Marcelle Medallion - finished top

It's truly been a labor of love. My Marcelle Medallion quilt from this book is completely pieced.

It was kind of like reading a really good book - you can't stop, but you don't want it to end...

My favorite part was carefully choosing each fabric. I used tons of different fabrics - some tiny scraps; others brand-new half yard pieces that now have little corners cut out of them.

I must say, the pattern was fabulous. It takes a lot of math to fit all those pieced borders together and it work like a charm...

pyramids, flying geese...

 and cute little crosses...

all living happily together...

I've got my backing ready. I think it will be just as much fun to quilt as it was to piece. Maybe it deserves a bit of pearl cotton hand quilting?

. . . Cindy

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Pattern Giveaway!

Casey York is a friend and member of our St Louis Modern Quilt Guild. She recently released her first two patterns and - lucky you - you now have a chance to win one!

First let me tell you a little about Casey. She is as sweet as can be and her work is unforgettable. Her designs are appliqué, but not a bit traditional. Appliqué is fairly rare in the modern realm, so Casey brings a unique perspective to modern quilting. Her quilts come from someone with a true artistic eye!

Be sure to drop over to Casey's blog, Studiolo. You'll love her inspiration posts.

The first pattern was a result of the Modern Quilt Guild's Madrona Road Challenge. And Casey's quilt was a winner! Chosen by the fabric designer, Violet Craft, as one of her favorites!

The quilt is called Onwards and creates such an interesting perspective in a minimalistic way. I can also see this one done in Spring colors or even Fall colors and would be a welcome addition to a foyer or entryway.

The second pattern is Sakura, named for the famed cherry blossoms of Japan. It has such a lovely tranquil feel to it, is super easy and can be made with a charm pack. The pattern also includes instructions for a pillow, with quilting suggestions and more!

On this first day of Spring - it's your chance to win one of these patterns! Your choice! Leave me a comment and I'll choose 2 winners on Monday, March 25th. To make it even easier, I've removed the word verification step. Just be sure that I have an email address associated with your comment. I'll remove any comments that look spammy.

. . . Cindy

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What's new?

Time for an update! I was on a quilt retreat last week and accomplished a lot! Here's what's new with me!

This is my new favorite! Ikea's RASKOG kitchen cart. I thought this would be a perfect piece for the girls' art supplies. It's been out of stock since before Christmas and for those of us without an Ikea store :( - it's now available online! Turns out it's a great little organizer for the sewing room. I've loaded it with upcoming projects and new fabric that I just want to look at! (BTW- I've done some reorganizing in the sewing room. Let me know if you'd like a tour!)

So here's what's new from retreat...

Aprons for the girls. Super quick and easy, made from 2 fat quarters. Free tutorial: Aesthetic Nest

I made lots of star blocks! A few more Lone Starburst...

Some more Superstar blocks...

Finished up my Log Cabin blocks and actually sewed them together...

Now you would think after sewing night and day for 3 days straight, I'd come home not wanting to touch the sewing machine. But you'd be wrong. My friend Bonnie and I had this conversation - so I'm not alone. We both confessed to being so pumped and inspired after retreat, we get home and just want to sew more!

So I spent the weekend finishing up my Marcelle Medallion quilt (except for the borders). Those of you who chimed in on Instagram and liked my first border choice - thank you! You were right!

I tried each of these three fabrics and they did nothing for it. Now I'm on hold until a little more border fabric arrives in the mail!

Finally, I've got a new Bee block to work on. Toni gave us fabric to make blocks inspired by Blue Note album covers. This quilt is going to be awesome!

That's what's new here! Come back tomorrow for a fun pattern giveaway! You don't want to miss it!
. . . Cindy

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Marcelle Medallion progress...

Two more borders added...

Lots of fabrics; lots of triangles...

Very blissful sewing!

Marcelle Medallion will have to wait. I'll be sewing with friends all week! Hope to get more of these done...

. . . Cindy

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Marcelle Medallion

I've been making a mess! But loving every minute of it! The last two days have been spent playing with scraps, piles of fabric...

and a little inspiration board from the latest Anthropologie catalogue...

By Wednesday night I had this, the center block and first border...

Marcelle Medallion quilt from Liberty Love by Alexia Marcelle Abegg...

And by late last night I had border two completed...

This pattern is slow-going, but oh so much fun. I'm using tons of fabrics, each one carefully selected as the quilt grows. The slow creative process is addicting and meditative at the same time. It's why I quilt.

I'm documenting my progress on Instagram (clammon)

Have a great weekend!   . . . Cindy

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WIP Wed

 I've fallen hard for all the Marcelle Medallion quilts showing up on Instagram - #marcellemedallion

I pulled some fabrics over the weekend and was excited to see my book, Liberty Love, arrive today. I picked up a couple of pieces of Charleston Farmhouse at my local shop on Saturday and I love the organic look of the fabric. I'm going with that and trying to create an Anthropologie feel. Can't wait to start - maybe tonight?

Keeping up on my paper pieced Lucky Stars BOM...

And last night I finished piecing a stack of Hourglass blocks in a variety of Amy Butler lines. Oh, Amy, how I do love your fabrics!

Linking up with Freshly Pieced today!  . . . Cindy

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Baby Sewing...

We're all getting pretty excited about the new baby coming in about 7 weeks. (yes, we're counting) I've done a lot of sewing for my first grandson in the past few weeks. The inspiration fabric was a Moda line called Apple Jack. It has some beautiful colors and the girls are already having fun with the i-spy, ABC fabric.

Two floor pillows for the sisters to sit on in the baby's room (although I'm wondering if there may be some migration into their own rooms). These take only 1 yard of fabric each and some piping. Free tutorial: Floor cushion

A divided storage basket....

There are tons of free tutorials for these, but this one is a nice size (easily holds diapers) and I like the divider. Pattern: Divided Basket by Noodlehead

This would look more interesting if I had a crib - but it's a simple pleated crib skirt. Free pattern: Pleated Crib Skirt

My daughter chose the BreathableBaby mesh crib liner. I spruced it up with fabric binding and ties.

The baby quilt...

And a lap quilt for the Mama to use on chilly nights. Thank you to all of you for your encouraging comments on my big mistake. I've embraced the imperfection and am so pleased with the quilt. The pattern is by Lee from Freshly Pieced and included in the new book Modern Quilts from the Blogging Universe. I reduced the size a bit and added a little more negative space on each side. 

It's quilted with machine guided wiggly lines, backed in Simply Color Sprigs and bound in solid aqua.

 And last but not least the baby shoes. Pattern: Reversible Baby shoes

I'm thinking he may be one stylin' baby. We can't wait to meet him!!!    . . . Cindy

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