I apologize for not posting anything lately.  First I got a computer virus and was not wanting to get on the computer for awhile, then I caught a real virus and was bed ridden for a few days.  Then I had some committments for my chuch, and now I'm off to Tennessee to visit my mom, who has been off and on sick lately. I'll miss all of you.  Can't wait to get back and begin quilting again.  Bye for now.

I just discovered a new giveaway at J Beaudet Studios .  She's an artist and paints beautiful original watercolor illustrations, you can visit her at beaudetart.blogspot.com  She is giving away a couple of her paintings, can you believe it!  I put 2 of her buttons on my blog that will take you to her etsy shop and her website or blog.  You really should get on over there to see what I'm talking about!!

Craftsy BOM

I joined the Craftsy BOM and here are 2 of the blocks I've made using scrap fabrics. 

These colors are really bright aren't they?  This is called the Asterisk

 This is called the Wonky Pound Sign

These are the 2 blocks for January  (I am sooo far behind, but trying to catch up)!!

Well, I was going to download my photos of what I've been working on, but the battery is my camera is completely dead.  So I'll have to do it in a couple of days.  I've been real busy these last few days, which is why I haven't written about anything.  I've been trying to get caught up on the Craftsy BOM and I did the 2 blocks for January and have started the 2 blocks for February, but they are stuck on my camera... I've also been doing some sewing for my church, I make Buntings for newborn babies.  So I've got a picture of the one I finished, but have 3 more cut out and about 1/4 of the way thru... I also wrote a couple of letters for a little girl in Africa that I write to thru Compassion International.  Her is her picture.  This was her first picture I received.

Here is her updated picture I received in February this year.  Isn't she pretty?  I've been writing her for 2 years now and it is the most rewarding thing I have ever done.

The beginning of my Doll House quilt

Hello everyone, I've been working on a doll house quilt that I fell in love with about a year or so ago when I bought the book "Material Obsession" by Kathy Doughty and Sarah Fielke.  The name of the quilt in the book is "The Burbs."  So I have been collecting fabrics and collecting fabrics and have finally begun to make some of the dolls and wanted to share the process with you.

These are the first 3 dolls I have made.  I've put a hat on one of the dolls, but haven't on the other 2 because I haven't decided what I want to do yet.

This doll is actually going to my co-worker whose birthday is coming up in June.  I wanted to get started on it right away since I'll be going on vacation next month and I still need to embellish it and ...more to come on this doll.  I think she will really like the fabrics and colors. I think as I make more of these dolls I'm going to do something a little different with their legs to make them look more feminine.

Okay, so here is the process:  for the small dolls I wrote out a fabric cutting guide which makes the process go faster.  I cut out all of the pieces ahead of time.  Sorry it's a little hard to read.  You start with a 4" square and a 4" x 1" strip for the dress fabric.  That's all you cut from the dress fabric.

Next cut 2 pieces of background fabric:   (2) of  2 1/2" x 4 1/2 " then place right sides facing each other place the background fabric on top of the dress fabric at a slight angle (depending on how small or wide you want the dress to become) and sew a 1/4" seam allowance. Like the picture below. 

Then trim across the bottom so you have a straight line.

Next cut pieces for the arms and hands:  (arms) use the strip you cut from the dress fabric (4 x 1" strip) and (hands) cut (2) 1 x 1 1/2" of cream or skin colored fabric.  Then sew the cream colored fabric onto the ends of the dress colored fabric.

This is what it will look like. 

Next cut pieces for the head.  Using cream colored fabric cut (1) 1 1/2" square.

Then cut (2) pieces from background fabric 1" x 1 1/2" strip

Sew to make this strip

See, now you've made the head

For the legs

cut (2) pieces of brown fabric 1" x 1 1/2"

and from the background fabric cut (2) 2 " x 1 1/2"  and (1) 1 1/2" square

Sew 1/4" seam allowance to make a strip like below

They will be attached in this way.

Before joining the pieces, you should think about how you want to embellish the dress.  If you plan to use ric rac you will want to add it now so you can sew the edges into the seam allowance.  I plan to embellish with buttons, so i can go ahead and sew the strips together using 1/4" seam allowance.  You may want to fold the head in half and finger press the center of the head piece so you center it on top of the arms and the same for the legs.  That way your pieces will be centered.

 Below is from the book as to how to layout the pieces.

