Johnny and Buck Quilt for Ethan

Fresh out of the dryer, and boy, did this one CRINKLE! I love it...super soft cotton, with a vintage crinkly feel...ahhh. Perfect for cutie-pie Ethan, who will turn a year old this October. I posted earlier that his mommy is my friend, Mandy, who designed my blog and etsy logos. She decorated Ethan's room in khaki, blue, and red cowboy theme. He even has his own holster and pop gun hanging on a peg on the wall...waiting till he's old enough to terrorize his sister, Belle! LOVE it!

At the last minute, I thought it would be cute to hide his name in the stippling

Enjoy your new cuddle quilt, sweet little man, Ethan!

BE A MAN!

Okay, I had to laugh out loud this afternoon as I opened my email news from the Fat Quarter Shop.... Douglas Day of Free Spirit Fabrics has a new line called, "Be a Man". The prints sum up my husband completely. If I was allowed only two words to describe Jeremy it would be, "Tools" and "Plaid"...

BIG and Beautfiul...

Have you noticed that my blog is bigger and beautiful-er today? A big THANKS to my girl, Mandy for "expanding the territory". She noticed this week that I was loading down my right column with bloglists and links....you all are just too cool not to link to! This new layout feels much better and less side-heavy.

Have I visited your blog lately?? Leave me a comment and tell me what creative-ness you're up to!

xo,
Ariel

Jack and Jill

"Jack and Jill went up the hill....."

Isn't this so true of little ones?? I'm back inside from a picnic earlier with my little buddy, Titus...he fell down three times, just running back and forth in the yard :) But he got back up smiling every time :)

I've just listed this illustration in my etsy shop today. Which storybook or fairytale character should I do next??? hmmmm.....

Little Miss Muffet

Little Miss Muffet sat on a tuffet, eating her curds and whey...

Along came a spider and sat down beside her,

...and she'll be on etsy later today...

Ethan's Cowboy Quilt Top and more...

I've had little Ethan's quilt top done for about a week now...it's pressed and waiting to be sandwiched. I had the brilliant idea of using Amy Butler's Full Moon Dots in Slate for the backing and thought I'd just go pick them up at Clementine's, come home and get quilting....wellllll.....She was already out of that fabric. I had just been in a week earlier and there was almost an entire bolt left...that's how quickly those dots are fading out of shops! I was fortunate to find what I needed from Jen at Down Shadow Lane. She still has the dots in several colors left.

Here is Ethan's Cowboy Quilt top...

I'm hoping to get to quilting later today.

A friend of mine is due to have a baby boy in about 6 weeks. They are naming him Thomas. I whipped up a gift of a flannel/cotton blankie, set of burp cloths, and a bib. Sarah, if you're reading this...act surprised ;)

It was my first attempt at a baby bib with a snap...SUPER easy, thanks to a free pattern from Chickpea Sewing Studio. I had also never done any applique work...but it proved to be very simple as long as I kept my lines straight!

Check out this vintage fabric!!! My mom saves almost everything :) This was her kitchen curtain from when she lived in Iowa. I'm keeping it because I love her and it's really groovy fabric (like that hippie word, ma?) She asked for an apron and some hot pads/towels...I'm sure they'll be very nostalgic :) And, well the mushrooms are darn cute, so it gets the keeper vote from me.

I've also been taking part in the Flikr Fabric Swappy-Poo group because I'm trying not to buy up any more fabric before I use what I have and make the quilts I've already set out to make. I figure swapping a fiew pieces of what I already have for something else I'd love to have wouldn't be bad, right?? I received a swap from Megan today....THANK YOU, Miss Megan!!! You're a doll! I am tickled to get my hands on both Flea Market Fancy prints...love the aqua colors! And, I didn't have either of the Heather Ross prints you sent as a little something extra! Thank you!!!

Always in Stitches

Every once in awhile, you stumble across the quilt shop of all quilt shops, who carries your life-blood line of designers...all of them...in one place....and you just feel the need to share the score with all your fellow fabric fanatics out there in bloggy land.....



so today I'm sharing "Always in Stitches", located in Noblesville, Indiana. I first heard about the shop from my friend Sarah, who emailed to let me know of their incredible sale ROOM. I happend to be up in the area one afternoon to meet my sister-in-law and was fortunate to stop in and see what they had to offer. There is no way a website can justly show what is located in this shop! The store is huge with inlets of fabric by color, designer, and subject matter. There's a polkadots & stripes section, etc. They are also a Janome Dealer.




