Two Quilts

I have two finishes to share. Yay, me!

The first is a simple baby quilt for some friends of ours. Curly deemed them "baby quilt worthy" friends, and so I pulled some Quilted Fish fabric and used my new Simply Retro book to find a pattern. It was fast and easy.

 I did loopy quilting all over it, and then did binding on the bias. In total, I think the quilt took about 4 hours to make. The longest part was the binding.

 Next up is the quilt for Baby. See here? She's saying how much she loves it. She's also telling me her outfit is  too tight.

 I used another Camille Roskelley pattern. I'm finding there is a fine line between "fan" and "stalker." The fabric is Sarah Jane Studios. I don't know the name of the line, but it's the one with anchors and arctic narwhals.

 Here is a close up of the quilting. I was very brave on this one. I've had the Angela Walters Free Motion Quilting book since before we moved. I've wanted to try some of the patterns, but I've been so nervous. I didn't want to ruin a quilt. Last week I told myself I was stupid, loaded Baby's quilt on my frame, and went to town with the paisley design. Is it perfect? Absolutely not. But I'll be better on the next one I do. It was fun to try a different style.

 So there you go. Two baby quilts finished in the past week. I feel pretty awesome about it.

Modern Mini Challenge

I'm following the crowd and entering my Madhuri quilt in Ellison Lane's Modern Mini Challenge. Yay! (Kermit arms, please.)

This mini features The Quilted Fish' new line, Madhuri. It's 18" square and packs a punch. I was very brave and embraced the bright pink solid. I was really worried it would make my mini look like a hot mess, but it really made it look just plain hot.

 Here is the back. Love it.

 And here is the front again.

If you want to make one of your own, feel free to use my tutorial.

There are a lot of great ones entered this year. Hope you like mine!

Ginger

I found this picture of Ginger while looking through my computer files.

Nothing like getting licked by a dog.

Oh My

I know how Ginger feels.

Madhuri Modern Mini Tutorial

Remember my mini-quilt?

Of course you do. I know you've been dying to know how to make one yourself. Well, my friend, that day is today. My fellow Quilted Fish Design Team members and I are revealing our tutorials today. Woo-hoo!! The pattern is made by one simple block being turned different ways. So let's get started.

You'll need:
16 4" squares pattern
16 4" squares solid
36 1.75" squares pattern
36 1.75" squares solid
Fabric for binding, about 80"

Pair up a 4" pattern square with a 4" solid square. We're going to make Half Square Triangles, or HSTs.

 I have this awesome ruler that when lined up on the diagonal, gives you a scant quarter inch on each side. It's awesome. Did I say awesome? Because it is. It helps me make perfect HSTs. But, if you don't have one of these awesome rulers, go ahead and make yours according to your favorite method.

 Once your lines are sewn, cut down the center on the diagonal.

 Press seams open and admire.

 Square up to 3.5". Again, I have a fun ruler.

 Draw a diagonal line on the back of each 1.75" square. Place the pattern square on the solid side, and the solid square on the pattern side. Sew along the diagonal line.

 Trim the excess, and press seams open.

Sew the squares together, 6 rows of 6. In the odd rows, alternate the small solid corner first on the bottom right, then on the bottom left. In the even rows, alternate the solid square first on the top right, then on the top left. That will create the diamond patterns. Quilt as desired. I chose to emphasize the diamonds by quilting concentric squares within the patterns, and leaving the pink solid fabric plain. 

 Bind your mini-quilt according to your favorite method.

Enjoy! Now, go check out the other tutorials today:

Brooke

Candice

Jackie

Sally

Stephanie

And don't forget to pick up some Madhuri while you're out fabric shopping. Or while fabric shopping in your pjs. Either way, go get some!

To Boston, With Love

To Boston, With Love was a grass-roots effort started by the Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild to show support for the people of Boston following the bombings at the marathon last month. Quilters from all over the world were invited to sew a flag and then send it in so that all the flags could be tied together.

This one was mine. I know how it feels to be in a place that is attacked. And I know how it feels to try to be normal after that. It's hard. And it takes super-hero effort at times.

I mailed mine in last week to Amy. And my flag, along with about 1600 others, is now hanging in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. It's pretty awesome. Go here to read all about it. I hope Boston feels the love.

Madhuri Mini

Last year I was lucky enough to go to Market. And meet The Butlers. It was awesome. 

This year I couldn't go because I had a baby. I mean, I love her and everything, but I was sad to miss out on Market. So I sent a mini quilt out of Amanda's new line Madhuri. She hung it in her booth and it was admired by millions.

