I've been a little bit naughty. I'm here to 'fess up today.
Remember how I told you that I sewed up 89 of my Lincoln's Watch blocks at the retreat I went to recently? Well, I finished that quilt top over break. And I promised myself if I got that one finished, then I could start on something new. So, over break, I started preparing for my new project. I'm just so excited about it, I have to show you.
My friend Lynn (Alamosa Quilter) recently did a blog post about her own retreat, where she started sewing some Urban Nine Patch blocks. (Click the link to see Lynn's work.) I saw it and was like, "Oh, I am SOOOO doing that!"
So, I went to Sew Kind of Wonderful's website, checked out the tutorial for the Urban Nine Patch block (it's awesome....go check it out!), and bought the curved ruler. (While you're at Sew Kind of Wonderful, on the left sidebar, you can watch Jenny's video tutorial for using the ruler, if you are interested in learning more about it. The videos kind of sold me on it!)
As an aside, I truly love people who go the extra mile for you when you buy something from them. Look what Jenny, of Sew Kind of Wonderful does. She ties your ruler with this pretty ribbon, which she runs through an eyelet in some fabric she has cut with her curved ruler.
She also wrote me a personal note inside. I just want to hug her for this.
Okay, back to my idea....I knew EXACTLY what I would use for my inspiration for colors....
I grabbed this fabric from my trip to Sew Modern. Remember the bird I said I'm going to hand embroider? Well, I got this fabric to make a coordinating pillow to go with it. Sorry about the creases. I didn't iron for the photo.
And I grabbed this fabric (which will be the backing for the embroidered pillow).
And I grabbed these embroidery threads I bought to embroider the bird.
And off I went to the fabric store....
....where I got these lucious Kona fabrics. Don't they look so pretty stacked up like that?
The fabric on the bottom is a linen, which I think I'll use for my background fabric. I am thinking about using white Kona for the "circles" in the block, and bright colors for the patches. Thoughts?
I am so excited, I can hardly stand it. I really love these colors.
A couple days before my shopping trip, Julie of the Intrepid Thread e-mailed me and told me I won one of her giveaways. I was so excited! The same day I got the fabrics above, these showed up in my mailbox. They are so pretty! And some of them go pretty nicely with my fabrics. Some of these may just find their way into my quilt!
By the way, speaking of people I just love and want to hug, Julie is another one of them. First, look how generous she is with her giveaways! Twelve fat quarters in one giveaway! Wow! And Julie always wraps my purchases and ties them with a pretty ribbon, including a handwritten note with every order. And her prices are just great. If you have never shopped with her, you should. She really selects great fabrics....lots of bright, fun, modern fabrics. She has a brand new website. Check it out! Really easy to navigate and find things! Thank you so much, Julie, for this nice giveaway! Hugs to you!
I can just see this quilt hanging on the wall in my new family room (if we ever get it finished), hanging behind the chocolate brown leather sofa, with the bird pillows on on the sofa. I also have inspiration for the paint color for the room now, too. I have been lacking inspiration for how to decorate and finish that room (it is so far away from being "finishable" right now, it's laughable!). And now I have it. I really love that bird fabric and the inspiration it has given me!
If you like the Urban Nine Patch, go check out the Urban Deco block Jenny gave a tutorial for, too. I love it just as much and am going to have to play with that one, too. But I have to wait!
So, you might be thinking...."This is not so naughty. What's her problem?!"
Okay, now, the rest of the story.....In addition to getting ready to start this project, I also started cutting out TWO other new projects that I already had in my stash. And I plan to cut yet another one very soon. For some reason, finishing ONE quilt top seemed to give me permission to start FOUR new ones. Is this some sort of sickness???? Seriously! I'll blog those other new projects soon and explain. I'm sure you won't think I've totally lost it after you've heard my explanation (or should I say rationalization?). :-) Or maybe you will. Maybe I have!
Until next time,
Mama Pea
I loved reading this post! You do so well and explaining your project and now I'm curious to know what other 3 your starting up ;o)... I LOVE the fabrics you chose and that bird fabric is to die for!! Thanks so much for your kind words, you made my morning, mentioning the little fabric tag. Have fun getting your curve on, can't wait to see your progress!
Posted by: Jenny Pedigo | March 13, 2012 at 07:33 AM
Go for it! You know you are never going to get bored!
Posted by: Maggie Szafranski | March 13, 2012 at 08:26 AM
I always have a few projects cut and ready to go. It's an illness.
Posted by: Jana | March 13, 2012 at 08:51 AM
You are such a busy bee, and now you have so much more to work with! I love Kona cottons and these colors are delicious. Congrats on winning the giveaway!
Posted by: jenclair | March 13, 2012 at 09:43 AM
I do that too, finish a project and then feel so inspired to start another one, or four or five. So yeah, I think you are nuts. LOL!!! Those Konas really are pretty. They really are inspiring just sitting there. And Kona is so nice to work with. I'll be patiently waiting to see what other projects you are working on.
Posted by: Linda in Calif. | March 13, 2012 at 10:29 AM
New projects! They just keep calling your name! i love that bird fabric and those Kona solids are to die for. I've been admiring that block for some time, but thought about all that piecing...well you know how I am with piecing. So, I'll just enjoy watching you make these blocks. What are your other projects?
Posted by: carolld | March 13, 2012 at 10:52 AM
Love those colors in the solid stacks! I think it's fun to have several projects going, while brewing new ones too. It keeps your creative juices flowing!
Posted by: terriaw | March 13, 2012 at 10:52 AM
I personally think there is nothing wrong with cutting out new projects :) Now when you are ready to sit and sew you are ready! I do it too! LOL
The fabrics are gorgeous!
Hugs,
Donna
Posted by: Donna | March 13, 2012 at 02:11 PM
Wow. The Urban Nine Patch block is awesome and the ruler too. I have never seen either before now.
All those beautifully colored fabrics are just wonderful. I love Julie's store and wish I had all the money it would take to buy all my favorites from her.
Posted by: VickiT | March 13, 2012 at 02:25 PM
Great post Stephanie. My favorite part is the lovely stack of Kona solids!!!! Those are absolutely gorgeous. Have fun playing with those. You know I can relate to having more than one project going on at a time ;-)
Posted by: Rene' | March 13, 2012 at 02:35 PM
Wow, what wonderful fabrics! May I ask, where do you find them?
I have recently been loving anything turquoise. Your bird fabric and embroidery plans have me intrigued! I will be watching closely as you work on this project-- I might just have to "borrow" from you and make my own! :-)
Posted by: Lacie Jane | March 13, 2012 at 09:59 PM
Oh my gosh I LOVE that urban 9 patch! I don't blame you for starting it, I love the colors you've picked and it's going to be just wonderful!!! Don't you love it when a project inspires a whole room??? And yes, you don't need permission to start four new projects, lol, it's what we do....don't want to get bored now, do we? LOL!
Posted by: Allie | March 14, 2012 at 12:16 AM
I'm just catching up on what I missed while we were gone.
I'm looking forward to seeing your Urban nine patch blocks. The fabrics you picked are divine! I just love that bird print too! It's a great inspiration piece. And the pillow will look so nice on the sofa underneath the quilt.
Posted by: Lynn | March 18, 2012 at 11:54 PM