Baby Giraffes

Earlier this summer I took a little break from sewing ... but boy - am I back in full swing ... and it feels good.

I have lots to update you on ... 

1. I finished my first commissioned quilt - the Wheel Quilt!!  Pics to come soon. 

2. I have started a t-shirt quilt for Miss Kate - my most wonderful SIL who just went off to her freshman year in COLLEGE!!!  (Love you Kate!) All that's left is the basting and quilting (and binding)!!  Pics to come soon. 

3. I started and nearly finished a quilt for a friend ... this is for someone who has been going through a really rough time and needs something soft to cuddle with! This is a secret project - so no pictures until it is good and delivered to its proper owner.

Ok - so what can I show you today ....... BABY GIFTS/PROJECTS!!   Sewing for babies is prob. my most favorite thing to do!  The fabrics tend to be so soft.  The colors are rich ... sometimes bold ... sometimes understated, but always beautiful.  Plus - there are so many fun prints that adults find so ... well, childish.  But man, are they fun to work with @ the sewing machine.  BONUS - babies are small and so is their stuff. So they finish up a lot quicker than full-human-sized-goodies.  

So here are a few things I made today.  They were made without a pre-determined home.  Of course, I always have baby showers to attend - at work and w/friends. So I am not worried. They will find a home.  BUT, if you see the pictures and just need to own it yourself - they can be for sale, too!  

Baby Giraffe Whole Cloth Quilted Blanket 
in flannel and chenille:

Size: 30"x36"

Colors: baby pink, baby yellow, and tangerine 

Backing: soft cream backing

Look @ that cream chenille on the back ... it looks mushy in the photos ... but trust me - it is waaaaaay mushier in person.  So soft and sweet!!!  And the soft yellow and pinks on the front.  Add the text from the straight line quilting and it's a recipe for L.O.V.E.! I cannot get over this.  This is prob. my favorite baby blanket to date!!


Project 2: Giraffe Ribbon Blanket - Pink & Chartreuse

Size: 13"x16"
Fussy Cut giraffe's all in a row; ribbons in bright pink and chartreuse
 bright white soft minky background

I LOVE me some minky fabric.  And I am LOVING these giraffe's.  This is also my favorite ribbon blanket I've made to date.  I like how it pops.  I also love the color combo. 

Ok - seriously, if I had a baby, I would want this stuff. And I'm not just saying that because I made it.  I promise, full unbiased opinion right now.  Ok, maybe I'm a little biased.  But I do think they are cute!  

If you are interested, let me know.  We can chat prices. 

~Laura

Works in Progress ....

Alright ... so I guess it's time to come clean ... I have a LOT going on in the sewing world ... but that's just the way I like it!  I think this list may be more for my benefit so I can keep it straight ....

1. Quilt Sample ....

I'm working on my first quilt that will be featured in a quilting/fabric store as a sample!! Ahh - some people may not be as excited about it - but I just think this is the coolest thing, ever!!  I feel {almost} famous ... ha, ok there I admitted it out loud!  So wanna see a picture??

This is coming along much quicker than I would have thought - I am hoping to finish this by mid May/beginning of June ....


2. Wheel Quilt
Pattern from Stitched in Color's Curves class.

I first posted about this project here .  This quilt is being made for a co-worker ...I think it looks great so far - and more importantly, so does my friend! =)   I'm pretty proud of my progress so far ... the arcs came together pretty quickly!  I hope to finish this up in the next few weeks


3. Challenge Quilt

Hm - this isn't going so well ... I am {hoping} to enter a quilt into a challenge being run by Seminole Sampler So far, I only have an idea in my head involving circles and a pile of fabric ... it's due June 1st!  Wish me luck!


4. DWR QAL ....

I've made small headway on this project ... 40 of 80 arcs sewn ... I think I'm enjoying the slow pace of this project .... but at the same time, I can't wait for it to be done, b/c I think it is really going to be stunning.


FOREVER ON HOLD:
here are my projects that at this point are forever on hold ....
- sundress ... ahh, it's too intimidating to make a garment
- Valentine's Bee Quilt - they look nice - but doesn't seem like the right time of year to work on this
- Snowflake Quilt - ahh, I can't figure out how to pull this one together - I know it can be amazing ... I just need inspiration to hit
-  Puttin' On the Ritz D9P quilt ...love the fabric, but no real purpose for it leaves it in the drawer waiting to be finished

Thanks for stopping by - go check out what all the other wonderful sewists are up to - there is a link @ the bottom of my page for "WIP-Wednesday" over @ Freshly Pieced.  I'm linking up as well.

