Emmett's Quilt...

Yes. He's not even here yet, and he's been named Emmett. I'm not sure of his due date, but the baby shower will be on Sunday. I made this small quilt in hopes that it will get lots of use, and then become his "drag around, sleep with, and all-around favorite" blanket.

It measures 36" x 29", and is made of the softest flannel. I've added a twill tape on the back with a passage from The Little Prince. I think it has a lesson to teach when he's old enough to understand. I sure hope they love it as much as I loved making it for him.

I baked bread and rolls yesterday, and I was gassed by the time I was finished. My sweet Handsome took me out to dinner so I wouldn't then be making dinner. It was bliss. 

I'm going to take it easy today, but may make a batch of maple fudge to satisfy my (and husband's) sweet tooth. Otherwise, my day will be spent knitting with my feet up. What are you doing today?

One Day Baby Quilt...

I spent yesterday in the studio (yay!), and ended the day with a completed baby quilt. My great nephew and his fiance' are expecting a baby boy soon. The shower is this weekend, so I wanted to make something as a gift.

I'd purchased these sweet flannel fabrics on one of my shopping trips with Kathy D., saving them for a special occasion. I thought it would be just the thing for a little boy. I hope it ends up being used for a long, long time, becoming a favorite, well-loved "blankie".

I'll share a photograph of the full quilt tomorrow. I always prefer natural daylight for the best, most accurate image, but as I write this (at midnight) it's quilted and bound and ready to launder before I wrap it up. I'll also photograph the back. I added a twill tape with a quote from The Little Prince from Lillalotta on Etsy. There's a wee lesson to be taught in the words. More tomorrow. I'm going to pop this in the washer now, and then have a cuppa to start my day.

Making Flannel Blocks...

Brynwood Needleworks - Flannel Quilt Block Components

  I accomplished two things yesterday...
Making block sets for the baby quilt on my agenda, and...  

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse French Bread

 

baking bread for Handsome. One for the bread box, and one for the freezer.

That's all I managed to get done, but I'm happy with my results and quilt progress. I'll work on the quilt again today.

Lucky For Me!...

Brynwood Needleworks - Baby Quilt Flannels

 

When I started cutting the flannels for the baby quilt, I realized that I needed six different fat quarters, not the five I originally shared. Great. I bought them as a fat quarter pack a few years ago, and would need a minor miracle to find something (other than white flannel) that would fit in.

I went into my fully stuffed well-appointed fabric studio and started looking through my flannels. See the floral print at the very top of these two stacks? Yep. I lucked out! It looks like it was meant to be in that pack. In actuality, it's a flannel baby receiving blanket I purchased in a package for a shower years ago. I actually purchased about three packs (neutral, boy and girl), and this one didn't get used. Talk about "serendipity"!

I've cut out the fabrics, but still can't sit in my sewing chair. I think I may end up taking my machine over to the cutting table in my machine studio so I can stand and sew. I'm really tired of being precluded from sewing because I can't sit comfortably. It's really frustrating. I'll ask Handsome to lend me some brawn today to get my Destiny moved. I need to sew!

Fabrics Chosen...

Brynwood Needleworks - Fabric Selections For Baby Quilt Project

These are the fabrics I've chosen for the Birthday quilt I'll be making for a certain, little someone. The top row of fabrics are all a soft flannel, and the dots are a smooth, soft quilting cotton. My plan is to make a simple quilt design, possibly a "yellow brick road", or four-patch pattern.

The sweet "Because I love you" label is designed and sold by my friend, Anna Barrow of LillaLotta on Etsy. I frequently use her labels in my projects, and this is one of her latest offerings. I think it will be perfect for this quilt.

I still have a little trouble sitting up straight in my sewing chair, but have no issues while standing, so I'll likely decide which design to use, and then cut out the fabrics today. Perhaps I can sit and sew tomorrow.

