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

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS~QUILT TOP

I started this quilt in June 2011 during a quilt~a~long hosted by P.S. I Quilt.  Sadly, I had too many things on my plate and wasn't able to finish it before Christmas.  Then I kinda forgot about it. 

 

A couple of weeks ago I was able to take a few days away from every day life and head up to West Des Moines, Iowa to visit my best girlfriend.  We had plans to do some sewing and I was so excited to rediscover my Countdown to Christmas blocks while going through my fabric.  In our short couple of days I was able to get the quilt top sewn together, yay!!

 

 

This quilt has some raw edges.  I can't wait to get it all finished up so I can wash it and see how scruffily it is. 

 

 Now I just need to figure how to quilt it, or better yet, have someone else do the quilting ;)

Linking this finish up to the wonderful:
Finish It Up Fridays @ Crazy Mom Quilts

Smiles~Beth



100 QUILTS FOR KIDS: WHEELS TODDLER QUILT

After a summer of very little sewing I am happy to have more time to spend with my sewing machine.  I sure did miss her ;)  I think I have gotten more projects done in the last week than I did all summer!

 

My latest finish is a baby/toddler quilt.  I put this stack together a while back with Katie's 100 Quilts for Kids challenge in mind. It's so nice to have it crossed off my list.  Especially knowing it will be going to a special little one.

 

Fabric is Wheels by Riley Blake along with a couple other prints from my stash

 

Backing is by Michael Miller

Since Katie recommends donating to a local charity if you can, this little cutie will be going to my local Quilts for Kids chapter.  They will then give it to Children's Mercy Hospital (in Kansas City, MO). 

 

If you have some extra fabric and a little extra time I encourage you to join Katie's 100 Quilts for Kids.  There are so many children in hospitals that would cherish your talent & kindness.

 

Smiles~Beth

 

 



QUILTS FOR KIDS~FINISHED

I received my first quilt kit (it won't be my last!) from Quilts for Kids a couple of months ago. I was a little worried I wouldn't have time to finish it in a timely manner, our summer was filled with just about everything but sewing.  Thankfully, with a little help from 2 of my monsters I was able to get this sent off within the requested 45-60 days.

It was such a wonderful feeling to complete and send off this cute little quilt. 

A big thanks to my littlest monster for holding this up for me :)

I hope the recipient enjoys it as much as we enjoyed making it.

Smiles~Beth

DOWNY & QUILTS FOR KIDS

Did you know that Downy Touch of Comfort has teamed up with Quilts for Kids? (apparently this is old news but I just heard about it!)

Quilts for Kids is a fabulous program that strives to provide comfort (through quilts) for children in hospitals around the US.  I recently got in touch with my local chapter to find out what I can do to help.  It is much easier to help than I thought.  I made a simple request for a quilt kit (yep, a free kit) and within a couple of weeks I received a package full of precut fabric and instructions on how to complete a 4-patch quilt.  All I have to do is sew it up, grab some batting, quilt, bind & mail back within 4-6 weeks. It even comes with a quilt label.  Super simple!

I love what these quilts represent and look forward to getting it done.  I have also picked some neglected fabrics from my own stash in hopes to get a quilt done for Katie's 100 Quilts for Kids.  Also, a wonderful charitable foundation. 

If you have a sewing machine and a little free time or some fabric hiding in a closet somewhere begging to be used please consider contributing to of these great causes.  If you don't have time to sew but have some fabric they will happily accept it.  Every child deserves some comfort.

Smiles~Beth

DR SEUSS QUILT~FINISHED!!

Okay, so some of you already know that I finished my Dr. Seuss quilt last week but I said I would post better pics of it so here they are.  Plus, it is just so darn fun & colorful I couldn't help but post about it again. It is already a favorite in our house :)

 

I used just about every print from the Celebrate Seuss line by Robert Kaufman.  I also threw a Lorax print or two in there.  Each wonky block measures roughly 10 1/4" square.  (You can find my wonky block tutorial here).

