a doll quilt for a friend

I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner... but swapping with a friend really is more fun (at least some of the time).

This is the little doll quilt I made for miss Krista of Poppyprint creates.  If you haven't met Krista yet, you really should, because she is the perfect blend of artistic and scientific, sympathetic and realistic, and all kinds of encouraging and genuine.

My goal is to drive up the 5 to her land of Canada one day quite soon.

Originally, I was going to use a different design from Material Obsession 2, when I saw a little blog post of miss Krista's.

Thankfully, I knew a cheater way to make those lone star diamonds, and had even made one before, so this weekend, after adding a few new voiles to my collection, I got started.

And then I wanted to finish.

I made an error with a few of my measurements, and consequently had to change some of the fabric selections (I didn't want to waste Little Folks), but I still think it turned out beautifully.  

I also wasn't sure how to quilt it, and Krista, I hope you don't mind what I settled with... I really wanted the fabric to stand out on the quilt (because it's so pretty).

The border is one of my favorite parts of the quilt (that and the purple diamonds), so I chose my binding so as to enhance and not detract from the border.  

The linen is the heavy linen from Moda's French General.

I hope you love it!  No rush on the return Krista!  As soon as I get the label sewn on, I'll mail it your way.

(The reality is, I have a Christmas to make list a mile long, a couple more swap items, and just got our insurance changed over finally ;) ;)... Since I don't know how much sewing I'll be doing in a couple months, I wanted to get it done now!). :)

P.S.  Thank you everyone for all the love on "I Dance in Circles."

I started a little collection

Some of you may know about the Scrappy Mug Rug swap going on in flickr land (I think they're going to do another round for the holidays if you're interested).  (This is the one I made for my partner)

While I was going to town to pick up the car, Mom and I went to a thrift shop... and I found this pretty little cup.

I've always known I liked the Pyrexy/milk glass mugs and cups, so I decided to start collecting them (and I might have been given a little encouragement here.)

Of course I had to make my new cup a mug rug.

If you look closely, you'll notice my cross stitches are uneven, and I switched from embroidery floss to perle cotton (thus the discrepancy in french knot sizes)...but it's folksy, and I like it. 

The inspiration came from the cup (obviously), and Mandy's placemats she made a little while back.

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My facebook status on Friday read "I need to finish a quilt this weekend... that is my goal."

I didn't quite get it finished, but considering Mr. Jay was working all weekend (harvest time around these parts), I think it was pretty good to put the last of my basting pins in by 10 pm last night (basting absolutely can't be done while S-man is awake).

You say you want to see a sneak peek?

All right.  But only a little section, not quilted yet, and from a funky angle...

(it's even better in person...and there's one thing almost crossed off the list)

Handmade gifts

S and I went to a friend's wedding this weekend.  Another friend also lives there.

I made a wedding gift.  A pillow.
She wanted creams, ivories, and chocolate brown.  I figured diamonds were appropriate, beings that it was a wedding and all.

(You saw me trying different ideas here.)

And a little wall quilt (that I started forever ago and will now deliver in person.)

Plume reminded me of her.  I hope she likes it, and that it brightens up her windowless office.  (The neutral is Kona Stone)

(And the back next to the plant that inspired some of that color)

two handmade gifts for two friends.  

This is why I love quilting. 

I may buy too much fabric, but I'll never have to buy another gift from a registry again if I don't want to.

♥

Sometimes simple is best

When I saw this fabric, (Plume by Tula Pink) previewed, there was a friend of mine who instantly came to mind.  She recently moved in to a window-less office, with boring white walls, and wanted a wall quilt.

I have changed the design of this 4 times... finally deciding on a simple snowball block, with kona stone.  It was supposed to be done about a month ago, but I really couldn't settle on my lay-out.  I have to thank the Kansas City Modern Quilt Guild for the virtual, inspirational help.

It's all basted (as you can see)... now just to quilt! :)

I like the back as much as the front.

Valentine's follow up

I have an online group of mommies that I chat with, and we decided to do a secret valentine. Well, I was paired with a little guy who I feel like I know from his pictures, videos, and his mama's blog.

Of course I had to make him a mini quilt. I haven't been showing it before now. But look how sweet! Even snuggled up with it.

I practiced pebble quilting, and a cartwheel, some applique, and Red Pepper's binding tutorial. It didn't go so perfectly as she does it.

Today was also mail day.

Hang around long enough, and you'll realize that though my life is blessed, my husband's love language is not gifts. So I take care of that. Like with this pretty orchid I bought myself for Valentine's.

That and...

I've been resisting for so long.

Futile in the end really.

Meet Nicey Jane. (purchased from Hawthorne threads)

Part of it is destined to become this.