Selvage Blog

Something to Make You Smile

2012-01-29T10:37:00.001-05:00

These delightful assemblages are offered for sale at Reclaim 2 Fame, a shop on Etsy run by a couple in Florida. Take a look at their steampunk items. Sure to jumpstart your creativity and make you smile today!

Gnome Teapot

2012-01-28T13:07:00.000-05:00

This time of year I'm even more fond of tea than ususal. Isn't this an interesting teapot? It's listed on Etsy by Jeannine from Belgium.

Today I'm making the coolest selvage quilt! I'll show you soon. It has some raw edge applique on it. Yes!

Eye of the Storm Watch

2012-01-27T01:00:00.001-05:00

Designed by Yiran Qian from China, this watch displays the time in the frame when you push a button. You can see a little more about it on Gadget Review or on Hypebeast. They say the inspiration for this watch is the calmness in the eye of a storm. This watch isn't in production, it's just a concept design at the moment. Pretty clever.

Design Wall Update

2012-01-26T08:59:00.000-05:00

I decided that the Amish style Stairstep quilt needed a border. The piano keys have more dark colors than medium colors, drawing your attention to the middle of the quilt. When making the border I didn't distribute the mediums in an artistic way, I just let the chips fall where they may. Sometimes this works, but this time, meh. Maybe I'll just darken the rectangles in the lower left area. I do love all the colors.

Jen's Tile Block

2012-01-25T01:00:00.000-05:00

Yesterday we took a look at the Hattie Burdick quilt and Jen from Massachusetts sent this link to a quilt that she made using the technique that Hattie used. Visit Jen's blog: A Quilting Jewel to see more photos of her quilt. Great fabrics for this block! Thanks, Jen.

The Hattie Burdick Quilt

2012-01-24T09:14:00.000-05:00

This quilt is featured on WomenFolk as an example of a Tile quilt or Stone Wall quilt, a style popular in the late 1800's. Other names have to do with streets or pavement. This quilt has lots of images including flowers, cats, horses, etc. This would be a good travel project since each block is completely independent of the others (at least in this particular quilt).

Has anyone read "Tile Quilt Revival" by Jones and Finlay? Now I'm curious.

Surprise Virtual Field Trip Today!

2012-01-23T10:10:00.000-05:00

Everybody on board! Even you quilters down under who are already having summer.

Feel that warm sand between your toes? After a lovely swim we're sharing a delicious lunch of your favorite salads and drinks. Don't you love virtual? As Bob Cratchit said to Tiny Tim, "We shall have the whole day!"

On My Design Wall Today

2012-01-22T10:48:00.001-05:00

I must be trying to make up for the lack of color outside where everything is covered with snow. My design wall is a delicious blend of reds and purples. I call this a Stairstep quilt. Do you have another name? It's not really a Rail Fence because those have three strips in each block, not two. I don't want to call it a Zigzag quilt because to me that suggests a Log Cabin, Streak of Lightning variation. Not that it really matters so much.

It measures 43" x 50." The strips were cut 4" wide. I'm writing the pattern as I work.

I like the one pink rectangle. The arrangement needed a little spark so I made that block at the last minute before assembling the top. I wish you could all visit my quilt studio today because the color looks even better in person. And there's tea! Hugs to you. Have a great day.

Selvage Blog Group Quilt Coming Along

2012-01-21T09:22:00.001-05:00

The first 5 blocks for our group quilt have arrived and here they are placed on the design wall (but not sewn together yet). Want to participate? Click here. And here. I'll finish the quilt and we'll have a giveaway. So stay tuned.

These blocks were made by: Carolyn Wenzel of Wisconsin, Carol Eskola or Michigan, Martina Odenthal of Germany, Susan White of Kansas, and Kim Brandt of New York. Thank you! I love all the variety in these blocks. This is going to be a very interesting quilt! Oops, I forgot to add my block to the wall. Next time.

Meet Modern Folk

2012-01-20T01:00:00.005-05:00

Modern Folk is the Etsy shop of Jacob de Graaf of the UK. He sells "cross stitch patterns with a folk aesthetic influenced by traditional embroidery with a Scandinavian touch."

The pattern for the heart in the top photo comes in an email as a 4-page pdf file for $5.50. To open the file you need Adobe Reader which you can download for free here: http://get.adobe.com/reader. This is is a popular way to buy books and patterns these days. I'm getting to like it. No delivery charge, you have it in minutes, less $ than a paper copy, and I can always find it (in my Documents file). I have about 4 pdf patterns and books that I view on my computer (not my Kindle, that's different).

Enid's New Selvage Quilt

2012-01-19T00:00:00.000-05:00

Enid Silva of Connecticut just finished her first selvage quilt. Isn't it a beauty? She even did some hand embroidery on the inner border. Nice job!

Enid is a member of Hearthside Quilters in Harwinton and she participated in the selvage workshop a few months ago. I'll be giving the same workshop in Bristol, CT this spring.

Happy selvage quilting!

Sofia's New Bag

2012-01-17T01:00:00.002-05:00

This bag is the newest creation of Sofia of Athens, Greece. You can see more of her work here at Apopsis. And here's a photo of Athens. I think I see Sofia down there! I bet the food is delicious. Maybe it's time for a Selvage Blog field trip!

Carolyn Wenzel's Selvage Creations

2012-01-15T23:48:00.000-05:00

Carolyn Wenzel from Menasha, Wisconsin made this pretty pillow, her first selvage project. Then she made this big selvage tote bag. It measures 15" x 17" x 7." It has pockets inside and out, and she says it's very useful for carrying quilts and supplies to meetings. Her next project is a jacket!

Nice job, Carolyn!

