Rotogravure...

 Recently, I took a class at My Girlfriend's Attic where we were making the blocks from the pattern, Rotogravure...It has 16 blocks total with labor intensive sashings and is a great fall quilt...

 When our time was over, I actually thought about taking pictures and documenting this fun day we spent together...that's pretty much my life lately--day late, dollar short...however, I did manage to snap a few pictures on my way out...

 We had a total of 12 people participating, so we each made 12 blocks and will exchange with one another...I haven't picked up my exchange blocks yet...I will make the remaining 4 blocks on my own for a complete quilt...

 Another fabulous block...I really enjoyed seeing what people put together as far as fabric and I loved every one of them...

 All the ladies that came were delightful and we really enjoyed each other's company!!!

 We joked and laughed and visited the time away and managed to work in some sewing as well...the joke was that we were sewing in a sweat shop as these blocks were extremely labor intensive...

 It took place at one of my favorite meeting places...My Girlfriend's Attic...more pictures to come when I get my exchange blocks...

Last but not least is my handsome little grandson who recently turned 1.  He is such a good little boy and so fun and as you can see, really gets into eating...he gets that from Grandma...I love food!!!

Christmas Favorites...

 Christmas Favorites is Nancy Halverson's latest Christmas book and fabric line....

 The fabric was a pure joy to work with...such vivid bright colors-- the mix of traditional with a modern twist...

 The pattern was designed with a BOM in mind...If you were to take and do a block of the month, it would be a really enjoyable sew...

 There is a button kit you can order for embellishments, however, I opted to make yo-yos instead.  I feel that they really add a touch of whimsy...

 The poinsettia block has gathered leaves for embellishment which really look darling...

 There is a mix of piecing as well as applique with a touch of embroidery...

This is quite possibly my favorite block in the quilt...I have always told my children...If you don't believe, you don't receive...

Miniature Ups and Downs...

 I really love the movement in the Ups and Downs pattern by Sarah Fielke...when I ordered her pattern, the instructions were word only with the only picture on the outside of the pattern.  I am a visual quilter and need a few pictures along the way...so I tested the pattern out in miniature using my 2" squares and leftover browns that were used in backings...to my amazement, it is a split 9 patch block...really fun to sew up...

 I chose this yummy pink minky for the back and it makes for a comfy quilty baby quilt...

 I just randomly sewed the squares up and then laid them out and sewed together the quilt...

For being a tester, I fell in love with it.  Can't wait to do the bed size quilt...The background will be a kiwi solid with 3 1/2" squares all from my scrappy stash..Should be a fun quilt!!!

Floyd Family 2nd Annual Retreat

My friend, Alissa, had a family sewing retreat yesterday...I had the honor of being invited to go and sew at the Girlfriend's Attic...I was having so much fun sewing, shopping and such that I only got these 2 pictures of the actual retreat...Alissa's parents are serving a full time LDS mission in the Phillipines.  There is a lady there who found out she was pregnant at age 42 and is having a hard time.  Alissa's mother felt that if someone would sew her a baby quilt to show that people cared, it would really help this woman.  The floors over there are all concrete, and with cultural preferences to take into consideration, Alissa felt this monkey quilt would be fun...

 The monkey fabric is a vintage brown pin whale corduroy and for the body of the monkey, sashings and borders, she has gone to her stash for this little quilt.  It is fun, quirky and very textural with the corduroy.  It really makes my heart smile and I'm sure the mother will adore this!!

Here is a close up of one of the monkeys...too cute.  If I were a baby, I would love this...