A Friday Finish

I am so happy to report that I have a finished quilt top to share this week!  I am absolutely thrilled with how it turned out!

It is super simple, but I think it really shows off the adorable orange elephant fabric!  I love these bright colors for a baby quilt, don't you?

This weekend I will focus on piecing the back, making the dreaded quilt sandwich (my least favorite part), and then I'm going to do straight line quilting along the long seams.  We'll see how long it takes to finish.  Straight line quilting always seems to take a long time for me, but I really think it's best for this quilt.

What is everyone else working on this weekend?  Hope it's fun!

Today I'm linking up at Finish It Up Friday with Amanda Jean.  To see other's accomplishments this week check out the linky.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Sunday Stash Report

Happy Stash Report Sunday!  I am very pleased to say I did quite a bit of sewing this week, but I didn't add anything to the stash.  After last week's confession, what a relief!

I'm still plugging away at the elephant baby quilt.  It super simple, so even though I don't have as much time to sew as I'd like it's still coming together!  It's a rainy, gloomy day here in Virginia, the perfect day for sewing!  Unfortunately, my son has different ideas!  He thinks it's the perfect day for baking, bubble painting, and playing   board games.  Oh well, duty calls!  I've been told many, many times that before I know it he won't want me within 5 feet of him, so I'll enjoy his company while I can!

The numbers this week:

Used this week: 0 yards
Used YTD: 16 yards
Added this week: 0 yards
Added YTD: 43 yards
Net Added YTD: 27 yards.

Boring, Boring, Boring.  Same as last week, but at least I'm sewing and not shopping!

To see how everyone else did with their stash this week, head over to Judy's.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend everyone!

WIP Wednesday

Happy WIP everyone!  I can't believe it's time for another WIP post!  Fortunately, I have actually made some progress!

I have finished all 12 of the blocks needed for the elephant baby quilt!

Pretty cute if I do say so myself!

I'm using a pattern from the Spring 2012 issue of Quilts and More called "Animal Crackers".  At the very top it says that this project is "super easy".  So far it has lived up to that statement!  I'm sure others would be presenting a completely finished quilt this week for you, but I'm really slow!  My plan is to have a completed top by this weekend so I can start quilting this little baby.  I'm thinking I will do straight line quilting following the lines of the rectangles.  Super simple and clean lines.  Easy, peasy.  The next baby quilt won't happen this quickly or easily, so I'm glad this one has been so far!

I have been itching to start something new this week, but I've stayed on task!  I am determined that the new babies in my life will not have to wait until they are six months old for their quilts!  Once these two are finished I am going to start something new for me.  Even if it's just a couple of blocks...

If you'd like to see what everyone else accomplished this week, go to Lee's to check out the linky!

Sunday Stash Report--The Catch Up Edition

I decided to take a little blogging break and with it came a stash report break.  I didn't mean for it to be almost two months, but sometimes life gets in the way.  Of course that doesn't mean I took a break from shopping and sewing...a girl has to have some fun right?

You might want to grab your favorite beverage and perhaps a snack because we've got some catching up to do.  Hope you are ready for some (or a lot) pictures of my pretty fabric!

Flea Market Fancy:

This was no surprise!  I have been talking about adding some of this to my stash since I heard it would be re-released!  I have to say I'm not disappointed in the least.  I take this down from its shelf quite often to admire it.

I do have plans to add more, but not until I have made a little more progress on some of my current projects.  I'm not sure what I will make with it, but I will make a least one quilt for my bed from the whole collection and I'm sure I'll have plenty to spare.

Pezzy Prints:

I do love these Pez prints from American Jane.  I missed them the first time around so I couldn't resist this cute little fat quarter pack.  I'm sure more will be added later.  I will definitely need a little of the red pez!

I don't have these in mind for a particular project, but I think they are a perfect basic to have on hand.  Love them!

Pearl Bracelets:

I love these Pearl Bracelets from Lizzy House.  I'm sure before the year is over more will find their way into the stash!

Prince Charming:

I'm slowly still gathering these prints.  I love everything Tula Pink does, but especially this line!  Next year I want to make a Single Girl quilt and I think this line will be what I use.  I can't wait!

Grinch:

We love Dr Seuss in this house, so I knew we had to have the Grinch fabric for a Christmas quilt.  The best part is I found a lot of these on sale! 

Going Coastal:

Once the weather started to turn decidedly Spring/Summer my son and I started talking about the beach.  He wants to build a sand castle and jump in the waves.  Since I couldn't indulge his snowman fantasies this year (winter never showed up around here) I told him we would hit the beach A LOT this summer.  I think this is the perfect quilt fabric for hitting the Maryland and Delaware Beaches.  I will have to order more, but I think this is enough to get me started!

I wouldn't want you to think I was completely selfish.  I did buy some fabric to make quilts for others.

Red, White and Blue:

I bought some beautiful fabrics to add to my next Quilt of Valor.  I don't think you can have too many red, white and blues!

I'm proud to say I've already cut into the two on the right.

Baby quilts:

It's the year of the baby for my friends and family.  I'm such a trendsetter!  I had my two boys and now everybody wants a baby.  I think it's because mine are so cute and sweet...most days!  :)

The oranges are the backing and binding of a baby quilt I'm piecing currently.  It's going to together really quickly so hopefully the top will be finished soon.  The gray is just a great solid that I got at Joann's with a coupon.  Couldn't pass it up!

This gorgeous pile of Anchors Away is for another soon to be new arrival in the family.  My sweet step sister is expecting her baby next month.  I can't wait!

