Nightfall QAYG : :

On Friday I started a second quilt using my Nightfall strike offs, this time to show how well the colors of this collection will coordinate with AGF's new denim line. An exciting added bonus for me, since I LOVE these denims so much!



Consequent to finishing that first Nightfall quilt top, I noticed how quickly my strike offs were dwindling. So, for this quilt I decided to feature just one Nightfall print ~ my Bird of Night owls!







I began by fussy cutting a variety of owls with the slate blue-gray background from the Moonrise colorway of Nightfall. These will be at the center of each of the Quick Quilt As You Go blocks I plan to make, framed with little scraps and narrow strips of what's left of my sample fabrics, with lots of solids & denim added in to help me stretch these into a decent sized quilt!



Inspired by this Converging Corners quilt block pattern, I'm constructing these blocks similarly to the courthouse step/log cabin block, with a quilt as you go twist! After I frame each owl with low volume prints and solids, as I work my way out into the corners of each block, I'm adding darker solid and printed fabrics to two opposing corners. This creates a really cool, interesting design once a group of four blacks are put together.





My hope is that by using the Nightfall deep teal & moody blue prints with the added dusky solids and denims for the darkened corners, that the little clusters of dark will look like subtle sparling stars once the whole quilt is finished. I'm just about ten blocks in this morning, I'll be back soon to share how it all comes together!

Happy sewing! 
♡ Maureen

A Little Peek : :

Last week when a delivery of assorted AGF Denims showed up at my door, I knew right away that they'd be perfect to stitch on using my new Aurifil for AGF thread collection, Bohemian Garden. The box of denim included a variety of weights, some 100% cotton, some a cotton/poly mix, along with a beautiful cotton/linen blend!



For my new "sketch stitch" project I pulled from the bundle the lighter tone denims in Infused Hydrangea, Frosted Sage, Adobe Clay, Nectarine Sunrise, plus the Soft Sand Linen. I finally ordered myself the new Olfa Rotary Cutter I've been admiring at Lady Belle Fabrics, I LOVE the aqua blue, and it came just in time! I'm embarrassed to admit how long it's been since I invested in a rotary cutter upgrade. What a difference, it sliced through all five layers of fabric at once!



Using the Herringbone QAYG method I teach in my Quick Quilt As You Go Craftsy class, I made myself a pillow top "canvas" to stitch on! My hope was that by having a defined center it would help to keep symmetry as I stitched away, all while adding to my design.



Using the colorful spools of Aurifil included in my Bohemian Garden thread collection, I started thread sketching! The combination of the 50 weight threads and the quality of denim & linen fabrics was even better than I imagined it would be. Sometimes I run into puckering issues when I stitch on regular quilting cotton, but this denim is just sturdy enough, while still being super soft, that it worked so perfectly!



Here's a peek of the little owl I stitched!



It's my own way of giving you a tiny hint about my new Spring collection! This afternoon Art Gallery Fabrics and I (instagram.com/maureencracknell) will be sharing a little bit more on our Instagram's, so be sure to stop by to tell us what you think of my collection name & theme! I'm so excited about this one!!

While you're there, be sure to enter my Giveaway right HERE, for the small spool Bohemian Garden thread collection that I'm giving away in celebration of my recent Fleet & Flourish fabrics Blog Tour & the reveal of my new Spring collection!



♡ Maureen  

Crown Cuteness : :

I've been busy making Birthday Crowns! Sometimes making all these crowns can seem pretty repetitive, particularly my most popular crown style. Then other times, the variety of cute applique opportunities I receive is so, SO fun and enjoyable! These are the orders that seem to come at just the right time, giving me the relief I need from the monotony!











Today, I'm feeling caught up just enough to work on my Carnaby Quilt. I do have two, new quilt ideas completely planned out -- a solids quilt made with only Pure Elements and another with Shelburne Falls, that I can not wait to begin!

How about you, what are you working on this week?    ♥,  Maureen

My Little Owl : :

This was the scene last Friday after school when my little girl came home to find that her owl costume was finally finished!



Since I have been so busy packing and not feeling well, when it was announced that our local Trick or Treating would be postponed several days because of Hurricane Sandy, I decided to take advantage of those extra days. I was thrilled and relieved when the costume started coming together just as I had planned! And even more, that she LOVES it!!