I Heart Etsy

2012-01-15T10:28:00.001-05:00

As you know, I heart Etsy. I think it's wonderful that artists, crafters and vintage pickers can have a nice easy-to-run store open 24/7 all over the world. Perfect for moms with little kids, retired people, kids saving for college, people with health problems who can't get out much, those who can't stop making things, budding photographers, people with fabulous ideas and talents...just about anybody! I've read all these stories in the Profiles. (I'm one of the ones who can't stop making things. You knew that.) So if you heart Etsy or if you know someone who'd like to buy 2 of these stickers, click here to see my listing.

The skinny string quilt blocks are starting to arrive in my mailbox and they look really good! I'll show you a photo of them soon. They'll go into a quilt that will be given away here to one of you lucky quilters. (Scroll down to see details.)

Meet Prudence Mapstone from Australia!

2012-01-14T08:54:00.000-05:00

Can you believe this? Freeform knitting and crochet! Prudence is from Brisbane, Australia and she sells her books, e-books and tutorials in her Etsy store: Freeform by Prudence. She also has some things there that she has knitted and crocheted. Her website is Knot Just Knitting, and her blog is A Scrumble a Week. I am so excited to find this! I love ceating as you go - you don't know what you're going to get until you're finished. Yayyy, Prudence!

Knitted Chair from South Africa

2012-01-13T08:36:00.000-05:00

This knitted chair cover was made by Lynn Garrett of Napier, (very South) South Africa. She sells this on her Etsy store Biscuit Scout for $690. She'll also knit one to your specifications. This all started for Lynn when she decided to knit a cover for her aging washing machine! Okaaay. I'd like to see her house, wouldn't you? I bet it's beautiful, and full of surprises. Thanks for the creative inspiration, Lynn!

Where Are All the Dresses?

2012-01-12T01:00:00.001-05:00

I used to wear a dress every day to grammar school. (You 20-somethings can Google "grammar school.") Then in high school it was short skirts (only 1/2 yard needed to make one of those). Jeans in college. Suits at work. That was a long time ago. I don't know when I forgot about skirts and jumpers and dresses, but I can't remember an occasion in 2011 when I wore a dress. I like them though. People are generally much more casual now than in years past.

Are dresses still alive and well anyplace in the world? Let me know. (Of course, there are selvage dresses!!)

Fabulous Fabric by JacQue

2012-01-11T01:00:00.028-05:00

These fabric panels are the work of JacQue Textile Designs of Minneapolis, MN. She's been in the textile business for 14 years in different capacities. She loves textile design and dyeing, and she sells her fabrics on Etsy (see link) and eBay. Aren't these fabrics too beautiful for words?

31 Spools in 2011!

2012-01-10T01:00:00.002-05:00

Every time I finished off a spool of thread in 2011, it went into this green polka dotted bowl. It was a 31-spool year. This is the first year I've counted my spools, so I don't know if it was a "good" year or not. I'm saving them this year too.

Amber Spiegel's Elegant Cookies

2012-01-09T01:00:00.029-05:00

The first photo I saw was of the pastel gold thread cookies and I thought it was embroidery! These are cookies! They are the elegant creation of Amber Spiegel of New York, a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. To see more beautiful cookies visit SweetAmbs, her Etsy store.

Here's My Group Quilt Block - Skinny Strings

2012-01-08T01:00:00.034-05:00

Here it is: 6" x 55." I cut the strips 1.25" and just sewed them together. Each time you sew a new strip onto your block, press the seam flat (still closed), then open the seam and press again. I like lots of steam.

Don't know about this group quilt? Read yesterday's post. Want to make one? You're invited. The fabric recipe is: anything goes! It's hard to stop once you get started.

Help Make the Selvage Blog Group Quilt!!

2012-01-07T01:00:00.046-05:00

All I know about this quilt is that it was made by Jared. I found the photo floating around in Cyberspace. What a dazzling quilt! I'm thinking about making one of these...with 1.25" strips!

I tried one of these many years ago before I knew how to avoid ending up with a giant C-shaped thing! Haha.Now I'm patient enough to press each seam before adding the next strip. Also, sew in sections, then connect the sections. I still don't pin something like this. That's over-doing it!

This might be a cool group project where everyone sews a portion of the quilt top, say: 6" x 55." Six inches will be 7 strips. Do you want to make one and mail it to me? I'll turn it into a quilt and we'll have a Giveaway here. Wow, this whole idea developed as I wrote this post! Mail your "block" to me at 39 East Chestnut Hill Rd., Litchfield, CT 06759.

I'll show you my block tomorrow. Cut 1.25" strips x any length. You have to attach some to get to 55." No foundation necessary. These are not selvages, just regular fabric.

BREAKING NEWS! Julia Taylor's Selvage Frock!

2012-01-06T01:00:00.031-05:00

When Julia Taylor of Utah saw Jodie Carleton's selvage frock she fell in love with it, like we all did. But Julia wrote to Jodie asking if she could make one for herself. Of course Jodie said yes; she even gave Julia some advice about how to make it. So here is the finished dress. Julia says it's her favorite. Oh yes!

Take a look at Julia's blog: Jules' Jewels to see more great photos and read her interesting story. And to say "Great job!" I signed up to Follow. I want to see what she does next!!

Ticker Tape Quilt Made by Second Graders

2012-01-05T01:00:00.002-05:00

This quilt was made by a second grade class as part of their color wheel lesson. Their teacher is "I am Just One Mom" and you can see more photos of this project in progress on her blog: Fabric Fulfilling Its Destiny. An ineresting note, she washed the pieced blocks after the backing was added, but before the backing was added. I thought that the batting would fluff all over the place. I'm learning something new.

Selvage Bath Mat!

2012-01-04T01:00:00.018-05:00

I'm guessing that you don't already have a selvage bath mat. Here's one made by Linda Hall, the Quilting Violinist from Florida. Didn't she do a nice job? It looks like colorful rain showers. She pieced the selvages onto a towel. This is so clever! It's for sale on Etsy where she offers an interesting collection of selvage items. Good thinking, Linda!

