artsy-crafty babe

dresden plates

School started back up about a month ago and now things are in full swing. I’m not gonna lie, it’s kicking my boo-tay! Dance, soccer, volleyball, baseball, football, religion, aggghhh!!! I don’t know how we’re doing all this. Right now I’m thankful that I’ve managed to help them with homework, pull meals together most nights, and have their uniforms clean. It’s a very delicate balance...at any moment it could all come crumbling down!!

When I noticed things (in my mind) were getting frazzled, I knew that I needed to find a “me” project to work on. Something portable that I could work on where ever, or just have near me (in my bag) for comfort.

I rediscovered a Dresden plate project I started months ago. Back when my Grandmother gave me the quilt, she also gave me a few Dresden plates that she had made. I wasn’t really sure what to do with them, but I started by appliqueing them onto a piece of fabric. That’s where I left it. My thought now is to turn each one into a mini quilt - one for Ava and one for Ceci.

I’m not sure exactly what I’ll do, but I do know that they will each include things that are personal to each girl - embroidery, more applique, perhaps some stenciling. I feel out of my comfort zone doing such a thing, but it feels good. I’m excited to see where these go.

liberty pillow challenge

I am thrilled to be participating in Sew Mama Sew’s  Liberty Pillow Challenge.  The challenge was to make any kind of pillow I wanted using fabrics from the Liberty Stile Collection.  I received 8 fat quarters with the guideline of using at least 4 prints.  That’s easy enough, right?

The timing was perfect because I had just finished a slipcover for a little club chair that was in need of a pillow.

First off, I must tell you how absolutely YUMMY this fabric is.  I’m hooked.  I want more.  More more more!!!

My biggest challenge was deciding how I was going to show off these lovely prints. I was initially drawn to the darker colored prints because those coordinate best with my home decor, so deciding which ones to use wasn’t too tough.  

After a little thinking, I decided on a diamond-y cross shaped design.  I’m sure there’s a proper quilt name for this, but I don’t know.  This design is in my kitchen rug (which is not a quilt), so I did a little math and figured it out myself.  I’m pretty darned pleased with myself that I was able to do it!

To keep the quilt theme, I added some batting then quilted along the horizontal seams.  The back of the pillow is a simple envelope closure made from two of the prints on the front.  I rounded the corners then bound the edge of the pillow with the lightest of the prints.

I had a lot of fun planning and making this project.  Thank you Sew Mama Sew and Liberty Art Fabrics!