Sunday, March 17, 2024

Baby Binding


Here's the baby quilt complete with binding. I used the same fabric as the border. I usually use a 2.25" binding. I'm not sure why but that seems to be my favorite width. It's not too wide, not too thin, just right!!


I always use my walking foot when sewing a binding. I've been lazy in the past and have just used my regular quilting foot. I never really like the end result. The walking foot insures a nice flat binding.  A regular foot can sure make that binding wavy. It's so worth it to change the foot!


Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Baby Quilt Finished


 It took me two days to get this baby quilt quilted. I had a few ideas as to how I was going to quilt it but I didn't really decide until I had the quilt loaded and ready to go. The quilt measures about 49" X 56". 


I wanted to quilt an all over pattern. I didn't want it to be too dense so the quilt would remain soft. I decided on quilting these meandering loops. It's common in quilts for children and looks a bit whimsical and fun.


I quilted arcs just by following the sides of the half square triangles. I quilted 1" lines above the arcs and ribbon candy within the arcs. I quilted a series of lines in the corners. Ta-da! The quilt is completely quilted. I'm working on the binding which is the same fabric as the border. This was such a fun project to work on!
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Thursday, March 7, 2024

I Like Thursday #226


 Welcome to I Like Thursday. A bunch of us bloggers post happy and uplifting posts on a weekly basis. Visit LeeAnna over at Not Afraid of Color to link up to more like minded blogs. I just finished Block 8 of Alaska by Edyta Sitar. I have 17 more blocks to go. I'm getting more comfortable with all those pieces meeting in the middle. Every quilt teaches you something and those points in the middle is my quilt lesson.


My baby quilt is ready to load! I ironed the backing as well as the quilt top. I always like laying the top over the backing. I use math a lot but I also like to make sure everything works once the pieces are ready for loading. I'm going to free motion the whole thing except for the borders. I just need to pick a pattern. That's the hard part!!


I found Lily sleeping in her usual spot, She had her little paws crossed. She looks so cute. I just had to share!


Our prompt this week is how you experience Spring with each of your senses. Here goes:

Taste - Easter goodies, chocolates
Touch - Warm breeze, soft petals of newly blossomed flowers
See - Flowers, longer days, reawakening of nature, Peeps
Hear- Birds, motorcycles, kids outside playing

I'll probably think of more later but that's what I came up with for now!
Have a great weekend!


Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Backing Arrived!


I received the backing for the baby quilt I made. It's exactly what I wanted. The baby's name is going to be Eloise so this is just perfect! I'm going to have to piece the backing and I'll try to keep the pattern intact. I haven't pieced a backing in awhile so this may take a few tries.


I started to cross stitch the dresser scarf. It measures 14" X 35". There are 4 areas to cross stitch. I'm going to cross stitch first, then back stitch and embroidery. I'll finish each area before I move on to the next. I love cross stitching while watching TV. I've been watching a few documentaries on Netflix. They always seem to suck me in!

It's cold and damp today with drizzle. I still managed to vote. It was very quick this morning. There weren't too many people there. 

Thursday, February 29, 2024

I Like Thursday #225

How can it be time for Thursday Likes so soon?? Time goes by so fast lately. Please visit LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color to link up to more fun blogs posting happy and uplifting posts. I'm working quite diligently on my Alaska quilt. This is Block 7. The blocks measure 9.5" square. I can't believe I'm almost halfway through making the blocks for this awesome quilt. So far, so good!


I found this cute little plant at the store last week. They're called Tete a Tete daffodils. I plan on planting them outside once the weather improves. Speaking of weather, it's been so windy the last 24 hours. I had such a hard time sleeping. The wind was so noisy. It's supposed to calm down this afternoon. I was afraid of losing power but we never lost it. Sort of miraculous! It's quite a bit cooler than yesterday too. Crazy weather!!

As you can see, I'm all set for St. Patrick's Day. I brought out my spring flowers too. A dear quilting friend made me this table topper. I had never made anything for St. Patrick's day. How my friend knew that is a mystery! We're online friends so she's never been to my house. I love displaying it every year.


 I had never heard of this book but decided to read it anyway. It was wonderful! It is loosely based on the life of Martha Ballard, a midwife in New England in the 1700's. Don't miss this gem of a book! I couldn't put it down.

It's been a quiet week which is fine with me! Have a great weekend!!

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Slow Socks


 I finished my socks! The first one seemed to take forever but the second sock was quicker. They're size large since they're for my husband. I used sock yarn. The pattern is an easy knit 3 purl 1. He's already started wearing them. Before I gave them to him, I washed them and used a sock form for drying purposes. I'm now sewing down the binding on my applique quilt. More to come about that later!!

Thursday, February 22, 2024

I Like Thursday #224


 It's time for Thursday Likes! Please visit LeeAnna over at Not Afraid of Color to link up to more blogs featuring Thursday fun. I just finished this block for the Alaska quilt. It measures 9.5"square. This is one of the more difficult blocks but this is the last time I have to make 4 of this pattern. The middle block of the quilt is similar to this one but I only have to make one. I think after this, this quilt will get easier for me to complete. I hope so anyways!!


I went on a field trip this past week. The literacy volunteers and their students were treated to a trip to the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. It's in the Seaport district. I took this picture of a plane taking off from Logan Airport. The airport is just across the bay.

This is my student studying the different forms of art on display. It's an interesting place to visit. The exhibit we saw featured artists from the Caribbean. It's amazing to see the different perspectives out in the world. It was really fun to see. Also, most of the students on the trip were from various countries around the world and I enjoyed hearing their opinions. 


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My son and I had a joint birthday party this past weekend. These are the cakes my husband had made for us. They were so good. I made sure Ben took his home. One cake in the house is bad enough but two cakes is too tempting for me!! We had a nice celebration for the both of us. I'll post pictures of my gifts at some point. I got lots of nice stuff!!

Have a wonderful weekend! Stay warm!!



Baby Binding

Here's the baby quilt complete with binding. I used the same fabric as the border. I usually use a 2.25" binding. I'm not sure ...