Saturday Night Fever!

These Saturday night sew-ins at Tammy Tadd's with host Vicki are really getting me in the groove to make some cool stuff!
This is almost finished...it is the result of a ticker tape technique workshop from the Chicago Modern Quilt Guild. Most of the participants made a wall hanging, but I thought I'd make some hot pads that will look oh-so-fashionable hanging in my kitchen.

Next, I started this fabulous apron and finished it tonight. I made it for the woman I stay with when I go to Mexico for Christmas. She is one serious baker so I thought it would make a nice Christmas gift. This is one of the easiest patterns I've ever seen and at $6 it's a steal! I HIGHLY recommend this reversible Chatterbox Apron by Mary Mulari:

p.s. and a quick update for those of you who know the back-story:  Supercute is 7 pounds, 9oz, and 18 inches long! His original "due date" was May 15 so at 3 months now, he's doing great! If you click on the photo, you can see his little smiling face.

Whew, I needed that!

I was in the mood for a quick and satisfying project. After some blog-jumping for the Sew Mama Sew giveaway, I felt inspired to get going (dang, there are so many talented sewists out there!). I bought this feels-like-minky-but-it's-shag-carpeting-length stuff at Acorn Quilts, thinking it would make a dreamy backing for my down throw pillows:

Unfortunately, my pillows are 21" sq. and I only bought 1/2 yard. Schmutz! So, I decided that fabric on both sides was good enough. Here's the end result: Cuuuute! ♥

And in their new home:

Looks like I'll have to purchase some small pillow forms to use the shagadelic minky. Better still, make myself a new nightie!! Wa-hoo!

Bunnie's Bag. Part Deux.

I'll make a long story short: Remember the Aunt I made the Amy Butler sling bag for? Well, she wanted a Tammy Tadd You Go Girl bag also. This bag is no easy feat, let me tell ya! When everything is said and done, it's about 25 wide, 17 high, and 8 deep. 8 pockets and a key fob inside, 2 big pockets outside. It is the MOTHER of all travel bags. Meets airline requirements for carry on so it's truly perfect in every way. That's right, I said over 2 feet wide!

Moda's Blush fabric line for outer bag and strap insets. The "red" (in actuality is more subdued color) from Blank quilting and is a great match for the cherry tree branches.

I love the side ties♥ The reason it is sitting up so straight is because I used the wrong size interfacing. But hey, this thing is awesome! It might even take a bullet!

The inside is a cool blue solid and I embroidered Aunt Bunnie's name on it (my first shot at embroidery)--I hope she likes it!!

Celebrating Life

Today I brought cupcakes to class. One of my students (I'll call this person David) was hit by a drunk driver. His pickup truck was totaled, but somehow, he walked away unscathed. So I brought in cupcakes and declared today a celebration of David's life.

So do this one thing today: Tell someone how important he or she is, or how much he or she means to you. Just do it! Celebrate Life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's Like Grass, Man!

So tonight at the Saturday-night sew-in I didn't get too much accomplished. But, I did do the one thing I set out to do:
Our quilt guild has a challenge this month--you need to make a mini-quilt top from 4 fat quarters. You place the leftover material and pieced top into a bag and then the bags are traded with another member's (it's a surprise). You must finish the other person's top (you may add from your stash), including the quilting and binding, and bring it back in two month's time.
Here is my unfinished top. I was somewhat dreading making this, but Jennie was very encouraging, telling me to try something new and learn from the mistakes. I really like it so far and look forward to see someone else's interpretation of it as a completed work of art!

Oh, Naughty!

Dear blogging fashiznits,


I am in 7th heaven today. Jennie and I went to Quilt Fabric in Willowbrook and then Prairie Quilt Shop in Batavia.


Quilt Fabric has more batiks than you've ever seen in one place at one time. Except maybe a quilter's show. They make their own jelly rolls--check it out for one-of-a-kind color combinations. Chris, the owner, is quick-witted and ready to go! And look out, her minions are just as spicy!


I spied this lovely kit at the International Quilt Festival in Chicago, but they were out of it. Chris was kind enough to put this one together for me (and even offered to send it free of charge-very thoughtful♥-but really, who can resist a new quilt shop within 50 miles of her house? Not me!) As you can see, it's one of those quilts where the color choices are best left to the professionals. The material on the left is yellow/orange inner border and purple/fuchsia outer border. The purples and fuchsias came out a little more red than they really are but you get the gist. 72 assorted lovely strips. Click on the photo for a better view... I know, just dreamy!:

Then we hit Prairie Quilt Shop where owner Bonita is always smiling and ready to lend a hand picking out fabrics--she's great with color and coordinating! I did not purchase anything. today. tomorrow I'm going back. See what I mean? Oh, naughty!

Yes, I know it's nice to brag, but LOOK WHAT I GOT! I was the big winner on Sunflower Quilts' giveaway. Lucky me!!

p.s. For those of you who do not own an Urban Dictionary, fashiznit is "just a really awesome friend"
Hence, my greeting to you and I hope to be yours!


I'd like to take a quick moment to address all the moms out there! Happy Mother's Day! Here's my tiger at 6 months. Wow, that went FAST!:

Ouch, This Kid is Getting Big!

This is a picture of Aidan and his friend Emily; they have been friends since 4th grade and just attended formal together (as friends!!). Aidan was really thrilled that she asked him so that he could see all his friends from his former school. What sweet pictures from his first dance!