Catching Up

January 8, 2014, 12:35 pm

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Happy New Year! I took a few wonderful weeks off for the holidays and am ready to pick things up full speed.

I've just got to say that Santa is the MAN. He had this beauty waiting for me to pick up at Dave's Bernina in St. George. It's the 550 Quilter's Edition and I have been drooling over it for some time now. 

It goes without saying that I am DYING to use it! I haven't had a chance yet because I'm trying to assemble the dollhouse kit that Santa left for Olive.

It's turning out to be pretty "scrumptious," don't you think? It's left my house in ruins, though so I'm anxious to finish it asap.

I love the New Year and the opportunity to make new goals and also reflect on the ones from the previous year. I really try to make goals I know I will stick to, so last year I joked that my resolution was to have a baby. (Lorenzo was born two weeks later. Ha.) I didn't say it aloud, but I also made a mental goal to whip my fabric sketches into good enough shape to submit. I reached that goal in September and as you know, Moda said yes! What a year!

In 2014, I've decided my goal is to catch up on every unfinished project I've got sitting around. Luckily, that's only a handful of projects, so I feel that it's a realistic goal. 

First up is the Fat Quarter Shop Mystery Block of the Month project from 2012. I've only got 6 of the blocks sewn together, and since I'm doubling up on them (and adding one) I've got 19 more to go!

Have you made any sewing or quilting-related resolutions for 2014?

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Quilt Fort

January 27, 2014, 7:36 am

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Well, this is all the progress I've made on my Fat Quarter Shop Mystery Designer Block of the Month (2012). Two blocks in two weeks. Kind of sad; however, it's not for lack of trying. I've been super busy working on a handful of new patterns, one of which will be released in a couple weeks! (This one uses some new fabric coming out by Momo!)

I was thinking the other day it would be fun to start a flickr group showing what fun adventures your quilts have had. What do you think? The other day Olive and I took a big stack of quilts...

...and made a quilt fort. More like a quilt compound. It was massive. (That's a lot of Bonnie & Camille fabric.)

What fun adventures have your quilts been on? Ours like to frequent the drive-in theater.

Checking In

February 19, 2014, 4:30 pm

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Just a couple more weeks until I receive my sample yardage of  my new line with Moda! I'm so excited to get my clutches on it. (If you hadn't already read my interview on the Moda blog, you can learn a few details about the line here).

Until then, I've been busy writing new patterns and taking care of sick kids. Oh and finishing up all 25 blocks for the quilt seen above! It's Fat Quarter Shop's Mystery Designer Block of the Month from 2012. There was enough fabric for me to make 2 of each block and then I made up a 25th--the little apple you see in the center. I got the idea of the on-point quilt-top arrangement from Elaine. I hadn't really been sure how to finish it--I missed out on the finishing kit and was looking for ideas when I came across hers. It was love at first sight and I've been excited to finish mine ever since I saw hers. Brilliant job, Elaine!

It may be a while until I will have time to quilt this one. Any ideas on how I should do it? 

Starstruck

March 1, 2014, 9:43 am

≫ Next: Into the Woods

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Last month, I got to spend some real quality-time with Momo's newest line with Moda: Avant-Garden. These colors are unreal!

When I first laid eyes upon this collection, I just knew it was destined for a super simple quilt design that would really let the big and bold designs shine. One layer cake later, Starstruck was born. 

I sure love that Momo. Her quirky designs and unexpected color schemes always know how to make my heart skip a beat.

Can we talk about the cherry print? I may need a bolt or two. Adorable.

Also, the selvage. I die.

It will still be several months before you can get your hands on Avant-Garden fabric (July 2014), but the pattern is available in the shop in paper or PDF format. This is one of my new favorite patterns because of how quick and easy it was to make!

It seems like everything I've been working on lately has been a secret so I'm glad to finally show you something. It's just the beginning of many things to be revealed!

Into the Woods

March 6, 2014, 7:18 am

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Into the Woods 

by Vanessa Goertzen of Lella Boutique for Moda.

Showing in April 2014 and will be in stores August 2014.

There may have been a little dancing when the UPS guy dropped this off last night. Now off to get some market sewing done. Wish me luck.

The Goods

March 28, 2014, 12:56 am

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When I was a little girl, my mother would tuck me in under my favorite quilt and tell me the story of Little Red Riding Hood. I’d close my eyes and imagine an enchanting backdrop of pine trees, woodland blooms, and wild roses.

