Oh my goodness, I actually finished something!  I started this quilt almost a year ago, and this past weekend it was gifted to my just turned one year old nephew.  I ended up with a bunch of random scraps that were roughly all the same width, and I didn't know what I wanted to do with them for a while, but last summer when I joined Stashtacular! and this pattern was released, I knew it was perfect and meant to be, my scraps were the same width the pattern called for!  I quickly stitched up the rows, but then the project stalled out for quite some time as I tried to decide what fabric I wanted to use as the sashing.  Nothing seemed right and I bought several solids that didn't quite work.  About six months later I bought the green circles and knew that I would use it, even though it is quite busy, I like all the colors and patterns on this quilt.  In an effort to finish up all my works in progress from the past few years, I worked hard the past few weeks to get this quilt done on time.  I am so happy to actually have met my own deadline!

This quilt pattern comes from Jenna over at Sew Happy Geek, and was a featured tutorial last year during Stashtacular!  You can find the tutorial for this quilt HERE.  The fabric is My Mind's Eye by Riley Blake Fabrics and is the Wheels collection.  The green and white circles print is Metro Living Circles by Robert Kaufman.  I used a polyester high loft batting for that extra puffy feel, and machine quilted it with straight lines and simple "x's" or from the back view it looks more like wonky diamonds.  The binding is an abstract floral print from Micheal Miller, but since the print is so large and abstract you can't really tell that it is flowers, and the best part is that it matches all the colors so perfectly!  Jenna's pattern calls for six rows on the front, but knowing that I wanted the quilt to be a certain size to accommodate the backing fabric, I used the last extra row on the back, and couldn't be happier with how the back turned out.  I really feel this is a reversible quilt, which is perfect for a little one who has no idea of a "right side" or "wrong side!"

I learned a little something while making this quilt.  I used my walking foot for the quilting, and everything I had read about a walking foot always mentioned to go slower, so that it worked correctly, but the last few quilts that I quilted, I had problems with the foot not really working right.  Out of sheer frustration and lack of free time, I put the pedal to the metal on this one and stitched a lot faster than I normally would, and found out that on my machine, the foot worked much better and I had absolutely no puckering or problems.  So from now on, I'll be stitching much more quickly than I normally do!

What was my four year old doing while I was snapping these shots?  Desperate to be included in the photo, of course.  So this one is for him, Easter basket, cheesy grin and all!
Since i forgot to measure the finished quilt before I gave it way, this picture serves as a great example of scale!

It is March!  Do you know what that means?  It is my month in the Bee Connected Quilting Bee!  If these blocks look familiar it is because I made one a few months ago for a member of another bee, and I fell in love with the block.  So simple, but stunning, and a great showcase for some fussy cut prints.  The block is named "Quatrefoil" and is from the Modern Blocks book, and is designed by Solidia Hubbard.  I chose Aneela Hoey's "Little Apples" line of fabrics (I found a fat eighth set for a steal) and Kona Charcoal for the solid.  Each block will be completely unique, with different fabric prints in each block.  I can't wait to see the blocks my bee mates create for me!

I was bound and determined to get my bee blocks done for the month of February.  I know that everyone in my quilting bees totally understood that I just had a baby, and were in no means in a rush at all, but since I committed to all these bees (with the exception of one) before I was even pregnant, I really wanted to have them done in a timely manner.  Every second of free time for the past three-four weeks has been spent steadily cutting, sewing and putting these blocks together, and boy was it nice to have a little sewing time.  I honestly think I needed it to stay sane, and I'm totally not just saying that.  I think sewing is in my blood.

The first block is for "alixbroadfoot" in my newest group, Modern Blocks Bee which is the group based on the Modern Blocks book.  Alix chose "Boxed In" on pages 34-35, and used the new fabric line Stitched in Color, which is so vibrant, so much more than my picture depicts.  It will be a striking quilt.  This block was actually very simple and went together really quickly.  I love it.

Next up are two string blocks for "aPlayOnNature" in the Quilting newBEEs group.  Judy sent us a great selection of Christmas Fabrics, and I can't wait to see how this quilt turns out.  It will be so festive, and I love the selection of Christmas prints, so fun!

This one was a bit of a challenge for me.  It is a Supernova block designed by Lee over at Freshly Pieced.  It is for "hettie k" in the Always Bee Learning group and she chose two Lizzy House lines of fabric for this quilt, 1001 Peeps and Castle Peeps.  I honestly think this is one of my favorite blocks I have made so far, but I struggled with it quite a bit.  It really isn't that difficult, I just didn't want to mess anything up!  I really spent some time making sure the directional fabrics lined up correctly, and that all those diagonals came out right also.  Though it was a challenge for me, it really was fun, and I know that this will be a gorgeous quilt.  I didn't want to send this block back, but rather fancied keeping it for myself, but alas, I was a good girl and sent it to live with Hettie like I was supposed to!

