Nursery sneak peek

I've got a couple more projects for the nursery that I'd like to tackle, but I have a feeling that I'll still be working on those even after she arrives. 

Can you tell I have a thing for doilies?

With each project I work on, I keep telling myself, "She just doesn't want to arrive until this is finished" and then, "She doesn't want to arrive until that is finished..."  Well, tonight it's "She doesn't want to arrive until the crib skirt is finished".  I figure a good bribe can't hurt.  But maybe I should take a cue from her sister and offer up some chocolate.

Merry, merry

Happy holidays, dear friends!  Did everyone survive?  We kept Christmas pretty low-key this year since my husband had to work and I was (and still am) much too pregnant to go too crazy. 

I simply love that little chipped tooth!

Phoebe had an absolute blast, got waaaaay too many presents, and made Christmas all the more exciting for every one of us here.

I was hoping to finally reveal all of the Christmas goodies I've been working on the past month, but I still have a few family members and friends to exchange gifts with, so it will have to wait a bit longer.  As for myself, I was surprised by my husband and parents who went together to get me a brand new, shiny camera that I've been coveting for the past year, as well as some gift certificates for, what else - fabric!   

And as if I wasn't spoiled enough on Christmas morning, my family has taken Phoebe off my hands for the next couple of days so I can take it easy before all the chaos of a new baby takes over.  

Even though I usually like to keep the tree and decorations up until after New Years, I figured I'd better get everything back in order while I had an empty house and before baby arrives.  I hope the birds enjoy their Christmas treat!

Another project that will take me forever to finish

Wowzers that was a lot of comments!  I had a blast reading through your Christmas wish lists and adding some things to my own :)  Looks like a lot of you are hoping to find new cameras, notions, and sewing machines under your Christmas trees - and not to mention fabric!  Especially Lotta Jansdotter's new line, Echo.  I wouldn't mind finding some of that myself.

Well, Mr. Random.org choose lucky commenter #397 - Staci of The Confused Quilter, whose present came early this year when she and her husband treated themselves to a new TV and surround sound system.  Nice!  Congrats Staci - I can't wait to see what you create from these lovely fabrics.



So I know I had promised some sneak peeks of the new nursery, but by the time I finally got around to hanging some shelves today, all of the natural light was gone and pictures were a no-go.  So later this week - for reals.

Another project that I've just started involves my recently completed collection of Folksy Flannels.  Like most of my fabric addictions, I wasn't enamoured with these prints when they were first released, but after seeing them in person and browsing all of the lovely things made with them I decided that I had to have them all!  It's always fun to go on a hunt for an entire fabric line over a year after it's been released.  Especially when two of the prints have become discontinued.



Have you ever heard of a biscuit quilt?  Neither had I, until I saw one at a quilt shop a couple of years ago.  It's basically a quilt that is made out of individually sewn "biscuits" or "puffs" that are made out of two pieces of fabric, of which the larger top piece is pleated, sewn to the bottom piece, then stuffed to form these individual little puffs.   I picked up these handy little clips when they were on super clearance at Joanns, and they really get the job done and give me perfect little pleats on each side.



Since the top and bottom pieces are sewn right sides together, the bottom is completely finished as well.  So once you aquire a whole mess of them, you can just whipstitch them all together and you have this awesome, cushy, textured, and super warm little quilt.



As you can see, I've made a ton of progress on this quilt.  Four whole biscuits.  Each finished puff is 2" square, so I'll only need about a million more to get a nice sized little throw.  Add in the hand sewing and this should be done in no time!

Project snippets, updates, and a giveaway!

**Giveaway is now closed!  Thanks for everyone who played along - winner will be announced once I get my act in gear and take some photos for my next blog post :)

Welcome Sew, Mama, Sew giveaway groupies - and of course my lovely friends and followers.  I'm finally getting over my never ending virus (knock on wood!), and I think my nesting is finally kicking back in - we're in the home stretch regarding all things Christmas and new baby.  Eeeks!

Here's what I've been up to.....

Making my favorite Christmas recipe to package up for gifts - Salted Chocolate Orange Hazelnut Bark.  You can find a link to the recipe from last year's post.

Remember this quilt top from waaaaaay back when?  Well I finally got it basted and ready for quilting.  I'm really hoping to get it done before new baby gets here because it will be great for the whole family to cuddle under since it's so ginormous.  Although I think my arm muscles keep chickening out at the thought of manuvering that monstrosity through my machine.

Here's the progress I've made on new baby's crocheted afghan.  Two more strips to go, weaving in some ends, and possibly a border if I have time.  I'm finding it funny how much the color scheme from this blanket and the above quilt match each other - especially since I started both projects about eight months apart!

I'm absolutely loving Dottie Angel's tutorial on joining the squares as you go - I think it looks amazing and it saves so much work in the end!

In shop news, I had great luck picking up some simply gorgeous vintage sheets this weekend.  They've been washed, ironed, and are already for sale in my Etsy shop!

I also found some simply stunning vintage baby quilts in pristine condition.  Each individual fabric is just more beautiful than the last.  I'm keeping this one for myself, but I've got one more in the shop that I'm forcing myself to part with.

And as if I don't have enough projects going on right now, I finally completed my Folksy Flannel collection thanks to Pink Castle Fabrics (who currently have bundles of the entire line in stock!) and have something fantastic in the works.  More on that later....

And because I couldn't resist, I also picked up these flannel prints from Anna Maria Horner's  Loulouthi line (from Pink Castle as well).  You know how luxurious her Folksy Flannels are?  Well, if it's possible, these are even softer and cozier! 

Okay, giveaway time!  This giveaway is sponsored by none other than Pink Castle Fabrics!  I'm super in love with the Ruby line by Moda and these Sundae Stripe prints are my favorite.

Just leave a comment telling me what you hope to get for Christmas this year, and you'll be in the running for a fat quarter from each of the colorways - six in total!  As for me, I'm hoping that this baby will arrive early, but I'm definitely not holding my breath :)  I guess I'd settle for a Liberty Mini Fabric Bundle - I've been pining after one of those for a long time!

Good luck everyone - the giveaway will stay open until Friday at 5pm EST and yes, I'm willing to ship internationally.  I'll be back in the next day or two with with a sneak peek of the new nursery!

Stopping to enjoy the season

Christmas is always crazy and busy and hectic, but this year is all the more so with my due date looming a mere 2 weeks after Santa's visit.  Throw on top of that an incredibly nasty virus that invaded our house over a week ago, took out the entire family, and yet still hasn't left.  Sigh.

In between all of the cough medicine, hot tea, and holding down a screaming toddler about 50 times a day to wipe her faucet of a snotty nose, I've made a little bit of progress around the house.  Some Christmas presents have been made, decorations are going up bit by bit, baby projects are coming along, and I have finally started setting up the nursery.  But I could definitely use a couple extra weeks - and a whole lot more energy! 

I took a break tonight to relax on the couch and work on some popcorn and cranberry garland while watching White Christmas.  Definitely one of my favorite holiday traditions - and our tree is looking a bit naked without it.

Be sure to come back Monday since I'll once again be participating in Sew Mama Sew's Giveaway Day!  It's been tons of fun in years past and this time will be no exception!