It's been forever since I've blogged. I'm horrible at it I admit. In any case I have been sewing away and creating some new things. First off I finished the last Flirty Apron Swap and created this for my swap partner...
This was a fun swap and I used the A is for Apron book I won in a blog contest last year. I used the kitty fabric as a base. From that I pulled all the different coordinating fabrics I used in this piece. It came out great. I know it's bright and vibrant and not demure but neither am I. I hope it went to a good home.
In return for all my efforts I received an incredible apron from my partner. I was in love with this thing the minute I saw it. So was everyone else in my family. Isn't it great?
In between I have been sewing up some things like an apron for my mother. I also embarked on my second/first quilting project. Before I left Illinois and my job, a co worker began to teach me the techniques of hand quilting. That technique got a lot of attention as I nursed myself back to health from a broken ankle I managed to obtain in early November. While working on that quilt I had a move across country to my hometown of San Diego. That project got pushed to the wayside and I began working on a machine quilt for my best friend who is expecting her first child in May. I am nearly done with the quilt. It has been a task. Quilting is not easy and I had to go a little fancy for my first try. I am currently in the final stages of the actual quilting of the quilt sandwich. It's not terribly pretty or accurate but not bad for a first time around. Here are a few pics of the quilt before sandwiching...
Since this is a quilt for the baby my mom suggested I put a photo of the parents on it. So I asked my BFF for a few pictures and then choose my favorite without telling her what it is for. I hope when she gets it she'll like it.
Below is a picture of the full top. I used Michael Miller fabrics and Kona cotton that I purchase way back in December before I knew what I was going to do with them. I absolutely loved this fabric. There is a lot to be said for a high quality fabric. It really makes a difference. I think
I may want to try making myself a small quilt to keep so I can partake in its loveliness. I was thinking of using the idea from Sew Mama Sew's Quilt Along.
A photo of the back. I used various pieces of the top pieced together.
So as you can see I have been busy. I ended up doing a basic stitch in the ditch quilting for the main blanket. Then I chose to do a meandering for the border. It has been a test. It's a lot of fabric to twist, push and turn through my machine. Not easy and not perfect but the meandering nature of the quilting on the border makes me think of animal tracks so I think it kind of goes with the quilt. I have to finish one border side and then add the edging. Once it's done I will wash and take final pics. I hopes it's something I end up really proud of. 
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