Oh My

I know how Ginger feels.

Madhuri Modern Mini Tutorial

Remember my mini-quilt?

Of course you do. I know you've been dying to know how to make one yourself. Well, my friend, that day is today. My fellow Quilted Fish Design Team members and I are revealing our tutorials today. Woo-hoo!! The pattern is made by one simple block being turned different ways. So let's get started.

You'll need:
16 4" squares pattern
16 4" squares solid
36 1.75" squares pattern
36 1.75" squares solid
Fabric for binding, about 80"

Pair up a 4" pattern square with a 4" solid square. We're going to make Half Square Triangles, or HSTs.

 I have this awesome ruler that when lined up on the diagonal, gives you a scant quarter inch on each side. It's awesome. Did I say awesome? Because it is. It helps me make perfect HSTs. But, if you don't have one of these awesome rulers, go ahead and make yours according to your favorite method.

 Once your lines are sewn, cut down the center on the diagonal.

 Press seams open and admire.

 Square up to 3.5". Again, I have a fun ruler.

 Draw a diagonal line on the back of each 1.75" square. Place the pattern square on the solid side, and the solid square on the pattern side. Sew along the diagonal line.

 Trim the excess, and press seams open.

Sew the squares together, 6 rows of 6. In the odd rows, alternate the small solid corner first on the bottom right, then on the bottom left. In the even rows, alternate the solid square first on the top right, then on the top left. That will create the diamond patterns. Quilt as desired. I chose to emphasize the diamonds by quilting concentric squares within the patterns, and leaving the pink solid fabric plain. 

 Bind your mini-quilt according to your favorite method.

Enjoy! Now, go check out the other tutorials today:

Brooke

Candice

Jackie

Sally

Stephanie

And don't forget to pick up some Madhuri while you're out fabric shopping. Or while fabric shopping in your pjs. Either way, go get some!

To Boston, With Love

To Boston, With Love was a grass-roots effort started by the Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild to show support for the people of Boston following the bombings at the marathon last month. Quilters from all over the world were invited to sew a flag and then send it in so that all the flags could be tied together.

This one was mine. I know how it feels to be in a place that is attacked. And I know how it feels to try to be normal after that. It's hard. And it takes super-hero effort at times.

I mailed mine in last week to Amy. And my flag, along with about 1600 others, is now hanging in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. It's pretty awesome. Go here to read all about it. I hope Boston feels the love.

Madhuri Mini

Last year I was lucky enough to go to Market. And meet The Butlers. It was awesome. 

This year I couldn't go because I had a baby. I mean, I love her and everything, but I was sad to miss out on Market. So I sent a mini quilt out of Amanda's new line Madhuri. She hung it in her booth and it was admired by millions.

 I'll have a tutorial on it coming up. It was fun to figure out, but I have to say my sleep-deprived brain can only handle small projects right now.

Amanda's booth won an award -- second place for a double booth. It's a pretty big deal. I'm sure my mini-quilt had a huge impact on that. You're welcome.

Lessons from Tim

I am a huge fan of Project Runway. I have watched since the first season and I love it more than I should. I love the catfighting, I love when there are alliances, I love every crazy outfit made out of plumbers tubes and fresh flowers. Love. It.

But this year, I learned something profound as I watched. Each season, the incomparable Time Gunn visits the finalists in their homes. He meets their loved ones and shares a meal. I love it. I want him to come to my house and share a meal. But I digress. On this season, a Native American woman was a finalist. Tim visited their home on the reservation. As he came in, her mother proudly gestured to the feast on the table and declared, "We made all of this for you."

"I am honored," was Tim's reply.

I am honored.

I love that.

My Grandma Jeanne had the unique opportunity to host leadership from the Church of Jesus Christ of Lattery-day Saints in her home. She made a huge fuss over them. Dinner was served on her best dishes with her beautiful silver to accompany it. How did they feel? I am sure honored.

My Grandma Jeanne also has hosted family gatherings large and small at her house. She served delicious home cooked meals on her best dishes, quite often her best with the beautiful silver. I never once thought to  myself, "Oh, she shouldn't have gone to all this trouble!" and I certainly never said it. Why? Because I felt honored. I knew that she felt I was important enough to fuss over.

So now that I am a grown-up girl with 5 children to care for, I occasionally have people over to my home. I serve them on my prettiest dishes. I don't always use my beautiful silver that matches my Grandma's, but sometimes I do. I think about the menu well in advance and serve something homemade and delicious that I think my guests will like. It is my way of saying, "You are worth my time. I want to fuss."

And what do I hope my guests say? "I am honored."

6 Weeks

It's been six weeks since baby girl arrived, and life is a little upside down. I'm getting back in the swing of things bit by bit. Clothes are washed and bathrooms are clean and dinner is served every night. I have even managed to sew a bit. Hooray for me!

Here is my new crew:

 I love all 5 so very much.

And here is the mini I made for Market with Madhuri!

It's just the back. I'll reveal the front after Market.

Spring has sprung and we have had 6 continuous days without rain. It's been a large slice of heaven. Pittsburgh in the spring is lovely.