Category Archives: mini quilt

Beach Bound Mini Quilt Swap

September 2nd 2015

Have you ever been in a swap? I don’t mean a wife swap, or a kid swap or a swap meet. I mean a crafty, quilty, creative swap. You make something for a total stranger (based on the swap theme) and a total stranger makes something for you. Sometimes there are extra goodies involved. I have to say that I am completely hooked! I found these swaps on Instagram. Follow me @elaine.summercrafter

So here is how it goes. Someone on IG posts about a new swap. Harry Potter, Downtown Abbey, Princess Bride, Pirates, Bonnie and Camille, Beach Bound, the themes are endless. Then you click on the original post, go to the link in the profile and sign up. Shortly thereafter you get emails with dates, rules and finally partner information. Sometimes it’s secret, sometimes it’s open.

Now you make a mosaic of things you like related to the theme and post it on IG with whatever hashtag the host suggests. This way others in the swap, and your partner, see what your tastes and preferences are when you share. I had two beach mosaics. The one above and the one below.

The first swap I did was a Rainbow Mini Swap, see that post here. The next one, shipped out August 31st, 2015 was this Beach Bound Mini Quilt Swap #beachboundmqs.

Finished size 21″ x 25 1/2″

I was in the group #beachboundflipflop adding that little detail of our group was fun.I also like to try something new for each swap. For this one I made my first Dresden to be the sun.

I knew that I wanted to make a beach scene, my partner and I have similar tastes. I wanted the waves to be “wavier” but it was more involved that I had anticipated, so I strip pieced sand and water colors and sewed it to the sky at an angle.

After this part, I started working on some focal points. This beach umbrella was just the thing to incorporate some of my favorite scraps. I also added some button embellishments.

I added some birds to lighten up the sky

and quilted the clouds.

As I pondered how to quilt the rest of it, I immediately thought of walking on the beach

and decided to put footprints right on the edge of the shore. I accented the water with waves and the sand with terrain quilting.

The perfect finish was to bind it with flip flop fabric

which also added a pop of color.

I even embroidered a little message as an extra. Ain’t it the truth?

Since signing up for the swap, I have been collecting goodies to send with the mini quilt.

So….when are you signing up for a swap? I have ~~three~~ four more to go!

Trick or Treat Banners

May 7th 2015

Funny story: I was reminded about this post, seeing all the hoopla on Instagram about a Halloween Swap, and I couldn’t find it. As it turns out, I never hit publish! So here it is. #TBT

Originally, one of my first “start to finish” quilts was a Halloween banner for my friend Amy – Hi! I hadn’t learned how to bind yet and Summercrafter hadn’t been born. The fabric collection I used for hers was Spooktacular by Sanae for Moda. I used a whole charm pack (42 pieces) and some FQs for cat and Frank and backing of course.

Halloween banner 2010

Here I am, sewing on vacation in 2010, making it for her while practicing everything I had learned about quilting up until that point.

Elaine the Summercrafter: quilting on vacation

Last year, I was tickled when Miriam called me and asked me to make her one “just like that” referring to the one I had made for Amy. Here is the newer version I made with much more confidence and quilting experience. For this one, I used 2 Charm packs (each had 21 pieces) of Halloween Parade by Doodle Bug Design Inc for Riley Blake Designs (It seems I like everything they put out!)

Halloween banner 2014

Here are close ups of the appliques. First the kitty. I blanket stitched around each figure. Whiskers are free motioned as well as background which is stippled. (Did you see the spider on his nose?)

I made template letters with the Cricut and used fusible to trace the letters BACKWARDS, and did a tiny blanket stitch around each letter. Did the smallest blanket stitch around these too. Everything was done with the sewing machine except the buttons.

Frank is always fun. I used Rick Rack for the top of his hair and a machine embroidery stitch for his scar, that’s my favorite part.

With the leftover squares, I made her this little mat for her candy dish.

It was so much fun to make it for her for ten minutes a day. She got it just in time for October!

Rainbow Mini Swap 2015

April 19th 2015

This Spring I joined a Rainbow Mini Swap event that happened via Instagram. One of the unanticipated benefits was gaining more followers. But BETTER THAN THAT was all the new, wonderful and oh so talented quilters I met because of it. The swap theme was “Rainbow” so you could use all or some of the colors (and their variations) of the rainbow in your project, which had to measure from 16″ to 24″. I have to admit that I was totally intimidated by all the wonderful quilting projects that were popping up everywhere.

