Cute quilts for kids: it's a wrap

We're wrapping up our series on cute quilts for kids.  In case you just joined us, here are the original posts: Cute quilts for kids (a new series),  Cute quilts for kids (Don't Look Now),  Legends and dreams: Noah's ark, Cute quilts for kids... it's Playtime, All God's critters got a place in the choir, A Quilt Story by Heather & Megan, Cute quilts for kids?  Piece o'cake, Cute as a button:  Buttons and Bees, Top of the Range Designs, Just Dandy, and Quilts for kids by Mrs. Moen.

Three of these designers are from Australia, one is from Norway, and the rest are from North America. Patterns are available for all.  Hope you enjoyed these fabulous artists as much as we did ! Row 1, L-R: Sand Castles, by Rebecca Johnson at Chasing Cottons; Peak Hour, by Kellie Wulfsohn at Don't Look Now; Critters Dancin' in the Moonlight, by Linda Hohag at Brandywine Design. Row 2: Playtime, by Sandy Klop at American Jane; Rhymes to Remember, by Becky Goldsmith and Linda Jenkins, at Piece O'Cake Designs; Hootenanny, by Kim Gaddy at Buttons and Bees.  Row 3: Circus Stack, by Heather & Megan, at Quilt Story; Funky Birds and Flower Angel, by Nina Lise Moen at Mrs. Moen's patterns. Row 4:  Just Dandy, by Vanessa Christenson, at V and Co; Spell-Caster, by Tracey Campbell, at Top of the Range Designs; Noah's Ark, by Laura Nownes, at Laura Nownes.com.

Quilts for kids, by Mrs. Moen

Anna, Birte, Clara, Dorrit, Edvarda, Fredrikke, Gyda, and Hildur.  These are the names of birds designed by Nina Lise Moen, a textile artist based in Norway.  Just as certain artists - most notably, Charley Harper - became famous for their stylized birds, Mrs. Moen’s birds reveal her original, artistic style. Her brilliant mini quilt, "Comfort",  is one of 8000 art panels that will be connected side by side to wrap the Saturn V Moon Rocket.  The birds also are featured in her outstanding collection of patterns.

Comfort, 24 x 24”, Dream Theme panel, by Nina Lise Moen, at Mrs. Moen

Clara & Fredrikke (left) and Dorrit (right), by Nina Lise Moen at Mrs Moen Patterns

Here is some good news: eight of Mrs. Moen’s funky birds come in a pattern that can be used to make a slew of projects, such as the pillows shown above, mini-quilts, and more. You can mix and match the projects, as you wish. Shown above are Clara, Fredrikke, and the majestic Dorrit, with her red cape.  These birds are so lovable, they are guaranteed to make you smile.

Flower Angel (left), and Flower Bouquet (right), by Nina Lise Moen at Mrs. Moen Patterns

These flowers will last for a long time ! These are two of the charming patterns that can be found at Mrs. Moen's Patterns; you can see the projects in additional colors on the patterns page. Mrs. Moen says, "Make a few extra bouquets and you'll have flowers ready for the next time you need some to give away".  What a great idea.

Image credits: Images are shown with the generous permission of Nina Lise Moen. She has been quilting for 12 years, and she also designs patterns and teaches classes. Her blog can be found at Mrs. Moen's blogspot. Also, check out her fabulous Mix and Match for Christmas pattern.

Just Dandy

It's Day 10 of our "cute quilts for kids" series, and here is one of our favorite modern quilt designers. Vanessa Christenson, of V and Co, is also a mother of four kids. (She says: "I have 4 noisemakers I like to call my children").   Her patterns include "Just Dandy", which captures the fun of a giant dandelion.

Just Dandy, by Vanessa Christenson, at V and Co

Houndstooth Baby Quilt, 47 x 47", by Vanessa Christenson, at V and Co

This two-toned quilt has a wonderful graphic quality. What colors would you pick... pink and white? gray and yellow? We've seen it in monochromatic blues at the Robert Kaufman booth this spring (you can see a photo in Vanessa's post about the spring show). Due to popular demand, Vanessa is planning to introduce this pattern in larger quilt sizes this fall.

Banner Quilt, by Vanessa Christenson, at V and Co

Nothing says "festive" like a banner, so how about a banner quilt to decorate the wall of a child's room. It would be fun to pick the fabrics for this one. Vanessa also has a cute banner project featured in Moda's Bake Shop book, Fresh Fabric Treats: 16 yummy projects to sew from jelly rolls, layer cakes and more (you can read about the project here).

