Slash-a-Stash: California Quilt #4

Oh, how I had fun with this quilt!

This quilt was started in a class at a quilt shop that is now, woefully, gone. I had one particular fabric that I bought in a great shop in Willimantic, CT, and had been dying to use it - a purple with electric green dots. This pattern fit the bill.

This bright, happy quilt was part of my living room inventory when Kim saw it. She loved it right away and asked if she could have it (the nerve!)... Of course I said "not a chance," but it wound up as a Christmas gift for her the following Christmas. One of her commenters on House of Prince wanted to know more about it after seeing a picture of it draped on the rocking chair in Kyle's room. Here's your answer!

This is a technique where you sew fabric around a central square, then cut that up and reassemle, using parts from different squares. It can be a nightmare trying not to repeat a sequence, but it's fun too! Then when you lay it out to sew all the blocks together, you have to be careful to hopefully not butt the same fabrics together! Aaagghh! But just look at the results!


I didn't have enought of the purple plaid for the back, so made do with leftovers from the front.

California Quilt #3

This little guy has nothing whatsoever to do with anything California - I just wanted to put him up here for your enjoyment. My hand was not steady and as a result Dominick has "stars" in his eyes - very artsy. He is 4 months.

Now back to my documentation project:

I don't think I have a name for this colorful quilt. It gives me a feeling of something Arabian, or perhaps Italian tile? This is one of many of my quilts that currently live in California.
Once I began putting quilts on the back yard wall, I decided to get creative. I've got a bowl of fruit and a vase of flowers on the wall holding the quilt top. The bougainvillea adds a special splash of color.

I had purchased the border/background fabric on a whim (what other kind of purchase is there?) because I loved the Eastern flavor of the design. Then it waited patiently for the right pattern to reveal itself. Inspiration came when I received one of my copies of my favorite quilt magazine and I was off and running. The bright clear colors, drawn from my focus fabric, were just the ticket.I love this quilt, and I know my California family loves it too!

Dominick's Quilt...Finally!!!

For some reason, it just took forever to get this little quilt finished properly for its little owner. I purposefully made it look like an antique quilt because his mom's decorating style is Americana. I started with the backing first.

It is a pretty pastoral with children at play and doing chores, and it was 50% off which made the purchase even sweeter. I don't think I actually had a plan in mind for this print, other than I knew it was perfect for my newest grandson.

I found the churn dash blocks at a "Quilt Happening" at an orchard in northern Connecticut. They are all hand pieced and I had to lose some of the points when I sewed them together.

Then the search was on for the perfect sashing and border prints. What? Of course they were not in my overloaded fabric stash!!! I found them on the way home from a quilt show at a new quilt shop. It took several tours around the place before I spotted what I was looking for. I love the blue sashing. It seems to tie the blocks together and blend with the stripe fabric of the border and then continues to blend with the backing. Once it was assembled, I knew I would have to hand quilt it. Nothing less would keep that wonderful oldish feeling to it. So that's why it has taken me so long to make and take a picture. Here is Dominick with the quilt:

Isn't he adorable? Now it's on to his "happy" quilt!