Thursday, January 9, 2014

Wake Up To Kona! Blog Hop

It's my day!

Sew we quilt
Thank you Madame Samm - Sew We Quilt 
and
for this fabulous blog hop. You two are awesome!

Of course we can't forget the sponsors:

Amanda Murphy, author of Color Essentials

Robert Kaufman for those fabulous fabrics 

and

Aurfil, whose threads keeps us stitching

Thank you!!

Be sure to check out the rest of today's contributors. 
I think you'll be amazed!

Everyone Deserves A Quilt (You are here!)


I was so excited for this hop! I knew exactly what I was going to make. Then reality set in and I knew that completing that BIG project (117" x 99") would be virtually impossible for me with my other commitments. So, on to Plan B I went.

Plan B was very realistic considering the time frame in which I would be working. I knew that a full quilt would be quite challenging so I decided to make a pillow to coordinate with a project I had started a while back. If there was still time, I would work on finishing that quilt. 

That was the plan...Here's what happened.

The pillow - I love how it turned out and the fact that it's big - 20"! All of these fabrics were leftovers from the original quilt. That means I used stash, which is ALWAYS a good thing.



I used the pattern Twinkle Twinkle by Me and My Sister Designs. If you've never made a quilt using one of their patterns, you really should try it. They are easy to follow, have great illustrations and are wonderfully set up in terms of graphics. I really love teaching from their patterns because my students like using them. I promise you that it'll be worth your while to browse their site.  :-)

And look. It fits the rocking chair perfectly!



After finishing the pillow, I pulled out the quilt that was my inspiration and got to work on that. All it needed was to be quilted and bound. I completed this quilt top way back in February of 2012, but never got around to quilting it. (Click HERE to see the original post about this quilt.) 

My quilt is patterned after Jodie Davis' quilt Strip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah which was featured in Fons and Porters' Easy Quilts. If I'm not mistaken, this is the first quilt I made using exclusively solids. I loved it and was hooked!

I don't know why it took so long to finish this. It quilted up very nicely and in not much time at all. No matter the reason, it's done now and has been used the last few days in these sub-zero temperatures.



It measures 62" x 70" and is perfect for snuggling



Don't they go well together? I love them!!


Well, since Plan B was done and it was only January 2nd, I decided to pull out the pattern from Plan A and start working on that. So what if I didn't finish it? I have another project that was made just for this hop AND I finished a UFO. I could still start this and show my progress. Besides the original plan was to use this hop as the swift kick in the "you know what" to get started on this project. 

So I took the plunge and got busy. Really, the worst case scenario is that I would have another UFO. It wouldn't be my first and I'm sure it wouldn't be my last. :-)

Well, I finished the top on January 4th! Click HERE, HERE, and HERE to see my progress as it was happening. 

The quilt is called Groove and it's by Emily Cier of Carolina Patchworks



This quilt looks daunting, but it really isn't difficult to make. The pattern is very well organized with great cutting charts and assembly diagrams. Also, it has really good instructions and diagrams on how to construct curves. Plus, the pattern includes the instructions for five (5) sizes! Yep, FIVE sizes!!


When I was choosing colors for this quilt, I saw a couple of flower bouquets that had colors that I loved. I took a picture and went on the search for just the right fabrics. Here's a picture of the original two pictures. (I think I deleted the original in my camera.) 



I'm very happy with my fabrics and my husband LOVES this quilt. Now I just have to figure out how to quilt it.

Speaking of my husband. He is such a great guy! On Sunday when I asked him if he thought it would be possible to get a picture of this quilt so I could show it for the hop, he knew exactly what I was asking and quickly translated that into: "Dear, would you please stand on the balcony while it's cold and snowy so I can take a picture of this quilt?" 

It's a good thing we didn't wait a day or this picture would not have happened. We ended up with even more snow, sub-zero temperatures and 30 mph winds.  :-)



I love the coffee can holding down the right side of the quilt and the weeds almost smack dab in the middle of the lower edge of the quilt. But hey, we have the picture! :-)

Thanks for stopping by. 
Enjoy the eye candy you'll see today and the rest of the hop.

Thanks again Madame Samm and Carol. 
This has been so much fun.

97 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, and all I did was a table runner! You were on a roll. I do love your completed projects and how well they go together - that pillow is a wonderful design. The quilt at the bottom (held down by hubs and the coffee can and embellished with weeds very artistically) is really amazing.

Brandy said...

