Fabrics... Amy Butler

I want to share one of my favorite fabric designers with you.. Amy Butler.  Not only do I love her fabrics I love her background and life story.  She is a regular creative woman and we share  alot of the same hobbies such as cooking, gardening, yoga and music.  That might be one reason why I am so drawn to her amazing patterns!  Much like myself she starting crafting and drawing when she was a young girl and her grandmother was a big influence and inspiration to her.  You can check out more about Amy Butler here.

Here are a few of Amy Butler collections :)

Not only does she design fabrics, but she has patterns, yarn, thread, home decor and fashion accessories!! She truly is amazing :)

Cell Phone Case

This is my newest creation.... A cell phone case

I bought this pattern from The Crochet Diva on Etsy.  It is sooo easy, and just as cute!!  I LOVE it!  I made this one for a giveaway on my Quilts N' Gifts facebook page but now I have to make one for myself!!

My Thread Collection!

I LOVE thread!  And I know some of you (MOM) were super excited to read my blog post about my thread!! lol..

My favorite thread is from the one and only Connecting Threads, as most of you know that is my favorite quilting fabric store!!!! It is 100% Egyptian Cotton with a Satin Finish, one roll is 1200 yards so it last a really long time.. I have made 3 lap quilts with one spool start to finish and there is still some left!  As you can tell with all the !!!!! I am using I am super excited! hehe

I carry my thread spools in this cute tote I bought from a craft store.

This is my collection so far, this is only 34 spools of over 100 to choose from, from Connecting Threads!

One of many fabulous colours :)

When I am making a quilt I like my thread to match my backing material, so when ever I buy material for a quilt I buy a new spool of thread.. However, whenever there is a cute colour that catches my eye I usually buy it too.. Even though I have no use for it at the time.... ohhh once again, my online shopping addiction kicks in ;)

I would love to hear about your thread collections, I hope I am not the only one addicted to thread!

Have a beautiful day!

What I have been doing for the past 2 weeks..

So I have been MIA for the past 2 weeks getting ready for my big 3 day Trade Show.  It was a great turn out and a lot of fun!!

Here are a few of the items I have been busy doing for the show..

Summer Sunset Lap Quilt

Zippy Line in Ocean Mist Childrens quilt and pillow

Zippy Line in Apricot Childrens quilt and pillow

Patchwork Minky Blankets :) :)

I had a few sales and tuns of compliments.. And a lot of people wanted to know where I buy my fabric... A LOT!!  I live in a town where there is no fabric store, and the closest fabric store is 2 hours away!  It is a challange, but my addiction to online shopping makes it easy to find fabric!!

Here is my setup.. I have both of my home businesses there, Something Special Gift Baskets and Quilts N' Gifts.

Quilt Along.. Step 9

Step 9 - Care

People think when you have a handmade quilt you can't wash it, well thats faulse!  Just because its handmade doesn't mean it has to be difficulte to care for!  My quilts can be machine washed on glentle cycle or low spin speed.  They can also be machine dryed on medium heat!  Because I don't pre-wash my fabric when I wash my quilts for the first time they get a wrinkled effect, which I LOVE! I really hope you enjoy your quilt, and please comment if you have any questions on any of the previous steps I would love to help you :)

Quilt Along.. Step 8

Step 8 - Binding Finishing

Materials needed for step 8:
Quilt
Needle
Thread

Start hand sewing your binding in the middle of your quilt.  Do not start on a corner. Knot your thread on.

Once your thread is secure on your quilt fold the binding over and insert the needle under the binding strip and angle it forward out of the binding. Make sure you only only put your needle through your backing fabric, you do not want any thread showing though the front of your quilt.

This creates an invisible stitch.

When your thread is to short to keep going pull back your binding and tie a knot where your binding will cover.

When you start your new thread, start it in the same place you finished the last one.  Continue on..

When you get to a corner sew until you reach the seam.

Fold the other side down so the corners meet and then angle your needle through all 3 layers.. (backing, first layer of binding, second layer of binding)

Continue your binding until you have made it all the way around... It is a lot of work, but it is so worth the effort!

Please comment if you have any questions.

Stay tuned for the next step "care"