Thursday, January 18, 2018

A BABY QUILT AND ANOTHER CATCH UP....




Well 3 weeks have gone by and I haven't done much better in the blog writing department.  I think I have fallen into what lots of former bloggers have done and that is to post quick updates on Instagram.  I swore I wasn't going to do that and yet here I am.  I really REALLY prefer blogging, as some things just need more of an explanation, and I do so love reading what is going on with others.  But for some reason I have just found myself amazed sometimes that soo many days have gone by and I haven't been around.  I can only keep trying...

Soooo, what's been going on with me?  First off I have not felt totally well since Christmas.  Not sick enough to take to my bed (except maybe one day) but just not all that great either.  I had a decent little cough that I think I have FINALLY shook, but I haven't had one of any sort in years, so I feel like I can't really complain.  My husband has had very similar issues but has managed to keep working and not really be down either, so we are as I tell my kids.."moving along".  I am SOOO grateful however that when I am not feeling up to speed I can just rest, take a nap, read a book, or just generally take it easy, while poor Jeff has to haul himself off to work.  Thank God he is as healthy as he is and doesn't have my list of aches and complaints.  Other than that, I have been busy at the sewing machine when I have found the energy and desire.  My niece (the one who does my hair and Melody's best friend) has adopted a new baby boy!  We are all SOOO happy for her.  She has had fertility issues from the beginning, and managed to have one baby, but had been trying unsuccessfully for almost two years when they decided to throw in the towel on fertility treatments and adopt their second.  They were on a list and got the baby quite suddenly just a few days before Thanksgiving.  I offered to make her a quilt for the new nursery, and to give her a women's sip and see for the new little guy in late February.  Melody and Claire are going to come out for it too, so I am really excited about that as well.  She wanted the quilt to be done in blacks and whites, so I got to work and got it together and delivered it to the quilters last Sat.  Let me show it....

SHE TOLD ME SHE WANTED A PATCHWORK QUILT DONE IN BLACKS AND WHITES SO I JUST GOT 2 DIFFERENT SWEET LITTLE PRINTS AND THEN FOUND THE FABRIC THAT HAD THE LITTLE SAYINGS ON IT TO ADD TO THEM.  I CUT THEM ALL IN 5 AND HALF INCH SQUARES AND THEN DECIDED TO FILL IN WITH SOME PLAIN BLACK SINCE THE OTHER TWO PRINTS HAD WHITE BACKGROUNDS.  BUT THEN I DIDN'T HAVE AS MANY OF THE SAYING THAT I NEEDED TO MAKE THINGS EVEN, SO I MADE UP LITTLE 4 SQUARE PATCHES TO GO WITH IT ALL.  I PLAYED AROUND WITH THE LAYOUT OF IT ALL TILL I LIKED THE WAY IT LOOKED.  THEN IT WAS TIME TO FIND SOME BORDERS THAT SEEMED TO GO WITH IT ALL.  IT TOOK ME LONGER THAN I THOUGHT IT MIGHT, AND I ENDED UP AT THE QUILT SHOP WHERE THE OWNER IS MY QUILTER.  I REALLY LIKED WHAT I FOUND THERE.  THE OTHER FABRICS I MANAGED TO FIND ONLINE WHICH PERSONALLY I THINK IS KIND OF HARD TO DO.  SOOOOO MANY DIFFERENT SHADES OF BLACK AND WHITE...WHO KNEW?  LOL  THE BACKING IS A BLACK WITH BIG WHITE CLOUDS ON IT, AND THE BINDING WILL BE THE CHECKERED IN THE FIRST BORDER.  I CAN'T WAIT TO GET IT BACK FROM THE QUILTERS AND SEE HOW IT ALL FINISHES UP

HERE'S A CLOSE UP ON ONE OF THE LITTLE SAYINGS...THIS ONE IS A PSALM OF COURSE WHICH I LOVE

YOU CAN KIND OF SEE HERE HOW THE FABRIC CAME.  I HAD TO "FUSSY CUT" THE SQUARES WHICH HONESTLY WAS NOT MY CUP OF TEA, BUT I GOT IT DONE.
And then, beings how baby things are my all time favorite thing to do and honestly take me very little time and effort, I decided to make up some other things as well with fabrics and patterns I had on hand, which means of course they were free!  lol  First I made up some burp cloths.  I guess she goes through quite a few a day as the baby is quite the little spitter, lol.  Let me show you those...