Dang! Way to go Joanne!! I must follow your example and get one little project done so I feel inspired to move onto others, you did such a great job. I LOVE that pillow. Thank you so much for sharing your story, I am going to go bind my moose quilt, it just needs to happen. :)
~Brandy

Carla said...

WOW. What a great post. Your pillow and quilt combo are so inviting. I just want to come over and sit in that chair and enjoy the fire.
Aren't we lucky to have assistants willing to brave sub-zero temps to help? Love that picture.

Scrapatches said...

Wow! I very, very rarely, almost never say, "wow" ... so you know I really mean it when I do. Thanks for sharing your beautiful work ... :) Pat

Carol Swift said...

You really wow'd me with all these projects (it looks like you've wow'd quite a few of us!) The pillow and quilt are beautiful! You (and your hubby) deserve an extra "WOW" for going out in the cold for the picture of that amazing quilt. :O)

Judy B said...

Love your pillow and it does look lovely with your quilt! Thank you for sharing.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Well, I fell in love with the pillow, then you wowed beyond with the quilt. Then just blew me off my seat with the last quilt. I would say you inspired beyond.

Just Sew Sue said...

Well done, they are all stunning.

Geta Grama said...

It's hard to say which one of your projects I love more. The pillow! I ADORE the pale colors you used onto that background; the quilting is perfect two. And the large quilts- beautiful too. Now to check the rest of your blog!

Farm Quilter said...

Wow, you have been a very busy lady!!! Love all your projects but I would really like to make that quilt! Love how you improvised with the coffee can to hold your quilt above the weeds!!! Perfect :)

DeborahGun said...

wow - you have been productive. Love all the projects, but the pillow in particular grabbed me!

Peggy S said...

I enjoyed reading your post and viewing the wonderful eye candy. I also made Groove, but call it Groovy because my fabric reminds me of the 60's. I'm on my way to check out that pillow pattern, thank you!

Kylie Lloyd said...

You did a great job with the twinkle twinkle pattern. Your colors pop with the grey background

Heidi [Banks of Frog Creek] said...

The pillow and matching quilt are so fun together! And this new top is just amazing... Great job!!

Lorna McMahon said...

What a busy gal you've been! I was quite impressed with the pillow and snuggle quilt. But that Groove quilt is amazing. Wonderful works, Joanne! Now stay warm!

Debby said...

All of your projects are beautiful. Twinkle, Twinkle looks like a fabulous pattern, too. And that Groove quilt? You did an awesome job. Kudos to your hat-wearing hubbie for helping display it for your picture. I loved seeing everything today.

charlotte said...

What a lot of great quilting going on. Yes, you were ambitious, but hey, you made it. Love the quilt and pillow. Such great colors. The quilt top is one I would love to make some day. I watched the quilt along they did with that pattern. Such an amazing top. Can't wait to see hou you decide to quilt it.

JoyceLM said...

All your projects are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.

Judy Cooper Textile Artist said...

Great projects! Nice designs. Thanks for sharing.

Dorian said...

Oh your pillow is gorgeous! I love it. Congrats on getting your original quilt pattern finish AND another one quilted! Both great looking quilts.

Shari said...

Just lovely...so much completed, congratulations! Certainly, in these cold temps, I much prefer the photos of the chair by the fire. Brave hubby you have LOL

gpc said...

Wow, how beautiful -- I have never made a solids project but I have to now that I've seen how amazing they can be! :)

Sparky said...

and to think a pillow got you completing ufo's totally inspiring..love your pics too…you are no doubt starting of 2014 with KONA inspiration...

Purl Buttons said...

Your pillow is STELLAR! I like the quilt you used the "leftovers" from very much. I like the 70s wavy quilt also, but best of all, I like that your husband is as sweet as mine. That is exactly a conversation we would have and exactly the result I would get! My wonderful husband in a toque in the ice and snow helping me out. I wonder what idea mine would come up with since we buy our coffee in bags...

Leah said...

Such lovely craftsmanship! Love that pillow design and your quilt is spectacular! Love how you have used the solids.

M-R Charbonneau said...

Wow, way to go, Joanne! Glad you caught the Kona bug -- your work is fabulous!

Sherry VF said...

I've always liked the Groove pattern and your color selection is spot on. Your coordinating pillow and throw quilt are stunning. I think I'll stop by the Sisters' website to peek around. svonfumetti at yahoo dot com

beaquilter said...

so inspirational, you just kept going!! loved the star pillow, then the modern quilt, then this totally MOD quilt.... LOVE IT

pinsandneedles said...

