Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails...

... that's what boys are made of!  Last week was a week of Boy Quilts.  Some dear friends are in Taiwan right now finishing up all the red tape and paperwork to bring home their 2nd son from that country.  Some time ago I whipped up a quick top for Jeremiah.  Last week quilter hubby and I got the label made and added to the back... sandwiched the layers and then he quilted it one afternoon... zip... zip.. done. The man is a beast when it comes to machine quilting!  I think it turned out super cute!

At the beginning of last week, I put together a quilt top for a young couple in our church expecting their first child.. a boy. I had picked out some fabrics from my stash, but then learned they were using brown and blue in the nursery.  Hub and I made a mad dash to a couple of fabric stores and bought a few things but nothing would gel in my mind. So I decided to stick with the original fabrics.  Found a pattern in an old quilt magazine and took off.  It is set on point... my first time to do that.. stressed me out totally... I am very much a wing-it girl and this took way more planning and watching than I am use to.  It turned out well though.

But when it came time to sandwich and quilt, I just couldn't do it. I knew it wasn't what they wanted and would not suit them at all. So last Saturday, the day before the shower, Hub and I pulled charms and scraps and such and started cutting.  I pieced together the top... a quick and easy coin top made up of tan, cream and blue coins... set with brown sashing and borders.  Hubby then did his quilting magic and voila!  a quilt was born.  The photo does not do it justice. The brown fabric is not as dark as it appears... although it is dark.. it is Kona Cotton Espresso and has a very rich tone.  The expectant mommy loved it... so it was well work the change in plans!

Now this pink girl is ready to work with something girlie!

"Belle"

Quilts for Kids & Froggy Coins

I recently read about the Touch of Comfort Quilt Program being sponsored by Downy. These quilts are given to children with terminal or critical illnesses (in hospitals) and children in shelters. To participate, you can go to http://www.quiltsforkids.org/ I went and requested a kit last week and today one arrived. I have all the fabric I need to make a quilt, already cut and with a pattern included! Check this out:

I have 4 weeks to get the quilt completed and back to the organization. All that I have to contribute is thread, batting and a bit of time.. and in return a child somewhere gets a quilt that lets him or her know someone somewhere is thinking of them and cares.

I did a bit of sewing this evening. Got the Froggy Coin quilt done for my friends' son. Later this week I will get some batting....and get everything sandwiched and ready to quilt. I think it turned out very cute. Here is the overall quilt:

And here is a close up to show some of the Froggy fabric I used:

Happy Quilting! "Belle"

Great Day Quilting

Next Saturday is National Quilting Day... but we celebrated like it was today. The sewing machines have been humming... rotary blades flying... steam iron hissing... hubby and I are covered in threads... it has been a very good quilty day.

I am part of a small, wonderful, close-knit online quilting group and we do a block lottery every quarter. Last summer I won! 36 really cute repro-blocks. I finally got around to putting the blocks together and adding a single border. I am going to add another border or two, but I am waiting for some repro fabric on order. I love how it looks and evidently so does my fabric loving pooch, Mac. He decided to hop up on the bed and take a good look at my work and added some lovely smudges from his muddy paws. Oh well... it'll wash out and he is so darn cute!

Hubby is working on a quilt for our DD. Her brother has one made by dad, but she doesn't. Hub and DS have a thing about bugs.. especially dragonflies.. so her quilt has fabrics with dragonflies, lady bugs, butterflies and the likes. Very colorful and very cute. He got a lot done today. Here it is laid out in sections on the bed:

The last quilty project of the day was another one of mine. A friend is adopting baby #2 from Taiwan. Jeremiah is a special boy with CP just waiting for his mom and dad to come get him... SOON! They have been affectionately calling him Froggie boy based on the Acronym F.R.O.G. (Fully Relying On God). God has shown up and shown out in providing the funds and means to bring this sweetie home. Just like he did with big brother, Noah. So, of course, I knew Jeremiah would need a Froggie quilt. I have some Chinese Coins in the works using lots of colorful fabric... several with Frogs on them. Not sure where I am going after that, but I am sure it will be cute! Here is the beginnings of it...

Happy National Quilting Day.. a week early! Maybe we will celebrate again next week too! :-)

"Belle"