Summer Quilt

I've had this quilt mostly done and sitting aside for sooo long. I finally decided to give stipling (machine quilting) a try. It turned out great. I love how the fabric feels after being quilted like that. 

close-up of the stippling

The backing has ladybugs all over it - perfect for the summer!

Finished Haley Quilt

This is the finished Haley quilt. 
close-up of the edges

Pay It Forward

The concept of a PIF occurs when acts of kindness are performed without expecting anything in return and are passed on, trusting that the recipients will do the same and Pay It Forward, resulting in a never ending chain of kindness.

By signing on, my commitment is to make and send a gift to the first 3 friends who post a comment to this post requesting to join this exchange and who promise to Pay It Forward to 3 other persons, and so on.

At this time, I don't know what my 3 gifts will be, but I can promise you a gift made by me and from my heart that I will send to you within the next 365 days. By signing on, what YOU then have to do in return is to Pay It Forward by making the same announcement and commitment on YOUR blog.

(Okay. Okay. I know that this is the second one that I'm doing already this year, but oh well. It just means more stuff for more people.)

Tristen's Quilt

I made this quilt for my nephew, Tristen, two Christmas's ago. The backing that I used was the same fabric that my Mother-in-law used for curtains for Tristen's room.

Tristen and Todd wrapped in their blankets watching a movie.

Pirate Bag

I made Todd a pirate bag. (the only thing that makes this a pirate bag, I guess, would be the red & white stripes) He loves it. It is his bag for whatever he wants. I made it to be reversible. It's quite durable, which is very nice for a 3 year old.

Melissa's Nursing Cover

I made this nursing cover for my sister-in-law, Melissa. Ben & Melissa's first baby is due on May 30th! I am so excited about my little nephew! I wanted to do a 'boy' color, but still wanted the material to be pretty for Melissa.  The fabric is from the aquatic cap of Amy Butler's daisy chain line.
A close-up of the strap adjustment and where the boning is to allow Mommy to see baby, but no one else to see.

And the Winners are....

Cindy from gweinie

won the Treasure Map!

Sandra from forevergolds

won the Girly Doll!

*Thank you to all who entered and made me feel great about my handiwork! ...more to come in May!

Grosgrain

Ok. I've finally accepted the fact that probably with every giveaway on Grosgrain, I will be posting a link back to it, so that I have a chance to win. I know that the chances to win are extremely rare, but that's not gonna stop me. So... you have been forewarned. ...and, here is another one:

Simple Skirts GIVEAWAY!!!!

*you should really check out her blog. She does giveaways all the time and I am constantly inspired by her creativity.

My Favorite Quilt

I'm supposed to pick my favorite quilt and post about it for the first Online Quilt Festival at Amy's blog ( http://parkcitygirl.blogspot.com ). It is so neat to be able to see all of these amazing quilts. There are so many cool ideas there.

So... my favorite quilt that I've made is the one for my sister-in-law, Joy, this past Christmas. It is my favorite because I have always loved traditional quilts. I had always wanted to make one, but was intimidated. I finally did it and was so relieved to have it turn it out well. I chose the colors that I did because she told me that she had blue walls and, also, that she likes patriotic things.

close-up of the binding on the edges

Rag Quilt #2

I made this quilt for my nephew, Ayden, this past Christmas (2008). I just realized that I hadn't posted it on here yet, so I am now. The front was a combination of surfboards, monkeys, and treasure maps and the back was made with stripes that went every which way - on purpose. 

the back

close-up of the front

I washed it two or three times before I mailed it, so that the cut edges would be sufficiently 'rag-ish'. (that's the only way that I can think of to explain it- my brain's not working too well today)

Girly Doll Giveaway

Ok... so, it wasn't a day or two, more like only a few hours, but I wasn't sure how much time I would get with the children being crazy. Thankfully, I grabbed some time during their nap today to finish the doll. I would name the doll, but will leave that up to whomever wins it. The body/dress is made of black & white damask and she has on pink knee-high socks. 
The back of the hair. I did it differently than the first doll and I like it much better on this one.

This picture was to show the size of the dolly.

*Again, to enter: leave a comment on this post or e-mail me if you don't have an account and can't. The giveaway ends the same time as the treasure map giveaway *see post below, April 24th, Thursday. The winner will be announced on Friday, the 25th! 

Have fun!

If you have a blog, and enter the giveaway, would you please put a post and link on it back to the giveaway.

Treasure Map Giveaway!!!

This is a giveaway for one treasure map. It is painted and, of course, handmade by me! 
To enter, just leave a comment on this post, or if you don't have an account just e-mail me and I'll enter you in myself. The last day to enter the giveaway will be April 23rd, next Thursday. The winner will be announced on Friday, the 24th.  

I will be doing a doll, fashioned after the first one that I've made, for the next giveaway which will be very soon (probably in just a day or two actually), so... Stay Tuned. 

If you have a blog, and enter the giveaway, would you please put a post and link on it back to the giveaway.

+ Plus

a tie for Todd! I had mentioned making one for him out of the same fabric and that was it. He wouldn't hear of me not making him one for Sunday to match Kate. I was concerned at first at how a green and white polka-dot tie would look, but didn't need to worry. I think that it ended up looking so awesome! Add some spiked hair to match and he was good to go...

And it's...

... another dress. :) surprise, surprise! 

I had bought the polka-dot material awhile ago to make a dress and finally did. :) It is the first wrap-dress that I've made. I like the character that the black gives the dress.

Kate wore it to church for Easter Sunday. 

I used black satin-y ribbon to tie back, so that when she crawled it didn't pull the dress right off of her.  Once she starts walking, I get to have even more fun with her dresses. But still, I am already enjoying making these dresses quite a bit.

And again...

these would be perfect for my little girly!

Born 2 Impress GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Guess Again

Let me know what you think I've made from this... Answer to come really soon :), along with pics, of course.

Modern Pirate Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Nope. Not from me but from Grosgrain, again. Just can't get enough of her clothes and awesome photo shoots. :)

Modern Pirate Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Vintage apron *Updated!

*I added more eyelet lace to the sides of the apron (don't know why I didn't think of that before!) Now it looks right!

I got the coolest vintage material from my Mom. I made a little girl apron for Kate out of it. I added a little eyelet lace to the bottom of it for a little something, something. 

The Eclectic Easter Basket Swap

I had Laura and she had me. I was stoked that she had me and this is why... 
a gorgeous rose that is currently blooming in my sunny kitchen window
the cutest vintage needle book that's perfect to put right in my sewing area

a cute bunny rabbit
totally me... I'm all over it!
I love it!
a cute nest...
the most adorable spring banner that I'm in love with and is now above my sunny kitchen window... It is one of my inspiration pieces. :)

Canvas Tote Bag

I made one of these for my sister, Clair for the craft giveaway. I liked it so much that I had to make one for myself. I did a trial run to the store today. And, as you can see... it did great and can hold lots of groceries.

~ see... lots of yummy food