Finished Scarecrow Hanger

Awhile back I posted a Quilt Inspiration Post about my scarecrows. I had started working on a door hanger however, when I posted it, I had not finished the hanger. I wanted to show everyone the finished door hanger and how it came out.


Here is where I left off. I had the scarecrows appliqued on and I was starting in on the hand sewing of the scarecrows faces.

Heres some of the faces done, but still a few more pieces to do. I appliqued on some pockets for each scarecrow.

This is the pair, after I finished. I put a few patches on their clothing, and their faces are complete!

Heres the male scarecrow.

Heres the female scarecrow.

I then did some free motion quilting all over the open areas, around the letters, and around the scarecrows.

Time to finish the binding up on this door hanger and add the triangles to hang it!

Complete and up on the door.

They came out so cute, and I have gotten a few compliments from some of my guests.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out the finished scarecrow door hanger for fall! I hope I helped inspire your next project.

Welcome To My Home,
Sarah

Quilt Inspiration 365

Have you ever been in a hurry to get a project from start to finish because you need to make one for a party, birthday, gift, or something else? I know I have. I have sat in front of my hoarding collection of fabric, looked through old quilt magazines and books, and I have even gone to quilt shops in the area to see if I get inspired by any of the local fabric or quilts/wall art. Most of the time I find fabric, patterns, or ideas but never for a quick project when I need it. Always for the OTHER long term projects. I usually waist a day or two doing all the above, and then spend the third day hunting for pictures or items on pinterest to get inspiration.

With some luck, or just a gut feeling I eventually find something that jumps out at me, and bam I have inspiration and hopefully an idea.

This month I wanted (and needed) a door quilt/hanger for the front door at my house. I currently have a 4th of July hanger on the door, and well its well past that date. (Check out how I made it over here). I wanted a end of summer/school/fall/autumn feel to the hanger; I just had no ideas in my head. I was blank. When I say blank I mean NOTHING! I had no inspiration. I obviously have procrastinated on it for weeks and still had no idea or inspiration on what I wanted to do.

I went to Joanns for some fabric one day and walked in to all the Autumn items in the front. I looked around and saw the cutest little scarecrows just sitting there on the shelf. A boy and girl scarecrow.

I just fell in love with them instantly. I had to remind myself I was not there for decorations and to stay focused. The next time I went to Joanns, I looked again, and sadly did not see them anywhere. (They did go on sale, so it was possible they sold out.) I looked online and saw the photos (above) and was thinking, "Thats it, those are so my inspiration!"

Kona Shale, Kona Lipstick, Kona School Bus, Kona Corn Yellow, Kona Bonsai, and Kona Gold

Kona Spice, Kona Steel, Kona Bonsai, Kona Citrus, Kona Yarrow, Kona Tangerine

 Once I had the colors and an idea of what I wanted to do I printed the color pallets out, and an image of what I wanted to use. The image is there to help visually see what pieces of fabric, and how I wanted to cut them out.

I then grabbed a handful of different colored fabric, trying to match as close to the pallet colors as I could.

I then began to use the different fabrics I chose to create a field where the scarecrows would stand.

I then pieced together the male and female scarecrow. Which I was so happy with when I was done. They still need faces and some patches on their clothing, but as of right now I am so happy with how they came out.

Here are some close ups of the scarecrows:

I then added the word "Welcome," as this will be hanging on my front door. I will hopefully be able to hand sew the faces and patches on soon, and then finish this door hanger up.

I can not wait to hang it on my door and see a design come to life. I just am so glad I went into that Joanns, and was able to find them online for visual help!

For more Quilt inspiration, check out the other ladies:

Kitty: http://nightquilter.com

Chelsey: http://www.niniandthesea.blogspot.com

Laura : http://www.niniandthesea.blogspot.com

Jennifer : http://neverjustjennifer.blogspot.com

Brenna : http://www.beknitpicky.com

Cheryl : http://sweetdreamsquilting.blogspot.com

Jessica: http://sweetdreamsquilting.blogspot.com

Cathy : http://www.aquiltingchick.blogspot.com

Sarah : http://www.aquiltingchick.blogspot.com

Be sure to come back and visit here, as I update and post new tutorials, DIY projects, and show you how to make tons of fun projects and quilts.

Find Your Inspiration,
Sarah

Quilt Inspiration 365

This week I found inspiration in the most unique place ever. My husband needed to find a part for his bike, yes, his bike. We have been hitting up all the local shops. We checked Vans Bicycle Center in Yuba, Ca; sadly they did not have the parts or the tools. We then checked The Hub in Roseville, Ca; and what do you know, they have the tools and my husband can bring them the parts they need.

