Pillow Talk Swap

It's sending time once again in the fabulous Pillow Talk {Swap}. I've been watching for awhile, and finally jumped in this round. There are some seriously talented ladies in that swap, and little 'ole me was intimidated. Here's the pillow cover I sent to my secret partner.

I hope she loves it as much as I do. I had a really hard time giving this one up with both my girls asking for one "Just like this Mom!" Truth be told, I love it just as much as they do!

100 Quilts for Kids

It's time for the 100 Quilts for Kids charity drive hosted by Kate@Swim, Bike, Quilt.

Here's my finished quilt, which I will be donating to Project Linus.

This quilt has been taking pointers from my little L, and is spending lots of time hanging out in the tree. :)

I used a Tula Pink Plume jelly roll cut into coins. Paired with white sashing and a pastel pink back. Very girly! The binding fabric is a gorgeous gingham check that coordinated perfectly with the Plume.

For the Love of Solids

Now that the swap is finished I can show you the lovely goodies I sent and received.

I sent this gorgeous cathedral windows pillow cover to my partner, along with some other goodies that I was too lazy to take a picture of.

This was my first attempt at a cathedral window project, and I was pretty happy about the way it turned out. I learned a lot along the way, and can't wait to make another one for myself.

I received the most amazing package from the uber-talented Teri/craktpot. I love every single item she sent. The mini quilt is proudly flaunting her stuff on the wall above my sewing machine, the Buttercup Bag never leaves my side, the bookmark and the hand-drawn card are also hanging out in my studio. They're too pretty to risk my kiddos running away with them. :)

Did I mention she made a gorgeous beaded zipper pull for the inside zip pocket?!? And how cute is that cluster of vintage buttons!?! Thank you Teri! You are the most amazing swap partner ever!!!

Pretty {little} Pouch Swap

I've been sewing up a storm, and have been terrible about taking pictures and posting progress. I've joined the fabulous Pretty {little} Pouch Swap. I watched the last round, and was wishing I was playing too. There have been some amazing pouches created in the last 2 rounds.

I'm very excited to get to sew a gorgeous pouch for my {secret} partner, and receive one in return. Here's my inspiration mosaic for this swap.


Right now I'm drawn towards more simplistic designs, with a punch of color.

Here's the pouch I made for my partner. I really hope she loves it as much as I do!


Lined with chartreuse to coordinate with the center piecing. Back is solid grey.
Dimensions: 8.5" wide, 6" tall, 2.5" deep at bottom, 6.5" strap.

100 Quilts for Kids - Help Spread the Word

It's almost time for the 100 Quilts for Kids charity drive to start. Help spread the word. Share it on your twitter, facebook, blog, and tell your friends, family, and quilting buddies. Get the word out there, and help make some quilts!

100 Quilts for Kids Basics
-Make a baby, toddler, or twin sized quilt.
-Take pictures of the quilt, and add them to the 100 Quilts for Kids flickr group.
-Link up on September 28-30 or October 12-14 to be eligible for fabric related prizes.
-Donate your quilt to a child or organization in your community.

Head on over to Swim, Bike, Quilt for all the details. What? You're still here! Get on over there now! What are you waiting for?!?!?

Giveaway links

***Erin is having a huge giveaway to celebrate her Etsy shop and blog launch. Find the giveaway at Bittle Bear: ** HUGE GIVEAWAY **- Blog and Shop LAUNCH! Erin does amazing work, and she's a great gal too. Go enter the giveaway, and make sure to check out her Etsy shop. She's offering long-arm quilting services, and she does AMAZING work!

***The talented Kirie of Shape Moth is hosting a sponsored giveaway for a fat quarter bundle of Now We're Goin Places by Monica Lee. Kirie is also giving away a copy of her paper piecing pattern Scooty Patootie. Click the pic for more details, and to be taken to Kirie's blog.

Some Bee Blocks

I've been busy working on a few bee blocks this month. Once I have them all done, I can get back to knocking out some items from my WIP list. Since this post is worthless without photos, here are the blocks I have done so far:

Modern String Bee Blocks for Tamiko

NuBees Hive #4 August Blocks

Modern String Bee Blocks for Jessica

3x6 Hive #11 - Quarter 3

Seriously love those LOVE blocks!  I got the FREE paper-pieced pattern here: http://365quiltblocks.blogspot.com/2009/11/block-30-l-o-v-e.html.

I've been having a bit of a love affair with string quilts lately. In addition to these blocks, I have a string quilt in progress for myself. I'm using Denyse Schmidt Picnic & Fairgrounds with Katie Jump Rope, a little Flea Market Fancy, and a few greys thrown in. I need to get some photos taken and share the loveliness.

For the Love of Solids - a Modern Swap

Megan from Canoe Ridge Creations and Elizabeth from Don't Call Me Betsy are hosting a new modern swap - For the Love of Solids. If you love solids, and fresh modern designs, I encourage you to head on over to the flickr group. Sign ups are still open for the first round.

