Linen to Infinity and Beyond! [TGIFF]

Remember these beauties from earlier this week?  Valori Wells Linen.  Mmmm...yum.  I put them to use by creating a mega linen infinity scarf.  I know, I know it is still summer so what is my problem? I love the summertime, it is my favorite season, and yet here I am obsessing over big fat fall/winter scarves.  Rebecca Lynne, seriously, what gives?

Well, I hope you are ready to giggle.  The Mr. took these photos and he had me laughing, which then had me compensating making serious photo faces which just makes me look distant and hilarious.  Oh, and my hair just rocks, cough cough.  Reminds me of this photoshoot almost a year ago.  Except this time he refused to try on the scarf himself...damn...

Anyway...do enjoy laughing at/with me!  Haha!

I just love this design because it is a great big fat scarf and also spread out to be a cool shawl too.  The linen is fantastic!

A hood of course...

And it can be twisted around depending on your mood.

Do go show your faces over at Erin's Blog for TGIFF. I know she'll love the love!!!

- rebecca lynne p.s. If the damn photos don't show up this week will someone please email me and let me know ASAP!  I'm seriously going to have a conniption, but better to know than have it go all day without photos...  [For those of you in the dark, last week's photos went AWOL, thanks a lot Flickr.] 

Low Volume Think Tank

SWAP IS NOW FULL!!!

So, obviously, I am a little preoccupied with the Low Volume Swap I'm organizing.  I am absolutely in love with the fabric choices we are seeing on the Low Volume Flickr Group - I mean, serious, DROOLVILLE.  Part of what I absolutely love about this swap is that people are picking fabric choices I never even new existed...it is such a real joy being introduced to all this luscious amazingness.

I've been thinking about what I want to do with my swap charms.  I have been considering the pattern below, some squares and some rectangles.  Ultimately I've set my heart on this!!

Also, given my continued obsession with AMH, I am thinking of adding this fabric as a pop of color amongst my low volume beauties...

Green is, after all, my favorite color.  Anna Maria Horner + Green + Low Volume?  SWOON!

What are you guys Think Tanking these Days?  And if you haven't already -- SIGN UP FOR THE LOW VOLUME SWAP!!!

- rebecca lynne

WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR THINK TANK THIS WEEK?  IT IS  YOUR TURN TO LINK UP. HERE ARE THE RULES:

1. Link up any post from the past week that features some creative thinking going on in your creative world.   It can be anything, quilting, home improvement, fashion, crafting, DIY gifts, cooking...whatever you have recently thought "hmmm, you know what I should create" is perfectly appropriate for the Think Tank.  TTT is all about whatever you are currently brainstorming and would like feedback or encouragement on!
2. Somewhere in your post, link back here to my blog. (Or grab the T.T.T. button for your sidebar.)
3. Comment on at least a few of the other links—because what fun is a linky party without comments?

Swapping, Drafting, Reading [WIP]

My biggest WIP is the Low Volume Swap!  Click on the button for more details!

SWAP IS NOW FULL!!!

I'm also working on sewing more Infinity Scarves...and more importantly finishing the pattern to share with all of you!  I just gathered this last bundle of Alexander Henry's Fulham Road cotton lawn to make one more Fall themed infinity scarf.  Mmmm yum.

I've also been reading the Gen Q magazine.  Have any of you checked this out?  I cringed a bit at the price but decided to at least try it out once to see if it is worth it.  Damn am I glad I made the investment.  Seriously, it is like these ladies read my mind.  One of the first articles inside is about the best movies to sew to of all time.  I couldn't believe it - but they were all of my favorites!  Yes yes Pride & Prejudice (both old and new) are listed...

Then they had a feature about linen, my most recent obsession, so again, reading my mind.  They also had this really great article about Amy Butler and her droolworthy hubby David.  Gorgeous photos.  At first, I was afraid of being annoyed by the oh-so-talented Butlers but they are just so amazing I fell in love with their story and appreciate their creativity that much more.  Plus, the magazine includes the pattern for the quilt featured by the Butlers on the cover.  When you take all this great stuff into consideration it is so worth the $9.  

Don't forget to check out everyone's WIPs over at Freshly Pieced!