Pottery Knitting Bowl

2012-01-03T01:00:00.003-05:00

Have you ever seen such a thing as this black pottery knitting bowl? It was made by Marietta in Minneapolis. Her shop on Etsy.com is called Blue Room Pottery. It sells for $36 and she was sold out before Christmas so they're pretty popular. I like that twisted leaf, very pretty. This would be a serious upgrade from the method I'm using now which involves a plastic shopping bag. Haha.

Cheryl is Crocheting Up a Storm in the UK

2012-01-02T01:00:00.050-05:00

Cheryl from Rainham, England crochets beautiful blankets and Barbie doll clothes. She sells them in her Etsy shop: Nanny Cheryl Crochet. There are 158 items listed there! Cheryl has many health issues that keep her from getting out much, but she loves to sew and crochet. She says she just can't stop. Haha. We know what you mean!

Click over to Cheryl's store to wish her a Happy New Year.

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T14:04:00.000-05:00

I hope that 2012 is filled with wonderful surprises for you, beyond your wildest dreams.

Pamela's Necktie Quilt

2011-12-30T01:00:00.039-05:00

Pamela (Pamela Quilts blog) made this necktie quilt for a customer. She says she bit off way more than she expected when taking on this project. Click on the link to see more photos and read about her experience. She says it's really heavy. Haha. I think it looks really nice. See the back too (below).

Pamela also sells quilts in her Etsy store: Pamela Quilts. The pretty quilt below is just one of the more than 100 items in her store. And I just have to show you one of her selvage bags too, after all, this is the Selvage Blog.

Now is that cool or what? Yayy, Pamela!

Tote Bags from Sofia in Greece

2011-12-29T01:00:00.001-05:00

Sofia from Athens, Greece sells her charming tote bags in her shop Apopsis on Etsy. You meet the nicest people while browsing there. She used to make bags just for her friends and herself, then she opened this shop in August. The bags have felt applique and hand embroidery, and she'll add your initials or name to the bag if you like. They are several layers thick for sturdiness. I love her designs.

Remarkable Necktie Quilts

2011-12-28T02:25:00.000-05:00

Ellen Holen made the quilt shown above during the Depression using her son's neckties.

The quilt top shown below was made by the members of "13th Street Studio" using silk scraps from a necktie factory. They made the top in one afternoon, then donated the finished quilt to a charity fundraiser. So beautiful.

This woven necktie quilt is the work of Renay Martin. Pretty clever!

Today on my Design Wall

2011-12-27T10:55:00.000-05:00

This is what I've been playing with this week. I thought it would be faster to make, but it takes time just to cut all the pieces! The row of half-square triangles and some charming novelty prints add interest. It will be a generous twin size when finished. This is one of those sewing-for-fun, no-thinking quilts.

William Morris Fabric

2011-12-26T01:00:00.021-05:00

"More than anyone, textile designer William Morris influenced the swirling graphic style that would eventually become the Arts & Crafts movement. Curling vines and flowers hovering between naturalistic and stylized, and the shimmering rich colors make this magical garden print worthy of any of your most enchanting projects. Larger flowers are about 2", from the 'Morris Meadows' collection by Michele Hill for In The Beginning Fabrics."

This is from the equilter site. I love these prints. They are such classics, and they would go with the crazy scrap quilt that I'm working on right now. I'll show you soon. Here are two more of my favorites, below. I can't just pick one. Haha.

This last one looks like one of those "Magic Eye" pictures, but I've tried it and it doesn't "work." Wouldn't this fabric be perfect in a kaleidoscipe quilt? Wow!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T00:01:00.002-05:00

Very best wishes to you today!

Christmas Eve Visit

2011-12-24T01:00:00.057-05:00

I hope your hearts are filled with joy and peace this Christmas Eve. Let's visit a little while. I'm pouring you a cup of tea/glass of wine (virtually..so I know it's your favorite). I hope you and your families are well. We are all fine. Our older son moved 800 miles away to Nashville two weeks ago. He likes it there, and I can call him now and then too. I can't imagine how people managed without phones. It's so wonderful to be able to pick up the phone and check on your loved ones.

Isn't this a pretty string block arrangement above? It's the Block of the Month for my guild for January. Coming up with the blocks is my job. This is my third year and I really enjoy it. I like the color recipe for this one: red, pink, orange, and yellow. Any or all. Nice warm colors for January. It's so easy, this is a very relaxing sewing project. See the BOM site if you're a quilting newbie. I hope you have time this week to do all your favorite things. Hugs to you.

Calendar Winner Announced!

2011-12-23T10:10:00.000-05:00

The winner of the AQS Engagement Calendar is...(drumroll, please)...Miss Patchwork of Germany!

Yayyy, Miss Patchwork!

Interesting Ornaments

2011-12-23T01:00:00.000-05:00

This garden tomato is from Trendy Tree.

Yarn filled ornaments from CraftyCrafty. I'm sure we all have enough snippets to make a bunch of these!

Here's a tutorial for this seed bead ornament (above) at Kaboose.

See how to make this pretty ornament at Nepper's Nest. This looks like fun. She shows other versions too.

Linda Hungerford's Quilt - Engagement Calendar

2011-12-22T01:00:00.028-05:00

Fellow Selvage Blog reader and blogger Linda Hungerford of West Des Moines, IA made this wonderful quilt that is part of the AQS Engagement Calendar which will be given away here tomorrow. (Leave a comment on yesterday's post to enter the drawing.) Linda was inspired by a Churn Dash block swap that she did with another blogger, Edith Bieri from Switzerland. Linda used Sandi Cummings' Double-Circle technique and several Pick-Up Sticks blocks for this quilt. Isn't it great?
Yayyy, Linda!!

AQS Calendar Giveaway!

