As most quilters know, this past week, in SLC, UT, it was the Spring Quilt Market. I didn't get to go. Of course, I don't own a shop and am not a market professional sooo....I wasn't invited either. But, that didn't stop my Instagram account from blowing up with pictures of updates from the professionals that I follow and the wonderful new fabric lines that were introduced. I nearly died from stimulus overload of all the wonderful goodies that were on display. 

Needless to say, all the beautiful creations that I swiped through got my heart racing and my fingers itching to quilt. So that's what I did. All weekend long (with some pausing only to drink, eat, potty, and check up on the happenings of Quilt Market).

I was able to finish this beauty, which I'm calling
"Window into Spring." It's not quilted yet
(just the top), but I got the borders figured out and
​put on, so I consider it a win!

I was also able to get started on a quilt that my mom had wanted to complete, but, unfortunately, just didn't get around to it (time does get away from us all, doesn't it), so I'm glad that I am able to help her finally get this little lap quilt finished up. I'm also glad that she had already done all of the cutting, so that helped me save a whole bunch of time as well! This quilt was for my grandmother, originally, but, as I said, time ran out, so now we are completing it in her honor. And since my mom is also a cancer survivor she can have this as a testament not only to her mother, but also to her own strength and perseverance. I think it's fitting for both of them, so I'm glad to contribute my talents. 

One day, I hope to receive that glorious envelope that will contain my invitation to Quilt Market. Until then, I suppose, I will just have to continue to live vicariously through Instagram posts and continue to dream of all the lovely things that I could make!

Until then, Cheers!

I know that I have been busy, but I can't believe that it took me all the way into March to finally complete my first quilt of the year. It was supposed to have been done in January (I had started this year with the lofty goal of completing a quilt a month - needless to say, that resolution went completely out the window!) But, at long last, I got my "January Morning" quilt finished and am now currently enjoying it's warmy goodness when I am on the couch at night. 

Since things are a bit tight right now, I've been having to work on projects that I already have the fabric for (no Bee Creative fat-quarters for me at the moment), so that means that I've had to inventory what is in my stash and start determining which projects (or at least quilt tops) I can get done with what I have...for now. *grin*.
One such project is a window box pattern that I've had in my stash for quite some time now. Luckily, it's a real simple pattern and I've been able to get it together rather quickly. Although the top is nearly done (I just have to figure how I want the borders to go), I am going to have to put the top aside and begin on another project. I have some fabric for placemats...maybe that will ease the void of not being able to buy more fabric for now! In the meantime, here's a quick look at my "Window into Spring" quilt top.

Cheers!

My poor little Brother sewing machine has been hard at work finishing up the last few quilting projects that I needed to complete my Christmas present list! But...we are almost done! Which is WAY COOL because then that means that I am done making things for others and can finally make things for ME! Yeah!!! I have several projects lined up for me and mine: A fun Halloween quilt using "Haunted Gala" fabric by Moda, a fun Christmas quilt using the "Deck-ade The Halls" pattern from Fat Quarter Shop, and I'm thinking of an autumn quilt, but I haven't quite worked out the details for that one  yet. Plus, I still have "Math Class" to finish by Sweetwater using their "Elementary" fabric. Still, I'm excited because I have made about 7 quilts this year (not including little gifts, book, potholders, etc.) for others this year and only finished 1 for me. Now it's my turn... *grinning like a lunatic*

Ok, so I didn't maintain the blog as much as I should have during the summer. What can I say? I was either outside either enjoying the warm weather, or downstairs in my basement avoiding it. And since I was down in the basement...well...I quilted! What else was I going to do if that is where my quilting room is?!
I have to admit, I got a bit distracted with some of my projects and haven't quite finished the ones that I had started...*cough - Winter Wonderland - cough cough*. Ah, well...that's the glory of quilting (and I think part of it's curse as well), is that there are so many wonderful patterns, projects, and fabrics out there that just when you think that you've got a handle on your current list of things to make, something new and exciting catches your eye. Sigh.
Any who, here are a few of the things that I put together over the summer:

Here is an example of some potholders that I made using the scraps from my son's Scouting quilt that I made him. I used The Boathouse fabric by Moda.

