I hope you are all enjoying Spring! Its been glorious here in Iowa and we are taking full advantage of it. We have put 1000 miles on the Harley already this season with many more to come. =) 

Nice weather, bike rides and working more hours has certainly cut into my sewing time, but there really is no excuse for being so late with my April Sew Sweet Bee block for Donna. I put it off because it looked hard. I shouldn't have worried. It went together like a dream. I hope you like it, Donna!! 

I was determined to not let Erin wait until June for her Sew Sweet Bee block, so I got right to it this afternoon. Erin asked for us to make our favorite block because she wants a sampler. That was an easy decision for me. Dresden are my all time favorite to make. =) I think it's cute. =) It makes me want to make more!! 

I have also been plugging away on my friend Rhonda's Swoon Sixteen (in my case, Swoon 20). The quilting has begin, but I ran out of thread, so it will have to sit for a while until I get back to it. 

One last note, and I admit to feeling pretty prideful, but when a family chooses to use a quilt I made for them for their new baby's photo shoot, I can help but have a big ol' grin on my face. =D This seriously made my day!!

Until next time, may the God of Glory be with you....

I hope you are all enjoying Spring! Its been glorious here in Iowa and we are taking full advantage of it. We have put 1000 miles on the Harley already this season with many more to come. =) 

Nice weather, bike rides and working more hours has certainly cut into my sewing time, but there really is no excuse for being so late with my April Sew Sweet Bee block for Donna. I put it off because it looked hard. I shouldn't have worried. It went together like a dream. I hope you like it, Donna!! 

I was determined to not let Erin wait until June for her Sew Sweet Bee block, so I got right to it this afternoon. Erin asked for us to make our favorite block because she wants a sampler. That was an easy decision for me. Dresden are my all time favorite to make. =) I think it's cute. =) It makes me want to make more!! 

I have also been plugging away on my friend Rhonda's Swoon Sixteen (in my case, Swoon 20). The quilting has begin, but I ran out of thread, so it will have to sit for a while until I get back to it. 

One last note, and I admit to feeling pretty prideful, but when a family chooses to use a quilt I made for them for their new baby's photo shoot, I can help but have a big ol' grin on my face. =D This seriously made my day!!

Until next time, may the God of Glory be with you....

Good morning!! Spring is now in full swing here in Iowa and it is a glorious! I love spring and summer, so I feel like I have woken up from a long sleep. It feels good to feel good! 

Last week I finished quilting my Farmer's Wife quilt. I didn't do a very good job with the picture, so use your imagination. I chose to stitch in the ditch with most of them. I used wool batting so it has a bit of loft. As I was working on it, I doubted myself the whole time that I was making a mistake and was tempted to rip it all out and start over, but hubby encouraged me to keep going and he thought it looked just fine. It is what it is. No going back now! 

And the back view...The author of the Farmer's Wife, Laurie Hird, has a new Farmer's Wife 30's book coming out. I have a stash full of 30's, so I may tackle that one in the years to come. 

On the sewing front. I am making Thimble Blossoms new quilt pattern Swoon Sixteen for a friend of mine. As the name suggests, the blocks finish at 16" instead of the 24" that the original Swoon pattern  made. For her quilt, she chose Horizon by Kate Spain and a teal Grunge background. Again, the picture isn't very good. In real life, the colors really pop on the teal background. I am making the pattern bigger, so I need to make 20 blocks. Each one takes about an hour to make, so it is slow going. I have 12 more to go. 

New fabric has joined my stash, Ambleside by Brenda Riddle. The colors are so happy and fun...I have no plans for them yet. And see the thread? I purchased silk thread last weekend to give it a try. Silk thread is very fine, but strong! I can't wait to give it a try!

That's the news in my neck of the woods. If anyone has quilted with silk thread, I would love to hear about your experience. =)

Have a happy Thursday!!

Good morning!! Spring is now in full swing here in Iowa and it is a glorious! I love spring and summer, so I feel like I have woken up from a long sleep. It feels good to feel good! 

Last week I finished quilting my Farmer's Wife quilt. I didn't do a very good job with the picture, so use your imagination. I chose to stitch in the ditch with most of them. I used wool batting so it has a bit of loft. As I was working on it, I doubted myself the whole time that I was making a mistake and was tempted to rip it all out and start over, but hubby encouraged me to keep going and he thought it looked just fine. It is what it is. No going back now! 

And the back view...The author of the Farmer's Wife, Laurie Hird, has a new Farmer's Wife 30's book coming out. I have a stash full of 30's, so I may tackle that one in the years to come. 

