A PLUS QUILT FOR A GREAT CAUSE

I am so proud to be a small part of Craft Hope~We Are Kenya.  Although I purchased a copy of their book, Craft Hope-Handmade Crafts for a Cause, a couple of years ago, this is the first time I have donated to their projects (this is #25...wow!).  After reading about We Are Kenya, I knew that it was the perfect time to start. 

  I was so excited that I immediately started pulling gender friendly fabrics (not knowing who will receive my quilt) from my stash and came up with a color pallet I liked.  I started cutting pieces for a Plus Quilt and I was soon laying it out on our living room floor (where do you lay your quilts out?). 

I am so pleased with out it turned out and hope that one of the 25 little boys & girls receiving a quilt will love it as much as I do. (Excuse the pic, it was a very overcast day)

I went very simple with the quilting as I am not used to quilting twin sizes on my sewing machine.  (Can you spot my fabric placement error?  Oops!)

I had a hard time choosing a binding color. So, instead of choosing just one, I went scrappy. I love it!

 

 

If you would like to learn more about Craft Hope and find out how you can help, please visit here.

 

Hope your Monday is magnificent!

Thank you for stopping by.

Smiles~Beth

 

 

 

 

 

This 'Sacred Sewing Room' is so inspiring.

A little over 5 years ago I found myself feeling lost.  At the time, I had been a stay-at-home-mom to our 3 boys for 9 years & had also been caring for another little boy, 3 days a week, for almost 2 years. I had always wanted to be a SAHM & I couldn't understand why I was no longer feeling fulfilled with my role in the family.  

 
Around this time my best girlfriend, Terra, had started sewing clothes for her daughter. Everything was adorable & her new talent inspired me.  The only problem, I didn't have a sewing machine or know the first thing about sewing.  So, I bought my first sewing machine (identical to Terra's), packed up the boys and headed 3 hours away to Terra's house.  Our kiddos played during the day and at night Terra patiently taught me the basics of sewing. Those 4 days changed my life.  I slowly realized that I simply needed something that was "mine".  That may sound selfish to some of you and I am OK with that. Sewing created the outlet I needed to still feel like what I did mattered.  Because, let's face it, no one was complimenting me on my sandwich making skills and house keeping abilities (although, that may have been because I am not a great house keeper...ha!).

Now, onto the reason I decided to post to my blog after almost a year off.  An old high school friend tagged me in an article that she posted on Facebook.  Although, my situation is different, I related to this story so much.  It reminded me of the insecure place I was in 5 years ago & how much sewing has helped me be a better Mom & wife.  I hope you take a few minutes to read it. 



Who knows, maybe it will inspire you to share your skills with someone & help change their lives.  Just like Terra did for me.


Smiles~Beth

A BABY GIRL QUILT

I am so excited to share this baby quilt with you.  This was a commissioned quilt.  I tend to worry more when trying to meet someone else's expectations rather than when I am making quilts as gifts.  I wasn't given much direction, just a couple color suggestions, which took a little of the pressure off.

 

I came across this gorgeous print by Amy Butler at Fabric.com. It was the perfect starting point. Definitely girly but not too 'baby'.

Alchemy, Queen Ann's Butterflies in Topaz

After receiving approval, I starting pulling fabrics and came up with this lovely stack.
 

 

Next, I went through my Quilt Love board on Pinterest and decided on this amazing tutorial by Amy over at Diary of a Quilter (thank you, Amy!!). I changed it up slightly by using a different print in each block.  I also added one more row of blocks on the bottom.

 

 

For the back, I appliqued baby's name, using prints from the front.

 

 

The simple straight line quilting was done on my home machine, a Janome 4900qc.

 

I had so much fun working with this color palette! I fell in love with it the more I worked with the fabrics and I am proud of the way it turned out. And I am happy to report that it was very well received...whew!

 

Hope you have a lovely day!

Smiles~Beth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



TURNING 11

Today is my middle monster's 11th birthday. I couldn't help but pull out a few old (& 1 new) photos to embarrass celebrate him.  I am truly honored to be this kiddos Mom.

 

          





I couldn't pass this one up...it is SO Sam!!