2011-12-20T20:48:00.000-05:00

Leave a comment and you'll be entered to win this AQS Engagement calendar. One winner will be randomly chosen on Friday. (52 great quilts in there to enjoy all year.)

In your comment, tell us something that you have enjoyed during this Christmas/Hanukkah season. I have enjoyed decocrating the Christmas tree with my husband. The ornaments bring back lots of memories. We have a pair of mangled eyeglass frames that we found in the Badlands of South Dakota back in the 1970's. We thought it showed how really bad those Badlands were. It's a pretty interesting tree. Haha.

Giggle Sticks - Clever Idea!

2011-12-20T01:00:00.000-05:00

Isn't this a clever idea? For parties, decorations, add to floral arrangements, or just fun with kids. So simple, yet festive. These are for sale on Etsy at YesItsCake. Have a great day.

Chairs from Istanbul, Turkey

2011-12-18T16:48:00.001-05:00

I was browsing for unique chairs and found interior decorator Jo Supara Tarakci's Name Design Studio on Etsy. She's from Thailand, now living in Istanbul, Turkey. The cost of shipping a big chair like the one above to the US is about $500. But the fun of browsing is that you don't have to be concerned with practicalities like that, right? I'm showing some pretty wild things here lately; what's happening to me? I think it's going to start showing up in my quilts. Stay tuned!

Quilts in Movies!

2011-12-17T01:00:00.001-05:00

Let's keep an eye out for quilts in movies!

I'll go first: There are some quilts/crocheted blankets in Charlie Bucket's grandparents' bedroom in Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. (The old one, not the newer version with Johnny Depp.) Maybe also the Hobbit or a Harry Potter movie?

I know there are lots more, I just can't remember which movies! Do you have any favorites?

Alaskan Duck Neck Quilt

2011-12-16T01:00:00.030-05:00

This quilt is featured on the front cover of the book: Quilts of Alaska, A Textile Album of the Last Frontier, by June E. Hall (link goes to Amazon). This duck neck quilt was made by Jenny Olson Rasmuson of Yakutat, Alaska around 1905-1912. It measures 58" x 58" and is part of the Skagway Museum's quilt collection. Jenny was a missionary and expert hunter. She collected and preserved necks from mallards, canvasbacks, pintails, bluebills and teals for years before having enough to make this quilt. She used msulin for the backing. Isn't this amazing? I bet it's soft and warm.
(Info from Quilts of Alaska website.)

Japanese "Bubble Quilt"

2011-12-15T01:00:00.024-05:00

This "Bubble Quilt" was part of the Crow Collection of Asian Art exhibited in Dallas a few years ago. I've never seen one like this before. How about you?

It's on Granny Geek's blog. It's not a quilt blog; she writes about her observations in Dallas.

Playtime - Mini Quilt Cabinets

2011-12-14T01:00:00.000-05:00

How refreshing it is to stop and play. Especially when you're cleaning. Haha.
I was cleaning my quilt room last night and decided that these cabinets needed to be played with and photographed. Aren't they pretty? I decided to keep them in my Etsy store, but to move them to the back of the store so that the quilts don't get lost. Here they are. Thank you to everyone who offered advice. You're a bunch of smart cookies! Hmmm, speaking of cookies...

Katwise on YouTube - You will love this!

2011-12-13T01:00:00.024-05:00

Yes, I bought the Recycled Sweater Tutorial from Katwise on Etsy! It was delivered instantly by PDF file. Kat from Brooklyn, New York also sent me a YouTube video link showing how she makes these sewaters. You have to see it!

My wardrobe may be in for a major upgrade!

Not Your Mother's Sweater!

2011-12-12T10:30:00.002-05:00

I just found this $758 sweater on Etsy, and I thought, "This is something my blog friends have to see!" It was made by Enlightened Platypus of Denver, Colorado. It's a custom order so you can't just click over there and buy it, but she has more. Look at that tail on the hood; it falls all the way to the floor. Doesn't this kind of remind you of the second quilt in yesterday's post? (P.S. My Mom and I wear the same kind of sweaters, Lands End, on sale too. Haha.)

This one is by Katwise, and she sells a tutorial so you can see how to make this. Aren't you curious? Maybe the method could be adapted to quilts. The gears are starting to turn!!

Quilt from San Francisco

2011-12-11T08:38:00.000-05:00

This amazing quilt is by Sherri Lynn Wood at Daintytime on Etsy and is for sale at $1,800. You can also read about this quilter on her blog.

Have you ever seen a quilt like this? Yes, it has mirrors in it and the corners are crocheted!! This is also by Sherri Lynn Wood. Oh, My! See more about it on her blog.

Meet Kristin from Oregon

2011-12-10T01:00:00.021-05:00

This quilt was made by Kristin Shields in Bend, Oregon. Isn't it beautiful??

Kristin sells her quilts and these charming ornaments in her Etsy store, Stitching Hands Studio. She has a blog too. Nice job, Kristin!

Christmas Quilts, Oh My!

2011-12-09T07:52:00.000-05:00

This quilt was created by Betty Reynolds using fabrics she received in an online fabric swap. Some are from her new Internet friend Dawn Scotting from New Zealand.

This paper-pieced quilt is the work of Judy in Virginia (Quilting With Ragdolls).

These quilts were made by Thimbleanna using the Happy Hour book by Terry Atkinson.

This is "Christmas Quilt Featherpaint" by Nancy Costley.
Have a great day. And thank you for all the good advice about my Etsy store yesterday. I'm making the changes you all suggested. Great ideas!

Looking for advice...

2011-12-08T01:00:00.000-05:00

Originally I was only going to put quilts in my Etsy store, but yesterday I added some silk scarves and some little dollhouse quilt cabinets/desk ornaments. I think it looks festive, but my husband thinks it is a distraction from the quilts (that shoppers won't scroll down to see the quilts). Any thoughts?

