Success!!! And a New Pattern!!!

So, it took me a bit longer than expected, but I did get all 4 quilts done!

Tuesday I got the first 3 quilts done in no time it seemed. Part of it was Mom loaded the first quilt for me so all I had to do was go in and start up the machine and quilt!

 This was made out of Lovely by the wonderful Sandy Gervais, very Happy Giddy Bliss (Hi Gayle!)

 I quilted loops and flowers all over this one...

 Then, these next 2 quilts are doubles, both out of adorable bug fabric but I quilted them differently. This first one I squiggle stippled.

 The next one I quilted loops on.

 Here's how they looked on the machine side by side. Then I had to take a small break and go play with the pups. (Or as they see it interrupt their naps).

 After a short time out I was back at it determined to finish all 4 of these quilts.... The last one started off like this.

 And I had to stop and admire the afternoon sun highlighting the quilting...

 And like that I had to stop. That's as far as I got before my chest and back said otherwise... (Still having some small pains when I do too much - or try and quilt 4 quilts in the same afternoon :] I'll never learn) So, no biggie, I figured I would be back Wednesday after work...

Well, Wednesday as I went to leave work and finish this up, a storm was rolling in and just as I was about to leave it hit - really bad. I don't know about you but I don't like to do anything with expensive electronics in a storm... no computer, no sewing machine, nada. I know insurance will replace them, but I would rather avoid that situation if at all possible...

 So, today I was able to go out and finish it and I LOVE how the quilting turned out. Now, this is the back, same principle as the Charmed Living Topper, just using Layer Cakes - so without further ado I'm pleased to introduce you to Cake Topper!

 Here's the front completely finished quilted... oh, yeah, that binding part... I made this one using Kansas Troubles Cattails and Clover that is due out in stores very soon! I hear some shops already have the precuts, which means yardage isn't far behind! I used a Bella Solid for both the border and backing, it will be the binding too. Unfortunately I don't remember the name of the color, but it's a gorgeous chocolate brown, I think it worked out well...

So Cake Topper is the latest in the Ruby Blue Pattern line, what do you think?

Oh, and just for those inquiring minds - Finishes at 59" square (perfect for these colder fall nights!) I will hopefully do a photo shoot this weekend if the weather holds out and have patterns out shortly after that! I'll keep you posted.

So, I think that was - I take that back - I know that was the most quilting I've done on the long arm in that short amount of time and I'm feeling it now, but it was sooo much fun! I love seeing the quilting design and the thread work with the fabrics and the quilt itself. I've been working really hard at the quilting element and I've been trying new designs and that's always fun.

Right now I think the quilting has been the most enjoyable part of quilting (but that's also usually because I'm alone with the music cranked up, able to listen to what I want and dance if I want to because no one else is around and I basically have a party by myself...) Yeah, I'm kinda a dork that way :]

So, that's what I've been up to this week, I'm working on making my first batch of Apple Pear Butter right now - the house smells SO GOOD! I already ate dinner and I think I might have to have dessert... That and the dogs are staring and drooling... It must smell good to them too!

So what have you been up to? Let me know what you think of the newest addition. I'd LOVE to hear what you think! Until next time!

Machine Quilting

Mary Ann made this adorable Java version of Paganini by the ever so wonderful Miss Rosie...

 The pattern uses a Charm Pack and some background - AND - it has the most adorable scalloped borders. Mary Ann requested that I quilt swirls on it to mimic the coffee steam.

 If you click on the picture you can see the marks for the scallop. I can't wait to see it done completely. Mary Ann picked the blue and brown stripe to make a bias binding for this. I'll try to post pictures of it soon.

This is a sample for my Mom's Quilt Shop that she is taking with her to Quilting Around Chautauqua this weekend. I really enjoyed quilting it and will be quilting many more projects in the future, so I thought I'd start sharing the ones I can with you here. I'm actually heading out today to hopefully (crossing my fingers) quilt 4 quilts today. One more Miss Rosie pattern times 2 (one for the shop, one for a friend), A wonderful hexagon quilt, and a new one from me - a new version of the Charmed Living Topper adapted to use Layer Cakes... And made out of the new Kansas Troubles line??? Can it be true?!

