Building My Stash #4

Happy Memorial Day!  I hope you all had a great weekend.  I was able to spend some time with my husbands family yesterday and finally meet the two sweet baby boys who I gave my baby quilts to.  They were so cute, and already getting so big.  :)  Today we cooked out for my family.  Such great memories.

Also, thank you to all of the men and women who served our country and fought to keep it safe.  I am forever grateful for the sacrifices made by so many brave men and women.

I am so excited!  My mom is opening up her pool, which means lots of swimming coming soon!  She called this morning to say that she was going to go to the pool place to get some stuff and asked if I wanted to go with her and go to JoAnn's.  Of course!!!  JoAnn's is the nearest fabric store to where I live, so I go any chance I get.

There fat quarters were marked down to $.99.  My sister and I used this opportunity to build our stash!  Here is what I got.

Here it is folded and ready to go in my stash. 

Not only do I have a fabric stash...I have a quilt book/magazine stash too.  I also bought the new Quilty magazine to add to my stash.  Quilty is probably my favorite quilt magazine.  I just love all of the quilts and tips they share!

My book/magazine stash. ;)

Between Pinterest, books, and magazines I have so many quilt patterns.  I will never be able to make them all.  I love looking through the patterns for inspiration.  I always have about ten projects planned out in my head while I am working on another.

After our trip to JoAnn's my sister and I spent the entire day quilting and watching Frozen (we went to three Red Box's and didn't find it, so we ended up going to Walmart to buy it).  I worked on piecing and she worked on binding a baby quilt she is making for a friend.  Today was such a great day!

Happy Quilting!

Abby

Memorial Day Sale!

Happy Memorial Day from Peake's and Valleys!  We are kicking off the weekend with a sale.  Take $15 off of all quilts in my Etsy store.

Go to my Etsy store to see what we have available!

Pinwheels and Postage Stamps

Check out Pinwheels and Postage Stamps on the blog here.

Urban

 More can be found on my Urban Baby Boy quilt here on my blog.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

Abby

Organization

It took me a while, but I can finally say I have my fabric stash organized!  I was inspired by this stash.  I loved seeing all of the fabric in the nice neat stacks sorted by color.  I knew as soon as I saw this that I wanted this for my stash! 

Previously I had my fabric stored in two large storage totes.  This was great for saving space, but it was not very easy to actually get to my fabric.  New fabric would go on top and the older fabric would be lost underneath it all. 

My first step was sorting all of my fabric by color. 

Next, I began the long process of actually folding it all.  Looking back I should have ironed it all before folding it, but I always iron before I cut, so I don't guess it was necessary.  Here are some pictures of me in the process of folding the fabric.

I didn't have a ruler as large as I wanted my end result to be, so I improvised.  I cut a piece of cardboard that was close to the size I wanted and used it to fold my fabric. 

From here, you simply fold until you reach the end of your fabric.  Then slide the ruler (or, in my case, cardboard) out.  This helps make each fabric the same size which makes for easy stacking. 

I have been working on this for over a month.  Here is a picture of the finished project.

I love how the colors look all grouped together.  This also helps you see the colors you are running low on...for me, definitely yellow. 

I obviously don't need anymore blue.  :)  This really surprised me, because I don't consider blue to be my favorite color.  I must be drawn to blue and not even realize it. 

From now on I will only have to fold fabric as I buy it.  I sure hope I can keep it this organized!

Now, if only I could get the rest of my craft room to look this good! ;)

Abby

 

Building My Stash #3!

Well, I finally finished my homework for the week...just in time to start next weeks.  I hope to get in a little quilting tonight before I start another week of classes.

This was such a busy weekend.  I began by doing the Color in Motion 5K with my mom and sister.  We all walked it this year, but hey, that's better than sitting on the couch.  ;)  It was a little chilly, but we had so much fun!

Here is a picture of us before we began in our pretty WHITE shirts!

They didn't stay clean long.... Here we are at the end with all of our color.  Such a great time with two of my favorite people!

After the 5K we headed to Glendale, KY for its annual Spring Fest.  (Don't worry...we washed off all of the color first!)  We love to walk around and look at all of the cool arts and crafts.  We always come back with lots of great ideas.

I can't make a trip to Glendale without stopping by the Pinwheel Quilting Quilt Shop.  This weekend was actually the third anniversary of it opening, so everything in the store was 20% off!  YAY!!!

I got some pretty half-yard cuts.  I usually get fat-quarters, but I'm sure I can find a way to use up a half-yard of this pretty fabric!

We ended the day with probably the best (and biggest) funnel cake I have ever had and some fried green beans.  I guess we blew all of the calories we burned in the 5K.  ;)

Abby

 

My Motivation

I'm a student again!!!   AHH!!!

