Done Ditty Done Done Done!

Here she is in all her glory, the BEST BEE QUILT EVER!  I know I've posted about this quilt before, but I finally finished the binding so it's really, truly done now!  I managed to get all the Good Folks line from fabric.com when it went on sale for $5/yard--I so wish I would have gotten more!  I almost cried when I cut up all my 1/2 yard bundle to send to my quilting bee ladies, but I'm so happy I did!  I received 25 of the best bee blocks from two of the best quilting bees, the VIBs and Twice Around the Block!  I can't thank you ladies enough, especially those of you who made two blocks!  

My dear friend Angela even made me a rainbow block because she knows what a sucker I am for a good rainbow!

Krista did an out-of-this-world custom quilting job for me!  I never send quilts out to be quilted.  I truly like having a hand in all the steps and really enjoy quilting, but sometimes the quilt demands more than I can give.  This quilt was so special to me I knew it needed something unique and I trusted Krista completely.  

I gave her no instructions on how to quilt it, just to do what she wanted.  I'm so happy I had faith in her amazing artistic abilities because elements like this monogramed "K" took my breath away.

Even the back looks kick-ass with her quilting! :)

This is my favorite print from Anna Maria Horner's Field Study line!  I thought the colors worked nicely with all the Good Folks and Kona Ash on the front of the quilt.

I decided to use Good Folks Buttoned Up in Ink for the binding (thanks to a sweet IG friend's destash!).  Really, I couldn't have designed a better binding!  I love when the binding gives a solid frame to the quilt--probably why I use black and white binding so much--but the hint of plum in there just ties the front and back together for me.

Yes, I actually hand stitched the binding down.  Honestly, I do prefer this method of binding and enjoy doing it, but I make too many quilts to do it every time.  I try to save it for extra special quilts--this being the most special quilt of all!

Thanks again to all the ladies who made this quilt possible!  I will treasure it always!

Gifts, Quilting, and WOWZA!

I'm meeting up with 8  of my favorite girls in Atlanta next week and I'm busy making some presents for them!  I bought these wooden frames a while back (sorry, I don't remember where!) and I painted each one a different color using acrylic paint.  Then, I cut a piece of fabric that is slightly larger than the frame and 3-4 pieces of batting a tiny bit larger than the frame opening.  I'm sure you could use fiber-fill stuff too, but I have tons of batting scraps so that's what I used!

Push the fabric with batting through the frame opening and place the cardboard frame backing in place.  Pull the fabric taunt over the batting.  Use hot glue to secure the excess down to the cardboard frame backing.

Ta-da! instant mini pincushion that can't tip over or roll off the table!  This is a great way to use that precious scrap you've been hoarding! :)

I'm busy quilting my Scrappy Trip Along!  I decided to use a cathedral-like quilting (see my video tutorial).  

This process is pretty speedy and it's super forgiving if you're new to free motion quilting!

I finally broke down and sent out a quilt to be professionally quilted.  I made this top using blocks from two of my quilting bees--see my post about it here  I knew this top needed something special so I asked Krista to take care of my baby.  I did not give her instructions.  I simply trusted her.  Obviously, she didn't disappoint!  

She totally blew me away with this "K" quilted into one of the blocks!

Can you believe this????  It's absolutely stunning!

Every square inch is covered in awesomeness!!!  I truly cannot thank Krista enough for her fabulous artistic talents!  This quilt is better than I could have ever dreamed!

I even love it from the back!  I'm waiting on my binding fabric to arrive to finish this up and I can't wait to snuggle under it!

The Best Quilt I Never Made

Here it is.  The best quilt I never made.  Almost a year ago I sent the ladies in my two bees, the VIBs and Twice Around the Block, my hoarded collection of Anna Maria Horner's Good Folks along with some Kona Ash.  I told them this quilt was called Ode to the HST.  The blocks had to be made from HST, but other than that, the design was up to them.  Now, I should have ended up with 22 blocks, but due to the kindness of a few ladies, I had 25!  You know what that means right?  I didn't have to make a SINGLE block!!!!!!  I'm ashamed it took me so long to put these together!  I sat down last night and made this quilt top in less than 3 hours from start to finish!  Why oh why did I not do this sooner?!?!?

