a valentines x's & o's quilt top!

I got a little side tracked these last couple weeks that pulled me away from my scrappy trip along blocks.  Though, I really was waiting for some more text fabrics to arrive so I had a great excuse to start a Valentines quilt.  X's & O's!  Ryan posted a valentines quilt on Facebook so I was itching to make one too.  THANKS, Ryan for the inspiration!  :)

This was a super easy quilt to put together as I used a few charm packs.  Marmalade, Bliss and The Simple Life.  I love how the three collections look together and it made it so I didn't have to ponder over which fabrics to pull from my stash.  That can take up a lot of time for me.  I'm one that can waste tons of time just thinking which fabric to use where.  So this was perfect!!

I took some pictures of the steps I took to make the quilt top so would be happy to post a simple tutorial if you'd like.  What do you think, is that something you'd like to see in the next week or two in time for Valentines?

I'm so excited to get this quilted so I can snuggle under it with my dear ones and give them hugs and kisses.  ;)

These last couple weeks I've added a couple vintage lovelies to my collection.   First, this pretty vintage tablecloth!!  Oh, I was so excited when I found it, as it was perfect...red, aqua, pink AND flowers, scallops and doilies!!  It can't get much better than that!  :)

Also, this simply adorable little vintage porcelain lambie!!  She even has cute little flowers on her!!

Oh, I really do ♡♡♡ her!!  :)

For shop news I thought I'd show you some new fabric that came in recently.  Hill Farm by Lecien!  It is so pretty!!  It is available in the shop as fat quarter and half yard bundles, and each print is available separately.

I hope all my sweet friends are having a spectacular week!!  

Hugs, 

PS.  I've been playing around with my settings for my comments to prevent spam from being sent to my sweet friends that comment.  Please let me know if you have any issues with commenting or have in the past.  I'd love to know how many people have had this problem.    Have you figured a way to make it easier and spam free on your blog that still lets everyone comment?

scrappy trip along progress

This week I've been able to work on my scrappy trip along and have had lots of fun!  I think it is one of my favorite blocks to make.  Such a fun and simple process and you can't stop at just one block!   Thanks so much for all your ideas and words of encouragement from my last post!

As you can see I kept the dark block and made some more with black and charcoal.   It think it is really going to add a great contrast which is what this type of quilt is suppose to have.

To go a little faster I've started to do 3-4 at a time.  I love being able to add that many to the layout at one time.  Instant enjoyment!!

I did a couple layouts as I wasn't sure if I liked the black really scattered.  I thought it would be fun to have a couple of the diamonds really pop.  What do think, do you like the dark blocks scattered or together?  Here is a picture of them scattered~

This week I found a lovely crocheted diamond afghan at a thrift store so I thought I'd show you!  I love quilted ones, and a crochet one is just as beautiful!  Isn't it lovely!

I've also enjoyed taking my boys to the library.  It had been awhile since we had gone and it is great to get back to going regularly again!   It is such a peaceful place to spend a little part of your day!  Here are some of the books I've been enjoying.  I have several projects I can't wait to start!

I hope everyone had a lovely week and wishing you a wonderful week-end!

i couldn't resist...

...the Scrappy Trip Along!  All the lovely scrappy blocks popping up all over blogland had really got me wanting to make a quilt too.  After seeing Aneela's on facebook and a little encouragement I went for it, and LOVE it!!  The process is so fun and simple.   Here you can find the tutorial if you'd like to join in too.

Though once I started I had a hard time stopping.  I ended up making 4 after the kiddos went to bed. 

My inspiration was the pillow I made last year for Kylie.  Remember how I wasn't sure if I should keep the black in or not.  I was so glad I did and it is one of my favorite pillows I've made, so why am I  now having the same doubts.  Maybe with it being a larger block it doesn't look right with the dark text print?  Uggh!   

I was going to make my next block with the black seed catalogue but don't know if I should???  What do you think?

 Here are the blocks individually~

So now to decide whether to keep going with adding the dark text prints.  I think I'll do one without dark now and wait to see what you think before I go forward with more dark.  :)

I hope everyone has a wonderful week-end!  Next week my kiddos go back to school so it will be nice to be back to a schedule!

a year in review & old new 30's

Can you believe it is now 2013!?! It seems like 2012 had just begun and now it is a new year again! Am I the only one that time just flies now that I'm older. It was fun going through all my "lovely little handmades" from 2012! I'm excited that I was able to have a wonderful year of sewing and add little tidbits of cuteness to my home!

 

Before the holidays Lecien sent me these lovely samples of Old New 30's!  Every time I think I won't be able to like another Lecien collection more than the last, I always do.  I can't wait for this to come in the Spring!

I love the cute cheater print and the sweet mini flowers and cherries with blossoms!  So sweet!

For Christmas my sweet hubby gave me a gift certificate to my favorite Antique shop that I'd been eyeing some things at.  Here is the pretty rug I got with my gift certificate!  Isn't it pretty!  Even Sweet Sophie loves the new rug.  :)

I also got some pretty vintage sheer curtains.  I love how it adds such prettiness to my hallway.

This lovely vintage framed mirror and shelf was what I got Christmas morning!  He even hung it up for me Christmas day so I could enjoy it!   I just love it!!

This week-end we went up to the Mountains and stayed with my little brother at his cabin.  He is a professional snowboarder so he lives up there all winter long.  It was fun being able to spend the week-end in the snow and enjoy some family time!

My brother, Ryan and I.  

I love the beauty of winter in the mountains!

My little ones spent hours upon hours sledding, and playing in the snow!  Pure fun!

Sledding fun!

I couldn't resist the fun!  :)

We even enjoyed some snowmobiling!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful and happy New Year!!

Hugs,