Pillow Pocket

Pillow Pocket, a photo by Krousegirl2 on Flickr.

Last night was the birthday party for my 3 nephews. Their birthdays are all within a 3 week period and they turned 3, 9, and 11. I'm super happy to report that the boys liked their pillows...I added a book, some stickers, some fun band-aids, and a pair of socks to each pocket. My sister and brother in law also liked the practicality of the pocket! Now perhaps the boys won't have books missing at bedtime?

And thank you, inquiring minds (Anna), yes, with the help of a sewing guru friend, I learned how to install a zipper in the back of these pillows!

I would love to insert the picture of the back that I have on Flickr...but I cannot figure out how to upload more than 1 picture to a blog post from Flickr!  Can anyone fill me in on that?

Again, this pattern is by Nova, and you can find it here.

Pillow top #1

Pillow top #1, a photo by Krousegirl2 on Flickr.

I decided to make my nephews pillows for their upcoming birthdays. 3 boys...ages 3, 9, and 11. Each pillow will use different fabric to reflect how different the boys are...and the kids and I will tuck something special inside the pocket.  I have one pillow top done, one in construction and the third with fabric picked out.  I am going to be really brave and try doing a zipper closure.  first zipper!! wish me luck.

This wonderful pattern is buy Nova, and you can find it : HERE.

Have you seen this fabric?

ISO, a photo by Krousegirl2 on Flickr.

I'm beginning a project that needs some really good browns...I consider this a really good brown, except, this is all I have! and since I received it as a scrap, Im not sure what it is, although I think its a Michael Miller. Do you have this fabric? Interested in a swap or at least telling me who makes it??
many thanks!!

In other news...I'm slooooowly plugging away on my hand sewing project... I have one block done and 2 more set up....

 I'm happy with my decision to use Moda Crossweave in Natural...even more now that I see it has been reprinted!!

Birthday gift

I made another Quilt As You Go tote bag for my oldest sister.  She asked for a tote bag after she saw the one I made for my other sister.  I used scraps from Anna Maria Horner's home dec line, Drawing Room.

Inside I used my new favorite, Michael Miller, Mirror Balls.  You can see it peaking out on the top picture.

So happy to have this one completed before my sister's birthday!

I'm loving my new hand quilting project...I'll post pictures next time...1 block completed, 3 in progress.

trying something new

Now that we are easing into our school routine I thought I would add a little something 'new' to the mix.  Like many of you, I spend time waiting in school pick-up lines, at ballet practice, sitting at the park while the kids play, dentist/doctors appointments....the list is endless I think...SO, I decided to do some hand piecing.  I was inspired by Alison and the pattern called Jazz Hands or Erica's Honesty found in Material Obsession 2.

My plan is to cut into my scraps.  I hope to really push the limits of color combinations.  This block shown below is not entirely put together...I need another row of kite shaped pieces to border this...but I'm at a loss as to whether I want to follow the pattern in the book or to do something on my own.

Once I get a few more blocks done, I'll check back in for your advise! 

The other new adventure in quilting this weekend was a curves class.  How to do curves and still have your project lay flat!  It was a good class and I'm happy to have learned the technique.  Now I need to keep pushing myself to finish the project instead of adding to my pile of WIPs!

Pillows & heading back to school

School starts on Monday for us. I've been keeping this in mind as we have been enjoying lazy mornings and not eating breakfast until 9am!  I know the hustle and bustle of next week will be here soon enough.

The 1st grade teacher sent out a request for 'fun' pillows for the kids to use during reading time.  Knee jerk reaction in me, and I offer to make some.  These pillows head to school today in our open house and opportunity to take school supplies to school...I admit that I will make more...unless lots of other parents have also made/bought pillows...but I'm guessing that won't be the case! 

I used some purple corduroy on the back of the rainbow pillow for some extra texture, and because it's Colette's favorite color!  I think the backs are nearly as cute as the fronts!

my first Sew In

On Monday I enjoyed my very first Sew In.  It was great...a group of ladies from my guild all met up in a large room and we sewed.  Yep, we sewed.  There was a little bit of food, a lot of extension cords and a LOT of sewing and talking.  I'm so happy to know that every 4th Monday of the month I get to meet up with the same ladies to sew!  Who knew it could be so much fun!!

I worked on Karen's quilt for the Across the Pond and Around the Bend round robin.

I added the row of log cabins on the bottom of the quilt in progress...whoever made the trees in the earlier round had an extra and sent it along with the quilt, so I was happy to add that among the row of houses.