{Fabric Stash}

Hey there! Did everyone have a wonderful Valentine's Day yesterday?? Mine was beautiful! I have always loved Valentine's day,... could have something to do with the fact that it's also my BIRTHDAY!!!! I turned 23,......... errrr 32 yesterday. Monday I received a flower delivery from the Mr., yesterday we had a quick take out dinner at home (I don't know about you but going out for dinner ON Valentine's day is always a huge ordeal, I try to avoid it) and watched some super silly Tuesday night television. (does anyone else think NEW GIRL is freaking hilarious?!?!) Today I received a generous gift card from the Mr. for Quilt Asylum and Saturday evening we are going on a dinner/movie date (thank you Grammy for your babysitting services). What a cool Valentine's WEEK!! Thanks husband! What are all of you up to?? Do you hate V-Day? You either love it or hate it really. Whether you're married, single, dating,.. I hope that you spent the day surrounded by love.

I have been doing quite a bit of stash building since I last photographed my fabric storage and I always forget to take pictures when I get home with my haul. SO I spent a while last week taking pictures of my "new" fabrics. Some are for very specific projects, but the majority, like the stack pictured above, are just because they are too pretty to pass up.

On my last trip to Quilt Asylum I had the lady there cut me a 5" strip of all the Secret Garden prints by Sandi Henderson. I guess Michael Miller isn't on the pre-cut boat, so the ladies at QA were willing to assist me in making my own "jelly roll". Now I can use it on a "jelly roll friendly" quilt without buying wayyyyy too much fabric. Very sweet (and patient) of them! I also snagged up some yardage for backing/binding when Fat Quarter Shop was having 40% off all Secret Garden!! SCORE! In that first little picture are some additional SH prints I have collected,... for no reason at all! (I believe they are all from the Meadowsweet collection)

Is anyone else drooling over Loulouthi?? I know I know.... it's been out a while, but it sure is pretty!! SO I got a few prints. :)

Random Tula Pink prints. TP is always beautiful.

Same goes for Amy Butler!!

The picture above, on the right has two pieces of Amy Butler fabric that I bought at MARSHALL'S!! I bought a twin size AB duvet for $10!!! and ended up with these two huge pieces of fabric! that was a pretty exciting day.

Joel Dewberry Aviary 2 for Laila's big girl room.

Fabrics for the boy,... oh that boy. :) He definitely needs another "manly" quilt around the house. He's always playing on pink quilts with flowers and ruffles. We are going to work on that!

Chevron fabric, uh because chevrons are FABULOUS!

These are random stacks of DS for Joann, Joann bargain pieces and sale pieces from my LQS. Sometimes I find the greatest fabrics at Joann hidden in with the not so great fabrics. ;) I love when that happens. And all the Joann coupons!! I never pay full price for anything at that place!

Above is some yardage I bought at another quilt shop out here called Happiness Is,... Quilting! They were having their anniversary sale the few days after Thanksgiving and were doing a buy 3 get 2 free on EVERYTHING in the store! I stocked up! I got a TON of fabric! I needed to make sure I had backing fabric for the fat quarter bundles I've been hoarding, Bliss & Ruby are a couple. Here's what happens to me a lot,... I buy a fabric bundle/charm packs/layer cake,... etc. and it sits and sits and sits until I have the PERFECT project for it. THEN by the time I'm ready to use it, I can't find the yardage for backing, sashing, borders, binding etc. and then that leaves me with unfinished quilt tops. Boo. So, this time, I'm ready for it! I rarely buy yardage without a project in the works, but it hasn't really worked in my favor that way. Don't you just LOVE that aqua scalloped fabric from Ruby?!?!

Chevrons,... which I already showed you and Sweet Nothings by Riley Blake. Love the colors in that line!

I also got a bundle of Little Apples from a friend for Christmas that I apparently forgot to take a picture of. I guess I should stop hoarding fabric and start using it! It's a little weird, but I HATE when I use up any one fabric! Then I feel like I need to replace it. Whaaaat?? Can't let go?? weirdo! Does anyone else get sad when they use their last little bit of a fabric? I guess I just like to know that it's there for me to use, otherwise, I will have the perfect place for it in a project and it will be GONE! Yes, I have a problem!

I want to see your stash!! Leave a link in the comments with your blog and more specifically, your stash post if you have one. Maybe there will be a giveaway in the form of a small fabric destash if you link it up!

{Etsy Grand Re-Opening & A NEW Name!!}

I am super excited to announce the GRAND re-opening of my Etsy shop!!!! I decided to make a few changes over there,... first, I am no longer designing/selling jewelry. I have so much more fun with FABRIC! :) So I'll be selling my quilts, some pillow covers, bunting, little odds & ends and there WILL be a paper box here and there, after all that is where this all started, is it not? Second,... I have changed the name of my shop! What was previously Bella Gioielli (Italian for Beautiful Jewels) is now Paper Box Quilt Co. I realize that quilts have nothing to do with paper or boxes, but I'm sticking with it!

So, here you have it! My first 5 items at Paper Box Quilt Co.

