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...

my first quilt along

I'm not sure if this is the wisest place to begin, but the NYB Quilt Along caught my attention from a fellow NOVA Modern Quilt Guild-er. Despite it being intimidating, I thought I'd give it a shot. I know very little about paper piecing, other than the fact that it is incredibly challenging for a beginner like myself, can lead to frustration and requires a significant amount of patience. Perhaps I am just trying to prepare myself for some bumps along the way.

Considering I'm busier than ever with work, my class, wedding planning, and trips to and fro my home state, I couldn't have chosen a better (insert sarcasm here) time to attempt such a lofty venture! Woo hoo! My hope is that it will get me back on the quilting train.

So I think I will attempt four of the simpler blocks...to piece together as a pillow. That is my goal for now, and anything beyond that will be considered a monumental victory.

In the meantime I am gathering fabrics from my mini stash so I can start planning. I just purchased this fat quarter bundle of Denyse Schmidt's Aunt Edna from fabricworm, so maybe I can incorporate this somehow...