One of my life goals...

Something I have always wanted to do is to enter something in a county fair.  Last spring, I started to work on a quilt that the further I got in the process, the more I was certain that it was my fair entry piece.  I should have finished it a long time ago--especially since I have had it back from the quilter since August and all it needed was the binding.  But, I just wasn't in the mood.

Well, finally during the course of several stolen moments the last couple of weeks I was able to get the binding put on and I am SUPER happy with the result.  It is something that I will be proud to enter in the fair and excited to hear what the judges have to say.  I used exclusively1930's reproduction prints to create this lovely, sunny quilt.  I don't really have a place to display it or use it, but I'm sure I'll think of something!

Homemade Baby Room

Over the last couple of months, I have been busy creating the things that decorate my little baby's new home.  It's almost ready for her to arrive (just a few more things to get) and I can't wait to see the space I've created in use. I thought I would share some photos of what I've been making.

As you enter the nursery to your right is my rocker and reading area.  The walls are a very light yellow (Behr Premium in "Cream Puff"), which my dear father-in-law painted for us a couple of months ago.  I pieced the quilt and recovered the cushions on the glider and ottoman.

Also, on this side of the nursery is this lovely Ikea cabinet (love, love, love it!) for books and storage.  On the walls are a couple of nursery rhyme prints.



In the corner we have our crib.  I made the smaller crib quilt, and the organizer on the end of the crib.  I also made the artwork which features teddy bear and kitty paper dolls that I had as a kid.



By the crib we also have this awesome golden moon hanging, which was in my room at home when I was a teenager.

We also have  a red dresser from Ikea for our changing table, and above it is artwork that I created out of paper dolls that are little mice (they are one of my favorite paper dolls ever--so cute!)

The artwork was simple to make with Ikea frames (they come with mats) and fabric in the back ground and then the table with the lamp was also one that I've had for years, and just dressed up the shade a little by adding ribbon, rickrack, buttons and the pre-pleated eyelet lace.



The little coat rack in the corner was given to me by Jane, and it was hers when she was a little girl.  I also made this stuffed owl for baby girl from a pattern I found at Heavenly Patchwork in Waconia.  Such a great pattern--simple directions and fun to make in a couple of hours.

One of my favorite things in baby's room is a stuffed animal that I picked up at the Handmade Market at the Creative Connection Event last weekend.  I must have went back to the booth 3 times before just buying it.  Turns out, the woman who creates them is from Northfield, Minnesota.  She was so friendly and her animals are so sweet.  Her blog is Little Big Pants and you can see some of her creations there.  I bought this gal.

She is a marsupial bunny named Amelie (she came with the name).  Her baby didn't have a name, so I named him Francois.  He comes out of her little pocket.  Amelie is super cuddly and I like to sit in the glider and hold her while I read stories to the baby.  My husband thinks it's kind of silly that I read stories to the bunny baby.  Last night we read the "Little Miss Austen" book Pride & Prejudice, which might be the most adorable baby book ever.  You can check it out here Little Miss Austen Pride & Prejudice.

I'm so in love with this room.  I can't wait for baby to move in!

Baby Love

This past weekend I was in Peoria for my sister's baby shower.  I am so excited about my new niece/nephew (I'm crossing my fingers for a girl!) and can't wait to buy it stuff and teach it funny things to say.
As my gift to little Baby B., I made him/her a quilt this winter.  The nursery is a gorgeous dusty turquoise color, with accents of orange, green, and brown.  It is totally Better Homes & Gardens. 
This quilt was so much fun and actually really quick to put together.  I sent it out to Karie to quilt, and then did my first ever machine binding (I normally do them by hand.)  Although I prefer the look of hand stitching the binding, the time saved really makes up for it so I will probably machine bind future quilts as well.

Here is the quilt.  This pattern is called "Tumbling Triangles" and is from the All People Quilt website.  You can find it here.

On a side note, I am always excited when I find another fun and interesting blog to read.  My recommendation for the week is The Taste Bud Diaries.  This fun little food blog is not only creative, informative and fun, but best of all is written by a friend of mine who just happens to be a 9th grader.  Her recipe for Orange Poppyseed Muffins looks delightful.  I may have to try them out this week...

