More Beanie Bags

They must be contagious! After the initial Bean Bags I had a request for additional ones, and there is nothing I like more than requests! It makes my life easy when I know exactly what to make. Not only that but they sent me fabric to make them with, it doesn't get any easier than that.

These Bean Bags are for my nephew's cousins and the fabric they selected is absolutely adorable! They were for...
Samuel:
Matthew: And Andrew:
I think they turned out great and I even had enough time to make little bags to keep them in. I've noticed that my little brother could have used something like this to keep his together!
Now I just need to get around to making them for Liam, I'm thinking either his name or the alphabet as it calls for in the original design.
The best projects are for children, they are so much more fun to make and rewarding to watch being used!

Speaking of being back, I'm also back to Work!

Although NOTHING slowed down around here, I look every day for some "me" time to work on my outstanding projects. Speaking of my outstanding projects, here are a few that seriously need to be worked on. First there in this quilt I have named Pandora (the name speaks for iteself). This quilt needs to be ironed (it has sat around for WAY too long), basted, quilted and bound.
Next here is my fall quilt I started last year and never got the chance to finish, the quilt top is not fully assembled and therefore there is ALOT of work left on this one!
I recently started this quilt, inspired by this quilt and these quilts made by Amanda Jean at crazymomquilts. There is just something about green and pink that I absolutely LOVE!
These bean bags are a lot like the other ones I previously posted and deserve a post all their own, hold tight for further explanation later.
Here is a quickie of Liam's quilt which will absolutely have it's own post to come!Here is a smock I made for my little brother over the summer in anticipation for the start of Kindergarten, it deserves a post of it's own as well! See what did I tell you about my posts' queue, plenty to talk about!And lastly, since I am back to work I have also joined quilting night on Wednesday's at work. We are making a Christmas Tree skirt following this pattern. I really don't have much to post yet since we have only had two meetings so far. This is the centerpeice, and I will tell you that I was very hesitant to cut up my Christmas fabric (I absolutely love it) but I'm sure I will be very glad I did when I finally finish this adorable project. P.S. there's paper-piecing involved... not sure how I feel about that! ;-)

I'm Back!

OK! Seriously this time, I am going to get back to blogging. At the end of 2010 I had far too much on my emotional dinner plate. In January through April I had tax season to contend with. In May and June I finished getting ready for the arrival of my baby, and finally folks in June the little boy was born; one month early, 6lbs 14.8oz and not a moment too soon.

He is the absolute best thing that has ever happened to me! That said, he is also the busiest! Who knew that being a single mother could be so difficult? Between the diaper changes, nighttime rocking, demanding feeding schedule, reoccurring picture sessions and constant responsibility, I feel as though I haven't had one moment to spare for anything!

I did however manage to complete my son's "puppy" (blanket) as we like to call it in our family as well as some other very small projects. I also managed to get Liam (my son) in for professional pictures and boy did they turn out ADORABLE!

Follow this link to see more of Meredith Austin's amazing work!

To ensure I don't fail this time, I already have some posts sitting in my queue just waiting for me to push the "Publish Post" button! Stay Tuned!

Beanie Bags

So I have to apologize because I haven't posted in a very long time and my last post was quite sad. I have been through so much lately but I am slowly recovering and that is the important part. So all of life's heartaches aside; I have some really wonderful news! I found out on my birthday (November 13, 2010) that I was pregnant. I am having a baby boy due July 19th, 2011 and I couldn't be more excited. I will be embarking on this beautiful adventure as a single mother and I have faith that with all of my family and friends everything will be just as it should! That said, I have done very little quilting. Between the morning, night and day sickness, the sleepiness and all the first time mother aches and pains; I have had a very difficult time fitting some quality crafting time in. I am trying to do a better job at setting aside time for all those things I enjoy soooo much! I am 24 weeks so I should be far enough along to get some serious quilting done. Tax season is also slowly coming to a close April 18th, so I should have some more free time on my hands before the little one joins us in this big, exciting world. This is a project that I completed before Christmas last year and I just never got around to posting about it. I created beanie bags for my nephew "Logan" and my little brother "Matthew". They were 3 and 4 years old and just beginning to learn and understand their names and the alphabet. I found the tutorial here for the entire alphabet, however I only used the letters they needed for their names. After I gave the beanie bags for Christmas the requests started flowing in. I think they're a great tool for children learning to spell their names. I think Matthew really found it helpful to have the colors go from red to blue, it gives little hints if they get stuck. I used a special stitch that my sewing machine does on the top to sew on the letters, this tutorial uses fusible webbing which I found very easy to use and relatively pain free!

