Aprons for Christmas

This year for Christmas I decided to make Aprons for my sisters out of this really cute NYC fabric. They are on their own and learning how to cook and take care of themselves. I used a pink pocket and used my babylock to put their names on each apron. The aprons came in their own homemade stockings with made from vintage christmas fabric with matching circle napkins...More gifts to come...stay tuned...

Happy Sewing...
The Mad Quilter

Attic Windows Wall Hanging - Halloween

If you cannot tell from all my previous posting I am just IN LOVE with Red Rooster fabrics this season. I love the soft colors and simply adorable novelty prints. My husband likes the fabrics also so it is a win win all around.

This quilt is a result of a class I took at PQ a few months back with Alice. Her sample was just beautiful with an Asian inspired print. I almost didn't take the class because it looked way too difficult for me. Alice encouraged me to take the class and I am so very happy that I did.  

Alice also helped me pick out the fabric. I knew I wanted to complete the wall hanging using Halloween fabrics but I did not see any that really spoke to me. Alice suggested I use this Red Rooster panel. I was a little nervous about cutting the panel up because I was afraid that you would lose the overall feel of the scene. Alice said that it would be like a "Picasso Tree" and she was right. As the quilt started to come together I just fell in love!!!!

 To create the attic window effect I needed to create templates using freezer paper. Alice walked us through the process step-by-step helping us minimize any mistakes along the way. I was surprised at how easy the quilt was once I got the hang of it. The templates we created also helped to create the beautiful mitered corners.

 What I like most about this quilt is that they way that the fabric gives each block a 3D feel. It really feels as if you are looking through a window. I think it is just such a cool effect!

 Once the quilt was together I had to decide how to quilt it. I decided to try some outline quilting, which is something that is very challenging for me. I worked very slow on my machine attempting to create this shadow type look. For this being my first time quilting this way I am pretty happy with the results.

I was so happy with this quilt that I have already began purchasing fabric for a winter themed quilt. I would like to create a similar wall hanging for each season for my house. Thanks to all the girls who helped me make this quilt possible.

Much Love & Happy Sewing,
- The Mad Quilter

Hallows Eve Wall Hanging

If you can't tell from all my recent postings I am absolutely in love with Red Rooster fabrics this season. I love holiday decor but my husband is not a fan of anything too over the top. Red Rooster Fabric line is a great comprise for us both. I still get to decorate for my favorite holidays and he doesn't have to feel like the holiday threw up in our house...Like they say...marriage is all about compromise.

So I will tell you that he loves all the Red Rooster Fabrics I have been working with this season. This pieces I actually made over the winter from a kit I purchased at PQ. I liked it so much that I made one for my mother-in-law also. I liked that it was Halloween themed without being overly complicated. I also liked that I could really use this piece the entire fall season instead of just until Halloween. I also used stippling when quilting this pieces and again I am very happy with how it came out. I am looking forward to enjoying this piece for many years in our family.

Happy Sewing,

- The Mad Quilter

Fall Inspired Living Room

My new quilt inspired me to make an entire new set of pillows and pillow cases for the living room. The rectangle pillows I made from a Red Rooster panel I picked up at the quilt show this summer. The large pillow behind is actually a pillow case which is also from Red Rooster. I made an envelope pillow case cover using a video from youtube. Youtube has become a wonderful craft resource that I would recommend to everyone.

Even Samantha approves of the new decor!!!!

Happy Sewing,

- The Mad Quilter

Fall Inspired Slice & Dice

The fall is my favorite time of year. I just love the cold crisp air, the apples, pumpkins, the changing of the leaves, the smell, everything...and it all reminds me of Daddy.

This year I took great comfort in my fall projects because they somehow made me feel closer to my Daddy. This was his favorite time of year also. When I think about this time of year I think about him all dressed up in his camos for hunting and helping my mom smoke our Thanksgiving turkey. He would be walking around all excited about that turkey for weeks...I really miss that.

It felt good to use so many of the colors of the fall that I just love and bring them into my living room. This quilt came from a class I took in Spring with Alice at PQ. To complete this project I needed matching fat quarters. I ordered a Red Rooster fat quarter bundle online. When it arrived I was a bit disappointed in the fabrics. They just appeared so dull to me. When I was in the class I was admiring all the women with bright and beautiful colors, especially women working with holiday novelty prints, my favorite. So I told myself that I can always make the quilt again in a different color story in the future. When the summer came I put this project away to work on other things.

After school started back up I was in the mood to transform my living room into fall. I took my slice and dice quilt out of the closet and starting working with it again...within an hour or so I absolutely fell in love with it!!!!

