happy december

During the week I daydream about what I'd do with my free time if I didn't have a real job.  Once Friday arrives, I anxiously drive home in hopes of having some quiet creative time.  But I typically crash and burn on the couch by 7.

I woke early on Saturday with two goals in mind: 1) to complete my first quilt block and 2) to start the quilt top for a friend's baby boy, due in January.  Fortunately I was able to finish both, which rarely happens.

The quilt block is block #1 from the Fat Quarter Shop's Mystery Block of the Month.  I joined the club nearly a year ago because I wanted to push myself to finish at least one small project a month.  However, despite them sending me 7 months' worth of blocks, I am just getting to the first.

While I admit I'm not a fan of geometric-looking blocks, I wanted to try this to challenge myself.   I am relatively new to quilting and have so much to learn, so I need to continue stepping out of my comfort zone.  I am slow and clearly need some expert tips on how to improve my measurements and angles so that everything lines up just so...

My friend is having her first baby in January, so I asked her to select some fabric so I could make him a quilt.  She picked At the Farm by Robert Kaufman, so I assembled a little quilt top this morning.  I'm hoping to stop by Jo-Ann's sometime this week so I can back it with some soft brown minky.

I have some other ideas in the works for this little guy...

turkey day quilt

This is the first year I won't be spending Thanksgiving day with my family in Pennsylvania.  As a newly married woman, I realize I have to compromise, but it is still difficult to be apart from your loved ones on the holidays.

I woke early this morning and made up my mind that I was going to finish the quilt that I started last spring.  The fabrics are so bright and cheery, and I can't wait to gift this to someone special. My husband's niece is just over a year old, and she is one of the happiest babies.  This quilt will be perfect for her as she moves into toddler territory.

a fresh start

Well, it's been a long time since I last stepped foot on my sewing machine pedal.  8 months to be exact.

I have greatly missed the feel of the fabric between my fingers, and since the school year has slowly steadied, I have anxiously started planning new projects while attempting to complete half-finished ideas-in-the making.

My hope is that I do not fall off the face of the earth again.  Then again, I was planning a wedding...