Civil War Chronicles Block 1 -- January

OH MY! I did it...finished the first block for the Civil War Chronicles this weekend.  Whew!  This quilt is A LOT of cutting and piecing.  I also cut the pieces for February's block.  It's actually four 16" blocks, but they are all the same. 

My husband took our daughter to the statewide Hippology and Horse Bowl competition at Clemson University this weekend.  I was home with the boys, so between some laundry, normal daily duties, nursing, diapers, etc., I managed to get some work done at my sewing table.  It took me all of Saturday to finish cutting out Jan.'s block and to cut all the pieces for Feb.  I know this quilt is full of small pieces and know that being a little off will add up quickly, so my perfectionist (meaning very slow) side is at work. 

Then I worked on and off on Sunday to sew block 1.  I thought I could get to sewing on the other blocks today too, but that didn't happen.  This quilt is time consuming, so I'm grateful I'm doing it as a BOM, breaking it up into smaller projects for me to focus on.  Anyhow, I still managed to be 1/4" off with the final block.  How, I ask?  I was so precise on it all, so a bit baffled.  Not sure if this will be a problem or not.  I'm anxious to see if my other blocks will be off 1/4" also, then at least they'll all be consistent.

Again...WHEW!  I'll post some photos of Kristy, her ribbons, and status of how she did at the competition early this week.  Proud of my girl!!

Civil War Chronicles, Block 1

Civil War Chronicles, Block 2
It might not look like much, but that's a whole lot of cutting right there!

Introducing...

I'm fairly new to blogging myself, but I'd like to introduce my readers to another new blogger.  Steph is a sweet friend of mine and she has started a blog.  She is a lovely Christian friend, wife, and mom.  She is quite talented...homeschools, bakes from scratch, makes soap, sews (lovely sewing!!), and crochets.  I'm sure she'll have some interesting things to post and if you have a moment, please stop by All Things Beautiful and leave a newbie an encouraging comment.

Steph's husband surprised her with an anniversary trip to SC to see her sister and new baby and to come see our new baby as well.  Here she is at the hospital holding and loving our Jacob.

Steph and I participated in a bag contest from All People Quilt and we had to use their pattern, but make it our own.  This was Steph's bag.  Lovely work! Can't wait for her to post some of her sewing.  She's made some adorable things for her children.

Remember this pic I posted over the winter.  Well, that doily was made for me by Steph.  She also gave me a bar of her soap, which I forgot to photograph because I grabbed it on the way to the shower in the morning.  Ha!  Hasty me...but no one wants to see a pic after the soap's been used.

Mug Rug & More

EDIT:  I have a blog link for my swap partner, Sandy.  You can visit her at Loves to Quilt.  You won't regret stopping by; she has lots of beautiful quilts.  I'm amazed at all she accomplishes.  Beautiful work!!

I received the mug rugs from my swap partner in the Quilting Gallery Mug Rug Swap.  I love them!!  Then my partner spoiled me by adding a coordinating dish towel and an adorable scissor charm.  What fun!  My partner did not include an email address or blog on her note, but I have mailed a thank you note.  If you are reading this...again I thank you for being such a wonderful partner and sending me such a lovely package.  I truly do love your work.

I love the colors, the bright red, yellow and black. Look at the cute chicken pen fabric.

The chicken print is charming and I like how she chose to quilt the rugs.  And her binding is perfect...proving how much I still need to improve on that skill.

The sweet scissor charm!

Civil War Chronicles BOM Block 1

Late January brought my first block of the month for the Civil War Chronicles.  I had hoped to have this block done before Jacob was born, but with other projects, end of pregnancy things, lessons with the kids, housework, etc., I did not get to this.  I have "oohed" and "aahed" over it a few times.  The fabric is much lovlier in person than online and I'm thrilled with choosing this project.  I thought I'd wait until the block was finished to blog about it, but with a newborn, that will be a bit longer still.  So, I'll share my BOM work in progress.

The three fabrics for block 1.  I love these prints!

Not sure this is the best photo, but a much more vibrant sheet of the fabrics used in this quilt than what you see online.  So looking forward to the finished top.

See, I've gotten started.  Doesn't look like much, but nursing and diaper duty called me away. 

Goodbye Tears

There are sorrowful tears and joyful tears.  Those shed saying goodbye sweetly mix both so the love for the one departing comforts the aching heart.  I am grateful that my mom was here the past few days, rejoicing with us in Jacob's birth and taking care of household responsibilities, but mostly because it's a precious gift to have someone else love your children so much.  I said goodbye this morning to the most beautiful, loving woman I've ever met. I miss mom right now, but I am filled with much joy and am overwhelmed with love for her.  Thank you, Mom!

Jacob Zane

Jacob Zane, born Feb. 4th, 8 lbs. 11 oz., 21 inches long

He is as sweet and lovely as he looks. I can hardly put him down, but since grandmas is rocking him, I'm posting some pics.  Enjoying this time with Jacob very much.

Complete admiration, on their part for our new Jacob and on my part for admiring my precious family.  I love them!

Diaper Bag Disappointment & Delightful Delivery

I'll start with my disappointment first and then end on a cheerful note.  This is the diaper bag I made and yes, I'm NOT very happy with it.  I suppose it's just as important to post our unfavorable projects as it is to post the ones that thrill us. 

I did not use a pattern, made up my own to include features I would like.  I like the design and it's well constructed.  Perhaps I would make it a little wider if making another.  I nurse, so I didn't want a bunch of big elastic pockets for bottles.  I didn't want bulky and was just trying to go for something with a bit of extra room to carry around the few essentials with my wallet and keys.  The plan was to make a bag that didn't look so much like a diaper bag, but a nice shoulder bag.

Front of bag with two exterior pockets

And that is where I failed.  I couldn't settle on my fabric choices for quite sometime.  Everything I was really drawn to, I thought was too feminine.  Though, I was trying to go for a non-diaper bag look, I didn't want a girly bag that was used for a boy.  Just didn't sit right with me and I couldn't make a fabric decision, until I saw this fabric.  I thought I found it and was really happy with my purchase.  Then I started sewing the bag and by the time the outside was constructed, I really didn't like it.  It looks exactly like a diaper bag.  In fact, it looks like it came with a Graco travel system bought from Target.  Ugh!  Exactly not what I wanted and my vision completely failed me.  I suppose our mistakes are great learning experiences.  Perhaps this will train my mind to better envision a finished project.  In the meantime, I have a useable bag even it I don't think it very pretty.

Back of bag with one larger exterior pocket

Inside, included a zippered pocket and two larger pockets

Now, onto my delightful delivery this week.  Look what the mail lady brought!!  A sweet baby quilt made by my neice, Whitney.  This is her second quilt, the first being a small rag quilt.  I think she did a lovely job and cannot wait to use it with Jacob.  And with sewing and quilting, she is off to an amazing start.  Thanks Whitney!!

Lovely!!

And she even added this adorable applique.  Just that extra sweet touch!!