Cherry Tree Lane Quilt

 My Cherry Tree Lane Quilt Finish

Cherry Tree Lane quilt by Susie's Sunroom

I finished a  quilt , during the Christmas holiday, and am just now finding time to share it with you.

I first saw this beautiful quilt pattern, while following Samantha, of Aqua Paisley Studio,  on Instagram (@aqua_paisley).   Samantha  hosted a fun
  Cherry Tree Lane Quilt Along on Instagram  ( @cherrytreelaneqal)  , when she released her brand new pattern,
                     Cherry Tree Lane.  Her inspiration came from Mary Poppins. 

Pattern available at Aqua Paisley Studio

I was drawn to this pattern immediately, as it uses Jelly Roll strips ( 2.5 "  x 40 " ).  And the pattern can  look differently depending on how you sew the pairs of strips and lay them out. (Like colors with like colors, or light and dark  colors together, for contrast, or just plain scrappy , etc.)

I realized this pattern would be a perfect way  to use the leftover  scraps of a Jelly Roll , from making my first official quilt.  That was a Scruffily Quilt,  by Rachel Griffith,  from Moda Bake Shop .   The fabric is "Glace",  by 3 Sisters for Moda. I still LOVE this fabric !   I had only used a 2.5" square off of 36 strips, plus some of the  strips to make a scrappy binding.  It had been sitting in a drawer since 2009.... looking pretty.  

All I had to do was round up  the Glace' leftovers and  3 Sisters yardage that I had in my stash, and count up the number of strips that I had available to use. 

I was only  few strips short of the Glace' fabric for the quilt.  So , I went in search of stashed  Moda red fabric ,that blended nicely  with the reds in this Glace' fabric.   

Cutting the strips into triangles

 I had fun laying out the blocks.   

See the holly leaves?

I love the brown fabrics in this collection !

 Of course, my #1 Quilty Helper, Whiskers, was there to help me keep the blocks in the right order as I built them! 

Whiskers on the job!!

Aqua Paisley Studio's pattern instructions are clear and easy to follow. The diagrams are excellent.    I was happy how the X's turned out in each block!

X hits the spot!

Before I knew it, it was time to add the sashings and corner keystones!

I love the small red squares in the center of each block

 Flimsy top  of Cherry Tree Lane Quilt

My CTL quilt- ready for the binding to be hand sewn on the back

Quilt Statistics:

Pattern:   Cherry Tree Lane Quilt   by Aqua Paisley Studio  ( here )

               Jelly Roll Friendly!

Fabric:   Glace'   by  3 Sisters  for Moda      (leftovers from an early quilt)

Size:    58 " x 80"  approximately

Thread:   Aurifil #2021  50 wt for piecing 

Batting:   Warm and Natural

Quilting:  Aurifil #2021 with walking foot on Viking Topaz sewing machine, large zigzag stitching

Backing:    Glace' (last of leftovers!) , in the  paisley, and Into the Woods - Lella Boutique by Moda,  in red.  I did have to buy this.  It turned out to be a beautiful match!

I really love this red "Into the Woods" fabric on the backing!

The back of the quilt,  with a scrappy label

I used red fabric for the binding, too!

Cherry Tree Lane quilt   front and back

I am pleased with how the quilt turned out!  I can use it all winter.

Cherry Tree Lane quilt

Well  , you know I just had to do this... pull out the first true quilt I made  and compare it to my latest quilt....      2009 vs 2016  !   

They look pretty together, don't they?

My Scruffily Quilt  -       technically simple, with raw edges
                               and quilted around each 10 inch square "in the ditch"
                          

Scruffily Quilt close up

Notice how I " carefully selected"  staged the  blocks that matched up pretty well in the above photo?

True Confession:     Here are some of the "problem"  blocks that didn't match up very well.

I didn't know how to make the blocks meet at the corners back then !

My Cherry Tree Lane quilt-  more complicated design, with sashing and cornerstones 
                               and zigzag quilting 
                                

Cherry Tree Lane Quilt

I had so much fun making my Cherry Tree Lane quilt... with that added bonus of using up some favorite leftover fabric!   It's been such a fun quilting ( and learning) journey so far!   

