Fa La La La Star Quilt - Christmas Quilt Project

Fa La La La by French General is quickly becoming one of my favorite Christmas lines. I have been buying bundles and yardage the past few months and have several quilts to go out of this line.

For this quilt I tried to use less Christmasy fabrics in hopes the quilt could be used all year long.  I used the Country Threads Big Star pattern.  I love this pattern as it looks great finished - but is very quick to throw together.

I love this line and thinks it looks very classy. Love the greys French General comes out with.

For the back I used a gingham cream and red from my stash.  Sticking with the idea of not having to buy anything new.  The colors went together perfectly.

This is one of my favorites and I enough enough to make myself one...gotta get working on that!

Chocolate Bars - Christmas Quilt Project

This may be my most favorite quilt I've made so far.  I had originally thought to give it to Mike, but the longer I worked on it - the more it was screaming someone else's name.  It is going to be hard to part with.

I used the Chocolate Bars pattern by Cotton Way.  Copied the front pattern to a T.  The line is by 3 Sisters called Chocolate.  It was my all time most favorite 3 Sisters line.  I loved the prints, the wovens, even the border is from that line and is a very almost flannel like brown color.  The only issue I had is working with the wovens and the soft brown everything was stretching!  Makes it hard to get  my sashings to line up.

For the back I used a small plaid/gingham and used a blue and brown stripe on the bias for the binding.  I quilted it in a simple stipple design.  This screams my brother's name and I think he'll be excited to have a warm blanket to take home.

This is a quick and easy pattern and I think screams boy - which is hard to find sometimes.  I think I'm most excited to give this quilt to him than anyone this year.  Hope he likes it!

Christmasing

Note to self - next year have everything done by December 1st!

We've done a few fun things this month with the kids - and I'm sad to see it end.  I wish we had time to fit in more.

Here are a few of the memories we've made this season.

Jake and I made Christmas brownies

Jake making Christmas cookies - look at the mounds of sugar...

Jakes first Christmas program at school

Sam and Jake meeting Santa - Sam not so thrilled with the idea

Sam eating his first chocolate marshmallow Christmas tree - he loved it

Cousins girls night out party at Marta's- Whit taught us a great Yoga class

Christmas drive through lights at Thanksgiving Point

Sam looks at the window saying WOW and LOOK through the whole drive

Jake drove us through the lights this last time

Kids loved it so much, we've been twice!

We've had a fun December - and have parties galore the next few days.  Stayed up late tonight to get a quilt done and most my wrapping - have a house to clean, clothes to fold, and some binding to get on tomorrow....turning down the home stretch now.  

Hope you're all enjoying the season.

Adoring Star - Christmas Quilt Project

My 2nd quilt is completed in my quilting project.  LOVE how this one turned out.  I love this pattern as it is quick and easy - yet still looks like a pattern.  I've actually made two of these as part of my project.

This is the only quilt I made using actual Christmas fabrics.  This is Adoring by Sandy Gervais and was her Christmas line a year or so ago.  I was at the house of the recipients of this quilt a few weeks ago and felt like their couch was missing a little something - this would look great added to her already green and red Christmas decor.  I am going to delivery this one early so they can enjoy it for a week or so before the holiday season ends.

Above is a close up of the fabrics - polka dots, pine boughs, holly berries, ornaments - all fun holiday prints.

I had a piece in my stash from a previous Sandy Gervais line that goes along great.  Nice to use some of my stash!

For the binding I used cream plaid with green and red - cut on the bias.  I think it turned out well.  I don't usually use lighter colors for my binding so I was a little nervous - but liked how it pulled all the colors together.

This one is hard to part with - isn't it fun when a quilt turns out better then you had hopes for?  Exciting thing is - I have enough to do another star with these fabrics - so I might get a little table topper to keep myself!

Two down - 4 more to go!

Peace on Earth 9 Patch - Christmas Quilt Project

A few weeks back (2) I decided to make a few quilts for people for Christmas.  MADNESS I know.  This was a quilt top I had made a few months ago - trying out the disappearing 9 patch using layer cakes.  I tried it once before and loved the outcome so I had wanted to make another one.

I love this fabric and had bought of ton of it when it was out a year or two ago.  This line fit perfectly with whom I had in mind - so I added the textured border and quilted this baby up.  It is my first of hopefully 7 quilts to be completed in just 5 short days....

