Finished: Donut Quilt

Yay, another finished quilt!  For those of you who really don't like patchwork, bear with me, I promise we'll move onto clothing soon!  (I just ordered a pencil skirt to go with that Hawthorn I have planned, so I probably need to sew it...)

I used Johanna Masko's Donuts pattern for this, but altered it slightly.  I started with the throw size, and decided, instead of borders, I'd add two more rows of Donuts.  I didn't repeat any fabrics , which is something the pattern recommends.  I also originally didn't want any left or right borders, but without them, the quilt was way too long and skinny--it just looked bizarre!  I added six inches to either side.

I'm completely unable to resist fall (or Christmas, but that's another story), and wanted another fall quilt for the collection.  I grabbed fabrics I loved that felt more like autumn for whatever reason--oranges, reds, and browns were prevalent.  I threw in some purples, blues, and greens for some pop, too.

I also used Essex Linen in Flax for the background.  I've only used Essex before in my Super Tote, which I loved.  Well, Essex is quite different to quilt with--I had a lot of shifting and stretching, which was a bummer.  I did, however, pre-wash my linen so I wouldn't deal with shrinkage.

Quilting this was pretty intense; I think I spent a total of nine hours working on it.  I straight-line quilted the donuts, 5/8" inside and outside and inside the donut holes.  I think quilted chrysanthemums in the spaces between donuts using the tutorial from Stitched in Color.  That really wasn't difficult, and I just practiced by drawing flowers in my work notebook between emails.  I also quilted with a loopy design on all borders and sashing--practicing it the same way as the mums!

Mums are so fallish to me, so I had to include them.  I used variegated 50 wt. Aurifil for the quilting, and I love how it blended in.  I thought about using orange Aurifil at first, but I already had the variegated in my stash, and it ended up being perfect.  There's texture, but you (hopefully) don't notice every single mistake I made.  I'd say I'm getting less horrible at free-motion quilting.  I'm not even somewhat good yet, but I'm getting more confident and trying new things.

PS--my Camille Roskelley Aurifil set arrived yesterday, so I really couldn't be more excited to try more patterns and open all that shrink-wrap on each spool.

The quilt is backed with two Dear Stella prints, and bound with another, all from their Piper line.  I originally bought both of these yardage cuts for clothing, but as I make more quilts, I'm using quilting cottons for quilts and apparel fabrics for apparel.  I'll probably have exceptions to that, but it's how I'm leaning now.  I used the Sprinkle print for one of the donuts too.  I thought it tied things together well!  Also, helicopters and confetti, what could be better?

This boy loves his quilts.

I also machine-stitched the binding!  That's unusual for me unless I'm in a hurry or am displaying something instead of using it.  However, I'm realizing with every binding that our couch is on its last legs and I end up in pain for days from the lack of hip support.  I was looking at hours on the couch with this quilt, versus 30 minutes at the machine, so I went with the machine.  I know a lot of quilters will cringe at that, but to them I say, you're welcome to buy us a new couch.

So that's the latest!  What have yall been up to?  I heard that new Robin Thicke song on the radio twice on our way home from Barnes and Noble this afternoon, so I've been singing it to annoy Nick.  Fun times!

Finally Finished: Chicopee Quilt

I pledged to myself that I'd finish all my miscellaneous quilt tops (three from 2012) before the summer ended.  As of last night, I made good on that promise!

This was the second quilt top I ever pieced, and the first not using pre-cuts.  I won six one-yard cuts of Chicopee last summer from FreeSpirit and used them, as well as a random blue print and FreeSpirit Designer Solids in Nugray.  I think I bought the whole bolt of Nugray and I'm still working through it. 

I quilted it in diagonal straight lines about 1.75" apart.  I used medium gray 50 wt Aurifil, which I found Eleanor chomping down like spaghetti this morning.  It was still attached to my machine.  I don't know.

The pattern is Pow Wow from Cluck Cluck Sew.  I'd like to make another scrappier version.  Just add that to my list!

I backed it with two prints from Madrona Road and bound it with another Chicopee print.  This quilt screams late summer/early fall to me.  I also was a bit annoyed at the wonkiness of the backing when I first realized it...but it's grown on me!

And Schnoz likes it, so there you go.

Feathers and Linen: A Summer Tova

I previewed my Anna Maria Horner Tova top last week, back when it was just a body with no sleeves or cuffs or collar or hem--just a sad piece of beautiful linen.  Unfortunately, I really dropped the ball on working on it this week.  I guess having a new puppy does that to you?  Whatever my excuse (and it changes daily), I finally found time to finish it today, while waiting for my fabric to pre-wash and dry.  Puppy bandanas and beds for all!