Image credits and links: Images are shown with the generous permission of Vanessa Christenson.

Top of the range designs

What child doesn’t love dragons, fairies, wizards and dinosaurs…. kangaroos, koalas, and kookaburras… or puppies and kittens? From the top of the Blackall Range in South Eastern Queensland, Australia, designer Tracey Campbell has created an amazing range of artistic designs for applique. Her Top of the Range Designs include many really cute quilts for kids.

A Kangaroo's rest, 34 x 21", by Tracey Campbell, at Top of the Range Designs

This is exactly what a kangaroo looks like when it is resting ! "A Kangaroo's Rest" is a beautiful hand or machine applique design that includes full instructions for the applique, and optional embroidery embellishments. Fly stitch and French knots, or long stitch and beads, were added to simulate trees on the distant hills and wild grasses on the closer areas.

Koalas, 21 x 34", by Tracey Campbell, at Top of the Range Designs

We love the colors and design of this little quilt, with its blue sky, green gum tree leaves and pink flowers. Little seed beads, and french knots in various shades of pink, were used to embellish the gum-nut flowers. At Tracey's Australian animals page there are patterns for kookaburras, cockatoos and possums, and her Nature collection includes whales, dolphins, frogs, puppies and kittens.

Spell-Caster, 26 x 36", by Tracey Campbell, at Top of the Range Designs

The spectacular Spell-Caster, above,  is just one of the magical Fantasy patterns by Tracey Campbell. This wizard charms the stars from the heavens, much to the delight of his curious cats. An added sparkle embellishes the stars with the addition of sequins and seed beads, to make them appear to shimmer. 

Angel's Flight, 26 x 36", by Tracey Campbell, at Top of the Range Designs

This lovely Angel wall hanging was stitched with needleturn applique, but it would also look great using other forms of applique. A lot of extra sparkle was given to the angels gown, and her halo, with the addition of sequins and shiny beads. This wall hanging would be perfect as a gift for anyone who is a real-life angel, or as a symbol of an angel that watches over children to keep them safe.

Image credits and links: Images are provided with the generous permission of Tracey Campbell. At Top of the Range Designs you can find original and colorful applique patterns, creative stitchery kits and supplies, cross-stitch charts, beautiful beads, and free lessons.  For beginners who want to tackle these and other patterns, Tracey has written a tutorial called How to Applique.  Also check out her patterns for dinosaurs and fire-breathing dragons.

Cute as a button: Buttons and Bees

As metaphors for quilts go, "cute as a button" is spot on. The phrase was inspired by the cute and fluffy button quail.  Buttons also keep you warm and protected ("button up your overcoat" !)  Buttons are often beautiful to look at -- which may be why grandmas once collected them in jars. All of which brings us to Buttons and Bees*, purveyors of unique buttons, quilt patterns, and cozy hand-dyed wool.

Cat's Cradle, 36 x 42", by Kim Gaddy, at Buttons and Bees

We love these minimalist kitties, and the cute mouse in the lower right corner.  "Cat's Cradle" is mostly pieced, so it goes together quickly. If you are a dog person, check out Puppy Playtime and Big Dog Little Dog.  Kits are also available on the Buttons and Bees shopping page.

Night owl, 48 x 49", by Kim Gaddy, at Buttons and Bees

These sweet owls with their button eyes are sharing the tree with a possum, while fireflies light up the night sky. The pattern includes both Night Owl and Day Owl versions ! The bright and sunny Day Owl quilt has ladybugs.

Ladybug Lane, 44 x 52", by Kim Gaddy, at Buttons and Bees

"Ladybug Lane" will delight every child who loves the little red bugs.  The ladybug lane kit includes the pattern, fabric for the quilt top, and buttons to decorate the ladybug wings.

Live Simply lap quilt, by Kim Gaddy, at Buttons and Bees

The words of wisdom in "Live Simply" speak for themselves, so we'll sign off now... but not before mentioning a few more Buttons and Bees patterns we think you'll love:  Honey Bee Houses, Love is Patient, and Born to Quilt.

Image credits and links:  Images are shown with the generous permission of Kim Gaddy.  Kim and her husband, Mark, first launched Buttons and Bees in 1991. Kim was experimenting with ceramics and making buttons for her sewing projects while Mark was a budding beekeeper. For more information, see Buttons and Bees:  About Us.