I’d pack a basket of double chocolate cupcakes and peppermint tea and head down the path to Granny’s. Along the way, I might stop to pick luscious berries and trace my fingers along the bark of the trees. When I arrived, sometimes I’d meet a Big Bad Wolf waiting underneath her granny square quilt. Other times, I’d arrive early and find Granny knitting a new pair of soft pink mittens just for me. Of course, my childhood is long gone now, but I when I like to revisit it, I find myself taking a dreamy stroll down that old familiar path Into the Woods.

Ready to see what I've been doing the last month? 

Meet Twinkle. This quilt pattern was inspired by nighttime in the woods. Twinkle can be made using a jelly roll, layer cake, or fat quarters. Oh, and for the white background, you can use yardage OR sub in a Bella Solid jelly roll. (Just in case you like to simplify your cutting even further.) 

I pieced and quilted Twinkle with a freemotion loop-to-loop design. It took forever but I sure do love the result.

I think Olive may need some new bedding...again. I mean, a girl can never really have too many quilts, right? I also might be addicted to making pillows with pom pom trim.

Next, I really wanted to make a simple wonky block that a lumberjack might have made using his saw. So meet Sawmill, a layer cake quilt. This is a quick one to put together.

I pieced and quilted this one using a freemotion bloom pattern.

Sawmill is my husband's favorite--and since he doesn't generally get too excited about quilts, I knew this design was a keeper.

Next up is Cartwheel. It's made with 3 charm packs...but I'm thinking you could sub in a layer cake and end up with an extra charm pack on your hands.

My amazingly talented friend, Abby (Latimer Lane Quilting), quilted it with a beautiful orange peel design. I could not be happier with how it turned out!

Some of you have already met Snow Blossoms. I've been dying to make another one forever and Into the Woods couldn't be a more perfect fit! I'm thrilled to re-release it with an updated cover and full color instructions! Ta da!

Snow Blossoms was inspired by the Nordic snowflake pattern and is made using 18 fat quarters. One of my most popular patterns to date!

Abby quilted this one as well and I'm in love. She quilted it with a Baptist fan design and it looks just stunning. Thanks so much, Abby!

Finally, my mom and I collaborated to put together the Cottage Canopy Playhouse pattern. We had been scheming about this one for a couple years and finally made it happen! 

Sweet polka dots and woodcut prints look like they were made for these wonky windows and shutters, don't you think?

My mom and I are really proud of the quality of our Cottage Canopy playhouse pattern. We've included extremely detailed instructions and diagrams including how to use flat-felled seams so there are absolutely no raw seams inside the playhouse.

Additionally, the roof has a special feature to make it easy to slip a hula hoop into the casing of the roof to give the canopy the shape and support it needs.

On the roof, there is a fabric ribbon that can be tied into a bow and hung from the ceiling via a ceiling hook.

It makes such a great little playhouse/reading nook, don't you think? I'm dying to take it outside and a sunny afternoon and hang it beneath a tree with a bunch of throw pillows and quilts. 

Well, that's everything. What do you think?

Into the Woods ships to stores August 2014 and all of the patterns you've seen here are now listed in my shop.

I have to admit that since I got my yardage, my brain has been flooded with about a million more ideas of projects to make. Guess I better get going to let them all out. (Do I have the best job or what?!)

Baby Starstruck

April 6, 2014, 5:32 pm

≫ Next: Cartwheels & Twinkles

≪ Previous: The Goods

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Okay so I know I said in my previous post that I wanted to crank out more patterns in the new fabric (and I do!), but I've had a few unfinished projects sitting around that have been nagging at me every time I walk by them. Over the weekend, I made the goal of finishing at least one of them. Meet Baby Starstruck. (Remember my Starstruck layer cake pattern? Fewer squares = perfect baby gift!)

I used some of my favorite scraps in place of the layer cake squares (25 blocks total arranged 5 x 5). Fabrics are (mostly) Scrumptious by Bonnie & Camille for Moda, the houndstooth prints from Vintage Modern by Bonnie & Camille for Moda, a bit of Walk in the Woods by Aneela Hoey for Moda, Moda Bella Solids (Scarlet) for the corner accents, and my "Granny" (granny square) print from Into the Woods (seen in squares above AND binding). 

This might become my go-to for quick and easy baby quilts. 

