Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Quiltiness in Maine

Greetings from northern Maine! It's pretty chilly today (26 degrees) but according to my sister-in-law, it can get down to -25 degrees during the day. We're not used to that, although we've definitely had our share of extreme temperatures in New Jersey :) I am looking forward to spring weather when we get back, though!


We were excited to be here for Easter, and especially to spend time with two of our lovely nieces (ages 5 1/2 and 2 1/2). I made them tote bags for spring. Our older niece loves rainbow (and pink), while the younger niece is obsessed with pink. I didn't have time to quilt them, but that's okay :)


 I sewed the strips together for the front, and I used Skip To My Lou's reversible tote bag tutorial. I picked fun fabrics for the backs. Then, I embroidered them on the way too long 11 hour car ride. I'm happy to say the girls love them :)



My sister-in-law has been saying for months that fabric up here is super cheap. IT IS. We went to Marden's, which is a salvage store. Seriously, I could spend hours looking around there. They had a decent-sized fabric section (this is just a small part) and I found a LOT of prints I hadn't anticipated finding, for $2-5 a yard: Weekends by Erin McMorris, Joel Dewberry, Amy Butler, Nest by Valorie Wells... so I got a bunch :)


The fabric cutters and cashiers kept asking what I was working on... and I had to keep saying that it's for my stash, lol. I'm not even embarrassed about that anymore.


I also got these great vintage sheet-like fabrics - they are a bit heavier than sheet cotton, though. I LOVE them though I don't have any plans yet... they were a DOLLAR A YARD. WHAT. I finished the bolt for each. I'm thinking right now they would make a really great binding.

 
Finally, I got to see one of my quilts again! I love that! "Ladybugs for Bailey" is very much loved and starting to get really rough around the edges, like intended, for raw edge applique. It was gifted to my oldest niece 2 years ago for her 4th birthday.




 Cutie nieces :) I love them! Pretending to sleep.


 Worked on this during the car ride, too. Hoping to finish it on the way home!


 Posting this last to remind myself that spring really is here (just not in Maine!)

Linking up to:


13 comments:

  1. I wish we could pick up fabric that cheap in the UK, it's expensive here.
    Lovely little bags.

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  2. Love the bags, thanks for the links!

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  3. ooohhh Nest! I need to go to Maine!

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  4. Wow! Gorgeous bags and love your stash building :o)

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  5. I live in Maine and everyone keeps telling me to go to Mardens to fabric but I didn't know they had anything I'd like. I guess I will have to go check it out now.

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  6. I forgot to say that I love your bags and the quilt too!

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  7. the bags you made are fantastic!

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  8. Love the Doctor Who embroidery. Where did you find the pattern?

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  9. Great finds, I guess the fabric alone was worth the trip :)

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  10. I'm from Maine and yes, Mardens is awesome! You think it's cold down there?! Right now I'm living in Canada...now that's cold! Love your bags, so pretty.

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  11. I love your wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey Doctor Who embroidery! I'd love to see it when it's done!

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  12. Looks like you had a great trip. You found some lovely fabric. Love your tardis embroidery is it from a pattern? I'd love to do one of those myself :)

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