The weather in Iowa has been gloomy and foggy for weeks. I can't remember the last time I saw the sun. =( I have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and the lack of sunshine makes it much worse. Sewing with pretty colors and keeping busy does help, but I am never quite myself again until spring comes. These last few weeks have been rough. The point of mentioning SAD? No sun also means it is super hard to take decent pictures of the projects I have finished so I can share them here, or on Instagram, for that matter! I decided to stop waiting for a better time and just go with the less than stellar photography. 

First up is Christmas Swoon! 

I made Christmas Swoon last January with the plans to have it done for this last Christmas. Best laid plans and all that... But it is done and I love it!! I did my typical wavy lines to quilt it, but this time I chose to not make the wavy lines as curvy as I usually do. The texture is amazing!

It measures 65" x 65". The back is pieced with the left over half square triangles. 

Next up is another quilt top I made last January using my Cotton & Steel stash. You can find more details in this blog post. This one finished up at 62" x 76". 

I chose to straight line quilt it using my walking foot edge about ¼" away from the seam as my guide.  Totally eye balled it. I love the star and hexagon shape that emerges at the points of the triangles. Oh, and trust me, I stratigcally took a picture where my points matched up perfectly. Not all of them look this good. Just sayin!

For the back, I chose a newspaper print by Zen Chic by Moda. 

 My next project is to get my Patchwork Swoon quilted. Oh, I also have a shop sample I am frantically trying to get done, Sweetie Pie by Lori Holt. Another gal is helping with the embroidery and the hand appliqué parts. It will be cute when it's done. =) 

Thanks for hanging out with me on this Thursday morning! Have a happy day!!

The weather in Iowa has been gloomy and foggy for weeks. I can't remember the last time I saw the sun. =( I have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and the lack of sunshine makes it much worse. Sewing with pretty colors and keeping busy does help, but I am never quite myself again until spring comes. These last few weeks have been rough. The point of mentioning SAD? No sun also means it is super hard to take decent pictures of the projects I have finished so I can share them here, or on Instagram, for that matter! I decided to stop waiting for a better time and just go with the less than stellar photography. 

First up is Christmas Swoon! 

I made Christmas Swoon last January with the plans to have it done for this last Christmas. Best laid plans and all that... But it is done and I love it!! I did my typical wavy lines to quilt it, but this time I chose to not make the wavy lines as curvy as I usually do. The texture is amazing!

It measures 65" x 65". The back is pieced with the left over half square triangles. 

Next up is another quilt top I made last January using my Cotton & Steel stash. You can find more details in this blog post. This one finished up at 62" x 76". 

I chose to straight line quilt it using my walking foot edge about ¼" away from the seam as my guide.  Totally eye balled it. I love the star and hexagon shape that emerges at the points of the triangles. Oh, and trust me, I stratigcally took a picture where my points matched up perfectly. Not all of them look this good. Just sayin!

For the back, I chose a newspaper print by Zen Chic by Moda. 

 My next project is to get my Patchwork Swoon quilted. Oh, I also have a shop sample I am frantically trying to get done, Sweetie Pie by Lori Holt. Another gal is helping with the embroidery and the hand appliqué parts. It will be cute when it's done. =) 

Thanks for hanging out with me on this Thursday morning! Have a happy day!!

Good Morning and Happy 2017! 

One major goal my hubby and I have this new year is to get this kitchen completely finished and we are so close! Over the holidays, Russ got the backsplash installed. All that needs to be done is the grout. We are going to use a light grey colored grout.

Here is the big picture of how the kitchen looks. So close to being done! 

My first quilt of 2017 is for baby Millie. Millie's daddy is a cat person and I fell in love with Erin Michael's new fabric line for Moda called Meow or Never. I was so glad to have an excuse to play with it!  It's perfect for her and I think her daddy will appreciate it, too. =) 

I quilted it with my go to wavy lines. I like the texture it gives and its easy. =)  I get to give it to her today! 

