WHAT...another project?

 I know, I know... do I really need to start ANOTHER project when I have three others (crochet afghans) currently in various stages of completion. I couldn't help it. Honestly, how could I resist this scrumptious needlepoint pillow kit by Anna Maria Horner? I couldn't...I just couldn't!

Floral Centre Tapestry Kit purchased here. I DARE you not to buy one!

How Mama Got Her Groove Back

I was in a bit of a sewing slump. After over three years of having an Etsy shop with slow but steady sales I was not yet in the place I had hoped to be. I couldn't find my "Mojo", if you will. Through the years I attempted to try new (to me) quilting techniques and patterns, wanting to become an avid and respected quilter. My fabric stash became larger and larger but my sewing output was a bit stagnant. I finally realize some of my issues...I'm lazy and want instant gratification, right NOW! I just do not have the patience for following a quilt pattern with lots of small, precisely measured pieces in which one beautiful block takes a day to complete...ugh! I struggled to figure out a way to create quilts using my ever growing fabric stash that would inspire and excite my creativity. I had found I was more inclined to create random patchwork quilts, as this technique allows the freedom to use various sizes of fabric pieces in every which way, without the need for measuring. It is a wonderful way to use up those precious scraps. It was my go-to method. Then the other day I watched a video in which the instructor was explaining how to line up points in a traditional patchwork: Lay out your squares, sew into strips, iron seams in each row opposite of the next row, pin rows together at the seams by "nesting" or "locking"them together, sew rows together accordingly. Pretty simple...with some practice.



I started out slowly and then things started heating up from there. I began creating quilt tops in a matter of hours.  I wasn't creating the much beloved quilt block (although I do still love piecing together simple quilt blocks). I was just sewing beautiful fabric squares together, kind of a no-brainer. I was pulling out all my fabrics, creating fun combos and whipping them together in a flash. I wasn't worried that my traditional method wouldn't be worthy to be considered a modern application. The thing about Modern Quilting is that it is vast in it's definition:

From the Modern Quilt Guild web page ~

Modern quilts are primarily functional and inspired by modern design. Modern quilters work in different styles and define modern quilting in different ways, but several characteristics often appear which may help identify a modern quilt. These include, but are not limited to: the use of bold colors and prints, high contrast and graphic areas of solid color, improvisational piecing, minimalism, expansive negative space, and alternate grid work. "Modern traditionalism" or the updating of classic quilt designs is also often seen in modern quilting.

I can totally relate to modern traditionalism in that I'm using a traditional design with bold, modern fabrics. Yay me!

So, for now I'm really liking this new/old (modern/traditional) way of using up many of my long neglected fabrics. As I see my stash dwindle and my Etsy shop expand I can feel oh so much better with buying even more bold, modern fabrics. Because that's what it's all about anyway...a reason to buy more fabric without the guilt, right?

You can find these new quilts in the shop!

Bug-A-Loo Quilt

Bug-A-Loo Quilt

Kid quilts are just so much fun to make! I love all the bright and happy colors. I created this quilt around the Bugs fabric by Jone Hallmark for Blend Fabrics. 

I like to mix fabrics up and not use just one collection for a quilt. I added various charm squares of Happy Go Lucky and a few fabrics from Anna Maria Horner's True Colors collection for a kaleidoscope of bold primary colors and geometrics. 

Backed with Kona White and a strip of matching patchwork. Measures 46" x 35".

A perfect size for the crib or as a take along naptime quilt for a toddler.

In the Shop and ready to ship to that special little one who loves all things "creepy-crawly"!

Esmeralda Quilt

Is this not a bright and happy quilt? I started putting this quilt together a few months ago using Amy Butler's Jade Heirloom fabric from her Lark collection as my inspiration. I created several large sized blocks and then kinda sorta forgot about it. I pulled it back out a few days ago and decided to finish it up and I'm so glad I did. It was such fun gathering all the different colors of fabric, melon, tangerine, jade, red, blue and then randomly arranging them around my inspiration fabric into this snappy quilt.                                                                                                          

I had not decided on a binding until after I finished quilting it. With all of the red and green it  had a Christmas-y tone to it, which was definitely not intended! I tried many different colors of binding (orange, purple, gray) and then once I held up the pink geometric print by Dear Stella the whole quilt POPPED and any suggestion of Christmas was replaced with FUN & SASSY! Yeah!

Most of these fabrics are from my precious scrap collection and are now out of print.  I think my favorite prints have to be the Kaffe Fassett Brokade Floral prints. I have several yards of each the jade and red and use them very sparingly but luckily had some good sized scraps so I did not need to cut into any yardage.

The back is large patchwork using Sandi Henderson's Meadowsweet, some Tina Givens and Bella Solid in Aqua. Measures 57" x 43". 

Perfect as a large quilt for the crib, as a coverlet for a twin bed or thrown over the couch for an elegant lap quilt.

It's in the SHOP and ready to ship!

Cyber Monday

 Oh, how I LOVE fabric deliveries! Cyber Monday was vedy, vedy good to me. I ordered all of these lovelies from Quilt Home with their awesome Cyber Monday sale...be still my heart! Lets see...we have some Anna Maria Horner Dowry & True Colors, Three (3!) Parson Gray World Tour charm packs and some Amy Butler Belle. I can hardly stand it!

Just the other day my husband was trying to think of any commitments lined up for this weekend and in my mind I was thinking (praying, wishing) please say NOTHING, please say NOTHING. I just wanted a weekend where he could sit on the couch, watch football and drink beer and I could sew, sew, sew with no time constraints. I think my wish came true! Maybe I'll even get some Christmas shopping done, just maybe. We'll see.

