Jett's Quilt

I made the boy version of this "Cheater Quilt" for my little guy thanks to the idea from over at Prudent Baby. It took no time at all - literally one evening...well, it would have been one evening, but just as I was about to finish the last edge of the binding, guess what? My last needle broke!

Anyways, it was so quick and simple and I am so, SO happy with the results:

Totally worth the amount I spent on the topside fabric (the backside, interfacing, and binding I all got on sale at Joann's). I think the results are so cute that I might even splurge again to make Callie the girl version (seen here) for Christmas.

Red, White, and Blue

Using this pattern, I made a little 4th of July dress for Callie with some fabric I bought on clearnce at Joann's:

I need to adjust the length, but overall I think it's really cute on her.

Quilting Bee (Sharon)

For our final month of MSQB, Sharon wants to make a quilt for her husband. She shared a mosaic of pictures she put together of grass, sky, beautiful landscapes, wildlife, and such to show us the color scheme she was going for (blues, greens, oranges, browns).

I ended up choosing to do a pinwheel block for her, using this tutorial.

Here's how it turned out (sorry my picture is a little blurry):

PJ bottoms

Using this tutorial, I made Callie some summer pj bottoms. I purchased 1 yard of a lightweight knit fabric for 50% off at Joann's and was able to cut out two pairs of capris and one pair of shorts. They were very simple since I used a pair of pants that already fit her as my "pattern" and just shortened them. I made this pair in under 30 minutes: Two more pairs to sew up :)

Half and Half Skirt

Using this tutorial, I made a new little skirt for Callie:

Super easy and super quick. I'll definitely be making more! :)

Quilting Bee (Sara)

Cathedral Windows were Sara's choice for this month's 2nd MSQB block. She sent white fabric out to those who needed it and we chose blue and green colored fabric from our stashes. Check out her post with the links on how to sew one of these:I was really intimidated with this block at first...and not wanting to wait until the last minute, I started on it the day we got back from vacation. After I got past the "danish" part (this post helped me figure out how to do it), I was on a roll. I'm really proud of myself for finishing this block - especially before the end of the month! Ha! It's not perfect, but I'm pleased with how it came out.Overall, I would not choose to do this block again (despite the fact that there's no quilting to be done afterward), but I am glad I can at least say that I've done one.

Quilting Bee (Johanna)

For this month's MSQB, Johanna chose to do a modern sampler quilt leaving the design of our blocks up to us. The only requirements were that we were to make our blocks 12" X 12" and use pink, yellow, orange, and white colors.

I immediately knew what I wanted to try - flying geese! I ended up using this tutorial for a Dutchman's Puzzle. I loved how precise and crisp looking this block came out:Just as the tutorial says, you end up with a bunch of little triangles...so I also planned on making Johanna a pinwheel block. Here it is:

One block left for this month and then June will be our last month for MSQB. Can't belive how quickly this year is flying by!

Quilting Bee (Hilary)

Just in time for the month to end, I completed Hilary's block for our MSQB. Hilary chose for us to do a flower inspiration quilt block. She sent neutral fabric for the background and let us chose how to interpret the flower in our block. I'm curious to see what everyone comes up with for this one. I chose to do a block using the paper piecing technique.

This one is called a Starry Web block, and here's how mine turned out:

Kinda looks like a sunflower. I found the instructions for this block via In Color Order...one of my newly found favorite quilting blogs.

I also did one more for Hilary inspired by this tutorial:

It is much simpler, but maybe it'll break up busyness between blocks.

Quilting Bee (Lindsey)

Lindsey chose a Wonky Star for this month using this tutorial. She wanted this block to be in teal, orange, and white colors. I really enjoyed making this block. It was fun picking out the fabrics and the block went together really quick. I'd love to someday make a whole quilt of these blocks!

I had a hard time getting a decent picture of the blocks (I had enough scraps to make 2 for Lindsey)...which is due to my lack of photog skills and the lighting. Oh well!

Quilitng Bee (Pam)

Pam chose for our MSQB to do a mosaic block this month. She asked us to use the the tutorial from this post. We're just doing it smaller (12.5" X 12.5") instead of the size of the pillow.

I have to admit, I was really intimidated by this one, even after doing the Liberated Churn Dash last month. But after finally sitting down to read all the way through the tutorial, I got started and it was actually very simple.

I love the end result:

Quilting Bee (Me)

March is my host month for the MSQB that I have previously posted about here, here, and here.