A picture from the book, of the quilt "The Burbs"

This was a very easy doll to put together, once you cut out all the little pieces, they go together very quickly.  I had a lot of fun making the dolls and plan to continue making more, then on to the houses. I also plan to make some of the larger dolls too.  More to come on my quilt.



A bouquet of flowers for Kristen

In January I posted that I decided to make each of my co-workers a "fabric birthday card"  and today was Kristen's birthday and I made her this fabric card/hanging picture or what ever you want to call it.  I do try to use fabric or designs I think the person I am making the gift for will like, that's why I choose these sort of muted colors.

I made this from a book I purchased by "Lynette Anderson" and here is her book.

She has the most adorable projects in here and I would highly recommend this book if you like embroidery and applique (which are 2 of my most favorite things to do)!  This flowerpot picture is just 1 of 9 different squares of a "Garden Scenes Quilt."  I would put up a copy of the quilt or page from the book, but I'm not sure if (due to copyright rules) I should do that or not.   So I am airing on the side of caution, however, if anyone knows anything about this, please leave me a comment.

A couple of days ago I was talking about a radio podcast I listened to at www.allpeoplequilt.com and I wanted to give you some additional information on one of the quilt a longs that started March 1st, 2012 on Flickr.  There is a Granny Square Quilt Along that is located at http://kritta22.blogspot.com/2012/02/granny-squares-quilt-along.... .  Kritta has created a fantastic tutorial there and wanted to put this information on my blog in case anyone is interested.  You can join these quilt a longs at any point, doesn't have to be at the beginning.  Come and join us!

I just discovered a cute little Flickr group by  Quirky Granola Girl. 
I just love quilts that have little houses in them, and I came across Melinda's group and wanted to share it with you.  Her tutorial's are wonderful and easy to follow.   I am putting this here so I remember to visit there often. 

Melinda also created an October Orchard Themed block, also on Flickr, which has the most adorable canner with canning jars.  This is such a cute block, you must go to her blog to see it. 

She has "the best tutorials", visit her at quirkygranolagirl.blogspot.com

All People Quilt Internet Radio show

Are you familar with All People Quilt website?  Well, yesterday I had the chance to listen to my IPOD and I love to listen to quilting podcasts.  I listened to the show from 2-13-12 and Pat Sloan (who is the host) interviewed 4 very interesting quilt designers or bloggers.  I just love to listed to her interviews because she talks to ordinary people like us, who have built and created these amazing internet quilt communities.  I feel so inspired when I hear them talk about how or why they got into quilting and how they wanted to find friends that have the same interests in quilting and talking about quilting and get excited about fabric and patterns and well, that's why I decided to create my blog in hopes of finding friends to quilt along with and get to know.  So if you haven't been to this website, I would highly recommend it.  It is filled with tons of quilting information, tutorials, patterns and...Why don't you try it and please drop me a line and tell me what you think.  I'm thinking about joining Sew Take a Hike's flicker quilting group that started March 1st.  Hope to see you there!!
Until next time!
kim

This is a felted bear I made.  I had to make her a chair to sit on too!

About 2 months ago I made a couple of crochet hats for some friends I work with (actually for their son and grand daughter).  Here they are (oh and of course Malcolm had to try them on first)!

Snowy days in Michigan

In 2010 I made 2 memory quilts for my Mother- and Father-In-Law for their 50th Wedding Anniversary.  On the back of the quilts I appliqued the dates and I had sent fabric squares to all of their brothers and sisters so they could write a personal messages and included that on the back of the quilt.  On the front of the quilts I put personal photos.  On the nautical style quilt I put their wedding phots and baby pictures of their children Terry and Jerry.  On Jerry's Mom I put pictures of her Mom and Dad and any family photos I had on hand.  Here are some pictures of them.

For Valentine's Day I made 6 fabric cards for my family and here they are.

Oops!  I just realized I didn't take a picture of the card I made for Jerry.  Will have to add this later.

Then on January 30th, 2012 Debbie and Carol both share the same birthday, so here are their fabric cards.  On Debbie's I did a reverse applique.  This is Debbies card.

And this was Carol's card

Next was Sharon's birthday. And this is the fabric birthday card I made for her.  She loves receiving flowers, so I picked out some fabric that has these beautiful yellow roses on them and I sort of shadow quilted around each flower with gold metallic thread.  I think she really like it.  I embroidered her name across the top.  Her birthday was January 28, 2012.