Monday, September 9, 2013

New : :

Rock & Romace Gorgeousness!!

Oh, what a weekend! Welcoming into the world an adorable new niece, Grace Anne, totally trumped everything else that happened these past few, very busy days! She is SO cute, you can see for yourself right here! She's the little one I made the ABC Quilt for and now I'm thinking some sweet pillows to match are a must do. I was so excited after receiving the news that she was finally here, that I stayed up super late Saturday night beginning yet another new quilt!

I mentioned a little more than a week ago that this particular corner of my Butterfly Quilt had me wanting to work with Pat Bravo's Rock 'n Romance collection once again. Isn't it pretty?

I'm loving this Gray & Pink Combo!

So, this lovely stack had been sitting out since then and when I couldn't sleep I decided to cut just three or four 1" to 2.5" strips from each of the prints.

Rock & Romance

I pulled out my Pure Element stash, beginning with those solids I had loved seeing together in my Butterfly Quilt, and added to that collection several more PE's that coordnated nicely. I love these colors together -- so warm & beautiful!

R & R Quilt -- Pure Element Solids

This quilt is being made with my niece Ceci in mind, who loves music, singing, & dance. This palette could be a little too dark for her? I guess I'll see as it comes together and I share glimpses with her. I definitely want to be sure she's happy with it. More than anything, that's my goal here with each of these kiddo quilts -- I really want them to LOVE them!

R & R Quilt Blocks

I'm making this one as a quilt as you go, using my batting as the foundation for my strip piecing. It's been a really fun project that's been tough to walk away from once my sewing time is up. I love the way it's coming together!! So if it happens that this quilt is just not the right choice for Ceci well then I'll just have to keep it for myself!

R & R Diamonds

How about you, did you start anything new this weekend?

♥  Maureen
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36 comments:

  1. SarahSeptember 9, 2013 at 10:01 AM

    Congratulation on your new niece, Maureen! This looks lovely!!

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  2. judySeptember 9, 2013 at 10:17 AM

    Congrats on new niece. Can you please tell me name of pattern in the above pic?
    thanks,
    judy

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    1. Maureen Cracknell HandmadeSeptember 9, 2013 at 10:21 AM

      Thank you Judy! I'm not following any particular pattern for this one, I'm just working off of a sketch I did. This would fall under a "String Block Quilt" design. You could do a Google search and I'm sure you'd find lots of tutorials! Thanks again!

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  3. GingerSeptember 9, 2013 at 10:35 AM

    Oh Maureen you must share that pattern. Can we purchase it from you?

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    1. Maureen Cracknell HandmadeSeptember 9, 2013 at 10:51 AM

      Hi Ginger! Right now I'm so dedicated to finishing these quilts for my kids, nieces, and nephews, but developing these original quilt ideas into patterns is something I really want to do once I meet my making goal! I'm thinking of possibly doing an e-book full of my quilt patterns. I'll be sure to share more once I'm ready!

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    2. GingerSeptember 9, 2013 at 8:43 PM

      May I ask you what size you are using for your batting foundations

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    3. Maureen Cracknell HandmadeSeptember 9, 2013 at 8:51 PM

      I'm using a variety of sizes for this quilt, but for the two blocks shown in the second to last image I used a cut of batting measuring 10.5" x 18.5" and then once my fabrics were strip pieced to the batting, I squared them up to 10" x 18".

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    4. GingerSeptember 9, 2013 at 9:49 PM

      Thank you.

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  4. Leigh AnneSeptember 9, 2013 at 10:38 AM

    You are brilliant! I've been wanting to make a string quilt but didn't want to use a foundation fabric. I've also been wanting to make a QAYG project. It's kismet :)

    Congratulations on your new niece!! And I think the colors in this new quilt are a little bit rock and roll, perfect for an artsy gal :)

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  5. fennaSeptember 9, 2013 at 10:57 AM

    I love that line! I've been wanting to get Rock 'n Romance since it came out. I just can't justify it right now :p Congratulations on your new niece!

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  6. Liane RadfordSeptember 9, 2013 at 11:41 AM

    Oh gosh, I do love those fabrics. What a beautiful quilt it will be! I didn't start anything this week-end, but I did finish a top! I swear it must be a miracle.

