It's always greener on the other side.

In this particularly white winter, I find myself longing for something green and lush. While Puerto Rico is out of the question, this whole cloth quilt made form Queen Streets "Maddie" and "Dolin" in jade and aqua is just what the doctor ordered.
"Dolin" is a whispy green and blue floral on a white background, and "Maddie" is decidedly greener on the other side- and more mod.
This quilt followed by a regimen of wheat grass shots should get me through to Ground Hogs Day. Or maybe a Mojito?

"Hail" to the Queen Street!

All hail to the Sis Boom Queen Street line! This simple block on block action simply amplifies the beautiful prints and colors that Jennifer Paganelli used to create this latest line.
Give me a day or to to post the pattern... if you are interested!

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.

Pick a color- any color. Or two or three...

Orange, pink and red. That's what my friend Sheila's daughter wanted.
I love working this way. Girls know what they want when it comes to color. I am more than happy to oblige. Give me a theme, a color scheme, or your old baby clothes and will promise to put something fabulous together for your bed to wear.
You like to make a statement when you go get dressed- now, GO MAKE YOUR BED!

Baby Bird Quilt

A little birdie told me,"Use your solids wisely."
$125.00

Baby Quilt a Day.

Vintage Pink Elephants On a Swing withe fringe and Valerie Wells flannel backing.

Last Rose Of Summer.

This full size quilt was inspired by a rose trellis I spotted early this summer. It wasn't until now that I have had time to quilt and bind it. I love the green- reminiscent of Fire King Jadeite Glassware.
This quilt is for sale.
$400.00

For Danielle.

I was given free reign on the design of the quilt, but Danielle did request a color scheme: hot pink, lime green and brown. I just pulled from my Sis Boom scrap pile and started cutting.
I think it turned out beautifully.

He's at it again.

Whenever I go to document my completed custom ordered quilt and pillows. Ollie is always ready for a photo op. Honestly, what would I do without him?
DIY quilt design:
This twin quilt, or one like it, with a pillow case can be ordered for $300.00- you choose the fabric.

Quilt Haiti: Mission accomplished!

Thank you. Thank you, Tammy Gilley for coming up with this great concept. Thank you to everyone who participated in this wonderful collaborative project. Thank you for waiting patiently for me to finish my end of it. Thank you to Jennifer Paganelli for providing the backing and for creating all of the beautiful scraps that made up these 30 squares. Thank you to the girls at Make and Mingle for inviting us to use their space to hold our "bee".
This quilt will be raffled off for $5./ticket or 5 tickets for $20.00. If you would like to be a part of the raffle, leave a comment and I will send you the ticket. You can send me a check, or pay via Paypal. It will be on display at Witchypoo in Wilton, Ct from today, Sunday May 30th-Tuesday June 1st. It will then be at Make and Mingle until a winner will be chosen Friday June 11th. It is 74''x 90", 100 % organic cotton batting, with a candy striped backing. The money will go to Marilyn W. Dugan Foundation, Inc. who has done a lot of work to raise funds and bring supplies to Port au Prince.
There were enough quilt squares to make 2 quilts, the 2nd one- hopefully done by June 1st, will be going to Haiti with Tammy's people sometime in the month of June.
I have to say, I can't wait to collaborate on another quilt like this. It really was a joyful experience. Next time, we'll make it a pot luck! It's going to be hard to let go, especially for Ollie, but I know it will go to a good home.

Quilt Haiti update.

Thanks to the amazing work done by Rebecca from Haiti By Hand, Tammy of Tammy Gilley Studios, and The Quilt Haiti project a few of the quilts I have made for Jennifer Paganelli and her fabric line (Sis Boom) have made it to Haiti already! The collaborative quilt we did at Make and Mingle should be done soon... promises promises.... I swear!
I think that this may be one of the most beautiful pictures I have ever seen. Being thousand of miles away I feel so helpless. It's nice to know we could provide some comfort.
Thank you to Jennifer for creating such joyful fabrics, sure to brighten anyones day- just look at that woman's smile!
Thank you Rebecca and Tammy for all of your love and hard work.
More quilts are on the way, and we are raffling off one quilt at Make and Mingle- email them for a "virtual" raffle entry once the quilt is finished. As soon as it's done, I will post.