I'm off to my sewing room!

Linking up at:     Let's Bee Social  @  Sew Fresh Quilts    and  

                               Building Block Tuesday @ Quilter In the Closet    and
                             Fabric Frenzy Frenzy @  Fort Worth Fabric Studio  and
                          Can I Get A Whoop Whoop ! @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict   and
                            TGIFF  @ Fath and Fabric     and 
                         Finished Or Not Friday   @ Busy Hands Quilts
                                      Finish It Up Friday   @ Crazy Mom Quilts
                         

                        

Trunk Show

Trunk Full of Quilts Online

Share your Trunk Treasures at Whims and Fancies !

Would you  like to see favorite projects that other quilters want to "pull out of their trunk" and share ? 
If so, then hop on over to Soma's blog,  Whims and Fancies  (Nov 10-18 ) and see what everyone is pulling out to share !!  I just know it will be inspiring and creative and fun!  
And, if you are blogger, you can write up your own post  ( details here  ) and pull out a few things from your own trunk!  Soma has even arranged for sponsors for the blog hop, who are donating some awesome  prizes for participation.

So here is what I pulled out of my Susie's Sunroom trunk!!
(I started out making bags and totes,  and they aren't "stored"  in my trunk.)

I found this on the very  bottom of my trunk.  It's from "way back" in 2009  :  (My roots aren't very deep yet! LOL)

My first official quilt that I made:  The Scruffily Quilt   A Moda Bakeshop Pattern  {here}

My first quilt.... The Scruffily       Susie's Sunroom  

This quick and easy pattern used a Layer Cake, a Jelly Roll and a Charm Pack of fabrics.  I chose Moda's Glace (by 3 Sisters)  fabric, and still LOVE these fabrics.  The smaller squares on top of the 10 inch blocks were just sewed on top, leaving raw edges.  Hence the name "scruffily." 

Uhhmmm... Don't look too closely at where the blocks join up.... (remember it was my first quilt!  I hadn't figured out how to line up  and pin the blocks as you sew them together, yet!)

Oops!   I did get the scruffily part right!!

Well, anyway,  I was happy to see that I made a  quilt label for the back!

Yay for a quilt label!

I still have scraps left from this  quilt.  {Happy Dance !}  Now I can make a pillow to go with my quilt , pull the  quilt out at Thanksgiving time , and USE it this year!  Despite this quilt's imperfections and simplicity, it is still very dear to my heart.

What's next in my trunk?

The Scottie Dog Mug Rug-      2012                  pattern by The Patchsmith

Scottie Dog Mug Rug     Christmastime version by Susie's Sunroom

I fell in love with making small, fun  and heartfelt patterns, using Amanda, The Patchsmith's patterns!!  The Patchwork patterns actually taught me how to use fusible applique technique and create patchwork ! 

I gave this mug rug to my mother.  She pulls it out every Christmas season now.  It is still one of my favorite designs!!  I have since made MANY mug rugs with The Patchsmith patterns!!

Excuse me while I lift my cat out of the trunk.... she 's snoring away on top of  my pile of quilts!

So what is on the top of the trunk?    This  Farm Girl Vintage Sampler Quilt.   I finished it up last week.  You can read about it {here}.   
          Design from book " Farm Girl Vintage"   by Lori Holt

Farm Girl Vintage Sampler Quilt  

 The 48 blocks on the front were sewn with the fun Farm Girl Vintage Sew Along.  What fun I had making the blocks and seeing everyone else's blocks!  

Note:  I  guess I have come a long way from sewing 10 inch squares together.... to making 106 Flying Geese in a border!

I wanted to use more patterns from the book , for  on the back of my quilt.   I made four barns with four animals in the barns.    I also got brave enough to free motion quilt the outer border, to add some texture and crinkles!  (I just noticed  the "scruff" and "crinkle" affinities that I have !)

The back of my Farm Girl Vintage Sampler Quilt  Susie's Sunroom

I used another  adorable  The Patchsmith pattern for this Daisy cow in the barn!  I also used this pink gingham material for the back and binding... it was in my stash since about 2010!  And of course, I made a little label for the quilt.

