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!

total mitten attack!!!

This is an exciting time for sewing in the dirtyard. Besides my sewing and quilting I will be taking on the awesome Breaksea Upcycle business as of January 1st. I have been sewing for and working with my friend and neighbor Nikolas for about a year in preparation for his big move to Australia. While he is away I will be doing the local end of his craft business, Breaksea Upcycle, from my home. He will still be doing the design work and stuff via web and we are going to start an etsy section for Australia, thus making mittens necessary year round! I am quite excited and hope I can keep up my quilting as well!

Some Things I Make

 This is a quilt I made for a friend named Ursula. It combines my favorite Mariner's Compass designs with Qbert style blocks inspired by the One Block Wonders series of books. This was the first quilt that I used a flannel design wall instead of graph paper and colored pencils.

These are the French Press Coozies I have been making lately. They are batted with Insul-Brite so they really work. I sold a number of these at Art vs. Craft in Milwaukee to people who, like me, thought this would work way better than a towel.

link to no coast craft fair

http://www.nocoastcraft.com

no coast is here!

Minneapolitans- This weekend is time for No Coast Craft-o-Rama at the Midtown Market. Check it out at nocoastcraft.com. I will be there with Nikolas for Breaksea Upcycle, peddling the popular pocket mittens as well as upcycled hats, scarves, and accessories. Please stop by and buy handmade for the holidays!

art vs. craft

Here are some pillow covers I made that I will have for sale at Art vs. Craft in Milwaukee. It is a great craft fair with 100 vendors in downtown Milwaukee. It is tomorrow Nov.26th from 10 am 'til 6pm at the Student Life Center of MSOE.  Come check it out!!