Decisions, Decisions

Can you guess what the question is?

I finished basting the kiddo's intended sleeping bag / quilt -- though I have no idea how I'm going to finish it (giant zipper? binding and massive snaps? ties?), and started quilting it. Because it's been so long since I've actually quilted, and because this is kind of a 'use up the orphan blocks' project, I decided to play around a little instead of focusing on getting it done.

It's bee a challenge to feed the quilt through the machine over and over again, but I'm doing more of a 'doodle' style quilt so far than what I'm used to. It's fun, but tiring.

Since my machine needs a trip to the shop for a check up again soon, I'm tempted to try dropping the feed dogs again and see if that helps me doodle a little better. If my feed dogs came back up properly, it'd be easier to consider...

BUT

despite all the fun I'm having doodling and the fact that I'd really like to get this one done, there's something else calling my name:

This lovely little pile of fabric is the beginning of a quilt I need to make in the next 20 weeks. That sounds like a long time, but not if my feed dogs aren't working or if my machine is off at a shop for even a couple weeks. So maybe I need to be working on this project first -- or plan on piecing this project on my back up machine?

The Hazelwood charm pack, low volume bundle, and Wonderland (Rifle Paper Co / Cotton + Steel) yardage are all for the same planned quilt. If everything goes as I hope, it'll be something a little bit like this:

I've actually never made a 'flying geese' type quilt or block before, but I don't anticipate it being too challenging. I think the biggest challenge for me is going to be keeping all the seams lined up as I piece the top together!

My rough math suggests that I'll use most of the Hazelwood charms for the geese, and that this bundle is only the beginning of the low volume I'll need for the background. My plan is to make the geese, then cut the low volume into the size I need, and get my design wall into play before I do anything else!

My goal is for the Wonderland yardage to be the backing for this quilt. I'm thinking a black and white stripe binding -- but it might need to be less bold to go with the top. Maybe a light blue or gray stripe instead of the black?

So, the question is, do I keep quilting, or start pushing towards work in progress #20
-- surely that's not right, let me check -- Nope, I've actually finished some. If I start this it will be Work in Progress # 14. That's still utterly overwhelming... but better than I thought!

Welcome Baby Packages...

Welcome Baby C #2!!

Two of my favorite people just welcomed their second child -- a little bit ahead of schedule, but apparently fit as a fiddle. I haven't quite finished her 'welcome' package, but I've asked for a lot of help this weekend so I can wrap it up and get it in the mail as soon as possible!

I'd still like to add a thing or two... more on the book/toy scale than the hand made or hand-me-down end of things, but here's the beginning:

Recognize the quilt? My wonky star sampler seemed perfect for this little one, so I didn't bother making her a quilt all of her own.

Or... maybe I did. The other quilt/blanket isn't much to talk about, just some scraps of flannel quilted to a scrap basket piece of fleece, but experience has taught me this is a great combination (the much nicer looking quilt like this a friend gave us is a favorite). Experience has also taught me that it is handy to have a blanket or two you don't care about -- for picnics, use in strollers, or those late night baby can't stop puking trips to the ER.

Of course a hooded towel, a couple of toys, and some clothes -- some new, some hand me downs.

Not pictured, there's a sleep sack, a couple more toys, and two terry cloth backed bibs.

I had hoped to make a new quilt for this baby -- but when she turned out to be a she, I let myself take the easier way out. I'll have to make another for the planned upon baby #3 (no matter the gender), but hopefully by then I'll be able to take a little more time to work on projects!



I've been working on a couple other welcome baby packages as well. All these new babies are keeping me busy, and emptying my stash of baby quilts! I'm also making lots of bibs, including some extra large ones for my house!

Here's hoping I can get one more hooded towel done asap -- I want those other welcome baby packages in the mail before the babies arrive!

July Check-In

Wow. It's July again.

In a few days, I'll have a one year old.

Wow.

I'm so not ready. And yet, every day is more fun than the last. So maybe I am.

Meanwhile, sometime soon -- when I never know -- I'll be going to the post office. Hopefully Monday or Tuesday, as these are quite overdue in the mail!

