Trying new things

I mentioned in an earlier post that my BF, Tom, got me a new sewing machine for Christmas.  He also got me a new open toe darning foot.  I am so excited.  I have been wanting to try free motion quilting for a while now.  I know it is going to take a LONG time to learn how to do it correctly, but you got to start somewhere, Right???

Isn't it beautiful!?!?!?  As soon as Tom got home, I made a quilt sandwich and got to work.  Here are a few samples of what I did tonight.  Keep in mind that this is my first time to ever do anything like this.  I love it even thought it is far, far from perfect.

The entire practice "tablet"

my stippling and a few loopy loops!

my childish attempt to "draw" a flower :)

I wanted to "write" a name, so I chose to write Tom, the wonderful man who got me this machine.  I love that man Sooooo much!!  Speaking of Tom, look at this candid picture I got of him...

Tom is snuggled up on the love seat with my Scrappy Strip Quilt.  There is a story about that quilt.  Maybe I'll post about that one of these days.

I plan to practice a lot over the next few weeks.  I am hoping to finish my Java quilt this month and I would love to try to stipple it.  I'll keep ya posted!!!

Do you love Java???

I do!!!

 I have been working on this quilt this weekend.  (Sorry for the crumby pics.  I really need a new camera).  The pattern is called Scrappy Trails and I got it here.  The fabric is Java by Deb Strain for Moda.  I have finished all 30 blocks.  I just had to lay them out to get an idea of what it was going to look like all together.  I love it!  The quilt is supposed to finish at 50 x 60, and I want it a little bigger, so I think that I am going to add a double border.  I am thinking that I will use some Kona brown for a small (2 inch, maybe) inner border and then use the mountain of fabric I have left over for a scrappy outer border

Here is a close up of the different fabrics.  I *heart* this fabric :)

My goal for 2012 is to finish 12 quilts, and I think that this is a great start.  I will update when I get the top finished.  

My first bee block

Let me just say that I had a ton of fun today working on my first bee block ever.  Jamie from Busy Bee Quilts is the January member and she asked for a wonky house, tree, or log cabin block.  She is making a Wonky Town quilt for her daughter.  I was so excited to get the assignment, I had to start right away.  

I used some Funky Monkey from Moda and some Happier from Riley Blake.  I love how it turned out, although I'm not sure if it turned out as "wonky" as Jamie might like???

Here is a close up of the monkey at the door looking for his bananas!!!

Here is the butterfly fluttering above the roof.

All in all I am happy with how it turned out.  I have never made any kind of block like this.  I just hope Jamie likes it as much as I do.  It will go out in the mail on Tuesday!!!