The Tilted Tulip

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Let's Get Cookin'

Just a few things I've produced in my kitchen over the last few months. Not super crafty, but I felt inclined to share none-the-less. The "bun in my oven" seems to crave very specific things these days, causing me to bake furiously regardless of when the cravings strike. Those pretzels below were pulled out of the oven at 11pm the other night. Sometimes I just can't help myself.

Carmel Sticky Buns

Strawberry Rhubard Pie

Pretzels!

Um, pretty sure I gotta go bake something now...

Petals

A sneak peek at what I've been working on for my upcoming craft show in June with The Handmade Revolution*:

*The Handmade Revolution is a group of craft-happy ladies that I'm lucky enough to be a part of who have banded together to host joint craft shows. They are all SO talented. I'll try to feature some of their individual work before to long...

Saturday, May 30, 2009

My First Quilt

As some of you already know, I'm currently 5 months pregnant. Now that I'm over the icky, sicky first trimester, I've had a fabulous surge in energy and gumption! It's been a welcome change.

As my husband and I start to delve into the world of "baby stuff", it's becoming more and more apparent that there is only a teeny-tiny fraction of all the baby gizmos, gadgets, decor, and general tom-foolery in this world that actually appeal to us and/or seem useful. So we've been brainstorming all the fun things we can make ourselves at home from our personal stash of craft supplies and fabric.

darling quilt by onegirl

I spotted a beautiful baby quilt by onegirl on the LMNOP blog the other day and was instantly inspired! Granted, I've never attempted a quilt before, but once I get a hare-brained idea lodged into my mind, it usually doesn't ease up until I've either accomplished my task or proven to myself that it's out of my league. So Thursday afternoon I went to a bookstore and bought a lovely how-to book of baby quilts (with a welcome laid-back, less severe approach than most of the quilting books available) and jumped right in. (I used the pattern on page 45, with some of my own moderate adaptions.)

I ransacked my fabric stash and found some pretty fabrics, but promptly decided I needed a bit more (you can never have too much fabric, right?!), so I popped over to this amazing quilt shop just a few minutes from my house and bought a few basic supplies and some fabric.

Three lovely days later, I've got a finished project! It was so invigorating to immerse myself in a project, that I could barely tear myself away for even a minute. I even worked in bed for about an hour last night after getting back from a movie, furiously embroidering until my eyes just wouldn't stay open anymore.

I couldn't be happier with it! Sure, it's got some minor flaws and I definitely will do things a bit different on my next attempt, but overall it's just so exciting to have persevered and made something beautiful for our little baby-to-be!

front

back

detail of quilted circles on the back

I'm already dreaming up new quilt ideas and want to make one for every baby I know--Besides, then I have a proper excuse to go buy more delicious fabric...