Love is not a strong enough word for how I feel about this quilt.  I simply adore it!  The best part is that this one is living with me!  I can't imagine parting with it!  Now, I do need a little advice.  My plan was to back this in some AMH flannel, but I've never used flannel to back a large quilt.  I want this quilt to remain very soft and pliable and I don't really care if the quilt is super warm since I'll be using it on the couch.  So I want any advice you guys can offer about using flannel for backing--like should I go with minimal quilting? How would you quilt it?  Should I use batting?  What has been your experience with flannel?  Should I give up my flannel dream and back it in something else?  Speak up!

My FQ Bundle, Stuff, and a Giveaway

For those of you who haven't heard, Laura at Quokka Quilts is holding a little, er, big, design-your-own-FQ-bundle contest!  The winner will receive not a FQ bundle of their fabrics, but 1/2 yards!  I'll pause why you all go check it out and create your own bundle........done yet?  Anywho, this is mine!

1. Kona Ash

2. Kona Melon

3. Bella Navy

4. Taza Neutral Tarika

5. Cape Ann Cotton Sunset Pink Ginkgo Toss 

6. Oval Elements Mood Indigo 

7. Ruby Grey Sundae

8. Outfoxed Coral Fern Stripe

9.  Weekend Clubhouse 2012 Navy Random Pencil Check

10. Puttin' on the Ritz Grey Princess 

11. Oval Elements Sweet Pea

12. Going Coastal Navy Sea Star

13. Puttin' on the Ritz Grey Gingham 

14. Ruby Sherbet Sundae

15. Weekend Clubhouse 2012 Navy Block Toss Yardage

I was going for a modern nautical vibe.  I keep wearing (and buying) all these striped shirts like I'm going to go sailing any minute.  Um, yeah, I've only been sailing once.  Now my problem is that I want to buy all these fabrics and make something! 

I forgot to share this earlier, but while on vacation I managed to stitch up these little macaroons!  Designed by the talented Ashleigh and Amanda of The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery.  They even have a dessert of the month club starting this month and the patterns are on SALE right now!  Hurry and sign up, I sure did!  These ladies are making cross stitch cool with their fresh designs.  These are such great projects to take on a long trip, on the go, or to snuggle up on the couch and relax with!  They even have a Hoop Travel Bag pattern that is the *perfect* size for hoops on the go!  I made two already (sorry, not the best picture, these were my last few sewn items of 2011)

I made one from Ruby Star Rising tea cups and view master reels and one from Heather Ross Far Far Away II and III.  These pouches were a life saver on my trip!  I never had to find where I put my scissors or worry about little hands making off with my floss.  Everything was always together and accessible.  Amanda has graciously allowed me to give away a copy of her Hoop Travel Bag pattern!  Just leave a comment to win!  I'll pick a winner on Monday, January 9th.

My Flickr twin (not IRL), Amy, and I decided to do a little Christmas swap.  We both ran late so it ended up being a New Year's swap. :)  I wanted some pot holders and she wanted a pillow.  That was the only real instruction we gave each other.  I got these stunning AMH potholders!  I'm torn between wanting to use them and wanting to kill anyone who tries to take a roast chicken out of the oven with my new mitt! :)  Now, when I opened her package, after the obvious shout of joy, I began laughing because I had this pillow:

halfway done already!  Seriously, we had no idea we were creating items so similar!  It's spooky!  I made this with AMH Innocent Crush and Essex linen in Natural.  The HSTs measure 1.5" finished.  The binding is some of AMH's premade bias binding, which I love!  It's so nice to be able to grab something premade than shuffle through my stash and make some!  

