Makeover

I'm in the process of making over the blog-a-roo. I wanted something brighter, less pastel/shabby-chicy. What do you think so far?

Dear bloggieland,

Thank you for all your kind comments over the past few months! I love being able to share a lil bit of my life with you, and I especially love hearing from you!

Better late than never

Chris & I weren't going to decorate his condo for Christmas this year. We were going to buy all the post-holiday clearance goodies. That was our plan atleast, until I saw the display of trees at target and talked myself into buying one.





Hey, $30 for a 6' pre-lit tree and $17 for 48 ornaments... I can't complian! It needs a tree skirt but I think it's pretty darn cute! And it's our first tree, aww!

Lil' Zoo Boo is off to it's owner!

Remember seeing previews of this?

Well, it's in the hands of it's new owner now so I can finally show you all pictures!

This little guy was my first commissioned quilt, and only my 2nd one that I have quilted myself... so be easy on me!

Here's the front of the lil' zoo boo quilt. I used 6" squares Alexander Henry's 2D Zoo bordered with 3" strips of various fabrics. I had a color scheme to match, and an unknown sex of the baby. I'm really happy with the way it turned out though!

And here's the back. I quilted it in straight lines, similar to the last baby quilt, The Cindy Loo Who.

I like the simplicity of the straight lines, and they go really quickly. (Not to mention that the very thought of stippling still scares me!)  The teal binding, orange stripe on the back and cream on the front are Kona Cotton, the backing is actually something I got on sale at JoAnn fabrics - love polka dots, especially if they're on sale!

The best part about this quilt... is that not even 24 hours after I gave it to her, the lil one decided to make his grand entrance into the world! (Yep, he ended up being a he - a little Aiden in fact!). I guess he was just waiting on this quilt to be done before he wanted to arrive!

Santa Baby

Think of all the fun I've missed...

Think of all the jelly rolls I haven't kissed,
Next year I could be just as good (at making cute quilts)
If you check off my Christmas List.

So hurry down the chimney tonite! And into my mailbox for every month following perhaps?


I've joined in on Fat Quarter Shop's Deeeeear Santa fun. A membership to the jelly roll club is on my list.
C'mon Santa, I bet you like jelly rolls just as much as cookies! Right, right?!
But really, I've never joined any of the "we-send-you-good-stuff-every-month" clubs, and I think 2010 is going to be my year to give in!

Helping to put a smile on a strangers face

I joined Sew Mama Sew's Quilting for Peace initiative tonight. I know I can't change the world, but I do like to think that I can help put a smile on someone's face when they're down.  They are going to be posting simple patterns and it's a great opportunity to use up some of your old, non-favorite or just plain excess fabric!

I have also recently received a packet of information about donating quilts to our local kid's hospital here in Indy, Riley Children's Hospital. I can only imagine how much comfort a snuggly, fun quilt can provide to those poor kids in there.

Lastly, I signed up to complete 4 blocks using Amy Butler's Lotus fabric for the Cancer is Sew Done group. I lost a grandmother to leukemia about 9 years ago, and a little boy I used to baby sit has been fighting a rare form of leukemia himself these past few months. I love the idea that all of us quilters can do a block or two and those wonderful ladies will assemble them and auction them off, then donate the proceeds to Alex's Lemonade Stand. (Photo courtesy of www.amybutlerdesign.com - fabric can be purchased from http://www.westminsterfibers.com/ )

It's been so crazy around here I haven't had a chance to start on any of these projects, but hopefully I can find some time within the next couple weeks to get a jump start on things! I sure do sound ambitious!

Sneak peak

I'm spending my Sunday night crinkling a quilt and baking cookies (yes, that is actually the only thing I do in my free time- bake- or so it seems! Haha)

The commissioned baby quilt, my first quilt I've ever sold (and only the second I've ever quilted) is in the wash, it makes me nervous. I always imagining opening the lid to the washer and have a tye-dyed stained mess.






Here's a little sneak-peak-a-roo. I'm in love with that deep teal binding against the orange and brown. Yummy!

All solids are Kona, the front is a mismatch of different designers.

I am really beginning to enjoy the quilting process. Ask me again after I tackle somethin larger than a baby quilt though!!

Time to go put 'er in the dryer. Wish me luck!

Chels

A seriously good night

I just got home from work. I fixed myself a nice hot mug of green tea and I'm in the process of making spice cake cookies (new recipe... Wish me luck!)

Then I plan on putting in The Holiday and doing some sewing!

Looking to be a great night in the making. Ahh

I'm aching for a movie night

Cold cold cold cooolllldddd weather has hit us. We had 40mph winds yesterday and have a whopping 12degree high for today.

This weather has me yearning to stay in cuddled on the couch with a stack of favorites. I'm thinking the playlist would go as follows:

1. The Holiday

2. Serendipity 

3. Sound of Music

4. PS I Love You

5. The Grinch

I know, I know, some of those aren't even Christmas movies but I am a sap for a good love story here and there!

What have you been wanting to watch lately?

Yesterday was Chris' birthday, so I had a big surprise evening planned for him - everything worked out beautifully! He couldn't have been more thrilled. I will be back to share more later!

Keep warm (I am - I'm wearing my bright purple Ugg's under my work pants today - hah good thing I don't get up from my desk too often!!)

A thought on backs

I really love the look of pieced backs... But I just can't bring myself to get too wild with them. I usually keep it relatively simple with one stripe (a pieced stripe, yes, but just one!)

I see so many photos around blogland of these amazing backs that are about as intricate as my fronts!





This is my most recent back, I'm not gonna lie- I kind of love it. Even though it is super simple, it makes me smile!

(Those animals in Alexander Henry's 2D Zoo are so darn cute!)

How do you decide what your back looks like? Do you dive on with a plan or just start sewing and see where you get? Just curious!

Back to the cutting mat-
Chels