2011 Quilty To-Do List Check-In

Thanks, Elizabeth, for hosting this check-in. I really needed a reminder of the goals I set for this year. I'm sad to say that I'm pretty far off from where I'd like to be. I didn't realize how unproductive being pregnant would make me.

1. Cathedral Windows Quilt - Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure it's not going to happen. I at least bought all the background fabric that I'll need, so I'll be ready to go whenever I get around to starting on this one.

2. Bee Quilt - I'm mailing out the fabric today for my month in the Sew Beautiful Bee. I'm really excited to see what everyone sends back and how my circle of geese quilt comes together. Once all the blocks are received, I'll need to make two more blocks and then I can piece the top. Hopefully, this quilt doesn't get put on the back burner.

3. Goldfish Quilt - I've fussy cut all the goldfish for this quilt and pulled the fabric I want to use. Now it's just a matter of starting to piece the blocks.

4. New Bed Quilt - The quilt top for this one is almost finished and I'm really excited about it. I started heading in one direction (using All Star 2), but then changed my mind and decided to use my Far Far Away 2 Kitchen Windows quilt for my bed. Thankfully, the mister is on board regardless of the princesses. =)



5 & 6. Quilts for two of my sisters - I've got most of the HSTs pieced for one of the quilts. I've also gathered the fabrics for the other quilt and need to finalize the design I want to go with.

7. Quilt for my mom's bed - Haven't started on this one.

8. Colorbrick Quilt - I've got my fabrics set aside for this one (are you seeing a pattern here?), but haven't cut into them at all.

9. Wheels Quilt - Haven't started on this one either.

10. Figgy Pudding Christmas Quilt - I hope to make this one over the summer. I will have my hands full with a sweet new baby during the months that I would normally work on Christmas items, so I think Christmas in July will be in order this year.

11. Unfinished quilt tops - These are still on hold and will probably stay that way. I'll probably finish the Patching Up quilt I made when I had my miscarriage last year. I think it will be a good way to allow the quilt to come full circle by finishing it for this baby.



12. Swaps - I think I can fully check this item off my list. I participated in the Spicing Up the Kitchen Swap, the Urban Home Goods Swap, and the Make Mine Modern Swap (shipping today!). I'm taking a break from swaps for the rest of the year. I officially return to work in the office in May and it may take me a while to find a good balance in my new schedule. I don't want to commit to anything that I may not be able to give my full attention to.

So there you have it. I definitely can see where I need to step up my game and "git er dun" as my work friends would say. Now that I'm finished with my swap items and have a month off in my bee, I'll be able to start prioritizing and check a few items off this list.

Now, head on over to Don't Call Me Betsy to see how everyone else is doing on their 2011 goals.

Back from Portland

Hi all! I had a fantastic weekend in Portland attending Lizzy House's Textile Design Workshop. I took a lot of photos. I'll show a few in this post, but to see the entire set, click here. You can also view the PNCA Flickr set by clicking here.

My return flight was delayed three hours so I got home much later than I wanted last night. It sure was nice to come home to my family though.

Over the three-day workshop, Lizzy taught us true pattern design and then we spent the rest of the time learning how to block print and screen print on fabric. It was great having such an art-filled weekend.

Now I'm trying to catch up and get back to a normal home-life. Enjoy the photos and let me know if you have any questions.

This and that

I tried my hand at paper foundation piecing for the first time a couple weeks ago. In our Sew Beautiful Bee, Elizabeth sent out these AMH fabrics and asked for spiderweb blocks. After two nights of sewing, I finished this puppy up. Talk about needing patience to tackle this block! I love how it turned out though.





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Tomorrow is going to be a big day! I'm heading to Portland with two of my sisters to check out this:


I can't tell you how excited I am. Not only do I get to have a little vacation with my sisters and pick Lizzy House's brain for three days, but I get to spend time with my best friend. It's sure to be an amazing weekend!

I hope all of you have a fantastic weekend too!

Gifts for a Baby Shower

The mister's cousin is having a baby next month. I pieced the top of the baby quilt for her baby back in November, but put it aside to work on other projects that I had to get done in time for Christmas. I pulled it out again to quilt it in January. Then, I finally put the binding on it last week so it would be ready for the shower on Saturday.



