Colorado

Colorado was great, It was nice seeing family! The trip there and back was a long 19 hours each way, but Riley did very well and slept more than I thought he would so that helped. The weather was nice, hot, but bearable. We had tons of fun just hanging out, swimming and doing a little shopping. 

The last whole day we were there we went out to a local lake for some swimming, a picnic lunch and some fun on my brother's boat. It was a blast!

The lake was surrounded by mountains most of the way around it and it was just gorgeous!

Riley had a ton of fun playing with his aunts, uncles and cousins.

B is absolutely adorable!  I couldn't get enough of her and it was really hard leaving knowing it would be at least five months before I would get to see her again.  Here she is laying on the Ruby Bird Baby Quilt I made for her.  Her mom and dad loved it so I know it will be used which is all I ask for!

Here she is making her "cheerio face" as her daddy calls it.  She does it all of the time and it is so cute!

This photo is more of the blanket she is on than actually of her, she was not very happy at the time (and excuse the poor photo.)  Back in March I made this self binding baby blanket, there are tons of tutorials out there, and matching burp cloths, bibs and wash cloths.  I had planned on sending them out for the baby shower, but then they didn't have one so I took them out along with the quilt and they were in full use by the time we left.  When we got out there I realized I didn't have any pics of them so this is all you get. 

While we were out there I took some time to do my niece's senior pictures.  I just wanted to share one with you all.  I can not believe she is a senior in high school!  I was in fifth grade when she was born and I remember it like it was yesterday...  Anyway, isn't she beautiful?  I realise I'm a bit biased, but come on.

Overall the trip was great and I miss them all so much already!  We may be going back out for Christmas or they may be coming here, we're not sure yet.  Either way I can't wait!

Have a great day!

Christine

Catchin' Up!

Gosh...I don't even know where to start! 
First of all, if you are reading this I just want to say "Thank you!" for not giving up on me.

Things have changed so much since I started this blog a year ago.  I'm not terribly comfortable going into all the details, but I will say we are currently living with my parents due to recent struggles.  My sewing space is a little sewing cabinate tucked in a corner.  I guess I should be happy I have any space at all.  It's just harder when I can't just go sit down and start sewing or just walk over my cutting table to cut something.  I don't know how you kitchen table sewers do it!

But anyway, I have been doing some sewing and quite a bit of handstitching.  I'm taking Handstitching Class and I'm plugging away at my Ruby Bird Baby Quilt.  I really need to get this quilt finished since this little cutie...

...was born just a few days ago and we leave for Colorado in less then 3 weeks! 

This quilt is for her, B, and I can't wait to finish it and get to meet my little brother's first baby!  I didn't expect to be so emotional about this, but I have been.  This is the first baby in the family that I haven't been able to meet with in hours of their birth and it has been really hard.  She will be a whole 3 1/2 weeks old be for I get to hold her!  It's killing me!

January

March

April

May

I'm currently working on the July block and should be finished tonight or tomorrow.  When I focus on working on them I can knock them out pretty quick.  Now that B is here I'm really feeling the pressure to get this quilt finished up which equals a lot of hand stitching!

Probably not the best time to take a handstitching class then, right?  Well I did anyway!  I'm gonna have quite a bit of catching up to do and I can't wait to do it!  I'm taking Rachel's Handstitched Class and I can't wait to finish the quilt that goes along with it.  It includes reverse applique, embroidery, english paper piecing, applique and hand quilting.  Now obviously I've done a couple of these, but learning the ones I haven't and having step by step instructions to make the Modern Medalion Quilt are so worth it!

So far I've done the center medalion which was done with reverse applique.

And I have it prepped to start the embroidery.  I'm having a hard time putting this aside.  I wanted to start on it right away and was plannin to, but I really need to get B's quilt done so this will have to wait.  The perk is that I will have plenty to keep me busy on the 17 hour trip out to Colorado and then another 17 hours home!  Just need to make sure I take some Dramamine...

I'm loving my choice to use Aunt Edna by Denyse Schmidt.  I've been picking up fat quarters and yardage evrey chance I get.  I LOVE this line and plan on using it for all of my Handstitched Class projects.

So there ya have it.  That's most of what I have been working on lately.  I have been keeping my Flickr up to date and post quite a bit on Instagram (christink35) so add me to your contacts or follow me if you would like.

Christine

Love Birds

We are in the process of moving and I just spent most of the day out in our unheated garage packing and cleaning.  I. Am. Freezing.  I'm sitting on the couch in some cozy, warm sweats and nestled under a quilt and I just can not get warm.  Right now a fireplace and some hot chocolate sound heavenly!

Any who, I have finished the first block of my Ruby Bird Baby Quilt and I love it.  It is just so darn cute if I do say so myself.

I decided to start with the February block since, well, it's February and Valentine's Day is tomorrow.  It came together quite quickly and I really enjoyed the process.  I can't wait to finish this quilt, it's going to be so stinking cute, I may not be able to give it away!

I am also loving this fabric!  It's Ruby by Thimble Blossoms and the color pallet is just lovely.  I only have the charm pack I am using for this quilt, but I want more!

  

And look how great my Ruby Dresden Pouch fits into the mix!  It is perfect for holding my embroidery floss, needles, thread snips and glasses.



On another note, I pulled these fabrics for a possible mini quilt to enter into Jennifer's Modern Mini Challenge.  I have an idea all drawn out and I am quite excited about it, but I'm not sure if I will have time to finish it by the dead line.  I will try...I am making it either way!

Have a wonderful evening!


Christine

P.S.  I'm still cold!