Hello Stranger

How I have missed you (my blog)!  I haven't posted in ages, but that doesn't mean that I haven't been busy.  I have a few projects to share tonight.

I finished this quilt last weekend.  I made it entirely from my stash (woooo hooooo)!!!  Most of the fabric is from Riley Blake's Happier line with a few other pieces added to get the size that I wanted.  I pieced the back with scrap pieces of Minky that I had left over from other projects.  I think that it turned out great.  I echo quilted every seam, machine stitched the binding on the front of the quilt, and hand stitched it to the back.  This quilt was given to one of the doctors that I work for.  He and his wife just had their second child, Annalise.  Here are a few more photos.

 close up of the little "a" applique

 love the light pink/cream binding

the worst part of the quilt, by far!  It's not straight... not even close, but it didn't cost me a penny, so I love it!

I've also been busy working on Lindsay's block for Beejebers.  She asked for a family game themed quilt block.  I still have a ton of work to do on the detailing, but I think it is coming along okay.  I will post another picture once it is finished.  This is going to be one cool quilt.  I think you can see some of the other game board blocks for Lindsay here.  

Ok.... I am off to work on this crazy Operation block.  I think it is the hardest thing I have done so far, but I am loving the fact that it is pushing me outside of my comfort zone!  Wish me luck.

Lindsay

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!!!

All things new in 2012

There is a lot of newness happening in 2012!!!  First off is my Christmas present from my wonderful boyfriend.  I have been sewing with a Brother that I purchased from Wal-Mart about four years ago.  Look what is coming in the mail soon....

It's a Janome HD1000.  I am so excited about this machine.  I know it's not a high end sewing/quilting machine, but it most definitely will be better than what I was using.  From what I can tell, it has received great reviews.  It should arrive sometime this week!

To go along with my new sewing machine is a new quilting bee.  Melissa at Happy Quilting has started a quilting bee for 2012 and I am lucky enough to be able to participate.  I am excited, nervous, scared, etc...  This will be my first quilting bee.  I can't wait to get started.  My goals for this year long project are to have fun, meet new people, and learn a lot.  I will keep you update on each block.

Hopefully I will be able to post some sewing pictures at the end of the week!  Now I am off to go fabric shopping for the quilting bee.  My stash definitely needs some building!!!

Lindsay

Giveaway at Lavender Quilts!!!

I found a giveaway that has a little something for everyone.  You will not believe what all she is giving away!  Go check it out at Lavender Quilts http://thequiltinggarden.blogspot.com/2011/12/been-looking-for-excuse-for-give-way.html

Missing in Action

I haven't posted in forever!  It's not because I haven't been sewing.  I guess I just got lazy.  I have been enjoying the evening looking at all of the giveaways during the sew mama sew giveaway day.  It has given me just enough of a push to get back in the swing of things.  I am hoping to finish some pajama bottoms for my nieces for Christmas.  I will post some pics when I finish!  I am also working on a scrappy pink baby quilt.  Hope to finish that one by the end of the year!  I may be in over my head :)

Thanks for looking at the blog!

Lindsay