Photo and links (at the bottom of post) courtesy of whipup.net

My first partner loved solids and grays and had very modern tastes as far as fabric and design. I was willing to step up to the challenge and made this rainbow with solids and gray using the Norway pattern from Thimble Blossoms by Camille Roskelley. This color palette was completely outside my realm of favorites but I enjoyed making it.

Then I was notified by the Swap Mama about a partner switch and I was totally okay with it. We had many similar tastes. I remember her greatest point was she liked bright colors. Like me she was not into Civil War Prints and enjoyed Novelty prints. I was really overthinking the process and decided to just keep it simple. So I made a Log Cabin Style Block in rainbow colors.

As I investigated my partner, I learned that she was a runner and has just been in a Disney half-marathon. Well guess who lives in Florida?! As it turned out, I just kept getting these ideas about personalizing her block. The Log Cabin Block now looked like a race track to me. So I started embroidering Disney lcons and landmarks she may have encountered during the race.

It was serendipity that one of the green fabrics had this little guy “Run, run as fast as you can!”

I finished it off using a black Mickey Mouse strip for the binding. It’s not too elaborate but I think it’s meaningful and I sent it off with some goodies I thought she would enjoy.

And as luck would have it, she ended up being my partner in return!! She made me this lovely mini in the Round and Round pattern also by Thimble Blossoms and she used the yummy fabrics (Twirl and Giggles) from Me and My Sister Designs. She did this amazing tiny cross hatch quilting in metallic threads and a beautiful embroidery design in the center the says “GROW IDEAS IN THE GARDEN OF YOUR MIND” I just love it!

And the back is all patched!

And here it is hanging in my sewing space for inspiration.

Guide and links for RAINBOW Mosaic:

1. Heather Ross quilt swap for Suzanne (foofanagle), 2. Rainbow Swirl Dolls Quilt, 3. dqs#7 version 1…., 4. Doll Quilt from Mini Milly!, 5. Snow Dance, 6. Rainbow Mini Quilt , 7. Mini quilt color study, 8. DQS8 # 2 quiltie – ‘Rainbow Girl’, 9. Finished ticker tape color wheel, 10. Color Play, 11. DQS 7 in the grass, 12. Colours on Linen, 13. Doll Quilt Swap I: received, 14.Rainbow stripe doll quilt, 15. Somewhere over the rainbow…, 16. Color Wheel Mini Quilt, 17.Doll Quilt Swap 7, 18. Colorblock Pillow, 19. Charlie’s Zig-Zag, 20. The front

Sewing for fun 2015

January 9th 2015

2015 is the year of keeping schedules, plans, deadlines and assignments. I tend to be a little attention deficit for one thing but attention focused on many things, so my word of the year is

I am challenging myself to finish tasks before starting new ones. And really this applies to so many different areas. I have broken it down into three categories to help me see the big picture: THINGS to finish, RESULTS from finishing and FEELINGS from finishing. One activity that I am going to schedule for sure is Sewing for fun. I am using it as a reward after I get all my work done (FINISH!) This will be a great motivator for me because it will be something to look forward to everyday that will also help me wind down from the stresses of daily life and schedules!

Are you going to Sew for fun this year? You can make it ten minutes, 20 minutes or a whole day like Saturday, a sick day (ahem!) or a Sunday all to yourself! I’ll be posting my projects in progress on Instagram (elaine.summercrafter) with the [Hashtag] #sewingforfun2015 and also right here on the blog. Grab the button if you want to.

I am also building up my red and white stash, even more than before, after all that inspiration at Quilt Market. I keep adding to it in hopes to finally do a red and white quilt.I even got myself a book on the subject, but I have a feeling I may do my own pattern. I got these FQs at a shop in St. Augustine. Magrieta’s Quilt Shop.

Funny Story. I had this reindeer fabric in my Etsy shop since last year but they had sold out in that shop. Then I placed an order of Christmas fabrics from a shop I frequent, StitchinStash on Etsy, and they were a stowaway bundle, which I gladly told her I would keep! ; )

Also grabbed a sampling of Country Girl fabrics by Riley Blake Designs also in St. Augustine, Bee’s Quilt Shop $ Studio, my husband’s reaction when we entered was “Now this is a quilt shop.” I thought that was adorable, he is doing so well in his “Quilt Appreciation” training.