Awesome Antique Quilt on Etsy

2011-12-07T01:00:00.005-05:00

Can you believe this quilt?? It's offered for sale by Susan Nichols from Swanky Texas Vintage. The quilt is listed for $1,200. If you follow the Swanky link, you can see more photos of this sampler. And here she is on facebook. Something about this quilt really appeals to me! The busyness I guess. Wow!

Puzzle Piece Cookie Cutters

2011-12-06T01:00:00.002-05:00

Now this is so clever! It really tickles my fancy. These cookie cutters are for sale at Cox & Cox in the UK for about $7 US. I'm sure my cookies wouldn't fit together. I'm going to stick to quilting.

Meet Laila from Norway

2011-12-05T01:00:00.024-05:00

You remember May Britt from Norway. May's friend Laila has been making some beautiful gifts with her selvages. Take a look on her blog: Jacob's Quilt. Make a cup of tea or coffee and take a look at these blogs. You'll feel like you just had a nice visit to Norway with friends. And think of all the money you'll save on airfare.

Subscribe to 3 Online Magazines - Free

2011-12-04T01:00:00.021-05:00

Did you know that you can subscribe to the online version of 3 Australian quilt magazines...free? Creative Living Media publishes: Down Under Quilts, Down Under Textiles, and Creative Expressions. Click here to sign up.

Meet Sue Spargo

2011-12-03T01:00:00.026-05:00

Sue Spargo is a a talented folk art quilter born in Zambia now living in Ohio. She's busy leading workshops and retreats, writing books, and creating patterns. The flowers below are made from felted wool. Lots of embroidery too. This looks like fun.

Take a look at Sue's newest book: Robin Run the Hedge on Amazon. This looks like lots of fun. Have any of you been in her classes?

Unique Quilt on eBay

2011-12-02T01:00:00.018-05:00

Wow, take a look at this amazing quilt that is listed on eBay. The seller says it was made in the 1930's. Look at all those little triangles. The little dark blue sashing squares really pop. Interesting fabric mixture. I'm not buying, just browsing. Getting ideas. I hope you have time to relax and sew this month.

Writer's Quilt With Kanji

2011-12-01T01:00:00.023-05:00

This is the Writer's Quilt, the latest in my $25 DOLL Quilt series. It measures 14.5" x 17." It has calligraphy, dictionary text, handwriting script, and postage stamps. The main feature is the Kanji writing on the dark taupe background.
Kanji was invented by the Chinese and adopted by the Japanese around the mid 6th century AD. This fragment of text means "pertaining to 3 matters or issues." There is also the number 9. This according to Selvage Blog readers who answered by query. You are all so smart!

I added the little cartoon dogs just for fun, aren't they cute? I'm having fun digging through my stash and making these little collections. Asian quilts are next. Then one featuring food.

Ribbon Storage Idea

2011-11-30T01:00:00.018-05:00

Look what I found on Etsy: a wood ribbon storage rack. Boy I need one of these! My ribbons are stored in various plastic boxes, which is fine, but I don't know which boxes. Haha. Check out Jim Robertson's Etsy store: Creative Visions Woodworking. He's willing to do custom orders to help you with your storage needs.

I have a question...

2011-11-29T19:16:00.000-05:00

I'm making another little quilt featuring words, letters, calligraphy etc. and I'd like to know what language this is (on the dark taupe background). Does anyone know? Chinese, Japanese, something else? It could even be upside down. Thanks for your help. :)

Christmas Banner Artwork from Poland

2011-11-29T01:00:00.041-05:00

Did you know that you can have a custom banner made for your Etsy store for only $9 from Magnesina in Poland? I really like this banner. It's just what I wanted.

I'm adding a big collection of doll/wall quilts to my store priced at $25. My 24 yr-old son saw all the little quilts and said "Oh, quilts for babies' babies." They aren't babyish though; they'd also make nice wall quilts. I cut into my Kaffe fabrics for the most recent batch of little quilts. I love those colors! Have a look; you might want to whip up some for gifts. They're fun to make.

Lisa's Memorial Bears!

2011-11-28T01:00:00.000-05:00

Lisa Schultheis from New Jersey has a wonderful idea! She makes bears from sport jackets or dresses. She made a bear using the dress her mother wore to her brother's wedding and gave it to him the Christmas after their mother passed away. What a sweet idea! Lisa sells them for about $25 on her Esty store: earthluv. This bear is about 18" tall. Lovable, don't you think?

Amelia's Mosaic Gingerbread House

2011-11-26T01:00:00.003-05:00

This is my wonderful niece Amelia from Vermont. Yesterday we had 21 family and friends (and girlfriends and boyfriends) at our house for the 25th annual Gingerbread House Day, always the day after Thanksgiving. When I saw her amazing mosaic house I knew I had to get a photo for you! The ghostbuster face is on her shirt, not the house. :)

Amelia is sweet and kind, smart too. A 14 yo, she likes to paint, write, do theater lighting, travel, read and learn about government. She's been a page at the VT state capitol. And of course she's made a quilt.

Here are some more of the houses created yesterday. My sister Eileen bakes all the gingerbread pieces and facilitates the whole thing. By New Year's Day she will have made over 150 houses. Her all time record for one Christmas season is over 400! (P.S. Eileen is not Amelia's mom. I have 2 sisters, and a brother...lucky me!)

(Photo by nephew Sam Lovett)

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Talented Etsian from Canada

2011-11-25T01:00:00.030-05:00

Mandy Budan is a Canadian abstract landscape painter who sells her work on Etsy: budanART. I was just browsing through the 11 million items for sale on Etsy and Mandy's artwork grabbed my attention! Isn't it amazing? What genuis!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T01:00:00.001-05:00

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

for his steadfast love endures forever!

