Progress

Slowly making progress. I took a friend's advice, and switched from making a crib size to a twin. She said that she made quilts for her children and they still use them! She pointed out how fast they grow out of the crib, so I made the switch. I've been making strips width-wise, and working my way down. I like the horizontal pattern, and so far it has been pretty simple. I'm using 4 inch squares, 14 across, and will be 23 down. I think I might add a contrasting border as well. Not there yet though. I've been listening to Pixar soundtracks...it's quite soothing! :) In fact, this whole process has been very soothing...I might start whipping out quilts like crazy, if I can rustle up enough fabric!

I'm thinking about making a bear to match this quilt. I decided I will make another in more gender neutral tones, too. I honestly just picked a fabric I liked and found coordinating fabrics. So maybe I'll go yellow next time. We'll see. I'm rambling now. Sorry this isn't a well-written entry. Just wanted to share how it is coming along!

Have a great Thursday!

Spring is in Bloom!

Hello Readers! I hope you're enjoying the beautiful spring weather that has finally arrived! I can't tell you how much I've been wanting to go to the Boston Public Garden lately...maybe I'll make it out there sometime soon. Spring is my favorite time of year...all the flowers are in bloom, the sun is shining, but not yet scorching, and everyone leaves their states of hibernation (at least here in New England) to be outside once again. 

For me, I got the urge to visit my favorite fabric supply store, Gather Here, to pick out fabric for a quilt. Once again, I find myself turning to sewing to ease some stress. We are now going into our 7th month of trying to conceive, and I have no happy news to report yet. Seven months may not seem like long, but it is much longer than my doctor had wanted us to take. It is sort of a balancing act while I go untreated for endometriosis, because the longer it takes, the more the disease grows and makes it difficult to have a baby. Luckily, my repeat laparoscopic surgery is approaching (just 6 weeks away), and I'm hoping it will be a helpful step in relieving my pain, as well as give us a fresh start. For those who don't know, endometriosis can cause infertility, by not only damaging vital reproductive organs (mainly the ovaries and Fallopian tubes), but by creating a toxic environment that makes it difficult to support and maintain a pregnancy. Hopefully this surgery will be just what we need. 

In any case, sewing is getting me through this tough spot, and making a baby quilt for a future little one is giving me something positive to work on in a process that feels very much out of my control. With my luck, I will never have a girl, and my choice of pink will seem silly. In which case...I'll figure out something. Who says boys can't enjoy a good shade of pink, huh??

How are you celebrating the return of spring?

University Custom Bear and Taggie

You see, I tell myself I'm not going to make any more bears because I haven't sold any, and then I make this little guy by request and he just makes me want to sew a troupe! He's so soft and cozy. *sigh* Why does Massachusetts have to have that stupid $300 licensing fee?! 

Here's the taggie that goes along with him. It is for a Baylor University family. I love how this one turned out. Of course, I usually do. :)

I have done minimal sewing lately, but my classes are over and this little guy got me in the spirit. He's been in the works since Thanksgiving, but thanks to little kitty's cystotomy surgery to remove three kidney stones (they were even bigger than mine! Poor kitty!), it has been nuts around here. Things are finally settled down, so I may post once or twice more on here before school starts up again. Hope everything is going well out on the blogosphere. I'm reading, but I am not saying much. Mostly just browsing when I need a break from studying. 

Oh, and Happy Holidays everyone! We celebrate Christmas, and we'll be visiting my family this year in Washington State. No snow though...boo. :( Are any of you celebrating anything this year? Happy sewing! 

Baby Shower

Today was my friend Emily's baby shower. I gave her Penni Panda with a pink ribbon and made her a taggie blanket with black, white, and pink accents. I think it's my favorite taggie so far! It's too bad I don't get to make them that often (since I can't sell them), because they are a lot of fun to design! One thing I did with this taggie that I hadn't with the others was a top stitching around the edges. This really helped to keep the taggie flat and make the side more uniform.

A close-up shot of the ribbons. I could spend so much money on ribbons alone. I'm on the 4th Shopaholic book (I got the series for Christmas), and I am trying not to channel Becky Bloomwood when I go into Joann Fabrics. Especially since I am saving for a fancy embroidery machine. ;) Here's hoping for a safe delivery and a happy, healthy baby, Emily!