Sunday, November 29, 2015

Baby Girl Quilt


A few weeks ago my daughter and son-in-law drove from the Dallas area for a weekend, and presented my husband and me with a gift bag containing this little item. After about five seconds of "oh that's cute" then "wait, does this mean...?", we both started crying tears of joy! It was totally unexpected and very welcome news. "Baby Divided" on the onesie represents their universities - University of Oklahoma (hers) and Texas Tech (his). As of today she is 21 weeks pregnant and due in April, and they recently shared the news that it is a baby girl!


Our daughter and son-in-law with T-shirts that tell the story.


I had dreamed about what kind of quilt she would like and was prepared to show her many ideas, but she chose simple blocks with fabrics she loved. Most of the fabrics are organic, and all of them are gorgeous.


I am in love with the backing she chose - Pat Bravo's Ditsy Radiance from the Nouvelle collection. I included a few blocks of it on the front of the quilt to add much-needed low volume.



She loves birdies and was delighted to see them on these Birch organics.



The squares are 4-1/2 inches, and the finished size is 36 x 45.


She wanted a quilt like one she found and loved on Etsy, so I researched the fabrics and identified all of them. Only one was discontinued, and I couldn't find it anywhere. She chose Art Gallery's Bunny Binkies Funk Metallic as a substitute, and she loves the bunnies.


I marked the center of each block, made a little "orange peel" template, and painstakingly quilted orange peels with my walking foot. I love how they look on the back. The binding is Pat Bravo's Hypnotic Paramour in Rose.


They were here again the day after Thanksgiving and I finished the quilt the day before they arrived. She left it with me because she wants my label on it. I will update with a picture of her with her quilt when she returns at Christmas.

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Harvest Button Napkin Rings


Sometimes when I'm in my closet gazing at fabric, I glance over at my yarn stash and feel sorry for the yarns waiting for the projects for which they were intended. This week I decided to get moving with these harvest button napkin rings (free pattern by Jennifer Dickerson). Measuring about 2" x 6" and stitched with a "K" (6.5 mm) hook, they come together quickly and utilize half double crochet stitches. Just add a button to finish.


From my stash I chose Vanna's Choice (Lion Brand) yarn in the harvest colors of rust, beige, mustard, honey, chocolate, and purple.


My crochet muscles are a bit unpracticed, but I really enjoyed the familiar rhythm of crocheting while I watched TV.


For the buttons I Modge-Podged bits of fussy-cut fabric onto plain buttons (the cutting wasn't too fussy - I think a ragged edge looks cute) and let them dry overnight. I used a tapestry needle and wiggled it around slightly to open up the holes through the hardened fabric. Then I secured the buttons to the rings with a needle threaded with matching yarn.

These are a gift for a friend -I hope they arrive in time for Thanksgiving!

Here is an excellent video on how to make these napkin rings!