You Are My Sunshine

I've had wonky stars on the brain since Tong asked us to do these blocks for Sew Modern Bee. This quilt went together a lot faster than I expected. I just had to get into a groove and find a way to chain piece most of the blocks. Once I managed that, I was completely sold on this pattern! As much as I love modern quilting, there is something that just melts me about old fashioned patterns.

When I picked up this cheater print a few months ago, I instantly knew I wanted it to be the back of an all yellow quilt. I think it works pretty great on the back of this one!

This was the first time I've used pre-made binding. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think I would rather make it myself! The pre-made is just a little more flimsy than what I am used to, but I do like how this one matches so well with the other elements of the quilt.

Big E took a shining to this one, but it's actually for one of the 7 babies of 2011! I have one more quilt to make to round out the seven and I better get at it since the Mama is due in exactly one month!

~Sara

A New Bee!

Donna and I started a new quilting bee! An all Canadian improv quilting bee, that is! So anxious to get started. Sew Modern Bee was such a great learning experience and as it is coming to a close this month, both Donna and I decided we weren't quite finished with quilting bees just yet. I'll be Queen Bee in September this time around as I just have too much on the go right now and through the summer. I am so very anxious already!!

~Sara

Crafthope, Project 12 - Bracelets for Orphans

Are you all familiar with Craft Hope? The latest project they're organizing is bracelets for Orphan Outreach. Go read this post by someone who decided to help out. You may cry. I'll wait.

This quote, from the post, just got me right in the heart:

I can't help but think that maybe a little girl who very deeply knows the pain of life without loving parents might find a few moments of joy when she places a bracelet we made on her little arm.

Dontcha wanna make some bracelets?

I made 21...kind of a random number but that's how I roll. Join in, and give a little joy by showing an orphan someone is thinking about them. That's what I hope the kids who get the bracelets I made feel when they do these up. (Pattern generously shared by Jennifer Casa)

- Donna

Crafting with the Kiddies

I want to craft more with my girls. I have good intentions, but sometimes the need to 'plan' things out and get prepared gets in the way. My girls are always provided with glue, scissors, markers, crayons, paper, bits of yarn, googly eyes, pipecleaners, playdough, etc, in their easy accessible craft cupboard, but for the more organized 'attivities' (as my 4 year old calls crafts), I'm less good at finding things to do and getting prepared (even though I peruse many kids crafting websites frequently).

I love it when a quilting blog comes through with a good idea. A while back I saw this idea over on Cluck Cluck Sew. I knew that the girls' doors needed one, and last Easter weekend was the perfect opportunity as we had nothin' but time, time, time. And I'm a girl with scraps and buttons, oh, am I.

My four year old (her M is on the bottom) got very into this activity and even wanted to make a face with felt and buttons. My two year old was less focused but of course had to copy her sister's face idea. The Ms (their names both start with M!) now hang on their doors and make me smile when I walk by their rooms.

My four year old's breathey "oh, mama, it's sooo fabricy" statement of pride when she was all done pretty much melted my heart.

Have you and your kids made anything fab lately?

- Donna