My heart was particularly warmed by the fact that they have a cozy couch/sitting area with a television and toys galore for husbands and kiddos to relax as you shop. I've experienced quite a few quilt shops that cringe when you walk in with your little one in tow. Can't help it...my little man comes with the package, if you know what I mean! The ladies at Always in Stitches were so kind and quick to help, seeming very pleased that I'd come in to shop that day...even with a toddler! Needless to say, I was impressed by far and encourage you to visit if you're in the Indianapolis area!
My Always in Stitches finds

Craft Hope is at it Again!

If you didn't get a chance to sew up a doll for Craft Hope's last outreach project, here is your chance to put your crafting skills to work for the good of a little one, less fortunate.

Craft Hope is sponsoring a gathering of handmade blankets, booties, and beanies (newborn caps) for newborns and toddlers in India. They are also looking for tutorials for each of these items that they can post on the site for crafters like us to use in the making of these donated items.

If you're interested in sending one of your handmade items to be used for one of these precious babies, visit Craft Hope's site HERE or click the button in my side column for more information.

Deadline to send an item is July 25th.

And The Japanese Knot Bag Goes to the Home of....

The Random.org number generator selected lucky number 10...

And, it's Jackie! If you've not visited Jackie's blogs, she has great ideas for living simply while living super blessed. Check out her recipe for natural dishwasher detergent! She also has a brand-spankin' new blog on preparing meals allergen-free...Jackie is a super mom and a talented crafter!

Expect an email from me soon, Jackie..... and a BIG thank you to all who entered and offered comments and advice on my new etsy shop. It gets my wheels turning to know your thoughts, so feel free to keep them coming!

Check back again soon for more GIVEAWAY fun! You know you love a good giveaway! ;)

Have a fabulous weekend, friends.
xo,
Ariel

More Sizes for the Modern Quilter

I just wanted to share that I am truly touched by your positive feedback on my "Modern Quilter" series of illustrations. I read each of your comments and appreciate them!

In hopes to appeal to customers who are looking for a smaller, less expensive version of "the Modern Quilter", I'm introducing an 8x10" size for Pocketful of Pinwheels as well as the new "Mini Seamstress" 8x8".

It's been a blast designing these and I love selecting different color schemes, fabrics and machines to feature on each unique piece. If you'd love one custom-made, send me an etsy convo! I'd love to work with you!

Thanks for letting me "plug" the shop today! xo!

P.S> The GIVEAWAY for a Japanese Knot Bag ends this evening at 5pm EST! International readers welcome.

Works in Progress

Don't think I've gotten away from quilting! I'm having fun with a crib-sized cowboy quilt for Mandy's little boy, Ethan! His room is in brown, blue, khaki, and red...I was having such a horrible time finding cowboy fabrics I liked that would fit the color scheme. Then, Kerri sent enough 5" squares in our swap package, that I can do his quilt with out-of-print Johnny and Buck fabrics...in his colors!!! The squares couldn't have come at a better time!!! Here is my progress on the quilt top. The squares were already cut to 5", so I decided to add some off-white sashing and some of the fabric used in his curtains from Mandy...

I think I'll back it in Amy Butler's polkadots in blue/grey. Little Ethan is a doll-baby, so I can't wait to finish this up for him!

Here are the Dance with Me fabric prints I ordered from Jennifer Paganelli's brand new line! I love the aqua especially. I can't decide what to do with these! Apron? Quilt? Purse?? What do you think?




And, Miss Cherie~ Don't think I've forgotten about you! Here's what I'm putting together for your apron!

AND....Giveaway day drawing is tomorrow evening! Get your comment(s) in HERE by 5pm!

Monday Giveaway!

Time's up! Thank you to all who entered and visit again soon for more giveaway-fun!

Let's start out the week with a little giveaway, shall we??

Sometimes "blunders" turn into something good...for example...I was making a knot bag for my friend, Mandy (who designed my blog!). I used this cutie pattern HERE. I had never made a lined purse before and messed up by cutting two of the same thing, when I should have cut pieces that mirror each other....long story short, I bought more fabric and did the same "stupid thing" when I cut it,....but this time it was on purpose so that I could use all the fabric and not waste any...it just gave me two bags instead of one!


