On Vacation...

Even though it seems like I've just started blogging I'm ready to take a break.  I'll be spending the next 3 weeks in Florida Keys with my family.  I'm just hoping the weather will cooperate, I'm counting on spending lots of time reading in a lounge chair. 

Since I won't be doing any quilting I thought I'd share something I made earlier this year with Key Largo in mind.  I made this using 2 Neptune jellyrolls and Crazy Mom Quilts tutorial.  I quilted it on the longarm with a seashell pantograph.

I was going to do a pieced back with a zig zag across the middle but decided to use the leftovers to make a baby quilt.  I hate to waste a single piece of Neptune: )  I tried using Quilter's Dream Orient in this quilt.  It's a blend of bamboo, silk, and cotton and has become my new favorite batting.  It doesn't get as crinkly as Quilter's Dream cotton but it has wonderful drape.  I highly recommend giving it a try!

Design Wall Wednesday

More Holiday Quilting

I know I always say this but I absolutely fell in love with Riley Blake's Be Merry holiday fabric when I saw it last year.  It's so me, a pink & green Christmas!  As usual, I bought a ton and stuffed it in a bin.  Then this summer I participated in a Christmas in July workshop and decided to pull this out and use it.  My initial plan was to make 2 throw size quilts for my kids but as I kept adding rows I realized they would be extremely long skinny quilts.  Inspiration struck and I split one in half added the polka dot strips to the entact quilt and then attached the halves to either side.  It turned out big enough for a queen size bed.  Since I was "only" doing straight line quilting in the ditch on each stripe I figured I'd do it at home on my Bernina rather than using the longarm.  I don't think I'll be trying that again, especially in August!  The words were raw edge appliqued in the center after the quilt was quilted.  I also made a couple of matching pillowcases to finish off the look.  Now we just have to decide which bed it will warm: )

What's on my Design Wall?

Holiday Decorating

I was so excited to get my holiday decorations out.  I actually made this last year but didn't have it done in time to hang so this is it's debut.  The pattern is Lucy Goosey in 3D from MBS done with basic grey/figgy pudding.  I was especially pleased with my quilting.  I spent lots of time drawing holly and then practicing before I finally just went for it and free motion quilted the borders and sashing.  I used a metallic gold thread that gives it some sparkle.