Cherry House Quilts

Michael, Issac & Me!

Now what could Michael Kors, Isaac Mizrahi, and I have in common?  Gingham fabric of course! I've been loving Robert Kaufman's tiny checked gingham, and I have designed a contemporary quilt using this fabric.

I thought I was ahead of the curve, but check out what Michael, Isaac, and Christopher Kane have been up to with this humble fabric...

Aren't they pretty, and oh so stylish?  I can't wait to get my hands on some gingham, and infuse a little runway into my quilts. Maybe we should start a project runway for quilters?  What do you think?  We could give quilters a whole new image!  We could have the requisite cast of characters...the diva quilter, the bitchy quilter, the know it all quilter, the crying quilter, the jokester quilter, the perfectionist quilter...anyone else?  Do you think someone would lend us Tim Gunn? 

xoxo,

Cherri   
  

A Summer of bee-ing

Do you remember back here, when I talked about joining in a quilting bee or two?  Well, after I finally figured out what I signed up for, I just want you to know that I'm loving it!  There is something strangely freeing about making a little something for someone else, and then sending it on it's way. 

These are/were my bee's:

1. Scrappy Pincushion Swap - now finished

2. Doll Quilt Swap #9 - in progress until September

3. Busy Bee Swap - in progress for one year!

Do you know what I've loved - I'll tell you...

I loved doing new things that are outside of what I normally do.  For my doll swap I did applique' - which I never do, I used metalic thread, which I never use (but strangly had, since it is shiny and beautiful), I used fabrics but from my stash - which is always a bonus!

For the pincushion swap I made a pincushion (well, actually 3 - the first one turned out to be the size of a small grapefruit; had to start over, then I made a mini, just for fun), which I never had before...I always used the little tomatoes, or a crocheted one Melissa made me.  Do you guys know how awesome Lizard Litter is?  It's ground walnut shells, and has a strange, wonderful squishy quality.  It comes in 10 lb bags, so everyone I know should be expecting to a receive a pincushion in the near future.  Lizzy needed a pincushion last night, and I said with the enthusiasm of a 7 year old, "do you want me to make you a pincushion, I'll make you one if you want me to!!!!"  I make most of my pincushions with felted wool, so it has been great to be able to use it up, since I seem to collect it without any real purpose, other than I love it!

The busy bee swap has been great because it's such a fun thing to be able to make someone a few blocks, with whatever fabric they send along, and then mail them off.  No committment, no nothing, just a little sewing with fabrics that I don't normal have in my collection, and then sending it on it's way...what could be more fun?  Nothing, not one single thing!

The downside of all of this play has been not actually doing the work that I need to be doing, but alas, these projects are about wrapped up, and I will be getting back to work.  Lizzy, Melissa & I are taking a wee break at the end of the week; we are going to Iowa for a family reunion, and we are also going to the State Fair...I can't wait! 

Here's a few pics of the projects I have been doing.  Are you in a sewing bee?  Do you love it? 

xoxo,

Cherri

Something to cheer about!!!

Who loves quilt kits?  Nice, neat packages that contain THE EXACT fabric that you need to make a pattern?  I know for some quilters that it is a dream come true!  Well, if you've ever dreamed about wanting to make a Cherry House Quilt from a kit with all the exact colors specified, today's your lucky day!

Jackie at Canton Village Quilt Works is my new go to girl for CHQ kits.  She currently has City Scapes, The Tempest, and is working on Foreign Currency, and City Park.  She also has plans to create kits for quilts from City Quilts!  Go check out the prices too...it couldn't be more reasonable, be sure and tell her Cherri sent you. 

  
Happy Quilting,

Cherri