- rebecca lynne

Low Volume Swap Sign Up Sheet!

SWAP IS NOW FULL!!!
STILL ROOM IN THE SWAP!  SIGN UP SHEET BELOW!!!

Thank you for signing up!  I will email you to let you know whether you are in the Swap!  You may also check the Completed Sign Up List for your name.

- rebecca lynne

Lay me down in sheets of Linen - Elton John

Valori Wells linen.  Jenaveve Linen in Toffee, Designer Linen in Gray and Cocoon Linen in bamboo.
Purchased at quilthome.com

Don't forget to stop back here to sign up for the Low Volume Swap.  

Sign up starts at 12am Eastern Standard Time on August 27, 2012.

And for some more examples of lovely Low Volume Examples please visit Helen&ArchietheWonderDog to see what she gathered from her lovely bloggy friends!

- rebecca lynne

Low Volume Fabric Swap

SWAP IS NOW FULL!!!
SIGN UP FOR LOW VOLUME SWAP HERE!

You may have noticed the flurry of low volume quilts going on these days.  Personally, I love this style.  So quiet, subtle, understated, but deliciously feminine and yummy.  Do a quick search for "low volume" on Flickr and look at the delicious results.  Here are some of my favs. (All photos below clickable to original Flickr post so feel free to visit their "owners.")

I did some digging to figure out where all this low volume loveliness is coming from and came up with this, this, and that.  Apparently there is an article about low volume fabrics written by Malka Dubrowsky?  However, I can't access it...if you can do let me know, deal?  I'd love to read it.

 

badlandsquilts

Fiona @ Poppy Makes

Rhubarb Patch

kpeachey 

Unfortunately, I just don't have enough low volume goodies in my own stash to make a complete quilt!  So, I started thinking.  Rather than kill myself painstakingly buying bits here and there I thought...why not have a swap!

If you are like me and interested in a Low Volume Fabric Swap then stay tuned for a Low Volume Swap sign up starting Monday, August 27th.  The first 56 participants will be taken.  Yes, we will be going international so expect at least 8 weeks for this swap from start to finish to allow for the extended mailing time.  Just in time for a holiday swap package of low volume fabrics!  I don't know about you, but a low volume package is exactly what I will need amongst the bright colors of Thanksgiving and Christmas...hahahaha...

Grab the Button and Spread the Word!

<a href="http://www.makingrebeccalynne.com/p/low-volume-swap.html" title="Low Volume Swap Icon by making rebecca lynne, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8429/7856532398_1ac44430aa_q.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Low Volume Swap Icon"></a>

Let me know if you intend on joining in a comment below...and even if you aren't I'd love if you'd do me the solid of helping me spread the word!  THANK YOU!

- rebecca lynne

Mother's Love Quilt Finished! [TGIFF]

** UPDATE: I didn't do anything to Photos...Flickr/Blogger are Plotting Against Me!**

So, ahem, have you ever had a good old laugh out loud at yourself and then found your children (or anyone really) looking at you as if you've gone completely mad?  Yeah, I had one of those moments this week.  You see apparently - in an effort to scrounge money - I purchased a generic walking foot for my beloved Bernina.  And, I hated it, I just couldn't understand what the big deal was about the whole walking foot thing because it just didn't do jack for me.  Now this had sat in my sewing kit forever just being disliked by me without a further thought I moved on to other presser foots and shrugged it off.

Until, randomly, I decided this week that I wanted to do a machine sewn binding.  Which eventually led me to YouTube, which led me to videos of Bernina's authentic walking foot, which made me realize...

THE GENERIC WALKING FOOT I OWNED WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY!

Clearing throat.

Yeah...so I ordered an "authentic" one and man I swear that puppy is never coming off my machine ever...  Hahahahahaaahahahaaaa (<-- diabolical laugh)  I was literally giggling with delight when it started doing its thing and pushing all the fabric evenly through and making me feel like tip toeing through the tulips...

Sorry I am getting a bit carried away.  But, I did warn you above, the girls were looking at me like I had gone mad.

I totally get why machine binding is way way way easier now.  I could never get it to not look crinkled, pulled, and all sorts of wonky before.  Ha, duh!  It is a breeze now with the nifty little guide my authentic walking foot has.  ;)  Ridiculous.

