Monogram quilt finished!

I love getting projects completed.  This quilt has been delivered to its recipient and they are in love with it.  She said she doesn't want to use it so it doesn't get ruined!!  Ahhh...good news.  I encouraged them to have some snuggle time with it!   She may hang it on their wall!!

I love Monograms.  

All rolled up!

I've been thinking much these days about personalization...in our interactions, in our gift giving, at my work, etc.  Monograms seem to make something so special...people know it was meant and made for them.  I think as time goes by I will be making this quilt for other family members.

Butterflies for the backing...

This is a special quilt to me now as it is the first quilt I have quilted on my new long arm machine.  I'm so excited to have such a lovely piece of equipment to make my quilts (and other people's quilts) much more professional.

I stippled this quilt since it was so busy and tried a new thread to me called "Glide".  It has a lovely pearlized look to it and really added some "wow" to the quilting.  Too bad my photos don't really show this!

I've been working on some other practice quilts and will share those soon.  They need binding!!!  Can't wait to finally get all the quilt tops I've made over the past 5 years finally made into finished quilts.  :)

I love monograms in quilts!

A while ago I made this quilt from a book by Camille Roskelley called Simplify with different fabric for my brother's family.  A cousin saw it and asked if I'd make one for their family!  It is really a fun pattern and so easy to make.  Called "Happy-Go-Lucky".  I am finding I love monograms on quilts.  So much personalization.  This quilt has borders on it now but I took the photo before putting the borders on.  I think I actually like it without the extra border...so as it is in this photo, may be how I make it the next time!  :)   It's on my list to finish!!  

Clothing for a cabbage patch

I've just entered the world of doll clothes!   One of my nieces has become a collector of Cabbage Patch dolls.  I have lost track of how many she has now!!

I seem to have a lot of "brilliant" ideas that sound great at the time and then remind myself that time is a limitation and I can't do everything I want to do, at least not at the same time!!  One brilliant idea I had was about making some doll clothes for my niece's dolls.  Looking for specific patterns for Cabbage Patch dolls was uneventful so I thought I would try the popular styles for 16-18" dolls.  (I always see the American Girl dolls wearing these patterns so had no idea if they would work well with a Cabbage Patch!).  Now I know they fit but maybe need a tad bit of care around the midsection as my final outcome was a bit snug around the chest.

If you are looking for great doll patterns, I am now a big fan of Patty Young's patterns called Modkid...found here (Patty's website).

And here is the new outfit...

 The bandana scarf is her original...will work on that next for her as this pattern has one very similar in the pattern.  I'm surprised at how easy this was to make.  And I used fat quarters...love small projects that turn out so cute, with small amounts of fabric!!!  :)

Now on to the week ahead!!!  Enjoy and let's go sew!

Gettin' busy...

I hear busy people get things done!  I've been busy...

Disappearing 9 Patch with "Sunkissed" fabric by Sweetwater

 Made a baby quilt for a sweet baby girl's soon arrival.  I can't wait to meet little Gwenyth!  This fabric makes me happy for spring and I had such a great time making it.  I LOVE quilting baby quilts...small and easy to manage on my machine.

Rag quilt,  fabric "Summersville" by Lucie Summers
for Moda

And my dear friend, Kristen, has designed this rag quilt, pattern available soon I hope at my favorite quilt shop, Stash.  I learned a valuable lesson with this quilt on not rushing the process.  My finger is still healing from the nice cut I gave myself while clipping it!


















And now on to more projects...have a happy spring day!

Words for 2013!

A friend shared this with me recently...good to have focus!

"You've got this life and while you've got it, you'd better kiss like you only have one moment, try to hold someone's hand like you will never get another chance to, look into people's eyes like they're the last you'll ever see, watch someone sleeping like there's no time left, jump if you feel like jumping, run if you feel like running, play music in your head when there is none, and eat cake like it's the only one left in the world!"  - C. JoyBell C.

and I'd like to add to this.....sew, sew, sew...and keep sewing!

Cheers to a really great year ahead!

Holly

It's been a year...

Last day of 2012.  I'm actually very glad.  It's been a year...

As the year comes to a close, I look back on it and realize while it had it's down moments, it truly was a good year.  As most things, it did not turn out quite the way I may have planned but life never seems to really turn out that way anyway!

Machine Embroidery...

The past few weeks have flown by.  I finally took the plunge and started my photography business officially!!  While I am in the process of getting things started, I've managed to get some sewing done.  WooHoo!

Looking forward to 2013!  Lots on my to do list and sewing is at the top of my list!

Happy New Year!  (just realized I didn't send this yesterday, the 31st!)...

I-pad case - my own made up pattern using 2 Tula Pink Fabrics

Zenfolio embroidery pattern, Amy Butler origami bag pattern (without the corners squared), and the fabric is The Ghastlies by Alexander Henry

The assortment of various gifts I made...mostly origami bags, few hand-towels, ipad case

Embroidery on t-shirts!!!!  

My AnnaLee Elf...made a photographic story each day of  December!  Here he's lost his holly-berries from  under his hat.