The Latest!

It's official that the Charmed Living Runner patterns are near completion and will be ready to ship on Tuesday, June 29th. This has been one of my all time favorite patterns so far and I think even before this year is out I will probably have made at least 7 of them. They're so easy and it works well with any fabric. I know I'll be making one or two for Christmas (since the fabric is out I have to do something with it!) and maybe a few others to use here at home. Maybe a gift or two... we'll see.

Oh, that reminds me, I wanted to share with you my newest favorite saying. Not that it pertains to all of us, but let me tell you in certain aspects of my life and many of my friends I know it's just perfect. So the line I heard was - I'm working on my procrastination issues, just you wait and see! Love it! Made me giggle and okay, now back to the pattern.

So here's how this pattern came to be. Just after I had released the first Charmed Living pattern (Charmed Living Topper - read more about it here), it was such a hit the ladies started asking me what else you could make out of Charm Packs. I replied with the poise and grace that I seem to be known for (insert laugh here) "Uuuummmmmm, (big pause) I don't have anything else drawn up, but I'll come up with something." I couldn't believe that with all of the other patterns I had been working on and drawing up that I neglected to include another featuring Charm Packs. How did this happen?!

Shortly after this conversation had taken place, I attended one of the last local quilt shows for the season and found the coveted fabric I was searching for. I had fallen in love with French General's Rouenerries line since I first saw it, I just hadn't been able to get my hands on it until this show. I took it home and spent that evening brainstorming what to do with my latest purchase. After a couple of hours and nothing to show for it productivity wise, a small chat with my Mom was all I needed to refocus and relax a bit.

Once off the phone I glanced over to the pillow I had made of scraps from my Hubbin's quilt and remembered how I would like to take it and make a quilt pattern based on it. Half an hour later, the quilt was drawn out, designed, and all the math was done, I just needed to make it now.

  

I was so elated that I started cutting and sewing the next day. I liked it so much that I thought another version done in completely different fabric would be nice. I made this second runner using Eden from Lila Tueller. And with it having that spring-time feel to it, why not add an applique design? Before you know it, two runners were made, both completely different, but made using the same pattern. The diversity in this pattern is so great, it will work with any fabrics you choose and look tremendous! You can either choose to do the applique embellishment (the instructions are included in the pattern) or leave it out. Or feel free to change it up to match the fabrics you are using. Snowflakes for winter, leaves for fall, whatever you choose.

Also, this pattern is great for gifts. I love to make gifts for friends, but sometimes my taste in fabric and theirs are totally different. If I have to make a big quilt and pick the fabrics, that's one thing. If I have to make it all myself, I might not enjoy it as much because I don't like the fabric. With this pick a Charm Pack that suits your friend, the choosing of multiple fabrics is done for you, and since it's a table runner it'll go fast and they will love it!

Let me know what you think of this design, as I said I'm sure you will be seeing more of it in the near future. I have one already cut out and another shortly behind it in the to do list. Also, If you make this design and e-mail me a picture of it I will post it here on the blog. I love to see show and tell! Well, thanks for chatting and now I need to go sew. Yeppers, another runner. They're addicting, I'm warning you. Until next time!

Yay!!!

I had a cruddy day at work yesterday but that all went away when I got home and found a wonderful package outside my door that will be the beginnings of something I cannot wait to show you (but it'll have to wait a bit longer) and was able to sit down and enjoy a bowl of buckeye blitz ice cream. If you can find it, get it and enjoy as I have!

Here's to hoping today is just as great!

Flannels and 90 degree weather...

So, to update you on the whole sewing machine ordeal, it's just fine and dandy now. It went to get fixed and that must have been all it needed because it was working fine as soon as we got there. Don't you love it when something needs fixed but as soon as you go to show someone what it's doing it stops?! But now I know what to do to fine tune what the issue might be should it ever arise again. Hopefully not.

Since the sewing machine is now back in working order, I was able to finish the Flannel version of Skip to My Lou. I'm going to add a border or two, but I'm thinking this might look wonderful on my bed and I want to make sure I get the right drop on the sides. I'm going to measure it tonight and figure out what and how much I'll need to get that done.



As crazy as it may sound, I was considering putting a flannel backing on this quilt but to compensate for the extra weight and warmth, I was thinking of using a low loft batting. It's still a work in progress as I said before and I'll keep you updated on how it turns out. It's a mystery to us all...



On a little side note I have to show you some adorable pictures of my little man Duncan. When he's not helping me in the "office", he's been keeping track of the bunny that has decided our yard is the best on the block. I have seen it everyday for the last two weeks except today, but there's still time left today for him to make an appearance. The one day it was relaxing in the sun right outside the front window and when I looked over this is what I saw.



Duncan was practically teetering on the window ledge trying to get as close as possible to his new friend. Cracked me up for a minute, but then I had to try and get him down safely.



That's pretty much all of the excitement we had around here this week, nothing too crazy I guess. Might start another project today, or I might wait til tomorrow and read some of my book tonight. I think that sounds like a good plan. Start a new week and a new project tomorrow on a fresh note. Well, hope you all had a great weekend, what's your plan for the week?

Well.....

I swear I had the best of intentions today and did manage to get a ton of stuff done which was great. But... I did not finish the top of the flannel Skip to My Lou. Sadly I have not even finished the blocks yet. I might try again here in a little bit (I only have maybe 15 blocks that need one seam and they're done!).

