Wonky Log Cabin Quilt

I'm so excited to finally share with you my finished Log Cabin Quilt. I just love the way it turned out. Although, I can't really take full credit for it... I made this quilt for my husband because for the first time he requested I made him a quilt of his own (you can read more about it here). He was very involved in the design process and always checking on the progress of this quilt. It was actually really cute to see him with his very serious face trying to make a decision every time I presented him with fabric or quilting options to choose from.

The main fabric is Robert Kauffman Brussels Washer Yarn Dye in black. Brussels is very similar to their Essex Yarn Dye linen; basically the only difference is that Brussels is a linen/rayon blend while Essex is a linen/cotton blend. It doesn't give the impression but this fabric is very soft and has a wonderful drape. The color variation of the fibers reflect the light so beautifully and in a way it has a very masculine feel to it. For the backing I used a very soft   flannel with a subtle crosshatch print. I also quilted it with a crosshatch design using a dark gray thread. I love how the quilting sort of disappears on the black fabric and shows up more at the centers of the log cabins. 

It was such a fun project and a really enjoyed having a collaborator. 

On another note: Cassandra is the winner of the fabric giveaway.  Thank you for participating and all of your wonderful comments. I really appreciate every single one of them.

Wishing you a wonderful week!

XO

Martha

Giveaway!

Hello friends! Welcome to the new home of Weekend Doings. To celebrate this new phase I'm having a little giveaway to say thank you for your support. And if I don't say it enough, thank you. Your comments mean the world to me and it is what keeps me going on this little project that is this blog. 

So on to the giveaway: I'm giving away two fat quarters of Robert Kaufman Pop Posies 100% organic cotton and a packet of Schmetz quilting needles. To enter just leave a comment. I'll be happy to ship internationally so everyone is welcome to participate. The giveaway will stay open until Friday May 14 and on Saturday I'll announce a winner.

Thank you so much for stopping by,

XO

Martha

New Yarn and Knitting Dreams

Hello friends, I hope you had a lovely weekend. Today just flew by: I spent a big part of the day quilting the Wonky Log Cabin quilt I've working on. I can't wait to finish it. It is turning out so lovely (you can see some of the progress here and here). And while I was busy quilting I kept dreaming about what to do with my new yarn. It just arrived last Friday and I can't get over how pretty it is. I usually don't buy yarn without a project in mind, but I just couldn't resist. The pink bubble gum color is the perfect pop of color against the gray. I'm thinking a shawl or a cowl would look lovely with this yarn. Time to head on to Rarely and do some research :)

Wishing you a beautiful week. 

*Linking up to Wool On Sundays @ Rainbow Hare Quilts*

XO

Martha 

Sew The Library: Pencil Holder

Hello and welcome to another edition of Sew The Library I am so happy you stopped by! For this month I decided to make a project from one of the first books I ever bought and one of my most beloved ones: 1 ,2, 3 Sew. It is a wonderful book filled with inspiring projects. This pencil holder has been on my to do list for a while. I want to use it to hold marking pens and notion by my sewing machine. I made a few adjustments from the original pattern:I made it a little shorter that what the  pattern calls for and instead of using the loop as a closure I'm going to use it to hang it on a hook when I need it out of the way. Also, pattern calls for canvas for the outer and lining fabrics, but I used linen quilted with batting for the outer piece and cotton fabric for the lining. I just couldn't resit linen is my absolute favorite fabric. 

I'm really excited to seeing your projects and learning about the books in your library. Please link up your projects and visit others. 

I hope you have a happy week!

XO

Martha

Back to Knitting

Hello friends! I hope you had a lovely weekend. My weekend was super fun. I worked on the Wonky Log Cabin quilt I'm making for my husband and I'm very close to finishing up the quilt top. Also, after a long break from knitting last week I went back to my knitting routine. Every morning I knit a couple of rows during my morning commute. I had stopped because I was suffering from tendonitis and it became painful to knit and was definitely not enjoyable anymore. But lately my condition improved and I was able to pick up the needles again. I'm so incredibly happy to be able to knit again. I started this shawl last year and I can't wait to finish it. It is about two thirds done, so it will take me a while to finish it, but I'm so glad I'm able to work on it again. 

I hope you have happy week!

*Linking up to Wool Sundays @ Rainbow Hare Quilts*

XO 

Martha

Harvest Vine Table Runner and Sew The Library News

Happy Sunday! I hope you had a lovely Easter celebration. Things are starting to slow down a bit and I was able to sneak a bit of sewing here and there and I finished this table runner. The pattern is Harvest Vine from the book Pretty in Patch Work Holidays. This was supposed to be my Sew the Library project for last month, which was hosted by Jodi at Tales of Cloth. Unfortunately I was late to party... Speaking of Sew the Library, the link up is moving permanently to Weekend Doings. Heidi and Jodi have other commitments and couldn't continue hosting the link up. So starting this month the link up will here. I hope you could join me and share the projects that you made from a book or a magazine. The link up starts the 20th and closes at the end of the month. I also made a button if you would like to grab it. You can find the code here.

Have a wonderful week!

XO

Martha

Around Here...

Happy Monday friends! I hope you are having a great start of the week. Around here things have been very busy and chaotic. So sewing has been scarce. My work has kept me very busy and away from my sewing machine. But on the plus side, the weather has been glorious. The wisteria vines in my little garden are laden with gorgeous purple blossoms and I just can't stop looking at them every chance I get. 

I hope things slow down soon and I can go back to creating and playing with fabric, but in the meantime I will enjoy the view.

Wishing you a beautiful week.

XO

Martha

Log Cabin Obsession

Hello friends, how was your weekend? Around here the weather has been wonderful; there are signs of spring everywhere. And it just feels like a happy and joyful time. Yesterday I  picked some freesias from my little garden to adorn my table. I love having fresh flowers around the house; specially when they come from my garden. 

Another thing that I love is starting a new project. The excitement of picking out the fabrics and seeing your idea come to life is just so much fun. Although, on this particular project I had a bit of help. My husband requested a quilt of his own. He always supports my hobby and enjoys the quilts I make, but has never requested a quilt of his own. So I had to get  on it right away. He helped me choose the fabrics and gave some "pointers" on the design :) He did't want all the blocks to be exactly the same or be very symmetrical so I decided on wonky log cabin blocks. After I showed him the first block he says that he approves, lol. 

Even though I just finished another log cabin quilt, I just couldn't resist. Log cabin blocks are so much fun to make and they offer so many possibilities. I'm really enjoying working on this quilt and seeing my husband excitement every time a complete a new block. And that reminds me why I love quilting so much.  I hope to make more progress next weekend and finish it very soon.

Wishing you a wonderful week!

XO 

Martha.