Doll Quilt Swap 11 received

Today I received my doll quilt from Doll Quilt Swap 11 and am thrilled with it:

This is from Sarah whose flickr name is lollybix.

Isn't it beautiful?

Here is the one I sent next to the one I received:

The one I sent is 9 1/2 inch square and the one I received is 14 inch square.

Sarah went above and beyond on the "extras" she sent:

Yes, all these fat quarters in my favorite colors.  It was a very good day.  Thank you again Sarah!

FQS Mystery BOM Quilt top & Embroidery 101 Block 4 complete

The quietness on my blog is due to celebrating my MIL's 95th birthday on Saturday at our house.  In attendance were 63 people!  

Luckily we had the perfect Minnesota summer day.  The food table was on the front porch with tables to seat 60 on the upper and lower decks.  Much visiting, eating and swimming.  Whew, glad it's over!

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You've probably seen this already on other blogs, but here is my FQS Mystery BOM using 12 Days of Christmas by Kate Spain for Moda:

This was my first ever BOM and I loved everything about it.  It was like receiving a surprise package in the mail every month and I couldn't wait to put the block together.  I love all the blocks and especially the finishing kit!  I can't wait to get it quilted and it will be all ready to use during the holidays!

I have another set of all twelve blocks already made to make a second quilt for a gift!

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I finished block four of Clover & Violet's Embroidery 101:

These are so fun and I love using all the new stitches I'm learning.

D.C. & Sewing

I have to start with the best photo; Miss Audrey in the dress I made her for her birthday:

Maybe one more:

 

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I returned from D.C. on Sunday very tired.  It was HOT but we got around on the Metro

 to see a lot of sights:

Washington Monument

Women's Vietnam Memorial

Vietnam Memorial sculpture

Korean War Memorial wall reflection left and sculpture right

World War II Memorial in front of Washington Monument

 

 Lincoln Monument

 

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I finished August Birdie Stitches on my trip:

Here is a poor photo of all eight blocks so far:

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I cut out FQS BOM the day I received it and didn't sew it until this week:

These are block twelve so I've completed 24 blocks and need to get this together and quilted in time for Christmas! 

I finished the curtains and they turned out great and my sister likes them. Little Audrey may spend her first overnight with Grandma, so no sewing this weekend.

Bee Block and Applique 101 Block

I had fun completing month two of Two's Company Quilt Bee.

Amanda chose the maverick star for her block.  I had not made one before but Amanda had directed us to a great tutorial, so no problem.

Hope you like it Amanda:

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I finished block three of Applique 101 from Clover and Violet. Block Five just came out, so I'm a little behind, but still moving:

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And taking up the rest of my time are curtains (which you will not see) and 

THIS:

My daughter is going to Germany for Oktoberfest a I agreed to make a Dirndl for her.  The translation of the Burda pattern leave a lot to the imagination.

Here are the fabrics she chose:

It's coming along quite well and the only problem is getting together for a fitting.  She only lives 45 miles away now rather than the 1500 miles away she lived for the past six years.  

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You'll find me here tomorrow - please check it out, it will be worth your while!!

 In real life - I'll be leaving in the A.M. and spending a long weekend in D.C.

 

Pinafore Bag out of Laminate and Nice & Nautical Placemats

I've never sewn with laminate and have been eying it for a long time.

While at the Minnesota Quilt Show, I came across the perfect kit for a bag:

Pinafore Bag by Me and My Sister Designs and Andover fabrics:

I added interfacing to the lining and a layer of the handles in addition to the fusible fleece recommended in the pattern.  I like a little more body to a bag.  I bought the Clover Wonder Clips to use with the laminate rather than pins and they worked great.  I didn't have any issues sewing on the laminate.

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I can never throw any fabrics scraps away.  I had leftovers after making this table topper:

.....so I put them all together and made two placemats to use on the deck:

Gen X Quilters: Summer Fair

I made this quilt a LONG time ago and posted about it when my blog was very, very new.  

I thought the Summer Fair would be a good time to bring it to my blog again:

It is called Cosmati II from the book Bella Bella Quilts by Nora McMeeking.  I made this in March of 2009 and it was quilted by Janice Antony who has done many of my quilts.

It's mostly done by paper piecing with an applique center.

July Birdie Stitches and Alice Matilda

I met my self imposed deadline and finished July Birdie stitches before the end of the month!

Barely!!

All ready for August now.

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AND.......

We're grandparents again!!

Alice Matilda was born on July 25th to Jessica and Erik.

She weighed 9lbs. 4oz. !!!

That little owl dress I made her won't fit for long!