Here is the super honest (I promise) truth about
my first adventure in quilting.
Out of all of the things I have ever made,
this quilt is by far my favorite.
A huge part of my love for it involves that fact that I can't
believe that I actually finished it.
Or that I actually loved every single step.
It didn't hurt that every step was
simply illustrated with pictures here.
I big puffy heart Old Red Barn Co.
With my whole heart, I want you to know, that if I can make this, so can you.
Seriously.
Skill wise I would rank it a 2 out of 10 in the difficulty scale.
I am not kidding.
Not a 2 from a person who is a professional,
Parsons School of Design trained seamstress.
A 2 from a self taught, real person, who only sews simple things.
Who is horrible at following patterns,
has insane A.D.D.
and sneaks in craft time as the critters sleep.
Rotary cutting.
Straight line sewing.
Ironing.
That's it.
Seriously.
It took me less than 10 hours from start to finish.
Just four Monday's worth of nap time.
The only hard parts were choosing the fabrics
and battling my A.D.D. when I was ironing the seams.
What always held me back was the thought of actually "quilting" the quilt.
I know myself.
I know my skill level.
I know my severe lack of patience and detail.
I know my sewing machine.
I know that if I attempted to quilt it,
I would have to break up with my sewing machine.
I also would probably have to go to the ER for a
broken foot from kicking said machine.
I felt like a failure when I decided to send it out for quilting and binding.
But then REAL quilters told me that is what they do as well.
For their quilts that are real works of art.
With curves, patterns, details, things that I could never ever do.
So I got my quilt ready to go to Back Porch Quilters.
I pressed all of the seams,
clipped all of the threads,
made the backing out of pink and white polka dot fabric,
included batting,
one yard for the binding,
(as soon as I found out they did binding too I did a little dance)
folded it all up,
said goodbye and gave it to my mailman.
Within days Mr. Backporch Quilter called me to discuss thread color and quilting pattern.
I told him how clueless I was, and if he could help me pick.
Quickly he put Mrs. Backporch Quilter on the phone.
She advised me on thread color (I used Pinky Pinks)
and when I told her the pattern I was thinking about (Waterworld) she kindly suggested that pattern might be a bit too busy for my already bright and vibrant (read busy) quilt.
Together we chose Alfresco.
A little over a week later my quilt returned to me.
I didn't pre-wash my fabric or binding, so when I did thrown it in the wash it would wrinkle and crinkle. I think that is actually my favorite thing about it.
How it is so new, yet already looks well loved.
This quilt is 5 x 7 feet.
It could have been bigger, but thanks to my lack of details, I mis-measured and didn't pay very close attention while I was cutting the squares.
12 of them came out the wrong size.
But, 5 x 7 is a perfect size for a twin bunk bed.
I am going to make pillows out of the leftover blocks
Halley would much rather play dress up, than be bothered with posing for a photo, but each nap and bed time I tuck her in under her quilt and she looks at me and says:
"Mommy, thank you for making me a beautiful quilt."
While she is off in dream land,
she doesn't notice that many of the blocks do not line up.
Or that it is far from square.
She just cuddles under the warmth and love made for her by her mommy.
I rarely make anything more than once.
It doesn't take much to bore me.
Shockingly, I already have fabric picked out for three more quilts
and I simply cannot wait to carve out time to work on them.
That is how easy this was.
That is how much I loved making it.
So find some yummy fabric.
(All of mine is from Etsy. You can find
Grab a rotary cutter and sew.
You will never know if you can do it unless you try.
Happy quilting.
Today I am excited to feature a giveaway from
the amazing Kristin of
Lu Bird Baby.
She has generously shared her tutorials the past two weeks and I would love you to learn all about her, her family and her sweet shop.
Meet Kristin.
"Hi everyone! It is so good to "officially" meet!
