The random number generator has spoken. Fresh Quilting by Malka Dubrawsky goes to:
Congratulations to Sylvia!
Sylvia, please email me at hillroad (at) bellsouth (dot) net with your shipping address!
Thanks to all that entered!
This year, I like December. That's a new thing. My goal was to enjoy the holidays and I'm glad my plan is working. We have a busy weekend ahead, but I'm not anxious or stressed about it or how fast Christmas day is approaching. The decorating is finished, the shopping mostly done. I'm exercising, eating well and trying to get at least 8 hours of sleep a night. I'm only making one gift and, although I haven't finished yet, I've enjoyed working on it and knowing that I can take my time and savor the process. The holiday cards have been here for weeks, but I won't get to addressing them until Wednesday or so. And I am ok with that. To make things even sweeter, there were peonies at Whole Foods today. I splurged and I'm ok with that, too.
There is so much goodness surrounding me. I am so thankful that I took the steps to slow down and enjoy the season.
So, yes, all is calm.
And all is bright.
Malka Dubrawksy's new book Fresh Quilting: Fearless Color, Design and Inspiration arrived a few days ago and I am so excited to share it with you. I've been following Malka and her work for a few years and I am always bowled over by the way she uses color and pattern to create beautiful quilted objects. This book is no exception - it's jam-packed with great projects in bright, crisp colors that all have a modern aesthetic. It showcases Malka's signature style with projects that are inventive and inspiring.
The book includes a very thorough section on material and tools and another on technique. These parts are extremely informative and are a great resource for newer quilters and those of us who have more experience, too. There are also two project sections. The first one has small patchwork projects for home, family and friends. In this part, you can find everything from a knitting needle case to a crib bumper and everything in between. All the projects are fantastic and live up to the book's title. One of my favorite projects is the mix it up patchwork scarf. I love how Malka combined different types of fabrics - silks, corduroy, cotton prints - in an interesting pattern. I can see making this for just about anyone on my list. Using subdued colors, plaids and stripes would make it great for a man. I also love the strings attached potholders and trivet. These projects are great for using up scraps - perfect for anyone like me who has a hard time letting the little leftovers go.
The second project section includes quilts for wall, bed and baby. Malka has included a wonderful variety of patterns that use different techniques. I think one of the strengths of this book is Malka's ability to transform a traditional patchwork pattern into something updated and modern. I especially love the honeycomb hexagon quilt for this very reason. Not only is the scale of the hexagons larger than you'd traditionally find, Malka also walks you through how to piece them by machine, not hand. Awesome.
Malka's fresh approach to quilting and patchwork is inspiring. Looking through the projects in this book, it is immediately evident that they are all versatile and adaptable to other items. I really love the look of the whirlygig quilt - it's simple and understated but there is some great play with pattern and color that appeals to me. Unfortunately, I don't have time to make any kind of quilt at the moment so I took the whirlygig pattern and used it for a potholder instead.
This came together easily and pretty fast. I pieced the front and then followed the quilting and assembly directions from the strings attached potholders. All the fabrics came from the scrap bin with the exception of the binding fabric, which is also on the back. Easy, fun, fresh. I am sure I'll be making more.
I have one copy of Fresh Quilting: Fearless Color, Design and Inspiration to give away. If you would like a chance to win it, please leave a comment on this post before 5:00 p.m. EST, Sunday, December 12th. I'll use the random number generator to choose a winner.
For more information about Malka and her book, visit her blog, A Stitch in Dye, and visit the other stops on her blog tour.
12/6 - http://www.filminthefridge.com
12/7 - http://thesillyboodilly.blogspot.com
12/8 - http://jchandmade.typepad.com
12/9 - https://houseonhillroad.com
12/10 - http://www.tallgrassprairiestudio.blogspot.com
12/13 - http://blairpeter.typepad.com
12/14 - http://pinkchalkstudio.com/blog
I don't even like the word afghan, but I'm using it here because it just fits. You know what I mean? This isn't a blanket and it's not a throw, per se. It's crochet and in my mind most afghans are crocheted. So I'm going with afghan, which I like and don't like all at the same time. The word, that is. The actual thing that I made - I like it quite a lot.
Started in July 2007 and finished just this past week, this has been one a handful of very large scale, tedious and expensive projects that have been sitting around the house waiting for me to feel inspired enough to tackle them. I've worked on it in fits and starts, but seeing Blair's scarf really pushed me to its end and I am so glad that I dug it all out and just got it done.
