January Quilty Progress

Wow, January is almost gone!  How did that happen?  I have been able to get some projects done this month though. 
 

These first two are sneak peeks at a couple of quilts that I've made that are scheduled to be in some upcoming publications ~ I've been getting some practice in on my HandiQuilters :) 

[Note: The first quilt is made with a fabric line called Indigo Blues by Fabri-Quilt, and the second one is made with a fabric collection called Robotics from Birch Organic Fabrics ~ both lines should be in quilt shops by March]

This one is a customer quilt that I finished today (can you tell that I'm enjoying the loop-d-loops?)

Here's more of the customer quilt...I love the Kansas Troubles fabrics in this one ~ so warm and rich :)

Enjoy the day!
~ Dawn

New Little Helpers

The New Year has brought new schedules.  I've been busy keeping up with work and quilty jobs, but mostly I've been trying to keep up with these two ~ my new little helpers.  Over the Winter Break they moved back up here close.  Their Mom started a new job, so I've been on Grandma duty, spending time with my little Cutie Patooties during the day until other daycare arrangements are made.  So lately my days are full with going to the bus stop, sing-a-longs of songs that I thought I had forgotten, and pondering deep mysteries like: How many socks can two little girls own...and why can't they keep them on their feet?...and fitting in some sewing here and there during nap time and other stolen moments. 
 

My new helpers and I don't have any sewing that we can show right now, but we do have some more Mountain Baby Blanket donations that we're adding to our box that's almost ready to ship out!  Pat Wyatt, a Baltimore Applique Society friend, donated two of these cute little quilts along with children's books to the cause.  We should have enough to ship out another box to the Appalachian Mountains soon :)

Enjoy the day!
Dawn

And the Winner Is...

Thank you all for the support and nice comments on my Moda Bakeshop Post :) There are just a few kits left of my Sleepy Jean Crib Quilt in the Hello Luscious colorway, so if you want one hop on over to the Website and get yours!

...And the Winner of my little Give Away for a Moda Charm Pack is Apple Avenue Quilts!  I'm emailing you tonight, let me know your address and I'll get your charm pack in the mail :)

Enjoy the day!
~ Dawn

Exciting News and a Give Away!

I have exciting news to share today!  One of my little quilts is being featured over at the Moda Bakeshop Blog!  This is my Sleepy Jean Crib Quilt and it's made with one Charm Pack of Honey Honey fabric designed by Kate Spain (plus a little yardage for borders, binding and backing).   It's really easy to make, and the cute little 34" x 34" size is perfect for naptime, or for a little one to carry around and cuddle with.  You can click on the link above or the button below to go to the Moda Bakeshop and see how to make it :)

I have the same quilt available as a fabric kit in the Hello Luscious fabrics designed by Basic Gray as shown below:

You can go Here to my Website to purchase this kit in the Hello Luscious fabrics (The kit includes all fabrics including binding & backing!)

***Just for fun and to celebrate, I thought we'd have a little Give Away!  Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win a Moda Charm Pack of your own (Charm pack will be chosen from several fabric collections that I have, so what you receive will be a surprise!).  I'll chose one random winner on Sunday, January 6th :)

Enjoy the day!
~ Dawn

Free Log Cabin E-book Gift!

I have the perfect Merry Christmas gift for yourself ~ a Free e-book from Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting called Build Your Best Log Cabin!

I love Log Cabin quilts, and this is a 24 page e-book that you can download that includes instructions to make three different types of Log Cabin blocks including Traditional, Chevron, and Courthouse Steps.  It includes a little background history on the Log Cabin quilt, full color pictures and complete instructions to make four specific Log Cabin Quilt projects.  Plus, it includes setting option diagrams for multiple ways to lay out traditional Log Cabin blocks for completely different looks.

There are even tips along the way, ideas for quilting the projects, and binding instructions!  I particularly like that they include block charts with cutting sizes for making different size blocks :) 

It's a very versatile little booklet, and a great bargain at the price of...Free!

To get your Free Log Cabin e-book from the generous folks at Fons & Porters, just click Here and sign up with your email address to receive their e-newsletter. 

Merry Christmas, and Enjoy the Day!
~ Dawn

A Batiky Zig Zag Publication

Things have been hopping here with regular work stuff, plus all the Christmas shopping and  preparations going on...Happily, I'm about finished with holiday prep, and plan to just enjoy the days until Christmas now ~ How about you?

...And because I'm confident that the world is not ending tomorrow morning, I wanted to pop on to say Happy Winter Solstice and share my Batik Zig Zag quilt that is my latest magazine publication :)

It's in the current issue of Quilt-It Today (January/February 2013)!  You can go Here and see a list of the projects in this issue.

It's made up of super easy to piece blocks using some fun batik fabrics that have lot's of texture (the raspberry colored fabric was also featured on my Batik Infinity Scarf that appeared in the premier issue of Sew-it Today still available on the news stands.

My good friend Mary Nielsen did the beautiful machine quilting on this one for me :)  I think it's going to be our new picnic quilt.  I can't wait to use it...we just have to get through Winter first!

Enjoy the day!
~ Dawn

Some Quick Ornaments for our Furry Friends

I took some time this year to make up some cute Christmas Ornaments for our Furry Family Members.  These are for our dog Butters, and cat Maddie. 

I used these Go! Cutter Dies (#55064 Gingham Dog & #55065 Calico Cat)  to cut out the shapes for our pets. 

I started with two scraps of fabric (one for the front and one for the back), one 6" square piece of Timtex stiff interfacing, and two pieces of fusible web approx. 6" square (I used Heat n Bond Lite).

In preparation, I machine embroidered our pet's name to the center of the piece of fabric that will be the front.  
 

Using the Go! Die, cut the pet shape from a piece of cardstock...

I then used the cardstock shape cutout as a "window" to audition different fonts/sizes for the embroidery.  (This one is for my Mom's Cat, Spazz.)

After deciding on an appropriate size and embroidering the name on the front fabric, iron a piece of Heat n Bond to the back side, and add the other piece of fusible web to the reverse side of the fabric piece for the back of the ornament.  Then sandwich the piece of Timtex interfacing in between the two fabrics and fuse all together.  

Then, using the cardstock cutout to help in positioning the shape over the Go! Die blades, run the fused sandwich through the cutter to cut out the animal shape. 

Then to finish I satin stitched around the outside edges with the same thread that I embroidered the name with.  I like to satin stitch completely around the ornament twice to give the edge a smoother look.

To finish them off I used a thin gold cord that I ran through with an embroidery needle, and now they're ornaments :)  These are for my Mom for her pets Spazz & Barkley (Remember Barkley from This Post)

And these two are for Heather & Luke's dogs Max & River.  I had so much fun making these up, now I'm thinking of making up more :)

Enjoy the day!
~ Dawn