End of the World's Fair Quilt

I spent the second half of August on the side of a mountain in North Carolina at an event called the End of The World's Fair. I set up a quilting tent with fabric, thread, scissors, books, and other sewing supplies. Everyone was encouraged to try their hand at stitching and anyone that wanted to leave a piece or block with me could contribute to a group quilt. A few people took fabric and inspiration back home across the country with them and mailed the blocks in later. Here are a few pics of the top so far. As you can see a lot of people incorporated embroidery and applique as well as commemorating specific days and events at the Fair. I used a few neutrals and a hand printed linen for borders as well as a bright poppy print. This one will be hand quilted and mailed back to the hosts of the Fair at the Last Resort. {Hopefully before the world ends...}

Tall Bike Quilt for Sheena

I designed and stitched this quilt for my good friends' first baby, Sheena. The smaller piece is a receiving blanket that converts to a standard pillow sham later on. I machine quilted this one in a star meander that loops back onto itself. It was finished right before Halloween 2012.

Levi's Quilt

This is a quilt I finished 2 years ago for my nephew Levi. I recently got to visit it and get a few snapshots. It was designed by me with inspiration from fields, sunflowers, and dandelions. I machine quilted it with a rambling design of curls, butterflies, and stars.

http://artvscraftmke.blogspot.com/
This is this weekend! Please come and see me ( and a gazillion other awesome crafters!) at the Harley Davidson Museum in Milwaukee!

Green Gift Fair Link

http://www.doitgreen.org/gifts-fair

green gifts fair!

http://www.doitgreen.org/gifts-fair
It's that time of year...Please come visit me at my Breaksea Upcycle booth at this awesome event! There are over 70 green vendors and the full Midtown Global Market as well. This Saturday, November 17th from 10am-5pm. Located on Lake St and Chicago Ave in Minneapolis.

diamondssss!

I'm setting up a diamond quilt top using a layer cake from basicgrey by moda called little black dress. The pattern is called Diamonds at Large by Pam&Nicky Lintott. I need something quick and easy to make up so I can try out some quilting techniques on my new machine.

Completion!

The new secret quilt I have been working on since July is done. As soon as the recipients see it I will post some photos, but I am so excited to have it be finished and looking so wild. I think it's a real doozy.

rough draft of Tall Bike Baby Quilt

Asheville morning.

new star

This'n sort of looks like the Schwinn logo. Progress on the quilt is on hold until I get back from vacation. But then it's fall and mitten orders are rolling in... I hope I get this quilt done before its respective baby is born (always a gamble).

Art vs. Craft

Breaksea Upcycle got into Art vs. Craft is November. Pretty exciting! I am worried I won't have enough mittens. Time to sew!

new quilt!

I am finally setting time aside to work on a quilt. I'm still really busy with Breaksea stuff, but I decided I needed to do something just for the fun of it. So, in a way, starting a new quilt is like a vacation.

Johnstock is this Saturday from 10am-6pm. I will be there for Breaksea Upcycle. Please come by and see me!

Too many mittens!!!

Here is the breaksea upcycle facebook page http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003757688796 . I have been so busy with that stuff I haven't had any time for quilting or working on my own designs. Originally I had said I could commit 20 hours a week to taking care of breaksea for Nikolas. Now that I am doing it, it is more like 40 hours a week and it's not even the busy season. In short I am swamped.

Spring Activity

Lots going on around the dirtyard this month. The house next door is slated for demolition and the sewing studio is getting set up nicely in the new two room format. I have been mostly sewing Breaksea Upcycle projects and inventory. Lots of recycled bike hats for spring. We got accepted to two shows; St Cloud sustainability expo on Earth day and Johnstock craft fair in NE Mpls in June. Right now I am on a tour of the West coast in Seattle, combining travel with visiting friends and buying vintage fabrics. I have found tons of good scores! If anyone is in the NE Portland area, check out Knittin' Kitten on Glisan and 74th. It is run by a mother/daughter team and has tons of uncut vintage yardage,recycled yarn, buttons, notions, trims, cutter quilts and linens. I got half a feedsack for $4! Being on the rare vacation is great but I can't wait to get home and get sewing again. There is so much inspiration to bring back with me.

Valentine's craft fair

Everybody come and check out the handmade goodies at the Valentine's craft and bake sale at the Seward Cafe. It is Saturday, Feb. 11th from 6 pm 'til 10 pm at 2129 East Franklin Ave, Minneapolis. People are making all kinds of treats and cool stuff for you to give your sweetie! Come check it out. I will be there as my alter ego, the crazy mitten lady ( Breaksea Upcycle stuff). Since we haven't had any snow yet you may not need mittens or winter hats but it's still fun to look. Also I will have lots of good gifts for the guys. Enter through the back door( the cafe isn't officially open) and please bring cash.

Custom Batik Quilt Block

I got a custom order for a quilt block through my etsy account. The customer wanted a Mariner's Compass in her quilt but felt she wasn't ready to tackle such a big chunk of paper piecing quite yet. I was happy to oblige and this is the result. I have never done any "batik quilting" before so that was a challenge. I know a lot of quilters love the batiks. Using such busy fabrics that essentially read as solids is interesting, but I think I will stick to my beloved prints. Also she suggested splitting the background at the corners, which I had honestly never thought of, and I got to figure that out. I am really pleased with how it came out and I can't wait to see what she does with it.

                                                                                   

Etsy shop is live!!

I finally got some items in my etsy shop. One month past my goal but the puck is now on the ice. I set up some links (up and to the right)to my personal shop and the Breaksea Upcycle shop, if anyone is looking to buy some handmade stuff. Please check it out!