Moved!

If you've been following my blog and wondering where I've been . . .

I moved. Just my quilt side.

I've been here for a while now. Come on over!

Fabric philosophy

Forgive me for this mental meandering, but I was thinking last night, as I cut into my Pam Kitty Morning fabric.

Here's my big, deep thought:

Finding fabric you love is like finding the perfect guy for you.

Seriously.

Think about it. There are some horrible (for me) fabrics out there. Just yuck. I don't go in for browns and dark greens and the like. I like bright colors. I also don't go in for stocky guys. I like mine tall, with blue eyes, dark hair and named Aaron.

I digress.

There are fabrics here and there from different collections that I like, but I don't like the whole collection.

Then, along comes the PERFECT collection. In every way, shape and form. I like it all.

Pam Kitty is it for me.

Look at how awesome it is

in red

in blue

in pink

in green and yellow

See what I mean? Truly gorgeous stuff I tell ya.

So now I want to make it all with these fabrics. I bought all the fat quarter bundles from Fat Quarter Shop (which is why I was okay with lifting the images of each bundle). I'm now in the process of cutting them into wedges for Dresden plate blocks. I have a sneaking suspicion there are going to be a boatload of these and I'll be able to make a bed quilt for me and an extra lap quilt. Or two twin quilts for the girls.

Then I saw this one and now I have to make it as well:
It's in McCall's Quilting magazine and it's so cute!

I've had this pattern for a while and I just ordered the prints I want to make it.

Adorable, no?

And while I'm at it, I'm going to get the fat quarter collection again and make a bed-sized double wedding ring quilt for myself. Because this fabric is perfect - old-fashioned enough for these traditional quilts, but bright and modern enough for me.

Love it. Just like my perfect (for me) guy.

*Just want to note that there is nothing inherently wrong with dark colors. Or grey. Or gray. Or whatever floats your boat. They just aren't for me. It's a good thing we all don't have the exact taste in fabric, or men. There'd be a lot of disappointed quilters out there!

Creative Resolutions

Well, I don't know how creative they are, but they do regard my creative pursuits.

Here they are - I've kept it to five:

1. Be a finisher of quilts. I know this one is easy for some of you. I was terrified of machine quilting at first. Now it's just a matter of "git 'er done" and I've got a plan. I'll still work on piecing new tops, but my goal is to quilt all my finished tops (ahem, that would be a whopping 15!) before the summer. Wish me luck!
2. Um, whittle down the WIP list. Having a baby put me a tad behind.
   
3. Write, every day, for 1.5 - 2 hours. I have the time set aside for this in the evening. This means that sewing has to happen during the day.
4. Get Christmas done BEFORE November. Hey, a girl can dream!
5. Try something new, and difficult, like applique or a double wedding ring. Challenge myself! I think my Dresden plate quilt will be a good start because I'd like to applique each plate to the blocks.

There. I'm starting on numbers 1 and 3 this week for sure. Basting and quilting another Matchbox quilt.

What about you? Any resolutions?

Done . . . and not done

Finished:

• colored pencil roll for nephew
• Captain Jack Sparrow costume for other nephew
• doll sleeping bag and dress for niece
• scripture bag for niece's birthday

Left to finish:

• robe and jammies for L
• dinosaur tails for all
• jammies for husband

These dinosaur tails should whip up quick. And the robe will be fun, if nothing else. Aaron's jammies are already cut out. I do have some shopping to do - tomorrow or maybe Thursday. I'd like to be completely done by Thursday so I can enjoy Friday and Saturday.

And next year, I'd really like to not cut it so close. For real.

Christmas Quilts part deux

These have been way too long in the making. They were started in Seattle (all the HSTs sewn together) and finished in Moscow (Idaho, not Russia). But they are done in time for Christmas cuddling, and that's what counts.

So many projects to finish this next week. Linking up to Amanda Jean's Finish It Up Friday - and hoping she hosts a big one next week to show off our Christmas crafting!

My Christmas Kitchen 2011

Hmmm. What shall I make this year?

Easy.
Peanut brittle for the husband.

Caramels for the husband and kids, if he'll share!

Coconut cake on Christmas day, because I make the best one. Really. I was taught by my very Southern Gran and I've been perfecting it over the years. It is awesome and I just might eat the whole thing!

Coconut macaroons for all, including friends.

I'm done with spritz cookies this year. My cookie press is about to get hucked out the door. Note to self: just because Williams-Sonoma makes and sells it, doesn't make it the best there is. My mom's old Wilton one works WAY better than this thing. I can only get the trees to come out. Darn thing.

I'll make some more sugar cookies next week for the kids. We've got gingerbread creations set for Monday's FHE. A house, a tree and a train!

Oh, and donuts. Tomorrow night is the donut fest. Our annual Freedom Fry, to celebrate the holidays and the Bill of Rights. I'll be frying a boatload. Good times. Guess I should get the house cleaned up a bit, eh?

And then more sewing!

Fabric Tuesday

I finally finished these quilts. Shown here is the Christmas Barn Raising quilt (please pardon the bad, hazy lighting - I'm not trying to be fancy - we're just having awful overcast skies!). I've also got one in diagonal stripes (I'll save that one for Friday). Oh how I love these quilts. Red and white, backed in red flannel and perfect for snuggling. My kids are a little hesitant - they just keep staring at them right now. We'll get snuggled at storytime tonight.

This quilt makes me happy. I should be doing other sewing, but I wanted them finished for this Christmas. My other Christmas quilt tops can wait for next year, but I wanted these two done. Hooray for finished projects!

Linking up with Fabric Tuesday!