Daily Doily

DIY // Baby Quilt

Details:

Skill level: Intermediate (Beginners don't be too afraid...it's fairly simple)

A great weekend project

Finished size: 35" X 35"

Materials:

Sewing machine + basic sewing supplies

Quilt top: 1 36" X 36" piece  or in my case 49 5" charm squares

Quilt bottom: 1 36" X 36" piece

Ribbon: 24 in varying lengths between 6-8"

Quilt batting: 1 36" X 36"

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I used a Moda charm pack that I had laying around.  I LOVE this fabric.  I believe it was called Wonderland.  I buy mine from Fat Quarter Shop.  I sewed my top together using this method.  You can google videos on you tube (that's what I did).  I consider myself to be a beginner.

Gather all your materials and cut all fabrics to 36" X 36".  In my case, I sewed the top first and the taped the bottom to the floor and cut to match the top.  Don't forget to cut your batting too.

Fold a length of ribbon in half lengthwise.  To attach the fringe, lay the quilt top flat, right side up.  Place the ribbons on the top (the raw edges of the quilt should be aligned with the raw edge of the ribbons and the folded edge of the ribbons should face the center of the blanket).  Still with me?  I hope so :)  Pin and sew each ribbon in place 1/8" from the raw edge.  When you complete the blanket, the fringe will be on the outside.  You'll see ;)

Lay the quilt bottom fabric flat, right side up, being sure to smooth out all the wrinkles.  I like to tape mine to the floor.  On top of that, lay the quilt top, right side down, so the top and bottom right sides are together.  You should not be able to see the ribbons at this point.  Make sure they lay flat and are inside layer.  Add the batting to the top of the stack.  Pin around the edges of the quilt, including a few in the middle to hold everything in place.  I think I went a little crazy with my pins.  Haha.  You don't have to use that many.

You are going to want to leave a 4" opening in the center of one of the sides to turn the quilt inside out.  Start on one side at the halfway point, stitch all three pieces together around the entire quilt, but remember to stop 4" from where you started to leave the opening.  Trim the seam and clip the corners making sure not to trim the stitches.

Reach through the opening between the quilt top and bottom to turn the quilt inside out.  Use your fingers or a pencil eraser top to push out all four corners.  Smooth out the quilt.

Topstitch 1/2" in around all of the edges.  Make sure you don't sew any of the fringe and keep it pointing out away from the quilt.  Continue around all the edges of the blanket and close the opening when you come to it by folding the edges under towards each other.

*I added a name using my sewing machine's letter stitch before sewing the quilt layers together

To quilt I just did 3 equal squares through all the layers of the quilt, using the charm squares on the top as a guide (sewing in the ditch).  If you use a fabric piece instead of these squares don't worry, just measure 4" inside the topstitched square and repeat.  You could also do any pattern that you want.  I've been wanting to try free motion quilting.  It looks like a lot of fun.  So many possibilities.

This would be a cute mat for the baby to play on or a quilt to wrap them up :)  I had so much fun making this.  I can see more of these in my future.  If you decide to make one I would LOVE to see! 

*I can check Sew something on my new sewing machine off the list.

Our First Anniversary

was the BEST day!!!

We had a picnic at Memphis Botanic Garden (where we were married).  We found a shady spot in the rose garden.  I thought it might rain, but once again I'm so glad it didn't :)

We froze the top tier of our wedding cake for today.  We were shocked at how yummy + light + airy the wedding cake was.

I took these later in the day while I was walking Vera:

*the same flip flops I wore on my wedding day :) + the dress I wore to my bridesmaids luncheon

That night Zac took me to Erline Jensen's for dinner.  I forgot my iphone (GASP! haha) so there are no photos :(  They even brought out a plate that said "Happy Anniversary" with two candles for us to blow out + some meringues.  I made a wish on my candle :)  I hope it comes true!

After dinner, we slow danced to "Just One Thing" by My Morning Jacket (our song) on the record player + exchanged gifts. 

I'm so happy to have such a sweet, wonderful, loving man that makes me feel so special.  He means everything to me.

La Vie En Rose Tattoo (part 1)

I finally got the tattoo I've always wanted (well, I've had the idea for about 5 years)!!!  I wasn't exactly sure about what I was getting myself into.  I luckily couldn't remember the pain that is involved, but I was extremely nervous to say the least!  I made myself sick the whole day.  Zac even told me at one point if it makes you that sick why are you doing it?!?!  I told him he should have seen me the day we had our first date, haha and look where that turned out. :)  I was more excited than anything.

I had hoped I could get it done earlier so I wouldn't have to wait any longer, but to my horror we (Zac + I) had to wait another agonizing 30 minutes because he was doing another tattoo.  Haha.  I'm overdramatic aren't I?