(Psalm 118:1)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Grumman Greenhouse by Jordan Griska, Sculptor

2011-11-23T00:10:00.000-05:00

Jordan Griska, Philadelphia sculptor and my nephew, has just completed this work "Grumman Greenhouse," located downtown in Lenfest Plaza in front of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. He bought this airplane on eBay and turned it into this artistic creation which repurposes an instrument of destruction into a greenhouse filled with edible plants. Viewed from the left you can see all the plants through a big window. The pink grow light is partially visible through the cockpit window.

On Monday we attended the dedication ceremony at Lenfest Plaza. Shown above (left to right): Wayne S. Spilove, former Chairman of the PA Historical and Museum Commission, Jordan Griska, and Caryn Kunkle, Director of The Philadelphia Salon (also Jordan's girlfriend). Take a look at this video to see the plane in its original condition and hear Jordan tell about the project.

Doll Quilts on Etsy

2011-11-22T01:00:00.001-05:00

These quilts are so much fun to make! Fast and easy to quilt too. I want to get a bunch of these little cuties in my Etsy shop asap. I already had these fabrics in my stash. Check out the scissors below. I like this combination of modern and retro fabrics.

Selvage Quilt Workshop!

2011-11-21T01:00:00.000-05:00

These delightful and adventurous quilters made a silk cigar style selvage quilt on Saturday in Harwinton, CT. We took this photo before the end of the day, but you can see that there was a lot of progress being made! This was their first selvage project, and it's the most challenging quilt in the book: Quilts from the Selvage Edge. Lots of laughs, we had the best time, as quilters are known to do. :)

This is a non-selvage, raw-edge version by Judi. Well, there is one selvage, and she asked me to sign it as a souvenir of the day. Isn't that sweet? This will be a hexagonal quilt for a table (under glass). Cool. I love how quilters see an idea and add their own twist to it! Thanks for a wonderful day!!

My Quilts in the Litchfield County Times!

2011-11-20T01:00:00.045-05:00

Scroll down in the sidebar of this blog for the link to the Fandango quilt.

Silk Dupioni Wall Quilt is Finished

2011-11-19T01:00:00.073-05:00

This silk improv quilt is my latest finish and newest addition to my Etsy store. It's hand-quilted with Pearle cotton (big stitch) in straight lines and curvy lines. It measures 33" x 35." Working with silk takes a little getting used to; you need to use a pinking blade on your rotary cutter so the fabric doesn't fray away. I don't use a stabilizer because it drags under the feed dogs. I love how rich the colors are, and how brilliant it looks in a spotlight or near a lamp. It's worth the trouble in my opinion.

I've been collecting silk dupioni over the last 5 years when I visit the garment district in New York City. I especially love the shot silks; the warp is one color and the weave is another color. So when you use it in a quilt, placing it in various angles, the color looks a little different. And so beautiful!!

Do you use silk in quilts? Any tips?

Two Crazy Quilts at the American Folk Art Museum

2011-11-18T01:00:00.028-05:00

These two star quilts are part of the "Super Star" Exhibit at the American Folk Art Museum. The quilt above was made by Mary Ann Crocker Hinman of New York State, 1880-1890. According to the info tag, this crazy quilt emphasizes piecing rather than embroidery. Well yes, but look at that embroidery below! This quilt is truly impressive in person.

This contained stars crazy quilt was made in Barnstead, New Hampshire (that's where my brother lives!) by a member of the McAllister family in 1885-1920. This quilt has a huge variety of fabrics and embroidery stitches. Notice how the 9 stars are not lined up like a Type-A person would do it? I like that; it adds charm. I also like the gold embroidery along the outer edge. I feel a crazy quilt coming on, don't you?

Bull's Eye Quilt

2011-11-17T01:00:00.024-05:00

This stunning Bull's Eye quilt was made in Berk's County Pennsylvania in 1900-1920 by a member of the Alverda H. Hoffman Herb family. This is one of four similar quilts made around the same time in that vacinity. Imagine, after all that piecing, this quilter decided to add some applique and lots of hand-quilting too. I love this quilt and I'm glad it has found a good home, the American Folk Art Museum.

Improv Gee's Bend Star Quilt

2011-11-16T01:00:00.018-05:00

This quilt was made by Leola Pettway of Boykin (Gee's Bend), Alabama in 1990. It pulsates and glows on the periwinkle wall. An organized star on a random background. Two curved corners on the bottom mean that two stars are trimmed. Oh well! That's improvisation.

This quilt is part of the "Super Stars" exhibit currently at the American Folk Art Museum.

Tied Star Quilt at the American Folk Art Museum

2011-11-15T01:00:00.001-05:00

Take a close look at the top photo. This is a whole cloth quilt, tied with pink and yellow yarn. There are star designs done in pink, and the background is done in yellow. The ties are approximately 1" apart. I've never seen a quilt where the main design element was made with tied yarn! The yarn is fuzzy from being washed. The maker is unknown. Dated 1900-1940. United States.

Cactus Rose Quilt Block

2011-11-14T10:36:00.000-05:00

This framed Cactus Rose quilt block from Pennsylvania is on display at the American Folk Art Museum. The maker is unknown, dated 1855-1865. The block was a gift to the museum from Cyril Irwin Nelson in honor of Robert Bishop (director of the museum 1977-1991).

Isn't this a wonderful block? It's precise and relaxed at the same time. Classic 1800's colors too. This block is framed behind glass.

I went to the museum right after my guild meeting in NYC on Saturday. I had to walk from 28th Street to 66th Street! But it was worth it. More photos coming tomorrow.

Dan Teaches You How to Knit (Sort of!)

2011-11-13T01:00:00.003-05:00

Take a look at this video. Hilarious!

Dan teaches you how to knit. He doesn't know how to knit, but how hard can it be?

