Wednesday, December 10, 2014

painted leaf {igminiswap}

For some reason, I've had an itch to paint these days...


This time, it was painting leaves!  Or one leaf, to be exact.  ...For now.  (Our toddler has now requested a pink leaf.)  Either way, this one was inspired by a recent free people post on IG (no surprise there, right?)


It's splashed with a rainbow of liberty lawn scraps, along with some bright white sundial-esque accents radiating around the stem.


The background is a blend of creamy low volumes to complement the classic liberty hues.  And it's finished off with a slew of straight lines.


Well, mostly straight anyway.  ;o)  The mini measures just under 20" square and will soon be making its way to my #igminiswap partner.  Just as soon as I figure out the best international shipping route... eep!  Here's to hoping my partner can forgive the delay? :)

Sunday, November 30, 2014

gypsy vagabonds unite! {november giveaway}

Well my friends, after yet another month of radio silence, I'm back!  With nothing new to show for this particular post thanks to a relaxing holiday weekend, coupled with a heaping helping of QuiltCon sewing.  But now that that deadline has (nearly) expired, I have turned to my November gypsy wife blocks, which I'll share later this week.


And in the meantime, this shot of gypsy wife makings from months past will have to suffice...


So, are you sewing along?  Interested in catching up?  Perhaps now is a good time to remind you of what we have up for grabs this month...


(Rainbow not exactly included.)  Since I'm making my gypsy wife using exclusively Liberty tana lawns and Oakshott shot cottons, I've joined forces with my dear friend Heather of Crimson Tate and Michael of Oakshott to bring you two Liberty F8 packs (pictured above) and one whopping $100 voucher to use as your heart desires at Oakshott.


All you have to do is link up your November progress right here!  (Erm, and by right here I mean keep scrolling...)


And for those of you who might also have been tied up over the holiday, fear not.  The link will stay open until next Sunday Monday night, giving you (and me) another week to cross these blocks off your list.  ;o)  Can't wait to see how everyone's designs are coming along!

Edited to add:  No blog necessary to link up! InLinkz also accepts links to flickr and IG :o)  If you're having trouble linking up, please comment below or shoot me an email so we can fix that, stat.


Thursday, October 9, 2014

skipping in the rain {and a giveaway!}


Not surprisingly, Juliet of Tartan Kiwi is at it again with her mad paper-piecing skills.  As I'm sure some of you might recall, she recently debuted a massive bear, which turned out to be a wonderful reason to break into my newly acquired stash of oakshott lyon and summer stripes:


This time, she's dreamt up a playful silhouette, skipping in the rain with umbrella in hand.  Okay, technically she's "Singing in the Rain." :o)  And because my oakshott, liberty, and low volume stashes are the only fabrics that aren't packed away in bins at the moment, my selection should come as no surprise.  Though I originally had my heart set on a favorite watercolor tana lawn print (tresco c) for the umbrella...


Until it occurred to me that the limited bit I had to begin with had already made its way into liberty and justice for all.  But all was not lost!  Because I soon realized that this would be a perfect start to a quilt for our niece (my cousin and his wife live in London, and I actually picked up this black and white floral on my celebratory trip to Shaukat when we were in the UK for their wedding last fall).  Full circle :o)  Of course I'm hoping they can tell it's a girl dancing in the rain.  ...My husband thought it was someone running with a large rock for a head.  (Perhaps I should've seen that coming and opted for a striped umbrella per Juliet's original pattern.)


Speaking of which, if you're wanting to try out this pattern yourself, Juliet has offered to provide one lucky ready with a complimentary copy of this pattern plus two others of the winner's choosing!  (And yes, that includes big bear!)

To enter, please leave a comment below.  I'll pick a winner next Wednesday (October 15th).  For those of you who just can't wait until then, you can grab this pattern for just $2 over the next two days in Juliet's craftsy shop.  And as an added incentive, Juliet will even refund your money if you win :o)

Happy sewing, everyone!

Sunday, October 5, 2014

#opgivewarmth {october 2014}

Seeing as more than half my social media faves these days tend to be indigo-inspired (think all that shibori dyed goodness), this month's #opgivewarmth palette should come as no surprise...


And because it also happens to be my month as quilter for my do.good circle (believe), I've asked my bee-mates to make simple geometric patterns of their choosing in an inky blue monochromatic colorway for an eclectic mixed-print design that's been brewing in my head for too long (read:  long enough for me to recognize that its best chance of coming to fruition is with the help of some friends).


So last night I had fun with some stripes, half-rectangle triangles and a teensy 1/2" checkerboard.  So much so, that I hope to carry over the print-mixing theme into this month's batch of #opgivewarmth blocks.  Indigo plaid, pluses, and plenty more to follow!