Here's my inspiration mosaic to help get you in the mood. Look at all that gorgeousness!

1. WINNER! Project Modern Challenge 1: Heather Jones - Quilt, 2. Kona solids quilt finished!, 3.Illusions Block Quilt, 4. Peeps Color Quilt, 5. Robert Kaufman Solids Charm Pack Challenge, 6.Rectangle Blues on Couch, 7. PTS5 Experiment, 8. Around the Block II ~ Block for Sheridan, 9. Top Spiral, 10. Finished Log Cabin Quilt, 11. IMGP0268, 12. Cascade Quilt, 13. Up, 14. Urban lattice quilt along progress, 15. 20101021 013, 16. A Quilt For Two, 17. strip pieced hexagon block, 18. Paper Plane Quilt, 19. Grey & White Houndstooth Quilt, 20. 'not lost in the woods', 21. "Color Play", 22.squares!, 23. Unfolded, 24. buttercup bag, 25. Pleated shoulder bag

There's an awesome new bee in town

Do you like modern fabrics, fun modern designs, meeting new online friends, sewing for others, and receiving gorgeous quilt blocks made just for you by others also? Then what are you waiting for? Head on over to the 4x5 modern Quilt Bee. It's gonna be a rockin' good time!

New Wheels for the Little Man

I've been sewing up a storm lately in an attempt to tackle my WIP list. I finished this quilt for my little man the other day. He was crawling all over it pointing out the cars and bikes to me, then he kept trying to pick them up off the quilt. Too cute! He's happily cuddled under it tonight, snug as a bug in his crib.

the front

the back

100 Quilts for Kids

Kate at Swim, Bike, Quilt is helping to organize a quilt drive for kids to take place from September 15 - October 15. Quilts can be donated to organizations in your community, such as a local foster care program, domestic violence center, homeless shelter, children’s hospital, local military family support organization, Project Linus or Margaret’s Hope Chest. 


Head over to this post where Kate gives more details. She's also having a giveaway with some fantastic prizes for those that donate a finished quilt. What are you waiting for? Go check it out and start sewing!

Pave the Way quilt top

I've made a resolution to post more often, and to share more of my bee blocks, WIPs, and finishes. Here's my most recent finish. I finished up this quilt top yesterday. Planning on giving the finished quilt to one of my daughters. Originally I had intended to use white for the sashing, but I'm out of white. How can this be? I used to buy it by the bolt, and I think I'd better get another one fast. I'm actually glad I didn't have the white on hand, because I'm very happy with the soft look the Kona Ash gives it. I'm debating on how to quilt it though. I was originally planning on hand quilting vines in the sashing using lavender thread, but now I'm not so sure. Ideas?





Pattern - Pave the Way by Karen Gray

I'm still here

I know I've been MIA. I promise I'm still here. I've been working like a mad fool on bee blocks and trying to finish up a quilt for a graduation gift.
We've been having some nice weather this week. Lots of sun!!! Really nice that it's not raining (or snowing!) for a change. The kiddos and hubby were out swinging in the backyard, and I (finally!) have a photo of my hubs with the kiddos. Now if only they could smile! I'll leave you for now with a photo of the loves on my life..

giveaway link

Wendi is celebrating her 1 year Blogiversary and is celebrating by hosting giveaways every Friday all month long.  What a generous gal!  Go check her out and show her some love!

Modern Relief Japan WIP

The Modern Relief Japan blog is up and running!  Grab the button and help spread the word!


I've been working on my quilt.  The top is almost done.  :-)   I'm going to add another row to the bottom, then it's ready to be quilted.  It will be a nice throw size, perfect to snuggle under on the couch.

{ Modern } Relief - Japan

Heather of {House} of A La mode is starting up an online quilt raffle in support of the Japanese Relief effort. Here is what she proposes:

{ Modern } Relief is a simple concept. We are Modern Quilters uniting through the devastation in Japan by bringing the warmth of our quilts and the warmth of your hearts together for others in need.

Participation requires one ( finished ) quilt to be donated to create a collaboration of our beautiful art to be raffled off. If you are unable to make a quilt in the desired timeline (which has yet to be decided), you can also help by purchasing said raffle tickets when the Raffle goes live. If you would like to donate a quilt and additionally become an active member in this movement, please let me know and I’ll send you an invite to the private Flickr group.

Thanks for your interest!

Heather

I think this is a fabulous idea. The monies raised will go directly to support the Japanese relief effort. If you are a Flickr member, I suggest you check it out. If you don't have time to make a quilt for this effort, please consider buying a raffle ticket to win one of the great quilts that will be donated. More details coming soon!

Do You Feel Lucky?

Lots of great giveaways going on right now!  You can't win if you don't enter!


