A Christmas Wish...

May this holiday season be filled with Light, love, joy, and peace for your and yours!  

Just in time...

"Not my normal color palate" turned into this:

 and I am in love!!!  I could not be more thrilled with this quilt!  It measures 70"x80", larger than I had originally decided on, but I had to go big- I love big quilts!~  So a BIG lap quilt it is :)  This quilt, if you remember, was made for my dear friend who just began a three year chemo regimen.  So for on the days she may need an extra hug, here is a HUG for her!!  It is not my normal color choices, but it is oh so her!!  I am giddy with how much it looks like her!  And I absolutely loved watching the colors come together!  It was a work of love- a fast one too- my fabrics did not all arrive until four days ago, and with the holidays and all the obligations I had this week, I was up til the wee hours every night getting this done.  It has to be done by today to go in the "Hug" boxes her family is giving her for Christmas.  She will open a box each month- such a wonderful idea!  It is in the wash at the moment so it can get all lovely and crinkly in the dryer, and then it will be delivered to the boxer-uppers!  I can hardly wait!  What a fantastic surprise!

 For quilting, I chose my all time favorite, teeny tiny loops!  It just makes me smile, and it's an added bonus that it makes it crinkle up extra good in the dryer! ;)

I chose prints and solids for the front- and love how they play together!  It was my first time mixing in quite a few solids and I will definitely be doing this again!  A good thing!  The backing had to be a super soft vintage sheet.  I had found this butterfly one a while back and was so happy that it had not been listed (and cut into) yet!  The colors are perfect, and I love that it's a butterfly!  It reminds me of hope!  So it fit this quilt to a tee!  

Off it goes for a special Christmas box of HUGS!!!

(photo from Mel at The Larson Lingo)

When there are no words, it is all there is.  And hope...

Hello Pickles is DONE-- Yeehaw!!

Finally, a year and a half later, Hello Pickles is COMPLETED!!  Hip hip hooray!  The pattern is from sweet FeistyEily.  I am so beyond excited!  Piecing the top took a bit longer than I planned, and then I added the border at the end, so it took a bit longer then I had hoped.  Life happens- seriously!!  Does that happen to everyone else??  I am blown away by how many amazing quilts my quilty friends can make!  Either I am re.al.ly slow or I just don't put as much priority on my quilting- I hope it's the latter :).  hehe.  With my family and life obligations, quilting has to take a back seat most of the time.  I long to finish projects and make beautiful pieces, but some times, it just has to wait.  And I have had to come to a place in my mind where that's ok.  I may never be a hugely "popular" blogger, but I make things that bring joy to people, and create sunshine in their lives, and that is what quilting is all about, to me.  

 I love how the completed top looks, but the back (even though it's just one piece of fabric) really has my heart.  This quilt was made for a special boy in my family.  He surprised me by his choice of fabrics- I had expected dark, somber prints with maybe a few bright pops of color, but he blew me away with his choice of a modern, very brightly colored bundle from Sew Fresh Fabrics.  Peg and Becca had run out, but created one for me with just one substitution- it saved the day!!  One piece of fabric was this backing print- it was just a FQ though.  The boy just could not get over how awesome that print was- it had become one of my all time favorite prints, once I saw it too!!  I knew I wanted to back it in that print, but never dreamed how tricky that would prove.  Apparently the fabric had been sold out and after much crying and tons of searching, I found an amazing etsy seller that had the 6 years I needed!!  WOW!!  So there's the back, all awesome and colorful- it's called Wild Garden.  

 The background is Kona Ash- love that color!  Love how the colors around it POP!!  It's a favorite for backgrounds!

 For quilting, I chose to FMQ spirals on all the colored centered blocks and I zig zaged over the entire ash centered blocks.  I alternated the directions of the zig zags on each row.  It turned out fun!  How I wish I had a larger throat space on my machine- someday, someday.  I'm working with under 6" here, so it gets tricky.  

 The quilt is abut 100" long and over 6' wide.  I love how it looks with all the happy colors showing!

 All rolled up and ready to go to that awesome boy I know!!

