Hawaiian Quilt {Pillow Cover}

 In 2012, I had made a Hawaiian Mini Quilt.  

The details and process were really interesting to me and worth traveling back in time to read about.

 It's been hanging around the studio.  I hung it up.  I used it for a mini quilt for my American Doll Bed.  After making my Heart Pillow, I knew I wanted to convert this to a pillow for my studio too!

 I trimmed it down and just tossed the binding.  Made a hidden zipper backing with some coordinating colored fabric I had in my stash.  The birds seemed to complement it.  I had some pretty green hand dyed fabric I used to do the binding/piping.

 I love that now I can enjoy it in my studio and it plays along with the couch and other pillows.

 And I can enjoy the hand quilting details up close.

I highly recommend converting your mini's if youve run out of space or just feel like they are cluttering up the wall.  They are wonderful for pillows!!

Hau'oli!!

 

The Time She Gave The Dolls A Bed Makeover

It seems crazy to do a American Girl bedding when I'm a grown adult and have no girls in the house, but I really adore all the AG girls!

The reason I changed the bedding was that I have a few mini quilts that I can't manage to get up on the wall.  I have room, but want to the to keep my room as uncluttered as possible. I'm already failing a bit, it's a work in progress.  

I decided that the AG bed would be a great way to display them!  I already had this Hawaiian quilt  HERE without a home that I made a few years ago now.

I decided that the green quilt on the red check and toile was just a tad too Christmas-y for my taste. 

I used the existing red check canopy to make the new canopy pattern.  The green plaid fabric was extra homespun cotton from stash I had no plan for. The pretty green fabric is a bird fabric that reminded me of the red toile before.
 

I've decided that a quick mini quilt project to update the bed will be perfect for the quilt blocks I love, but have no desire to make an entire quilt, like the famous Swoon possibly. 

I think the next mini will be a Mapleleaf mini for the fall. Won't that be fun?

Or I've just truly truly lost my mind.  I
t's okay I can take the heat!!!

Vacation in Paradise

Our family vacation came to an end this weekend.  

We decided to pack all of the boys and head to Maui again like we did two years ago.  This time we stayed on a different end of the island. It gave us a different view, different experience, and it was certainly different with a toddler in tow.

We took it easy this time.  

Lots of beach bumming instead of touring the island like last time.  

We did hop on a sail boat for a trip to the island of Lanai to snorkel.

Then we hopped islands to Oahu to meet up with some very special friends from college.  I'd share their photos, but I don't have permission.  But picture my four boys with seven more kids! 

I am not lying when I say it was fun corralling eleven children 

on Waikiki beach, the Luau, and various other beaches and tourist spots!

On the quilt front? 

I only stepped into a quilt shop in Oahu that seemed to have only finished quilts.

  However, I was a bit suspicious of the manufacturing.  A little too reminiscent of quilts that I have encountered that claim "hand quilted" to be honest. 

But NO worries.

Both hotels on Maui and Oahu had VERY fine specimens for me to drool over.

I have an itch to do a large one next!

But first I need to finish a few other projects.  

 I organized my files into different categories.

If you would like a copy, I have a free .pdf download HERE.  You can either print it on a full sticker sheet or just print it out on regular paper and just use some packing tape over it. 

(shhh...that's how I did it).

Yup.  Back to the grind. 

Vacation is OVER.

Hawaiian Quilt

 A mini one that is!

I FINALLY finished the Hawaiian quilt kit that I picked up at the Maui Quilt shop this summer while on vacation.  I may not have touched my sewing machine over Christmas Break, but I did get my hand finishes done!

It was supposed to be a throw pillow cover for my studio, but then I realized that it was really too big for my chair-and-a-half and that I didn't have any other room that it would "fit" in.

So for now, I just made it a mini quilt.  All 21 square inches of it.

I am actually pretty happy that I stuck to my guns on this one and did it without a sewing machine whatsoever.  

It is COMPLETELY done by hand.

Needle turn applique

Hand quilting

Hand binding 

It has given me a new found respect to the ladies that do large quilts by hand.  

I will never have the patience or endurance to do it!

First off, my stitch length is not even and, frankly, has much to be desired!

But I am happy!

Other works in progress?

Long arm practice quilt

Is done!!  I finished the binding right before 2012.  Nothing really special.  ALL 40x 40 inch crisp and white muslin.  

After thinking about it, it is a great tablecloth for the summer or even the winter months.

