Finished! Sew New to Me VQB Quilt!

Here she is! I had the month of January for the Sew New to Me vqb on Flickr and its finally done! Wow, only took me 2 months... I think thats a new record for me! hehe
Each of the girls made me 1 or 2 blocks out of my selected fabric, mailed them back to me... then I squared up each block to 20" stitched them into rows, and voila! Final measurement is about 80" by 80."

Here are closeups of each block, thanks to all my girls! They're all unique, and fabulous!

Thank the Lord we had just perfect weather today! Sunny and about 70 degrees... therefore I felt obligated to take lots of photos.

Closeup of free-motion stippling, only took me 3 days to complete. Yes, another record for me!

And the back, pieced from scraps that I was willing to NOT keep for my stash:

The solids in this quilt are Kona Coal, Ash, Grass Green, and Cactus. Oddly enough, I didn't purchase enough Kona Ash the first time around, so I got half way through squaring up the blocks and ran out... so I go to Joanns and bought more... of course its a slightly different shade of Coal since its a different batch. You can hardly tell in these photos, I think. I've learned my lesson though. Thats what I get for not having a full fledged plan from the beginning.

I used an organic cotton/bamboo blend batting, which is a bit of a splurge (especially for this size of a quilt) but SOOOO worth it! Its soft, and washes well. I hope it lasts for a hundred years...

All folded and yummy:

I couldn't decide on just one fabric for the binding, so I bought all 3:
Amy Butler - Full Moon Polka Dot
Michael Miller - Ta-dot
Heather Bailey - Nicey Jane, Welcome Road in Olive

I love it all - and I'm so happy its done before baby arrives. I'm really quite proud of myself for knocking this out!

All washed up and crinkly.... In its new home:

And Hazel approves :-)

I plan on using this quilt every chance I get. Do you blame me? It will go on vacation to Norris Lake (Tennessee) in June... and probably on many a picnic.

So, what have you been dying to finish, but just haven't gotten around to yet?
Whatever it is - off you go! You can do it!

I might be able to post one more time before baby arrives. Yes, I think I might.... but then again, no promises!

40 Weeks + a final sneak peek

What else can I say? Today is my "due date" but nothing to indicate baby plans on arriving soon. But I'm fine with it... just chillaxin' at home, finishing a few last minute projects, and watching way too much tv. I'm quite enjoying it! Tomorrow my midwife will check to see if things are starting to get going, to put it mildly. And if I were to actually go out today (which I'm not) this is the outfit I'd wear, for sure. So comfy...

And I haven't forgotten - photos of the nursery! I'm so close, just one final project then I'll be ready to take pics. So sorry I'm set on having it "done" before revealing it... just how I'm wired. Can't help it. Its not that the baby's room is spectacular, couture, thrilling, stunning, or any other completely over-the-top descriptive. Its fairly simple, gender neutral... handmade, possibly even frugal although Justin may not agree with me. (But it SO is!) I want it to be photographed as a complete room, not with the mobile missing. Sue me. :-)

Here's what's kept my hands busy since Sunday night: 360 inches of binding! Woohooo!

Tomorrow I plan to photograph this baby in full - oh yeah - I'm excited! Binding is now done (as of 15 minutes ago) and I've draped it across the couch so I can drool over it a bit more... I can't believe its all ours to keep forever and ever! See you tomorrow, unless baby boy changes my plans!

Quilty Goodness *Sneak Peek*

Quilt:
80" square
16 blocks total
yummy pieced back
hopefully done being quilted by Saturday evening...
I'm ambitious, I realize...

On the Hook Today

This lovely little (soon to be BIG) granny square blanket will be making its home in our living room - I can't wait! This is the first afghan made by me, for OUR home! I'm using a somewhat lighter weight Bernat Baby yarn due to a) I can buy it in a huge 12.3 oz skein and b) the color Boo Moon goes perfectly with my decor. Hey, baby sport yarn can be used in other things besides baby blankets, right?

In progress: (besides a bun in the oven thats almost done baking) my Sew New to Me VQB QUILT is going to be basted tomorrow and then I can start quilting it, probably some free-motion meandering.... to make it nice and sturdy as I plan on keeping this quilt for EVER then passing it on to our kids some day when they're old and married. Or maybe just bequeath it to them in the will. Hmmmm... would I even be able to part with it?

So, what are you working on? Crochet, quilt, clothing or otherwise???

New to Me: HEXAGONS!

Here's my first meager attempt at 1.5" hexagons! I had to scrounge around my scraps for pieces large enough to use (3.5" squares) but I'm now up to almost 20 finished hexies... they are quite easy to make, and keep my hands nice and busy while watching TV.