I've got quite a schedule today so I'm hoping to get as much done as possible. I'll post pictures as I can. Wish me luck! Tucker and Abby are just wishing I'll quit quilting for a bit so I can give them a treat...

This is probably going to be the view from the quilting room again today! Talk to you later!

Like a marathon...

Did I mention before that I should have 2 new patterns out very very soon? Yep, you got that right, 2 new patterns. It's been a week or so of marathon quilting and this week will be followed up by marathon binding and movie marathons (Yay!!!)

 This is the first of many bags I'll be making in the near future... This is the newest Charmed Living Series pattern, the Charmed Living Tote. It's going to have instructions for two sizes (this is the smaller of the two) and I just love it!!! By the way this bag and the next few projects are made with Curio by Basic Grey from Moda (Thanks Moda!!!) it will be in stores this September. Trust me you'll want to add this one to your wish list!!!

 I also made for Moda a Charmed Living Runner out of Curio (Mom pieced this one and the next one, I just quilted them - Thanks Ma!) with one of my favorite quilting designs.

 And the Charmed Living Topper with a modified version of the quilting design from above.

 And this one is the color version of the newest quilt pattern Sciuridae, which should be out shortly too. As I said this is the color option, the main pattern is out of gorgeous Civil War scraps... It will be getting quilted this weekend....

 And I apologize now, but I love my new camera and I love my squirrels. If this page takes forever to load, it'll be worth it. Much to the disappointment of my Dad and all my "farm" friends - I admit - I, Rebecca Silbaugh, have turned into a "yuppie". How so? I bought a corn feeder for my squirrels and corn cobs to go with it. Yeppers, according to the people I grew up with, I'm probably on the same level as the people who show up to the county fair in stilettos and suits... Owell!!!

 Oh, and I put out some really old peanuts, this one really liked them...

 My Hubbin and I were standing right inside the glass doors to go out to the patio literally feet away from this table. This squirrel was whipping it's tail trying to scare us, but he couldn't resist the temptation of a table full of peanuts...

 Loved watching him eat and bury peanuts in the yard... I hope we don't get peanuts growing now...

And just look how HUGE my Japanese Maple got. I swear I blinked and it tripled in size from last year. Here's how it looked last September...

It's at least 4' high and 5'-6' wide at this point. If nothing else all this dreadful rain we've been getting is giving some love to my tree!!!

So, patterns should get finalized this week and in stores in a couple weeks. Let me know what you think! I'll be showing more pictures too and hope to have the larger sized bag done soon too! Alright, it's past my bedtime and I'm falling asleep, so I'm gonna log off now while I'm still awake. Show you more soon!

Look what I just found!

I just spotted this version of my Charmed Living Topper pattern over at JEllen's house of fabric blog. If you live around North East Ohio, They are a new shop in Lyndhurst and Joyce, the owner, is a very sweet lady. I have yet to visit their shop myself (bad kid I know, but this sewing needs to get done somehow) but we met at a local show and I can't wait to get to the shop to see it in person. Thanks Joyce! It looks wonderful and just in time for Halloween. If you'd like to read more about JEllen's house of fabric or to see more of their Halloween version of the Charmed Living Topper, click here.

I have much more to tell you about, but it's going to have to wait until after work. Actually if I do not get off this computer soon I will be late so, we'll chat more later!

Happy Sweetest Day!

Some of you might be asking 'What is Sweetest Day?', well, in Ohio - more specifically Cleveland - the story goes that back about 100 years ago or so a few confectioners and Hallmark Card Co. got together to create this holiday to promote giving and wellness and sell some of their products too. I know many people who have never heard of it before, but this is your chance - you now know and can do something a little extra sweet for your "Sweet" and surprise them today.

Still don't believe that it's real? Here's a link to the Wikipedia entry on it - just click here. Many people around town know all about it but refuse to give in because it is really a "Hallmark Holiday", but my Hubbin surprised me early. Last night when I got home from work, these were sitting on the table for me. Isn't he the sweetest?! Hahaha - get it? Sorry, back on track.

