Imagine my total surprise when I received an email saying that I’d won some fat quarters from Sis Boom, by Jennifer Paganelli. There are few things better than an unexpected package to make your day.  Talk about cute!  I’ve always loved her designs, but didn’t have any of these prints.  They will be fun to [...]

At last, I’ve finished the Chirp Chirp quilt.  The quilting is done and binding is on. I quilted it in a diamond pattern, much like the Rouenneries quilt I finished earlier in the year.   Rather than quilt over the bird, I quilted around the applique area.  This quilt is much smaller and therefore was [...]

In the three years we’ve lived in our home, we’ve had overnight guests more than 50 times.  I’ve always wanted to have a trademark treat that I leave in my guest room for our guests when they come.  I’ve tossed several ideas around and have done a few things here and there, but never struck [...]

Most projects  have steps that are fun and some that are necessary but really not enjoyable.  Basting quilts are, for me, necessary but not very fun.  Who likes kneeling on the floor to put a couple hundred safety pins through three layers of fabric? As I basted my Chirp Chirp quilt, I straightened up for [...]

I put together this very basic quilt top in an afternoon.  The pattern comes from the Spring 2010 issue of Quilts and More. Instead of piecing together strips of solid colored fabric for the stripes, I swapped in a striped fabric that I absolutely love.  Doing this meant that piecing the quilt top (excluding the [...]

I need more blue in my life. I miss the ocean. My house gets dirty faster than I can clean it. Painting is therapeutic. I felt like changing this mirror. Here’s the before: What do you think?  I like it! Hopeful Homemaker

Last night I traded sleep for a finished quilt top.  I’m happy to have this pieced and ready to quilt.  This was my first experience participating in a quilt along, and although I quilted late instead of “along” it was fun. I love the way the Rural Jardin collection works together.  It’s red, white and [...]

A fun little package awaited me when we arrived home from vacation: I’ve been anxious for the release of Laurie Wisbrun’s Tufted Tweets collection, and it doesn’t disappoint.  I ordered some in the blue and green colorway, along with a few other pieces to coordinate.  I can’t believe how cute it is.  I’ve loved chairs [...]

I made this quilt for my sister in law.  It’s a gift for her Dad, who turns 60 this year. Each square is a swatch of silk cloth used for neckties.  She sent me her collection of swatches and requested a simple quilt with a black background. I used Kona black for the sashing, and [...]

This quick and easy project was fun to make with my mom, sister and sister-in-law a few weeks ago.  We sat at one table and stitched while the guys sat at my dining room table and played a game. The pattern comes from this issue of Quilts and More.  I purchased it at my local [...]