Hexagon Pillow

What better way to practice for my hexagon quilt than to make a hexagon pillow?  Hexagons have always scared me a little, so I have never tried to make one.  But, when I was in California last month, I visited a cute little quilt store called Cotton and Chocolate Quilt Co.  (They are going to be featured in the next Quilt Sampler Magazine!)  The store owner, Marilyn, was there and she gave me lots of helpful tips and advice on how to make  hexagons.  She even has a tips and techniques booklet she has put out that gives you step by step directions on making a flower garden quilt.

So, after many reassurances that I would actually be able to make a flower garden quilt, I bought a kit and her booklet.  But, I wanted a little practice first.  I needed another pillow for my bed, so I gave it a shot.

It was much easier than I had thought!  Although, it did take me a few hexagons to figure out how to keep the paper pattern centered on the back.  I chose not to blind stitch around the flower, but to sew 1/4 inch in from the outside edge.  I wanted a more quilted look to it.  I think it turned out pretty cute.

The fabrics are from the ‘Fresh Cottons’ and ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ lines.  The pillow is a perfect finish for my bed makeover!

I think it will be quite a while before I can show my finished hexagon quilt, but I will be working on it slowly and surely!

Stormy

Lemon Zucchini Bread with Lemon Glaze

One word.  Yuuuummmmmy.  I pin lots of recipes on Pinterest, but have not tried to make any until today.  I love zucchini bread and I love lemon.  How could I not try it??  So, I felt I had to pass on this fabulous recipe.  You won’t regret it.  It is found here at Nancy Creative. 

Give it a try.  You’ll love it.

Stormy

A yellow skirt

I got in the mood to make skirts this weekend.  Not difficult actually use a pattern skirts, but cut large rectangles and sew them onto an elastic waistband skirts.  I had fun making them (except the part where I chopped my fingernail and a small piece of my finger off with the rotary cutter).  Didn’t really hurt cuz  it was a brand new, sharp, just out of the package blade. But, oh did it bleed!  I digress…  I showed daughter no. 2 all the cute fabrics she had to choose from and she said, “ Can I just have plain yellow?”.  Really?  “Plain yellow with ribbon sewn around the bottom.”  Okay.  Sounds cute.  I’ll give it a shot.  And, ohhhh I’m so happy I did.  It turned out so stinkin’ cute!!  The other girls skirts turned out cute too, but daughter no. 2 is the only one who would pose for pictures after church.  Everyone else was rushing to change into comfy Sunday afternoon clothes.  So,  here is the plain yellow stinkin’ cute skirt.

It’s so happy and sunshiney!  She was quite pleased with her idea too.

Hmmmm. I might have to do solid colors more often..

Stormy

Butterscotch and Roses Pillow

I’m currently working on a quilt made with a jelly roll of Butterscotch and Roses.  (Love)  I just got the quilt cut and and ended up with a handful of scraps.  There was just enough to make a pillow to match my new bedding!  Perfect.

And of course, my helper had to jump in a few pictures.  (I actually took lots more pictures of her than the pillow.)

Stormy

Flowers

It’s been busy busy few months and unfortunately the only sewing I’ve done was the girls Easter skirts.  But, hopefully I will be changing that soon.  I did manage to take a morning trip to the city rose gardens with my youngest cutie.  We had great fun stopping at every colored rose to smell them.

I’ve also been enjoying the flowers in my yard this year.  I’ve discovered that bulb plants tend to do well in Texas because they blossom earlier in the year and therefore, have more time to look pretty before the heat kills ‘em off in late spring.  I’ll definitely be planting lots more this fall!

They won’t last much longer, but I’m really enjoying them while they are here!

Stormy

Happy Easter!

I had fun making the Easter skirts this year!  They were super easy and turned out pretty cute. 

Stormy

My first quilt

While I was up cleaning my daughters room this morning, I found this stuffed under her bed.  She must have found it shoved in some deep dark closet somewhere and pulled it out.  It made me laugh in a funny/embarrassed kind of way.  My first quilt!  Wow. Check out all those awesome corners. (Ha!) I didn’t even know how to bind.  So, I rolled the backing around to the front.  My back must have been too small since it looks like I cut the top horribly crooked to make it fit.  Again. Wow.  Oh well, good to keep it around to see how far I’ve come. 

It’s framed perfectly by my lovely (not!) tile floor. 

I got the idea from a quilt I saw hanging in a quilt store.  Ric-rac was sewn along all the seams on the quilt, but I couldn’t afford it, so went without.  I wonder how  badly I would have messed that up… Too funny.  Brings back memories though.  What does your first quilt look like?

Stormy