Embroidered Tractors

Here is another quilting finish- Embroidered Tractors! I did some custom quilting in each block.

Each tractor was outlined along with a couple rounds in the wheels and a little bit inside the tractor body.  But the background for each block is different. 

I made the ground different from the sky and added a bit of exhaust on a few.

And some tractor tire treads for the borders make it complete!

Wonk.

I finally got this quilt of my sisters quilted.  I've only had it in my possession for a couple years.  (She was in no hurry)  :)

I kept the quilting fairly simple with swirls and a few loops.  And a star or two. 

I used gray Aurifil thread.  It blends in really well in the white spots and fades into the darker areas.  Thanks for being super patient with me on this one Sister!

Christmas Log Cabin

Here is my Mom's quilt--this Christmas log cabin quilt.  She made this quilt using mostly leftover scraps that were going to be tossed!  Love it!  I seem to have inherited my need to use every possible morsel of fabric from her :)

She requested holly leaves for the quilting.  The variegated holiday thread was the perfect choice.

Here is the back of the quilt.  Gotta love a solid back!

Alphabet Wallhanging

I finally completed one of my own projects!  This alphabet quilt has been months in the making.  I love how this wall hanging turned out!  However, I cannot take credit for this design- the inspiration was discovered here on Flicker.  This little quilt was a lot of work!  Usually you can get into a rhythm sewing identical blocks together--not with this project!  Each letter block took some time figuring out just how to sew together. 

Each letter is 4 inches tall.  This will hang in our little guy's room, once I find a nail or two!  Linking this up to Megan's Sew Modern Monday=== Check it out!

Another Embroidered Quilt

I am managing to get in some longarming time- a little each day during naptimes and Daddy-time.

Here's my latest quilting finish.  This quilt was pieced by Carol and hand embroidered by her husband!  The hand work helps with his arthritis- he does a really nice job!

Some custom work in each block.  I outlined the embroidery and added a few more flowers.

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!

Another Scrappy Baby Quilt

This one I made is for little Rya. 

Perhaps avid readers of my blog will recall the letter N in my alphabet quilt project that I said needed to be re-done will recognize that it has been re-made into these new letters.  3 letters in your name is just the right amount for this quilt block. 

Super scrappy, and super random quilting. 

Just so you know--I make each block 10" (9.5 inches finished) and use 2.5"  strips (2 inches finished)for the sashing. 

Embroidered Baby Quilts

These 2 baby quilts were embroidered by Rose.  They are pretty adorable!

Swirling water and with a few fishes thrown in is what was quilted in this one.

And how sweet is this one?

All-over Curly-Q's and flowers seemed to fit the bill here.