This quilt was a gift to a family that we are REALLY good friends with.  You know, the kind of friends that are practically family?  The ones you have a million memories with.  The ones you go on trips with.  The ones you entrust your kids to (the one and only time that you need to leave them for a few nights.  I know my husband and I really need to get away more:)  

So ever since they watched our kids for us a couple of years ago, I had been telling them that I was going to make them a quilt.  So last August when we were on a trip together in St. George, UT. I took Lisa fabric/pattern shopping.  Lisa was immediately drawn to this pattern by Basic Grey (called Norma Jeane) featuring Basic Grey's new fabric line called Little Black Dress.

We bought a few cuts from that fabric line and then I filled in with a bunch of other fabrics from my stash that I had actually been collecting for their quilt (glad we were on the same page color-wise!)

Lisa really wanted black minky on the back so that's what I did!  However, since I used a really light sashing (Odds and Ends Vintage 37048 11 by Moda to be exact) and a solid cream fabric for the border the black showed through a little bit.  But I think it looks o.k.! 

I added an extra row of pinwheels onto the side and bottom of the quilt so it ended up being a nice throw size.  I think it measured about 56" x 72".  There were forty-eight 6" pinwheels.  192 half-square triangles.  I trimmed and squared up each one so it'd be extra purdy :)  

We were able to deliver this quilt to our friends last Saturday during our annual night of pizza, bowling and dessert with the kiddos.  (FYI - the restaurant we went to is called The Rusted Sun and it's definitely a favorite, yet very small pizza joint that I highly recommend - yum yum!)  Our friends seemed sincerely excited and so appreciative about the quilt.  And I enjoyed every minute of working on it and LOVED giving it to such wonderful friends!

Flower Girl Baby Quilt {Finished}

My friend just had a baby (number 6 to be exact!)

The little 6 pound 8 ounce bundle of joy is so darling! 

With a full head of dark brown hair and a cute little button nose!

I decided my friend deserved a special treat with this one so I decided to make her a small version of Camille Roskelley's Flower Girl quilt.  

I finally finished the last few stitches of binding today and thought I'd take a few pictures before I deliver it.

 

The large blocks finish somewhere around 16" each.

The fabrics I used are some I've been hoarding for a while.

I think most of them are from shabbychic.com.  The pink polka dot and gingham binding are from the line Sweet Shoppe (Calico Candies) by Michele D'Amore for Benartex.com.

 

Linda Childs in Highland, UT. quilted a pretty little floral/swirly design 

on it for me (and did a great job!)

This was a fun pattern to make and the four blocks ended up being the perfect size for a baby quilt.  This little number is in the wash right now - getting all soft and snugly for baby number 6.  I can't wait to deliver it so I can see her again!

Commitment Issues

I really can't decide.

I bought these paper pieces back in May because I was so inspired by THIS.  

But I'm having some serious commitment issues.  

I can't seem to get past these three little stars.

 This is probably going to be one of those 10 year projects and I just don't want to regret anything half-way through, ya know?

Do I go with civil war?  That's pretty classic... (me thinking out loud).  

I do like civil war quilts when I see them.  

But part of me wants something a little fresher.

I've been leaning towards a two color quilt.  

Like yellow, blue or grey with a white or linen filler.  

No, never mind.  Not grey.  Too gloomy.

Yellow.  Or Navy.  Or aqua. 

But then, that might be torture to work on (if it's only two fabrics).

But still ~ classic.  And really striking.

Or maybe I should do bright and funky...

I just don't know, people!!!

I need to find something that's perfectly me.  

That I'm absolutely in love with.

Maybe something more like THIS...  

It's really quite lovely.  And happy.  And that's what I like. 

 And, actually it kinda inspires me and makes me excited again!

So stay tuned...

Maybe someday I'll make up my mind.

I just kinda had to work that through.

Do YOU ever have commitment issues when it comes to projects? 

~ Amber

Bon Bons

 I made these the other night for my recipe group.  

I'd forgotten how good they are...

 They're really easy.  Just a little time consuming.  

I've been snacking on them for days (not good).  

I suggest quickly giving them away to friends and neighbors!

So here's the recipe ~

Mix together:

2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1 cup butter, softened

3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 cup creamy peanut butter

1 cup finely chopped walnuts

1 cup grated coconut

1 teaspoon vanilla 

Form 1" balls and dip into:

1 pound of milk chocolate pieces for fondue and candy making

(start with a half pound and melt more as needed)

They will be ready to serve in a matter of minutes!

I ended up refrigerating my leftover Bon Bons which

caused the chocolate to harden (which added a nice texture).  

This recipe makes approximately 45 Bon Bons.

 

These are a nice do-ahead treat.

Perfect for holiday gift giving!

