Baby Girl Quilt

Just about two months left until this human comes out. I feel a little overwhelmed with everything I need to get done before then. I thought I had plenty of time! And then suddenly all the time was gone.

Bought this fabric and pattern while in Utah at Christmas and just started working on it this week. I'd be done already if I didn't keep taking naps. Ha!

It's coming together very quickly and easily and the fabric is so lovely to gaze upon. Not sure if I'm going to tie this quilt or send it to be quilted -- kinda don't want to spend another $100...but we'll see.

Busy Making

I kind of don't want to give this quilt away. I love it so much -- especially the backing fabric. So lovely. This is for a wee boy who will arrive in a couple more months.

This fabulous thrifted fabric is soon to be turned into a dress. I'm both terrified and excited. Wish me luck.

A Year In the Making -- Worth It!

Remember this quilt? Remember how I bought it after Christmas 2008? And then started and finished the top in January 2009? And then thought I was going to hand-quilt it before coming to my senses? Well, finally, a year later, it is done!



I sent the top back to UT with my Mom in October to be quilted. Brought it home with me after Christmas. Discovered that I had lost the binding fabric that had been kicking around for 11 months. Found the last bit of fabric from this collection at the quilting store. Spent a day on the couch watching Pride & Prejudice and drinking tea while binding. Ta-da!



It is so wonderful to finally have it completely finished and to be able to use it and pet it everyday. It's on my couch and the colors are so cute in my living room, I think. It's just perfection. I'll have to get another photo of it on the couch so you can get the full effect of rad. It's one of my very favorite things I own.

I just noticed that I have some sort of quilt draped over the back of ever chair/seat in my living room. Kind of weird?

Quilt Finishing

Last spring or so, my brother Ivan got on a sewing kick and put together this quilt top. And then got burned out I suppose. Knowing that he'd probably never finish the quilt on his own, I took over. I bought the backing and batting, tied it, bound (binded?) the edges and gave it back to him for Christmas. It was a satisfying day's work (after having the quilt top since July and not doing anything with it...oops).

WJS

There's a new William in town (in fact, he has the exact same initials as my William, which means they'll probably be bros-for-life) and we spent most of last week visiting that sweet baby and our great friends.



I threw this quilt together at the last minute (ah, procrastination) the night and morning before driving out to our friends' house. It's made with scraps of a few of my favorite boy fabrics that I've used in other projects (here and here). Easy 6" squares pieced together in rows and machine quilted with organic bamboo batting inside. Yum.


Also yum, this sweet sweet new baby:

Cross-Stitch

Wow. So it took me TWO YEARS, but I've finally started this cross-stitch sampler I got from Angry Chicken's Mailorder #5. I had no idea it had been so long until I went looking for that post on her blog. She sold this mailorder in January 2007. I wasn't even pregnant then (barely). Weird.

I haven't done any cross-stitch for years and years (more than 2 years, obviously) and I forgot how much I like it. The counting with this particular project is a bit tedious because it's on 28 count linen over two strands...so you kind of have to do math and double things and check everything a million times (at least I do). But other than that it's so relaxing. You just sit there. Pretty fun. Yes, when sewing one is just sitting, too, but it's different cause there's a lot of getting up and down to iron, etc. Plus you have to use your foot.

Anyway, I'm excited about this little project. I'm intending for it to be framed and matted in white to hang over William's crib. But then I realized -- there are earthquakes in this land. And I don't want my baby getting bonked with framed embroidery in the middle of the night. So, I'll have to investigate my hanging options and see what's up.

Update on the hand-quilting adventure: I don't think I'm going to be doing it. I've been practicing (or, attempting to practice) on some scraps and it is hard, yo. I've researched countless websites and videos. And, knowing me, if I do start hand-quilting this, it'll never get done. I'll be too frustrated and the quilt will never again see the light of day. I gave it a valiant effort, but I think I'll leave the hand-quilting to the Amish.

Happy Friday and have a glorious weekend!

Popsicle Posies

It's not actually cold enough to wear a scarf. But I did anyway. Because it's January and when else can I wear a scarf?

