Menagerie of Quilt Blocks

Photographed unsewn, I am more than halfway done sewing the blocks (which are all the same size). Enjoy the critters!

Yummy Bali Pops! (These were strips I didn't even use)

Backing--I chose a regular print instead of extra-wide backing, so the red is to piece the back

(L-R) Binding, Outer Focus fabric (to frame blocks), Sashing

Fabric Euphoria!

My "Quilt in a Box" from eQuilter.com came today--all TEN POUNDS of it LOL. That's a heckuva lot of fabric, eh? Well, I did get batting, a ruler, and thread as well, plus some extra fabrics that I'm not using in the baby quilt. So there :P

I am in Seventh Heaven. Seriously. It's been 1 1/2 yrs since I made the kids their quilts. Man I forgot what a rush it is to go through my stash plus new fabric and start matching them all together. That was one of my favorite things about buying from my local quilt store, dragging out bolts and then coordinating 10-15 fabrics (at least). It's a way better high than I get from my pain meds ;)

It really pays to keep all those scraps, since I'm doing 25 blocks and don't want any fabric repeats (aside from the animal prints themselves). And WOW oh WOW I have to gush over the Hoffman Bali Pops (I got the Strawberry Fields colorway.....ironic since that is my daughter's favorite Beatles' song). For about $32, you get 40 different strips of gorgeous Hoffman batiks, about 44" x 2 1/2". You get everything from "solids" to "prints" and the colors in my batch have cream, tans, greens, purples, reds, orange, and yellows, plus a few mixed. Tons of variety, and really versatile. I am hooked for good, even though I've been a Hoffman Batik fan for a long time.

I have about a third of the blocks/frames cut. 11 of the animal blocks are repeated, with 3 singles. The sides of the block are one color, the top/bottom are another. So, 3 fabrics per block. Super easy cutting right now (helps that I got a 5 1/2" square ruler for my 5" blocks). I should get the rest cut by tomorrow and then start sewing.

The baby shower is in 2 weeks, so I have to get cracking ;) I think this is going to be my favorite quilt so far. It will definitely be bright!!! My Nephew will have plenty to look at :)

Future Nephew Quilt

I'm going to be an Aunt, sometime in September! And I just can't let such a grand ocassion go by without a quilt of course :) I've been going through my stash but obviously I need to shop for fabric at my favorite online store, EQuilter.com.

Here's a sampling of the fabrics I'll be using:

Obviously, there is a critter theme ;) I absolutely adore planning out a quilt in my head, though I still miss my old quilting shop so much. Nothing like playing with fabrics before you buy them ;) My computer is too old/slow to install EQ (no connection with the fabric website), so I just doodle it out in a notebook with all my quilt ideas.

The blocks will be simple--a 5x5 cut of the animal block, with 2 different color strips for a frame (like the Hoffman Bali Pops--a cool idea for a great price!). There will be 25 blocks with the lime green for sashing, the really crazy stripes for a border, and the ocean blue for binding. The back will be the "less crazy" stripes (the more symmetrical of the two fabrics).

Here at home, I have tons of strips leftover from other quilts, so my goal is that no two blocks will have the same frame. Yeah, I know, good luck with that ;) I also have clownfish, turtles, and frog fabrics. The finished size will be about 47" square. EQuilter has a great bamboo/organic cotton batting, so when my humongous box arrives, I will be ALL SET.

I never do the same quilt pattern twice, and I love to "name" them. All the quilts I've ever done have a label with the Title, my name, date, and location. Maybe someday I'll be a famous quilter LOL.

Heh, now if only I could buy everything on my wishlist there. I have fabrics saved for a Japanese theme quilt (in honor of my family's love of Judo) and a French quilt. Plus a few really neat fabrics just for fun. Too many fabrics, not enough money ::Sigh::

My New Amazon Shop!

Right now, I have a Cross Stitch book and a scrumptious cookbook listed, but hope to have more soon. Stop by and say hello :)

Kneedled!

Oh dear blog, how I have missed you! 2008 was not a good year, and I got very little, if any, crafting done.