Fabric Tuesday

***disclaimer on the photos - they were taken w/cell phone cameras and/or in a hurry - I always wait until the last minute to take a picture ... as in getting ready to walk out the door to actually GIVE the present! ha. oh well. ***

Oo - I wanted to share this for soooo long! but I had to keep it a secret in case my most amazing best friend happened to read my blog!  So my friend's birthday was in April - but I got the idea for her present in January!! It all started with this Valentine's Day present.  I made cute kitchen towels that were inspired by this and mailed them off to a few of my friends/family.





Then I knew I wanted to make her a little something for her house to help her decorate for each holiday ... I didn't want it to be kitchy, though - I wanted to make things she would actually use! After much thought - this is what I came up with!!

OCTOBER/FALL

modified from The Plaid Scottie's pattern

the back

Ah, I'm in LOVE w/this!  I made one for myself last fall and got several compliments on it when people visited my house.  I love the back, too - I thought it made it reversible, too - bonus!




DECEMBER/WINTER

I wanted to make pillows - something that could last longer than just 1 month of decorating ... I love how these turned out - I kept my friend's living room colors in mind so it would match her couch! =)


SPRING

scallop bunting from Rachel's Curves Class

This banner serves double duty .... 1. A great way to decorate a house for a party!  Every year, my friend Laura has a birthday party - and it is usually at her house.  So I thought she could put this up to make it more festive.  BUT - she also owns a cupcake business (If you live in Central NJ - you should definetly check out FROSTED ... ooo - delicious!!) ANYWAY ... so she owns this cupcake business ... and so I figured if she wanted to do a craft fair or event - that this could help decorate her table, since I coordinated it w/her business logo.


And that's it - I didn't make anything for summer, mostly because I couldn't think of what to make that she would actually want to decorate with ... do you decorate in the summer?!  what do you do??

Thanks for stopping by! I'm linking up to Fabric Tuesday - go check out what all the other amazing sewers are up to - there is a link @ the bottom of my page! =)

Baby quilts!!

I love making baby quilts! It's a great way to make a quilt without all the time invested in making a full size version.  But without any little ones running around my house, I don't have much need for them, myself.  So I was super excited when a friend asked me if I could make a quilt for her daughter.  (Plus this also means another sale!!  Which gets me double excited!!)

While trying to plan out her baby's quilt, it got me thinking - I don't think I ever showed you guys the baby quilts that I've already made!  I was holding off on sharing the quilts because they were gifts.  So I didn't want to spoil the surprise ... but since they've been gifted for a LONG time ... it's high time I show you guys.  So without further ado, I bring you .........

  Felix's Quilt ...... "Baby Life"

Fabric = "Happier" ... it is so bright and friendly! you just gotta love it!

Size = 40"x40"ish    Pattern = Baby Life

straight-ish line quilting in a grid pattern
I love it! I think it looks playful!

I made a matching blankie.

I'm in love w/this backing fabric - so bright, cheery, and playful.
It has little bug critters on it!  That little "window" was for the quilt label .
I embroidered his name and birth date on there. =) 

A baby's life: Eat, Play, Sleep, Repeat ...... soooo true! right?!

Kylee's Quilt ..... "Sunkissed Patchwork"

Fabric = "Sunkissed" with pink minky on the back- pretty much the softest fabric ever!!

Size = 40"x40"ish    Pattern = Simple patchwork design w/straight line, grid quilting

the back

a good shot of the quilting

It's impossible to see, but I embroidered Kylee's name on the side of this quilt.

My First Attempt @ FMQ* .... title TBD
*FMQ= free motion quilting
Fabric = "Just Wing It" with Timeless Treasures Fruit Punch border
Size = 30"x30"        Pattern = Disappearing 9 Patch (D9P)

So this quilt came to be because I wanted to play with my new sewing machine this summer.  I finally had a machine that would allow me to free motion quilt - so of course I had to make something with it!!  But ...a whole quilt seemed so daunting!!  So I figured a baby quilt would work out nicely.  Bonus, I had this charm pack lying around w/o an intended purpose.  It was like it was meant to be.  So I whipped this out; and of course, fell in l-o-v-e.  There is no intended recipient for this quilt yet ... I wish it were bigger because I LOVE this quilt! It is so bright and cheery!  And I'm so proud of the quilting!!

Look @ the all that crinkily goodness!!!  Ahh! I just can't handle it!!

the back .... I love text prints!

