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!

Destin!

We're back!

Not that most of you knew we left in the first place! :)

But we took a family vacation down to Destin, FL this past week. It was truly a relaxing time spent laying on the beach, taking naps, watching tv, shopping, and eating. I told Braden that we can't let 3 years go by without going to the ocean ever. again. Last time we went was back in 2008 to Hilton Head, SC to celebrate our 2 year anniversary...that was pre-Callie and pre-baby #2 on the way!

Here are some of my favorite pictures from our trip. Just had to share :)

22 weeks along (here's a post from when I was 22 weeks with Callie):

17 Months

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.

Flashback

One year ago today, this is what my Callie girl looked like...

(photo by Alicia)

5 months old...starting to sit up on her own...adorable as ever :)

Happy Easter

Bitty Hat

A few weeks ago I purchase some yarn on sale from Darn Good Yarn. This yarn is great! Not only is it this yarn spun and hand-dyed for a good cause, it is also really great to work with. I knew I wanted to make a couple baby hats from it so I set to work making my own pattern. This hat works up super fast using this bulky yarn and should fit a baby anywhere from 0-3 months old, I'd say...depending on baby's noggin size :)Here it is:

CO 36 onto size 13 dpns

Knit for about 5" (approx. 17 rows)

Start decreases:

k4, k 2tog; repeat around k 1 round

k3, k2tog; repeat around

k 1 round

k2, k2tog; repeat around

k 1 round

k1, k2tog; repeat around k 1 round

k2tog; repeat around

k2tog; repeat around

You should now have only 2 st left.

k an i-cord long enough to tie a knot in

Bind off.

[Ravelry link]

Sound easy? Well, it is! Happy knitting :)

P.S. I don't mind if you make these hats to sell or give to friends/family, just please link back and give credit to where credit is due. Thanks!

2 Things

1. This picture was taken of me yesterday:Yes, I'm pregnant! :)

I haven't mentioned it on the blog before so it may or may not shock you (depending on if you already know) that I am 19 weeks along! Things are going well and we couldn't be happier. My due date currently is September 9th. Click here to see photos of what my belly looked like with Callie at 19 weeks.

2. I have been changing the direction of my etsy shop for a while now to sell knit/crochet baby hats. I am so excited about it, mainly because babies have been on my mind alot lately (see 1.) and also becuase I love knitting and crocheting...especially for babies! Anyways, a few weeks ago I came in contact with the lovely Leslie Styler of Leslie Styler Photography and I've been working with her to get some better photos of my hats. Here's some of her talented work:You can visit Leslie's blog here and she also is on Facebook.

Heart Hat

Back around Christmas I knitted this hat for myself after seeing it over at Pickles one of my favorite knitting blogs. I never got around to taking a photo of it until yesterday.The pattern can be found here.

Raveled here.

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!

My Little Easter Bunny

This little hat was made for one of my etsy customers who is trying to start a photography business. She needed several hats to use as props for little ones.

It knit up so quickly that I made a second one to sell as well. You can purchase it at my shop...just in time for Easter :)

16 Months

We've had beautiful weather here in Lousville the past few days. Callie and I are taking full advantage of it. Spring is so unpredictable that we like to soak in every ounce of sunshine that we possibly can. Here's my (not so little) girl exploring our "backyard". Dirt and rocks seem to be pretty interesting lately...hopefully soon she'll graduate from wanting to taste them too :)

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:

"O" is for Owl (Part. 2)

Part 1 here.

With all the sewing I've been doing lately, I was starting to get the urge to pick up some yarn. So I started with this little owl hat for Callie: [Ravelry]

Next I hope to restock the shop with new knits for newborns! :)

Oh, and speaking of my shop: I'm offering 20% off til next Friday, March 18th! So check it out :)

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: