Crafts: Quilted baby blanket

My neighbor is having a baby boy. I had a stack of pre-cut squares I thought were perfect for a boy's "I Spy" quilt, and some leftover minkee fabric for the back.

I used Red Pepper Quilts' economy block tutorial, and the blocks were fun to make. Unfortunately, I had difficulty getting the points to match when I sewed them together. It's my fault, not the tutorial's. The prints are busy enough that my mistakes aren't terribly noticeable, but they still bother me.

I quilted only half of the blanket, because I like the look and feel of minkee with minimal stitching. I did topstitch around the perimeter, however, to prevent the layers from shifting.

The blanket has a warm, quilted side and a soft, fuzzy side. At 30 X 40 inches, it should comfort the little guy when traveling in the stroller and car seat for several years.

I hope he and his mommy like it!

Crafts: Wedding quilt

I made a quilt for my cousin and his bride. I've never met Rebecca, and I haven't seen or spoken to Mark since I was twelve. I made this as a favor to my mom, and based my fabric choices on the couple's wedding registries.

Because I don't know the bride and groom or their style preferences (How much can you learn from a wedding registry?), I made a small-sized lap quilt (40 X 60 inches). I'd hate to spend a great deal of time on a quilt they don't like, although - let's face it - all quilts are time-consuming.

At least I like the design. Paper-pieced string quilts are not the most fun to sew, but they are impressive when assembled. I also like the quilt's colors and kaleidoscopic effect. Film in the Fridge made a nearly identical quilt, seen here, which served as my inspiration.

I hope Mark and Rebecca like their quilt! I don't think I'll ever agree to make another...

Crafts: Pooches and Pickups

I made this pillow out of Laurie Wisbrun's Pooches and Pickups fabric many, many months ago (see Cluck Cluck Sew's fabulous tutorial):

I had some fabric leftover, but I only got around to making something with it this past week. I didn't have enough to make a large quilt for Cole, so I made a baby-sized one for a neighbor. Although my model, Leia, would probably like to keep it for herself...

I cut and sewed five-inch squares - nothing fancy. The quilting is equally simple, but it makes the prints and colors focal points of the piece.

All washed and ready to go. I hope mama and baby like it!