Right right right...onto the finish...

Mother's Love Stats

- Size: 41" x 43"

- Fabric: Amy Butler Midwest Modern I Fuschia

- Piecing Pattern: none, simple straight yardage 

- Backing: Bright Pink Kona

- Quilting: FMQ "seaweed" by rebecca lynne

- Binding: Machine sewn; Bright Pink Kona fabric

To see the progression of this quilt check out previous posts HERE.

Linking to TGIFF.  Check it.

- rebecca lynne

Craft or Art? Pssht, just call it the Love of Making!

As someone who studied art at an artsy fartsy college it always irked me when a distinction was drawn between fine art and craft.  For those of you blissfully ignorant to these matters there is a hierarchy when it comes to the Art world...suffice it to say the Painting Studios were on the top floors of my college's art building while the Ceramics, Fibers, and Graphic Design studios were at the bottom.  Roll eyes.  Us basement dwellers often remarked on the perks given to the painters but gladly went on doing what made us happy.  With a background in Ceramics and Fibers I have always preferred creating beautiful and functional objects for the everyday.  Many would categorize that as "craft" not "art."   Well no matter what you call it that has always been my modus operandi when it comes to creating.  The pieces of art I created to hang on the wall for decoration are far and few between...and in most cases are found in a portfolio in my parent's basement!  Ha!

My best friend forwarded me this article from the New Yorker about Craft Wars and I found it really fascinating.  It brought me back to my college days when I hung out with people who discussed this topic regularly.  I thought I'd share it with you...

What do you think?  Is there a distinction in the quilting world between Art Quilts and Functional Quilts?  Are quilters that snobby about categorizing quilts?

As for the Arts and Crafts Movement I do agree with William Morris and have been taking steps over the last few years to downsize and purge all the unnecessary items in my life.

“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” 

- William Morris

Well, let me know if you check out some of the blogs mentioned in that article...I know I'm going to...

What is going on in Your Think Tank this week?  It is  your turn to link up. Here are the rules:

1. Link up any post from the past week that features some creative thinking going on in your creative world.   It can be anything, quilting, home improvement, fashion, crafting, DIY gifts, cooking...whatever you have recently thought "hmmm, you know what I should create" is perfectly appropriate for the Think Tank.  TTT is all about whatever you are currently brainstorming and would like feedback or encouragement on!
2. Somewhere in your post, link back here to my blog. (Or grab the T.T.T. button for your sidebar.)
3. Comment on at least a few of the other links—because what fun is a linky party without comments?

- rebecca lynne

Simple Mid Mod Mother's Love Quilt

Thanks so much for everyone's supportive comments on my last post...I love how many of you observed that even though I am swamped that I sound very happy.  And you would be right!  I am happy!  I especially needed to remember that today when I have a house full of sick toddlers and one sick hubby to contend with...  As my co-worker observed "you are probably going to wish you were at work today..." why, whatever could he mean?

Well, regardless of the sick I am finishing up this simple quilt for Miss O.  She is to take it to daycare with her so I needed it to be especially comforting...for me that is...I'm sure she wouldn't recognize designer quilting fabric from a diaper!  I thought of sending her with the sheep, but, this is my last baby and I just needed to know I am leaving her with a special something from me.  So - I did it - I cut into the Midwest Modern Fuschia yardage I've been hoarding for a special day.  Mmmm cutting into a much beloved fabric for an offspring - now THAT is a mother's love for you!

I used a Kona solid for the back and was going to do basic lines but got bored.  Instead I went a little crazy with wavy lines and added some random flubbing.  I just love that type of quilted texture!  

I'm thinking it looks like seaweed.  There is a summer thought if I ever had one.  I am almost finished with the binding, which, for the sake of time I chose to do by machine.  I know, not my fav technique, but on the other hand probably wise as a handsewn binding may not hold up as well in daycare anyway!  Sigh, thank goodness O will be 5 minutes down the road from me...I will miss her so much!

