It's a Mystery

What is an average quilting day like for you? If you are anything like me at least a little bit of my time is spent ooogggling the great fabric and patterns at The Fat Quarter Shop. I can get lost in all that fabric and since I am the ultimate planner, I plan future quilts that way. I am always adding fabric and patterns to my cart.

One thing that I have my eye on is the 2012 Designer Mystery Block of The Month. It's made with Bonnie and Camille's newest fabric line Vintage Modern, which is just delish! Here's a sneak peek.

  
The blocks are designed by a bunch of great Moda fabric designers including Aneela Hoey, Bonnie & Camille, Blackbird Designs, Cosmo Cricket, Fig Tree Quilts, Me & My Sister Designs, Kate Spain, Minick & Simpson, Pieces from My Heart, Primitive Gatherings and Sweetwater. I am sure theres' a few of your favorites in that list somewhere. I am already Craizee about the block we can see.

There's also a finishing and backing kit so you have everything necessary to make the quilt.

I don't know about you, but I have just found the quilt I will be making with Modern Vintage!  I will be blogging my progress every month so why not join me? 

Till next time

Winner Alert!

Thanks to everyone who entered to win the Ruby Designer Select FQ kit. As you know these specific kits are only available at The Fat Quarter Shop. These kits can be purchased individually or thru the Designer Select FQ Club. I highly recommend the club since you get a discount, but the best part is having a package show up without ordering it. Its always brightens my day! As always a big thanks to The Fat Quarter Shop for sponsoring this series.


The number My Mr. Random picked is #14!

Mom2RyanandSis said

Lots to choose from in the coming soon, but I think today I am most looking forward to Apple of my eye!!

Congrats! I have emailed you!

Starting tomorrow I will be doing a new series on speciality rulers. To get ready for it I'd love to know the following things...
1. Do you like making Half Square triangles (HST)? If not why
2. Do you trim your HSTs?
3. What method are you using right now?

Please come back tomorrow, this week promised to be both informative and fun!

Big Ruby Bag

If you are looking for the Ruby Designer Select Fat Quarter kit from the Fat Quarter Shop giveaway click here.

Today's guest is Jennie from Clover and Violet. Jennie and her Mom Clara  have the cutest blog.I first found their site when they were hosting the Embroidery 101 Stitch and Quilt Along. I did a few of the squares with the cutest embroidery patterns and plan on making them into pillows. If you haven't been to their blog yet you should, its among my favs.

Hi there, I'm Jennie from Clover & Violet and I am excited to share my Ruby market tote with all of you today.  In addition to blogging, I have a small pattern shop with my mom.  Our designs mostly consist of original quilted bag patterns, and so far we've used every line of Bonnie & Camille fabric for a different bag.

But, this post is really about my current project, the Ruby market tote.  I'm hosting a Stitch & Quilt Along on my blog, making this bag:

Over the next month we'll be working on embroidering the design on the pocket and constructing the bag {which is not your average bag pattern, but one designed with the quilter in mind!}.  My size inspiration was a medium sized paper bag I got at a market. It is a generous size, has room for everything, but isn't overly large {in my opinion}. Since it is a market tote, it seemed like it should be large enough to actually carry a small load of groceries. It measures about 17" tall, 10" wide, 6" deep, and the handles have an 8" drop. Here's a comparison photo:

The size ties can be tied tight or loose to adjust the bag to a slightly smaller size when in use {or just for a cute, decorative touch}.

The bag also features two large interior pockets, a small cell phone pocket, a key loop {you're welcome to add a metal key fob if you choose, I just prefer not to}, and a tie in the center. The tie can be used to keep the bag closed when in use or to compact it down when not in use. While it doesn't fold up tiny, it does fold small enough to bring along and not have to carry the entire bag until you're ready.

Just in case embroidery is not your thing, here's a picture of the back, and what the entire bag would look like without the front pocket:

One of my favorite things about making bags is that they don't really require a ton of supplies.  For this bag you'll need:

6 printed fat quarters, 1 solid fat quarter, and 1 yard for lining.  I'm using Ruby by Bonnie & Camille for Moda.  We're working with the wonderful ladies at Sew Lux Fabric & Gifts and we've put together a few bundles to help you narrow down the choosing process, if you wish {believe me, it was rough!}.

