Saturday, January 26, 2013

Dear Stella: Portico

IMG_0716So that exciting news I mentioned in the last blog post, remember that? Here's part of it, the boy & I are moving! We've had exactly one week to research a new community (in a new state!), find a new home (first one together, yikes!), pack up our belongings, and move (on Monday!), all before Brandon starts his new job this week. Talk about crazy! Now that the initial shock is over and I've been able to wrap my head around the entire thing, I'm excited to share it with you all. Yay! It really is such a fun + exciting time in our lives, full of new beginnings. And you all know me, even with a full plate & a half of things to do I still managed to sneak a little sewing in and finish my Dear Stella quilt top. 

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The fabric line is called Portico by Dear Stella and I'll admit, these aren't my usual "go-to" colors but I love it! Playing outside the box can be a bit uncomfortable at first but I've also learned it can help you develop as a quilter. Although I was able to stick to one of my all time favorites, a crisp white solid fabric. I really think it complements the neutrals + navys in the fabric line. 

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I have to credit Rita from Red Pepper Quilts for the block + layout inspiration. I love her version using Chicopee! It's also really fun to see how a quilt design plays out in two different fabric ways. You can also follow Jeni's Giant Vintage Star Quilt tutorial for a similar quilt, without all the little half square triangles. 

The quilt top measures 64" x 64".

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You can find Dear Stella's Portico at Fat Quarter Shop.

Well I'm off to finish packing -- I'm dreading packing up my sewing stuff! :) If you have any packing + moving tips I'd love to hear them. Oh, and cross your fingers because there's 6" of snow + ice standing between us and move in day!

Happy weekend!
xo, Megan. 

18 comments:

  1. We are about to be in the same boat with moving and quickly! Good luck!

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  2. Wow--that sounds insane! Best of luck to you!

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  3. Love the quilt. Best wishes on your move. Very Exciting. Mary

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  4. Congrats! Moving is so exciting!!

    Last summer, I was packing for (1) a 2 week trip to the Greek Islands, (2) a 12 week internship in Seattle, and (3) my whole apartment which would move 0.5 miles while I was in Seattle. I got halfway through the walk-in closet before I started crying about how it was impossible. And then I remembered. Beer.

    So my tips are two: (1) start packing early and (2) alcohol.
    It really, really helps.

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  5. sounds like a new adventure for you! Last time I moved I labelled a box 'open first' and packed it full of things like trash bags, paper plates, paper towels, hand towel/soap, box cutter/scissors, tape, etc.

    things I would need within the first day or two before I could get everything unpacked. it came in handy! good luck!

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  6. Beautiful quilt! Congrats on the move. What state are you moving to?

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  7. Congrats on the move! My husband is in the army, so we move quire a bit. Bee's suggestion of an open first box was great. Also, pack things like curtains and rods with your bedding so that when you are getting ready to crash the first night you don't have lots of light pouring through the blinds (if that sort of thing matters to you!)! Also, label your boxes really well, and sort them directly into the rooms you want things to end up in. Then you won't be searching for stuff like the shower curtain later on. Good luck!

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  8. Good Luck with the move, we are about to move , but not under so much pressure. Label all you can (it will never be enough), and always get at least 50% more boxes than you need, everything grows when it gets to packing. :)

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  9. So exciting!! I'm sure you are going to love making your new home together in a new place. Goog luck, and your quilt is of course stunning!

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  10. Love it!
    Good luck with the move - keep some hexies handy for those stressful moments!

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  11. Plastic wrap. I used the industrial type of plastic wrap (the kind you wrap a pallet with) to wrap anything odd shaped that wouldn't fit in a box. I actually used it for a lot of stuff in my sewing too. Thread rack, baskets that didn't have lids, etc.

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  12. It's absolutely gorgoeus and good luck with your move.

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  13. The top is lovely. Good luck with the move.

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  14. Keep your cell phone chargers handy! I love the quilt top :-)

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  15. Good luck with the move. I love the look of your quilt. Rita is so inspiring isn't she.

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  16. SO SO SO BEAUTIFUL! LOVE it! thank you so much for sharing and hope you settle in well!

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