They call me mellow yellow…

Denyse won out!  The binding is a Denyse Schmidt plaid.  At first I thought it must be Shelbourne Falls or Chicopee, but a little research revealed that it’s actually a line called Croquet she did for Joann’s.  Apparently she has an even newer line for Joann’s called Bakersfield and Union Station.  It isn’t available yet, but I probably won’t be able to resist when it is!

Before I basted the batting and backing to the quilt top, I used 12wt Aurifil in a light green to secure the raw-edge applique leaves.  I used 12wt Aurifil in dark green to do the vines.  I did both with my machine, just switching out my normal size needle for a size 14, and going slow. 

I’m not sure if I prefer the rounder more oval vine loops above or the pointy ones in the photo below.  I used my trusty Aurifil 50wt white thread to do some free motion micro-stippling over the background fabric. 

The weather finally turned cold today after a week of nearly 90 degree weather.  Now it finally feels like time for apples and pumpkins (instead of watermelon).  Happy fall!

Thank you to everyone who chimed in with your guess for the binding.  The winner of my giveaway was #22 Fiesta.  I emailed you this morning so if you see this post first, please send me your name and address and I’ll get your fat quarters in the mail pronto.

January’s Just Three

I’m so glad TraceyJay Quilts is hosting her monthly Just Three linky party in 2013!  Last year I tried to play along, but I wasn’t always able to do a post in a timely manner.  I’m going to give it another try this year and see if I can keep up!  Here are this month’s goals.

1.  The local quilt shop has a “PhD” (projects half done) program.  You can win a gift certificate by sending in a photo of your quilt or stopping by for a show and tell.  I sent in 10 projects and the first one picked is #6.  I’m sad to say that although I’ve cut out all the fabric, I’ve never sewn one block together.  This quilt is called “Pave the Way” and it’s from a magazine.

The fabric I chose for this quilt is Kona sand and some fabric by Carolyn Gavin. 

2.  My second goal is to finish a quilt I’m calling “Easy As Pie” since it’s made with a layer cake of Aneela Hoey’s Little Apples line.

It’s pieced and I just picked up the thread to quilt it this weekend.  Only problem is I had a shot this morning in my arm and I can barely move it now.  I get shots pretty often and never had this happen.  Here’s hoping some Motrin relieves the pain!

3.  My last official goal for this month is to make a Valentine’s pillow or something sweet with these beautiful Pam Kitty fabrics.

They are from the Pam Kitty Love fabric line (except the red pindots and linen floral print) and all of them come from the Etsy store Donna’s Lavender Nest.  Donna is the sweetest lady and got my order mailed out on the same day.  She has some beautiful Lecien prints in her shop, too.

Now for two “unofficial” goals for this month.

4.  I also have a super-secret project in the works making something with an Aurifil thread pack that will be revealed in the middle of this month on Lily’s Quilts.  Yay!

5.  I may be spending an entire weekend making bee blocks this month.  I am signed up for Beejeebers and Stash Bee again this year, doing an angel block this month, and helping lead Make It Modern.  I am excited about all the blocks picked by the Queen Bees this month (read:  no paper piecing or crazy complicated blocks) so that is half the battle!

Finally I wanted to share one of my Christmas presents to myself.

You may recognize the style of these little girls as Tasha Horsley’s designs (she just recently had her first fabric line out—The Simple Life).  When I saw this print in her shop I knew I had to have it!  She personalized the girls’ nameplates with my own daughters’ names and even matched up their hair colors!  I got it framed and it’s hanging in our guest bedroom (which is painted pink and makes the frame look pink—but it’s white).