Crossroads Quilts

This quilt pattern has been my current favorite. I have made five quilts to date using this pattern because it’s so easy to put together and it’s SO CUTE! 

I really love Quilt 101. They’re a mother-daughter duo that makes quilt kits using modern prints and easy-to-follow quilt patterns.  I especially love that they precut ALL of your fabrics literally cutting your production time in half! Definitely recommend them to all beginner quilters/quilters who don’t have a whole lot of time to sew/quilters who hate cutting (like me). They have an excellent selection of fabrics and the cutest patterns to choose from!

I was able to snag their last lap quilt size in Blue Carolina before they sold out. I absolutely LOVE this line. I actually live in the Carolinas so naturally, I needed to make something for my house using these beautiful fabrics. 😉

Shipping was extremely fast and everything came so beautifully packaged. I was able to jump right in and immediately start sewing rather than take an hour or two to cut out each strip. (Did I mention that I LOVE that everything was cut out?)

I got my quilt top sewn together in record time. It probably took me three hours tops!

The quilting time took much longer. I tried a new design: imitating the large flower prints. It was a lot of fun to practice and it gave the quilt a really neat feeling after I washed it. I used Warm and Natural cotton batting because it’s lightweight but warm. (Perfect for southern weather!) It took on a whole new shape that I LOVED after it shrunk and wrinkled in the first wash.

It’s so soft now and it’s being loved on! My family uses it all the time. I’ve caught my little brother cuddled up underneath it in the early morning as he reads quietly. It’s the sweetest thing to see him using my quilt!

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So what do you do with one winning pattern that you’re obsessed with? You go through your stash and make more quilts using the same pattern, of course. At least, that’s what I did.

 

A friend from church just had a baby girl. Her gender was a surprise the whole pregnancy but I had my bets on a girl. Partly because I had this bundle of fabrics that I was anticipating on using specifically for this baby. So the minute she was born, I got to working 😉 This color palette made me want to party!!! Most of the fabrics came from the line, “Fancy and Fabulous” from Riley Blake. I did throw in some other prints from Robert Kauffman, Moda, and Art Gallery Fabrics as well. The backing was a remnant I bought from Cotton Cuts.

This quilt is actually listed in my Etsy shop and looking for a new home! The florals in this quilt are from Darlene Zimmerman’s line, “Sunshine Garden” for Robert Kauffman. The backing is the same yellow from Cotton Cuts. (I actually had enough fabric for two baby quilt backs!) Quilting the large daisy flowers and meandering to fill in the spaces was great fun. I love how this one turned out and how the quilting feels as you run your hand across the surface.

These two are by far my favorite.

I couldn’t resist ordering one of Riley Blake’s newest lines, “Neverland” when it hit the stores. I mean, the artwork was so darling! I loved the whimsical prints and the color palette. They were made for baby quilts and one of their jelly rolls was just enough to make two matching ones. *I did need two extra strips for each quilt to get the 40″x 40″ size; but I ordered a little extra yardage so I had enough for the backing and binding too.*

 

As I was stitching these together to list in my shop, I was hoping that somebody with twins or cousins close in age would give these quilts a new home. I didn’t want them to get separated because they were the same but different! I purposely made these with different backs and binding. I also quilted them differently. (One had meanders & stars. The other had only meanders, or squiggles.)

Well, I was getting ready to bind them when my aunt came to visit. It just so happened that her friend just had twins (a girl and a boy) not ten days before. And it just so happened  that the baby shower colors were pink and blue PLUS twin brothers and sisters are now called Team PURPLE. So naturally, my aunt bought them both before they even made it onto my site. Y’all, they weren’t even finished and they sold! I shouldn’t be surprised at how perfect God’s timing is because stuff like this happens to me all the time. But every single time I’m surprised and in awe of Him.

On top of all that, I had an excellent photoshoot before I sent the quilts off with my aunt. My siblings were so sweet to hold my quilts for me. They’re kind of adorable.