Around The Block Sampler {Finished}

 Oh my gosh.  It has been forever!  Happy Monday everyone!  

I have missed you guys and have been thinking about you!  

I have been a busy little girl, doing a little of this and a little of that.

I'm hoping to be able to share some of the fun things with you over the next week or so.  If you haven't forgotten about me??? :)

Today, I thought I would share with you my newest finish.  This actually has been quilted for quite some time.  It took me FOREVER to bind it though (as it was my first time doing a scalloped binding and I was trying out a new stitch I learned that took me some time to get down).  Then, she sat in my quilt cabinet for a week or so, wondering when I was going to find her a good home and take some pictures of her!

 Even this, may be a temporary home, because my sewing room is under a little bit of "construction" (or maybe "rearranging" is a better word...) but I know she will definitely be on full display in there because the colors are perfect!

 

 

There is more information about the beginnings of this quilt HERE. 

It's fun to look back and see how the quilt has evolved...

 

I decided to use a solid white for the outer border because I knew I was going to get some fancy custom quilting in there and yet I still wanted to leave the emphasis on the blocks themselves.

 

 I used the same solid white on the back, as well.  My quilter said she hates solid white backs because you can see everything but I think it turned out great!  Wren Woodland in Highland, UT. quilted it for me.  She is a custom, free-hand quilter that I reserve for my most special quilts!  She does a fabulous job, always.

All of the blocks in this quilt, came from the book, Around the Block with Judy Hopkins.  It's a great book with tons of block patterns each in several different sizes.  My blocks all finished at 10".   

 

My little quilt group picked out these blocks together and then each of us made our own quilts in our own color schemes with our own settings.  Each quilt is so different and lovely (maybe someday I can show you pictures of all of them together!)  We started them a long time ago and I think I'm one of the last to get hers done.  I'm happy with the end result though and enjoyed the process of making this sampler style quilt.

Whoops

Sometimes I can be a bit on the quiet side...

but I really didn't mean to post these photos earlier today with absolutely no words to go with them!  In fact, I didn't mean to post these photos at all!

Don't know what happened there, but I started getting comments in my "inbox" about them so I thought I'd better address the situation :)

I had taken these photos yesterday per a request from my sister wanting to do a post on "collections" over at her lovely blog, Serenade for Solitude (post coming soon???)

Anyways, let me tell you about my little quilt collection...

When I first got married I spied a picture in a magazine of a beautiful armoire full of gorgeous quilts.  The picture spoke to me and I decided that one day I was going to have one of my own.

After expressing this desire to my sweet hubby he told me that when I had enough quilts to fill one ~ he would buy me one.  So, one day (many years later) I decided that, in fact, I did have enough quilts to fill an armoire.   I was out shopping with my mom when I spied a cute one and was reminded of that promise he had made me.  So I went home and reminded him about it (in my sweetest voice ever).  I shopped around a little bit more and found this one that would fit perfectly in the little nook in my entry.

He bought it for me as a gift for Valentines Day a few years ago 

(from a store that is no longer in business for those of you askin' - sorry). 

Up until yesterday, I had about twice as many quilts in it as you see in there now.  But, I decided less is more.  In each of these quilts there is about 2 or 3 smaller quilts stuffed inside them.  I like that you can see more of each quilt now.  And for some reason, I think it makes more of a statement this way.  AND, I don't have to be as embarrassed about the number of quilts I own because people don't see all of them now!  And between you and me, there is another big stack of them in my sewing room closet :)  But, I love them.  I use them.  I need them (for work purposes).  I do give some away but I don't think anyone can appreciate them as much as the people in this house.

Although I could probably fill another armoire at any given moment ~ I am thankful for the one I have and for the quilts we own to give us warmth.  I'm thankful for a wonderful husband who is supportive of my hobby and little business.  I'm thankful to be able to express myself creatively through color and pattern and I'm thankful to all of you who let me share my passion with you!

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday ~ full of family and friends 

(which are life's GREATEST blessings)!

 ~ Amber

Red and White Farmer's Wife Update

I've been farming my little heart out lately and 

I have 11 new blocks to show you 

(I know, get ready for lots of pictures).  

But first, I wonder ~ 

Why do we feel it's necessary to show a picture of each block?  

It seems a little weird.  If I make all 111 blocks then that's alot of Farmer's Wife pictures and posts!  Do any of you get tired of hearing about Farmer's Wife?  Do I dare ask? :)

 I see lots of bloggers doing it (sharing photos of each block).

And the little 6" blocks are awfully cute.

And some of them are quite the feat that it's so tempting to shout to the world, "Look what I made!"  

So I guess I'll follow the pack.  

Hopefully you don't mind???

Have I mentioned the tools I've been loving for this project lately?