On the sewing front. I am making Thimble Blossoms new quilt pattern Swoon Sixteen for a friend of mine. As the name suggests, the blocks finish at 16" instead of the 24" that the original Swoon pattern  made. For her quilt, she chose Horizon by Kate Spain and a teal Grunge background. Again, the picture isn't very good. In real life, the colors really pop on the teal background. I am making the pattern bigger, so I need to make 20 blocks. Each one takes about an hour to make, so it is slow going. I have 12 more to go. 

New fabric has joined my stash, Ambleside by Brenda Riddle. The colors are so happy and fun...I have no plans for them yet. And see the thread? I purchased silk thread last weekend to give it a try. Silk thread is very fine, but strong! I can't wait to give it a try!

That's the news in my neck of the woods. If anyone has quilted with silk thread, I would love to hear about your experience. =)

Have a happy Thursday!!

I find that when life is kicking into high gear, the last thing I want to do is sit down at the computer to blog. I am forcing myself to sit and get some of the projects I have been working on recorded, before more pile up and I get totally overwhelmed! Don't forget, you can find me on Instagram @aquiltingsheep. I do tend to post there a tiny bit more often. 

Lets jump right into it, shall we?

 This is the beginning of the Pretty Petals quilt found in the book Vintage Vibe using the Fresh Cut fabric line by Basic Grey. 

So pretty and springy!

I also got to play with the new line by 3 Sisters called Whitewashed Cottage.  Cluck Cluck Sew's pattern Shortcake using the throw size makes two nice sized baby quilts with only one orphan block left over. It's a great use of a jelly roll. 

These next two quilts came from my stash and will be gifted to a new baby and her big sister from my church. The first one is for the big sister. She has a bunny that she carries with her everywhere. Her parents were worried about what they would do if it ever got lost, so they bought a few more to put back, just in case. Well, this sweet little miss found one of them and now carries two. They have very clever names, Bunny and Backup Bunny. I knew the bunnies had to be part of the quilt, so I started there and built around them to come up with this creation. Sometimes I even impress myself. =)

The flowers and butterflies are from Lori Holt's book, Quilty Fun. I framed the butterflies and squared them up at angles to give the butterflies movement. 

The heart blocks tutorial can be found on Cluck Cluck Sew. 

Letters are from Moda's Spell It With Fabric. 

Here is Backup Bunny!

For her new baby sister, I used an Aviary honeybun that has been in my stash for a long while. 

If you look carefully, you can see I quilted the baby's name into the quilt. I kept the quilting simple to keep the quilt soft. 

There are a few more projects that I have been working on, but this post is long enough. Perhaps I will get back here before another 5 weeks slip by. *wink*

 Have a happy Monday! 

I find that when life is kicking into high gear, the last thing I want to do is sit down at the computer to blog. I am forcing myself to sit and get some of the projects I have been working on recorded, before more pile up and I get totally overwhelmed! Don't forget, you can find me on Instagram @aquiltingsheep. I do tend to post there a tiny bit more often. 

Lets jump right into it, shall we?

 This is the beginning of the Pretty Petals quilt found in the book Vintage Vibe using the Fresh Cut fabric line by Basic Grey. 

So pretty and springy!

I also got to play with the new line by 3 Sisters called Whitewashed Cottage.  Cluck Cluck Sew's pattern Shortcake using the throw size makes two nice sized baby quilts with only one orphan block left over. It's a great use of a jelly roll. 

These next two quilts came from my stash and will be gifted to a new baby and her big sister from my church. The first one is for the big sister. She has a bunny that she carries with her everywhere. Her parents were worried about what they would do if it ever got lost, so they bought a few more to put back, just in case. Well, this sweet little miss found one of them and now carries two. They have very clever names, Bunny and Backup Bunny. I knew the bunnies had to be part of the quilt, so I started there and built around them to come up with this creation. Sometimes I even impress myself. =)

The flowers and butterflies are from Lori Holt's book, Quilty Fun. I framed the butterflies and squared them up at angles to give the butterflies movement. 

The heart blocks tutorial can be found on Cluck Cluck Sew. 

Letters are from Moda's Spell It With Fabric. 

Here is Backup Bunny!

For her new baby sister, I used an Aviary honeybun that has been in my stash for a long while. 

If you look carefully, you can see I quilted the baby's name into the quilt. I kept the quilting simple to keep the quilt soft. 