Definitely check out Quilt 101 if you’re interested in making your own Crossroads quilt! They have several other quilt patterns and fabric combinations to choose from as well! And if you’re looking for a finished baby quilt…hit me up! 😉

#QuiltvsQuilter – C. Ruth Hong

These are just a small handful of quilts that I have made but they have a lot of meaning to me. I feel like they capture my journey as a quilter and an artist pretty well. I love the stories behind each one. I love that these describe a part of me and my personality by showcasing my interests in their own unique way. I hope you enjoy. Happy reading!

#1 – The Pinwheel Galaxy

This was my very first quilt show entry. I was fifteen years old when I entered the Oklahoma City Winter Quilt Show. I had the opportunity to be a part of the Junior’s division and I ended up taking home the blue ribbon. My sweet friend, Erin, bought me the beautiful rainbow bundle for my birthday. (Fifteen colors for fifteen years!) I was inspired by the traditional pinwheel block. Normally,  you would make several blocks for your quilt. I made one giant block by piecing several 2 1/2″ squares instead. 😉

I was so excited to find a starry fabric in the growing stash my mom and I had. Not only was there enough for the background, but there was also just enough fabric for the back! I pieced together the leftover squares to make my very first scrappy binding. (I really like how the black border broke up all of that rainbow!) I quilted concentric circles to make the pinwheel look like it was spinning. I tried to use different thread colors to match my rainbow. (It was a great way to use up those almost-empty spools.)

Fun fact: I did not come up with the name, The Pinwheel Galaxy” when I designed this quilt. It wasn’t until after the quilt was completely finished when I discovered that there is actually a Pinwheel Galaxy! When I saw this picture, I was so surprised to find that my quilt (unintentionally) looked just like it! Also, the starry background totally completed the quilt. 😀 It was so perfect! I was very excited. (More excited than I was to take home the Kid’s Choice Award…and a second place ribbon for the Texas State Fair a year later.)

 

#2 – Anna’s Books

A dear family friend called me up a few years ago and asked me if I would make a quilt for one of her daughters. We played around with some different ideas, one of which, was a bookcase. I was able to incorporate several different things that Anna loved to make this her own. She collects owl figurines, loves blue, adores Alice in Wonderland, and the obvious reason, she l.ov.e.s. to read. Being able to put all of this into one quilt was fantastic!

With this quilt, I learned how to use Heat & Bond for applique. I also learned how to stitch ribbons on the book spines with the help of Wonder Tape (or skinny Heat & Bond). This was a great learning experience for me and it was really fun to make! Turns out, Anna and I have a lot in common. One day, I’m going to make one for myself. I’ve already got the fabrics set aside. ;P

#3 – For Mr. & Mrs. Baumer (The Wedding Cake)

At the same time I was making Anna’s quilt, I was also working on a wedding gift for her sister. She’s a cake designer/decorator by trade and she made her own wedding cake. I thought it would be a great idea to try to replicate it. And I did!

With only a single picture (the one on the right) to go by, I think I came pretty close! I found a gold metallic ribbon to separate the layers and a skinnier gold metallic ribbon to frame each geometric shape. (The Wonder Tape really came in handy!) I was also given this really cool silver metallic, semi-stretch fabric (from none other than Mrs. Rose) that gave the quilt an extra pop. The outermost border is the same fabric as the backing. Also, if you look really closely, the white fabric that makes up the cake is a white-on-white chevron print. (I love white-on white fabrics. It’s all in the details!)

Interesting fact: the pink, green, and black fabrics all come from the scraps I had leftover from my uncle’s wedding quilt. (These colors are definitely wedding material!)

I quilted the cake following some of the chevrons, but I stitched straight lines around all the stripes and geometric shapes. I cross-hatched the grey background and the outermost border to give the quilt some texture. The lines aren’t perfectly even or perfectly straight but I love that it makes the cake stand out. It’s modern and clean and crisp. Honestly, I still can’t believe I made this quilt. I absolutely love it!

