Sew Modern Monday | 12.7.15

Hello, friends!

You may have seen a few sneak peeks of my latest project over on Instagram -- here, here, here, here and even here. Well today I'm very excited to be Guest Blogger over on The Cutting Table, Missouri Star Quilt Company's blog. I made their Sunny Skies pattern using Prairie by Corey Yoder for Moda Fabrics. I just love the vintage feeling of this collection, it's just beautiful! This pattern would work fabulously with fabric scraps, too. Add that one to the "to-do" list! Oh and don't forget, last Friday I shared the baby quilt that was made using fabric scraps from this project. Two quilts in one, double bonus!

Head on over to The Cutting Table to read more!

Now let's see your creations! 

1. Link up a recent sewing or quilting project (progress pictures, finish project, tutorial -- you choose!) using modern fabrics and/or designs. Please link to the specific post, not just your blog home page.
2. Please link back to my blog somewhere in your post. That way your readers can join in the {Sew} Modern Monday fun, too.
3. What fun is a party without conversation?! Please take the time to visit & comment on other people's posts, too.
4. Don't have a blog but you use Instagram? No problem -- just link up your Instagram account instead. Tag your photos with #sewmodernmonday, too!

Happy Sewing!
XOXO, Megan

Sew Modern Monday | 12.7.15

Sew Modern Monday | 11.23.15

Hello, friends!

As promised, it's time to re-kick off {Sew} Modern Monday! My "to-do" list has included "re-make Fresh Mini Quilt Club minis + new pattern covers" for quite some time. Some how they just keep getting pushed further & further towards the end of the list. Which is why I've enlisted the help of my dad, Leon! After 30 years in law enforcement, he's recently retired and believe it or not he's taken a liking to sewing. To be completely honest, he's a sewing work horse -- you can give him a project & in a few days it's done. I need projects sewn, he likes sewing. Win, win! Don't be surprised if you see more & more of him around these parts. I'm very excited to have him on board with Canoe Ridge Creations, making it a family affair. 

This week's project is my Monkey Business Mini Quilt pattern done in crisp black, white, and chartreuse -- which is quickly becoming one of my favorite color combinations. The mini quilt top measures 21" x 21" and the instant download PDF pattern can be found in the Canoe Ridge Creations Pattern Shop. My original version of the pattern was quilted with a modified cross-hatch design and I plan on using it for this mini quilt as well -- it just compliments the piecing perfectly!

I've just marked down the individual Fresh Mini Quilt Club designs to $5 each through Thanksgiving weekend. Each pattern includes full color diagrams and easy to follow step-by-step directions sent directly to your PayPal e-mail address. The mini quilts finish between 18" and 25" square, making them a perfect + quick holiday gift. Keep your eyes open this week as I'll be adding 12 NEW mini quilt designs from Round 3 & 4, too. 

Now let's see your creations! 

1. Link up a recent sewing or quilting project (progress pictures, finish project, tutorial -- you choose!) using modern fabrics and/or designs. Please link to the specific post, not just your blog home page.
2. Please link back to my blog somewhere in your post. That way your readers can join in the {Sew} Modern Monday fun, too.
3. What fun is a party without conversation?! Please take the time to visit & comment on other people's posts, too.
4. Don't have a blog but you use Instagram? No problem -- just link up your Instagram account instead. Tag your photos with #sewmodernmonday, too!

Happy Sewing!
XOXO, Megan

{Sew} Modern Monday | 11.23.15

Operation: Bring the Blog Back!

Pattern: Monkey Business Mini Quilt

Hello, friends!

In August of 2010 I started my blog, Canoe Ridge Creations. What originally began in college as a way to share my sewing + quilting to friends & family, it quickly transformed into something more. I still remember the first time someone (other than family) commented on my blog. Um, hello...seriously?! I was so excited! Little by little it transformed into something so much more. I met fabulous women (and men!) who were into the same thing -- sewing & quilting. They talked the same talk, and walked the same walk. They were MY people.

The blog transitioned into pattern writing for books & magazines, eventually into my own line of patterns, and the Fresh Mini Quilt Club. Writing + sharing on my blog was my happy place, nothing excited me more than hearing from a reader who tried a new technique + tutorial from Canoe Ridge Creations or was inspired my something they'd seen on my Instagram feed. I loved it all!