I invite you to go over to Whims and Fancies blog to see what is in other quilter's trunks!

Look over Soma's blog posts and her pattern shop while you are there! She is so talented and interesting!  I think I  first learned about  Soma by  seeing her  amazing paper pieced patterns.  She was in the line-up of  designers in the  Garden Party  blog hop  , back in 2012.  Before long I was hooked on her blog, and in admiration of all of her  widely varied talents and  interests in the arts and sciences.  It didn't take me long to realize that Soma creates from her heart! 
I made this mini wallhanging, "fREADom"  , designed by Soma in July 2015: { blog here }

fREADom  Bookshelf   Mini      Susie's Sunroom version

See you over at Whims and Fancies!!  And , Thanks for stopping by here!!

I'm off to my sewing room!

PS   Voting  is open from now until Nov 17 ,  at Sew Fresh Quilts,  for your  Dog Gone Cute  post favorites...

My "The Naughty Little Puppy baby quilt " version... 

   

{ go here }  to read the post

Click here to vote for your  3 favorite  posts, at Sew Fresh Quilts. 

    I'd sure appreciate any votes cast my way!!

Vote HERE

Linking up at:          Trunk Full of Quilts  @ Whims and Fancies    and
                                Dog Gone Cute @ Sew Fresh Quilts    and

Across The Pond Sew Along ... March Project

March's Across The Pond Sew Along Project

March's Project :  Shamrocks

I have  a dose of "spring fever"  for sure...outside, we have still have snow  on the ground... it's been there  since the beginning of February.   I need something to remind me that spring is "just around the corner..."

How about a making a  new project with the Across The Pond Sew Along group?!  

March's Theme:   Shamrocks

We must have the" Luck of the Irish"  with us this month, because we have  "sew many" beautiful projects , that are available for free!  I found some great things... a little bit of everything, from basic blocks to finished project ideas!  Amanda, The Patchsmith, has some beautiful project suggestions, too.  And a free pattern for you!!

• Shamrock Block:    @ Kims Big Quilting Adventure      

photo  by  Kim's Big Quilting Adventure

• Scrappy Shamrock Block:  @  Quilting Assistant.com

pattern by Quilting Assistant.com

• A Paper Pieced Shamrock:  @  Sewhooked.com     

St Patrick Shamrock patten design by Jennifer Ofenstein

• A "Luck of The Irish" Table Topper :  @ Moda Bakeshop

Luck of the Irish Table Topper  pattern by RibbonCandyQuilts.com

• A Shamrock Coaster:  By Amanda @ The Patchsmith 

Shamrock Coaster  designed for the Across The Pond Sew Along ...for free!

Isn't this coaster stunning and cute!  Bonus: Amanda 's pattern teaches how to make Flying Geese by 2 different methods. 

• Shamrock Applique Block:  @ WeeFolkArt     see her blog for pictures and pattern

I wish I had time to make every one of these cute projects... but I decided to make the table topper first , because I don't have one for March and St. Patrick's Day.  

The "Luck of the Irish" Table Topper

Pattern:  A Moda Bakeshop pattern design by  Ribbon Candy Quilt Company  (free)

                                

Pattern design by Ribbon Candy Quilt Company and Moda Bakeshop

Fabrics:   Several  St. Patrick Day fabrics from Jo Ann Fabric
                  Kona   lime green
              Garden Pindot  white by Michael Miller

Dimensions:  30 inches x 30 inches

My Adaptations:

•      the pattern called for additional border of scrappy fabrics, but I liked this Lime Green so well that I used  it. 
• finished size:  24 inches by 24 inches
•       I used the back as the binding  ( by adding an inch to the back fabric  on all four sides, and folding and pressing it to the front.   Then I sewed the binding by machine , with my walking foot.

The Luck of the Irish Table Topper     by Susie's Sunroom

The stems of the Shamrocks are appliqued on, and then sewn with the Blanket Stitch on my machine

The back fabric.... with little gold flecks and mini shamrocks.... it continues to the front to become the binding

I quilted in the white sashes , in 1/4 inch straight lines

The directions are well written, and this project was very fun to make!  I love the bright spring colors!


