Back of Baby Quilt

Sara wanted lime green and bears for her nursery theme.  This backing fabric for her I Spy sure fills the bill.  It was taken when it was dark outside, but it is very bright lime green in person.  Who doesn't love Paddington Bear?

I was able to cut a few squares for FUTURE I Spy quilts from the fabric that was extra on the side of the backing.  That's how these quilts just keep going and going and going.  I have one in mind for another family that has become special to us.  Keep watching!

~Joan 

Second Secret Project

This is a secret baby quilt for my friend, Sara's first baby.  Emily met Steve at Sara's wedding.  Steve is Sara's BIL now.  I would have made her a quilt anyway, but that little effort of marrying Steve's brother so he and Emily could meet merited special favor, don't you think?

I have made many I Spy quilts, but this one is special.  I arranged the colors of the blocks from black in the upper right corner to bright red in the lower left...sort of a colorwash, but in novelty prints!

This is the first quilt I used my Handi Quilter on.  It went better than I expected, and I learned a lot about using the machine.  They recommend you practice on something other than a real quilt, but I threw caution to the wind and just started.  I've machine quilted a LOT, so I figured I just needed to learn to use the controls.  I used a clear monofilament on top and lime green on the back.  Why not start with the hardest thread??

I just need to sew on the binding now.  The baby is due January 29.  Any day now...!!!

~Joan

First Secret Project

This blog is going to be a collection of projects I am working on in secret.  They might be birthday or Christmas gifts.  They might "just" be a thank-you gift.  In the coming months, most of them will be gifts for my engaged daughter, Emily.  She is getting married June 25 of this year.  I wanted a place to document my progress on secret projects so I can look back at them.

Here is the first one...it's a paper-pieced runner.  The pattern name is Colorado Star.  There will be an additional 2" cream border all around when it is finished.  Now it measures about 12-1/2" x 40".

Although I do a lot of crafts, quilting and sewing are my favorites.  Stay tuned and feel free to email me.

Check out my other blog, http://www.shelbystitcher.blogspot.com/

~Mama Joan