It is reversible and uses Anna Maria Horner's Good Folks Fortune in Chocolate on the "outside" and a pretty fuschia print by Kaffe Fassett on the "inside". The bottom is reinforced with stiff interfacing. This bag is about the size of a 5 lb. bag of sugar, from base to top of handle.

*note...I did not write this pattern and bags made from this pattern are not for resale.

So, why don't I just give the extra bag to one of my sweet readers??



To enter, visit my brand new etsy shop, Pocketful of Pinwheels, and let me know what you like or what you might like to see listed... Come back and leave a comment! Easy Peasy!

Want an extra entry? Leave me a comment, sharing that you've blogged or tweeted about the giveaway!

Grab up a goodie from my shop, and well....you'll earn yourself 50 entries :) AND, if you mention my blog in the notes to seller, I'll send you a free pin topper with your yummy purchase (of my choosing, but guaranteed cute)!!!

Comments will be open until I randomly select the winner Friday evening, June 12....Good Luck to you! **This giveaway is open to non-U.S. residents too!

F.C. Gallian Studios

I am so thrilled to share a brand new etsian, who happens to be my best friend from "home". Faith and I have had lots of laughs and tears together and she is truly a beautiful person and a very talented photographer.

If you're searching for a special something for Father's Day, or just love beautiful photos, head on over to Faith's new esty shop: F.C. Gallian Studios!

Best of luck and love to my buddy in her new endeavor!

Hooray for Handmade!

Did you take my advice and enter some giveaways on Sew Mama, Sew! 's May day of Giveaways??? If you did, chances are you won something! It took me some time, but I tried to visit every blog that participated and ended up winning 6 prizes!!! WOoot Wooot! Here are just a few of the handmade goodies I received...

This ADORABLE pleated purse came from Mary, on her blog, Life on 19th.

Mary's blog has all kinds of neat handmade ideas and a yummy looking homemade pretzel recipe you should check out this week!

Look at the hand-embroidered detail on this little pillow! So sweet! It came from Stephanie on her blog, Be Overjoyed. Stephanie has advice on ways to live abundantly through handmade, organic, etc.

Someone must have known that I needed new pillows at my house, because I also won this pretty linen pillow on Liz's blog, ollie*kate. Liz has a cute etsy shop and does all kinds of applique and sewing!

And, it was a delight to meet Brittney of B.Originals! She designs beautiful announcements and stationery and treated me to this set of 12 personalized notecards in my favorite colors! Visit her etsy shop, boriginals.etsy.com

My First Apron

Here it is, the first ever apron by me ;) This was my first time to use a sewing pattern and it was a pretty good experience. The apron design is by Tanya and Linda Whelan, called the Stella Apron, "Guaranteed to Make You Feel Cute While Baking a Pie". I love it! I'm ready to start another one so I can get these in the shop!

My only "Blah!" moment was using bias tape. I had never worked with bias tape before and the directions were tricky...even though I have bound many quilts. I found it to be really tricky when trying to get an even fold over and topstitch. Do you have a bias tape trick or recommendation? I'd love to hear it!

Now, all I need is a cutie model to wear my apron so I can get a good picture. I don't think Titus is up for the challenge...he's grumpy....and too short ;)

A Quilting Bee

I recently joined a flikr group, called "Sew Kid At Heart". It's a quilting bee of 15 members from all over the world. I'm so excited to get going with it. I've received fabric from three members already, including Miss Kerri's cutie aqua, red, and linen choices.

We're making a quilt block for each member to create a quilt for a special kiddo in our lives. I just finished a quilt for Titus, so I decided to just tackle one that I had in my head for awhile now. I chose an aqua, tangerine, and celery color palette and spiderweb block. I figured the spiderweb would be a great one for a quilting bee, because it gets very time consuming to make block after block with all those little strips and steps. It's nice to break up the "work".

Here is the sample block I made and the piles of strips I cut for each member of the group...

I'm also excited that we decided to make a softie "buddy" for one partner within the group. Titus' softie will be coming from New Zealand, and I'm making one for a little girl in Germany! Cool, right?

I'm planning to get going on some aprons today for Pocketful of Pinwheels on etsy. I am expecting a fabric order of some brand new Dance With Me fabric by Jennifer Paganelli! I'm excited to see it in person! Go see what Ravenhill did with hers!