Monthly Makes

First picture - February. Second picture - January...better late than never!

I am loving being in a sewing bee. Not only is it fun to learn of a new block, but also using someone else's taste in color is so refreshing. I find myself in a color rut sometimes, so one of my goals this year is to go out of my color comfort zone. Kristan asked for navy or gray with white for an Ohio star block. I am dreaming of a navy, gray and yellow nautical quilt now for my husband!

Back in January Deb chose the churn block in any color. Another great block!

But best of all it is wonderful to have the support and advice of friends who share your passion.

The four blocks next to the churn blocks (on the left) were my contribution to a quilt that our bee made for one of our members. She has breast cancer but the cancer doesn't "have" her! She is fighting it like a champ. I'll do a post soon about that.

The x-plus quilt top is now finished. I love the colors! (Oops, they are IN my comfort zone). I have a special scalloped edge planned which was inspired by the wonderfully talented, Mary. She was so nice to write me several private e-mails with how to do it! She also shared her inspiration, Sarah's blog, which I now follow!

The nautical shapes have become blocks and the blocks are rows! Hope to have a finished quilt next week. This is a class project for our school auction. Jack has loved this process and even said he wished the quilt was for us.

Love those scallops, Mary!

Kristan's February bee blocks bundle.

My husband, hanging out with Rob on his latest trip to Southern California!

My dog-son, Duke, being his cute self!

Are you on Instagram? I admit, it has become my favorite social media site. I am @Dukesayssewwhat if you want to meet there! Can you believe I have over 1300 pictures posted? Wowzers!

Kris

Duke's scarf and a sewing room tour!

Duke's newest scarf is finished! I sewed on the hearts while watching the Academy Awards. I spent waaay to many hours watching the pre show, then the show. But I enjoy it. My Mom and I text all the way through it.

one of her texts: OMG Crowe is horrible!
Mine back: I had to rewind and hear how awful, and ahead of the music, drowning out the rest, Crowe was!

Yeah we are real supportive like that! :-)

My x-plus blocks are about to be a quilt top! You can find all kinds of variations of this block on IG with the hashtag #xplusalong.

I've also done some organizing in my sewing room which feels great!

I'm linking up to Quilt Story and WIP Wednesday! The buttons are in my sidebar.

Kris

The rug is braided!

It seems like it was awhile ago that I started this braided rug (my second) but I know it hasn't been a year. That's looking on the bright side! I've been enjoying stitching together the braids on the back of this rug while watching some evening TV. The Psych slumber party marathon was a blast! We DVR'd it and watched it over the weekend.

It was winter break this week which means Jack was off school. We went to Seattle for the day and I brought along Mr. Braided Rug for some photos.

This last photo is the back of the rug. Marginal Way is a skatepark built under a bridge. It's more of a "hard core" skatepark. There's no fancy park sign or entrance. In fact, we climbed on this bucket to get in!

We also checked out a new park near Capitol Hill which was fantastic, according to Jack.

He's skating a Welcome board now - they are the latest top seller at our shop.

I'm sticking to the running app and slowly learning to enjoy running. Here are my new shoes!

And my faithful running partner, Duke, come rain or shine!

My Mom has this mini Duke at her house in Texas now. She and Dad love their Grand-dog!

I am linking up to Plum and June's Monday lets get acquainted link up for the first time today.

<3. Kris

Free Motion Quilting with Duke

I've had my first go at FMQ and I love it! There is a wonderful free class happening over at PileO Fabric and I decided to join in. I'm not sure if I will make both blocks each month but I WILL be following the FMQ teachings. Here is lesson #1.

I ordered my walking foot on Amazon but now realize I need a few more tools to get this flowing correctly. (Gloves, slider, proper needle). I loved doing pebble quilting. Here is my very first attempt :

The good news is I have all kinds of quilt tops to be quilted. :-D

I'm working away on the xplusalong quilt and trying to finish it before starting something new. I hope I can do that!

Just when I thought it was hopeless to find Duke on his dog bed and off of the couch...

Ah ha! He snuck on this morning when I wasn't looking! My son actually noticed and said, "Mom, look!"

He has been enjoying the hum of the sewing machine on his kitchen bed.

I did some FMQ practice on a new scarf for him! I have felt hearts all ready to hand stitch onto this. He posed for placement.

Time to make Superbowl food preparations for six 5th graders. Jack is having a party!

Kris