We are headed to Colorado tomorrow for a family ski trip and I wanted one more hat for our little man. About five minutes and a few seams led me to this little fleece number.



And what a willing model Benjamin is these days! He certainly hams it up for the camera. I can't believe how much he's changed in three short months.

Labels: family, quick fix, sewing

One of the gifts Ben received was a small quilt, about 24"x36", with a fuzzy back. It is the perfect size to tuck around him in the carseat or stroller, and I have gotten so much use out of it! I can also see him easily dragging it around as a security blankie when he gets older. So when I needed a gift for a baby shower, that's the first thing I thought of!



The size makes it a great way to try out a little bit more time-consuming piecing, so I used the directions that Quilt Dad posted on Moda Bake Shop for the sliced up 9-patch block. My dimensions are different to give me a 11.5" block (3.5" squares for the 9-patch, 2"x5" and 2"x6" for the strips).



The fabric is Riley Blake and was really fun to work with, I love the colors! I splurged and backed it in pale blue minky. There's no batting so it's very soft and cuddly. And can I just say that my seams matched up on this quilt better than any I've made before. I got quite a thrill from that.



I had planned to try stippling on this because I thought the size would make it very manageable but I was short on time and didn't want to risk messing up. I also used the monogram feature on my Janome for the first time for the label. I probably won't do this too often but it's nice to know it will work in a pinch!



At a small 24"x36", is it still okay to call this my first finished quilt of 2010?

Labels: 2010 Quilts, quilting, sewing

I finished my buttons for the Feeling Stitchy swap and they are going in the mail on time! I am just a little bit amazed that I didn't drop the ball on this.



I am very happy with how they came out. I love the doodle stitching I see on flickr (like this or this) and thought I'd try that for these buttons.



A little bit of fabric (didn't make the photo), some floss, sweets, and the buttons, on their way to Sophie in England!

Labels: needlework, swaps

New $10 flats and weather warm enough to wear them with a dress. I love spring!

Up soon - I finished my swap buttons! My package will actually be going out on time. I have to admit I'm slightly amazed!

Edited to add after several requests: I got the flats last week at Target, I'm sure they're still there!

Labels: simple pleasures

I guess posting my goals online really helped with my motivation!



I've already finished the circle quilt top, trimmed the Red Barn quilt and cut the binding, and I have the Feeling Stitchy swap buttons planned and on the hoop.



It's a good thing I have this strong start - we are going on a ski trip at the end of the month and it is amazing to me how quickly that will be here. Planning and packing seems to be a lot more complicated when you throw a 3-month-old into the mix!

Labels: quilting, sewing, swaps, wip

I feel like I have a new appreciation for the expression "time flies" now that I am watching my baby grow. It is hard to believe my little boy is already two months old! The days go by so quickly, and I never do everything I think I can accomplish looking ahead each morning.



For example, I only have a few seams left on the circle quilt but these strips have been sitting here for over a week waiting to get sewn together.



I also got the Red Barn quilt back from the quilters and it is waiting to be trimmed and bound. Of course, everything that was stored in the nursery is now stored in the guest room where this quilt will live, so I have a little work to do to make the bed ready for its new covering!

To give me a little more crafting motivation - to get back on the horse, so to speak - I joined the button swap at Feeling Stitchy. I can't wait to get to work!

In the spirit of looking ahead, I think I will post some March goals. I am keeping them quite simple, because my to do list often gets filled with baby snuggles - and laundry! - instead of sewing time.

March Goals:
1. Buttons for swap - finished and mailed on time!
2. Finish circle quilt top.
3. Bind Red Barn quilt.
4. Pick up guest room enough to make the bed!

Administrative Note: I've upgraded to threaded comments! From now on I will be replying in the comments, and it will show up tied to the original comment on that post. If you include your email when you comment I believe you should be notified that I've replied. Hopefully it works smoothly!

Labels: monthly goals, quilting, sewing, swaps, wip