Wanna learn more about these darling little six-sided cuties? Check out what Melanie

{Texas Freckles}, Christina {The Sometimes Crafter}, and Ashley (Film in the Fridge) have already shared, including lots of useful tools, tips, and more - Here - Here - and Here.

Also - Melanie started a Flickr Group for a Hexagon Charm Quilt Piece-Along. DO check it out! Can you image making 1,173 (1") hexagons to make a 51" x 61" quilt?! Its mind boggling, but oh so tempting to try!

One thing I did learn: when they say 1" hex or 1.5" hex or what have you... thats the measurement of ONE of the six sides, good to know, eh? I'm making 1.5" hexagons and they're not near as teeny-tiny (aka scary) as I thought they'd be. So off you go! Learn to make these little buggers and you may have a healthy new addiction!

Bee Blocks for One Shabby Chick!

Here are my two blocks for Amber of One Shabby Chick. She wanted Denyse Schmidt-esque blocks, which I've never attempted before, but I really like how they turned out! For the {Bee}autiful VQB.

Tomorrow... my first go at HEGAXONS! (many thanks to Melanie!)

38 Weeks!

In just a few weeks (give or take) I'll be losing this belly and gaining a son! My due date is March 30th, I can hardly believe its almost here! Today was my last day of full-time employment so now my plans are to relax, take care of some last minute details, and SEW to my hearts content... or as long as my poor swollen feet will allow. (I look like I belong in the Shire!)

I'm still working on squaring up these blocks to 20" then I hope to have the time to at least turn them into a finished quilt top. Basting and quilting... ummm... we'll see! I'd be extremely happy if I could finish it.... but I know thats not necessarily realistic.

And after I was done taking the belly shot - Hazel kept sitting there so I took advantage of the moment~ Cheers!

For Baby On-The-Go

From the Retro Mod collection called {Groovy Guitars in Lagoon}

Another sewing project to cross off my list! Thanks to Hannah's wonderful tutorial, it was a breeze to whip up! And take note: its a car seat CANOPY, not a tent :-)

Solid Kona in Cactus

Folded back for when baby wants to see the world and get his or her chubby cheeks pinched by your hairdresser, lady behind you at the grocery store, or gym pals. I used Kona Cotton for the reverse side since my boy will be a summertime baby... no need for flannel or fleece. Also doubles as a play mat while out and about! Adorable, no?

~ Meet Scottie ~

This is Scottie, baby's newest (and coolest!) stuffed animal! My friend, Jan, sewed it up and gave it to me in an innocent-enough looking gift bag. I opened it and (scaring my husband) squealed with delight! I've seen these Scottie Dogs all over Flickr and various blogs... and now I know where to find a pattern; Denyse Schmidt! Although... take note, DS did not CREATE the idea of this puppy but saw it in a "popular woman's magazine" and no one actually knows where the original pattern came from. They're just so fun and PERFECT for a nursery or kids room. Even Hazel loves her new buddy, as you can see, they're about the same size.

So now that you have the (free!) pattern - go whip one up, and I might just do the same in a smaller size so Scottie has a mini-me for on-the-go...

Friday Finish!

Ok, I actually finished this last Saturday while watching the Olympics, but "Friday Finish" sounds better, huh? This will be baby's first afghan! Its so soft and cuddly I may stick it in the diaper bag to go to the hospital too. All yarn is from Joanns (Bernat Baby Sport) and the variegated blue is my favorite! I saw yesterday that its also in pink and a few other colors which is good to know. AND Bernat now makes it in a big skein.... which I usually go for instead of the tiny skeins.

As I've noted in other posts, I used two different stitches... alternating a Front Post Double Crochet and a Back Post Double Crochet for that super cozy waffle-weave type look. Finished size is about 30" x 40".

I edged the entire blanket with about 4 rows of single crochet stitches... and have I said I LOVE this blanket? Erm, afghan... I think my new little one will love it too :-)
Now, who wants to teach me how to knit????

36 Weeks + a Sneak Peek

I'm in the home stretch... 36 weeks today! I'm really excited to meet this little Mr. soon, and we're nearly ready for him finally! The *big* baby shower was this past Sunday (thanks Amanda, Aimee, and Carla for all your work on it) so we now have the essentials such as an infant carrier, diaper bag, and Moby Wrap, amongst other goodies! The nursery is coming along nicely as the curtains are hung, fabric is waiting to be turned into a crib skirt, and the following little guys:

...will also be part of the nursery... yummy-ness for sure! (More on these birdies soon!)

So what's that one WIP you're just dying to work on or finish??? What are you waiting for - off you go! NO time like the present~