I made Zac hold my hand for most of it :)  He was also in charge of the picture taking.  Such a sweetie :*

When he first started I thought OUCH, this hurts worse than I remembered!!! I have to sit here for an hour and a half of this?  Some parts were worse than others, but it gets easier the longer you sit.  I wished he had the time to knock it all out, but we just did all of the outlining + the lettering.  I get to go back in 2 weeks to finish it.  I can't wait to see it all finished.  I'm already in love with it.

I found the phrase in this book when I was in college.  It is translated as "Life in Rosy Hues" or "Life Through Rose-Colored Glasses"; the literal meaning is "Life in Pink".  I love the color pink + most of my paintings all have that color in them.  I had skin cancer in 2005 + ever since then I've tried to live my life like I may not have a tomorrow (to a certain degree).  It may sound morbid, but it's not to me.  I need a constant reminder to lighten up + enjoy life (that's one of the many reasons I fell in love with Zac, because he has such a positive outlook on things).  I also wanted the tattoo to represent life + death.   

Most of the imagery came from Audrey Kawasaki's paintings, with the exception of the flower.  The flower (Scabiosa) came from this book + was in my wedding bouquet.  I'm so happy with how David (we became friends while getting our BFAs at the U of M together) at Underground Art put it all together!!!

I'll do another post when it's all finished :)

*I can mark 24. Get another tattoo (the one I've always wanted) off my 28 before 29 list.

Butterflies...in my tummy

I'm going to get this tattooed today!!!  I'm so nervous/excited.  I'm pretty much making myself sick, haha.  I'm ready to get it started. 

♥

Happy Weekend!!! 

4/52 Weeks

1 painting (or part of a painting):

I didn't really want to post this picture since I haven't worked on it much since the last time you saw it, but I guess I will anyways :)  I usually work on Sundays + this Sunday I had the worst migraine + spend most the night in bed.  Excuses, excuses, I know!  Dang new year's resolutions.  Haha.

1 sketch (or two):

These are the last few sketches in the Sketchbook Project book that I did.  I mailed it back yesterday + hopefully it arrives in Brooklyn soon.  I'm really jealous of all the places that book gets to travel to.  I still didn't get to finish it as much as I would have liked, but at least I turned it in this time, haha.  I'm making steps in the right direction.  Check that off the 28 before 29 list!

1 art journal page:

I love these pictures of my grandma + my mom :)

♥ 

My Morning Jacket // Boca Raton

 

Zac said it was the best night of his life.  I said what about the night you proposed + the wedding night?  haha :)  It was such an awesome venue- on a lake + palm trees surrounding the stage + full moon + grass under your feet.  We were so lucky that it didn't rain.  I would have been pretty bummed, but I would have stood in the rain to listen to MMJ (and I have before...ahem Bonnaroo!).  This was my third time to see MMJ + every time it gets better + better. 

The whole night Zac kept saying "are they going to play 'One Big Holiday'?, they better play 'One Big Holiday'!".  Toward the end, he looked at me with the saddest face + said "they aren't going to are they?".  He said that the last time we saw them he didn't really like them yet + didn't know how great of a song that was, etc., etc. haha.  It was their last song + Zac went wild :)  We were jumping up + down + clapping.  It was so fun :)  I think people thought we were nuts.

♥

One of the best nights

I can cross 23. See some great shows off the list for sure now.

Pumpkin Cake Balls

I made these for our work's potluck + everyone loved them!  It was super easy since I used all store bought items.  Here's the "recipe":

I mixed 1 1/2 pumpkin cake rolls from the fresh market with about a cup of duncan hines creamy homestyle cream cheese icing (the cake roll already had cream cheese icing between the layers) until the cake was moist.  You could make all this from scratch too :)

Then I used a cookie scoop + my hands to roll the mix into 1" balls and place on waxed paper.  Put them in the freezer for an hour or so to harden. 

Melt some orange candy melts (I bought mine at Michael's) in the microwave on the defrost setting + stirring every 30 seconds (directions on the bag).  Dip 4" lollipop sticks (bought at Michael's) in the mix about 1/2" and then stick halfway through the balls.  Then dip the balls in the orange candy melts until they are covered and place back on wax paper.  They dry pretty quickly.  You could put them in the fridge or freezer to speed up the process if you wanted.  Then I melted some green candy melts for the leaves + put it in a ziplock bag with the corner cut to make a piping bag + piped some leaves :)   

I've realized that I'm not very good at writing recipes :) haha.  I hope this makes sense.  I placed them on some pretty gold doilies + transported them in a cake box!  It made about 30 pops.  I can mark that off my 28 before 29 list.  Make cake balls

 Here's what I had for lunch today:

Yum!  The turkey, dressing + gravy was my favorite (of course!)

