Can Anyone Guess What This Is?

I have a new project in the works! Do you know what it is? I'll give you a hint...it's not a wallet.

Best Day Ever!!!

I'm given to hyperbole, but lets just role with it...

First, I got a job!!!!

Second, I got a Kona Cotton color card!!!!

Third, I get to give away an amazing pattern!!!!

Speaking of which, the winner, by a random number generator, is Quilty Goodness! Congrats, and thanks everyone for playing.

Another One for the Shop

If you are looking for the giveaway, you can sign up here until Friday at noon!


Months and months ago I got a package of precut squares on Ebay for a steal. I can't remember exactly how much they were, but it was definitely under $5 for 35 6.5" squares with shipping included. They have been sitting in my stash for a while, but I was inspired by the summer to whip them out again. I added some white linen that I had on hand and ended up with a simple zig-zag pattern. I think it goes really well with the Seventies feel of the fabrics.


I wanted to do something a bit different with the quilting. Normally I stipple my quilts, but I thought that the smaller size of a baby quilt was perfect for experimentation. I used a fairly dense straight line style that I thought would be a nice counterpoint to the zig-zag design. I absolutely love how it turned out! It looks great, but I think the best part is the texture. It feels so amazing.

Here's a view of the back. Don't you just love this fabric? Its on sale here, and I'm debating whether I want some of the other prints or not.

This one is destined for the shop. I love this one, and its a little hard for me to let it go, but I have a finite amount of storage space. My housemate already thinks I'm a huge packrat!

Mixtape Giveaway!!!

I was lucky enough to be chosen as a winner in the Fresh Modern Quilts giveaway last week. It sometimes feels like I am the most unlucky person alive, because I NEVER win anything. For giveaway day, I entered so many drawings...dozens really...and I didn't win any of them! Needless to say, I was thrilled, THRILLED, to see that loosing trend change.

Elizabeth from Oh Fransson sent me a copy of her Mixtape pattern. I however, being the avid fan that I am, had already purchased the pattern when it first came out. I've been a bit slow getting it together, but I'm loving the way it's looking so far. I'm using mostly Surf and Sand fabric that I bought over winter break when I was shopping with my mother. I also threw in some coordinating fabrics from her stash that she was kind enough to give me.


So anyways, since I don't really need two copies of the pattern, I emailed Elizabeth for permission to do a giveaway and spread the love around. She said that was fine with her, and she also sent me a copy of her wristlet pattern! How nice is that!!

So, for your chance to win a copy of the amazing Mixtape pattern, comment here. Just to make it a bit more interesting, tell me what fabric you would use with the pattern. If you post about this on your blog, leave a second comment with the link for two chances to win!!! I'll leave the giveaway open until this Friday at noon EST. I'll pick a winner then and email the pdf on!

Two (or Twelve) Heads are Better than One

Take a look at what my Live Piecefully group came up with! I'm beyond thrilled...its even better than I expected. I would never have come up with some of these blocks. It truly a unique and beautiful quilt.


It's a big one...about 80" square. I didn't have a big enough space in my apartment to take photos, so I had to go down to the park. People stared at me a little oddly, but I got the pictures taken :)


I had to order a bit more fabric for the backing, and when that comes in I can't wait to get it quilted. I've mostly been stippling smaller quilts lately, so this one's going to whip me back into shape!

Cue the Hallelujah Chorus

Somewhere around hour 15 of working on this quilt, I came to a realization. Some quilters are Spiderweb people...some quilters are not. I fall in the latter category. Now don't get me wrong, I LIKE Spiderweb quilts. They use up scraps, they're unique, they're beautiful. Seriously, I give them two thumbs up. What I don't like, however, is putting them together. I don't like paper-piecing, I don't like the mess, and I definitely don't like spending an hour making a single block.

There were times that I didn't think it was ever going to be more than a bag of scraps and partially completed blocks. I went months without sewing a stitch on it. After beginning the project though, I was determined to complete it. Last week, after a few marathon days of sewing, I did it! It's done! I was originally going to make it bigger, but I decided 40" square was sufficient. I can't imagine making a twin or full size like some people that I've seen!

The front is made up primarily from scraps of Heather Bailey's Freshcut line. I threw in a few extra pinks for good measure too. I used white linen for the center kites. The back is a beautiful purple shot cotton that I pulled from my stash. It's almost too pretty to hide on a back! I might have to buy more of it and incorporate it into a quilt top someday.

This little beauty is going into my newly opened etsy shop. I hope it goes to a good home where it will be well loved!

Necessity is the Mother of Invention...

While I'm hunting for my dream job (which is a rather slow and daunting prospect) I'm without a consistent paycheck. That, as I'm sure you can imagine, blows. Big time. I've decided to take advantage of the situation though, and launch myself into business. I am opening an Etsy storefront.

This has actually been something I've been thinking about for a while, but I just never got around to starting it. I mean, there are so many things to think about before you can get started. For example, I had a huge amount of trouble deciding what to name my shop. A friend suggested that I not use my blog name because, and I quote, "I don't think I'd want to shop somewhere called Ripping Out Seams. It's too violent." As much as I love her, I totally ignored her advice. I named my shop Ripping Out Seams. I figured most people could figure out that I'm not a homicidal psychopath.

So anyways, if you care to risk associating with a seam ripper wielding weirdo, swing by my shop. There's nothing in it right now, but I plan on changing that very, very soon...:)

New Tutorial!

I've made two of these Prairie Braid Blocks for virtual quilting bees, so I thought a tutorial might be in order. This is my favorite way to use up scraps and its so easy and fun! You can find the tutorial here!

Last time, people had trouble downloading the file, so I used a different program this time. Please let me know if there are any further issues.

It's an Ill Wind That Blows No Good

Much to my dismay, there's still no luck on the job front. I've been applying like crazy and networking, but the holiday really slowed things down. Hopefully things will pick back up again now that we're past Independence Day.

There are some upsides to not working though. I've had plenty of time to rediscover some of my favorite places in DC. Case in point, the fountain at the National Gallery Sculpture Garden (affectionately referred to as "my fountain").


I bring everybody who visits me there. It is absolutely my favorite place in Washington. I love to go with friends and chat or by myself and read. The people watching is fantastic too...and the duck watching. My friend Jessye and I named the ducks. There's Flirty Duck and Dapper Duck among others.


My sister and I took these pictures a year ago when we went one afternoon. I haven't bothered to take new ones, since I like these so much. It was such a gorgeous, sunny day.

It was hot though...hence the reason we went to the fountain. Dipping your feet in it is soooooo refreshing.



Wading too...



As long as you don't get caught...