Until next time, have a happy weekend!! 

Good Morning and Happy 2017! 

One major goal my hubby and I have this new year is to get this kitchen completely finished and we are so close! Over the holidays, Russ got the backsplash installed. All that needs to be done is the grout. We are going to use a light grey colored grout.

Here is the big picture of how the kitchen looks. So close to being done! 

My first quilt of 2017 is for baby Millie. Millie's daddy is a cat person and I fell in love with Erin Michael's new fabric line for Moda called Meow or Never. I was so glad to have an excuse to play with it!  It's perfect for her and I think her daddy will appreciate it, too. =) 

I quilted it with my go to wavy lines. I like the texture it gives and its easy. =)  I get to give it to her today! 

Until next time, have a happy weekend!! 

It's been a crazy busy December and I know I am not alone in the being busy department. On top of the loveliness of the Christmas season, Cotton Creek Mill is moving to a new building. I can't wait to share all about that when we are done getting settled. We will be reopening for business on January 3rd. Can't wait!!

Earlier this month, I celebrated another birthday. I am okay if they go by unnoticed, however, when blogging friends remember and send a precious gift...Well, being noticed is an honor. The first gift is from Capi who sent a Goody-Goody Binding Kit. Totally love it! 

Such a thoughtful gift from a thoughtful friend...Thank you, Capi!!

My friend Karen @In The Sewing Basket had this t-shirt made for me. Seriously! Is this not the best?! 

On the home front, baby Millie is now home. She was released last Saturday. =) 

Her big sister is happy to have her home for Christmas, as we all are. =) 

From my home to yours, I want wish you all a very Merry Christmas! =) 

It's been a crazy busy December and I know I am not alone in the being busy department. On top of the loveliness of the Christmas season, Cotton Creek Mill is moving to a new building. I can't wait to share all about that when we are done getting settled. We will be reopening for business on January 3rd. Can't wait!!

Earlier this month, I celebrated another birthday. I am okay if they go by unnoticed, however, when blogging friends remember and send a precious gift...Well, being noticed is an honor. The first gift is from Capi who sent a Goody-Goody Binding Kit. Totally love it! 

Such a thoughtful gift from a thoughtful friend...Thank you, Capi!!

My friend Karen @In The Sewing Basket had this t-shirt made for me. Seriously! Is this not the best?! 

On the home front, baby Millie is now home. She was released last Saturday. =) 

Her big sister is happy to have her home for Christmas, as we all are. =) 

From my home to yours, I want wish you all a very Merry Christmas! =) 

I am always on the look out for quick and easy patterns that are perfect for a quick gifts or donation quilts. Here are two that are great for using those fat quarters.

The first one is a free pattern by Quilt Taffy called Speedy Baby.  I chose to make two that are similar but not identical to donate to the NICU where my granddaughter Millie is being cared for. A mom with twin boys will love them, I think. =)

Quilt Taffy has another free pattern called Speedy Baby 2 that is a great way to use up charm packs that are hanging around. I have made both of these patterns many times and are great for beginners! 

Perfect Ten by Swirly Girls is a new favorite pattern of mine. I stumbled upon this pattern at work and my mind started swirling with ideas. First, it's a great way to use up fat quarters, but this pattern is also a great way to showcase panels. I don't know about you, but I never know how to use those panels. I have some in my stash that I am looking at with new interest! The following two quilts I made for shop samples. 

I didn't get a picture of this one after I added the borders. After the borders, it measures 60" x 72". Perfect lap quilt size and my favorite size to make.

This sample without the borders measures 48" x 60". Another nice lap size or a very generous baby quilt. 

I have two more Perfect Ten quilts made for the girls for Christmas. I altered the pattern a bit for them and I will share them when they are finished. 

Do you have a go-to pattern you like to use for quick quilts? Please share! 

