Winner

I chose a winner for the Market Square Tote (using random.org) -- #9.
Congrats to Rebecca, who commented:

RebeccaOctober 23, 2012 8:10 AM

Love this bag pattern - yours is beautiful!!

I'll be emailing you soon, Rebecca!

WIP Wednesday!

I haven't posted any pictures of the kids' artwork in awhile, so here is Lexi's latest masterpiece.  She left it laying on my sewing machine the other day.  This is her latest design for a quilt -- she even offered to help me make it!

I have lots of little projects going on right now, but my biggest project is reorganizing my sewing space (which is also our office and guest room!).  Wish me luck!

I'm so happy to have another beautiful tote to take shopping!
I finished up Nikki's Market Square Tote recently:

If you'd like to enter to win a copy of her pattern, the giveaway is here!

Linking up to:

Market Square Tote Pattern Giveaway!

 Have you seen Nikki's fabulous Market Square Tote Pattern?
Isn't it fabulous?!

 I was lucky enough to be able to test out her pattern, and now she's letting me give one away!  The pattern is so well written.  It's easy to follow, and includes instructions for using laminated cotton (if you choose--I'm definitely doing this on my next bag!), and creating an interior zipper.  I had never done this before, and she makes it easy!  Woo hoo!

 This tote is a great size -- I haven't used it for going to "the Market" yet, but it's been to lots of soccer games, to the library, and on car trips!

Just leave a comment for a chance to win this pattern!
I'll draw a winner on Friday.
Linking up to:

Asterisk Quilt

My asterisk quilt is finally finished!
I packed it up last week to send it to My Very Own Blanket -- the charity our Peace Circle of do.Good Stitches has chosen for donations.  
(Tutorial for the scrappy asterisk block is here!)

This block uses tons of scraps, even small scraps - all the scraps are only 1 inch wide!

I quilted this in a loopy meander,

used my favorite Ikea houses print for the back,

and bound it in a solid green (maybe Kona grass?).

Linking up to:

Works in Progress

Finished projects:
1) Rainbow Quilt (full post here) -- still completely in love with this one!

2) Asterisk Quilt -- just finished the binding this week.  I'll post more about this one soon!

In progress:

1) Did you see Lee's finished quilt using this block?  I was so happy to see that she decided to post the paper-piecing pattern!  I plan to make a bunch of these with my Flea Market Fancy stash.  I have been so undecided about what to do with my FMF fabrics; but this is the perfect pattern!

2)  This is the block I chose for this month for my do. Good Stitches circle.  Isn't it fun, and bright?!  (Tutorial at In Color Order)

3)  Nearing the end of making these Vintage Holiday blocks.  Just need to get them sashed and all put together.  But I'm feeling the need to organize my sewing room first, do it might be awhile!!!

It's been so long since I've linked up to WIP Wed -- but it's good to be back!

Tula Pink Sew Along

I'm so happy to be a part of the Tula Pink Sew Along

at Sew Sweetness!

Today I get to show off my new quilt,

which has quickly become a favorite in our house.

My girls love rainbows, so I re-interpreted Tula Pink's pattern "Fade to Pink" with the colors of the rainbow.

This was such a fun quilt to make!

This pattern would be an easy one for beginners.  The cutting is easy, sewing the rectangles together was easy, and there are no corners or blocks to match up.  It is constructed in rows, separated by long strips of background fabric.  

And it was quick to put together!

I finished the quilt top in two days,

and then spent two more days quilting it.

This quilt is huge!

In this photo my husband is trying to hold up the quilt -- and his arms aren't quite long enough!  

The quilt measures 80 x 80,

a great size for my daughter's bed.

I quilted this myself, which was exhausting!

(my back and arms still ache)

I fell in love with Denyse Schmidt's signature figure-eight long-arm machine quilting pattern when I first saw her book Modern Quilts, Traditional Inspiration.

I wasn't sure if I'd be able to replicate this by free motion quilting on my home machine, but I think it works!

My quilting is definitely more "organic" than hers,

but I love the overall effect.  

For the back I used fabric from Ikea --

aren't the houses fun?!

Thanks so much for visiting my blog today!

I hope you enjoy the rest of the Tula Pink Sew Along!