mama's garden quilt

I know what you're thinking.
You're thinking that because I haven't posted anything in a while, I haven't been sewing.
Don't ever think that.

Actually, I've been sick.  And this is what I was thinking while I was feeling rotten and blowing my nose over and over again:
I can either be sick lying in bed watching movies
OR I can be sick sitting up in a chair sewing.
Now which do you think I chose?

I knew you'd guess right!

Here is ONE of the quilts I finished while I was convalescing.
There are three in all.
But this is the one that is quilted and bound, so I'm blogging it first.

This is made from a Sweetwater pattern and was presented as a class quilt.  In other words, my quilting teacher was making it and invited the class to join her in making one for themselves, if desired.

Because I wasn't blessed with any inherited quilts (insert tears), I decided I'd definitely make this one.  It has a vintage design and I wanted to own something vintage looking - a quilt that looked as if some lovely relative had stitched it years ago and, knowing how much I'd appreciate it, had willed it to me.

So to complement this idea, I chose a reproduction fabric and backed it with an aged looking brown and pink plaid.

Because this quilt was a little tedious to work on - the top is only two fabrics and one of them is cream - I knew if I didn't burn through it that it might become one of those UFO's I hear people talking about (un - finished - object).
So in a couple of days I was done.
My OCD comes in handy from time to time.  Even when I'm sick.  :)

twist and shout

My twelve year old son was given free reign on choosing the fabrics for a quilt that I was going to make for him.  But after he had made his selection, I regretted giving him all of that leeway.
Batiks?  Ummmm.... I don't care for batiks (no offense).  Or at least I haven't caught the vision of batiks, yet.
And then there was all of that bright green.

"Are you sure, Adam?"
He was sure.

I feared that this project was going to be a challenge for me visually.
And I was right.
About halfway through, I had to put away the quilt to take a break from it.  My eyes needed purging!

 (Pay no attention to that boy behind the curtain!)

And I thought that the white fabric was just so harsh.  But it was another choice he insisted on.
Never again do I give up my vetoing power.

When I was done piecing the top, there were a few leftover green fat quarters; so I made a scrappy strip border before the final border.  Then I threw the rest of the fabric away.  That's right, round file.  Right before I danced a jig!

But after the quilt had come back from the quilter and had been washed, it seemed to tone down a little.  Or maybe in the end I just got used to the color.  Either way, it doesn't matter.  Adam loves it.  And that was what this was all about anyway.

Note:  My son wanted this pattern because it looked like origami ninja stars (not the intent of the designer, I'd wager).  The pdf pattern, "Blue Ribbon Twist", is $3.99 and found here.

this way!

A treat was in store for me this week when I got home from my trip to see my grandson (ok... and his mom and dad, too!)
I picked up this quilt that I had FINALLY sent off to be quilted after it was finished ... over a year ago!

The pattern is called "Every Which Way" by Gigi's Thimble.  It is one that I bought from my local quilt shop, but I've seen it in other shops, too - as well as online.  The front is a hodge podge of fabrics I had on hand.  And it is a perfect pattern for using up some of your fabric stash.

The backing fabric is not from my stash, and sadly, I cannot  remember what the name of it is. I almost always buy the backing when I finish the top....even if it's not going to be quilted right away.  I buy the binding, as well.  That way, when I'm ready to have the quilt top quilted, it's ready to go.  And then when it gets home, it's ready to bind & use.

My friend quilted little swirls which we call targets (obviously because of the arrows).  My 19 year old son loves robots, so I wish I'd taken up quilting long ago when this quilt could have been his.  But he can enjoy snuggling in it with his little nephew next time they're together!

:my simple kitchen: topper

While I was visiting my darling daughter in Colorado (miss her already!), I snapped a photo of the Christmas table topper I had made for her and forgotten to photograph before I mailed it off.

It's made from a pattern called My Simple Kitchen which I picked up in Logan, Utah at an adorable quilt store, My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe.

It's so quick and easy (start to finish in one evening), I think I'll make another sometime this year for a different holiday.  If only I'd thought of it sooner, I'd have made one for Valentine's Day!

potholders yet again!

A little post before I leave for four days to visit my adorable daughter and her family in Denver, Colorado.

Mom, if you're reading this (and you know you are), these are the potholders I made for you and was going to give you on our trip together ..... which, sadly, is no longer a trip together.  When I get home, I'll put them in the mail for you.  Not the same, but will have to do.

My sweet mother and I were going to celebrate our birthdays, hers in January and mine in February, by heading out to Colorado together (albeit from separate airports) for a mother-daughter getaway.  Sadly, her husband does not have good health at the moment which leaves me making the trip by myself.

I'll miss having you with me, Mom!!! ..... but will be thinking of you the whole time and enjoying the little babes for the both of us!

a peek

Amy Butler jelly roll (+)
BHG American Patchwork & Quilting Feb 2011 publication (+)
Slight modification (=)

I'm going to keep the full quilt a mystery until I figure out which quilting design I want to use on it and get it quilted.

If you'd like to make one yourself, there's a free download of a smaller version (wall hanging size) at the allpeoplequilt.com website (their photo below).  I'm going to make this size using some fabrics leftover from other projects. If you're like me, you make 2.5"strips from end cuts of yardage and have a collection of fabric ready for those "jelly roll friendly" patterns!

modge and me

A while back I made a memory game with small wooden discs blogged here.

This is a set I made last Saturday using larger 1.5" discs.  Take those and some printed paper, scissors, Modge Podge, a sponge brush, and about an hour of your day and you, too, can produce this cute little toy.  Actually, it would take less time if you own one of those snazzy paper cutting punch tools such that you don't have to cut out each circle by hand!

The adorable container was something I found for only $2.99 at Michael's craft store.  It has a hinged lid and a clever peek-a-boo window.  It's "old-time lunchbox meets take-out" and more nice polish to the set than the organza bag I used in the mini one.  Plus I think any child would have a lot of fun carrying around a metal box (I would!).

I've played this game with my 12 year old and my 19 year old, so I'm thinkin' it would be a great gift for just about anyone!

introducing...

A sweet little publication arrived last week and I thought my little doll would be the perfect someone to introduce it to you!  This booklet from Moda is filled with darling projects made from mini charm packs (2.5" squares).  And who could resist that delicious cover?  Certainly not me!

And here is a stack of happiness that I am going to use to make either the great granny squares quilt or the sugar block club quilt (see buttons near the top of right sidebar).

These fabrics are so pretty I'm going to have a hard time cutting into them!  The stack on the left is Lecien Flower Sugar and I've been wanting it for oh, so long!  The Calico Cottage Quilt Shop has it on sale, and I bought one fat quarter of each print they carry.  The bundled stack on the right (top) is from my local quilt shop.  The label reads "Everything Nice".  The bottom cuts are the ombre solids from the Simply Color line and purchased from an Etsy seller.  The stripe fabric is from Heather Bailey's Nicey Jane line, also purchased online. Yes, I can find pretty fabric just about anywhere!

feeling pinkish

It's February.
Fun things happen in February.
Like Valentine's Day, my birthday, and trips to Colorado to see my daughter and her family!
So I like February.
Which probably explains why I have been in such a pink and red mood.

This is a little quilt (42x42") which I made from some fabric I had on hand. The pattern is from the January/February 2013 issue of the magazine Quilt-It (only $3.99!) called "Baby Steps".  Easy.

I had my quilter free-hand little hearts in each pink square.  Sweet.

I love the candy-looking striped binding.  Fun!

It's nice to use up some extra fabric and make room for something new that I'd like to buy.... for there always seems to be just that!