Quilting Block #1 - Nine Block

I'm so excited to show you my first quilted block! Granted, this was an easy one. I changed it up a bit with a focal center block. My daughter helped me pick the fabrics and arrange them. Here's the process if you want to make your own Nine-Block. (I was working with my camera phone as I'm missing my normal camera downloading cord, so I'll apologize upfront for the grainy pictures.)

Here's what you need to get started...

You'll need 3 coordinating fabrics with nine squares measuring 5-1/4" x 5-1/4". I used four squares of two different fabrics and one square for the center fabric.

After you've cut your squares, lay out your pattern. Make sure that the fabric squares lay all the same way.

Begin by sewing one row together. You'll do this by taking one square as laid out above and sewing it to the next. I used a 5/8" seam. Continue this with the next square. You'll do this with each row separately.

When you're done, press your seams open and it should look like this.


Continue by pinning the top row to the second row front sides together (like so!) making sure the seams from Row #1 and Row #2 match up.

Here is what it looks like...

Pin the next two rows together front sides together and continue sewing Row #2 and Row #3 together.

Once you've sewn your three rows together, you'll want to press the backside seams open. It will look like the above picture.

And, "Ta-Da!" here's the finished block. I love the centered "coffee" square. This block represents me in so many ways. I love pink, polk-a-dots, geometric designs, and of course, Coffee! This project took a quick one hour from cutting to finished product.

Quilting Blocks - Part 1

So, as part of my new year's resolutions, I am challenging myself to create a new quilting block each week for the month of January for a total of 4 weeks - maybe longer, but I'm starting with January so as not to overwhelm my resolutions. Clearly, I'm already behind, but I've picked an easy block to start with and should have it completed by tomorrow. I'm great at starting things and not so good at finishing. Here's the super simple Nine-Patch block I'm starting with.

I'm using 2 alternating fabrics for a total of nine 5-1/4" squares and I'll be sewing using a 5/8" seam throughout to form a 12-inch x 12-inch total quilting block. Since I'm starting at this size, all of my quilting blocks will need to be this size. (That's more of a note to myself!)

If you'd like to join with me in quilting a block per week, please do! I love working alongside people... even if it's online. Maybe we can share pics. Eventually, my goal is to create a sampler quilt with all of my blocks.

Sew Crafty Sites

I wanted to post about super simple straight-stitch projects for all you beginners out there. (Wow! That wasn't meant to be a tongue twister.) Here are a few projects that you can whip up in a day and give as gifts or keep for yourself!

SkipToMyLou is a favorite blog of mine. She focuses on another blogger, Hilani who wrote a thorough tutorial on how to make these great coasters. Click HERE to learn how you can make them too.


Next, I found these adorable curtains. Since curtains are sewn by the size of your window, it's hard to do a tutorial on measurements. Basically, you want to measure your window's width and double it for a fuller curtain. Go by the length and add a few inches for hems. How's that for a tutorial?! These curtains were made by TheHappyHousewife. Check out her post HERE.


And finally, keeping with the curtain idea, I fell in love with these window cornices. I don't have a tutorial for them, but I'm determined to make a couple for my living room windows. They just seem to need something... and I think this would be a simple fix. Be looking for a tutorial soon...

Our New Puppy!

My husband and I have wavered on getting a dog for a little while now, and finally found the right one for our family. And she came at a great price - free! She is a Chihuahua/Pekingese/Terrier mix.

This is "Addy"!

She looks a little sad in this picture...

She's very little (only 4-lbs at 8 weeks old) and likes to curl up under our ottoman. She fits under there like a bug in a rug.

Our house is just under 1400 sq ft and we love it, but it does make for cozy quarters - whereby a close-knit family (right?!). Addy's small size is perfect for our house. The only problem is that we have to make sure we don't step on her - she's so little! She's become a part of our family and I love that everyone is taking to her well. She seems to like us as well.

Fun With Words - Free Wall Art!

I came across a fun and free website where you can create word art. Here's a sample of some I created using characteristics of my children, Sophia, Emily, and Isaac. I love how they turned out!

(Click on images to see larger.)

I think this would be a fun craft to make and frame to put in each of my children's bedrooms. It's also a great gift to give to a special friend to tell them what they mean to you. You could add it to cardstock for stationary as well. Oh, how the possibilities are endless!

Click HERE to go to Wordle.net and make yours for free!