Laura's quilt

I'm working on a quilt for my sister.  This is the fabric. There is one more dark teal fabric that I added after I took the picture.

I've been debating for a while about what layout to use.  She said she is interested in geometric shapes, color, and wants it to be somewhat non-traditional.  I decided on the layout below as a rough design.  I just drew it out several times on graph paper until I liked how it looked and then tried to recreate it in excel.  Each block will be unique.  I've been starting with a selection of the fabrics and then going from there. No real plan.  In some ways it is easier, but it is is also kind of hard because I sit there and stare and try to figure out what to do next.  I had also thought I would make the blocks kind of wonky, but I haven't been very successful at breaking out of my measuring and squaring routine.  I'll have to make an effort to be more carefree in my piecing.  I was hoping to have it done in time to give to her for Christmas, but I've only gotten 3 blocks done in the two days I've had off this week, so that isn't going to happen.  But, at least I'll have made some progress!  I'll update with some pictures of the blocks done so far later.

Tie Blankets

This week our book club made fleece tie blankets to donate to the Ronald McDonald House while we discussed our latest book.  We made six blankets and they were all cute! Mine had little alien guys (and a dinosaur).

Owen's car quilt (FINALLY DONE!!!!)

This was going to be an easy project, but I had some problems with it.  Mostly, it stemmed from trying to applique flannel letters.  They were too small and my stitching was too wide so they frayed around the stitching. Then, I couldn't decide how I wanted to fix it.  I finally ended up using my seam ripper to remove the frayed letters, cut new ones, then appliqued them on with a narrower zig-zag through the whole quilt.  It isn't what I wanted to do, but it turned out okay after it was all done.  I like the difference in texture with the flannel and the cotton and the frayed edges.  I hope Owen likes it too!

Owen's car quilt (sneak peek #2)

I got done 4 more blocks for Owen's quilt today.  Here they are!

Owen's car quilt (sneak peek)

I know it has been a long time since I have blogged.  I have been crafting, but I've been lazy about posting...well mostly taking pictures.  For some reason, that can seem like the hardest part sometimes.  Well, anyway, this is a sneak peek at my current project and I'll post some of the other projects I have completed (or at least started) in the last couple of months soon.

These are the first two blocks for a quilt I am making for my friend Jenni's new baby boy Owen!

I have 6 different flannel prints from the same line, and am mixing them with 3 different solids to make 12 blocks.  From each flannel print, I plan to reverse applique it onto the solid and then use the cut out portion to applique onto the solid block.

Here is the reverse applique block.  Actually, I don't know if that is a real thing, but that is what I am calling it.  I decided to cut the shape out of the block to show the fabric beneath instead of the usual method of applique where you sew a shape onto the background.  I stitched around the outside of the shape and plan to leave the edges raw to add texture.  I think it will look better when washed.

Here is the regular applique block.  I think I like the contrast of the fuzzy flannel block with raw edges and the smooth cotton block with the clean, finished look of the traditional applique. Opposites!

And here are the rest of the fabrics...soon to become blocks.  I can't wait to get this done and give it to tiny, cute, precious Owen! I meant to get it done before he was born, but it just didn't happen.

Tie Blanket

I was shopping at the fabric store this weekend and saw that fleece was 50% off.  I had been wanting to make a new tie blanket that matched the living room, since the Nebraska Husker tie blanket is now in our downstairs rec room, so I just couldn't resist!

Cole's Robot Quilt

I know it has been a long time since I have posted anything, but I finally have something to show for myself! I had great intentions of posting updates on this quilt as it went, but I was sick for a couple weeks, traveled, had guests at our house, etc, etc and never got around to it. So here is the finished product. It is a baby quilt for my friend who just had a baby boy. Their theme is robots, so I thought David Walker's Robots was an obvious choice. The pattern is my own. I did applique planets and rockets in the 4 corners and a big robot in the center - all inspired by the fabric. The shapes are free-hand, so not perfect, but I was pretty happy with the result.

Mom's blanket

I know it is the new year now, but I'm not done sharing about Christmas! I finally finished my mom's crochet blanket and I gave it to her for a Christmas gift. Here it is on her king sized bed.

6 to go

I my postings have been few and far between recently. I was gone to Hawaii for work, then my parents came to visit, and then we went to the in-laws' last weekend, so my crafting time has been limited. However, I did get some crocheting in on the 6 hr car ride. Unfortunately, a lot of it was in the dark, so I didn't get to use all 12 hours for crafting. I am now down to 6 skeins of yarn left for Mom's blanket that I am trying to get done for Christmas. Sadly, that means that I have only gone through 1 1/2 skeins since my last post about it in August. The longest side in this picture is actually the width, so I hope the yarn I have left will be enough!

The good news...I did finish a project over the weekend and I will be posting it soon. I think I will do a giveaway, so be sure to check back soon!

Crocheted blanket for mom

I started this blanket for my mom around the end of May in 2008, so a little over a year ago. I mostly work on it while I am riding in the car on long trips, but I really want to have it done by Christmas time to give to my mom. As you can see here, I have about 7 and a half skeins of yarn left. I hope that is enough! I'll update on my progress periodically.

Multi-color baby quilt

My most recent craft project was a quilt for a friend who is expecting. The quilt top was inspired by Oh, Fransson's Paitbox quilt. I followed her pattern to make the blocks. The back is Alexander Henry's 2-D Zoo that I got from Sew, Mama, Sew. I got the solid fabrics from Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts as well as some of the prints. However, my favorites (like the block below) came from my local quilt shop, Common Threads Quilt Shoppe. I just found out that the quilt arrived today (I had to mail it) and they loved it! I was really happy with how it turned out and loved getting to pick out all the color and pattern combinations.