Showing posts with label fabric spark. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fabric spark. Show all posts

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Patchwork Easy : :

So often it's just one print in a fabric collection that will inspire the direction I choose to go when starting a new quilt. In this case, it was the gorgeous Wispy Daybreak floral from Leah Duncan's Morning Walk collection for AGF that both influenced each of the fabric choices I made when putting together my latest Monthly Sparks bundle and what would become of them.

Morning Walk Inspired

As I shared in my last post, my goal this week was to sew, simply. To head straight to the lovely bundle of Summer colors that's been waiting for me and to just begin. I started by laying out each print in a way to imagine them as simple patchwork squares for an easy, fun, relaxing quilt top.  As a way to make this bundle of twelve FQ cuts expand just a little, I started digging through my baskets of scraps and unfinished work. At the very bottom, a stack of sweet pastel colored fabrics, neatly trimmed, completely abandoned, already pieced in little hourglass blocks. Perfect!

hourglass twist quilt beginnings

To keep things easy and relaxed, I used a 6" ruler to do most of the work as I cut my bundle into a pile of squares for patchwork to alternate with the finished hourglass blocks.

simply & easy

In no time at all I was piecing together the beginnings of a new quilt top. The reward was the sewing. After such a long break it felt so good. The bonus is having something pretty to share that I really love!

Hourglass & Squares

Quilt Top Center

Illuminated Patchwork

Since I'm always trying to sneak at least a little of my Wild & Free collection into each new thing I make, I decided to give this a little 3" Folk Plaid border before adding a final row of patchwork.

Finished!

My Fletching Chant arrows prints will make the perfect back for this one!

Ready For Quilting

This quilt top feels so very different from my usual style, much more effortless and uncomplicated. I really enjoyed this one and hope you do, too!

♡ Maureen

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Summer Sewing : :

Yesterday I took and shared this photo, after entering my sewing room for the first time in ten days, with a smile and thought that one of the very best parts of going away for a long vacation, is the coming home again.

One of the very best parts of going away for a long vacation -- coming home again.

I really missed this space and had been missing it even before we left. The busy Summer days never leave much time for sewing, do they? It's been a struggle to keep up with my shop, deadlines, and this blog these last several weeks, more so then I remember previous Summers being. I'm always reminding myself how generous the long Winter's are for work & sewing time, when I start to miss it or feel behind. These sweet days of Summer are not forever, they are happening now, and I need to enjoy them.

This morning at the Park

But today, since afternoon rain and thunderstorms are on the way, I will be sewing! I truly need it. I plan to head straight to the Monthly Sparks bundle I shared last week!

Monthly Sparks Bundle

I've already decided on a simple, easy quilt. A quilt that isn't needed, that has no deadline to be finished, and no set pattern even. If at the end of today, I have a new quilt start to share tomorrow, that will be lovely. But really, in this particular case, a finished object will just be a bonus. It's the sewing that I'm really after, and the sewing itself that is precisely what I need and am so grateful for!

♥ Maureen

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

From the Beach : :

This week I'm blogging from the Outer Banks! We're at a beautiful beach house in Duck, where we're spending the week with my family. It's our favorite week of the year!

Our home for the next week!!

Before we left I finished up the last of my Birthday Crown orders and closed up shop for at least this week. I snapped a few photos before sending them off. I love making these crowns, but they're a lot of work. I really needed and am enjoying the break!

Birthday Crowns

Birthday Crowns

Before leaving I also received a little happy mail from Fabric Spark, my latest Monthly Sparks bundle picks!

Monthly Sparks Bundle

So many of my favorite fabric bundles begin with a beautiful floral print. For this one I was inspired by Leah Duncan's gorgeous Wispy Daybreak Morning Walk print!

Morning Walk Inspired

I already started sketching out a plan for these. It will be so nice to return home to this beautiful bundle waiting for me with a solid plan!

