Handmade Holiday's Part Three

Here is my last quilt for 2012.  The block is called swoon and I just love it.  Each block is a 16 inch square.  The fabric is mostly from my stash, except the background fabric which is Robert Kaufman's quilters linen in stone.  I gave this quilt to my father's girlfriend for Christmas.  It measures 56 inches by 56 inches.

I free-motion quilted it with a loop design.  Next time I'm gonna try out the 24 inch block.

I can't believe 2012 is over!  It was a great year, with lots of sewing:)

XO~ Amanda

Handmade Holiday's Part Two

Now that Christmas is over, I get to share a few more gifts that I've made.  Here is the chevron quilt I made for my boyfriend's sister's boyfriend.  We played secret santa, which is nice because we only have to give one gift and can make it super special.  I really like how it turned out!

 The pattern is a modified version from Anna Maria Horner free patterns.  You can find it here: Chevron Quilt.

 The size is a little bigger then a throw size quilt.  I machine quilted it with a straight stitch.

Thanks for looking~ Amanda

Wedding Quilt

I finally get to share this beautiful quilt I finished for my sister and her new hubby.  The pattern is called birdbath and it is from one of my favorite quilt books, The Practical Guide to Patchwork.  This is the second quilt I have made from this book.  The fabric is mostly Amy Butler Daisy Chain with a Kona gray fabric in the background.   The size is a little bit smaller then a twin.

 I machine quilted it myself with a free-motion stippling.

The wedding was a lot of fun.  I got to do a little roller skating and even caught the bouquet, uh oh;)

Congrats you guys!

XO ~  Amanda

Handmade Holiday's Part One

My goal this year was to make all my holiday gifts, so far I have done pretty well and only had to buy some extra fabric and batting.  I really enjoy making gifts and don't mind the extra effort it takes.  Taj is only two and is just learning about Santa and Christmas, so I don't think he'll mind a few handmade presents from his mom:)

 I made Tajie a little Peg Bear, from the book One Yard Wonders.  The front is a from a fat quarter I have been saving for a very special project, it is from Birch fabrics. The belly and ears are a natural flannel.  The back and face are yarn dyed linen in denim by Robert Kaufman (love).
I also made him a giant zipper bag (18x12inches), it is made from some yard sale denim and a thrift store vintage 16 inch green zipper.  I machine appliqued the stacked stones and used some of my scrap Birch fabric for the stones.  I hope he loves them!

I made this cute bag for my niece Zoe.  I used mostly scrap fabric, the pink and beige are from a yard sale.  The pattern is from the book Bags the Modern Classics, I altered the handles and made them shorter.  I think I would consider this bag Zakka Style, because of the appliqued flower design.  The bird was also my first attempt at embroidery.  

Here is my second attempt at embroidery with this cute little zipper bag:)

I am really enjoying embroidering.  Thank you for looking! Amanda

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am not much of a holiday person, but today turned out pretty well.  I had a lovely vegan Thanksgiving at my boyfriend's parents house, well I was the only vegan but there was plenty of food for me to choose from.  This week I have been working hard at getting my etsy shop ready, but it can be hard to do when you got a busy 2 year old running around.  The hardest part is taking good photos of your items.  I also finished a pair of patchwork pot holders, which is my second finished Christmas present so far.  Feeling accomplished since it isn't even December yet.

I really like how they turned out and had a lot of fun digging threw my fabric scrap basket.  They are trimmed in a nice natural linen, and backed with a soft green fabric, and for some reason I didn't take a photo of the back.  They are 9x9 inches, which to me is a big pot holder.  If I make more pot holders I would definitely make them smaller.

I also finished a cute baby girl wonky star quilt, which I'm going to put in my etsy shop.  I hand quilted along the stars and really like how it turned out.

Well gotta go to bed, thanks for looking~ Amanda

Bias Tape

So I just got a Clover Bias tape maker, only about 6 dollars on amazon and I love it.  I wanted to invest in a more expensive one, but this one is pretty great.  I got the one inch size, which is great for making bias tape for baby clothes.  All you need is your iron and ironing board and you are all set!  Here's what  it looks like:

I added the sweet little trim to the neckline with some vintage fabric to a linen blouse I made recently.  I had to sew it twice and make bias twice, because of my mistake, but it finally turned out.  I am already working on another one.  I just love that I don't just have to use store bought bias trim and I can make it with cute prints.  I just need to improve my ability to sew it straight, haha!

For Taj's birthday party I made a lot of bunting and so we decided to hang it up in his room for a while.  I like how it looks against the bright turquoise wall.

I just had to share:)  I also made him the little teepee awhile ago, wish he would use it more often, but he is always on the go.  And that sweet little quilt my momma made for him.

Have to add a sweet photo of pup Stella.  She's always on the look out, she is just waiting for the bear to return:) uh-oh

Well thanks for looking and reading~ Amanda

Wonky Star

Wow, I have been working on a lot of different things lately.  Taj just turned 2 and we threw him a little  birthday party, which was a a lot of fun.  There was some badminton playing, some croquet, some beer drinking, some skinny dipping (for the two 2 year olds) and some vegan and non vegan snacks.  The weather is still gorgeous here it has been in the 90's, so we spend most of our days digging dirt and riding tricycles.  But soon the rain will come and we will spend many hours indoors.  Anyways on to the crafty stuff.  I am in love with this wonky star block. I just whipped up these blocks, I used this tutorial: Wonky Star.  I am making it into a baby quilt and using leftover Joel Dewberry Heirloom scraps I have leftover from a previous quilt.

 Oh my I love this block, so easy and you can make it so many different ways.  I have so many ideas!

 Here's a peek at another baby quilt I am working on, just have to bind it.  I used the stacked Coins tutorial from Moda and the fabric is Thomas Knuaer Flock and the brown orange is a yardsale find from my wonderful mother.

Here's a look at Taj's blanket I have been knitting for him.  I am taking my time with this one:)

Thanks for looking! Amanda