The colors remind me of a harvest market and I just love how the brown piping frames the colors so beautifully. When it was all together I could not believe how easy it was to complete.

The next challenge was how to go about quilting it. It took me a few days to figure out exactly how I wanted the finished quilt to look. I decided to do stippling throughout the entire quilt. I just love after a quilt is washed and it has that almost wrinkled look. I wanted to recreate that with this quilt.

Free motion quilting is something that I am very new at and I am still practicing. Its most difficult to make the stipples all the same size. Nevertheless this quilt has quickly become my absolute favorite. It became the inspiration for my entire living room!!!!!

Happy Fall...even in Heaven,

- The Mad Quilter

Love Bunnies

One of my best friends came to me and asked if I would make a quilt for her boyfriend. She loved the "Love Bunnies" wall hanging I completed in the spring and wanted me to try to turn it into a quilt. So I went down to the quilt shop to get some help with the fabric choices. Alice from PQ was super helpful and designed the entire layout. It came out so beautiful.

There were several challenges associated with this quilt. The first challenge was how to make these cute little bunnies fit for a man. I did not want him to be embarrassed by making the quilt too feminine. The next challenge was the bunnies themselves as it was not a technique I was well versed in. It was also challenging because I wanted it to be just perfect for my friend. She is a wonderful friend to me and I wanted her to have something special.

I wanted the quilt to tell their story. First they were single bunnies and now they are love bunnies. She was so exited to receive her quilt and her boyfriend sent me a lovely thank you. There should be more love like that in the world.

Happy Sewing

-The Mad Quilter

Quilt fit for the City

My youngest sister Diana has been working in NYC on Madison Avenue in fashion for over a year now. A few months ago her and my other sister moved into a three bedroom apt in Astoria, Queens, with my cousin AD. Their apt is very nice but I felt like it needed some homemade warmth and love.

I decided to make Diana this quilt from a Batik pop pack I picked up at PQ about a year before. The pack contained 40 2 1/2 inch precutt strips which I used to create a rail fence. Since I was sick for her actual birthday she did not get the quilt until about a month later but she didn't mind.

I really enjoyed making this quilt because the colors were so different than what I usually work with. This was my first experience using Batik's on such a large scale. It really came out so unique and beautiful. As I worked on the quilt I thought about how exciting it is for Diana to be on her own living and working in NYC. I thought about all the great culture and entertainment there for her to enjoy. I also imaged the seasons in Central Park and the beauty of nature against the city landscape. Thus, Big City Dreamer was born. It came so naturally and I think it is a perfect way to describe my sister. She had a dream, worked hard, and made it happen. I wanted to commentate her accomplishments and dreams through this quilt. My dream is that each time she sees this quilt it will remind her to never stop inspiring others to dream big.

Happy 24th Dirty Diana,

Much Love,

The Mad Quilter

Wake me up when September ends

What's crazy about the summer is that I always think I will be quilting my days away and I end up being so busy that very little gets done. I spend my time catching up with friends and running all over the place. This summer I was so busy working on professional development and school work that I spent only a few days infront of my machine.

The fall is when my creative spark lights and I get tons of projects done. I have been working like crazy on a project for a friend (which will be added in the next few weeks) and completing projects for my living room. It looks great. I am also organizing my projects for Christmas. I would like everyone to have a little something homemade.

This picture is of my mother's dog Akema. She came to us a few months before we lost Daddy. She has been such a big part of helping us deal with Daddy's death. She is always there giving lots of love and support. We just love her. Here she is modeling for a quilt I made Mommy when I first started qulting. Mama loves everytyhing I make her. I think Akema came to us for a reason.

Winter Table Runner

PQ started doing this great table runner class. When you sign up you get a choice of two color ways for the mystery table runner. Colleen then walks you through the runner step by step until it is complete. This is the first class I took like this and I am very happy with the results. I am also super excited about this runner because it matches a beautiful winter wonderland quilt that I have half complete. That is another, of the many, projects I hope to complete this summer.

Can you think outside of the lines???

As quilters we are very attached to the basic tools of the trade...rotary cutter, rulers, cutting mats, more rulers, etc. Well this class, called "Appligue Outside the Lines" challenged us quilters to throw caution to the wind and piece without our tools of the trade. It took some getting used to.

