Monday, April 25, 2011

Quilt Shop In A Box

Elisabeths' Garden by Jovita Goldschmidt (Hand Sewn)
I wondered why I didn't get an email back from Jovita!  I put this box together to hold my applique supplies, and it turned out to be a great portable project box. I was inspired to start a hexagon project from many different sources.  First I saw Jovita's little tin box packed with the most gorgeous colors of silk and tiny little hex's.  (If she can be cheeky, then so can I - copied & pasted without consent!)
I also have seen many colorful blog posts on hexagons such as http://venusdehilo.blogspot.com/2010/05/kaffe-fassett-hexie-flowers.html  and http://kellyrachel.com/blog/2011/02/23/wednesday-hex-along/  and "sew" many more!

I haven't yet decided on what to do with all my little  1/2" hexagons. This is a quilt I saw at the machine quilting show in Tacoma a couple years ago - I do not have the name of the quilter but I love the quilt!


These are a couple more shots of my box of goodies!


I don't say GOT DOTS!  I say GET HEXS! 

Friday, April 22, 2011

Passing the time and miles...

Since Liz has been MIA for so long I thought I'd be cheeky and post this pic she sent this morning .. now if we could just shame her into posting more about this sweet little box of goodies :)



Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Useful JANE Links

A list of useful links and tutorials for completing your very own Jane A. Stickle quilt.

  • Connie's Quilts - all I can say is WOW! Connie has a block-by-block, blow-by-blow analysis of the blocks she has made. For some it's just too much, for some of us it's a fascinating read .. take what you will and enjoy it. Connie has also generously posted detailed photos of the original Jane A. Stickle quilt here and here.
  • Dear Jane® - lots of information by book author Brenda Papadakis, most specifially tips for piecing blocks in rows A-G and H-M.
  • Minka's Studio - again, another quilter who is not afraid to make "improvements" to the patterns. Check out her blog yourself, she has a number of categories including "replacement" and "redrafted" blocks. Her preferred methods are hand piecing and hand applique.





If you know of any other blogs, photos, tutorials or ideas you think I should add to this list, please feel free to let me know!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

So *very* Excited!

Our Contemporary Jane group is growing and truly becoming a world-wide effort.




JOY by Marilyn Smith of Columbia, Missouri
Wouldn't these colors make a fabulous Contemporary Jane?

Here are our "for-sures" so far:

Deb - Washington (state), USA
Jovita (me) - Belgium
Kate - where are you Kate?
Maria - Colombia
Valentina - Cyprus

But I definitely feel like I'm missing someone(s) ... I know several of you are "thinking" about it.  Just wait until we start posting blocks - you *know* you won't be able to help yourselves.

Like you LIZ - for the rest of us, I will keep bugging you :)

How about the rest of you?

Sign on up .. link Contemporary Jane to your blog and grab a button here.

Oh, and be sure to become a follower of Under the Willow Tree so you don't miss any announcements, block posts, tips, hints and inspiration!

Friday, April 8, 2011

Maria's Jane

I really didn't need another project. But here I am. 

My goal this year is to use up my stash of fabric.

So, I will start with all my bright (mostly flower) fabrics that I've been collecting. 


My background fabrics will be: white, black and a combo of black and white.

I'm still waiting for the Dear Jane book. Hoping it arrives early next week. 

Until then, I can only sew the basic blocks. 

Here are my first 3 blocks.


Wont you join us and share what your color scheme will be?

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

It's Official

There's a button or two or three ... or more


You can linky to our project here!  And read lots more about my quilt and the first part of our plan here.

We *know* you want to join us.  Maria and Deb from the Willow Tree gang are in for sure!  I think we have Karen convinced ... Jill and Cathy are talking about it and Lesley is thinking about it too!  This could be so much fun.