For the back I cut up a panel from the same line & bordered each scene with coordinating fabric.  I used Kona cotton by Robert Kaufman in Turquoise, Snow and a red from my stash to help showcase these adorable snippets.  I may just like the back more than the front!

 I used a black & white stripe for the binding (purchased at Hobby Lobby).  I decided to machine stitch the binding onto the front for this one.  Knowing it is going to get alot of use by my 3 monsters I figured that would be best.

I love how this one turned out. It is truly a quilt for both the young and old in our house. 

One last picture of one of my favorite blocks.

A big thanks to my neighbors for letting me borrow their swingset for these fun photos :)

Hope you have a splendid day!

Smiles~Beth

DRUNKARDS PATH CHRYSALIS QUILT for THE BQF

It's time for the Spring 2012 Blogger's Quilt Festival hosted by Amy @ Amy's Creative Side...hooray! 

If you are new here, WELCOME!!!  I am so happy you stopped by. I hope you are enjoying all of the beautiful quilts linked up to the BQF.  There is so much inspiration!!!

 I have been anxiously awaiting for the BQF to arrive so I could show off my Drunkards Path quilt.  I finished the top back in December during the DP Quilt~a~long hosted by Kristie @ OCD.  I then sent it off to Natalia of Piece N Quilt to be quilted and finally I finished up the binding last night. 

This is without a doubt my all time favorite quilt!  It is the first quilt I have made for myself and I am so proud of the all of the curved pieces (I was totally out of my box!!).  I alos couldn't be happier with the quilting Natalia did.  I wasn't very excited about the back of the quilt but she completely transformed it with her amazing talent.  I couldn't be happier with her work.

So, here it is. Warning:there are LOTS of pics!

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Well, I am off to take a look at all the other fabulous quilts over at the BQF.  Hope you are able to take a couple hours to do the same this weekend!

Smiles~Beth

A LOOK AT MY DESIGN WALL

Ever since I finished my littlest monster's quilt I have been getting requests from the other 2 monsters for quilts for their beds as well. 

My oldest monster recently got a new bed and freshly painted walls.  I think some new bedding will finish it off perfectly.

So, here is a look at what I have so far.

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I am using the Impromptu pattern by Rachel @ PS I Quilt but changing it up a bit with the color blocking.  Nathan wanted some red.  I think it will add just enough color when it's all done. 

What are you working on?

Smiles~Beth

ONE THING, ONE WEEK CHALLENGE 13

Last week, Amy from Amy's Creative Side hosted another One Thing, One Week Challenge.  I decided to commit myself to getting the binding sewn on to our Dr. Seuss quilt.  It took me until 15 minutes ago to finish it up but I am pleased to say that I met my goal.  The pics are bad since it's so dark in here.  I will post better ones in the morning along with some details but for now these will do.

Thanks to Amy for the challenge.  I am pretty sure this would still be in the unfinished pile if it weren't for her ;)  I was also able to cross another thing off of my Small Projects Sew Along list...whoo hoo!!

What have you been working on?

Smiles~Beth

I SPY {SOME PROGRESS}

Not that long ago I posted a list of small projects that I would like to get done during the month of May.  Of course, I won't get them all done (there are 23!!) but it's nice to cross some off the list.

Last week, I finished cutting the blocks for our I SPY quilt, yay!!!

There are 51 different prints, cut at 6.5" square.  I am using Kona Ash for some contrast in between the prints, cut at 3.5"x 6.5".

Some of the boys' favs.

Some of my favs.

I am not sure when I will get the time to piece these together but it will be nice to just grab the squares and start sewing when I do.  It's also nice to cross something off my list!

Hope your Monday is treating you well!

Smiles~Beth

I HEART GRANNY SQUARES

There has been quite a buzz in blogland over granny squares.  I couldn't help but check it out.  Krista at My Bugs & Dana from Old Red Barn Company have teamed up with Jolene at Blue Elephant Stitches and are hosting the highly anticipated Granny Squares QAL.