While I will be working on a quilt later this summer, my current project is a baby blanket--I'm going to be an Aunt! I have not been knitting in a long time. My dear Mother-in-Law, who taught me to knit, passed away last year due to cancer. And I just couldn't bear to knit anything, because before she died, we were going to work on gloves, fingerless, since my hands often get cold.

I wasn't sure I'd even remember what to do, so I found my knitting book. I'd bought the yarn today, a lovely variegated yarn in blues and greens (this photo does not do the yarn justice):

It's called Country Stripe by Lily Sugar 'n Cream, 100% cotton. There are softer baby yarns out there, but I loved the colors and really wanted a natural fiber.

Before I could knit my first stitch, I cried, missing my MIL so very much. I hadn't moved beyond basic knitting and trying to read instructions on harder stuff is like trying to read another language. I learn best by someone showing me. And she's not here.

So this will be a basic garter stitch, and I think the color of the yarn (which matches the baby's room) will make the simple knitting look lovely. I can't wait to wrap him up in it (he's due in September)!

More photos as I make some progress....

I'm a KnitWit!

My MIL taught me and DQ how to knit this summer. I am now completely nuts over it, looking for different needles, different gorgeous yarn, and even "Torn Fabric String".

My first project--a case for my PDA!

It's basic yarn, with a stockingette stitch, and I'm pretty darned proud.

My next, a case for my beloved MP3 player:

It's Chenille yarn and GAVE ME FITS trying to do the stockingette stitch, so after undoing it like 10 times (and the yarn falls apart doing that) I gave up and just stuck with the "knit stitch/garter stitch". MUCH better. I love the softness of this, the plush colors and the celtic button I found.

My current project is a tote bag using "Torn Fabric String" made from strips of batik fabric. OHHHHHH how I love this! So up my alley since I tend to use batiks in my quilts. It's going to be so very neat as soon as I can track down more to finish it.

I'd like my next project to be fingerless gloves; my hands get cold at the computer and other activities where I need the dexterity of my fingers. I'm going to hunt down some yummy natural yarn, perhaps cashmere or even silk or bamboo yarn. But I need more lessons first!

I'll be taking a few custom orders at The Crafty Angel. Hope to see you there!

Memo Boards

One of my latest endeavors has been making "French Memo Boards"--Canvas covered with fabric and sewn with ribbons and buttons. Here are the first 3 I've made:

This was my very first, for my daughter's room. We fell in love with the realistic dolphin print and irridescent ribbons. This hangs directly on the wall with a picture hanger. You can insert items between the ribbon, or clip them to the ribbon (my daughter uses small slip barrettes). You can even loop award ribbons over the buttons themselves.

I wanted a place to show off my piano students and their progress (they earn points for practicing, which they redeem for prizes).

This is for our room, which will eventually be a whole Klimt theme. I got lucky, purchasing the last 1/2 yard of this European Klimt print from eQuilter. I think this is my favorite one, loved the sheer ribbon and antique-looking buttons, plus the variegated ribbon it hangs from. I had to put up pictures of our recently departed dog, Max, as well as our new puppy Willow, and her object of torment, Cassie the cat. I'll also put up some inspirational quotes and other things that strike my fancy.

If you are interested in one, please visit my newly opened BlogStore, The Crafty Angel! I will have custom orders available (just in time for the holidays) as well as a few other items.

Curtain-Palooza!

I have been away far too long! I don't have any new quilts to show you yet; hopefully that will change in the next few months as my husband works on The Crafty Angel studio--my own room where I teach piano and work on crafts. I do share a bit of it with the kids, but it's like 75% MINE ALL MINE.

My headaches keep me from working very long on any sewing craft, but in recent months I have made curtains for the kids, the bathroom, and my new studio. Using Curtain rings with clips is SO very easy


Yes, I painted my bathroom orange. It's so bright and cheery! I don't usually buy Walmart fabric, but it matched my shower curtain (also from walmart).


A view of my Studio, I used a Hoffman Batik (big surprise).


Drama Queen's room--the fabric has words all over it, like Love, Hope, & Dream.


I couldn't resist using Cars for Superboy's room, since his room has a transportation theme.


This is part of the shelf my husband made for an old electric train, I added a little fiberfill for the "smoke".

I will be listing a Serger for Sale very soon, details to come on The Crafty Angel blog!