Getting my FW book spiral bound has been a lifesaver (to my book and my sanity!  It only cost about $3 to do at my local UPS store).

And my little swival mat is my MOST favorite-ist thing ever.  I really, really love it.  It was SO worth the $9 or so (with a 40% off coupon) that I spent at JoAnns and it saves me a ton of time!  I use to waste so much time repositioning all those dang pieces and templates!  I love it!

So...

Care to see my blocks?

#93 Swallow

#60 Noon & Light

#53 Jackknife

#1 Attic Windows

#39 Friendship

#108 Windmill (easiest block EVER!)

#94 Tall Pine Tree

 

#52 Hovering Hawks

#33 Farmer's Puzzle

#13 Buckwheat

#30 End of Day

They were all pretty simple this month so I was able to get all 9 blocks done (plus I had a couple other ones from last month that I hadn't showed you yet).  That never happens.  Usually I'm lucky to get two done!

So.  That's it for now!  Now I think it's time to take a little break from farming.  And I really mean little.  Or else I'll never finish!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Amber

A simple quilt

 This was a baby gift for a quilting friend.  

It was inspired  by this post by Sandra Saunders.

It was probably my second or third attempt at machine quilting it myself.  I finally learned how to install my walking foot that I got last year for Christmas and marked the lines with a water soluble marker.  It was fun to zip along ~ so smooth and no tucks!

My squares were cut at 6 1/2".

My sashing was cut at 2 1/2".

My outer border was cut at 4".

I'm glad I found the white with grey dot background fabric.

I later found out that my friend doesn't like solid white backgrounds!?!  That's kind of my "go-to" filler fabric so I'm glad I decided to mix things up this time!

A simple little homemade gift.

Perfect for snuggling with :)

New E-Book Winner

I really hate to have to do this but I have to pick a new winner for Jill's E-book of Home Sweet Quilt.  I didn't hear back from the first winner and had no way to get in contact with her.  There was no email attached to her blogger profile. I'm so sorry, Winner #1.

However, I am happy for the new winner - 

Patti who said, "I really need this book so thank you so much for the chance to win it!"  

Congratulations Patti!  Home Sweet Quilt is on it's way.  

I know you'll enjoy it.  It's a great book.

 

I hope you'll all go check out your blogger profile settings and make sure you have an email connected to your account.  It's necessary for situations like these or if you ever leave a question or comment and want a response!  You don't even have to have a blog to have your email connected to your account. 

You can also become a follower to make sure you never miss out on blog updates and announcements.

Have a wonderful, fabulous, quilty kind of day!

~ Amber

CURRENTLY

SAW THIS ON PINTEREST THIS MORNING.  THOUGHT IT WAS A CUTE WAY TO DOCUMENT LIFE.  HERE GOES...

I AM LISTENING:

TO MY HUSBAND TELLING ME I HAVE A PACKAGE.  (FIRST CHRISTMAS SHOPPING PACKAGE OF THE SEASON HAS ARRIVED.  TRYING TO MEET MY ANNUAL GOAL OF BEING DONE BY DECEMBER 1ST.)

I AM EATING:

LEFT-OVERS -

(HOMEMADE LASAGNA AND 
HOMEMADE FRENCH BREAD).

I AM DRINKING:

ICE WATER. 

OH, THE COLD, CRUNCHY GOODNESS.
I AM ADDICTED.

I AM WEARING:

CABLE KNIT SWEATER FROM SISTER.

RUST SCARF FROM HUSBAND.

NAVY JEGGINGS.

BORN BOOTS (I HEART THEM.  THEY'RE SO COMFORTABLE.  I COULD WEAR THEM ALL DAY - AND SOMETIMES DO!)

I AM FEELING:

A LITTLE ANXIOUS.

THE WEATHER TODAY IS:

COOL AND GRAY.  FALL COLORS ARE EVERYWHERE.

LEAVES CRUNCH UNDERFOOT. 

I AM WANTING:

THIS DESK FROM WORLD MARKET:

NEEDING:

NOTHING.

THINKING:
CLEAN OR QUILT?  THESE TWO PROJECTS ARE CALLING MY NAME...
 

(AND MAKING A BIG MESS ON SEWING ROOM FLOOR).

 

ENJOYING:

MY KIDS.  PINTEREST.  MY LITTLE TOWN.

RUNNING OUTSIDE THIS MORNING WITH FRIENDS (MAY BE OUR LAST CHANCE BEFORE BAD WEATHER HITS).  A FEW MOMENTS TO MYSELF.  TALKING WITH MY SISTER.  THIS DAY.  MY HUSBAND.  


What are you up to currently???

 
p.s.  check out this post for result of Jill Finley's Home Sweet Quilt E-book giveaway.