I finally get to go see the brand new baby boy who’s been at the forefront of my mind for the past two weeks. He was born with complications and is so lucky to have our friends as his parents. He is doing great and got to go home from the hospital yesterday. I’m bringing them food and love tomorrow, but I was aching to make him another little gift (the Bubbling Brook quilt was made for him).
I’ve been wanting to try a simple blanket and flannel just sounded so snuggly. This is made of two one-yard pieces of flannel from JoAnns. There’s a blue robot print and yellow and white stripes. I appliqued his first initial onto the yellow side to personalize it. It took less than 3 hours, including the ironing! This is super fast for me, so it was a really rewarding project. I didn’t have any problems – I took my time and pinned pinned and pinned some more.
such a cute little robot!
I’d like to make some more of these… an excuse to buy Anna Maria Horner’s new folksy flannel line 
I needed a gift less time consuming than a quilt, so I made a daring leap into the world of softie making. I knew it would have to be a very simple construction – front, back, sew together, turn right side out, stuff. No limbs or facial structure for this first attempt. I’ve always loved the cute little owls I’ve seen others make, and decided it was a pretty safe choice. I drew a template on a sheet of paper, cut out the fabric pieces, appliqued the appropriate parts, and stuffed him with an eco-bamboo fill, which is super soft.
The fabrics are Recess Mini Dot in Green by American Jane for Moda, and Alice Kennedy Apple Collection for Timeless Treasures: Leaf Vines Stripe in Green and Owls on Cream. The back is this adorable owl print, which I think works perfectly.
I’m excited to try more complex softie patterns and maybe incorporate some buttons, yarn, corduroy, or other textures.
Here’s a sneak peek at the second quilt I’m working on right now. I can’t believe I have two quilts in progress at the same time – so not how I work. If I’m excited about something, I want to see the final outcome ASAP, so other projects just become distracting and burdensome. But for some reason, I was totally inspired with these fabrics and dove right in… I have specific little girl in mind!
I’m in the middle of a sashing/no sashing dilemma – maybe grey? I have a few more blocks to go, so hopefully I’ll make up my mind soon. Can’t wait to see how this one turns out!
These are three fabrics from my stash that I cannot bring myself to cut into. I love them dearly and take them out often just for a little eye candy. They look quite funny together as they are so different, but I adore each for its own reason. Who knows when they will finally end up being used in a project.
1. Heather Ross, Far Far Away, Frog Prince in mustard – Not only is the texture and weight of this double gauze fabric amazing, but the print is so adorable. It’s not too gender specific and I love the little lily pads and the speckles on the frog’s back. The colors are happy and sunshiny and take me to an imaginary picnic alongside a picturesque pond.
2. Denyse Schmidt, Katie Jump Rope, Ribbon Flowers in green – What can I say… a flower made from ribbon!!!… what could be better? And I love the vibrant shade of green.
3. Light blue lined shirting fabric from my LQS, The Cotton Shop – I’m a math teacher, so I’m a sucker for anything that looks like graph paper. The tiny squares and delicate structured lines make me want to grab a ruler and a pencil and draw me some axes! (I know I’m a nerd)
brings endless possibilities!
As we review the past year and make goals for the new one, I can’t help but notice what an impact sewing and crafting has made on my life. It all started with planning my wedding in May that consisted of lots of DIY projects and a mommy-made wedding dress. I’m so happy that I have stumbled into this world of handmade creative goodness. This online community gives me the support and inspiration to continue challenging myself. I hope that you’ve started this year with anticipation, hope, and happiness… it’s going to be a great one!
My 2010 will be filled with trying, learning, making, and exploring!
* a different kind of “green button”
photo by PhareannaH[ holiday ] BZ
I’m finally knee deep in a new quilty project – it’s patchwork with a little twist.
Well… he’s not so little at 6′2″, but he’ll always be my little brother! I love old school stockings with reinforced heels and toes, so I gave it a go. This was my first time doing applique, and boy did I feel the pressure to concentrate. I sewed s o o o o o s l o w l y! I’m excited that I’ve at least tried applique and gotten over the first-time nerves – now I just need more practice. Somehow when I joined the front to the back, I magically got the top and bottom of the red toes to match up perfectly, but the heels are a little off. Despite the flaws, I really love the overall effect and it fits my brother’s personality perfectly!
The plaid fabric is a flannel from JoAnns and I used some Kona rich red again. The heel and toe are zig zag stitched on with white thread – I really like the contrast. I had the red buttons in my stash and I think they add a nice little detail to the cuff. All three of the stockings are far from perfect, but I’m so happy we have these personalized keepsakes to admire each year during the holidays!
My sewing machine has been collecting dust. I know it’s horrible, but the last two months have been a whirlwind for us both. Luckily, my two week break started last Friday and I got straight to work. It’s our first Xmas together as a married couple, and I really wanted to make us our very own stockings.
I’m so proud of myself… NO tutorial or pattern! Both the front and the back are quilt sandwiches, so I didn’t bother with lining. The rest I just made up as I went along. I tried to use all fabric/batting/notions from my stash, so the only newly purchased item is the red velvet ribbon.
On Sean’s stocking, the red is Kona Rich Red and the green is Amy Butler Olive. I left a raw edge on the green fabric; I’m hoping it’ll look really cool as it wears over time. The twill ribbon was from the packaging of some stationary from Target – so happy when I save things like that!
For my stocking, I used my favorite Kona Natural and quilted a double crosshatch pattern on both the front and the back. The top of the stocking is a linen I had in my stash from JoAnns. I couldn’t figure out how to nicely sew on the velvet ribbon, so it’s glued (ssshhhhhh!) The absolute best part… the bells are from the garlands that hung in the archway during our wedding. Whenever I hear their quiet jingle, it’ll remind me of that special day 
My brother decided to come spend the holiday with us, so I’ll be whipping up another stocking for him tomorrow! We hope his visit will become a Xmas tradition. *** Happy Holidays to you all ***
I got into quilting too late to scoop up any of Denyse Schmidt’s Flea Market Fancy at a reasonable price. At least there is hope to win some, or maybe even buy some, if it’s reprinted in the future. I have to say, I would use the “sprouts/seedling” print in every quilt if I could get my hands on some!
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The Urban Craft Center had their anniversary sale over the weekend, so I picked up some great new fabrics for my steadily growing stash…
These beauties are Park Slope by Erin McMorris for Free Spirit – the three colors are fuchsia, ivory, and turquoise.
