I am in love with this quilt. It reminds me of a bowl of citrus, which I love. I have been wanting to make a quilt with oranges and yellows ever since I saw this beauty – Sunshine Squares by Susan Weinroth. It is such a happy quilt. I decided to add in pink and actually follow a plan for once. {Normally I tend to cut first and think later.}

After coming up with the piece sizes on paper, I tested each block out and verified my dimensions before cutting everything. It’s a good thing I did, because I had a few mistakes with my math. After a couple corrections, I was actually able to cut everything out and sew these in bulk. Wow, what a difference that makes! I was done with my squares a lot faster than usual.

I used a variety of fabrics from my stash to create a scrappy look. The usual suspects – Denyse Schmidt, Amy Butler, Anna Maria Horner, Lizzy House, Heather Ross to name a few.

I’ve always loved the look of those patchwork backings, so I used several coordinating prints on the back. I just randomly laid them out and sewed them together.

The binding is one of my all time favorites prints, Amy Butler’s Pink Coriander. It is out of print and I had almost used all of mine up. I was pretty bummed out about it, when Megan over at Lucy & Norman sent me a hot tip about some at a little shop in the Pacific Northwest. I called and had them send me everything they had. Oh the shame! Now I’m set for a while.

The final size is about 51″ x 60″. I quilted it free motion with Quilters Dream Request Loft batting. I was debating whether or not to keep this one. For now, it’s available in the shop.

And as promised! The quilt pattern is available for free here. I hope you enjoy it!

I think the best part about sewing is the ability to change the look of a room so easily. In fact, these pillows could also be called the “Update-Your-Family-Room-in-1-Nap-Time” pillows. I was ready for a change on my couch and had been looking at Joel Dewberry’s Modern Meadow collection since I went on my trip to the Fabric Shack. I wanted something simple as I was getting tired of my string block pillows…started to get too busy for my eyes.

I just cut random width stripes of fabric and then quilted them with a straight line on each side of the seams. The back is an awesome linen that Fabric.com sent to me accidentally. If I knew what it was, I would probably buy yards and yards of it. It is perfect. I finished them off with an invisible zipper – I’m getting quite good at those. And voila, instant new look!

This unsuspecting little building is home to the Fabric Shack. Those of us that order fabric online are very familiar with their wide selection and great prices. I was very excited to visit their store over the weekend while at my parents house in Cincinnati. Unfortunately, my kids didn’t share my feelings. My 1 year old cried pretty much the entire time we were there. Lucky for me everyone working and shopping there were super nice.

They have 2 1/2 rooms FILLED with fabric. It was so exciting to see all the lines in person that normally I shop for based on a picture on the computer. Heather Ross Far, Far Away, Anna Maria Horner Folksy Flannel, Denyse Schmidt, Joel Dewberry, Heather Bailey, Sandi Henderson, Amy Butler, Laura Gunn… I could really go on and on. There were more Moda precuts than I’ve ever seen in one place!

Here I am getting my fabric cut. Behind me is a huge assortment of Kona solids.

I bought some of Heather Ross’s green unicorns that I had run out of for the back of the Far, Far Away quilt I’m working on right now.

I also bought some green and blue Wild Thyme by Carolyn Gavin.

Joel Dewberry’s Modern Meadow Herringbone in pond and grass as well.

And of course, some Moda charm packs – MoMo Freebird. The ladies were nice enough to dig through unpacked boxes in the back to find these for me.

We decided to go back when I’m in town over Memorial Day weekend and this time I’m leaving the kids with my husband, for some uninterrupted shopping!

I’ve finished my Block of the Day Quilt – now known as my Rainbow Block Quilt! I am really excited with how this one turned out. It’s so bright and fun! The blocks are each unique and it’s such a beautiful sampling of so many designer’s fabrics. I used white sashing (Bella Solids) and I think it really makes the blocks pop. I used coordinating fabrics for a fun stripe on the back.

I quilted this free motion style and used a Denyse Schmidt floral from Katie Jump Rope. The final size measures 48″ x 62″.

I could really see this quilt on a toddler bed, but that’s probably because I have two young kids myself and see everything through a mom’s eyes. It’d be perfect to cuddle under on the couch as well!

I’ve decided to start selling some of my quilts in an Etsy shop! I figured it would justify all the time I’ve been spending on this hobby. And answer my husband’s question of “what are you going to do with another quilt?”

ETA: Thanks for helping my photo make Flickr Explore for September 17th, 2009!