Fall Creek Falls // Day 1

Zac + I went backpacking at Fall Creek Falls the weekend before Halloween.  We did the Cane Creek Lower Loop overnight trail again (post from 2 years ago). It wasn't raining this time + we were so excited :)  It was cool, but a beautiful sunny day.  I'm always nervous before we go on a hiking trip.  I never even camped before I met Zac, but I really love it.  It's so peaceful (when you don't have teenage boys right behind you, haha), but it's also a lot of hard work. I love taking pictures + my favorite part about fall creek falls are the creek crossings + suspension bridges.  The leaves had changed colors + it was gorgeous on the trail: 

 

 

 

We got to camp, set up the tent + looked for firewood.  Once the sun starting setting it got cold, so we started the fire. I brought marshmallows this time + stuff to make s'mores :)  They were so yummy!!!  I carved the perfect forked stick for a skewer (I was pretty proud of it!).

 

We went to bed pretty early since there's not that much to do out there + we were exhausted.  I did have my usual panic attack (shivering + freaking out) but it didn't last long + my sweet husband gave me his jacket.  I don't think I was that cold. I think it was just in my head.  After that though, I slept really good.  Probably the best I have ever slept in the backcountry before.  I'm usually listening for every little sound.

I can cross this off the list now :)

28 before 29: #9 Go backpacking again (+ pack LIGHT as possible)

California // Day 3

We walked down to the beach from the hotel that morning.

Then we waited in the lobby to meet my surf instructor Ian.  I was sorta nervous, but excited.  He drove us to a spot in San Clemente by the pier.  I had a great time the last time I went but this time was a little different.  I'm not sure if it was me, the instructor or the waves but something was not meshing well, haha.  It seemed like by the time I could get up, the waves fizzled out + I was only in a foot of water.  For most of the time, I was thinking "why am I out here again?" while I was being beat by the waves + my surfboard.  I'm glad I did it + I can mark it off my list, but I really wish I had gotten up for longer than 2 seconds.  It makes me want to do it again just to prove to myself that I can do it.  I've never worn a wet suit either + I was surprised that I never got cold.

Crossed off the 28 before 29 list: 11. Go surfing in CA

And a little video so you can get a laugh...

I got in the hot tub after surfing + it felt soooooo good.  Then I treated myself to a date milkshake at the Crystal Cove Shake Shack.  It has changed owners since the last time I was there, but it was still awesome!

Crossed off the 28 before 29 list:  12. Get a date shake at Ruby's Crystal Cove

Next, we went to Balboa Island + took the ferry.  I thought it was so cool the first time I ever did it + it is still pretty cool :)  It brought back sweet memories.  I really wanted to try the everything balboa bar or frozen banana, but we were still full from the milkshakes :(  I love that the island has a ferris wheel (one of my favorite things).

On our last night, we had dinner at Las Brisas in Laguna.  The views of the coastline at night were beautiful.

We flew home the next morning.

More pictures here.

28 before 29

My 28th birthday was this past Sunday.  I started a list of 28 things I wanted to do before I turn 29 a few months ago...Here's the list:

1. Finish his + hers granny square slippers  *I think it's time to take this off the list, haha.  It's one of those projects I started but may or may not ever finish.
2. Wedding Quilt (by our 1 yr. anniversary [5/21/12]...maybe) *This didn't happen, but hopefully soon.  I just don't want to mess it up; I'm putting too much pressure on myself.
3. Go back to buffalo river (+ bring Vera) This didn't happen either but we plan to go hiking in the next few weeks :)
4. Finish abstract painting I started (here)
5. Start small painting series idea *Didn't happen
6. Plan a fun vacation with my husband (if you can count visiting his Dad in FL this coming October)
7. Fill my small sketch journal
8. Take a quilt/sewing class
9. Go backpacking again (+ pack LIGHT as possible) (here and here)
10. Eat a 5 course dinner *This sort of goes against saving money, haha.
11. Go surfing in CA (here)
12. Get a date shake at Ruby's Crystal Cove (here)
13. Make a fort + sleep under it Zac wasn't into this one, haha.
14. Slow dance to the record player
15. Make cake balls: red velvet or cake batter truffles (here)
16. Sign up for sketchbook project + Finish is by Jan 31st (here)
17. Sew something on my new sewing machine + learn how to work every little thing on it

18. Write a letter by hand I'm in the process of this one
19. Shoot with film + instant cameras (+ start a toy camera/instant tuesday feature)
20. Read 3 books (The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Fifty Shades of Grey)
21. Start a book club? *Not very realistic, haha...maybe one day
22. Be less critical + more positive  I think I accomplished that but we'll see what Zac says.
23. See some great shows (Ra Ra Riot @ the Hi-Tone on Halloween night!) (here) + (here) + (here)
24. Get another tattoo (the one I've always wanted) (here)
25. Experience magic as much as possible
26. Go on a road trip *We are planning on going on one soon...Austin + Chattanooga :)
27. See a live octopus + jelly fish *Hopefully soon
28. Save $
My list from last year (some made it to this list too).

My 24 before 25 list.

Other blogger's lists:

Elsie's 28 before 29 

Positively Present's 28 things to do before i turn 29