Drum Roll Please......

Hamster is a GIRL!!


We had the anatomy ultra sound today. Everything is looking great and right on schedule. The ultra sound tech was very confident that it was a girl. The picture of her bottom is a bit of a mystery to me, but I didn't see any boy parts either. She wouldn't roll over so they could get pics of her little spine so I will have another ultra sound in 4 weeks and they will take another look and give me a new face photo! Still looks like a Hamster to us!

Split Decision

I finished my last quilt of 2011! It has been received at its new home and I know it was loved. I bought the pattern in South Dakota and used leftover fabrics from the Slice and Dice that I made for my mother in law.
The photos were taken hastily on my bed before I wrapped the quilt to take it to the Birthday girl!

My long arm quilter out did herself once again and did a beautiful swirly pattern in variegated thread! It makes the design so much fun!





It is backed in a plain Moda marble to showcase the quilting.

I know the Birthday girl loved it since I got about 4 hugs before I left!

A Very Merry Holiday

I didn't do a WIP post yesterday because I was too busy spending time with family and enjoying the day. We laughed, we ate, we played games, and enjoyed each others company. It was a nice day. I also scored some fantastic presents! I got a new rolling case for my sewing machine, a new iron for quilting, a walking foot for my machine, and some Derwent inktense pencils. Of course I got other things, but those are the crafty type stuff! LOL
Today I've felt a bit under the weather, possibly a cold coming on. I stayed in bed and enjoyed watching the new TV my Hubby bought me for our bedroom! I napped, cleaned up the bedroom a bit, and finished sewing the binding on a quilt! Not a bad day for feeling a bit yucky. I hope to have photos of the quilt to share tomorrow before I take it to the Birthday girl it will belong too. Stay tuned for that!
I hope everyone had a joyful holiday!

WIP Sunday: One More Spicy!

I had a huge work day yesterday and enjoyed every minute of it. I turned on the Christmas tunes and set to work on several projects I needed to get finished up before the holidays. I made binding for a quilt that is now ready for hand sewing, I made a pillow case with Steelers fabric for a friend of the Hubby, finished another spicy spiral table runner for my Grandma, and started the Grinch quilt for me!  I used spring inspired fabrics with golds, yellows, creams, and soft greens. I love how it turned out!  
I used the stitch in the ditch quilting method again. I love the texture it gives to the back.


It is all wrapped and under the tree! I took a shot of my progress on the Grinch quilt too. I'm preparing the blocks that will be appliqued on.

I can't wait to finish it up and have it out for the holidays! Time to go help bake some cookies with the family! Hope everyone has a lovely Sunday!

Gather It Up

I've finished another gift! I have a Great Aunt that has chickens on her farm and she is just starting to get a nice batch of eggs each day. She walks with a cane and has trouble getting the eggs to the house sometimes so I decided to make her a gathering apron so she can walk to the house hands free!

I used all stash fabrics and the pattern I found online with some alterations so it would fit her measurements.

This is seriously the most awkward photo! LOL I had such a time trying to get one. I wanted to show how it gathers up in the front and forms a pouch for the eggs. I think she is really going to love it and it will help to make her life a bit easier.

Only 1 more gift to make!

Spicy!

After a very long and trying week I managed to set to work in the dungeon and come up with some gifts yesterday! It felt good to concentrate on sewing and not worry about other things.

Remember that runner I showed you that wasn't finished? Well I completed another for a gift. My first go at stitching in the ditch quilting on my machine!

I used western themed fabrics. Some were left overs from the western quilt I made a while back, others were pieces I had picked up along the way with the intent of making something fun. It is a gift for my Hubby's Grandma for Christmas! I love this pattern! It is so fun and easy to make. I have plans on making 1 more for my Grandma!

This was my first try at stitching in the ditch quilting! I borrowed a friends walking foot (thanks Betty!) until I get my own and set to work. I really like how it looks and it wasn't as hard as I thought.

I also made a pillow case for my little sister for Christmas. The fabric is 3D! I think she is going to love it! I tried a new pillow case pattern and I totally recommend it. It is a free pattern on www.allpeoplequilt.com Our quilt guild is going to make some pillow cases for local charities and I thought I should test the pattern before I make a few to give away. It went great and I love that there are no exposed seams. It also only took me about 15 minutes to make!

I'm working on a couple more gifts and hope to get things all wrapped up just in time!

WIP Sunday: Deck The Halls!

I'm finally getting some crafty mojo back! I took a quilting class yesterday for the spicy spiral table runner! It was so much fun and easy to do that I think I'm going to whip up at least 1 more for a last minute Christmas gift!

I only have a couple more things to do. I need to hand stitch my turning opening closed and top stitch around the outer edge. I can quilt it as well, but I sort of like it just the way it is. I might quilt another one in the future. The colors are much more vibrant in real life and that isn't tan, but gold on a cream background. I'll try for outdoor photos when it is finished.

Our tree is up and ready for us to celebrate! Don't mind the mess around it! You can see a tote lid that is filled with other decorations that will be put up today. I love how each ornament stands out so nice on this tree. One of my favorites so far! The tree skirt was handmade for us this year by the Hubby's Grandma! So fun to have so many handmade things on our tree! Handmade or not, each ornament has special meaning to us both.

Off to finish putting out the decorations and then time for some gift sewing!