Warm Cool Quilt Along DONE, Finally~

A year and a half later, the warm cool quilt along quilt I made for a kiddo is finally done :).  The top has been done for quite some time- over a year, but the child requested a minty backing and it honestly scared me.  I had read so many posts about what nightmare minky was to baste and quilt that I put it off as long as possible!  I LOVE how it turned out, and the child likes it even more, so everyone is happy!!  I love these colors myself so it was very fun to make too!

 The minky was not near as bad as I had dreaded!  The quilt is between a twin and queen so the size is what had me so worried!  When I sandwiched the quilt, I taped it down to the floor really well!  With duct tape :)  Then I used an entire can of 505 to spray baste it- told ya I was really scared it would wiggle or move.  :)  hehe!  Then I got the batting and top situated with spray, and then added pins to have an extra extra good hold of that minky.  

 Once it was all situated, I took it to the sewing machine and got to work!  I decided to quilt it to mirror the diamonds made by the colors.  I love the simplicity of it!  You can sort of (if you look really hard) see the design on the back a photo down.  

 The quilting...  The minky is the softest I have ever felt, and it gives the quilt a wonderful weight.  I love a quilt that's just a drop on the heavy side!

 All rolled up and ready to give to a sweet kiddo!!  So after so long, it is wonderful to have it done and to be able to see it being used!  Makes a quilter happy :)

Not my normal color palate...

I have a dear friend who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer in the past few weeks.  She just began THREE YEARS of chemo.  It hurts my heart to know a little of the things she will experience.  My mom had chemo during my Senior year of high school, so I have been there a bit.  She is a survivor and has such an amazing attitude.  And I believe in miracles, so I have faith all will be well.  For Christmas, her family wants to surprise her with a "box of hugs" for each month.  They asked friends to participate in the fun too.  I immediately knew I had to make a quilt.  It just hollered at my heart and head!!  

After several calls, I found out her favorite colors are autumn colors.  I go for more happy, rainbow jewel tones, so these were not in my stash.  After several trips to get Kona solids, some beautiful prints, and a couple etsy orders (I am still waiting on 4 solids), I am almost ready.  The creme is the background and the vintage butterfly sheet will be the back!  I usually wait til I have the top pieced to pick a binding- I'm just weird that way :).  

As much as these are not my normal colors, they are gorgeous and I can hardly wait to see it come together!  I hope those last few colors get here fast because this has to be done by the 20th!  I'll be doing some fast and furious sewing :)  Love it!  I am so glad that I know how to make something that can give her a hug on a day she may need it!

A little Dolly...

A sweet little girl I know asked for a "pink doll", and I just had to oblige!  I drew out the perfect doll, and although she did not come out quite as I planned, she's still awfully cute :)!  I call her "knobby knees".  She is very well loved, especially her long hair!  The yarn comes down to her legs :)  She's just right for the little girl to love and cuddle.  She's about 20" tall.  It was fun to try to start from square one and go from there- with a cute end result!  And it made a little girl happy- what better result it there?!!

DOLL QUILT SWAP 13~~~

I. Can. Hardly. Breathe!!!!  I'm in!!!

In what???  The swap of all swaps- the Doll Quilt Swap!  I could hardly believe it when I made the cut :)  WOW!!  I still feel like I'm walking around in a dream!  Ever since I saw Angela's "Where Bluebird's Fly" mini quilt years ago (second row, second from left), I knew I had found my niche!  I adore quilts that tell a story!  Did that special quilt ever tell a story!  She moved me and my inspiration soared!!  I have wanted to be in the swap for so long, and finally have my chance!!  Here is the mosaic I made to let my secret partner know what I love!  We find out our partners next week!!  I am counting down the days!!  