Ok, so what does this have to do with quilting... I know, I know. While my husband was chatting up all the staff members I was looking at all the bikes. I then saw the latest Trek bike, from Katie Compton. The colors were amazing, bold, complimented each other, and of course all I could think was: "this would be a perfect color scheme for a quilt!!!"

Kona Camellia, Kona Copen, Kona Coal, Kona Charcoal, Kona Cactus, and Kona Wasabi.

I mean, come on; how do you not love those colors?

So a few ideas:

block 1

 block 2

block 1 and block 2

Even Just doing a 5 inch block in all the colors would be amazing. This definitely is making me feel extremely inspired, and I'm thinking I should get back to those pillow shams sitting on my quilting desk!

With that being said, I hope you all feel that Quilt Inspiration 365,
Sarah

Quilt Inspiration 365

Finding inspiration for a quilt, quilt idea, or quilt artwork can be kind of hard. Sometimes I am quick to find a design, but can't find the right fabric to bring the pattern to life. Or the complete opposite... I stare at a pile of gorgeous fabric and I have no clue what designs or patterns would highlight the beauty of the fabric. I often sit in front of my computer screen searching for patterns or ideas of what to do; typically on pinterest, or even just a quick google search.

Then I found a quilting group on facebook, and noticed a few bloggers blogging about inspiration from the world around them. Matching color palettes to the colors in the pictures or whatever else. It was brilliant. I mean, seriously; why didn't I just look out of the window and get my eyes off my computer screen. I know, I know... you are sitting there, reading this now, but first finish; then go explore and take a few photos to help inspire your creativity.

I was cleaning out my photos, and going through my old items (time to make room for other stuff), and I came across a painting my mother purchased for me a few years ago. The story is a simple one. My mother, boyfriend (at the time, now husband) went to the Getty Museum in Los Angeles. It was for an art class I was taking and could have cared less about the paper I needed to write. I just needed to take the class and pass, so I could move on with my general education. While walking around and trying to get inspiration from something, somewhere; I walked into a small room, and there it sat on the wall. Bright, bold colors, a dim light across the painting. I remember pausing and saying to my mom, "this is a painting by Van Gogh, I am literally standing in front of a painting by a famous artist." My mom looked at me like, uh huh and... For me, at that time, I was so amazed by antiques, items that have survived years apon years. Think about something you made as a child, is it still around? Do your parents still have it? Is it falling apart, beat up or trashed? More then likely, if it has survived this long, yes. Its practically falling apart. Now, think about standing in front of a Van Gogh painting or the Mona Lisa. That, is INSPIRATION!

In the end, my mother realized my connection with the painting, and purchased a copy for me. When I came across it this week I realized how beautiful it was, all over again. Just look for your self:

When I saw this painting again, it made me want to walk outside and feel the wind on my skin, smell the flowers growing in my garden, and hear all the amazing animals talking and singing. I am sure we all have a few moments in our life that have made us feel so inspired, they have helped shape us, or give us our push. This painting has done that for me, in so many ways. With that being said, I felt it deserved to be my first Quilt Inspiration 365 post.

Kona Coal, Kona Yarrow, Kona Wine, Kona Midnight, Kona Leaf, and Kona Gold.

I then stepped outside, and realized so much more inspiration can be seen all around me!

View from Big Sur

View from the San Diego Safari Park

The wonderful Golden Gate Bridge

I love the idea of making a quilted art piece with the Golden Gate Bridge on it, or a view overlooking the sea. It would be so calming.

Another inspirational item that I came across (again while unpacking our items), was our door hanging from Japan.

These are curtain like items that hang between a room. We used to use it for our closet, to hide our mess. I no longer need it, and am trying to redecorate our bedroom. This no longer goes with what I want to do in our room, so... I am thinking I would love to do some quilt work with it. Its a beautiful piece of art in and of its self. Not to mention the handful of Japanese fabric I have from living in Japan for four years. Might be a great time to use it all.

Hopefully, these photos helped inspire your next project. If you would like to check out more Quilt Inspiration 365 please follow this blog and all the others:

Night Quilter
Nini and the Sea
Artfully Caroline
Adventure of a Quilting Diva
Never Just Jennifer
Be. Knit. Picky.
Sweet Dreams Quilting
A Quilting Chick
Stitched in Thyme

Well, I hope I got everyone. Also be sure to #QuiltInspiration365 if you blog or add anything in social media you feel the quilting world would love to see as inspiration.

Get Inspired,
Sarah