It's a Prickle- and a finish!

This is Lifetime Quilt Number 154 but only my second baby quilt!  I made my first baby quilt ages ago, it was LQ# 48!  I'm going through that phase where my friends aren't having babies but neither are their babies.  Have you ever noticed that, you go through wedding phases, your wedding and your friends weddings, then it's your babies and your friends babies, then your friends babies start getting married?  Well I hope I'm entering the babies baby stage because I sure enjoyed making this quilt.

I  needed a pattern for a baby boy, I had no problem finding baby girl colors and patterns that I liked, baby boy options were mainly sailboats and trucks.  Then I stumbled upon this Hazel Hedgehog pattern by Elizabeth Hartman.  Even though the hedgehog is named Hazel, I thought it would work for a baby boy quilt.  To make this quilt I used both of the Hazel Hedgehog patterns, I and II.  They are available here.

This is Lifetime Quilt Number 154

I've named it Prickle, because that is what a pack of hedgehogs is called!

It finished at 36 1/2" x 36 1/2"

It has approximately 188 pieces.

This is the fabric I'm using for the back!

It's by Kate and Birdie for Moda.  

I've already started my next project, a flowering snowball quilt that I'm completely copying from Nicole, pictures and details to come.   But here's Nicole's, I expect  mine to look pretty similar!

Read more

X's and O's - A Finish

First - if you've not seen Messy Jessy's Snapshots tea kettle block take a minute and to check it out, it's very original and adorable.  The link is in my Favorite Blogs list.

Next, I've finished my X's and O's project,

the pattern by Xen Chic.

I made this top for my favorite daughter's new apartment.  She plans on hanging it on the wall between her dining area and her living area.  That space is only 61 inches wide so I needed to change the size of the pattern a bit to fit. 

This is Lifetime Quilt Number 152

It finished at 58" x 70"

The pattern is X's and O's by Zen Chic

I just pulled the the fabric from my stash

It has approximately 584 pieces.

I still struggle with choosing the right combinations of fabric and here are 4 blocks that didn't make it into the quilt; top left, center pieces sort of melt into outer pieces, top right, I didn't care for the dark black center, bottom left, this was the first block I pieced, and I loved it, but when it was mixed in with the other blocks it was too bold, my eyes were always drawn right to that block, and finally, bottom right, I thought the center fabric did't have enough color.

I've been getting some spring cleaning and organizing done the last couple of weeks, which feels great but has cut into my sewing time.   Next up, a baby quit, out of the 152 quilts I've finished, only one was for a baby, I'm eager to make my second one.

Read more

It's Snapshots Time!

I can't believe it's the 15th of the month already.  My March got off to a rough start weather wise but things are improving and flowers are even starting to sprout out of the wet cold ground.   Additionally, I'm finally starting to adjust to the time change.  So besides all that March activity a new month also means it's time for a new Fat Quarter Shop Snapshots pattern!  WOO HOO!!

This month's pattern, Block Three, is Put the Kettle On, my latest favorite.

I made my block exactly like the pattern, no changes this month, but I am eager to see what you use to make this block.  I was blown away by the very clever and interesting sewing machine blocks that were pieced last month.  Since I actually have a red polka dot tea pot in my kitchen I couldn't imagine any other option.

The pattern was very easy to follow, it only took me a couple of hours to cut and piece this block.

Three blocks done, 9 more to go.

I am thrilled that the FQS has already surpassed it's initial goal of raising $10,000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and set a new goal of $20,000. The last time I checked the amount raised was over $17,000.   As a reminder, the monthly patterns are a free download, a donation is up to you, the suggested donation is $5.  Here is a link to the pattern, instructional video, donation page, and everything else you need to know.  (click here)  

Here are a few more folks participating in the sew along, be sure to check out how they decorated their tea pots.

Camille Roskelley of Thimble Blossoms

Bonnie Olaveson of Cotton Way

Pat Sloan of The Voice of Quilting

Lori Holt of Bee in My Bonnet

Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life

Pam Viera-McGinnis of Pam Kitty Morning

Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs
Stephanie Kendron of The Modern Sewciety

Natalia Bonner of Piece N Quilt
Greg Jones of Grey Dogwood Studios
Jessie Fincham of Messy Jesse

And finally, be sure to also check out instagram, #fqssnapshots for some great blocks and inspiration.

Read more

Next Up . . .

I've put my Charley Harper project on hold while I wait for more fabric.

In the mean time I've started working on this pattern by Zen Chic, X's and O's.

The pattern quilt is made using the Zen Chic fabric Reel Time by Moda. 

My favorite daughter is in a new apartment that has a 61 in wide white wall between two large sets of windows.  We think that wall is the perfect place for a quilt.

My daughter has a gray couch, yellow and gray chair, and a black kitchen table with blue chairs.  With those colors in mind I've been pulling fat quarters from my stash to make this quilt.

I make four blocks at a time.  I think I'm going to go 4 blocks wide by 5 blocks long for a total of 20 blocks, with 12 done I'm over half way there.  Each block is made up of the center square, 4 kite blocks, which are paper pieced, and 4 snowball blocks.  I'm enjoying working on these blocks, the paper piecing is easy and makes such perfect points. I"m not sure about a couple of my fabric combos, particularly that black and orange block in the upper left had corner. Maybe I'll like it when I have more blocks.

Hope you have a great weekend!

Read more