Just Can't Get Enough!

:: If you read my blog last summer you probably couldn't help but notice that I posted A LOT of flower pictures....mostly of my dahlias that I was so proud of. I seem to have a flower addiction going on here....and now its with fabric! I've recently fallen back in love with my sewing machine (like 2 months ago) and can not quit thinking about which quilt I will sew next. Currently I have three quilt tops done that I need to quilt. (I swear I'm going to finish them before I start another quilt top....I swear!....probably...I mean, I think I'm pretty sure with my fingers crossed).
:: I'm making this bright little quilt for Anna's school auction.
:: Last summer I spent every non house cleaning-yard working moment stamping and making cards.....I'm thinking this spring/summer the hum of the sewing machine will be what you'll be hearing around my house.

:: I've always admired the pictures I find looking through magazines (like Country Living and Better Homes & Gardens) of quilts and how people use them to decorate with....for example one of my favorites is when people use antique hutches or cupboards and fill them with folded quilts.....like the picture below.

:: I figure if I just keep on a sewing (and bribing my mom-in-law who tackles quilts that I would never even try) someday I will have my cupboard full of quilts to show off. I've actually got a pretty good start....I'll have to show you in another post all of the quilts my mom-in-law has made us.

Anna's baby quilt...

:: I finished putting Anna's baby blanket quilt top together. I had it laying on the dining room table when she woke up from her nap (which was minutes before this picture was taken...you can see she still looks sleepy). She walked out to the dining room and said "what's this I see?....did you FINALLY finish my quilt?" I said, "no not yet...I only have the top finished". She responds with, "well geesh mom, are you EVER going to finish this quilt?"

Yep, she's 4, and knows how to tell it to me straight!

:: Remember...this was made with her 8 receiving blankets that I saved from when she was a tiny girl. I think this quilt will mean more to me, because I remember wrapping her up in all those blankets. Babies sure don't stay small very long. boo hoo

Project Complete!

:: Well I'll be!....I finished it! I am usually one to start a project and then get side-tracked on to something else and end up with a few unfinished projects laying around. I'm so happy to say not this time! And, what's even better....when I gave it to Anna, who has been patiently waiting for "her quilt", she immediately threw it over the piano bench and made a fort out of it! Success!

I started another one...

:: What's that?....have I finished the last quilt I started for Anna? Well no, silly! That's not how it works....have you ever met a creative person who only works on one project at a time?....I sure haven't! We like the chaos of more than one thing going at once after all! :0)

::I saved 8 of Anna's receiving blankets from when she was a baby with the intent on making a quilt out of them. Well here I am actually following through with my plan....pat on the back for me!
:: Do you cheat like me and use the Shape Cut?....its so easy you SHOULD!

:: Here are the strips I cut with the Shape Cut guide. It seems even with a ruler I can mess up a straight line, so I love the Shape Cut guide. Where can I get one you ask?...I found mine at Hancock Fabrics, but if you search it on-line you can find them all over. There is also the Shape Cut Plus (the one I really wanted)...its 12x18 I believe.
:: And whalah!....here are the quilt blocks all ready to be sewn together. I haven't forgotten about the other quilt I'm working on....I'll probably finish that one before I get back to this one.

Amy Butler & Heather Bailey Fans...Check this out!

:: I just had the most exciting morning! I found a new little shop called "The Top Stitch". I was searching for Amy Butler & Heather Bailey fabric and ran across this little shop right here in Spokane. Imagine my delight! Something cool and funky in Spokane...almost seems hard to believe...I know! The owner, Carrie, is so nice and helpful. She answered all of my silly questions and didn't make me feel ashamed of my lack of sewing knowledge. She even offers classes. I am so happy I stumbled across this place.

Check out her website: www.thetopstitch.com

Thank you Super Bowl!

:: Lookie what I did during the Super Bowl! Well okay, I had the game on, but I don't think I watched a single play, because I was sewing my guts out! Um yea, I did look up from my sewing machine to see the commercials though.

:: There is still a lot to be done, but at least the quilt top is together. I'm pretty excited that I'm this far.

:: And, as you're admiring my little project, please keep in mind that I do this for the pleasure of creating something. I'm not looking to win any contest with my sewing...in other words, look, but not that close! ;)

How long should it take?

:: So I've started a quilt for Anna...heavy sigh! Why the sigh? Well, I'm wondering how long this is going to take.... snicker! It seems like when I have an idea in my head of a project I would like to finish, and the family gets wind of this idea, then it is sure to be derailed. Therefore I have decided that this is going to be one of those projects like many others who will sit and stare back at me each time I walk past it....saying, "you whoo!....remember me?...you ever going to finish?" My answer: YES I AM!....may just take a few months:0)