when I realized the sewing bird my friend Kimber gifted me last Christmas looked adorable perched on this large spool (shown below). Every time I enter my sewing studio, it is the first thing I see and it brings me joy! So, the hunt was on for more vintage wooden bobbins...and the antique mall did not disappoint...now the challenge will be to find creative uses for each one...

The antique wooden bobbin my friend Lorrie gifted me
with my sewing bird pincushion perched on top...