Tiny Quilt

I started working on this quilt today and got pretty far, but it's really tiny. It will end up being 21" x 29" if I put a 3" border on each side. I was planning to put the black and white stripe on each side and the bubble gum as the binding. I was going to do the doll quilt but I wanted to follow a zig zag pattern, so I switched it up. Now I know I should make my squares a little bigger! I am thinking this will turn into a cuddle quilt for D or any future children instead of a bed quilt obviously, so I'm going to put something fuzzy as the backing. Any thoughts?

Update: My mom said it needs to be bigger. I'm going to add a blue row and then do each of the rows again so that it is about 40 x 29.

The Joyful Foundation

Yesterday, my church hosted The Joyful Foundation's Blankets of Kindness. Some local women (and men) came together to make blankets for terminally ill people. I took my sewing machine and was seated in the final step--top stitching the blanket together (which made me really nervous). My machine was giving me trouble, so someone suggested I change my needle. (I have had this machine for over a year and never changed the needle.) Lo and behold, it solved my problem and I was able to help sew quite a few blankets together. I was there for 4 hours and when I left, we had just completed the 45th blanket. They were pretty cute! Here are some pictures from the event (sorry my camera's flash didn't make it bright enough).

After this, I was in a sewing mood, so I came home and finished putting together the strips for D's quilt. I think it's going to end up looking great!

Wal-Mart Fabric Section

Did you hear that some Wal-Marts are getting rid of their fabric section? I went in today and found their fabric marked half price. I was in need of some basics for quilting, so I picked up 30 bolts of fabric I liked and ended up getting half a yard of each. Some of them I got a yard of--if I REALLY liked them. I think this will help grow my stash.

I also went to IKEA yesterday and got some fabric for $.99 a yard! The red with white is a little nicer, so it was $2.99 a yard, but I really liked it. Now I've just got to pick a quilt to start working on. I'm thinking of doing this one next: CRUMBS.

I also plan to make this doll quilt from Sew, Mama, Sew! I don't know how to sandwich the quilt, quilt it and put the binding on, so this tutorial should really help me to learn that (on my own). Can't wait!!

Sweets For My Sweetie

My friend Sandra hosted a "Sweets for My Sweetie" party last year for Valentine's Day. It works like a cookie exchange. Every guest brings a dessert to share and a container to take home goodies. After some great fellowship, everyone shares their sweets with each other and take home a sampling to their own sweetie.

We are doing a virtual Sweet Swap at Today's Housewife this week. We are sharing our best recipes for sweets in plenty of time for you to make one (or more) for your sweetie this Valentine's Day. Go back there on Friday to link up your own favorite recipe for your sweetie.

Thanks Alicia for letting me copy your post!

Giveaway Winner!

When we checked the mail, D's teething giraffe was in there! He loves it! I have entered some contests and won a few things online--like the giraffe (thank you Wishing Willow) and diaper carrier (thank you Sister Sue) pictured here. I also have gotten some fabric, Signing Time Colors DVD (thank you Freebies 4 Mom) and a Cart Stopper before. This doesn't include the free samples I get from Wal-Mart! I just love getting stuff in the mail and so does D!!
I haven't done much lately on the quilt, so that's why there are no new pictures of it. My class resumes on the 15th, so I have to have my homework finished before then. I'll post the finished strips later this week (I hope).

Finished Homework

I did my homework, plus a little extra for class. I think it's coming along well. We didn't have to put our 9 patch row together, but I went ahead and finished so I could see what it would look like.
I'm so excited about it that I bought fabric to make another one (on half price). I don't know any little girls, but I just couldn't resist. I spent a long time in Jo-Ann's trying to find the "feature" fabric and the butterflies just stuck out to me (even though I wanted a neutral one). It took me quite a while to get the other coordinating pieces, but I think it goes well together! I'll be cutting it out soon. They said in class that making a second one at the same time helps the concepts to stick in your head. I'm all for that...and trying to get someone else to do it with me. Any takers??? I can send you the directions!

I've got my 4 pillowcases made for ConKerr Cancer and plan to donate those when I go in for my class on Sunday. I told Ben that I'm not going to make any more because they are kind of boring!! They were really easy though, if any one else wants to do some!

Quilt Progress

I got some time to work on D's quilt last night and got some of my homework done. I just have a little to go before class on Sunday. It is really fun and I enjoy doing it! I think it's going to turn out looking great!

I am also making some pillowcases for ConKerr Cancer which has a collection site at the quilt shop where I take classes! I saw this on Martha a few months ago and thought it sounded interesting. Then when I saw the brochures in the quilt shop, I knew I had to participate. I wonder if I can include a note with my pillowcase... Anyway, read about more at the site, but you donate pillowcases to this organization that takes them to hospitals to give to kids with Cancer.

Birds

I found this pattern the other day for Mr Blue Bird and decided to try it so I could practice my sewing skills before going back to quilting class. I then thought I would join the Advent Calendar Sew Along by making 25 of them. I'm on my way and they are turning out so cute! Here is a picture of them from the other night when there was ice (and icicles) on all of the trees!

D's Quilt

While we were visiting Nana and Pop for Christmas, we got this quilt from a lady whose husband works with Pop. Isn't it great?? It's so soft and warm and D just loves it!! I think this is an awesome gift--I can only imagine how much time and energy she put into making this for him!

Quilting Class

I'm bored with Gratis Means FREE and will do a blog makeover.

I am really into quilting and sewing now. I read a ton of crafty blogs and would love to share some of my new hobbies on this blog. I am going to mail my mom my most recent project and will post a picture of it on here after she sees it.

For now, I'll put a picture of the quilt I'm making for D. I'm in a quilting class and we're doing a quilt. I should be done the first week in February and can't wait. Do you like the fabrics??