This is what its come to...

Its sad but true. I carefully explained to the Hubbs that it would be much cheaper for me to buy a bolt of batting with one of Joann Fabric's 50% off coupon. And its true. But the fact that I need so much batting is scary. This is getting serious. The town we live in only has a Hobby Lobby and their batting is 9.99 a yard, on sale its 6.99. But this bolt was 3.93 a yard. Yeah for real! Plus everytime I make a trip to the HoLo, as I call it, I end up buying more than just the batting. SO really the savings will be even more. And you may be asking won't this take you a lifetime to use up. Sadly no. I am hoping it holds out until the end of the year. Since we have moved back to the states five months ago, I have made... nine complete quilts, and I have four tops completed waiting to be basted. That's a lot in such a short time. And I have six quilts in other various stages of planning or piecing. So it was time to buy the bolt and get on with things.

Thankfully The Sewing Room is well on its way to transforming into her alter-ego.. The Guest Room. In-laws arrive on Wednesday. I used the rolls of binding I made up for three of the finished tops as cute decoration in the guest room. I thought they were funny.

Polka Dot Pigtails

I finished another top today. I named it Polka Dot Pigtails. Its for the Hubby's 2 1/2 year old niece. After this I only have one quilt left to make on his side to be caught up with the nieces and nephews. I know I'm boring and used the same pattern as the Christmas quilt for my parents. I can't help it. I saw this fabric and thought it fit our niece's personality. Plus, even though I only used two fabrics which would normally be quite boring, I think this pattern makes the two stand out in an interesting way. Like, its simple, but interesting.

I am going to have to take a break from quilting this week. My in-laws are coming to visit on Wednesday and I need to turn my quilting room back into a guest room. I have already tackled most of the fabric mess. I'm going to keep working until Tuesday. I can get the rest of it cleaned up easily in one day. I have fabrics washed and ready to cut for two more quilts. I think I can get one of them done by Tuesday. If not then that's okay. The Hubbs is leaving for a business trip the day before the in-laws leave, so once they are all gone I will have two days alone with the monster, and I think I can get some sewing done after he goes to bed. It sounds kinda panicky the way I'm planning everything out eh? But we are going to Michigan for three weeks in July and I don't want to leave anything in limbo.

We are going for a picnic today at the request of the Hubbs, to a park that has disc golf. Its gorgeous out today, so it should be a wonderful afternoon.

three tops and three blocks

I finished another top today. That makes three this week. I am waiting for my big bolt of batting to arrive so they are piling up. This one I LOVE though. The pattern I got here ( http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2008/12/measurements-for-flea-market-fancy.html )
It was super simple, and I love the way it turned out. Its a Christmas gift for my Mom and Step-dad.

I also put together three blocks for the sampler. The bear's paw was a pain. Good thing I only had to make one.

This one is Contrary Wife.

This is the 4th, my choice, Yankee Puzzle

This is the four together, they need to be trimmed, but I like how they look together...

Another Top

This Christmas quilt has been a fun project I have been working on here and there. I indulged in 4 charm packs from Moda's Figgy Pudding by Basic Grey. I just pieced them somewhat randomly and I LOVE it. I bought some yardage for the border and I picked up a fantastic red print for the backing. It turned out 72x72. A nice throw for the living room. I am excited. I will make it into a sandwich once my batting order from Joann's arrives. ( I have resolved to buy batting by the bolt) I am thinking that with the quilt along, this one and a couple others on my summer projects list, I should be plenty occupied on our drive to Michigan this summer.

Wahooo

I got the top done for the quilt along. The backing fabric is supposed to arrive tomorrow. Then I can baste it and get quilting. I am hoping I can get the binding attached before our long drive to visit family this summer, and can do the hand stitching in the car.

Catching up

I decided to join the Old Red Barn Quilt Along really late, so I have been anxious to play catch up. I got my fabric on Thursday and now I have the blocks done. I laid them out and I can't wait until tomorrow so I can start sewing them together. Week 5 starts Monday and if I can get my top sewn together tomorrow I will be caught up. Wahoo. I had a tough time arranging the 12 fabrics into groups I liked since I don't do random very well, but once I laid out the bocks and saw the big picture I got really excited. I love it. Its like nothing I've made before and the fabrics are like nothing I have ever picked out before. Stepping out of my comfort zone is proving to be a great experience.

A Baker's Dozen

I finished the toddler size stacked coins quilt which I named Digging for Small Treasure. Both quilts crinkled up so wonderfully in the wash, it makes me giddy. They look really nice, and I am pleased to have made them for my little monster's room. I can hardly (but really I can) wait to turn the crib into a toddler bed and see how both beds look made up.