There are a few more projects that I have been working on, but this post is long enough. Perhaps I will get back here before another 5 weeks slip by. *wink*

 Have a happy Monday! 

Making quilts for boys is challenging. Can I get an amen?? And I never have quilts suitable for guys laying around in my quilts to gift stack. Case in point. Around Christmas time, I told my niece she could come pick out a quilt. She came over with her husband, and her two children, Jenna and Jeffrey, to decide what one she wanted. She left with two because she couldn't decide and her darling Jenna left with one, too. There stood sweet Jeffrey.  I felt so bad that I didn't have one that he would like so I promised him I would make him one. That's when the challenge comes in. Trying to decide on fabric and what would be a great boy quilt that wasn't babyish. This is what I came up with....I think he will like it, don't you?

The backing fabric is by 3 Sisters called Passport. We had just gotten in the shop last week and I knew that was the perfect backing for Jeffrey's quilt. 

I can't wait to give it to him!!

Have a happy and warm Wednesday!! 

Linking up with 

Making quilts for boys is challenging. Can I get an amen?? And I never have quilts suitable for guys laying around in my quilts to gift stack. Case in point. Around Christmas time, I told my niece she could come pick out a quilt. She came over with her husband, and her two children, Jenna and Jeffrey, to decide what one she wanted. She left with two because she couldn't decide and her darling Jenna left with one, too. There stood sweet Jeffrey.  I felt so bad that I didn't have one that he would like so I promised him I would make him one. That's when the challenge comes in. Trying to decide on fabric and what would be a great boy quilt that wasn't babyish. This is what I came up with....I think he will like it, don't you?

The backing fabric is by 3 Sisters called Passport. We had just gotten in the shop last week and I knew that was the perfect backing for Jeffrey's quilt. 

I can't wait to give it to him!!

Have a happy and warm Wednesday!! 

Linking up with 

It took some creative effort to get a picture of this one. A step ladder may have been involved. ;-) I would rather have taken an outside photo, but a step ladder in a foot of snow would have made me look sillier than I already am. My neighbors talk enough already. 

I have to give credit where credit is due. When I told my hubby I was going to write words in place of many of the 6" blocks in the Modern Building Blocks pattern, he came up with most of them. I guess he loves me. =) 

The letters are Just My Type by Quiet Play and can be found on Payhip. She has a lot of super cute paper pieced patterns. =) The hearts are by Cluck Cluck Sew. I want to make more of them because they are just so cute! 

When I get this big lady quilted, it will be on our bed. =) 

In anticipation of Lori Holt's new book coming out, Farm Girl Vintage, and needing a backing for this quilt (which was made with all Lori Holt fabric) I made a trip to a local quilt shop that carries a lot of her fabric. 

Sorry for the poor quality picture...All the fabric on the right are Lori Holt's fabrics. The bottom two are for the back of the Modern Building Block quilt. That's the plan, at least. While I am sharing the picture, the house fabric on the left is going to be used somehow in the Sew Sweet Bee house quilt my bee sisters are making for me. The stove fabric was a "just because it's cute" purchase, as was the sheep fabric. And I can never turn away from a great text fabric. Just like that, my paycheck was gone, but what a fun way to go! 

Have a happy Thursday, everyone!! 

It took some creative effort to get a picture of this one. A step ladder may have been involved. ;-) I would rather have taken an outside photo, but a step ladder in a foot of snow would have made me look sillier than I already am. My neighbors talk enough already. 

I have to give credit where credit is due. When I told my hubby I was going to write words in place of many of the 6" blocks in the Modern Building Blocks pattern, he came up with most of them. I guess he loves me. =) 

The letters are Just My Type by Quiet Play and can be found on Payhip. She has a lot of super cute paper pieced patterns. =) The hearts are by Cluck Cluck Sew. I want to make more of them because they are just so cute! 

When I get this big lady quilted, it will be on our bed. =) 

In anticipation of Lori Holt's new book coming out, Farm Girl Vintage, and needing a backing for this quilt (which was made with all Lori Holt fabric) I made a trip to a local quilt shop that carries a lot of her fabric. 

Sorry for the poor quality picture...All the fabric on the right are Lori Holt's fabrics. The bottom two are for the back of the Modern Building Block quilt. That's the plan, at least. While I am sharing the picture, the house fabric on the left is going to be used somehow in the Sew Sweet Bee house quilt my bee sisters are making for me. The stove fabric was a "just because it's cute" purchase, as was the sheep fabric. And I can never turn away from a great text fabric. Just like that, my paycheck was gone, but what a fun way to go! 