Hey kids. John's off being a rock star for the week so it's just been me and the babe. It's been lonely but we're cool. Lots of sewing, playing outside, reading books and watching movies (for me, after Will goes to bed).

Today has been a great day! First, it's been raining and overcast. Second, it's cool(er). And third, I finished my quilt top!

Um, amazing. Now do you see why I nearly died at the quilt shop?

I already mentioned this, but this is the Popsicle Posies Quilt using the American Jane "Recess" fabrics. I'm so so in love. I got the backing and the batting today and now I've got to quilt it. I was originally going to take it to be quilted by the same lady who did my last quilt. But...now I'm considering hand quilting. I've never actually done hand quilting, but I'm always getting bored and wanting to learn how to do something new. So...I just may do it. I think it'll add to the vintage-y, old-school-y-ness.

Love that red one on the bottom left there. I think I need more for Will's robot.

The backing is the same fabric as that green tiny dot border there. Adorable over-load!

I'm off to research the hand quilting what-nots. So wish me luck! I can't wait to start! (And if you have any tips, please let me know...)

Miss you, Daddy!

Turning Twenty

I finished another quilt! And this one is like, a serious quilt. With actual piecing (though easy) and actual quilting (though I didn't do that part).

The pattern is called Turning Twenty -- because it's done with 20 different fabrics. I thought it'd be easy to find 20 fabrics I love but it was actually really hard. Especially when going to only one store for them all. I kind of wish I had taken more time selecting (going on line, etc) because there are a few fabrics that I don't totally love. My favorites are of course the Amy Butler and Heather Bailey ones.

It was very easy. Each block is only 3 pieces -- just different size rectangles/squares. I think it only took about a week to complete the top. And then I took it up to Utah with me to be quilted by a lady my mom knows-ish. Then I sewed on the binding in a couple days. It's almost queen-size and we've been sleeping with it since I got it done about a week ago.

Blah blah blah.

And here's a sneak peak at the new quilt I'm working on -- Popsicle Posies Quilt (with fabric by American Jane, a new favorite!). This pattern/fabrics just about gave me a heart attack in the shop. My mom, sisters, brother and John can all attest to my weirdness. I was like, actually freaking out. I'm so stoked on it. I'm half-way done with the top, so I'll show you some more pics soon! I LOOOOOOOVE IT! Just you wait!

Scrap Quilt Completed

I have finished the scrap quilt. It looks great as long as you don't analyze it too much. Haha. It's the first sort-of-pieced quilt I've ever made and I certainly learned a lot. I could have learned many things before making this quilt if I had just read my First-Time Quiltmaking book first. Like, being extremely accurate with measuring and cutting and like, sewing in a straight line (I did actually know all of these things...I just didn't do then since I wasn't following any instructions). Haha.



Also, I messed up the corners on the binding somehow. I have no idea what I did but they are pretty hideous.



Despite all of it's numerous flaws, I do love it because I love all the fabrics. And it's a nice little size for my lap while knitting or something. If it ever gets cool enough to ever want to touch yarn or have a blanket on me. Plus, I like the way it looks in our living room -- it makes the room a little more my style. Woot!

I'm a Winner!

That's right -- I won something! And it came in the mail yesterday which was a fantastic surprise. I'm always hoping to win a give-away from one of the lovely blogs I frequent (it seems like there have been a lot lately -- so many generous ladies!) and I finally did!



The give-away was held by Marné at hey lucy -- one of my favorite blogs! You can read about the give-way here and read about me winning it (and see a great list of recommended books), here.

I am almost half-way through the book already and I love it! It is really good. It's about a young girl growing up in Germany during WWII (as told by the Grim Reaper) -- a period that has always interested me. Ever since my grandparents took me to the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. when I was twelve years old, I've felt a draw and a strong interest in the events during that time period. I have probably read 15-20 books -- fiction and non -- about the holocaust and surrounding events. It's just so fascinating and disturbing. It's hard to believe it happened. And that things like it still happen today. Humans are strange beings, to be sure.

