Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Blogger's Quilt Festival, #2


AmysCreativeSide.com
 
This is my second entry to the Blogger's Quilt Festival.

Thank you Amy from AmysCreativeSide for hosting and coordinating this amazing event.


This is my first Angel Quilt.  I made it to sell, and donate all of the profits to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  I am part of a group of family & friends called Joshua's Angels. The group name was created for the team walking in the Great Strides Walk for Cystic Fibrosis.  Joshua is a 5yr old boy, diagnosed with CF at 11 days old.
One weekend, while he was in the hospital for an infection he could not shake, I was feeling very helpless. I came up with the idea to make quilts and sell them to benefit him.  It would be my way of helping a little bit more.  With this quilt I was able to donate $110 to CFF.

 


 
It is machine pieced and quilted by me.  Measures approximately 45"x54". Made of 100% cotton, with 100% organic cotton batting.  The patchwork top is Comma by Zen Chic for Moda. The border, Kona Bone. The binding, Kona Tangerine.  It is backed in a moss green, with an almost paisley-like print, from Joanns.
 

Is he not the cutest kid ever?? And with my favorite quilt, makes these pictures all the more special to me.

 
He is an amazing little boy with a huge heart. With a family that is doing all they can to find a cure for him.
 
I ended up making a second quilt just like this one, but a different patchwork layout.  It was to be given to Joshua's family the day of the walk, but I was unable to finish it.  What ended up happening, a long, complicated story, is that I gave this quilt to them.  They were so suprised and so happy. Joshua's Dad absolutely loves this one.  And his Mom too.
 

 
Look at the smile on Dad's face.  Priceless.
 
I am so blessed to have such amazing friends.  So much love was sewn into this quilt.

Blogger's Quilt Festival

It has been a while since I have posted.  I have been very busy making my Angel Quilts.  It is time for the Blogger's Quilt Festival.  What a better time to get back to blogging!! 
AmysCreativeSide.com
This year we are allowed to enter two quilts. And I know just the two.  Here is the first, entered into the  Baby Quilt catagory
 I made this quilt for a friend who had a baby six weeks early.  When I heard, I just had to make something for her.  So I asked her what her favorite colors were (pink and orange, oh and green she said), bought fabric and got to work. I was able to put this together in four days.  Tried to get it to her before they left the hospital but with the baby in the NICU it was difficult.  I ended up giving it to her at a baby shower that our work had for her.  Mom and Dad love it. 
 
It is very simple but love how it came out.  I used the pattern Around the Block that I found on pinterest.
 
The back is a pill free fleece. It will be super cozy when she gets a little bit bigger and can snuggle with it.  
 
  This picture isn't that great. I think I took it on my cell phone, but I wanted to you be able to see the target quilting design that I used, a little bit better. The binding isnt even on it here.
 
And a quilt roll, one of my favorite pictures...
 
 And how can we not have a picture with Baby E?
(hehe - that's what mom calls her on fb)
 And check out this smile.  She is a doll.


Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Sewing Machines

I need a little help please.  I have a very basic sewing machine, actually got it for $50 on Black Friday. Yeah, I know, crazy. It works and I am happy with it but would love something better and more heavy duty. So....
 
A friend found this Singer 9960 and posted it on my fb.  Told the husband I was thinking of looking into getting a new one and he was ok with it. Yay!! Started looking a bit and got totally overwelmed.  I can't go crazy money wise, but dont want to waste my money on something either.  Do I really need 600 stitches? Probably not.  I found this Brother HC185 too... Are either of them any good? I definitely want an extension table, and love that they come with a good number of feet. 
 
I have seen a lot of bloggers talk about Janome machines too.  Singer, Brother (the maker I currently have), Janome, and more... which should I choose?
 
I mainly quilt, have made 2 dresses for my daughter and hope to make more clothes for myself, boys and daughter.  
 
Please help!  Any suggestions or recommendations would be appreciated

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Angel Quilt #2

I finished the top of my second Angel Quilt.  It is a bright and beautiful day here. The colors kind of get washed out in the sun.  They are greys, blues and yellows.  I am not totally loving it yet but think once I get it finished with a dark blue binding I will feel better about it.
 

 
On another note. Today is my oldest's 10th birthday.  I can't believe it. Time flies so fast!!!  He is an amazing boy.  Smart, loving, caring, and a great kid.  He has decided this year that in lieu of gifts from his friends and family, he would like donations to the Cystic Fibrosis walk we are walking in later this month. I am so proud of all he has become and look forward to seeing where he goes in life (just as long as he takes him time getting there for now :).