Not such great times on the sewing front. I know I haven't blogged in a while due to vacation and trying to get some projects done, but as promised, I would always talk about the process...not just the finished project. I have been rushing the past couple of weeks to complete a quilt that my hubby commissioned me to complete for a co-worker of his. I really enjoyed piecing the top together and adding the sashing. The top utilized a block from Suzanne Woods' book called Modern Blocks. I was excited that one of my favorite bloggers, Faith Jones of Fresh Lemons Quilts, submitted a block to this book and I wanted to try it. Using assorted fire, flame, and fire truck fabrics, I assembled the top. I even used one of the hubby's work shirts as it's own block in the layout which I haven't done before. Mounting the t shirt on fusible webbing was a lot easier than I anticipated. Unfortunately, I had a little trouble with the quilting. Since I was dealing with such square blocks, I opted to do a square-shaped spiral in each quadrant of the block. It turned out great in the end, but it was a lot of hard work to quilt, and it was not very enjoyable to do. By the time I got to the binding, I was so tired of turning the quilt over and over again for those 90 degree turns, that I was sloppy with the binding and did not do my best work on it. Ugh. I was glad to finally finish the quilt and hand it off to the hubby to deliver. I know he is happy with the outcome, and it is just my perfectionist self that dislikes it....but I am glad to not look at it anymore.
I was excited to try my hand at applique recently. My friend asked me to make a tshirt for her for a one-year-old with a Mickey Mouse head and a #1 appliqued on the front. I muscled through it, but in the end I think it came out really cute. She seemed happy with it, so PHEW!!!
Recently, the hubby and I took some very needed R & R in Maui. Little did we know when we booked the trip that it was humpback whale watching season! I was inspired by those beautiful creatures swimming, jumping, and singing in the water right outside out hotel....I am thinking I will make a quilt that captured this serene experience....someday. Once I catch up on all the other quilts I am making. I did manage to find a cute little quilt shop while in Maui, and I was able to get myself out of there without breaking the bank too much. I got a couple of cute patterns and some fabulous hawaiian prints. They will make a great quilt, I am sure.
On the other hand, I have received a few quilt requests. I was asked to make a baby quilt for a new little one for one of my dad's friends. I have full design control with this one, so that is pretty cool. I have been requested to make another penguin quilt and a puzzle quilt for a friend of mine. And, I just received another request to donate a quilt to a dear friend that will be auctioning it off as a fundraiser for her breast cancer walk this year. I am so honored that these folks are entrusting me to create quilts for them. As a new quilter, this is humbling and amazing. But I will be using this as an opportunity to hone my new skills and become a better quilter. Pics to come ...as the weather has not cooperated for taking pictures of quilts. Now, off to bed to get some rest so I can make it through the week at work.
Happy Crafting!!!