You can see what other quilters have made in our Across The Pond Sew Along Flickr group, too.  Add your projects and share them with us!! 

I hope to make The Patchsmith's  Shamrock Coaster this month, too.  So stop by and see what else I make during March.

One last note, if you view my blog with Bloglovin', and haven't seen any new posts for months...  please feel free to sign up to follow my blog by email .  I am having troubles with my RSS feed, I guess.   

Linking up at :   Can I Get a Whoop Whoop @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict  and
                       Sew Darn Crafty       @ Sew Many Ways

I'm off to my sewing room!

                                  "Wherever you go and whatever you do,
May the luck of the Irish be there with you.  "

Where I Sew

Today, I thought I'd   show you where the sewing gets done... in Susie's Sunroom.  

DISCLAIMER:
Warning:     Please  discontinue viewing the pictures in this blog if you are a neatnick, exhibit  any  OCD  behaviors, hate clutter, ( and especially , if you) hate Country Clutter intermingled with fabric piles and patterns.
Fabric piles are technically  potential fabrics for consideration for a project , by the way.  I'm just sayin' that up front.

Welcome to Susie's Sunroom:
My mini quilt of "those classic" dishes greets me at the door.  
Once upon a time, this  room was "just a sunroom" , where the we looked out the windows at the birds at the  feeders, and enjoyed the southern exposure on winter days.   Then one day, 3 years ago,  I confiscated it and started filling it  up with notions,  threads, patterns, material and sewing machines.

I picked a room where I could set up not only one sewing machine, but eventually two!  (I admit I knew the computer was on its last leg and when gone, would free up this desk.  I  may be am cluttery, but I am not dumb. )

My BabyLock Creative Pro sits at this window. ( It overlooks the neighbor's beautiful pool area.)

Then, one day my little BabyLock was in for a broken reverse switch,  and she stayed for nearly a month ! I got very   ill   grouchy and my husband INSISTED   suggested that  I get another machine so I could sew even while one girl is down.   

That is when my Viking Topaz 30 came to live with us!  She sits at this table, and I can see our backyard and a lot of blossoms, butterflies and birds out of this window when I sew. Oh, and those  pesky squirrels, too.

Now we come to the problematic parts of my sunroom.... my storage systems.  They work in theory, but I keep way  too much in them,  and I shushily (I think that's a Pa Dutch word)  fold  ,  sloppily criss-cross or smush together....my fabrics.  ugh

I keep my notions, threads, books, zippers, magnetic snaps ,and more zippers in this area.  The small cupboard is actually a pantry shelf  from a real caboose.   

Well, I might as well get it over with and show you my bins in a bookcase , that hold my downstairs stash.  This ain't pretty.... I'm warning you.      But I think if I show you this BEFORE picture, someday soon I will be forced to clean it up and show you the AFTER picture! 

One shining note-  see the beautiful mini quilt hanging above the baskets.  That was created by my talented sister, Amy, of  AmyMadeThat! blog.  

And yes, I have a lot of Moda Fabric in my stash!  

I'll show you my Upstairs Stash some other time..

(My daughter made me this sign, after she lovingly folded all of my stash in the walk-in closet upstairs.)

 There.  I feel better not having to hide my problem from you .  Please don't judge me.  I used to be a super clean housekeeper. (Yes, you guessed it- before I took up sewing.) Now, my floors are pretty clean, my bathrooms do get cleaned regularly, I wash my outside windows every summer, and do laundry all the time.... but my sunroom and closet Stash do get messy and cluttered.   I just don't want to  lose that good idea that might slip away if the fabrics aren't "there in that pile" any longer....

Where do you sew?  Are you organized or relaxed?
Check out  Moda Bake Shop Stash Link Party !   I have joined up on it, and lots of other sewers and crafters have,too!  Get to peek into their stashes!

{Don't tell anyone this, but I asked my sister why their Link Party had a big mustache on it...  }

I'm off to my sewing room!