Golden Gate Quilts

New scrappy lap quilt in Amy Butler Love...

Well, well, well...for the very first time yesterday I ran out of top thread while quilting this new quilt. I had one and a half passes left and there I was threadless. Not ideal especially since it was Sunday and none of the LQS opened until noon. Luckily one of them had exactly what I needed and I was able to finish up today. I will have to be more conservative when I check the spool and wonder if there is enough left:)

Anyway, this is my second quilt featuring the new Amy Butler Love fabrics. This scrappy quilt features 10 different fabrics and a fun backing called Tumble Roses Pink. More pics are available in my Etsy shop.

 

 

I love this tumbler quilt in LOVE by Amy Butler...

The mail lady dropped off my first order of Amy Butler's Love fabric yesterday at 6pm and I was cutting into it very shortly after:) First up is a tumbler quilt using 16 of the 26 fabrics in this line. Like all Westminster fabrics, it is FABULOUS. Very soft to the touch. More photos are available in my Etsy shop.

 

 

Don't you hate it when people just disappear without a word?...

I was so thrilled today to get an email from a complete stranger - well not complete stranger - one of my loyal blog readers named Jenny from Australia. She sent me an email to check up on me since I hadn't posted in so long. Thank you Jenny!

I didn't mean to be missing so long and I don't have a better excuse than life got in the way. I got busy with some business travel to Europe and Asia, enjoyed some fantastic end of summer weather, socialized with some new friends and generally took a little break from a hectic schedule of quilting.

But that doesn't mean I don't have big plans! This weekend is reserved for my official coming back party. I have three quilts cut out and ready to go. The machines will be humming.So stay tuned...I'm still here:)

Quilt shop hopping in Amsterdam...

We must have our priorities straight! I arrived in Amsterdam on business this morning at 9:30 am and by 3:00 pm had located the only real quilt shop in town just a few blocks from my hotel right in the center of the town. I had researched in advance of leaving and it was definitely in my plans to try and visit but the location made it super easy for me.

The shop is called Dutch Quilts and they specialize in reproduction antique Dutch chintz fabrics. The original handpainted designs from India were initially used for interior decoration as well as in Dutch national costumes. During the 18th century, when printing mills began commercially producing these flowered patterns, the cotton chinz was mainly used for clothing but sometimes, even then, for patchwork and as quilting fabric.These fabrics are so wonderful but NOT inexpensive. I treated myself to a collection of 50 different prints each 29 cm square or 11 1/2 inches square. I also got a traditional Dutch small scale plaid for the backing. I plan on making a snowball patchwork quilt.

One of these gorgeous dresses was displayed in the store.

Here is my sampler box.

Some fabric closeups.

My plaid backing.

The perfect gift for the outdoorsy man in your life...

I just made and listed in my Etsy shop this fun pillowcase made with the outdoorsy man in mind! The main body fabric is a rare, out-of-print retro flannel fabric by Kaufman and I think it's hysterical.  I picked up a bunch of this during my last trip to Japan. I make all my pillowcases using the "hot dog" style so there are no exposed internal seams along the cuff and trim. Then I serge the side and bottom seams for durability. For a "hot dog" pillowcase tutorial, click here.

My vintage quilt find...

This is a two part post:) 

First, I have been accepted into a local arts and craft consignment shop and today was my first day to have quilts on display! It's very exciting. The store is called Hand Works and is located in Danville, California, a great town here in Northern California. I have a small space that fits a rack for 4 or 5 quilts and some wall pegs to display some smaller items like pot holders, tote bags and table runners. I think it will be fun to try!

Second, while there today setting up a friend and I strolled an antique and arts fair being held on the same street. Now I have never been a fan of antique quilts nor do I know much about them. But when I came across this quilt today I HAD to have it. It came with a 2006 appraisal. The quilt is 72 x 80 inches and Circa 1930, likely from South Dakota and its condition is listed as Mint/Unused.It is hand quilted at approximately 6-7 stitches per inch. It doesn't have a spot on it. Nor any yellow. And most important it doesn't smell at all. It has been very well looked after. I love it!!! More pictures are NOT available in my Etsy shop. This beauty is NOT for sale:)

Could this fabric be any cuter...?

I don't make a lot of quilts for kids but this fabric spoke to me when I bought it and now that it is all quilted I can't stop staring at it. LOL It is just so darn sweet. It's Have a Sheri Berry Holiday by Northcott. More pics are in my Etsy Shop.

I was a cutting fool last night...

While listening to, and some times watching, America's Got Talent last night I got fabric cut for three new quilts. Rotary cutting isn't something I do a lot of anymore since I got my Accucut but there is no way around it for these. LOL Let the sewing begin!

First is Olive Rose by Valori Wells (another great Whittle's Fabrics find). I will be doing another Turning 20.

And here is Gypsy Rose by Moda that I've had FOREVER. This is actually only half. I had a 40 FQ bundle so I will eventually get to another. Going to do a Turning 20 again so I can stock up on bed size quilts in my Etsy shop.

And last but not least a really fun holiday fabric called Have a Sheri Berry Holiday. I cut half yard cuts into 10 inch squares and plan on doing a Big Block quilt. Perfect for these fun prints!

Whew...it's been awhile since I've done a bed size quilt

Just got this off the frame. I made the blocks and pieced it last night. Then got the borders on, loaded on the frame and quilted today. Very funky! The fabrics are beautiful and SO soft to touch. More pics are available in my Etsy shop.

 

I didn't waste any time...

Cutting into my great fabric deal from Whittles Fabrics! Here is the first of a few planned Turning 20 quilts - this one is done with Annabella from Tina Givens. Just need to get the borders on. Fun and funky:)