Disappearing 9 patch top

 I started this quilt top when a girlfriend came over for a quilting weekend. I saw this tutorial from Cluck Cluck Sew. I'm sure this was referenced on another site but I'm not sure where. 



This was difficult to 'randomize'.  I feel like nothing is random in life. . so putting this together defiantly pushed my comfort zone.  I see two mistakes but they are perfectly fine.

I pinned this top a LOT more than I usually do.  I think it looks lovely.

 All these yummy fabrics make me happy. 

Seeing these fabrics in action, I had to go purchase more of the orange called "Spring Floral" by M Liss; dark blue background and light blue dots called "Dots" by Sandy Gervais for Moda; and my favorite "Flower fields" in lake from the Modern Meadow collection by Joel Dewberry.  

This is the first quilt I want to stipple finish within the new year.

Scraps from my mother

J wanted to make this for her first square she's EVER sewn on a sewing machine. Oh you should have seen how nervous I was when she a was sitting at my Bernina for the first time. It just makes me a bit freaked out writing about it.

When we went to go see my mother this past summer, J got lots of scraps. Oh how joyous she is building up her own stash. Yet I have to admit that I love my stash a lot more than she does. What can you expect from an 11-year old.

Not only did J want to sew but she wanted me to alter a square from the quilt book, Jelly Roll Quilts (which my wonderful mother gave me). So I altered a square from the Floral Bouquet quilt. At least I know that my math skills are still up to par. 

It's a lovely square that reminds me of my mother.

Quick holiday gifts

Tia-Timey - they are a new species that my 11-year old step-daughter helped make for her 2nd cousins. She made the patterns.  Wonkey line and all.

I made this fella for the not yet here 2nd cousin.  I hope a baby would like this giraffe. 

Hand made gifts are the best

Fabric Swap with the blog world

So not only am I doing a local fabric swap but now look at what I found for solids!

Oh as if there wasn't enough for me to do and try.  I'm going to add my name into this lovely swap that I just came across.  So I'll be gathering some Kona solids - more than likely a yummy purple shade - to swap with other's.  Check it out and gather be sure to get there before 12/31/10 if you are interested yourself.

I'll be using whatever I recieve back in something with white since I bought yards upon yards of 108" wide white this past weekend.  YEAH!

Pillow pattern

Have you seen Love Emblem on Anna Maria-Horner's blog? I was talking with a co-worker about completing projects that are actually able to be started and finished. . this project came to the blog-world just in time.

I haven't had much time to myself this evening, yet there is hopeful potential this weekend.  So I've made the pattern pieces and picked the material.. I'm hopefully a quick project to be completed within the next 48 hours.

Quick and cute gift bags

To add to a gift box for my favorite quasi-sister I made up these three bags. She's in college and I'm sure that she'll find these bags useful for something. Hopefully for something useful like wine!

It was great - I was looking for something fun and quick I found this new pattern Fabric Produce Bag on DAISY JANIE's blog.

3 fat quarters and moments later (like 15 minutes) I had these three adorable bags to drop in a gift box.

Adorable aren't they!



The two stripped bags are the plain bags, and the other is the  "rectangular" bottom. 

Progress on a quilt for a dear friend

I've finally picked this back up after it hibernating under my bed while company was visiting.  It's always a struggle for me pick things back up again.

I'm on a roll and over a third done with the quilting phase.  I ripped out over a fourth of what I had completed previously so I could do some "design" work around the blocks.

I'm super excited about getting this to my friend as she'll take some grand photos.

I hate ruffles - a nightgown

I bought fabric for a nightgown for my dearest step-ish daughter.  She picked the colors herself. While I was cutting this out there were pieces strewn everywhere.  It reminded me of  my childhood.  After a half-day of cutting this out, I realized why my mother had me cut out the MANY clothes she made my sister and I.  My back hurt for days after.

During the construction of this I took so many trips to the local fabric store - I'm shocked. I realizing how much my mother has and how much I'm lacking. I totally appreciate how much even the small things cost now.

The ruffles at first were cute and fun.  As it progressed I wanted to scream with the amount of ruffles this nightgown has.  I'm disappointed this is only worn to sleep.

When it was all done she tried it on. . and the bodice was way too big.  Ugh!  When I had the pattern and measured her (twice) it looked like it would be perfect.  I even had her try the bodice on without the skirt it still seemed like it was just right.  Alas when it was done, I had to put darts in the back. The reality is that she has a gown that she'll be able to wear for years to come.

The finished gown

Finished Baby Quilt

It's been a productive weekend. I've finished the baby quilt. It's officially for a girl. I'm not convinced it will be girl-ish enough.

While making the quilt sandwich the new cat, George O'Malley, was eager to assist. It makes it feel so much more homemade.

 Getting him away has been a challenge. .

He's settling into the house so much I can't even take a photo of the finished project.  

Quilt Along

  There are things to do. Places to visit. But there is a mind to calm.  I believe that I'm going to join this quilt-along.  I'll evaluate my stash tonight and figure out what colors I'm gonna choose.  Yeah!

Cat Post

We are trying out a new cat.  My wonderful step-father put the wood post together after I asked (a lot).
Twine I had purchased years ago with a going out of business sale.

I went to the local tile and carpet store and picked up $2.00 worth of discontinued carpet samples.


So this is what I started with - 

 

 I worked for a few hours. . and voila

Baby Blanket

Working on a baby blanket for my fella's teenage niece who will be having a baby within the next few months. Oh she's a bugger and not telling anyone if it's a boy or a girl. Lovely late night planning.