Purple Stitch Pillow : :

This project is the result of a little experimenting with reverse applique that I started over this past weekend. To my surprise and delight, I was asked to put together a project for the July issue of an online sewing magazine, using an alternative fabric to the typical quilting cotton. I knew I was going to use felt and right away I started scribbling down ideas. I have been interested in the process of reverse applique ever since I read this blog post and saw the work of  Natalie Chanin. Without doing any research I decided to just give it a go -- I immediately loved the outcome!

For the front I used a beautiful quality wool blend felt in this smoky purple shade and one of my favorite prints from Kate Spain's Central Park collection for the fabric layer. The back is a cotton I have had for quite some time. I am not sure where it came from, all two yards of it, but it sure is sweet, isn't it?

I am going to enter it into this months Blogger Pillow Party, as well as The Great SMS Pillow Contest. My husband has declared this pillow his favorite one yet -- so I already feel like I won something! It is for an old friend whom is expecting in June and has painted the walls of the nursery purple. I hope she likes it, too!

Happy Creating! ~ Maureen

Better than flowers : :

Since March when I began to sew, my husband has learned when it comes to gift giving that unless it is something from here, I would much, much rather be receiving fabrics than flowers. So...

Happy Valentine's Day to me!!!

All of these beauties are from Quilt Home, one of my very favorite places to shop fabrics! Since my fabric stash is very lacking in purples, when I spotted Kate Spain's Central Park I put it on my must have list right away -- there is not a print I do not like in the entire collection, so I thought this was a good start. The top fabric is an Amy Butler print that I thought matched up well and would bring in some more of that wonderful shade of blue.

I always try to pick up a little of Anna Maria Horner's Little Folks Voile here and there when I can. I still do not have the complete collection, but will hopefully soon.

The voile is going to be paired with these Folksy Flannels to make one or two baby blankets. It is such a beautiful quality flannel.

And finally, a couple Good Folk prints, too -- right there in the center. This collection I am always re-stocking. I don't want to think of the day when I don't have any!

One of the very best things about shopping at Quilt home is their specials section -- the deals there change daily and always include a fantastic price on a print on my list. It's wonderful, but dangerous too! Thank God for holidays!