Logo Labels

It took me a while to take The Dutch Label Shop up on their offer to try out their labels, but boy am I glad I finally did! I've used premade labels before but the Woven Logo Labels I designed and ordered from Dutch Label are something pretty special.



There were lots of labels to choose from, with plenty of options once a style was chosen. I knew I wanted something on the larger side with both my brand logo as well as my name. Because of that, I went with the Sew On Center Fold + Taffeta style, so the logo could be on the front, flip it over and there'd be my name, with the taffeta edges tucked into the binding.



I decided to make the labels finish at 1.75" x 2.25" once folded, which is probably a little larger than I needed, but I'm ok with that. To submit my design, I upload a jpg. file that included an image of my blog logo and the text I wanted. There's an option for a photo proof, so I totally took advantage of that and then felt pretty comfortable I was on the right track.



I happened to have read Yvonne/quilting JETgirl's review of labels she created thru Dutch Label, and she'd mentioned choosing the Preserve Light Background considering her design's light background. So I followed her lead along with the Double White vs. Standard option. According to the site, "This option weaves an additional layer of white thread into your label to vibrantly brighten the background color, and prevent shine-through. Choose this option if your label pairs a white or a light background with a dark or bright text, symbol or logo. Adding a second layer of white yarn will prevent the logo from bleeding, or shining through, into the background." So glad that option was available considering all the white-space in my design.



So my labels came over the weekend, just 12 days after submitting my order. Yes, I received them at no cost, courtesy of The Dutch Label Shop. But I can wholeheartedly attest to their quality and recommend them without reservation. I'm a new fan for sure.

The good news for you is that Dutch Label has offered a 15% discount code for my followers. The code is 'aquilterstable15' and is valid for the next 60 days. Ya know, I don't often take companies up on offers like this, but I'm pleased I did this time!

Best of 2017

There were hopes of one more finish before the year runs out, but I'm beginning to think that won't happen. I'm feeling a little daunted by things I already know are waiting for me in the new year, but that doesn't mean it's not worth a little time to look back. And for that reason, as a start at least, I decided to join in with Cheryl/Meadow Mist Designs' Best of 2017 Linky Party. The object is to share your top 5 posts of 2017, and I'll just judge that here purely on view count.

1. 10 Ways to Make a Quilt Back - Though I'm not usually too creative in this regard, folks obviously really appreciated a few new ideas.

2. Thinly Sliced - Interesting that of my all my quilt finishes, this one qualifies as most-viewed. What fun to explore the improv stripe technique though!

3. The Improv Stripes QAL Begins! - It was so much fun, others wanted to play too, which led to my second Instagram QAL! Skim through the #improvstripesqal hashtag to see progress photos or if you're interested in where the technique can take you, you might enjoy the show-and-tell blogposts here and here.

4. No Scrap Left Behind - Made for the blog tour for Amanda Jean/crazy mom quilts' latest book, this project was actually made the first time I took my sewing machine on vacation!

5. And finally.... "What do you do with all those quilts?" - I get asked this all the time. And though I shared in depth with lots of quilt photos in my blog post, the short answer is... I use/gift/donate/show/share/store/sell them!

So the above is just one way to indicate 'the best of', of course, and I hope to share some other thoughts soon. But it's telling, don't you think? As much as folks want to see finished quilts, they want to try new things, and get a peek into each other's crafty world. And that sharing is really one of the best things about our quilting community. Here's to more of that!

From Whence I've Come

Goodness gracious. Am I the only one that feels a tad speechless in trying to sum up this past year? For the record, I've made mosaics galore - all the blocks (it took two, not including the City Sampler!), littles (here and here), bags, Patchwork, Please projects, and of course, the quilts.

1. Binary, 2. Modern Crosses, 3. FAITH Circle February quilt completed, 4. Scrappy Trip Along, 5. "Common Affection" completed!, 6. "Auspicious Sky", 7. Summersville Baby, 8. "Crossex", 9. Starcrossings - FAITH Circle's June quilt, 

10. Anticipating Autumn: A Modern Maples Quilt, 11. "Chinese Checkers", 12. Fissues - a slice and insert quilt, 

13. "Twinkle", 14. Unknown Journey, 15. Snapshots

Besides all the actual sewing, there were numerous unforgettable experiences and highlights. Bear with me as I recount some of them and celebrate the steps along the journey.

• Hosting the Triple-Zip Along - We made over 200 pouches in just 2 weeks! The tutorial is still my most viewed post every week.

• Becoming a quilter in the FAITH Circle of do.Good Stitches - Funny how something seems so implausible at one point in time, but later, it just becomes the right thing to do. 

• Cohosting Zakka Along 2.0 :: Patchwork, Please - This was an honor and a joy, and it was such a delight to have so many of you join in.

• Six new tutorials - These were challenging, yet rewarding, and I hope to share more.

• My quilt Common Affection winning a modern quilt challenge - Having it join a traveling exhibit and meeting up with Fissures is icing on the cake.

• Being Published - I never saw this coming, but how gratifying.

So that's it! To say this year has been full is an understatement. Full of fabric and thread, yes. But so much more. Thank you to all of you for filling this year with encouragement, challenge, and affirmation. And of course, friendship. You make all of it so much more rewarding.