When I saw this sample hanging in the classroom I thought that it was so modern and cool. I knew I wanted to give it a try. It was every bit as fun as it looked. Although difficult for me to get in the beginning the quilt quickly began taking shape. I started by looking at the fabric I had in my stash. I look out a bundle of batik fat quarters I purchased over 1 year ago. After I decided to use this fabric I began thinking of my inspiration. The pattern was called "The Earth From Above", well for someone who hates to fly being above the ground was something I couldn't relate to enough to convey it in a quilt. I began thinking of one of the best 5 days I have on record. Last July my husband surprised me a Cruise to the Bahamas. We had the most amazing time and it was just weeks before my father got sick and my world turned upside down. It was on this trip that I did something very out of character for someone who is afraid of heights, Parasailing. Now for anyone who has not experienced Parasailing I would highly recommend it. I was 450 feet in the air attached to a boat. It was so quiet and peaceful in the sky and as I looked down at the crystal blue waters of the Caribbean I saw a huge sea turtle and two bottle noised dolphins. I often use this image as my "zen place" when stress seams to be overwhelming me.

As I looked over my fabric and the pattern it all came together. Drawing my inspiration from my sail 450 feet above the Caribbean this quilt, titled "Paradise from Above" is my own interpretation of that day. It is one of the best days in my memory. When I think about all of the pain and heartache since that trip I often think that maybe it was my own little glimpse of heaven, a window into my soul, a place to keep our loved ones safe until we meet again. I am thankful for this trip and this experience.

Double Wedding Ring

I was so excited when I saw this as a sample in the quilt shop. It is so beautiful and much simpler to make than it looks. I took this class with a gift certificate from a friend and I intended to give her this when it was finished. I love it so much I decided to keep it.

I used quilt smart for the rings which made it easier to piece. It was a bit challenging to piece the rings properly and it took me a bit longer than I expected. Once it was together I was very happy with the result.

After the top was complete I had to decide how to quilt it. I wanted to complment the piecing making the rings standout against the neutral background. I decided to shadow quilt the rings using my quarter inch foot. This gave me the affect I desired. Once I completed all the lines I needed to find something to put in the center of the three rings. I decided to try some stenciling quilting with my free motion foot. I used a stencil set which had three similar designs each with some form of hearts included within the design.

I am very much looking forward to making this runner again in the future.

Happy Quilting

-The Mad Quilter

My Godson has made me a better person

A little less than 1 month before my father passed away my cousin Connie (his niece and goddaughter) and her husband Steve welcomed little Timothy Stephen into the world. Named after Connie's father Timothy and the first boy on the Fanelli side since my father he has enriched our lives beyond measure. Daddy was so excited to have Timothy in our lives and had a chance to meet him one week before he went into the hospital. After he passed I was so honored to be asked to be Timothy's Godmother (we call me Fairy Godmother) because this little guy is so special to so many people. Since he came into our lives he has made myself and my husband Benjamin better people. My hubby will be an amazing father one day.

So as his Godmother I think that it is important that I help my cousin keep my father's memory alive. I decided that one of the best ways to do this is through my quilting. The Babylock Benjamin got me for Christmas is my favorite gift ever! I have been using it to embroider oneses and Tees for lil Timothy. I try to find images that remind me of Daddy like the deer on the right. Daddy loved hunting and fishing. He always said his favorite animal was a deer which I never understood because he hunted them but what do I know. Embroidering the oneses is a little challenging but I think I got the hang of it toward the end. I was so happy when Connie said Timothy was in need of short sleeve oneses.

Daddy was also very into his Harley Davidson Fatboy. It was his pride and joy in life even though he worked so much that he did not get to enjoy it so much and it gave us all heart failure when he rode it. He used to love to ride on Sound Avenue out east passed Lewin's Farms (which he loved) and Briermere Farms (which he also loved, there Blueberry Cream pie was Daddy's favorite). We actually find a cute little Catholic Cemetery very close to Sound Avenue for Daddy. We know he just loves it.

So when I found this design I knew I had to use it on something for Timothy. Although I don't think he will be allowed to ride a Harley like his Uncle Peter anytime soon.


My cousin Connie is a diehard Yankee fan and so was my father. One of Daddy and Connie's best memories is when Connie took him to Yankee Stadium to sit right behind the Yankee dugout. Daddy had every single snack he could; popcorn, nuts, hotdogs, etc. He was never one for words and he was always a bit of a grump but I think that this is one of Daddy's favorite memories with Connie. I can remember Daddy watching (and cursing at) the Yankees from as long as I can remember. Little Timothy is also a Yankee fan like his Mama. I wanted to incorporate this into his gift as well. In addition to personalizing this cute little Tee I got at TJ Max I made him this bib. The quote was inspired by a picture Connie put up of Timothy earlier. The bib was a big hit.