Monthly Sparks Bundle

Like last year, once again I brought along a newly finished quilt for a beach photoshoot. Here's a little reminder from last year!

My Friendship Diamond Quilt at the beach house!

Again it happens to be a quilt made in Pat Bravo fabrics! I finished the binding just minutes before we hit the road. Be sure to stop by Thursday to see!

♡ Maureen

Thursday, July 9, 2015

Begin Again : :

Back in March, when it was still chilly and thoughts of colorful Summer flowers and days still felt distant, it was those musings combined with my first Monthly Sparks blogger bundle -- a bright collection of fabrics turned into dozens of flying geese that inspired the beginnings of my Modern Chrysanthemum quilt block!

My Monthly Sparks February Bundle 2

Colorful Geese Beginnings

Modern Chrysanthemum quilt block plans

Modern Chrysanthemum quilt block plans

I was so excited about where I was headed with this one and somehow still managed to bury it!

Then this morning I brought it out again, gave it and my remaining sixty flying geese units a good press, took lots of pictures to share today, all so I can begin a new plan for it.

Modern Chrysanthemum quilt block plans

Modern Chrysanthemum quilt block plans

Modern Chrysanthemum quilt block plans

Modern Chrysanthemum quilt block plans

There's a long drive ahead of us as we head to North Caroline tomorrow for our annual family vacation. I'm excited for the time to sketch out a final design plan and to have this beautiful beginning out awaiting my return!

♡ Maureen

Friday, June 26, 2015

A Fabric GIVEAWAY : :

 It's Fabric Giveaway Friday!

A Fabric Spark GIVEAWAY!

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
  Maureen cracknell 275x170ish

My sponsor Fabric Spark is a Canadian online fabric shop on a mission to help others make, to offer inspiration, and to help you find your sewing spark! At Fabric Spark you'll find beautiful designer fabric, designer bundles and unique bundles for patchwork projects and quilts. They offer lots of sewing patterns from quilt patterns to Kwik Sew garments for adults and children, and offer sewing kits containing all of the notions you'll need to make it easy! They're always on the lookout for new fabrics, so stop back often to see what they've found!

"Happy sewing, and remember to do something creative every day!"
SHOP  *  FACEBOOK  INSTAGRAM
.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .
 We hope you enjoy visiting the Fabric Spark sites!!

22754


This week Fabric Spark is offering a custom Fat Quarter bundle, including TWELVE beautiful fabrics from many must-have collections, curated by me for Fabric Spark's exclusive Monthly Sparks Club! You can find this bundle available as the July fat quarter set here in the Fabric Spark shop! 

A Fabric Spark GVEAWAY!

In addition, Fabric Spark invites you to checkout their new Summer long event, "2015 Summer of Fabric Love!"  They're celebrating fabric all Summer with special promotions, surprise offers, and spectacular new fabric every week throughout the Summer! Sign up for the newsletter to know what's happening and be sure to follow on Instagram and Facebook for chances to have a sparkling fun fabric-y Summer!

Summer of Fabric Love Banner small version

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
Enter to Win!

Here's how,
 
1.
Simply leave a comment here in this post! We'd love to know what you'd create with this bundle? (one entry)
2.
Follow Fabric Spark on Facebook or Instagram! Just let me know you do by making a separate comment here to record that entry.
(optional extra entry)
3. My followers get a third entry, as well! Just let me know you do by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (optional extra entry)
4. Help spread the word!! I know that many of you already do, so I thought it would be nice to add that as another way to enter! Whether by facebook, instagram, tweet, pin, blog, etc... (optional extra entry) 

That’s 4 possible entries! Enter now through Monday, June 29th. The winner will be chosen at random and I will announce their name at the bottom of this post, here on the blog!
 
* Note * This giveaway is open to EVERYONE! If you're a "no reply" or anonymous commenter, please remember to include your email address in your comment so that I can contact you should you win!


Thank you to all who entered our Giveaway!! From the 536 comment entries, this week's lucky comment winner is comment #193, MoeWest! Congratulations Moe, I will be in touch shortly!!