#4 – A Quilt For Mama Avis

I made this quilt for a precious lady not even a year ago. If you’re following my blog, you already know the story. I wanted to make Mama Avis a quilt for her birthday. My hope was that it would encourage her on the good days and comfort her when she was home sick. When I looked at this line, “Garden Dreamer” by Maureen Cracknell for Art Gallery Fabrics, it made me think of her. Mama loves flowers and gardening. She loves purple. She is kind, creative, insightful, empathetic, and most of all, she loves the Lord. Her faith inspires me to trust the Lord more, to love Him more, and to seek Him more. I’m so grateful for her and the blessing she is to me!

I think the best part was being able to watch her open her quilt over Hangouts. To see the look on her face and be a small part of her birthday week was uh-mazing. She told me that she uses her quilt every day, which is the best thank-you I could ever receive!Quilts are made to be used and treasured!

#5 – Tea Time Mug Rug

This mug rug (or mini quilt) is one of two cross-stitch patterns that I have ever finished. I like embroidery more than cross-stitch but needle point isn’t my forte. This one turned out pretty great though!

I don’t drink coffee. Never liked it. (Sorry, Dad.) I love tea. Hot, iced, sweet, unsweet, with milk, without milk, with honey, or with sugar. I love it all. I think the only tea I don’t like is green tea…which happens to be the healthiest tea for you. XP

#6 – Rainbows and Roses/The Quilted Rose

Do y’all remember this quilt? This was the first quilt I sold off of my Etsy shop!

I love these vibrant colors. All of the colored strips came from a jelly-roll (2 1/2″ precut fabric strips) I had purchased at an auction fundraiser to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey. It took me a while to decide on a pattern, but after numerous times arranging and rearranging on the living room floor, I was happy with the results.

The ironic part of this quilt’s story is that I was in the middle of a really challenging time as I was stitching this together. This quilt and its vibrant colors helped steady me in a way, that it kept my hands busy and gave my mind something happy to think about when I felt like my world was on fire. Quilting is very therapeutic for me. It’s amazing to be able to make something with your own two hands. And you can’t help but feel happy and cheerful when you look at these beautiful prints!

This quilt actually doesn’t have an official name. I like to name my quilts or at least include a label with the recipient’s name, or a significant quote or Bible verse. This is one those rare quilts that did not get a label. I do like the name, “The Quilted Rose” because that’s my shop’s name and I had quilted roses all over the rainbows. There are also pink roses printed on some of the rainbow strips. But, it has a new home now and I’m so thrilled that it is loved and being used!

#7 – Grandmother’s Fan

This quilt is unfinished (as you can see) but I am so excited to share this one. Two years ago, my grandmother asked me if I would make her a king sized quilt for her bed. She sent me all the fabric to make these fans and the pattern which is actually called, “Grandmother’s Fan”. What I didn’t know is that she had originally bought all of this fabric when my mom was in college with the intent of learning how to quilt. She never got around to learning and instead asked me to make it for her! So I have the honor of making a “Grandmother’s Fan” quilt for my grandmother.

It’s taken me two years of working on this off and on but I’m determined to finish it before the year is up. I’ve already got all the strips sewn together. I just need to make a few more fans because believe it or not, it needs to be larger! I also have to find a back for this quilt. It’s been so long since my grandmother bought the fabrics, these are vintage prints now! I’m determined to find a good print though. It’s going to be great. This will be the largest quilt project I’ve taken on yet and I am so excited to finish it.

#8 – WONDERLAND

I love Alice in Wonderland. I also really like Rifle Paper Co. So when the two collided, joined Cotton + Steel, and then was Cotton Cuts’ featured fabric line one month, I was ecstatic.

I’m slowly working on this quilt. These are all traditional Ohio Star blocks using WONDERLAND as the centerpieces, coordinating Kona solids as the star points, and the metallic gold print from Rifle Paper Co.’s line, “Menagerie” as the background. I’m also planning on using the gold for the sashing in between all of my blocks. I am SO excited about this quilt because it’s for me. I rarely keep quilts for myself. Most of the time I give them away as gifts, usually for new babies and weddings. Only recently have I started selling them. So to have a quilt made specifically for me, exactly how I like it, I am thrilled. 😀

So there you have it. 8 quilts. 8 stories. There are more to share in time. I’m overdue for a WONDERLAND update.

