Time to Move Along

This is just another post to let you know that I have a new blog home.

www.erinjoyquilts.blogspot.com

If you are a follower, please move your "membership" to Erin Joy Quilts.  =)

If you use Bloglines or Google Reader, please update it to my new address.  =) 

Love,

Erin

Where Do I get a Change of Address Form???

I've blogged under Dutch Girl Diary since September 2006 and decided that it's time to move on!

I have a fresh perspective on blogging and want a fresh name, so please come and visit me at www.erinjoyquilts.blogspot.com.

All posts, links, tutorials and such have been transferred so you won't miss a thing.  =)

Love,

Erin

SQUEEEEEL!!!!!!!

Remember this quilt that I blogged about recently????  I decided to join the Flickr group, Fresh Modern Quilts, and I posted a few of my latest quilt tops there. 

Yesterday afternoon when I checked my email, I found this comment to be moderated in my inbox:

happy zombie has left a new comment on your post "Tracey Porter Trio":

I love the quilts, Erin! You've inspired me to make a zig-zag quilt.

I was speechless and still am.  

Monica, the writer of The Happy Zombie, is a blog star!!!  Her patterns are published in magazines.  Her blog was featured in a book.  She designs for Moda Bake Shop.  I absolutely want to be like her when I grow up.

Thank you, Monica!  You absolutely made my day.  =)

Love,

Erin

Spontaneity Can Cause Problems

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Running with those brief flashes of inspiration usually result in a great quilt, unless you run out of red polka dot fabric mid project. Ack!

Love,

Erin

Vintage Linens Give-Away ... WINNER!

Sarah, send me an email at erin1978 at gmail dot com with your mailing info and I'll get your package out to you this week. =) Don't forget to tell me what 2 blocks you'd like.

Don't worry to the rest of you who didn't win ... I'm planning on doing small weekly giveaways because they are so much FUN!! I love hearing comments from you and I want you to know how much I appreciate you reading my blog.

Love,

Erin

The Story of a Mama with Three Boys

There once was a Mama who had three boys. They were great little boys and she loved them so very much. Well one day the Mama found out she was having another baby and so was so happy! She was kind of tired and kind of sick but the baby was healthy and growing, so all was well. Finally the day came, not for the birth, but for the BIG ULTRASOUND. =) Both the Mama and the Papa waited in anticipation to find out........................................... it was a GIRL. Everyone in the Mama and Papa's family were called and told the news. They all rejoiced together, but especially one particular Aunt and that Aunt would be ME. =)

What is a good Aunt-to-be supposed to do but MAKE A QUILT. I consulted with my sister on what kind of quilt she would like for her daughter. She said "modern, earthy, and feminine." Off I went to my favorite quilt shop in Lancaster because no other place would do and I came home with these:

And those became this:

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CLICK FOR LARGER VIEW

The colors in the closeup picture are the truest. I hope to write out a pattern for this quilt and post it in the coming weeks. It will be free and you'll find the link in my sidebar. =)

Love,

Erin

Tracey Porter Trio

These fabrics have been in my stash for a couple years. I love them so much =) They are Tracey Porter prints from Joanns Fabric and unfortunately, they've been discontinued. The finish on these fabrics is incredible! It's a soft, suede/brushed texture and they are thicker then most quilting cottons. Absolute loveliness to sew!

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I started cutting out the strips I needed for the above quilt. It's a really nifty Zig-Zag pattern made without any 1/2 triangle squares. Here's the linky to the pattern because I know you'll want to make one yourself. OF COURSE, I had to deviate from the pattern and not do a solid color every other row. That took a little extra planning, but I so love the results. It was good for the gray matter to work out the math.

There were some extra blocks leftover from the Zig Zag Quilt so I sewed them together to make this sweet little number:

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CLICK FOR LARGER VIEW

All this fabric was spread out on my island so what's a dedicated quilt-maker to do?!?!? Pack it all away and call it a day... I think not! I continued cutting and Tracey Porter Quilt #3 was born.

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CLICK FOR LARGER VIEW

Oh my! Simple. Modern. Colorful. My quilt-making ovaries are aching. LOL Me thinks all three designs must be made over again in some of my lovely batiks. That will have to wait until another week. Holiday quilt tops are next on the agenda. Can anyone say "Jingle Bells?"

Love,

Erin

Kindred Spirit with Claude

"Color is my day-long obsession, joy and torment"
Claude Monet

I couldn't agree with you more, Mr. Monet.

Love,

Erin

Happy Labor Day!

I hope you all have a safe and restful Labor Day. =) Mr. K is finishing up some landscaping this morning and in the afternoon we are off to a potluck with some friends from church. Here is a sneak peak of things to come this week:

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I made 3 very different quilt tops using these Tracey Porter fabrics last week and I can't wait to show them to you!

Love,

Erin

A Peak into my Sewing Area

Mr. K and I share one of the upstairs bedrooms. Half is my sewing room and the other half is the computer room. Here's a peak into my half:



You can't see much of the fabric stash, so let's get a little closer:



Come on, Erin! You cropped off 5 of the 9 cubes. Please show us what's inside. Details please!
(I'm sorry the numbers don't line up very well with the cubes, but you get the idea. =))

1. Fat Quarter Cube
2. Asian & Modern prints (l) / Batiks (r)
3. Bottomweights for bag making
4. Joann Fabrics collections (not sure how those polka dot prints got in there ???)
5. Moda prints (1) / 30th Birthday fabrics (r)
6. Children prints
7. Collections from Zook's (1) / Collections from Hobby Lobby (r)
8. Christmas prints/collections
9. Polka dots (l) / Kona solids (r)

Thanks for looking. =)

Love,

Erin

PS - Click on the pictures to see BIGGER views.