Solid Beginnings : :

RJR Fabrics recently invited me to join in a blog hop to celebrate their solids collection, RJR Cotton Supreme Solids. I had a lot of fun looking through the color card and deciding what to choose for my project. There's so many color options, you can find many of them available here at Pink Castle Fabrics!



Usually I receive or purchase fabrics and then decide what they should become once the arrive, when I can see them up close, feel them, play around with grouping certain prints together, and separating their color values. With solid fabrics it's much different. Designing a project using only solids is something I haven't tried until now, although I've always wanted to!



I began by simply choosing a stack of colors that I've been feeling lately. Optical White, a bright crisp neutral. One the Rock, a light stone-y gray. Flamingo, a medium peachy pink. Tropicana, a radiant coral. Slate, a muted dark blue. And Navy, an inky ultra-dark shade. By beginning with colors that I really love, it eases any worry I feel over not having a project plan, like I'm guaranteed to make something pretty if the fabrics are beautiful!



I stitched up just one block in the time I had to begin yesterday and still haven't committed to a solid plan.





Since this solid only project is a first for me, I thought it might be fun to make something new and different than a quilt. Maybe. An extra-large quilted floor pillow, a new Summer tote bag, a modern table runner, or even a baby quilt are a few of the possibilities I've been imagining.  Any suggestions?

With Ribbons : :

Yesterday I started a second Herringbone Quilt, this time using just the two Anna Maria Horner collections that didn't arrive in time to be included in my first one, Dowry and True colors! New to this quilt are also these Design Roll precuts that are making this super quick quilt make even quicker!
 


I'm so in love with this quilt already! It was just about midnight last night when I decided that Dowry, combined with True Colors, is my favorite AMH collection to date. A revisit to her Dowry introduction post this morning confirmed that. Yes, this collection is truly a gift to us quilters!

As enthused as I am just to be finally sewing with Anna's Dowry fabrics, I'm extra excited that for this quilt I'll be adding in a layer of her richly colored Dowry jacquard ribbons from Renaissance Ribbons!



I have a full jar of Aurifil waiting to be matched up for ribbon edge-stitching!



I can't wait to add them to my quilt!



How about you, have you used ribbon for added detail and texture to any of your quilts or sewing projects? 

♥  Maureen

And, Sometimes : :

Just before I was surprised with Penny-dog and a little after I had finished my Chicopee Quilt, I dove right into a new quilt plan for Denyse Schmidt's Shelburne Falls collection. I had ordered the entire collection in fat quarters, along with some matching Pure Element solids from the Intrepid Thread, with enough yardage from Stash Fabrics for finishing the large picnic size quilt I had in mind. I sketched out a plan and got right to cutting and piecing with confidence!



Well life in general got super busy, as did my etsy shop, so lets fast forward to yesterday when I finally found my way back to this project shall we?! I laid out the strip piecing I had done way back when combining the Maple colorway of Shelburne Falls with the gorgeous AGF Pure Element London Red and I loved it! Honestly, anything next to this beautiful, vibrant red would look good to me!





So I continued on, moving onto the Lilac colorway I combined with the Verve Violet Pure Element, and the Willow Palette I paired up with the navy Pure Element, Nocturnal. 



As my strip pieces grew, I began to like the looks of what I was doing less and less? Bummer!



Now this morning I'm teetering between pushing forward holding hope that in the end this design works, with tucking this project away for another time?

What do you do when your project plans just don't come together the way you envision -- do you typically push through, take a break, or rework your idea into hopefully something better?

Color Palette Perfection : :

Isn't this the most beautiful Fall color palette? I think so!



Yesterday, while I worked on my Wonky Pinwheel Bee Blocks, I thought a lot about the things I plan to make for our new home. I've been creating quite the list! I'm so excited to finally be able to really decorate in a way that represents our taste and style. Since we've always rented and have moved sooo much, regardless of how much I may have loved the house we were living in, I knew it was just a temporary situation. Because of that I have never had this chance to plan and dream about making a house, our home.

While I pieced away, I also spent some time thinking about Natalie. She clearly has great taste and a wonderful sense of color! These colors together are so warm and inviting.



