Icebox Quilts

I didn't know that when I started selling my quilts on  Etsy that I would be getting so many requests for custom orders. So far it has been fun to take other people's ideas and create a quilt they will love. It is requiring me to stretch my design skills and my longarm skills too.  This king-size quilt was completed this week, and I used every inch of my longarm! She gave me a little direction; wildflowers and butterflies. I pulled a fat quarter collection from my stash, and she liked some of the color palate. Along with a picture from her bedroom, I went to work gathering more fabric and designing. I think it came out great, and I especially loved incorporating more butterflies into the quilting. Thank you for your ideas and trusting me with the rest!

. . .. . and starting new ones!  Having a longarm is a game changer. This old quilt top has been ready for quilting for about six years. I even started it on my regular machine, but wasn't happy with the results so I stopped. It was easy to take out the minimal stitching I started and complete it in an afternoon on the longarm. Now this cheerful quilt is on the  Etsy shop  and making me happy in the meantime. Quilt pattern is "Just for Fun" by Melissa Mortenson. I am also working on my first comissioned quilt for a customer who found me on social media and purchased one of my quilts. It's a large king-size quilt, but I LOVE the color palette she chose, and the 16-inch blocks are coming together. I hope your finished projects give you license to start something new. I find it is a balance between wanting to clear out the old, but still be inspired to create by starting something new.

    Lately I have been adding a bit of "extra" to my quilt backs. I think it is a fun way to use up some leftover fabric, showcase a block or pattern from the front of the quilt and just make the back more interesting. It also reminds me that this is part of the history of quilting. Early quilters used up what they had on hand patching pieces together to make a quilt. What do you think? Solid backing or added whimsy? Feel free to leave a comment.

I left for vacation on a real high having made not only my first quilt sale, but three ! Thank you to those who viewed my website and little online shop, shared it, and referred me to friends. 💕 It was a wonderful time in Spain traveling with dear friends and seeing our son. Mallorca is beautiful, and the weather was perfect for hikes along the coast and in the mountains. I was never a big fan of olives, but I have developed a taste for them now. So much good food.  I am making some plans to start creating more large bed size quilts in queen and king sizes. I've had a few requests for them. I thought baby quilts and throws for the couch or decorating would be more in demand, but I am learning that people want a quilt they can have on their own bed. I'm happy I got a long arm that can handle that size!

One of the things that made Etsy an appealing platform for selling my quilts is the ability to "turn off" my shop, or go on vacation mode. As some of you know, my two greatest passions these days are quilting and traveling. This seemed like a good way to be able to do both! So here are a couple more quilt pictures until I am back with pictures from Mallorca.  

This time of year as the weather starts to cool, I love creating snuggly Halloween and fall-themed quilts. In my sewing room, I'm working on one with the cutest cats depicted as witches and vampires! Stay tuned for pictures. Here are some of my previous fall quilts.                                     Jonah quilt pattern            Fat Quarter Plus pattern            Star Break pattern designed                               by Erica Jackman              by M aterial Girl Quilts               by Melanie Call   Owls See You pattern Wendy Sheppard   4-Patch Frenzy pattern Missouri Star Quilt Co.