It's been a while

Merry Christmas

It's been a long time.  This year a member of my family took sick and after 6 months, has passed away.  I miss my Dad dearly.  He was the first man I ever loved and taught me so many things.  I cherish each and every day I was able to spend with him.  So lucky I had 53 years with him. :-)

I'm currently working on 2 baby quilts as my daughter and her husband are expecting twins in March.  I've chosen Fig Tree's mini Sail Away as the starter for the baby boy and will be working on a swoon baby quilt for the baby girl.  Yes, a boy and a girl!!  Very excited and can't wait to meet them both.  I'll show pictures of the quilts in a bit.  I really need to get quilting.  For my first grandchild, I embroidered her name on her quilt and will do the same for the twins.  Love the thought of them all bundled up in a quilt made especially for them by Nana.

Bags

 

I decided to try making some small makeup bags from my scrap bin.  I laid out scraps I thought would go together and started cutting the pieces.  I believe these 2 bags I made recently were all from the same fabric collection, which I think is why they turned out so nicely.

 

The pattern is Zippy Strippy by Atkinson Designs.  

atkinsondesigns.com

I love this pattern.  The bags are so cute and always turn out so nice.  Terry's tips are very helpful too.

Hope you're having a wonderful week. :-)





I heart quilting!

Heart Baby Quilt

 

 

I saw a heart layout for a baby quilt using Moda Candy charms on Moda Bake Shop. (http://www.modabakeshop.com/2014/02/big-hearted-quilt.html#more. 

 As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to make a heart quilt using the candy charms I had purchased...so here is what I made.  I used 1 pack of Scrumptious candy charms for the heart itself and part of another for the borders. Scrumptious is by Bonnie and Camille for Moda ... are you familiar with Camille's blog?? ... you really need to have a look ...) http://camilleroskelley.typepad.com/simplify/

To showcase the delicious fabric, I chose white tone on tone as my background. I first started playing with fabric colour placement and this is what I decided on.

 Once I decided on the placement of colour, I cut 2.5 inch white tone on tone fabric squares to border the vibrant charms.

 I started sewing the squares together and then began sewing the rows together.  It just makes you smile to see a quilt top coming together.

 

So pretty!!

Next, I added a 3.5 inch white border on all sides.  I knew I wanted to add more colour, so I decided to add a candy border to the top and bottom.  This in turn changed the square into a rectangle, which is how I like my baby quilts.  I thought it still needed some more length and I chose to add another 3.5 in border to the top and bottom.

 

 

I love this fabric and I'm so pleased with how this has turned out. 

Happy quilting everyone!



A finished Valance

I've been sewing and pressing all afternoon and my valance is finally finished.  It may not be perfect, but I'm very pleased with it.  Have a look and see what you think...:-)

 

I've also been working on another project.  A Paula Vaughan pattern.  This has also been taking many hours and I'm so enjoying it.  It's very rewarding to see your picture growing with every stitch!  Here is what I've completed so far.

 

Happy crafting everyone!

I love star blocks

 

I love, love, love stars!!  Star blocks, that is. When I see a pattern using stars, I just gravitate toward it.  The stars in the sky are very pretty too, however, fabric stars are currently occupying my mind.  My mother wants to make new curtains for her kitchen and we were trying to decide what we should make.  Mom has some blue fabric that she thought she was going to use in an Ohio Star quilt (see stars are a passion for us) ,but we started cutting the fabric today to make a valance for her kitchen door.

I too, want to make a star valance.  I hope these pieces of fabric will soon be a new valance.  Love the colour blue,  we both do!

 

 

I'm making this valance from fabrics I already had on hand.  One is a medium  blue, although the lighting kind of makes it look navy, the other fabric is a grey with a light blue paisley pattern.  I want the blue and grey blocks to pop, so I'm using white on white tone fabric for the backing and to make the rest of the valance.  Let's hope it turns out the way I see it in my mind.  Fingers crossed!

 

Because it has been snowing here all day today, I'm making a roast of beef with potatoes and carrots roasted on a pampered chef bar pan.  Yum!  Can't wait for it to be cooked. Hope you're having a wonderful sewing day too.

Blessings Blocks 4,5 & 6

 

Here are the latest blocks from the Blessings Quilt.

 

# 4 Log Cabin

 

# 5 Mosaic # 15

 

#6 Split 9-Patch



 

These blocks are only 6" finished, so the individual pieces aren't very big.  These blocks weren't difficult but I'm sure there will be others that will be more challenging. I'm so happy I chose Double Chocolat for this quilt.  I'm loving the colour combinations!

 

Happy quilting.

 

 

 

Blessings

Blessings Quilt Blocks

 

Here are the first two blocks of the Blessings Quilt I'm participating in.  This quilt was introduced to me by Jackie from 'The Fabric Cupboard' located in Moncton, NB.  Jackie attended Quilt Market in the spring and thought this would be a wonderful project for anyone who enjoys quilting.

 

I absolutely love The Fabric Cupboard.  The people are so nice and they have a wonderful selection of fabric, notions, thread....etc.  The first time I visited this shop, I just couldn't stop staring at all of the yummy fabric.  I've continued to visit several times since.

 

Jackie emails one block to us each week.  I chose Double Chocolat by 3 Sisters for Moda to create my Blessings Quilt.  The collection is gorgeous!

 

I guess they decided to eliminate block #2, so these are the first two so far.

 

 

Hope you're having a wonderful day!