My goal for these quilts is to use kits I have - but still holding true to the people receiving the quilt.  I want these to fit the personality and decor.  I think this one will go great in the family room of the person I have in mind.  Hope they like it - this fabric line was one of my favorites.

I was even able to pull the backing fabric from my stash - and from the same line.

I used a green and brown polka dot fabric as the binding to pull it all together.  Love how it turned out.  The textured border may just be my favorite part.  Hope they enjoy!

Christmas Quilt Project

About very short weeks ago I decided that I was going to give quilts for many of my gifts this year.  Wish I had thought about this a little sooner....to say the least I've been busy the last 2 weeks!

My goal has been to find quilts that fit the person in mind - using my stash.  So far I have only bought 1 back - you'll see why when I debut that quilt.

I've got 4 quilted - 2 bound - blocks done for 1 - and 1 to start....ummmm 5 days to go.

I'll share pictures as I finish!  Wish me luck...

Weekend Updates

Early weekend started on Thursday night - I went to a sweet play with a few of my in laws.  It was a beautiful play with great music.  Came home at 10:30pm to a sleeping house - all 3 boys were snoring away - so what better time then to flip on General Hospital and finish up Whit's quilt .

Friday night the whole Latimer clan went to dinner to celebrate my in law's 55th wedding anniversary.  It was fun to get together as we don't do it often enough.  Whit was nice enough to tend (thus the bribe of having the quilt done) so Mike and I went out for a little date night.  After dinner we - drove around - couldn't find a movie - hit up one place which was closed - Mike didn't feel like shopping - so we hit a quilt store - he said to keep me happy....does he know me or what?  Once we got home and got those boys in bed (their new bedtime seems to be 9:30 - 10) I had a late night sew.  Didn't come up til 2:30 AM!  I got this little quilt done.  Forgive the messing sewing room - and middle of the night iPhone shot....

I've recently - like in the last week decided its going to be a quilty Christmas - meaning most my gifts are going to be quilts.  Don't know what I was thinking - but here come the late nights!

Saturday we woke up and went to swimming lessons.  My little Sammy finally jumped into the pool without a tear.  He laughed, splashed, and swam happily - has never done that yet during lessons.  Its amazing at how different Sam has acted over the last week - could he really be aware that he is 2 now and he's growing up a bit mentally???

Jake and I spent the day watching shows (he watched, I bound quilts) making Christmas cookies and holiday hearts (his words).  We had fun decorating and eating dough together.  Before grabbing some take out we drove around and saw some lights.  It was a perfect family day together.

Today I finished quilting a quilt, got it bound, cut and sewed together yet another quilt, and finished binding 2 table runners.  Went to church with Jake who had a little talk and did so well, had lovely seafood dinner and did my nails.

Can I just say how much I love productive weekends!

Quality time with my family - check
Quality and quantity time for quilting - check
Completing a quilt that I started 5 years ago - check
Cleaned my house .... 3 out 4 ain't bad right.... at least I got 1 load of laundry in the dryer....that is progress.

Hope you've started your season with Christmas cookies and holiday hearts!

Snow Kissed Star - Aqua

Another Snow Kissed completed  (my version is here) this quilt was pretty easy to cut and sew double blocks at the same time.  I actually completed the quilt top for this one first - and was just waiting for the back fabric to quilt it.

Since Whit dibs this quilt her own - she bought the backing - a super soft white minky.  I quilted the snowflake pantograph on it and stayed up late on Thursday night to get the binding on.

I think she liked it....now we have twiner quilts!

My Bundle of Trouble is Two

Can you believe this guy is two?  I can't believe how quickly time passes. 

No longer my baby - (you'll always be my baby), but a little toddler you've become.  Still the bouncing bundle of trouble - but what a cute ball of joy you've turned out to be.  Wild and crazy, getting into everything, understanding what NO means - and doing the opposite.  You are my handful in life - but I don't know what I'd do without you. 

You are so close to speaking in sentences at this point....let me rephrase - sentences the rest of us can understand.  I love how you come get me and say "come ere" then we go running to the location of your choice and you say "look" to show me.  Your first full sentence is "Wow, Wow Wubbzy right now" meaning you want to watch your show right now.  You are so hard to resist with your cute words and smile.  When you want something, you want it now! 