The Secret Life of Mrs. Meatloaf

2011-11-12T01:00:00.024-05:00

Take a look at the beautiful longarm machine quilting of Jan Hutchinson of Kansas. Jan also quilted Mayleen's amazing selvage spider web quilt that you saw here a few days ago. She isn't Mrs. Meatloaf; you'll have to visit her blog to see who that is: The Secret Life of Mrs. Meatloaf. Wow, I love her quilting.

Today is Corduroy Day! 11-11-11

2011-11-11T01:00:00.032-05:00

Did you notice that today's date closely resembles corduroy? Yup, 11-11. But this year is the best: 11-11-11. The Corduroy Appreciation Club, which is dedicated to spreading corduroy awareness, is holding its annual meeting today in New York City. All whales welcome.

Here's the link to the Appreciation Club Store. They have (knit) tee shirts too.

Mayleen's Wonderful Selvage Spider Web Quilt!

2011-11-10T01:00:00.003-05:00

Mayleen of the Q is for Quilt blog recently made this wonderful selvage spider web quilt! It measures 88" x 103!" The gorgeous quilting was done by Jan Hutchinson, using a pattern by Angela Walters. Mayleen was inspired by Jacqui's selvage spider web quilt. See it on her blog Tall Grass Prairie Studio. Are these ladies awesome or what?

Becci's Dresden Plate Selvage Creation

2011-11-09T10:41:00.000-05:00

Vivian's friend Becci (both from northern Iowa) recently created this amazing Dresden Plate selvage table-topper. Isn't this incredible? She adapted Kay Buffington's pattern "Dresden Plate Candle Mat" to included selvages and made it larger, 20" in diameter. Vivian says that Becci is a prolific quilter known for adding selvages to many of her projects, even when it's her turn to work on a Round Robin quilt. Haha! I'd love to have Becci work on my Round Robin any day! Great job!

Dinah's Fabulous All-Stripe Selvage Quilt!

2011-11-06T09:32:00.000-05:00

Dinah Snyder of Ohio just made this fantastic striped selvage quilt; yes it's all stripes. This quilt measures 80" x 80." That's a lot of striped selvages! Dinah says this is a comfortable quilt that she will use a lot. Isn't this quilt beautiful? I love it. (The pink and yellow photo is the back.)

Dinah was inspired by the striped quilts of Marianne Haak of The Quilting Edge blog. Take a look at these, especially if you have the rest of the day available for sewing! (see photo below)

Blogger's Quilt Festival - Zippers

2011-11-03T01:00:00.010-04:00

Here is my quilt for the Bloggers' Quilt Festival: "Zippers." I've been thinking about making this for a long time. All the scraps are not the same size. They are all wider than 3," trimmed down to 3" strips. Scraps are about 1.5"-2" high. So you just make long strips. Some are dark, light, dark, light. Some are all darks, or all lights. The only thing to think about is: "Is it dark or light?" Lots of the scraps are novelty fabrics. This is lots of fun. I'm doing a whole series, playing with the placement of darks and lights.

Okay, so click on this link: Bloggers' Quilt Festival, and enter to win a prize and see hundreds of inspirational quilts. This ends tomorrow, so don't dilly-dally :)

October Blizzard!

2011-11-01T22:55:00.001-04:00

What's wrong with the picture above? This isn't an evergreen tree; it's a maple tree with green leaves! We just had 18" of snow in October. Crazy. We just got our power back after 3 days, and Internet connection!

Would you like to come over for some tea on the patio? Here, let me brush off a chair for you. For those of us who are always too hot, this actually looks inviting.

Novelty String Quilt

2011-10-30T01:00:00.002-04:00

This novelty string quilt is my latest addition to the Etsy quilt store. The novelty fabrics include some Victorian children and toys, an ice skate, flowers,etc. See close-ups below. This quilt is a fun combination of improv string piecing and an organized pattern of blocks in a grid. I like how the red outer border holds it all together. I should have added some selvages to this one. Next time.

Dr. Oz Show

2011-10-29T08:08:00.000-04:00

Yesterday my Mom and I were in the studio audience at the Dr. Oz show. The lead topic was "Perimenopausal Rage." Haha, you don't get to pick the topic, but it was a very interesting show. It will air in about 2 weeks. And here we are with Dr. Oz after the show, a kind and gentle guy. We were at Rockefeller Center, a high-energy busy place.

Now we're getting ready for 10 inches of snow later today and tonight! Should be good for quilting :)

Clever Necklace from Czech Republic

2011-10-28T01:00:00.015-04:00

This is so clever! It's for sale on Etsy for $20 from lapin Petite in the Czech Republic. She's a 24 yo interested in making funny jewelry and miniature scenes in bottles. This necklace also comes in white to wear with black clothes :)

Meet Patty Baker, Painter on Etsy.com

2011-10-26T17:00:00.000-04:00

Patty Baker is an artist in Thousand Islands, New York (near Canada) who sells her paintings on Etsy. Her shop is: Lookout Studios. You can also send her a photo of a favorite landscape scene and she'll paint it for you. I'm thinking this might be a great Christmas present for my DH. Don't worry, he never reads my blog, and I know my secret's safe with you! ;)

I love the colors in this painting!

First New Sunshine and Shadow

2011-10-25T10:08:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I mentioned that I found a bunch of Sunshine and Shadow quilt tops made a few years ago. Well the first one is now a finished quilt! It's about to go on Etsy. Hopefully I'll be able to keep up the steam and finish some more. Isn't this pretty? I love these. The high contrast area is chopped up in this one.

Sunshine and Shadow on the Wall

2011-10-24T08:46:00.000-04:00

The guest bedroom needed some color and this Sunshine and Shadow quilt did the trick! It's 68" square. (Each little square is 2" finished size.) The purples and pinks came from a package of hand-dyed fabrics that I got at a quilt show a long time ago. I love to make the gradual gradation, then Cha-Chang! High contrast. That's why the boldest contrast combination was put in the largest diamond on the quilt (the black and light aqua.)