I love my sewing machine, I really do. But it had a temper tantrum a few months ago and had to go to the doctors because it started sewing on it's own (obviously I wasn't paying enough attention to it or something!) and it got a good cleaning (which it needed desperately) and life has been good since...til today. It started acting up again, the last time it did this it wouldn't do it when my husband was watching so I might try again when he's up in a little bit. We'll see, I hope it was just a fluke and it's on to doing what I want it to do, otherwise all the sewing I had in mind and finishing this quilt top went right out the window. (Sigh...)

But, I am getting ready to send the next pattern, Charmed Living Runner, to the printers so here is a preview for you.



I did a photo shoot for this pattern last week and none of the pictures really did it for me. I started rethinking of how to do it and it turned out awesome. I really wanted to leave it set up because it worked so well, but that wasn't going to work unfortunately. So then since that went so well I went to go get some gorgeous flowers to use as props in the next photo shoot of the color option.



It has a simple applique embellishment on each end that is completely optional whether you would like to do it or not. This version is really bright and springy, just perfect for the weather we were having today. Just add humidity in there and you're all set!



Now the flowers are done with their original purpose so they've been trimmed and set into one of my favorite coffee mugs that is cracked so can't be used for hot stuff any more and are gracing my desk top. It's just nice to have some pretty flowers in the house. None of mine outside have bloomed yet, but it's just around the corner. There are small buds on each plant and I cannot wait to have beautiful Stargazer Lilies right outside my door!

I'm going to go try and see if the sewing machine will behave itself and try to finish those blocks so I can at least get the top laid out tonight, wish me luck! Take care and I will keep you updated once the new patterns are ready as well as how the new version of Skip to My Lou turns out.

My philosophy

I hope you all had a great weekend. It turned out to be pretty nice here considering they were originally calling for thunderstorms all weekend and I don't believe it has rained yet...(keeping my fingers crossed!) I started sewing today on a new version of Skip to My Lou out of flannels, and I love it! I know what you may be thinking, I am too. It is hot and humid and I am making a flannel quilt, crazy I know. I got pretty far today but I'm hoping in a couple days I will have a top to show you. I think you're gonna love it too! It's scrappier than the original and I was thinking of some applique embellishments, they're still being planned out.

Okay onto the whole philosophy thing. I have been contemplating a lot lately with a ton of things going on and I wanted to share with you how my brain works and how I create what I do. As you can probably tell, my quilt patterns are a little bit of everything for every skill level. They're a twist on the traditional and come in all colors and sizes. I believe that a quilt should not be limited to such small possibilities.

If you take one of my patterns, like Skip to My Lou for instance, the original works well for a young lady with flowers and the mixture of colors influenced by the main fabric. The latest version I'm working on with flannels will work well for the guy in your life be it your husband, brother, or son. But if you decided to make it using a child's novelty print, it would showcase it beautifully and be the perfect size for a child's bed.

I really like a quilt to be able to transform with the fabrics chosen for it. It's so incredible how the personality of a quilt can change with the simple adjustment of the fabrics. I try to design all of my quilts with this concept in mind so any pattern can be made in 2 or 9 completely different styles.

I hope you all are enjoying my designs as much as I have enjoyed creating them. Please feel free to e-mail me any time with show-and-tell of your versions of my designs and I will be sure to post them on the blog.

Well, I hope you enjoyed the weekend and I will post hopefully on Tuesday the pictures of the latest version of Skip to My Lou. Pray for a speedy and accurate stitch, and I should be sure to deliver. I cannot wait to show it to you! Chat again soon!

Post Holiday-ness

I love holidays except for the fact that they always tend to screw up my schedule and then when I think I finally am back to normal it's usually Monday again. Double yuck! I can't complain too much, when you tend to work crazy hours and many many days, Mondays sometimes are just another day. They all blend in together. But when the dog gets you up at 5:06 on a Monday, it's definitely a Monday!

Today is turning out to be not so bad even though Mr. Paco decided to be an early alarm clock - UUUugggghhhh! After work I'm going to get more fabric to continue on with my current project. It's still the same one I told you about that I said was not for the wimpy. Well, to make it even more involved/creative I've decided to add some applique to the borders. I promise you, you're gonna love it when it's done. (Whenever that may be...)

I've been busy all across the board lately. And like I said earlier - throw a holiday in the middle of it and call it a party! I was able to see some relatives over the weekend but mainly got more quilting and work done. Yay for that. I've been doing some pretty involved computer work that's a long drawn out process, but it's almost over so it's been moved to #1 on the to-do list and once it's done hopefully I can quilt more.

I'm just trying to tie up some loose ends for right now and I hope to have another pattern out here shortly. I really just need to take photos and finish the cover and it's ready to go. Hopefully this week weather and schedules will work out to where I can get all of that done.

After that I think I have a few more that just need to be quilted and bound to get through the next stage, so here's to hoping for a very productive June! Sorry I don't have much more to talk about. But there's always next time. Well, hope you're also having a fun and productive time. If you ever want to send me pictures of your finished projects, feel free to e-mail them to me at RubyBlueQuilts@Gmail.com and I will be sure to post them here on the blog. Take care and we'll chat again soon!