I’m one scary chick

I love baking for special occasions, however best intentions do not always work out as planned. These little chicks are for Easter, however it looks more like we’re celebrating Pirate Week cause these are really scary looking chicks. They look more like creepy eyed parrots.  That was direct quote from my daughter…no creepy parrot cookies for her!

It did get better with these little bunnies, they turned out better and really do resemble bunnies. The grandsons will like these ones.

You can see I was on a rabbit kick and got carried away with these small white furry things. Hey…it’s all about the kids!

Then I went on to try my hand at Linzer cookies…with Easter themed cut-outs…these are more my style and taste…almond dough with delicious strawberry jam oozing from every crevice…yum.

Plus they look great on display.

And for the finale……….the piece de resistance.

Carrot cake with cream cheese icing….and Peeps!   num num…now I drag my exhausted _ _ _ to bed.   Maybe I did too much?

Easter Peeps and Treats

Like I don’t have enough to do…….

But who can resist Easter peeps and treats. I’ve seen these on  Pintrest and wanted to try them myself. My Daughter Melissa and her family are hosting Easter this year and these little goodies are to take along.

No wonder I don’t get any quilting done!

Doesn’t take much to get me inspired!

I received an e-mail from Michelle of Kindred Spirits Quilt Co. telling me about an adorable little bunny pincushion called Beatrix from Just Another Button Co. Michelle is always looking for new things for me to teach at her store. Beatrix is adorable, but I would not have had time to order the pattern in and have her completed by Easter. We’ll have to remember her for next year at the store. I thought she was adorable and was inspired to do a bunny up for Easter. I was pretty sure that I had a book in my stash with a bunny in it and sure enough came across this little cutie from the book Sew Sunny Homestyle.  I had a stash of velveteen as well so I was good to go.

Beatrix

I think my little Easter Bunny worked out perfect. The book also comes with instructions for a little mouse and squirrel as well.

First Round of Labyrinth

Here is the first go round for the Labyrinth quilt I’m preparing for Kindred Spirits Quilt Co. I am loving the way this is coming together. It looks so rich and the shades of fabric are working together really well.

Centre Labyrinth

I’ve been working on completing the sample for Kindred Spirits Quilt Co. It’s a wonderful pattern that looks complicated but is easy due to the fact it is made with just half square triangles. The only thing you really need to worry about is making sure that your points are matching exactly!

Diamonds in the Rough

I’m always wanting to try something new and these little diamonds have been tempting me for a while.

They are made from sewing 1 inch strips together, cutting them on a 45 degree angle and then sewing them back together. Lots of work and tiny tiny matching seams.

You really have to love quilting to work on these little gems.

I love it when things just come together

This fabric combination looks fabulous together and will work very well in the Labyrinth Pattern by Keepsake Quilting that I picked up while I was in Florida.

Quilt Lover’s Haven had the quilt sample on display in their store and I fell in love with it.

It did take a while to get the combination just right at the store…Kindred Spirits Quilt Co., but after a bit of trial and error and lots of help from Amy…it looked really came together.

The jump off fabric was the large pattern fabric called Deja vu.  I can’t wait to get r’ started.

It’s always good to make use of your scraps

I had quite a few leftover strips from the Birdie Stitches BOM I had finished a few months back.  When I have a lot of co-ordinated scraps leftover I try to keep them altogether and try to use them up right away, rather than add them to my stash. It’s better put them into use while they are all together in one spot. I had enough to make this braided table runner.

I’m doing quite a bit of this type of linear quilting lately. I like the way it looks, and while it is a bit time consuming to do, it ‘s kind of refreshing rather than quilting something is the usual panto patterns.

It now has a special home in my front hall, and since it’s sort of springy looking, it will tie me over until summer comes and a summer runner will grace the entryway.

You Sew Girl

A couple of days ago I showed how to do easy peasy cathedral windows blocks. I’ve put mine together to show you a finished mini quilt using them. I’ve added some machine embroidery to the centre and a few  borders and my little mini quilt is complete.

Since the seams don’t always match up perfectly when you sew the pieces together, I added buttons to hide the imperfections. I had co-ordinated fabric for the borders which were sewing themed as well.

Come on Spring…Get here!

Spring is taking as long to get here as I have had this kit…FOREVER!

I bought this little spring flower kit ages ago for half price and had tucked it away with good intentions to get it completed. It was the perfect little project to take to Florida on our trip and complete. It worked out  nicely and perfect that it was finished just in time for Spring.  I love the look of the little tulip blocks.

I quilted it in the panto pattern called raindrops and I do like the way it looks on both the front and back. It’s an extra long runner so it fits my dining room table really well.  If I leave it out on the table do you think it will be an good omen for spring to get here quick?

Easy Peasy Cathedral Windows

This fabulous sewing fabric was the perfect jump off point for the easy peasy cathedral windows block.  Pick 2 fabrics, one light and one dark. Cut 4 squares from each fabric, 5.5 inch square each.

Start with 2 squares, one patterned and one plain.

Fold the patterned square in half twice and press with the iron to mark your centre.

Following the pressed folds, fold the square corners to the centre square fold forming little triangles. Press each one as you fold it over.

Repeat with all four corners.

This is what it looks like when you’re finished. All your corners fold as triangles to the centre. Give a good press.

Now lay the square you just completed , with the folded side down, onto your plain fabric square. Your plain fabric square will be right side facing up. Stitch across the centre in both directions. This is what it looks like from the front and the back.

As this edge is now on the bias, you can gently roll the bias edge over and stitch it down. It curves nicely into place.

Topstitch the edge down close to the folded edge.

This is how it looks from the front and back once finished.

Here is the finished block…Sew 4 blocks together to make a larger cathedral block…..easy peasy!