(let me know what you think) (only if it's nice...) ;)

First up is "It's A Hoot" quilt.

This quilt was made in my (smoke free/pet friendly) studio by MOI!! Fabric is "It's A Hoot" by Momo for Moda Fabrics. It is so bright and cheery consisting of little birds, polka dots, pretty damask and funky florals in a mix of pink, aqua, red, yellow, green & lavender(ish/grey). Pretty perfect for a little girls room or to snuggle under on the couch.

Pattern is "Piece of Cake" by Thimble Blossoms. Finished squares measure approx. 7.5" and all feature a strip of a contrasting Hoot fabric & are framed by the super cute EGG shaped pink polka dots. Backing is matching pink "damask". It is all over machine quilted in a free motion meandering pattern with 100% polyester ivory thread.

Measures 63" x 71"

All fabrics used on "It's A Hoot" are 100% cotton, batting inside is also 100% cotton. Your quilt will come pre-washed, all crinkly and beautiful. To wash: machine wash on cold with color safe detergent, tumble dry on low. (I use Tide w color safe bleach/downey fabric softener combo).

"It's A Hoot" is ready to ship and ready to be loved for a very long time!

Next is "Baby Boy" Pillow Cover

Baby Boy throw pillow cover is made from the fabric line, Soliel by Annette Tatum for Westminster Fabrics. This sweet fabric mixes aqua, yellow, grey and orange with stripe, star, floral and puppy dog prints The patchwork front has been machine quilted in a straight line, grid pattern with 100% polyester blue & orange thread & backed with a coordinating pale blue solid fabric.

Pillow cover measures 18"x 18" and will fit nicely on a 18" pillow form. (pillow form is not included, but can be purchased at your local craft or hobby store).

All fabrics used on "Baby Boy" pillow cover" are 100% cotton, batting inside is also 100% cotton. Pillow covers will not come pre-washed. To wash: machine wash on cold with color safe detergent, hang or lay flat to dry. (I use Tide w color safe bleach/downey fabric softener combo).

"Baby Boy" is ready to ship and ready for your baby boy nursery!

And of course,... "Baby Girl" Pillow Cover

Baby Girl throw pillow cover is made from the fabric line, Soliel by Annette Tatum for Westminster Fabrics. This sweet fabric mixes pink, yellow, grey and orange with stripe, star, floral and puppy dog prints The patchwork front has been machine quilted in a straight line pattern with 100% polyester pink & orange thread & backed with a coordinating pale pink solid and pale pink check print.

Pillow cover measures 17"x 17" and will fit nicely on a 16" pillow form (shown). (pillow form is not included, but can be purchased at your local craft or hobby store).

All fabrics used on "Baby Girl" pillow cover are 100% cotton, batting inside is also 100% cotton. Pillow covers will not come pre-washed. To wash: machine wash on cold with color safe detergent, hang or lay flat to dry. (I use Tide w color safe bleach/downey fabric softener combo).

"Baby Girl" is ready to ship and ready for your baby girl nursery!

Finally I have the first two of a series of "Deconstructed NEST" Pillow Covers

Deconstructed NEST #1 is made from the fabric line, Nest by Tula Pink for Moda Fabrics. This funky fabric mixes pink, aqua, yellow, green and brown with bird, feather, egg and floral prints. The "braided" front has been machine quilted in a free motion meandering pattern with 100% polyester ivory thread & backed with a cheery pink print from the Nest line.

About 2 years ago I constructed this Nest braid as a quilt top,... it ended up terribly crooked. The top was perfect and the bottom swayed (to say the least) to the side. My BIG mistake is your fortune. I was able to cut apart the wonky quilt top and make several pillow covers out of it. (don't worry, none of the pillows ended up WONKY!) ;) This is the first in the "Deconstructed NEST" pillow collection. Stay tuned for more!

Pillow cover measures 20"x 20" and will fit perfectly on a 20" pillow form. (pillow form is not included, but can be purchased at your local craft or hobby store).

All fabrics used on "Deconstructed NEST #1" are 100% cotton, batting inside is also 100% cotton. Pillow covers will not come pre-washed. To wash: machine wash on cold with color safe detergent, hang or lay flat to dry. (I use Tide w color safe bleach/downey fabric softener combo).

"Deconstructed NEST #1" is ready to ship and ready to adorn a couch near you!

(#2,... same basic description, but it has been straight line quilted instead of stippled)

Remember THIS disaster??? Yeah,... now we have PILLOWS! :)

And there you have it! I will be posting new items regularly so keep checkin in!! Share it with ALL your friends! Thanks for all your support!

XOXO

{Sewing}

I have been doing a ton of it,... everyday!! Quilts, pillow covers, bunting,... I even made a little zipper pouch the other day. (I'll show you that soon)

Some things for me. Some things for the preparation of my Etsy re-opening.

Some things for testing,....

(I'm gonna test this some more) ;)

Six quilt tops and three pillow covers here. You may see some of these popping up in my Etsy shop soon.

