New Pattern(s)!

Introducing “All Cooped Up” and “Pickin’ Up Stiks”.

I have to say these are my all time favorite patterns right now.  If I’m looking for a quick gift or seasonal quilt, this is my go-to pattern.

Just choose 12 fat quarters and some border/contrasting  fabrics and you’re ready to get cutting and sewing.

You make the “All Cooped Up” version first and then from the scraps from that one, you make the “Pickin” Up Stiks” quilt.

I made this one for a little boy recently.  It’s hard to tell from the photo, but some of the prints are tires and the blue and cream fabrics are maps.  My goal was to use prints that he wouldn’t outgrow too soon and I think this is the type of quilt he will easily use for many, many years.

The next few quilts are from a class that we taught last year.

It was labeled as a beginner class, but everyone that sees the pattern wants one just because it is that go-to, easy as pie, suits everyone’s taste, type of patterns.

     Plus it is a “2-fer” . . . you get two in the package and they are just meant to be done that way.

The patterns are now available in paper or pdf format – take a peek up under the heading “Sipiweske Patterns”.

Sunday doings . . .

I was flipping through one of many magazines the other day and came across this project that uses pleats and ruching detail. 

A little inspiration to tuck away for future reference . . . a special little detail/technique that I think looks amazing and have not tried yet in quilting.  I’ve used the technique way back when I sewed clothes (many years ago), but never considered using it in a quilting application.

I love it!!  I need to work this into a project somewhere down the line.  Check out your copy of American Patchwork & Quilting December 2011 issue to find out the simple details.

Somehow I’m thinking this would look nice on some blocks in a baby quilt . . . ehm, thinking cap is now securely in position for brainstorming!

This is a pattern that has been sitting in my “need to/want to/have to do” pile for way too long and now it is finally on my cutting table.  I purchased a layer cake of Little Gatherings by Simple Gatherings (MODA) and thought the colors were all very similar to my little Bengal baby, Whiskey (see previous and future posts!).  Everyone needs a cat quilt, don’t they?

I couldn’t resist diving into this pattern any longer and now have all 20 cats ready to put together – except for those tails – they are yet to be done.  I’ve been on pins and needles :)  since starting this project . . . it’s scary not using the fabric requirements listed on the pattern . . . you don’t know if you have enough or just where it will all end up.  Turns out the layer cake is working awesome for the kitties . . . I knew from the start that I wouldn’t be doing the border like that, so not a big deal there.

It’s going to be so much fun to get these kittens all pieced and laid out on the floor to see what I have . . . right now they all look like little mongrels!!

We now have our island in place and are now looking for counter stools to finish this project off for good.  It’s only been six years in the making.  Perfection takes time I guess!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend of sewing and getting out to enjoy some of the nice, unseasonably wonderful weather.

Whiskey

Since I am expecting my new little arrival in the next couple of months, I just have to post some of the baby pictures that I receive every week.

I know that just because I’m finding it fascinating to see the changes every week doesn’t mean most of you will . . . but please bear with me .

I want to have these photos saved here so that they will all be in one place for me to look back on in the future.  I promise I will show my quilting as well . . . I’ve got lots of fabric on order and will be sewing up a storm, so please stop by and see the quilting as well as the occasional little oooohhh’s and ahhhhh’s over the new baby.

February 26, 2012 – two weeks, 3 days old

  March 5, 2012 – 3 weeks, 4 days old

March

10, 2012 – 4 weeks, 2 days old

March 10, 2012 – 4 weeks, 2 days old

March 10, 2012 – 4 weeks, 2 days old

This is Whiskey’s mom – “Summer” . . . maybe Whiskey will be similar coloring to her or maybe . . .

more like her daddy, “Cyui”, – a bit darker with a bit more gold.  Time will tell!

I’m told that Bengals (or maybe it’s only certain ones) are highly glittered, meaning that wonderful shine that the daddy has.  They love high places and also love to play in water – I’ll learn more as I go along, I’m sure.

It’s been 20 years since I’ve had a kitten in the house, so this may take some getting used to.  I’ll have to get busy and kitten-proof everything.

Next post will be more quilts . . . I promise!!!