Last but not least are some simple wonky crosses for "sternwerfer*" in the Bee Connected group.  She sent a great selection of prints, and only requested two blocks, but once I realized they were so easy and quick to put together, I cut some of each fabric print and ended up making five blocks.  I love the red, aqua and white combination of fabrics, very pretty!  These are currently traveling across the ocean to go live in Germany.

I am quite proud of myself for getting all of these blocks done, plus I finished three other blocks that I will share sometime this week.  March is my month in the Bee Connected group, and in addition to sewing up these blocks, I had to make packets to mail out to the group also!  I am so happy to say that they are mailed and my part is done, yippee!

In my wildest dreams I never thought it would take me this long to post about our newest family member, so I do apologize to those of you anxiously awaiting photos.  Here he is, our 8 pound 10 ounce, 21.25" long bundle of joy.  Born on January 24, 2012 at 7:26 am (which ironically, 7/26 is our wedding anniversary, how cool is that?) Arriving via a planned c-section, he entered this world healthy and cute as could be, but I am rather biased and in love with this little one.  We had some real smiles this week, which is awesome.  It is always amazing to me how quickly they change and how quickly it all goes by.  We are slowly getting into a routine, and knock on wood getting a little more sleep each and every night.  Big brother has adjusted amazingly well and is fascinated with little brother or in his own words (baby is) "so cute!" or rather "AWW SOOOO CUTE!"  I do hope you forgive me for my extended absence, but I just want to soak up all the little moments with my new little one, because I know how quickly it all flies by.

Time to go... I hear a little one squeaking...

_I decided as soon as I started receiving my bee blocks in the mail this month to try and get them done as soon as possible as to not have them sitting here after baby comes.  Lucky for me, I was able to finish all of January's blocks and get them in the mail!  Woohoo!  I am excited about this, and no, it doesn't take much to excite me these days!

First up is the first month in my brand new bee, Modern Blocks Bee, this block is for "fordcowgirl_85."  Every block that we will be making this year comes from the 99 Modern Blocks book that I reviewed briefly a while back.  I love this block and the fabric line, so pretty, and this block was really easy to whip up!  This block measures 12.5" x 12.5", as do all of the blocks in this book.

This block is for "jdderrick" in the Quilting newBEES group, and is a Dutch Pinwheel Block, the tutorial can be found HERE.  Another stunning block, and the fabric she provided had such a great feel to it, unfortunately my iron didn't think so, and I couldn't get those darn wrinkles out, or heck, maybe the iron made them,  I don't know, sorry about that.  This block measures roughly 17" x 17".

The next two blocks are for "hehehe922" in the Bee Connected group, and honestly are some of my favorite types of block to make, wonky stars.  Simple enough.  She asked for all sizes and shapes, so for the first I stuck with a regular 12.5" x 12.5" block, but for the second I went a little wild.  I don't remember the exact size, but it was somewhere around 4" x 6" small, and I based this block loosely on the tutorial found HERE.  I really like it, and think a whole quilt with these minis would be fabulous!

Last, but not least are some awesome word blocks for "Kreated by Kari" in the Always Bee Learning group.  She is making a word quilt for her husband that features the Clemson Alma Mater song, and I think it will be spectacular!  These blocks were challenging, but honestly a lot of fun, and now I want to make a word quilt!  They measure 5.5" tall and the length varies with the word.  When I opened the packet, I honestly was a little frightened with this project, but jumped right in and it didn't take long to figure out how to make them, kind of like paper piecing, but not if that makes any sense, and to me the only difficult letters were the "r" and "n" simply because they featured angles, and honestly it took my brain a while to wrap around that, simply because pregnancy brain is in full force right now!  I hope Kari likes them and can't wait to see the finished quilt! Oh and why the second "s" in greatness turned out smaller, I have no idea, but I hope it adds to the charming-ness of the quilt!

Amy over at Amy's Creative Side challenged us last Monday to pick just one thing for the week and get it finished.  I decided to get the straight line quilting done with my walking foot finished on the four panels of my Lily's Quilts QAL quilt, all with the exception that I didn't go into labor.  Well here I am, still pregnant (38 weeks) and with proof through pictures that I accomplished my goal! Woohoo! 

The quilting went smoother than I expected, and I enjoyed it, which is always a plus.  Now I just have to do a tad bit of free motion quilting on the center circles, then start joining these panels via my (and Leanne's "She Can Quilt") method of quilt as you go!  I will be joining the four panels and then adding a border to the whole quilt when finished.  This project is my goal that I set in Rhonda's (Quilter in the Gap) Finish-Along, so I need to have it completed by March.  So far, I am right on target to actually wrapping this project up!  I'm going to try and get as much finished before I go into labor, wish me luck folks!  Thanks again Amy for hosting this challenge and helping me to reach my goals!  I always need that extra little push.

Wow, it has been almost three months since i have done a normal WIP post, and since I am still here, still huge and currently 37.5 weeks pregnant (full term, yippee!) I thought I would do a WIP roundup of sorts. Kind of a reminder to myself of all my current projects floating around my house that I will complete this year!  And yes, I said it, I will complete these this year, or else!  Just kidding, but seriously it is my New Years Resolution!