 I'll have a tutorial on it coming up. It was fun to figure out, but I have to say my sleep-deprived brain can only handle small projects right now.

Amanda's booth won an award -- second place for a double booth. It's a pretty big deal. I'm sure my mini-quilt had a huge impact on that. You're welcome.

Lessons from Tim

I am a huge fan of Project Runway. I have watched since the first season and I love it more than I should. I love the catfighting, I love when there are alliances, I love every crazy outfit made out of plumbers tubes and fresh flowers. Love. It.

But this year, I learned something profound as I watched. Each season, the incomparable Time Gunn visits the finalists in their homes. He meets their loved ones and shares a meal. I love it. I want him to come to my house and share a meal. But I digress. On this season, a Native American woman was a finalist. Tim visited their home on the reservation. As he came in, her mother proudly gestured to the feast on the table and declared, "We made all of this for you."

"I am honored," was Tim's reply.

I am honored.

I love that.

My Grandma Jeanne had the unique opportunity to host leadership from the Church of Jesus Christ of Lattery-day Saints in her home. She made a huge fuss over them. Dinner was served on her best dishes with her beautiful silver to accompany it. How did they feel? I am sure honored.

My Grandma Jeanne also has hosted family gatherings large and small at her house. She served delicious home cooked meals on her best dishes, quite often her best with the beautiful silver. I never once thought to  myself, "Oh, she shouldn't have gone to all this trouble!" and I certainly never said it. Why? Because I felt honored. I knew that she felt I was important enough to fuss over.

So now that I am a grown-up girl with 5 children to care for, I occasionally have people over to my home. I serve them on my prettiest dishes. I don't always use my beautiful silver that matches my Grandma's, but sometimes I do. I think about the menu well in advance and serve something homemade and delicious that I think my guests will like. It is my way of saying, "You are worth my time. I want to fuss."

And what do I hope my guests say? "I am honored."

6 Weeks

It's been six weeks since baby girl arrived, and life is a little upside down. I'm getting back in the swing of things bit by bit. Clothes are washed and bathrooms are clean and dinner is served every night. I have even managed to sew a bit. Hooray for me!

Here is my new crew:

 I love all 5 so very much.

And here is the mini I made for Market with Madhuri!

It's just the back. I'll reveal the front after Market.

Spring has sprung and we have had 6 continuous days without rain. It's been a large slice of heaven. Pittsburgh in the spring is lovely.

What I've Been Up To

At 5:06 am on March 24, this darling bundle of joy hurled into the world. She weighed a whopping 9 lb 3 oz. That's 4 oz bigger than Patch was. That's a hefty baby. But isn't she lovely? We named her Maeve Marjorie. "Maeve"  because it's a beautiful Irish name. "Marjorie" for Curly's paternal grandmother. Maeve's hair is brown and her eyes haven't chosen a color yet. Sometimes they look blue or brown or green or gray. She is a little love and we are enjoying every moment with her. Even the moments when we are a little too slow with the new diaper and she poops all over the place. Even those.

The Post in Which I Whine. A Lot.

*cue super sad violin music*

I went to the doctor again today. Apparently when you make it past your due date, they make you come in twice a week. That's a lot. The short version is that gone are the high-flying days where they would induce you just because you were close to your due date, carrying a big-ish baby, and about to have a very public meltdown. Now it seems it's healthier for everyone involved to keep the baby in your belly as long as you can. It's kind of like a contest. And while the baby stays in and keeps growing into a toddler, they hook you up to machines and make you have expensive tests to make sure the baby is still okay.

In case you're wondering, they really don't care if mommy has public meltdowns. Trust me. I speak from embarrassing experience.

So we continue to wait. And wait. And wait. I have a million things that need doing, but only enough energy for about 2 of them. And my poor kids. You know, the ones that are already here. They are very anxious to block this whole pregnancy from their memories. And did I mention that my hands go numb? Yeah, that's a fun part of my pregnancies.

The point is, donuts are my friend.

So that's my poor, pitiful life right now. I need another nap just thinking about it. Hope your part of the world is going well. I'll unveil the most darling baby quilt in another few days. It takes long to quilt with numb hands.

*end super sad violin music*

40 + 1

40 weeks and 1 day. 

Someone help me.