I'm also playing catch up on some bee blocks.  This one is for Sarah in the Twice Around the Block bee.  She asked for any kind of star that finished at 12".  I made a wonky star inside a traditional star.  If you want to make this you will need: (4) 3.5" solid squares , (4) 3.5" print squares, (4) 3.5"x6.5" solid rectangles, and (9) 2.5" solid squares. I used the scraps from making the flying geese to make the wonky star in the middle so there is very little waste of your prints.

Whew!  I'm tired.  That was a much longer post than I anticipated!  Thanks for sticking it out! :)

Oh Target, How I Love Thee!

My Flickr friend, Dar, posted pictures of these two art/photo frames yesterday and I had run out to Target to get them (after going to the gym this morning)!  I also scored those composition books for 28 CENTS each!  I was giddy.  I got 20, but I almost wish I would have bought more!  While the boys and I were in Target, the rain from Tropical Storm Lee began so we got completely drenched going to the car--but it was totally worth it!  Next we went to lunch at Panera.  I felt totally righteous eating a salad, but I killed that feeling with a Toffee Almond cookie.  Again, totally worth it!  Hubby is in NY having a Bachelor Party Weekend for one of his friends, but I'm having my own good time.  Geez, how sad is it that Target and Panera are the definition of a good time for me?  Lame!

Last night I got out all my bee blocks (from Twice Around the Block and VIBs) and started playing around with the layout.  I think I have one or two to switch around and then I can start sashing.  I love how these turned out!!!!  I didn't have to make one since some of the ladies made me two blocks!

I'll leave you with a picture of my youngest cutie pie!  He loves to put on hats he finds in the house.

Raise Your Hand If.....

You've ever made a massive quilting boo-boo.  Anyone?  Well, I'm waving both hands in the air today!  I was so happy to be approved for another Moda Bakeshop project, but I had one slight problem.....I'd never made the quilt.  I have no idea how much fabric it will take or it's final size.  Yikes!  Due to some complicated math issues, there was no way (read: I wasn't going to hurt my brain with the math) for me to figure it out on paper.  Ok, no biggie, I thought.  I'll just make a practice version!  I sewed like a maniac yesterday with a pretty Verna jelly roll only to end up with this:

Yeah.  It's laying "flat" in this picture.  CRAP CRAP DOUBLE CRAP!  Stupid me forgot that I'd be sewing with a lot of bias edges!  Grrr.  Now, I'm worried about my ability to make one that does lay flat!  I *think* that using pins and laying the quilt-in-progress flat before I pin the next piece will solve the problem, but I'm having some major self doubt here.  If anyone has any great tips for this bias-challenged quilter (Tracey, this means you!) please tell me!

In more happy sewing news, I finished my June bee block for VIB's.  Meghan is making a patriotic quilt for her hubby who is in the Army.  I chose to do a paper pieced spinning stripes block.  The instructions said it finished at 12", but in reality, it finished at only 10"!  I guess I could have figured that out if I took a ruler to the pattern!  Since Meghan wanted the blocks to finish at 16", I knew I was going to have to add borders anyway, so the smaller size wasn't a big deal.  

I've also joined Jeni's QAL, Warm vs. Cool.  These are my fabric picks.  I did end up taking out some of the green, adding some yellow and blue.  I'm half way through cutting out the squares to make HSTs, but this project will have to be put on hold for a bit since I'm going out of town tomorrow for a week.  We're going to my in-laws in Missouri.  Though I'm sad to be away from my machine for a whole week, I get to meet my nephew (Ezra Stegosaurs) for the first time!  Plus, my MIL is super sweet and waits on us hand and foot! 

Gifts and Bee Blocks

I was quite productive today!  I managed to start and complete three projects!  First up is my morning project, a quick kid's quilt for my friend's son who turned 2.  

She requested no gifts, but I just couldn't stand it!  Today was the party so I had to come up with something that I could finish in a couple of hours.  This was so stinkin' easy!  I've been holding on to that 2D Zoo for a while and this seemed like the perfect time to use it.  

