I still haven't been able to really take off on my longarm yet because of a host of scheduling distractions and kids underfoot 24/7, but all that changes in two weeks when "I'm Busy Quilting, Go Ask Your Dad" officially begins! (I'm counting down the minutes at this point, but I'll spare you ; ) In the meantime, I'm amassing support tools. Color cards, thread samples, thread nets, extra needles and bobbins, and a tension gauge have all recently made their debut in my studio. 

Not just storing up tools, but tips and techniques, as well. This weekend my parents very nicely offered to watch my kids while I attended classes at Bits 'N Pieces in Pelham NH. Debby Brown, who blogs at Quilty Pleasures, was there on behalf of Handi Quilter to teach TNT: Thread, Needles, Tension and Rule Your Quilt, both of which were very helpful. The first class made me wish I owned a couching foot, and the second class was a great intro to ruler work, which I'm constantly admiring and eager to learn!

Unfortunately, after spending a small fortune on new rulers and a fabric-purchase-turned-babysitter-bribe for my quilty mom, I pulled into the driveway with a smoking car thanks to a cracked gasket of some sort that blew transmission fluid all over the engine. (On my previous return trip from Bits 'N Pieces, I got ridiculously turned around by my GPS and just about doubled the 2 hour drive home, so I think that stretch of highway is forevermore "not my favorite.") This means there is no couching foot in my near future, and apparently also no quilting, as I fear I'll be spending the better part of my 2014 quilt stash cash, not to mention the better part of my day tomorrow, with the local auto mechanic. 

What's your best/funniest/wildest travelling to a quilt class/show story? Have you attended any classes recently? What did you learn?

~ Sarah

I planned to link up with Molli Sparkles for Sunday Stash today, but that darn Molli slacked off with the linky in order to get some extra beauty rest before his big TV appearance tomorrow! So excited for him and all his recent quilty successes, though! : )

Today I attended a talk and book signing at A Gathering of Stitches in Portland, ME - a neat textile and fiber making space that I hadn't been to before, but that I will definitely be back to! The featured title was Quilting with a Modern Slant written by Rachel May, which includes profiles of eighty different quilters interspersed with patterns and tips. Rachel was on hand to talk about the project, along with three of the women she interviewed for the book - Danielle Krcmar, Alice Webb Greer and Jan Johnson.

Each quilter brought examples of her work and spoke about her background and inspiration, and then during Q&A the discussion veered off into that murky "what is 'modern' anyway?" Heretofore, I have been mostly ambivalent about the vocabulary, its connotations, and the debate that is going on in the quilting world right now, but today's discussion - passionate yet restrained, informative and well informed - has me rethinking my lack of thinking. 

This is what motivates me to sit down and post tonight because the conversation sparked some ideas that I can't quite pinpoint my views on, and I'd love to hear from all of you reading this: How do you feel about the term "modern?" How do you feel about traditional vs. modern in as much as they come across as "teams" or a side you have to choose? Do you think the Modern Quilt Guild is the best representation of the term and the movement? Any thoughts on style vs. technique as parameters of the definition? 

I'm going to spend a little time pouring over my new (autographed - thanks, ladies!) book, thinking about the variety of forms that quilting can take and about the language I hear in my quilting world that defines the process and product. And then maybe I'll circle back once I have a more clear stance on the topic. Until then, please do chime in! I'd love to hear your thoughts on "modern quilting."

~ Sarah

Linking up the newest title in my library with Molli Sparkles' Sunday Stash - 
hosted this week by Mary Emmens.

If you've been fawning over fawns in quilt fabrics and home decor lately, then you'll love my new featured tutorial over at Fort Worth Fabric Studio. My whimsical appliqued artwork is the latest installment in their Oh Sew Baby! series full of fun ideas to outfit all facets of life with baby. (Oh, and did I mention their giveaway? Link up any baby themed project of yours for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to FWFS!)

I love how sweet all three animals are whether on their own or in pairs. Plus they're easy to customize - reimagine them in soft pastels or bold brights! I've been thinking a crisp navy with a pale pink background would be delightful for a girls' room - what colors would you use for the child in your life?

If you create some of these cute critters, I'd love to see them!
Share on Flickr or Instagram #berrybarndesigns
I can't wait to see your take on this design - such an easy project
to customize with fabrics and colors to fit your woodland decor!

