It's Hoppin' Around Here

I don't know about you, but it seems we just catch our breath and a new wave of events and busy-ness comes in. Spring is here and Easter is on its way. I love spring! (Have I said that already?)

This little bunny came hopping along just in time for spring and Easter. I was inspired by a little bunny I saw and had this idea. It turned out really sweet. My kids will looooove feeling the soft ears.



I've added this sweet one to the shop (link on the sidebar).

Here's wishing you a sweet visitor.

The Scoop

There are lots of new updates on The Sweet Blossom Shop. Here's the scoop.

First, there is a sale going on! Who doesn't love a sale? Spring is my favorite time of year and for me, the spring mood hits on March 1st. To celebrate, everything is 25% off.

Next, the blog is closing down (not this one, the shop's blog) and all updates haved moved over to facebook. You can find it here.

Two new arrivals have also brightened up the shop just in time for spring. Please meet Annie and Rosie.

Annie...



Rosie...



You can see more of her details in this picture...



I love working with the new 100% wool felt. It is sooo soft and will last for a very long time and that makes all the difference to me.

There are more photos and details on facebook and in the shop. (You can click the link on the sidebar to go to The Sweet Blossom Shop on Etsy.)

But the real scoop is that I'm working on some new products that I'm excited about and will hopefully be rolling out soon. I'll keep you posted!

Here's wishing you a sweet start to spring!

Children At Play Quilt

I finally snuck the second quilt away from my daughter. I'm not kidding when I say I had to wait until she was asleep and then carefully tug it away.

I ordered a stack of these fabrics before Thanksgiving and then sat there... staring at them... the most intimidating stack in the world. I couldn't settle on a design and I loved the fabrics and couldn't bare to cut into them for fear that I'd screw it all up.



Finally I decided to keep it simple (it ALWAYS works). While I was busy congratulating myself on my pattern and giving myself a good pat on the back, I came across another quilt online almost exactly like it... except better. Much better. Oh well. Keeps a girl humble.



Notice the nice, neat, perfect corners? Yep, those were not done at midnight.

I have yet to follow an actual pattern for a quilt. Why? I have no idea. I'm positive it would be easier... maybe I'm glutton for punishment. Anyhow.

I adore this parade...



Then inspiration struck on the back. I had just a bite of each fabric left and couldn't see wasting them. I was already loathing myself for choosing to go with all white backs on these quilts and had to do something to remedy it. So...



I enlarged this girl from the parade scene and then did some embroidery and applique.

Sure is windy...



One little balloon got away...



Happy 5th Birthday, Emma dear!

Birthday Quilt

Hello friends,

It's been eventful at our home lately. We've survived a terrible bout of the flu and celebrated the twins 5th birthday. What sweet babies I've got, let me tell you. The girls were terribly disappointed to miss out on most of their birthday activities because of the flu (I may or may not have snuck out late at night to fill the house with balloons to help make up for it.)

But the question burning in your hearts, I know, is... did you finish their quilts in time??? I'm happy to report that I did. Here's one of them...



This quilt came together like a good project should. I had no idea it was going to be a quilt when I started (I thought I was going to make pillows). And even after deciding it was quilt worthy, until the very last minute, I was throwing around different designs.



My favorite block...



Some of these designs were from Sarah Jane's Children At Play embroidery patterns.





Some were from her fabric (which I enlarged, traced and then embroidered).





My least favorite block...



I used three charm packs of Ruby from Moda. I used Kona White for the background and a gingham fabric from a local shop for the binding. I'm not a fan of stipling or heavy decorative quilting... I like it simple. So that's how I kept it. The hand stitching detail is done with DMC Perle thread #5.




Never agains:

1. Never again will I quilt with a deadline looming. Oh the mistakes I made that wouldn't have been made otherwise. (Did you see the corners?? Mmmm, hmmmm... a mistake at midnight. I think they're kind of fun and picnic-y though.) And the joy that I usually take in it was less when rushing through it.

2. Never again will I waste the full back of a quilt on plain white fabric. I was in a hurry and didn't have time to order the fabric I needed. So disappointed when I realized how beautiful it would have been (although it didn't turn out too shabby).



3. I will never again work with fabric that I'm not totally in love with. Working with these fabrics that I love made it so much more enjoyable.

Pictures of the second quilt will be up next... if I can manage to wrestle it away from Emma so I can photograph it.

Here's wishing you a wonderful gift to give.

Valentine's Crayon Hearts

The kids and I got creative for Valentine's this year. I saw this great idea over at "The Long Thread".



I picked up a heart-shaped mold from Walmart and then grabbed those bags of broken crayons that I haven't been able to throw away yet. I was THRILLED to put them to good use cuz I'm just thrifty like that.

The kids had a good time peeling the paper off and breaking them into tiny pieces. The neighborhood kids even came over and helped out.



Then we cooked them, let them cool, and popped them out. All kinds of wonderful directions are available at "The Long Thread".






The creative genius over there even gave a print out for a card. Where other moms would do it the right way and attach the hearts to the cards, I got lazy and put them in plastic baggies. It saved me that moment of chaos on Valentine's morning when the kids will inevitably yell, "Mom, a couple fell off and I can't find them!!!"



The kids really loved doing this project. I think they'll have a lot of fun giving them away.

Here's wishing you a colorful bit of fun!

Quilted Pillows

I've been so in love with all the quilted pillows on pinterest, drooling over each one. In our living room are two floor pillows with Ikea cases on them that are at least nine years old. It was time for an update. So I put these together...



The kids immediately grabbed them and cuddled with them. That's success. The pillows live in our living room but have been toted everywhere.



Charming...



Stats:
Euro size
Made with 2 charm packs, lined with muslin
Fabric is Moda's Buttercup

I'm in the middle of a race against the clock. The twins' birthday is coming on February 11th and I'm trying to finish two quilts (one for each of them). Wish me luck! There may (or may not) be updates on those quilts soon.

Here's wishing you something wonderful to cuddle with.

Dick and Jane Quilt

The holidays came and went with lightning speed. I took a roadtrip to visit my sister in Tennessee and found the sweetest quilt shop. I got a great bargain when I saw some Michael Miller Dick and Jane fabric on sale. (My son learned to read on Dick and Jane and loves them.)

Not sure what got into me, but I was inspired and finished this quilt within a few weeks. All the way. Not just half way. I realize you may be sitting in shock right now and I'm pretty surprised myself.



The back is in honor of my son's favorite toy, Woody (it's white horseshoes on a red background).



The FINISHED quilt...



Wishing you a fresh new project for the new year.