I chose a patchwork block using this tutorial using pinks, purples, and yellows. Once I put it all together, it will be for Callie future big-girl bed. I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with...the fabric choices, colors, placement. :)

Here's how mine turned out:

Quilting Bee (Toni)

The second block for February's MSQB was for Toni. She chose a Liberated Churn Dash block using this post as a guide in any shade of red/pink. I had never heard of this type of block, much less done one, so my first attemp was a little rocky:

I ended up doing a second one as well, here's how it turned out:Next month is my turn to host the block I have chosen. I can't wait to get started on my quilt!

Quilting Bee (Theresa)

For February, it's Theresa and Toni's turn.

I've already finished Theresa's block...she chose a pinwheel sampler quilt in "spring" colors. I've never done a pinwheel, so I did this one to start...technically it's a "Friendship Star":

(free tutorial found here)

That one ended up being a bit too small to meet Theresa's requirement for measurement so I went ahead and did a traditional pinwheel as well to send her as well. Here it is:

(free tutorial found here)

sleepy-time baby doll

This was way too cute to pass up:

Pattern found at here at whipup.net.

Lazy Days Skirt

Using this tutorial (via Prudent Baby) as a guide, I made a cute little skirt for Callie using leftover fabric. Here's how it turned out:

Quilting Bee (Kelly)

Here is the second block for January's MSQB, this time hosted by Kelly. She chose to do a Bento Box quilt following this tutorial in "warm" and non-primary colors. Here's how mine turned out (pre-cut):

The tutorial was very easy to follow and I really enjoyed making this block. Here is a close-up:

Quilting Bee (Mer)

I signed up for a quilting bee. Lame? You may think so, but I think it'll be fun...and most likely challenging since I've never made a block quilt before!

Kelly of Irene Design put it all together and even made the cute link button that you see on the left-hand sidebar (MSQB). You can click on it to see what we're up to :)

Anyway, next month it starts and Mer and Kelly are hosting. I already started and finished Mer's block, here's what it looks like:

She wanted us to do an improv block that plays with frames in yellow, gray, and white fabric (which I have little of ). I can't wait for my host month (March) to see what people come up with!

Crafter's Wishlist

Following the trend seen on this blog [here and here]. I'm making my own version of a "Crafter's Wishlist". I'm sure there is more that I can add, but these are a few things that I've been wanting lately.

1. Sewing Machine Case:

[image source]
I've had my own sewing machine for about 2-3 years now and I still don't have one of these! My sewing machine can get quite dusty in between projects...not to mention that it would be much easier to move it from place to place with one of these.

2. Yarn:

[image source]
I love, love, LOVE to knit! I want to use this lovely cotton yarn to make a fun blanket for Callie. I'd also like to get my hands on some more wool yarn to make some more cozy hats and mittens - because winter has only just begun!

3. Cables needles[image source]
In the next year or so, I would love to learn to knit cables...these are a must when knitting cables, I hear :)

4. Fluted pastry cutter:[image source]
To make my pies prettier :)

5. Fabric:[image source]
I made Braden a blanket out of fleece way back when we were dating...and we still use it all. the. time. But I want my own now...and apparently Braden isn't going to return the favor and make me a blanket (hear my sarcasm?) so might as well make one for myself! :)

6. Headlamp:
This one is cheesy, but I don't care! I'd like a headlamp...the kind you strap to your head to read a book in the dark....but I will most likely use it in the car to see my knitting. It gets dark early with the time change and I need something to do when we drive to St. Louis for Christmas. I'm sure other passersby will think I'm crazy! I'm also pretty sure that I have a headlamp around my apartment somewhere...just need to find it!

DIY Scarf

Yesterday I got an itch to make a scarf! A scarf to go with my new coat I found on clearance at Target this week. Speaking of clearance, the fabric I found at JoAnn's to make the scarf was only $1.50 for the yard! I found a super easy tutorial online and it literally took me 15 minutes and a round in the wash/dryer and here's what I got:Can't beat that for $1.50!
Tutorial found here via luvinthemommyhood.

The Everything Bag

Hot off my sewing machine is Amy Butler's "The Everything Bag".This pattern was the most difficult thing I have sewn in my limited experience, but it was well worth the time and effort I put into it. This picture (although blurry) gives you an idea of how roomy it is with 2 pockets lining each inside panel:

Amy Butler pattern from her book "Little Stitches for Little Ones"