I have now completed three sets of names for three other little boys. I shall post them shortly, until I have something more substantial to occupy my blog. I dragged back out my autumn quilt I had started before my birthday and I am slowly making progress. I need to get going on a baby quilt for my little kicker! I have the perfect fabric backing already picked out, I've had it for quite some time and I absolutely LOVE it!

Thank you everyone for all your wonderful comments and helpful advice, it has meant so much to me. I have learned that with the help of friends and family, I can make it through anything!

Sometimes life is so much bigger than you're ready for!

I'm not sure these quotes help very much, but I don't think they hurt either:

"When it rains, it pours."
"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."
"It's better to have loved and lost, then never have loved at all."
"No man is worth your tears, and when you find one that is, he won't make you cry."
"God never gives you more than you can handle."
"That which doesn't kill you will only make you stronger."

I'm sure there are more out there, but these were all I could muster. I have been absent from the blog world for quite a while, November 10th to be exact. I think that is because my life fell apart on November 13th; my birthday! 47 days later and I still lack the appropriate words of wisdom, a healthy view of what happened and the courage and strength to move forward.

There are things in life that dramatically alter the way you think and feel. Things that shake your very core and challenge your existence. Although I am healthy, alive, loved and sheltered I can't help but feel that I suffered a tragedy. I think the worst events are often those that have no real end, no final conclusion and drag on for longer then necessary, keeping the pain always at the forefront of your mind and life.

Through all the hurt, there are bright spots, happy moments, best friends, loving family and compassion. It is these things we have to hold on to and cherish because charm is deceptive, beauty is fleeting, and pain is temporary. Time will eventually heal the wounds of our heart and patience is the only way to get there.

I promise to try harder the next few weeks to post something inspiring, something crafty, something productive and something kind. I am ready to move forward and with the support of those around me I am positive that I can and will! So, if you have a moment I would ask for your words of advice and encouragement. Without truly knowing what I am going through it can feel like there is no way anything you say will bring me peace, but kind words and thoughtfulness often go further than you can imagine!

To everyone that has read my blog, has offered support, has pushed me forward, or pulled be back, thank you, I really couldn't do it without you!

Wordless Wednesday

My Very First Mug Rug

I'm officially addicted and in love... with both hexies and mug rugs.

I love how vibrant my mug rug is!

The colors are not from my traditional palette but they help to spice things up.

I really got into making hexies, I even made different sizes! I have a ton extra, I'm not sure what I'm going to do with them.

They got out of hand and I just kept going.

Wouldn't this just make morning coffee that much more enjoyable??

Christmas Quilt

Is everyone ready for Christmas? Although I've barely started my fall quilt, I am already done with my Christmas quilt.
It makes me want to watch Christmas movies and light up the fireplace. Did you notice that ALL of the stores have Christmas decorations up already? Can you believe that? We haven't even had thanksgiving yet, what about the cornucopias, the turkeys, the pumpkin pie? Are we really ready to give up the oranges, yellows and browns for red and green. Although I'm very happy with this quilt, it's going in the closet until December (where I think it belongs).
This quilt measures 62 x 72 and will serve as a lap quilt during the Christmas season, or whenever I'm feeling particularly blue.
Christmas always seems to make me smile and feel warm and comforted. I used three different types of quilting on this quilt.
The center was stippled using the traditional stipple.
The colored sashing was stippled using a loop technique and around the outside I tried something new.
I think it looks like Christmas lights all around the outside of the quilt.
I once had curtains that I had made out of the binding fabric. When we moved last year I decided to cut up my curtains and recycle the fabric.
Needless to say I have a lot more where this came from!
I just love the way quilts look all rolled up, it's so fun and warm looking.
I can't wait to use this quilt next to my Christmas tree!

Hexies

I think I may be addicted... they are so cute and adorable!

I am in to all things trendy.

Maybe next I'll make a mug rug!