#makeaquiltmakeafriend

I had such fun making this little mini for my partner in the Schnitzel & Boo Mini Quilt Swap!  She said in her interview questions that she loved foxes, and I took that and ran with it. I call him “Foxy” My original plan was to use the cross stitch block pattern by Pile O’ Fabric and the fox pattern by Making Life Prettier, but I wanted Foxy to be smaller and I was just … Continue reading

It’s been a while OR, what I did in my year-long hiatus from blogging

baby laying on a color quilt

It’s been quite a year in Alyson-land.  I mean, I worked, I played, I made some quilts, oh and I had a baby. The heck you say? Yes, yes, I know.  Most of you already know.  But I did kind of leave the blog hanging and I thought i would catch you up, just in case.  So here she is, Erica Beth. Born January 31, 2014 at 7:22am. I couldn’t have been more surprised when … Continue reading

Sunset Star

Here’s the finished Doll Quilt Swap 13 Mini!  I decided to call it Sunset Star.  I based my color choices on a sunset photo taken by one of my friends and used the 3 Layer Star paper piecing pattern by Mommy’s Nap Time.  My partner, who I can now reveal was Paula, asked for modern quilting and bright colors.  I found out through the message boards that her favorite color was purple, but that she’d … Continue reading

Farfalle Baby Quilt

Do you know what Farfalle is?  It’s the pasta that’s shaped like a bow. You know, this stuff: Did you also know that “farfalla” is Italian for butterfly? Neither did I… ANYWAY…this weekend, I made a flying farfalle quilt as a well-past-due gift for the baby of some friends.  (The baby is now 4 months old, so it’s not THAT far past due…) What a fun quilt to make!  I love how this turned out…well, … Continue reading

Swappin’ it up in 2012

I’ve decided that I really need to connect with more quilters, like-minded or otherwise.  I follow several blogs of friends, casual aquaintences, and people I don’t actually know  – you can find that list over here on the right —> But, I don’t really chat much with those folks.  And I’ve been missing having a sewing buddy.  To that end, I’ve opted to join some swaps!  Years ago I used to participate in swaps through several … Continue reading

Monster Work in Progress

Another To-Do list project: Monster Baby Quilt!  No, not an extra large baby quilt, a baby quilt with monsters!  I bought these monster “patches” from Jennifer of the Cotton Monster at Crafty Bastards last year.  I originally intended to make a new quilt for Caleb, but I can barely get that boy to sleep under a sheet these days, let alone a quilt.  I have about a bazillion friends who are pregnant or who have had babies recently, so Monster … Continue reading

If You’re Going to San Francisco…

Be sure to bring a quilt. So I have these two friends.  And they are good friends.  And for the last couple years they’ve been living in Frankfurt, Germany.  I missed them. A lot. Last May, I guess it was, we got a call from Frankfurt that they were finally going to get married!  Hip, hip hooray!  In September, they returned stateside for a short stint and began planning.  May would be the date, California … Continue reading

Storm Moon

Storm Moon (Working Title) Originally uploaded by alyson_olander Seed Moon, Plow Moon, Moon of Winds, Illusion ends as true growth begins, Hecate, Athene, Astarte, Morrigan, In pure inspiration the cycle begins again. -Dallas Jennifer Cobb Once again, I was left in the dark; clouds filled the sky on the night of the full moon and there was nothing for me to gaze at in order to find my inspiration.  I had to imagine it all.  … Continue reading