Here is where I made my own Alphabitties - you know, those little letters that some quilters use to help keep their cut pieces organized. I wanted to make my own because I like the font that I chose, versus something that was just plain and boring. Plus, it was cheaper this way. All I did was insert a table into a Word document, type in the ABCs (one letter for each box), and chose a font that makes me happy. Then I cut the letter boxes out, glued them to some cardstock, and put laminating paper over them. Ok, actually, I used packing tape because I didn't have enough of my laminating sheet, and it was cheaper to use what I had on hand, versus going out and spending as much on laminating sheets as I would have to buy the dang Alphabitties in the first place. Done and done. Either way, they are super cute and fun to make!

This past June, The Monk and I went to visit my BFF and her family in Minnesota (that was a drive, let me tell ya!). While there we, of course, had to hit several of the local quilting shops. While on one of our treks, The Monk happened to spy these delightful jelly rolls by Quilting Treasures, and he immediately told me that he wanted me to make him a rainbow quilt. How could I possibly tell my adorable little soon-to-be 8 year old no? So, after piecing it together and deciding out to split it up (I had no pattern for this, just instinct, and random pictures on Pinterest), I appliqued a sun and some raindrops on it. Needless to say, The Monk loves his quilt and won't take it off his bed because he doesn't want to get it dirty...which...really, is saying something for a little boy who loves to play in the dirt.

After discovering that I had purchased The Boathouse jellyroll rather than Sweetwater's Elementary jellyroll for our homeschool quilt that I'm making (the pattern is Sweetwater's Math Class), I had to do something with all the strips that I had already cut up. Luckily, The Monk fell in love with this fabric, so I suggested that I make him a quilt that he can take on all of his Cub Scout camping trips. He absolutely dug that idea (of course). So here is the project as it is coming (I haven't really put that much energy into it, as camping season has come to a close, and I got distracted by making binding kits, but more on that later). However, the promise has been made, so I have to finish it rather than not. I hope The Monk realizes what a lucky little boy he is for his momma to be making all of these quilts for him!

Here's a little cutie I found on fatquatershop.com under their free patterns. I wasn't sure how the pink polka dots were going to look, but I actually really love this! it's very cute and really wasn't that hard to put together. Definitely a weekend project!

And it's these cuties that have been keeping me away from some of the bigger projects that I need to finish. I found the pattern for these also on Fat Quarter Shop's site, but they truly come from Lella Boutique. I first spotted them on Instagram and it's been down hill from there. I'm currently revamping the pattern to fit a cross stitch pattern and all the supplies that go with that, so it's going to be bigger with a wider zipper pocket. I've almost got that finished up, but since I'm making it for me, rather than for someone else, I'm putting more bells and whistles into it.

Well, that's what has been keeping me busy during the hot summer days. We'll have to wait and see how often I get into the quilting room now that school is back in full swing. Until then... Cheers!

    I seem to have developed an addiction to fabric. I can't seem to stop buying it. And it's not that I really need it. I don't. I have a ginormous list of projects that need to be completed, much less the ones that I haven't even started. And the patterns!! OMGoodness, the patterns that are out there! And a lot of them are free! I can't even...sigh. It's terrible. And I'm burying myself into a hole, not only in the number of quilts that I want to do (and have to finish), but also in the fact that my husband is getting tired of me asking to buy "just one last jelly roll, I promise." Poor guy. I really do have to stop. He's starting to get mad, which for him, says something. It might help if I didn't follow several fabric companies and quilt shops on Instagram. But they are all soooo pretty! I know, pathetic. But, now I have plenty to keep me busy for the upcoming months until my local quilt shop starts having classes again. I have a few summer quilts to do, a Halloween one, and a Christmas one that I can start. Plus, my white whale (which I have promised myself not to start until I get a few others out of the way and I can take the time to really pick out the fabric that I want to use on it). Now, if I can just get everyone to leave me alone so that I can actually get some quilting done, that would be great.