I probably love it even more knowing that this bright and spunky quilt is going to my bright and spunky niece, Phoebe. I can’t wait to ship it off for her fourth birthday. This is my fifth quilt completed, and while I have loads of errors, I’m still loving the craft and still going strong. Practice makes perfect, right?

What’s next? Oh, I have lots of projects in the works.

I got 55th place out of 275 entries!

There. I just patted myself on the back.

In the upcoming contests, the one that I was anxious to start working on was the 3 color bicycle contest. Simple. Three colors. Bikes. I did just that, and because I was so high and mighty and proud on my 55th place victory for the Art Deco, I’ll most likely get back to the bottom feeders for this one.

Regardless, I’d buy this one if I saw it at Joanne’s.

Bike Contest

A. I started quilting and lost time and energy.

B. I didn’t do so well on the last challenge and so my confidence was a bit crushed.

This latest challenge was to create an Art Deco theme using only four colors. When I think of Art Deco, I think of block prints. Vintage travel posters. Stained glass. Maybe some architecture. Here’s what I came up with.

Wish me luck. If I don’t do much better on this one, I guess I may just stick to quilting for a bit longer.

Swatch

The Whole Yard

I think with each quilt, I’ll love it more than the next. I guess that means I’m improving, right?

I added this one on Etsy, but instead of this actual tangible quilt, I’ll make one to order. Kind of an element of surprise, right? Send me colors you want and I’ll run with it. Kind of like a Project Runway challenge, right? Right? Indulge me.

Ah quilting. Why didn’t I start this sooner?

My dear friend Sylvia is getting married in March and so one of my presents to her was to design her wedding invitations.

My motto? KISS. Keep It Simple Stupid. I’ve used this over and over in my head when it comes to design and I’d like to thank a professor of mine who engrained this motto into my brain. Thanks again.

I’ve posted the printable invites on Etsy, so if you’re looking for an invitation that is simple, clean, modern and to the point, then voila! Send me your information and I’ll send you all the necessary files to print RSVP post cards, direction cards and your invites. If you choose to connect them all with a brad or paper punch a border, well, that’s your prerogative.

Just remember the KISS philosophy.

I blurred out Sylvia’s contact information since I didn’t think it was appropriate to blast it all over the Internet. You understand, right?

For over two years now, I have been baking shortbread cookies (compliments of Ina Garten) for all the holidays. Weddings. Birthdays. Christmas. So on and so on. This year I spiced things up a bit and found a chocolate chip cookie dough truffle recipe over at Love and Olive Oil. This recipe is egg free so it is safe to consume and if you can make them last longer than one day, good luck.

I highly recommend this recipe and it’s oh so easy. Each batch creates about 50 truffles. I’m pretty sure these will be made again at Valentine’s Day.

Photos from my flickr account

Regardless, I’ve had fun. I’ve bought too much fabric and now it’s time to recoup some losses. If you are looking for a great lap quilt, I’m adding one on Etsy. It’s a mod floral print of blues, reds and ochres. The backing is an outline floral print in orange and if I didn’t need to sell a quilt to keep my habit going, I’d totally keep this one.

Enjoy!

Next up, the wedding invitations I’ve been working on.

Example.

I knew it would be addicting, and I’ve been pretty reasonable on buying fabric (mostly because I’m broke), but I honestly didn’t know I could get such a positive feeling from finishing a quilt.

One of these is for a wedding present and the other I will attempt to sell on Etsy. So if you’re interested in a mod floral block quilt, stop by my shop soon. I’ll be adding updates of course.

Inspired by Anthropologie (who wouldn’t love that?) and created over at my friend’s mother’s house, I’m eager to introduce you to waterless snow globes! Slightly addicting to make and super cute. Not to mention, super easy.

My kitchen table now has the center piece that I’ve been waiting for all holiday.

Maybe it’s because I spent $120 on fabric alone, or the fact that I just really, really wanted to succeed. Either way, I’m very proud of this Log Cabin quilt and I think I’m ready for the Quilting 102 class.

On to the next quilt!