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  7. Am LSeptember 9, 2013 at 11:44 AM

    Congrats on the new niece! I love what you have started, and look forward to seeing how it goes. I am looking for a QAG project, so something similar might be in the cards for me too. First I need to catch up on my two QALs, and finish quilting my two UFOs. Sigh. I don't know how you do it all! (and that doesn't even begin to count the laundry waiting to wash....)

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  8. EllaSeptember 9, 2013 at 12:49 PM

    I started a Marcelle Medallion. Love the Rock and Romance with the solids!

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  9. Pat BravoSeptember 9, 2013 at 12:56 PM

    I love this! I can't wait to see the finished quilt!

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  10. CalSeptember 9, 2013 at 1:04 PM

    I am in love with this collection!

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  11. hjurgelisSeptember 9, 2013 at 1:09 PM

    A gorgeous start!!

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  12. AnonymousSeptember 9, 2013 at 1:15 PM

    Lovely!

    I start a set of mini quilts/mug rugs this weekend as a thank-you gift for a friend. Stayed up way too late playing with patterns!

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    1. Maureen Cracknell HandmadeSeptember 9, 2013 at 1:18 PM

      Thank you! Yes, if I begin a project once the kids are in bed, than it's almost impossible for me to walk away at a reasonable hour. Folks are always asking me how I get so much done -- that's it!! :)

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  13. Maureen Cracknell HandmadeSeptember 9, 2013 at 1:19 PM

    That's so exciting!! There's nothing like finishing a quilt -- it's so rewarding and very addicting! Good luck! :)

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  14. LoriSeptember 9, 2013 at 1:23 PM

    congrats on being an aunt. it is so much fun.

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  15. Katy CameronSeptember 9, 2013 at 2:22 PM

    Oh that is going to be gorgeous, both the colours and the fabulous feel of those AG fabrics!

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  16. UnknownSeptember 9, 2013 at 2:29 PM

    Your new little niece is so adorable...they don't come any prettier than her!
    I'm going to have to try this QAYG method...does that mean no crawling around on the floor pin-basting?

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    1. Maureen Cracknell HandmadeSeptember 10, 2013 at 8:12 AM

      Thank you so much, Janice! It does mean no floor pin-basting as long as when you attach your quilt back to the quilted front that you use basting spray! :) I've been using Spray n Bond by ThermoWeb and I love it!

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  17. RosaSeptember 9, 2013 at 5:04 PM

    Luscious fabrics.Your quilt will going to be fabulous!!

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  18. UnknownSeptember 9, 2013 at 7:44 PM

    Your color choices are stunning!!! I'd have a hard time giving this one away ;)

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    1. Maureen Cracknell HandmadeSeptember 10, 2013 at 8:09 AM

      Thank you Audrey! I'm truly excited about the giving away part -- this quilt, along with the last few I've made and a few yet to be made are for my kids, nieces, & nephews. We're all very close and I'm so excited they will all have an Aunt Maureen-made quilt for Christmas! :)

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  19. petoskystoneSeptember 9, 2013 at 8:25 PM

    Happy birthday, Grace Anne!

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  20. SharonSeptember 9, 2013 at 9:05 PM

    These are beautiful fabrics, will be a dramatic quilt. I would like to see how you put the components together in a quilt as you go. Will you show it once your blocks are all ready?

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    1. Maureen Cracknell HandmadeSeptember 10, 2013 at 8:05 AM

      Be sure to check out my tutorial here -- http://maureencracknellhandmade.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-quilt-as-you-go-tutorial.html

      I'll be attaching my blocks together and will finish my quilt using this same method! :)

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  21. JenetaSeptember 9, 2013 at 11:06 PM

    I'm kind of hoping you get to keep it for yourself - it's gorgeous!! Quick question - Do you use a backing fabric for your string blocks?

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    1. Maureen Cracknell HandmadeSeptember 10, 2013 at 8:04 AM

      Thank you!! I add the quilt backing at the end just as you do when making a regular quilt and secure it to the quilted quilt top by sewing along both sides of my seams going across and then down the quilt. The quilt back looks like a grid, and then I get that lovely dense quilting on the front. Let me know if you have any questions? :)

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  22. Sarah @ Georgia Girl QuiltsSeptember 10, 2013 at 8:48 AM

    Congrats on your new niece! There's nothing like a new baby in the family. Your new project is lovely!

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  23. Cindy MakiSeptember 13, 2013 at 3:02 PM

    I would make something dresden and large.

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  24. Cindy MakiSeptember 13, 2013 at 3:02 PM

    I follow you on Facebook and email.

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