♡ Maureen

Thursday, March 19, 2015

This Week's Beginning : :

As quilt making goes, beginning will always be my very favorite! Do you have a favorite part? Aw, it's just so much fun for me. For each new bundle I have so many ideas, and these days not a lot of time, so I don't over-think it, I just have to start!

During these past two days, in-between my Etsy orders, working on that Criss Cross Diamond QAYG tutorial..

Stack & Whack -- working on my Criss Cross Diamond Quilt Block tutorial!

And, early morning binding sessions..

Morning Binding

I started something new!

Using the Monthly Sparks bundle I created for Fabric Spark, including their in-stock Wild & Free, Art Gallery blenders, and a few Cotton + Steel prints...

My Monthly Sparks February Bundle 2

With more complementing blenders from my stash, more Wild & Free, and more Wanderer!

Quilt Beginnings!

When I look at these bright, fresh colors I see Summer, terracotta pots filled with Geraniums, Marigolds, Impatiens, and Salvia. They all look so beautiful together!

Flying Geese Asembly Line!

Colorful Geese Beginnings

Looking at last night's work this morning, those thoughts of colorful Summer annuals and days must have inspired my current layout, my pattern looks to reflect that!

Summery Quilt Beginnings!

And, I'm loving this beginning!  ♡ Maureen 

Thursday, February 5, 2015

New : :

There's been a lot of new this week!

New fabrics from Fabric Spark! Here we have my curated February bundle for the Monthly Sparks Club, a Fabric Spark exclusive club where members receive a beautiful new bundle each month including twelve unique fat quarters chosen by myself, Very Shannon, Fresh Lemons, Blue Elephant Stitches, Modern Sewciety + The Tattooed Quilter, and Thread Riding Hood. My picks feature several prints from of my own Wild & Free collection along with a few of my favorite Cotton & Steel offerings from the Fabric Spark shop!

My Monthly Sparks February Bundle

My Monthly Sparks February Bundle 2

A new fabric pull for a quick-make pillow project! I've had this idea to make triple striped geese for weeks now rolling around in my head, I even wrote out the math for a quick, no waste method. This week I chose fabrics in a color scheme inspired by one of my favorite Fossil pouches and late last night I tried out my plan with happy results! I hope to offer this new pillow in my upcoming sale!

Fossil Inspired

Stripey Geese

Triple Striped Geese Pillow

And, I finished up my newest Diamond Strings quilt-as-you-go quilt top! I shared in my last post that I was indecisive as to which solid(s) to use for finishing. In the end I went with a Patina Green, Icy Mint, and Peach Sherbet combination that I. am. loving!

Pure Elements

Today, I'm making plans for the bundle of April Rhodes' brand new Wanderer collection that just arrived at my door!

Wanderer LOVE!

Happy sewing! ♡ Maureen 

Friday, November 21, 2014

A Fabric GIVEAWAY : :

It's Fabric Giveaway Friday!

Doe Bundle GIVEAWAY!

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
  Maureen cracknell 275x170ish

My sponsor Fabric Spark is a Canadian online fabric shop on a mission to help others make, to offer inspiration, and to help you find your sewing spark! At Fabric Spark you'll find beautiful designer fabric, designer bundles and unique bundles for patchwork projects and quilts. They offer lots of sewing patterns from quilt patterns to Kwik Sew garments for adults and children, and offer sewing kits containing all of the notions you'll need to make it easy! They're always on the lookout for new fabrics, so stop back often to see what they've found!

"Happy sewing, and remember to do something creative every day!"
SHOP  *  FACEBOOK  INSTAGRAM
.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .
 We hope you enjoy visiting the Fabric Spark sites!!

22754


For this week's giveaway Fabric Spark is offering a Doe fat quarter bundle, including eleven beautiful fabrics from Carolyn Friedlander's beautiful, brand new Doe fabric collection! You can find this bundle available as a fat quarter bundle here and a half yard bundle here in the Fabric Spark shop, as well as they're new Doe collection offerings right here!

