Thursday, October 30, 2008

Happy Hallowe'en!

I like how they used to write it as "Hallowe'en" in "the olden days." Have a spoooooooky day, and eat lots of candy! That's an order. I'm not kidding.


Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Pirate Monkeys

I love this fabric! I ordered some today for a baby quilt I'm making for my future nephew. Nothing says "baby" like monkeys dressed as pirates, that's for sure. Arrrr ...


I also ordered some red and white calico prints from fabric.com. I don't normally go for calicos, but I thought they might come in handy if anyone has a baby girl, or I feel compelled to inject a little "shabby chic" into my bedroom. Well, that probably won't happen, but I just liked the fabric and it was only $4.98 a yard (rationalizing alert!). And wouldn't it be cute as a dress for a little girl?

Speaking of little girls, Marc's friends just had twins a month or so ago. I'm in the process of making baby quilts for them, as well. They're both circus-themed, because when I bought the fabric I didn't know the sex of the babies, and mint green "gender neutral" fabric just doesn't do it for me. So, the quilts are bright, primary colors, with an emphasis on red.









Monday, October 27, 2008

Why I Should Own a Quilt Shop

I've been a really bad blogger. I know I have.

OK, I got that off my chest. Now, I really wish I was a quilt shop owner so I could go to "Market" and see all these designers' gorgeous booths!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Ode to a Lonely Bullet

Have you ever found a bullet in your washing machine? I have. Okay, my husband is a police officer, so I guess it's not that hard to believe, but the first time it happens, it's a little unsettling.

I was minding my own business, transferring my wet clothes to the dryer, when I heard a clanging sound in the washing machine. I thought it might be coins, but no, it was a bullet. Now, I've been fairly sheltered in my suburban world, and have never seen a bullet in person, never mind found one in my laundry, so as you can imagine, I was a bit unnerved. Would it explode? Was there some particular way of disposing it? I had no idea.

So I placed it on top of the washing machine, where it remained for several weeks, undisturbed, save for the spin cycle. I finally brought it upstairs and gave it to Marc and asked him to put it back in its home. Was it lonely during its basement exile? Was it glad to rejoin its mates? Perhaps we'll never know.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Nesting Dolls and Paper Cuts



I've always had a fascination with Russian nesting dolls (matryoshka). I think it started with a segment on Sesame Street, during which a set of nesting dolls kind of scooted around and opened to reveal smaller and smaller versions of themselves. By the way, I just tried to find that video online, and ended up clicking on what I believed to be it, only to find myself on an adult video site - decidedly NOT it!


Ok, I just found it (for real), but it's the Dutch version. So if you want to learn to count to ten in another language, please check it out.


I also came across "The Ladybug Picnic" - you will remember this well if you grew up in the 70s. It's actually a pretty funny song when you listen to the words. Much better than Elmo! I highly recommend spending some time on YouTube and checking out the classic Sesame Street videos. I remember them so vividly now that I've watched them again.


Sesame Street is not what I originally intended to write about, but it's kind of fun, no? I actually brought up nesting dolls because I'm hoping to use them as inspiration for a pattern (I'm not sure for what yet). I just love European folk art, especially Polish paper art (wycinanki - pronounced vee-chee-non-kee is the Polish word for "paper-cut design"). The colors and patterns are stunning - I would love to make a quilt with some design elements like this. Applique, perhaps?


Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Rites of Passage

So I finally did it - I sewed my finger with my Bernina. Although I was not seriously injured, it did bleed a lot and hurt like heck the next day. I was free-motion quilting and hit the side of my left pointer finger right next to the nail. The needle even broke! I feel like I've earned some sort of crafting badge. Is there a club for this sort of thing?




Here's the quilt I was working on when it happened. It was all worth it, though, when I gave it to my Grammy on Monday, and she was so thrilled! Here's a closer-up view of the quilt's chicken motif.

Another milestone represented by this quilt is that I've conquered my fear of binding! Yes, that's right. I don't need Leslie to walk me through it anymore, and I'm finished with doing it the wrong way just to have a binding. I'm so proud of myself! I found this tutorial to be most helpful.
And finally, I had another first this week when I put out my Halloween place mats. These are no ordinary place mats, my friends, because THESE place mats were actually completed more than a month before Halloween! This is the first time I have ever finished a seasonal project in time for use during the season for which it is intended!

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Pointy Kitty!

While I was sick last week, I decided to do a hand-sewing project, since I couldn't bear the thought of leaving my bed. The result? Pointy Kitty! The pattern is by Hillary Lang, and is free on her blog, Wee Wonderfuls. You can even check out the Pointy Kitty Gallery, where more than 500 Pointy Kitty photos can be viewed for your enjoyment. I encourage everyone to make a Pointy Kitty of their very own. Here is my Pointy Kitty, which Marc has already claimed for himself. As you can see, Max is also enjoying having a new kitty in the family.