Is “multitasking” a nice way of saying “not getting anything finished?” Well, I don’t have a completed quilt to show you just yet…but I swear I haven’t been sitting around watching tv all day long. I have a lot of projects “in the works”. The above photo is from a quilt top I just finished, using my Off-Centered Squares quilt pattern. The colored fabrics are Moda Cross Weaves, the tan is an Essex Linen and the white is Kona White. Let me just say, making a quilt out of mostly cross weaves is challenging. Lots of stretching and fraying.

I’ve also finally cut into my Little Apples fabric by Moda designer Aneela Hoey. I fussy cut out her cute designs and have been making various size squares.

In an act of bravery (or lunacy), I cut into some of my remaining Anna Maria Horner Good Folks fabric stash…looks like I will be making a quilt from half square triangles! I wish this line would have a reprint…sigh…

I made a little drawstring bag for my daughter to carry around her princesses. This uses Jeni’s awesome tutorial. The bag fabric is from Heather Ross’ Far, Far Away 2 and 3 lines. On the right is a bag I toooooootally copied after seeing this fabulous bag by Darci on Flickr. The pattern is by the talented Anna of Noodlehead, her Runaround bag. The fabric is from Moda’s Hometown line.

And…I have a bit of new incoming fabric, including these pearl bracelets from Lizzy House’s Outfoxed line and these turquoise and red prints from Meet the Gang, by designer Marisa Haedike of Creative Thursday.

So that’s what’s keeping me busy! What are you working on this week?

I feel like things are settling down here from summer and I’m going back to a bit of a routine. That is a nice feeling. Yesterday I made my Twice Around the Block September bee block for Jen. She asked for Drunk Love blocks (ala Denyse Schmidt) and sent a collection of Anna Maria Horner fabrics. So fun!

I am also pulling out some UFOs and getting to work. First up is my Parisville quilt. (Excuse the bad camera phone photo.)

I really can’t believe I’ve had this one sitting around for months. Yesterday I finished all the blocks for the top and hopefully today or tomorrow I will have a chance to start sewing them together.

I’m thinking of taking the next few weeks and working on some mini quilts. I would like to tackle a type of block or quilting style in each that I have not done before. What do you think? Anyone want to join me?

This mini is just such a quilt. I’ve done a bit of hand stitching, but not “official” embroidery from a pattern in a quilt until now. These adorable animals are patterns purchased from Penguin and Fish. They are great for newbies, with the most complicated stitch being a chain stitch and french knot.

Jellyfish:

Alligator:

Whale:

Newt:

X-Ray Fish

This mini quilt is a baby gift finished just in time for a friend. I don’t think she reads my blog…or at least I hope not!

The blocks are made up of brightly colored squares from my stash. The embroidery has been done on Kona Ash. Each square measures 8″ finished.

I added a thin white border around the center section and then Riley Blake’s Feeling Groovy stripes as a thicker border. The binding is from Lizzy House’s 1001 Peeps. I think the bright colors will be perfect for this special baby as she grows.

The back is a fabric I bought awhile back at Ikea. I just really like the feminine but modern look.

I quilted this a few different ways. First I quilted straight lines 1/4″ on each side of the nine center block seams, backstitching at the start and finish. Then I went completely around the white sashing and rainbow sashing. Hopefully the below photo shows what I’m talking about a bit better.

Overall I’m really happy with this mini quilt! I hope the new future owner takes a liking to it as well.

I took a break yesterday from a “secret project” to make a new pillow for my couch. I decided to bring some new colors into the room, which is mostly earth tones. I really love these prints, half from Anna Maria Horner’s Loulouthi collection and half from Tula Pink’s Parisville collection. The solid is Kona Ash. Since I am feeling much more confident in paper piecing after the Summer Sampler Series, I created my own templates for this pillow. I think it turned out quite well!

I quilted 1/4″ on each side of the seams and I love this little star it created in the center of the pillow.

The binding is a yellow print from Parisville. I was going back and forth on that choice, worried it was maybe too bold. But in the end, I think it adds a little extra punch to the pillow.

I plan on making one more pillow for the other side of my couch, but I will probably do another design with the same fabrics.