Hello Again...

It has been a while since I’ve been to here… after such a long absence I really didn’t know how to get back here. Life got busy and my time in the sewing room became so scarce. Not having any sewing projects to share with you it just became harder and harder to visit this space. But lately things are settling down and I have been able find a few minutes here and there to sew; specially on Sundays… It feels like a creative renaissance.

I finished a few projects and I can’t wait to share them with you. I thought I’d start off small and ease my back into blogging again. This pincushion I made sometime ago using some scraps leftover from my Modern Maples Quilt. I’ve using those leftover scraps nonstop and I don’t seem to be able to use them up (it is like the gift that keeps on giving). I gave the pincushion to my MIL and she loved it. The pattern is from Anna Graham’s book Handmade Style, which by the way is an amazing book.

I’m so glad to be back here and so happy to participate on this wonderful and ever so welcoming and encouraging sewing online community.

XO

Martha

Nature Inspration: Feathers

A few months ago I joined a wonderful group of quilters where every quarter we create a individual quilt project based on a chosen theme. The group is called the Endeavourers and is hosted by Catherine and Janine. Our first theme is Nature.

I was very excited with the theme. Nature is so inspiring and I think we all can relate that when seeking for inspiration we like to contemplate the horizon, look up to the sky, admire the flowers blooming in our garden, listen to the birds singing or marble at the wonderful colors during the sunset. Nature is so vast is wonderful. But there is so much richness on the details.

When brainstorming for this project my mind was going so many directions; so many options I couldn't deicide. So one day while gardening I saw a group of tiny feathers being carried by the wind across the lawn in the garden. Then it suddenly hit me... feathers will be. I found this old photo I had taken of another feather in may garden and decided it will be my inspiration for the colors.

I decided to use linen for the feather. I don't think I can ever tire of using linen in my projects. I love the natural texture and color variations.  I decided on simple straight line quilting to highlight the shape of the feather. Feather Pattern by Anna Maria Horner.

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Please stop by and visit the other Endevourers and see their wonderful creations:

• Catherine - Knotted Cotton

• Janine - Rainbow Hare

• Nancy - Patchwork Breeze

• Carol - Beads and Birds

• Barbara - The Flashing Scissors

• Ruth - Charly & Ben's Crafty Corner

• Ruth - Textile Ranger

• Julie - Pink Doxies

• Maureen - Josephina Ballerina

• Tonia - All Thingz Sewn

• Kay -The Crafty Yak

• Soma - Whims and Fancies

• Fiona - Celtic Thistle Stiches

Thank you for stopping by

XO

Martha

Log Cabin Baby Quilt

Log cabin quilts are my favorite... any form or variation. They are fun to make and they offer endless possibilities. I made this quilt a coupe week ago and I love the way it turned out. The color combo is something that I don't use of often, but I was inspired by the fabric that I had set aside for the backing. The quilting is not as neat as I would like. I was trying out a new walking foot my my sewing machine and it created some small puckers here and there. I thought about ripping it and doing it again but I changed my mind. I decided to take it as a learning experience and move on. And my pugs don't seem to mind the small imperfections at all :)

I hope you have a lovely week 

XO 

Martha. 

Stripes Quilt II

Lately I have been busy making baby quilts, or should I say pug quilts. My beloved pug babies love mommy's quilts, so I've been super inspired making them their own quilts. This one is a simple design but I love how it turned out. I used fabric from my stash that I have been wanting to use for a while, but I didn't have enough to make a larger quilt. The back is leftover from another quilt and the batting was also leftover from various projects (and it have to be pieced). But my girls love their new quilt and I loved using what I already had in hand. 

Can't wait to show you the other tow quilts I made. I wish you have a wonderful week. 

XO 

Martha

Stripes Quilt - A Quilt for Mona

It has been a few weeks since I sewed anything until today; and it got me thinking how our emotions play a big role in our creativity. Things have been quite emotional in our home. My beloved pug Mona has been very sick. It has taken many visits to the Vet and Vet specialists to find a few answers and her diagnosis is very discouraging. However, today she was feeling better; thus I felt compelled to sew. Mona loves quilts so I decided to make her a new quilt. So she can feel a hug from mommy every time  she sleeps on it, specially when she is not feeling very well. 

I wanted a quick finish so Miss Mona could start using her quilt right away and this design really fit the bill. All the fabrics were in my stash already and they happen to coordinate very well. I love using what I already have. 

As I type this little Miss Mona is sleeping all bundle up on her quilt, which makes this project ever more satisfying. 

I hope you have a lovely week. Please keep my baby on your prayers.

XO

Martha

Half Square Triangle Quilt

I'm so happy to have finished this quilt. A half square triangle quilt has been in my to do list for a long time. So it feels really good to finally check this off my list. The fabric has been in my stash for the longest time so if feels equally good to put it to good use. I've been trying to use up the fabric in my stash before I acquire any new one. So far it has been working out, lets see how far I can go. 

This quilt is on the larger side: it measures 70X70 inches and after finishing it it has given me the courage to tackle larger quilts in the future.

Can't wait to start my next quilt.

Wishing you a happy week!

XO

Martha 

Summer Tote Bag

Quick finishes are so satisfying... to be able to transform a piece of fabric into something useful in an hour or less it is just fantastic. A couple of weeks ago I finished this lovely tote bag and I been using it non stop since then. The fabric is a printed canvas I found at my local fabric store and I added essex linen accents on the front pockets, the handles ant the inside pocket and of course the label. I love the way it turned out and how practical it is. By the way, I have been playing around with that label for a while; I label my quilts with it as well. But I'm never been one hundred percent sure about it. Maybe one day I'll finally make up my mind about it. 

Wishing you a wonderful week. 

XO

Martha 

Scrappy Quilt

I'm a great admirer of scrappy quilts. I love how in one piece you can showcase many fabrics to tell a story. Weather it is a collection of leftover fabrics from other projects or beloved fabrics that  are not large enough to make a quilt on their own. However, as much as I love scrappy quilts I haven't made many of them. So I decided it was time to check that off my wish list. I started by cutting up fabric scraps into 2.5 inch squares and putting them into a large jar. When I filled up the jar I began putting together nine patch blocks. When it came to putting together the quilt top, I decided to add linen patches to break up the scrappiness. And I couldn't be more pleased with the result. I think linen is a great addition to any quilting project; it adds a great texture and it ages beautifully as the quilt gets worn out. To add a bit more character to this quilt I made a pieced backing with some of my favorite fabrics from my collection. 

Such a fun project to make and it has already become a favorite around the house too. Scrappy quilts are the best!

Wishing you a happy week!

XO 

Martha