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!

A Bird and Half a Dresden

My little brother and his wife are expecting there first baby this summer and it's a girl!  Ever since they found out what they are having I have been trying to decide what to do for a quilt for her.  What pattern?  What fabric?  Well, back in December I saw this quilt over on Flickr from Sarah.  I immediately fell in love with the little birds and went searching for embroidery patterns with no luck.  Just a few days ago I came across something that lead me to the Little Miss Shabby blog where I found the Birdie Stitches BOM.  So I did a test block to see how doable this would be for me.  It only took me two evenings to stitch this baby up so I think that is pretty good for my first time doing anything like this.

  

Isn't that little birdie just so cute?!  Now I have all of the patterns to make this into an adorable baby quilt.  I have a Ruby charm pack for the scrappy boarders which I am going to use as sashing between the embroidered blocks with out and solid sashing and I have pink minky for the back.  I am pretty excited about using minky for the back, but I am a bit concerned about the bulk it will add so I might use a flannel instead of batting.  Any thoughts on that?

I only need 38 of the 42 charms for the quilt so with some of the extras I made this adorable Dresden plate half.  I am in love with this pouch and have been wanting one for myself.  After lurking around the Mouthy Stitches Fickr pool and being inspired/motivated I decided today was the day I would make one (well, yesterday) and here it is!

I put my Dresden half to the bottom and did my zipper a little different, but I LOVE it!  I can't stop staring at it, I just think it is so adorable and it will be perfect to keep all of my floss and needles in while I am working on my Ruby Bird Baby Quilt (Birdie Stitches).



This little gal measures approximately 9 inches by 4 inches.  The exterior is Ruby and Quilters Linen and the interior is some fabric I had in my little stash from Joann's.  Oh, I just love, love, love it!

Anyway, have a wonderful day!

Christine