If you made it this far, WOW. Thank you for reading my stories! Please let me know which quilt(s) you liked! Was it the colors that stood out to you or the quilt pattern as a whole? Or was it the stories behind them that made you look at them differently?

#communitysampler {Part 1}

Kitty Corner Block (Week 2)

I’m taking part in Sharon Holland and Maureen Cracknell’s virtual sew-along. Last year they co-hosted the “Sewcial Bee Sampler“. (I did not participate but it was really cool to see everyone’s finished quilts!) When they announced that they were going to do another sampler quilt entitled, “Community Sampler”, I was so thrilled!

My fabric pull along with my rough draft.

I’m doing the larger lap size that has the scrappy borders. We are currently in week 6. You can check out Sharon’s and Maureen’s blogs to get the PDF patterns if you want to join in! It’s free and you can jump in at any time. 🙂

Dovecote Block (Week 3)

Every Wednesday, these fabulous ladies release a new block pattern or finishing step. Plus, they have blog posts on sewing tips and tutorials that are very helpful with construction. I’m having so much fun sewing one quilt block each week and seeing SO many different takes on these traditional blocks. I love how everyone’s is different and uniquely beautiful. It’s super cool. You can see everyone’s Community Sampler (including mine!) on Instagram by checking out #communitysampler.

Ribbon Star Block (Week 4)

Cactus Block (Week 5)

I haven’t done Week 6’s block (yet) but I will before Wednesday gets here! This project gives me something to look forward to every week. 😊

Have you ever participated in a quilt-along? Are you making a #communitysampler too? It’s really neat to see everyone’s blocks. I love seeing the different fabrics different people pulled. There are so many great color palettes!!! 😁

I’m inspired and I hope you are too!

{Ready To Ship!} Quilt For Your Woodland Princess

I have fallen in love with this line, “Folkwood Friends” by Rae Ritchie (for Dear Stella Fabrics). The little woodland animals having their tea party picnics and the darling rabbits on the soft pink background give me all the heart eyes!!! 😍 I especially love the owl placing a flower crown on the deer’s head.

For this quilt, I used a mix of “Folkwood Friends”, Gold and Rose Gold from Riley Blake Fabrics, and “Blithe” from Art Gallery Fabrics. The Gold and Rose Gold fabrics have a beautiful metallic shine that gives the quilt a sparkly finish. All of these fabrics are 100% cotton and the batting in between the front and the back is Warm and Natural 100% cotton batting. 😊

I quilted meanders and large Daisy flowers over the whole thing. On the backside of the quilt, I used my leftover scraps to make stripes down the middle. I love how they tie the back in with the front of the quilt!

This quilt measures 53″ x 57″. It’s a great toddler quilt size that will keep your little love warm for many, many years to come. (I tend to make these toddler quilts pretty large so they grow with the child. This particular quilt is actually a great lap quilt/throw size.)

When it comes to washing, there’s no special treatment here! You can wash this in cold water and dry it along with your other blankets and quilts. The fabrics will wrinkle and soften with every wash. I don’t prewash my quilts, so I’m excited to see how this one will look after it’s washed!

It is $400 + FREE SHIPPING within the USA. Plus, it’s READY TO SHIP!

You can check out the listing in my Etsy shop here. There is also an option to order a personalized hand-embroidered label to go on the back of this quilt. 😉

Rainbows and Roses

I loved putting this quilt together. Last fall, I snagged a rainbow jelly roll in an Insta-auction fundraiser for the victims of Hurricane Harvey. (SO many quilters and makers were destashing and auctioning off their handmade goods to raise money for the people in Houston. It was astonishing!) The rainbow bundle was really eye-catching and I was looking for something vibrant and happy-colored to sew with.