Cartwheels & Twinkles

April 13, 2014, 10:10 pm

≫ Next: A Boy and His Quilts

≪ Previous: Baby Starstruck

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Pssst. It's me. Lorenzo. I hope you haven't forgotten about me. (I'm the one Mom used to pose on quilts monthly during my first year of life.) 

Well, here are the last couple of pictures that Mom never showed you. (She said they were "pattern testers"--whatever that means.) She called this one Cartwheel and let me lay on it a few minutes before she wrapped it up and gave it to Grandpa and Grandmacita for Christmas.

And then there was this other one--Twinkle. Mom decided to give it to me for my first birthday. She says she made it using fat quarters of "Children at Play" by Sarah Jane Studios (plus a Timeless Treasures word print in there). 

When she told me it was the last time I would have to hold still and pose for her on a quilt, I was a little overjoyed. Bye for now.

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A Boy and His Quilts

April 21, 2014, 11:50 am

≫ Next: For the Love {PDF vs Paper}

≪ Previous: Cartwheels & Twinkles

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As an addendum to the last post, I've finally compiled all of Lorenzo's monthly milestone pictures from his first year of life for your viewing pleasure. (He turned one back in January.) It's amazing how much change happens in a just one year.

Gosh, I love his kid. I'm definitely missing the cuddlier months--way too squirmy to be held these days. (Sigh.)

The countdown to Quilt Market has begun and I've got way too much to do in so little time. Wish me luck. (Eeeee!)

For the Love {PDF vs Paper}

April 28, 2014, 11:06 am

≫ Next: Quilt Market Pittsburgh 2014

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So I have this problem...

I don't know about you, but every time I go to buy a new quilt/sewing pattern, I experience this internal sort-of "wrestle" over whether I should buy the PDF download or paper copy. I usually end up with the PDF because I am very impatient. Later, I find myself wishing that I had gone with the pretty paper version to add to my collection. Happens EVERY SINGLE TIME! In all reality, I've come to realize that I would reeeeeeeally like both versions. 

 

For some reason it's been on my mind a lot lately SO I have decided to make a special offer for those of you who may experience this same dilemma.

Here's how it works: If you visit my shop, you will see special PDF/Paper COMBOS listed for my six newest pattern designs. This "combo" allows you to add the instant PDF download to your paper pattern purchase for only $2 more.

If enough people like the idea, I'll expand to offer these combos in other patterns.

Quilt Market Pittsburgh 2014

May 27, 2014, 10:05 pm

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≪ Previous: For the Love {PDF vs Paper}

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Rose Red--a new doll pattern coming soon!

Well, I've been home for a week now from quilt market in Pittsburgh and I had a great time. I was one of three (!) new designers for Moda and was so happy to make new friends of these lovely ladies. (If you don't already know April Rosenthal and Amy Ellis, you definitely need to check them out. Their new lines are FABULOUS.)

So I didn't bring my camera. (I was already bringing so much stuff with me that I really couldn't bear the idea of lugging my big camera bag and all its accouterments.) So you get to deal with my phone camera instead--sorry!

My booth was in the Moda designer section and it was a heavenly place to be. (A big thanks to all the folks at Moda for putting in so much sweat in making it an award-winning booth!) The Moda booth layout was sort of like a town square: the designers' booths surrounded the center sales booth area. (This is the view from my booth.)

And here is my actual booth. Alex Veronelli (Aurifil) volunteered to model the Cottage Canopy and I must say that he looks right at home.

There were several videos filmed at quilt market. Here is the Moda Schoolhouse video filmed by Fat Quarter Shop (I'm in it beginning at about 17:50):

It was really crowded in the room so you don't get to see my full layer cake quilt but don't worry--all will be revealed at a later time... You do get a beautiful shot of the quilting done by the talented Abby Latimer.

You can also see additional videos about my new patterns and fabric filmed by Fat Quarter Shop as well as a booth tour by Moda Fabrics. I hope you enjoy them.

I was excited to show a few new patterns I'm working on including the Rose Red doll at the beginning of this post, but also a Nordic play cape called Wolf Bait that my mom and I are working on together. 

It was a week of firsts--my first fabric line showing, my first time to Pittsburgh, and my first time in an ambulance. I definitely could have done without that last one (dang kidney stones!) but am okay. Long story short, I gained a stint while in Pittsburgh and will (finally) have the kidney stones blasted this afternoon here in Lubbock. (Wish me luck!)

In the meantime, my sewing machine is looking rather lonely and neglected. Please bless I can get this kidney stone business behind me soon!