I am always on the look out for quick and easy patterns that are perfect for a quick gifts or donation quilts. Here are two that are great for using those fat quarters.

The first one is a free pattern by Quilt Taffy called Speedy Baby.  I chose to make two that are similar but not identical to donate to the NICU where my granddaughter Millie is being cared for. A mom with twin boys will love them, I think. =)

Quilt Taffy has another free pattern called Speedy Baby 2 that is a great way to use up charm packs that are hanging around. I have made both of these patterns many times and are great for beginners! 

Perfect Ten by Swirly Girls is a new favorite pattern of mine. I stumbled upon this pattern at work and my mind started swirling with ideas. First, it's a great way to use up fat quarters, but this pattern is also a great way to showcase panels. I don't know about you, but I never know how to use those panels. I have some in my stash that I am looking at with new interest! The following two quilts I made for shop samples. 

I didn't get a picture of this one after I added the borders. After the borders, it measures 60" x 72". Perfect lap quilt size and my favorite size to make.

This sample without the borders measures 48" x 60". Another nice lap size or a very generous baby quilt. 

I have two more Perfect Ten quilts made for the girls for Christmas. I altered the pattern a bit for them and I will share them when they are finished. 

Do you have a go-to pattern you like to use for quick quilts? Please share! 

Millie is doing very well! She is over her birth weight, holding her own body temperature, and breathing on her own. What she needs to learn to do is learn to eat and suckle. For now, she practices on her pacifier and is being fed mother's milk through a tube to her tummy. I am so very thankful for God's kindness....

Meanwhile, big sister, Tally, has a new baby of her own to take care of. I think she is in love. =) 

Next time I will get back to sharing quilts! 

Have a happy Monday!

Millie is doing very well! She is over her birth weight, holding her own body temperature, and breathing on her own. What she needs to learn to do is learn to eat and suckle. For now, she practices on her pacifier and is being fed mother's milk through a tube to her tummy. I am so very thankful for God's kindness....

Meanwhile, big sister, Tally, has a new baby of her own to take care of. I think she is in love. =) 

Next time I will get back to sharing quilts! 

Have a happy Monday!

My daughter shared the news this summer that she was expecting another baby, due on December 23rd. A Christmas baby! Except, as babies are known to do, they surprise us and come early...Last night, at 31 weeks gestation, Amelia Jayne (Millie) was born and I had the privilege of watching her enter the world and hear her first tiny cry.

Millie was quickly taken away while they worked on her to get her to breathe better and get her into her new bed in NICU where she will be staying for a long time while she grows and gets stronger. 

She is so very tiny. 

Her stats: 3 pounds 2 ounces

15 ½" long 

Welcome to the world, sweet baby Millie.....

My daughter shared the news this summer that she was expecting another baby, due on December 23rd. A Christmas baby! Except, as babies are known to do, they surprise us and come early...Last night, at 31 weeks gestation, Amelia Jayne (Millie) was born and I had the privilege of watching her enter the world and hear her first tiny cry.

Millie was quickly taken away while they worked on her to get her to breathe better and get her into her new bed in NICU where she will be staying for a long time while she grows and gets stronger. 

She is so very tiny. 

Her stats: 3 pounds 2 ounces

15 ½" long 

Welcome to the world, sweet baby Millie.....

I grabbed up every second I could get to sit at my machine and make up these sweet spool blocks. It didn't take long before the top was all put together! No two spools are alike. I used 72 different fabrics from my expansive Bonnie and Camille stash. I added some yellow from other lines to give me more variety. The ribbon border fabrics are repeats of what are in the spool blocks. I was too lazy to look for 24 more fabrics for that part. =) 

As soon as I got that done, I grabbed up a Little Ruby jelly roll and began on the Patchwork Swoon quilt. As you can see, the blocks are pretty big, so the left over half square triangles were huge!

