Cute last minute gifts

Did you see this post at Cosmo Cricket - I love their stuff and love reading their blog. I am making tote bags for my nieces for Christmas and putting a book into each one and now have the perfect item to top it off! I am going to be making at least three tonight - if not a few more for myself and friends!

Happy Crafting!!

Merry Christmas!

DQS11 Progress

So I have made progress on my DQS11 doll quilt for my partner. My partner had put in their likes that they enjoyed 30's reproduction prints so that is what I picked out.

Here are the fabrics:

I thought that there were some really cute ones in there and at first I was afraid that they were not all working together but I felt that the border was going to be enough to pull it all together and I think I was right. Below is what it looks like all ready to be sewed together......

I really like how it is coming together. Now I just have to sew it up and I think I am going to do handstitching around some of the pinwheels and add some buttons for interest. We'll see how it goes!

You should check out the photostream, there are some amazing quilts popping up!

DQS11

I'm in (insert squeal) my first one ever.........let the stalking begin!

Free Motion Quilting - Yikes!!!

So I have taken the plunge - the plunge to learn free motion quilting (insert biting of nails). I follow the blog Old Red Barn Co. and saw that she had asked Debby from Quilty Pleasures to host a quilt along using your own sewing machine. I jumped on board! Debby is an amazing long-arm quilter who teaches classes all over. I was lucky enough to take one of her classes recently on long-arm quilting (even though I do not own one yet :) ) and learned so much!

Before I took the plunge into the quilt-a-long, I took a FMQ class at a local quilt shop, Quiltessential Co. to learn the basics. I had read a lot about FMQing with your own sewing machine but felt that the class was really helpful to hear all the tips and tricks and see them all in action.

Debby has already shown us 6 designs - here is my take:

I really have to work on getting those lines straight! I loved her tip to slow down when you come to a corner (and even though it may not look like it!), my corners did get sharper looking when I remembered to do this. My straight lines have to get straighter and my curves more curvier - who knew you could be bad at both!!! But that is what practicing is for - if you need me, I'll be over by the sewing machine..........

April Bee Blocks

I just finished up my Bee White Black Bee block (isn't that a cute mouthful!) and I am loving what was chosen this month. It was Locodowo's month in our bee and she chose to send us home decor weight fabric that she is going to put together as a blanket to take along in the car - like a picnic blanket! I think this is an awesome idea and hope to be stealing it in the near future. Here is my block:

In my Modern 12 Bee, we were asked to create a "kitchen window" type block by Creative Quilt Girl and I think they are all turning out amazing! Here is my version:

Well it is already another month done but I need to gear up for May because there are two more beautiful blocks to create!

Bee Blocks

I just finished up my blocks for my March Bee's and I even had a few days to spare!!! In Bee White Black we were asked for any type of block design but we had to incorporate a red bird. I loved this idea, but it took me awhile to find a good bird silouette I liked. This is what I cam up with:

I am loving all the other blocks posted in the group. This is going to look amazing in the end!

My next block for Modern 12 Bee was a patchwork block. I actually took this same design to apply it to my Bee White Black block. I love "Scrappy" looking quilts and all these blocks are going to look great! Here is my take:

Well another month down and I am ready to see what is in store for April :)

Bee good........

I have just finished up my February Modern 12 Bee Block.  All the blocks are looking great. Here is my take on the color combo:

I am loving how all the blocks are looking. This is going to be beautiful when it is all put together.

Have a great week!

7 down.......

So here they are, 7 blocks done in the Bloggers Block-a-Palooza. I was behind this weekend and had to crank out four of them but I finished up the seventh block tonight in time for the new one tomorrow!

Here they are:

Please ignore the bad lighting. By the time I get home and actually get chores done - it is already dark. Oh how I miss you Mr. Sun. It seems ages since I've seen you last (sigh).

As I said in an earlier post, I am using Central Park on this quilt. I love Central Park and Sunkissed but am using Sunkissed on a different quilt-a-long and so thought this was a great opportunity to use Central Park. I am loving all the colors together! and those animal prints just make me smile ;)

Bee White Black - January

I finished this block a week ago and have sent it off already but it has taken me awhile to post it.

Her blocks are coming together and are going to form an amazing looking quilt!

The next block has come out in the Birdies stitch along and it is so cute!!! I cannot wait to get started. I will post my finished block one soon.

I am already three blocks behind in the Blogger's block a Palooza but I should be caught up this weekend. I will post those first two blocks in a couple of days.

Have a great week!

Dreams...............

I want one so badly...................

Isn't it beautiful. I want to learn how to free motion quilt on a large machine. I have taken a few classes and practice regularly on my normal sewing machine but I dream of this one. I thought that I would want a machine on a frame but if I am being practical I just do not have the room or money for one. Not that I have the money for this one yet either but I am saving every penny.

I love, love, love it. What do you think?

Bees..........

I belong to two Quilting Bees on Flikr, Bee White Black and Modern 12 Bee. They are made up of some great people and I am completing so many different blocks! I was behind on my Modern 12 Bee and needed to finish up for November - I am making a resolution to not be late again! Here is my block for November:

 Here is my one for January - I thought since I was so late for November, I better pick up my feet for January:

I think these are both going to make amazing quilts! Do you belong to any Bee's?

Block Beginning

Well Birdie Stitches has begun!!! I am so excited to get started. The first block is sooooo cute. I decided to go with the fabric that Little Miss Shabby suggested which is Sunkissed by Moda. It is a beautiful line. I went and purchased it from a quilt store that I often frequent and was very lucky since they had just got the line in! Here is a photo of the light grey fabric that I chose to go with it and my embroidery that I have picked up for the project:

Since I decided to go with Sunkissed for Birdie Stitches I thought that I would use Central Park  also by Moda for the Bloggers' Block-a-Palooza. Again I was so lucky because my quilt store only had one Fat Eighth package come in for Central Park. I also love, love, love the colors in this line and cannot wait for this BOM to start.

Well I better go find my hoop and get stitching....Happy stitching everyone!