My hexagon experiment is a finished pillow!



I love how this came out. The quilting was so fun - loops radiating out from the center of the hexagon.



The back is simple in case I want something not so busy. For the quilting I just played around and did some blocky spirals. They took a while but really add to the large blank areas, I think.





This definitely helps motivate me to finish decorating this room!

Labels: quilting, sewing

The guest room still needs a lot of work (and a coat of paint), but at least it has a pretty quilt on the bed. I went through a few moments of doubt that this quilt would end up being too busy, but since it's pretty much the only thing going on in the room, I think it works. The majority of the work on this quilt was done last fall, including long arm quilting by Karen that looks fabulous. The binding and label took far too long but the important thing is that it's finished and in place!

Labels: 2010 Quilts, quilting, sewing

Thank you so much to Amy for hosting the 2010 Blogger's Quilt Festival! I am having so much fun looking through everyone's favorite quilts, especially browsing the Flickr pool.

I had a really tough time deciding which quilt to share, but my thoughts kept coming back to this pink quilt I made about a year and a half ago. It was the first time I'd really just pulled together fabrics from my stash for an idea in my head and it actually came out the way I pictured it!



In truth, whatever quilt I am working on or have just finished is usually my favorite. I am always trying something new or figuring out a better way to do something. I think that's what keeps it so exciting to me!



For example, my sister and I have been discussing the quilt for her new little one on the way, and it is literally all I can think about, I am so excited. I have finished less than 20 quilts in the three years I've been quilting, but I can't wait to watch that number rise.

Labels: quilting

I wanted to show off some of the wonderful things friends and family have made for Benjamin.



We receieved so many beautiful quilts. They are perfect for cuddling with and playing around on the floor. Now that Ben is rolling over whenever he gets the chance, I put him down on the floor a lot more often, so I have a quilt on the floor in just about every room in the house! It seems so much nicer than putting him on the (pet hair-ridden) carpet. The orange quilt on the right is my very own stroller blankie, from our friend Kate, which started me on my stroller blankie craze!



This quilt is from Peter's Aunt Jan. Isn't it so bright and cheerful?



I had to highlight this quilt from Peter's Aunt Martha. She and my mother-in-law made it in one day last Thanksgiving, and they actually had to make the top twice! There was a seam-allowance mishap on the first try, so they made the whole thing again. Now that's dedication; I am so impressed and thankful. The colors are perfect in the nursery!



My friend Jeanine from high school sent us this "baby" sign; another perfect match for the nursery!

We also received a home-sewn shopping cart seat cover, two nursing covers, a portable changing pad, some personalized onesies, and many embellished burp rags. I had no idea how many burp rags I'd go through in a day; it is so nice to have a pretty stash. We are so appreciative of all our generous friends and family that took time to make things for Benjamin!

Labels: family, quilting, sewing

Thanks to everyone who entered my May Giveaway! I'm always impressed by the number of people who click through from Sew Mama Sew. Some of the sites I visited had over 1000 comments!

Okay, I'll get to the point... The random number generator chose... #91!

Congratulations, Candy, check your inbox for an email!

Again, thanks to everyone who entered. I hope some of you stick around - it's nice to know I'm not always just talking to myself!

Labels: giveaway

...with my new triangle ruler. I have plans to do a full quilt of hexagons but wanted a little practice first!

Today is the last day to enter my May Giveaway! Just leave a comment on this post.

Labels: quilting, sewing, wip

1. Baby quilt, 2. quilt festival!!!!!!, 3. Finished coin quilt top "Lemonade", 4. { geometric squares quilt }, 5. Pink Squares in Squares Baby Quilt, 6. Nine Patch Quilt - Amy Butler Blogged, 7. Zig Zag Quilt - 2008, 8. Eliza Quilt Coins, 9. SLice and Dice Baby Quilt

I'm itching to start another quilt so I thought I would round up a little inspiration to help me decide where to start. Have you seen any special quilts lately you'd like to share?

Don't miss your chance to enter my May Giveaway! Just leave a comment on this post.

Labels: quilting

Happy May Giveaway Day! Welcome to those of you finding your way over from Sew, Mama, Sew!

The timing of Giveaway Day is perfect - I was already planning a giveaway to thank everyone for putting up with all the changes that have been going on around here, and now even more people will have a chance to win!





I am giving away this baby quilt, 28"x36" and backed in minky, more info here, plus a Liberty for Target clipboard, file folder set, and journal.



Just leave a comment by Thursday 5/20 at 9pm CST to be entered. If you want, tell me about your current favorite craft blog! Winner will be chosen by the random number generator. Non-U.S. entries welcome but you'll have to pay for shipping. Good luck!

Labels: giveaway

Even though this wasn't a May Goal, I couldn't resist making another baby blankie. I have so many friends having babies soon, and although this quilt has a different destiny, it is good practice!



