sew & tell - a baby quilt!

If you are new or need a refresher for Sew & Tell guidelines you can click on the tab above for details on linking up!

I'm guest posting over at my friend's place, Aunt Spicy, if you want to go read some more randomness!

I did finish the LOVE quilt last week, but I'm working on a dust ruffle and stuff, so I thought it would be fun to show it all together, when it's ALL finished.  Plus, I got an amazing baby quilt in the mail and I just had to show off its gorgeous craftsmanship!  And when I say craftsmanship, I mean it!

I had a very good mail day last Friday. Monica of Happy Zombie sent me a panel of her Gnoma Clauses -ADORABLE!! I got some fabric for my quilting bee and one of my finished blocks back (I'll be showing those soon.)  But there was a mystery package in there from one of my blogging friends who owns a quilting business.  I thought, huh? What is she sending me?

Then I opened up the package.  There was a small quilt inside - I could see it had my two favorite blues and greens in it!

I pulled out the card and it said, "Open the tissue first".  So I did.  And look at this adorable-ness!

I debated whether or not to crop this down, but then I decided I liked the sneak peak at some of my other projects.

I was thinking, "Wow!  Natalia is so nice to make this for the baby!  And I only met her in real life last January!  Aren't my blogging friends the best?"

And then I read the card.  And started to tear up.  The card was signed by 5 of my dear blogging friends.  They had all worked together using each of their unique talents to put this together for me. 

Candy, of Candied Fabrics, dyed the beautiful fabrics. (She dyes all of the fabric she sews with.  A real artist!)

Vicki, of Sew Inspired, made half the blocks and pieced the back. (Amazing sewing, all around.  Quilts, garments, you name it, she does it well!)

Rita, of Mochi Studios, did the adorable applique. (She makes awesome plushies!)

Amy, of Amy's Creative Side, pieced half the blocks and the quilt top. (You know her well - founder of the Blogger's Quilt Festival and soon to be published author!)

Natalia, of Piece N Quilt, quilted and bound it! (Moda Bakeshop member, longarm quilter and designer extraordinaire!)

If you click on each of the links above it will take you to a post they've written about their piece in this lovely cherished quilt!  The cool thing too is that the colors really blend well with the Amy Butler quilt!  Smart, smart girls.  They heard a rumor (or read it on my blog) somewhere that I love aqua and lime!

I'm pretty sure Maggie loves it already too.  She liked hanging out on it for the photoshoot today!

 

and another one for good measure.

I know I've said this before - I love our little world here!  And thanks again ladies for such a thoughtful gift.

“The greatest gift is a portion of thyself.”  

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Remember that.  The time you take to do/make something for someone else is more valuable than any gift you could purchase.

Now for the gift of motivation. . .  
What sewing project did you finish this week?

Please refer to the sew & tell page if you have any questions or wonder why your link may have been deleted.

1. Link to your specific post about a sewing related finish you had THIS week.

2. Please mention sew& tell in your post and link back to this  post (link or button) so everyone can join in.
3.  Pat each other on the backs in the comments!
 

sew & tell - I'm baaaa-aaack! with a little quilting to share.

If you are new or need a refresher for Sew & Tell guidelines you can click on the tab above for details on linking up!
 

Hello there dear friends!  Thought I'd pop in for this week's sew & tell and show you not one, but TWO projects!  Are you impressed?  Well, don't be.  I only had a few lines to finish up on the quilting for the baby quilt.  And I'm kind of digging it.  And the second project isn't mine.  But it's a beauty!

I decided to go for a straight line look that I've seen around.  I stitched about a quarter inch on either side of each seam and I like how the squares got a framed effect doing this.  Plus it's quite a bit easier for a beginner quilter like me than stippling.  I decided not to show you the front until it's really finished.  Oh the suspense!!

I've learned a few things too.  I bought these handy clips (and then found some others too) to use to keep my quilt rolled up while I feed it through the machine.

This is what it looks like, all clipped up!

Second project:  Remember my mom's New York Beauty?  Well, my aunt Mary quilted it!  My mother (my patron saint of saving my butt) is here (to save me from being alone with 2 toddlers and a newborn and an impending move) and brought it with her.  We are having a binding party this week.