I graduated from Campbellsville University with a degree in Music Education in 2012.  Now I am getting my MAT in Elementary Education from the University of the Cumberlands.  I can't wait to some day be a teacher!

I had a short break from classes, and now they are in full swing again.  In order to motivate myself to complete my assignments/readings I use quilting.  My rule is, no quilting until all assignments for the week are complete.  Believe me, this is hard...and sometimes I go for weeks without quilting.  :(  This seems to work for me because I always want to be quilting.  

I found this cute cartoon.  I am trying to avoid "last-minute panic" at all costs.  :) 

So, if you don't hear from me for a while it probably means I am swamped with school work.  :(  Here's hoping that I finish tonight!


Abby

Finished Quilt #3

T-Shirt Quilt

Let me begin this by saying that this quilt would probably never be finished if I hadn't had the help of my wonderful sister and mom.  I hit so many road blocks in the process of making this quilt. 

My husband was showing off some of my quilts at work and one of his co-workers asked if I could make a t-shirt quilt.  He is obviously very confident in my abilities (probably more than I am), because he said yes before even asking me.  :)  I have never made a t-shirt quilt, so I really had no clue where to begin. 

My sister made a t-shirt quilt a few years ago, so I had her help me.  Her "helping" actually turned into her designing and piecing the entire quilt.  I am so grateful for her help on this project.  My sister has actually started to love quilting as much as I do.  She finished her first "real" quilt (as she calls it) this January.

Lois Jean with her first quilt!

I think she did a wonderful job on this quilt.  I always knew if I could get her to make one quilt she would be hooked just like I was.  Since this quilt she has made a baby quilt for a lucky friend and has started another quilt!  I am so glad that we both have this in common.  Some day (after we are retired from teaching) we say we are going to open a quilt shop.

Ok, back to the t-shirt quilt.  I learned how to tack, and let me say, I am not a fan of tacking.  I did not enjoy tacking, but I think it ended up looking pretty good.  I was amazed at how quick tacking was compared to hand quilting.  I finished putting on the binding tonight.  I hope the sweet lady who asked for this quilt likes it.  It is made from her son's t-shirts from when he was growing up.  I'm sure it will bring back lots of great memories for her.

I think Lois Jean did a great job on the design of this quilt!  It looks pretty cool!!

I have never been so ready to finish a quilt.  I honestly think that this will be my first and last t-shirt quilt.  I am happy with the way it turned out, but I didn't really have fun making it.  That's ok, because I know someone special (aka Lois Jean) who does a fantastic job making t-shirt quilts and actually enjoys it.  ;)  Thanks for all of your help!

Abby 

 

Building My Stash! #2

I have a serious fabric addiction.  Last week I made my first fabric purchase online!  I know this is crazy, but for me it was a huge deal.  I had a coupon code for FabricWorm...I couldn't let that go to waste now could I?  I fell in love with so much of their fabric...I actually spent three days looking at the different fabrics and trying to decide what I wanted. 

I typically only buy fabric when it is on sale (or I have a coupon) unless I have a specific project in mind.  Since I was not looking at fabric for a specific project I stuck with the sale fabrics.  They had fabric on sale from 10%-60%!!!! Woohooo!!!! This is a cheapskate, fabric lovers dream come true!!! (My husband also doesn't mind me buying fabric as much when I can tell him how much I saved.)  ;)

This is all of the fun fabric I got!

Below are close-ups of all of the fabric I got.  I can't wait to find something to make with them!

I just love these little frames!!

Such cute masks....I couldn't resist.  They will look cute in a baby girl quilt!

I must have really liked this pattern since I got it in two colors. :)

I'm going to be a teacher, so I love finding cool fabric with letters or other teacher related things!

I learned a BIG lesson with the next fabric...

This fabric is beautiful.  I had so many ideas for it when I decided to buy it. 

The BIG lesson...always check what kind of fabric you are purchasing.  Online I didn't have the ability to see it in person or touch it.  I had no idea that this beautiful fabric was actually SILK...  Since I make quilts I use cotton.  I have no idea what I am going to do with this.  It is so pretty, so I will have to find something to use it for.  Any ideas??



Abby

Favorite Product

I am currently working on binding a t-shirt quilt.  It made me think of one of my favorite quilting products.  The Simplicity Bias Tape Maker!

I was introduced to this snazzy little tool about a year ago.  Before this I had always bought bias tape, so my choices were limited.  While looking through Pinterest (I think I'm addicted to Pinterest...) I saw that there were tutorials on how to make your own bias tape.  I began researching and stumbled across this.  I knew I had to have it.  After a few hints, my wonderful husband finally "surprised" me with it.  :)  He's amazing!