Becoming a Fairy Godmother has been a major milestone in my life. I am so honored to have been chosen for this from among all the people who hold Timothy in their heart. I take my job very seriously and I want Timothy to always know that Benjamin and I will always be here loving and supporting him. I believe that one of the most important jobs I have is to teach Timothy about his uncle Peter and how much he loves him. In his entire hospital stay Timothy's picture was close by. Daddy was so proud.

Although we cannot bring Daddy back it is our job to keep his memory and love alive in our lives. I know he visits often and keeps us safe.

Happy Quilting

-The Mad Quilter

April Showers

Wow, it seams like everyone at school is having a baby. My friend Shannon is due next month and she has decided to be surprised on the sex of the baby (Who does that now-a-days???). I knew I wanted to make her something special using my embroidery machine that she would love. All I knew was that her nursery was yellow and green with pictures of bunnies using pea pods as hammocks. I spent some time looking for something similar and I came up with nothing. Then we enjoyed a record amount of rain on Long Island and it got me thinking about spring and all the beautiful things that happen this time of year because of the rain. Her nursery colors also made me think of spring time. I found these designs on the embroiderylibrary.com and just totally fell in love. I knew they would be perfect. I also never made a quilt with only two colors before.

After I got 2 blocks done my Babylock decided that it no longer wanted to work. I tried everything I could with no success. I was so upset that I would have to be without my machine and would not get to finish my quilt. When I took my machine up to Pieceful Quilting, where I get all my machines, they not only took it in for service but let me take home the floor model so that I could finish my quilt. I was so grateful. It was so nice and it allowed me the time I needed to finish my embroidery. I will never buy a machine from another place. They are wonderful

I very much underestimated how long the embroidery would take me. Originally I thought I would only do 9 blocks. After the blocks were done I decided that it wasn't enough so I went on to make 16 blocks. So I spent the entire weekend changing threads in front of the BabyLock.

It was totally worth the time. For the designs that I repeated I tried to make the image a bit different using different colors. This was good practice for future quilts. I think that these images would make really great bath towels, especially in a kids bathroom or for spring kitchen towels. I think I will use these images many times in the future. I have another baby quilt to work on for another friend at work and I am planning to start the embroidery soon.

As I was constructing the quilt I came up with the theme of April Showers. I liked this not only because of the colors and images but for the symbolism behind it. Shannon is due in mid-May and her shower was in April. For many pregnancies there are many "showers" along the way but in the end you end up with something very beautiful.

Shannon loved her quilt so much that she put it up on the wall in the baby's room. I hope that it is something that she will enjoy with her family for years to come....

Happy Quilting

-The Mad Quilter

Happy Spring!!

After one of the longest, and snowiest winters ever it appears that spring is finally here! It was so beautiful outside yesterday that my family and I debated having an outside Easter BBQ! It was absolutely beautiful and perfect for our after Easter dinner walk around the neighborhood.

What better way to celebrate Spring then with these happy "Love Bunnies". I learned this technique at my local quilt shop. When I saw the sample I just fell in love and I knew that I had to have one. I purchased this kit from the quilt shop. The class was so much fun and the wall hanging was surprisingly easy to complete. I used a muslin backing and was able to quilt as I attached the bunnies and hearts.

The most difficult part for me was running my machine around the curves in the hearts, especially the really small ones. Is there a better way to do that are does it just take practice? I was also a bit concerned about drawing on the faces. They came out pretty cute. I just get worried about drawing things because, as my students can atest, I am the worst artist. My 6th grade art teacher told me to never take art again and I think she was right!!

My bunnies are totally cute. I placed them on the wall in the living room. They made me smile.

Easter Aprons

My good friend Sheryl, who is extremely talented invited me over one day and taught me how to make this totally cute apron. She is amazing and I encourage you to check out her blog, @ downtoearthliving@blogspot.com She is so talented and so much fun to quilt with. I even got farm fresh eggs from her chickens and homemade soap, which was totally awesome.

I wanted to make my mother-in-law Terry and my Aunt Cami Hostess gifts for having Easter. My Aunt started the whole "Hostess Gift" thing and I think it is really a nice thing to do. I know both of them would enjoy this gift.

This top apron is for my mother-in-law Terry who always goes out of her way to make the holidays special. She even does a egg hunt for her adult boys each year. Benjamin and I are spending the morning with the Sargents for Easter so I wanted to me her something special. I used 1930s reproduction fabrics to make this apron. I think she will like the bright yellow, like spring time. I also put her initials on the bottom to make it even more special. I really hope she enjoys it.

This second apron is for my Aunt Cami who has been so wonderful in the past few years. Sometimes I don't think my family would have survived without her. When my mother was sick with breast cancer she was center stage taking her to Chemo and cooking meals to freeze. When Daddy passed away she helped with all the arrangements and continues to take good care of my Mama. She is a wonderful mother and Aunt. We are lucky to have her. We are spending Easter afternoon at her house with my family.

