quilt finish

I made the 'Orange Quilt' (free pattern over at Cluck Cluck Sew)!  I did modify the design by simply cutting squares of fabric in lavender instead of putting a printed fabric square in the middle - it saved a little time and cost on the fabric.  This is a twin size and my largest completed quilt to date.  I used Denyse Schmidt's Hope Valley fabric and pieced the back together using large pieces. 

I got to use my NEW walking foot for the first time and I am in love with straight stitched quilting now (is that what it's called)?  I found that trying to use the guide on the walking foot was frustrating me so I got out my ruler and drew the lines on myself with a wash out fabric pen.  I was then able to zip the quilt through with ease.  The hand sewn binding was sewn for the entire duration of Downton Abbey Season 2 - 9 hours I think! 

This quilt is for my darling Jolie and I hope she will take it with her to college someday (or New York when she's a famous ballerina)!!!  Here is a picture of her (right) after her recent recital:

kindle sleeve

I whipped this Kindle sleeve up last week before my mini vacation.  I didn't end up having much time to read but my Kindle looked cute in my suitcase. 

Can I say, one more time, how much I love my automatic buttonhole maker?  I taught myself to sew on a $50 Walmart machine that was so basic it was almost silly and though I keep wishing for a new quilting machine or whatever...I remember that basic machine and how blessed I feel to have my 'new' one now.  I want to encourage you to embrace your crafty journey wherever you are in it! Live simply!

Arkansas Traveler Quilt Block

I fell in love with this block from the Summer Sampler Series posted on Freshly Pieced....probably a little bit because I'm from Arkansas and probably because it's a good block for using up scraps.  While I didn't/haven't participated in the Summer Sampler Series I am making 12 delicious Arkansas Traveler Blocks using Denyse Schmidt fabrics for a lightweight summer quilt (twin sized).  Love it!

wednesday thoughts

Today I layed out most of my fabric and played with color and print combinations.    I came up with some bundles that surprised me!  I was so inspired I made some new blocks:

In other 'news', Bella had her Easter egg hunt today! 

She wore her new shoes (photo from Zappos):

And I'm preparing for welcoming a Netherland Dwarf bunny into our home- not because it's Easter but because we've been contemplating a pet for the children and ourselves.  I used to keep a white rabbit named Luna that I gave to a new home when I started having my own human babies.

(photo found via Google Images)

I've taken on a hefty work load for the next week and a half so I won't be around as much as I would like but Happy Easter and I'll see you soon!

didn't you know I'm crazy? hand pieced blocks!

 So I took my sewing machine on our spring break vacation and ended up learning how to hand piece quilt blocks anyway!  Say WHAT?!  It's been so fun!  Erin at Why Not Sew is posting weekly blocks and she's started a Flickr group for everyone who has joined.  Each block is 6x6 when finished.  I found this blog  which had some great tips...and also her view on the new fabric wave 'everyone' is riding was thought provoking.  The author has some interesting views on quilting and the art of it. 

OHIO STAR

CHURN DASH

 JACOB'S LADDER