As the box says, it really is as "easy as 1-2-3!"  My Mama Jean makes her own bias tape (actually, she made the bias tape for my very first quilt), but she folds it and irons it by hand...I just know I would have about 10 burned fingers. This is so easy, and your bias tape is finished in a matter of minutes.  I have used it on every quilt since I got this and absolutely love it.  The machine comes with a 1" nozzle, but you can purchase other nozzles for around $8.  Right now I have the 1" and the 1.25".  These have been perfect for my quilts.  For me,  being able to add this fun bias tape to my quilts makes a huge difference.  I feel like I have more control over the fabric and can be sure that everything matches perfectly.  No more getting stuck with boring, solid colors.

I hope you enjoyed this, and as always I would love to hear what you think.  Have you used this product?  What are your favorite quilting products?

Have a great night!

Abby 

Happy Mother's Day!

It's Mother's Day!  I have to give a shout-out to my amazing mom.  She has always been there for me and my sister.  I love her so much!  And, in the words of my sister, "Thanks for 'borning' me, Moma!"  ;)

My Mom has always been a crafty person.  She makes some of the most amazing crochet creations...I have never been able to crochet well (I blame it on being a lefty).  These are some of her creations.

This is my favorite!!

I remember growing up we were always making something.  I have always loved doing anything crafty, especially when it is with my mom and sister.

My mom has never made a quilt, but she is working on her very first one!!! I'm so proud of her.

This is the quilt she is working on.  I think it looks beautiful and I can't wait for her to finish it!

My mom is a very talented person.  She is loving and patient.  I can't imagine my life without her.  So, to the best Mom in the world....HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

:)  I couldn't resist.  I love my fur baby, Bella!

Have a fabulous Mother's Day!


Abby

Building My Stash!

This is so true!  I love buying fabric.  I am an impulse fabric shopper.  If I see something I like I get it, even if I have no idea how I will use it.  (I am totally not an impulse shopper with anything else).  Fabric is my weakness.  I just love to look at all of the beautiful designs and colors.

I try really hard to buy fabric when it is on sale.  Today I did just that!  YAY!!!

I took a trip to Glendale, KY to eat at the awesome Whistle Stop with my mother-in-law for Mother's Day.  Glendale has a special place in my heart.  It is the place where I got engaged to my best friend and now husband.  We even went back and took our engagement pictures there.

Glendale is a small town with lots of little antique shops.  You never know what you may find hidden in the shelves and tables of the shops.  I love going and looking at all of the old quilts.  There are beautiful and such an inspiration to me.

I found some fabric in one of the shops.  I think someone wash "de-stashing."  I was able to get this material for very cheap, and I'm sure I'll find somewhere to use this fabric.  After all, who can pass up such a great deal?  ;)

These are the beauties I found in Glendale!

I also made a trip to Joann's today.  Joann's is the closest fabric store to me, so it is usually my go to place to get fabric.  I went in the store for two things.  I needed a 6.5" square ruler and 4 yards of navy material (I'm planning to make a surprise quilt for a very dear friend).  I never go in and come out with only what I needed. ;)

I had to check out the remnants because they are always 50% off the original price.  I have gotten lots of great deals from this section.  Today I found these three fabrics in the basket.

This is my favorite find of the day.

I think these mermaids are adorable.  I am going to have to come up with something special to do with them!

All of this fabric makes me so happy!  I can't wait to add it to my stash (which is in great need of some organization...).

Happy Weekend!!


Abby

Finished Quilt #2

Urban Baby Boy Quilt

This was such a fun and easy quilt to put together.  I love the simplicity of this quilt and the bright bold colors.  I think it is perfect for a modern baby boy!  This quilt is currently for sale in my Etsy shop, Peake's and Valleys.  

UPDATE!! This quilt now has a new home and is no longer for sale. I hope the little guy receiving this quilt makes many great memories with it!

I found this lovely pattern in the book, "Growing Up Modern" by Allison Harris.  I have made three quilts from this book and they have all turned out great!  The instructions are clear and easy to follow.  One of the best things about this book is that it gives directions for crib, baby, and twin sizes on almost every quilt.  I definitely recommend checking this out. 

Growing Up Modern by Allison Harris

I began working on this quilt and knew I wanted to use this cute lion fabric, but I couldn't decide which complementary fabrics to add to it.  I shared this picture on my facebook page and decided on using the orange chevron and the green polka dot.

This is the quilt after I was finished piecing.

Since this quilt had a lot of empty space I knew I needed to do some really cool, but masculine quilting.  I decided on straight lines across at a diagonal to create a sort of grid.  I even got my dad and husband in on the project to help me draw the lines on the quilt to go by.  (They were a great help once I got them on board). ;)

This is a close up of what the quilting looks like.  I absolutely love it!

This is one of my favorite quilts!  I had so much fun piecing and quilting this quilt.

I just love this quilt!  I had so much fun making it and hope it goes to a very special boy!  

  Abby