And then 2015 happened. Brandon & I got engaged and married (hello, wedding planning is serious stuff! oh and that wedding quilt never happened.), we moved twice in less than six months (the last one happening 3 weeks before the wedding -- I don't ever want to do that again), I took some college classes, started a completely different job. Etc. Etc. Etc. Don't get me wrong, all EXCITING stuff -- but that meant sewing & blogging took a backseat. At first I was relieved to take a little break from the pressures of blogging. 1 month turned into 2 months...2 into 4...and now I'm sitting at almost 8 months?! So here's the thing, I've been feeling like I was missing something in my life and I've finally pin-pointed it -- it's blogging!

What do you say - let's bring the blog back! And to do that, I'm going to go back to the basics of blogging. Sharing what I'm working on, what's happening in our lives, and not feel pressured to only share finished work. One of those "blogging basics" that I'm bringing back is the {Sew} Modern Monday Linky Party. Does anyone remember those? It's been a while, but it was so fun & inspiring. Starting this upcoming Monday, November 23rd the {Sew} Modern Monday Linky Party is back and ready for all of you. Check out all the information + details below, snap a few pictures of what you are working on (Instagram users are welcome too!), and come back Monday ready to share your projects & maybe even get a little inspiration from another reader, too.

Sew Modern Monday, so how's it work?

1. Link up a recent sewing or quilting project (progress pictures, finish project, tutorial -- you choose!) using modern fabrics and/or designs. Please link to the specific post, not just your blog home page.
2. Please link back to my blog somewhere in your post. That way your readers can join in the {Sew} Modern Monday fun, too.
3. What fun is a party without conversation?! Please take the time to visit & comments on other people's posts, too.
4. Don't have a blog but you use Instagram? No problem -- just link up your Instagram account instead. Tag your photos with #sewmodernmonday, too!

It's good to be back!
XOXO, Megan

{Sew} Modern Monday | x and + Quilt

Good morning & welcome to {Sew} Modern Monday! With the holidays upon us and the New Year around the corner, I'm on a mission to finish up some projects that have been sitting around this year. We all have a few of those projects, right? 

I'd finished up this x and + quilt top back in January of this year (and even made a mini quilt with the left-over half square triangles!), but for one reason or another just hadn't gotten around to the quilting and binding. The blocks were made by my lovely {Sew} Beautiful Bee-mates (thank you Lee, Elizabeth, Cara, Katie, AnneMarie, Katie, Cherie, Brooke, Angela, and Emily! ). I asked the ladies to make 12" blocks following this tutorial from badskirt.

Simple straight-line quilting using a neutral 50 wt. Aurifil thread seemed like the perfect match to the vibrant Anna Maria Horner fabrics. I really like the subtle modern feel the quilting gives to the overall design -- not to mention the awesome texture! Surprisingly, the rich chocolate binding is actually my favorite part about the entire quilt. I just might have to start sneaking more browns into my projects!

Quilt Stats

Name: x and + Quilt

Size: 60" x 60"

Pieced by: myself and the lovely ladies of the {Sew} Beautiful Bee

Quilted by: myself, using 50 wt. Aurifil thread

So here's to finishing up an un-finished project and onto the next one! If you'd like to join me on my mission to finish up a few projects before the New Year, use #finishit2012 on Instagram & Twitter -- I'd love to see your progress! 

Happy Sewing!
xo, megan. 

Now it's time for your {Sew} Modern Monday link-ups! Here's how it works:

[1] Link-up a blog post (or fickr picture!) featuring a finished project. Modern home decor, quilts, bags, garments are all welcome! Please be sure to add a link back to this post, too -- or just grab the button over on the sidebar. 

[2] Visit & comment on other {Sew} Modern Monday link-ups! 

{Sew} Modern Monday | Bee Block Catch-up

Good morning & welcome to {Sew} Modern Monday! I spent this past weekend catching up on a few bee blocks from the last few months. It really feels great to check a few things off the "to-sew" list & it's also little bitter sweet knowing these three blocks wrap up the {Sew} Beautiful Bee for 2012. 



//Septemeber// For her month, AnneMarie asked for a combination of improv piecing & hexagons. This is my take on the combo -- I especially like those two little hexi mushrooms on the right! 




