Apple Farm Blog Hop

carriedawayquilting57146bbe00

10 years ago

Today is my stop on the Apple Farm blog hop with Elea Lutz and Penny Rose Fabrics . . . and I\’m struggling with what to write. I could stick to business and describe my project and how I selected fabrics using this precious new collection that Elea has designed. However, I\’m feeling compelled to be a bit mushy. You see, this is the week I\’ve been dreading all summer. This week my oldest child is returning to college and my youngest is heading off to her first year of college. And so, I\’m feeling like a bag of mush.

Apple Farm (fabric by Elea Lutz for Penny Rose Fabrics) sewn using \”Sweetly Scalloped\” pattern.

As I worked on this quilt, I was filled with tender reminders of my children\’s younger years. I hope you\’ll indulge me as I share with you what Elea\’s Apple Farm fabric means to me.

It means sweet memories. . .

Two little blondies riding their bikes through our neighborhood, one at break-neck speed and one with training wheels trying to keep up with her big brother.

Trips to the local apple orchard every fall, to ride the flat-bed wagon between the long rows of trees and pick our own apples to take home and bake into a crisp . . . and weeks later to ride that same wagon in search of pumpkins to carve.

Shopping for school supplies and watching young eyes light up over a new box of crayons.

Little hands raking enough leaves in the backyard to create a fluffy \”run and jump\” pile.

Searching for milkweed along the gravel road at the edge
of town . . . food for caterpillars.

Laying out quilts on the back lawn and setting up for an afternoon of lazy fun . . . books, toys, dolls, snacks and juice boxes. There might even be some napping.

Good, good memories.

Every time I sew with Elea\’s fabric, I feel an emotional connection. There is a tenderness in her characters and an excellent use of color and print that just draws me in. You can see it, or rather feel it too, can\’t you?

The pattern you see in this quilt is my newest pattern, Sweetly Scalloped. It is a great choice for showing off a fabric collection in a simple but pleasing way. Sweetly Scalloped is being carried by several of my blog sponsors: Fort Worth Fabric Studio, Stash Addict Quilts, Lou Lou\’s Fabric Shop, My Timeless Day, Quilts on Broadway and Fat Quarter Shop. It may also be available at your local quilt shop!

Apple Farm is in stores now. While the fabric is perfect for any time of year, it has a nostalgic, back-to-school feeling. I just know you will fall in love with this sweet collection! Ask about it at your local quilt shop, and please visit my sponsors who are carrying the line: Fat Quarter Shop, My Timeless Day, Fort Worth Fabric Studio, and Stash Addict Quilts.

Feeling thankful

Quilting is a personal art form. We love the craft, and we love the people for whom we sew. I guess it\’s okay to get a bit mushy. Heart-felt thank you to Elea and Penny Rose Fabrics for including me on this hop! I treasure my quilt made in Apple Farm and the memories it has evoked. And a special thank you to Barb at Quilts on Broadway for the lovely quilting! You\’re a gem, Barb!

There are many talented bloggers sewing up their personal creations using Apple Farm during the next two weeks. I\’ve included a complete list below. Today I hope you\’ll visit Nadra Ridgeway of Ellis & Higgs. She\’s a brilliant sewist and a lovely person. I can\’t wait to see what she has created. And tomorrow will certainly bring us some special designs, as we stop by and visit Shari Butler of Doohikey Designs and Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt!

Thanks so much for visiting the blog today! I hope you get carried away quilting often!

~Taunja