Up close and personal w/the quilting - isn't it gorgeous!  Not bad for a first timer!

Posting these quilts is getting me very excited to start the new baby quilt!  I love new projects!! =) 
~Laura

So many exciting things =)

So many exciting things happening in the background of this blog ... Lots of sewing ... Lots of things I can't reveal, yet!  But I can share some things! =)

1. I made my first sale!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wait, let me say that again ... I MADE A SALE!!!! I SOLD A BIB!!!!!

2 super cute bibs, adapted from Curves Class by Stitched in Color
These bibs have gone to their new home .... and that's because I SOLD THEM!!!

Here are 2 more beauties I made.

All in a row!

2. I got a logo!!! =) =) =) 
So now that I made a sale I realized that I needed to put a label on my items ... which required a logo!  Man, that was a much bigger job than I thought it would be!  But I'm in love!!!!! You can see it above in my new blog header - - which leads me to exciting news #3!

3. I got a new blog template!!! 
Also something that took many more hours than I thought possible!  But I am almost in love with it.  There are a few color tweaks I'd like to make, but for the most part it is done.  It is clean and simple looking.

4. I GOT SEWING LABELS, sort of.
Oh man, so after all the work in getting a logo - I was finally able to get labels - which also took much more designing than I would have ever thought.  It has been fun ... I have loved the whole journey ... I am just so surprised at how much time it took!  So there have been some hiccups in getting the labels exactly the way I want them ... but here is a little sneak preview!

In total, I ended up working with 3 different vendors to create 3 different main designs/types of labels and a total of 6 variations!!  That took a lot of planning.  Unfortunately, there were a few hiccups along the way ... but once all the labels come in, trust me I will share many more details and pictures ... because it has been a labor of love!!!

Well that's it for now.  I'm linking up to Fabric Tuesday.  You should go over and check out the other cool things that folks are creating out there!  There's a link below @ the bottom of my page!

~Laura

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

So my goal this year is to be more active w/my blog ... Although it may not look like it to you, the reader - I have actually been pretty busy.  Unfortunetly, it's all been behind-the-scenes type of stuff.  I hope to have this blog back up and running soon . . .

In the meantime - - I feel like I am doing super hard work (hence the picture above).  I'm trying to learn HTML, figure out some organizational things, and other boring exciting housekeeping things.  I know this is easy for some folks - and I admire them greatly - but for me, this is tough stuff!!

Thanks for visiting - check back soon to find a new and improved blog!!! =) =)

~Laura

I did it!!!

Wow - I made the clamshell pillow!! Doesn't it look so natural and beautiful in it's new home??  I wish I had more fabric so I could make this poor lonely pillow a mate.

Details: 

Fabric: Amy Butler - August Fields, charm pack, jeans fabric from Joann's
16" pillow form
invisible zipper closure (go me!!)

Ok - this is now my favorite thing I've made so far - - Ben is right, I do say it every time.  But so what, it's true.

I'm especially excited about this project because I feel like it really showcases the August Fields line.  This fabric line holds a special place in my heart b/c it was the first fabric that inspired me to buy fabric just because it was pretty ... for no intended purpose ... just to oogle.  I have since grown my stash and now have a few tubs full of fabric that I love.  How much do I love this fabric??  Enough to try it in a quilt, decide 10 blocks in that it isn't really showcasing the fabric enough, and then pick it all out.  ... I hate ripping out ... I avoid it at all costs.  But for this fabric I did it.  And then for a year I looked at it, dreamed of where it could go, not finding the appropriate home until it was time for this pillow.  So there's a little background on why I'm so in love!

Off to enjoy the rest of my birthday weekend.


I'm going to link this up to Fabric Tuesday - be sure to check out what all the other awesome sewers are making over there. The link is in my sidebar.

Sing Along With Me ...

Happy Birthday to Me...

     Happy Birthday to Me ... 

         Happy Birthday to Meeee ... 

             Happy Birthday to Me!

My hubby woke up early and made me an amazingly
healthful and delicious breakfast! I really am a lucky girl!

So, as you can gather from the song above, it was my birthday this week.  And, as my last post stated, my birthday present from my parents was a sewing class.  So I thought it only fitting that I share w/you my progress on my first full week of class!

The theme for the week was: Basic Curves.

- - First Project - a Bunting - - 

hm - the picture doesn't really do it justice - Note to Self: must learn how to take
better pictures to capture true color!