The Taste Bud Diaries

Hello, I am a Quilt Junkie

My First Quilt

*Sigh*  It's true, you know.  I am completely addicted to quilting.  I began quilting last January--just one short year ago and I now can't imagine my life without it.  I pick up gorgeous bits of fabric "just in case" I think of something to do with it.  I pour over quilting magazines, blogs, and websites.  I save the free patterns I find in a special folder, just so that I have them ready when I need a new project.
I've made eight quilts that are throw size or larger and a ton of smaller projects--pillows, tablerunners, bags, and more.  That's quite a bit all in one year.


Natalia's Baby Quilt

There is something so satisfying for me in quilting.  My favorite part is choosing the fabrics---taking unlikely combinations and seeing what comes out of it.  But each step has it's own appeal.  The cutting is all accuracy and counting--and it's so satisfying to see a stack of pieces just begging to be put together.  I love the piecing, seeing how piece by piece, block by block, slowly the whole begins to take shape.  Then, if I hand quilt, I get to see the dimension and texture added.  More often though, I send it out to a lovely woman, Karie, who long arm quilts for me. (Her website is Karie's Quilting) Then, the anticipation of what Karie will do with it and when I get to pick it up and see how it's taken shape, always makes my heart skip just a little.  Finally, there is a certain finality and satisfaction in putting the binding on.  All of the raw edges are neatly sewn up, tucked in and hidden.  The finished piece is all smooth edges and beautiful patterns.

Steve and Krista's Wedding Quilt

So often the work that I do during the day, youth ministry, doesn't have smooth edges and easy to define successes.  I think this is why I need hobbies that give me a sense of accomplishment--a quilt completed, a great book finished, a pie well made (and eaten!).  It gives me a list that I can look at and feel a sense of "doneness." 

This week, I completed two quilt tops and will deliver them to Karie next week for quilting.  Done and done.

A little pre-Valentine's Day Festivity

I know, I know.  It's been way too long since I posted last.  It has been a whirlwind couple of weeks...a youth ministry conference at which I presented, a funeral, a retreat, and 8th grade curriculum that is fun but takes a lot of prep time.  Whew.  But, it is all over and I once again have some time to create and write. 

Last Saturday, a group of friends got together and did a little sewing.  Our project was a simple quilt-as-you- go table runner.  A few weeks ago I had found an adorable heart themed print at a quilt shop, and while not quite sure what it would become, I picked up a yard of it.  Well, it became the inspiration for this runner (with enough left over to make a pillow as well!).

Cute, huh?  If you want to check out the instructions, you can find them here.  I also was inspired to make some brownie pops from the Farm Chicks website as well---so delicious and easy peasy.  Here are mine,

I made these for our Girls' Group gathering on Monday, and they were a hit.  My husband liked them too. I am not sure what our project will be for next week, as we meet on actual Valentine's Day.  I asked the girls what they wanted to do, and they suggested I bring my husband for show and tell. Hmmmm...interesting, but I was thinking of something slightly more creative.  Any ideas?  I am toying with molten chocolate cakes or something equally decadent.

Last, but not least, I did have a little time last week to go antiquing with my friend, Jane.  I picked up a couple of vintage tablecloths.  I love their happy, springtime prints, but best of all, they will make awesome table coverings for a fundraiser for the Soul Sisterhood Retreat in April. 

I am especially in love with the yellow rose print on the right.  It has a little bit of pretty blue in it as well.  I can just see it set for a pretty springtime table with a vase of daffodils.  Ah, spring, you seem so far away still.  In any case, if any one of you (or your grandma!) are hoarding some of these tablecloths and would like to make some space in your linen closet, let me know!

Busy as a Bee

This week has been such a busy week.  We've had confirmation at church--confirming 78 wonderful young people (so proud of all of you!).  Even with all of the preparations and special ceremonies surrounding that, I've was still able to finish my current quilting project.  I used the Retro Christmas Quilt pattern from the Diary of a Quilter, but used some fabric from the Moda 12 Days of Christmas line plus some other random prints I had as well.  I decided to tie this quilt instead of hand quilting, which makes it a little fluffier, was definitely faster, and adds a fun texture to it as well.  Then, I finished it off with a red polka dot batik just for fun.  I am super happy with the results. 

Cute, huh?  I'm glad to have it ready for Christmas 2011!
I've been trying to decide what's up next.  I have a baby quilt to make for a friend as well as several other possible projects lined up.  Oh how I love you winter---I don't feel the least bit guilty for staying inside to quilt all the time!