I thought of the last assigned bee blocks that Natalie chose for us. Those Improv Chevrons, probably my favorite blocks ever! And remembered I had made just one extra one, adding in a little navy and brown.



I have several, maybe a dozen or so, random quilt blocks hanging in my studio closet. I went and found that one that I had completely forgotten about, and right away thought about this pin, of an Eco-friendly Living Room via bhg.com. I love everything about it! This color palette is definitely one of my favorites, and one that both my husband and I love. I plan to use this image as inspiration for decorating our new family room.

via bhg.com

Today, I'm thinking that this Improv Chevron block might have to become a first new pillow, for our new home. What do you think?
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Home Sewing : :

I've been talking about making something with a hot air balloon design for months and months now. I had to laugh at all the comments I read last week under my Skull Quilt post, about it looking like a hot air balloon! Especially since I was working on this little wip in between reading them. Hopefully this looks like a hot air balloon house... that is the idea anyways!



With my mind completely consumed with thoughts of our first home, I thought this design was a fun idea! It's going to end up being a new floor pillow cover for the kids. We've been using our Fly A Kite floor pillow so much! So, I think a stack of large pillows will be really nice and cozy for laying around the fireplace this winter.

My husband thought I should have rounded out the bottom corners of the house. Of course, he's right, but has also never sewn curves before, so...



Ever since I made that last Quilted Tote Bag, I wanted to make something for us in a similar color palette.



So, I pulled some of my favorite Pat Bravo fabrics from my stash and got to work.



This is one my new favorite prints! It's Sahara Stars in Blue from the Bazaar Style by Pat. I finally ordered it and think it is so beautiful and dreamy, I love it!!



And, had already ordered a few new Pure Element solids from Moona Fabrics and Art Gallery that were perfect. I am slowly building up my solids stash. Aren't these colors lovely?



Hoping to spend this rainy day making a dent in my stack of wips. Happy sewing!! ♥,  Maureen 

p.s. I just got word that my sponsor Project Anthologies is having a HUGE ONE DAY SALE! Enter coupon code :: happy40 at checkout and get 40% ALL fabric purchases!!! WOW!

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Scattered : :

I feel like I have sooo much catching up to do and I'm not at all sure where to start?! I didn't sew much since I announced my break back in late July. Just my Indie quilt and a few other little things and that's about it. I did however, SHOP! I took advantage of some very generous fabric sales and was waiting, like many of you, for a few 'must-have collections' to be released. I had planned to start today by sharing my late Summer stashings, and then this morning I thought -- "Do you all want to see?" I personally LOVE taking pictures of new fabric, and with that excitement think that all of you might love to see. Maybe I'll even introduce some of you to something new that you'll love, too. Is that true?? I really hope so!!

While I wait for your answer, I'll admit today that in light of this new routine, I am completely scatter-brained! I'm jumping all over the place with my projects and I'm not sure what I'm doing, because I'm not sure what I want to do?

Here's what's scattered on my sewing table now. I know I love the colors together, but have no idea what I'm making!



I made this block a while ago. It's already quilted and was going to become a tote bag. It's been taped on this wall for months!



I finally took it down yesterday, pulled a few of my favorite coordinating Oval and Pure Elements and started cutting and piecing. Still with no plan!

So, what do you think it should become -- the tote bag, a new floor pillow, the beginnings of a quilt-as-you-go quilt? I'd love some help!!



How about from this angle -- any ideas?? I know it's not much yet, but it's definitely something?



There is one thing I am certain of today -- I love my new vintage, sewing chair! Aqua blue with nail head trim.



Yes, I like it! The blue carpet...hmmm, not so much! ;)



I did finish up the owl pillow wip I shared on my facebook page, too! It's a little something for my Goddaughter Sylvia. I sent out a care package full of goodies to her and my sister Catherine in Hawaii, which they should be receiving today or tomorrow! I can't wait!! It's always fun to make something cute!!

Thanks for all the comments, support, and understanding yesterday! It meant SO much!!

Happy Wednesday, friends!! ♥,  Maureen 

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Weekend Sewing : :

This weekend was really nice. It finally feels like the middle of Winter and with that comes lots of indoor time and projects for all of us. Of course for me that just means even more sewing time! :) Here's a little bit of what my "weekend sewing" looked like...

