Category Archives: Sewing

Improv Landscape Mini Quilt

I was very excited to be in the third round of the Schnitzel and Boo Mini Quilt Swap. My partner has great taste as she indicated that she likes linen, bright colors and solids (yes!).

I improv-pieced this mini quilt with three types of Robert Kaufman linen, a drop or two of Kona solids and a beautiful range of Cloud9 Fabrics Cirrus Solids.

Based on abstract art influences, I used color, balance, and scale to make small improvisational blocks. I also used scissors and a design as you go method to appreciate the process and the journey of creating this piece.

I would like to make something similar for myself in the same palette. The beauty of making another is that it will never be the same, but that is what I love about the nature of improvisation and of handmade.

The improv mini measures about 16 x 20 inches and is matchstick quilted.

-Daniela

The Tooth Fairy Makes a Visit

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Oh. My. Goodness. This Girl.

For the past year, my little love has been asking when her “teeth will start to get
wiggly, mamma?”

At the start of the school year, her first bottom tooth became very, very wiggly. Soon after, a second bottom tooth became very, very wiggly.

During the second week of school, one tooth was so loose it came out right before she went to bed. Ms. Tooth Fairy came and left my little gal some shiny half dollars and a nice note.

The next day, when I picked her up from school, the first thing she said was, “Mamma! Look!” She gave me one huge smile. Well, would ya look at that. The other tooth came out at school.

I posted this photo to my Facebook page.

I received a comment on that post that made me chuckle. My friend Jen suggested that my little Miss needed a Tooth Fairy Pillow, and fast. Oh, yes. She was right!

My gal picked her fabric. She chose Heather Ross’ Far Far Away (the reprint). I made the unicorn the center of attention as the pocket, quilted the front and the back of the pillow, over-stuffed and stitched.

My gal woke up to another note from the Tooth Fairy and more shiny half dollars. She keeps them in her pillow at all times. 😉

My gal’s growing up!

– Daniela

Destination Moon Quilt

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I have had the wonderful opportunity to create the Destination Moon quilt, by Michelle Engel Bencsko, for Cloud9 Fabric’s upcoming Quilt Market booth. This fun quilt uses Cosmic Convoy, the super cute (and certified organic!) fabric collection by Michele Brummer Everett.

The background fabric is Cirrus Solids in Shadow, a fantastic yarn dye broadcloth. So dreamy and soft and lovely.

Look at the adorableness of this fabric! Is that a word? Adorableness?

I love all the fabrics in this collection but I think this one is my favorite. Check out this awesome astronaut gal. I imagine she is showing off her sweet dance moves (with those great turquoise boots) to her new friends. Ha!

The Destination Moon Quilt pattern is available for free download here!

– Daniela

The On-Nee Pillow

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We made a pillow for my honey. The kids and I. You see, my honey does not have a quilt just yet. The kids have quilts. I have a quilt (a very small one!). But my honey, no…he has no quilt. We wanted to make him a gift, but it had to be something we could all manage to make for him. A pillow! Perfect!

I chose colors and fabrics that he prefers that are from my favorite designers (Anna Maria Horner, Carolyn Friedlander, Denyse Schmidt). Oh, and linen…linen, how I love you so. Let us not forget the pops of orange to go with our family room. Have I mentioned yet that I love lots of color?

I went full force with the improvisational piecing. I used scissors. Gasp! Scissors, you ask? Yes! It’s so freeing to work in this way, I love it. When I work improv, it’s like working on a painting for me. I may have an idea of where I am going, but not a solid one. It changes as I create. It gets better, sometimes not, but because I make up the rules, it always works out in the end. ; )

My son did a great job doing some of the piecing.

My daughter and I quilted the organic lines. She’s so proud. Look at that smile!

Why the On-Nee pillow, you ask? My honey and I, refer to each other as “On-Nee” as a term of endearment. We picked that up from my parents. They call each other “Honey” but because they do not pronounce their H’s in English because they are native Italian speakers, they pronounce it “On-Nee.” Cute, right?

-Daniela