Around lunch time I also made this market bag as a surprise gift for a friend.  I won't say who in case she ever reads my blog.  The outside is Isso Ecco and the inside is Early Bird.

Tonight I decided to get my June bee block out of the way for Twice Around the Block.  Mary requested any type of triangle block so long as it finished within a 12.5" square.  I had no plan with this.  I just made a few smaller triangles then had to work out how to make them into a square.  Probably not the best idea since I barely had enough fabric!  I had to use a little of my own on the ends, but no biggie!

In other news, I got approved for another Moda Bakeshop Project!  Hooray!!!!

Ta-Da! I Paper Pieced!

I never paper piece.  Never.  It's not that I can't, it's just I don't have that kind of patience.  However, March is Katie's month in my virtual bee, The VIBs, and she sent some yummy Anna Maria Horner fabric and Kona Ash and asked for a star block.  Any kind of star we wanted!  I really could have gotten out of this much easier, but I found a cool star pattern I liked called Rolling Star so I sucked it up and paper pieced.  I did have to rip a couple of seams at first because I kept forgetting that I had to fold the fabric over AFTER I sewed the seam.  In the end, I'm pleased with the results and I hope Katie is too!

Oh, and if you're here for the giveaway, click on THIS.  Friday I will announce the winners!

A Very Merry Unbirthday To You!

Happy Unbirthday to you!!!  It's time for a giveaway!

See?  I even wrote it down on my....er....YOUR new quilted To-Do chalkboard!  I made two chalkboards because this was so cute I knew I wouldn't be able to send it away if I didn't have one of my own! 

In celebration of my 31st birthday on March 3rd, there are three possible prizes you can win: 

Option#1:  Moda galore!  A Sherbet Pips chalk board and two charm packs!

Option #2:  Rainbows, rainbows everywhere!  A rainbow collection of thread, scissors, needles, and fabric!  The fabric pieces include Bliss, Hope Valley, Katie Jump Rope (green basketweave!), Daisy Chain, Tufted Tweets, Ta-Dot, and Weekends.  Pieces range from approximately fat eights to fat quarters.

Option #3:  This is the "Kelly's twin" option.  This is the sister purse of one I made for myself and a large charm bundle (each piece is about 6"x7") of Anna Maria Horner's Good Folks plus a FQ of Kona Ash.  I'm currently loving all the bee blocks my Flickr ladies are making me with these fabrics so I thought I'd share the love.  All but one of the Good Folks Prints are included (somehow I missed the chocolate Festival print!)

So, what do you have to do to win?  Just leave a comment!  Becoming a follower is great, but it's not required.  If you have an order of preference for the prizes, please say so in the comment.   Only one entry per person.  I will leave the comments open until 11:59pm CST on March 3rd and I will announce the winners on March 4th.  Good luck!



Mermaids and Mystery Stains

I finished Amy's block for VIBs tonight.  She asked for triangles, but I had to throw some parallelograms in there so I could get bigger pieces of mermaids.  I think she gave me those trusting I would highlight the mermaids.  I hope I didn't disappoint!  This block measures 16.5" (finishes at 16")


I am also sad to report this mystery stain on my Nicey Jane quilt.  I was going to donate it to Tracey for charity.  I took it out to take some new/better pictures only to discover this blue mystery stain that runs through the quilt to the other side.  I have no idea what it is or where it came from.  Two months ago I had given the quilt to a member of my guild to see if it would work for a friend of hers who was looking for a baby quilt.  I know it was perfect when I gave it to her and I never looked at it when I got it back (they said it wasn't "baby" enough).  I honestly don't know if this happened while the quilt was in her posession, but I'm heartbroken I can't get it out.  I had a few people suggest rubbing alcohol since it looks like ink, but it hasn't worked yet.


