dilly dally dream

I have been so anxious for this throw to be quilted, bound, washed, and sitting somewhere in my home... and here it is!!

This is a picture of the bed in my newly acquired sewing room which is used not only by my visiting daughter, but also by me (when I get a minute to relax I love to lounge and flip through quilting magazines!).   
The bed and bedding are from Ikea.  There are two large drawers underneath for storage so that when my daughter is home, she doesn't have to live out of her suitcase.  I have made a vow to myself to not fill the drawers with fabric, no matter how tempted I might be!

The pinwheels are mostly form the fabric line Summer House by Moda.  I love it so much that I once I was done piecing the quilt, I bought some fat quarters of my favorites off of ebay just to have on hand. The large houndstooth border fabric is from the Vintage Modern line from Bonnie and Camille.

 The pattern is dilly dally by thimble blossoms (see the cute lack of caps?).

I liked how the designer used a soft fabric for the border such that nothing competed with the pinwheels, so I did the same.  My binding fabric looks quite copy-catty, too; but I do hope the idiom, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, gives me permission to do so!

The backing fabric is by Denyse Schmidt.  Oddly, I like how it almost matches the border fabric.
The tight swirls quilting was done freehand by Leigh B. and is a perfect fit.
So nice when that happens.

I xo Christmas

Feeling Christmas-y right about now.
First I hung the wreath on the front door. Then I decorated my bed (thank you, Target).  I did have to wash the bedding because when it arrived yesterday, it wreaked of diesel.  I called Target, and they gifted me $10 for my inconvenience.  They've always had great customer service and it's one of the reasons I shop there.
(Note:  The room looks much better without all the lighting, but the photo was too grainy without it.)

Did you notice the quilt tossed casually on the corner of the bed?
Did  you wonder if I made it?
Well, yes I did.
The pattern is from "Living Large 2" by Heather Peterson and is called Simple Gifts.

I used most of the fabric line called blitzen by basicgrey (they don't capitalize so I'll respect that!), omitting the snowmen prints to keep a serious feel to the quilt.  The backing fabric I purchased for $10 from JoAnn's during a super sale and using a coupon. That's right.  Four yards for $10!
As for the quilting, I had the quilter use a shiny polyester thread they happened to have on their shelf and had actually never used.  Probably a big no-no, but I do love the way it picks up the light!

I have a red brick corner fireplace in my room that will get a little Christmas cheer as well before the day is through.
Happy Holidays!

Two new acquisitions of mine using JoAnn's half off coupons:

 

and

 

Total eye candy.
No regrets.

little things mean a lot

Now just because I haven't posted anything on this blog of mine for nearly a month does NOT mean I haven't been creating anything......
oh, wait.
Yes, it does.
 
Travel, bedroom rearranging, a holiday, out of town company, cub scout service project, travel again, and LIFE have all conspired against my sewing machine and me.  But today, miraculously, I actually did work on something:  one by hand, two by machine.  My daughter had given me a doll that needed arms repaired (shamefully, more months ago than I can remember), and I had two quilt backs to whip up.  By getting these little projects done, it has freed my mind to focus on the upcoming holiday and all the sewing I hope (now trying to type with crossed fingers) to accomplish before Christmas.  A little expression about biting and chewing is running through my head right about now...

I did want to share a picture of my new pin cushion.  The teacher from my quilting class made each of her students a variation on this theme....each adorable.  I'm probably more inspired to sew by this simple beauty than anything else - even my newly moved into and organized sewing room!