~ Sarah

Linking up with Fabric Frenzy Friday, Finish It Up Friday & TGIFF

It's almost my turn in the Oh Sew Baby! series over at Fort Worth Fabric Studio. My Forest Friends {Framed Nursery Applique} tutorial will be featured tomorrow, and then check back here on Friday when I'll be share coordinating templates on my blog... in the meantime, here's a sneak peak of this adorable woodland wall art (with some helpful photo bombing courtesy of my two littles who got bored running through the sprinkler while I was shooting ; )

In the run up to my newest tutorial, I thought I'd do a little throwback and post my Daffodil Days {Throw Pillow Tutorial} from a few months ago that was also featured at FWFS. This is a great intro project if you've never tried curved piecing before, and you can easily adapt the block for alternate projects, like this table runner, or try it in other color palettes than my "pining for spring" daffodil yellow, like this similar purple pillow. 

Here's what you'll need:

• Daffodil Days Template
• Selection of yellow and orange fabrics for the flower petals 
• White fabric for the flower background and pillow back 
• Coordinating thread 
• Template plastic (card stock or cardboard will work in a pinch)
  
• Batting and backing for quilting
• Basting pins or spray
• Spray starch (optional, but very, very helpful with so many curves)
• 20” pillow form
• Rotary cutter, quilt ruler, scissors, pins, pencil, fabric marking pen, and chocolate (I never quilt without it!)

Before you get started, download the Daffodil Days Template, then trace and cut from template plastic. I strongly suggest starching your fabrics now, too, because it will stabilize them, making them hold their shape better as you cut and work with the curves and bias. 

Step 1
Using Template A

• Trace and cut 4 pieces from your orange fabrics (flower center)
  
• Trace and cut 8 pieces from your white background fabric (petal background)

Using Template B

• Trace and cut 4 pieces from your darker yellow fabrics (center petals)
  
• Trace and cut 8 pieces from your lighter yellows (outer petals)

You can avoid fabric waste by lining the tracing up back-to-back with the previous one. I'm always tempted to use my rotary cutter directly around the template, but if you do, you must be very careful to avoid cutting into the thin plastic - tracing and cutting with scissors is a tad more time consuming but prevents you from damaging the template.

Are you always looking for fresh, new quilt blogs to follow? Are you new to quilt blogging yourself and in search of inspiration and tips to get started? Do you just love beautiful quilt eye candy? If you answered
yes to any or all of these, then be sure to check out
The New Quilt Blogger Blog Hop, which starts today at Plum & June. So many inspired writers and lots and lots of gorgeous quilts to ogle! Can't wait to jump in myself when the next round of the hop gets underway. 

I also wanted to share a little of what I'm working on... wrapping up small projects so I can get started on my next big task with a clear plate - err, clear cutting table ; )

The butterfly bee blocks are for Daisy at Ants to Sugar. I tried the Economy Blocks on paper and failed miserably - my machine's tension was a mess - but remade them sans foundation. Then I turned to my trusty Late Night Quilters Club, and went with their interfacing tip so I could tackle the more intricate block below. If you love butterflies or paper piecing, too, here's the link to this great pattern by Juliet at Tartankiwi. What do you think of my first attempt at the technique? Have you made this pattern before? Do you use regular paper, specialty paper or interfacing when you paper piece?

~ Sarah

Linking up with Let's Bee Social, Fabric Frenzy Friday and SewJo Saturday.

Looking for fun new baby projects? Then check out the
Oh Sew Baby series : ) There's a quick crib quilt pattern,
a cute tutorial for a baby poncho, plus an open linky for you to add your own baby related tutorials and enter to win a $50 gift certificate to Fort Worth Fabric Studio! The series continues throughout the month of June, with my new nursery decor tutorial featured on the 19th! In the meantime, here's a peak at my inspiration fabric:

I mentioned last week that I'm participating in the Supernova Friendship Block Swap, partnered up with Emily of The Raven's Craft. We've singled out four main colors for our blocks, and plan to create a dark and light of each. I'm creating light and dark peach/coral, a light pink and a dark yellow based on our bright palette. Since then I've filled a few holes with a trip to Portsmouth Fabric Company and pulled my fabrics!

And last but not least, I'm joining in Plum & June's 
2014 New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop! I'm very excited to be part of this wonderful group of talented and enthusiastic new bloggers. Since there are so many of us, the hop will happen over multiple days, with my post going up on July 9th : ) Keep your eye out for hop posts and the chance to discover lots of fresh new quilt blogs!

~ Sarah

Linking up with Molli Sparkles' Sunday Stash!