Promo for the book Little Birds

Custom quilt for sorority sisters.

This quilt was commissioned by a sorority, AST, Alpha Sigma Tau.
The mother of on of the girls had just passed away from breast cancer a month ago, and they wanted to let her know she would always be surrounded by her sisters.
Each girl chose a fabric from the Sis Boom fabric line and their name was then printed on muslin and framed within the fabric square. At the center, a special square in remembrance of the mother. The quilting pattern was ribbons, like the pink ribbons that symbolize the fight for a cure for cancer.
This project was a labor of love and I think a great way to show you care.

A "Little Bird" told me...

It's out! Little Birds: 26 Handmade Projects to Sew, Stitch, Quilt & Love (Design Collective) by C&T Publishing's Design Collective is now available. It features my custom quilt design that I made for Cortney and Bob Novogratz and their most recent "9 by Design"
addition, Major.
The book, "Little Birds", includes all of the instructions and templates you need to make this colorful, mid-century modern inspired baby quilt. The other 25 projects are just as adorable and this new division of C&T Publishing is really giving quilting and sewing the new spin it deserves. Other great artists, like Bari Ackerman, have had a lot of fun putting these projects together. Now it's your turn.
Last nights episode of "9 by Design" told the story of a little school friend of the Novogratz family, Jasmina Anema, who suffered from leukemia. The Novogratz clan and other school families put on a great fundraiser to help Jasmina and her mom with medical bills. Jasima was a warrior, but she succumbed to the disease in January.
For anyone who orders a book from me during the month of May, 100% of my profit will go to The ONEFORJASMINA Foundation.
Please take the time to look at the beautiful site and the pictures of this special little angel who was not with us long enough. You can make a difference.
So, forget about "Making your Bed"!
Get the book, make a bird, and maybe save a life.
Thank you.
Nancy

The winner is...

Christine from Covered by Design! Okay- where do I send it so you can get "cookin""... if you know what I mean!
Congratulations.

Apron Raffle!

Sis Boom Ms. Willy apron raffle- double your chances when you go on and comment on BOTH Dark Horse Farm Designs and Go Make Your Bed! blogs. Please be sure to check the apron out on my Open Sky Shop on the DHFD blog, just to see what you will be getting! This raffle will end Wednesday 5/5 at midnight and the winners (2) will be announced first thing Thursday morning.
So, start the commenting, and Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Last minute quilt request- mission accomplished.

My friend Lisa ran into my husband in Keough's hardware store, they are the best and have an incredible stock of baking forms, cookie cutters, etc... although Tim goes for more manly items. We had been out of touch and Lisa asked what I have been up to. When he mentioned the word "quilt" she said she had been looking high and low for a special baby quilt that wasn't too expensive. Enter- Go Make Your Bed! I had about a day to accomplish this feat, luckily I had this great retro cheater quilt from Dena Designs and some super soft cowboy flannel for the back. Of course, organic batting, which goes without saying-there I said it anyway!
I wanted to photograph it before she came to pick it up, and I had an idea. She mention the baby's grandpa was Jim Henson's right hand man and actually helped create Snuffleupagus. I have often thought Tys, my Friesian, was a cross between Magilla Gorilla and Snuffleupagus, so he said he was will ing to model it for me. I hope the baby, George, spends hours of joy rolling around on it.... Like Ollie did! Don't worry, I totally de-furred it before bagging it up!
Whole cloth baby quilts run $50- $100.00 depending on the fabric used and size. This one was 42"x 42" and was $75,00, as it was a custom RUSH order. Vintage fabrics cost more too, and patchwork quilts start at $75.00 for a 40"x40" when in stock. I'm flexible, prolific, and I look forward to filling orders. Please feel free to give as much input as you like!