//October// Katie asked for a block using Anna Maria Horner's Feather Bed Quilt tutorial (it's free!). I've been crushing on these feathers ever since Spring Quilt Market, so it was great to finally give them a try. Katie chose a super saturated + jewel tone color palate -- this is going to be one awesome quilt!



//Novemebr// Lee from Freshly Pieced asked for a half square triangle block inspired by this Chicopee quilt from Red Pepper Quilts. She chose a fabulous selection of solids paired with a crisp, clean white. So bright and fresh -- this quilt is sure to be a beauty!

Now it's time for your {Sew} Modern Monday link-ups! Here's how it works:

[1] Link-up a blog post (or fickr picture!) featuring a finished project. Modern home decor, quilts, bags, garments are all welcome! Please be sure to add a link back to this post, too -- or just grab the button over on the sidebar. 

[2] Visit & comment on other {Sew} Modern Monday link-ups! 

Have a great week!

xo, megan. 

{Sew} Modern Monday

Good morning & welcome to {Sew} Modern Monday -- a place where modern sewing comes together each week! Here's how it works:

[1] Link-up a blog post (or fickr picture!) featuring a finished project. Modern home decor, quilts, bags, garments are all welcome! Please be sure to add a link back to this post, too -- or just grab the button over on the sidebar. 

[2] Visit & comment on other {Sew} Modern Monday link-ups! 

This week I'm sharing my Lone Starburst Mini quilt -- you can read more about it here. 

Let's get this party started!
xo, megan. 

{Sew} Modern Monday | A New 241 Tote

Hello, everyone! Have any of you tried the "quilt as you go" technique? It's a super fun method of sewing + quilting that adds interesting quilted texture to an otherwise ordinary patchwork pattern. I have been wanting to give it a try for a while now, so one night I grabbed some fabric scraps & some fusible fleece. 

When I first started I really didn't have a project in mind, I just wanted to get the hang of things. Slowly but surely, my quilt as you go "piece" continued to get bigger & bigger. And honestly, it was so.much.fun! 

Somewhere along the line I decided to turn my "quilt as you go" project into a 241 Tote and I'm super happy with the results. Using a neutral Essex Linen for the side panels + strap really works well with the patchwork. I'm happy to say this new 241 Tote is quickly becoming one of my favorite bags! 

Oh, and I may have been bitten by the "quilt as you go" bug. I've already started on a few holiday sewing projects using this technique -- can't wait to share more with you!

xo, Megan 

Now it's time for {Sew} Modern Monday! 

{Sew} Modern Monday.

Good morning & welcome to {Sew} Modern Monday -- a place where modern sewing comes together each week! Here's how it works:

[1] Link-up a blog post (or fickr picture!) featuring a finished project. Modern home decor, quilting, bags, garments are all welcome! Please be sure to add a link back to this post, too -- or just grab the button over on the sidebar. 

[2] Visit & comment on other {Sew} Modern Monday link-ups! 

Alright, let's get this party started!
xo, megan. 

{Sew} Modern Monday

Hello, everyone -- Happy Monday! I'm going to be short and sweet with today's blog post because I'm a little short on time. Tomorrow morning I head to Salt Lake City for Sewing Summit and I still have a few last minute things I need to finish -- laundry, packing, and this purse I decided to start last night! I'm using some scraps from Denyse Schmidt's Chicopee fabric line and some Robert Kaufman Essex linen. I'll be sure to share the finished project when I get back next week!
  

Talk soon!
xo, megan. 

Now it's your turn! Please share + link up a recent modern sewing finish -- bags, home decor, garments, and quilts are all welcome! Happy {Sew} Modern Monday! 

{Sew} Modern Monday | A Fall Mini Quilt.

For the last few weeks, Fall has been in full force here in Iowa. Cool + brisk nights, warm + sunny days. It seems like the leaves along the bluffs have turned brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow almost overnight. Yes, Fall is definitely my favorite season of them all! So it seems almost fitting that my love for Fall carries over into my quilting, right?

I've had this little improv + scrappy pumpkin in the back of my mind for quite some time and last week I was finally able to bring this idea to life. Using just a few scraps and some yummy Robert Kaufman Essex linen, I had this mini quilt top done in no time! I love it when ideas come to life and turn out even better than I imagined!

