My First Giveaway Winner...

Another bag finished using byAnnie's Soft and Stable and a Lazy Girl Designs pattern called Newport Tote. A few years ago, I used the same pattern for another bag which I still use and really love but it's always been a bit flimsy. This time, I used Soft and Stable and look.... it stands upright! Yeah!

The fabric collection is from Blend Fabrics called Timber and Leaf by Sarah Watts.

Now, what you've all been waiting for since my last post... the winner is... #9!

Congratulations to Sherry from Quilts, Fabric, and Thread Tales! Send me your mailing address and Annie from byAnnie will send you a Trendy Tote 2.0 pattern and Soft and Stable! Hooray! You'll have so much fun making a new bag!

On Mother's Day, I got out a quilt block I had done using a pattern from The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt book. This block was fitting for the day as the word "Mother" was in the center piece. I don't think I had planned this when piecing the block. It was happenstance. So, I decided I needed to do something with this block. I added a couple long pieces on the ends to lengthen it, added some binding, and had myself a new sewing mat. You probably have seen lots of these projects done as mug rugs (which I have made many for teacher gifts) but I like to use mine as a sewing mat where I put my little scissors, sewing feet, thread, needles, and whatever little tools I am using in the moment.

 The mat lays next to my sewing machine where I can easily reach whatever I may need.  

I liked it so much I had to make a pincushion to match. 

Oh, happy day! They make me smile :)

To all the mothers who care tirelessly for their children early in the morning, in the middle of the night, and every minute in between; to all the mothers who cook and clean and cook and clean and cook and clean; to all the mothers who give big hugs and send lots of kisses; to all the mothers who still find time, in the midst of it all, to sew, quilt, and knit! I give you a little of my flowerbed.

Bleeding Hearts - my favorite in the spring  

Mr. Gnome still looking for a Mrs. Gnome.  

 Columbine

Happy spring!

Nine Patch Variation Quilt and Give Away

Have you ever discovered a long lost quilt in a bag that was never finished? I did last week and decided this lovely nine patch variation quilt had to be finished and displayed for all to see! I pieced the top about 8 years ago, put it in a bag, and sadly left it among all my other UFO projects or what some quilters now call their PhD (projects half done).

 The pattern is in Alex Anderson's book Start Quilting.

This is my first time ever feeling confident enough to put my free motion quilting in a quilt.

This is a smaller version of Leah Day's Flower Ball.

This is another project I started awhile ago and never finished. I think I started it last summer so not bad compared to my Nine Patch quilt, although this is a much smaller project! The block is called Eddystone Light and in the book Jelly Roll Sampler Quilts by Pam Lintott. 

These are doll blankets for S's American Girl dolls. They sleep in bunk beds so the matching bedding is nice.

I played around with straight line quilting. The picture is not that great but you can see the quilting better on the bottom half of the block.

The quilting on this one is much simpler. 

I prefer the quilting on the other one even though it took a lot longer to complete. But it really makes a difference, doesn't it?

 I had to show the pillows inside the pillowcases. They are made with a piece from my vintage bedsheet collection. 

Remember the cute tote bag I made using Totally Trendy Totes 2.0 pattern and Soft and Stable stabilizer, both byAnnie? Now, I'm making another bag putting Soft and Stable to the test once again. The pattern is Newport Tote by Lazy Girl Designs. I made one a few years ago and I love the bag but it turned out a bit flimsy... so let's see if Soft and Stable can give my new bag some shape and body! I've started quilting the bag body with some wavy lines. I'm hoping to try some more free motion quilting for the tree trunks. 

The fabric collection is from Blend Fabrics called Timber and Leaf by Sarah Watts.

To make things really fun, I'm giving away a Totally Trendy Totes 2.0 pattern and an 18x58 package of Soft and Stable to one lucky follower! Just leave a comment and the random generator will pick the winner. If you'd like to follow my blog too that would be great but I'm not going to persuade you by offering an incentive. I'd like you to follow my blog because you like it :) Check back in 2 weeks (May 22nd) to find out if you will be receiving a lovely package in the mail from byAnnie. 

Happy sewing and quilting! 

Julie B.

Looking In Quilt Finished

Oh happy day! The Looking In quilt is complete and ready for my sweet, baby niece. The pattern is by Cluck, Cluck, Sew. I had so much fun using different novelty prints to display in the windows. I hope big brother will show her all the animals, flowers, yummy treats, and letters. My favorite is the hedgehog!

Funny how the sashing looks so much more purple in this picture. I sent the quilt to a friend who did fun swirls and butterflies throughout the quilt.

This picture shows the fabric I used for the backing... a sweet floral.Now, I need to add a label to the quilt back. I think I'll handwrite a label using fabric pens to give it a personal touch.  

E's curtains are finally done! I wanted to add a little something to each window. The fabric is from the same line that I made E's quilt with (not the one on her bed but this one that is on her wall).

 I found these lovely floral holdbacks from Country Curtains. They are hand stamped glass that come in several colors. These are the amethyst color.

Ta da! A new handbag for me! Have you heard of ByAnnie's Soft and Stable? I wanted to put it to the test and see how much body it would give my bag. I give Soft and Stable a very high rating! My new handbag can stand on its own. No more flimsy bags.

 The pattern is also By Annie called Totally Trendy Totes 2.0.

 There is an option in the pattern to add a zipper closure which I did!

Lastly, I leave you with another Lined Drawstring Bag - pattern by Jeni over at In Color Order. This one was for E's birthday. I made several for her friends to take home after the big sleepover. 

I hope you are having a wonderful day!

Happy sewing! 

Birthday Bags and a Doll Dress

This month has been busy with S's 9th birthday party, E's chorus concerts, and A's music concerts. Somehow I've managed to squeeze in sewing and knitting between (and during) these events. This week, I was seen knitting a cowl at A's jazz concert. This concert was 1-1/2 hours long (several schools took turns performing) so I was able to get quite a bit done! Still, it's taking awhile because I am using a fingering weight yarn; it's a very long cowl that when worn has a pretty layered look.

Here is an American Girl doll dress that I finished this month, also using fingering weight yarn. This yarn is Lorna's Laces 811 Lincoln Park Zoo. The project is called Summer Party Frock and in the book Sock Yarn One Skein Wonders. More information is on my ravelry account.

Julie is ready for a summer party!

Have you seen the awesome (and free) lined drawstring bag tutorial on Jeni's blog, In Color Order? I've been wanting to try these for a few months and finally had a great reason to make some - my daughter's birthday party bags. The tutorial is very easy to follow and I love the way the whole bag is put together, very creative! I used Moda's fabric line Cherry on Top.

I put fun girlie stuff in the bags (candy, rings, kleenex packs, etc.) 

I plan to make many more of these bags. I found some great cotton sheep fabric at Pink Chalk Fabrics that would make great knitting project bags.

Last summer, I paper pieced these tumbler blocks using this tutorial. I was not sure what to do with them so they have been sitting on my sewing table for the last few months. Now, I'm thinking they would look great on the drawstring bags for the girls when they go to the pool this summer!

Here is a peek at my Looking In quilt (pattern by Cluck Cluck Sew). It's with a longarm quilter now and I can't wait to get it back! She is quilting an overall pattern with butterflies. This one is for my niece, Addison, who was born last month and has a butterfly nursery theme in purple.

I love the "I Spy" feel of this quilt pattern. I had fun picking out different prints to put in the quilt. 

I hope you are having a great week with all your sewing and knitting endeavors!

Happy sewing and knitting!