For those of you who missed the announcement (or would like a refresher), this project is a monthly callout for charity blocks that will benefit My Very Own Blanket (specifically, children in the Indiana foster care system).  All styles and piecing methods are welcome.  I only ask two things:  (1)  that your block(s) fits a 3" grid system (i.e. finished sizes of 3", 6", 9", 12", 15", etc., so add a ½" to each of those to allow for seam allowance), and (2) that they mesh with that (or any prior) month's color palette:


Address for #opgivewarmth blocks:

My Very Own Blanket
c/o Sarah Sharp
P.O. Box 4586
Carmel, Indiana 46082


source

Monday, September 22, 2014

around the world {without leaving the house}

A few weeks ago I started noticing all of these "around the world" posts in my feed, but I didn't truly appreciate them until I started sifting through what a few friends had written.  And just when I was starting to feel left out, two invites popped up in my inbox within 24 hours of one another:  one from my 2014 valentine Anne of Play Crafts, and the other from appliquér-extraordinaire Casey of Casey York Design.  (Thank you both!)  I have such great respect for each of them as designers and I'm so happy to call them friends.  If you're not already familiar with their work, I highly recommend you change that, stat.  Anne just let the cat out of the bag about her upcoming book. And Casey's brainchild will be debuting later this fall, alongside which Casey has been hosting a wonderfully informative yearlong series, "Crafting a Book," for anyone who's got the publishing itch (raises hand).  (How I have the good fortune of having such talented friends still eludes me.)

As for little ol' me, I suppose I should turn to the questions...

What am I working on?
Whatever I can, whenever I can!  (Which albeit isn't as often as I'd like, but isn't that always the case?)  There's my liberty and oakshott gypsy wife (which, by the time I'm done with it, will be more of a gypsy king for our master bedroom).


A massive lyon-bear for our daughter's big girl bed.


The first glimmer of life in a "muddy" wintry forest for the nursery (see what I did there?)


And of course #opgivewarmth is always going on in the background, because the beds in our house are certainly not the only ones that need a touch of handmade comfort.

All the palettes thus far (July, erm, fell through the cracks shall we say); find out more on this page.

How does my work differ from others of its genre?
As my toddler would say, "Hmph?"  So against that backdrop, I think what sets some of my work apart (to the extent it stands out at all) is the thought that goes into it.  And by thought I mean overthought.  I don't know that I consider myself an activist armed with a needle and thread, but I certainly have found fabric as a means of expression on more than one occasion.

For instance, Liberty (of London) and Justice For All...


or Once Upon A Forest (a camp of forest creatures emblazoned with the words of environmental legend John Muir).


Stylistically of course there's my infatuation with a good gradient, and my use of monochromatic and analogous color schemes (I insist on taking the long way around the color wheel when I do choose to venture outside of a more restricted palette).  I know I'm far from alone in those regards and don't by any means consider them unique to me, but they do tend to define my personal aesthetic.

Why do I write/create what I do?
Well this one's easy.  Because I *LOVE* it.  Growing up I was both contemplative and creative, and in a serendipitous way this space acts as a wonderful outlet for both traits.  To many, I'm sure the concept of taking large pieces of fabric and chopping them into little pieces of fabric only to—wait for it—reassemble them into (yet another) large textile comes across as both anti-utilitarian and time less than well spent.  But I beg to differ.  I mean yes, in the most literal sense, I am simply reconstructing a version of what I had to begin with.  But I'm not doing it in a vacuum, and by weaving the fibers of the stories and experiences that inform my design process (read:  all that overthinking I was talking about earlier), I contend that—looks aside—there's something fundamentally different about the finished product even if the sheer physical matter may be the very same.  And so long as I continue to believe that to be the case, I'm going to keep doing what I do.

How does my writing/creative process work?
For me it's all about timing.  Maybe it's the (over)analytical part of my brain, but I just cannot help but try to make connections with what's going on around me.  And because I write and create here for no other reason than my own sanity, I have the luxury of not having to force the process.  So when I'm inspired, I latch on to that muse for dear life, eagerly awaiting to see where I'll wind up.  When I'm not, I simply wait for inspiration to strike.  (Fortunately (and unfortunately), it rarely takes much time; the trade off, of course, being a wish list a mile long!)