More organic wavy quilting (can you tell I love it!) with a matching Aurifil thread happened this weekend and I really think it gives this mini quilt a nice finish. Mmmm, that texture! I'm pretty sure you all might see a few more little improv + scrappy pumpkins before this season is over!

Happy Fall!
xo, megan.

Now it's time for {Sew} Modern Monday! Here are the rules:

1. Link-up a recent finished sewing project using modern fabrics and/or designs. Please be sure to link to the specific blog post (or flickr picture!), not just to your home page. 

2. Link back to Canoe Ridge Creations in your blog post. Feel free to grab a button from the sidebar! 

3. Connect with other bloggers & please comment. What fun is a linky party without some chatter?!

{Sew} Modern Monday.

Good morning & happy Monday -- welcome to {Sew} Modern Monday! I'd like to send a special THANK YOU to everyone who linked up to last week's linky party. There were over 45 fabulous modern sewing projects shared -- you can check them all out here! 

For those of you who are new to {Sew} Modern Monday -- or you just need a refresher -- here are all the details. Each Monday I host a linky party completely devoted to modern sewing -- quilts, bags, garments, home decor, you name it! All you have to do is follow these simple guidelines:

1. Link-up a recent finished sewing project using modern fabrics and/or designs. Please be sure to link to the specific blog post (or flickr picture!), not just to your home page. 

2. Link back to Canoe Ridge Creations in your blog post. Feel free to grab a button from the sidebar! 

3. Connect with other bloggers & please comment. What fun is a linky party without some chatter?!

What have you been working on this week?

xo, megan. 

{Sew} Modern Monday.

Hello & happy Monday, y'all! Grab your modern sewing finishes because today kicks off the return of {Sew} Modern Monday! For those of you who are new to {Sew} Modern Monday -- or you just need a refresher -- here are all the details. Each Monday I host a linky party completely devoted to modern sewing -- quilts, bags, garments, home decor, you name it! All you have to do is follow these simple guidelines:

1. Link-up a recent finished sewing project using modern fabrics and/or designs. Please be sure to link to the specific blog post (or flickr picture!), not just to your home page. 

2. Link back to Canoe Ridge Creations in your blog post. Feel free to grab a button from the sidebar! 

3. Connect with other bloggers & please comment. What fun is a linky party without some chatter?!

Let's get this week started -- I can't wait to see what fabulous + inspiring modern sewing finishes you have to share! 

xo, megan. 

it's back -- {sew} modern monday.

hello, all -- how have you been?! i just wanted to pop in and let you all know that {sew} modern monday's will be starting back up NEXT WEEK. it's fun + inspiration + modern sewing, all in one place! so get your modern sewing finishes ready & meet me back here next monday -- i can't wait to see what you are all working on!

oh, and check out this fortune cookie message i had this past weekend. yep. that sure did put a smile on my face!

who's ready for {sew} modern monday?!
xo, megan. 

{sew} modern monday.

Happy, happy Monday! How was your weekend?! Our weekend was *packed* with lots of fun and I'm totally feeling it this Monday morning. Family wedding + berry picking + two trips out of town, has me dragging! must.get.caffine.asap. In the mean time, here's a little {Sew} Modern Monday feature from last week's link-up!

Check out this fabulous pillow from pins and bobbins. 

I love the fresh crisp white + DS fabric.

Isn't this herringbone design + quilting design great?!

You can read more about this quilt over at Quiet Play. 

The quilting in this all solids table runner from Vicki's Crafts is AMAZING!

Now it's your turn! Do you have a recent modern sewing finish? Then join the {Sew} Modern Monday fun and link up! Just please be sure to link back to Canoe Ridge Creations (grab a button over there --->) some where in your post! 

xo, megan.

{sew} modern monday.

Somewhere between loads of laundry, new tire appointment, and running errands, I completely forgot that it's MONDAY -- whoops! More importantly, it's {Sew} Modern Monday time! So without further delay, here's the linky party. Share your recent modern sewing finish -- garments, quilts, accessories, it's all game! 

{sew} modern monday.