Lavish Linen Totes

Here is my newest bag the Lavish Linen Tote, and it's a BIG one! I wanted to make a very sturdy bag and the new designer linens that have appeared lately were the perfect choice. I started with Anna Maria Horner's Field Study linen for these first bags but have Valori Wells and Tina Givens linen bags in the works as well. My funky fabric combos appeal to my quirkiness but I also feel it adds a unique quality since these bags are One of a Kind, as most of my items tend to be.

Coral Cat Linen Tote

Plum Cat Linen Tote

Prism of Plumes Linen Tote

 Created with Field Study Linen, other quilting cottons by Anna Maria Horner. Two large interior pockets (8.5 x 10) and a magnetic snap closure. Interior lining and straps made with heavy cotton canvas. Exterior fabric interfaced for extra durability. Measures a generous 21" wide x 19" tall, with a 34" strap. Roomy enough to use as a very stylish diaper bag, book bag, overnight bag or just a lavish everyday carry-all! It's BIG!

 They're in the shop and ready to ship...go take a look!!

For the Love of Anna! Jewel Box Quilt.

Jewel Box Quilt

Well, I'm sure it's no secret that I have a HUGE crush on all things Anna Maria Horner. Love, love, love that girl and everything she does!  I created a special quilt just for me a while ago using mostly her flannels and velveteens. So warm and cozy! The amazing thing about her fabrics is they commingle so easily, regardless of color or collection, in beautiful cohesive harmony (kind of how the world should work...).  

I wanted to build the quilt around the Little Folks Square Dance Voile so I fussy cut the small tiles and just began the random patchwork process. Many of these fabrics are from my scrap collection and working with them made me yearn (yes, I said yearn) for her older collections. Oh, what I would do for her Good Folks collection to be re released!!

I tend to prefer to use a solid border so the binding really stands out so I went with Bella Solid in Aqua and then Loulouthi Stockings for the binding.

The really luxurious element is the backing...wide sections of AMH flannel! Oh yes, warm, cozy flannel, mmmmm! I usually save my flannels for the smaller baby quilts but decided that this quilt needed a flannel backing, just because. Measures 40" x 57". A generous size quilt for the crib, a coverlet for a big girl bed or just thrown over the couch for an elegant lap quilt.

In the Mama Roux SHOP!

Shiny, Happy Fabric!

Yeah! New fabrics are in the house! I happened upon an awesome sale at Fabric.com (20% additional savings on Clearance prices) plus free shipping comes to about $5.00/yard, Woo Hoo! 

I ordered these adorable Jenean Morrison prints from her In My Room line.

So, so cute!

And these sweet purple, pink and blue fabrics

Valori Wells Novella Chevron and Novella Raindrops, a few more Jenean Morrison fabrics, Anna Maria Horner Field Study, and some yummy Denyse Schmidt Shelburne Falls.

At my local Joann's I found a 40% off sale on designer fabrics so I added a few select prints to my ever growing collection of Denyse Schmidt fabrics. 

I so love all the orange!

I've been waiting to cut into these lovelies until I took
these photos...so off to the cutting table I go. 

Happy fabric = Happy me!

Disco Soiree Quilt

 Oh my, this was a fun quilt to make! It wasn't until I was finished with the quilt top that I felt the disco vibe. Then the natural pairing of Amy Butler's Disco Flower on the back was just too perfect! Of course I had to get a little cheeky in my Etsy shop description, quoting from ABBA's Dancing Queen. I was so tickled, I knew I got the somethin' that makes me wanna shout, and jump back and kiss myself!

Disco Soiree, Lap Size Patchwork Quilt,. This delightful quilt will make you dance and jive and have the time of your life! You'll feel the beat of the tamborine! Created with a wide variety of awesome designer fabrics in a traditional patchwork pattern but in a kaleidoscope design. Whimsical butterfly adorns the center square. Backed with Amy Butler's Disco Flower and a bit of Jennifer Paganelli. Bound with Paula Prass Summer Soiree polka dot. Batting is Cotton Warm and Natural. Machine quilted in my random meandering design. Measures 55" x 48". Perfect for adding a sassy touch to the couch, bedroom or as a twin bed coverlet in a little girls room!

Dance on over to my Mama Roux Etsy Shop for more funky quilts!

A Quilt for Faith

Another commissioned quilt! This special quilt was completed back in December for my dear friend, Jennifer, to give to her future daughter-in-law, Faith.

Jennifer had ordered two large quilts a few years back for her children (see this post). Jennifer is wonderful and lets me create my own design using various fabrics with her color choices. 

This quilt pretty much represents most of my favorite designers; Anna Maria Horner, Amy Butler, Sandi Henderson, Tina Givens, Heather Bailey, plus a few others thrown in for good measure. 

Sophisticated and romantic it measures aprox. 60" x 75" and as with the previous quilts I embroidered Faith's name and the year as an added touch.

 

Such a warm way to welcome a new member to the family! Thank you, as always, Jennifer.

A Quilt for Nina

Mama has a new quilt! I created this delicious quilt using only fabrics by Anna Maria Horner, my very fave designer! I am an avid collector (insane hoarder) of her fabrics and have gathered a fine assortment of flannels, velveteens, voile, home dec, and regular old quilting cottons in shades of plums, golds, pinks and tangerine. 

The random patchwork design on both the front and the back gives this quilt a casual, bohemian vibe, just perfect.

The flannel and velveteen make this quilt extra decadent and oh so warm! The binding is a fabric by Denyse Schmidt which veered from the whole "Anna" theme but the colors were perfect.

Measures 50" x 55" and fits nicely draped across our King bed as a coverlet to crawl under while taking a nice afternoon nap on a rainy day.

Jack thinks I made it just for him, little cutie. A few accent pillows are in the works which will make our bed even harder to get out of in the morning.