Solids Baby Quilt

When I was looking through my unfinished projects for blocks, to make the next baby quilt to give to my midwives, I found the solid blocks I had started way back here. I thought some of them might work as a baby quilt because they were nice and bright and because some mamas aren't into the cutesy baby stuff. They might want something a bit more modern looking.

For the quilting I wanted to do something different than my usual stippling. I decided to quilt random lines from each side for something different (for me). I wasn't sure how I felt about it until it was bound and washed and then, of course, I loved it!

All of the solids were Kona. Kona Cottons have the best names, don't they? I bound the quilt in Kona Ash. I thought that it framed all of those bright colors rather nicely. For the backing I used a print that one of my sisters-in-law gave me a few years ago. All of the stars in the print went pretty well with the blocks on the front.
I really like the instant gratification of making these small quilts. Especially when the blocks are already made. It's also really nice to use blocks that would otherwise sit and not be used for who knows how long. 

36 Patch Baby Quilt

I finished a baby quilt this weekend using the 36 Patches I found in my leftovers bag. I hasn't been washed and dried. So it doesn't have that crinkely feel yet. For the quilting I did some bigger meandering so that it would be softer. Sometimes I quilt my quilts pretty heavily and they can be stiff until washed a few times. I backed it with white muslin I had on hand. It's so soft and I think it will be perfect for a baby. I have a baby size whirlygig quilt and strip quilt planned next. I also have my Granny Squares quilt that I need to quilt. I may do that first. Although the other day when I was looking at it I thought I "might" want to take the borders off and make it much bigger to fit a queen size bed. We'll see. I have so many 2.5" squares that it seems like a good idea.

It seems hard to get a good picture this time of year. It was windy yesterday and overcast today. So please forgive my not so great pictures recently. I do have to find a better spot for picture taking I think. I know there are so many really neat barns and fences around our area that I'd love to use. Maybe when it's warmer I'll venture out and see what I can find.

Quilt Wall

Today I hung up most of my small quilts for my "someday" quilt wall. I have mentioned this quilt wall a few times before. I originally saw it here. I was going to wait until we painted our bedroom but that is just not going to happen before the baby is born. I had to do something though. I am not fond of the wallpaper/border or the color of the room. The wallpaper is bubbling and peeling in spots and it drives me nuts some days. This is my temporary solution to that problem. I can ignore the wallpaper and just look at the quilts. I like it!

If you're wondering why there are 2 quilts on my bed, it's because I'm pregnant. And hot. All the time. So I use our summer quilt while my husband uses the winter quilt. This is about as made as my gets :) 

Thanks for all of the advice on baby quilt sizes. I hope to be putting a top together tonight that I can show you this week. I'm still working on responding to comments. Yahoo does not like my dial-up internet. So I'll be working on that too!

 Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

Using Forgotten Quilt Blocks and Quilt Size Question

I pulled out my bag of miscellaneous quilt blocks today to sort through them because I want to make a few small quilts for my midwife to give to her clients. I found some great blocks and it makes me want to really use up my leftover blocks and scraps. These blocks are from Crazy Mom Quilts 36 patch along. I thought I might start with them for the first quilt. My question is ... What size is a good size for a baby quilt? I don't really know that I would need to make them crib sized, just stroller size or something along those lines. But what do you think? Is it not worth making them if they aren't very big? I was thinking maybe something just a bit bigger than the size of a receiving blanket. I would love to hear your thoughts on this!!!

First Finished Quilt of 2013

I am excited to show you my first finish of 2013 and in January none the less!!! I have felt like such a quilting slacker lately so this feels like an accomplishment for me. I used 28 of my Farmer's Wife blocks a little yardage and some charms of Strawberry Fields by Fig Tree (love) to finish the quilt. I did quite a bit of stippling, making it super crinkely. My littlest loves her new quilt and as soon as it was out of the dryer she was ready to take a nap in her new bed with her new quilt. The nap never happened by the way :)

I used my table to baste the quilt so I wouldn't have to climb around all over the floor. It worked out pretty well. I'll be using that method again.

I hope you all are well. We had the stomach flu / flu for the first week of the new year. I'm glad we are better and I can't really complain as it was the first time we have ever had the stomach flu. Obviously, it was miserable and I don't want to revisit it. Ever. So I hope you all are staying healthy and flu free.

The baby and I are doing well. Thank you all for your sweet and encouraging comments on my last post. I plan to continue my new way of eating even after the baby is born. Here's a shot of one of my new favorites. I use a yellow squash or zucchini instead of pasta when we are having spaghetti. It's really good and I don't miss the noodles at all. I found a really great Paleo/Grain Free/ Gluten Free bread recipe and have made that a few times. It's been fun finding so many substitutes for conventional foods.

Quiltmaker's 110 Blocks Vol. 6 Giveaway Winner

Thank you all for your really nice comments about my block for Vol.6 of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks. I appreciate every one of them!

I used Random.org to select the winner.

Thank you all again!!!

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour

Hey there!!! I am so excited about today's post. I'm not even sure how to gather my thoughts and put them into one coherent post, but I'll try.

Last year I was invited to submit a block for Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 6. I reread the e-mail several times. Made sure it was sent to the right person. Jumped up and down. Reread it. Got scared. E-mailed one of my quilt heroes so she could talk me down. Reread the e-mail again. Then got to work.

My advanced issues of the magazine came Thursday and I could hardly wait to open the package!!! It was awesome to see my name and block in the magazine. My husband and kids were so happy for me and proud of me, it was a very good feeling. As cliche or cheesy as it may sound, this was one of my dreams come true.

My block is #536 in the issue. It's called Birds Holding a Quilt. The fabric I used was Ruby by Bonnie and Camille for Moda. One of my favorites. The block is simple and cute. I draw the birds onto Heat 'n Bond to fuse them onto the background squares. Then applique them with a free motion sketch/drawing technique I learned here @ Bloomin' Workshop. The block is a basic nine-patch with a small "quilt" as the center block. The magazine has great instructions and a pattern for the bird. You could use the block for a table runner by including 2 more 12 inch Nine Patch blocks (without the birds and quilt center), or as the center for a round robin quilt, for the front of a pillow, or my favorite thing would be to add a border and make it into a wall hanging.  My block is also charm pack friendly (that's what I used).

Don't miss the other designer's blocks for the issue. Check out the blog tour here. There are LOTS of great giveaways and prizes.

Quiltmaker is generously giving away an issue of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks to one of you lucky ducks! If you'd like a chance to win a copy leave a comment on this post and I will pick a winner using Random Number Generator on November 12th! The magazine hits newsstands Nov. 13th!

Thank you all for stopping by and thank you Quiltmaker for letting me be apart of something so fun!!!