I'd like to thank my friend at "Magpie's Mumblings" for her help when I mentioned I was trying to figure out how to be able to reply directly to each of my blog commenters. Her suggestions were spot on, and I now have that capability. So, in the future, if you leave a comment, be sure to either change your settings so you'll get an email with my reply, or stop back to see what I write back to you! Thank you, MM! I really appreciate your help.

Goodnight Sweetheart...

Brynwood Needleworks - "Goodnight Sweetheart" Quilt Detail

The "kids" left on Saturday, after an all-too-short side trip to see us. We managed to squeak every single second out of our visit, and I can truly say that we shared the best of "quality time" together. We have wonderful memories to hold us over until this summer, when we see them again.

Before they arrived, I'd cut out the fabric for this project. I pieced the fabrics on Saturday evening, and completed the quilt on Sunday.

Brynwood Needleworks - "Goodnight Sweetheart" Quilt Detail

Little blue owls and flowers are front and center in this baby quilt, which I think will be a perfect blankie for a little boy.

Brynwood Needleworks - "Goodnight Sweetheart" Quilt Back and Label

I've added this to my online shop HERE, and it's ready and waiting for a new home. I'll be making a baby quilt for a sweet, little girl very soon.
 

Tag can't wait to visit with you tomorrow. He and Bella have been busy!

Dreaming Of Martinique...

I finished a project today, but because it's a gift, I can't show it to you quite yet. I'm sure you do what I do when you're in between projects, or have just finished one and are too scattered to start another. We dream on our stash! Today, I'm dreaming of Martinique. Beautiful fabrics reminiscent of a romantic Caribbean island. Cool ocean breezes, coral reefs and fragrant blossoms.
I can dream on this collection, assembled for the applique' quilt I'll be finishing soon, with all of its soft and feminine colors, or perhaps...
those French General fabrics I've been contemplating for a table runner for our antique oak table?
I always return to these soft colors...restful, quiet, subtle...they all speak to me, each with their own voices. Calming my mind. Focusing my thoughts. Preparing me to start anew with a sense of purpose. Excited for a fresh start. Where will I go next? Where will you go next?
Don't forget to enter the Vanilla Extract Giveaway if you haven't yet. You can read the tutorial and, just by leaving a comment, be entered for the bottle I made in the tutorial. The giveaway button is near the top of my left sidebar. Good luck, Girlfriends!

"Butterfly Baby" Quilt...

It's finished! Butterfly Baby quilt has been added to The Boutique and is ready to go to someone's home. The finished quilt measures 31" x 36" and is made of high-quality, Moda cotton with Warm and Natural batting. It's just the right size to be baby's first quilt.

I really love the colors. They're bright and stimulating, and work for either a little boy or little girl.
I also made a small storage bag to match, which will be perfect as ready-made gift packaging. Later, it can be a place to keep baby's toys or supplies, because the quilt is bound to become a favorite "blankie".

You can read more about the quilt by visiting my Brynwood Boutique. Just click here for the listing. It can be found under the "Brynwood Baby" link at the top of the Boutique.
Yesterday was overcast and rainy, but we need the water, so I don't complain. I just spend more time in the studio making things to share with you. I'll be back tomorrow to show you what else I've been working on.

A few of you have asked me to do a tutorial on basic ribbon embroidery, so I'll be working on that in the next week or so to share with everyone. Please don't ever feel like you're imposing to ask me for a special post. I'm happy to write about special topics that interest you whenever I'm able. Although I don't always respond to every comment you leave for me, please know that I read every single one and appreciate hearing from you. Thanks a million!

Butterfly Baby...

I think a few baby quilts are in order. I'm going to put together new pieced quilts for my Brynwood Boutique/etsy shop in the upcoming weeks. They'll all be bright, cheerful and affordable, and will be machine quilted by me.

I'll post each one as I choose the fabrics, and then again as I'm ready to list them up for sale. This is the first one I'm going to put together...Butterfly Baby. I'm hoping this one flies right out the door!

PS. Thanks for all the sweet comments about my found seam ripper, and my fabric choices for my appliqued quilt project. I can't wait to show you my first square.