Stuck-good

Look at what came in the mail. This stunning quilt from my Aunt Tony.  And she wants me to quilt it.  ME.

I assure you these pictures do not do this quilt justice.  It simply takes my breath.  Away every time I look at it I see the hours of work spent on it.  I look at the color choices, the design, the layout all of it and I am in awe.  She wants me to quilt this.

Ah...P-A-N-I-C.

When I think about quilting this self doubt creeps in.  "I cannot do this."  "I have no idea what to quilt on this."  "What if I ruin it?"  Okay. .. deep breath.

Typically when I see a quilt that has this many seams this close together I think meander.  A meander pattern allows me to systematically avoid said seams and avoid breaking a needle.  Meandering is not what this quilt deserves.  Okay, now what?

Usually when I see a quilt with lots of angles, I quilt the opposite.  Okay. Circles.  No, not circles.  Something flowing perhaps, but not circles.

When I look at a quilt sometimes the quilt will lead me in a certain direction.  What do I see when I look at this?  A Star.  A sun radiating out it's light.  Fire.  Flames.  No, no and no. hmm.

Why am I stuck on this quilt?  What is it that is causing all of this?

I think of the 100's of quilts that I have quilted in the last 5 years and I cannot understand what it is about this particular quilt that has me shaking in my boots.  Fear and Doubt about my ability as a quilter are not uncommon to me.  I am sure they are not uncommon to many quilters. Currently I am paralyzed with fear.  All I have done for the last few weeks is fret over how what I am going to do about this quilt.  Why?

I am not sure.

Perhaps the answer is just to start small.  Baby steps.  yes. First things first.  Load the quilt. (good start right) This is a step that is easy.  Time consuming, yes, but easy.  The simple rhythm of loading the quilt on the quilt frame is comforting, peaceful even.  Maybe once I get this beauty loaded on my machine the rest will come just as naturally. Fingers crossed.

Knit-a-little

I have been playing with yarn these days.  I took a break from knitting for almost a year.  Then as long car trips for holidays took more of role in my crafting, I needed a more portable form of crafting.  Not that I didn't try to convince my husband that it was absolutely necessary that my sewing machine needed to travel with us. Heehee. :)

 I shared with you 2 projects already, the knit and felted stocking and the Sven Sweater.  Since the weather has gotten chillier I thought a hat would be a great thing to knit up, but then. I ran across the Calorimetry pattern on Knitty and well the rest as they say is history.  I knit up, not one but two of these great little headband/hats and are they ever cute!  The first I knit up in Cascade 220 heather gray.  It was a little plain.

When I started the second I needed a brighter cheerier yarn.  I started the second with Lion Brand Amazing in the Aurora color way.  I have to say this is my favorite.  I love the bright colors.  I even knit up a little rosette for the side using this tutorial, from Nicky Epstein.  Let me tell you, it makes the project!  Even my 12 year-old daughter wants to wear it.  Now that's a complement!

The pattern calls for a button to join the ends. The ends could just as easily be joined permanently with yarn.

 I had these cute buttons sitting in my button jar just begging to be used.  What a perfect finish.

{Post } Christmas round-up

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Well, it has been a long time since I blogged.  Wow!  I wanted to share a few of the handmade Christmas presents I whipped up.  Most of them at the last minute!  Why do I always commit myself to these projects with one week to go?  All I know is that I did not start packing for our trip to Ohio until 6pm the night before.  And that was when my DH stepped into my quilting space and exclaimed, "Okay, now you have to stop!"  Gee, some people.

First thing I want to show off is this adorable little apron and chefs hat I made for my 2 y.o. nephew.  His parents love to cook and I am told he is quite the chef in his little kitchen.

 I took this from 2 separate patterns and added my own little spin.  The chefs hat was from www.stardustshoes.blogspot.com.  The hat is adjustable which is good for growing little ones.
I liked the apron that was also designed by stardustshoes and was paired with the chefs because it was reversible and oh, to cute.  There was just one thing that kept me from making it...it needed to be tied by a grown-up.  Well if you have ever been with a two year old you will know that cooperation is not their strong suit. Using the pattern from www.sewliberated.com which is slightly smaller, and the pattern from startdustshoes I came up with this cute mix.
The apron has a pocket for carrying treasures, an elastic strap for pulling over his head and a Velcro tab at the waist for the all important, "I do it my self." 2 year old.

This little cutie also got a wonderfully warm and cuddly fair isle sweater from his favorite Aunt.  I knit up this sweater from Cottage Creations pattern The Big Sven Sveater. Although the picture is a bit fuzzy, I think you can tell it fits well! I am sure his hat and leg warmers are also hand knit, he is lucky that way.. Now I just need a picture of him wearing his hat and apron.  (Hint. Hint.)

front

back

Here are the three Hexi-stockings all hung in a row.  Don't they look pretty?

As I stated before the week we were getting ready to leave on Christmas Vacation I decided to "whip-up" 5 insulated casserole carriers. (Yes I said 5) Oh yea and I decided to try glass etching the sides to all of the casserole dishes as well.  Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures of them all together.  I managed to snag a few of this last carrier before it was shipped off.  I used the pattern that can be found here at twolittlehooligans  It is simple pattern with great instructions and rather quick too!  I mean if your not trying to make 5 in one week.

While I was out at the fabric store picking up a little extra Christmas fabric I stumbled upon an adorable polar fleece.  I decided right then and there that I was also going to sew up some polar fleece goodies for my little nieces.  Don't worry this was the week before the 5 casserole carrier decision.  Plenty of time left..

I stitched up this little snow bunting for my niece who will be arriving one chilly February day. This is a Butterick pattern # 5091  . I think I have used this pattern at least 8 or nine times.  It's quick and easy and I love it! She will be warm and snugly when she comes home in this cute little bunting.  

Lastly, I sewed this little polar fleece dress for my 18 month old niece.  Here I used McCall's Pattern #9532 sewn for size 1. Matching polar fleece cousins.  Too CUTE! Emma and I picked up a long sleeve shirt and some lavender tights at Gymboree for an Adorable little outfit.

Here she is at our Christmas gathering.  Isn't she precious.

My New Year's resolution is to have all of my Christmas presents for this year made before December.  With a little planning and a lot of patience I should be able to accomplish that.  I'll let you know how that goes. LOL.