And this Valentine mix (I couldn’t resist) …planning on making a scrap wreath

like this one in the shape of a heart!

Someone in my house is an avid Olaf fan, so it’s about time I make something for her! The pattern idea came from bathroom tile. LOL More on that later.

This Mini Starlight Pattern by Camille Roskelley over at Thimble Blossoms is a belated Christmas gift for a friend of mine which is perfect for the tiny scraps I can’t bear to throw out.

This quilt top has been finished for some time but starting my pattern business has really put it on the back burner for quilting. So I hope to finish this off for my Pastor, it’s a lot of quilting on my little machine. The pattern is Vintage from the Simply Retro book, also by Camille Roskelley.

I also have a few totes planned in various fabrics, including Disney.

Hoping to whip up some Christmas projects too with these fabric delights.

And while this is not sewing, I hope to feed my faith journey doodling in this jouraling bible. So excited!

So if I can complete at least 12 new projects at one a month, plus my own quilt patterns, I ‘ll will be a happy camper. Anyway, it’s not quantity is quality and how much fun will I be having! So are you going to be setting aside some Sewing for Fun in 2015? Do tell!

Quilt Market 2014: The Experience Part 2

November 17th 2014

I hope you don’t think I am stretching the Quilt Market posts too long, it did end 3 weeks ago, but since it was my first time…. I want to indulge a little longer. If you missed the first post featuring the wonderful designers I met (or just took a picture with) click here. For this post, I am just going to share the awesome booths and things I saw as we traveled up and down the aisles at Quilt Market Houston, 2014.

This booth belongs to Fig Tree & Co by Joanna Figueroa for Moda. Her colors are so bright. I am so glad I was able to get a bundle of her new line Aloha Girl read her MODA LOVE Blog Tour post here, I think we can see where her inspiration comes from.

This booth by Robert Kaufman features panels and blender fabrics inspired by the works and palette of Vincent Van Gogh, complete with easel, brushes and canvas.

Well, after walking that entire huge Quilt Market floor several times, I paused just a moment wondering if someone would scold me for sitting in these cozy chairs, but my husband stopped me before I could wonder any longer. This is the cozy and home-y booth by American Made Brand launched in 2013. Their motto is “All-American fabric. Not just made here. Grown here.” If you want to buy some or see what’s available you can check at Fat Quarter Shop for some bundles and solids.

I cannot begin to tell you anything about this booth except I think that’s Anna’s dress from Frozen. Sorry! But if you know, please leave a comment.

I believe this is the Janome, Hello Kitty Sewing Machine for little sewers and that lovely cart (without the fabric) is from IKEA. I want a sewing corner like that!

I went by this booth several times enjoying it’s bright and cheery appeal and that toadstool in the corner. Really cute stuff from Kids Quilts New Zealand.

But nothing stopped me in my tracks faster than Christmas quilts. This booth by Cindi Edgerton was full of small and mini quilts that were very detailed yet totally doable, or so I thought. The secret is paper piecing! I bought two patterns (tree and snowman found here) from her Little Bits collection, hoping I’ll be brave enough to try it. Each pattern comes with “paper” to make the pattern twice.

Yep, it was the Gingerbread House that drew me in. The designer is Marcia Leyton from Tampa, Florida which is close enough to me I say. Click here to learn more about her work. Her quilts are embellished with Yo-yos and are fun and festive.

I was really looking forward to get my hands on this collection “Bandana” by Me and My Sister Designs but the box was left somewhere and didn’t make it to the fabric spree in time. Darn it! I really like that color palette, kinda reminds me of sorbet, the kind you get to clean your palette in those fancy restaurants.

Frozen was everywhere. Look at this lovely display by Michael Miller Fabrics. Isn’t that just dreamy with those drapes of fabric. Heart!

This booth is by Passionately Sewn all the way from Australia! I love those Kimono girls, aren’t they darling?

Then there is MODA. (Big Sigh) Everything on their block was super sized and beautiful and very busy! Check out those Yo-yos and at the top of the display, giant jelly rolls and spools of thread, I just wanted to play there all day! Look at the chair covers, their fabric spree bag was similar (got one!) and on every wall a gorgeous quilt to look at. They also had a cross stitch motif on the sign in the center of the yo-yos.

I really enjoyed all the fabric eye candy, I’m hoping that next year Summercrafter has a booth, I have it all figured out!