Just in Case you Wondered

I am still here. I am still pregnant. To say that I hope she comes this week is a huge understatement. My hands are slightly puffy, as are my ankles. And getting up from sitting requires an involuntary "Ooomph." Curly has begun giving my belly a stern talking-to before he heads to work each day, telling baby it's time to GET OUT. Clearly this little one listens as well as her siblings.

On tap today is to clean all the sheets and dirty towels, get laundry caught up, and clean the kitchen. And go into labor. But once the sun goes down, this little chica can sit tight. I hate the idea of going into labor in the middle of the night. It worries me so.

PSA

Remember when I talked about my kids being sick? And how it was awful? And the worst week ever? Well, I was wrong. I mean, it was awful and a pretty bad week. But things can always get worse. Much, much worse. 

When I took Ginger to the doctor, she prescribed a steroid for her cough. We dutifully began the prednisone on Wednesday night, and a second dose Thursday morning. By Thursday evening, Ginger had been replaced by her evil twin. I took a video of her screaming at me and sent it to my mom with the note, "This is why people drink." Thursday night my inlaws arrived, and on Friday morning, with just 3 teaspoons of steroids in her little body, Ginger snapped. She screamed, she kicked, she hit. She sassed and she refused to say "sorry" and "please." Curly put her in time out. In order to get out, all she had to do was tell Mommy "sorry" for screaming and being rude. 

Ginger refused.

For two hours, my baby screamed and yelled and said things like, "I do NOT SAY SORRY!" By noon, I joked that she must have Roid Rage. By the Saturday evening, after enduring two days of massive temper tantrums, throwing toys and kid-size furniture, and mean talking by a 3 year old, we were convinced. We stopped giving her the medicine and waited for Ginger to come back to us. 

When she laughed on Monday, the first time in days, we all rejoiced. My inlaws breathed a huge sigh of relief that their favorite grandchild was not actually possessed by the devil. Then we all agreed that I should have gone to medical school, because I rock at diagnosing.

I also rock at quilting, even though I haven't had the energy much lately. I made this for a customer and mailed it off yesterday:

Pattern is Ruby, Pearl, and Opal from the Moda Bake Shop.

So there you go. A cautionary tale about the overuse of steroids and a pretty little quilt. What more could you want on a Wednesday?

Retreat!

In the past 10 days, I think I have left my house 3 times. I mean, I've gone out to the mailbox and to supervise the dog's bathroom breaks and stuff. But as far as getting out of the house to go somewhere, it's been 3 times. 2 of those times were to a doctor. The third was to Target. It is still my happy place. 

You can understand then why a quilting retreat sounds more enticing than ever. Anyone else have cabin fever? Riley Blake is hosting their first ever retreat in Vegas this fall. 

If I'm being honest, which I always am, it sounds like heaven on earth. In the FAQs, it gives all the details about pricing, lodging, and supplies needed. Unfortunately, it says that no one under 18 can go. If I take Baby strapped to me, do you think anyone would notice? 

Some of my favorites will be at the retreat. First of all, Eleanor Burns will be there. One of the first quilts I made was her Log Cabin in a Day pattern. I gave it to my sister for her wedding. It's an awesome quilt. I have no pictures of it! I digress....Amy Smart will be there to teach a few classes. If you haven't met Amy yet, it's worth the price of admission just for that. She is seriously the nicest person in the world. Not only do we have an unhealthy love of fabric in common, but she also gets my love of Frederick, MD. And, Amanda Herring will be there. To know Amanda is to love her. I mean that. She is so inspiring and fun and beautiful to boot. 

Have I convinced you? Go register!

The Week From...

This has been a rough week. It started out pretty darn great. Flower was here over the weekend and we had us some good times planned. On Saturday we went to the Pittsburgh Children's Museum. Patch had been when we first moved here on a field trip. The place was awesome. We went ahead and sprung for a family pass. I can see many trips in our future.

One of the things for which Pittsburgh is so famous is Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood. At the museum, they had several memorabilia items. For example, a replica of the tree and all the original puppets.

 Also, a sweater. This particular one was knitted by Mrs. McFeely. I had a moment where I thought, "Whoa! That was her REAL name?" Yes.

I love what the plaque says: "Fred often talked about and sang about how 'making something for someone is one way to say "I love you."' And how receiving something graciously is a way to say 'I love you' too."

Isn't that great? Isn't that why those who make stuff do it? I think that deserves a post unto itself.

