The "Two Hour" Bag

Did you ever buy one of those patterns that give a time frame for how long it should take to make it? Sort of like Eleanor Burns' Quilt In A Day projects?

I have been looking for a new bag for months. I found a free pattern for a Moda Bake Shop bag last year and made about a half dozen of them. A summery one, a fall one, a Halloween one, a Christmas one and a purple one (for my daughter). I made each one a little different. I have such trouble following a pattern. I can do it, I just don't want to. lol. None of the ones I made was actually exactly like the pattern. I love them, I was just ready for something new.

When Tasha and I went to Rockville in October for the quilt show, I stopped in the booth of Capital Quilts (I love this quilt shop and wish it was closer to home). They had a pattern for the cutest little bag and the perfect fabric to make it.

Because I every once in a while have a good idea - I made the first attempt at making the bag with fabric from my stash. Good thing too because I made a mistake that I can't seem to correct.

The second attempt, this one made with the Christmas fabric, turned out fabulous! The biggest thing was I found out when I made the first one that I would need to make a bigger size. There are four sizes and I thought the next to the smallest would be really good but it was a bit too small.

So here is the front:



and the back:



The pattern is The Two-Hour Tulip Purse - which took me about 4 hours. It's not complicated if you follow the directions. You can read more about it here.

I am so glad to finally finish it - especially since I'll have such a short time frame to actually use it. But I'm sure, as soon as I can find the time, I'll make another one to use after the holidays.

Thunder is not quite sure about the Christmas preparations around the house this year - he's spent most of his time hiding under my desk:



Until next time, hugs and stitches. Jody

Not A Moment Too Soon

I finally finished the quilt I was making for my first grandchild last weekend. I had given the top to Cassie at her shower and told her I would finish it before the baby was born.



I'm not thrilled with the quilting job I did on it. I'm still in the stages of straight line machine quilting. But it's done and the baby won't care.

And it wasn't a moment too soon because today our little sweetheart arrived.



Shianne Elizabeth arrived at 1 PM today. She's gorgeous and sure to change all our lives. Mom, baby and Dad are all tired but doing well. We have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

Until next time, hugs and stitches. Jody

A Sunday Surprise

So today we're sitting watching football and the front door opens and our oldest son comes in. A nice treat. So I loaded him up with things I picked up for the baby - who is now two weeks away from his/her anticipated debut.

One for his favorite football team:



And one just because I was at a quilt show and the focus fabric was just too cute to pass up:



I still have the horse quilt I gave Cassie at her shower - well the top I gave Cassie at her shower. And I have fabric to make a couple of quilts to keep here (because days that Cassie works that I don't, I will have the opportunity to watch the little darling).

So many quilts, so little time. sigh.

In case you'd like to come visit over the holidays, Thunder is waiting at the door for you - c'mon over.



Until next time, hugs and stitches. Jody

Baby Shower

Today Tasha and I went to a baby shower for my niece Tiffany. She's due a bit after Cassie so we'll be having two more babies added to the family in about a month or so.

Here's her quilt:



I didn't make this one specifically for her - it was just one of the ones I made when I found out there were going to be seven new babies that needed quilts this year. But it worked out beautifully because I saw a picture of her nursery set up and she was using Winnie the Pooh.

Thunder says Hi! - He figured since we had a party today, he should share the spirit.



Until next time, hugs and stitches. Jody

More Baby Quilts - and a Quilt Show

I'm finally finished with all the baby quilts except for the ones for my grandbaby coming in November.

This one is for our niece Amanda's little guy Caeden, who was born about a week ago.



This is the second one for the twins - who were born also about a week ago. Welcome Arianna and Jaylynn.



This morning Tasha and I packed up and headed towards DC for a quilt show. We went to the Nimble Fingers Quilters show in Rockville, Maryland.

Here are my picks for viewer's choice:

Small bed quilt:



I love the woven border on this one.

Large bed quilt:



Large wallhanging:



Small wallhanging:



This one won a ribbon in first time applique in the Hoffman Challenge and I think it's adorable:



And here are some of the others:














Until next time, Hugs and stitches. Jody

Baby Quilts

It seems that my quilting life lately has been spent on baby quilts. And the first ones are getting ready to fly out of my house.

The first one I have posted before but will show again in celebration of Lilliene Jade's arrival on Monday August 30th.



Congratulations to Jamie and Adrienne.

Today two more will leave. Baby has not arrived but the baby shower has.

The finished one:



And the top only:



I'll let the mom open it and then take it back with promises to have it quilted before baby's arrival in late November (should give me time to finish it. lol).

One more completed to show off now. This is for a young man I work with. He will become the father of twin girls before too much longer. This first one is finished - I have the second top done and just need to get it quilted.



Thunder would like to say his hello also before I leave:



It amazes me what this dog considers comfortable. lol.

Until next time, hugs and stitches. Jody

100 Posts!!

Woo Hoo! I have finally made it to 100 posts. Never thought it would happen. lol.

And I was beginning to think I'd never get anything done to post about. lol. The job has really kept me tired. I'm getting more hours which results in less time and energy to quilt. But we have to have a place to live and food to eat right?

There were a few accomplishments however. The first is the backing to the baby quilt I posted last time. I had forgotten to take pictures but here it is now.



This is the wallhanging for the bathroom. I did a bit of embellishment with sead beads. I love the look of beads on a quilt.



Another baby quilt finished. I have so many to make this year that I've just been working on them without any specific baby in mind. Except for this one. This one is for a young man I work with. Jamie and his girlfriend Adrienne will be blessed with a girl in about two months. I knew when I started this one it would be for Jamie's little girl.



And this final one was also made with a specific baby in mind - although I'm not revealing which one.



Now a return of Thunder. He's been absent for a while simply because I didn't have any new pictures of him but we had a bit of a cook-in for the 4th of July and I caught him begging for rib bones.



Until next time, hugs and stitches. Jody