Thursday, March 24, 2011

Squashed Hexagon Pillow

The LA Modern Quilt Guild had a holiday swap back in December and I had to make something for Andrew (maker of this awesome quilt).  He sent me a picture of the curtains he has in his house and I based the colors on that.

0103_25
Photo by Nicole Ramirez.

The pattern pieces are squashed half hexagons.

December Swap - Pillow for Andrew


I sewed them into rows to end up with pairs of like colored pieces sewn the "right" way (into squashed hexagons) alternating with pieces sewn "backwards" (the hour glass shapes).

December Swap - Pillow for Andrew


I bought the ENORMOUS pillow form at Ikea. It's a great pillow and it only cost (I think) six dollars. I'd call that a steal, as long as you have a need for something so huge in your life. It would make a great floor pillow.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Luck of the Just-a-Teeny-Bit-Irish

Although my maiden name is Kelly, I'm only a little bit Irish.  Virginia has just a touch.  I'm not sure how much but it's got to be less than an eighth.  It is the one nationality that Harv and I have in common though.  Ginny's also Polish, German, English, Danish, Slovenian and I believe Dutch but don't quote me on that one.  I think at this point we can just call her American.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!



I miraculously found enough time to make her a little St. Patrick's Day outfit today.  The romper is a Citronille pattern I've made a couple of times already.  I couldn't waste any time preparing a new pattern, or even this pattern in a larger size which is a bit of a bummer since she'll be too big for this soon.  But that's ok, I think it was worth it.  I just winged the bonnet pattern, based on measurements from a store bought bonnet we have.  And the inspiration for the entire endeavor, the socks, came from my sister Lauren.

Little Leprechaun


We're not having our corned beef and cabbage until tomorrow night so Ginny will get a little more wear out of this get up.

Happy baby!


Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

LAMQG Retreat!

Two weeks ago the three of us went to Lake Arrowhead for the LA Modern Quilt Guild retreat.  Harv took Virginia for most of the weekend and I sewed to my heart's content.  It was the first time I had done any sewing since Ginny was born.

Ginny and I at the LAMQG Retreat in Lake Arrowhead, CA


I did give him a couple hours break both days and Ginny slept in the Moby while I worked.

Of course, it was amazing to be able to sew for two days straight after not sewing at all for six weeks.  But what was even more amazing was the incredible time I had with this wonderful group of women.  I have made so many great friends through the guild.  We had so much fun sewing and chatting and drinking and eating and playing games, we all agreed that not only do we want the retreat to last longer next time, but we also want to make it a semi-annual event, not annual.

LAMQG Retreat
Photo courtesy of Alissa Haight Carlton, Handmade By Alissa


I really can't wait for next year's (or maybe this summer's?) retreat.  I'll have to get my fix this Saturday at our weekend sew.  If you have a branch of the MQG in your area and you haven't joined yet, DO IT!  Of course the guilds are all different but I get the feeling that modern quilting just draws a certain type of crowd and chances are there will be some wonderful friends to be had.