Monday, May 9, 2011

A Splash of Colour


222 of 500 Klosjes Completed
18 made in April

The first of many Kaffe Fassett spools!


Our annual spring road trip to Shipshewana, Indiana came a little earlier this year.  It was mostly sunny, with a little rain, but warm enough without a jacket.  More time than usual was spent on the road, as we decided to venture off the beaten path and explore a few new quilt shops. 

Last year, we discovered two great shops in Michigan; The Hen House in Charlotte and Quilts at the Marshall House in Marshall.  After a return visit this year to both shops, we decided to explore more of Michigan and stopped at Ann Arbor Sewing & Quilting Center in Ann Arbor, The Quilter's Garden in Fenton, The Quilting Season in Saline and The Village Quilt Shoppe in Lake Orion, all lovely shops.

The bulk of my purchases, though small, as I was careful to follow the Quilters' Diet came from Yoder's and Lolly's Fabrics in Shipshewana.  My shopping list was a short one and I found all three items; border fabric for my Flower Garden, sashing fabric for Dear Jane and more background fabric for my Klosjes

Also, I did carefully select a few extra pieces of fabrics to take home with me, because one does not drive 6 hours for just three pieces of fabric and besides I have been fabric free since the beginning of the year, except for a piece of muslin I purchased in February. 

Although I stuck with my Quilters' Diet by selective shopping, I didn't do so well with my food diet, as delicious food is all around you in Shipshewana.

Until next time.....happy quilting!

Karen


29 comments:

Mary K said...

Beautiful Spools. They add up when you do them slowly. Good luck.

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

Wow...they are lovely..

Ieke78 said...

Wow, mooie klosjes! (beautiful spools) And nice idea to make them with Kaffe Fassets...

Marijke said...

I like the Kaffe Fassett fabric very much, what a good idea to make spools with it!
kind regards, Marijke

Quiltpassion.blogspot.com said...

Lovely klosjes, a splash of colour indeed. 222 of 500, nearly halfway!!!
Happy quilting, Cisca

Sharm said...

So wonderful Karen! Just wanted to also say a thankyou for your inspiration over the past year. I had to put my one flower wednesday away for a little while, but it's just about to come back out. It's been a hectic year (our first one here at this house) . Hugs Sharm

annemieke said...

Prachtige klosjes and the colours lovely. Your nearly half way, can`t wait to see it finist.

Have a nice day.
Gr Annemieke.

Merilyn said...

What beautiful little blocks!!! The range of fabrics you are using really works very well!!!

Betsy said...

Karen, your spool blocks look so good.

Raewyn said...

Good on your for sticking to your diet - fabric, that is (!). Sounds like a fun trip away. The spools do look really good in that fabric,and wow you have done so many :-)

Funoldhag said...

What a fun trip you took! I was in Shipshewana once and loved it. You deserve a pat on the back for sticking to your quilter's diet. Michigan does have some great quilt shops - I have been to part of them. Your klosjes are looking great! Can't beat Kaffe!

Lee Prairie Designs said...

Wonderful Karen, Yes----- you do need to pat your self on the back. Quilt and garden shops are my down fall---I have radar vision for both! But, what better hobbies to have!!!

Thanks for sharing, Carolyn :)

Crispy said...

Ooooo love the spool fabrics. As much as I love the Kaffe stuff the polka dot one really caught my eye. It sounds like you had a wonderful trip and managed to behave yourself very well LOL.

Crispy

katrien said...

OOO,what a lovely spools.

Dolores said...

I love the bright colours.

LuAnn said...

Sounds like you had fun exploring all the quilt shops and visiting Shipshewana. Love your spools!

Yvette said...

I love your bright spools!

Kate said...

Oh Karen,,,your spools look wonderful..How is it that i keep seeing all these beautiful things i want to try,,,,??? Sounds as though you had a great trip...diet wise...!!!!

Melody said...

Sounds like lots of fun. Your little bright spools are wonderful.

Gerda Hartman said...

So colourful and so much! My quilt only made it to 81!

Marieke said...

Wow: what a great klosjes, you have made. The look wonderful! And almost halfway. Good for you, you kept to the Quilter's Diet. Maybe we get to see the new fabrics some day?

merumo said...

Yummy looking Klosjes!!

Teresa Rawson said...

Wow! You visited the shop I work part time in! (The Quilting Season in Saline, MI). I don't work all that much, so I'm sure I probably wasn't there when you were...

Don't you LOVE The Hen House and Marshall House?????? (I love that Marshall House was once a funeral parlor...last time I was there, I suggested they have a coffin with fat quarters in it...LOL).

You are SO close to being half way done with your klosjes...EXCELLENT!!

In stitches,
Teresa :o)

Kari @ The Purple Quiltapotamus said...

Those spools are absolutely stunning! I love them - great job!

Millie en Miles said...

oh wow the klosjes are beautifull and I already thought you had an other blog but I forgot the name, thanks for visting !!! This is a very nice blog tooo

Wendy said...

Colorful indeed! Very pretty!!

Vivian said...

Your spools from the Kaffe fabrics are bright, bold, and beautiful. His fabrics pack a wallop even in a small dose, as in your spools.

You've done so well with your quilter's diet. I went back and re-read your guidelines. I especially like the wait-for-30-days rule. That hesitation and break away from impulsive buying might be the way for me to help curb my appetite for fabric. Sounds like you were a wise, selective shopper.

Mary Ann said...

Sounds like a fantastic trip!! One day......!!
Love your KF klosjes! I'm piecing DJ #2 in his fabrics!
All the best! Mary Ann

Robin said...

The Kaffe spools are so bright and happy! And it sounds like a great trip. I can't wait to see what you've chosen for your DJ sashing. :)