Just One Star

Moda is participating in the Quilts of Valor program and is asking any and all quilters to help. They need to collect 1800 Star Blocks by May 1, 2011. I know the deadline is drawing near, but it's not that difficult to whip a few blocks out in an evening. For more information about the program, visit the Moda Blog. For the pattern and instructions, click here.

There's something to be said about doing things for others. It just feels good, you know? Did I have to make these blocks? No. Could I have used that time to work on something for myself? Sure. But honestly I got so much more out of this. I don't know who this block will end up going to. I don't know their name, their face, or anything about them. But what I do know is that I'm grateful that they're serving our country, risking their lives so that we can live our lives with our freedoms. So to anyone and everyone who has ever served, Thank you. From the bottom of my heart THANK YOU.

If you have some extra fabric sitting around, an an extra hour to give - please consider making a block or two. 

One of the finished blocks.

Sewn, pressed, signed and ready to go to their new home!

Ever wonder what happens to leftover frosting?

I made a cake for a little girl's first birthday this weekend. I had leftover batter so I did what anyone would do .... MADE CUPCAKES! I slappled a little of the buttercream I made onto them, and set them aside. Well, after I was finished decorating the cake, I had some piping bags with icing still in them. So I thought, why not let Wyatt have some fun?

He decorated and sprinkled a giant cupcake and a dozen and a half small ones and enjoyed every minute of it!

He put the sprinkles on so carefully!

And now you know where leftover frosting ends up!

Mmmmm.... now that looks like a sugar induced coma just waiting to happen!

3 x 6 Sampler Quilt Mini Bee

Done! Finished! Completed!

I've got my six blocks done for the 3 x 6 block swap! WHEW! They're not due until June, but now they're done and out of the way. I hope the girls in my hive like them, if not I guess I have plenty of time to make new ones! LOL.

These blocks will be sent to:

1. The_Cleof

Bright fresh and modern Colours: red, blue, green, yellow, purple, turqoise

Cleof, I picked green and went with it.

2. Lydia - [blog]

Gray, Green, Black

3. KarinKajsa - [blog]

Red, Green, Pink

4. Amy.Newbold - [blog]

Green, Gray, Purple

Amy, after I put this together, I thought they looked a little batik like.

Most of the fabric is by Marcia Derse.

I'll gladly remake it if you don't care for the fabrics. Just let me know!

5. Brakmack

Orange, Gray, Aqua

6. JustPlainLaine - [blog]

Gray, Lime Green, Aqua, OrangeLaine, hope this is okay!

It's mostly lime green with bits of light aqua and orange sprinkled in!

These ladies were WONDERFUL to work with and so much fun!
I'm glad that I was able to meet each of you, even if it was just online. ;)

New Vinyl Designs

I just added a Sea Life themed set of vinyl decals to my Etsy Store. Check them out and let me know what you think! Stop by OneDecalGal.Etsy.com

Lights, Camera, Action - Fabric Auditions

I'm auditioning fabrics for another block for the [3 x 6] Sampler Quilt Mini Bee

This block is for Cleo who's requesting a variety of bright colors and white. Here's what I was thinking...

I think the light teal and dark pink need reworked. But I'm pretty pleased with the rest of the colors.

Hopefully I can get some feedback to be sure that's exactly what she was looking for.

I didn't realize what little reds, yellows and blues I had in my stash. Guess I better start collecting! HA!

Tutorial: Foundation Paper Piecing (Freezer Paper Method)

I'll confess. I abhor pinning. I don't know why I just do. Maybe it's because I'm always jabbing myself with the little boogers. So if I can avoid it somehow, I do. Another peeve of mine is when my quilt blocks don't line up quite right, or are too small or large and my points get chopped off when I'm squaring up my blocks. Oh that just irritates me.I think that's why I really enjoy foundation paper piecing. My errors are practically eliminated!

So, here's how I do my paper piecing, step by step with photos.

You'll need some freezer paper. You can do this one of two ways, the quick and easy way is to purchase pre-cut sheets like these:

You can find them at Amazon.com

Or if you a roll of freezer paper on hand, or would prefer to buy a roll of it and make your own sheets, you can do that too. You can usually find freezer paper in the grocery store, by the aluminum foil and plastic wrap.

If you use the roll, the next steps will show you how to print on your freezer paper sheets.

Cut youself enough 8 1/2 x 11" sheets for your block. My block took 8, but I cut more than what I needed and stashed them away for later. Now grab some of your printer paper and head over to your ironing board.

Layer a sheet of freezer paper on top of your printer paper, shiny side down.

With a iron (no steam) on medium to med high heat, press the freezer paper onto your printer paper. You don't want to iron it too much or you'll have problems peeling it off later. Mainly make sure the edges are pressed down where the paper will feed into your printer.

Next, print your designs onto your freezer paper, and then peel your freezer paper off, and save the printer paper for later use! Pretty slick huh?

Cupcake Smash Cake

So my name is getting out there that I make cakes. WOO HOO! This one was a fun request. An oversize cupcake for a 1 year old's photoshoot for her first birthday. Come on, how fun does that sound?

So, without further adieu, here it is! (Hopefully I'll be able to post some pictures from their photoshoot!)

See? Isn't it just stinking adorable? I think I'll make one for myself when I celebrate the 3rd anniversary of my 29th birthday.

It's white cake with butter cream frosting, sprinkles and a marshmallow fondant & gum paste candle. It looks monstrous in the picture, but the plate that it's sitting on is 6" in diameter. A cake this size makes 4 nice sized servings.