Photo by Sew Lux Fabric & Gifts

Each kit has the six printed fat quarters, plus a fat quarter of Moda Bella Solid in Gray.  They're available in Sherbet, Aqua, and Ruby.  Please note: the kits do not contain the 1 yard of fabric for lining.  This is the opportunity for you to select a favorite print from the Ruby collection, coordinating solid, or even use something from your stash to make each and every bag unique!  Another option is to select your own fat quarters from Ruby, other collections, or even shop your stash.

Photo by Sew Lux Fabric & Gifts

Since this bag has an embroidery design {my new favorite thing!}, here are the nine thread colors I've carefully selected for this project.  Shown above are the Finca Perle Cotton size 8 that coordinate with the Ruby line of fabric.  Click here to read my full post on choosing thread types.  If you'd like to use these exact threads {which I highly recommend, they're wonderful!} without purchasing the entire ball of thread, sampler kits are available.

Photo by Sew Lux Fabric & Gifts

Each kit contains 10 yards of each color, which should be ample thread for completing the embroidery design.  Note: a 10" embroidery hoop will work best for the size of the embroidery piece.

In addition to fabric and thread, you'll need 3/4 yard {of 44" wide}of Fusible Fleece {or, you're welcome to substitute another interfacing}.  I've chosen to use Fusible Fleece because it will give some shape and texture to the quilting, without making the bag too stiff, so it can still be easily transported when not being used.  You'll also need 1/3 yard of a medium to heavy fusible interfacing, this will be for the backing on your embroidery piece.  And a piece of sturdy plastic canvas.

If you're interested, there is still plenty of time to join in, and, of course, you don't have to make the bag out of Ruby, but I really couldn't resist it!

Thanks again to Sha for having me share a little of something I love with all of you. Happy sewing, quilting, and stitching!

Isn't that bag wonderful! I plan on making a few. definitely 1 for each of my kids to take goodies home with them when they go home after the holidays. I usually fill a grocery bag up of food for them, so this will be a special treat. Of course I will need to make a few for myself also!

Today is the last day to enter the Ruby Designer Select FQ Kit, a Fat Quarter Shop exclusive. Here's the link for the giveaway. At some point tonight I will be posting the winner.

I hope you enjoyed Bonnie and Camille Week.

The next Designer Select week will be either Fig Tree & Co or Bunny Hill Designs (Puttin' on the Ritz, Lily and Will). Let me know what you would like to see next and if you would be willing to guest blog for these weeks.

Half of P2 = Ryan

If you are looking for the Ruby Designer Select FQ kit giveaway click here. There's less than 24 hours till I draw so hurry and enter now!

Today Ryan Walsh of Ryan Walsh Quilts is here to share an adorable mug rug that he made with Bliss. Ryan's newest achievement is having a block in Quiltmakers 100 Blocks vol 4. He is also half of P2 (Patchwork squared). Be sure to check out both Ryan's blog and the P2 blog.

Hi everyone! It's Ryan from Ryan Walsh Quilts! I'm so excited to be here today to share with you my love of Bonnie & Camille's fabrics. Thanks for inviting me Sharon.

Well, it's really no secret that one of my favorite color combinations is red and aqua. It's pretty apparent if you take a peek at my sewing studio. Yep, aqua walls, red vintage accent pieces. The colors are so fun and energizing -- and a perfect choice for a creative space, I might add. I'm gaga for red and aqua ...

...hey, there are worse things I could be hooked on, right?

I remember the day I saw the Bliss preview pictures Camille posted on her blog. It was love at first sight. Bliss is what really put Bonnie and Camille on my quilting radar. Something about the line really clicked for me. Maybe it was the heavy dose of red and aqua, it could've been the scale of the prints in the line ... the dots are enough to send you over the edge. I like to sum this line up as a palette that's so sweet, it'll give you a toothache. OUCH!! Let's just say I'll be hoarding the fabrics in this line for many years to come. Gotta make that sweet pain last and last.

I would love nothing more than to share with you a project that I put together a little over a year ago using Bliss. Moda introduced a real neat product during Quilt Market in the Fall of 2010 called Candy Bars. Essentially it was a box of assorted half charm packs (2.5" x 5" rectangles) and a design sheet with all sorts of interesting ways to cut them up and sew 'em back together. Several people found that they were the perfect size for making mini dresden blocks. I combined that idea with another cool project that people were making at the time called mug rugs (think over-sized coaster).

Dresden Wedges Mug Rug Tutorial

If anyone is inspired to make a Dresden Mug Rug, please post a photo in the Ryan Walsh Quilts flickr group.

