Merry Christmas!

Well, certainly alot has happened since June, but I'll keep my first post in 6 months simple! Goody helped with the Christmas cards this year; she colored in the white dots on this green and white polka dot fabric from my stash, I cut the trees, and she applied (mostly) the glue.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

Reminder to Self

I must have a copy of the April issue of American Patchwork and Quilting Magazine. There will be a free pattern printed with which I will not be able to continue living. Just a note: THIS IS NOT MY DESIGN and I did not make this quilt; I got this off Flickr, where the designer posted it.

If you have been shopping with me any time in the last year or so, you will know that I cannot resist any sort of fabric, art, clothing, functional (really, any) kind of item with bird(s) on it. I don't know why; I don't have a pet bird. I'm not a birdwatcher (officially, but I have pulled out the binoculars at home a couple of times, and I scan the trees for Bald Eagles when I am driving to Wenatchee). Here's a link to the designer's blog. Can't wait to make this beauty! And a stash buster at that!

Little Dress for a Little Girl

Our long-time friend Brad was married back at the beginning of September. Tim was one of the best men (Brad wanted all three groomsmen to be called best men) and looked so handsome in his tuxedo. So, of course, I thought Goody should look extra cute in a special Mama-made dress. I used a pattern that Tim's mother so graciously let me have. I love, love these vintage patterns. I will sometimes just sit and look at them all (I think I posted about this before). I photo-copied this pattern before using; it was already cut out and seemed so delicate, I couldn't imagine sticking pins through it.







It turned out great! I joke that the dress was built around the shoes, but I guess it isn't much of a joke. I loved the little orange shoes Nicole helped me find (at Williamsville, of course) so much I shopped for fabric based on 2 criteria: must match the shoes, and must match the baby's blue eyes. Those shoes were a hit at the wedding; when people realized her shoes were squeaking they would go totally nuts over it; and it didn't take Goody long to realize it either!

I found this Tracy Porter fabric at Joann's, 40% off with my coupon of course. It looks much more baby blue in real life. Here's a super crappy picture of it (after it was worn, of course):


I didn't take my camera to the wedding. It was all I could do to get home from work, get me and the baby dressed, and get to the wedding before it started! The wedding photographer did get a couple of really nice shots of Goody at the wedding, which was held at the beautiful Ohme Gardens. I'll be ordering some of those prints--along with some shots of Tim in his tux (when will I see that again?) and will post them then.

Another swap creation

I just completed another swap on craftster. This one was a fall scarf swap. Here's a photo of what I sent to Oxnard, California:

It's made of a really soft wool suiting and a lightweight jersey. If you like it, let me know, as I have enough fabric left to make another one or two.

Never too many baby blankets.

Or so I am told. I figured blankets would be a fun thing to make, and as both flannel and cotton were on sale not so long ago, I picked up a few yards. I love it when my projects turn out how I have them pictured in my head. So here's the ones I've made so far. I finally managed to finish them now that I am not totally wiped out by a cold, and have actually had a couple of days off work. I consider it a day "off" if I have spent less than 2 hours at work or on work-related items.

My friend Alicia inspired me to put this white satin binding on this one. The hearts fabric is flannel and the dot is cotton. Check out the detail on that binding, probably the best I've ever done!

The baby ball fringe trim on this one came as an afterthought. On the way out of the thread section, I had to go down the trim aisle to get out of the store and I jokingly considered adding the traditional ball fringe when I spotted this ultra-cute baby version in just the right color! The bird/flower print is flannel and the vine print is cotton.

Of course, it was way harder than I thought it would be to get that teeny fringe in just the right place. I guess that's what seam rippers are for!

Settled on a Quilt for Baby's Room

With Joann's Fabric having a 3-day sale (all calico 50% off) I was forced to make a decision about the quilt I am going to make for the baby's room. I found this book at the library, and chose the "Hearts and Gizzards" pattern. I love the texture made by the pleating in the little circles. It reminds me of fabric yo-yo's. Here it is from the book, composed of true reds and light pinks.

I'm going to use cranberries and light pinks/mauves.

Here's a picture of the fabrics I got on sale:

The top right fabric will be a border, probably about 4 inches wide, and the dots on the top left will be the binding fabric.

I was inspired by the Blossoms line by Baby Martex; but I'm not so into mass-produced, and wasn't crazy about the applique. I did buy the sheet, though. I "needed" it to remind me of the color scheme.

Cute, huh?