When I started laying out fabrics for this quilt, my husband made some comment that included the word "ugly".











Even he admits now he was wrong. So very, very wrong. The pattern is based on the stacked coins quilt from Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts. The fabrics came from just about everywhere- the remnant bin, other quilter's scraps, a vintage pillowcase. I've been saving up every orange fabric I could find for several months now.

Several blog posts about the whole process at http://trinasdoings.blogspot.com/2009/01/grand-unveiling.html

In an effort to use up some of my scraps and learn how to free motion quilt, I made these-



It's crib size log cabin quilt and a doll sized stack of coins quilt.



I am really proud of how they turned out.



For some reason I couldn't get all my pictures to upload. There are more pictures (including closeups of the larger quilt and the backings of both) and more details on my blog- http://trinasdoings.blogspot.com/2008/09/bright-baby-quilt-set.html

I saw this how to: http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/cr_beading/article/0,2025,DIY_13745_3471400,00.html and had to make one. Right away. Nothing could stop me. Not even a lack of 16 gauge wire. So I made it with the 20 gauge wire I had.


I did minimize the swirlies at the ends. In the bad picture on the website they seem to take over the whole bracelet. I find them much less distracting this way.


I love it. I love it so much that I want to start right over and make another one or five. I am definately making a trip to the craft store for 16 gauge wire. The thinner wire bent everytime I yanked on it a little. Plus, its not really sturdy enough to stay on my wrist all day. I also want to try more contrast between the color and sizes of the beads.

I'm looking for some great quilting blogs to add to my daily reading. Right now I'm really loving crazymomquilts.blog spot.com. Anyone have any other suggestions?

I promised my brother a quilt for his wedding in June. Since I've only tied quilts before and never actually machine quilted before, I figured now would be a good time to try. This is my practice crib size quilt before attempting it on his queen size monstrosity.



Black and White are supposed to be good for babies' visual development. And I wanted it to be gender neutral since it doesn't have an intended recipient yet.



Of course the one photo of the backing I took is of the ugliest corner. That's where I was experimenting with how I was going to handsew it. The rest of the binding is much prettier with tiny little stitches.



And some closeups from before the machine quilting-








What do you masters of the quilting arts think?

I just finished an order of five button bracelets for a coworker and thought I would share the button bracelet love.













They are super easy. Three buttons stacked on either a decorative headpin or a regular headpin with a sead bead on the end. Attached to a chain. That's really all there is to them.

One of the ladies at work asked me to make a giraffe for her niece. After some Craftster style inspiration and some planning- I came up with two. I couldn't decide which idea I liked better so I ended up just making both and letting her choose.



Giraffe-


And a kid dressed as a giraffe-


She choose the giraffe. But, someone else at work saw them and ended up buying the kid in the giraffe suit. I am very excited about how they turned out. I am even thinking about a series- kid in a frog suit. Kid in a cat suit. Kid in a dog suit. Maybe I just have Halloween on the mind.

Maude the (Pink) Elephant


And a yet unnamed Button Eyed Croc


Anyone else tried any patterns from Toys to Sew by Claire Garland? I had problems with both of these. On the Croc, I just ran out of patchwork fabric. The instructions were vague on the Elephant. Plus, pieces were called different things in the instructions and actually on the pattern pieces. Plus, some of the pieces just did not fit. Maybe its just me and my pretty wonky sewing techniques.

From Knitted Toys by Zoe Miller (one of my favorite books ever). Made from worsted weight cotton, so its significantly bigger than the ones in the book.



My daughter's favorite thing to do is swing it around by the tail.

There used to be a free pattern on-line for a lace and agate scarf but I can't find it anymore. Luckily I printed out a copy when I first found it. Basically it was Razor Lace with beads sewn on the points on the end.

Today I finished mine.

 





Red Heart Soft Yarn in Wine (picked out by the friend I knit it for- definitely not my choice). The beads are "Not Your Common" beads. I just saw them for the first time a couple of weeks ago. They're made of resin and I really like them. A little huge for most of my uses but I love them on this.