Please feel free to stop by my blog and say hi any time too!
-- Ryan Walsh

www.ryanwalshquilts.com
www.patchworksquared.com
Are you inspired to make one of those mug rugs now? I definitely am.

Have you missed a post this week showing all the great Bonnie and Camille projects? If so make sure to look at all the posts from this week. They are all so wonderful, you will be glad that you did.

Come back tomorrow to hear about a quilt and stitch along that uses Ruby and to find out who the winner of the Ruby Designer Select FQ kit from The Fat Quarter Shop is.

A Mini Swoon Block...Amazing!

If you are looking for the Ruby Designer Select FQ kit giveaway click here.

The next guest blogger is Ramona from Ramona Rose. She is here to show you the tinyest little block, I guarantee you will be amazed!


Hey Everyone!

Like Tracey this is my first guest post, and I’m SO EXCITED! Thanks Sharon for inviting me over here today!

I started Swooning about a month or so ago, when I first pieced a Swoon quilt for Jennifer Sampou’s Quilt Market booth (for her new fabric line, Fiesta)... Angela Walters of Quilting is My Therapy did the quilting, and I WISH it was my quilt, as it’s GORGEOUS! (Jennifer’s booth even won a blue ribbon!)




I’m addicted.

I made a sample block for a class at my LQS, SewModern, with Christmas fabric. I think I might have to make it into another whole quilt; it’s just SO pretty. (BTW, the Xmas block fabrics are Kona White, Groove Geo Stripes Green, and Quilter's Linen Crimson)

I have a really hard time getting rid of scraps though, especially nice triangly ones like you’ll have leftover if you make a Swoon block (or quilt)... But if you’re only doing 1 block (like for a bee), what do you do with the leftovers?

How about a TEENY tiny mini-Swoon?

(full disclosure, I only used the Quilters Linen and Kona scraps. Groove was actually too large a print for this, but luckily I had some Bliss scraps, and this print is exactly the right scale for a mini-Swoon.)

This mini-Swoon is mostly paper pieced, and measures just 3 inches square!!!

I admit, I'm not good enough at math to figure out the percentage there, but just in case you don't know, the real Swoon blocks measure 24”!

Here it is in another colorway, with crayons for scale:

I admit, I usually press my seams to the side, but when you make a Swoon block (especially this small), make sure you press your seams open!

I'm still unable to answer my husband's bewildered “why?” about making a mini-swoon, but I do know that I LOVE it. Almost as much as the original.

I couldn’t get my hands on the Ruby prints I wanted in time to make a sample, but won't the dots be PERFECT for this?

Isn't that amazing! When Ramona sent me a sneak peak a few days ago I was blown away by how great it looked and how tiny the pieces are. And BTW the mini block is only 12.5% of the size of the big block (or so says my brainiac Husband)

If you are looking for the Swoon pattern heres a link for the PDF version and the paper pattern. Both are available at the Fat Quarter Shop along with Ruby!

You have about 36 more hours to enter the Ruby giveaway, remember to enter today!

Ruby Table Runner

If you are looking for the Ruby giveaway please click here.

Today Tracey from The Peony Teacup has an adorable table runner made with Ruby. It uses one of my favorite patterns.

Hi, I'm Tracey from The Peony Teacup and I'm super excited to be blogging with you here on Sha's Craizee Corners! This is my first time guest posting, so be gentle with me ;)

Just like Melissa did on Monday, I will be showcasing a project that I made using Bonnie & Camille's Ruby. How gorgeous is that fabric? I love the aqua/red combination, it's just so happy.. you know?

I'd originally planned a different project with my Ruby fabric, but a girlfriend managed to convince me that she *really needed* my other Ruby charm pack to make some dresden plate cushions, so I had to come up with a new idea.

Fortunately for me, Sha's Bonnie & Camille week coincides with another girlfriend's 30th birthday. What better gift to give than.... a Ruby table runner?!

Do you think my friend will like it? I sure hope so!

I used a "Disappearing 9 Patch" pattern to make the table runner, and will post a tutorial on my blog in case anyone is interested. It only used 27 charm squares (3 x 9 patch blocks), so while I decided to "turn & top stitch" my table runner, you could easily bind it with the remaining charm squares. I used some white/blue dot fabric from my stash to back my table runner, but I also think it would look gorgeous if you used 2x charm packs and made it reversible - perhaps an aqua side and a red side? Or maybe Ruby on one side and Kate Spain's Good Fortune on the other.. (I plan to make a Disappearing 9 Patch Quilt with that combo!)

