Monday, March 30, 2009

ready to travel!

passport/travel purse

I just completed a tutorial for this cute passport/travel purse and put it in my sidebar for downloading. A friend of mine is getting ready to go on a cruise, and I thought it would be perfect for stashing her passport, itinerary and her small point-and-shoot camera.

luggage tag

It didn't take long at all to figure out, and because I had bought 3 fat quarters, I had plenty of scraps left over to make these sweet luggage tags. That tutorial is also in the sidebar, and includes a sheet of labels you can print out on cardstock to put in your luggage tags. Now, you will never miss your luggage again!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

lauren's quilt :: one of eight

lauren's quilt :: detail shot

I just finished my first real quilt from start to finish! I have made table runners, placemats and a lap quilt for my mother-in-law, but nothing as big as this! This quilt is for my oldest daughter, who turns 22 in May! I had hoped to make it and give it to her earlier, but, I just got a sewing machine that could handle the machine quilting.

lauren's quilt :: detail shot

It is the "Turning 20" pattern and was super easy to piece. I free motion quilted each separate piece differently. It was my first quilt to free motion quilt, and I definitely learned a lot. If you are wanting to become more comfortable with free motion quilting, I would suggest doing the same. It is much more satisfying than using a practice piece and then throwing it away! Your kids are pretty forgiving with your mistakes. My daughter said she would "love it forever"! That made it so worth it! After gifting her with it, she went and bought new sheets for her bed and took this photo.

lauren's quilt :: on her bed

I love the color and design of all the gorgeous fabrics, and the crinkly quilted texture adds that something extra to it. The only regret I have is that I forgot to make a quilt label for it because I was too excited to give it to her! I will have to make one and add it later. I plan on making quilts for each of our eight children, and look forward to choosing fabrics and quilt patterns to suit each of their personalities.

Next up, I am making my 19-year-old son's quilt, a Bento Box, from 48 different batiks!