Simple Enough

Yep, I'm a sucker for a new quilt pattern. An even bigger sucker when the pattern is super simple. Simple enough to make at my kitchen table, simple enough to make with a little boy playing nearby, simple enough that I don't have to rely on much brain power...you get the idea.

I saw this pattern when I was browsing through some of my favorite on-line quilt stores this afternoon. I can imagine this quilt made with a variety of different fabrics. Lots of ideas pop in my mommy-drained brain! I've been wanting to try working with some Asian-inspired fabrics, and this quilt pattern just might be an option for me.

I have looked at lots of Asian-inspired fabrics lately, but I'm not convinced what to buy. I'm not sure I like the typical red and black fabrics. They look very traditional and lovely, but it's not what I envision for my house. I did see some muted golds, blues and tans that were beautiful too. I'm just not sure (those who know me best won't be surprised to hear me say that)! I'll be *forced* to look at more fabric until I find what I'm looking for! Any ideas? Send them my way!

Wordless Wednesday (...again)

Wordless Wednesday

Finished Friday

Here's a glimpse at some of my Brown Bear, Brown Bear items!

The throw pillow was made out of a panel from the Brown Bear, Brown Bear collection. Jenni longarmed whimsical loops all over the panel. Then, I whipped up a pillow cover once she was finished! The finished pillow is 24 inches square. I think it turned out adorable! The pillow adds a finishing touch to the twin bedding set since it features every animal in the popular Eric Carle book and the "What do you see?" saying.

The quilt itself is made up of "Tiny Turning Twenty" blocks and solid squares of the animals! It is a twin-sized quilt. (Although I didn't take a picture of the entire quilt...the inner border is the red tonal animals and the outer border is the large animals on white fabric. Maybe I can take a better picture at a later date!)

Jenni longarmed loops throughout the quilt. Then she longarmed words such as ribbet, quack, bark, brown bear, I love you, etc. for a personal touch!

You see, this quilt is for an *extra special* little someone! I'm sure he will love it! (It already has Nick's *seal of approval*!)

9-Patch Progress

Yesterday I took out my beloved Patisserie charm packs and started making some 9-patch blocks for a quilt top.

This fabric is so soft and pretty...I adore it! I'm not much of a "pink person", but I couldn't help myself with this fabric collection. An added bonus of this collection is the French countryside map pieces!

I'm working on a variation of a quilt pattern called "Dressed to the Nines" that was featured in an American Patchwork & Quilting magazine (October 2007, Issue 88). Kelly Alford, the designer of the pattern, has a simple philosophy on quilting and design.

~ Trust yourself. If is looks good to you, it is good.

Wordless Wednesday

Finished Friday

Here's an example of Jenni's fantastic longarming. Impressive!

This finished quilt is my "Peace on Earth" quilt using... Moda's Peace on Earth fabric! It's one of my favorite Moda collections of all time. I adore antique maps, and this collection uses gorgeous colors in the map pieces.

Contact Jenni at Taloulabelle's email address for pricing information for this particular design. Christmas is just around the corner, so contact her soon!

taloulabellesdesignco@yahoo.com

Maybe too close and too real...

This is my little guy's first official photograph, of who else? Me.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I hate. I mean HATE, LOATHE, DESPISE all pictures of myself. I really hate having my picture taken. (I sometimes even run from the camera.) My eyes are usually closed. I can always find a flaw. I think my head is extra large and round. And, don't get me started on the wrinkles. The sun damage. The realness of it all.

Well, Nicholas got very close to me and said..."Smile Mommy!" I think he captured me looking very everyday, very regular, very real. I, as usual, don't like the picture of myself, but I do like how he captured how I looked at him. I can see past some of the things I hate about my looks and see love in my eyes. That I like.

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I guess imperfections are a part of life, right? It's kind of like how I always want every seam to match and be perfect on my quilt tops. And, I usually have at least one seam that is off a little bit. It's a good reminder for me that life isn't perfect.

I'm lucky, my family loves my imperfect quilts and the imperfect me. How perfectly wonderful.

Ms. Butler if you're crafty...

Speaking of Amy Butler, Amy has released a new fabric range called LOVE! Here is what Amy has to say about Love...

"I couldn't be more excited about LOVE! My newest fabric collection for Rowan has me reeling. I've gone over-the-top with prints and color to make a luscious and yet "bite-sized" collection of 26 quilting/fashion weight fabrics and 12 Home Dec weight fabrics. A marriage by design coming from a love affair of rich, soulful, organic florals and architectural prints passionately inspired by my recent trips to Indonesia and England. Rich tropical colors with ethnic imprints, and elegance found in over the top florals like full roses and exploding peony blossoms join together in an optimistic celebration of print and color."

So pretty!

Wordless Wednesday

OttLite® Review...it's a shining star!!!

I just love this little gem of a light! The OttLite® is amazing!

I have had a love affair with this light when I am binding a quilt late a night! I really don't know what I did without it. (Other than pull the table lamp close to me and tilt the lamp shade for more light to see what I am sewing.) I read some other reviews on this lamp, but I haven't experienced any problems with my lamp. Other reviews mentioned that the lamp doesn't stay in position once it's been adjusted. Some reviewers mentioned that it wasn't "sturdy". I wouldn't recommend lugging it all over the place, but I don't think of it as fragile by any means. I'm thrilled with my lamp!

Not only is this a great lamp, but it's affordable too. Wouldn't this be the perfect gift for the quilter, artist, jewelry maker, seamstress, or crafter in your family or circle of friends?

http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp;jsessionid=ZUGYN4VITHOLEP4SY5DVAFJ50LD3OUPU?CATID=cat3247&PRODID=xprd326491

Details~

Match paper colors, fabrics, trims and embellishments accurately and easily with the OttLite® Folding Craft Lamp. The multi-position head, with rotating shade and articulating shaft adjusts to direct the low heat, low glare, natural OttLite® illumination. See details with ease and enjoy reduced eyestrain under this cool, soothing light.

Space saving design fits anywhere and folds down when not in use

Includes energy efficient 13wHD tube and rated to last up to 10,000 hours

Won't distort the actual color of trim and embellishments

Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday Jenni!

You deserve the very best on your birthday! Live it up, girl!

Did you make a birthday wish???