The problem is that now I've made my table runner, I'm even more in love with Ruby and I wish I hadn't declared a fabric buying ban for the rest of 2011 because I *really* want to make my girlfriends some Ruby mug rugs as a part of their Christmas gifts! Fabric buying bans don't include Christmas presents do they?

Thanks for sticking with me through to the end of the post, and thank you to Sha for having me. :) I really enjoyed making my Ruby table runner (and it was super-fast too!) and being able to share it with you! I'll be showcasing it at my local quilting friendship day later today, and then I'll wrap it up and gift it to my girlfriend at her Mad Hatter's Tea Party on Sunday!

What a great table runner! I say to get some more for your other friends' gifts. You have to get something for them so buying the fabric to make something for them is no different than buying them fabric for a gift.

Don't forget to check out Tracey's blog The Peony Teacup. She just did a tutorial on sashing tumblers that I can not wait to try.

My Cotton Way Tablerunners

If you are looking for the Ruby giveaway click here.

Last year I was in the Cotton Way Fresh and Fancy Table Runner Club from The Fat Quarter Shop. I was still so new to quilting and sewing that I had no idea who the designers were. I was pleasantly surprised that these patterns all were by Bonnie of Bonnie and Camille. I definitely had a favorite pattern among the tablerunner patterns. It was the August Table Runner and is still available!

I made 2 of these tablerunners so far. The kit came with Sweetwater's Make Life fabric and was the first tablerunner I ever made. It was also the first time I ever did any quilting other than in the ditch so I was really proud of my diagonal lines, wonky and all.

At this point in my quilting life I had no idea that there were actual fabric lines that went together and were made by the same designer. I probably should have put 2 and 2 together since they were all in the same area at the quilt store. But I knew that I was in love with writing on fabric so here's what I chose for the next one.

Of course I chose Pure. The funny thing is that I didn't realize they were from the same designer until Sunkissed came out. I guess I was a very naive quilter at first.

There were other Fresh and Fancy Cotton Way table runner kits I got. I made a few tablerunners, but gave them away and wasn't smart enough to take a pic.

Have you ever seen a Cotton Way pattern? My current favorites are the Christmas Stars Quilt Pattern and the Cuddle Me Cozy Quilt Pattern. Both can be found at the Fat Quarter Shop on the Bonnie and Camille Page.

Come back tomorrow to see a great tablerunner made with Ruby from Tracey at Peony Teacup.

A Stunning Ruby Quilt

If you are looking for the Ruby giveaway click here.

Welcome the first Ruby guest blogger! Melissa has a stunning quilt to share and a tutorial on how to make this quilt. What I like about Melissa is that she seems to like half square and quarter square triangles as much as I do.

Hi, I'm Melissa from Sew BitterSweet Designs. When Chef Sharon asked for guest bloggers to blog about Ruby by Bonnie & Camille I stood up and waved my arms! This line is gorgeous and so versatile! Just look at all those fabulous colors!

As soon as I saw Ruby I knew it would make some absolutely stunning flying geese (this line actually launched my secret romance with flying geese....shhhhh don't tell my husband - he wouldn't understand!). I used an entire jelly roll of Ruby and created this quilt:

I named this quilt Flying Flocks and I am giving it to a friend's daughter for her first birthday! It is bright and cheerful. The geese make a fabulous faux chevron pattern. Ruby is perfect for any little girl - with it's fun funky flowers and youthful color palette.

As I said, Ruby kicked off my romance with geese, here is another block I designed for a swap I participate in. My partner requested reds and aquas, Ruby was the perfect fit!

Doesn't Ruby look AMAZING when paired with a simple white?!?

I was also able to use more Ruby in my Bottled Rainbows Quilt that I have been working on this past month - It is featured 5 times alone in my red block!

Needless to say, I have worked Ruby into as many projects as possible since I got my hot little hands on my first jelly roll in September. It is such a fun line and I am certain at least one more project will come out of it for my own daughter. She has already tried to claim Flying Flocks as her own!

If you would like to learn more about me, my quilts or see my tutorial for how I created 240 flying geese from one tutorial please check out my blog!

I am also on Twitter!

And I live on Pinterest too!

Thank you so much for having me here today Sharon, I had a blast sharing my love of Ruby!

So are you ready to make one of these quilts? I think it so stunning that I just might have to make one soon. Thanks for visiting Craizee Corners today Melissa. Make sure you check out her blog, Sew Bitter Sweet Designs.