baby blanket and taggies

I finished a baby blanket for my son Bryan yesterday. And today, after I shamelessly raided my friend, Sarah's, ribbon collection, I finished two little "taggies" out of the remnants. Apparently "taggies" are big out here in California. I had never heard of them until coming out here. So in the spirit of embracing the California way of life...we now have taggies! They are super fun...easy to make...and perfect for teething...which my little man is in desperate need of something to help those sore gums :) I think he likes the blanket...we'll see if he takes to the taggies...

crazy about felt

here is my first attempt at a holiday banner out of felt...I LOVE felt! So easy to work with and it turned out pretty darn cute...I see many more of these in my future...for every occasion and every holiday! Oh the possiblities!!!

latest completed project

here is the latest completed project...a quilt fit for a little girl. not sure who is going to own this one...either my daughter or maybe a friend. It was made with two charm packs of the same fabric line and a few other pieces from my stash. The charm packs make it super easy! will definitely be making this again with more charm packs. Here is the back...

And of course...a little tutu for my daughter...totally made this up on my own. I would change a few things about it...but it works pretty well for dress up.

long time

So its been a while....

I have been busy. About 4 projects in the works...all needing full attention. Can't wait to share some of them completed in the next week.

Do any of you feel as though you can't get anything done...like you have so many balls in the air that you are about to drop them all...?

newest completed project

Here is the latest project I have completed. A little table runner for my entry way. The pattern came from Anka's Treasures...their Little Charmers II pattern. It went together really easily. It used a charm pack and then fabric for the back and binding. Would definitely make another one and reuse the block pattern for a quilt.

Also finished this little number for a friend who just gave birth to a sweet baby girl. Used Simpliciy It's so Easy patter number 2913. Turned out so stinkin' cute! Makes me want another girl. :)

Here is the family picture from our family reunion this past week in New Mexico. Quite the handsome bunch if you ask me!

Baby Toys

Here are the baby toys I made for a shower gift recently. I used the pattern off of Michael Miller Fabrics Blog, http://makingitfun.blogspot.com/. They have some really great patterns for baby gifts you may want to make and give. I didn't have the fun black, white and red fabric, so I just got out the most colorful fabric I could find. I think they were a hit. I also adapted the pattern to make 3 smaller, two-sided toys...for the diaperbag or what have you. You should check out some of the other patterns they have.

Baby Quilt for Michael

This is the quilt top I made for our driver's new baby girl. I finally completed it a couple months ago and gave it to him as a gift. Since he and his wife plan on having many more children, the red, yellow and blue will be great as a hand-me-down to younger siblings, boy and girl alike.

The Crack Fabric Quilt almost complete

Well a long time ago I showed a sample quilt square using the lovely Nigerian Crack Fabric I found here in Nigeria. Well, here is the completed quilt...almost. I still have to bind it and finish it out. But I thought I would share since it has been FOREVER since I posted something. My inspiration for this quilt came from Kaffe Fasset's book Museum Quilts.

Maybe I should make it a goal to post every two weeks or something...lord knows I need some kind of goal...

One of the Best

I have to say...one of the best classical music songs of all time has to be Canon by Pachelbel. It is beautiful, and emotive. It never fails to create a feeling in me. I love the bittersweet melody and the swells.

New Quilt square

This is the newest project I am working on. It uses local fabric from Nigeria. The fabric is called "crack" or "crackle" fabric. Let's just get it out there. Its fun to say that I'm using my crack fabric. Anyways. I LOVE the way these fabrics work together. These smaller squares will be sewn together then put on point with sashing and cornerstones. I'll keep the finished quilt a surprise for later. But isn't it just yummy so far!

First Completed Quilt

Hello to all.

Here is my first completed quilt titled "Doris' Roman Squares" after my Grandmother. She had these Roman square blocks in her stash when she passed away. So, I took them out and put them together and then added the piano key border from some other scraps she had. I finally finished it in October 2007 and I think it turned our fabulous. More to come.

So, my husband and I were riding in the car the other day (we ride...the driver drives...trust me, we can't drive here in lagos)...anyways...so we're riding along and I tell my husband that I'm having a jewelry show. He asks me how my pricing is...I say I think its reasonable, but still profitable. Next thing I know...he suggests putting together a database in Microsoft Access to track my costs. Now this would be awesome...except I have to build the thing by scratch...

part of the idea scares me...but the other part thinks it would be really really cool...mainly because the slightly anal retentive part of me loves order and organization...I must have split personalities somewhere in here.

So if anyone knows anything about building your own database in Access...drop me a line...I'll be playing with it...probably for the next year before anything ever comes of it :)

Jewelry show a success!!

Well, the jewelry show was a smashing success. Lots of people, lots of chatting and even some people throwing some money my way. The most exciting thing about it...I get to buy some beads the next time I go shopping!!!!!!! This was a picture of the offerings. For my first show it wasn't too bad. I sold about half my wares. Now I have to get some stuff done for a show before Christmas. I'm so excited!

Jewelry Show

So I'm having my first Jewelry Show in two weeks, and I'm a bit nervous. Start with the fact that I hate (and I'm using the word hate here...) hate being the center of attention and add on that this is my work being scrutinized...let's just say I'm a little on edge about it. But it is also a great opportunity to get my name out there and let people see what I'm all about. Plus, if anything actually sells, it means I get to buy more beads. Which, lets face it, is my favorite part! So wish me luck. I'll keep you posted.

Hello to All. This is a picture of my daughter taken a few weeks ago. She is already quite the little ham in front of the camera. Anyways, this picture always makes me smile, so I thought I would share. Enjoy

Something to start with

I'm not good at starting these things off, so I'll just jump right into my first post without a lot of fanfare. I just put my daughter to bed and the most amazing, wonderful feeling swept over me. In those dim nightlight shadows, my daughter fell asleep on my shoulder as she has done many nights before. But tonight, I felt at peace. I shut my eyes and just reveled in the calm. Just swaying back and forth with her resting peacefully in my arms. Its the most wonderful thing in the entire world.