Quilt for Mom D.N

I picked up a charm pack, Fandango by Moda and discovered when sewn together on their own,  it doesn't amount to much of a quilt. I combined it with a soft cotton and came up with this. I have attempted to hand quilt from time to time and always ended up tearing it out and resorted to simple lines on the sewing machine. This time I persevered and kept up with the stitching and am happy with the results. I didn't quilt the border and left it loose...next time I would quilt more lines but I lost my gusto. However, I really enjoyed making Christmas presents this year and hope that next year I will continue. It was busy trying to get everything done but well worth the effort!

Coasters and a mini quilt in progress

I got a new sewing machine for Christmas and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! My old machine chugged away, slipping and faltering over thick laters of a quilt sandwhich, had no capabilities for free motion quilting, had to go! It was good while it lasted and was good for general sewing but I have always wanted to do a stipple effect on a quilt. I decided to practice on a set of coasters I made. I was in too much of a hurry to bind the little squares with a proper quilt binding so I just backed them with burlap. I am pleased with the result! I hope to deliver them to their owner (a friend who just moved in to a new to her house). By the way, I love you hun! Thank you for the wonderful present!

I love the book Whip Up Mini Quilts and absolutely love this collection of mini quilts.

So this is my first mini quilt in progress.

Quilt for Mom A.K and Quinn

I am a regular visitor to Film in the Fridge and love her simple quilts using tiny squares, especially this one!
The one shown on fitf's blog is made with yummy Echino fabric and I had really wanted to make one similar for Quinn (Ilan had 3 made for him before birth, Quinn, 0. Second child syndrome). I did end up buying Quinn some helicopter Echino fabric for his first quilt but ended up doing THIS!!! I am pretty proud!

I actually ended up using a pattern from Anna Maria Horner's book "Seams to Me". I just modified it to a smaller crib/toddler bed size. I am addicted to quilting now that I have ventured to do it properly in terms of peicing, sandwiching and basting. I used to be only brave enough to hand tie quilts. I am so enjoying the process that calls for a bit more patience on my part. I used to only sew things that took a few hours of my time. Now I can't seem to find a block of time that long so venturing down to my sewing "sauna" (more to come on this later) to do a 20 minute power sew, lends well to quilting. I now am satisfied to do a bit here and a bit there. It all gets done eventually...however slowly, I am proud to say.

Ilan Goes Skiing at 2 Years Old

Ilan will be a pro by kindergarden. Myself, I started skiing a short 6 years ago and some days still feel like a beginner. The luxery of living in a ski town is most families start em young. I was a bit nervous about the skiing thing. This event was the first time as a parent that I was worried about what we introduce to our children is something that WE want them to do as apposed to something they enjoy. I didn't want to make him do something he didn't want to do (which is quite common with 2 year olds...the not wanting to do part...), I just want him to enjoy the experience with the same exuberance he enjoys most new things. I think he had fun. He did keep repeating "mine! mine! mine!" when waiting in line for the magic carpet.

The best place to begin is at the beginning

Where do I start? I have been lost in blogland. MIA. It seems that since child number 2, Quinn, blogging about family and crafty adventures and misadventures fell by the wayside. Having a baby shortly before Ilan's second birthday kinda put things on hold. Have no fear though, I did manage to take some pictures, whip up some fun projects and keep from losing my mind. All you mothers (and fathers) will understand. I am amazed at where the time goes! Quinn is now just over 5 months. Ilan is a charming 2 and a bit. Shortly after Quinn was born in July, I figured he needed a hat. My good friend always teases me that Ilan had a toque (standard head gear for Fernie) for every day of the week. For Quinn, I couldn't buck the trend. I made this cute t-shirt hat from this tutorial from At Second Street. It fit for about a week. I cut the skier off of the tshirt I upcycled. Quinn looks like a ski bum already!




As Quinn grew older I realized that his lack of hair would necessitate many more adventures in hat making.

Or maybe just borrow Dad's new Christmas Toque.

Sleep Sack for Quinn

Some Really Cute Quilts!!