Alright on to other news, this is the only thing quilting wise that I got done this week that I can show you...

I am debating on not adding the pieced border onto the Topper, but it still might get it if I decide to add it. And I'm not sure if the Runner will get the ending borders either. I like to give you options and there's no rule saying that you have to add the borders or you have to do this (insert pattern step here). This is quilting which is great because you ALWAYS have the option to make it your own. Just remember if you do make one of my patterns and send me a picture of it I will proudly show it here!

I might be painting the sewing room this weekend so I'm not planning on much sewing getting accomplished. It might happen depending on time, but we'll see. Once I get it painted I will show you pictures of that too. Until next time!

It's still dark outside...

This past week has been unbelievable! I have gotten a ton of things done - sorry still no pictures yet - and been running and running and running which I consider a true feat. The days here are getting ever shorter and when I wake up - it's dark now. Just after I get home - it's dark out. It's hard somedays to get motivated and out of bed when it's still dark out when a few weeks ago it was light when I got up. My body is still confused - it keeps telling me it's still dark, go back to bed. However the alarm clock does not lie and then we have issues.

Aside from all that babble, I have started yet another maybe 3 projects this week. I have enough scraps left over from this quilt (remember this one - it still needs a border):

And am planning on making flannel versions of these:

It is that time of year again. It's supposed to be really chilly this weekend and I was able to get out of summer storage my fleece pants that I just love. There are a few upsides to this whole cold weather stuff...

Alright, I'm planning another cooking tutorial soon, just as soon as I get a big bag of fresh apples (any guesses?) And I will be working on more results this week so I have things to show you. Off to make Hubbin a hearty breakfast!

Happy 4th to you!

I hope you all are enjoying the holiday weekend so far, I know I am! I'm planning on sewing some more tonight and spending some time with family and friends this weekend. The thing I am most excited about is that for the first time in I can't tell you how long I actually have 2 days off in a row this weekend! I can't even begin to tell you the last time that happened.

Well, I was looking through some older photos on my computer and I saw these that somehow I neglected to post on here. This is the original Charmed Living Topper made with Bistro from Deb Strain for Moda. This line was to die for and I hear she's working on another similar line that we shall see in the not so distant future. I can't wait. I do believe I need to make others like this for friends and family so they won't steal mine when I'm not looking.

I embroidered coffee related words in the solid border that I printed off of my computer. It really just finishes the look of this topper and I love it! I love to use Pearl Cotton for my embroidery, if you haven't tried it, you have to. It's nice because it's noticeable but you don't have to worry about how many strands of floss to use (it's just one that's a little more than two strands of floss) and you don't have to worry about multiple floss strands twisting and knotting all of the time. I don't know about you, but there has never been a knot that made me happy...

I often look at other designs and wonder if a little extra embellishment will enhance them as well. It just depends on what fabric I'm working with and what I plan on using it for. I hope this inspires you to take chances and make these designs your own.

This is the back of the topper, just another little embellishment with the extra Charm Squares. And a shot of the quilting, it was really fun to do! Have a great weekend! Stay safe, enjoy yourself, and I'll chat with you again soon!

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!

Making Progress!

I did it, I can't belive I did it, but it happens sometimes! I got so much "stuff" done this week in so many different aspects of my world. And on top of it all, Skip to My Lou is at Cottonpicker's ready for you to purchase!



For starters, yes Skip to My Lou is ready! I always enjoy the first day or so that a pattern hits the market. This particular pattern was a blast to make and I just love the colors of it. It's a decent size, big enough for a smaller bed quilt, yet not too large so it'll fit on the couch or go with you as a lap quilt.



To get started with this pattern, just pick a focus fabric as your jumping off point and pick six coordinating prints. It's a great showcase for that larger print that you're just not sure what to do with but you loved it so you bought it. Or it's even great for a child's bed if you have a wonderful novelty print that you would like to showcase.



And as always, my Quilt Tester was on hand to make sure that the photoshoot went well and that the quilt was up to the standards he likes. I love this dog and let me tell you, he is definitely a quilting dog!



