Skyline Divide - A Quick and Easy Quilt

I enjoy testing patterns and making samples, and this quilt was no different. I have been testing patterns and making samples for Myra at Busy Hands Quilts for over a year now and I always enjoy working with her. This quilt is a quick and easy pattern; and as usual, Myra sent the fabrics for me to use and I enjoyed working with them. As a matter of fact, I used the same fabrics for a couple of other quilts that I will be able to share soon, so be on the lookout for those.

Say hello to Skyline Divide. Myra wanted a new look to this pattern, so she sent me some wonderful fabrics to use. I love how it looks! This is Myra's image of the quilt and it is soooo much better than the ones I took. (I'll reluctantly share my pictures at the end of this post.)

I love how she makes these quilts come alive with her quilting! 

The Skyline Divide pattern includes 5 size options - Baby, Throw, Twin, Queen, and King. I made the Throw version and it measures 50" x 70". Besides all these sizes, there are two piecing options to the pattern as well - planned and scrappy. The planned version uses yardage and the scrappy version uses 2 1/2" strips, fat quarters, or yardage. As you can tell, I made the scrappy version; and I used 2 1/2" strips.  

This really was a fast and easy quilt! If you are planning to make quilts for Christmas and feel like you might run out of time, this would be a great pattern option. Just look at how this looks different, based on your fabric choices.

Below are pictures of the quilt I made. The first one is in progress and I took it so I could use it as a guide while assembling the columns. 

Below is the completed top. As I said before, Myra certainly does make these quilts come alive with her quilting.  

I am considering the idea of making this pattern using a more controlled color palette. I saw a quilt that Myra posted on her blog a while back that was made by one of her customers. It was made using five fabrics, ranging from white, to gray, to black. She added a yellow border, which really makes the quilt amazing. Check out the picture HERE. 

Stay tuned for more of the quilt tops I've recently made for Myra. In the meantime, be sure to visit her website - Busy Hands Quilts. You just might find the pattern for your next quilt! 

School Colors - Secret Sewing Reveal

 This isn't on my design wall right now, but it was recently one of my secret sewing projects that is now complete. The timing of the reveal is perfect, as it's that time of year that kids are headed back to the classroom.

Introducing...

School Colors

This pattern is now available in both 

print and pdf version at 
Busy Hands Quilts.

Just like every other quilt I've made using one of Myra's pattern, this was so easy to follow and her illustrations are wonderful. The pattern includes two sizes (throw and twin); and they both perfect for kids going off to college or when you want to show your school spirit and stay warm at the same time. Unlike many patterns that require more blocks to be made to increase the size, the twin size is made using the same number of blocks, just a larger size. How cool is that? 

Here are a few pictures of Myra's completed quilt. 
 

School Colors - Image from Busy Hands Quilts

School Colors - Image from Busy Hands Quilts

Check out that quilting! 

School Colors - Image from Busy Hands Quilts

As you know, I always like to take pictures of the quilts I make from side angles. 

And a look from the other side...

One of the coolest things about this quilt is that the blue stars are not pieced as star blocks. They are created with some awesome pieced sashing. WooHoo!

You all know that I am a sucker for a good red, white, and blue quilt, so I'll be making my own version of this soon because it will make a great Quilt of Valor. But, I am also thinking that this would be a great quilt to make for a school fundraiser. All you need are the two school colors and a background/accent, and you are good to go. If you are having a difficult time visualizing this, Myra has provided some samples in a variety of colors. Check it out HERE.

School Colors - Image from Busy Hands Quilts

You can get your own copy of School Colors at Busy Hands Quilts.

While you're there, sign up for her newsletter. 

Check out Myra's Facebook page for more pictures of this beautiful quilt. 

You won't be sorry you did! 

So, what IS on my design wall today?

I finished Peyton's elephant quilt top. I'm got the back ready to sew and then it's time to quilt this puppy elephant. :-)

I've been playing around with a small project that I can use for teaching a very basic paper piecing class, and this is what I've come up with. After I took this picture, I layered it, quilted it, and have the binding sewn on. I'll hand stitch that down later today. 

 

I did finish the Picket Fence quilt top that I showed last week. Since I was using up leftover pieces of a layer cake (10" squares), my quilt is smaller than the pattern size. I was toying with the idea of adding a border, but I opted against that and am happy with my choice. Without thinking, I took it off the wall before I remembered to get a picture.  I hope to get this quilted and bound by mid-week, so I'll get some pictures then.

What are you working on today?

Check out the Quilters Eye Candy at

Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

and

Love Laugh Quilt

Mandalynn - Pattern by Busy Hands Quilts

Do you remember this post about my secret sewing project for Myra of Busy Hands Quilts? I showed you a package that had arrived and I was getting ready to sew.

I loved these fabrics when I opened the package and that feeling has never waned. 

Let me introduce you to

Mandalynn

 

This pattern is now available in both print and pdf version at Busy Hands Quilts. 

I know that I've said this before, but I LOVE using Myra's patterns! They are so easy to follow and her illustrations are wonderful. This pattern includes four sizes (throw, twin, queen, and king), so you don't have to do any math. She's done it for you!

Here are a few pictures of Myra's completed quilt. 

Mandalynn
Image from Busy Hands Quilts

Check out that quilting! 

Mandalynn
Image from Busy Hands Quilts

Why is it that it always seems to be windy when I try to take quilt pictures?

As you know, I always like to take pictures of the quilts I make from side angles. 

We all know that sometimes our beds to do not get made properly. I just love this picture Myra shared. I can just picture myself waking up and seeing these bright colors. What a wonderful way to start the day.

Mandalynn
Image from Busy Hands Quilts

You can get your own copy of Mandalynn at Busy Hands Quilts.

While you're there, sign up for her newsletter. 

Check out Myra's Facebook page for more pictures of this beautiful quilt. 

You won't be sorry you did! She is offering a special introductory sale for this pattern thru Sunday, so don't wait too long.

I just have to share one more picture...

Mandalynn
Image from Busy Hands Quilts

Summer Breeze - Busy Hands Quilts

I love the color aqua! 

I find it calming, yet exciting at the same time. 

I was thrilled when I received a package from Myra at Busy Hands Quilts and saw a wonderful variety of aqua fabrics. I knew that they would result in an beautifully awesome quilt.

Let me introduce you to 

Summer Breeze

Myra has finished the pattern and it's scheduled to be released today. WooHoo!

If you have never used on of Myra's patterns before, let me tell you that you are in for a treat. Her illustrations are spot on ande very easy to follow. Her instructions are clearly written and so easy to understand that even a novice will have success. Oh, and the fact that most, if not all of her patterns are written to include multiple size options is a real joy for those of you that don't enjoy math - even quilt math.  :-) 

Here's a picture from Myra of the completed quilt.

I love the whirlwind quilting she did!

Summer Breeze
Image from Busy Hands Quilts

I have to laugh when I think about taking these pictures. The wind decided to kick up and have the quilt live up to its name. 

And just because I like it, I always take pictures of the quilts from side angles. 

I think this may be my favorite picture. You can see those wonderful fabrics and the chevron they create. 

You can grab your copy at Busy Hands Quilts. 

While you are there, sign up for her newsletter. When you do, you'll receive a free pattern which will most definitely whet your appetite to try other patterns.