My Nightmare Quilt

This quilt I love and hate at the same time.  I'm not happy with the muslin I purchased for it and won't be using it again.  There have been several flaws and I've had to cut completely new pieces of fabric and thin spots.  Also I didn't anticipate this, my mistake really, the dark blue threads from the blocks show through the white fabric!  ARGH!  This was my fault, I knew I should have been more careful using bleached muslin like this, so this one is going to be for sale, but as a "slightly imperfect" quilt.  I think it will still be quite beautiful and will still keep someone warm.  But still, what a pain in the patoot!  I sold another tote to a friend so I'm just waiting to get paid and then I'll buy some white thread to quilt this...the Coats and Clark thread I have for some reason my machine hates.  It always twists up and breaks when I try to free motion with it.

Out of My Comfort Zone - Kate Spain Terrain

Well this is really out of my normal comfort zone...but lately I've been finding myself drawn to these bright loud modern colors.  In the past I have stuck towards more traditional prints, primitive/country or a little vintage.  But this line is just so pretty!  I have been doing well with the totes, I just sold another yesterday, woohoo!  But I thought that I needed to make one for myself, so I started this last night.  The fabric is my favorite prints from a charm pack of Kate Spain's Terrain that I purchased at Cottonpicker's Quilt Shop in Chardon, Ohio.  Isn't it pretty?  I am going back as soon as I get paid for more.  I ordered some thread from Connecting Threads (the sale on spools ends tomorrow!) to match, and some to go with my circular geese compass quilt, so just waiting for that to come in so I can quilt it.  I can't wait to carry this loud little tote around!  Lol*

Quilt Inspiration

I get really hung up on a quilt sometimes when I see it.  I took about a dozen pictures of this one at the quilt show this year at Lake Metroparks in Kirtland, Ohio.  The quilting in it was AMAZING.  I particularly love this anchor.  My in-laws are boaters, so while the boat itself scares me to death and you won't find me out on the lake EVER, I just love anything nautical themed.

I HAVE to try and do this kind of quilting!

While this incredible quilt didn't win any awards in the pictorial competition it was entered into, it DID win viewers choice...and I must say I voted for it!!!  ;)

Another Tote, and Security Blankets

I finished my Grandma's tote and am making another one but a little bit smaller...these are so much fun to make!  I love them!  I also am going through this zebra print/black and white phase, so I made a few of these baby sensory stimulating security blankets.  They have pink ruffles and are backed with minky...sooo soft!  I thought at first, "this is cute, but is baby really going to play with this?"  LET ME TELL YOU Emma LOVES it!  I was really surprised!  The black and white REALLY does get her attention, she just sits and coos at this little blankie and loves to feel it and of course, chew it.  Lol*  They are machine washable too - which is good because we already spilled half a bottle of formula on hers.  Lol*  I probably won't sell those on Etsy though, there is another lady selling similar ones and I don't want her to think I'm trying to compete with her.  I just thought I'd sell a few at local fairs and to friends and family.  I think they are so cute!  I want to make a big quilt like this...

Mom's Tote

Learned a lot making this tote...some things I will do again and some things I will not.  All in all I love it, and more importantly so did my Mom!  My Grandmother ordered one a little bit smaller, so, woohoo!  Lol* 

Etsy Tote

Stayed up tonight to finish this tote I am making for an Etsy order...from my Dad.  LOL*  I'm doing really good business with my parents if not with anyone else!  Oh well it is motivating me.  ;)  I'm having fun and thinking up more ideas for things I'd like to make to sell.  So far I've sold enough to buy both of my daughters the Twinkle Toe Sketchers they want for school, so I'd say it's a success.  Lol*

Anyhow here's a progress picture of the tote...my camera battery is dead so I will have to see if my Daddio will let me borrow his tomorrow and I'll take a couple pictures of the finished project before it goes to my Momma.

My First Tote!

Woohee!  My first tote, I'm very proud.  :)  Here is my daughter McKenzie modeling her new bag...

The front...

The back...

Inside!!!

Cute!  This was so fun to make and I'm surprised how quickly it went together.  Now I need to make her sis' Abbey her princess one...it's sitting on the cutting table all ready to quilt but I'm out of batting!