I am Kristin, wife to my amazing husband Aaron and Mommy to Mackenzie (19 months) and Wesley (due Aug. 3rd!), crafter, blogger and owner of Lu Bird Baby. Every since I was little I have loved crafting and creating things. Being able to use my imagination and bring my ideas to life makes me happy...even if they don't always turn out as planned :)
Painting, scrapbooking and crocheting in my spare time were about the extent of my crafiness, until I had my daughter. She introduced me to the wonderful world of mommyhood, spit up and my inner girly girl.
Mackenzie was a huge spitter upper since the day she was born. It seemed like there was always something (be it drool, spit up or cute baby noises) coming out of her mouth. Because of this she was never without a bib and my husband and I were never without a burp cloth. I had the hardest time finding cute bibs to go with her outfits and trendy (and absorbent) burp cloths to go with mine so I decided to take matters into my own hands and make some myself (my first time ever touching a sewing machine!!). From the bibs and burp cloths I moved on to baby headbands (because I have a weakness for bows, ruffles and all things girly) and my business "Lu Bird Baby" was born.
As Mackenzie grows, so does my creativity. She constantly gives me new ideas for fun girly things to make and once Wesley is here I am sure I will be making more "manly" things as well, so stay tuned!"
Felt mail.
Seriously, crazy cute.
Is this just the best breakfast you ever did see?
Now a two year old could bring you breakfast in bed!
A baby doll changing set.
Adorable.
My girls would spend hours taking care of their dollies.
Going out on the town?
Your little man can now roll in style.
If Janey ever grows hair, this set is so me it's crazy!
What more could a girl ask for to organize her hair candy on?
Kristin is offering a
$20 gift certificate to
Lu Bird Baby.
Hooray!
Here is how you can win:
(remember, leave a separate comment for each entry)
1. Visit her shop.
come back here and tell me your favorite item.)
2. Visit her blog.
leave some comment love.
3. Follow her on twitter.
she just joined today and who doesn't love friends to tweet with?
4. Leave a comment with the BEST baby advice you have ever been given.
Baby Wesley is just weeks from making his grand arrival
5. Leave a comment with the WORST baby advice you have been given.
I look forward to a few laughs.
A winner will be chosen on Friday July 24th.
is it you?
yes!
if you are
but if that's not your name, don't fret.
kelly can pretty you up too.
every girl needs a little fabulous.
I asked her to share another meaningful and genius idea this week.
I love that it is simple, affordable and cute, but most of
all teaches our little ones to think of and care for
those besides themselves.
Enjoy, and let Kristin know when you
incorporate it into your family routine.
Aaron and I try to be intentional about living out our faith for Mackenzie to see so we can teach her to know and love the Lord and live her life for Him. Lately I have been brainstorming some new, fun ways to implement spiritual disciplines and truths into our day.
And I came up with the Prayer Pail.
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The plan is to let each of our kids pick one (or a couple) sticks out of the prayer pail while we are at the dinner table and then let them pray for whatever or whoever is on the stick.
Hopefully it will work out well!
Want to make your own prayer pail?
All you need is:
-large craft sticks
-a bucket (or you can use an empty tin can, flower pot, mason jar...whatever really)
-scrap paper
-markers
-stickers
-scissors
-double sided tape
-ribbon
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Step 1: Cut out a strip of card stock, add the words "Prayer Pail" with stickers or a pen, and attach to the front of your bucket with double sided tape. Feel free to decorate the back as well with some stickers, verses on prayer or anything else you would like!
Step 2: Write the names of friends, family and any other people or things you want to be praying for on the craft sticks and place in your bucket.
Some of the ideas I added:
-The names of Friends and Family
-The Lost (People who don't know Jesus)
-Missionaries we know
-Our Church
-Our Neighbors
-Our City
-Thank Him!
-Praise Him!
-You Choose (they can pick anything they want to pray about)
Step 4: Cut a bunch of ribbon pieces and tie on the handle to spice things up a bit.
Yeah! Your done!
"These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you.
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."
Deuteronomy 6:1-9
Posted in bible, happy sunday, jesus