I just found a box of 6 similar quilt tops that I'll finish and put on Etsy. I'll show you as they are finished.

Carolyn's Dyed Selvages

2011-10-23T14:15:00.000-04:00

Carolyn Hosier of Des Moines, Iowa (Lee Prairie Designs blog) has made some fun things with her selvages. She says, "I have also tan died the selvages and used other dyes to change the color of them just to give another look! I plan to dye some selvages with green dye and make small Christmas trees to applique on placemats." Dying is a great idea!

Selvage Pillow from the Quilt Barn

2011-10-21T11:49:00.000-04:00

The Quilt Barn in Idaho has a Hen House in back where the chicks gather to sew and take classes. I wish Idaho and Connecticut were a little closer! They also have an Etsy store with gorgeous fabrics. Nice autumn selvage pillow, Chicks!

Selvage Star by Twin Fibers

2011-10-20T01:00:00.024-04:00

Take a look at this beautiful selvage star quilt made by twins from Michigan, Jennifer and Jessica at Twin Fibers. I like the echo quilting. And see the binding in the photo below. So clever. There's a link to a tutorial for adding that green stripe. The Selvage Star pattern is by Sarah London.

Winners Announced!

2011-10-19T01:00:00.053-04:00

Quilt by Riel Nason, author of new book: The Town That Drowned.

The winners of the 4 little vintage bowls for pins are:

1. Danielle Villano
2. Sandy
3. Amy
4. Debby

The winner of Riel Nason's new book The Town That Drowned is:

1. The Cozy Quilter

Stay tuned to Riel's blog for more book giveaways coming up!

I'll email you for your mailing addresses. Congratulations!

Riel Nason's New Book - Giveaway!

2011-10-17T14:00:00.002-04:00

You've seen Riel Nason's amazing selvage quilts here. Now her first novel has just been released, The Town That Drowned. I finished it a few minutes ago and I loved it. It's winsomely told from the perspective of a 15 year old girl, Ruby. The type of story is somewhat similar to the kind that Garrison Keilor might tell. There's even a trailer for this book. You can read about the story on the trailer site.

Riel has generously offered an autographed copy of this book for a giveaway. She will mail it to you directly. So leave a comment on this post to enter the random drawing. Winner announced Wednesday. She'll mail from Canada to anywhere in the world. P.S. Riel is going to add a little surprise to the package.

Riel's quilting blog is: The Q and the U.

Meet Photographer/Graphic Artist Agnieszka

2011-10-14T01:00:00.052-04:00

Did you know that you can buy a custom banner for your Etsy store on Etsy? For less than $9! Agnieszka from Europe will take images from your Etsy store listings and make a stunning banner to match your store. She made the banner for my store and I love it. I asked her to make changes twice, and she made just what I wanted, and she worked fast too. Her store is Magnesina. I heartily recommend her.

Agnieszka sells fabulous photography too (see example below.) Some photos are only $13. Sale going on now. Take a look.

Linda Baxter Lasco's Selvage Quilt

2011-10-13T01:00:00.026-04:00

Take a look at this fabulous quilt by AQS author and editor Linda Baxter Lasco! (She edited my book, "Quilts from the Selvage Edge.") I love that bright yellow inner border. This quilt will go to a child with cancer at Cardinal Glennon Hospital in St. Louis, MO. Nice job, Linda!

Vintage Give-Away - 4 Winners!

2011-10-11T19:23:00.001-04:00

This weekend I found 4 beautiful vintage bowls at my church's Fall Festival that would be perfect for holding pins in your quilt studio. (Two are shown here. Each one is different.) So I'm having a give-away!

Here's the scoop:
1.) Help spread the word about my new Etsy store. Write a blog post, put something on Facebook or Pinterest.com, tell your neighbor, or take out an ad in Veranda magazine!
2.) Then leave a comment on this post and you'll be entered in the drawing. Four winners announced next Wednesday the 19th. You must live somewhere on Earth to enter.

Thanks for helping me get my new store on the map. Cyberspace is a big place!

New Etsy Store: KarenGriskaQuilts

2011-10-08T10:11:00.000-04:00

My new Etsy store is open! And this green and brown Midwest Amish style wall quilt is one of the 44 quilts listed for sale so far. It was inspired by (but not a copy of) a quilt in the book "Amish Crib Quilts from the Midwest, The Sara Miller Collection" by Smucker, Crews, and Welters, page 16. Improvisational Amish quilts are some of my all time favorites.

I know you're all quilters, so you're not in the market for quilts. If you see a quilt you like and you want to make one just like it, help yourself to the idea. Don't think about a "pattern," just do it by eye.

Many of you encouraged me to give Etsy a try and I'm so glad I did. The site is easy to use, and it's such a dynamic place! There's a lot to learn about circles, teams, treasuries, keywords, tags, favorites, etc., but I'm learning. If you see anything in my Etsy store that could be improved, please let me know. Thanks.

Selvage Arrangement - Close Together

2011-10-08T09:25:00.000-04:00

Here's a good detail photo of a selvage block where the quilter arranged the selvages close together. You can't see any of the printed part of the fabric. It gives a modern, white, light-and-airy look. It's from the blog: Oh Frannson! You need a lot of selvages to do this, using only the part with the writing and color windows, but it looks good. What's your selvage style? Close like this, or spaced further apart to show the fabric print? (I show the prints, but I like this look (above) too.)

Selvage Quilt Will Warm a Scholar's Heart

2011-10-07T01:00:00.001-04:00

Edda from Michigan made this beatiful selvage quilt and she's donating it to a wonderful program called Seita Scholars. It supports young adults who have grown up in the foster care program by providing an education at Western Michigan University, all expenses paid. One of these young people will receive Edda's quilt too. This is her contribution to her guild's service project for next year. What a wonderful idea!