Happy Anniversary, Baltimore Modern Quilt Guild!

Our guild is officially two years old.  We had a challenge to use the Alexander Henry umbrella fabric in a 16" pillow (to swap or not-your choice). 

 I couldn't make it to the sew-in/meeting this month because I had a very important birthday party to attend (my adorable granddaughter turned 2!).  My pillow was a little closer to an 18" pillow.  I paper pieced the NY Beauty block and then I quilted the front and the back.  It  finishes with an envelope closure and I put binding all the way around.  Someday I would like to learn how to do piping.

My attempt at paisley a la Leah Day.  It improved by the end.

Back of pillow- I quilted little twirls all over. Also added some binding to the envelope edge.

Pop!

I decided to keep it.   :)


I am joining up at:

Pincushion

Our guild is one of five guilds participating in a pincushion swap across the country.  I made this little gem. 

 I followed a tutorial for adding the triangles around the square.  Basically, you lay out two equal squares right sides together, sew all the way around the outside of the squares.  Then mark the X on the back of one square and carefully cut the X on the top square only.  Iron it back and repeat.  It was simple to do but I didn't like how the corners were all chopped off by the next seam. 

Back of pincushion

 This was the first time I made a box like (not flat) pincushion.  I just winged it and I think it worked out pretty well.  I also quilted the top of the pincushion.  Not necessary but I liked the added dimension.  I guess I won't know who gets it.  Hmmm...  Hope they like it!  Finally,  I added some little felt balls around the edges.

Tada!

Vrrrooom! Vrrrooommmm! Blogger's Quilt Festival

I decided to enter this quilt in Amy's Blogger's Quilt Festival.  So many gorgeous quilts!

This quilt is my favorite so far this year.

We had a shower for my oldest daughter last Saturday.  She had friends from her childhood and friends from her adult soccer team.  All three of her bridesmaids were here.  She received many, many lovely gifts for her baby boy to be!

Her friend Renee made some incredible food and took care of most of the details.  We cleaned the house and picked up the cupcakes and drinks.  

The main thing I had to do, of course, was make the baby his quilt.  I decided on a car mat quilt, inspired by this the car mats we use with the Kindergarteners in the blocks.  I added some rainbow houses, a lake with fish and roads with curves.

 I had fun quilting all different patterns in the different sections.  I tried pebbling in the lake but it turned out more like fish scales or waves!  It was fun imagining my grandson playing on the quilt as he gets a little older.

 Surprise!  The other side is for my daughter.  She is decorating the nursery in blue and gray.  She likes modern, geometric designs.  So I made my first chevron quilt on the reverse.  It is hard to really say which is the front and which is the back!

 You can see the quilting was definitely on the house and road side!

 All washed up and snuggly.

Can't wait to meet the baby (he is due at the end of November so we have a little while to wait!)

Blogger's Quilt Festival Information

*Quilt Measurements; 60" by 60"
*Special Techniques used, if any: Improv, curves, chevron
*Quilted by…Me!
*Best category – Baby quilt! Scrap quilt

Halloween is in Eleven Days! Eeek!

How did we get so close to Halloween?  The leaves here have just started turning colors.  It is a grey and drizzly day here.  I have the day off so I am planning on finishing up a few things.  Here is my Halloween quilt to help you get in a Halloween mood!

Boo!

Potholders for my daughter

My daughter mentioned that she needed a few more potholders.  They are fun and quick to make.  I love trying out new FMQ designs-sort of like practice sandwiches but usable.  I indulged my love of black, white, and a pop of red.  So there you go!