Fresh Cotton Quilt

 I've started a new quilt using Moda's Fresh Cotton.  I love how soft the colors are. 

 

It's super easy, using just two charm packs,some yardage of a solid and a jelly roll which will make the border.  I haven't decided on the backing yet. 

 

This is working up so quick, The border will be what takes the longest.  I'm going to stitch a bunch of jelly roll strips together then cut them 31/2 inches long to go around the diameter of the quilt.  I know there's a name for this kind of border, I just can't think of it.  I want to call it piano keys but I don't think that's right.  

 

This one is going to be all mine. 

A Little Big Knitting Project

My boyfriend is a geek.  Now since I love and adore him this is a statement of fact rather than a judgement and I much prefer him staying home nights to play video games because the boy is too handsome and charming to be safe in the big wide world. 
It's become rather fun for me to find geek inspired knitting patterns on Ravelry and when I found the pattern for making the character from his favorite game Little Big Planet, I knew it was meant to be.  My guy is super excited to have his own Sackboy to put on his desk.  I love when I can use something I love to create something he loves, it brings a whole new dimension to my creative satisfaction. 

I've been working on this for a few minutes every night to get back into my knitting groove.  I've got the body done and am almost finished with the head.
The thing that is surprising me is that I am really enjoying this yarn.  I purchased it ages ago and managed to loose the tag for it.  And while it's not jute or hemp it's not anything I would have purchased if it hadn't been perfect for the projects.  But now I'm rethinking my fibers. I've always been more of the super soft, elegant...you know, cashmere, angora type of fiber girl but this earthy, almost rough yarn is swaying me, I really like it and it's amazing to knit with.

So that's what's on the needles at the moment.  I've got a quilt project in the works but more on that later.

New Project

My boss asked me to make up a jacket from one of the patterns we have at work.  Looking at most of them they seemed more suited for my former mother-in-law than someone of my tender *cough* years but I finally settled on this pattern.  The As You Wish Jacket.  I'm making the orange one with 3/4 sleeves.

Here's the main fabric I chose to make it with.  I love the depth of the color and the slight glint of metalic from the copper.  The pattern uses high quality cotton for both the main and lining fabric. 

I had a lining picked out but the more I look at it the less I like it so I'm holding off on finishing it.  The pattern has been super easy to put together though, it's a very simple cut and sew.  I love instant gratification projects!

You have three options for the jacket hem,, the two shown on the pattern as well as a straight edge.  I preferred the curved, my hips don't need a harsh line anywhere near them.  Then you can do either full length sleeves or 3/4. My plan is to purchase or make some pretty frog closures for the front. 

I'm looking forward to finding the right lining fabric so I can finish it. 

A Bit of Stitching

I recently had the opportunity to become aquainted with a Pfaff Creative 4.0 sewing/embroidery machine.  I am in love to say the least and am starting to save my pennies (nickles, dimes and quarters too.)

These patterns came off a Demo CD.  A cool dragon that I'm going to use to make a make-up bag for my daughter.  I should have starched my fabric beforehand to prevent the puckering, but it was a rather spur of the moment thing.  She loves it though and that's good enough for me.

Then I decided to make a little something as a Mothers Day gift and came up with some easy kitchen towels.  What a great way to make inexpensive and personal gifts.  The towels were only about $5 for a set of 5 and this turned them from plain ol' to fabulous! 

 

Aren't they cute?!?

hrmmm...Should I add it to the food...or the cook??

Lucky for me, my boyfriend thinks I'm pretty darn good in both areas.

  

And really, who can't appreciate this sentiment?

Then I took some plain white washclothes and added a bit of decorative stitching.

What do you think? Would you appreciate a handmade gift like this?