1. Flowering Snowball, 2. sarah jane embroidery (2), 3. Mariner's compass Pillow, 4. Ski Chalet for Krista, 5. vintage sheeting, 6. A Light in the Dark - mini, 7. Where Bluebirds Fly 2, 8. Amitie BOM The Circle Game, 9. Come On Get Happy, 10. the youtube quilt, 11. P1210514, 12. Progress 10/25/12, 13. Rainbow Derecho Quilt in Progress, 14. Scraparadise, 15. a patchwork mothers dream, 16. Rainbow Feathered Star, 17. Quilts on a line for Corey, 18. I Spy Planet Hexy Quilt Completed, 19. Happy Camper, 20. P7160073, 21. Blue Wave Quilt Front, 22. Rainbow Compass Mini Quilt: Front, 23. Mouthy Stitches Practice Pouch, 24. Hanging Quilt for Corey25. Southern Living Magazine "Embrace the Blues"

The Ca-utest Coin Purse E-V-E-R!!!

When I saw the darlingness that Madam Samm created out of her awesome brain, I just knew I had to be a part of it!!  Who could resist this darling coin purse, I ask you??  No one I know :)  Especially not ME!!  And when it was called the UR Priceless Blog Hop too- I just love a catchy title!  Miss Katherine was the head cheerleader for us and she is such a wonderful person!  I had my share of questions and she was so willing and happy to answer every single one, and quick too!  You don't beat that!  I had never attempted a frame purse and couldn't resist anymore!  I will say that it was a success!  I will definitely be making LOTS more of these beauties!

There is a seven day blog hop to celebrate the cuteness of this coin purse and the fun projects you can make with it!  I knew mine was destined for the new Heather Ross Nursery Versery fabric.  I love how it turned out!  The purples and pinks are just perfect!

 One of my very favorite parts is the the stitching that attaches the fabric to the purse frame- I love this part!  I stitched it with pink finca pearle cotton number 8- another first.  It was so wonderful to use and stitch with.  I just had to buy a few more colors while I was at it.  I also bought some pink pearls that I will be sewing down the seams also- just didn't get that part added in time for my "day"!  So many fun ideas swirling around in my little head!

 I lined the purse with a happy Kona color of my favorite shade- PINK!  

 This purse is tiny- the frame is 3" wide, to give you an idea.  Perfect for coins, or tiny hands, or just to carry chap stick around- perfect!!  The purse actually comes together very quickly and is explained wonderfully in the pattern and instructions.  As I said, this is my first frame coin purse and so I would encourage anyone to give it a try- with results as cute as this, it would be a shame not to!  And fussy cutting a cute front makes it all the more darling :)

Here are the wonderful bloggers who are sharing the first blog hop day with me!  Each of them are fabulous!  Head on over and share some love and check out their cute purses too!!  Such fun!--- 

Day 1 - Nov. 5th

Quiltin' Jenny
Hill Valley Quilter
Loopy Lou's Adventures Into Handicrafts
Just Let Me Quilt
Lixie Makes It
Beaquilter
Sunshine, Handmade
Buzzing and Bumbling
ANNIEOFBLUEGABLES
Needled Mom
The Slow Quilter
A Quilting Sheep
I Have A Notion
Quilt-n-Queen

If you would like to follow along each day, here is the list for the entire week long hop!! (HERE)

I had a marvelous time making this coin purse and so appreciate Madame Samm and Katherine for letting me participate in my first blog hop ever!  What fun and what a wonderful project!!  A fantastic gift idea for the holidays!  Have a sunny day, wherever you are and whatever the weather!

I can't resist...

A good contest where you mix and match fabrics :)  There is a wonderful one going on with fabrics from the wonderful shop of Sew Fresh Fabrics!  I had to jump in too---  Here's what I chose:

The fabrics are:

Essex Linen in Grey

Perfectly Perched---Chairs in Garden

Cotswold in Pink

Everything is Nice---Dots in Grey

Chicopee---Ladder Dot in Fuchsia

Outfoxed in Outplayed

Ta Dot in Orchid

Madrona Road---Haystack in Graphite

And I'm calling it--- "Twilight Garden"--- such fun!  Head over to play along :)

http://blossomheartquilts.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/squeeze-your-own-bundle-competition.html

Quilting for a Cause :)

As many of you know, Dyselxia lives at our house :) We are very involved with an amazing tutor and her center.  They are having a silent auction next week, in conjunction with a large conference, so I just had to do something :).  I told her I'd volunteer two items.  One will be a rosette necklace and the other I knew I would quilt.  I chose to make a wintery mini/wall hanging.  

