New WIPs

I have numerous quilt tops to quilt, one quilt top that is 98 percent finished, and my fiddlehead mittens to finish.  So it makes total sense in the past few days that I started some new projects.  The above hexies I made yesterday at my all day sewing day to make a cushion for my Aunt.  I found the project in this magazine.  My asthma was horrible but I really wanted to sew.  I even had to leave early to go to the Emergency Room.  I am much better today.

I traced and cut the pattern for the Oliver and S 2 + 2 blouse and skirt the other day.  This morning I cut out the fabric.  I found the fabric and the idea here. She makes the cutest clothes.   I love the fabric so much.  I have some matching denim for the skirt.

And then one of the shops on the quilt hop was having a 40 percent off sale on yarn and patterns.  So I started a new sweater for Stella.  I haven't gotten a chance to put the details on my Ravelry page but I will soon. 

And then after I made my hexies yesterday I ripped up my Woodland sampler (too many mistakes) and am starting it over.  I just can't give up on it.  

I also really need to make Stella a spring jacket.  I have the fabric and the pattern arrived yesterday.  I'm not sure when I will start it.  Today?

Bonnet

I just finished the bonnet.  It is the Made by Rae  Peekaboo bonnet.  This was the only picture she would let me get.  I won't be showing any close ups.  It is a wonderful pattern but I am not always a wonderful pattern follower.  I realized too late that I should have changed to a zipper foot when I was struggling with the piping.  It was my first time.  So I will absolutely make the bonnet again.  I will also try to do it when I am not feeling lousy or in a rush.  And I think the next one will come out great.  But I am satisfied with this one and she will wear it.  Well she will wear it if she agrees to.

I finished the quilt hop yesterday.  I may do a post later more about it.  I really enjoyed it and love all the goodies I bought.  I am going to put  my cuties down for a nap now and start a new knitting project.  I haven't knitted since the day before Easter and I miss it terribly. 

Ice Cream Dress

I made this Ice Cream Dress (Oliver and S pattern)  for Stella on Thursday.  I came down with another cold and fever that same day but I was determined.  Luckily the kids slept late (for them) and napped for three hours.  I really enjoyed the pattern.  There wasn't anything tricky about it and the instructions are so clear and detailed.  This is for Stella to wear on her birthday on the 25th.  I will have to get a picture of her in it then because whenever I go anywhere near her with this dress she runs away.  Maybe she won't wear it on her birthday.

Today I hope to start making her a matching bonnet.  I am still not feeling that great but I hate to waste a nap time with resting unless I have to.  I am also looking at patterns to make her a spring jacket.  I ordered a jacket from the Gap but it was too small and they don't have anymore in her size.  I can't find any other ones I like so I guess I have to make it.  I am in trouble if my kids are going to be as picky as I am.  Well maybe Luke already is.  When I showed him Stella's new dress he said it should be pink, was too plain, and needed some flowers on it.  He could be right but I still like it. 

I linked up today to Sew Country Chick - Sew and Tell Saturday

My First Softie

I haven't posted lately but that doesn't mean April has not been a crafty month.  I have been quite busy with fun crafty things.  I have been doing the Maine Quilt hop which is a nice excuse to need to go to as many quilt shops as possible so I can get little treats and be able to enter contests.  As a result I have bought new fabric which I should really post about.  Sunday I go to my favorite quilt shop.  Last weekend I went to the New England Quilt show where I took a fabulous class with Angela Walters and was able to try out a long arm quilt machine.  I hope to have my own long arm quilt business someday.  I met with my quilting friends (we call ourselves "The Seam Rippers") last night and we have an all day quilt day at the end of the month.
 I have also been busy trying to make things for Stella and my niece's birthday.  Above is the first finished item I have made.

I started the doll quilts a while ago and haven't actually finished yet.  I still have to finish hand sewing the binding. The pattern is from Simple Sewn Gifts by Helen Philipps.  I did finish the softie today.  I have always wanted to make one.  It is isn't perfect but I am on a schedule (the birthdays are next week) and it is my first.  But I really love it.  I found this pattern and the fabric is from my stash. 

After I finish the other bunny and doll quilts, I want to make Stella a dress and bonnet for her birthday.  I have the fabric cut out so I think I may possibly have them done in time.  Wish me luck. 

Pretty Patchwork Gifts

I haven't been as interested in blogging as I was this past winter when I started.  But this book is so wonderful that I have to share.  Pretty Patchwork Gifts by Helen Philipps arrived last week.  The houses on the cover are so adorable.   I thought I would show a few other projects that are on the top of my list.  I wouldn't call them favorites because really I think all of the projects are my favorites.

These pillows are so sweet they kill me.

And I love this stocking.  We don't have handmade Christmas stockings so I really need to get started.  I want to make the stocking from Simple Sewn Gifts but I think I will make this one too.

There is so much more in the book.  I really want to try to make a doll or stuffed animal this year.  there is really cute mouse and doll in the book.  And there are adorable bunnies too.  

Currently I am working on two doll quilts from Simple Sewn Gifts.  One quilt is for my daughter and the other is for my niece.  They both have birthdays at the end of the month.  I have the quilt tops sewn and right now I am making the cross stitch patches to go on it.  I am really enjoying cross stitch this go around.  I miss counted a little bit but where these are so small it doesn't really matter.  I can't wait to see what these will look like on the quilt. 

  I will leave you with some pictures from our beach adventure this morning.  We are lucky to be only a few miles from the beach.  It is a beautiful spring day here but at the beach this morning it was very cold and windy.  We all loved it and it felt really good to get outside.

Easter Wrap Up

 Phew... All my Easter sewing was finished just in time.  I finished Luke's Easter shirt Friday night.  Sadly I don't think he will ever wear it.  He wanted a pink shirt.  I thought that was fine.  My husband has pink dress shirts.  I used the Oliver and S sketchbook pattern.  I made view B but I really should have used the view A collar.  The view B collar with the pink fabric makes it look like Luke is wearing a shirt of Stella's.  The fabric is from Posy.  I didn't take a picture of him in it because I just wasn't crazy about it.  I still would have let him wear it on Easter if he wanted to but he was requesting a long sleeve shirt.  So I had him wear his explorer vest that I made him with a long sleeve green shirt I bought at Target last spring.  I am just calling this shirt good practice.

I made his sweater vest in less than two weeks;. It was going to go over the pink shirt but maybe I'll make him some other shirts in the fall to go with it.   It was so nice to knit a quick project.  Details are on Ravelry.  I was much more happy with this though I think it too looks a little more like something for Stella than for Luke.

Here they are right before we are about to leave for our Easter festivities.  The weather was beautiful but cool so Stella needed a shirt, tights, and a sweater to wear with her dress.  They are holding their stuffed animals that the Easter Bunny brought them. 

Now I have to get going on birthday presents for Stella and her cousin though I am tempted to finish Luke's quilt top. 

I am linking up with Plum and June over on from Pixels to Patchwork