Show of Gratitude

So, what does one do if one makes a quick, easy, baby quilt for one's neighbor's baby (still cute even though it was quick and easy), and doesn't hear back from said neighbor? Do you just think, well she isn't crafty, so she doesn't understand and I probably won't hear back? Just chalk it up to the taking-everything-for-granted society we live in? I don't know. But I made this cute little quilt, and will definitely make the same pattern again. It went together really easily, and is fun for showcasing fabrics. I used only stash for the quilt, so it felt great to clear out a few yards of fabric I purchased years ago!

Working on a Non-Crafty Project

So, you may wonder what happened to August, September, and October? I was busy. And not feeling well. Busy growing a baby. I truly didn't touch my sewing machine in August or September, but have been busy easing back into things. I finished all my Swoon blocks. And they are beautiful! Those big beautiful blocks are the best. So, without further adieu...The back. I used something from my stash on the top, made another block for the back, and used Delightful by Quilted Fish for the bottom. Honestly, the whole reason I used the little bit of stash and made another block was so that I could keep more Delighted for myself.
The top. I made three of the blocks and my cousin made the other three. It's a Christmas present for our grandmother. She will love it! And we will love giving it to her.

Presenting...

Oh wait...I can't present anything. I'm terrible at taking pictures of things I make and give away. I think I have exactly 4 items that I've taken a picture of before giving away. The quilt I made for my really good friend's baby? No picture. What about the really cute iPod pouch I just made for a friend? Gifted. No picture. At least the cute pillow I made for my grandma out of scraps of Central Park can still be photographed. Next time I head to Boise. Same with the pinwheel quilt I made using the pinwheel QAL at psiquilt. Oh and all of the cute little table runners I've made for my mom's entry table. Yeah, all of those can be photographed too, the next time I remember. Problem is that I get so excited to give the gift (I think it's SO true with the whole better to give than receive when it's handmade), that I forget to take pictures. Note to self: remember to take pictures!!

Sidelights Back

I think I like the back of this quilt almost as much as the front. I love the way the back compliments the front, and is similar, but not the same. I'm not sold on the fabric combo, but figure it's a quilt back, so I don't need to be too picky. One of the great things is that the back is entirely from my stash, so it technically didn't cost me a dime (my husband thinks my thinking in slightly skewed). I'm going to buy more 505 so that I can baste and quilt this baby before our upcoming camping trip. We'll see. I've been put in charge of food and clothing for the boys and me.

Sunday Swoon

I almost gave up on this block (although technically I can't). There are A LOT of fussy points. It's all half square triangles (which I detest) and flying geese (not nearly as many of these, the ones I happen to like). I got some of my points perfect, more than I would have guessed, which made me immensely happy, but the block is far from perfect. The block's saving grace is that it's huge, not just large, but HUGE. You could add a border and make it a baby quilt. Well, maybe not that big, but close. The thing measures 24". It's big. I think I like it. There's a lot of cutting, less waste than I anticipated, and it is pretty. I can't wait to see it in other color combinations. It took me about 3 1/2 hours, which seemed like for.ev.er, but my mil assures me is actually quite quick.

My cousin and I are making the quilt for our grandma for Christmas. We're splitting the block making (thank heavens), so I've only got 4 more to go! Wish me luck!

How to Quilt

This isn't a quilting-how-to lesson. Not by any means. I am not qualified to do something so lofty. Not would I ever pretend to have a corner on the quilting market. Nope...I'm just putting this out there-I don't know how to quilt this quilt. I'm really good (read: it's the only thing I can do) at all over loopy or meandering patterns. I can sit through straight line, and can sort of echo quilt (although I don't claim to be good at it). I am stumped as far as how I'm going to quilt this quilt top. It's got my FAVORITE fabric in it: Kumari Garden and I don't want to ruin it. I solicited suggestions at quilt guild, and think I have an idea of what I'm doing...we'll see what happens!

It All Started with a Dish!

A plate to be exact. And not even a real plate. A dresden plate. I hadn't ever made one, but after seeing a fantastic dresden plate at my quilt guild, I had to try one. And since I won some FANTASTIC fabric from Shari, I figured I ought to put it to good use. So I made my first dresden. And it was easy. And I loved it! But I couldn't stop there...

It turned into a whole quilt. I had to use up the remainder of the jelly roll. So I made a strip quilt. A girly strip quilt. I don't have any girls though. And I quilted it in an allover loopy pattern. It's my favorite go-to, quick quilting pattern.

A few of my favorite details. Loved these cute owls! There are also some cute-as-can-be skunks and a frog I would happily kiss to see if he's my prince! And I love the texture of the linen, I just wish it was easier to quilt with and didn't stretch soooo much!

Welcome to the Land of Believe

We own big cats, an elephant, a couple of squirrels, rabbits and horses. Well, my sons do anyway. And only in their imagination. You see, they believe anything is possible, even the impossible. "Can't" isn't a word they use. You know what else?

They believe everything I make is beautiful.

And beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right? So if they can believe it, so can I. And I will try to find the beauty in everything I make. So, on to the making...

When I saw Anna's Ringo Pie block for July, it spoke to me (okay, so maybe all it said was, I'm way too complicated and you can't make anything like me...EVER). I had to give it a shot. But, since I knew the words it said were true, it was awfully complicated for a girl like me, who hasn't ever drafted a pattern or created my own circles, I simplified it a little.

And my points turned out perfectly! Hurray for paper piecing. And it lays flat-a huge surprise!

And yes, I know that I did something wrong. A cut lemon DOES NOT have a yellow rind at the top. But guess what!? I like that little bit of sunshine on the top of the lemon (and I'm really lazy and didn't want to unpick it after I'd already finished the whole thing).

Now, what to do with it...