Everything Patchwork

I finished Jessie's crib set today! I am really happy with how the skirt turned out. It makes a unique set to do both the bumper & skirt in patchwork. I just get giddy whenever I get to make something different using patchwork. There is a flickr group that I submit photos to and its called 'patchwork your life' featuring patchwork in everthing but quilts, and I just love it!! Its the story of my life. If I can get away using multiple fabrics in any project, I do!! I know I have the best job. I just can't get enough. :)

Sew and Tell Challenge

I decided to participate in Amylouwho's Sew and Tell Challenge using Amy Butler fabrics and/or patterns. I recently bought Amy B's new book Style Stitches that has some really cute bags. I decided to try out the Teardrop bag using fabrics from Amy (of course!)~ cutting into my pink coriander stash!! Also, the main fabric is from Josephine Kimberling's Glam Garden, the inside will be Pie Basket from Hope Valley, Jennifer Paganelli's Kate's Wish for inside pocket & I think the stripe is RJR?? The book rates this bag as intermediate, so I thought it would be a good one to try to stretch out my sewing skills. Here's a link to the Sew & Tell Challenge: (prizes are involved!!) http://www.amylouwho.com/2010/08/amy-butler-sew-tell-challenge.html

Patchwork Crib Skirt

I am starting a crib set for Jess with a patchwork crib bumper. This is the start of the skirt. She wanted a patchwork skirt as well. I'm using various Valori Wells, Jennifer Paganelli, Josephine Kimberling, Amy Butler, Michael M & Dena fabrics (not all pictured). This is the pattern I will use: 16" square, (2) 8" squares & an 8X16 rectangle. Sorry for the picture quality! I can't get my flash to work when I want it to! :) Can't wait to see how this turns out.

Red Velvet Cupcakes by Holly

Today I'm having my daughter, Holly, as a guest blogger. She loves to bake and made Red Velvet Cupcakes for tonight's dessert . . .

I have always heard of how good red velvet cupcakes are, but haven't ever had them until recently. I found a recipe online but when we tried them they tasted like cornbread and were very bland. Then, we got Duncan Hines red velvet cake mix and added a 1/2 cup sour cream to it. They were very moist and tasted much better! I kept the same frosting from the previous recipe because the frosting was delicious! Hope you try them and liked them as much as I did!

Frosting Recipe:

Ingredients:

~ 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar

~ 1 stick butter

~ 4 oz cream cheese

~ 1/4 teaspoon salt

~ 2 teaspoons vanilla

Directions:

Add all ingredients to mixing bowl and blend for 2 minutes on medium speed.

Cheater Quilt

Gotta love the faux patchwork fabrics that come out and make it so easy to make a throw in a blink of an eye. I backed this one with lime green minky & used 2 yards of fabric to make a finished size of 43x72~ large enough for 2 people! Mo Bedell's Party Dress line fabric was purchased at http://hawthornethreads.com & last I checked they have lots of yards in stock, so get some for yourself or go to my shop & purchase this one!!

Quilt Along Finished!!

Oh, the beautiful brights! Vintage florals! Ticking stripes! Graphics! Dots! Love all the patterns combined & all from Jennifer Paganelli. I outline quilted in the turquoise thread which is a great accent shows off the pretty fabrics. Click on the picture for a closer look. For the binding I cut 2.5" strips of some of the fabrics and sewed them together for a matched scrappy look. I love Heather Bailey's tutorial on quilt binding found on her blog. The only thing I do differently than most tutorials I've seen is I like to start sewing the binding on the backside and than flip to the front. I feel like I have more control of the finished look on the front. I attach both sides of the binding by machine. I know many people who like to hand stitch it. I don't have much patience for hand sewing. I try to do it now and again, but not on a binding. Let's hope Cortney loves it. I also posted on my flickr the matching valance & toy bag I made to coordinate. I just need to finish the crib skirt and her set will be ready to mail!

Quilt Along Step 3

Okay, up next~ spray basting! Still my favorite way to baste. It makes the layers stick together so nicely so you can focus on quilting, not the safety pins. I posted before on spray basting, but since I am not computer saavy, I'm not sure how to provide a link to that exact post. Once you have sprayed each layer~ one half at a time~ like the photo above, you are ready to quilt. The top pic shows the thread I will be using. Its a Sulky thread with a sheen. I like that thread because it allows a sparkle. I have a hard time quilting all over these beautiful fabrics, so I am outlining the patches. I know I've written before about how I feel like I am scribbling all over these amazing fabrics, so I prefer the fabric to shine vs the quilting. I tend to pick a thread color that is the same as the backing. I am using Mary Trellis in aqua for the back, so the thread is the same shade. Off to quilt this!