They were big enough to make a bonus baby quilt. =)

This quilt pattern works up really fast and I think it's a great use for a jelly roll. It would be pretty made up in many different fabric lines. 

My quilt tops are beginning to stack up. I need to get busy making some backs and get the quilting started on them. =) 

Have a happy Tuesday and fall, everyone!

I grabbed up every second I could get to sit at my machine and make up these sweet spool blocks. It didn't take long before the top was all put together! No two spools are alike. I used 72 different fabrics from my expansive Bonnie and Camille stash. I added some yellow from other lines to give me more variety. The ribbon border fabrics are repeats of what are in the spool blocks. I was too lazy to look for 24 more fabrics for that part. =) 

As soon as I got that done, I grabbed up a Little Ruby jelly roll and began on the Patchwork Swoon quilt. As you can see, the blocks are pretty big, so the left over half square triangles were huge!

They were big enough to make a bonus baby quilt. =)

This quilt pattern works up really fast and I think it's a great use for a jelly roll. It would be pretty made up in many different fabric lines. 

My quilt tops are beginning to stack up. I need to get busy making some backs and get the quilting started on them. =) 

Have a happy Tuesday and fall, everyone!

I have been way behind in getting my Sew Sweet Bee blocks done. Today was catch up day! I was a bit nervous sitting at my machine. It's been months since I have done any sewing. It was like riding a bike. You don't forget how. =) *whew*

The cake block was requested by Missy. You can see the other cake blocks that were made for her on her blog Missy's Homemaking Adventures. Now for a small confession. I made this cake block in the  Snapshots quilt along by Fat Quarter Shop, but I never finished the quilt, so Missy gets my block! I call that a win for both of us, I don't have an orphan block and she gets the block she wanted. =) 

Renee@ Sewn With Grace requested a scrappy maple leaf block. I love this block! Making a quilt full of them in fall colors is on my list. 

Lastly, Peggy requested a split 4 patch in Bonnie and Camille fabrics. Easy and fun! Here is where you can learn how to make this block. 

The next project I need to get started on is a store sample for Cotton Creek Mill by Cotton Way called Spool Sampler. I am going to use a mixture of many different lines by Bonnie and Camille. I have more than enough in my stash! When they are done displaying the quilt, it will come back home to live with me. =) The pattern shows two versions, I am going to use this one, the two tone version using prints instead of all solids. 

As for my kitchen, we are taking the month of October off. The rest can get done later since it's all cosmetic. We need the break, I should say, my husband needs the break! He has worked so hard and was such a trooper!

I hope you are all having a great Wednesday! 

I have been way behind in getting my Sew Sweet Bee blocks done. Today was catch up day! I was a bit nervous sitting at my machine. It's been months since I have done any sewing. It was like riding a bike. You don't forget how. =) *whew*

The cake block was requested by Missy. You can see the other cake blocks that were made for her on her blog Missy's Homemaking Adventures. Now for a small confession. I made this cake block in the  Snapshots quilt along by Fat Quarter Shop, but I never finished the quilt, so Missy gets my block! I call that a win for both of us, I don't have an orphan block and she gets the block she wanted. =) 

Renee@ Sewn With Grace requested a scrappy maple leaf block. I love this block! Making a quilt full of them in fall colors is on my list. 

Lastly, Peggy requested a split 4 patch in Bonnie and Camille fabrics. Easy and fun! Here is where you can learn how to make this block. 

The next project I need to get started on is a store sample for Cotton Creek Mill by Cotton Way called Spool Sampler. I am going to use a mixture of many different lines by Bonnie and Camille. I have more than enough in my stash! When they are done displaying the quilt, it will come back home to live with me. =) The pattern shows two versions, I am going to use this one, the two tone version using prints instead of all solids. 

As for my kitchen, we are taking the month of October off. The rest can get done later since it's all cosmetic. We need the break, I should say, my husband needs the break! He has worked so hard and was such a trooper!

I hope you are all having a great Wednesday!