Christmas Tree Skirt

For Christmas presents to the inlaws I made Christmas tree skirts. I bought the fabric nearly two years ago, but finally got around to using it! I love the way they came out, even if the trim is super dorky. I also made a pillow for my sister-in-law.

Jigsaw Scrap Quilt

I just finished my first scrap quilt. It is a jigsaw baby quilt and I love it! I knew that scrap quilts were nice because they use up some scraps in the stash, what I didn't realise is how great it is to see the fabrics again that I had used in other quilts. It really surprised me how happy I was to see the peas again, and the blue gingham, etc. I look forward to making more scrap quilts in the future. As for the jigsaw quilt pattern, I think it is really neat. I don't have a felt board so I did have to lay it out and then finish piecing it in one go. Being a small quilt, however, that wasn't really a problem.


I made the quilt for another cousin's baby boy who is due in October. Seeing as they live in Chicago, I wanted to make a nice warm blanket for the baby so I backed it using polar fleece. I debated whether or not I should put batting in it and decided I should. After I was done I did regret the decision because the quilt is very thick now. But I'm sure it will find its purpose - perhaps as playmat for on the floor.
Nice and soft backing!
A close up of some of the fabrics.

Handkerchief Quilt

For another friend who is expecting a baby I made a girly girl blanket. The blocks are actually handkerchiefs I found at a store and thought would make a nice quilt. I happened to have the most perfect blue fabric to go along with it and - voila! The top was finished in no time, but finishing it was a little bit more work. For the backing I decided to use an extra soft velour blanket material, which is a lot harder to deal with than regular cotton. But with a lot of help from my mom, it got finished. It's a very soft blankie that will sure be a favorite for years to come!
I didn't realise it was that wrinkly until I saw the photo!
The oh-so-soft backing!

Farm Quilt - FINISHED!

The farm quilt is finally done and finished!!! I arranged the blocks in four sets of two and four singles and used three different homespun plaids to frame them. I wanted to give it a really country look. I am very, very pleased with the finished product. It cost a lot of hours, but it was well worth it! I would do it again, for sure. I might as well as I still have a lot of fabric left over!

Farm Quilt - Trailer

I have now finished the last square for the farm quilt!!! The last one was the trailer for the tractor. I really did NOT enjoy making the dirt. The paper piecing pattern was lacking the separate piece to make it and I had to wing it, which was not really working for me. But it got finished in the end.

Now the tractor can have a trailer. They will be together in the finished quilt top.

Farm Quilt - Pig

At first I didn't really like this square, but now I do, even though the pig is not pink. It's hard to see on the picture, but the nose, ears, and tail are a pretty pink fabric.

Baby Quilt

One of my son's teachers at the creche is expecting a baby this fall. They asked all the parents if they could buy a little present to put in a big basket of presents for her. Instead of just picking out something at the store, I decided to bang out a little baby quilt. In one afternoon session of a little over two hours I got the quilt top finished, and a week later I finished the quilt by tying and binding it.
The pattern is one I got from my mother. She calls it a Triple Pinwheel. I've also seen it called a whirlwind or just pinwheel.
I combined a bright and colorful juvenile print with a deep blue and bright orange. The teacher is expecting a boy, but the quilt is still pretty neutral.
When I signed the quilt I decided to include the washing instructions as well. I used the international symbols (found in clothing, among other things) to show what temperature the quilt can be washed, dryed, and ironed. The symbols are somewhat subtle, but they are there. They won't have to question themselves when the baby soils the blanket and it needs a good washing.