Doe Bundle GIVEAWAY!

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
Enter to Win!

Here's how,
 
1.
Simply leave a comment here in this post! We'd love to know what you'd create with this bundle? (one entry)
2.
Follow Fabric Spark on Facebook or Instagram! Just let me know you do by making a separate comment here to record that entry.
(optional extra entry)
3. My followers get a third entry, as well! Just let me know you do by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (optional extra entry)
4. Help spread the word!! I know that many of you already do, so I've added that as another way to enter! Whether by facebook, instagram, tweet, pin, blog, etc... (optional extra entry) 

That’s 4 possible entries! Enter now through Monday, November 24th. The winner will be chosen at Random and I will announce their name at the bottom of this post, here on the blog!
 
* Note * This giveaway is open to EVERYONE! If you're a "no reply" or anonymous commenter, please remember to include your email address in your comment so that I can contact you should you win!


+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Thank you to all who entered the Giveaway!! From 845 entries, Mr. Random says the lucky winner is...

Comment #402 --   *
Lucy @ Charm About You *  Congratulations, I'll be in touch shortly!   

Friday, August 29, 2014

A Fabric GIVEAWAY : :

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
It's Fabric Giveaway Friday!

GIVEAWAY!! Indelible & Cotton & Steel 1/2 Yard bundle

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
  Maureen cracknell 275x170ish

My sponsor Fabric Spark is a Canadian online fabric shop on a mission to help others make, to offer inspiration, and to help you find your sewing spark! At Fabric Spark you'll find beautiful designer fabric, designer bundles and unique bundles for patchwork projects and quilts. They offer lots of sewing patterns from quilt patterns to Kwik Sew garments for adults and children, and offer sewing kits containing all of the notions you'll need to make it easy! They're always on the lookout for new fabrics, so stop back often to see what they've found!

"Happy sewing, and remember to do something creative every day!"
SHOP  *  FACEBOOK  INSTAGRAM
.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .
 We hope you enjoy visiting the Fabric Spark sites!!

22754


For this week's giveaway Fabric Spark is offering a custom HALF YARD  bundle, including six beautiful fabrics from two of this season's must-have collections, Indelible and Cotton & Steel! You can find this bundle available as a fat quarter set here in the Fabric Spark shop, as well as they're Indelible selections here and they're Cotton & Steel offerings right here

In addition, Fabric Spark is having a "Mystery Fat Quarter Event!"  From now until Sept. 14th, when you purchase just one yard of fabric (two half yards, a bundle of at least 4 fat quarters, or more), and enter the promo code: FQfun at check out, Fabric Spark will choose a fat quarter to send you for FREE!!

GIVEAWAY!! Indelible & Cotton & Steel 1/2 Yard bundle

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
Enter to Win!

Here's how,
 
1.
Simply leave a comment here in this post! We'd love to know what you'd create with this bundle? (one entry)
2.
Follow Fabric Spark on Facebook or Instagram! Just let me know you do by making a separate comment here to record that entry.
(optional extra entry)
3. My followers get a third entry, as well! Just let me know you do by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (optional extra entry)
4. Help spread the word!! I know that many of you already do, so I thought it would be nice to add that as another way to enter! Whether by facebook, instagram, tweet, pin, blog, etc... (optional extra entry) 

That’s 4 possible entries! Enter now through Monday, September 1dt. The winner will be chosen at Random and I will announce their name at the bottom of this post, here on the blog!
 
* Note * This giveaway is open to EVERYONE! If you're a "no reply" or anonymous commenter, please remember to include your email address in your comment so that I can contact you should you win!

Thank you to all who entered the Giveaway!! From  934 entries, Mr. Random says the lucky winner is... 

Comment #44 --   * KatheG * Congratulations, I'll be in touch shortly!