Second Set: Quilt Doodle Doodle Quilt Along

Since this is such a cute mystery quilt along, I decided to go ahead and make a second set of blocks.

The March block is the Big Tree. 

Now I'll have two gifts (if I can part with both of them).

My second "cozy cabin" block, is more house like, because it's more fun to do something different.

To save a little time on this new row of snowman faces, rather than making each face a  "9 patch", I just took a 6 1/2" square and snowballed the corners.

 

There is still time to follow along with Cindy.  You can click here to find her blog and the instructions.

Layer Cake Sampler Quilt Along

Since I have quite a few layer cakes, this quilt along appealed to me and I decided to quilt along!  I want to make everyone a quilt (you probably know what I mean?)

  Several of my relatives requested purple when I asked their choice.  I decided that this sampler would look beautiful in a combination of purples and grays.  I've been collecting purples and so started out without a layer cake.

Then I looked through my layer cakes and found this Josephine one by French General and decided to use it and make a second Sampler quilt.  I pulled some pieces from my stash also.  (I really want to start using up a lot of stash fabrics to make room to buy more fabric, which is good therapy!)

This is a weekly quilt along which is fun because it will move quicker.  You can find Amanda's blog with all instructions, called Material Girl Quilts, Fabric and more linked here. 

Quilting Shamrocks Table Topper

I got inspired by The Across the Pond  Sew Along.  The theme for March is shamrocks and Susie and Amanda the Patchsmith, have all sorts of project ideas and links to tutorials so you can pick the one that inspires you!

I decided to make a tabletopper with the

 "Luck of The Irish" Table Topper Pattern :  @ Moda Bakeshop

which is the one Susie used, but I turned my shamrocks out and added a paint box border.  

This is Susie's and you can check out her blog here

This is Amanda's darling spiky shamrock coaster with link to her free PDF file.

Check out the Across the Pond Flickr page too-- I'm going to go add some of my photos now!

If I were to do it over, I'd might leave the shamrocks facing in but interestingly enough, if you look at the center negative spaces, there is the form of a cross

Wouldn't it be pretty if that negative space were quilted with a Celtic design!

The quilting includes shamrocks and swirls and I even added a few hidden pictures (bird, tulip, and butterfly).  The light wasn't right for photographing the quilting detail so in the paint program I highlighted the bird and one of the shamrocks to show them (there's really no color on them).

Well, I better go take down my Valentine decorations and put out the all the Green!

Handmade Christmas and Blogger Girls II blocks

                         

Handmade Christmas challenge

I used a Hawaiian print fabric and the tutorial for the Spring Garden Table runner which you can find here.   I bought polycotton because the Hawaiian prints were so much brighter and made some notes about sewing with polycotton on my Hawaiian Holiday page.

Check out all the gift items from the February challenge here.

 

 Blogger Girls II February blocks.  I had to do two of the "spidery" one since I made a mistake and didn't want to pick it out. 

Quilt Doodle Doodle and Sew Kitschy February Quilt Blocks

QUILTING ALONG...

 

This cozy cabin BIG block (16 1/2 x 22 1/2") is the BOM for February by Cindy at Quilt Doodle Doodles.  You can see the diagram below for the layout of the future blocks.  I added the heart into the roof --inspired by Julie's Home is Where the Heart is Pillow-- she has a tutorial too, so if you want, you can use this link to go see!

 

This Cookie Jar paper piecing pattern is from Kristy at Quiet Play:  Sew Kitschy quilt along.  It will have the word "Cookies" embroidered on, with the capital "C" in the white diamond area.  I think I'll improve my paper piecing with each of the 9 blocks (I hope).

Now I just need to do my Blogger Girls II and my Handmade Christmas.  I know I wanted to join in one more, but now I can't remember what/where?  If I remember, I'll have to jot it down in my little notebook from Tamara!

Hawaiian Skinny Pinny and Coin Purse Tutorial -- ALOHA!!!

I just got back from a tropical paradise!  Now it's time to sew and quilt with some island fabrics---

First off:  a Skinny Pinny and coin purse in Hawaiian print for my secret SP Sister.... could this be you?

Upon arriving home from my vacation, I had a package awaiting me from the person that I had been assigned too!

My gift-- a darling Owl Skinny Pinny and a note book.

The note book will come in handy for my sketches, plans and quilting ideas and will be a perfect place to keep them from getting scattered about.  Thanks so much Tamara!

 Well....I spotted The Fabric Mart not long after getting into the rental car and got to go in and get some island fabrics!

There were so many to choose from but my Skinny colleague loves blues, greens, and grays, so got some of those and some bright colors too.

The island blues and greens were so luscious that I fell in love with those colors too!  (We stopped here after zip lining to take in the beautiful site.)

Are you wondering what the Skinny Pinny is all about?

It's a pin cushion swap organized back in January, hosted by Amy of eamylove -you can go to her site here.  The pdf pattern from Green Bee Designs is linked here.  (I changed the pattern a bit by eliminating a long side seam so my larger piece is 6 1/8 x 4 1/4" and the side pieces are 2 3/8 x 4 1/4")

Skinny Pinny Hawaiian style!  Complete with rice filling to give it just the right weight and a couple of free motion hibiscus flowers.  It was suggested that we may want to include another little gift and/or chocolate-- as I speculated on that, I thought that maybe a coin purse would be nice?  Read on for a coin purse tutorial...

Valentine Heart Pin Cushion Tutorial (or Fun Bean Bag for Kids)!

This little valentine pin cushion will cheer up your sewing area and put you in the Valentine's Day mood!

Read on to make your own red, white and pink pin cushion.

Pieced Heart Pillow and Valentine Table Topper

I really LOVE red and white!

If you'd like to make these versatile 15" blocks which can be table toppers, pillows, or wall hangings, read on....

Dimensional Valentine Heart T-Shirt and Crystal Bracelet

Welcome to my first Valentine Day Project!  Making something new to wear is a good way to enhance your holiday enjoyment.  How about embellishing a t-shirt or making a new heart bracelet!

This easy embellished t-shirt would be a fun group or mother/daughter project.  Read on for the tutorial.

Valentines for You!

It's almost time for sweet sentiments, pink and red hearts, and valentines and I'm joining with Elaine at Summercrafter to do some fun Valentine's projects and tutorials for you from February 1st to the 7th.  I'll present my tutorials on the 2nd, 4th, and 6th.  Go see what Elaine has too!

http://summercrafter.com/
Here is a little sneak peak of a couple of my projects.  So come back soon!

Chilly Silly Snowmen Quilt Along

 

 I just had to join in two more quilt challenges!

Cindy of Quilt Doodle Designs is hosting a fun mystery quilt Block of the Month 2014 and you can still join in!  The first block is actually a row of blocks called Chilly Silly Snowmen.  Click here for the link to the easy to follow pattern.

Here are my Chilly Silly Snowmen.  I hope you will join in!

The other quilt challenge I decided to join in is called The 350 Blocks Project sponsored by Shelly at Prairie Moon Quilts.  She is going to have some giveaways, so it's a fun way to be a little more motivated to be productive!  The January challenge is just 20 blocks!
 

Joining in the Handmade Christmas Challenge!

I got motivated to meet the January Handmade Christmas Challenge, hosted by SewCalGal.

  I had to make something quick since today is the last day of the linky party and came up with a Christmas Apron!  Wouldn't you love to receive a cute new apron along with some darling measuring spoons or even a Jar of Cookie Mix or potholder? Cookie Mix Tutorial can be found here.

Snowman print apron

Here's a tutorial in case you want to make an apron too!