How PERFECT! (Since it was my birthday!)  I LOVE how it turned out - like true love! I think it is actually my favorite colors in a project I've made to date (PS: Ben says I say this for all my projects, but I really mean it this time). It is so bright and cheerful and wonderful!  I hope I get to pull it out and use it for other fun celebrations in the future.  Ok, maybe I should be more honest w/you guys ... it is actually still hanging up and probably will be for at least another week, b/c I'm in love! haha. Bonus - it was the first project I made w/curves, albiet basic curves.  I learned to cut w/o a ruler - and ya know what, it wasn't as scary as you would think ...

Here's the banner w/the birthday girl! (umm, that's me, in case you didn't put that together yet)

- - Second Project - Baby Bib - - 

Unfortunetly I don't have any cute models to show these cuties so you'll just have to imagine - man-oh-man are they adorable! and soft and cozy ... heck it makes me want to wear it ... well ok, maybe not really - but you know what I mean (you do, right?) Aren't they darling?? In fact, they were so easy and fun to make, I made 2 versions - boy and girl!  Now I just need some friends who wants their little bundle of joy to become a model!  =)

- - Third Project - Clamshell Pillow - - 

no, I didn't make this.  This is a picture of the sample from Rachel's blog.
Hopefully mine can look just as nice!

This is the 3rd and final project for the week ... this is still on the to do list. I would like to work on that this weekend. . . bu we'll see how it goes.  Hopefully I'll have a beautiful new pillow to show you early next week.

Now it's time to go enjoy the weekend!!  Come back soon to see what else I've made from my curves class!
~Laura

I'm soooo excited!!! My parents bought be sewing classes for my birthday!!!  I am taking an online sewing class with one of my favorite bloggers - Rachel from Stitched in Color.  She has so many great projects on her blog.  And starting February 1st, she is starting an online curves class. Sewing curves are so intimidating to me.  She promises to have video tutorials for 14 projects over the course of 5 weeks.  Ahh - can I make them all???

Here are some of the pictures she has posted as sneak peaks:
*all images taken from Stitched in Color website

Let the sewing projects begin!!!

PS: There is still room.  If you are interested in joining in the fun - you can reserve your spot here.

Janaury Quilting Bee

Dear fellow bee members:

I'm very excited for January being my month in the bee.  I had a lot of fun designing this quilt - and I thought I"d share the process with you!  So here we go :

I want to do a valentine's quilt that is inspired by the colors: red/pink and gray.  So I went to a LQS near my parent's house in NJ and pulled fabrics. (This was so much more fun than buying fabric online).

Then, I had to come up w/a  design.  I don't have any fancy quilt designing software - so when it comes time to design a quilt I have to go the old fashion way: paper and pencil.  I usually draw somethings up in paint, so I can print off a couple templates.  But the majority of it is done w/markers, pencils, crayons, etc.  

Here is a picture of the final design I chose: 

And then some research on flickr led me to this quilt.  I liked the variability in the block colors.  

So, I'm keeping my design and color palate and will end up w/blocks that look something like: 

Included in everyone's packet is: 

1 large rectangle of fabric

4 strips of contrasting color fabric

4, 8x8" paper pieces

assignment: X or O

It requires the sewer to make 4 paper pieced blocks and then assemble them into 1 larger quilt block in the shape of an X or an O.  I drew the lines on only 1 of the paper squares.  So you will need to add the lines to the remaining 3 blocks to complete the pattern.  The center lines are drawn 1" away from each corner.  Does that make sense?? I hope so.

This block is pretty easy to make.  I know paper piecing sounds scary to some folks, but really this block doesn't even really require it.  Think of this as more of a string block w/only 1 string down the center.  I chose to paper piece these blocks because I thought it was the easiest way for me to make my blocks equal ensuring that the letters lined up nicely.  Plus it made it easier in sharing directions w/you guys.  

If you aren't familiar w/paper piecing, here is a tutorial I used when I was first learning: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJM6QJbBgE0&feature=fvwrel

A few notes on the paper pieces I included: 

1. I did not include numbers.  Since there are only 3 sections, you can just sew in a line (triange -> strip, then add 2nd triangle).  Please let me know if anyone has any questions - I can post more pictures if needed. 

2. I didn't draw seam allowance lines.  Just sew 1/4" seam allowance to assemble the 4 blocks.

3. I didn't include a TON of extra fabric - so be mindful when placing your fabric and paper.  You can "test" it out before you sew to help make sure all corners will be covered w/fabric. 