My daughter picked out all the colors that make up her costume. We used a little of my new Floressence Trellis Tulip in a very bright pink for the bodice and lots of Pure Elements, felt, and fabric scraps for all those colorful feathers. My owl wings are similar to these that I've seen on Prudent Baby and a few other blogs, but I didn't follow a specific tutorial. I used one of my daughter's dresses to measure the length from thumb to thumb, used brown felt for the wing structure, and planned for them to tie on with the dress, rather than around the neck. The owl headband is made the same way I make my Birthday Crowns, which she wanted instead of a mask so she could get her face painted.



Here's a blurry, but good look at the back, with her brothers -- an Army Ranger and a very happy Gothic character!

I wasn't sure I could compete with last year's Little Red costume, which was so fun for me to make! But having her input and for this one turn out just as she wanted, was even better! I am a little bummed that I didn't get as great of pictures as last year, but the weather went from being dark and rainy, to really cold. I'm certain I'll see lots more of this costume throughout the year, so that's alright.



It's packed away now with her other dress-up play things, or I would have taken a few more photos to share this morning. Right now we are waiting to hear when we can officially close and begin to move into our first home. We had thought that would be this week and weekend, but that's not going to happen. Hopefully it will be soon before the snow comes!! Wish us luck and have a great Monday!
♥ Maureen

p.s. I'll add a few extra photos to my flickr, for those of you who might be interested in making something similar yourself!

A New Fall Tote {and Giveaway Winner} : :

You might remember this owl from last week. I had asked your opinion whether to continue this project into another pillow or a new tote bag. Well, almost everyone said tote, and here it is! The front is made up of my new Community Critters, a little more of my Fall fabric stash, along with a few others.



The lining is Critter Birds in Bermuda and the back is Critter Owls in Retro. This fabric is so sweet! This was intended to be something just for the kids to use. They each loved these fabrics so much.



But, I accidentally made it a little larger than I had planned, oops! I guess the kiddos and I will have to share it.



You all do know how I love my owls!



I plan to enter this new tote of ours in the fabric wearables category of Celebrate Color.

And now, we have a winner! 

First, I want to say a big THANK YOU to Moona Fabrics for being so very generous!!! If you've fallen in love with these fabrics, you can find the entire Pat Bravo Bespoken Collection in the Moona Fabric shop right now!



Thank You to all of you who entered, I'm so glad you all liked our Giveaway! I know that not winning is not much fun at all -- my apologies for that! So, good news -- I'll be hosting a new giveaway here again this Friday and as often as I can, hopefully each Friday! Be sure stop back. I think it's such a wonderful way to end each week, I hope you think so too!

So without further ado, from the 864 entries that came in before 10 pm, Mr. Random says our lucky winner is comment # 795, Phyllis!!! I hope you enjoy your winnings! Both Moona Fabrics and I will be in touch!

Thanks again and Happy Monday everyone!!!

Color ❤ : :

Today I am sewing up a storm and loving all the color! Which is why I am a little late to putting something up here today. I decided to spend the morning sewing while I was alone! And, I am feeling a little better too, so thank you for all the well wishes!

Using yesterday's rainbow + patchwork inspiration, I had a little fun putting this new patchwork, scrappy owlie together. I'm not sure if I should make yet another pillow out of this 12x12 applique piece or maybe a little Fall tote bag for the kids to lug around. What do you think?



I plan to finish whatever becomes of my owl applique with my new Community Critters. Aren't they cute?



We all agree -- this owl is our favorite. So sweet!



I spent most of my free sewing time this morning sewing with Daisy Janie's new Tilly collection. I am making a pillow for Jan's Quilt Market Booth and I am so, so, so excited!!! Aren't these gorgeous? This group premiers at Houston Quilt Market at the end of this month and yardage goes on sale in November!



And, these new crown orders are now finished and just went out the door!



I'm dreaming up a plan for these, as well! This bundle of Little Apples is a huge hit with the kids. We all love them! And, have you seen Aneela's peak at her newest line? They just get better and better!



