Taste of Summer

What better way to chase away the dreary spring weather we've been having and bring in a taste of summer into ones home than this fun Watermelon table runner: I found the pattern for this project in the spring 2007 issue of Quilts and More and just had to give it a try. It went together fairly quickly and simply. I was pleased with the results until this afternoon as I took a photo I noticed that the red strips are not straight. Obviously I made an error when I was trimming it down to put on the green and white. But overall it was still a fun project that I will most definitely have to do again. Now if I could just find the fun black heart shaped buttons for the "seeds" I will have this one complete.

HOT POTATO

I stumbled upon this pattern for a Baked Potato Bag a month or so ago at a local quilt shop and thought, "What a Great gift idea". You simply wrap your potato in a paper towel and place in the bag. Then microwave for 3-minutes per potato and wa-la, a HOT POTATO. I finally gave it a go this morning and love how quick it is to put together. I picked up the fabric, Wee Play by American Jane (moda), yesterday and am in love with it as well. Such endless possibilities are running through my mine. And a look at the reb gigham lining:

Twirly Skirt

A friend of mine has a 4-year old daughter who has suddenly decided that she will no longer wear pants. She insists that she is a girl and that girls only wear dresses and skirts. My friend, Amber, then came to me with some fabric asking if I would make Lucia some skirts. I did not photography the first two that I made, although the first one, in blue and white, turned out pretty cute. The third one however was by far my favorite. I had found this tutorial several months ago for a twirly skirt and have been wanting to do one. So I used this green print that Amber had provided along with a blue for contrast to put one together. When I first saw the green print I was not to taken with it but once I completed the skirt I was in love with it. I've now decided I need to get some to make my Sarah one. When I took the skirt over to Amber on Thursday afternoon I was not at all surprised to learn that she had gotten more fabric and not only wanted another twirly skirt for Lucia but one for her daughter Natalia as well. I feel in love with the fabric right away and was disappointed when she told me that she had purchased the last of it. Yesterday I went to another Jo-ann location to find the contrasting pink and was thrilled to find that this store had 4-yards of the blue floral. HURRAY!!!!! So I now have enough to make both Ivy and Sarah a twirly skirt as well as a dress. I completed Amber's two skirts last night and left them on her door this morning on my way to church. I hope she is pleased witht hem.

Broken Bricks

I absolutely love this quilt pattern. It goes together fairly quickly and always turns out well. I completed the top of this one this morning and it will be going to my sweet baby girl, Ivy, who will turn 2 next month (where does the time go!) It is such a great size to grow with and have as a drag around blankie. These two were my first two that I did 6-years ago for my boys, Caleb and Isaiah, and at ages 9 and 7 they are still toting them around. There is many a night when I find them snuggled in them in bed and just as many occassions when they decide that they work perfect for capes. In all I have made a total of 6 and plan to keep on throughout the years to come. I am afraid however for those who many be interested in the pattern that I do not recall what book it came from. A friend, who has since moved on in life, and lost contact with, is who I recieved a copy of this pattern. I do know however that it came from one of the many fat quarter books that are out there. Any how, it is a load of fun to put together and I can't wait to get it quilted and watch my Ivy girl toting her's around, just like her brothers. Although I really should get her sister Sarah's quilted first as I've had the top of it completed for 4-years now and the poor girl will feel left out.

Purse

I completed this fun purse/tote for a dear aunt in California yesterday and tucked it in the mail today along with a few other treasures. I love this pattern as it is quick to do and yet stylish too. I have made several of them since the Christmas season and never tire of it.

Soft in Pink

One of my cousins is expecting her first baby at the end of the month and because her mom and dad do so much for me and my kiddos I wanted to do something special for her. So I set to work on an afghan. The pattern I selected is one that I have once before done but is not one that I choose to do often. The end results are always beautiful and snuggly warm but due to the pattern (which is fairly easy) it takes forever to get the required inches complete. I hope you enjoy this gift Christie. Congrads and best wishes.

Fun Fabrics

Whew! What a morning. I've been at the sewing machine for a good portion of it completing some projects that had been requested. In addition to the market bag I complete yesterday for Mum I also made a tote bag that she asked for in a western theme. She teaches line dancing and has a friend from her classes that she wanted to give a special gift to. So a tote bag was requested for her dancing shoes and then to go with it, one of these fun water bottle holders and a tissue cover to complete the set. I am so in love with the fabric and if I had the extra spending money right now I would go out and get enough to make a baby-size quilt, and I have just the right pattern in mind. It is so darn cute and just hollers to be done up into a baby boy's nursery set. After completing these projects I set to work on two additional water bottle holders. One on it's way to mum with the other items and the other I am saving for a gift for a friend. I absolutely love blue and yellow together. It is perhaps my most favorite color combo and I have always invisioned one day having a guest bedroom decorated in this color scheme. As I worked with these fabrics I again had visions of a quilt in mine. Oh to have unlimited money to allow for all these fun fabrics. Oh well....one can still dream though :-)

Shoppin' in Style

Mum asked me awhile ago if I'd make her a market bag to give to a friend as a gift. After dragging my heels for a time I finally sat down today and had it done in an hours time. I am so pleased witht he results that I have put it on my gift giving idea list for when I need a gift quick. I also love how much roomier it is compared with the bags you can get at the store. I have six store ones and I am tempted to make some stylish ones for myself :-)