Monday, July 27, 2015

Trying a Little Something New

I moved my studio into its own dedicated space! No more dining room table crowding my space! No more dark green walls and covered porch sucking up all my natural light! Best of all, I can now hang my sewy things on the walls! 

You know what that means...I have a great excuse to participate in a mini swap!

I signed up for a Tula Pink True Colors Mini Swap and I made my first inspiration mosaic.

Purlbee.com, Carmen (flickr), Pixelstopatchwork.com, JenJohnson (flickr), Blossom Heart Quilts, Sew Fantastic, Quilts by Emily (Etsy), Tula Pink quilt (Photo by JayBird)

I already had a little bundle of 6 True Color FQs and I added 4 more when I was at Branum's for my AugustaMQG meeting last Tuesday.

Can you tell I am a bit excited about participating in my first swap?

I've been a bit busy and a bit down lately and I have neglected the blog for several weeks. I owe you all an update on two big events.

First, today is Son #1 and DIL #1's First Monthiversary and I haven't shared any wedding photos.
Second, my new studio reveal.

I'll try to remedy that this week.

Thanks for Visiting!


Sunday, July 12, 2015

Wedding, New Bloggers Hop and a Little Lotta-Sunday Stash

Things have been a bit hectic at the Fahrion house for several weeks. First off, Son #1 got married to the sweetest DIL #1. Here's a series of collages made by the MOB for the rehearsal.


The setting was a beautiful barn in rural Alabama. It is called Ephesians Farm and I would not hesitate to recommend them. They were such a blessing and went above and beyond to make this a special day.


I am so thankful that Pam, the MOB, is an ace at taking snapshots because if it were left up to me there wouldn't be such a nice photographic record.


She also puts together these adorable collages and gets them posted on FB in minutes. Things like this take me hours!

Wedding pictures will be shared in a separate post but if you want to see more now you can use #marryinfahrion in IG and FB.

SUNDAY STASH

When I returned home from AL I had a box from Pink Castle Fabrics waiting on my front porch. I have already shared my Alison Glass bundle but not its box mates. (BTW, Pink Castle is currently giving away their Golden Tickets!)


I bought this FQ bundle of assorted Lotta Jansdotter and friends too. It was a crazy good deal even before the 30% discount.


From first sight in my early quilting days I was a crazy big fan of Lotta's aesthetic but I didn't understand that collections disappear and I missed out when Glimma was released. Now, when I see good deals, I toss stash builders of things I missed out on during my naive early days into my cart when I buy fabric for specific projects. This Lotta bundle will be mixing with other Lotta cuts that I have been collecting in the same manner.

I started cutting into it last night. I am using it to make a baby quilt to test the pattern I have been developing for my Doe half yard bundle. I am pretty excited and a bit nervous to see how it turns out. 

The Doe is slated for the quilt that will be used in our master bedroom so it must be something I can live with for a very long time. This Lotta baby quilt will either give me the go-ahead to get started or it will put me on the trail for another pattern.

At this point there are not any babies on the way, girl or boy, to give this quilt to so it may become my first Etsy offering. But, if a baby girl surprises us soon she will have a sweet quilt waiting for her. (D&D, I'm praying for you!)

BTW, I've been participating in the New Quilt Bloggers Hop. I was Week #1 but I have been promoting the current hoppers and tomorrow is Week #3 so here's who's up:

Our hoppers this week: Week 3 – Monday July 13th

My Hive, The New Bees:

Sewcial Swarm:
TBA

Our Faithful Leaders:
Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs     (My Hive Queen)
Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl
Stephanie @ Late Night Quilter
Terri Ann @ Childlike Fascination
Link to my Week #2 Post.

And my big secret for the week...

I moved my sewing studio out of the dining room and into a room of its very own!

I'll be making the big reveal in another post.

Thanks a bunch for visiting!

Thursday, July 2, 2015

I Can Finally See It

My traditional guild is having its bi-annual show this Fall. I joined the guild on the off year so I have yet to experience the event. I am a bit excited and a little nervous. This will be the first time I put up my work for judging.

There is a guild only challenge category and I have had my instruction sheet for months but I was at a bit of a loss because, frankly, I just wasn't feelin' it. That is until a few weeks ago when I was walking Cooper, my JRT, and listening to Stephanie Kendron's Podcast, The Modern Sewciety.

Here's the color palette we are limited to. The colors are a bit muddy and look fine for a more traditional look but I gravitate to brighter hues. The batik crowd was a bit put out as well so I wasn't alone.


So, there I was, walking my dog under the street lights of my little neighborhood listening to Stephanie introduce her guest, Alison Glass. I was looking forward to her interview which followed Tula Pink. (Episode 63) I had yet to purchase any of Alison's fabric but I knew that needed to quickly change so I was really interested in hearing about her latest collection.

The interview recorded just before market and I was listening just after market so I knew I would be able to find her line with ease after my walk. I had previously glanced at Ex-Libris but now I wanted to study it as my minds eye was sure that it was a modern line that could provide the fabric for my guild challenge quilt.

I was not disappointed, it was spot on and I made a mental note to purchase some the next day.  Well, the next morning I awoke to an email from Pink Castle Fabrics featuring an enormous Alison Glass Fat8 bundle. Not just Ex-Libris pieces but it was a mix from past collections as well. Perfect. Only I had a busy day and drug my feet for a few days until Pink Castle had their 30% off sale and then I jumped fast. Bonus! 


Look at how perfect my fabric pull from the Fat8 bundle turned out! Love it!!! I also bought a half yard of Bookplate in Petal for the quilt back. Our quilts are to finish as minis.

Now I have to decide if I want to pair it with Kona Silver or Robert Kaufman's Quilters Linen in Grey. Such a dilemma but I'm leaning towards the Quilter's Linen, it is just so rich.

I will be styling this quilt on one of the graphic posters that I have saved on Pinterest. I'll keep that a surprise for now.

Now about that 30% off sale. The Alison Glass wasn't the only thing that Pink Castle shipped in my box, but that will wait for another day.

Thanks for visiting!