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!

That's so Wonky!

The June block for the BELIEVE Circle of the Do. Good Stitches Charity Bee was wonky stars. Finding this tidbit out excited me to no end as I love wonky stars and had been meaning to try my hand at creating some of my own. However, up until that post on June 1st,  I found them intimidating and stayed away.

Once I had my assignment and the color preferences (anything but purple and pink), I went into the fabric room and inspiration struck. I had various solid scraps and thought it would be neat to do three stars on the diagonal in ombre shades of blue. I'd go from dark blue, to medium blue, to a light blue.

I figured out my sizes, cut my first blocks to stitch and attempted a wonky star. EPIC FAIL followed by frustration

Back to the drawing board. I thought maybe I was going for too much this first time out. I was cocky and it had not worked out. I figured I would just try a larger wonky star. Yeah. That really worked out.

It looks like some type of alien life form.

Sigh. This was not doing much for my ego. I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. So I stepped away for a few days to gain some perspective.

Today, I revisited the wonky star and with some patience and creative seaming...I feel pretty proud of my final block. The block I originally wanted to make.

Oooh! Ahhhh!

I started with the small star and gradually built to the larger, turquoise star. As you can see, practice makes perfect....or at least better. By the final star I had a better handle on the style.

But seriously....that green "star." It's slightly mesmerizing..no?

A case of before and after. I feel like the green one wants to hurt me.

Little bit of this, little bit of that!

It's been rather busy around the Courtique lately...as we've adopted a Miniature Schnauzer named Nelson!

Hi, I'm Nelson.

However, I've managed to work some crafting in.

I tried my hand at a wonky star block for the first time...and it's definitely wonky. But I'm not sure if it's the right kind of wonky. Back to the cutting board for this one. (I haven't wanted to break the camera by taking a picture of it, but I'll woman up and post one later).

My mom asked me for a basket to give as a baby gift, and I upped the ante by creating a matching set of bibs, burp cloths, and wash cloths...however I forgot to take a picture before I gave it to her. Super cute polka dot and wild flower fabrics.

Finally, the owner of The Comic Crypt, the best local comic book shop in Monmouth County, NJ (View Askew, who?) asked me to whip up a few tote bags. Superhero, Horror, and Pin-Up themes, Oh my! This is what I've got so far:

Holy, Batgirl!

This fabric is super and I was asked to focus on Batgirl. The reverse side of the bag features a bit more of Wonder Woman and Supergirl in addition to Batgirl, and the interior is a print with their logos.

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's the ladies' logos!

Moving on from the super, I have a bit of sassy for you. If you aren't familiar with the Dr. Sketchy Anti-Art School movement, you should check it out. To simplify this movement, they are small events with super glamorous pin-up type models where artists can gather to draw these models and have a boozy good time. Think Moulin Rouge..but better! We have a local chapter here known as Dr. Sketchy Asbury. These bags are inspired by those events and the pin-ups:

Is that a pitchfork, or are you just glad to see me?

Next up are the horror totes....stay tuned!