Along with the book, Marné sent the following:



Isn't this pin cushion the sweetest?? It's super tiny -- perfect for my "take-along" sewing and knitting projects -- and in a tart pan! I've been using it while tie-ing my quilt to hold my needle.



She also sent a cute handmade notebook (how will I ever decide what's worthy to write on those pages?) and a nice note. It was so fun! I love getting mail (yeah, yeah, you've heard it before) and I especially love getting fun free stuff! And even more -- fun, free, CUTE stuff!

John is gone for most of the evening at a last-minute video shoot so William and I are at home alone -- listening to Lily Allen, working on the quilt and going on a walk. Thanks for all of the anniversary cheer yesterday -- it was a nice one, if much more low-key than previous years. So that's what happens when you have kids, huh? ;)

Warning: Self-Pity Ahead

Have we talked about how my husband is the best ever? If not, we really should. Because he is. John just took the babe somewhere so I could have some much needed time alone. He was out of town all weekend so I was a single parent -- which was totally fine, but it was tiring to never get a break. And then last night and today William was just way more cranky and sensitive than usual. I got probably 5 hours of actual sleep last night. And I need more than that. I'm tired. And spent. So thank you, sweetie, for giving me a little time.

I've had a rough day, emotionally, too. Remember this clothing crises/melt-down I had, eerily enough, exactly one year ago (it actually was September 22 -- creepy!)? Well, it basically happened again today. I'm just so discouraged. I'm in this horrible in-between stage where nothing fits. Stores do not carry my size. "Normal" stores don't carry anything big enough and "plus-size" stores don't carry anything small enough. Am I the only person who wears this size??

So anyway, I was trying to find a skirt or a new pair of jeans. I tried on several pairs at varying stores and it was just ridiculous. I ended up in a horrible mood wanting to either kill myself or kill the whole world. My wardrobe right now is so pathetic. It consists of one pair of ill-fitting jeans, about 5 t-shirts in varying degrees of disintegration (I'm never buying clothing from Target again) and a couple cardigan-type things that are not weather appropriate yet. Anyway, it sucks. I'm pissed. I'll just have to continue looking and feeling like an idiot for the next few months (as I have for the past year) until I get down to a "normal" size. Blah.

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I love love love this fabric combo! This will be turned into something for a baby shower coming up...



Anyway. Moving on. Saturday was EXCELLENT. I went to my favorite local quilting shop to spend my birthday money and was instantly greeted by a display of my favorite designer's fabrics! Heather Bailey just came out with a new line and I've been dying to get my hands on some. The quilting shop did not previously carry her stuff, so I figured I'd have to buy it online. I'm so happy!! Plus, it turns out that the shop gives you a percentage discount of half of your age if it's the week of your birthday! I had no idea before going in there and it was very exciting.



I also got some Amy Butler fabric which I'm stoked on. I hadn't seen her there at the quilting shop before either. Woot!

Another exciting thing: Back on December 26, 2006 our favorite Indian restaurant burned to the ground. It was heartbreaking. Luckily, we had just eaten there days before. Happily, this Indian restaurant happens to in the same center as my quilting shop and while I was there on Saturday I saw that the restaurant was back in business! Every month or so we'd drive by to check on the rebuild progress and I could see that it was close to being done last time. So, last night John met me and William there and we had some amazing chicken curry and chicken makhini (sp?). Yum! No other place can beat it. William liked it, too!




As for my quilt progress, it's coming along. It's far from perfect, but I think it's going to be cute. If I had actually like, read any sort of instruction before starting it probably would be better, but it's not too bad. Now I know all the things I should have done differently by learning the hard way.



I got some fabric for the backing that doesn't exactly match or even really go with the front, but I loved it too much. Plus, this quilt is for me, so it goes together if I say it does. And I think I've decided to tie rather than quilt it. I was looking at these two quilts I have that were made in the 1930's and they are both tied and there's just something so nice and home-y about them. I guess I'll have to research how to tie a quilt without one of those big frames. Embroidery hoop??

So, anyway, happy fall, you peeps. I'm so happy that it's now officially autumn and I am hoping for some appropriate weather soon.

