LMP+QG may challenge: summer breeze

Each month, my friend Kait and I are making a project from the book, Last-Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts ("LMP+QG" for short). You can see previous projects here. 

For the month of May, Kait and I decided to tackle the Summer Breeze quilt---just in time for summer picnics and trips to the beach.

The top came together quickly, though choosing fabrics was the hardest part and took the most time. I eventually settled on a DS Quilts print to use as my focus fabric, and pulled a number of coordinating prints and solids from my stash. I paired everything with a chambray I scored from the $2.97/yard table at G Street Fabrics in Maryland.

My plan is to baste, quilt, and bind this in June, so that I can bring it on our next picnic in Duke Gardens. I'll be using this vintage floral sheet for the backing, which I picked up from an Austin thrift store a few years ago:

Any tips on how I should quilt it? I'm thinking some variation of straight lines, though I'm open to any and all suggestions!

You can see Kait's pretty Summer Breeze here.

Coming up next month: Pinwheel Duvet Cover

umbrella prints trimmings competition

After the rush of getting ready for this month's craft fair was over, I finally had a chance to sit down and work on my entry for the Umbrella Prints Trimmings Competition. [Umbrella Prints is an Australian textile house, specializing in hand-printed fabrics.] After staring at the neutral scraps I was sent (pictured above), and rejecting a number of ideas, I finally decided to try out Elizabeth Hartman's Mod Mosaic tutorial, a technique that I'd been interested in, and one that my swap partner Valerie used when she made me a pillow last summer.

I laid out all of the scraps and sewed and sewed until I had a mini quilt, approximately 9 x 12 inches. To add a bit more interest, and in keeping with the improvisational feel of the piece, I did free-motion echo quilting, creating curves all over the surface. I love how the quilting turned out and can't wait to try it on a larger quilt.

Starting May 31, all of the Trimmings Competition entries will be posted to this Pinterest board. Be sure to re-pin your favorite!

hand-to-hand market

A few photos from last weekend's craft fair, where Kait and I shared a table:

New pillows, baby quilts, and lunch totes I made for the show, along with napkins and cross-stitch buttons.

 Vintage suitcase with pillows and a quilt.

Kait's adorable cup sleeves, pouches, and tea wallets.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the table and supported our little businesses!

upcoming craft fair!

For the past few weeks, I've been cross-stitching and quilting up a storm in preparation for the upcoming Hand to Hand Market in Greensboro. The market will take place on Sunday, May 20, and Kait and I will be sharing a table at the event and selling our handmade things from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. There'll be lots of craft vendors, food trucks, and an after party with live bands. If you're in the area, I hope you'll stop by!