This is a little sewing I did to spruce up our pretty boring bedroom decor. Chevron seems to be all the rage these days but I will tell you that I will probably never try zig zags this small again. I started with 3" squares and I'm not sure I really thought it through. SO many bunchy, bulky seams and tiny little HST's when all was said & done. It sure did turn out pretty though!

As soon as I finish some of these WIP's, I'll let you all see them! Promise.

Tomorrow,... pictures from the State Fair of Texas!

XOXO

{Neptune Wild Thing}

Do you remember this??? Well,... almost two years later, here it is in all its Wild Thing, Hawaii glory. :)

I actually brought this quilt with me (maybeeee along with another one) to Hawaii. That's right, I brought quilts with me to Hawaii. I actually finished the binding on this one on the plane ride out there so, on our way to the airport to head home, we stopped for a photo shoot. Why not?? :) It only took me two years to complete, for some reason,... I think it deserves a pretty view (which just so happens to be the view from the wedding we attended,.. uh,.. beautiful much???) I know what you're thinking,... "I've seen better" Yeah, me too.

Please excuse some of the color funkiness in these pictures. I had the white balance all wrong on my camera for every picture I took of this quilt and didn't have the guts to ask my husband to go back out on the golf course holding this pretty pink and blue quilt and start all over.

Anyway, I LOOOOOOOOVE it! It is definitely my favorite to date of those I have kept. It has a home right now on the back of my couch.

{Piles & Piles}

Of fabric!!

I have been sewing up a storm in my new art studio so therefore, lots of fabric piles:

Scraps,.... my husband sees trash,.... I see a photo opp! :)

(this is still sitting on my sewing table!)

Here we have two unfinished quilts. On top are squares for a quilt made with It's A Hoot by MoMo. Bottom is the "Wild Thing" quilt out of Tula Pink, Neptune I made,... what,... a year and a half ago?? I JUST started quilting it,.... tonight. Procrastinate much!

Here are some of the fabrics I am using on my super secret gift for a friend that I want to keep for myself.

Backing fabric for the string quilt,... and some of the little boy fabric underneath, not sure why.

So,... lots of stuff going on here in Texas! I even pulled out some charm packs I've had forever to see what I could whip up. Fun things coming ,.....

{The Quilt Asylum}

My Sister-In-Law discovered this little quilt shop, Quilt Asylum, and I HAD to get there ASAP!

She sent me a picture of her fabric loot from her visit and I got soooo jealous,... so I went a few days later with my Mom and my little man (who was SO good) and got my own loot to make her jealous. :)

Kaffe Fassett

Momo

Tula Pink

You can see in the picture above that this shop makes fat quarters in EVERY fabric they carry!! Uhh,... brilliant I say!

Tula Pink Fat Quarters

Tula Pink Yardage

Strawberry Fields Fat Quarters

Oil Cloth

"Swoon" Store Sample

"Swoon" Store Sample in Tula Pink

If you're in McKinney, stop into Quilt Asylum, I dare you to walk out empty handed!

{South Carolina Vacation - Part 2}

Yes,... another one of THESE crazy picture posts. See, and the thing is that I pick pictures that are virtually the same, but in MY mind, they are so so different and I can't choose. I'm a dork,... I'm aware.

Back to the topic at hand. I did mention that my mom and I did quite a bit of crafting while we were at the beach so let me quickly run through what went down.

Below: Dining room turned sewing room.

Remember this quilt post? Well, I just got around to quilting it at the beach. Talk about PUTTING THINGS OFF. (I'm beginning to see a trend with that......)

So, "Simply-A-Bloom" (from Roslyn of Bloom) was basted...

Stippled...

and stippled some more.

Remember this quilt post? I finally finished piecing the "Wild Thing" quilt top. (pattern from Camille of Thimble Blossoms) It too was basted, but not stippled.

Below: Craft Hope dish cloths in the making.

You might recognize those yummy colored cloths below :) (and yes, we did watch The Holiday, its my all time FAVORITE movie! Probably seen it about 100 times,... "totally brill")

Mom decided to get back into crochet and lent a helping hand with some Craft Hope dish cloths as well. (below)

This is the mess that we made,.... and continued to grow throughout the week. Lovely right??

Yummy, Yummy dish cloths.

And, as if I didn't already have enough projects started,.... I got sucked into the Hexagon trend!! I actually really really enjoy hand sewing/stitching/embroidery so I decided to give these little Hexa-squares a try. (my husband made that word up :) These hexies are ALLLLL the rage on the crafty inter-webs,.... and so adorable, I couldn't resist.

Everyone is right too, they are very addicting, and a lot of fun.

The NINE (turned ten) hour drive home was the perfect time to finish hand-stitching the binding on the Bloom quilt...

(finished!!!!!)

AND there was even some time leftover for some hexa-squaring. PERFECT little travel project.

So, there you have it. ONE completed quilt (which I will post about later). One basted quilt, one NEW quilt project started,... yeah. And one Craft Hope project almost completed. It was a great, productive, and still relaxing trip. I wouldn't have been able to get so much done with my quilts if I didn't have my mom there to help me! Thanks Mom!