Mystery No More

June 20, 2014, 11:05 am

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≪ Previous: Quilt Market Pittsburgh 2014

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Good news, kidney stones are gone and I am feeling so much better! I just got a couple major deadlines out of the way (next fabric line turned in!) AND finished up my Fat Quarter Shop Mystery Block of the Month from 2012. This was a really fun sampler to put together.

These blocks were all fun to make and look so neat altogether. There's no way I could choose a favorite. 

The beautiful fabric is from Vintage Modern (Bonnie & Camille for Moda) and is out of print, making it an even bigger treasure now.

Here is a look at the overall quilt top (taken when I basted it). You can read more of the details about the assembly here.

Back to work for me, way too many projects I've got to get done!

Briar Rose

June 27, 2014, 9:55 am

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I'm so excited to share this baby quilt with you! It is yet another quilt made using my Starstruck quilt pattern but this time I've used fabrics from Windham's Briar Rose collection by Heather Ross. It was difficult not to share a million photos of this one. 

I called upon my instagram friends to help me pick out the binding and the majority voted for this orange print from Moda's Marmalade by Bonnie & Camille. I'm so glad I listened! I love how it turned out! (If you haven't found me on Instagram yet, come find me under the name lellaboutique.)

I quilted it myself with simple freemotion blooms. It's never easy to quilt with soft backs like fleece or minky but I decided to try out some of Moda's Snuggles since I had heard so much about it at quilt market. It did not disappoint! It is a lot thinner than the fleeces I've worked with in the past so it was nice to cut down on some of that bulk. It's so soft that it is pretty much a no brainer for any baby quilt.

These colors are so happy and bright. I hope it will serve as a sort of eviction notice for the overdue baby for whom it is intended. Come on, baby!

Rose Red

June 30, 2014, 11:47 am

≫ Next: Wolf Bait

≪ Previous: Briar Rose

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She's here! My first ever doll pattern is ready to download. I had so much fun making Rose Red and I especially adore her hair using my woodcut print from Into the Woods. Which is going to be in stores August, by the way! It's coming up soon, ya'll!

Paper copies will be in the shop early next week. I'm hoping to keep up my momentum and get the Wolf Bait play cape in the shop soon.

Wolf Bait

July 8, 2014, 8:46 pm

≫ Next: A Perfect Match

≪ Previous: Rose Red

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It will likely come as no surprise to you that I keep finding myself sewing projects for children. Not only do I have a few little ones running around, but the inspiration for my Into the Woods fabric itself was my own special childhood. In my last post you got to see my Rose Red woodland doll pattern, and now I'm happy to show you the Wolf Bait Nordic play cape pattern. I need a nap.

This pattern was another collaboration with my mom, Miriam Rawson and she gets all the credit for its clever name. We just know that this sweet play cape will delight the Little Red Riding Hood in your life AND it can be made with or without a hood. You know, just in case you want to make it in purple with black ball trim for all the little Frozen movie lovers in your life?! 

Anyway, it's ready in the shop in PDF or paper format. But that's not all. Because it's my birth month, I'm offering a 20% discount in the shop. Just enter the promo code PIONEERBABY at checkout before July is over and get 20% off ANYTHING your heart desires.

Into the Woods will be out in stores next month, so now is the time to stock up on the patterns! Enjoy. 

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A Perfect Match

July 15, 2014, 6:41 pm

≫ Next: The Big 30

≪ Previous: Wolf Bait

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Thread. Everybody who sews uses it but not everyone knows the difference between the good stuff and the BEST stuff. When you sew everyday like I do, it's imperative to use the best, so I have become a big Aurifil fan. I mean, just check out how pretty those little spools are just sitting there!

You may have heard other designers rave Aurifil thread and I'm here to confirm it is for good reason. First of all, these fabulous little spools are 100% Egyptian cotton (long staple) and come in multiple weights. I prefer the 50 weight pretty much all the time as it is great for everything--piecing, quilting, hand-binding, etc.

One of the first things I did when I got my Into the Woods strikeoffs was look through my Aurifil color card to find the perfect coordinating colors for all my bazillions of projects I knew I would be making. (I used every single color in the Cottage Canopy for all that top-stitching!)

So here are the coordinating colors that you are going to want to stock up on for your Into the Woods sewing projects (as seen above):

• 2021 (white)

• 2415 (pink)

• 2360 (brown)

• 2835 (mint)

I hope that helps! Feel free to leave any questions in the comments. 

