I Spy in Black.

Quite some time ago, I participated in several "I Spy" square swaps.  It was great fun to receive 100's of squares of fabric that you don't see locally every day.  I kept the squares for a while, then sorted in different color themes or background before I started to make any tops.

Last summer I made the first quilt for my grandson, Theo, with squares that had black backgrounds and I surrounded them with black Kona Cotton. The backing is a colorful dot on black and I used a crayon print for the binding.

I had enough to make a second quilt which has now been posted in my shop.  This is a great teaching tool and can be played with all ages.  Start out simple with "I Spy" colors or shapes. As the kids get older you can play with more detail.  Great  way to wind down at naptime or bedtime.

Sweet Safari Baby Quilt

Sweet Safari is finished and posted in my shop today.

 I had a lot of fun quilting this little cutie once I decided on all the cross stitching.  It started out as a Layer Cake by Clotilde.com.  I added pale yellow Kona Cotton and cut up some of the cake into small sets of squares.  The backing just happened to be a great find from Fabmo and worked perfectly for the animal safari theme.  I was trying several different colors for binding but finally remembered that I had seen some Sweet Safari yardage and I opted for the little animal print for the binding.  I am also making some matching burp cloths with both prints.  They make wonderful shower gifts.

Life Happens!!

It has been a tough May and June to say the very least in our family.  My grandson was in a terrible auto accident on June 14th.  As a result, I have spent more time to and fro to the hospital than in front of my sewing machine.  I was able to get a lot of knitting and crocheting done as I needed to be portable but very little sewing.  I mentioned last month that I had a terrible case of startitis, so I guess it is a good thing that I have been able to  come down with a case of finishitis this week.  As we go through the week I will feature each of the finished projects that are going into my shop.

I received a wonderful package in the mail this morning that really picked my spirits up.  I had been trying to expand my networking over the last couple of weeks by adding new blogs to follow and other twitter accounts that share common interests.  I was over at Pile O' Fabric looking at Alyssa's latest project, and happen to see a contest she was having.  Well, I decided to enter, of course, and low and behold, I won.

 The prize is a marvelous boxed collection of Tula Pink, Aurifil varigated quilting thread.  Just in time for my case of finishitis.  Now the only thing I have to do is decide which beautiful color I should use first.  Thank you again, Alyssa for the wonderful contest.  I will be checking back often.

Twinkle Toes

A preview of some new upcoming items to the store.  These little new born booties or as they are called in French, Chaussons mignons, are just the cutest.  Thanks to the wonderfully clear pattern from Purline en vaudrouille, and shared in Ravelry.  The pattern is in French as well as English.  I am doing them in 100% wool to keep the little tootsies warm.  I just love how petite they are for the new wee ones.  More wonderful colors to come, and some that aren't so girly for the new little guys.

Sandwiched and ready to Quilt

Although my time was extremely limited this weekend due to commitments, I actually got three backs assembled and the quilts sandwiched and pinned.  Now they are ready for me to stitch away during the week, hopefully.  Next weekend is going to be so busy with graduation, out of town guests, and Father's Day that I have no choice but to catch time whenever I can during the evenings this week.  I am very happy with my Sweet Safari backing.  It is so fitting for a safari quilt in just the right color.  I will share a peek.

I also solved the problem I had with the backing for my Seaglass quilt.  I was just a bit shy on the length of the backing once I had put the borders on the top.  So I was lucky enough to have charm squares in the same fabric patterns to add a strip in the center of the back.  Really like the effect.

More Flannels Swaddling Blankets

There is another stack of the soft and thick flannel swaddling blankets that are ready for the store.  My resident photographer is falling behind in her photography duties this week.  There is also a marvelous stack of newborn bibs that are just as cute as can be.  They have wonderful cotton print fronts and terry cloth backs to absorb all those drools and spits.  They have easy snap fasteners.

I have spent the better part of the week reorganizing my sewing room and storage areas.  Moved a lot of books and magazines, as well as a lot of yarn that I need to be able to see, so I can use it. Also folded a ton of fabric and stacked so I can view it as well.  It stimulates the mind and reminds me of the different projects that I want to work on.  I always have projects with me whenever I leave the house.  Whether it is a knitting or crochet project or even a bag of YoYo's that are being created for a forthcoming quilt, it is important for me to be able to take advantage of any waiting  or down time that I may have.  I have waited in more than my share of lines or late appointments.

Now that I have organized, however, I have misplaced two large pieces of fabric that I was ready to use for backing.  So much for organizing.

I Spy Quilts

It seems like all of a sudden I have a large backlog of quilt tops.  I guess this is a sign of "startitis".  However, it could be worse, what if there were no choices to finish.   I have two or three "I Spy" tops to finish.  I even have the backs picked out.  Now I just have to stack and pin, and then of course, I have to quilt.  Doesn't sound like much when I say it that way, right??

These  bright prints with the black background are so outstanding.  They are wonderful surrounded by the Kona Black.  

Look for the the next batch to be with Kona Off White background and some large print backings.  I have truly enjoyed making the "I Spy" quilts for little ones.  It is such a wonderful way to teach and play matching games of identification.  The degree of difficulty can be increased if there are siblings that want to play along with younger ones.