Pillowcase Challenge

I recently participated in a pillowcase challenge for the Seattle Children's Hospital sponsored by Over The Rainbow quilt shop.  I made four pillowcases using the free pattern from YouCanMakeThis.com.

They turned out great - I love the puppy dog ones!

Here is a PDF of the pattern - enjoy!

Pillowcase Challenge Directions - PDF

Kortney's Baby Shower

My sister is expecting a little boy this November.  I am throwing her a big ol' baby shower this July in Omaha, Nebraska.  I have been busy with the details and just finished up the party favors (Burt's Bees lip gloss).

It should be a great time - I cannot wait!

Quilt-Fest 2010: The Green Quilt

My mom visited this May for a week of quilting.  We get together each year for a week of quilting, quilting, and more quilting.  The tradition started a few years ago when my mom was visiting me in Milwaukee.  We had originally planned on spending the week in Chicago, but got snowed in.  I had been working on a new quilt, and we decided to get more fabric and each make a quilt. And the tradition was born - now each year we make identical quilts.

This year we used a monochromatic kit from Patched Works in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  The pattern is called In and Out by Blue Underground.  The kit included all the fabric, except for the backing.

Here is my mom laying out all of her squares with the help of my cat, Sylvia.  I have yet to finish my squares....I will keep you posted!

My Very First Quilt

This is my very first quilt.  I stared it during Christmas break of my freshman year at college and believe it was finished in 2002.  What improvements I have made since this quilt - it was cut using a scissors and I only had a hand-drawn pattern.  I purchased the material at Joanne's in Ames, Iowa.  I remember cutting squares until I ran out of fabric...it ended it being a pretty good sized quilt, considering the lack of planning!

The quilt was long-arm quilted by Donna Putnam in Dow City, Iowa who had a machine for her own personal use. Although the fabric colors would not be my first choice again, I love this quilt and use it everyday while watching TV.

Blue Bow Tie Quilt

I made this quilt sometime between 2002 and 2006 for my boyfriend at the time (now, my husband).  This quilt is using a bow tie pattern I found years ago on the internet.  I made two of these quilts - one for my husband and one for my grandpa.  The pattern was really easy...the challenge was finding enough blue fabrics in the small town where we lived. If I were to do it again, I would stick with either cream or white accent colors, but not both.

I originally tied the quilt, but had it long-arm quilted by Patched Works in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2009.  I would love to try the pattern again someday...assuming I could find that piece of paper with the pattern on it...

Quilting Aprons

A couple of years ago, I brought home a project to complete with my mom over the Christmas holiday.  It was a kit for quilting aprons from Patched Works in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  All of the ladies who work at Patched Works wear these cute aprons.  Unfortunately, this project was so difficult!  It took us two or three days to complete just two aprons.  There were times when we would die laughing because we couldn't figure out which fabric was for which part of the apron, or where to sew on the pockets...it was hilarious.

Even with the challenges, the finished product is very handy.  I cannot help smiling when I think about what a difficult time we had completing it.  I remember my dad after finally finishing them saying, "those sure took you a long time"....touche, dad, touche.

Tote Bag

I recently made a tote bag using a pattern from Quilts Illustrated by Penny Sturges.  This pattern is so easy to use - I would highly recommend the project for any skill level.  I have always struggled with "3D" projects, versus two-dimensional quilts, but had no problem with this pattern.  Obviously, I cannot say enough good things about it!

The fabric I selected was Urban Couture by Basic Grey for Moda. My favorite fabric turned out to be the inside lining, so I may have to make another bag featuring that fabric.

I have yet to decide if I am going to give it as a gift or keep it for myself...either way I am pretty proud of it!