In other crafty news, I made a new skirt (AB's Barcelona pattern, the A-line skirt version) with some of my AMH voile.  It came out nice, but I need to cut some off the top of the pattern next time.  I already knew the skirt was long so I trim about 3-4 inches off the bottom, but the skirt also sits high on me--I prefer my skirt to sit on my hips, not up by my waist.  Sorry, no picture right now.  I don't see the point of posting just a picture of the skirt without a body in it and I'm too pasty white right now to pose for a skirt picture! :)  Speaking of skirts, does anyone have a good tutorial/tips/website to teach me about heming a skirt?  I can do it, but, being circular, sometimes there are tiny bunches on the underside of my hem.  It doesn't show on the outside, but I don't like knowing it's there.

I have patterns to make two new tops (also with AMH voile) to hopefully add to my wardrobe.  I'm a total novice at clothing, but I tried to choose my patterns wisely by researching extensively on patternreview.com.  I'll keep you all posted!

2 of 3 Bee Blocks done

I finished the second of my three bee blocks this month.  Hmmm, I may have forgotten to share the first.  I'll post it later.  This one is for Kim in Twice Around the Block VQB.  She asked for squares and rectangles, but everything else was up to us.  I approached this improv style which was all well and good until I got to the end and was almost out of fabric!  Yipes!  Sometimes it's important to have a plan!  It worked out ok, but it finished at a strange 12.25" square.  She said for it be anywhere from 12-15" so I guess I made it.....barely.  I had meant for the two green pieces to line up on the right hand side there, but I miscalculated at the end.  Sigh.  Well, I'm happy with how the fish came out, especially the one at the top left.  She sent out so many pretty fabrics for these, I'm sure the final result will be awesome!

Unmotivated

I'm feeling very unmotivated lately and now is NOT the time!  I have tons of gifts to finish, bee blocks to make, and new projects I want to start.  I think a lot of this has to do with my newly cleaned dining room.  My son recently had his 4th birthday party (a costume party) and I cleared out most of my fabric/sewing paraphernalia from the dining room and it just looks so clean I hate to mess it up again! 

I did manage to make the favor bags for the party.  It felt really good to use up some of my stash fabrics.  A lot of these prints I just didn't know what to do with.  I liked them, or thought they would be good for kids, but I didn't have anything planned for them.  Yes, I actually have a plan for a lot of my fabric.  It's going to take me years to make everything I have planned, but there is a plan! 

I have three bee blocks to make.....soon!  I also am WAY WAY late sending Tracey a siggy block.  I did finish Cherie's blocks and siggy block, but I realized today when I was going to stick it in the mailbox that I'm out of larger envelopes.  Sigh.  I'm so not motivated to go to Walmart or the Post Office.  Oh, Sylvia, your giveaway win has not been sent either for the same reason.  I guess I'll drag my lazy behind to Walmart tomorrow.  I did manage to list some Neptune on etsy.  It actually feels nice to destash.  My list of projects was getting overwhelming so I decided to part with some fabric that would bring in a little money to sooth my hubby and would erase some projects from my to-do list.

I made two pillows a few weeks ago and I decided to list one on etsy.  I don't really hold out a lot of hope it will sell, but I don't have a need for a princess pillow so I thought I'd see what happens.  I made these as practice pillows.  I signed up for the Pillow Talk Swap, but I'd never made a pillow!  I made the "fall" one first and I really liked it.  It was not very thought out, I just grabbed some colors I though looked like Fall and went with it.  I think I need to make the covers a bit more snug, or get plumper pillows.  I was nervous they wouldn't fit so I have an extra little room.  Oh well.  Better that than too small!

Oh!  I'm almost done with my Modern Swappers package.  Well, that's not entirely true.  I have one project done and other projects picked out, including the fabric for those projects, and the fabric portion of the swap is ready.  I'm hesitant to finish because I'm no good at secrets and I'll have to keep everything to myself until December!  There's no way I can post a picture because my partner will know immediately it's hers.  I guess she may not care, but I think that kind of ruins the fun!  Anywho!  Let's hope I feel motivated soon and get some sewing done!