THESE ARE ALL MADE FROM A HIGH QUALITY FLANNEL, AND IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY YOU CAN SEE I LIGHTLY QUILTED THEM WITH DECORATIVE STITCHING AND EMBROIDERY THREAD.  THERE IS A LAYER OF WARM AND NATURAL BETWEEN THE FABRICS TO HELP WITH ABSORBENCY.  THEY WERE QUICK AND EASY TO DO AND WAS A FUN WAY TO SPEND AN AFTERNOON


And then I had ordered some knit that is in the same fabric design as the back of the quilt (which is of course a cotton) as I knew she really LOVED it.  I made up a little romper out of it and a little pair of legging pants.  They are soo tiny.  But he was a premie, and it still quite tiny.  Here they are!

I LOVE THE PATTERN FOR THIS LITTLE ROMPER AND IT WAS PRETTY QUICK AND EASY TOO THOUGH THE SNAPS STILL NEED TO BE PUT ON.  HUBBY USUALLY DOES THAT FOR ME THOUGH, SO MY PART IS DONE, LOL

THESE ARE SOO TINY AND STILL NEED THE ELASTIC IN THE WAISTBAND, BUT I AM WAITING FOR HER TO MEASURE HIS LITTLE TUMMY FOR ME SO I CAN BE SURE THEY ARE NOT TOO TIGHT, OR TOO LOOSE

And then finally I have been wanting to change out my table runners for different holidays and I have a few, but I did not have one for Valentine's day.  I wanted to get it done before February 1st, so I saw this kit and tutorial on my new favorite site, JORDAN FABRICS and ordered one and put it together too.  It was super quick and easy with all the fabric pre cut, and I made it easily including quilting it myself, and binding it in just one day.  I LOVE their stuff, and I LOVE the way it came out.  Here it is.

REALLY LOVE THE FABRICS AND THE COLOR IN THIS KIT!

JUST A LITTLE CLOSER LOOK ON ONE OF THE HEARTS
Well, that's about it for now.  I have several more little things I am going to make up for the baby out of some of my scraps and stash, and my sister (the new grandma) bought a few pieces of fabric and asked if I might make up some things for her to give her too.  No problem here that's for sure.  Hope all of you are doing well, and everyone is staying healthy.  The flu is just rampant here in California, and I do thank God that we have been as healthy as we have been.  Many blessings to you all!  Debbie

8 comments:

  1. I was so excited to see your post in my list of favorites this afternoon. I'm so sorry you haven't felt the best, but it is great that we can do less when it's called for and take care of ourselves. The "croop" and/or flu has been epidemic down here, so I'm glad you didn't have that. Hubby and I have remained free of it as well, thankfully. You have been busy and I love everything you've done, especially that precious little quilt. Don't be gone so long next time.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Good to see you back. I love that quilt, really pretty! Hubby has been very sick for 6 days and finally went to Dr. this afternoon. (stubborn) He has bronchitis. Hope you are feeling very good very soon. Happy weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love the baby quilt, never would of thought of using black and white. Do you mind me asking where you bought the sayings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I found them on Spoonflower. It allows you to have them printed on whatever type of fabric you choose. I had them done on their high quality cotton. I wouldn't have thought to do it in black and whites either. That was the new mama's preference so I just looked for black and white fabrics and kind of winged it. The nurseries these days are done soo differently from when I was having babies, lol. Black and white is very popular. Hope you get this!

      Delete
  4. Course I stay in touch with you via Instagram, but I do love Words, which is probably why I like those expressions used in the quilt. Babies are a blessing and this new little fellow is going to be so blessed being a part of your family. Adoption is a God thing.

    Feel better and stay well out there!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Debbie! So nice to see you pop up on my blog. I’ve struggled to keep up in recent months too, but like you I keep trying. I still love blogging. Congratulations to your niece! The baby quilt is lovely and I really like your Valentine table runner too. Hope you’re feeling 100% soon. So much going around right now it seems. Enjoy your weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I just love that baby quilt! I would probably not choose black and white for a baby's room (I'm old school) . . . and yet, I really like that and I am sure the room is lovely. You did a fine job on this quilt! Your Valentine runner is great too!

    My new (or maybe it's just continued) mantra: Blog when you can. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your baby quilt is precious, Deb, as are all your beautiful handiwork! as I was reading and looking at your creations, I was thinking of all the wonderful and beautiful gifts you have made and given to the babies and know how appreciative the mothers must be. You have truly given so much, and like I have previously spoken this is true a ministry. Sometimes when God gives talents folks hide them, you have taken the gifts God has given you and multiplied them so much, I know He is so pleased with you.
    I miss your blogging too, but like you have found it so much easier to IG, but I prefer blogging, my plans were and are to do more blogging, it is so much more personable. Glad you and Jeff are feeling better, be carful with this flu epidemic.
    Enjoy this special time with Mel and Claire.
    Blessings,
    Sue

    ReplyDelete

I am so glad that you would take the time to comment on my thoughts and feelings, it is such a blessing to me!