Blocks headed out, birthday presents headed out, and hand-me-on clothes headed out. And three more packages to wrap up and for sending or delivering.

And yes, I got to quilt a little today too. But I can't show you any progress.

Because the noticeable parts are all currently under a fluffy bottom that has no interest in moving from his lovely new spot.

Binding is ready to go on, but I guess that will wait until next weekend! There's no rush on this one, unless I want to ship it overseas... But I keep being told there will be a stateside visit at some point, so that's my target date for finishing. It's just my closest to a finish, and I had high hopes for getting one crossed off the ever growing list of unfinished / works in progress!

Welcome Baby O!

Just a little something I'm sending out to carry my best wishes to some friends and their soon-to-arrive baby.

Getting a good photo of the set was impossible-thanks to wind that blustered up every time I went outside with the camera.

I am so thrilled to be sending my semi-sampler quilt off to them. Although I didn't sent out to make it for anyone, the moment I learned the news I began thinking that this was really meant to be shared with them. As I finished up, I just couldn't shake the idea that it really belonged with them instead. With the help of a mutual college friend - who happened to room with us each at one time or another- this little set (along my best hopes and wishes) is headed to the upcoming baby shower.

I worked with pearl snaps for the first time as the finishing touch for the two coordinating bibs. Installing them should have been about as easy as any other snap but I did manage to put a small crack in one of them! Despite using layers of padding between the tool and snap just to be safe. The crack was small and almost disappeared after the first wash (to rid cat hair and ensure the snaps are decently set) so I'm hoping it will hold up for a while at least! They do look good - I just wish they'd installed a little easier.

Welcome Baby S II Package

My initial plan for this being smaller than the Welcome Baby C Package may have failed ...

Here's the vast majority of the loot - though the hooded towel was still in the works (as I happen to know this mother prefers my mom's way of making them, so I 'hired out' to get that one right).


I was initially going to keep it very small - just the quilt and a couple outfits (see below) and a couple books. That sounds innocent enough...

Baby S #2's mom isn't big on pinks, princesses, or the super girly stuff it's so easy to find, so I started out with a neutral quilt (started before I knew Baby S #2's gender). When I learned the gender, it was fairly easy to add some navy and red outfits - which coordinate well with the quilt.

I did "accidentally" buy a pink and purple bunny ear jacket (you can kind of see it in the first picture). I am not sure Mom S is going to appreciate that one quite as much as I do, but I always tell people that they can return anything they don't want (I'll store it away for future packages or maybe my future kid). And I won't be sad if this one comes back - especially since I know I'm pushing the envelope with the pink...

And yes, those onesies, socks, and the tshirt have all hopped into my cart over the last year (some more recently than others), and they were just begging to join in this package.

I'd really hoped to send a different set of books, but they were more or less impossible to get my hands on by the time I got around to ordering them. Next time? Order the books early if you have to shop online! So, while none of these books are what I set out to get, I still think I picked some good ones that I'm excited about.

• The Matchbox Diary - This one was new to me, but such a wonderful story - not just for the interesting tale of immigration, but also for the rather sweet idea of how to keep a diary without writing. I had a hard time giving this one away... 
• The Paper Bag Princess - Since Mom S does not approve of the run of the mill princesses, I thought I'd give this one a try. 
• Blueberries for Sal - All my life I've been told how wonderful this book was, and all my life I turned my nose up at it because it was a little too simple/boring. Now that I'm an adult, shopping for someone younger than I was when I had my first chance at reading this one, I can see why it was so popular. It was cute - and color coordinated to the quilt - but what really sold me were the pages where the (spoiler alert) mothers turn around to find each other's children behind them. I loved the little bit there about each of them being wise enough to know even a little bear/human could be trouble. 
• Gossie - This was thanks to a recommendation from my sister-in-law and brother-in-law who brought this set of books to my attention. This was the only one of the set I saw in the store, but it's super cute.  
• Baby Farm Animals - I think everyone knows this classic, in fact, I'm a little afraid I may have already sent it to this family for their first child... but it's still a good one! 

