A review on 'Schnibbles Times Two'

I came across this book recommend by one of the blogger I subscribed to.  I was firstly attracted to the beautiful quilt on the front of the cover, secondly to the adorable title, and thirdly to the content of the book.  I am a very graphic/picture person.  My attention zooms right into the picture before I read any texts about it.  As the saying goes, 'A picture paints a thousand words.'  This book has beautiful photographed quilts and equally wonderful designs to tantalize your quilting-buds.

The introduction by Carrie described how she came to love using 5" charm and 10" layer cakes packs, and her realization of making mini quilts from charm packs to bigger quilts using layer cakes from the same designs.  There is a rather comical side to the author which makes this book feels more personal rather than just another quilting book with instructions on how to make them. The author has also added some lovely quotes on each project which I think is a lovely touch.

'Scnibbles Times Two' has many beautiful and simple projects to work on with clear, concise and step by step instructions.  There are also diagrams to aid understanding the piecing process and to which direction to fold the fabric.  If you are like me where looking at a diagram makes more sense than reading instructions, this is the book for you.

Happy quilting!

Sizing up

A Quilt for Lan

This queen size quilt was made April 2012.  It was my very first queen size quilt making experience.  I set off to challenge myself to make a simple queen size quilt because I wanted to expand my quilting repertoire.  The thought of making a queen size quilt was at first overwhelming and fearful but as the process went along, it was not a 'big deal' as I have thought it would be.

As Eleanor Roosevelt said "You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.  You must do the thing which you think you cannot do."

 "Try a thing you haven't done three times.  Once, to get over the fear of doing it.  Twice, to learn how to do it.  And a third to figure out whether you like it or not."  Virgil Thomson

The most trying part of the queen size quilting journey was the hand quilting which took a lot of perseverance and patience.  It was worth it at the end seeing the finished quilt, and even more rewarding seeing the smile on Lan's face when she received it.

Quilt design:  Jewel in the Curio

By: Jo  Kramer
http://www.modabakeshop.com/2011/08/jewels-in-curio.html

Size:  79" x 79"

Fabric: Urban Cow Girl Jelly roll & Charm pack
Quilting: Hand quilted using DMC Perle 8 Beige

Simple things in Life

Olivia's quilt

This quilt was made for cute little Olivia on December 2011

This quilt design came from one of favorite quilt book titled Material Obsession by Kathy Doughty.  To know more about this amazing quilter, you can check her out on her website http://www.materialobsession.com.au and her blog http://www.materialobsession.typepad.com/

This is a simple quilt that has lovely hand stitched detailing of cute little symbols such as a daisy, cherries, rainbow, hearts and so forth.  It reminds me of the simple things in life that we often take for granted as adults.  We often seek to add more to what we already have, on a quest to fulfill a void that never seemed to be satisfied, and to constantly search for that 'big thing' to make us happier.

 

"It is the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary." Paulo Coelho

Quilt design: Candy Shop
By: Sarah Fielke of Material Obsession: Contemporary Quilt Designs
Size: 52" x 52" (approx.)
Fabric: Cape Ann charm pack
Quilting:  Hand quilted using DMC Perle 8 in pink and red

And now is the right time

Sabela's quilt

This quilt was made for Ursula's first child, and you might say my very first 'professional' quilt making experience.  In the past, I had made a few quilts for friend's first born (sadly I never took any photos of them) which were some what haphazard, out of alignment, occasionally frustrating and long and tedious experience.  No doubt they were beautiful in their own right and loved by my friend's kids but I never really 'invested' in them until this very quilt made for beautiful Sabela.  I suspect that these 'experimental' quilts that I had made over the years before embarking on this quilting journey were slow gentle driving forces behind my love for quilting making now. 

This quilt was made during the early winter month of July 2011.  I remembered having spent all my free time and energy on this quilt because at that stage, I was having some relationship problems with a man from a distant land.  This quilt kept me company from those 'not so good' days, and it cheered me up seeing each pieces of fabric being stitched and bind together to form a completed quilt.  Besides picking up basic techniques and skills on quilt making, every process from choosing the color palette, backing fabric, types of batting down to the binding taught me that life was all about choices.  I don't like to think that there are good or bad choices,  just choices we have made or are going to make for experiences we need in our life to shape and grow into who we are today and want to become.

"Your journey has molded you for your greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be.  Don't think that you have lost time.  It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now.  And now is right on time."  Asha Tyson

Quilt design: Pinwheel Baby Quilt
By: Jodi featured in Moda Bake Shop
http://www.modabakeshop.com/2009/03/pinwheel-baby-quilt.html
Fabric: Strawberry Fields
Quilting: Hand quilted using DMC Blanc Perle 8