Last Quilt of 2011

Well, I have yet to turn on any type of sewing machine so far this year, and have barely set foot in the basement other than to fetch something from the freezer.  But I think I have a good excuse--I just had a baby! 

So this was my last big quilting finish of the year-meaning I quilted it about a month ago... It was pieced by Norene as a Christmas gift.  This quilt made my feet swell and my back ache something terrible--but I think it turned out great!

Hooked feather borders, Stitch in the ditch along the smaller border...

...and a free-motion filler in the middle.  See how I copied the red flower motif that is in the dark brown squares on the left?  I also threw in some feathers, double loop-D-loops, and lots of swirls.

Being my last quilt I quilted for the year- my total was 47!  I know I was a little short of my goal of a quilt a week, but I really lost steam the second half of my pregnancy and couldn't tolerate being on my feet for very long.  BUT that being said, I did actually have over 52 total quilts in my possession to be quilted, so I consider that a success!

  Hmmm...how many will 2012 bring??

Look Who's Here!!

Well, he arrived a couple weeks earlier than expected and in a more dramatic way than anticipated- but little Grahm Matthew is here!  We are just bursting with pride of our little man and are pretty sure that he is the cutest baby ever born! 

Grahm Matthew

born 1-3-12

6 lbs 15 oz.

19 inches long

Handmade Christmas Gifts 2011: Reindeer Pillows and Nursing Covers

One of my very few handmade Christmas gifts this year are a couple of these Reindeer Pillows for my niece and nephews.  Once I saw this on Longarmclassroom.com I knew I had to make them!  What a cute little holiday memento of your little one! 

You trace their hands and a foot to make the reindeer faces. 

Quilting in the names proved to be a challenge for me. 

They were a big hit--little Thea insisted she sleep with hers last night. 

The only other handmade gifts I made were a couple of nursing covers that I did not get pictures of.  The FREE pattern is from Connecting Threads.  The pattern is pretty easy.  It took longer to press all the edges under than it did to actually sew it together.  But the hardest part was deciding what fabric to use!  I forgot that I need to make one for myself too!


Also- Remember these little mini Christmas quilts (and here) I made last year?  Well, during various holiday visits to both Grandma's, Mom's and MIL's, I spotted each and every one on display in their homes.  Kinda gave me the warm fuzzies :)

And that wraps up my Christmases this year!  Next up- delivering our baby in the next couple weeks.  I'm soo ready to wrap up this 3rd trimester and finally meet our little guy! 

Wishing all my readers a blessed 2012!