Also, my sister Beth recently introduced me to the devil incarnate: Fried Ice Cream Ice Cream. It's just store brand but it is quite possibly one of the best things I've ever eaten. The cinnamon/honey combo rocks my socks off. And also makes it impossible to fit into clothing, apparently.

Logically

When I have 3 projects I need to get done by certain dates (baby shower, birthdays) what do you think I do? Start a completely unrelated and irrelevant project, of course!

I am making myself a little lap quilt out of fabric scraps. My craft cupboard is really kind of out of control (mostly cause the organizational system in it doesn't really work for my purposes) and I need to get rid of some stuff. So...scrap quilt!

I don't actually know what I'm doing. I'm just like, doing what I think makes sense. We'll see how it turns out.

I cut out a million 3x3 squares until it seemed like I had enough for the size I wanted. Also, until I ran out of scraps.

Now I'm just sewing them into strips and pressing the seams. Then I'll sew the strips together. Still not sure how I'm going to quilt it -- either just doing vertical lines like the last two quilts I made, or tying. I'm still too intimidated to try to do machine quilting at this point. Plus it would require actually like, researching and learning what to do, I think. Way too much work.



Wish me luck!

Just Some Stuff

My view from the couch while my mom makes us dinner. It's amazing. Dinner is being cooked and I'M not doing it!



Isn't this too cute? My mom is making the baby a quilt and is working on putting the top together today. I just love these reproductions of 1930's fabrics -- I'm really excited for it to be done! And she just made us a dinner of stew and biscuits. We're in heaven over here.


My swollen foot with a sad broken-ish toe.
So, no baby, but there was some excitement last night. I somehow managed to kick the leg of my bed as I walked past. I have never been in so much pain in my life and I can't imagine labor being any worse. John actually thought I was in labor when I hobbled out to him trying not to cry. Wow. I just can't explain how much it hurt. We thought I broke it (I did hear a "crack" when it happened) and contemplated going to the E.R. But, John bandaged my two toes (the nail broke on one of them, and also managed to cut into it's neighbor), got me some Tylenol, and put an ice pack on my foot. Luckily, I was able to go to sleep pretty quickly and it only hurts when I walk now. So now I waddle and limp. I feel attractive and graceful. Also, I have no feeling in three of my fingers on my right hand. Come out baby!!!

Scallops

It's like the blanket is cloud-shaped!
Here's the quilt that I made on Thursday. I'm so so happy with it. It's probably one of my most successful sewing projects to date. I did a really good job on it, if I do say so myself.

The pattern is from Amy Karol's book Bend-the-Rules Sewing. It's SO good. This is the second pattern I've used from this book and I love it even more now. The directions are so simple and easy to follow. And there are drawings -- which I desperately need.

Both fabrics are from, of course, Superbuzzy.com. Next projects on the list: two birthday presents for two lovely girls, a bath caddy for the baby, and hopefully my yarn from the UK will show up soon so I can finish the little sweater I have mostly done.

Today is looking to be at least overcast so I'm happy. Got to spend most of the day on the couch or in bed though and we're going to dinner at a co-workers house tonight. Woot. ;)

Have a fabulous Saturday and weekend! P.S. Tomorrow is officially Autumn! And in celebration, I'll have a whole new look here for the season. Yum.

Hurray! It's done!

The cradle is done! It turned out better than I could have hoped for, considering my lack of painting skills, but thanks to lots of help from my little bro Ivan we got it done. The green turned out to be the exact color I wanted -- and now that this is done I feel like I'm pretty much ready for this baby to show up. Only 7-ish more weeks (hopefully)! I'm so so so happy!


Oh, hey what's that little critter?


It's a felted owl that I started yesterday and finished this morning. Isn't he adorable? Ruth sent me a kit from Crafty Alien on Etsy to entertain me while laying around. It was so much fun that I'm planning on getting a couple others -- I'm thinking the raccoon, the deer and the beaver. Adorable, no?

P.S. The quilt in the cradle is from Pottery Barn Kids -- Cottontail Friends.