Happy Monday. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! We spent the weekend catching up around the house -- a little laundry out on the line, some power-washing, washed a few windows, fun stuff like that. Overall it was a relaxing (and much needed!) couple of days! There really hasn't been as much sewing going on over here as normal, but if you follow me on Instagram (canoercreations) or Facebook you may have noticed I did start a new project. It's something small and portable -- perfect for the busy summer schedule I've been keeping lately. Go check it out!

As you all know, Mondays mean one thing around there -- {Sew} Modern Monday! A special thanks to everyone who linked up last week! There were so many fabulous and inspiring projects shared. You are all so talented! Here are a few of my favorites:

I'm loving this 241 Tote made by Kristen at Gemini Stitches.

If you haven't given this pattern a try, you really should!

Diane from Random Thoughts...do or "di" linked up her 

finished Retro Flowers quilt. Go check out her post, there's lots of other

great finishes too!

Absolutely LOVING this quilt made by Svetlana of s.o.t.a.k. handmade.

Be sure to check out the quilting too!

Now it's your turn. Do you have a recent modern sewing finish? Then link it up! Please be sure to include a {S}MM button or link back to Canoe Ridge Creations so others can party too!

xo, megan.  

 

{sew} modern monday | half square triangle+hexagon mini quilt.

it's {Sew} Modern Monday! 

it's done, it's done, it's done! my half square triangle+hexagon project is finished and i'm super happy with the way it turned out. if you follow along here at Canoe Ridge Creations, you know it's been a long time coming -- but in the end it was so worth all the late nights! this was my first time english paper piecing and i'm hooked. it's so fun & relaxing and it makes a great travel project. plus, these hexagons are super beginner friendly! feel free to check out some of my english paper piecing+hexagon tips.

quilt stats.

name: HST+hexagon mini quilt
size: 18" wide finished

designed: by me

fabrics: Essex Linen from Robert Kaufman and 

Innocent Crush by Anna Maria Horner

this mini quilt project started with some leftover Anna Maria Horner HSTs from this quilt. you can read more about this half square triangle+hexagon mini quilt here.

<<linking up to the Summer Sewing Contest!>>

xo, megan.

{Sew} Modern Monday. now it's your turn to share a modern sewing finish! feel free to share quilts, bags, garments, etc -- as long as it's modern and sewn it's game! 

{sew} modern monday.

it's {SEW} MODERN MONDAY time! 

do you have a recent modern sewing finish?

quilts, bags, home decor, etc. -- share it all!

if you are new to {Sew}Modern Monday, here are the rules:

[1] link up a recent sewing finish using modern designs+fabric.

please link to the specific post, not just your blog homepage. 

[2] link back to Canoe Ridge Creations in your blog post. 

you can grab that button on the side bar over there ---->

[3] please visit other {Sew} Modern Monday link-ups.

what's a party without mingling+conversation?!

most importantly -- have fun and be inspired! 

xo, megan

{sew} modern monday.

i struggle with wonk-y, do you? don't get me wrong, i *love* the look of wonk-y+improv quilting but i struggle with actually doing it myself. i'm not sure if it's my type A personality or the fact that i was taught+brought up in more of a "traditional" quilting world. but either way, it's really not something that comes easy to me. any attempt at wonk-y and i usually find myself in a ball of nerves trying to get stitches to line up -- it almost gives me anxiety! so stinking silly!

so, i challenged myself to "get a little wonk-y" -- a little mini quilt wonk-y that is. i just sat down at my sewing machine, grabbed some scraps, and started sewing. improv style. um...scary! here's where i ended up -- not too bad, eh? it seemed only natural to carry that wonk-y over into the quilting and a freestyle grid pattern was just the ticket. but to be honest, i actually found more of a challenge than the improv piecing itself! 

 quilt stats.

name: improv mini quilt. 

size: 22" x 22"

designed by: me, improv piecing!

quilted by: me.

in the end, i love it! every ounce of nerves and anxiety i experienced with this mini quilt was totally worth it. but...i'm not sure i'm ready to tackle any wonk-y sewing bigger than this mini quilt. baby steps. :) 

do you struggle with wonk-y? do you enjoy improv quilting? if you have any tips for someone who struggles with wonk-y i would love to hear!

xo, megan. 

now it's time for your {sew} modern monday link-ups! you know the drill -- as long as it's sewn it's game. pillows, quilts, bags, everything is welcome! just please link back to CRC somewhere in your blog post.