Mosaics & Mayhem (Minus the Mayhem)

It's Sunday, which means it's time for another installment of Quilt Around the World II!

Two weeks ago I received a package in the mail containing the first few blocks of Heather's Mod Mosaic quilt.

Heather's directions were to follow the Mod Mosaic tutorial by Elizabeth Hartman of Oh, Fransson! to create mosaic blocks that were greater than 8" x 8", smaller than 12" x 18", and made with rainbow fabrics.

At first I toyed with the idea of using strictly solids for my rainbow mosaic block. However, after looking at the blocks in the package, I decided to do a mixture of prints and solids. I thought it would break up the block and keep it interesting. Also, when it came down to it, I thought it might flow more with her final quilt. 

I played with a few arrangements, added and subtracted fabrics, and when the fabric scraps settled, this is what ended up on my cutting room mat....

That's what I'm talking about!

I think this looks pretty nifty and I'm glad I went with the mix of solids and prints. To finish I added a white border as requested and took a picture with the other blocks. This is a great style and  I hope to try to do one of these quilts for myself down the road.  

Motley Mosaic

What do you think about this style? Are you as excited as me to stalk Heather's final quilt on Flickr?!

So Fresh, So Clean, So Barbie!

The lyrics from "I'm a Barbie Girl" keep running through my mind and I guess it's because last week I worked on a Barbie's Dream basket. This fabric is so cute and it's really great for all ages. In fact, the few pieces that I've sold featuring this fabric have all been intended for ladies in their late twenties, early thirties. Surprised?

Totally sweet!

I used coordinating pink pin dot fabric for the bottom of the basket and the lining is pink fabric with Barbie heads. This is just one of those happy baskets. The basket in the above picture is going to be used as a gift basket and will be filled with complimentary soaps and other gifts. Knowing this, I made a bonus wash cloth to be included in the gift basket.

Have you ever wanted to get as clean as you do right now?!

Together, it's a cute idea for a soon to be thirty year old!

Basket and wash cloth, just add soap!

Life in fabric, it's fantastic!

Stop and Smell the Flowers!

My day job has been keeping me busy lately, but this weekend I took a moment to take a garden escape. After spending the past few weeks busily making Monster Mash tote bags, it was nice to delve into the world of pretty once again...

The fabrics are a botanical print for Michael Miller and the pink vine print from the Central Park collection by Kate Spain. Who says tote bags can't be classy? This bag is now available in my Etsy Store, if you are interested!

Quilt Blocked

A quick look at some new blocks for the various online Quilting Bees & Swaps I'm currently taking part in.

Quilt Around The World II
As the Quilt Around The World Bee turns...This week I received Betz1234's block. Her theme is pastels in pink and green with white, with a request for an 8.5" unfinished block. Her starter block was in a log cabin style, so I decided to pull out the "Modern Log Cabin Quilting" book that I have and get started. I chose to modify the modern cross pattern and created the below block for Betz.

Pretty in Pastels.

Here is a look at her quilt in progress. Now it heads to my neighbor to the north, New York.

I can't wait to see this shabby chic style quilt when it's finished.

Quilting for a Cause
Marika from Live, Laugh, Love....Sew started a new group on Flickr called Quilting for a Cause. The purpose of this group is for people who are making quilts for those in need to post for help. Group members can then volunteer to contribute blocks. It's a great group to join because there is no real commitment. Pop in and out as you please and help when the mood strikes. The first quilt is designed for a woman who recently lost her grocery store after a big box moved into the area.

Marika asked for improv quilt blocks in aqua and gray with pops of yellow. I've never improv pieced before, but it was fun. I'm pretty pleased with my block and I hope this helps the woman and her family smile during this tough time.

I love the star.

Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming...

Horror in a Hand Bag (Err...shoulder bag)

True cut-ups!

In addition to Courtastic Creations: The Etsy Experience, I've also made some creations and sold them in my local comic shop, The Comic Crypt. I've referenced this shop on my blog before and I can't talk it up enough. Recently the owner commissioned several tote bags for some sassy sirens that he knows.