Oh and don't forget about the 30% discount in my shop using promo code PIONEERBABY any time in July! 

The Big 30

July 24, 2014, 2:00 am

≫ Next: My Favorite Bedtime Story

≪ Previous: A Perfect Match

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It's my birthday, ya'll and I'm ALLLLL about the number 30 today. 

Speaking of the number 30, did you know that Into the Woods has 30 different prints? I guess it's a sign I'd better give some away...how about a fat eighth bundle and a handful of my patterns. Sound good?

Because Into the Woods was inspired by my favorite bedtime stories, you can enter to win by leaving a comment telling me what your favorite bedtime story is. I'll pick one comment at random first thing Monday morning (7/28/14).

Because of the number 30, I am also offering a 30% discountin my shop off anything using PIONEERBABY as the promo code--good through the rest of July. And what the heck, if you buy 3 patterns or more, I'll sweeten the deal by throwing in a mini charm pack (while supplies last, no promo code needed).

The last decade of my life was pretty cool, and I'm definitely looking forward to what's up ahead. Oh and Happy Pioneer day!

My Favorite Bedtime Story

July 28, 2014, 12:03 pm

≫ Next: Figgy Pudding {Free Pattern}

≪ Previous: The Big 30

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Thank you for the birthday wishes! I loved hearing about your favorite bedtime stories and how some of them have become family traditions. So neat! 

A big congrats to Lisa E. who won the fat eighth bundle and and pattern prize. She said "My daughters had a lot of stuffed bunnies, so we made up bedtime stories about the softies." Let me know where I can send your prize!

One of my favorite bedtime stories was "The Boy and the North Wind." I found an excellent retelling of it here if you are interested in hearing it.

We're in the final days of the 30% discount in my shop. Just use the promo code PIONEERBABY in July AND if you purchase 3 patterns or more you also get a free mini charm pack of Into the Woods (while supplies last).

Figgy Pudding {Free Pattern}

August 14, 2014, 8:24 am

≫ Next: Mixing it Up

≪ Previous: My Favorite Bedtime Story

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I have been meaning to make a Christmas quilt ever since I got my hands on Into the Woods yardage clear back in March. Five months later...

The Figgy Pudding fat quarter pattern is here at last and the good news is 1) it's free, 2) there is still plenty of time to make it before Christmas, and 3) Into the Woods is on its way to shops right now!

Maybe this was perfect timing after all.

This is a free pattern, and there are a couple different ways to access it. First, you can visit the Moda Bake Shop and view it in tutorial form OR you can access the PDF download here. I think this quilt would make a really great class!

Abby Latimer quilted Figgy Pudding with a cable design and I can't stop swooning over it. You cannot go wrong with the cable design! 

Enjoy! 

Mixing it Up

August 28, 2014, 10:41 pm

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≪ Previous: Figgy Pudding {Free Pattern}

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I can still picture the day in third grade when the recorders were handed out (I remember them being called flutaphones?). One of the first songs we learned to play was "Hot Cross Buns". It's one of those little ditties everyone knows, right? One-a-penny, two-a-penny, hot cross buns. (Do kids learn this anymore?)

For some reason I've had "Hot Cross Buns" on my mind lately and it has made its way into my quilting. So without further ado, meet one of my newest patterns:

I used a Jelly Roll® and coordinating solids from a fabulous new line of fabric called Mixologie by Studio M for Moda. It is a great modern collection and releases in just a few days! (That's right, I'm giving you a little sneaky peek.) The pattern is available in my shop in PDF or paper format--paper will ship sometime next week.

I quilted it with a million squiggly lines--a fun method I learned from Camille's craftsy class! It took a lot longer to do this (and used a lot of thread) but was so worth it. 

Definitely the craziest batch of hot cross buns I've ever seen. 

But that's not all--I've got another new pattern for you. (A few of you may remember the original I made a year ago after moving to Texas.) It's called The North Wind after one of my all-time favorite bedtime stories. This pattern is also now listed in the shop in PDF or paper format.

I made this one with two charm packs, along with more coordinating solids. I love the way the navy corner/side triangles really make all the colors really pop. 

I must admit that I used to be totally afraid of on-point quilts. Then I actually made one and realized it was a fear of the unknown holding me back. So glad to be over that! It's really a lot of fun.

The quilt felt very whimsical to me so I let the freemotion quilting reflect that with lots of swirlies.

I'll be sending these off soon so they can pay a visit to quilt market in Houston! Wish I was going!