SUTK Progress Amidst Chaos

So despite the chaos of last week I did make progress on the gifts I'm creating for my partner in the Spicing Up The Kitchen Swap. The response from all of you was overwhelmingly in favor of my hubby's idea to keep it clean and simple and to use plain linen binding or to just add a splash of Echino in one area. Well, I loved the idea of adding the splash of Echino, but as the week, and weekend, progressed I got more overwhelmed so I kept it simple and just did the plain linen binding. But I am planning to make more of these placemats for myself and the hubby so I'm hoping to use that awesome idea on those!

I found myself finishing the binding on these in any stolen moment I could find. I took them with me so if I had a few spare minutes in the office or the car I would pull them out and work on them.

I decided for my second project that I would make matching linen napkins for her. I used tissue linen for the napkins. I debated binding these in Echino but the hubs won out again. I simply finished the edges and then stitched on a coordinating "patch" out of Echino or Ruby Star Rising and they were done! So quick and easy.

The only snafu in the whole process was that we had a little leak in our house during one of the torrential rains we've been having over the past week and the water leaked onto one of the finished placemats overnight. I laid it out to dry but it was clear the the deluge of rain had stained the placemat. Before I started to make a replacement, I threw all four of the placemats in the wash (I wasn't planning to pre-wash the placemats) hoping that would solve the problem. Thankfully it did! And now my partner has freshly washed mats.

I also included some Echino and Ruby Star Rising scraps, a kitchen magnet and scrub brush and some teas in her package to round it out. Now it's off on it's way to her. I have to tell you, this package was really hard to send off. I wanted to keep it for myself. I hope my partner loves it as much as I do!

Sorry For My Absence

I am so sorry I've been absent. It's been really insane around here the past couple weeks. Between 100+ hour work weeks and trying to plan a vow renewal ceremony for the families I'm a wreck.

I've even taken to stealing moments when I am in the office to stitch under my desk to try and relieve the stress!

Be Back Soon! I promise!

SUTK Progress

I've been working hard on my project for my secret partner in the Spicing Up The Kitchen Swap on Flickr. My partner hasn't been extremely vocal on the message boards but I've been stalking her and I think I have a good idea of her likes and dislikes. I feel good about this one. I really do. Wanna see a sneak peek of what I've started for her?

It's not finished. I am planning to trim and start binding tonight. My adorable and sweet husband actually fell in love with these and he is super bummed that these are intended for someone else. He has ordered me to make a set for us. I actually really fell in love with them too. Hope my partner feels the same way!

One question though... How would you bind them? I was going to do scrappy Echino binding but then the hubby said he thinks plain linen binding would be better. Thoughts?

Nice Surprise

Holy crap! I am actually a runner up in the Modern category at the Block Party that was hosted by Heather and Megan over at Quiltstory! Can you believe it?! I certainly can't. I never thought that I would actually place when I entered my blocks in their contest. Thanks to Amy for the heads up and the vote of confidence. You've all seen the block before, but here it is again...

Really, I am in shock right now. Thank you so much to Heather and Megan! If you haven't checked out their blog you really should. And check out all the other awesome blocks in the contest. I was in amazing company!

New Yummy LQS

This awesome new LQS called Sew Modern opened almost two weeks ago, not terribly far from my house. Not only is it the new home of the LAMQG but they have amazing fabric selections.

My first trip to Sew Modern actually wasn't for the LAMQG Meeting. I had heard about the impending opening through the grapevine and got on their mailing list. Unfortunately I wasn't able to attend the Grand Opening because it was on a Tuesday and pesky work thwarted that idea. Instead I made the trip out on a Saturday.

The space is bright, open, modern and inviting and the fabric selections are to die for, I swear! The great thing is that their fabric selection is very different from The Urban Craft Center so I don't feel like I'm cheating on them.

While I was there I had to stop myself from buying out the whole store. I reminded myself I was here to find some Echino for my Spicing Up The Kitchen partner. Well, I didn't find the particular Echino I was looking for but I did walk away with a few other goodies.

I'm planning to make placemats with the gorgeous Japanese linen that I splurged on. And I did pick out the Ruby Star Rising for my SUTK partner. The orange fabric is going to be binding on a quilt I am about to finish quilting and I couldn't resist the green. Come on! I know that will come in handy someday very soon.

If you're in the Los Angeles area you need to check out Sew Modern. Not only for their fabrics and wide selection of Kona Solids, but also for their classes and their amazing Longarm Machine! They offer Longarm classes and rent out the machine by the hour at a reasonable price.

I Need Some Quilting Help

The other night I finally got around to making the quilt sandwich for Marc's Quilt. Unfortunately we don't have a large house so I had to move the dining room table over against the wall to create a space large enough to lay it out.

I know I bought way too much batting but my only choices were Queen or Craft size. There wasn't anything in between in stock. Oh well, I know the excess will be put to good use.

I won't say that making the quilt sandwich is my least favorite part of the quilting process but all that pining does get a little tedious, doesn't it?

So now that the quilt sandwich is made I am trying to figure out how I want to quilt it. What do you all think?

Option #1: I could simply quilt around the outline of larger circles.

Option #2: I could quilt concentric circles internally and outward of the fabric circles.

Option #3: I could stitch in the ditch around the actual blocks creating a linear square pattern.

I think I'm leaning toward Option #1 but I am definitely open to suggestions, so fire away. I do have another question, though... If I opt to quilt around the outline of the fabric circles should I do that with my Freemotion Foot or my Walking Foot? I don't want to screw this up since it's for my honey and it's also the largest quilt I've every attempted!

P.S. Don't forget to give me any questions you have for Jay McCarroll. I'll be interviewing him very soon!

Got Questions for Jay McCarroll?

My friend, Jay McCarroll just launched an amazing new fabric line called Habitat for FreeSpirit. I'll be showcasing his fabric and interviewing him very soon so I wanted to open up his interview to my readers. Is there anything you're dying to know about Jay? About designing fabric? About Habitat? Send in your questions for Jay and I'll get them answered for you!