Great job on all three projects! I love Kona solids but I still get amazed at how beautiful quilts made in solids turn out. Your last quilt looks a little daunting...I can see why you didn't think you could do it at this time of year...but yay for you...it's beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Boy, have you been busy! Love your quilts, especially the ones with gray. I've used gray twice recently in quilts and it really brings out the other colors. Thanks for sharing.

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

Wow you have been busy. Lovely projects, they are all so wonderfully colorful especially in the dead of winter when everything is gray, or in the Midwest, and Northeast white.

Agnes B. Bullock said...

This is pure heaven- the pillow is fabulous and I am going to purchase the patern today!

vicki said...

Love all of your projects. Thanks for sharing them. vickise at gmail dot com

Needled Mom said...

Your projects are all lovely. The rocker with the pillow and quilt looks so inviting.

sew.darn.quilt said...

You go girl! Boy once you got started there was no stopping you! You have stitched up some absolutely marvelous projects! Thank you for sharing and for putting your pedal to the metal!

Anonymous said...

The greys are so soothing. Love the effect.

Anonymous said...

Wow, great projects. I particularly love that over-sized pillow! I definitely need to make one. Your Kona solids really accented the design well.

Me and My Sister Designs said...

I love the pillow! Thanks for all the kind words too! Hugs! Barb

Calicojoan said...

Ohhh that pillow and matching quilt are perfect for snuggling in from of that fireplace. What a great guy to get out and help with the photo shoot in the freezing cold! Hope he got to wrap up in the quilt when it was over! You second quilt in very intriguing to me! I might have to give it a try!

Beth said...

I love the colors in your quilt & pillow! Thanks for sharing.

Linda said...

Your projects are all beautiful! You've been a busy lady! You did a GREAT job!

Just Quilt It said...

Lovely work--all of it! You have been very busy. I love the pillow and quilt for your rocking chair. The large quilt top is fabulous, too!

Rachel said...

Wow! You got so much accomplished! The bit about your husband translating your request made me chuckle. We are lucky they keep deciding to help, aren't we?

Mokki said...

Wow lady you're on fire! Well done on getting all of that finished! I love all of them but that groove quilt is awesome!

Janarama said...

Fabulous projects. I LOVE the Groove quilt!

Katherine said...

Gorgeous! Great Kona finishes - especially that Groove quilt. Totally inspiring!

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

Oh so very pretty!!

Lori said...

wow you projects are wonderful, they speak "lets move" thank you for sharing

Jane's Quilting said...

OMG. you did a beautiful job with both quilts and pillow. They are stunning. I was Leary on using only plain colors. But you just showed me how it works!

DebraKay Neiman said...

Love both quilts and the pillow. As a new quilter, solids are less scary to use. I am loving this hop. Happy New Year from Oklahoma, USA. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com

Mara said...

That is a dear husband, I am amazed at how much you got done and love all of your work, very pretty and inspiring.

Lou said...

Love them all!!!!

Unknown said...

Wow, you are a speedy gal, great projects and lovely results. Keep up the good work. K

ritainalaska said...

love your kona creations! splendid use of colors!

Tiffany said...

Wow. All three of these projects are amazing! That star pattern AND the quilt pattern are on my to-do list.

Marcy said...

Great colors. Glad to see someone who is not intimidated by the use of such unusual and great colors.

Sandy said...

Hats off to you!!!! You are amazing!!!!! The pillow is stunning, the quilt you finshed is great.....but the Groove is fabulous!!! Wow if you don't inspire someone to use solids there is no hope!!! lol Thanks for sharing all your wonderful projects

Kay said...

Love the quilt and cushion!! Just beautiful colours that work together so well.

Cathy's Chatter said...

Oooohhh! I would love to sit in the rocker with the pillow and quilt. How inviting! I will be lucky to finish my one project for this hop!! :)
thanks for sharing with us!

Emily C said...

Priceless. Love that your hubby helps. Mine doesn't like too, either, but is invaluable. Just today I needed backing for his sisters present. I spent a 1/2 hr looking before talking him into coming into the store. Hubby on the other hand walks in, looks around and points to the perfect print (which somehow I missed) and then goes back out to the truck. *sigh*
me 20mins and nothing, him 2mins and perfection =) (invaluable)

CeLynn said...

They go together like a hand and a glove! That kick must have done the trick,I need one of those ;) Outstanding job on all accounts!