Megan's favorite color is green so I used the green on green dot from the Make Life line for the backing. The finished quilt measures about 36" by 45" so it should be a good size that can grow with the baby.



Megan's also a kindergarten teacher, so I thought it'd be fun to use some Dr. Seuss fabrics to make her a diaper and wipes case.



With more green fabric on the back and flap, of course.

Fabric

So I mentioned yesterday that I picked up some new fabric at my LQS. I specifically went in looking for one of the purple prints from the Central Park line, but they didn't have any (sigh). But, I came away with some other great fabrics.



Next month is my month in the Sew Beautiful Bee, so I pulled some grays and yellows. I'm asking the girls in the group to make circle of geese blocks. I love this stack of fabric, but I think I need to add some blues and greens. Knowing me, I'll just get bored with a yellow and gray quilt and I don't want it to feel blah to me.



I'm also finishing up my projects for the last swap that I'm in. Note to self: Don't sign up for three swaps (that are running concurrently) when you've just found out you're pregnant. You won't be as motivated or excited about them as you should be. Swaps are supposed to be fun!

My parter in one of the groups was fairly specific in her fabric request, so in an attempt to not be totally obvious, I showed her this photo, with her choices tucked in here and there. We'll see if it fools her.

Celebrating St. Patty's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone! I hope you're all enjoying the day. I started celebrating by picking up some new fabric at my LQS (can you say no to 30% off green fabric and a free fat quarter just for wearing green, not to mention earning enough points to get $15 off my next purchase?!). I'm rounding out the day by going to quilt group tonight. Celebrating St. Patty's day can't get much better than that.

Here are some green favorites for today.

1. modern swappers bag - inside view, 2. Hildie, 3. Modern Swappers - Wall Organizer, 4. Pillow from Leanne in Modern Swappers (first round), 5. green vintage fabric Dilly tote, 6. Alice ~ Quilt, 7. Bee-autiful quilting bee - September, 8. PTS4 Finished!!, 9. DQS 9 : yippee!, 10. green pillow, 11. argyle_pillow_2, 12. pillow for my partner - PTS3 finished, 13. Mason's quilt top = done!, 14. brioni hexed in 2, 15. Green Overload

I've been able to get a few things done the last couple weeks that I'll be sharing with you shortly. I just need to take some photos, so stay tuned.

Spicing Up the Kitchen Swap Received

Before I show you the goodies I received in the Spicing Up the Kitchen Swap, I wanted to tell you that I think I'm back from my blogging break. It was nice to take time away from the obligations I'm constantly putting on myself. The biggest reason for taking a break was that I was so sick and couldn't stand to think about sewing. You see, the mister and I are expecting our third little bundle of joy. February was full of dry heaves and nausea, but now that I've entered my second trimester, I'm feeling much better (even if I do still gag at the drop of a hat - or the eating habits of my four-year-old). My sister borrowed my sewing machine for a week and a half and then it was off to the repair shop for a good cleaning and tune-up. I'm picking it up today and am excited to get back in some sewing action, especially since my to-do list is getting out of control, but more on that later. Now to show off the cute things Andrea (Knitty bitties) sent me.

Here are all the goodies, fresh from the package I opened on Friday.



A cute table runner featuring half-square triangle pinwheels.



A farm apron that thankfully fits around my belly. (Love those dots on the ties!)





Some adorable stationary cards, which I've already put to good use as a birthday card for my mom. Andrea included a matching cupcake stamp that I didn't get a solo picture of because my two-year-old daughter claimed the stamp the second I opened the package.



Thanks so much, Andrea! I love it all.

Practice Bee Block Turned Pillow

Remember this practice dresden plate block I made back in January?



I didn't know what to do with it because the colors don't really match any decor in my house. My mom-in-law made a comment that it reminded her of a quilt from her childhood made out of old clothes. I asked her if she wanted me to make a pillow or wall quilt for her. She chose a pillow.



I had a 20" pillow form and the dresden plate fit pretty well on a 19.5" square of Kona white (I like my pillow covers fitting snugly on the pillow form so I make them 1-2 inches smaller).



For the back, I used a single print from the front to make an envelope closure, which is my go-to pillow closure. I'm not sure I'll branch out of that anytime soon.



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