For the Hubs

I made quilt. I know?! Surprise, right. This one is for the hubs, he deserved one. Considering that he has had my back on this quilting gig since day one.

He actually bought the machine - the one that makes the quilts - as a present pour moi. So really, he is the starter of the madness. And trust - it is such fabric madness over here.

So, I sewed up this 'crazy fabric' quilt as a way of saying thanks - thanks, honey, for helping me to find my creative self. I love this hobby.

This quilt now resides on our couch - I may or may not have had a nap under it the other day. No pictures were taken, so really no one has any proof that I was snoozing instead of doing chores.

Happy weekend all. This one is much needed around here! It is spring break starting Monday - so I look forward to some extra time spent with my little.


~Lisa

Something New

I have been busy in the late night hours pulling all fabrics loud and bright and some fabrics soft and sweet.

I decided on some HST's in the shape of this quilt. And have since been moving them up and down, round and round all over my design board. Such fun I have been having looking for that 'right' placement! Do you have that moment when you know it's just right?!!! I love that aha moment. When all the colours seem in harmony to your eyes. It's interesting how a colour can look so wrong in one placement and so right in another.

Take this block for instance - many times I tried the lighter Chicopee print as an 'inner' circle part of a block - but nooooo, that was all wrong. Finally I tried it as the 'outer' background of this block - and yay, soooo right! Crazy but true!!!

Hello strawberries. Hello mushrooms.

And HELLO my-all-time-favourite-stick-it-in-every-quilt Chicopee print. I fear using you all up. Every time I talk about this print I have to go to Etsy and order more.

Up next - actually sewing some of these together. Have a good week all!

~Lisa

Origami

My friend, Martha at 'Weekend Doings' has started a weekly Friday linky party called 'A Picture...A Moment', where we can share a picture that tells about a moment from our week. I thought I would share this picture, as it signifies the final touches of a project very close to my heart that is now underway.

After many months of planning and preparation, I opened my own preschool this week (aptly named Hilltop House Preschool). What fun I have had with the decorating (think quilts and pillows) and adding final touches, such as Mr. Origami Crane above, who along with his flock (in every colour of the rainbow of course) was added to some branches for whimsy and colour.

Hope you will join us in sharing your pics...what moments stand out for you this week?

Have a fabulous weekend!


~Lisa

Addicted

I took these...

And I added these...

And then I CHOPPED THEM ALL UP (you guys wouldn't know anything about that, now would you??!!!)

But not to worry 'cause I sewed them all back together...

And I made some of these. And they are ADDICTIVE. So I made some more.

And now I have enough of them for a quilt.

Yay me! How's your week been?? Happy Friday all!!!

~Lisa

Colour Story

This year - the most important thing I have learned about myself as a quilt artist is that I love (and I mean whole heartedly, arms open wide) colour. I never realized how MUCH I loved colour until I began playing around more with design and fabric.

In my first few years of quilting I was really focussed on learning the craft. This is definitely not to say that I don't have any learning left to do, but more to say that after a few years I felt comfortable with the basics of quilting - (the 'how the heck do I turn this machine on?' type of learning) and was able to set myself free to be able to play more.

And MAN have I had so much fun in 2013!!! I have dappled in all SORTS of colour and realized that brighter is better (well to my eyes anyways!!). So I share with you this...

A quilt of many colours. Made for my BFF who loves waaaaaay on the other side of Canada. A friend I have had since grade school. One of those friends that when you meet up - it's like time has not passed. There is something to be said for having someone in your life that knows your life story - all your happinesses, saddnesses and in-betweens. There is something to be said for not having to explain anything, you know?! - cause they just know. So ya, this quilt was made with a lot of love (and colour, did I mention colour?!!!)

My girlfriend's house is decorated with colours like brick red, butter yellow and avocado green. Really beautiful vintage, country colours. I made this quilt with inspiration from both the colours in her house and from a quilt in THIS book (have you read this book? I think it is most fabulous).

My friend has an affinity for dragonflies. So when I saw this fabric at my local shop - it was a no brainer. It absolutely HAD to be included.

I had a lot of fun picking, choosing and arranging all these colours to make them fade just right. I used a mixture of scraps and purchased fabric. I bought a whole lot of small bits. The lady who had to cut it all was very patient with my artistic vision haha!!!

Happy New Year all. I wish you only the best (and many sewing adventures of course) for the coming year!

And I leave you with this...a little secret was unveiled when we had a light snow last week. Guess who's been lurking in my yard???

~Lisa

PS. My blog New Years resolution is to challenge myself to find new and exciting locations for my quilt 'photo shoots'. Wish me luck, I was already eyeballing the barn down the street and wondering if the farmer (not to mention the cows) would mind if I pinned a quilt up on it. It's really close to the street and I would be really quick...

Winner! Sew Mama Sew Giveaway...

Hello all! So happy to be mailing off a package of fun mail to one lucky winner - Mr. Random Number generator spoke and it will be #144 - MELISSA who answered my request of book recommendations with her comment:

"I just finished a young adult fiction called Everneath. It is a 3 part series of a modern retelling of the story of Persephone. Loved it :)".

Sounds interesting - I really like young adult fiction, just might need a trip top the bookstore to pick this one up. 

Melissa - I will email you for your particulars and get this package of goodies in the mail to you asap!

Thank you to everyone that entered the giveaway, I have such a wonderful and diverse list of  books from all of your recommendations. I love to read - so it was great fun to read through the comments and see what books you all have been getting into.

Happy weekend everyone!

~Lisa

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway! Yay!!!

Hello all! Happy Sew Mama Sew Giveaway day. I love participating in this event - what a fun way to meet new like-minded sewy people and have a chance to win some cool goodies. Sounds like a win/win to me!


For my giveaway I am offering up the following:

After all, who doesn't love Aneela Hooey, white Aurifil and white Kona cotton (1 yd)?!!! I imagine you could stitch up some real fun with these goodies.

To take part in the giveaway:

1. Leave me a comment telling me something you have read lately. Any good book recommendations?

2. For a second entry - let me know you are a follower in a second comment. New friends welcome!

EDITED: THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ENTERED.

The giveaway is open until December 13, 2013 at 5 pm PST time. International entries welcome! I will pick a winner randomly and announce it here, as well as email the lucky person.


Good luck all!!! Enjoy the Sew Mama Sew fun - pop on over here to find all the other blogs who are participating.

~Lisa