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Monday
Mar282011

Project Simplify - Day 1

Hello, hello!  If you missed Friday's introduction check here and you'll be up to speed :)

When I first thought about doing this project, I saw my quilts looking quite different from those in the book.  My stash has a “shabby chic” flavour.  I definitely gravitate towards soft, light fabrics.  The more pink, the better. 

But I do have a few stacks of brights and settled on this collection to make “Square One”, which is similar to the American Jane - "Snippets" used in the book.

I bought this happy fabric when it first came out in 2007.  I’m a big Susan Branch fan (fabric, patterns & scrapbooking stickers/paper/stamps) and was excited when this line came out. 

I bought almost every print and planned to make this & this – one for each of my girls.  Well, I did make the red one - for the quilt shop where I work - but then I don’t know what happened.  Guess I'd satisfied my red pinwheel craving.  (Although thanks to Carrie's post last week, I think I feel a new craving coming on!)

Love these cute little quotes on the selvedges. 

From top to bottom they read:

  • It’s believing in roses that make them bloom.
  • The strongest of all warriors are these two:  Time & Patience.
  • Creativity is really the structuring of magic.
  • No day is so bad it can’t be fixed with a nap.
  • Today, if you’re not confused, you’re just not thinking clearly.

And my personal favorite:

  • "Stay” is such a charming word in a friend’s vocabulary.

I just added it to my sidebar.  (Thank you Susan!)

In my defense, I have made a few things with this fabric.  A couple of years ago my girls were taking an art class and needed something for their pastels & charcoals etc.  So I made these little bags which have become their Nintendo DS storage/travel cases.

 

Every year, I make my girls a new backpack for school.  When I first started (in 2005), I was in charge of fabric selection.  But that control didn’t last long.  Soon they wanted to choose and the conversations would go something like this:

Her:   “Mommy, can I have this fabric?”

Me:  “No, I just bought that.”

Her:  “What are you going to make?”

Me:  “I don’t know yet.”

Her:  “How about this?”

Me:  “No, I have plans for that fabric.”

Her:  “This?”

Me:  “No (can’t come up with a good reason and she doesn’t understand the concept of hoarding yet).  How about this?  This is really pretty, don’t you think?

Her:  “No, I don’t like it.” 

Then we’d go to the fabric store and buy something they liked.   I think you're starting to understand why my stash is out of control ...

This year my 9 year old finally wanted this fabric for her backpack and I made a lunch bag with matching placemat too.

    

But that backpack & lunch kit didn’t make much of a dent.  Let’s see what making a quilt will do ... :)

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Reader Comments (15)

I love your shabby chic collection! And beautiful bags that you've made for your girls. I have not shared my stash with my kids like I should. I just found your blog, it's beautiful!

March 28, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterKaren

Project #1 looks like so much fun! And those colors and designs you picked out of your stash are perfect for it! I have been a Susan Branch fan for so many years. It started with her stickers and books! I have only a couple of her fabrics though...
Your sewing projects for your kids are wonderful : ) I love the little backpack : )

March 28, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterGigi MInor

HI - thanks for visiting and agreeing with my 'rant' on Thimbleanna! I'm looking forward to seeing how you get on with this project. I have embarked on a year long project to use up my yarn stash - knitting a project a week from the Debbie Bliss book The Knitter's Year. Regards Anne

March 28, 2011 | Unregistered Commenterfrayedattheedge

I think you better plan on finishing this project before RUBY comes out. It would not be nearly as much fun buying it all by myself!!! And I know you will not be able to resist. Blog looks great.

March 28, 2011 | Unregistered Commenterkate

Your girls are very lucky, those bags are just gorgeous! :)
Vivienne x

March 28, 2011 | Unregistered Commentergreenrabbitdesigns

The girls bags are so cute! I have a pattern for the same but haven't made it. I look forward to seeing your quilt. I have also begun a quilt from my stash. You continue to inspire me.

March 28, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterJudy Blinkenberg

What a great idea! I too love this book. I am defiantly going to follow your journey. I love your fabric and how you organized it, looks beautiful!

March 28, 2011 | Unregistered Commenterchristina ive

What a great idea! I've looked through the book and have one coming to me...the wait is gonna test my patience for sure.
I can easily see making each project in this book! I might just join you although I will have to play catch up.

March 28, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterCJ

I love your fabric pictures... and also the little red travel cases you made. I would totally get that for my daughter! Do you sell them? :)

How fun! I LOVE your pictures. Love, love, love them. And your fabric stash too. It's SO beautiful. And your bags. Oh swoon. Oh to have little girls, you lucky duck!

March 29, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterThimbleanna

I love Susan Branch too ~ such cute things ~ your daughters backpacks are SO cute!

March 29, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterMelody

ooooo i am so jealous!! I got a load of fat quarters from sew mama sew in the post yesterday! I posted them on instagram via my iphone. So much fun! I put my back out at the weekend so i cant do anything but lie here and eat these muscle relaxants. I feel very hyper and a bit lalalaa but inspired! thats the main thing lol

March 29, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterClaire

Hello Fellow Classmate! I'm from BYW and I stumbled across you blog in the forums! You're the first quilter I've found in BYW! I'm a quilter too, so naturally I was excited! Your blog is beautiful and I love your new project! Great work! :)

March 30, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterHeather
Lovely back pack was wondering so you have anything to show on how you made the bag? BC I'd like to make one for my self.
October 31, 2013 | Unregistered Commenterlorraine
Hi. I am Magda , I am Pole and I want to say: you done such a beautiful projects
April 7, 2023 | Unregistered CommenterMagda

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