Two Quilts for Two Sisters

A friend of mine had baby two a year ago. As part of her shower gift, I made a quilt. My friend didn’t find out the gender of the baby ahead of time, so I couldn’t actually do anything until the baby was born.

I’m really late getting this to Z, but better late than never, right? And, of course, I had to make one for big sister. I have two boys. I have to get the pink in somehow.

Lots of Kaffe, some great Andover polka dots that I wish they’d keep as a basic (I can’t get enough of it), and some other fun, bright fabrics. I had to finish it with my favorite: a striped binding!

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Mushrooms in My Garden

Every six or so months, a member of my quilt guild is chosen to get blocks for his or her own group quilt. My friend SB asked for brightly colored blocks representing something in your garden.

The other day I was inspired by some neatly manicured bushes, and decided to make mushrooms. I mean, who doesn’t want pink mushrooms, right?

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Flying Geese Christmas Quilt, take 1

Husband and I had some dear friends get married in December 2012. The bride absolutely adores Christmas, hence the holiday wedding, and so it seemed appropriate to make a Christmas quilt for their wedding present.

Fast forward two years (yes, I still blame the delay on our move and renovation), and I’m finally starting. I plan to have two size geese, and a few other details that I’m not disclosing just yet.

I decided to challenge myself and not buy any fabric. I have to admit I was a little worried since tend to buy blue and orange fabric en masse. The good news, and the bad news, is that I managed to pull it off! Yep. I have enough fabric to piece an approximately 70×80 scrap quilt.

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Bonus: I have 5 yards of Christmas flannel that I bought on sale 7 or so years ago. Our friends live in Charm City so I know the extra weight will come in handy during the holidays.

Something Old

My sister-in-law is getting married in July. The last time K was home, she dug through her Mom’s closet and came across  her Mom’s wedding dress.

Vintage is beautiful, and incorporating vintage into your wedding is super cool. I can’t say what I’m doing, exactly (check back in late July/early August) and I can’t show you. I can give you a sneak peak, though, and tell you it’s her something old, and will be WAY cool!

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See you in four years!

Last July, I asked several quilter friends if they would like to be part of a round robin. There are no rules, but we each have six months to complete our border and send it to the next quilter. We’re working alphabetically so we always know who gets the quilt next. Pretty easy.

We have a dynamic group. Each of us has a great style, and look, but the combined efforts will make spectacular quilts. I can’t wait to see them finished. The long lead times mean we’ll have this project going on for four years -maybe less if we don’t take the full six months to complete a section. Everyone seemed okay with that.

We have just sent our centers to the first border maker. Okay, I still have to send mine, but I plan to do that tomorrow. Snow and winter break made it tough. I’m sending it with a small pack of fabric in case any of my friends want to incorporate them in other borders. I’m also sending a label so everyone can sign it.

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Round Robin – part one

Last July, seven of my quilt friends and I gathered forces and decided to do a round robin. The rules are loose:
1. We have six months to complete our part and send it to the next person.
2. We are sending our quilts to each other in alphabetical order. Straightforward and we won’t lose our places.
3. No size constraints.

Over the past few months I’ve heard that several if us are sending along fabric. For continuity, of course. And my friend Mary had the brilliant idea to send a label so we can each sign it. Awesome.

I have a lot of flowers, leaves, and well, work, left to make but here’s a sneak peak of my center.

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I Built This

I’ve worked with four amazing neighbors over the last year and a half to bring a new playground to Inman Park. Meetings, fundraisers, grant writing – all for this incredible structure in the center of our neighborhood. I couldn’t be any more proud of our work and accomplishment.

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The playground opened on this weekend. We took the kids there on Sunday for some fun.

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Two For Tee Pee

I love any reason to sew – especially when children and fundraisers are involved. The boys’ school has an auction every spring and each class makes a class project. They are always so adorable!  Last year I made this and it’s still a favorite. Sadly, my friend Barb is the happy owner. Guess I should make a new one. But, I digress.

This year I thought it would be fun to make a tee pee. My friend, Julia, found a pattern a few years ago then decided to make her own. Of course. Her tee pee was adorable and she was kind enough to let me use her pattern.

Putting the tee pee together was SO quick and easy. I did modify it a bit, though. Julia used French seams for the openings. I serged all the parts of mine together.

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Julia used grommets and leather cording to close the tee pee. I reinforced the back of the opening with woven fusible then used large eyelets and 5/8″ ribbon to close.

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I used acrylic paint and had each child put their handprints and footprints on the tee pee.

Close up of the footprints.

Little Mister told me that I was not to come home without the tee pee in hand. He was THRILLED when I told him that it was his. So far it’s been a good investment – Sean loves to play with it and buying the darn thing benefited the boys’ school.