Going with the 'no pink' thing here for Mom S... The dotty fabric up top was originally purchased to be part of Baby S II's older brother's quilt, so it feels like it's gone full circle. The rest is kind of scrappy, but I just really wanted to include the robot fabric. Not girly at all (though no one here is saying girls can't like robots!) but the robots and the navy dots make me think of all kinds of space adventure things... 

I love this quilt so much. The fabric line is just adorable - and I think it's perfect for a baby. Well, really, I think it's perfect period, but I really like it for a baby anyway.

Throw in a few things for Mom, Dad, and Big Brother N, and a few toys (see the first picture), the denim quilt so the family has something larger for those beach trips, and I think I'm done. I sealed up the first of the two boxes immediately upon taking these things inside. And trust me, the box is full!

Sadly, there's just no way for me to take these to Mom S in person - much as I'd love to!

WBSII Package Sneak Peek

And headed to the post office today - assuming I'm back from work in time!

And double check which address to mail to...


Nope. Missed the post office closing time by thirty minutes. Guess I'll try again Wednesday... 

Not-Halloween Package

It's been a while since I've sent anything to Laura and Agent N - but I figure the time between Halloween and Thanksgiving is just about perfect for showering them with some unexpected sweets.

I almost included the basket - but I figure I'll at least hold onto it until the spring package.

It's much easier to send packages during the holidays - coming up with a random happy June package can be difficult (though I think I have this coming June under control already).

It's nothing special, but hopefully it brightened her day - especially important now that the days seem so much shorter. I don't know about where she is, but here's it's dark by 5. Which means lots of candles and lots of hot chocolate - for me, I figure candles aren't so good for an almost-two-year-old.

Finally Headed Out!

Headed to the post office today.

Progress

Welcome Baby C Package - Finished and delivered to the C family 

• Wonky Stacked Coin Quilt
• Teddy Bear Blanket
• Terry cloth bibs
• Hooded Towels
• Bath Apron 
• etc. 

April Showers/May Flowers I and II Quilts - Finished

Washed and completely finished. And both still at my house.

Improvised Jungle Blocks Quilt

Blocks have been squared up, but I'm still searching for sash fabric.


Pansy Patch Project

Still slowing piecing the blocks.

Half-Square "Procrastination" Quilt

Basted. 
Still needs: quilted, bound, washed. Quilting will be held up waiting on machine repairs. 

Rainbow Road Quilt

Sketching out more solid plans for the pattern and beginning to collect fabric. Practicing making stars.

Patchwork Quilts
1. Backward progress: unpicking three rows of blocks.
2. Cutting fabric and waiting for my good machine to be back.

Waiting to Start:

• Cover for Singer machine
• Teddy Bear Blanket II
• 'Love' themed cross stitch
• Holiday Projects

Welcome Baby C Package

Alright, after a little more than a year-and-a-half of working on this Welcome Package, it's done and given away. And yes, I do usually start collecting things before I know I'll be needing them. Which is one reason I try to only buy things I'd use if I don't find the right person having a baby to give them to. It's also part of why I only buy things when they're on sale. 

Fitting everything in one picture was nearly impossible - which may mean I went a little overboard. 

While most everything is 'from me' to Mom/Baby C, one or two things from my husband to Dad/Baby C snuck into the pile. Want to guess which things? 

Hint:

I'm a big believer in books. As much as the outfits are adorable and I've loved making hooded towels and quilts, books are where I'd spend my whole budget if I'm not careful.

I have a list of books I know are something I can rely on, but I spend hours reading in the children's section of libraries and book stores to add to the list. Giraffes Can't Dance and Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing are probably my favorites from this set. 

Most of the hand made items that went into the package:

Two hooded towels, two flannel/terry wipes, one flannel wipe, a towel/apron for Mom and Dad (not pictured), a small minky blanket, a flannel/bear blanket, a quilt, and four terry cloth backed bibs.

I also put in a few little things for Mom and Dad.