Tag some peeps!
To keep the conversation going, I'm tagging two friends, both of whom I have the pleasure of calling part of my local creative circle:  fellow "bee that shall not be named" members Amy of 13 Spools and Amanda of Material Girl Quilts.  I first met Amy earlier this spring and I knew from the start I'd found a kindred spirit:  she's an ombre-obsessed, paper-piecing queen (her first book is due next spring!).  Plus she's recently been showcasing some free motion quilting that rivals some of the best.  Amanda and I met a year ago, shortly after we both heard through the grapevine that there was another quilter in the office (yep, we're just three doors down from one another at work).  Which I believe makes her my first official in-real-life quilty friend.  (Tear!)  On top of that (as if I need to say any more), she's an impeccable sewist, a moda bake shop chef and the mastermind behind the layer cake sampler along (some of you may recall my gradient-fill version, pictured below).


Looking forward to hearing Amy and Amanda's reflections, and thanks again to Anne and Casey for the perfectly-timed tag :o)

Sunday, September 7, 2014

"lyon(s)" and (tiger) stripes and BEAR, oh my!



I'm sure most of you have seen at least one version of Juliet of Tartan Kiwi's 30-inch "Big Bear" pattern. (I know I was blown away when I saw Adrianne's polar bear, Michelle's umbrella prints friend, and Juliet's eclectic grizzly pop up in my IG feed over the past few weeks.)  

Though the eyes look like two different blues head on, they're cut from one and the same oakshott swatch.  Whoops!

So much so, that I jumped at the opportunity to pick up the pattern as soon as it was released.  Straight away I printed it on ledger-sized paper (mine finishes at 40"), but I was pretty ambivalent when it came to fabric choice.  Until, of course, the Oakshott summer clearance rolled out, soon after which this stack of fabric showed up on my doorstep.

Okay, technically not *my doorstep* because FedEx takes that signature-required policy quite seriously.
The failed delivery attempt slip, on the other hand, was on our front door.  ;o)

Within no time, their calling became clear:  one big (big) lyon bear for our toddler's bed.  To be honest, I initially thought that my big-paper strategy would yield a 60" bear (evidently my printing math is not quite up to par), so I'm going to add some neutral borders on the sides to match the background before elongating the design with some aztec-inspired rows on each end as originally planned.


By the time all is said and done, someone's going to have a very fun, still-pretty-big new furry friend for her big girl bedroom.  ...Which will hopefully make up for the fact that we will not—in spite of multiple requests—be painting said room pink.  ;o)

Monday, September 1, 2014

#opgivewarmth {september 2014}


Every month I flip through my favorites (on bloglovin and flickr) to find palette inspiration for #opgivewarmth.  Evidently I'm somewhat predictable, as—more often than not—subdued and mostly-monochromatic color stories beat out the more erratically vibrant (and often multicolored) ones.  And that's just based on what makes it into my favorites to begin with, so I know there's a world of color combinations that I'm passing by!

In an effort to avoid becoming totally redundant—and while I take inventory of the hues we've used thus far—, I'm going with a neutral, plume-inspired collection of earthy taupes and smokey grays for September.  Mostly because I love it, but also because I'm certain this one is entirely unlike any other month's. ;o)  Plus I have just the right fabric stack in mind...


So there's that. ;o)  And as a PSA for anyone who doesn't yet subscribe to Michael's newsletter:  Oakshott is currently holding its summer clearance sale (with free shipping on large orders) through September 8!  Some of my favorites (including Lyon, Summer Stripe and Impressions) are available for $7-$10 per meter, which, I have to say, is a *steal* for this ethically-produced, dreamily iridescent goodness.  A s-t-e-a-l.  So go on now, have a look.  And if you happen to make something inspired by this palette, too, I'd love to see it pop up in the #opgivewarmth pool on IG!

For those of you who missed the announcement (or would like a refresher), this project is a monthly callout for charity blocks that will benefit My Very Own Blanket (specifically, children in the Indiana foster care system).  All styles and piecing methods are welcome.  I only ask two things:  (1)  that your block(s) fits a 3" grid system (i.e. finished sizes of 3", 6", 9", 12", 15", etc., so add a ½" to each of those to allow for seam allowance), and (2) that they mesh with that (or any prior) month's color palette.

Address for #opgivewarmth blocks:

My Very Own Blanket
c/o Sarah Sharp
P.O. Box 4586
Carmel, Indiana 46082


source

Sunday, August 31, 2014

AMH feathers à la #opgivewarmth

After working basically every day the past month, I decided it was time for some time to myself.


Well, me, some fabric and the sewing machine, that is. ;o)  So yesterday morning started off with an assortment of strips leftover from previous projects, my new AMH feather templates (courtesy of Customplastic), and my zippy Janome 1600P-QC ("Bertha," i.e., the great-grandmother for whom I was not named).

By midmorning I had strip-pieced and cut all the feather sections...


