Sunday, September 23, 2012

A Quilting We Will Go!

This picture is my friends and I hurrying off to the quilting bee. We just can't wait to get there so we are on skates. I'll give you three guesses who is the one wearing pink, falling on her patootey again. Of course it's me!  Thank goodness for petticoats!!!  
I was visiting a blog called As Sweet as Cinnamon, which is a really cute blog by the way, and saw she was having a quilt-a-long.  Her name is Dawn, and she is from Australia.  Those girls from Australia are some amazing quilters and crafters, I can tell you that.  I always see articles in magazines featuring someone or other from down under.  
I digress.  She was mentioning using a lot of scraps for this quilt, and was wondering if any of us out there had scraps.  I left her a comment telling her I did indeed have scraps and might just dump them out and see what I could come up with.  I was just toying with the idea of doing something with them and maybe joining the quilt-a-long.  Well, she wrote back and said she was so glad I was joining.  My first reaction was - gee, I haven't really committed to joining just yet.   I decided to take another look at her post and the previous posts showing the quilt, and I was so in! 



It is a sweet quilt for a little girl, featuring some applique with purses, cupcakes, butterflies, and as she says all things girly.









She has two  daughters, and she made two quilts, each just slightly different.  Do you see the differences?




She also has a version for little boys with a sailing ship in the middle which she says is very cute, but since I am thinking of a Christmas present for Haileybelle, I am making the girly version.



I have decided this will be a good test for me in discipline, since I am going to force myself to blog about each step, and each step is once a week; therefore I must blog weekly.  Whew.  I always get scolded for not posting often enough from my beloved blogging friends.  That's a lot for me - especially since my sister will be leaving soon to go back home and I will once again be the main caretaker for my mom.  It is a lot of work helping mom, but I'm just going to try to take one day at a time. I am even thinking of bringing my old retired sewing machine over there and trying to get in a little sewing while she is watching tv.  Usually there is so much to do once I'm there I'm not sure it is worth the effort of lugging over the machine and all my stuff, but I'll think about it. 

If you would like to visit Dawn and her blog, here is a link to As Sweet as Cinnamon.  It is not too late for anyone to join in, week one was a snap to do, just easy mindless kind of sewing.  Week 2 was just posted and doesn't look too hard or time consuming.  If you want to see her original post about the quilts, go to the  August 9 post and you can read all about it.   

I hope you all enjoy following along with me as I make the quilt.  I am thinking I will make a 2nd quilt as I go for my beautiful new little granddaughter, Ellie.  Gosh, I am going to pat myself on the back, I can knock out two Christmas presents at once.  You go Julie!!! You rock!!  Yes I am a dork. I do amuse myself though.    

I also am challenging myself to host my own quilt-a-long once I finish this one, so this will be good practice for me!

Here is week one - easy peasy.  Cut out eight squares and eight strips.  Add strips to top and bottom . . .

then to sides, of course pressing as you go.


When you're done you end up with eight squares, or in my case sixteen since I'm doing two quilts. If you look at the pictures of the finished quilts you will see the squares on the top and bottom.

Always the overachiever, I have decided to make a third quilt as I go for my sweet friend Keren, from Free Pretty Things.  Actually not for Keren, but for her daughter!  Keren hasn't ventured into the world of quilting yet, but I'll work on her.  Wait until I tell my also very sweet friend Donna, from Donna's Lavender Nest.  I am always telling her she is crazy for trying to do so many swaps.  Boy is she going to laugh at me!  She is an awesome quilter and actually does machine quilting for people, so if you need something quilted drop her an email. 

I'm really looking forward to making these quilts, and so far have enjoyed the sewing time.  Maybe this is the way I should do everything, just a little each week - I won't feel so overwhelmed!  Until next time . . .
A big thank you to Meri for the wonderful vintage images. Do visit her blog, you'll love it!   


17 comments:

  1. Miss Julie,
    Congratulations you WON my Giveaway...
    Let me know what type of Kitty you Want and e-mail me your snail-mail
    address. Hugs, Diane

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  2. These are darling and Miss Keren will love it...keep us posted...smiles...Renee

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  3. Wowee girl, you're just a sewin' machine yourself! Those quilts are lovely, and I'm sure will be treasured for a lifetime. I didn't know Donna did the overall/finish quilting....I might just have to hit her up for a project I have planned. Sending you lot's of warm virtual hugs, and hoping your mom is doing well.

    Love ya'
    Meri

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  4. Hi Julie,
    Oh...what a wonderful post. I will definitely be sure to go visiting Dawn at "As Sweet As Cinnamon".
    You are a busy Grammy with quilts in the works for the little ones in your life. I need to get busy and start one for my yet-to-be-born grandson...(He's due January 6th, but the baby shower is in November). Yikes....I am glad I popped by your blog...You are a good prompter for me to get going on his quilt! All those prairie bonnets that I made won't do well for the new little man...Oh, well!
    Thanks for sharing, my sweet friend,
    Blessings,
    Carolynn xo

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  5. I am a quilter wannabee! I just don't have the patience! I am loving the colors you have selected. Congratulations on winning Diane's giveaway!

    Blessings

    Linda

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  6. Can't wait to watch your progress Julie! Good idea to blog about your quilt as you go, this will keep you motivated, Marilyn.

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  7. You lucky girl winning Diane's give away. CONGRATULATIONS! I am proud of you joining a quilt along. The quilt is just precious. I love the fabrics you are using, I think I spy lavender. giggles. Hope you are enjoying your day.
    Hugs
    donna

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  8. Lucy,
    Adorable! I am sure you will get them done in time. I can't wait to see how they come together :)
    X's & O's
    Ethel
    ps...I want a photo of Ricky doing Zumba...LMBO!

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  9. So, so sweet!! Looking forward to see your progress! I will be checking out this cute blog. Keren is going to just love the quilt you make! Have a great week! xo Heather

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  10. Julie, I am always so happy to see you have visited. I always stop right where your comment is to hop over to see what you are up to. I visited the quilting blog, oh my one day wish is to get over the fear of quilting! It will be fun to see your blocks come along. Thank you so much again for the B'day wishes. They mean so much! Elizabeth

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  11. Soo sweet and beautiful!! :) And I love the very first picture of the vintage girls hurrying off to the quilting bee, so fun! :) Have a great day! xo Holly

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  12. Hi Julie...so nice of you to stop by!
    I've taught quilting for many years...love your blog and will surely return to keep up on your doings.
    Have a wonderful weekend,
    Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings...

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  13. Oh, good for you! I just haven't brought myself to take the quilting plunge either, but I love to stalk all the quilting blogs!.. thinking that somehow I might absorb some of that awesome talent!! I will be happy to watch you go crazy.. I mean enjoy making all the quilts! LOL. you are amazing. I love your sewing, so I know it will be wonderful.
    Blessings,
    Susie

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  14. The quilt is darling and I will enjoy following along as you make yours. I hope you enjoy making it!

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  15. Such a sweet and delightful quilt! Love the vintage card with the girls hurrying to a quilting bee! So sweet!

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  16. How exciting this is - I have been wanting to try quilting and this is just the inspiration I need - thanks for sharing.

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  17. Good luck on your 'challenge'! I just found your adorable blog and am your newest follower :)
    Susan

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