CHARM ABOUT YOU

there is a brand new quilt along featuring the gorgeous Pearl Bracelets by Lizzy House! My sponsor, Christa Quilts, is starting her 6th in a series of complete quilt alongs on her blog. String of Pearls will launch Wednesday, June 5th at ChristaQuiltsBlog.com.  Christa will have a limited number of kits available with 10% off any kit purchase through 6/30. Just use the coupon code CQA2013 at checkout. For complete details along with the quilt along schedule, visit ChristasQuiltAlong.com. It will be fun!


Tonight is the first time I've put the baby to bed and used the monitor... I know that's crazy but I've really enjoyed keeping her with me in the evenings, after 4 months though it seems a little much and since she slept for a total of about 40 mins today I thought she might need a good nights sleep! So far I've gone up once writing this blog post but fingers crossed I will be able to spend a bit more time reading blogs etc. in the evenings now! ooohh look at me, I'm hands free!! ;)

So it literally just dawned on me that I could use the fabric from the Low Volume Swap to piece the background of my Rose Star quilt...

Here's how they look laid out out the background fabric I'd decided on but guess what, I've not made any of the background shapes yet! Serendipitous maybe?!



So I would use the fabrics from the swap for background instead (the shapes I will make are the same as the spaces in between the rose stars as they are laid out here).

Is it going to be too much? I may make one or two and put them next to the rose stars to get an idea but randomly wondered what you all would think.

If I did use the low volume charms would I use one LV charm for each connecting shape so it was the same fabric or 4 different LV fabrics for each shape (hexie and three 1/3 hexies) or a mix?

I'm thinking one of each LV fabric print between each rose star so it's not too too busy but I'm having a hard time visualising. So each shape would be a different LV print.

Thoughts??

Linking up:

**Click here for the GIVEAWAY - open until 3rd Sept 12 - good luck!**


Can I make a quilt in a weekend? Yes I can!

Hubbie is visiting friends back home and they've just had a baby boy so I asked him if I should make a quilt (while already mentally sorting through my stash to see what delights I could use!) Obviously he said yes and, while he kindly entertained the kids, I created this Pinwheels in the Forest quilt:


I used this tutorial by Rachel of Four Wise Monkeys, only making 9 of the pinwheels for a smaller quilt - it measures approx 54"x 54".

It's a right mix of fabrics! Can't remember them all but there's definitely some Riley Blake 'Fox Trails', Lizzy House 'Outfoxed' (hedgehogs, foxes and more still available here), Joel Dewberry 'Heirloom', Suzanne Ultman 'Critter Community' and Rashida Coleman-Hale 'I Heart' in there. The background and sashing is Kona snow. It was all pieced using Aurifil 50wt (didn't even have to change the bobbin!) and quilted with a Coats thread in very pale baby blue.


The back is pieced because I didn't have anything else that was quite right. I made a border and then realised it wasn't big enough so had to add another strip of solid to one edge, which makes the panel of Fox Trails off centre but oh well, it's still cute!


I did some basic straight line quilting using my nifty walking foot guide with the rawl plug!

I stayed up too late last night hand sewing the binding - I was tempted to machine it but honestly I cannot get it to look nice at all and wasn't up for faffing about!

Fingers crossed they'll like it!



I'm very excited because today I signed up for the Low Volume Swap at Making Rebecca Lynne - seriously go here and sign up


Check out the Flick group for the gorgeous fabrics already part of the charm swap. SO LUSH!! You can visit the group if you have any questions, Rebecca is really helpful! Also Helen at Archie the Wonderdog posted some amazing examples of what you can do with low volume fabrics. I've seen a few of these around and I just adore them - especially when they are contrasted with bright modern fabrics.

Rebecca is super organised, she's planned everything really well and I'm positive this will be amazing swap! It's a fantastic way to get at least 112 charms of beautiful fabric. I know I can't wait to get mine :)