Butterfly Tote

A dear friend in Idaho called me up last week and asked if I could make a tote for her niece that would be soon turning 8. I was pleased to be able to still find this super cute fabric line from Moda and so this cute tote will be in the mail later today to Idaho. Hope you like it Kim.

Red Double X Inspiration piece

Well now, I seem to have gotten a bit clever today and figured out how to scan in the photos of our inspiration piece for the quilt that my sister asked me to make her. It is from Feb. 2003's issue of American patchwork and Quilting. Progress on our black and white version has been slow but steady, I hope to have it completed by the close of the month though. Here is the look at the designer's completed set:

B&W Double X blocks

Here is just a peak at a couple of the Double X blocks I have put together so far. Current count is that 24 of the 90 are complete and 14 more will be completed before the day is through. Even though only a couple are shown, as I put the blocks together I can defenately see that we are achieving a scrappy look as is our inspiration piece (see previous posting for details).

Hip to be Squared

Well, I've dedicated quite a bit of my week to starting and working on a quilt that my sister asked me to do for her back in February. While here for a visit, she selected a quilt from the Feb. 2003 issue of American Patchwork & Quilting called, Red Double X. after her selection I took her up to the Fabric Depot in Portland where she then selected this array of black and white prints for the quilt. 12 black on white prints and 12 white on black. After cutting out a total of 552 3" squares I then proceeded to turn each into half square triangles using a method I learned about 7 years ago while attending a $5 quilt club at Grandma's Attic. Now I am on to squaring the half square triangles into 2 1/2" squares. They are about 3/4 finished and I am looking forward to moving on to the next step. Pairing the half square triangles with solid 2 1/2" squares to make a total of 90, 6 1/2" squares. So be sure to check back for further progress on this quilt.

Center Stage

While at church on Sunday I learned of a bridal shower that was being held on Thursday of this week. Since it was an older woman who already had an established home I sought a gift that would not only be quick to put together given the short timeline but also something she could use and enjoy. Monday, while at a local craft shop I found a kit for a table topper I thought would work beautifully. The kit contained the chocolate color way of this fabric group from Timeless Treasure and is absolutley GORGEOUS. I am soooo tempted to head back to the store and pick up enough of the fabric to make a quilt. I completed the top this morning and can't wait to get started on the quilting. Since the shower is tomorrow night I best get to it. I am sure this is a gift she will love and it will be fun to see her expression when she opens it.

A Productive Day

There's nothing like the sense of accomplishment when much has been done. The lady I do daycare for had asked me to make her daughter 3 dresses. I had completed one of them last week and finally got to the other 2 early this week. I started this one on Monday and finished it up yesterday. Once it was complete I whipped this one together. This particular pattern is one that I have done before and I love how quickly it goes together. The fabric I selected for it was found at Jo-Ann fabrics and I love the blue ribbon contrast. I just may have to go back and purchase some more to make a similar dress for my Sarah. In addition to the dresses I put the finishing touches on this, "catch-all bag", which I like to call the "fancy trash bag". My sister, Gail, has taken an interest in quilting and so I thought I'd send one to her. This is a super gift for crafter's of all kinds as it is so versatile. I use mine not only for sewing but also when I am scrap booking.