By midday I had pieced all the feather blocks...


And by midnight I had a quilt top.  (...Not entirely unrelated to the two Diet Cokes I'd downed with dinner.)


In retrospect, I don't believe my indecisive self has ever churned out a top quite as quickly as this one.  Especially considering that as of yesterday morning I was set out to use those same strips to make fabric braids (à la Purl Bee) as Rachel of Stitched in Color did for a post in her "Purge" series earlier this month.


But I think I just needed another finish.


That, and I was relatively caffeinated for someone who's gone largely without this summer. :o)


Either way, it's a step in the right direction!


...Though I still might have to add a gradient border fading from blue to pink to tie it all together.  Maybe.  We'll see.  In the meantime, I'm linking up with "the Purge" over at Stitched in Color.  Are you purging along?

the Purge

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

lots of L-O-V-E

As some of you may've picked up on IG, I have a (sort of almost) finish to share... 


LO
VE

Times twenty.  (Well, twenty-one to be precise; there's an extra bit for the back.)


I have to admit I was a tad frantic when it came to making a design choice for our do.Good circle's June quilt.  May was a little (read: insanely) hectic for me at work, so the block and color scheme were both a bit of a last-minute decision—thanks in large part to the AMB blog tour post and block I'd just finished working on (6" LOVE template and 12" LOVE template).



In spite of that frenzy—to borrow the words of my circle (bee?) mate, Nicole—I'm in lurve.  And of course now that I finally have a top stitched together, it's time to think about quilting! I'm thinking linear—either vertical lines (per usual) or a grid à la Rita of RPQ (though I'm not sure I'm neat enough to pull off the latter).  

Any advice on that front?



In the meantime, it's safe to say I've got plenty of other things to catch up on since my unexpected hiatus from sewing this summer—#opgivewarmthsteampunk, gypsy wife, selvage play (and 16-patches!), ...and that's barely skimming the surface.  Not to mention a fair share of planning to do, including the forest abstractions class, which starts next week(!) at Crimson Tate. (How is it already almost Labor Day?!)


Linking up this overdue finish with crazy mom quilts!

Friday, August 1, 2014

#opgivewarmth {august 2014}


After a month off track, we're back in business!  And I even whipped up a couple blocks with some gypsy wife leftovers just to show you that uncomplicated little blocks spread warmth just as well as the intricate ones :o)  


Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!  And if anyone's itching to get their hands on some liberty of their own, I know that Massdrop has two FQ bundle options ending in the next day or so, and I also just saw on IG that Queen Bee Fabrics (a U.S.-based etsy shop) is closing ;(  So grab her liberty—scrap bundles, yardage or FQswhile you still can!  (Plus shipping is free through August 4th, so there's that.)

For those of you who missed the announcement (or would like a refresher), this project is a monthly callout for charity blocks that will benefit My Very Own Blanket (specifically, children in the Indiana foster care system).  All styles and piecing methods are welcome.  I only ask two things:  (1)  that your block(s) fits a 3" grid system (i.e. finished sizes of 3", 6", 9", 12", 15", etc., so add a ½" to each of those to allow for seam allowance), and (2) that they mesh with that (or any prior) month's color palette.
Address for #opgivewarmth blocks:

My Very Own Blanket
c/o Sarah Sharp
P.O. Box 4586
Carmel, Indiana 46082


source

Monday, July 21, 2014

sewvivor - {no} hats in the house - sarah

After finally sewing something this summer, I'm back to the arrow that started it all... The radiant one ;)  And since things didn't pan out for the pantone challenge with this little quilt, I figured I'd have a go at Rach of Family Ever After's Sewvivor auditions!  Because why not throw my name in the hat?  After all, it is quilter's edition this season! :o)


So I've had my heart set on handquilting this one for quite some time... I even handpicked an assortment of neutral anchor floss to complement the mismatched feedsack tones in the background:


But knowing any quilting would have to withstand quite a bit of washing (naptime quilts are weekly loads at our house!), I figured I should give myself a little bit of insurance by straight-line quilting on the machine before getting out my thimble.

The lines fall roughly every inch on the diagonal.

And in a surprising twist of preparedness, I have the perfect binding—a bluish/purple striped oakshott—all ready to go just as soon as I add all those handquilted stripes and echo stars.



...Make that almost ready to go thanks to my little helper.  ;o)  (I'm guessing the handquilting will be a much bigger task than rewinding that binding, anyhow.)


And with any luck I'll finish the pattern by the time I get this little cot quilt bound!  (Which would be quite the feat, as it's been on my list since teaching elements of this design back in April.  <<insert ashamed emoticon here>>)


Fingers crossed!