okay, here it is... a final (so far) count

i can no longer ignore the many requests i have had for a total quilt count.  though i have to say, i was a bit daunted, i was also a little curious myself.  how many quilts HAVE i actually devoted myself to making in just a year and a half?  well...let me just preface this announcement with the fact that once i decide to learn something new, i throw myself into the practice of perfecting my art.  and this is why i say this is a final (so far) count.  because i am in no way a master at this craft; and, thus...must continue to practice, practice, practice...

what are you seeing here?  50...yes, fifty, FIVE-OHHH! quilts stacked up in my hall.  but, i must confess that i have given eight away so far.  so that makes...58, i suppose.  not so bad, huh?

besides a little help from my mom while she was here; i also ask aeva to help me hand sew the binding on all of my creations.  here she is..."helping" me...

well, even if she doesn't have opposable thumbs to pull a needle and thread...she at least keeps me warm and does quality control as she lays under the quilt.

don't look LIZZY!!!!

 Okay, so...I wanted to dedicate this post to my friend, Lizzy, simply because i could not stop thinking of her the ENTIRE time i was working on this quilt.  she tells me she is "afraid" of using bold colors in her creations; which i find ironic since she is one of the most colorful and lively women i know.  so...adjust your screen, Lizzy...

this second quilt is a hidden stars log cabin style.  i added the solid purple-maroon to accentuate the stars and centers of the logs.  i just love the flow of the colors and patterns of the new Denise Schmidt Hope Valley line.  it's not the typical design that i am usually drawn to; but, find the fabrics both calm and stimulating at the same time.  the back is a solid grey, which i think is more soothing than depressing, as a grey can sometimes be...

secrets in the closet...

 so...we all know that we have a few dirty little secrets.  oh just admit it!  a closest full of...
projects we want to do, have bought the supplies for, and then...sort of forgot about.  well, this weekend i finally got one of mine finished!  and i feel great about that.  it is intended as a present for my sister-in-law, ashley.  she is a school psychologist; and, while i don't know if she is into apples or not...i thought this was a cute project either way. 

this bag was a very easy project that i finished in a single day.  who doesn't like THAT kind of turn around?  the pattern is from the website: allpeoplequilt.com
the luggage tags pictured in the chair are from a sewing projects calendar i have.  they were also super easy...yeaaa!  i am getting ideas for christmas gifts and stocking stuffers.

 this camera bag was something i have wanted to do ever since i saw jennifer's cute creation many months ago.  the sheep fabric is more than adorable and i paired it with a red on red animal print from the eric carle's hungry catapillar line of fabric. 

 i received a wonderfully pampering package on monday.  no, it wasn't chris; and, it certainly makes me miss him even more.  we also found out that we will be heading to san diego for our next new home.  april 2011 is the date.  so, i thought it wise to sew a new beach bag...

trying my hand at something new (plus another quilt...surprised?)

i was getting a little overwhelmed with scraps...so, i decided to finally use them up!  these little fabric baskets are great for just that purpose.  they only require scraps of 2 x 2 inches!  love that!

and, i was becoming inundated with the fabric i bought from ikea...and was itching to make another birdie sling; this was the product of that union of needs...

my latest quilt project...i used a jelly roll of the nicey jane fabrics in a pattern from the jelly rolls book i mention often.  for the flower centers, i substituted red corduroy...becuase i wanted something tactile on the front.  the back is a pink minke...so soft and fuzzy, i am addicted to using this fabric as a backing.

bluebonnets, hummingbirds and...sea turtles?

here's the bluebonnet quilt:
it didn't end up as originally planned...
but i think it turned out cute and casual
it was originally supposed to have a pieced blue and peach sashing between the rows, but once i got it all done, the color combination really made me sick, so i made the outer border much smaller and used the excess fabric to separate the rows

well, i still didn't like even the little bit of peach and blue btw the blocks, so i appliqued on some small green strips to break up the look, added a few fun jean pockets and called it done.

yes, i know u think you have seen this one before, but honestly...it's a new/another neptune quilt.
this one is just lap size and has a wonderful light green minke on the back
i have done a lot in this fabric and still have a lot of it left...maybe i went a bit overboard when i bought this line?

and the hummingbirds...

the line is called "arcadia" and it has some wonderful motifs and colors

i added an orange ribbon to the small border

finished flag (not finnish flag...FINISHED)

here is my german american quilt.

all dots and pindots with a little solid white background.

a close-up shot, just because i am pretty proud of the details.

the overall effect.

i love the way the red squares around the edge form hearts between the large crosses.

daisy chain

so, i got these great new shoes recently that simulate walking barefoot. the latest research says it's better for working your feet and leg muscles...if u think about it, some of the greatest running athletes DO IT barefoot! don't we all...unless our husbands request something different (oops...did i say that with my outside voice?)
unfortunately, there is one unusual side effect



...

this newest quilt is a pattern called daisy chain from the jelly roll book we have had forever in the store.  the fabrics are a mix of a batik jelly roll and cream on cream dots with some solids and smaller pattern fabrics thrown in to satisfy the required jelly roll and a half the book calls for.

this is an example block from a quilt i have been wanting to do for a while...

the pattern is also from the same jelly roll book, it is called both side of the pond and is meant to represent the british and american flag colors.  however, i am so fond (in love with) germany, that i wanted to create a quilt that would remind me of my wonderful time living here.  thus, the black/red/yellow and red/white/blue color combination.

not much lately, just a few things

 i haven't been sewing much lately, too much other stuff to do...


but here is my latest quilt:
it's a diamond pattern of my munki munki collection

i longarmed some fun words along the colored border on most of the diamonds

the back is fuzzy minke and i added the tag from one of the pajama shirts close to my own tag

this is a fun pocket leftover from another pajama shirt...good for a remote (or candy)

two purses:  one for me, one for mom

from the one yard wonders book

a quilt for maddy's lydia

okay, here it is... a preview of what you will be getting...as soon as i can finish the handwork.  i hope y'all love it!  it makes me feel very peaceful when i look at it.

yeah, a couple more

so, i think for my next blog, i'll create a stats page.  i'm thinking of including stuff like:  number of quilts made, number bound, number still need binding, number i'm keeping, number i'm selling...we'll see how the numbers stack up!

for now, pictures of the QUOTE QUILT! yeaaaaa, i have been planning this one for a while and it's finally done (except for the hand binding...mom)

this is a standard stacked coin quilt using a jelly roll of the authentic line by sweetwater for moda.  the outside border is a great mushroom print from robert kaufmann; and, i quilted in a hidden message along the length.
it was starting to be a bit too monotone for me, so i had to add the color along the edges.  the back was a pre-meditated purchase from Target online. 
i WON'T be selling this one...sorry  lt. pookie.  it's just way too personal for me.  i added about 15 of my favorite quotes, using 200 count white cotton you can send through your home printer.  i love the idea of making wishes on dandelions, so i just had to add that as well...

ode to the eighties:
this one didn't start out as such; but, with the beautifully bright colors and abstract designs of a kaffe fassett jelly roll...well, see for yourself

the quilt pattern is called "garden trellis."  i was worried about matching all these points; but, they actually came together quite easily!  the border fabric is nicey jane by heather bailey and the binding (as yet to be hand stitched...mom) is part of the garden party line by anna maria horner.
the back is a cuddly, fuzzy, sweet dreams in lilac minke fabric.

 finally, this post is dedicated to my favorite tv show of all time.  unfortunately, i have just finished the final disc of the final season :(
i recommend it to all who love colorful images, colorful language and colorful imaginations!