A Quilt of Many Names

This is a quilt of many names. Lone Star. Morning Star. Radiant Star. Star of Bethlehem. Texas or Texan Star. Other than the fabric, my version is not a particularly modern take on the pattern, but I feel like a good modern name would be Big Star.

I have long felt equal parts love and intimidation toward this pattern, which I will call Lone Star going forward for the sake of simplicity. My obsession with this quilt finally helped me swallow my fear and figure out how to make a Lone Star. I'm really glad I did. It was not without a zillion bias-edged challenges, but I did not end up with a big bubble in the middle or a diamond section too wonky to salvage as I had feared. It's certainly not perfect, but I learned a ton (Y seams!!) and it looks good enough to me from a distance. 

I worked on this quilt on and off for the better part of a year. I strip-pieced, cut, and sewed together the diamonds, and then I deliberated on whether the center should be green or red. 

I was having a really hard time deciding, and asked family and friends to weigh in. The votes were about 50/50, so that was no help. Finally I decided to just go with the red center and I have not regretted it.

The star is made entirely from Heather Ross's Briar Rose collection. I like how the pink, white and purple sections seem a little sparkly. The gray solid is Kona Silver. I auditioned white fabric behind the star as well, but the colors popped better against the gray. I used my leftover strips to make the border. The quilt is backed and bound in April Rhodes' Triangle Tokens in Agave from the Arizona collection. 

Luckily, both cats seem to approve of the quilt. I was pretty worried. 

I already have my next two Lone Star quilts planned out in my mind, and some thoughts on a comprehensive tutorial, but I need to finish about eight other projects first. Until then, I'm just happy that I finished this very summery quilt just in time to take it outdoors and enjoy it in the fleeting Northwest sunshine! 

Glittery Balloon Banner

Hi friends! A few weeks ago I attempted another set of birthday balloon banners for my friends and family with May birthdays. In March, Jen and I spent a long weekend in San Diego and I had purchased these glitter alphabet stickers from Seaside Papery, and really wanted to put them to use.

My Silhouette Cameo helped with my balloon shapes.

I stuck on the letters in seconds.

I wanted the balloon strands to match the glittery gold letters. I have a roll of gold sparkly washi tape, and attached the strips to card stock and used the Cameo to cut out the curvy shapes.

I made an all pink banner for my incredible friend, Katie. She's loved anything pink probably since birth.

With all my leftovers I made a plain balloon banner I'm hanging onto for future birthdays and other celebratory milestones!

Happy belated Birthday Jen and Katie!

New York Part Two

I'm back today with more photos of our trip to New York! You can see Part 1 here. 

One of the places I was most excited to visit was Purl Soho. We are lucky to have several beautiful and well-stocked fabric stores in Portland, but Purl Soho was still a treat! I bought a few souvenirs including a sashiko kit and some embroidery needles.  

Just across the street from Purl Soho was Ochre.  Ochre is my favorite high-end (dream home) lighting and furnishing company. It was really fun to look around the store. 

Patrick and I had a crazy delicious dinner at The Spotted Pig in the West Village. We put our name in beforehand and wandered down the street to a great bar called the Orient Express. I hear that it's much easier to get in at The Spotted Pig at lunchtime, so we will probably have lunch there next time we visit New York. But Orient Express was a very pleasant place to wait, with well-balanced drinks and classic furnishings.

We had some other memorable dinners during our trip, including the ultra-fancy Beauty & Essex (there's a champagne bar in the ladies' restroom!), a cozy and charming meal at Amelie Wine Bar, and most delicious of all, a fantastic meal at modern and low-key Foragers. 

We walked the High Line in Chelsea on the sunniest and warmest day of the trip. 

We felt so lucky to be visiting a few short weeks after winter ended, right as the trees were bursting into bloom.

We got lunch that day at Chelsea Market, which was looking lovely with endless lanterns and twinkle lights. 

We took as many walks in Central Park as possible. It always amazes me how quickly the surroundings change from a bustling city to a serene garden once you step inside the park. 

We ate lunch at Tavern on the Green one day, which had the best ambiance. So much natural light! 

We saw so many amazing things, and we ate so many delicious things, and yet we barely scratched the surface of this city.  I'd go back tomorrow if I could! Hopefully soon.

Onesie Garland

My friend Meridith is expecting a baby boy later this month, and I wasn't able to make it to her shower. Similar to my Bridal Shower In a Box project, I wanted to send something special in addition to a gift from her registry. I love all the different versions of onesie garlands that are so popular for baby showers, and decided to make her one with a navy blue and turquoise theme.

I used my Silhouette Cameo again for this project. I love how much time it saves me, and the endless possibilities with the cutting tool and sketch pens.

After gluing the onesies to the blue and turquoise squares, I used my 1/8 inch circle punch to make the holes to string the banner.

I added miniature clothespins to give the banner more character.

I can't wait to meet her new little one!

New York Part One

Both Lauren and I have been fortunate to do a lot of traveling in 2015. At the end of April, Patrick and I went to New York for a week with our good friends Michael and Grayce.

On our first full day we walked miles and miles around Brooklyn. We started by meeting up with Grayce's sister and her boyfriend, and together we walked across the Brooklyn Bridge and explored Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Our hardest decision of the day was picking between all of the delicious food vendors at Smorgasburg.

After lunch we took the subway out to Prospect Park. It was an unbelievably idyllic Sunday afternoon in the park. 

Next we wandered through Park Slope, stopping for drinks and snacks at Blueprint.

We had such a good day in Brooklyn.

The following day we took the ferry to Ellis Island. We admired Lady Liberty from the boat. 

It was fascinating to learn more about the island where so many of our ancestors first arrived in the United States. Ellis Island had exhibits that broadly covered immigrants' journeys as early as the 1500's, but I was most moved by the images of people waiting to be processed through Ellis Island and begin life in their new home, whether striking out on their own, or reuniting with loved ones.

After Ellis Island, we walked the short distance from Battery Park to the 911 Memorial and One World Trade Center.

It's hard to find the right words to write about the Memorial. To me, it felt appropriate. It felt vast, and sorrowful, and eternal. 

The reflections of the sky on One World Trade were beautiful.

We ended our day on an upbeat note at the Top of the Rock. 

Next time I'll share the rest of the highlights from our trip in Part 2!