Fingers Crossed

I've got my fingers crossed. This week I submitted two different projects/ideas to two different magazines. It's my first time submitting and I don't know all the ropes but just wanted to jump in and give it a try. Obviously can't share what they are but here's a sneak peak of what fabrics might be involved.

Soul Blossoms by Amy Butler and Kona Solids. I've had this print for awhile and this project just seemed like the perfect choice. Plus I'll still have enough left over for a quilt!

Modern Quilt Guild, Fancy Tiger Crafts and Tradewinds by Moda

Finally got a chance to attend my first Modern Quilt Guild meeting with the Front Range Modern Quilt Guild that covers Denver and Colorado Springs. It was hosted at Fancy Tiger Crafts in Denver. So glad it was closer to me this time so I could check it out. Seems like a great group of quilters both new and experienced. Wish they met in Denver all the time so I could go more often.

Also my first time at Fancy Tiger Crafts but it definitely won't be my last. It's great to find another modern style fabric shop. I loved their fabric selections and even though I'm not a knitter the colors and textures nearly lured me into a knitting obsession too. All the yarns were scrumptious.

For now though, I'm more than happy to stick with the fabrics. Picked up this great new layer cake called Trade Winds by Lily Ashbury for Moda. I've been eyeing this fabric even before it was released, so am thrilled to have it. Now what to do with it . . .

Love these basic prints. I can see using them in lots of quilts.

Here's how Moda describes this great collection.

Picture an ancient market in Zanzibar. Traders from Ceylon have crossed the Indian ocean braving the Barbary Coast pirates. They make their way to Zanzibar where they can trade spice for colorful cloth and other exotic treasures from far away lands. “ Trade Winds” captures the spirit of new discovery, and historic trade. Modern designs in vivid colors mix with ancient visual flavors to create a rich and timeless collection.

Love the colors combos. Very lively. Must be the hidden bohemian in me. haha
I've got a couple of ideas stirring around. Check back to see what I dream up.

Fresh Squeezed, a Juicy Quilt

Last month I mentioned my collection of flower dishes. Well . . . I have an even bigger collection of fruit and veggie dishes. It all started innocently enough with 3 fruit plates. Then another and another and another. Once again, they are mostly flea market finds just like the floral dishes. Before I knew it I had amassed quite a collection so when we remodeled our kitchen, one of my objectives was to incorporate some type of display area. Now I have space for all (well most) of my dishes.

The juicy dishes.

At about the same time this obsession started with the dishes along came all the delicious fruit and veggie fabrics. Of course it didn't take long before an equally large stash of fabrics developed. What can I say? They make me happy  : )  and I'm obsessed with more than fabric. As I collected the fabrics, the initial idea was to make one single quilt but somehow I could never imagine the right quilt. Then it hit me . . . make several quilts, each with their own fruity/veggie theme.

Think I have enough citrus fabrics?

I had the best time cooking up these delicious quilts. Fresh Squeezed, Fresh Baked, Fresh Picked, Vine Ripe to name a few. This summer I will rotate them into my kitchen/dining area starting off the summer with Fresh Squeezed.

"Fresh Squeezed" my juicy summer quilt.

See the great display in the background? Love it!

What better what to enjoy a hot summer day than with an ice cold glass of lemonade? So here's to summer and relaxing with a cold drink.

Summer and Submissions

Summer is here and I'm re-adjusting to a full house after our first year of the empty nest. Lots of chaos, piles and moving, but two young adults are mostly settled in for the summer and I'm finally getting back to the studio.

I'm in the midst of a home decor project for my daughter. Black and white fabrics to go with her fabulous black and white striped chair and create a little added flare to her room.

I'm thinking of submitting my idea for this project to a magazine (thus not many pics to share right now) and am wondering if anyone has experience with the submission process? It's a home decor project that is quilted and very modern in design. I've never submitted before so don't know the ins and outs. Do they want things that have never been published before including on a blog? Do you submit to one magazine at a time? How long does it take? etc etc etc. I have looked into online submission info on websites. Seems some sites don't readily share submission info. Perhaps they don't want unsolicited items. Right now I'm considering Stitch magazine. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

My First Pattern!

I’m super excited to share my quilt with you here at the Bloggers' Quilt Festival. My festival quilt marks a huge turning point for me and my quilting. 

