Mini Quilt Swap With Jules Knoblock

Mini Quilt, by Me
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.


Treehouse Quilt by Julie Knoblock
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

Here, finally, is the unveiling of the little bird quilt that I made for a swap with Julie Knoblock. Many moons ago, Jules wrote a post about being inspired by one of my mini quilts. Since I admired her work, I suggested a swap — Jules enthusiastically agreed. I think that was about seven or eight months ago. Yes, I am the world's slowest swapper.

Jules was far more timely, and quickly sent this treehouse-themed beauty. I love it! The colors and motifs really fit our life: dog, flowers, mushrooms, and that awesome treehouse. Now, if I could just get it framed, I will hang it on this wall of our bedroom.

Julie and I were both inspired by Amy and her wonderful small quilts. A double congratulations to Amy on her book and her baby!

More details of my quilt over at my Fabric & Felt set at Flickr.

Bedroom Wall

wall
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

I've been busy sewing curtains for our little cabin in the woods. I'm gathering up a bunch of photos from my sister to do a WIP post about it soon. This photo is of our current bedroom wall. It's a typical example of how I don't finish projects around the house. Hopefully this won't be true up at the cabin. This wall has been like this for several months. Seems like it will be awhile before I get everything framed. I have a couple other pieces I'd like to add. Click on the photo to get to flickr where I've added notes on all the pieces.

Sneak Peek: A mini quilt for Julie Knoblock

mini_quilt_jk
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

I truly am the slowest swapper ever. Just ask Samantha, Tricia, Alice (not technically a swap, but I did promise that I'd mail her some craft supplies, which took me about five months to do), and now Julie. I don't even want to look back and see how long it's been since Julie and I started talk about this mini quilt swap. I've been enjoying hers now for at least a couple of months. This here is a little sneak peak at the one I'm making for her. It's almost done! Part of my delay is that I started a different one and couldn't get anywhere with it. Finally I gave up on it and made a new one in less than a week. I like how it's turning out. Soon Julie, soon.

P.S. Check out Julie's interactive painting project. You get to help art direct a painting.

Can't Stop Sewing: A Post With Many Photos

mini_quilt_detail_flowers
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.


mini_quilt_detail_cat
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.


skirt_tops
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.


skirt_bottoms
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.


marina's_quilt1
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.


marina_quilt4
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.


shirt1
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.


shirt2
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

Firstly, the Carlos Fund auction is now live. If you want to bid on my art quilt go here. If you want to see what else is available go here. This auction is to help out a young boy who was injured and lost his family in a car wreck. You can see a couple details of my quilt to the right.

Secondly, I've been sewing — a lot. I've finished these four skirts for myself and two for my sister. Still using our Sew What! Skirts self-drafted patterns. Mine now includes two darts on the rear for, ahem, roundness. I used three vintage fabrics and one new, and have been experimenting with different hem options. I think my favorite is the old fashioned seam binding sewn to the fabric edge, turned under, and hand stitched.

I also made two baby blankets: One (shown below) with Heather Bailey's Fresh Cut fabric; The other was tumbling sock monkeys in light blue with red binding. I missed getting a photo of that one because it was thought up and made the morning of the baby shower. I had a quick lesson in binding from our quilting friend who was visiting — thanks, Kathy! And, I was only 45 minutes late to the party. I do like a deadline, probably because of the adrenaline.

And, (insert heralding trumpets here) I made my first shirt! I was trying to make and finish it before Bethany's Chinese New Year dinner party and I succeeded. It took me two days. Luckily my mom entertained the kids for a whole day while I did most of the work. The second day I was on my own with the kids and barely got the arm facings and hem done. The fabric is Daisy Days by Erin Michael. The pattern is Simplicity 5197 "6 tunics made easy." Since it's a pullover I added darts to the back to make it less tent-like. The front still hangs pretty loose, but I was afraid to take it in any more without putting in a zipper. This way it still works with my nursing lifestyle. Speaking of breastfeeding, the cute little guy in the bottom photo is just starting to walk, which, along with my compulsive sewing, is keeping my posting time to a minimum.

Next up: How I'm a slacker swapper. And, how cool is Julie Knoblock.

For Carlos Fund Auction, Please Bid

For Carlos Fund Auction
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

Claire from Greenjewls is organizing a benefit auction for a young boy who lost his family in a fiery car wreck. Please visit her preview site in anticipation of the eBay auction, which will take place the last week of February. One of my mini quilts will be auctioned off, so I'll be posting reminders.

In addition to organizing the benefit, Claire has made at least two of her very special felted sweater blankies for the auction. I know they are very special because she made one for me right after our baby was born. She didn't even know me at the time. She was just a a person who read my blog. She's amazing! I rave about our blankie all the time because it's so great to use — big, soft, washable, colorful, full of love. So go bid on one of her blankets when the time comes, or find something else. I was just over there. I saw some letterpress notecards; vintage button and bead bracelets for grown ups and kids; and some nice art pieces.

Here's a blurb about the piece that I'm donating:
Dream — A mini quilt (approx: 8 by 16 inches) designed and hand-crafted by Michelle Russell of Green Kitchen using recycled and thrifted materials, including: vintage buttons, felted wool sweater, and a screen-printed napkin. A white cat sleeps amongst a button flower garden under a whimsical orange tree. The word *Dream* rests below.

Quilts--Inspired by Amy Karol

Bird with Nest Quilt
Originally uploaded by Green Kitchen.

One of a series of small quilts I did for holiday gifts, inspired by Amy Karol at kingpod. At first I was hesitant to post these online because I felt that maybe I would be infringing on Amy's craft territory, but after reading Eireann's plagiarism post and related comments I thought it would be OK. My thinking is, that if we are inspired by other artists and crafters, it's a great compliment to be copied--as long as it is done with sensitivity and awareness. A nod to the original source is requisite, links to sites a must. Let's not let a few idea-stealers ruin the beauty of the generosity amongst this amazingly talented pool of artists, illustrators, photographers, painters, sewers, spinners, felters, crocheters, knitters, jewelers, cooks, and writers. The sharing is a large part of the beauty of this online community.

More quilt photos here and here.

See more of Amy at Whip Up where she'll be contributing to Kathreen of Red Current's new multi-author craft site. Watch for the first installment to be whipped up on Feb. 1st, tomorrow!