Swoon Loving

My interpretation of the song Summer Loving from Grease? Check it out...

Swoonin loving, had me a blast

Swoonin loving, happened so fast

I saw a fabric perfect for me
Found a fabric cute as can be

Summer sun, something's begun
But, oh, oh, the summer nights

Well-a well-a well-a huh
Tell me more, tell me more
Was it love at first sight?
Tell me more, tell me more
Did the fabric piece right?

Well I will tell you more! I had been wanting to create a non-holiday kitchen wall quilt and struggled with what to create that would appeal to hubs while, at the same time, meet my desire for color and go with the kitchen design.  Finally,  it hit me. A swoon block from Camille Roskelley's Swoon Pattern.  

I started searching fabrics but couldn't decide which 2 out of the 4 star fabrics to use. I didn't quite have enough of one but found a substitute, can you see it? I ended up making 2 swoon minis and use one as a counter mat under my fruit and veggie bowls while the other is on the wall.

Wait, what does this have to do with Grease and Summer Loving? It's just that as I was sewing away, I couldn't stop singing this song. It was a pretty summer night and I thought I'd share.

Back to the story, I feel like these blocks come together fairly quickly and these two swoons didn't disappoint. I added a small border using the leftover triangles, then I grabbed one large backing and batting piece each, and loaded them up on the frame. I quilted the same design into both and now they are interchangeable. 

Wall or counter, it matters not! Maybe I better use up my fresh produce before it goes bad though, don't you think?

Cheers!

Becky

Mug Rug Revival Swap

Since I've been neglecting this blog, I have a few older finishes to catch you up on. This one is about the swap I joined in May.  It was a blind swap, which can be difficult but I love. I truly enjoy the little bit of online stalking for my partner's favorite photos and tastes

My partner didn't have too many favorites but what I did find, had a leaning toward thread painting and fabric art. Neither of which I had experience with but I did want to try.  I thought and thought.  And thought.

About 5 days before the deadline to mail, I decided on a plan.  Make a reversible mug rug. One side, sassy and fun. The other side, thread painting and art.

For the sassy and fun, well, a Maxine block of course!

I was at the Mid Atlantic Quilt festival and I decided to purchase stencils and paints that use shaving cream as a medium.  I painted poppies on some blue fabric and then decided to use thread to create clouds and a little bit of rain.  I am so pleased with how it came out that I feel like I just might try this thread painting thing again. Luckily, my partner also liked the mug rug.  Both sides!

Here's a darker picture but it shows the thread painting better.

The rug I received in all of this, a sarcastic "good morning sunshine" rug. It's perfect for me. I don't necessarily feel all that chipper in the morning so it helps me smile or gives me something to be sardonic at instead of the live people who cross my path before the coffee kicks in. Plus she sent along a little cross stitch of my initial and a handmade card. So sweet!

Swaps are fun.

Cheers!
Beck

Now I know I can make a skirt.

I bought the Favorite Things Cute Skirts (V023) pattern a while back because I wanted to make a skirt for the Stash Bash.

Then I decided, if I was going to use the beautiful Simply Color Vanessa Christianson fabric, I wanted to be able to wear it for a while. I didn't want to make something only to be unable to wear it due to the weight loss I've been working on. And before you say it, it's enough I'm thinking about making simple clothing. I have yet to be of the mentality that altering clothing is not that hard.   :)

I cut everything out of my test fabrics and then got to sewing. The pattern was very easy to read and quick to do. This post is short and sweet so here you can see my progress.   Pardon J, he was commenting I should make an apron out of it somewhere in the middle of the process.

(ps - my belly is a little bit smaller, even now.  yay!)
Cheers!
Beck