Thursday, September 30, 2010

Star blocks and some crochet

We were asked at quilt guild to make blocks to contribute to next year's raffle quilt. The rules were to use the background fabric provided (cream) and any color batiks to create 2 star blocks (our choice of pattern) one 12 1/2 inches square and the other 6 1/2 inches square. Shortly after we got this assignment I picked up the new copy of McCalls America Quilts for Christmas and it was LOADED with star blocks! What luck!

Now you guys know by now that precision is not my gift! So I was fearful but this morning I completed these two blocks to turn in.
I must say I was pretty happy with them! No chopped off points! Yay!

I've also been doing some crocheting for a friend who has a new grandbaby on the way (can you guess the sex?) She has commissioned me to make several things for the baby so don't be alarmed if you start seeing lots of baby stuff on the blog! It's not staying in this house! I'm just sayin...
I hope there's lots of fun crafting going on where you are too! Happy Fall!

Sunday, September 26, 2010

An early finish!


This past summer Steve asked if I was going to make him a quilt to take to college. He requested a quilt in the colors of his school of choice, Arizona State University. Maroon & Gold! So I immediately set out to find a pattern that was masculine & young at the same time. I found this quilt in McCalls Quick Quilts magazine, it was called Sea Glass. It took 12 fat quarters and extra black & gold for the borders.

Last Saturday Steve found out he has been accepted to ASU! He is a senior in High School this year & will leave in August 2011 to study journalism at the ASU Cronkite school. & now he has a quilt to take with him. I just need to hide it from my hubby who is so pleased that it matches our family room....




Monday, September 20, 2010

blankets!

Well I was more productive today than I ever imagined. All of the baby blankets are posted in my shop & ready for sale. Which one would the baby in your life love to have? Take a peak & let me know what you think...

Here are the girl blankets....

and these are more for boys (although truthfully, I think the sweet penguins could go either way)...


Which one is your favorite?


in my sewing room

Well, I had the best intentions yesterday. My plan was to machine stitch the binding onto Steve's quilt so I could sit & hand sew in the evenings & finish it up. I got the quilt all trimmed & ready. Went to the drawer where I neatly keep my projects in process. Whenever I cut out a new quilt I always cut the binding pieces, put them into a ziploc bag & label them. Otherwise, the fabric gets lost. Or used for another project....

Which is apparently what happened to Steve's quilt binding! There was only a scrap of the fabric left in the drawer. Sigh. It would appear I used the binding fabric for the witch project. If you look closely at the witches shoes, you will see that they are lovely black mottled.... yup, the fabric that was supposed to be the binding for Steve's quilt! Sometime this week I will travel to the quilt store for more. Meanwhile....

What to do? I decided to stitch up some baby blankets for my Etsy Shop. My goal is to get them in there in the next day or two. Here's the stack I have ready....
I'll show you some more pictures when I get them into the shop. These are the same blankets I have been making as baby gifts for years & years. They are much bigger than the ones you buy at the store (approximately 43" square), double layer of quality flannel with all finished, rounded edges & a double row of topstitching. They wash & wash & last forever (I think there are still a couple wandering around this house somewhere!). If you have a new baby coming into your life, or the life of someone you love, they make a wonderful gift!

Just thought I'd give you a little peak.... off to work on my shop! I'll let you know when they are available.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Happy Quilt!


One quilt finished! This is one of the two quilts Mom brought back to me from Connie the wonderful longarm quilter in Arizona. I finished the binding yesterday... and even got the hanging sleeve on it!

This quilt is called "A Peaceful Life" and it is from the book The World as it Should Be by Anni Downs of Hatched & Patched. When I saw the sample made up at Market Review last year, I knew I had to make it! It just made me smile. I did all of the applique blocks by hand, sitting in waiting rooms & carpool lines. Almost all of the fabrics came from my stash.

Next up.... Steve's college quilt. The quilting is done & all it needs is binding. I can't wait to share it with you!

Friday, September 17, 2010

sneak peak

one quilt almost done! Hand sewing the binding is my favorite part....

Happy Birthday sis!

Today is my sister Diane's birthday!
Her card is going to be late. Because of all the company & chaos here. Ok, that's a lousy excuse. It's just late! No more excuses. Happy Birthday Di!

When I was in Arizona about 6 weeks ago, Mom was working on some pillows for Di's birthday & she recruited me to help her finish them up. Check these out....
 The pillows are made entirely from recycled denim dresses & jumpers that Diane gave to mom a while ago. Mom had already done all of the patchwork for the king sized pillow covers when I arrived. She also had the butterflies cut out & ready to applique. I just helped get the handwork done & borders on. We had so much fun working on them! & you won't believe what we did with the backs of the big pillows....
we used the buttons from the dresses! So they can be opened up & switched out/washed if need be. Isn't that clever? Mom's idea.

I really enjoyed working with the recycled fabrics to make something new & useful. There are some new ideas spinning in my head & hopefully soon you will be seeing some of them come to life. Stay tuned!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Girls love cars too!

The day Mackenzie arrived at our house was the day after her first birthday! I gave her....
Cars! Bet you thought I would make her something girlie, didn't you? Well, as you can see, she loved them. I wish you could hear the noises she was making as she drove the little cars all around the town! Too funny.

I found this adorable panel at my local quilt shop several months ago & knew I needed to make it!
I backed the panel with lime green hippos from Ikea & attached ties, so they can roll it up sleeping bag style & stash it in the tote bag I made to match. All the little tonka plastic trucks & cars I found (at Target & Walmart) fit in the bag too.



And when Mackenzie got tired of driving the cars, she picked up the city by the ties & dragged it all over the house! Ahhhh I had forgotten how easy one year olds are to amuse!


Everyone has gone home now.... Mackenzie & her parents left Monday night & Mom & Dad left this morning. It's very very quiet here! I spent the morning machine stitching the binding on one of my quilts that Mom brought back to me. I should have it finished up by the end of the week to share with you!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

why I haven't been blogging

I have visitors. Here's miss Mackenzie, modelling an outfit I made for her this summer. She just turned one! She & her mom and dad are here until tomorrow. My parents are also here until Thursday.
Sorry, we're too busy to blog. One year olds are busy people. I had forgotten! More soon....