Back to the sewing room!

I had to get back in the sewing room after such a long break.   I decided to work on some finishes instead of beginning something new.  I am currently working on the quilt my daughter handed off to me to finish.  See the story here.  The first task was to put the four big pieces (which are different sizes) together to complete the pattern.  It took me a couple of days to figure out, but now I've got it.  I really think she designed a pretty quilt.

Here is evidence of two of my least favorite tasks when it come to quilt making.  These tasks were more dreaded than usual as this quilt is 104 inches by 104 inches.  First is trimming all the crazy threads on the back of the quilt.

And the other least favorite task is pressing the back of the quilt top so the seams lay flat in the direction they are meant to be.  The seams on this quilt seem to go on forever!

What's your least favorite part about making a quilt?

:o)

Blogger's Quilt Festival--Spring 2011

I am happy to participate for my third time in the Blogger's Quilt Festival.  It is a lot of fun looking at all the quilts and making new blog friends, as well.  It is so nice of Amy at Amy's Creative Side  to continue the tradition for everyone in blogland!  Thanks Amy!

This spring I am entering the baby quilt I made for my third granddaughter.  Since she is child #4 in a family with three older brothers, her quilt had to be PINK!  I found the daisy fabric first (Spring Fling by David Walker)

and built from there with Moda Marbles and fabrics from Simply Baby by Windham.  The binding is white Frosted Dots from Lakehouse.

  

Baby's mom loves daisies and she loves simple lines.  So I kept the quilt to two colors, pink and yellow with white.  (They happen to be my wedding colors 41 years ago!)  I used Quilter's Dream Cotton batting in the Deluxe weight and machine quilted in straight lines with the serpentine stitch.

We were all pleased with how the quilt turned out!  Thanks for stopping by to take a look.  Hope you have time to drink a pot of tea (or a can or two of Diet Coke) and enjoy the Festival!  Please come back and visit again!

:o)

A Busy Month

I haven't been blogging or quilting or getting my household chores done even.  Life is good but really busy right now.  Tuesday night I made the pants part of a costume for my grandson who is a lion in his 2nd grade play...Circus, Circus.  He has lines and gets to sing a little solo.  Can't wait for the performance day!  I have no pictures of the costume as I was working on it past midnight and the pants were delivered early the next morning.  Sleep trumped a photo session!  It was fun to be finally sewing something!

Here is a picture of a quilt top I found in 1986 in my grandmother's closet after she had passed away.  I am not sure if she made it or where it came from or when it might have been made.  She was mainly a knitter although I think she sewed a little when she was younger.  There are several pretty appliqued tulip blocks.  Most of the quilt top is in good shape and I am thinking of taking the blocks apart and resetting them somehow.  The plan is not really worked out in my head yet.  (Hey, it's only been in my possession 25 years!  Don't rush me!)

But here is some fabric I found recently that might work with the blocks in some fashion.

Pretty good match, huh?

:o)

Keeping Some Balance

It has been so long since I have been in front of my sewing machine.  I have missed it and I have missed blogging too.  Life keeps getting in the way...in a good way...grandchildren...friends...busy times.  But my head is always swirling with ideas and things I want to sew.  To keep some balance while I am away from my machine, I have been hitting some internet fabric sales.  The first collection that I have been eyeing for a while is Moda's Lollipop.  I saw it on sale at Burgundy Buttons.  I really didn't need to buy fabric, but a girl has to do what a girl has to do, right? 

 

I really like the greens in this collection.  I have since discovered a couple more prints to add and am awaiting their arrival.  I am probably going to make a kid quilt for my grandchildren to snuggle under when they visit.  I know it is really 'matchy-matchy' but I like it.

Then I saw the Max and Whiskers collection on sale, as well.  Yes, I felt a purchase was necessary for my mental balance (i.e. I caved) and  so I bought these lovelies too.

They will also more than likely become another 'matchy-matchy' kid quilt for the grandkids too. Now if someone would only have a sale on 'sewing time', I'd be all set.

:o)