Cindy said...

I can't believe you made your Groove quilt in two days! You are QUICK! I have one all cut out from when there was a quilt-along but ended up not jazzing on the colors i had chosen. Its too much work to not like the colors.
All of your projects are wonderful. I love them!

Anonymous said...

I really like pillow. I will have to check out their patterns. Thanks for sharing.

Patty said...

I love the pillow you did - so fun!

Bluequilt said...

I love the colors in the quilt and enjoy how you use the pics of the flowers to pick out your colors. I also like the pillow and it is so beautoful.

Amanda Murphy said...

Oh my - you have been BUSY! All the pieces are beautiful and I love the pillow and quilt featured next to each other!

Bobbie said...

Great job! I love it when time cooperates! Love the pillow and quilt colors - they made me cozy- or maybe it was the chair by the fire :) The groove quilt it well groovy! and kudos to hubby for the picture!

Margaret said...

You have been very busy .I love all your projects. Thank you very much for the inspiration and for sharing

Terry@ a quilting blog said...

What great projects…love the pillow and those quilts are so pretty!! Thanks for sharing :)

Unknown said...

cozy.....love the groovy quilt

evelyn said...

Love all your projects. The pillow, and the lap quilt with its gray. thanks for aharing today.

evelyn said...

Love all your projects. The pillow, and the lap quilt with its gray. thanks for aharing today.

Paula@TheSassyQuilter said...

The quilt and pillow look perfect in that rocking chair! I wish I was there by that fire:) Love the quilting you chose too.

Audrey said...

You have been very productive! I love your work. Thanks for sharing.

sandra said...

Lovely ,all of your projects are just beautiful and you managed to do all of them and more. I applaud you for you accomplishments.

JuliaP said...

Congrats on being the creative pick of the day! All of your projects are wonderful.

Createology said...

I am amazed at how solid colors can turn into such beautiful quilts and pillows. Yours are stunning. Thank you for hopping...

Gmama Jane said...

WOW, you have made some very creative projects!!
Gmama Jane

Christine S said...

Wow, beautiful work!

Michelle said...

Quilt and pillow are colorful and beautiful!

StitchinByTheLake said...

Absolutely a wow on all three projects! Blessings, Marlene

Amy, a redeemed sheep said...

Oh, wow!! I really love the last quilt. Definitely worth of a WOW!

HeatherK @ A Reformed Heath'n said...

That Groove quilt is amazing. Love the colors and the design. You've been a busy little bee :)

The Slow Quilter said...

Love the pillow and quilt, great job.

gpc said...

I keep coming back to look at these -- just love the colors! :)

LJ said...

Good grief, holy moley, fantabulous!! Wonderful projects - I loved each of them and was so amazed that you completed so much during Christmas. Then you tackled the last quilt and got it pieced in record time. Congratulations!

VickiT said...

Wow. Look at all those projects you completed. I have to say that your pillow is my absolute favorite of all. I really love the design and the colors. Beautiful.

lauraluvsloons said...

I love your pillow. How fun that you finished the quilt too. Great job.

Along the Perkiomen said...

I absolutely love the Groove quilt, it has been on my "want to make" list for a while now. Guess it is time to pick colors and start!

apple blossom said...

Nice work.

WhoMom said...

Beautiful quilts and pillow. The throw and pillow look wonderful. Makes me want to play with some grey and plain colors. Something that will be new.
The second quilt is fabulous but sort of boggles my poor eyeballs! Good work-you've been busy!

JessicaK said...

Wow you were on quite the quilting roll! Love the pillow and yep it looks perfect to snuggle down with the quilt.

Deonn said...

So terrific!! I love the pillow, oh, and how fun to use up stash for it. And the quilt the stash came from... looks so great over the rocker. But, wow! Your Groove quilt is the best! So groovy! I've seen a bunch of those online, and really want to make one too. Cool.

OhioLori said...

WOW! Love the pillow & quilt on rocker....but then saw what you made in few days time!! Super WOWIE!!!!!! Your amazing!! & did Awesome job!!

jan said...

You really outdid yourself on these. They are all gorgeous projects. And what a nice hubby! :)
xo jan

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Your pillow and quilts are beautiful and isn't it funny what we will do to get a photo of our quilts!

Julie said...

These are great projects! Hurray for stash and finishing UFOs. I love how your pillow and quilt turned out and your Plan A project looks great too. This blog hop is so fun and inspiring!