Her husband is big into sailing.  Won't this be perfect for them? 

All in all not too bad when you think that I spread this out over two months!  Especially when you consider I do have a finish to report.  I finished my first top for Quilts of Valor in March.  In my haste to turn it in, I forgot to take a picture.  I will post one when I get it back from the Longarmer.

I hope you've enjoyed looking at my fabric as much as I have!  Now I'm off to go finish that baby quilt before my beloved comes back from his mother's with the boys!

The numbers:

Used since February: 4 yards
Used YTD: 16 yards
Added since February: 39.25 yards
Added YTD: 43 yards
Net Added: 27 yards

Not so bad!  I still have plenty of time to get back down to zero!  I'll just have to go back to my plan of no more buying until I finish at least these two baby quilts!

To see how everyone else is doing, go to Judy's!  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Fabric Wishlist

I have seen a couple of bloggers featuring the fabric they are dreaming of sewing with this summer and I couldn't resist joining in!  One of my goals for this year is to try to use what I have, but there is just nothing like new fabric for new projects.  Of course, I usually leave new fabric on the shelf to occasionally take down and pet.  (You know you do it too!)

I'm someone who cannot get enough Christmas fabric, so it's no surprise that some is on my wishlist:

Sheri Berry's designs are so cute, and Alpine Wonderland is no exception!  I can see Christmas quilts, but also some pretty aprons for the bakers on my gift list this year out of this line.



I have loved all of Aneela Hoey lines, and I can't wait to get my hands on Cherry Christmas!  I would love to have a cute little quilt for my living room out of this line!  Not too mention  a couple of pillows...




I think Sweetwater's Lucy's Crab Shack is the perfect fabric for summer sewing.  I'm really loving the bathing suits hanging out to dry!  Too cute!!



Of course anytime Tula Pink has a new line coming out I'm always interested!  I'm intrigued by her take on Halloween fabric.  Nightshade is so beautiful I think I'd keep it at all year long!



My favorite new Halloween line has to be Guising from Lizzy House.  The candy corn, the ghosts, the new pearl bracelets...can't wait to make some Halloween decor from this!



As someone who loves to make quilts for babies and kids, I can't wait to see The Simple Life by Tasha Noel.



I think my son might need a pillowcase or two made out of Ed Emberley's Happy Drawing.  Especially with either of these:





Of course there are many, many more, but I think I've gone on long enough.  Time to stop dreaming about new fabric and go finish some of my current projects!

Are there any fabrics that you are picturing in your dream stash that I didn't mention?  Do tell!


Pictures courtesy of the Fat Quarter Shop and Hawthorne Threads.  Two of my very favorite places to shop!

WIP Wednesday

I'm so excited to be participating in WIP Wednesday again!  I'm hoping it will help me stay on track with my next couple of projects then it's back to the UFO's from last year that need finishing!

Orange Elephants:

Thanks to some early morning cutting, all the pieces are cut out waiting for me in the basement.  I just love getting up early when the house is still quiet, drinking coffee, and working away in my sewing space.  It's the best!  This afternoon while the boys are napping and after I'm finished making dinner, sewing will commence!  I hate when my domestic life gets in the way of my quilting!!

I have received a ton of pictures of the new little guy and I can't wait to meet him!  My cousin Elise did good, he's adorable!

Sailboats:

Here is my stack of Anchors Away by Dear Stella.  I wish I had seen the kit from FQS before I bought yardage.  It would have been perfect!  I just bought the pattern, so I'll have to see if I have enough fabric on hand to make it.  Here's hoping!

This stack will turn into a beautiful quilt for my sweet step-sister's baby who should be here in Mid-May.  I can't wait because I just know he will be gorgeous!  Now, I just wish somebody in the family would have a little girl!  Oh well, I guess I'll just have to use A Walk in the Woods for myself!  :)




I can't get enough of these anchors!  They are so preppy which will be just perfect for this family!  They look like they stepped right out of a J. Crew catalog!

 Of course I have a million other projects either already started or spinning around in my head, but these two for the new babies are the priority.  Not to be selfish, but I can't wait to get back to a project for me.  Oh well, soon enough!

To see what others are working on head on over to Lee's.  Good luck making progress on your project's this week!

Hello Out There!

Well, I'm back.  Sorry to have been away for so long, but I needed to take a break.  Not just from blogging (since baby G came along I haven't been doing much anyway), but from quilting in general.  Without going into a ton of boring details suffice it to say the past couple of months have been exciting yet stressfull and in the end turned disappointing.  Needless to say, everything and everyone is okay, but I just needed a little time to get my head together.  Now I'm itching to get back into my sewing room!

Some sewing updates:

I finished my first quilt top for Quilts of Valor.  I was so excited to turn it in to the MSP Quilting Angels I didn't take a picture first.  I will be sure to post one when it is back from the long-armer!  If you want to see a picture of the first block I made find it here.

I'm currently busy working on a quilt for my cousin who just had her baby this morning.  As usual I'm running really, really behind, but I'm determined to finish it before he's a year old!  Oh how I love having a new little baby to squeeze especially when I don't have to deliver them!  I can't wait to get my hands on that sweet little boy!

 Once I finish this baby quilt I will start on one for my step-sister who is due May 8th.  Lots of little babies coming into the family this year!  I can't wait!  Keep 'em coming ladies!

Well, I'm off to the park to wear out the kiddos and then I'll start quilting away!

See you tomorrow for WIP Wednesday!