Doll Mini-Quilt from Child Art

After Lilly saw the doll quilt I made for Iris, she quickly sketched up a picture and asked me to make her one. I was touched by her enthusiasm and her repeatedly telling me how awesome I am, so I got right to work. I chose brighter, more modern fabrics to complement her hip self. I used to spend a lot more time sewing, and I really miss it. I enjoyed these two small projects, and feel good about completing them this summer. Now, back to work and school we go!

Mini Drawing Quilt

 

Iris asked me to make a doll out of her drawing. It was such a sweet request, and adorable piece of art that I asked her if I could make a doll quilt instead. I figured it might last longer that way. I went over her drawing with a sharpie marker, then traced it onto some muslin, and embroidered it with red thread. Then I pieced together a tiny quilt. It was the perfect size for me to try free-hand sewing or "stippling" on my machine. I love how it turned out. Lilly has me making her one now, and Dan encouraged me to enter it into the OC fair where he entered a guitar he is building. It had been a long time since I did anything creative, and I really appreciate my girls for making requests and encouraging me to get crafty!

Largest Quilt yet, Three Years in the Making

I did it! I have been working on this quilt for three, count them, three summers. The first summer, I cut the pieces and worked on the front and the back sides of the giant quilt (noun).

Last summer, I had the privilege of using my friend's long arm machine to quilt (verb) the front to the back.

This summer, I trimmed it, made the binding, and attached it using my sewing machine for every step. I have always hand stitched the back of the binding to a quilt, but I felt like that would take another summer, so I tried something new. I'm not totally pleased with how it turned out since the stitches are visible, but I think I learned a few things which is always a plus and IT IS FINISHED.

Sew Crafty Saturday: Bucket List

 One of my dreams has been to quilt on a long arm machine, and I got to do it this week. It was such a wonderful experience full of broken threads, bobbins that got stuck, and running out of tread at the wrong time. And I loved every moment of it! )Thank you, Rosemary Nixon). The quilt top, bottom, and batting are attached to giant rollers and a regular sewing machine glides over 6 inches of the width at a time. I controlled the machines by holding on to two handles, and following a laser pointer that was shining its light onto the pattern I was sewing. This is a queen sized quilt, and it is by far the largest quilt I have ever made. I completed the top and bottom last summer, and I still have to square it up, and bind it. With the rate I'm going, that will probably happen next summer. I want to use this quilt as a picnic/park blanket for our giant family. I know a lot of quilters who preserve their work and cringe when a quilt they have given to someone is dragged around or thrown in a toy box, but I never want to feel like something is too special for us to use. Using things up brings me such joy!

Sew Crafty Saturday: Fastest One Yet

 

 

I finished Henry's little quilt in record time, and I love it! I quilted it using free form, wonky lines. It's full of flaws, but he hasn't noticed.

Sew Crafty Saturday: Puppy Quilt

Penny's baby shower was today, and it was lovely! Now I can finally post some pictures of the things I made for her and Baby Samuel. I was so excited to give her the baby quilt. It was assembled much like Henry's fox quilt, but with a little puppy. She picked out the fabric and gave me free reign on the image for the applique. I debated doing a swing, a tree, or a kite, but the puppy on the back is so sweet, I had to have him be the focal point. Aren't little boys made of frogs, snails, and puppy dog tails after all?

Sew Crafty Saturday: Giddy Up Quilt

My very talented Aunt Cheryl from Minnesota made Hendricks the most amazing quilt. It's just gorgeous. I'm already planning on using it on his twin bed when the time comes. Her fabric choices were just perfect and his name is quilted along one edge. It's so special. Thank you, Aunt Cheryl! We love it.

Sew Crafty Saturday: Fox Quilt

I am officially 32 weeks pregnant and we are well on our way to moving the girls into the same room, and putting together our son's nursery. It has been crazy over here. I didn't realize just how much work this whole process was going to be, and the baby isn't even here yet! Dan put FLOR carpet tiles in the girls' room over vacation, and I went through all the girls' old clothes (keeping some to make a baby clothes quilt for each & crying along the way). He built the bunk beds today, and I've promised myself that I would finish the baby's quilt this weekend. I'm so excited by how it looks so far. I saw the fox image on a cupcake topper, and drew it out free hand to make the pattern for the applique. All I have to do now is attach the front to the back and add the ties. I can do it! His foxy nursery is really coming together in my head. It's going to be awesome. I can't wait to share it with you!
There have been times lately that Dan and I have asked each other what we were thinking. We are so excited to meet this little guy, yet change is hard. Seeing the bunk beds built just reminds us that the girls are growing up. Lilly and Iris are getting along so well, and have been so much fun lately. I can not even imagine how someone else is going to fit into our lives. At the same time, I can't imagine not having another baby. I always wanted a big family and I can not wait to see his sweet face. I know that he is going to be such a blessing to us. Eight weeks is not a long time. I wonder if there is anything we should do before all our lives change forever (for the better, of course)...

Sew Crafty Saturday: I Did It!

With one week of summer left, I finished the quilt today, using the bright pink color that most of you liked the best. I seem to average a quilt a summer. There are flaws all over it, but I think they make me love it even more. I was inspired by this mini quilt I saw over at Purl Bee, but mine is lap size. What would I do with a mini quilt? Now I can't wait for winter, so I can curl up under my new quilt with a good book. Oh, I feel so proud!