Last year I finally discovered all you talented, enthusiastic quilters in blogland. A little late arriving, but so glad I finally made it to the party. A quilter for 15 plus years, I’ve never quite felt the connection to other quilters that I feel now as I discover more and more of your inspiring blogs. I’ve been more excited and inspired than I’ve been in years. So this year, I decided to join you and play along. My hat's off to Amy for creating this great online event.

Bloggers' Festival marks the introduction to my newbie blog and my very own quilt business, SpringLeaf Studios. And my festival quilt, Facets, is the very first of my pdf patterns to be released for sale. I have to tell you, it’s super exciting and scary all at the same time. I hope you like my quilt as much as I like looking at all of yours.

I’m a designer at heart and by training, so when I design a new quilt, I’m always exploring all the hidden potential within that design. There’s always more than one way to do something and I love looking at all the options. Simple changes to colors, fabrics and placement can make significant changes to the look of a quilt. One of the goals with my patterns is to share my process and explorations with you so that you can envision more possibilities beyond the featured design. 

The Facets pattern comes with 2 versions, optional sizes, plus 8 additional ideas and a bonus pillow project that's made from the trimmed leftovers. It’s like getting one pattern with endless possibilities. Pattern is available at Craftsy and in my Etsy shop. Check it out.

Lastly, I want to thank you for sharing all your inspiring work with the rest of us. No matter your level of experience, I believe we all have something to offer. You never know when your own little idea might be just what someone needs to give them inspiration to make something beautiful. And nothing is more beautiful and meaningful than something made by hand and with our heart for those we love. That’s what quilting gives to me. The opportunity to share my creativity and make the world more beautiful. : )

Here's a final shot of both quilts. Don't you just love that striped chair? My talented daughter, Emily, redid it last summer for her apartment. Love it!

Spring is Here

I LOVE spring! I'm a color person and after a long winter of drab colors, I'm so so ready for spring. Green is my favorite color. All the new little leaves emerging always feels so fresh and clean to me. And then there's the flowers and all their fabulous colors . . .

I can never have enough flowers. I'm such a sucker for picking up yet another little pot of something to bring home and plant in the garden. I can spend hours at the greenhouse trying to decide which colors to plant for the summer. Kind of like hours in the quilt shop drooling over all the fabric. I'm almost as bad buying flowers as I am buying fabric. 


I guess that's why I have so many floral fabrics in my stash. Sometimes I think gardening with fabric is easier than in real life. No watering everyday. Once you "plant" some florals in a quilt, they stay as bright and fresh as ever. And you don't have to weed. Gotta love that! 


Every spring, I bring the garden indoors by putting up some of my floral quilts and my floral ceramics collection. It makes the room feel new and fresh.

This is the quilt that takes center stage. I started it in a class taught by Sandy Bonsib a few years ago. It's made entirely from my floral stash. While the fabrics are pretty traditional and not what I buy these days, I never tire looking at all the individual prints and colors. I think that's the beauty of scrappy quilts. They offer so much eye candy. Every time you look at a scrappy quilt you can see something new.


And these are some of the floral ceramics I've picked up here and there mostly at flea markets. 

I love getting all these colorful floral quilts and dishes out every spring. 
It makes me happy. : )
Hope spring is renewing your quilting passion and making you happy.

My Colorful Studio

I love my studio!!!

It’s my favorite room in the whole house, so full of brightness, color and fabric. It’s the only room where I can actually live with the messiness and not go crazy. It’s usually a colorful chaos of fabric stacks, paper piles and stray threads. Plus kitty curled up in the rocking chair.

Since 2012 was the beginning of SpringLeaf Studios, it seemed only right to get a fresh start with a clean organized space. I even made a sign officially proclaiming it SpringLeaf Studios.

These photos show the “tidy” space. Even my machine was missing in action getting a much needed service and cleaning of it’s own.

A favorite spot is this tiny little side table which I redid with paint, color copies of Kaffe Fassett fabrics and Mod Podge.

One of these days I’ll make a slip cover for the rocking chair but for the time being a fleece throw does the trick.

My design wall features a rod with drapery clips across the top which allows me to hang a pieced top while still working on other designs on the flannel. Magazines and books are stored below and the shelf makes a handy step up for reaching the top of the wall.

Of course the clutter free look lasted about a day but that's ok. All those lovely fabrics just can’t be tucked away forever. They need a daily dose of stroking and admiring don’t you think?

Hope you like my studio. Thanks for stopping by.

This post has been updated with more and better photos which you can see here. 
Hop over and take a look. And thanks for coming to my studio for a visit.