I took a pic of the little one on top of the big one and I thought it looked neat.

And when the Hubs put the monster down for his nap he covered him up with the quilt and I took a pic. So sweet. Although I am extremely nervous because a couple days ago the monster was barfy and I'm hoping these quilts won't get the vomit christening for a long long time. *Fingers crossed*

This little quilt is my 13th quilt. Go Me!!

Busy mail day

I got my first block done for the sampler I am making along with my cousin. Its a cake stand. I LOVE it. It was quick to put together too. We are planning on making 42 blocks or so... Next its my turn to pick. I think I'll pick a bear claw.

It was an extra exciting mail day. I happen to catch sight of the mail truck at our box while I was walking through the living room, and when I went out to retrieve it my new quilt pattern book had arrived. And when I looked up I saw the UPS truck on the loop next to ours so I knew he would be right by to deliver my fabric order. It was so exciting. I got the Amy Butler fabrics I ordered to do the quilt along at Old Red Barn Co. I got the strips cut lickity split. I am having a bit of a debate as to how to group them. I always doubt my color choices then love them later on so I'm starting to not doubt myself, I just figure I'll grow to love it.

This is one group...

And this is the other.... I think.. Hahaha

Digging for Treasure

I finished the stacked coins quilt today. I LOVE it. I can't wait until the crib size is finished and I can see how they both look with the curtains and everything. I am really pleased with the way it turned out.

Wahooo Me!

Don't you love the excitment of new fabric?

My cousin and I are going to do a sampler together (but separate). She is going to make hers with scraps, but I don't have a great scrap supply. So I went and bought some fabrics to use. I love them. It was a nightmare to do my shopping with my little monster running a muck in the fabric store. But he had a great time and I got some fabric I am excited about so it was a win-win. My cousin picked the first block, we are making a cake stand. eeek. But I figure the pineapple block wasn't too bad so I'm sure I can make one cake stand block without a meltdown. Maybe next week when its my turn to choose I will pick a pineapple block. Hehe.

Between the sampler, the quilt along over at Red Barn Co, the half finished Christmas throw top I've got going, and a Christmas quilt of some sort for my parents yet to start my list is getting sort of long. But I LOVE IT

Here is a link to the quilt along.....

http://oldredbarnco.blogspot.com/

Something I LOVE

I consider myself an amateur. I've only made a dozen quilts or so.....BUT I made a pineapple table runner and it is awesome. I LOVE it. It wasn't too hard to do either.. (I got the pattern from this book...http://www.amazon.com/Favorite-Traditional-Quilts-Patchwork-Place/dp/1564778436/ref=sr_1_34?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244431570&sr=1-34 ) It took me two hours to piece the top. I am considering a whole quilt...maybe...

Its a Christmas gift for the hubby's grandparents.

Coin Quilts Progress

Actually I am making a whole gaggle of coordinating stuff for by little boy's room. He is still in a crib, but I figure in a little while we will convert it into a toddler bed for him. His room also houses a twin bed, for much later on, and I would like the toddler and the twin to coordinate. So I fell in love with Micheal Miller's Dig It White fabric and have been busy playing with it. I bought a whopping 12 yards! It came in the mail on a roll, it was so exciting! Anyhow, I bought a bunch of other Micheal Miller fabrics and made a twin size Stacked Coins quilt and a matching toddler size quilt. ( this is a link to a great pattern http://www.modabakeshop.com/2009/02/stacked-coins-baby-quilt.html )

The twin is almost finished, I only have a little bit of binding to finish up. The toddler I basted today. I think I can get it quilted tomorrow. I have made curtains, and two throw pillows too!

The curtains aren't perfect, but I love them. Especially during the day with the lights off they give the room an orange glow.

See what I mean? Whenever my little guy walks in there his eyes get big and he smiles.

I have one of the pillows finished, they are just throw pillows. These two pics are of the smaller one. The larger pillow(below) isn't quite finished.

I cannot wait to see the whole room all put together. I still have a yard or so left of the Dig It fabric, so I can still invent something else....hmmmmmm

Not sure where to start

I can't think of a single decent way to start this blog. I guess I just want a place to ramble about my projects. So I'll just start.......

Since we moved back to the states four months go I have been in some sort of quilting overdrive. I was a frustrated quilter while living in Japan. During my four years I only found one fabric store. And it was bazaar to say the least.

I made a baby quilt while I was there and I still cringe when I see this photo. It turned out decent to an outsider, but I never really attempted anything else while living there... Well, that's not true I did make a wall hanging that turned out lovely.

However, since I have been back I have some sort of fire lit under my rear end. Mostly just because of the ease of purchasing supplies!!!! I really want a place to keep track of my exciting new quilting life I guess. So here it is!