I've loved watching your love for all things cars and balls evolve.  You are pure boy and seem very natural in your abilities.  We spend Wednesday nights at Little Gym and you have become quite the athlete.  Hanging on the bars, walking the beam - playing with the balls - you're favorite.  I have loved watching you become familiar with the schedule of the class, the songs, the tasks.  So much fun to see you get excited and know what is coming next. 

You are stubborn and know exactly what you want - and I know that will serve you well as you grow up.  Always stay you cause you are strong and know exactly what you want out of life.

You are such a fun little one to have around - I am blessed every day to have you in our family.

Happy Birthday buddy!  Can't wait to see how you learn and grow over the next year.

Motherhood

Do you ever feel bogged down by motherly duties?  I sometimes feel sorry for myself when I have a full day of kids running around, full time job, dinner to be made, dishes to be done, clothes to be folded.  I don't know why I feel sorry for myself as I know most mothers have these same responsibilities. 

Today at work I made a list - of everything I was going to get done when I got home.  Workout, dinner, take Sam to Little Gym, kids in bed, quilting and sewing to be done.  By the time I got home I was wondering how I would get everything done and did I really have to take Sam to Little Gym tonight?  Can't I have a night to myself? 

Needless to say I had a bad attitude when getting us ready to go and walking into the class.  By the time the class ended - I was so glad I had taken him.  Watching Sam in his class and how much fun he has, how he knows the routines, he gets excited to walk on the balance beam and hang on the bars.  Something so easy for me to do once a week, that has been so good for Sam.  Has been so good for me to spend some quality one on one time with him - and I had wanted to miss this weekly event? 

I was reminded tonight what life is really all about.  Not work, or sewing - its about family and spending quality time with my kids.  Nights like tonight is what my kids will remember growing up - what I want them to remember growing up.  It didn't matter that I didn't get one thing on my list accomplished but dinner for the kids - what mattered is that I spent some time with Sam.

Tomorrow I think we'll make a date to go see some Christmas lights.  I hope to stay in the moment with my kids and not get so caught up in what needs to be done or what I want to get done. 

Kids only want to be with their parents for so long - I gotta remember that next time I have a bad parenting attitude! 

I Am Thankful

We had a wonderful relaxing Thanksgiving weekend.  We headed out Tuesday evening for the long drive to St. George.  Trust me - if you don't think that is a long drive - head down with my two kids!  We arrived around 11pm - and hit the sack.

We spent the weekend with my wonderful in-laws.  My mother-in-law pampers us with great meals, playing with the kids, and I barely have to lift a finger....what could be better?  My father in law runs around after my kids the whole weekend.  I am sure he is grateful for a little peace right about now.

The kids and I hit a few quilt stores and took an afternoon nap on Wednesday while Mike and his parents golfed.  I love that it was 70 degrees!  As soon as they got home my MIL shooed us out the door for a little alone time.  That evening we began making our Thanksgiving feast - and what a feast it was!

Thanksgiving was low key - with a great meal - yams are my favorite - fruit salad was Jake's.  It couldn't have been nicer.  The morning was spent watching a little football, making crete paper chains, Christmas trees and mini ornaments with Grandma, a little soccer on the patio, and a nibble here and there of a great turkey.

After our feast we headed out in the wonderful weather to a little park with the kids.  I am so grateful for what a cute relationship my kids have with their grandparents.  Every morning I would hear Sam fly down the stairs looking for "Pappe" as he calls Grandpa.  Or Jake crawling into bed with Grandma on Friday for a little nap.  I love watching their individual relationships grow.

We came home and visited with Mikes brother Steve and his wife Patty and they brought over McKinley their little grand daughter.  Jake was in heaven!  Sam pulled her hair once - but loved her every other minute she was there.  She is so cute.

We hit up the Twilight movie on Friday which was great!  I can't get her red eyes out of my head at night! I also got a little shopping in that morning.  I am almost done with the shopping!

We had such a wonderful weekend and I am so lucky to have great in-laws that I love so much and are so good to us.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

Snow Kissed Star - Finish

Remember this quilt? I made two - one with an aqua border one with a red border.  I kept the red one for myself - and my sister called dibs on the aqua border one.  I finished mine up got it quilted - and even bound on our way home from St. George this weekend (more to come on Thanksgiving weekend soon).

