Lilly Apron Pattern

If you like aprons and haven't made this one yet, you need to!!  I just need to stop making them for friends and make one for myself!  Here is the latest one for a friend:

My first mini quilt

I have started my first mini quilt.  I am still in the process of quilting and binding the quilt.  This could be my favorite thing I have ever made to this point.  Well, outside of aprons, bags, quilt blocks, etc. :)

You can buy the kit with different fabrics from what I used at a local store here in Dallas.  If you would like one, check out Quilt Asylum's website.

Posts Galore

I have a ton of posts of my latest projects with links on where to find them coming all this week.  I have joined so many projects and quilt alongs that I haven't had time to show you everything.  I will be working today on a ton of posts.  See you soon....

Sew. Happy. Quilt. QAL

This quilt along is a sampler and you will have the quilt top completed by mid-March.

I joined in the fun and my first block turned out great.

The Woven Block

It was easy and fun to make.  The instructions are so very clear and make the block easy for beginners (which I still am with making blocks).  Hope on over to SewHappyGeek and join the Flickr group if you would like to join in!

Burlap Wreath

My sister-in-law posted a photo of a Burlap Wreath that she made from a tutorial on Pinterest. I LOVED the wreath when she posted the photo and secretly was hoping to sneak to her house to steal the wreath.

My SIL's wreath

Luckily for me, I don't have to steal her wreath, because she made me my own. It's a good thing - I don't think I could do well living a life of crime!  I am still figuring out where to put it on display in my house.  Once I do, I will proudly post a photo on here of the wreath hanging in my house!!!

Oh My Stars!!

I joined the Oh My Stars! quilt along after seeing this quilt on pinterest:

The quilt along just started, so there is still time join!!  I decided to use Peacock Lane by Michael Miller with a few other FQs from other lines to round out the full number of FQs I would need:

I have completed the first two Big stars for the quilt - a Basic Sawtooth Star and a Sawtooth with a Pinwheel center:

Forgive the dark photo for the first star - not sure why so dark!!  I still have to make Medium and Small stars to match each Big one.  I should have that completed in a couple weeks. My friend saw the first star and loved the fabric.  She hinted about loving the stars so much - that I took the hint.  I plan to make two of these quilts so I can have one and so can she!

Want to join in the fun?  Find out more here!

Craft Room Update

The room is about 3/4 of the way done. I have to get 2 barstools for the seating (the current chair is from my dining room and we need it!!).  I want to hang a curtain over the window.  You may notice I need to finish painting the edges of the desk white still.  We finished the room on Monday evening at 9:30 and I had to go to work the next day.  So, I put everything away so I could play this week.  I may even play this weekend and paint next weekend.  What's the hurry to paint, I have some serious playing to do!!

I was able to get almost all my fabric that was a 1/2 yd or more wrapped around Comic Book Backing Board.  There are a ton of tutorials all over the internet.  Search for fabric and comic book backing boards and a ton will pop up.  It is a great way to organize and makes me feel like I own a tiny fabric shop.  The only exception is that I am the only shopper at this store because I have sharing issues.  In my defense, I am an only child - we don't share well!

The quilt wall is up and ready.  The chair in the corner is for my husband when he hangs out with me when I am sewing.  I have been living in this room since Tuesday night, so if he wants to see me he has to sit in the room!  Speaking of my husband, I need to give credit where credit is due.  He built this entire desk for me on a weekend when he could have done anything else.  This desk is truly a labor of love and I am so thankful for a husband who can do anything.  Below is the handsome guy who build this for me:

Funny story behind this photo - it looks like my husband is having a hard time dealing with me.  He actually was rubbing his face, but my friend caught him at just the right moment to make it look like he couldn't handle another moment listening to me.  He would never feel that way around me, of course, because I am always an absolute delight to be around - ALWAYS!

Here he is with my pups - Grissom.  Two handsome guys!!

Us at a Texas Rangers Game.  I think I will owe him tickets this Spring for a game as a thank you for this desk!

Back when we were young kids!

This guy will seriously do anything for me including model any of the aprons I have. I have some pretty good photos of him with other aprons and projects I have made.  We will save that for another post ;)

And to be fair - here is the other member of our family unit - Batley.  If you look closely, you may notice orange spots on his face, body and ears.  He got into some beautiful lilies my husband bought me last year.  His name should be Trouble since he is always looking for it.

Once I get the room 100% I will post one more picture.  Now, off to enjoy that incredible room my husband gave me.  Want details on the desk plans he used and how the room used to look?  Check my post here.

Over Commitment Issues

I may have committed to quite a bit of sew alongs and such, but it is worth trying.  Many of the sew alongs are only one block a month.  A girl can handle that, right?  Two Block of the Months I have joined are free and look like I will learn of new techniques. 

I just joined the Half Square Triangle Block of the Month found on In Color Order.  Here are the fabrics I have selected to use:

I also joined Craftsy Block of the Month led by Amy from Stitchery Dickery Dock.  You make 20 blocks through her Block of the Month.  The best part.....it's free and you can download the PDF and watch the video of instruction as many times as you want and when you can.  Once you join you have access to the class forever.  Sweet deal, right?  I am still trying to decide what fabric line to use.  You need close to 36 fq's - so I think that is an excuse to buy a line of fabric I really want.  At least, that is what I am telling myself now! I am thinking of using just solids on this quilt along, but I may get swayed toward a fabric line!!

Want to add to your skills?  Consider joining one!  Should make for a fun year.

Anna Maria Horner Figure 8 Scarf

I have wanted this scarf for quite a bit of time and I tried to buy the scarf myself. 

Photo from Anna Maria Horner Shop. Find your own scarf here

Every time I tried, the scarf was sold out.  I asked for the scarf for Christmas from my mom with the idea that maybe someone else would get lucky.  She attempted several times to order the kit, and ran into the "SOLD OUT" label as well.  Imagine my surprise when I opened the kit for Christmas!!  She was finally able to purchase the kit before the newly loaded kits sold out again.  I will be sewing the scarf together this week so I can look good at work (wink)!

Foxy Mama

Have you seen this ridiculously cute fox block pattern by Artisana?

I first saw the fox on Pinterest

and knew that I would be adding this cutie to my "to sew" list for 2012. 

The above pattern can be made from Artisania's fox block and only costs $3.00.  She even gives you a mirrored fox, so you can make one like the pinterest fox.  Too cute.  Not to be too literal, but it would seriously look cute with Outfoxed by Lizzy House, right?

The Civil War Diary Quilt

I missed the Farmer's Wife Quilt Along, although, you can really do the quilt anytime.  So, I bought the book to push my sewing skills this upcoming year.  There is also a new quilt along, but one that you do at your own pace.  This quilt along will use the Civil War Diary Quilt Book. 

 Photo from A La Mode

Photo from A La Mode- Heather's first two blocks

The quilt along is being guided along by Heather at A La Mode.  Looks fun.  The book does not include a CD with the patterns you can print off.  You will have to trace the block from the book or use your math skills to make.  May be a challenge, but we will see how I do!!

2012 Project List

I started a project list on Pinterest to help me track all the items I want to make and that I have committed to (quilt alongs or swaps).  I know the list will grow, but I really want to focus on less unfinished items and actually finishing projects.  We will see how that one goes....ummm, not so well in the past.  2012 is a new year though and a new time to make commitments, right???  Find my board on Pinterest here.

You do need an invite to join Pinterest.  I can help you out if you aren't on there and would like to be.  WARNING: you may lose hours of your time pinning.  Don't say I didn't warn you (wink).  The bag in the photo is a pattern from Posie Gets Cozy - the Jane Market Bag.