It thought and thought about something that would last more months than just the holidays, and I adore snowmen, so JACKPOT!  I came up with the design out of my head and ran with it.  It's 14 inches square so it was perfect to try a few new quilting techniques:  pebbles (on the snow on the ground)

, zig zag and zig zag with swirls (on the hat), 

wavy lines (in the sky), spirals (in the eyes and button mouth),

large meandering (on the snowman body and stick arms).  

And I just couldn't resist some wooden heart shaped buttons for his belly :)  EEPPPPP!!

I also incorporated my love of embroidery with the Let it SNOW statement.  

I hope it helps the cause and brings in a good donation!  

 Only problem is, I wanna KEEP it :)!!!!

TA-DA!!! C'est Fini!

This is how it all started...

After four weeks of craziness, our little project is ready to roll!  It has been a labor of love and SOOOOO much fun!  I can't imagine a more perfect get away for our family, and we are so excited to go and do and see in our mobile beach house :)

 The fish net and flip flop lights is still a favorite part, and we LOVE how the aqua polka dot home decor fabric was a perfect match for the exterior and interior colors!  The bunk above the couch has an awesome circular the-dye home decor print covering that mattress!  Such fun!  Just makes you smile and take a relaxing breath!  LOVE it!

 The double layer of curtains was a definite must!  It would have been "ok" with just one or the other, but having both just sets it all off perfectly!

 And what's clamping without some chevrons??!  And a magnet board to boot!  And a hanging lantern sunshine- a beach must have some sunny days :)

 The kitchen orange was just what we wanted and our accessories added to the joy!

 The floor- VCT checkerboard- one of my favorite parts!  And I did it all by my little self- woohoo!

 Full length of the couch- so cozy!

 Fun all around :)

The sign was from the thrift store- we turned some arrows around, painted it, and made our "favorites" directional sign.  Then the beaded lamp jumped in my cart at Hobby Lobby yesterday!  It was too perfect- we had to go to 6 stores, literally, to find the special bulb for it though ;).  But it was the finishing touch to make us smile, with the purple lantern lights too!  What a great combo!  

For us, it's just what we wanted- now for some serious camping fun!  

Closer, closer...

The curtains are DONE!!  The orange canvas curtains are to help keep the light out in the wee hours of the morning :).  I added a turquoise ricrac and then a deep lime green embroidery and sequin ribbon as trims.  The hot pink rope are the tie-ups- I love curtains that tool up and tie!  So cute! 

 I made and embroidered this beach definition pillow!  It'll be fun on the couch- once there are cushions again :)

 The dinette side- I went a bit crazy with fish net and flip flop lights!  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!    We love the top cotton curtains too- beach huts, boats, and perfect fun for our trailer!

 Lastly, the FLOOR!!  I scoured the internet for a good checkerboard floor!  You would never believe how hard it is to find!  All the adhesive tiles are junk and it is nearly impossible to find a better quality "tile" in black and white!  I thought it would be the easiest part, but proved to be the most challenging- just searching for the right thing!  I finally scored with Home Depot- believe it or not, this is commercial flooring, like in schools.  I applied the adhesive and then went to work putting down each tile and measuring and cutting the itty bitty pieces for the non-12 inch spots!  But I could not be more thrilled with how it turned out, even though it is not perfect!  It is heavy duty, durable, and it looks stinkin' cute, so I am happy! 

Now back to the sewing machine- upholstery in progress :)!!

Progress...

I haven't been taking too many pictures lately, but this is how the trailer looked at the end of last week...  once all the cabinetry was taken apart, painted, and everything put back together!

 Electrical is finally fixed- we have brake lights and all new border lights!  Woohoo hubby and family!  We also fixed a problem with the water tank.

 I have scrubbed and cleaned til my hands and back hurts :)  But everything is spotless- these pictures are before that, obviously!  The bench is fixed and now to start decorating, making curtains, install flooring, work on sink plumbing, rekey the outdoor compartment, and a few other things :).

We got brand new tires so we are getting so so so close!  I am so excited to get this finished up- upholstery fabric came yesterday, so another 12 hours of trailering today :)  More pictures to come soon!