Ongoing Projects or Works in Progress:
Row 1 - My current project, I have 2 of 4 panels quilted, using the Quilt As You Go method.  This was a Lily's Quilts Quilt Along.  Goal is to have it finished by March.
Row 2 - Bottled Rainbows Quilt Along 5 of 16 blocks completed.
Row 3 (From Left to Right) - Kaleidoscope Quilt Along awaiting basting, Fox Trails baby quilt awaiting cutting, Baby boy quilt for my nephew top halfway pieced, Denyse Schmidt Log Cabin Blocks from the Quilting newBEES group top awaiting piecing.
Row 4 (From Left to Right) - Christmas String Blocks from the Christmas Fabric Bee group top awaiting piecing, Heather Bailey String Blocks from the Always Bee Learning group top awaiting piecing, Postage Stamp Blocks from Scrapbuster Swap not sure what I will do with these, Scrappy Depression Blocks from Scrapbuster Swap top awaiting piecing.
Row 5 - Wonky Christmas Stars from Scrapbuster Swap, possibly table runners and pillows.
Row 6 (or Last Photo) - Good Fortune Fabric Bundle to be possibly used in the Swoon-Along hosted by I'm A Ginger Monkey.  Currently hoping I can figure out how to make this Fat Eighth bundle work with the Swoon blocks!

This Week's Stats:
New Projects - What is new, what is old?  Who knows? I lost track a long time ago!
Completed Projects -  0
Currently in Progress - 12

Dream Projects On Hold For Now:
Amy Butler's Style Stitches Blossom Handbag
Amy Butler's Style Stitches Everything Wristlet
Amy Butler's Style Stitches Miss Maven Ruffled Handbag
Amy Butler's Style Stitches Take Flight Shoulder Bag

_Head over to Freshly Pieced to have a look at what everyone else is working on!

I probably finished these about two months ago now, but just kept working and never took the time to photograph or blog about them (which is usually my problem!)  I wanted a bunch of bright and new burp cloths for my new little guy, so I dug through my stash and picked a lot of fabrics I liked and then went to town!  These are sewn onto cloth diapers, and are my equivalent of a mullet haircut.  A mullet is business in the front, party in the back.  These are the opposite, party on the front, cleaning up business on the back!  Ok, that was my attempt at a little humor.  HaHa!  My son had some serious spit up issues, so I am just going into this one prepared, burp cloths in hand!

Maybe I should say bee block, because there is only one.  I think I finished one early back in November, so with the other groups taking breaks, it only left this one, and honestly I can't really call it a block, but rather a really long strip!  The strip above is an example of Seminole Piecework, and there are a ton of different techniques, this being just one of them.  This strip is for Stephanie at Spontaneous Threads, and she plans to use them to add little special details to individual projects, from my understanding.  Once you understand the technique, it flies together in no time, literally I had this baby done in 10 minutes.  It really is intriguing and the possibilities are limitless!

So what is with the pouch you ask?  Yeah, Stephanie is pretty darn amazing and she made every member of our group a pouch as a thank you and a little Christmas present!  Oh my goodness...AWESOME!  I had to include a close up detail of the Seminole Piecework that is on the center of this pouch, so tiny and amazing!  I love it Stephanie, and I'm sending a super huge thank you your way!

Happy New Year!  I am going to do something that I NEVER do.  I'm actually making a resolution this year.  I am normally the type of person that follows the "if you don't make a resolution then you won't be disappointed when you don't accomplish it" motto.  Yes, I know that is so pessimistic, but that truly is how I feel, and yes, low and behold, I haven't been disappointed in myself for years!  It works, try it! Ha-Ha!  But, this year will be different, and I have known for several weeks now that I will actually make a resolution this year.  Woohoo!

My New Years Resolution 2012:  To finish all the WIPs (works in progress) from 2011. 

Plain and simple, right?  I think so.  So then today, I open up my Google Reader and see that Leanne over at She Can Quilt has posted this list of unfinished projects that she plans to finish up during the first quarter of 2012.  How cool is that, exactly what I was planning to do.  Then I realize that she is posting as part of a quilt-a-long of sorts.  Rhonda of Quilter in the Gap fame is hosting what she is calling a Finish-A-Long.  Perfect!  Basically, you make a realistic goal of what you can finish during the first quarter of the year, post about it now, then link up again at the end of the quarter with your finished project!  Easy peasy!  I'm in, sign me up!

Since this needs to be a realistic goal, and I am expecting a baby sometime in the next 23 days (my c-section has been scheduled!)  I am setting a truly realistic goal.  Just one quilt!  I started this quilt a little less than a year ago, and all four quadrants are pieced, and this one will be quilt as you go, so I will be quilting each section independently.  I picked this project first because I have all the supplies needed.  Quilting thread, backing, border fabric, binding fabric....and oh fudge I forgot I am out of batting.  Oh well, i can get that or send hubs to the store for it!  So there we go, goal number one for the first quarter of the year!  Wish me luck!  Want to join along?  Click the little button below!