Embroidered Granny Square Pillow

The abundance of cold temperatures this winter has kept me cuddled up close to the fire this winter.
And in my book, sitting by the fire and hand work go.., well.... hand in hand.
I picked up a FQ bundle of Dowry in the Rubies & Pearls colorway from AMH, and I immediately felt drawn to stitch up some embroidery with the fabrics.  I wanted something that would accent the colors in this floral print.

I also wanted something "quilty" even though I was going to be embroidering the motif.  I settled on stitching a granny square on Kona Ochre.  I sketched the square in Touchdraw and racked my brain for different "filler" stitches to put inside each square.

I'm especially fond of this little flower.  I think my satin stitching is improving!


To make the embroidery into a pillow, I framed it with the AMH inspiration print and then quilted in a square only on the framed portion of the block.  I didn't want the quilting to distract from the hand needlework.

I am loving envelope back closures for pillows right now!  It's so easy - simple to sew and simple to trade out one cover for another.

I hope to make a couple more pillows from that bundle of Dowry - but I'm only allowing my self one hand project at a time.  

Gatekeeper Quilt Finish - in Fons & Porter's Easy Quilts

It's finally time for me to share a finish I am quite proud of!  This quilt, called Gatekeeper, is an easy quilt with lots of spring in her step.  Maybe we can pretend the cold temperatures don't exist wrapped up in this quilt.  It's featured in Fons & Porter's Easy Quilts, Spring 2014 issue, on newsstands now.

This quilt mimics the elegance of an Irish Chain with a little sass on the side to give it a light and modern feel.  I love how the strips at the edges of the quilt extend out into the negative space.  

For once, this truly IS an "easy" quilt.  No triangles or other fussy pieces to play with.  Nope, just simple squares and rectangles.  This whole quilt breaks down into 3 basic blocks, which makes it simple to put together.


These colors come from Michael Miller's Happy Tones remind me of sherbet... they make me happy and hungry.  


The little butterflys that scatter over the quilt top are too cute!  I cannot take credit for those - I sent this quilt to my local longarm quilter, Beany.  She always does such a wonderful job for me.


This quilt design reminds me of a garden gate and trellis.  Spring flowers in full bloom.  This quilt actually came to be just as I envisioned it in my mind.  Design, colors and all.  Sometimes when you submit designs to magazine editors, colorways or designs can change or be tweaked.  My original design is extremely close to this - with the sherbet colors and all.  I usually design all my quilts with solids first, so I can really visualize the blocks and secondary patterns within a quilt.  After those are apparent, I go about choosing fabrics, and often the colorway changes by publication.  Not this time!  

And how appropriate.... here is Gatekeeper seated on a gate. :)

Love these sweet colors.  They seem perfect for any girl.


Quilt Stats.
Name: Gatekeeper
Size: 70" x 70"
Design: by AnneMarie Chany
Fabric:  Happy Tones by Michael Miller
Piecing:  Me
Quilting: LAQ Beany of Quilty Pleasures

Sisters' Ten Blocks

Sisters Ten BOM 1

Welcome to the Sister's Ten Modern Block of the Month Club.  This is a BOM Club for 2013.  We are making old classic blocks in a modern and surprising way.

The Sisters' Ten Blocks.

This Block of the Month quilt has a theme centered around your favorite women.  Be it a Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, Sister or Friend.  We all have a woman that we look up to and aspire to be like.  These ten quilt blocks all honor those women, using their name as the block name.  Sister's Choice, Grandmother's Frame.  Quilts are a great way to commemorate these women.
  • Starts January 2013 - join us at any time throughout the year.
  • New Block tutorials post the 1st Friday of the month
  • 10 Block Tutorials; November and December will be spent finishing the quilt
  • Join our flickr group to interact with other BOMers and share your progress.
  • Skill level:  Confident beginner - Intermediate
  • There are two finished sizes of the quilt depending on the block size you choose.  Cutting instructions provided for both sizes.
                    Lap.  60" x 60" (9" finished blocks)
                    Large Twin  78" x 78" (12" finished blocks)

I'll be using Lucky Penny FQs by Alison Glass for the BOM.

The Design.
Sisters Ten BOM layout

All the Details:

**If you prefer to print out your patterns, downloadable PDF files will be available each month for just $1.00.**  See each month's block tutorial post or my Pattern Shop to purchase.

Getting Started.  an intro to the BOM, fabric requirements and frequently asked questions.

Background Cutting Instructions:  Large Negative Space and Sashing

Sisters Ten BOM January  Sisters' Ten BOM February Block 1  Sisters' Ten BOM March  April Sisters Ten BOM block1
    January Tutorial.        February Tutorial.         March Tutorial.             April Tutorial
      -or- Buy $1 PDF          -or- Buy $1 PDF            -or- Buy $1 PDF            -or- Buy $1 PDF

aunt eliza's star 1 Sisters' Ten Contrary Wife July BOM block 1 August block 2
       May Tutorial              June Tutorial               July Tutorial                August Tutorial
      -or- Buy $1 PDF          -or- Buy $1 PDF            -or- Buy $1 PDF            -or- Buy $1 PDF

photo for pattern cover photo of Oct sisters' ten block with Label
September Tutorial        October Tutorial
-or- Buy $1 PDF                 -or- Buy $1 PDF


November.  Assembling the Quilt Top -or-  Buy Nov. $1 PDF.
December.  Quilting Suggestions and Finishing (shows my finished version of the quilt!)