I finally cut into my Echo, add in there some Half Moon Modern Chevron, too. This will be a quilted pillow, but I can imagine a quilt made up of these blocks and am tempted to keep going!



I took some new photos to have and share. The first photos of my Scrappy Quilter Improv block were pretty bad, but I was just too excited to share to wait for good lighting. I snapped a few new pics on Saturday, just before I attached it to my other quilt blocks. I'm very close to having that quilt top completely finished -- I'm very excited!!



I took a new photo of my Quilted Heart pillow, too. I'm working on a tutorial and expect to be sharing that on Wednesday!



Lots of birthday crowns were and are always being made!



A little Pink Castle Fabrics mail came on Saturday! Aren't they pretty? I'm collecting every color of one of my very favorite prints, Lizzy House's Jewels. I LOVE these colors! And on top is a zig zag stripe for my mini quilt binding.



On Sunday, just before bedtime and as I was about to begin cleaning the huge mess that was my "weekend sewing" room, Jacob brought my very first Valentine gift of the year.



I love it!



And now, a giveaway winner!

Thank You to all of you who entered this past weekends giveaway! From the 1029 entries that came in before 10pm, Mr. Random says our lucky winner is comment # 471, Rhonda D in southeast Missouri!! I hope you enjoy your winnings, I will be in touch shortly!

Wishing you all a lovely new week!

Busy Weekend : :

It has been a very busy weekend here! But I stayed up late sewing Friday night and had about three hours all to my self Saturday afternoon to try a little more improv. yay! After the wonderful reaction I received from my first improv piece, I realize that's going to be a tough one to top! I want to make a mini quilt, something much more simple and fun for Valentine's Day, to hang where our advent calendar used to be. 

What do you think?



I was inspired by Rachel to try my first curve! And, I used some scraps left over from a little Valentine's Day pillow I made on Friday with this pretty stack of reds and pinks.



Here it is -- my first finished Valentine's Day project! I have a few more ideas, too. We had a lot of fun last year with this holiday! Since we moved just a few short days after Christmas last year and didn't take the time to do much decorating, once February came along, the kiddos were all about it! Paper hearts and garland everywhere, little hearts to keep us warm, and I can never forget that celery stamp project!

If you'd be interested in a little tutorial for this pillow, just let me know! I took lots of pictures hoping someone will say, yes!



In other news, I just received a package of Daisy Janie's Tilly and I have to say, I am seriously in love with this fabric!! I was happy to make a few things for Jan's Quilt Market booth back in October, and as a gift she sent me two gorgeous bundles. One for me and one that I'll be offering in a giveaway here soon! The yellow floral is my absolute favorite...



I also received these new notebooks. Aren't they pretty? One of my goals is to be much more organized with my orders, ideas for projects, and ideas for this blog this year.



The first thing on my list is to turn all of my hanging wips, into some exciting new finishes!! I guess I better stay busy, there's a lot of them!



And now, a giveaway winner!

Thank You to all of you who entered this past weekends giveaway! From the 828 entries that came in before 10pm, Mr. Random says our lucky winner is comment # 229, Lucy @ Charm About You!!! I hope you enjoy your winnings, I will be in touch shortly!

Wishing you all a warm and wonderful start to a new week!

a wip and a winner : :

To those who just found me this weekend and from Julie's blog, The Intrepid Thread, welcome, welcome! 

While finishing up a stack of Birthday Crown orders late last night I was dreaming up the idea for my next quilt. It's a continuation of the wip I shared a while back, with lots of color, appliques, and free motion quilting. I'm excited to see it all come together! Here's a little peek.



What are you working on this week? I'd love to see! Feel free to leave a link for us to visit in the comments.

And now... we have a WINNER! 

First, I want to say a big THANK YOU to The Intrepid Thread for offering such a sweet giveaway!!! If you've fallen in love with these fabrics, you can find all the brand new Little Apple colors and prints, in 1/2 yd and full yd cuts, as well as a large variety of bundles in The Intrepid Thread's 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 893 entries Mr. Random says our lucky winner is comment #57, pasqueflower!!! I hope you enjoy your winnings, I can't wait to see what you make! Both The Intrepid Thread and I will be in touch!

Thanks again and Happy Monday!!!