I wanted to make Aunt Cami something special also and I really liked this blue and yellow combination. Again I used 1930s fabric (because I just love it) and I thought it would compliment my spring theme. I even added a small pocket. I also wanted to make the apron more personal so I added her name on the bottom corner. I didn't want to just do her initials because her entire family is CC and I wanted it to be just for her. This fabric is so cute. I hope she loves it.

Well, Happy Easter 2010, I hope everyone has a wonderful day spending time with family and friends. Remember, that is what is really important in this life. Don't ever take it for granted.

Birthday Table Runner

Did you know that butterflies are symbolic of the afterlife? Even from ancient times butterflies were thought to have been a means for the dead to communicate with the living. This table runner was created for my good friend Janine who also lost her father. Janine is very into butterfly's. Now, she lives only one apt. over and she insists that she sees butterflies all the time. I don't ever see any but it brings me comfort to know that she sees these butterflies and it helps her to feel connected to her father. I believe that it was out fate to find one another. She lost her father to cancer about 5 years ago and she has been able to help me cope with the death of mine. Her father's name is Paul, my father's name is Peter, both saints and we live 5 minutes away from a Saint Peter & Paul Church. She has taught me that you never forget your father and that he lives on inside of you. She gives me hope for better days.

So I wanted to do something special for Janine for her birthday this March and I wanted to incorporate butterflies into the quilt in some way. On a trip to my local quilt shop I found this butterfly fabric and fell in love. I knew that it would be just perfect for Janine, she agreed. I used a 30s fate quarter to make the boarder around a dimples white fabric. I thought that the checkered pink fabric would compliment nicely with the softness of the dimples and butterfly fabric. I also wanted there to be a contrast between the focal point of the quilt and the boarders. I was really happy with how it came out.

I also wanted to be able to use my new Babylock Sophia Embroidery Machine that my husband got me for Christmas. My husband is an amazing man. He knew this Christmas was going to be so hard for me and he wanted to do something special. Personally I just wanted to stay in bed and deal with Christmas next year but he would not let me. We decided on simple presents and I did not expect anything, especially because we were broke this Christmas. I woke up Christmas morning and Benjamin handed me two presents wrapped in tissue paper. I opened one, fabric stabilizer, and was confused, and 2 spools of blue embroidery floss. Now, I did not have a machine that could do embroidery and I was embarrassed that he got the wrong stuff. But I knew that the ladies at the quilt shop would not have allowed him to buy me something that I couldn't use. I thought maybe he wanted me to try hand embroidery.

Then he turned to me and asked why I look so confused. I told him that I don't know how I can use the items he presented me. He asked why. I told him that it was for an embroidery sewing machine (which I had wanted for months) and that I didn't have one. Benjamin looked at me, smiled, and said, "You don't, are you sure, let me check." He went next door and came back with a huge box. I was in total shock, I wouldn't feel my knees. It was even better then the day he asked me to be his wife.

That morning I opened up a brand new Babylock Sophia Embroidery machine and I have not stooped embroidering ever sine. It is so amazing and I love that my hubby picked it out all by himself and surprised me. He is awesome!!

So back to the runner. I really like the vintage designs available today and I feel in love with these vintage butterflies. I am still getting the hang of it but I think that they came out pretty good. Janine's table runner was on her table today when she returned from Italy with her mom. She absolutely loved it and I know that she will enjoy it for years to come.

As I made this quilt I could not stop thinking about new beginnings. A butterfly transforms from a Caterpillar to a butterfly completely reinventing themselves. For me, this quilt represents how we have an opportunity to transform or reinvent ourselves, especially after tradegy. I know both our fathers only want us to be happy and become the people they are proud of. Sometimes that is hard to see in the face of loss. I feel like this quilt has a lot of positive energy. Energy I hope stays with both of us.

Happy Birthday Janine, To many Happy More!!

A Brown Bear for JJ

This year we got to celebrate one of my favorite little guys turn 4. Little Jesse is the son of two of our favorite friends, Kerri & Jesse. I purchased a Brown Bear Brown Bear quilt kit over a year ago from my local quilt shop for little Jesse and this was the birthday he was going to get it. I worked non stop for a week and a half making this adorable quilt.

I used a dark brown flannel for the back of the quilt so that it would be snugglie and warm. I also embroidered his name and birthday on the back. This was one of my favorite quilts to make because the fabric was just so fun. We also gave him the book because this kid loves to read more than any other little person I know. He is going to grow up to be something truly special, I just know it.