QAYG Combined Art Pillow

I had planned on having a big reveal for tonight's post, but I have a bit of a binding issue going on that hasn't quite worked its way out yet.  So I'm sharing a recent smaller project, a pillow I made for my s-i-l. Here's the thing, she's an artist (like a real educated artist), so I'm a little nervous making things for her.

I downloaded and printed (on printer fabric) a picture of one of her art pieces from Facebook, then designed the pillow around it.  I really hope she enjoys our combined artwork.

I used some of Tula Pink's lovely Moon Shine fabric, along with a bit from my stash.
I chose the print on the back because I felt it fit right in with her home in Maine.  We're visiting there next week, so I'll be sneaking it in my husband's suitcase packing it to give her after we get settled in for our stay.

What I learned on this project:  When using a directional print for the back of a pillow, make sure you sew the seams on the panels so they'll be right side up when sewing them on to the front panel. Luckily, that was a pretty quick fix.  (The seam ripper is my friend, the seam ripper is my friend...)

And on another note, I'm so surprised to have won the First Blogaversary Giveaway from Sharla at Thistle Thicket Studio!  Sharla and I got to know each other through the 2015 New Quilt Bloggers blog hop.  She's worked really hard on her blog and it looks great!  Sharla has amazing crafty ideas; I've been thinking about making a ceramic pincushion since I saw the rooster pincushion she made on her blog.  (Can you believe it, I don't have a single pincushion?!?)  I love the typewriter key necklaces she makes too! I'm looking forward to playing with that lovely Shannon Cuddle Charm Pack; I think it would make a lovely baby blanket.  What a generous and thoughtful giveaway.  Go check out Sharla's thistle thicket studio blog, she's amazingly creative!

Keep creating!

FABRI-QUILT New Block Blog Hop 2015 Day 4

Today is Day 4 of the Fabri-Quilt New Block Blog Hop 2015.  Fabri-Quilt sponsored this blog hop and provided each participant with six lovely fat eighths of what our hosts named "Watermelon Summer Palette" from the Prairie Cloth Solids line.

In addition to getting 60 new block ideas, you can also enter to win a 1/2 yard bundle of your own! Visit each day's host and the Inspired by Fabric blog for details.

Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl
Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs
Stephanie @ Late Night Quilter
Terri Ann @ Childlike Fascination

Please also visit the other bloggers today to see what great blocks they have:

• Robyn of Hoops & Thimbles
• Helen of Midget Gem Quilts
• Anja of Anja Quilts
• Kathryn of Upitis Quilts
• Mary of Quilting is in my Blood
• Emma of My Handmade Home
• Francine of Mocha Wild Child
• Dina of Living Water Quilter
• Deb of The Farmhouse Quilter
• Lori of SewPsyched!
• Amy of 13 Spools
• Denise of CrafTraditions
• Sandra of The Bias Edge
• Sandra of One Million Stitches

When I received the beautiful Fabric-Quilt fabric in gorgeous summer colors, I had a lot of ideas, the first being, what made me think I could create a block?  Many ideas centered around Smith Mountain Lake (SML) or the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and the Peaks of Otter I see from our front yard. After several sketches and mock up blocks, I settled on a sailboat. (Have I mentioned I haven't done this before?)

Unfortunately, I cannot get my printed instructions to copy correctly to my blog.  Please click on the following link for directions with diagrams that you can print or save.

http://1drv.ms/1PMh0lb

 

What I didn't know when beginning this project was that our area would be mourning the loss of two members of a local news station, who were killed during a live newscast out at Smith Mountain Lake, while interviewing the Executive Director of the SML Regional Chamber of Commerce.  The Director was also shot, but survived and is recovering in the hospital.  In memory of Adam and Alison, people have been wearing teal (Alison's favorite color) and Va Tech maroon (Adam's favorite) ribbons and clothing.  As I was processing my feelings, I created another sailboat block in memory of them using the WDBJ 7's Facebook emblem in use since their deaths.

In memory of Adam Ward and Alison Parker