A NEW BOOK AND A STACK OF SQUARES!

As soon as I saw this book at the library, I knew it was coming home with me. I've never gotten this book before so it was a real treat to come home and look through it...and then the hard desision of what to make first!!!!!

Sew something handmade for every room. WOW. The girls at sweetwater are creative.

I also enjoyed their blog at http://www.sweetwater.typepad.com/

My first project from this book was actually a tote (pictures to come!) but as soon as I saw their adorable trivets, I had to make a set...after a quick stop at Joanns to get insulated batting :)

These squares were given to the family, and as it turns out, the template for the trivets fits in them perfectly.

For this project I used insulated batting for the first time. I was happy with the results and really liked the way the batting handled. I also cut my binding on the bias for the first time. I normally cut my binding from selvage to selvage, but thought I could use the extra stetch from a bias cut; and I was right.

The binding was the only thing I changed on this pattern. I didn't like the double layer the pattern instructed, so instead, I cut my binding to 1-1/2 inch and ironed over a 1/4 inch.

Then attached as normal. 

I found it went on a little smoother.

Over all I am happy with the results!

I am also looking forward to trying these in some bright summer prints.

Until then, happy quilting!

Anna

St. Mary's county fair!

I had so much fun this year making things to enter into the county fair.

Above is all the stuff I had to take. After ironing, I laid everything out so I woundn't forget anything. I put as much as I could in bags, so tthings were easier to lug around.

Remmber this quilt? I did a post about it when I first made it.

I finished it with a green border and it took first place in the fair!

(I think because it was the only one in that catagory!)

The next two projects came from one of my favorite books, Last-minute patchwork + quilted gifts.

This bird quilt was at the top of my list to make after reading this book.

I was thrilled that it took first place. This was the first quilt I made using applique.

This little elephant was also in the book.

He was a little tricky to make, but sure worth the effort.

 This next project is not as familar to everyone. Its an OTHELO board.

My Family loves this game, but apparently not many people play it.

I was happy with the blue ribbon it won.

I enjoyed sewing up these little outfits.

The first two are from the book WEEKEND SEWING by HEATHER ROSS.

A book we regularly check out at the library :) 

This blouse was also from WEEKEND SEWING. I made it just as a learning experience.

These doll clothes wrap up my clothes section. I entered them in two different fairs and they won first and second.

I love my recycled jean door mat, and it was so easy to make.

For next years fair I am thinking of ideas to make more from recycled jeans! 

I had fun making this little pillow (first time I have made fabric flowers!).

I'll finish this post with the last two quilts I entered.

My DINOSAUR QUILT. 

And GRANDAD'S QUILT.

Hope you had fun looking at all my projects. I sure had fun making them : )

Until next time,

Anna

Baby Quilts.

I love giving away quilts! To give something away that was handmade, and sewn with lots of love.

The next few post are quilts that I have made and then given away. I hope you can get some ideas from these quilts. I want to start posting the patterns I used, but I don't know how to upload them......yet! 

I made two of the quilt above for my cousin and second cousin.

They were born only a month apart.

KathrynRose

Zoe

   This is a close up so you can see the fabrics I used. I tied the quilt for a simple look.

I sewed a strip of the main fabric across the back of one of the quilts. I wanted to try something new. I like the look of both the plain back and the added strip. The strip down the back is very easy to add.

It is also nice if you are a little short on backing and need a few more inches.

 I should have started with this quilt, it was the first baby quilt I ever gave away. I gave it to my cousin Abigail.

She is three now, and I LOVE babysitting her!

I made another one of this quilt and gave it to a lady at church who was having her sixth child. She had a girl but these fabrics have enough blue and pink for a boy or girl. Dolls for the girls, toy soldiers for the boys.

I try to find fabrics that could go either way.

Flannel Baby Quilt.

 I never turn down a chance to make a baby quilt for someone, so when the man that my dad shares an office with had their first baby I made them this easy flannel baby quilt.

Irish Chain Baby Quilt.

The Irish Chain pattern is so easy. Just a nine patch blocks and squares.

I whipped this quilt up in a day or so for the newborn daughter of my assistant pastor.

They are expecting another boy soon, so I guess I should start making him a quilt!

I have to admit that this quilt was very hard to give away. The pink fabric has little hearts that are so adorable.

The quilt is so cute, it made a great gift, especially with a matching dress my sister sewed up. 

Gender Friendly Baby Quilt.



 I had two reasons for making this quilt. One- so I could practice sewing with triangles. Two- I needed a gift to give to a new baby at church. I didn't know whether it was a boy or girl, so I added both blue and pink surrounded by yellow, green and a little bit of purple. 

I also used the same pattern to make this little boy quilt.

(Which I aslo gave away!)

If you want a quilt kit of this pattern let me know. I can do almost any colors you want.

 I made this quilt as a give away for a ladies tea at my church. The quilt is garden themed. The main fabric has spades, wheel barrels, and potted plants. All the other fabric are different flowers.

This was a really easy quilt yet everyone liked it. The size is perfect for a summer throw.

A quilt doesn't need to be complicated to be appreciated.