Spun Sugar Quilts is having a Pot O'Gold giveaway.  You could win one of three $50 gift certificates to the Fat Quarter Shop!  (There is also a discount code for 20% off on the Spun Sugar blog for the Fat Quarter Shop.)  Giveaway ends Thursday, March 17th at midnight.


Leona's Quilting Adventure is having a sponsored giveaway.  You could win a copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 2!  This giveaway will end Friday, March 18, at midnight EST.


The Vegetarian Hunter is having a giveaway.  You could win 4 beautiful fat quarters and a copy of Carolyn's self created pattern.  This giveaway will end March 20th, at 12 pm MST.


The Plaid Scottie is giving away a Katie Jump Rope fat quarter bundle and a medium flat-rate box full of scraps.  Giveaway ends March 17.

A Blockwork Orange

A Blockwork Orange is a fun new block exchange I've joined. Everyone makes orange crazy 9-patch blocks in sets of 9 using this tutorial by Oh Fransson. We then send all out blocks into the swap hostess, and once she gets everyone's blocks, she'll send out blocks back to the participants. Everyone will get the same amount of blocks back that they sent in.
These are the blocks that I've made so far.


These blocks are so easy to make. They're fun and addicting! I see lots of these blocks in my future.

Bee Blocks Done

Erin's bee blocks are done. Here they are in all their glory:




Shipped them back to you this morning Erin. I hope you like them. They were so much fun to make.

MIA

Sorry I've been a bit MIA lately.  Kids and I have been sick for awhile, and that doesn't really leave me with much time to post.  Or to sew.  All my spare time has been spent sleeping since I'm so worn out.

I've joined my first online quilting bees on flickr.  Super excited.  Erin's fabric arrived today for the Twelve Month Quilting Bee.



Her instructions were for wonky log cabin blocks ala Quilt Dad.  Finished block size is 15.5", so they finish up BIG!  I immediately cut in and have my block almost finished.  I've pulled out some coordinating fabrics from my stash for a second block.  These blocks are so much fun I can't stop at just one!  Can't wait to see everyone's blocks and Erin's finished quilt.

Style Stitches: Reversible Everyday Shopper

Just a couple more days and it's time for project 2 in the Style Stitches Monthly Bag Challenge!  If you haven't already, come check out all the great bags on the flickr group.  Round 2 starts Feb 1st!  We'll be making this great bag from Amy Butler's Style Stitches:

Reversible Everyday Shopper

I just ordered my fabrics for this bag.  I'll be using these great prints from Denyse Schmidt's County Fair home decor line:

 

How great are those ribbon flowers!  Love 'em!

I can't wait for my fabric to get here so I can get started!

Cosmo Bag finished!

Woo hoo, I did it!  I finished my Cosmo Bag.  There may have been a little blood, sweat, and tears shed in the process, but I did it! I made a few mistakes along the way, giving my seam ripper a good workout, but I'm really happy with the way it turned out.  Here's my finished bag:



Lined with block Kona cotton. I'll have to get some better pics now that the sun is shining.

Blogger's Pillow Party

I've decided to join in on the Blogger's Pillow Party!

Sorry about the horrible cell phone picture. My kiddos broke my camera. :-(

I made the center block for this pillow from the super cute embroidery pattern posted by Little Miss Shabby for the Little Birdie Stitches Block of the Month.

I don't have the patience to wait an entire year to have all 12 blocks done to make into a quilt, so I decided to make a quick little quilted pillow slipcover.  I'm going to be donating this pillow for a silent auction benefiting my church.  This is my first quilted pillow cover, and I think I'm hooked.  I'm going to have to make another for myself soon!

Fussy Cut: Heather Ross giveaway!

Angela of Fussy Cut is giving away a fat eights bundle of fabulous (and impossible to find) prints from Heather Ross' Lightning Bugs and Other Mysteries line.

GORGEOUS!

Hop on over to Fussy Cut and enter for your chance to win!

Style Stitches Monthly Bag Challenge

I've joined jenjam's Style Stitches Monthly Bag Challenge.  The challenge is to make a bag from Amy Butler's Style Stitches (follow the link to view the bags) every month this year.  Some months will have more than 1 bag (there are 12 chapters in the book, but some chapters have more than 1 bag), so there will be 17 bags total.  Each month the results will be shared on the group's flicker page and an awesome giveaway will be held for the month's participants.  I've never sewn a bag before, so this is definitely going to be a challenge for me, in more ways than one!

This month's bag is the Cosmo Bag.  I can see this bag being used for a weekend away, a diaper bag, or as a crochet project tote.  Gorgeous and practical.  What more can a girl ask for?

Hello World!

Don't know why it took me so long, but I'm hopping onto the blogging train.  I'll be sharing a little bit of my life, my family, and my crafts with you.   I recently started sewing and quilting, and I am excited to share my journey with you.