Have a happy Thursday, everyone!! 

Last Saturday, Russ and I took a day trip to the Ames area to check out some Harley shops we haven't been to before and to some quilt shops, of course. =)

Here is the store front for the Route 65 Harley store in Indianola, Iowa. Cool huh??

I confess, my favorite Harley items are the ones with the Willie G zombies. I think they are cute!! What can I say?? =D

A new to me quilt shop was in Ames called, Quilting Connection. I was so busy drooling over their fabric selection that I didn't take any pictures of the shop itself. It was one of the largest, if not the largest quilt shops I have ever been in! 

I walked out with some Moda Grunge yardage and Architextures text print. That one has been on my wish list for a long time. 

Have a happy weekend, everyone!!

Last Saturday, Russ and I took a day trip to the Ames area to check out some Harley shops we haven't been to before and to some quilt shops, of course. =)

Here is the store front for the Route 65 Harley store in Indianola, Iowa. Cool huh??

I confess, my favorite Harley items are the ones with the Willie G zombies. I think they are cute!! What can I say?? =D

A new to me quilt shop was in Ames called, Quilting Connection. I was so busy drooling over their fabric selection that I didn't take any pictures of the shop itself. It was one of the largest, if not the largest quilt shops I have ever been in! 

I walked out with some Moda Grunge yardage and Architextures text print. That one has been on my wish list for a long time. 

Have a happy weekend, everyone!!

These are the 6" blocks that will be in my Modern Building Blocks quilt. The hearts are a free tutorial by Cluck Cluck Sew. She rewrote the pattern to remove some extra seams in the heart, but I made mine before that rewrite happened. She also did the quilty math for us and shared how to make them in other sizes. I love it when people who are not quilty math challenged, take the time do the math for those of us who are seriously lacking in that area. =) 

Heart tutorial can be found here:

Cluck Cluck Sew Heart Blocks

Tell me I am not the only one who lacks quilty math skills!  

These are the 6" blocks that will be in my Modern Building Blocks quilt. The hearts are a free tutorial by Cluck Cluck Sew. She rewrote the pattern to remove some extra seams in the heart, but I made mine before that rewrite happened. She also did the quilty math for us and shared how to make them in other sizes. I love it when people who are not quilty math challenged, take the time do the math for those of us who are seriously lacking in that area. =) 

Heart tutorial can be found here:

Cluck Cluck Sew Heart Blocks

Tell me I am not the only one who lacks quilty math skills!  

Who doesn't love happy mail? I know I do and Donna sends the happiest mail around! Not only does Donna@Donna's Lavender Nest have the cutest fabric in her shop, she really knows how to pretty up the packages she sends. I almost hate to open them when they arrive!! 

These pretty fabrics are Flower Sugar Fall 2014 and Valentine Rose by Tanya Whelan.  

And these darling prints are from the new Pam Kitty Garden line. I am restraining myself from buying the whole line, but it's hard!! See those two little tags? Donna tucked them into my package as a surprise. I know exactly where I am going to use them! 

I also received 3 more houses for my Sew Sweet Bee house quilt. The yellow house is from Missy@Missy's Homemaking Adventures, the blue and red house is from Sharon@Daisy Cottage Quilting, the sweet pink and aqua house is from my dear friend, Michelle@Renewing Mrs Sew Sew. Michelle isn't in our bee, but wanted to make me a house anyway. So sweet!! I have the neatest and most thoughtful friends...

Any happy mail come to your house lately?

Have a happy Monday!! 

Who doesn't love happy mail? I know I do and Donna sends the happiest mail around! Not only does Donna@Donna's Lavender Nest have the cutest fabric in her shop, she really knows how to pretty up the packages she sends. I almost hate to open them when they arrive!! 

These pretty fabrics are Flower Sugar Fall 2014 and Valentine Rose by Tanya Whelan.  

And these darling prints are from the new Pam Kitty Garden line. I am restraining myself from buying the whole line, but it's hard!! See those two little tags? Donna tucked them into my package as a surprise. I know exactly where I am going to use them! 

I also received 3 more houses for my Sew Sweet Bee house quilt. The yellow house is from Missy@Missy's Homemaking Adventures, the blue and red house is from Sharon@Daisy Cottage Quilting, the sweet pink and aqua house is from my dear friend, Michelle@Renewing Mrs Sew Sew. Michelle isn't in our bee, but wanted to make me a house anyway. So sweet!! I have the neatest and most thoughtful friends...

Any happy mail come to your house lately?

Have a happy Monday!!