The blue shorts were a total coincidence.  Don't you love that?  It's like kismet.  I have a pair of purple shorts that actually match it perfectly, so I'm excited to have two options!  On a side note, with all these colorful shorts, I can't help but think of when I was 11 and I told my mother colored shorts were so unfashionable and I demanded plain denim shorts.  On the first day of school, everyone was wearing different-colored shorts (we lived in South Florida) and I was bummed.  That started a long tradition of her saying "I told you so."

This isn't even an outtake!

I made my other Tova top last spring and wear it constantly, despite sewing the sleeves backward and mending a big hole in the torso.  It's navy gingham and just perfect.  I'm hoping this one gets just as much wear!  The fabric is heavier but not uncomfortable.  Like I said last week, it'll be a nice transitional piece, for now and later in the summer, when it gets chilly at night.  That happens in Charlotte, right?  God help us.

Also, did you see I finally cut my hair?!  It's only been two years since I've actually stepped into a salon--it's about time, people.  I'm not 100% happy with it--there aren't enough layers, and I had to trim a few bits myself because she was a bit conservative with the scissors--but I'm glad to have short hair again.  Yay!

I also made a dog bed with dinosaur fabric this weekend.  Schnoz refuses to sleep on it.  What an angel.

Meeting Mister Schnoz

Last week was a bit hectic.  I got back in town from Chicago Sunday afternoon and seemed to hit the ground running: laundry!  Dinner!  Groceries!  Oh, and then work!  The week flew by, which is good, of course.  I hate weeks that linger.  Just move on already.

In the middle of all this, Nick mentioned getting a dog--again.  When we lived in Jacksonville, we both had dogs: my family had a Florida brown dog (read: mutt) and Nick's had a bullnese who was born and bred at the next-door neighbor's house.  Then we moved to DC, and our apartment not only preferred cats, but really catered more to them.  The pet deposit for dogs was in the thousands (hardwood floors) and 700 square feet doesn't really lend to a dog's housing preference.  It can be done, surely, but not while we're both working 12 hour days and commuting at 6 AM.  We shelved our definite plans, but never stopped dreaming about our future brood of Corgis, Westies, Scotties, and Schnauzers.  The terriers, they call to us.

So while I was trying to desperately jump back into things, Nick and I talked about dogs.  I firmly believe in adopting.  In fact, the animals I've had--Puddin' and Eleanor, though I nursed Maisy back to health--adopted me.  They were strays, or rescues, and I always have room for another kitty.  I couldn't, in good faith, go to a breeder when I knew there were hundreds of dogs in Charlotte who needed a home.  I pushed Nick to go on Petfinder and just look.  Just look!  That way, you know what's out there.

Well...he found someone.  Lucas, as he was listed, a black miniature Schnauzer, nine weeks old and cute as hell.  As Nick was telling me about it, he was also emailing the rescue agency, and updating me as emails were exchanged.  We called the foster mom Tuesday night, discussing everything from his age to when we could meet him.  Nick was in love, and nothing was going to stop him.

As we planned and talked Wednesday through Friday, we realized we needed everything.  We have cats!  How will we raise a dog?!  So we started a list: crate, bed, toys, shampoo, etc., etc., adding to it every time we talked.  I read about miniature Schnauzers and checked puppy websites, scouted "hipster" and handmade dog accessories, and decided this puppy will, in fact, wear a coat in the fall and have a Halloween costume.  As his intended mother, I can decide these things.

Finally, Saturday came and we drove to North Augusta, South Carolina.  Have you been to North Augusta?  I hadn't either, but it isn't a stunner of a town.  But, the foster mom was there, and it isn't a bad trip from Charlotte, especially when the love of my fiance's life lives there with his four brothers and sisters and poor mother, all rescued from a puppy mill.  We met with the foster mom, who brought us Lucas and his brother (no name), and we held both and switched back and forth, talking with her about the agency, the dogs they rescue, the puppies' medical histories.  I made Nick play God and choose who we brought home, and he chose Lucas, the puppy he had fallen head-over-heels for just days earlier.  We paid the adoption fee, packed him up, and headed home.  He didn't even whimper until we got off I-485 at our exit.  A dream!

I won't bore you with more puppy talk, but Mr. Schnoz, or Schnozzy as we affectionately call him, is adorable.  And he's ours!  This is how new parents must feel.  Currently we're working on treats and training, but we have big plans for obedience classes, Canine Good Citizenship, doggy daycare, and outings to the dog cafes in the area.  This is exciting!  As someone who mostly loves cats, it's a whole new way of thinking and doing.  And it's fun.

I'll leave you with some pictures of the little pup.  If you have any puppy tips or help with miniature Schnauzers, please share!

Yes, that is a bowtie.

First bath at home!

I also wanted to note that the rescue agency we adopted from is Canine Rescue of North Augusta.  If you love Lucas, he has brothers and sisters who need homes!  And if you don't love Lucas, but you love other dogs, check them out.  They adopt all over the U.S., and the founders--Barbie and Jean--are very nice women.