I switched things up this year and hung it on my quilt rack - using my usual Christmas quilt as a table cloth this year.  I love having a full quilt hung to be seen in all its glory.  I think this one turned out great.  I'm a sucker for stars - and this is one big star.

I quilted a loop and snowflake pantograph which worked great with these fabrics.

I'm thrilled that I actually got a quilt completed before the season started.  I've been a little late to the party these days, so I couldn't be happier that I have it done and have it on display even!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend and have started the Christmas season in full force!

Weekend Getaway

This weekend my friend Ann and I drove up the mountain to Park City for a little girls sewing retreat. 

There was a snow storm on our way up - and this was the veiw from our room this morning.  Aren't those mountains beautiful? 

Here is the view from within our room...on a little quilt I completed during my stay.

This pattern is called Starry Eye Pattern from the Moda Bake Shop.  It was a fun festive quilt to put together.  Took a little longer than I had thought - but well worth the effort. 

I also started this quilt.  I've got 9 blocks down - 21 to go.  I'll share pictures soon as its going together fast.  I love how the blocks are looking so far.

What a fun weekend - of eating and sewing.  Nice to get away from it all. 

Milestones

This little guy...

The one who looks curious and guilty.... has always had a love for learning.  He came out of the womb practically talking, he has always loved looking through books.  When learning new words he'll say what does that mean - and asks questions all the time.  Just the other night he said "Apparently, you'll be putting me to bed tonight mom"  What 4 year old uses the word apparently?  And where did he learn that word?  I don't walk around saying it.  So not sure why I'm surprised when my little guy started to read.

Yes you heard me write - my guy is reading and I couldn't be prouder.  What I love more than anything is that he loves it and is so excited!  A friend suggested I get the Bob Book series  which I highly recommend.  Before the end of the night he could read the 1st book all on his own.  We were both so excited for him.  He was so excited to read to his dad - and the next morning to Grama Polly and to Ty and anyone who will walk through our door.  Today Grandma Sharon and Grandpa Ken got a book read to them.  I love that he is so excited for this new skill he has learned.  For the last 3 nights he has wanted to practice his reading and move onto a new book in the series.

I don't know if there is anything more exciting then watching your child learn - and knowing that he loves it.  The feeling I got the first time he read the book all by himself I will never forget.  What a wonderful moment in my parenting world - one I'm sure will always stand out.

So proud of my big boy!

Snow Kissed Star

I saw this pattern out and about blogland and knew I had to make this quilt.

I searched far and wide for the magazine and was having no luck finding it - when it was delivered to my house!  Who knew I had a subscription?  I should check that out in the future before searching for a magazine. 

Remembering I had a jelly roll of 12 Days of Christmas by the fabulous Kate Spain - I quickly whipped up my first quilt.  You can get 2 of these out of 1/2 a jelly roll.  (Pictures taken late last night, sorry for the dark display).  I threw on the red and aqua border because that is so in right now.  Love how it turned out.

So Sunday I whipped up my second one - cause like I said you can get two out of 1 jelly roll.  I went back and forth for a few days on what borders to add to this one.  I'm more of a traditional Christmas decorator - and usually stick with red and green - so I decided to go with a traditional border with thoughts to actually keep this quilt. 

The two of them together - can't decide which one I really like more....thoughts?

I'll be quilting them this weekend and then I'll decide which one will stay and which will go....

This pattern was fun to make, went together fast and yielding 2 quilts!  What could be better?  I also got 6 table runners from the left over strips.  That is one great use of a jelly roll!

Grace Table Runner

Earlier this year - I first saw this quilt made out of the Grace line by 3 Sisters.  I fell in love and counted down the days til the line went on sale.  I bought all the fabric to make that quilt.  A few weeks ago I cut it all out - its sitting in a bag waiting for me to start it.  Goal is to have it done before Christmas. 

We'll see how that goes.

In an effort to use up all my scraps I had a few leftover after cutting up the quilt.  I had to make something with this beautiful line.

I pick this quick little table runner to display this great line.  I'm loving these runners with a pop of color in the middle surrounded by a solid fabric.  They are quick and easy, yet bold and fun!  Available in the shop and more to come in Christmas fabrics...whipped up a few more this weekend!