- rebecca lynne

Bad Bad Girl [TGIFF]

Thank Goodness it is Finished Friday!!! Believe it or not I have been sewing...quite a bit in fact. I've been making some major updates in the Making Rebecca Lynne creative world. To name a few...new Rebecca Lynne sewing labels, I changed my website url to a proper makingrebeccalynne.com, my 1 yr blog-a-versary past and I am planning a celebratory giveaway, I made a new quick daycare quilt for Miss O using my fabric Mid Mod fabric, I started working with a member of the WNYMQG to get the Chapter going, finished two quilts for a friend's new twins, made quite a few stunning hooded infinity scarves as gifts and I am working on a pattern for my hooded infinity scarf. Crap, and, I have been reading so so so so many quilting books and the Generation Q magazine (which, by the way, I love).

Deep breath.

However, at the end of the day I am one person, with a demanding job, and three little girls and I just have to prioritize. That often means the blog is put at the end of the To Do list. Just look, yesterday I missed my Own Thursday Think Tank linky party because I was busy juggling a quilt finish with packing to take one last visit East this summer. Agh!

Why the confession? On the one hand I need to remind myself that I started this blog to document my creative process and find like-minded folk. Judgey people need not proceed further. If I *fail* at being a proper blogger so be it. I have to stop being so hard on myself. More importantly this outburst is also about Thanking my friends, both real life and virtual, for taking the time to stop by and leave me comments. I do love your visits and it means so much that you bother to care and take an interest in my small corner of the world.

Those of you who are wiser than I and who have gone down the path of motherhood, career, and creativity before me will I am sure reassure me that a balance will come. In the meantime I will keep on making Rebecca Lynne.

Now, onto the finish! Here is a (hilarious) pic of me documenting my first hooded infinity scarf...made with Anna Maria Horner Folksy voile. It is deliciously silky and light. Um yeah, you know I have a small AMH obsession so I am thrilled to be able this gorgeousness out and about. Also, since I know you would be interested, this scarf is wide enough to double as a shawl as well. Awesome right? YUM!!!

Hooded Infinity Scarf AMH Voile

As my regular readers know I am trying, very hard by the way, to stick to using my stash. During that process I have unearthed some amazing treasures. Seriously, drool worthy fabrics. For instance I uncovered Hope Valley by Denyse Schmidt again and fell in love with it all over again! I also rediscovered a whole stash of Alexander Henry's Fulham Road. Anyone else remember that line of luscious cotton lawn? Oh yeah...can't find it anymore except on eBay...and I bought a whole bunch years ago with grandiose plans of making a cotton lawn summer quilt. Well obviously That never happened. So when I recently began making hooded infinity scarves it hit me how perfect that cotton lawn would be for this type of project. What better use of gorgeous fabric than to wear it out for all the world to lust after?

I've dubbed this scarf "Hippie" because it is such a combo of colors both bright and lively. Very "stop and smell the flowers" if you will. And yet, for all it's randomness I love it!

How about you... Interested in a hooded infinity scarf for the fall?

Linking up to TGIFF. Go check out the finished goods!

- rebecca lynne

Posted with Blogsy

Pillow Porn

I am really itching to quilt something.  Honestly.  But the idea of dragging out batting, lining it up, pinning, basting...ugh...well you know the process...for some reason I just can't get myself to Do It.  Ugh, I sound like such a whiner.

Whatever.  The point is that I don't feel like doing it so I am taking it as a sign that I shouldn't lest I really mess something up and regret it.  

Do you ever have the feeling that you love making quilts but the length of the process is dragging you down?  I hate working on a quilt while feeling that way.  It just ruins it for me.

Instead this weekend I wanted to just Start & Finish Something.  

So I did.

I had this fabric, Dolce by Tanya Whelan, left over from the Hummingbirds & Hexagons Quilt.  Pretty cute right?  The Mr. liked how the pattern radiates out from the button.  And man, once you put covered buttons on something you just can't help but smile.  Making covered buttons is so easy that it seriously makes me wonder why haven't I made covered buttons for Everything???

Miss E kept asking throughout the creation of this pillow..."Mommy, is that for O?" while rolling her eyes.  Hmmmm, perhaps she is feeling a tad neglected these days, no?  Well we will just have to see what to do about that.  

- rebecca lynne

Chicken Potpie Turnovers [Photo Post]

Chicken Potpie Turnovers