I have to admit that I was a little turned off by the amount of 2.5" squares that are involved.  I decided to just make 1 block before I commited myself to the QAL.  Well, after 1 I was hooked.  I just adore the Granny Sqare blocks and can't wait to get more finished.  Of course, it always helps when you are cutting into a fabric you love ;)

You see how the middle square is smaller?  Yeah, that's a cutting oops.  I figure I can just turn it into a mugrug ;)

I am using a Flora jelly roll along with a few prints in my stash and Kona Cotton in White.  I just love the colors, especially the orange!

Have you joined in on all of the Granny square fun?  If not, you should check out the flickr group where there is a ton of inspiration.  It may just convince you to make some yourself ;)

Hope everyone has a lovely day!
Smiles~Beth

 

DR SEUSS QUILT TOP & BACK

I started this wonky (block tutorial here) quilt top a couple of weeks ago when my best friend, Terra, came in town for a sewing weekend (have you ever had a sewing weekend with a friend?  Up til 4 a.m. & lots of giggles, it was a blast! You can read more about the here). 

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I am so happy to have it finished and super excited about the way it turned out, all of those Seuss characters make me smile. 

One of my favorite prints.

I couldn't help but to get started on the back right away and I am just as excited about it as I am about the front!

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I don't usually buy panels but I am so glad I did this time.

Now I just need to get it quilted and binded so it can be loved by all my boys :)

I am linking this fun quilt up to these fabulous blogs:

Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts

Hope your weekend is wonderful!

Smiles~Beth

SPARKLE PUNCH QUILT & A CHALLENGE~COMPLETE

You may have figured out by now that I love challenges, especially sewing challenges.  You see, I am a bit of a procrastinater (the kind that waits until the day of a baby shower to finish up binding on the gift and then puts it in the wash 1 hour before the shower and then her washing machine gets stuck on the spin cycle with 7 minutes left and then she is an hour late to the shower...yep, that's me!).  So, when Amy of Amy's Creative Side (LOVE HER!!!) posted another One Thing, One Week challenge I was all over it.  Of course, it always helps when you have a project that needs to be completed anyway. 

Thanks to my middle monster, Sam, for holding this up for me in the cold wind!

This little baby quilt was lovingly made for my cousin's precious bun~in~the~oven, Alexandra.  I knew when I saw this quilt I wanted to make one like it.  When Elizabeth of Oh, Fransson! announced she was hosting a QAL (quilt~a~long) using her pattern for the quilt I jumped at the opportunity. 

Back in November I asked my cousin to bring the curtains for her darling baby's nursery to Thanksgiving dinner (I am typically not this organized, seriously!).  I compared the colors to my Robert Kaufman Kona Solids color swatch board and matched the solids up with some prints I had in my stash.  I think it matches the curtains pretty perfectly!

This picture shows truer colors than the ones taken outside

For the back I cut different width strips of the Kona Cottons...grass green, tangerine, dark violet, papaya, bright pink, jade green, peach & snow (some purchased at Fabric.com & some at Hobby Lobby).

You are probably thinking that the quilting is a little crazy.  Well, it is.  I did it on purpose though.  I haven't dove into the world of FMQ (free motion quilting) so that wasn't an option for me.  The random straight lines reminded me of falling stars so I went with it ;) For the binding, I used this super cute black fabric with itty bitty white polka~dots.  I just fell in love with it (seriously, it makes me giddy!). 

Oh, I almost forgot!  I tried my hand at a little hand embroidery, or maybe it is hand stitching, I am not really sure.  Either way, it didn't turn out horribly and I think it added that little something special every quilt needs.  I kept telling myself that all of the mistakes gave it more character ;)

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I want to thank Amy for keeping my behind in gear on this project and Elizabeth for providing the inspiration.

Linking up to:

Finish it up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts

Hope everyone is having a wonderful day!!

Smiles~Beth