As far as the other "stuff" I got done this week, I quilted a couple of tablerunners last week and got the bindings on them. They just then needed to be stitched down, check! I also have my red quilt that I just love (It's the first quilt I made for myself and it's all reds with some yellowish oranges in it); I've only been working on it for almost forever (not kidding) and all it needed was the binding stitched down so I could use it, check! I'll have to get a picture of it to show you, I'm sure you'll love it as much as I do.

The agenda for this week is a forecast filled with quilting. Especially this weekend the weather is supposed to be really rainy and yuck, which means perfect quilting weather. I've got one pattern I'm currently testing as well as a few others that are just ready to be on the sewing table. I am notorious for having several projects going in multiple stages at any given time. I have a few that need to be quilted, a few that just need to be pieced and a ton that need to be cut out. But that's the fun of it all, the anticipation of what's next to come and getting to the next step with each quilt.

Speaking of which, the next pattern due out you'll love. It's a follow up to the original Charmed Living Topper. I absolutely love Charm Packs and the alternative of using small scraps to make something "charming". I just finished the second design and just need to take pictures and finalize the pattern and it should go to the printers soon. I'll keep you posted on this one. You're gonna love it!

Alright, I think I've been chatting too much as ususal, but I'm just so excited for this pattern to be out and like I said, the anticipation of what's to come! And by the way, if you are a quilt shop interested in my patterns, please e-mail me at RubyBlueQuilts@Gmail.com or call me at 440-428-5780. Or if you can't find my patterns at your local quilt shop, ask them to contact me. It's that easy.

Have a great weekend and I'll be sure to put up more pictures shortly!

Did you miss me?

I know you think I must have been on vacation or just neglecting the blog, but you might be slightly off. If you've been to Cottonpickers in the last couple of weeks or to one of the last of the local quilt shows, you know I've been busy! While Mom was at shows and on the road from show to show I was at the shop and taking care of the Steppin Out Quilt Tour that just finished up. It was a lot of fun. We have been all over the place and have seen so many friends and so many wonderful projects my head is spinning with new ideas of things to make and design.

Speaking of designs, here are some more pictures of the Charmed Living Topper. Thank you to all who have commented on the design. It was really fun to make and I hope if you decide to make one too that you have as much fun as I did.

This pattern is designed to use 40 Charm Squares, but to create just the top you only use 33 squares. The other 7 were used on the back as an added accent piece which is completely optional. Also then, you have some flexibility if you find a Charm Pack that does not contain a total of 40 Squares.

Just because I designed the pattern to use Charm Squares does not mean you have to have a Charm Pack to make this Topper. It is a great way to use up some of those small scraps that you might have laying around that don't work well in other patterns. Oh, and here are the official quilt testers of the Studio. Let me introduce you to Paco (Binding Supervisor) and Duncan (Layout/Pressing Supervisor). These are my boys that are constantly in or around my quilts in the house. As alot of people say that I know if they have animals in the house, if it doesn't have dog or cat hair on it - it's not done yet.

Alright, I know you must be wondering what patterns are next on the docket. I'm honestly not sure of the particular order they will be arriving, it changes often. But I can tell you this - there is a mix of all sorts of patterns and fabrics from 1930's and Civil War reproductions to Batiks and just fun prints I can't take my hands off of. There are small quilts, big quilts and other projects too. I'll let you know as soon as the next one gets printed and where you can find it.

Thanks for chatting, I know it's been awhile and I'll try to keep you in the loop a little better. Now I'm off to work on some new projects, oh and some Christmas gifts, and continue on some existing ones. You know how it is, I don't have one project, I have one for every day of the week and then some. Take care and I'll talk to you later!

~Rebecca

Ding! It's Ready!

Not dinner, although that's in the works too... I'm talking about the first pattern being printed! I'm so excited but I cannot get them until Monday morning which means they should be in Cottonpickers available for you to purchase by Monday afternoon. Once I get them you'll see more but for now here's a glimpse of the pattern. More on Monday, have to go finish dinner now!