Taken by April Yost of A Yost Photography...thank for rushing to get it edited for me to use today.  Just another reason she is AMAZING!!



Just a few (or more) things I love about him...

He gives the best hugs...he holds on tight and rarely lets go first

His sense of humor...even if it gets him in trouble sometimes ;)

His smarts...this kid received a PERFECT report card last week (seriously,perfect,not even a 99%!)

He is leader...in the classroom & on the ball field

His kind heart...he is friends with everyone & doesn't leave anyone out

His confidence...he has just the right amount...he is proud but modest

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SUNSHINE!!!

 

Smiles~Beth

 

 

 

 



PILLOWCASES~OUR NEW "GO TO" BIRTHDAY GIFT

It seems like my youngest monster, age 7 (going on 16), gets invited to ALOT of birthday parties.  This past summer he requested that I make his buddies their gift (it was a joint party).  I tried to convince him to just go to the toy department with me and pick something out or simply give a gift card. I was leaving for Florida the next day with my middle monster for a baseball tournament.  He wouldn't go for it.  His argument was, "Mom, you are such a good maker.  You shouldn't just make things for us."  How was I supposed to argue with that? 

 

After a little thought (and help from my girl, Terra!), we decided that I would make pillowcases. I found this super easy to follow tutorial by Missouri Quilt Co. and whipped 2 pillowcases up fairly quickly. 

 

 

My monster chose the soccer ball fabric.  I thought it was a perfect choice since the boys are all teammates :)  I added their soccer #'s to make them more personal.  I used heat transfer vinyl.  The white vinyl glows in the dark...super cool. We also included some candy, I figured if they didn't like the pillowcases the candy would be a hit ;)  Luckily, both boys loved their personalized gifts.  So much that pillowcases are now our official go-to gift.  It seems that both girls and boys of all ages love them. 

 

 

This one was for a classmate.  Instead of using vinyl, I appliqued the birthday girl's name on with fabric.  I personally love this one.  It may or may not have something to do with the fact that I hardly ever get make girly things ;)

 

 

For this 2-sport playing birthday boy, I made a flippable (is that even a word?) pillowcase.  One side soccer and one side baseball.

 

 

And this one was sent across the state to an old neighbor that broke his ankle.  I thought he might need a little something to lift his spirits.  Although he has been raised in Missouri, he has Packer pride just like his Dad.  It too has glow-in-the-dark vinyl :)

 

If you have doubted making handmade gifts for a birthday boy or girl, please don't.  It's amazing how special it makes them feel.  Believe me, the smile on their face will take away any doubts you may have.

 

Hope your Monday is marvelous!

Smiles~Beth

 

 



A BABY QUILT FOR HARPER

An old high school friend and his new bride welcomed a sweet baby girl into the world last week.  I couldn't resist making them a baby quilt to help celebrate her arrival. 

 

 

I just adore those tiny little dots and cute little owls paired together.

 

 

For the back I used a lovely goldish-yellow dot.

 

 

If you are in need of a handmade baby gift, this simple quilt came together rather quickly.  I used one yard of fabric for the center and then added 4-inch borders to the sides.  Harper 's name is appliqued on, using a zigzag stitch. I don't always include the baby's middle name but I love that Rose is her mother's maiden name as well :)  I did simple straight line quilting in a diamond pattern (about 6" apart).  And since the width is approximately 42", I was able to use one piece of fabric for the backing...no piecing!!  I also machine stitched the binding on, for durability.  Simple and adorable!!

 

Linking up to Finish it Up Friday over at Crazy Mom Quilts

 

Hope you have a lovely weekend!

Smiles~Beth



HELLO AGAIN!!

Well, HELLO there!!!

I took quite the break from blogging but just couldn't stay away any longer.  Now that I have healed from my broken leg, Spring baseball season is over (they have already started practices for the Fall season!!) and school has begun, I am in full sewing mode. It feels SO good to be sewing on a regular basis again!!

This week I will share some pictures & happenings of what I have been up to lately.  In the meantime, here is one of my little monsters (that really aren't that little anymore!).

Hope you have a lovely day!
Smiles~Beth