Let's Get Acquainted Blog Hop Week 5

The Let's Get Acquainted link up is here on my blog today (at the bottom of this post.)  While I have really enjoyed hosting the link up for the past year, I am going to be changing it a bit starting in August.  The new version will be monthly instead of weekly (the third week of the month) and will be for posts on specific topics - anything ranging from challenging you to expand your photography skills to sharing your favorite tutorials to writing about blogging/sewing related topics.  I'll share the topic at least one month in advance so you'll have plenty of time to write your post. 

So, what do you think?  Anyone think they'll join in?

Visit today:
Hilltop House Creative Works
Sew Happily Ever After
Christa Quilts
Wonderland by Alyce
the crooked banana
Caroline's Craftiness
Sassafras Lane
quarter incher




This week's advice post is by Martha from the beautiful blog Weekend Doings.  Click here to read Martha's post:  Five DIY Tricks to Optimize the Look of Your Blog.

1. Link up any recent sewing/quilting post.

2. In your post or on your blog, please include either a text link or a button letting people know about this link up.

3. Visit at least the two bloggers who link up before you and everyone who visits you from this post.

4. When the link tool asks for your name, write down a  random fact about yourself that has nothing to do with sewing or quilting (I know I've used this question before but it has been awhile.)

Let's Get Acquainted Week 4

                                                                                      [eiko by Birch Fabrics}

*****I'm sure you all already know but today is the last day of Google Reader.  If you want to keep following my blog, use one of these links to subscribe via your favorite reader (or you can get my posts delivered straight to your inbox by using the "follow by email" box on the sidebar.)

Visit today:
Stitched in Thyme
Factotum of Arts
The Sassy Quilter
Faffling
So Sew Green
The Rainbow Revolts
Little Mushroom Cap
Kayak Quilting
Sew Sunshine






Today's advice post is by paper piecing queen Kristy from Quiet Play.  Click here to read her wonderful advice.









And the weekly link up is being hosted at Quilts in the Queue.  Click here to link up your recent post.












Fabricworm is having a great birthday sale right now - take 15% off your purchase with coupon code "5years" - the sale is good through Monday 7/1/13 at midnight PST.

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Leftover Block Pillow

When making this quilt, I planned on using one of the blocks as part of the backing but as they often do, my plans changed during the process and I had this leftover block.  So, I added some uneven borders to the block and made a pillow cover instead (and since pillows were on my "want to make" list - yay!)  I used some cushions that I bought a few weeks ago in anticipation of making some covers - they are different then the ones I usually buy and the pillow cover doesn't fit quite right but I'm thinking with use it will adjust over time, right?


Linking to Crazy Mom Quilts.

Let's Get Acquainted Blog Hop Week 3

Today's stops on the New Blogger Blog Hop Schedule:
NW Patchwork
Quilt Candy
Cloud Cou Cou Crafts
Handmade Seraphym
Simple Sewendipity
Happy Fabric
beadqueene's bits and baubles
Ella's Cottage
the tilted quilt

Today's advice for new blogger's post is by Janice from Better off Thread.  Click here to see what she has to say!


 








The Let's Get Acquainted Link Up is at Heart of Charnwood this week.  Click here to see what Ange has been up to and to add your link.

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inspired by the view

While looking through the photos of this quilt, I found this image which has me wondering if the reason I've been drawn to lots of low-volume and pink fabrics lately is because those beautiful pink flowers are the main view outside my window.  This also might explain why my new favorite quilting design is flowers.

I had initially pulled these fabrics to make cushion covers but then quickly realized that this was not the right palette for the intended purpose.  However, I really liked these fabrics together so I made a quick quilt using a similar method to the one I described here except I offset the strips.  

My original quilting plan was spirals at the edges of each patchwork block.  I finished the first spiral fine but while quilting the second spiral, I somehow started making it a flower instead (possibly because of the reason I wrote above?!?!)  I actually thought it looked good while I was in the process of quilting so I finished the quilt with more flowers and some large loops and used some flea market fancy for the binding.  The next morning I took the quilt out to show my family and immediately realized that I did not like the spirals AT ALL!  My husband and daughters tried to convince me it looked "fine" but I did not even kind of agree.

So, despite this being a completely finished (but not yet washed) quilt, I unpicked the one big spiral and replaced it with a giant flower design.  I don't think I would necessarily recommend doing this but it actually worked out okay this time.  As you can see in the above photo, I did leave in the little spiral which I wish I had also unpicked but oh, well.  Fortunately, this quilt will be one that lives in my house with my daughters who are happy to overlook any and all imperfections (which, if you saw any of my quilts up close, you would know is a good thing!) 

Let's Get Acquainted Blog Hop Week 2

This week (click on the links below to learn all about these new bloggers)

Jolie Maxin

Melia Mae Quilting

On the Windy Side

Molli Sparkles

little and lots

duck egg threads

My Quilt Infatuation

There's A Thread

Between Quilts

This week's advice post is from Tessa at The Sewing Chick.  Click here to read Tessa's informative advice on blog photography.

Hosted this week by Lucy at Charm about You.  Click here to see her cute pillows she just finished and to link up your latest posts.