pins

Do you use pins? Up until recently I almost never used pins but I think I might finally understand the allure. I just finished sewing my largest quilt thus far and decided to try pinning the rows and wow, it really makes it so much easier! 

So, what about you? Do you pin when quilting? Sometimes, always, never? Do you have any tips? How about glue basting? 

Recently

Last week I had the rare opportunity for some child-free travel with my husband. He had a conference in Arizona so I tagged along and spent a few days just relaxing, reading, and hiking. I even got to meet a few of my blogging friends in person - Alyssa, Danny, and Cristy. 

And just so this post isn't completely devoid of any sewing, here are some pics of a scrappy panel I made last week. I really reached far into my scrap drawer for this and used many fabrics I haven't seen in quite a long time.

Frolic Floor Pillow

So, what do you get when you mix the photo above with the photo below?

A new reading pillow!

Though I also like to read so maybe this should be a new reading pillow for my room!?!?

Ha - that's doubtful!

The pillow is made from an adorable new fabric collection coming this month from Birch Organic Fabric. You can find my tutorial for the pillow on the Birch blog by clicking here.

I had a long narrow piece of their organic cotton fleece left over from when I made this late last year so I cut it in half and used it to back the pillow. The fleece is so soft and provided great structure for the backing. 

To see how I made the pillow - front and back - just click over to the Birch blog.

thursday

If this photo above wasn't enough to remind me to wait until a certain someone is asleep to take photos of fabric, then the photo below should.

And speaking of reminders, all these wrinkles should remind me not to keep an embroidery WIP rolled/folded for so long - they'll come out, right?

Tea Party Napkins

Remember this photo from a few weeks ago? Well, those tea parties are a regular occurence around here and since my 2 year old has two older sisters to help out with the planning and preparing, those tea parties are pretty involved! Anyway, guess I caught the bug because I noticed the other day that they didn't have napkins and well, look what I made! Placemats might be next.

However, I haven't yet been able to take a photo of them being used at a tea party because, of course, now that I made them, there has not been another tea party.  Instead it seems like my littlest has been spending most of her time in this corner of her room - so still using something I made!

balance on a snow day

*courtesy of my lovely husband who baked with our 2 year old while I got to sew!

picnic

I am so excited about the new weekly photo link up at Weekend Doings - A Picture . . . A Moment.  Martha takes such beautiful photos and I'm excited to see what she'll be posting each Friday.  I definitely recommend that any of you participating in the Quilt Photography Workshop join in and post your photos!  She'll be posting the link up on Fridays and it looks like this week's is open until tonight.