I had to keep it because we all gave the Ole Betsy a spin on it....even the Baby Button had to "touch" it.  He is actually pretty fascinated by the machine.  Actually, all of the boys are enamored with her.  Maybe some quilt boys in the making?

I practiced loops

meandering

drawings

names

and small intricate

 

And UFO on the agenda?

This Christmas Quilt HERE.

I have the fabrics about 50% cut out.

  

I will finish cutting and starting piecing TODAY!  I am taking a wee break from the New Year Organization plan.

  I can't take it anymore....2 weeks without touching my sewing machine is starting to eat at me! 

Off to see what everyone else is doing at:

What's going on in your neck of the woods?

WIP: I think I love you Lee....

Seriously.  

Without you, Lee at Freshly Pieced, I wouldn't have accountability for all the things I have floating in my brain or stacked up in my studio in various bins and baskets!!!

Bear with me today.  I don't have a lot of pictures!  I have to run to the school for their dress rehearsal to see if my alterations and new costumes all fit!

Dots and Checks

Finished.  My longest running quilting UFO to date! 

You can find out the details HERE if you missed it Monday.

Highchair Cushion

Finished!  I don't have pictures yet...I can't find my "Before" pictures!  So maybe Friday, I will share?  Can you forgive me?

Christmas Musical Costumes

Some of you ladies really wanted to see them. 

Unfortunately, I was going to take pictures yesterday, but ran out of time and had to get them in the car ASAP for the dress rehearsal today.  I think I will find an old picture and do some editing of kiddos faces so I can share them.  But warning...ugly fabrics!

Baby C Puffy Quilt

I ran out of batting.  So sad, right?  When I return from the dress rehearsal...all time will be spent getting it finished.  I promise momma....it will be in the mail by Thursday or Friday.  No ifs, ands, or buts!!!

 Hawaiian Quilt

Again...MAJOR progress! 

I am just about finished with all of the echo quilting in the white background. I sat a few nights with the family bored out of my mind watching college football.  Thank goodness for some handwork, right?  

I also think watching a movie production of Mansfield Park by Jane Austen got me in the mood one late night.  

Do Jane Austen movies motivate anyone else like it does me?

Go to Lee's blog by clicking the image....fantastic ladies getting things done is VERY inspiring.  I constantly find ideas to "pin" on Pinterest!!

You just might fall in love with her too....hopefully she won't be creeped out about me saying so! 

 

Oh...am I the only one that can't believe that tomorrow is DECEMBER?!?!?!?!

 

Fall is not over yet!

PUFFY QUILT

Baby C puffy quilt is almost done!!

I can't believe I managed it this week with all of our sickness!! 

I not only filled all the biscuits....I pieced them together. 

Border, backing and binding....here I come!

Hawaiian quilt

I finished hand quilting the appliqué!!! 

Now, I can put my efforts onto echo quilting the off white background. Progress!! I thought I'd never get this close to a finish! It is so sad that it is only 21in by 21 in. Quite embarrassing, actually.

Secret project

I will let you drool over the yumminess that arrived on my doorstep from Moda.

Bella solids in warm pastels (Jelly Roll and Layer Cake)

1862 Battle Hymn by Barbara Brackman (2 Charm Packs)

Rouenneiries Dues by French General (jelly roll and yardage)

I can't wait to share the project and the tutorial!

 Did I mention they arrived on my birthday? Happy birthday to me!! Happy birthday to me!

Dots and Checks

I hope to get this top on my longarm today or tomorrow.

  I finished the top LAST fall and am embarrassed to say that she pops up in WIP Wednesday every once in awhile.  I guess my own personal torture...or reminder?

I WILL have a "fall" quilt for Turkey day.

I will not start decorating for Christmas until Friday at the very least. It is my personal snub to da man. 

I refuse to celebrate nor decorate before other holidays get a chance to shine. 

 

I even hung my garland of leaves, wreathes, and other paraphenalia just last weekend.

  A sign to show my neighbors that had their Christmas lights up before Halloween that I march to my own tune.

Mr. Boss would just say that I am stubborn and it is just another private Heidi boycott. I am known for my one woman boycotts in these parts......

Christmas Musical Costumes

Nada. Zip. Zilch. 

I have to get it all done. They are next on the docket because they are taking up too much room in my closet.

 Oh, and they are due to be completed by Monday? Yikes!

To see what everyone else is doing....go visit Lee!!  Just click on the image below!

And here's to a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving to everyone tomorrow.