While at the museum, Patch began to fade. I thought at first that he just had low blood sugar, but by 8:30 pm he had a fever. And then a cough. And then the next day, Flower started to cough and not feel well. And then Monday afternoon, dear Mini-me took a turn for the worse. Flower went home, and Patch and Mini-me went to the doctor, earning a diagnosis of bronchitis and ear infections. And then began the week home from school. Mini-me felt well enough to go today, which is when sassy-pants Ginger decided to come down with a fever.

And then I fell down the stairs and bruised my tailbone.

Can this week be done yet? Yes? Good.

The View from Tuesday

Here are some thoughts I am having today.

• Yesterday was 62. I opened all the windows and aired out the house. Today we are having snow flurries.
• I have two pairs of pants that fit. One is pink sweatpants. The other is jeans. Guess which ones I wear most often?
• Yesterday evening, while trying to close one of said open windows, I got a little stuck between the bed and the wall. Mini-me, ever observant, said, "Don't worry, Mom. You'll get your body back."
• I live very close to a good mall. I have been several times. Located in the mall is Crate and Barrel. I have deliberately stayed out of that store because it is my budget kryptonite.
• I need about 2 naps a day to function. It's getting a little ridiculous.
• My due date is in about a month, and I have yet to begin Baby's quilt. Related: I have a name picked out, but it's not for public consumption. 

How are you doing this fine Tuesday? 

Friday Night Sew-in

On Friday I signed up for the sew in over on Heidi's blog. I had a quilt I needed to finish binding, so I hunkered down on my bed and watched tv and sewed. It was the best night.

I started this quilt over 2 years ago with my friend Colleen. It was for our mutual BFF Lauren. She was expecting baby #3, so instead of making her baby a quilt, we made her a quilt. We used a layer cake from Fig Tree Quilts (I can't remember the fabric line), and found some blocks we liked in a book. It looks gorgeous in person. I sure hope it doesn't get "lost" in the mail. For her next baby she's just getting some burp cloths. 

 On Saturday my production mojo continued. As my laundry machine did all the heavy work for me, I pieced this block from Camille's new Fireworks pattern. I love it. I'm using Seaside by Riley Blake. It's going to look so fresh and summery when it's done. Hopefully it will be done in time for summer. And by "summer," I am specifically referring to Summer 2013. Not some random summer in the future.

And finally, Mini-me has asked for a folding chair in her room. She also wants a cushion for said chair. So, she picked some fabrics from my stash and then chose a block she liked. I used one of the blocks from Jeni's Half-Square Triangle block of the month. I love it so hard I'm going to have to do the entire quilt. You know, in all my spare time.

So it was a good weekend, sewing wise. I have a huge list of things to finish in the next 2 months before baby arrives. If I only get one of them done, I will feel extremely productive.

Tuesday!

I woke up today thinking, "It's only Tuesday? I have the whole week left to get things done!" On a related note, I love my iron supplement. The best part of this week is what's happening on Friday. My real-life besties are coming for a visit. I need to think of a new name for them, since I don't live close to them, either. All of my besties now live in my phone and/or computer. I'm learning to cope.

One thing all my besties have in common is sewing. Another thing is how much they love me. A third thing is that sometimes they are jealous of me. But mainly, it's sewing. We may do some of that this weekend. Or, we may just watch Pitch Perfect and laugh hysterically and drink Diet Coke. Whatever we do, it will be nice to be together.

I got to work on my Halloween Swoon this week. I finished block #5. I think it's my favorite so far.

 I love how the black stands out and the darling purple in the middle.

Did I ever show you block 4?

 It is not my favorite. I had a cutting issue. Or a losing fabric issue. It caused me to need to piece one of the components. This block will probably be hidden in the bottom corner of the quilt.

And now, all 5 together.

I am in love. And I also apologize for the weird angle. It's just, well, awkward. But back to being in love. I am so glad I decided to make this quilt. It is going to be a favorite for certain. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I really hope I get this finished by this year!

Linking up to Fabric Tuesday.

Snow

Over Christmas break, we had quite a bit of snow in the 'Burgh. We made a few trips over to the local golf course to get our sled on. Some really enjoyed it. Others went once and called it done. Can you guess who was in each group?

 Yep, Mini-me and Patch loved it. They went no less than 3 times. Flower and Ginger prefer to admire the snow from inside.

 We got sleds for Christmas last year. This was the first time we got to use them. Also the first time for using the snow pants and boots Grandma and Grandpa gave them last year.

Mini-me got new gloves for her birthday. She soon switched to her waterproof ones. That snow was cold.

So, come on, winter! Give us some more snow. We can take it.