HoopSisters TNT

HoopSisters TNT--Textures and New Techniques--all done in the hoop, piecing, quilting, and decorative stitches. Its going to be pretty small, more like a wall-hanging. I think there's only one more row to go all the way around, but I think I am going to do the optional stipple border.
Next month we add texture. I'm going to use jumbo rick rack in a plum color. Stay tuned...

Grandma Sewing

That's the best kind, huh? Anyway, here's the projects I've been working on for Anna.
Bumper pads: I love classic Pooh and I found this fabric at JoAnn and bought what was left on the bolt. If the bumper pads look this good wrapped around my coffee table, imagine what they will look like in Anna's crib! Adorable!


Catherine asked for a sling so she could carry Anna around the house and still have her hands free for different tasks. I made two. I'm not too sure how well the purple one will work. It's called the Mei Tai. Anna is so small, she might slide right out the side--maybe better save that one til she's bigger. And the ties are so long, they are a little hard to maneuver and get situated. The fabric sure is beautiful, though!

Black & white polka dots. This sling is more for a newborn and might work better and its very fashionable, also adjustable and without long ties hanging everywhere.
I really wish I had the one I made when my girls were born...it was great...sturdy denim and easy to hold a baby in. It was more like a pack and you could wear it in front or back.

Okay, next up--baby quilts...ABC's, circus babies, 5 little monkeys...I am going to be busy and have a blast making them!!

Anna Bella Celes

Anna Bella has arrived! 17 days early and a little bit of a thing, but she is beautiful!
I have sew many sewing plans. Here's a few of the things I've already made for her.
This is Amy Butler's Nappy Bag pattern. Its got lots of pockets inside, including 2 quilted bottle pockets and a cell phone pocket on the outside. I also made a paci pod (to hold pacifiers) and a paci wipes case. These were both done completely in the hoop.
Here's some bibs and a burp cloth. DigiStitches.com has some great applique designs--all done in the hoop--so fast and easy. Also a hooded bath towel for when she's a little bigger.
I just registered for Kari Mecca's Embellishing School for next February! Anna will be the cutest and best dressed little girl on the block! Check out www.karimeaway.com for Kari's sewing with whimsy items.

Almost Finished Pinwheel Party Quilt

I have sewn all the blocks together with little pinwheel cornerstones and sashing. There is still another border to go around the quilt with little pinwheel blocks in each corner. Then it will be completely finished except for the quilting. But, wouldn't you know, I'm about 1/4 yard short of fabric for the last border. I really liked this when I started it a few months ago, but now I am not too sure. I love the 30's fabrics but there is just too much white background. I've wanted to make a quilt out of 30's fabrics for a long time, but this one isn't it. I will probably just finish it up and try to sell it.

I've got ideas for about 4 baby quilts for little Anna who will be here before we know it! And I need to get on to making a diaper bag, and bumper pads for the crib. So this will get put away for a while...

Pinwheel Party

Here's my 12 finished blocks from Playing at the Pinwheel Party. I really like the 30's fabric with the Kona snow. This is not the finished quilt. There are still cornerstones and sashings to be completed, something like 48 half-square triangles that finish at about 2 inches--itty bitty work which I'm not too fond of. I was going to just sew all the blocks together and put a border on it, but I think I will go ahead an do it by the directions. I think it will look better. So, stay tuned...hopefully by the end of next week I'll have this top completed and be able to move on to other PHD's.

Hoopsisters Quilt

This is Month One of a block of the month class I'm doing this year. Its a Hoopsisters design called Textures and New Techniques, TNT for short. Each block is totally done in the embroidery hoop...piecing, quilting...all of it! It is so easy and very fun. I'm using batiks in greens and blues and my accent color is purple. The blocks are only 5 inches and the quilt will be pretty small--have no idea what I'm going to do with it, but its a neat little project. Stay tuned to see the progress each month.

Baby Quilt

I don't think my neighbors read my blog, so I'm pretty safe in posting this. Their first child is due next month and its a boy! I embroidered a bib and some burp cloths that I'm going to give them.
And I also made this cute quilt out of baby flannel and baby fleece. I embroidered the fleece squares with designs from Anita Gooddesign's Nursery Quilt. It was really easy and turned out pretty nice. Its soft and cuddly, too.