Anticipation

It's about that time! I decided to take a vacation and spend it not on a beach but at home with the family. It will be a combination-adventure, spending a few days wedding dress shopping with the bride-to-be sister in Chicago followed by a train ride HOME with Mom. I anticipate a week of crafting! While Mom and Dad are at work I will be crafting with Grandma! You may remember that all those years ago it was the Grandma that taught me how to sew. I don't know how much fabric the sister and I wasted making "purses" which was the first item I learned to make. Needless to say, the quilts my Grandma turns out are spectacular. I hope to be that good one day.

I purchased the above fabric to make a tiny baby quilt that will attach to a stroller or carseat. My cousin is having a baby girl! Finally a girl to make stuff for!! I'm coming for you, Grandma! I got all the fabric cut and ready to sew.

A week filled with crafting doesn't denote quilting only (although the goal is to completely finish this tiny quilt). I will also be hanging out with the brother. Video games and knitting? The ultimate combination. I've been trekking along and am almost finished with the yoke of the baby sweater I'm making for Baby Cousin. I should even have enough yarn left over for a pair of baby socks or booties. Neti and I spent last weekend on the couch knitting and snoozing. You can see we were quite comfortable.

Can't wait to get home! My flight leaves in 7 hours. Hurrah! Next post will be from home. Maybe I should highlight some of Grandma's inspiration quilts.

Happy Crafting!

A Peek into the 30's

This weekend was GORGEOUS and what did I do? Shut the blinds so I could properly quilt, that's what! Don't worry, I did actually get out a bit and take a few walks with the hubby through downtown. I finished another quilt-- "A Peek in to the 30's".

I know that I've mentioned many times how difficult fun it is to have a little crafty-cat. Let's see if you would put up with her nonsense. At least one of us had fun. Ok, I actually love when she terrorizes me. I'm sure it's because she loves me, hahaha.

You saw a layout of the quilt last post but I want you to know that I worked hard for that layout.

Last weekend I sewed it all together and got it basted. This weekend was a focus on actually quilting it with a new (to me) quilt pattern I found online.

I had a handful of little squares left over from the front since I trailed in two corners so I decided to piece the back. I needed it to, because I barely had enough backing fabric.

I then quilted an Orange Peel design, which I LOVE and desperately need to practice more. I'm ok with the ok quilt job. It looks rustic. Haha.

I slapped the binding on it lickidy-split and wallah! A finished quilt!

I called it "A Peek into the 30's" because all of the fabric are 30's repros. I love all the fabric and love how intermixed they still look amazing together.

Here's the back...

I absolutely love how it turned out. I don't really have any plans for this one. I figured I could treat myself to a quilt now that I'm about to be back in baby mode for a cousin who is expecting in June. Yes, this June. I'm running a little behind on that one. 

Along with the baby quilt I'm sending a baby sweater. I went a little overboard because this cousin and I are close AND because it's the first little girl I've had to prep for! FINALLY! A girl! Too many boy things, I've been craving pink. I started up a swatch this weekend and blocked it to get my gauge. Perfect!

I also have the fabric to baste and quilt my Victorian Festive quilt. Can you believe this cat finally fell asleep?! Sometimes you just need to distract her with another sewing project.

A full week of crafts ahead and just two weeks until HOME with family. I can't wait to spend a week quilting and knitting with Grandma and fam.

Happy Crafting!

Guest Quilting

In desparate need of a sister's weekend I flew to Chicago to visit the one and only sister of mine. It was COLD and that's a little weird to say seeing as Seattle is usually still chilly this time of year. It was actually 20 degrees colder in Chicago! Regardless we did spend the day running around doing some scouting for wedding pictures (hence the park below) and choosing linens and looking for photographers and... well, the list continues.

While in Chicago the sister and I did what we do best-- vegetate. Either this blog or my constant chatter or a recent Seattle trip which included snuggling in my own T-shirt quilt inspired Devon to make one for herself and our brother. Ok, maybe it was the fact that the brother cleaned out his clothes for Goodwill. The brother's was up first. Devon had done SO MUCH! She was much more methodical than I, placing interfacing under each T-shirt and sewing them all together. We even spent time on the phone together calculating how much quilt batting and backing she would need. She even basted it! And then she stopped.

I haven't been able to get over to Bainbridge yet to get a new knitting project (a very particular one is in mind) so I went to Chicago empty handed. Devon seemed hesitant to quilt, as she never has before, and I know the feeling. With ants in my pants for a project while vegging I asked if I could quilt our brother's blanket and of course, Devon said yes.

 

A day of guilty pleasures (see the Lindsay Lohan version of Parent Trap up there?) and quilting with my sister. Things could NOT have been better. It was the best day ever!! And not only did I show her how to quilt, fix her machine of an annoying bobbin threading issue, but I also bound and finished the quilt!

It was pretty much the best when, while stretching my back and getting a cup of tea I overheard my sister and her fiance discussing my work. Fiance: "That was so fast!" Sister: "Well, she does this all the time, this was easy for her." Fiance: "You should get ours ready and when she's here next month see if she'll quilt that one". Haha! It's so nice to get recognized for something you are so passionate about. The hubby has to put up with my "look at this! look at this!" but these guys don't. Like I said, it was pretty much the perfect day.

I am now inspired to get quilting on my next project! I'm almost there! I'm a bit farther ahead than what you see below.

I have a quilting plan in mind that I am dying to try-- the orange peel. I just need to get to that point. The goal? Finish piecing tonight and spend the weekend quilting. Thanks again to Devie and the fiance for hosting me over the weekend. Devon, get that next blanket ready, I will see you in 21 days!

Happy Crafting!