A New Diamond Strings Quilt : :

Yesterday we took my newest Diamond Strings QAYG quilt out for pictures, choosing this cute, old building nearby that's always made me think of the Little House on the Prairie Walnut Grove Schoolhouse. Since this quilt was made for a local quilt raffle to benefit the 6th grade class trip it just seemed to fit. I don't know the history of the building, these days it looks to be used for just storage by the local Consistory. I've always loved it, especially the brick red color and old double doors!



Last week I shared that this quilt came together quick! It's actually the fastest quilt I've made yet, coming together from that first cut of fabric to the last binding stitch all in just a little more than one day. I credit that to my super speedy quilt-as-you-go method and some surprise snowy weather that allowed a few extra hours at my sewing machine!



This quilt is made up of twenty-four Diamond Strings QAYG rectangle blocks and measures a nice 56" x 68" once finished. For the fabrics I used my Wild & Free collection paired with my two favorites, Indie and Wanderer. I love this fabric combo! The colors and prints create such a warm, bohemian vibe and I love that little touch of sparkle from my Midnight Roof metallic stars print!



Ever since I finished my recent Wanderlust Quilt using my Woven Path print for half of the binding, I've been wanting to finish another quilt using this denim blue stripe print. It makes such a cool finish and I love the contrast against my Luminous Field wildflower print. It helps keep the style of this quilt more gender neutral, which I was trying for and is challenging for this flower fabric loving girl! I think the colors, the stars, many of the prints, and the binding finish really helps with that, along with this denim blue plaid flannel backing! It made such a soft and cozy back, I need more!



I really hope this quilt raffle is a big success! We started selling tickets over the weekend and so far, so good!



Wishing a wonderful Monday & happy sewing to all!   ♡ Maureen

A Wanderlust Quilt : :

Yesterday, braving rain and wind, we took my Wanderlust quilt in April Rhodes' Wanderer collection out for photographing! I didn't get as many shots as I had hoped to, I forgot to snap a few of the Midnight Roof in voile quilt back altogether, but I'm too excited to share this one to wait any longer!



Because of the weather, we just took a quick trip out to one of our favorite roads nearby where both the waterfall stream above and this beautifully painted, smoky blue, rustic barn exist. Both made a perfect backdrop for the colors in my quilt!





It also wouldn't be a Cracknell quilt photoshoot if my husband didn't get to climb something!



The pattern is the first idea I quickly sketched out in a new graph paper notebook I've been using for the past several weeks and several quilts. I'm trying to make myself slowdown to take notes as I work on each new quilt in hopes to be to able to offer at least a few quilt patterns this year, and I'm finding this notebook super useful!


I love making flying geese using the make four at a time method and this new layout idea felt both fresh and unique to me!



The long arm swirly quilting that Melissa of Sew Shabby Quilting added really complements the movement of the flying geese pattern. I really love it!



I hope your week is off to a beautiful start! Thank you so much for stopping by today!! ♡ Maureen    

Rainbow ♡ : :

This week I haven't had a single day for free sewing. I had an Etsy shop pile-up and each day has been spent filling my birthday crown and fox pillow orders. Today I have to make three pillows and two crowns. Usually I don't mind so much, but when there's so many cheerful, quilty projects in the works waiting for my attention, Etsy sewing truly feels like work!



Thankfully, my Wanderlust Quilt binding session was just enough motivation to keep me going, and I love the way it turned out! Having a finished quilt waiting to be photographed to share and such a pretty rainbow of projects hanging around does help clear my cloudy mood and this cloudy weather!



How about you, what are you working on these days?   ♡ Maureen   

A Wanderlust Quilt Top : :

Today is my stop on April Rhodes' Wanderer Fabric Tour that I am so, so excited to be a part of! At Fall Quilt Market I completely fell in love with this new, inspiring collection and have been so looking forward to it's release!

 

A couple of weeks ago I shared a peek of my plan for a flying geese quilt featuring each lovely Wanderer print with a mix of complimenting AGF Pure Element solids in a layout that I was really excited about. I'm calling this my Wanderlust Quilt. The name is inspired by the prints themselves that tell a story of World travel, adventure and dreams. And, is equally inspired by the flow and movement of my flying geese pattern!



I love the impact of separating each of these beautiful Wanderer fabric colors!





Here we are at Cherry Springs Vista, an amazing place to view the rolling hills of Potter County, even in sub-zero temperatures!



I'm definitely not finished playing with this beautiful collection! I have several more Wanderer projects and plans in the works that I'll be sharing throughout the next few weeks, I can't wait! In the meantime, be sure to check out the rest of the Wanderer Tour stops! Here's the full list...

Sunday Feb. 15 - Nicole Morgenthau - finchsewingstudio.com
Monday Feb. 16 - Holly Hughes - hollygetsquilty.com
Tuesday Feb. 17 - Shannon Cook - veryshannon.com
Wednesday Feb. 18 - Becca Bryan -  bryanhousequilts.com
Thursday Feb. 19 - Rochelle New - luckylucille.com
Friday Feb. 20 - Kate -  http://seekatesew.com
Saturday Feb. 21 - Amber - oneshabbychick.typepad.com
Sunday Feb. 22 - Caroline Hulse - sewcaroline.com
Monday Feb. 23 - John Adams - quiltdad.com
Tuesday Feb. 24 - Maureen Cracknell - maureencracknellhandmade
Wednesday Feb. 25 - Delia - deliacreates.com
Thursday Feb. 26 - Kelly - cutcutsew.com
Friday Feb. 27 - Christopher Thompson - thetattooedquilter.com
Saturday Feb. 28 - Jen - www.littlewifepowerhouse.com

Of course there's also an amazing Giveaway!



Enter to win! --> Here's how, simply follow April (@aprilarhodes) on IG and repost any of the Wanderer Tour photos with #wanderertourgiveaway and she will randomly choose a winner from the hashtags pool on March 1st! You can find my Wanderer, Wanderlust quilt top to share on Instagram right HERE!

As always, thanks so much for stopping by!