Staying with me? The adorable dress I bought for Baby C. Why? Her grandmother bought the same dress, in the same size and already gave it to them! One very good reason I try never to pick up something I wouldn't mind keeping!

So, all in all:

• The Wonky Stacked Coin Quilt I started before Baby C was conceived
• Teddy Bear/Flannel blanket
• Minky-back blanket
• 4 bibs
• 2 hooded towels
• 1 bath apron
• 5 books
• 1 stuffed elephant 
• 1 set of Lots Of Links 
• 10 outfits: 5 onesies, 1 sleep sack, 1 footie onesie, 1 hoodie + pants, 2 3-piece sets. Not all of these are pictured. Because I bought some more after taking these photos. Even those I said I was done. Whoops.
• 1 small candle, 1 small lotion, 1 small body wash, 1 bottle sparkling pear, 1 pair knee socks, 1 Burt's Bees lip gloss 
• 1 elephant shaped picture frame
• 1 set tights/headband 
• 3 drawstring bags, 1 large bag
• 1 Disney movie (also not pictured)

Yeah, I think I'm just a little excited to meet Baby C, what do you think? 

My 3rd Quilt: Wonky Stacked Coin Revealed!

Now that this quilt is happily with the C Family, I finally feel like I can share more than just occasional sneak peeks of it.

I'm rather in love with this quilt, and it took me a long time to get to this revelation phase - so I'm going to celebrate it with lots of photos!

From start (in June 2011)

The very beginning

Ready to fold into hiding while the C's were here

My first diy bias tape binding

Front

Back

To finish (in March 2012)

Washed

I adore each and every piece of fabric that got used - and I couldn't be happier with how they work together. It's quilted in organic lines with multi-colored brown/tan/cream thread on the body, and a multi-shaded green thread on top of the binding. Yes, I love multi-shade threads, and I have five spools of it in various shades. 

I'm in love. I hope Baby C and her family like it as much as I do. 

Wrapped and Ready to Go!

I officially finished the Welcome Baby C Package last week. Well, I say 'officially' but there's no closing ceremony or anything. More like, I refuse to let myself go shopping between taking pictures and heading to see the C Family.

Which also means these photos were taken during the hours when I was supposed to be packing for our trip to see the C Family. Last time I thought it was done I picked up two more outfits (there was a sale, and I caved) and another item from the registry (also on sale).

When I took these photos, I was still debating which April Showers/May Flowers quilt to give away. I debated right up until the moment we left (the next morning at 5:30 a.m.). Spoiler alert: I still have both. But upon seeing Baby C's nursery, I don't feel too bad - she's already got three quilts and at least seven crocheted blankets, and a comforter. So I'll keep holding on to April/May I and II. Maybe even long enough to use for futurekid. Or maybe just for me.

Progress

Improvised Jungle Blocks Quilt

Not quite sure where I'm going with these yet - whether I'll square them up or not. I'm hoping the plan for these will continue to grow as I play with layouts and determine a sash fabric. Sadly, I can't get my hands on any yardage, so it's precuts and stash to make this happen...


Wonky Stacked Coin Quilt

Finished - unless I decide to re-do the binding. Headed to Baby C in July.

April Showers/May Flowers I and II Quilts

Both are quilted and ready to wash

Pansy Patch Project

Some progress. All the pieces for the pansy faces are cut, and some of the petal pieces are sewn together.

Half-Square "Procrastination" Quilt

Needs: basted, quilted, bound, washed. Batting in on sale next week, so I'm hoping to wrap this up in the next week or two. 

Monkeys and Bananas Quilt

Finished and given away! 

Teddy Bear Blanket

Finished. Headed to Baby C in July. 

Terry Cloth Bibs

I have snaps, just haven't quite figured out how to attach them yet...

Welcome Baby C Package

I think all I need to do is finish the bibs and package everything.




Looks like I'm nearly out of projects... which is odd, because that's not how I feel at all! I do have several waiting to be started including two quilts and something to cover my sewing machine when it's not in use. All on the plan for this weekend and next week - assuming things go as planned (haha).