Sew Sunshine

If thoughts of Neil Diamond singing this song pops in your head right now, you are not alone. However, for me it brings fond memories of my mom this past year. Caroline of course is her name and she was indeed sweet. I learned all about sewing from her when I was very little, watching her make and create everything from clothes to quilts.  I started this blog because I hope to continue learning and doing and sharing. Since she passed away this last fall I miss my project sharing with her. In a way sharing with the world makes me feel like I am still showing her all that I am working on and doing.  "Sweet Caroline" is  the name I gave this quilt I made for her when she was moved to a nursing home in the spring of 2012.  It is a tumbler pattern made from a template she bought me.  I wanted to cheer up her room and show her that I could keep the learning of quilting going after she was gone.  I sort of did my own layout and added some fun little tumblers to the front

One UFO done! Back in the fall of 2011 I started this little wall hanging. I found the idea in a magazine and I wanted to try the sew and flip method. I had left over fabric from the baby quilt I made my great niece in purples and aqua, dug out some old scraps and cobbled it all together.  The FMQing is not all that but it is still cute.  Now back to the Birdbath quilt for Relay for Life. Here are the blocks so far. I like the blocks individually but not so happy with them right up against each other. It is supposed to have the corners added on yet to finish the birdbath but I think I will need to add sashing in order for me to like it. Even if it is just a 1/2" between them. hmmmmmmm??? Any thoughts? 

Sewing Clothing Challenge - Entry #1 Well I did it! I  pulled out some fabric from my stash, dusted off that old serger,  found an old pattern and I made myself a new pair of flannel pj's!! I am so excited.  My husband was sort of nagging me about how bad my old pair of flannel jammies were looking AND I really want to challenge myself this year to sew more!  The Sewing Clothing challenge has begun.  I am going to try to make one new thing for myself each month besides quilting this year.   Am I the only person who has tons of fabric in my stash that is not for quilting?  Well that was over 4 yards of flannel. My stash should look a tiny bit smaller. haha

A while ago Aurifil had a slogan contest and my title was my slogan.  If you use Aurifil thread you probably know this already. It should have won but that is just my opinion.  Anyway, I love the way Aurifil lays flat when you press the seam open and when you quilt over it.  Alas, I was putting together my first round of strips on my 30 Birdbath blocks and I ran out. Luckily I scrounged around and found a new spool. :) I am using Aurifil Mako 2 ply thread to piece.  What threads do you like to use for piecing and or quilting?? Here is the first round of strips. One more set of corners and strips go around this square and then corners again. I am not sure how I am going to put it together yet but this is a see as you go along type project.  It is coming together nicely. 

Today I decided on the fabric for my Relay for Life quilt. My niece does a silent auction each year to raise money for Cancer research.  I have been trying to donate a quilt or something each year and this year I it will be a small quilt.  I am really excited with what I have picked out.  This time I started this idea with just the fabric and then looked around for a pattern that would suit.   This fabric is called Dogwood Trail by Moda. I just loved how fresh and lovely this fabric was. I found a couple coordinates to go with it then hit the scrap box of mine for the others. In the mean time I had to find a pattern.  Luckily I was just looking through some quilt books and then ...there it was.  The practical guide to Patchwork by Elizabeth Hartman has a beautiful pattern called "Birdbath". Perfect right? Well you will have to go look in the book or wait to see how I do. I had to find quite a few pieces to go with this but I think I have what it takes. Lots of s

I am so excited.  Things seem to be moving right along.  First my fabulous design board I made for in my sewing room has been a huge success. I finally put together all those diamond blocks from the <u>Kaffe Fassett</u> kit that I purchased back in June from <u>Material girls quilt shop</u> in Grand Island, Ne.  It looks fabulous if I do say so myself. I put together 5 other prints of his for the back and I think it will be wonderful. IT is huge for a quilting project for me so that might have to wait a tiny bit. Still it is progress! Then I decided since I signed up for the Skill Builder BOM over at PileOFabrics.com that I better finish my Craftsy BOM. I had two left and they are the paper pieced blocks. I already had the copies to sew on so it was just a matter of doing them.  Now the question is how to finish the blocks. I was thinking since I am behind on my charity quilts I might just take these blocks and split them into two crib or lap size

I am really excited that I signed up yesterday for the Skill Builder BOM over at Pileofabric.com.  If you watch the video that Alyssa made she will convince you that you can do it.  I have signed up in the past for the Craftsy.com BOM with Amy Gibson from StitcheryDickoryDock.com. I have two blocks left to go on that one and then quilting it somehow someway.  Not to miss out on anything I signed up for the Craftsy.com 2013 BOM class too.  I think dreaming about this all night left me a bit dizzy this morning and with a slight hurt foot from all the sewing and running around in my dreams....or I have a sinus issue coming on. Either way sitting around will accomplish nothing so why not sign up. Go to Pileofabric.com for more details. I hope to meet some new friends and get some fabulous blocks put together.  www.pileofabric.com