I paired my jellyroll with some of my white broad cloth. I started out using one of Villa Rosa’s jellyroll quilt patterns, but ended up rearranging the strips to make my own design. I really like the white spaces in between the rainbows! (And the color gradation was everything. 😂)

I tried quilting roses for the first time with the help of a quilting motif from Twice Quilted. Mrs Rose gave me her book of different free-motion quilting ideas. It’s really cool! You can quilt one pattern, then afterwards go back and quilt another pattern that overlaps the first one. So, I also quilted loops & stipples in between to break up the large roses. I didn’t want my quilting to be so heavy that it takes away from the big picture. I am so pleased with this rose pattern! I think I’ll be using it often since it’s part of my logo…

I was SO excited to find out it sold in my Etsy Shop! I was so pleased with the rainbow colors and I love the yellow grid backing. And the scrappy stripe down the middle. Oh, also the scrappy binding.

#tbt A Quilt For Mama Avis

I have never met another human being like Mama Avis. From the moment I met her, I knew she was a kindred spirit. She has been a spiritual mentor, a prayer partner, a sister, a motherly figure, and a special friend to me. If I could think of one word that could describe her, COMPASSION rings true. I have never met another person more compassionate than her.

For her birthday, I wanted to make her a quilt that could comfort her whenever she got sick. Mama Avis loves flowers, so I used the fabric line, “Garden Dreamer” by Maureen Cracknell from Art Gallery Fabrics. As I stared at my bundle of fabrics, the designs and the colors seemed to match her beautiful personality and her artistic heart so perfectly.

All of the quilt top fabrics came from Cotton Cuts. The back came from Circa 15 Fabric Studio. Both companies are great, by the way. Their service is top notch. They respond to messages really quickly and answer all of my questions. They were so kind too! I highly recommend them. 🙂

This quilt pattern is the Peaches and Cream Quilt by Simple Simon and Co.

I quilted leaves and stems on the white sashing using my domestic machine and free-motion foot. I also quilted continuous loops on all the florals and went around each block to separate the different quilting patterns.

I usually bind my quilts with my machine using a zig zag stitch or a blanket stitch. However, sometimes I will take the time to bind my quilt by hand. It takes much longer to bind by hand, but its great practice for me and it is really pretty to look at. 😉

When it comes to quilt labels, I like to include a quote or Bible verse that is significant to the recipient. Micah 6:8 is Mama’s life verse. Or, one of them. She has several favorites. 🙂 I also like to include the date, the county I am in when I made the quilt, as well as my name.

“He has shown you, O man, what is good;

And what does the LORD require of you,

But to do justly,

To love mercy,

And to walk humbly with your God?”

Micah 6:8

The very best part is presenting the finished quilt. I absolutely loved seeing her eyes light up and hearing the joy in her voice! She shared with me that she showed her mama her new quilt as they visited together the next day and it brought her so much joy as well! That was the icing on the cake, my friend.

WONDERLAND – The Beginning

Valentine Mug Rugs

My family actually doesn’t celebrate Valentine’s day but I love any excuse to make cards, mini quilts, and delicious treats that are covered in red and pink hearts. 😁

This year, I made Valentine mug rugs for a handful of special ladies.

For my best friend 🙂

 

I made four different ones that included some sort of “heart” quote. Not only was it excellent practice to better my embroidery skills but my heart was encouraged by all the time I spent stitching each word!

For Mrs. Rose ♥

 

I love how each one was different!

For Mrs. Nancy 💗

Story behind Mrs. Nancy’s mug rug:

She has shared this verse (Psalm 73:26) with me multiple times during her medical trials. As I embroidered this for her, it made me meditate and memorize each word. I was so encouraged by stitching this together. Now I have a new verse stamped on my heart. ♥

For Jami 💖

“Courage, dear heart” is my soul sister’s “tagline”, for lack of a better word. It’s one of our favorite phrases. Whether she’s texted it to me or written it down, she has encouraged me for years with this little quote.

For my twin, Big Ruth 💕

*I know “heart” was not mentioned in this one but LOVE is. And that comes from the heart. 😉*