First Granny Square

I love these Granny Squares!  I think they are so cute and a great way to use up some scraps.  So, I started yet another quilt....I used this tutorial for these blocks,which can be found at Blue Elephant Stitches.

Here is my first one completed!  I have been planning on making a baby quilt for my cousin, who just had a baby.  I thought it would be meaningful to use fabric from our grandmother.  Since she passed away over a year ago, we have been going through her HUGE fabric collection.  I thought that she would really appreciate something made out of it for her new baby girl.  I was browsing through my Flickr favorites to pick out a pattern and it hit me.....I should use our Grandma's fabric (who, we called "Granny") to make the Granny Squares Quilt that I love!  Duh!!!

So, I sorted through and picked out some pink, yellow, purple, green, blue, teal, brown, and gray fabric pieces, and cut a couple 2.5" squares from each.  Some are old fabrics, and some I could tell that she purchased more recently.  The squares are all cut and ready to go to make 12 blocks.  That way the quilt will be big enough for the baby to grow into and use for a long time.  

Now, I just have 11 more blocks to make!  It's a start though....

Quilt for Hubby

Another quilt that is finally finished....but, sadly it took me well over a year to complete.  Ok, actually it took me almost 7 years to finish!  Yikes!  That is not good turn around at all!  (And, trust me - my husband told me about it all the time!).  But, I finally finished it!  Now I don't have to hear anymore, "When are you going to finish that quilt you were supposedly making for me?"  He's seen a lot of other projects get completed while his just sat in a closet.

 This project started when my husband requested a blanket that was "big enough to fit."  He is very tall, and all the other throw blankets we have don't reach his toes when laying on the couch watching TV.  So, I started this quilt.  I kept telling him that this quilt was going to be huge just for him.

About 2-3 years into this project (not that I was working on it that whole time), I kind of got sick of it.  And, to be honest, I don't really like it.  I mean....it turned out ok, and it works great when cuddling up on the couch....but, it isn't one of my prouder projects.  It just looks very "cabiny," which works for my husband, but I just prefer more modern looking quilts.

I kept telling my husband that it wasn't going to be very soft (I thought it seemed like it was going to be very stiff because of the fold and finish style) and that it was going to be too big.  I kept using those reasons as excuses for not finishing it.  I thought that I was making it crazy big and that I got a little carried away.  I even offered to make him a different one instead.  So, for 2-3 more years, I just kept saying that.

When I finally got it all put together and laid it out on the floor, I just started laughing.  As it turns out - it really isn't that big after all.  In fact, my husband's toes still hang out the end! :)  Then, I had to hear about that too...."the only quilt you make for me doesn't even fit me" and "I thought that you said you were making this soooo big."  The jokes were never ending......

The fabrics were all bought several years ago, or found in my Mom's stash.  They are old and I don't think any are "designer" fabrics.  The pattern is "Northwoods Retreat" from the The Quilt Yard Fold & Finish Collection by Betty Cotton.  The pattern is a quilt-as-you-go method, so when completed - it is a reversible and finished quilt.

Well, needless to say.....I got it all finished and we have already been using it on the couch - including my very grateful husband that I actually finished it.  And, as it turns out, it is now pretty soft after getting washed.

Modern Strip Quilt

Remember when I mentioned in this post that I had a baby quilt to make for a good friend?  Well, I finally got it finished.  The modern style of this quilt totally fits my friend perfectly!  And, I had enough of this fabric left over that I made a similar one for my son too.  I just don't have that one finished! :(

I just cut strips that were the width of the fabric - and all different widths.  Sewed them together and there you have it!  Very simple!

It was so quick to come together that I really shouldn't have taken so long to get this thing finished!

For the backing, I chose some lime green and white polka dot soft and cuddly fabric from Joann's.  Of course, right after I bought it, it went on sale for 50% off.  That will teach me to forget my coupon at home.

I quilted rows across the top parallel to the strips.  The rows were each about 2-3 inches apart, and I stitched in the ditch in each of the seams.

It is sooooo soft and I really liked the way it turned out.  As for the fabric....the elephants, giraffes, circles, and green pinstripes were all purchased from Fabric.com.  (Updated 8/1/12:  The fabric I used is no longer available on Fabric.com.  The links provided above are similar to what I used, but I believe are a heavier weight of fabric based on feedback in the comments.)

(I really like the zig zag pattern - didn't notice those when I bought the fabric a long time ago.)  I bought the black polka dot and the black/white geometric pattern both at Joann's.

I dropped it off to my friend on Saturday before Easter.  Her little guy was adorable and I think (I hope) she liked it.  Surprisingly his room was also decorated in these same colors, which worked out perfectly!!!

Actually, I got to see all my good friends on Easter weekend.  We got babysitters and had a great night out on the town!  (Normally, a night out for us is a trip to Red Robin with the kids....or something else lame like that!)  Then, we enjoyed a weekend full of Easter festivities with both sides of our family.  The boys loved their gifts from the Easter Bunny, and the Easter Egg Hunts too.  So, all in all, it was a great weekend!!!

Can't help myself!

I've been on a bit of a streak with purchasing fabric.  I need new fabric like I need a hole in my head - seriously!!  But, with so many adorable options - I simply can't help it! 

In my defense, this stack came from my husband for Valentine's day.  Well, I did the selecting and ordering, but he told me I could for my Valentine's day gift! :)  That's how we operate - so romantic, huh?  I'm just not into flowers and would much rather have something that makes me happy - so what better??

I've actually had my eye on this fabric since I saw photos on blogs from last Quilt Market.  I love the colors and think it will be a perfect quilt for ME!  It is Salt Air by Cosmo Cricket for Moda. 

Last summer, we bought a piece of land on a lake near us that we will eventually be building a lakehouse on.  I'm thinking WAY ahead here - but, thinking this would be perfect fabric for a fun lakehouse quilt.  Obviously, I first have to have the lakehouse!  :)  At the rate I get things done though - we should be good.

Then, I made a Fabric.com purchase for these 1/2 yard sets.  This is Scoot by Denna Rutter for Riley Blake Designs.

And, this is Fox Trails by Doohikey Designs for Riley Blake Designs.  Both of these are so cute for the boys and I'm excited to make something with them.  

I can't even remember where I bought these, but I think it was either on etsy.com or Ebay.  I found them for a good deal - and so there I went.....bought them right up!  The top is Ruby by Bonnie and Camille for Moda.  Middle is Circa 1934 by Cosmo Cricket for Moda.  And the bottom is So Sophie by Chez Moi for Moda.  Love this stack of jelly rolls!!

 

And, finally, one of my favorites.....a fat quarter bundle of Verona by Emily Taylor for Riley Blake Designs.  (Sensing a trend here???  Yes, I think that Riley Blake is my favorite.)

These colors are gorgeous!  I love this fabric - just need to come up with a project to cut into it.  It is a sickness.....I know.