A New Years Resolution to Stash Management

I have decided I have way too much fabric.  Now, just because I have too much doesn't mean I want to get rid of any of it.  I love fabric.  I love to look at it and I love to touch it.  I buy fabric that I don't have plans for.  I may have ideas for it, but sometimes (well, I have to be honest, a lot of the time), the ideas don't become reality because there just isn't enough time.  But I continue to add to my collection when a fabric catches my eye.  I have yards and yards of fabric, jelly rolls, fat quarters and lots and lots of charm packs.  So,  I decided to make a New Year's resolution.  No more fabric until I use what I have.  Of course there are conditions to this resolution.  I can get fabric to coordinate with fabric in my stash if I need it for a project.  But only as a necessity.  I really want to stick to this.  I know it won't be easy.  Especially with all those beautiful new fabrics coming out.  I am really determined and I know I can do it.

Stroller Quilts for the NICU

     My sister is the vice president of the Children's Hospital here in Louisville.  I am so proud of her.  She is an amazing person and a wonderful sister.  I was trying to think of something I could do for her hospital.  Something that I thought could be a small gesture that might help a family going through a really tough time.  I decided to make a couple of stroller quilts to donate to the NICU.  The family can keep them and hopefully during the hospital stay bring a little comfort to them. 

     I decided to use flannel and chenille.  The chenille is thick enough that batting isn't necessary.  And the flannel is soft so the tiny babies can lay on them and feel comfortable.  These measure about 27" x 27".  I edged them with rick rack.  They are the perfect size for the NICU.  And later perfect for car seats or strollers.  I am happy with the way they turned out and I hope some babies love them, too. 

Julianne's Purse

    Misty asked me to make a purse for Julianne for Christmas.  Juli is only 20 months old and most purses on the market are just too big.  And the ones that aren't too big are just too expensive.  I whipped out a special fat quarter I had been saving and knew it would be the perfect fabric for this purse.  I used leftover chenille from stroller quilts to line it with.  It is the perfect size and I think it turned out really sweet.  I didn't have a pattern, I just winged it.  What do you think?

Baby Shower Gifts

 I've been pretty busy lately. There was a baby shower this past weekend for a dear girl who grew up across the street from us. Erin and Misty have been best friends since they were three years old. Erin has been like a daughter to me. I have loved her like my own. Well, I just had to make her a few goodies for the shower.

                                       A burp cloth

Onesies

The quilt

 

The label

Erin had a great time at her shower and got lots of baby gifts.  I made some over sized receiving blankets, too.  I used one of them as wrapping paper.  Quite practical and the perfect size for swaddling.

Bloggers' Quilt Festival

My Blue Ribbon Quilt
Originally uploaded by sandyb72357

http://amyscreativeside.com/2010/10/29/bloggers-quilt-festival-fall-2010/
I have viewed this festival the past couple of years and haven't entered until this year. I think I am a little intimidated by all that wonderful talent out there. This year I decided to take the plunge and share my quilt.

First, I wanted to let you know how I started sewing. I was about four years old and watching my mother and next door neighbor sew. Our next door neighbor was a quilter and even at the young age of four, I knew there was something special about it. They gave me scraps and I cut the fabric and sewed little shirts for my teddy bear. I have loved sewing ever since.

When I started making quilts, I made wall hangings and baby quilts and some quilts for beds. Most of them I gave away as gifts. It seemed like whenever I started one, someone would claim it as their own. So, I got the bright idea to make one for myself. My dear husband had decided the year before we needed a kingsize bed. And I settled on the grandmother's flower garden. Well, this is one quilt that needs to be hand sewn. It took me several months to piece this quilt and about a year to complete it. Every single stitch is done by hand. From the piecing to the quilting to the binding. I am so proud of this quilt. I entered in the state fair last year and won a blue ribbon. Hubby and I sleep so good under this quilt!

Baptism

What a special day we had last Sunday! Three of our granddaughters were baptized. It was such a wonderful event. The girls were so sweet and innocent in their white gowns. Ava and Julianne wore gowns I made for them. Allie wore the gown her mommy wore when she was baptized. I was so honored to have made the gowns for the girls and they were beautiful! After the party we had family and friends to our house for a party with chili, bean soup, vegetable soup and cake. We played corn hole and the kids played on the swing set. We are truly blessed!

Here are Richard and the girls outside the church after the ceremony.

I Finished my Wonky House Quilt!

This is the quilt I made using blocks I got from a swap I was in. I asked my fellow swappers to make wonky houses for me using white as the background fabric and bright colors for the houses. Everything else was up to them. I think each and every house is adorable. I like the striped fabric I used for the binding. It had lots of bright colors in it. I'm so fortunate to have so many talented quilters in this swap!

A close up of some of the quilting. I wasn't quite sure how to quilt this one. I decided to do some wonky, wavy line quilting and I think it worked out great.

The back of the quilt with some extra blocks.

Here's the back of the quilt. Isn't this fabric perfect for this quilt!