Magpie Quilts

Here's a quilt that started with just 2 pieces of fabric that were meant for something entirely different. I bought these 2 fabrics intending to make some crayon rolls for a Christmas craft sale, but when I took them out to cut them up, they politely told me that they would like to be in a quilt, please! When fabrics speak to you, you have to listen! So I cut and sewed and sewed and cut and ended up with this beauty! It's now listed in my Etsy shop here: Modern Blue and Brown Quilt It's not a large quilt, just perfect for on the sofa for watching TV (54"x54") and backed with wonderful soft Minkee fabric that even the guys like to touch! Here's my grandson rolled up in it - he loves it when he can cuddle up under a "blankie". Now, just to teach him the difference between a blanket and a quilt! --Ann

A little peek at what's happening in my sewing room! Finished photos to follow! --Ann

This yummy package of quilting fabrics was in my mailbox last week! It's awesome to get something other than bills or junk mail and the colours here are vibrant and . . . very orange! I'm not usually a trendy person - just ask anyone who knows me! Normally, I would just continue to buy the fabrics I am comfortable with and hope that sooner or later, the trends will return to what I love. But, I am intrigued by the colour orange - how it looks with grey, or white, or the many shades of blue. In my mind, I have a mono-chromatic quilt imagined with a very traditional quilt pattern, but a modern orange colour palette. Have you tried any colours that are outside of your normal colour scheme, either in your decorating or your quilting? --Ann

A few years ago, the quilt guild that I am a member of (Dalemead Quilt Guild) had a challenge. Each member who wanted to participate drew a paint chip from a bag and were challenged to make a quilt from the colours on the paint chip. Here's the paint chip I drew: A little bland, I thought and wondered what I could make. So I dug through my fabrics and pulled out colours that were similar and went to work. After completing the center of the block, I stalled and just pinned it up behind my desk and have looked at it every time I've sewn there, still not sure how to finish it. This year (2011/12), the Dalemead Guild is challenging its members to complete PIGS (Projects in Grocery Sacks). This was one of the quilts that made my list and I am happy to say it is completed! Wild horses wall-hanging - for sale I'm not sure at all that I stayed close enough to the colours on the paint chip, but it was definitely a challenge to work within a limited colour palette. What...

Just wanted to share this photo of my grandson lining up little scraps of fabric with the quilt on the cover of one of my quilting magazines. A future quilter? Maybe! --Ann

Here's the latest quilt block finished for the s crapbusters bee group swap on Flickr . The block requested was a 15" flying geese quilt block, so I had a pile of orange scraps left over and thought I would use them here. What a bright, cheery color combination for a cold winter's day. And to challenge my traditional quilting roots, I opted for a non-lineal arrangement and ended up with this: I hope that Lollydo likes her block! I had fun making it and used up a few scraps in the process. What do you do with your fabric scraps? --Ann

These table runners have been on my design wall through the holidays, but I've been unable to finish them because, well, I'm easily distracted when other people are in the house. But I locked myself in my sewing room yesterday and finished quilting one and the other will be done early next week. SOLD!!! Orange detail on the binding! Tell me what you think of these colours together? Orange is the hot colour for 2012 and I have more orange fabric ordered, so you will definitely be seeing more of it here in the future! --Ann

During all the Christmas holiday hustle and bustle, this arrived in my mailbox from Rachel at Olivethebeach Quilts : It was inspired by the colorful doors of her hometown of New Orleans. I love the different shades of blue and the cute fabric buttons for doorknobs! Thanks Rachel! --Ann (Magpie Quilts)