On Saturday I took a class at my local quilt shop on how to make autumn leaves.  I love taking classes, learning new techniques, and talking with other quilter.

Autumn leaves are so easy!!  I had no idea!

The class was designed for a wall hanging, and quite frankly my walls are filled with photos of my kiddos, and any empty space is designated for more family photos, so I opted to alter the pattern and make a runner/table topper.  By the way, what is the difference between a runner and a table topper?

I’m usually not a fan of batiks, but I have had my eye on the pink/brown prints and the blue/brown prints, so I decided to use those, and I absolutely love how it turned out.

The runner/table topper looks great on my table too, and the dimensions (16 x 39) are perfect for my table–I didn’t want something too big or long as I didn’t want it to hang over the sides.

Since I tried a new design, I also wanted to try some new quilting.  I did stipple the 2 inch border, but the rest of the runner/table topper quilting is so cool…not sure what you call it, but I’m certainly going to do this technique again when I do a quilt of just squares (from charm packs).  The intention was for all the lines to be curved, admittedly there are some straighter lines than I would’ve liked, but heck, for the first time, I think it looks great!

I finished up the binding for the quilt last night, and then I washed and dried it, and I just love it.   It’s just so playful and fun!

I posted the pattern here.

Pre-wash dimensions were 59 x 67 and post-wash dimensions are 56 1/2 x 63 1/2.

Pieced back

Here is baby quilt #2.  I had so much fun with it, because I’ve never made a baby quilt for a boy before.  I also didn’t buy any new fabric…I raided my stash, and I love how it all came together.

The quilt measures 32 x 42, and I used all fat quarters.  The pattern is Mini Modern Rose Garden by Carolina Patchworks.  I love the pattern…beautifully simple to show off great fabric.  I will certainly be making this pattern again!  I purchased the mini modern rose garden and modern rose garden patterns, so I have lots of options to choose from for the next time.

This baby quilt was sent to its new home today to await for baby’s arrival on Tuesday

Front

Back

Up close

It’s baby season, so I’ve been working on a couple of baby quilts.  One of my really good friends had her second daughter, Riley, 4 weeks early.  Riley will be snuggled tightly in this super girly baby quilt.

The pattern is the baby throw by Valori Wells.  The quilt measures 30  x 42.  I used all fat quarters except for the plaid on the back .  It was a fun pattern, and I will certainly be using this pattern again.  Perhaps next time I will make the adult throw.

Front

Back

Up Close

Since I made a quilt for Ellie, I had to also make a quilt for Ethan.  It’s much harder to find appropriate fabric for a boy than it is for a girl.  Ethan’s room is decorated in a patriotic theme…lots of red, white, blue.  So, when I found Sandy Gervais’ Red, White & Bold line I thought that would be perfect for Ethan.  I used Camille’s Jelly Filled pattern (love that pattern!)

The quilt measured 67 x 71, and it turned out great…most importantly Ethan loves it, and he likes to remind Ellie that his quilt is bigger than her quilt.

I designed the quilt back myself to look like Old Glory, and I’m super happy with how it turned out.

Oh, Fransson had a quilt-along, and I loved the pattern, so I raided my stash and I quilted along and made this most adorable quilt for my daughter, Ellie.

This was my first attempt at stippling…so much fun!

Finished quilt measured about 50 x 60.

I made this baby quilt in December, 2008 for my niece, Kate who was about to be born.  I love the colors and how cheerful this quilt is.  My big accomplishment with this quilt…my first experience with free motion quilting.  I did a simple loop pattern, and I learned so much!

The finished quilt measures about 36 x 45.

I took my first quilting class in November, 2008.  I learned so much!  And because of that class I am now a quilting addict!   Here is the finished product from my beginner quilting class…a wall hanging.  It now hangs on the wall in my living room, and I love it!