The mini that didn't get sent...

The Doll Quilt Swap was a wonderful experience- I must show you the amazing mini I got from my dear swap Mama!  It was such a great surprise and totally me!! That's for the next post... But the mini that my partner was not too hot about (Try #1) is something that I LOVE and IS totally me!  So I had to finish it :).  It measures 20 1/2" across and is circular!  I was brave and went for it- and am very pleased with how it turned out!  I was so stressed about the binding coming out wacky, but it is absolutely perfect- hip hip hooray!

 The design came completely from my brain and I didn't have any idea how I would make it come to life, but I did, and surprised myself. :)  It makes me happy on days like that. So here it is all done and ready to hang.  I call it Crazy Love!  It was my crazy idea and I love that I got it to happen!  And what's not to love about a spiraling rainbow??!!  

 I hand embroidered the rainbow spiral in the center hexie, and then quilted a billion pebbles all over it! It took for-ev-eh, but I love the look and texture of it and how it just blends into the quilt.  Just to give an idea of size, the small squares are 3/4". It was so fun to piece and get all the text going the right way in each section.  I'd love to make tons of these in all sorts of colors and designs- that is now on the never ending list of projects :)  For right now, I just look at this one and smile!

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"

Cutting Corners!!!!

I'm over at Riley Blake Cutting Corners today! I have a darling and lovely Doll Blanket and Pillow Set tutorial for you! My next post, tomorrow, will be the GIVEAWAY from the amazing Quilted Fish's Delighted fabric!! Get ready and hop on over to see the cuteness :) I LOVE it!!

My first attempt, months ago...

My dear mother-in-law had invited me to visit a friend who is an AMAZING quilter. This lady is incredible, Louise is her name- she has the "studio" I dream of- bolts and bolts and BOLTS of fabric- not just a few tiny pieces, like my current "stash", a huge permenant cutting table, ironing boards (all wider than normal), sewing machines (yes, plural- ahhhh!), her quilts hanging all over, and the list just goes on... She can pretty much do anything, in my eyes, and I just was in awe at our "lesson"- my hands shook and I was scared to death I was gonna hurt her machine! ha! She told me to go home and practice piecing and that everytime I did it, I would get more and more comfortable.

Well, she is right, it does get easier each time. This was my practice- I love log cabin quilts (especially the wonky ones), and even though I was trying to square mine off perfectly, it's still a bit wonky, but I love it beacuse it reminds me of trying something that I had always been scared to do! I am now scared of "paper piecing" and am anxious to have her impart info on that subject next time :)!

This little 17" square doll quilt sat for a year after I pieced it- because I didn't know how to make a "quilt sandwich" and machine quilt it. So after making my huge first "real" quilt (that'll be another post) and loving it, I figured a tiny doll quilt would be a cinch! I stippled my first quilt (on a small-ish Bernina- let me tell you, that was a trick! lol- now I'm dreaming of the 820, or at least a 440QE!) but wanted to try something different. So loops it was- and I adore them! It is ME! Now to figure out the binding- any brilliant suggestions? I was thinking maybe a patchwork of the fabrics I used for the cabin blocks, but I'm still pondering... That's nice about quilting too- it gives you lots of time to ponder :)