It's made of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. I am not sure what the colors are - all the yarn tags are long gone. I also can't tell you how much yarn it took. I have some left over and don't remember exactly how much of each color I started with three years ago. I can tell you that I learned how to make this type of granny square from the book Simple Crochet by Erika Knight and that I used this tutorial (via Blair) to join the squares together. The joining was the part of the project I had been dreading the most, but it really went fairly fast and smooth thanks to the tutorial. It's made of 63 squares, laid out in a 7 x 9 grid - the squares are about 8" square each. I haven't measured the finished size exactly, but before I joined the squares, I did lay down on the floor next to it to ensure it was large enough for a couch nap. It is - I took it on a test run Saturday and had a hard time motivating myself to get out from under it. For the border, I pulled out Crochet Adorned by Linda Permann for inspiration. I did something similar to one of the borders in the book, tailoring it to my needs which means I totally winged it and it worked! After it was all joined, I blocked it on the guest room bed because it was the only space big enough to lay it flat that the dog and cat wouldn't get to. It's super cozy and soft. And I love it.
Sometimes I wonder why I feel compelled to start these crazy big projects that I know will take forever and a day for me to complete. I really don't have an answer, but I know that I am as excited about this afghan as I was when I started it over three years ago. It's not perfectly made, but it is perfect for me. I'm haven't tired of the colors or the design - that may have something to do with why I plodded on. I'm not sure entirely the why of it all, but I am so happy with the what. This finished afghan is so very me, if you know what I mean. I'm glad I saw it through to the end.
And since I'm on a roll of finishing what I've started.....single girl quilts, you're next.
I don't even like the word afghan, but I'm using it here because it just fits. You know what I mean? This isn't a blanket and it's not a throw, per se. It's crochet and in my mind most afghans are crocheted. So I'm going with afghan, which I like and don't like all at the same time. The word, that is. The actual thing that I made - I like it quite a lot.
Started in July 2007 and finished just this past week, this has been one a handful of very large scale, tedious and expensive projects that have been sitting around the house waiting for me to feel inspired enough to tackle them. I've worked on it in fits and starts, but seeing Blair's scarf really pushed me to its end and I am so glad that I dug it all out and just got it done.
It's made of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. I am not sure what the colors are - all the yarn tags are long gone. I also can't tell you how much yarn it took. I have some left over and don't remember exactly how much of each color I started with three years ago. I can tell you that I learned how to make this type of granny square from the book Simple Crochet by Erika Knight and that I used this tutorial (via Blair) to join the squares together. The joining was the part of the project I had been dreading the most, but it really went fairly fast and smooth thanks to the tutorial. It's made of 63 squares, laid out in a 7 x 9 grid - the squares are about 8" square each. I haven't measured the finished size exactly, but before I joined the squares, I did lay down on the floor next to it to ensure it was large enough for a couch nap. It is - I took it on a test run Saturday and had a hard time motivating myself to get out from under it. For the border, I pulled out Crochet Adorned by Linda Permann for inspiration. I did something similar to one of the borders in the book, tailoring it to my needs which means I totally winged it and it worked! After it was all joined, I blocked it on the guest room bed because it was the only space big enough to lay it flat that the dog and cat wouldn't get to. It's super cozy and soft. And I love it.
Sometimes I wonder why I feel compelled to start these crazy big projects that I know will take forever and a day for me to complete. I really don't have an answer, but I know that I am as excited about this afghan as I was when I started it over three years ago. It's not perfectly made, but it is perfect for me. I'm haven't tired of the colors or the design - that may have something to do with why I plodded on. I'm not sure entirely the why of it all, but I am so happy with the what. This finished afghan is so very me, if you know what I mean. I'm glad I saw it through to the end.
And since I'm on a roll of finishing what I've started.....single girl quilts, you're next.
This is one of five (!) colorways of patchwork camera straps that I just put in the shop. I finally broke down and cut into my Hope Valley stash. I love these prints so much - I am not sure why I waited so long to use them.
Have a good weekend, everyone. See you back here next week. I actually have some finished things to show. Woot!
This is one of five (!) colorways of patchwork camera straps that I just put in the shop. I finally broke down and cut into my Hope Valley stash. I love these prints so much - I am not sure why I waited so long to use them.
Have a good weekend, everyone. See you back here next week. I actually have some finished things to show. Woot!