Now it's your turn! What are you up to today???

p.s. Wishing safe travels to everyone heading off to the Sewing Summit! I can't wait to see what I'll be missing. Enjoy!!!

Tuesday Inspiration : :

Green + Brown + Red + Navy

Photos via Pinterest

Using these lovely colors, I put together a new owl pillow design!



I love projects that combine beautiful fabric, soft felt, and just a little hand stitching!



I'm still playing around with the design and am already planning to make more for my shop. I just ordered a gorgeous bundle of this Hugs and Kisses print from my sponsor Moona Fabrics. I can't wait for them to arrive so I can get busy!



This pink owl cushion is my daughters...trust me the last thing this little one needs is another pillow! But we made this one together while our guys were gone for a boys movie night. She was sooo excited! She picked all the fabrics, helped cut, and of course controlled the sewing machine pedal until it was finished. I did the hand-stitching while she sang me Patty Griffin songs and "folded" my fabrics.



Last weeks Tuesday Inspiration was all about Aqua, Coral, Grey, and Yellow. I was hoping to have my project using the fabrics I shared complete by now, but I'm a bit stuck? I'd love your thoughts on this... Do you think I should continue with a table runner (which is my original plan, the yellow is the center for my favorite vase)? Or, I could make this into a throw/lap quilt for our very old, very loved, very bare Windsor rocking chair?



Thanks in advance for your thoughts! And now, I'm off to re-fold some fabrics!

Button Decisions : :

In addition to the Birthday Crown orders that are keeping me busy once again this week, I found a little bit of time to whip up yet another Owl Stitch Pillow. This is #3, with different wing stitching and a few more touches of color than the others had. I plan to make this pillow larger, I'm thinking 16x16, by adding a patchwork boarder similar to that on my most recent Sketch Stitch Tree Pillow. My owly design is almost finished with just one last step to complete -- the button eyes. Normally this would be something one of the kids would help me with, but honestly I have been using my studio time this week as a little place to retreat to for some much needed silence and reflection. Yes, it has been one of those weeks -- I won't go any further, I'm sure you understand! I figure they can read this post and choose from these optioned rather than dump every jar of buttons I have out to begin their search.

Option one -- wooden buttons with a scroll-y carved detail.

Option two -- metal buttons with a sunburst detail.

Option three -- wooden buttons with carved details and color.

Option four -- vintage buttons layered (plastic on the bottom, tin on the top).

Yes, the decision making process of choosing just the right button, regardless the project, is a slow one. A good, fun, slow one indeed!

I am leaning to Option three? But I'd love for you to let me know your opinions. Thanks (in advance) for the help!

And now, onto more sewing!

Sketch Stitch Pillows : :

I was talking on the phone with my brother the other night and mentioned how much I have been missing drawing. I use to draw all the time and had always planned to be an illustrator, when I grew up (29 yrs old and I'm not quite there yet). I shared a little of my thoughts on that back when I first started blogging here, but I just haven't given it a real go. I'm sure it is obvious that sewing has really taken over the time I have to work on my crafts especially as of late, and several of you have even sent me emails asking about my knitting, especially the owls. In an effort to combine all these things that I am passionate about, I decided to try to use them all in creating one thing. I am calling these my "Sketch Stitch Pillows."

Sketch Stitch Bunny Pillow -- details available here.

Each of the pillows made for this collection I plan to finish in a coordinating polka-dot fabric for the reverse side.


Sketch Stitch Tree Pillow -- details available here.

I shared the beginning of these pillows last week, this was my first applique created by drawing on felt with black thread this way. It's difficult, kinda of like drawing blind folded, but I am really having fun with it.


Sketch Stitch Owl Pillow -- details available here.

I plan to enter this one in this months Blogger's Pillow Party. (You can follow the link or check out my Join In page to find all the details for the B.P.P.)  I know it is a bit different then my past entries (here and here), but Rachel encourages sharing creativity and since I am using a designer fabric for the details and the reverse side -- I figure, why not!


I already began work on a few more and am grateful to have sketch books full of inspiration from over the years. I was happy to get a nice reaction from friends when I shared them on my facebook page. I hope you all like them, too!

Happy creating! ~ Maureen