My New Blog Header

I have been meaning to change my blog header for some time now.  I just wasn't sure how to go about it.  I made a mosaic of some of my projects and uploaded it to my settings.  I love the new look, but am not quite sure how to shrink it so the width of it fits on the page without having to arrow over.  Over all, I really like the look of it.  I hope you like it, too!

Julianne's baby quilt

Julianne's baby, a photo by sandyb72357 on Flickr.

For Julianne's second birthday, I thought she needed a new baby and cradle. I couldn't give her that without making a sweet little doll quilt for it. It's a miniature version of the line art quilt, I made that Amy claimed. I used leftover fabric from the jelly roll I had used. I trimmed the strips so that they finished at one inch. It turned out cute and Julianne really loved it!

A Dresden Plate Pillow

I have seen so many pretty pillows on different blogs lately.  And on Flickr, too.  And the different dresden plate designs popping up all over have been inspirational.  I love them so much. 

When I decided to combine the two, my original idea was to do just the plate in the middle.  I wanted my pillow to be larger than some, a whopping 18 inches.  So, after I made the plate and placed it in the center of the fabric square, I decided it needed something else.  I made quarter plates and put them in each corner.  I had read a lot about people quilting with pearl cotton and had never tried it myself.  I ordered my pearl cotton from threadart and am really thrilled with the product.  I do most of my quilting by hand, so I was excited to try something new.  I echo quilted around the plates and love the results.  After adding jumbo rickrack around the edge and putting the pillow back together, I joined them.  I made the pillow insert with fabric that I lined with batting and stuffed with fiberfill.  What a cute pillow!  I love this one!  Hope you do to.



A Sneak Peak

I started a new project.  It has taken me longer than I expected, but I think it is going to be fabulous.  Lots of hand applique and hand quilting in this one. 

My Line Art Quilt

I saw this pattern in the Quilts and More magazine.  It looked simple and sweet and the perfect use of a jelly roll that I had in my stash.  It really was easy to make.  Just add 2 and 1/2 inch strips of white to each side of the fabric and stagger them to what looks good to you.  After I had it all put together, I just quilted it 1/4 inch on each side of the seams.  The jelly roll I used was one of Mary Engelbreit's.  I'm not sure which one but I do love this fabric.  My daughter, Amy claimed it as soon as she saw it.  I think I might make a mini one from the leftovers.

The back

More Stroller Quilts (They work great with car seats, too!)

Here are a few more stroller quilts I made.  The blue one already has a special baby boy to go to.  And as promised, I am going to donate one stroller quilt a month to the children's hospital's NICU.  These quilts are quick and easy.  No batting required since they are backed with chenille.  They are trimmed in rick rack and stitched together inside out and turned.  Then a simple cross hatch quilting and finished.  Voila! :)

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.