I still can't get over the colors in this quilt. And I love the backing.  And the wide stripe she used for the border. And that my Aunt can freehand quilt and make it look like she uses a pattern AND a stitch regulator.  I can't wait to show this to you all finished!!

So onto you guys!!

Oh wait, what?  You wanted to see more pictures of the baby?  Oh.  Okay.  I guess, if you insist.

Can't wait to see what you've been doing this week!

Your turn!

Please refer to the sew & tell page if you have any questions or wonder why your link may have been deleted.

1. Link to your specific post about a sewing related finish you had THIS week.

2. Please mention sew & tell in  your post and link back to this post (link or button) so everyone can join in.

3. Pat each other on the backs in the comments!

the baby quilt, what's next?

I should be in bed right now resting, not staying up too late. (Like I have been, reading this book - which you should read if you haven't.  Amazing true story.  It really deserves a post of it's own.)  But I wanted to show you a few more things I've done for the baby quilt.

As I mentioned last week, I found out that my backing fabric wasn't quite wide enough to give me an extra inch or two that you need in comparison to the quilt top.  (Does that make sense?)  I was getting ready to do my quilt sandwich with my new BFF spray baste when I found this out.  I was immensely discouraged.  I'd gained so much momentum and I just wanted to get it finished!

So like with any problem I have with sewing, I consulted my sewing tips hotline 1-800-CALL-MOM.  I had a plan but wanted to run it by her.  Make sure I added enough fabric to the back, etc, etc.  She approved.

So I took the leftover block sets, that weren't 5.5" - more like 4", and I set to making a row down one long side of the backing fabric.  After messing around with them I got something that looked a little like this:

It's now sewn in place and pressed.  I'm making a large sandwich tomorrow!  Part of me now wishes I'd just use these prints in the quilts and ditched the darker ones, but I know I'm going to love it once it's all said and done.

My little helper came to my rescue again and took the discarded scraps and started arranging them down the other side of the quilt.  I couldn't help but think I might have future Quilt Dad on my hands!

and my last part of this little WIP:

I'm trying to ignore how tired and old I look in this picture and instead remind myself that it's almost over and soon those two little sets of lips will be attacking their new baby sister!  And I'll be at least 8 pounds thinner purely by birthing this big "little" girl.

Thanks everyone for your well wishes on Friday's post. I'm sorry I haven't been able to visit all of you yet!  See you on the other side!

snowed in!

Thanks everyone for your birthday wishes for my little one last week - and your kind comments.  I worry about what to share sometimes, but I like to share what's on my mind - and well, my experience with that first pregnancy is always on my mind this time of year - especially this year as I'm pregnant again.  So thanks - I love this wonderfully supportive blogging community and the friends I've made here!

While we're on the subject of babies, look at what I found at Costco, in a newborn size!

Yep, that's right!  Another girl!  I can't wait to start making baby quilts!  I already have 3 in mind!!

Maybe a sawtooth star with Tula Pink's Hushabye?  Or a coin quilt with Chez Moi's Swanky?  or a Pinwheel with something else as equally adorable - like that Amy Butler Love I won!?  Oh the possibilities...
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You may have heard about a little storm we had here on the east coast.  We got 18" of snow in 24 hours at my house.  Not that unusual if I were still living in Utah, but I'm in Virginia!!  They are reporting this as the biggest storm in the DC area since 1922!  Crazy!

My kids loved it! Especially eating it.

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It's kind of nice getting snowed in!  I had a lot of time to get some baking, cleaning and sewing done!  I got the Paisley Garden Mini Sig. finished!

 

I tweaked it a little from the last time, and I really like it!  It's a bit bigger and taller with a wider base. 

 

I put in a light green zipper and lined it with a bubble gum pink linen.  I really like the solid interior and printed pocket.

  

I finally got some new labels made with my awesome new printer (that actually will print on things other than regular copy paper!  Cardstock and Lollychops here I come!)  I used dear Penny's tutorial for making these. 

Here she is with her big sister - the Paisley Garden Signature bag.  And I think I like this print in a smaller dose....

I think I need to go make myself one of these little beauties right now!
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The mini-me dress is almost finished.  Church was cancelled Sunday, so I didn't rush to finish it.  She loves it - I just hope I will still be able to fit into mine by the end of the week!

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Don't forget Natalia's Homespun Holidays show and tell!  I need to go link up!