I previously posted about the Betwixt and Bewitched (Halloween Pin-Ups) tote bags. He also requested classic horror themed bags. This fabric is fabulous, ferocious, fierce, and was put out by Robert Kaufman. 

It features all the Old Gs, including Dracula, Wolfman, The Mummy, and Frankenstein's Monster. For the reverse I used another Robert Kaufman print from his Eerie Alley collection. This print is in the style of B-movie posters. Two bags in one!

"Monster Mash" Totes Reversible Tote

And the reverse, which would make a great bag on its own...

"B-Movie Bonanza" Totes Reversible Tote

Prior to these bags, I made a Right Round pillow and a basket using the horror fabric. 

Not created in a lab.

These characters paired with a red/white polka dot fabric...rockabilly heaven!

This was my Halloween candy basket. 

There is more where this came from. If you think you might like a creation featuring these horror legends, send me a message and we'll make it happen!

Eeny, Meeny, Miney, Etsy!

If I've learned anything from the trailers from the recent biopics "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never" and "Katy Perry: Part of Me," it's that you must never give up your dream and sometimes you have to be vulnerable to succeed. And most importantly, you MUST become an internet, viral sensation. That my friends, is how a success story is made.

So, without further adieu, I present to you Courtastic Creations: The Etsy Experience! The story of threads, designer fabrics, and one broad's love of creating simple, useful items with a pop culture twist!

There are Sleeve-O-Ramas and Clutch-O-Ramas, perfect for tablets, e-readers, books, and really anything...because they can be made to whatever size your heart desires!

Hello Kitty, a picnic, and sushi=7" tablet fun!

Clutches are perfect for storing electronics..or as gift clutches.

We have fabric gift/storage baskets. The possibilities are endless when it comes to these baddies. Currently there are mixed tape, gnome, Strawberry Shortcake, Avengers, Disney, and even Dr. Who baskets making homes across the Tri-State and Mid-Atlantic a little less cluttered. Sizes vary, I've even done a laundry basked sized basket for dog toys. What will yours look like?!

Size matters...you call the shots!

Oooh! Aaaah!

See, they really do make a nice gift basket. So meta!

As you've seen on the blog we also have the Totes Reversible Tote, which is a reversible tote bag. This is one of my favorite creations because there are so many ways this bag can go. Two bags in one? Super useful? You know you want one!

You may see curtains, another may see Totes Reversible Totes!

We've also got Hobo Hipster Sling Bags, Sassy Shopper Shoulder Bags, baby items like bibs, washcloths, and burp cloths in coordinating baskets...and more!

Check out Courtastic Creations today or message me to get started. Either way, party on blog readers!

Around The World In 25 Quilt Blocks!

A quick recap: One of the online quilting bees I'm participating in this year is the Quilt Around the World II. There are 25 members and each is charged with creating a starter block. That block then makes it way around the world, picking up friends along the journey. At the complete, I will receive an envelope with 25 quilt blocks inspired by my starter block.

The update: Based on the loop cycle, I knew that I would be receiving Leona's Christmas block first. This excited me to no end, as I LOVE seasonal decorations...especially of the fabric kind. Although her starter block was in creams with deep reds and gold flecks, she explained that our blocks did not have to follow her color scheme. She would like the blocks to be composed of modern Christmas fabrics. Any color. Any design.

Leona's Starter Block. Seriously, so beautiful in person.

Right away I thought about some Christmas scrap pieces in my stash. They are Riley Blake..and super cute. However, they are the completely opposite color spectrum. I was slightly worried..but I reread her starter post to confirm that almost anything goes and got to cutting.

I just received the Modern Blocks book in the mail and just knew I wanted to do the Pinwheel design in the Christmas fabrics. My thought was to make it look like the snowy pinwheel in the middle of a Christmas forest. See, there is some method behind my madness.

After some mismatched sewing, seam ripping, and googling "needle turn applique," I had my block.

A little bit of applique, a little bit of cutting, a whole lot of cheer!

I'm pleased. There were some minor missteps along the way..but aren't there always when it comes to holidays?!

And now they are off to New York!