The pattern is Oh Fransson's New Wave Quilt. Fabric is a little Amy Butler, a little Anna Maria, and some coordinates from my stash, backed with pink minky dots. Size is 28"x35".



I'm kind of excited about the quilting on this one - I don't know if you can see it, but I did little loops to follow the waves and I really like how it came out. Have you seen this site? If you're at all interested in free-motion quilting, it is so inspirational. Thanks, Kristin, for sending me the link.

If you're interested in what the fate of this quilt will be, be sure to stop back by Monday! I think you'll be pleased!

Labels: 2010 Quilts, quilting, sewing

Slowly but surely making progress on the latest wedding sampler.

Labels: needlework, wip

... Oh, Fransson's New Wave quilt.

Labels: quilting, sewing, wip

This baby blankie is made with fabric that has been in my stash for ages, Daisy Chain in Blush by Amy Butler. It feels so good to see this fabric in a finished product; I need to remember this feeling in the future when I hesitate to cut up my "special" fabric.



The pattern is inspired by this quilt I bookmarked ages ago on Etsy. It took doing John's sliced up 9-patch for my first stroller blankie to figure out how to piece it.



Other stats are very similar to my other stroller blankies - size is 26x26", backing is minky. I don't think I've mentioned this before, but I'm binding these by just folding the minky around to the front and machine-stitching it. I find hand-stitching minky really difficult so traditional binding would just be too much of a pain.



My label is actually a little straighter, and my stippling is improving! I have so many friends having babies right now, I have plenty of excuses to make these mini-quilts!

Labels: 2010 Quilts, quilting, sewing

I have a couple more projects to finish for the nursery but I decided it's time to get some pictures taken anyway. Who knows when I'll get a chance to make some artwork for above the changing table! I'm a lot closer to finishing the crib quilt, but no need to wait for that either. First, a reminder of where we started:



And here we are now:



The changing table is the dresser that started out in my sister's nursery. It has been painted several times, went to college with me, and has been living in our guest room. This is a pretty small room (~9x10'), but it doesn't feel cramped and there is room (as shown!) for Ben to play on the floor.



The bookshelf also came from college (it's the black one in the "before" picture); my mom painted it and the dresser a beautiful blue. I don't think they will be extremely durable but they are fantastic for a baby's room. The alphabet print is by Petit Collage, my sister and brother-in-law sent it and I love it. The lamp was in my husband's nursery.



My mother-in-law sewed the valance and crib bumper (which is currently wrapped under the mattress as a pseudo crib skirt). Who knows how long it would have taken me to finish those projects; having a willing and able mother-in-law is a blessing!

As I mentioned above, I have a plan for some artwork for above the changing table (a May goal!), and the crib quilt is almost done. I am so happy with Ben's cheerful, colorful nursery!

Note: Comments are working. Comments from the old address have been migrated. Thanks for your patience!!

Labels: family, homework

We went to a beautiful wedding last March, as in March of 2009, for my husband's cousin, and I never made them a wedding gift. When we were in Colorado for our ski trip I was able to get a good start on a little doodle sampler for them, and finished it up and finally got it framed.



I think they will like it - they had a beautifully colorful wedding, including the bride in an orange wedding dress. They are both musicians (Jen is a professional opera singer) so I think the quote is especially appropriate. It is nice to have this done!

Labels: needlework

This baby blankie is actually not the one from my April goals, because I got an invitation to a baby shower and needed to switch gears a little.



But I do love it, and as I mentioned, it is probably the fastest I have used fabric that I would typically hoard. Of course, I used less than half of it, so that made it easier to cut.



Fabric is Nicey Jane by Heather Bailey. Pattern is inspired by this quilt of the day on Sew, Mama, Sew. Size is 24" x 32", backed with minky.



Can you see the quilting? Free motion! Go me!! This was such a risk, my first real free motion quilting project on such nice fabrics. But I love how it came out. The stitching is definitely not even and there are some wonky places, but I am happy with it for my first try. I think my new machine made it a lot easier than the first time I tried. I will definitely be doing more in the future!



Finally, the label. It is crooked. I cannot seem to sew my labels on straight. I used this idea from Lady Harvatine and I love how it looks! One of these days I'll figure out how to sew it on straight.


Happy May! My goals for the month might look a little familiar...
1. Finish the stroller blankie I put on hold.
2. Clean up guest room.
3. Finish wedding embroidery.
4. Nursery artwork.
5. Throw pillow for guest room.

April Goals:
1. Stroller blankie for a new little girl. Did the one above instead!
2. Finish binding Red Barn quilt and clean up guest room. Binding is done, guest room is a mess.
3. Wedding embroidery for some friends that got married in March. Started!
4. Artwork for above Ben's changing table. Supplies are ready...

Wow this is a long post, but I wanted to address some technical difficulties - I don't know why comments aren't working and I don't know why my posts are in italics. Working on it! If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email me at sarah(at)themikkelsens(dot)net. Thanks for your patience!

Labels: 2010 Quilts, monthly goals, quilting, sewing