Goodbye Google Reader

So, as much as I've tried to deny it, Google Reader is going to end.  Over the last few months, I've tried a few different options, none are as good, but Bloglovin seems to be better than the rest.  So here is the ubiquitous claiming the blog for bloglovin post.  You're welcome for the free advertising bloglovin, with your stupid, stupid, stupid name.

Bloglovin

Log Cabins Around the World

I bought this cheater panel ages ago.  It's by Jill McDonald from the what a world collection.  I got two of the panels because it was so cute.  I thought maybe I'd make some pillows for the basement family room.  Then, a year ago we put our house on the market and there, wasn't any point in sewing for the house since I wouldn't be able to use any of it as we were trying to neutralize the decor.

Fast forward to recently and in our new house we've been spending a lot more time in the basement.  I needed a quilt for the family room in the new basement.  What can I say, it's Iowa and everyone has a finished basement with a family room.  I cut apart each of the squares and then built log cabins around them.  I used a variety of bright fun colors.

My rule in building the log cabins was that one side would be solid and I would piece the other 3 sides. This allowed maximum efficiency in using my fabric and scraps.

I sashed the all the blocks with this pokka dot.  Which I think was from another Jill McDonald collection.

For the backing I sewed together four 1 yard cuts of Perfectly Perched.

I have big plans for this quilt.  It is going to be my first long arm quilted quilt.  Tune in soon for more adventures in quilting.

FMQ practice

I took a bunch of the leftovers from my bedspread and sewed the together until they were 20x36 rectangles. I sandwiched them and went to town quilting them. I tried to use a different pattern on each fabric. It was a nice manageable size and the constraints of the piecing made a good design challenge. When I finished quilting them I trimmed to size and put a simple envelope closure on the back. A quick machine binding and I was done.

They look great with the spread.

Longest work in progress

I finally finished my longest WIP.  It is a king sized bed spread.  I deliberately don't use the word quilt, in regard to this piece, because it isn't a quilt.  This has no batting and thus is not a quilt.  I made this as a quilt as you go project so that I could do it all on my home machine.  I started with one width of fabric piece of flannel for the backing and added full width pieced strips that were between a foot and 18 inches tall.

I used a lot of Joel Dewberry Aviary II, along with some matching Kona solids and whatever other grey and yellow fabrics that struck my fancy.

The flannel backing helps to keep it from sliding off and it's generous size ensures that both Hubby and I remain covered.  

Craft room

One of the things that excited me most about our new house was having my own room.  The former owners had used this interior basement room as a theatre room, but I knew instantly that it would be the perfect craft room.  It is next to my kids rooms and it has a door that I can close, so I never have to clean up after myself or worry about little people playing with my stuff.

I made myself a design wall with a queen sized batting and a cheap curtain rod.  I've got one quilt that I need to show you, that would not have been possible without the design wall.  I think I need to add another curtain rod at the bottom to weight it down and help get rid the wrinkles.

I really hope I'm not going to jinx myself, but we might be done with tradesmen.  We got the stairs rebuilt, the living room painted and the plumbing worked on...multiple times.  I've lost track of the number of appointments we've had and the people who have traipsed through.

FMQing

Look at me go. I'm making some pillow shams with scraps and decided to try a few different designs with the quilting.

Baby girl's birthday

Today is Baby Girl's 5th birthday.  I've been busy getting ready for her party, cleaning and cooking.  I ended up inviting the entire families of her friends.  It's the kind of party I like, grown ups and children all having fun together.  It's more food to make, but less work at the party since people take care of their own kids.  I made the favors, hair bows for all the girls.  We had a bit of a Hello Kitty theme going, so I used Hello Kitty ribbon along with coordinating ribbon from my stash.

 Here's the birthday girl opening presents.  I can't believe she's 5!