quality fabric

I LOVE rag quilts.  They have a loved and worn look to them that makes me want to cuddle up in one.  When we lived in Arizona a cozy blanket was really only needed for 2 months a year so it wasn't until we moved up to North Dakota did I really value my beloved rag quilts.  And it wasn't until we moved up here that I started making more of them.

One thing I have realized when making them is that if you use poor quality fabric it will make a HUGE mess in your washer and dryer.  I've had to clean the lint trap out several times in one cycle.  Not only that but the fabric (especially the flannel) will fade and pill so fast.  It's really a shame after all the work you put into them.

This last quilt was made with good quality fabrics and it really shows.  I didn't even have to clean my lint trap out and the colors are still so vibrant and the flannel looks new after two washes.  I didn't have all the fabric choices I wanted to use and didn't want to buy it online and wait for it to ship so I was resourceful.  I cut up an old sheet we can't use anymore and used that. 

I also used some minky fabirc because minky fabric is so soft and deserves to be used in almost every blanket. 

I used Sandi Henderson's Farmer's Market line for this quilt (including the flannel) and I just never get sick of this collection.  I love it and now that I have a little girl I am constantly using the scraps pieces of what I have left from her line.  It's just too precious.  Here are a few other things I have made from her fabric.

 I'm linking to:

  

where did the time go?

I suppose I have been busy. My mom came to visit for my b-day and Halloween and that was a lot of fun. I had a fireman in the house.

And we did fun things like draw happy faces on marshmallows and watch their faces blow up in the microwave. I think I had a few too many smores.
The day after my mom left my back porch looked like this. So we raked it up and then the leaves fell again and it looked like this again.
A few days later our back porch looked like this. Luckily, it's starting to melt now and the sun is out but I am sure it's just a matter of days before the snow comes back.

The snow made me start thinking about Christmas which is right around the corner so I decided to make this.

and every throw needs a pillow, right? I plan on making some more with my scraps.

Oh, and I almost forgot. I got a haircut as well (and a little color). Sorry for the bad photo I think that is the effect of taking a picture in a hotel bathroom myself.
My in laws will be flying in to visit tomorrow for a week so I am sure I will be mia again for a while. Hopefully I will have more fun pics to post when I am back. Take care.

i am sewing like a mad woman...

and I haven't even started on x-mas yet. I have so many projects to start, or complete and I never seem to catch up. Over the last few weeks I have made my husband his long awaited University of Arizona Wildcat quilt with a matching ball (not pictured and hiding somewhere in my home). I just love rag quilts but I prefer them with cotton on top. They look better that way (in my opinion).
And then there was the fireman treat bag for Halloween. Luckily that was easy and something he can tote around his toys in after Halloween.

I have started working on some fleece pants for my son which was simple enough but I have only made one pair so far and need to make about 3 more. Another project to complete .

And last but certainly not least I got the 'felt' bug and have been making some felt food which my son adores. It's been pretty easy so far but the more complicated food is stumping me. So I bought this book and look forward to getting that in the mail. I am thinking about making some tutorials with the food I have already made but that will just have to go on the 'to do' list for now.