Fandango follies.

I bought a Kate Spain Fandango (Moda) "layer cake" to experiment with- and look at what I cooked up!
This 10 Minute block was fun and easy and perfect for 10'' squares.
And it won't blow your diet! Enjoy...

Promise kept.

I promised my friend, '70's and '80's super model Nancy Donahue, that I would make her a quilt back in March 2010. It took me way too long! However- i was aiming for a perfect interpretation of her infectious laughter, sunny disposition, resemblance to Doris Day, and faithful friendship.
This quilt, made from 2 packs of "jellyroll" strips from Kate Spains "Verna" (moda) line, holds hands a sunny, butter yellow print from Jennifer Paganellis Sis Boom "Poodle" line. Quite fitting, since these fabric designers are good buddies, too!
The jellyroll pieces were "braided" together- Hence, the "Friendship Braid Quilt". It is an over sized queen, which was a bear to quilt- but with lots of trimming and measuring i was able to square it up. This often happens when quilting long, narrow strips together. The pretty daisy quilting is a nod to Doris Days, "Please don't eat the daisies!" song. I hope she likes it as much as I liked making it for her. She's the one on the left.

Kate's Plates!

Has anyone seen "Verna"? Well my friend, home dec star Jan Lemonedes, passed this New York Observer Home magazine onto us because my husband Tim had a picture he did in it. He photographed the "9 by Design" Novogratz family and it was published for this article. FYI, episode 2 airs tonight at 10 on BRAVO! Watch what happens...
Flipping through the pages of my new favorite publication, I see these plates. Kate Spain had just shown them to me on Sunday when we delivered a load of our finest aged manure in their driveway. (Happy Birthday, Kate.) They are available at Crate and Barrel. Way to go!

Whatever happened to the refrigerator magnet?

I am prepping to do a show on Thursday, Girls Night Out, in Rowayton, Ct, and part of the deal is to supply 50 gifts for a goody bag that will be given to the first 50 guests. So I had seen this cute idea for a refrigerator magnet, using old pictures, children's books and playing cards. Some with glitter, some without-which do you prefer? The "blonde" is my shout out to Betty Draper, but most have a horsey thing going on. So, that's what I was busy doing yesterday.
When I go to display them on my fridge for a picture- no go! Stainless steal doesn't work! And what about all of those fancy shmancy kitchens with wood paneled refrigerator doors to match their cupboards! Oh, the horror!
Well, too late now- they did work on my microwave door, and for the picture I put them on the side of my truck.
I forgot to take them off before my husband went to load up the flatbed with composted manure for our friend (fabric designer for Moda, Kate Spain). He was more than a little relieved to see they could be easily removed.

My work has just begun.

Sunday was the uber successful Quilt Haiti event at Make and Mingle. I cannot express the joy we all experienced coming together, doing what we love, with loving people- many who we all met for the first time, and many quilting for the first time! Karen and I even experimented with some silk screening of gnomes and Buddha's- all hand drawn by Natalie!
I had two days before I recovered from my quilt hangover- the only remedy being, quilt, eat, quilt, eat... you know? The "old hair of the dog"....
The first 3 squares are from Charlotte Lyons, Kate Spain and Jennifer Paganelli- I wish I could remember who did all of the others. A giant kiss and thank you to everyone who participated, and especially to Natalie, without whose blueberry muffins , I would have never made it!
The finished product should be ready for viewing mid April. Details to follow!