Another year...

Another round of birthdays for our toddler friends! Last year, my go-to gift was the JCasa Child's Coloring Wallet. This year, I've decided to go with aprons/smocks.

The pattern I'm using at the moment is called "Abigail's Apron" by LadyBug Bay Designs (a local designer from Woodinville, WA). I really like it because it is fully lined/reversible, has pockets, offers full front and back coverage, and is easy to put on and wear. It is also a really easy, quick to construct design. My only problem with the instructions is that they call for hand-sewing in some areas. So, after making it once as per the instructions, for my most recent versions I figured out some changes so as to avoid all hand sewing.

The most challenging area to figure out what to do with was the shoulder area. The instructions have you sew a partial seam when stitching the linings to the outer pieces (one for the front, one for the back). Then you join the front and back together along only the outer shoulder seam. The shoulder is then finished by handstitching the lining shoulder seam closed, thus enclosing all of the seams inside.


My solution: instead of hand sewing the lining, I did a zig-zag. It's maybe not the prettiest solution, but I think it is a nice strong finish, and it doesn't involve handwork. Woo!

Anyway, two of our toddler friends have birthdays right about now. So, over the course of the last week, I made a couple of aprons for them.

Kassie's apron:


I just love that happy Lila Tueller bird print. So cute!!!

Jackson's apron:


For Jackson's, I was a little concerned about the girly-factor of the ties. But, in the end, I decided I really liked the simplicity and adaptability of the ties. So the only change I made was to make the ties blunt-ended, as opposed to the ribbon-looking 45° angle called for in the pattern. I think it works pretty well.

Playtime: the bear

It's been quite awhile since I've taken time to work on my "Playtime" quilt. Having found some inspiration to do applique this week, I was excited to work on this project again! Here is the bear:


It is all applique (plus a little bit of embroidery), mostly needleturn with freezer paper on top. I used a vinyl overlay for placement of the pieces as I went along. Going into this one, I had a few concerns-- what colors to use, how to deal with the ball, and getting sharp points. The drum went together pretty easily. The ball took some time. I used a yellow base fabric (to peek through those narrow areas), and then appliqued the other pieces on top of it. Then I cut a heat-resistant mylar template to the size of the ball and used Carrie P.'s method for preparing circles (LOVE that method!!!). It was a little tricky because of all of the applique (and I forgot to leave wide outside edges on a couple of the pieces), but I think it worked pretty well.

Overall, I think he's a happy looking bear!

And here's my progress chart:

Greenpiece month 3: Applique blocks 5 & 6

Last week I got to attend my local quilt shop's monthly Greenpiece meeting for the first time. (Thanks to my wonderful sister-in-law who recently moved to the area and was willing to watch the boy!!!) In addition to passing out the new blocks, techniques are discussed, updates and news are shared, and there is a little bit of show-and-tell. It was a lot of fun, and I'm thrilled I finally got to experience it (maybe I can even do it again next month!).

One interesting thing that I learned was that we're a little behind in our applique blocks. They have been giving us two pieced patterns and two applique patterns a month. But because we make two of every pieced pattern, it seems that really we should be doing an applique block for every pieced block we make, not for each pieced pattern. Does that make any sense? I guess I can't explain too well since I found it confusing myself. In any case, we learned that really we should have a total of eight pieced blocks and eight applique blocks at this point, when in actuality, we've made eight pieced and only four applique. So, this month there is an influx of applique.

Applique block 5:


A happy little flower. Sweet and simple (with some help in the center from Karen Kay Buckley's Perfect Circles!).

Applique block 6:


This one was a little more challenging. LOTS of points and round shapes. They aren't perfectly curved, but I figure my block just has a little extra character.

It is still to be seen whether I'll be able to manage another four applique blocks this month to catch up. But, at least I have two done!

Jane Stickle Quilt: M-1

Block number/name: M-1 “Dogwood Days”

Date completed: January 26, 2009

Number of pieces: 29

Notes on block: I’m not entirely sure why this fabric called to me from the pile, but I think it works pretty nicely. All-in-all, this was another simple, straightforward block. With most blocks, I need an entire evening of work to complete them. But with this one, I actually had time to work on another project too. Bonus!

Paintbox Quilt Along: First blocks

Yay! I finally managed to get the first blocks for the Paintbox Quilt Along completed!


So far the only issue I've had is that I cut a few (only five, I think) pieces 1/4" too narrow. So I have some 1/8" seams going on in a couple blocks. But it should be okay (I hope!).

My friend Mikki and I have decided to try and quilt along together. She's in Texas and I'm in Washington, so it's going to be a virtual thing. But it will be nice to be able to cheer each other on as we work through this project. I'm also hoping that she'll help keep me focused so I actually finish (instead of adding yet another UFO to the pile!).

We decided we're going to pace ourselves a little differently than the actual quilt along. We did all of our cutting in the first week, and then for the next eight weeks, we're going to try and do 10 blocks a week. If we stay on track, we should be finishing up our blocks around the same time as the quilt along-- just in time for sashing and finishing instructions. Wish us luck!

Jane Stickle Quilt: BR-2

Block number/name: BR-2 “Leigh’s Woods”

Date completed: January 25, 2010

Number of pieces: 31

Notes on block: Fun and simple are good words for describing the making of this block. It was a nice and relaxing experience. The beautiful leafy green was a gift from Zonnah. (Thank you, Zonnah!!)

Birthday boy!

Today is my little boy's third birthday! I can hardly believe it.


We celebrated the event yesterday by inviting over family and having snacks and cupcakes.


Mmmm... cupcakes.

And, of course, there were many gifts, including this one:


A quilt made by mama!


My little dude loves Maisy Mouse. I love the bright, happy colors, simple art, and sweet stories about Maisy and her friends. When I saw this beautiful kit being offered by the Fat Quarter Shop, it was an easy decision. The kit included the pattern and all of the fabrics needed for the top and binding. I purchased the backing fabric separately (it is also from Andover's Maisy collection).


I started working on it at the quilt retreat in November, and finished it last Friday evening. It was washed and ready to go for the party on Sunday. I was a little nervous about washing it, because none of the fabrics (or the batting) had been prewashed. Usually, I am a prewash fanatic, but as the kit suggested not to prewash, I didn't. Fortunately, everything washed beautifully with no bleeding. The quilt has a lovely, comfy crinkled look to it too!


I'm really pleased with how the quilting turned out. In the center, I did a long, horizontal stipple in the "sky" areas, outlined and then stippled the house, and did a swirl in the sun. Then I did an all-over freemotion design in the outside borders that involved stars and loops (inspired by a quilt I saw on Quilt Hollow's blog recently).


I just love the backing fabric. So cool!


And the label.

I even made a little pillowcase to go with it:



Happy Birthday, little dude!!!! Mama loves you. :)