New York Beauty

I am in love with sewing curves.  Yep, call me crazy, but I love it. 
There is something about turning this...

 Into something like this...

That makes me happy.  :)

(No, they're not the same fabrics, you're not crazy.)

Confession--time to finish it up!

I have at least 8 quilts that are lap size, up to queen size, that are in line for quilting!  One of these was meant to be finished for my own bed, about two years ago!  My goal for the rest of the year is to work on these quilts and not start a new one. 

The first quilt to be finished is this pretty purple batik one, tentatively titled "Shades of Gray" (and I called it this waaaaay before a book of similar name was published).  This is for a specific person and I don't think she'll be expecting this.  :) (Also in this picture: a Penn State pillowcase that is made from the very first t-shirt my mom bought when she went to college.) The good news about most of these projects is that I have the backing fabric, thread and batting already!  Just have to decide how to quilt them...  (Any ideas for this one?)

 I also have some smaller projects or my pay-it-forward handmade items to make.  There are five of these projects to work on and I've started two of them.  And the cats on this pile are for a third.  Yes, I am doing all small quilts or wall hangings even though I don't have to.  Quilts make people happy, right?  :D

Plus I am going to hand finish the binding on a special quilt for a swap.  That is one of two hand sewing projects I have.  The other is the postage stamp quilt that I work on when the kids are at swimming (yes, Amanda, I am slowly working on it!). 

retreat recap

Starting last Thursday, I was in Black Mountain, North Carolina for the Once in a Blue Moon retreat with Susan Brubaker Knapp.  (Here is her blog post about it.)  The first day, Friday, was spent doing fusible applique and on Saturday we did the thread sketching.  Check out Susan's book to learn more about turning your own photos into quilts.  Susan is a great teacher and I had a good time meeting all the other ladies.  Not only was I the youngest, but I also drove the farthest (9 and a half hour drive on the way home--only 3 short stops!).  It was so awesome to get away from home and focus on something for me for a few days!!! 

Of course, I am far from finished, but I look forward to working on my pumpkins every now and then!  I need to get some more thread.  

Here are a few photos from the long weekend. 

Henry's quilt

Finished a few weeks ago now, here is Henry's quilt in action!

Daddy reading to Henry at bedtime.

The bottom pictures are from when I was trimming the threads, which I didn't do a very good job of, but I guess you can see why.  :D

Twiggy quilt

Last weekend my hubby took the kids to visit their grandma and grandpa and I got some uninterrupted quilting time at home!  Here's what I worked on: a quilt for Sarah that I am trading her for a crocheted afghan! and a birthday block for my group. 

 The pattern for Sarah's quilt is Sparkling Gemstones from the book Jelly Roll Quilts.  I used a fabric called Twiggy by Sanae.  I made the top a few years ago, but it didn't have a home.  I had Sarah come over and look through my un-homed quilts to pick one or to have me make a new one, and this is what she chose!  So glad to be giving this one away soon.  I love the colors in it!  I think it needs a great name, but I don't have any ideas. 

This block, called Strips and Squares, was made with greens on a black background for Aaliah.  Hope she likes it.  Finishing at 10 inches, it was a lot of fun to make in a short time.  :)

some blocks that I received

This first is 4 blocks from my birthday blocks group. Well, 3 plus the bottom right which I made. I love the variety of prints in there. I got another block yesterday from Amanda at Treasures of the Phoenix. Can't wait to see if there's anything in the mail today. I do know that two blocks are going to be late, though!

Here are all the blocks from my birthday blocks group in 2010, when I asked for green and blue stars blocks finishing at 12". One of these is a little too small and one is a little too big and I still have to make at least one of my own, so we will see how this turns out when it's done. Any ideas for sashing colors? I have a blue/green dot print to use for borders but I think it is too busy to put anywhere else. I hadn't looked at these in over a year when I laid them out last week.

march blocks and birthdays

Here is a March birthday block that I sent out for Marissa. This is called Dutch Boat and it is all paper-pieced, finishing at 12". Marissa asked for nautical inspired blocks in aqua, red and white. :)

I made another birthday block this month but I only took a photo of it with my iPod, so you are out of luck unless we are friends on Facebook. It was a blue and white Road to California block.

I am waiting for my birthday blocks to arrive. I have several already and hope there will be some in the mail today!

Yesterday I turned 33 and discovered that I cannot drink yummy Dark Roast Coffee Stout from Otto's at dinner time and be able to sleep! It was only a half-glass, too! But I cannot handle caffeine of any kind at dinner time.

boats

I didn't make any time for sewing this weekend even though I want to get Henry's quilt done ASAP for his new full size bed. I did get to the local quilt shop and use my Superbowl coupon to get some fabric to use to make boats. Someone in my birthday blocks group has asked for nautical blocks using red, white and aqua.

I did two 6.5" inch blocks that I planned to join together with two other small blocks, but I made a tiny mistake in the boat on the left and did not want to send that, but I love it so much that I'm planning to make more boats for myself. :) I still have to make that nautical block, and I may do a larger version of the left boat. The aqua fabric seen here matches perfectly with our bedroom walls (this is not a coincidence!). Thus, more boat blocks (and maybe a lighthouse or other nautical inspired block) are coming my way, though I am not going to limit my self to these three colors for mine. :)

a birthday block

Sent off to Cari today, for her birthday. She requested a block with a combination of red, black and white and I picked all three. This is a wonky log cabin block. I love the lobster in the middle. :)

February winner

According to random.org, my winner is post number 7, which is Jess! Congrats, Jess, I will be contacting you and sending out your hearts soon. :)

Thanks to all who entered this time!

February giveaway

Here's this month's giveaway. I want to have this given away and sent out to get to the winner by Valentine's Day. :) I was doing some experimenting with cutting out shapes and hearts seemed to be the best choice for this month. Also experimenting (successfully or not!) with machine applique and freezer paper. And I haven't embroidered in a long, long time, so I threw some of that in, too. I will cut this down to 5x7 so that it can be framed, if desired. It would look great in a black frame!

So, here's how you can win this month:

1. Follow my blog and leave a comment saying that you do so (or have me in your RSS reader: Coral, I'm looking at you).
2. In another comment, tell me what, if anything, you want to do to celebrate Valentine's Day.

That's all. And that means you have 2 chances to win this time. A winner will be chosen on Sunday, February 5 after 7 PM. Good luck! I had fun making this one.

a baby and her quilt

Don't you love this photo? This is a happy baby girl and her brand new quilt (my robot quilt). She looks like she really loves it! Thanks to Annette for sharing this with me and letting me share it with you!

winner!

The winner of my giveaway was post number 5, from Melanie! I sent you a message to send along your address. Thank you to the five lovely people who entered! Maybe next time more people will want to win a cool thing! ;)

giveaway for the new year

Here is my fist giveaway! And hopefully the first of a few this year! Up for grabs are a pair of the easy to make, ever popular mug rug. As you can see, one has perfect binding and the other...not so much! But they would love to be in your home this year! Comment here with one of your New Year's resolutions and I will choose a winner on Tuesday, January 10 after 7 PM EST. Thanks and tell your friends!

my birthday block

Here is one that I worked up, this pattern is called Shooting Star. The block finishes at 12 inches. I did mine in fun novelty fabrics, but I think it would also look great in bright modern prints, so it is up to each quilter on which they will choose. The star points are solid black, but any black would be fine as long as it is the same black throughout the block. *A note for the members of my birthday block group who are reading this: if you don't have a good variety of prints, just leave the block in rows of three and I will piece them with other units.