Inspiration | Amy's Creative Side

What Makes a Quilt Timeless?

Posted on March 15th, by Amy in Inspiration, Me, ramblings. 5 comments

The often discussed topic of modern quilts and the variations of this very traditional art form, quilting, got me thinking about my quilts in 50 and 60 years. What will I think of them? Will they stand the test of time, aesthetically? It also reminded me to hurry and label the few that I haven’t so far! I know that they will be loved and cherished long after there are holes in the bindings, and the colors have faded, but is that enough to make them timeless?

So earlier this week I asked “What makes a quilt timeless?” and had some great responses! I want to share a few of the comments, and my thoughts – I hope you will add your own too.

Queenie said – Timeless is akin to classic – trends that become style/design that stands the test … Read More »

Weekend In Pictures

Posted on April 23rd, by Amy in Inspiration, My kids, work in progress. 7 comments

Scrappy flying geese in progress:

Emmalie waiting to get back in her soccer game:

Sophia and Owen hanging out on the sidelines:

New linen fabric:

Charm pack of Bella:

The week is off to another busy start!

Happy Quilting~ Amy

Sewing Moments

Posted on April 16th, by Amy in Inspiration, Sewing with Kids. 8 comments

Today we are back to school and the busy days of spring. We had a relaxed week over spring break, and the girls all fit some sewing in too!

Last summer when I was sewing with the kids, Owen made a monster. And recently, the girls started asking to make their own. We made plans to sew over spring break, the picture above is Emmalie adding a 1/2″ seam allowance to her soon to be friend.

Later we set up two machines and got busy!

Emmalie is very careful to watch her fingers.

Sophia was excited to applique her monster’s face in place.

They’ve had so much fun playing with them, that I haven’t managed a picture of them all together! They are all original, … Read More »

Eye Candy

Posted on April 11th, by Amy in Inspiration, photographs. 6 comments

I love it when a plan comes together.
Hope you are blessed today ~ Amy

Spring Promise & A Winner!

Posted on April 10th, by Amy in Inspiration. 7 comments

Has spring, sprung where you are yet? Here in the mountains, the tulips are just up, and getting ready to bloom, the daffodils and crocus have seen a little snow, but they are thriving too! With spring break this week the kids are constantly eating, and looking for fun stuff to do – look for that post later this week.

I have a new pile of fabric, from my friends at Blend – it’s Spring Promise by Ana Davis, and so pretty! Spring Promise starts shipping later this month, look for it at your favorite quilt shop soon.

The soft colors and great prints are fun to work with, and I love the soft hand of the Blend fabrics. So nice! If you are a shop owner, you can now order online too, look … Read More »

Festival of Half Square Triangles

Posted on April 3rd, by Amy in Inspiration. 7 comments

It’s my stop on the festival tour! If you haven’t stopped by Megan’s yet, be sure to get all the details, including prizes, here. There’s a line up of great bloggers sharing loads of inspiration over the next two weeks, follow along to jump start your next project!

I shared my new pillow, a little over a week ago, and decided to make it the focal point of my post today. I LOVE having this piece on our couch, and the kids have been fighting over who gets to use it. Maybe I’ll have to make another!

To make this pillow cover, I used one charm pack, and about a half yard of Kona Natural.

It’s a great way to experiment with a small amount of fabric, and put your HST … Read More »

Pulling Fabric

Posted on March 28th, by Amy in bag, Inspiration. 6 comments

I’ve had these fantastically bright Echino prints on hand for a few months, and finally pulling a few for a new bag, just in time for spring!

I’m excited to get started, and hope to be back later today with pictures of my progress!

See you soon ~ Amy

Festival of Half Square Triangles — Next Week!

Posted on March 27th, by Amy in Blog Info, Inspiration. 2 comments

A quick peek at what’s coming up next week –

Looking for some fun, fresh ways to incorporate HSTs into your next sewing project? Then you are going to love the Festival of Half Square Triangles!

Starting Monday, April 2, we’ve got two weeks jammed packed with all sorts of half square triangle tutorials and projects from some of your favorite modern sewing bloggers! After all of the creative inspiration, you are invited to link up a HST sewing project of your own — bags, mini quilts, home decor, you name it. Then our fabulous group of bloggers will choose 10 finalists, at which point it’s all up to YOU to choose a winner! That’s right, we’ve got some fabulous prizes up for grabs — stay tuned for more details!

Here’s the schedule:
Monday, April 2 — Sara from Sew Sweetness
Tuesday, April 3 — Amy from … Read More »

Coming Soon –

Posted on March 26th, by Amy in Inspiration. 6 comments

I often check out what’s coming soon with the different fabric manufacturers, and recently fell in love with Paris & Company!

The soft blues and browns are soothing, and the large floral is simply beautiful! I had the pleasure of working with Paris & Company over the weekend (I’ll have to share the project much later!) and I love it. Ask your LQS about this collection, it starts shipping next month!

What are you up to this week? Any fun projects?

I have a few little things I am finishing up, and I think I’m finally ready to make my new bag!

Happy Monday ~ Amy

Girls In The Garden Blog Hop

Posted on February 24th, by Amy in finished quilt, give away, Inspiration. 213 comments

Hi there! I’ve been teasing you all week with my applique project, and it is finished and ready to share! Pat invited five of us to put our own spin on one of her new Girls in the Garden patterns for Bigfork Bay Cotton Company. I had so much fun selecting a pattern and then all the fabrics to work with! Actually, I could only narrow it down to two patterns, and I had to ask one of my girls which she liked better. She helped me decide on Amelia’s Spring Delight:

Selecting fabrics – I would usually lean toward solids in place of batiks, since I haven’t stashed those, yet. However, I forced myself to look closer at my prints, and select a few favorite prints to work with. I think all the prints make it … Read More »

Bag Envy

Posted on February 23rd, by Amy in Inspiration. 14 comments

Every other season I find myself in “need” of a new bag – my family thinks I have plenty, but it never stops me! I love sewing up a new bag for myself, and I’ve been trolling for inspiration.

I’m hoping to draft a pattern soon – I’m looking forward to spring, and a new bag too!

Amy

**Click the picture above to view more of my pins.

Modern Mini Challenge :: Blog Hop

Posted on February 7th, by Amy in Inspiration. 26 comments

Hi friends! I hope you are excited about this Mini Challenge! I have some inspiration to share with you, and a few details about the prizes involved – yep, prizes!

When I’m planning a mini, I like to push myself to try something new, and have fun in the process, of course.

This paper pieced beauty contains 16 four inch blocks, made with a variety of greens and adding sparkle to the mix. Paper piecing the blocks was repetitive and relaxing – I really enjoyed the process. I had a hard time sending this one off to a swap partner!

This mini measures 15″ square, I fussy cut each of the birds, then carefully sewed each square or rectangle in place. It is a step down lay out, where partial seams are needed to complete the quilt top. The pattern is … Read More »