4. REMEMBER - turn down your stitch length to ~1.4-1.8ish - this way it will help perforate the paper, making it easy to rip off in the end, w/o ripping your stitches.

That's it!  Please don't hesitate to ask questions here or on Flickr!  Happy sewing!!

a new computer!!!

Oh my!  We have been w/o a computer for MONTHS!!  But I'm back in business - we bought a new computer!!  Lookie - isn't she sexy??

Never thought a computer could look so good - that is until you go w/o one for so long!  

Why hello there long lost blog!!

So it appears that I have neglected this poor old blog!!!  Didn't mean to leave you hanging.  I can give you lots of excuses (busy w/the new school year @ work, my main computer is on the fritz, not much sewing going on, etc. etc) .... OR, I could just start writing again=)  So many things to update you on.

Today, I have to start with some VERY exciting news! I won a give-away!!!! What a nice surprise, too.  I had forgotten that I entered Erin's give-away ... so imagine my surprise when I got home v. late from a long plane ride (and awesome vacation w/the hubby) to see a package on my front step.  Look at this beauty:

*img taken from Erin's blog

A jelly roll!!!! I had been wanting needing a jelly roll for some time.  They make such quick and easy quilts.  But I haven't bought one b/c I have gone over my fabric budget a few months in a row .... so really, this was the perfect prize for me to win!  I literally was jumping UP and DOWN inside my house at midnight after ~6+ hours of traveling when I saw the beautiful new fabric.  

Go on over and check out Erin's blog. She is amazing, really.  She has made so many quilts in such a short time.  Her blog is lots of fun to read and filled with inspiration.  Thanks Erin!!

WIP Wednesday #2

I'm linking up to Freshly Pieced's WIP Wednesday. So Head on over there to get inspiration from other crafters! (You can also use the button that is in my side bar ... again, this may be at the bottom of the page - anyone know how to fix that??)

So time to shamefully admit my ever growing list of new projects .... as soon as I start one - another one comes up!!!  So here it goes.

1. DWR Quilt-Along
Progress: Fabric selected, arc fabric cut out, 20/80 arcs sewn ....

As many of you know, this is an intense quilt with lots of small pieces with the added bonus of sewing curves!!

Luckily The Plaid Scottie is hosting a quilt-a-long to give encouragement, answer questions, and is providing very detailed directions with pictures!!  This will prob. be on the WIP list for a l.o.n.g. time, but I'm ok with that!

2. New Wave Quilt in Hope Valley by Denise Schmidt

Progress: Pieced and basted ... ready to hit the machine for quilting this week!!

This was intended to be a wedding present for my friend who got married in May 2011!!  Good thing you have a year to give a wedding present ... ?? right?? 

I have had a really difficult time getting this quilt done for so many different reasons - it ended up put away and in the WIP drawer for several months because it was so frustrating.  But this week I brought it back out and have had a lot of fun finishing it up.

Bonus: This quilt is BEGGING (is that possible?) for straight line quilting - so it shouldn't take that long, right?? Of course, I think it measures out to be a twin size bed quilt!! Ahh - how did it get so big?? Wish me luck!!

PS: More pictures to come once its quilted and gifted!

3. Black Sundress
Progress: minimal ...

I thought I'd try making a garment and I also wanted to practice making something w/a knit fabric.  The intention was to sew this dress and bring it with me to Italy .... but instead, it sits in my "WIP Drawer".  The fabric is washed and ready and the pattern pieces are cut out, too ....  At this point, I'm going to wait until the inspiration and motivation to work on this type of project hits me before I begin to work on it again ....

4. "Summer Quilt" ....

Progress: minimal ...  

no progress to report... no picture to show.  This will be a Summer 2012 quilt .... hopefully ;-)

5. MY turn to host a fabric Bee - - Oct 2011

Progress: Fabric ordered and it has just arrived!! 

I want to do a snow-themed quilt.  My goal is to make a test block in the next couple weeks ... Hopefully I'll have more to report in the very near future.

6. August Bee Blocks - it's the last day of August, so I guess I better get on those!
Progress: I received the fabric .... hopefully these come together quickly!!


ooo ... maybe that list wasn't so bad after all .... only 6 projects!  And one quilt that is almost done?? hmm - time to start a new project, {wink, wink}


~Laura

PS: I should also mention, that I have big scrapbook plans as a present for a VIP in my life .... last scrapbook took 5 years (well, if I'm going to be honest with myself, I didn't really WORK on it for 5 years, hehe) ... this one will have to get done in 3.5 months!  Ready, set, go!