4/11/2009

Good-Bye Vacation Week

Farewell, o treasured vacation! Only a skinny week-end left now. I quilted like a demon the entire time. I did not stop to eat or clean the house or exercise or mow the lawn (where is DS when you need him??) but just kept at it.  It has been a strange blur but I could do this 24/7.

Shop Hop was held a few weeks ago in the Atlanta area. The overall theme was Childhood with a sub-theme at each shop; Little Quilts was the Circus. Cute outfits were to be seen there like a clown (wearing the perfect vintage domino outfit from her grandmother who was in musical comedies), ringmaster, and - my favorite idea - a dancing bear. I went as a fortuneteller, outfit courtesy of Value Village and necklace fresh from the 70s:
Also black hose and ivory shoes, don'cha know.  Called DS asking if he wanted to meet up after work for dinner and realized too late as I pulled up to Panera Bread that I still was dressed as a down-on-my-luck (is there any other kind?) fortuneteller.  Well, it cheered up a few busboys.

Some small birds have built a nest in my wooden shoe (also courtesy of Value Village, hey, the whole house is from there).  Something like a wren.  Do wrens have tails that go straight up?  I know nothing about birds; well, I can distinguish among penguins, flamingos and eagles but that's about it.  I hope this works out for them, there is no drainage:

Got this small top done.  It uses Jo Morton's Cinnamon & Spice fabrics for the house sides and roofs.  Yummers that line is gorgeous (hey, click to enlarge the pic if you like, I see that my magic camera has gotten a lot of detail in this one).  There are also some vintage Jo fabrics in it.  This size house uses Jane Stickle size blocks, 4-1/2" finished:

This second version of House Party took quite a while to make but its completion has been overdue for a long time since the first version used Little Quilts' set of Second Saturday Sampler blocks (I didn't know it was going to end up as my first pattern, I just wanted to think up an interesting way to use that set of 6" blocks).  The first version has been in the shop with a pattern hanging with it that was an EQ rendering only of the quilt setting with the same block repeated...well, it's too confusing to explain, except to say it has been selling well, but I needed to get pattern cover and quilt aligned properly and now they are and I am glad!  Clear as mud :-)?
It would be funny if it stopped selling now that it all makes more sense ha.  Well, maybe "funny" isn't exactly the right word after all that work :-).

Let me close with this perfectly wonderful version of the Girl Block that a friend made and emailed to me. This woman is famous for doing the most charming fabric combinations AND for her big stitch technique, which she teaches at Little Quilts. Darling, yes?

11 comments:

KC Quilter said...

Omigosh, so many wonderful things in your blog this morning, I'm getting a headache!!! Love your shop's circus theme for the shop hop--sounds adorable. Were you able to get Britney Spears to perform? (tee hee). Your house quilt is fantastic. Will you be selling your pattern on the internet? Oh, and I wish you'd post a photo of yourself in your fortuneteller git-up! Sorry your spring break is over :( Enjoy these last two days.

Betsy said...

Karen are you serious? You must be starving you poor thing. LOL
I love the little house quilt.
so what is the count down when you go back to school?
Mine is 36 school days.
wish I could say I did as much as you.

Jeanette said...

I love your quilts! And, I agree, Jo's new fabric line is amazing. I can't wait to see it in person. I love the little girl block, too! I would have never chose those fabrics, but I love it! I wonder what thread she quilts with. It all looks amazing.

antique quilter said...

love the houses with jo's new fabric and I see a peddlers pack fabric as the cornerstone
LOVE that fabric line too!
great blue don't you thnk?
ok who did that little girl quilt
sooooo cute
I just love it!
and big stitch is perfect for it.
Kathie

Ruth said...

I love the little house quilts. Might have to make me one someday! The girl block is really cute too.

MJinMichigan said...

Karen it looks like you have been really busy! I love your quilt made with Jo's new line. I haven't seen the fabrics in person yet but I'm sure it will be available at Quilt Festival.
I had to laugh when I saw the nest in your wooden shoe. We've put a bird house out several times and never had any birds move in.

Tazzie said...

Why is it that time goes so much faster when we're on holidays? It's so strange, you can feel it ruffle your hair as it whizzes by.
I'm totally in love with all your little quilts you've shared - especially love all the little details on the house quilts. Just adorable.
Be sure to have a wonderful Easter.
*hugs*
Tazzie
:-)

MARCIE said...

Karen, you are Master of Your Universe! Your creations are divine! I know you are relieved to have those house quilts done, and they are wonderful! The fabrics are perfect and not at all blendy. Maybe your fortune teller brought you good fortune! And how exciting to have a little wren for company! Don't tell Rembrandt!

Miri said...

Love the house quilt...the little bird is just too cute!

Taryn said...

I love, love, love house quilts. Your second version above looks like a collection of quilt show pins. Wonderful!

Elin said...

Oh I love that house quilt, think I must order the pattern!