Itty Bitty Log Cabin Quilt Blocks - A New Start

Friday, October 14, 2016

I'm always snapping screenshots from my phone of quilty inspiration I see on Instagram.  Do you do that too?  They're usually pictures that inspire me because of a color palette or because it's a beautiful version of a pattern I want to make someday.  So I started an IG hashtag called #quiltyscreenshots to keep track of all of them and let the makers know they've inspired me!  You're welcome to play along too, if you're on Instagram.  Tag me @gigis_thimble if you decide to do a Scrappy Screenshots post.  Below are some pictures of solids quilts that I posted on there recently that really caught my attention.

Photo credit (using their Instagram names)
From top L to R: @claudiashearerquilts, @jeliquilts, @cabbagequilts, @bitsandbobbins, @adeeholcomb, @adeeholcomb, @tarafaughnan, @tarafaughnan
 

As you can probably see, the second quilt down in the right-hand column really spoke to me.  If you look close you'll notice that the maker, Tricia Royal of Bits and Bobbins had fun playing with color.  I love how she used varying shades of one color in certain areas.  It really gives it a playful "Tetris" feel!  I can't stop looking at it!


With some leftovers I recently acquired from a new "solids" pattern I'm working on, I decided to start a new project inspired by Tricia's quilt.  I decided to go small.  These blocks finish at 3.75".  Since I had a lot of strips already cut and I love paper piecing, I decided to paper piece these little babies.  Some people ask why I would paper piece something so simple?  I just like that I don't have to pre-cut anything with paper piecing!  I just grabbed my strips and my pattern and dove right in!


They whip up in no time!  And I'm having so much fun playing with color!


I have no specific plan of how big I'm going to make this quilt and in what layout I plan to put them in.  But I do know that they're fun to make and I'll try to use up most of my leftover strips!


If you want to sew-along with me, I am attaching the free Itty Bitty Log Cabin Block PDF pattern HERE.  There are two on a page!  Enjoy!

~ Amber  

Wistful Winds Blog Tour

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Good morning!
Welcome to day 8 of the Wistful Winds Blog Tour!


I am so happy for my friend, Shari Butler of Doohikey Designs.  She recently came out with another beautiful fabric line for Riley Blake Designs called, Wistful Winds.  And when she asked me to participate in the blog tour, I couldn't say no.  It's such a cute line.  Plus, Shari is so talented and has such a sweet heart!  

For my project, I decided to make my daughter a new apron.  She had outgrown her other one (she's growing up so fast I can't even take it anymore! :)  I thought I'd try out the free "Amy Apron Tutorial" by Esther from the blog Wholly Kao.  I've had it "pinned" on my Pinterest board, More Sewing, for a while now.  I love putting my "pins" to good use, don't you?


Esther's tutorial is really simple and easy to follow.


I love the little pleats around the edge of the apron!


I did tweak Esther's pattern just a tiiiiny bit.  First,  I used 3 fabrics instead of 2 (because I wanted to incorporate more of Shari's darling prints!) and second, I made two short neck ties rather than one strap that was secured on both sides.  I wanted it to be adjustable for my growing daughter.


I love the aqua stripe.  I thought it paired well with the red floral but there are lots of other great prints in Wistful Winds that I wish I could have incorporated, as well.  There are more florals, geometrics, dots and one with clouds and little girls holding flowers!  So fun!




My daughter chose the red floral and I think it was a great choice!  
She really loves how it turned out!


Thanks again to Shari for asking me to participate in the Wistful Winds Blog Tour.  I had so much fun making this apron and playing with her sweet fabrics.  Wistful Winds fabrics will be available in stores next week.

There are so many great projects being shared on the tour.  I do hope you'll go check them all out! Here's the tour schedule...

October 3rd:
Amy Sinibaldi -  www.nanaCompany.typepad.com
Kristyne Czepuryk -  www.prettybyhand.com
               
October 4th: 
Amanda Niederhauser - www.jedicraftgirl.com
Amy Smart - www.diaryofaquilter.com
               

October 5th: 
Meagan Taylor/Kristi Jones - www.meagsandme.com
Christine Cook - www.stitchingrevival.com
               

October 6th: 
Elea Lutz - www.elealutzdesign.com
Jodie Carleton - www.vintagericrac.blogspot.com
               

October 7th: 
Sedef Imer - www.downgrapevinelane.com
Jina Barney - jinabarneydesignz.com
               

October 10th: 
Elizabeth Evans - www.simplesimonandco.com
Kimberly Bourne - www.mainstreetmarketdesigns.com
               

October 11th: 
Jemima Flendt - www.tiedwitharibbon.com
Nadra Ridgeway - www.ellisandhiggs.com
Amy Chappel - www.amerooniedesigns.blogspot.com
               

October 12th: 
Katie Skoog - www.thesimplelifecompany.com
Amber Johnson - www.alittlebitbiased.blogspot.com

Tina - http://www.onelittlepooh.net/blog-2/                

October 13th: 
Angie Wilson - www.gnomeangel.com
Clare Horsman - www.claresplaceblog.blogspot.com
Deanna Wall - www.stitchesquilting.com
                

October 14th: 
Melissa Mortenson - www.polkadotchair.com
Jessica Stewart  - www.izzyandivydesigns.com
Gwen Sager - www.tillalili.blogspot.com
Shari Butler - www.doohikeydesigns.com/


Happy quilting (and sewing)!
~ Amber