More than a Blog

Quilt project update 4; still working on the first one but I have finished a quilt.

So... what has it been 3 months since my last quilt update.  I've been having more fun quilting than I have been blogging about it.       

Update on the circle quilt, on my last post, it looked like this....

 

It is all pieced together.....YEAH!!!

 

I even managed to match up the center of MOST of my circles (key word - most, not all!!!) 

 

Since these pictures were taken, I put on a border and pinned the backing on.   Haven't done much quilting.

Since I have never machine quilted before, I decided to make a smaller quilt to practice on.  Matt's cousin Casey is expecting, so she is now the proud owner of my first machine quilted quilt - and I have to say I'm quite proud.  It is by no means perfect, but it surprisingly looks like a quilt.

Like my quilt holder - isn't he precious.  That brings me to an unrelated story.  Over spring break we made a little sewing gift for our new friends.  After I finished 

    I asked Braden "Isn't it precious?"   

        "What does precious mean mamma."

    "Beautiful and girlie."  I responded

    For those of you who know him picture the Braden analytical face.

    "But didn't you use to call me precious when I was little?"

    "You're right. I guess it's doesn't mean girlie."

Now on to more quilting pictures.

 

By the way.  I still have the quilt, even though the baby shower is over.  As I was quilting away, my machine died on me.  Thanks to a wonderful sister-in-law, who gave my mother-in-law and extra machine, I'm back in quilting business (not literally).

 

  

I've even hand stitched the binding to the back as according to my new favorite quilters guide book.

You can find it on amazon.

And I mitered the corners - again, not perfectly, but they are mitered.

And now, a sneak peak at my next project that is a Christmas present, so there will be no more sneak peaks this year.... (Sorry)

But look the points of my pinwheel match!!!  YEAH!

  

  

 

Quilt project update 2; aka not as easy as it looks

I've finished the quilt.......

 

Just kidding.  This is a quilt that was made for me when I was in Jr. High or grade school.  Braden has been using it on his bed.  For his birthday, we decorated his room in a cowboy theme (project before and after pictures coming soon - as soon as the after is done!!!)  I've been wanting to back this quilt for years and I finally got it done.  

 

I tied the back on and prepared the edges for sewing - then it was a piece of cake from there (at least I told Matt it was going to be.)

Feeling so proud of the progress I was making - I decided to get out the camera and document it.

Then this happened.....

 

Yes that is a broken needle.  I fixed that problem only to discover the stitches on the back of the quilt looked like this...

Needless to say after 3 broken needles and using the seam ripper on the same section of quilt 2 times, I finally had the project complete. I'd love to tell you I had two helpers during this process and that is why I had so much trouble, but they were at Bee Bees.  I just had that much trouble.  We'll see how the whole quilt process goes. 

 

 

 

Quilt project update 1; aka the messy middle!

Remember my beautiful stack of material

I washed it

Now it is more of a beautiful pile, tied in knots....

 

 It is funny the things that make me stop and think about my life.  As I cut through the knots and re-stacked my fabric - not as neat as before of course, I got to thinking about before and afters.  I'm addicted to blogs - when I have free time.  I feel like I have all these new friends with at least the appearance of being fairly put together.  I guess I want that appearance too - case in point my next picture.

How pathetic am I, I posed a pile of torn, knotted, strings in front of a basket.  No matter how I present it, it's still a mess - this just makes it a more pleasant mess to look at.  I guess that is what I want people to see when they look at me - a pleasantly looking mess.  I would like to think I could be described that way - I know the mess part is accurate.  

Back to the before and afters - the projects we start with great expectations - like my quilt.  That fabric looked so beautiful and full of potential piled on my dinning room table (posed by the same basket if you notice).  Then came the middle - what happens in between the before and after - the mess!

The process is so important - even if it is unpleasant to look at.  I've been in a messy middle for the past few years, and I've been hiding from sharing it - I didn't want anyone to know how "tangled" I've felt.  The truth is, we are all tangled.  This year I want to spend more time sharing the middle (pardon me for trying to make it look cute - I may still do that from time to time).  

In desperate need of a craft project

Photography has been my creative outlet for the last few years - since Gabe was born.  I've taken pictures of my boys (very, very regularly).  I've explored photoshop and digital scrapbooking.  I've bookmarked every possible photography blog and spent hours browsing other's work.  BUT I MISS CRAFTING!!!!  

Lately I've found my self with a quilting bug.  I've researched all possible means of obtaining fabric (you see that is my true weakness) from jelly rolls to fat quarters - and yes I know what they are now.  I've even discovered fabric designers names like Amy Butler, Denyse Schmidt, American Jane by Moda.  And I've been stocking this blog Cluck. Cluck. Sew. by Allison - just know her by her first name, but I love her quilting style.  

After spending uncountless hours on her site, I've decided to attempt a quilt - It won't be my first, I've completed 2 and have 2 I've been meaning to bind for about 3 years now (yes that is how old Gabe is).  

So I have my pile of fabric

 

  

My inspiration quilt from my new friend Allison 

And a big helper!!!!

 

Stay tuned for updates.....