Baby Boy Swoon Quilt

I knew when we were in Hawaii - I would spend a lot more time than I actually wanted to in our room.  That is what happens with a almost 2 year old.  So I took a few quilt projects with me.  We hit Costco up and I bought a sewing machine.  I used it for 12 days - taking very good care of it - and returned it on day 12....it wasy the only way I could think of to stay sane without having to lug my sewing machine all the way to Hawaii.  It worked like a charm.  I got several projects done.  One being this cute little quilt.

I was throwing a shower shortly after returning home - so my goal was to get the swoon block done in Hawaii - which I accomplished.  Came home, threw a big white border on it, quilted it, and had it bound with about 12 hours to spare.  This quilt turned out better than I had hoped.  I was a little nervous with the smaller square sized quilt as the gift - but love the end result. 

I used Sweetwater's Hometown line which I am loving right now.  The blues and greys are perfect for any little boy.  This was a very clean very, classy look, which is exactly what I think of when I think of Eliza who is about to have baby #1!  I loved the back polka dot almost as much as the front. 

I'm glad it matches her nursery so well.  If you haven't gotten the Swoon pattern yet - run out and do it!  I'm still working on my big size swoon out of Hometown, but have had fun making a baby size and a fall table runner using just one block.  Its a great pattern.

Thanks Eliza for sending me the pics!  Can't wait to meet T3!

Bloggers Quilt Festival

I have visited Amy's blog often and have always loved looking at the quilts posted during the Bloggers Festival each year.  I decided this year to be brave and post my own.  Thanks for stopping by to see my quilt - and thanks to everyone who posted one of their own.  I have LOVED looking at them all.

The last festival I spent a whole afternoon marking the pages of quilts I had to go back to awe over and even make.  My Bliss Zig Zag quilt was inspired (copied) from a quilt I sew during the last festival.

Every day I'm so excited to jump back on and see the new ones added!  I'm so glad Amy created this venue for all us quilters to enjoy!

So on with the show....

The quilt I chose was a pattern from the book Laps from Fats.  I used Shangri La by Moda's 3 Sisters.  This quilt was fun for me to make for several reasons.  I loved the fabric line, the reds, creams, browns, and greens are so me.  I loved each step of the piecing.  I don't do a ton of more time consuming quilts and this was a fun challenge for me.  I also started this quilt before Jake was born, and it was the first one I finished up once I was a new mom.  It was my outlet and my way of getting back into the swing of things.

I had a bigger border on it originally and used my favorite print from the line, which was a small flower.  Once it was on the quilt, I felt it was way too busy and took away from all the piecing, so I just left the little stop border on the quilt and bound it up.  I LOVE the stripe bias binding.

This was a fun quilt for me to make, and makes me happy every time I pull it out.  It will be on display over my stairs come January for a few months.  Can't wait to bring it out again.

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy quilt hunting.

Conversations with Jake

Going cross eye while channeling the force

me: I have another call I have to get on so I'm going to...
Jake (interrupting me): Blah blah blah, same as last time we know....

a) how does he already have the attitude of a teenager?
b) I obviously worked from home too much this week

Happy Birthday Jake

Happy 4th Birthday

I can't believe my baby is turning 4 today.  How you've been counting down the days.  The hours spent on youtube looking up toys and telling people what they should give you.  I am so excited  you are at an age that you help plan and prepare for big events like today.

The last four years have been the best in my life.  I have loved watching you grow.  I notice more and more each day how you aren't my little baby anymore.  I marvel at all the strides you've made, lessons you've learned, things you say in your short four years.  It seems like just yesterday I woke up at 4am with my water broken and spent a day waiting for your arrival.  You arrived 3 weeks early and have been early to the party ever since.  You seem to excel fast at everything you put your mind to.  So curious about life, always wanting to learn new words, new games, go to new places.

I have no idea how a child of mine says things like "I'm going to invent a medical transport" or "When I get big I"m going to find a way to get into the iPad" (he literally wants to be in the iPad or tv).  You are so smart and your vocabulary continues to amaze me.  You often use bigger words than I do, and a few I don't know how to spell!

Jake, you are the light of my world and bring such joy into our lives.  You are the best big brother Sam could ever hope for.  You are sweet and kind and make me laugh every day.  I am so grateful you were sent to me.

Happy Birthday!
Love, Mom