rough circles quilt along...part six

A beautiful quilt front is just itching to be attached to some batting and a backing piece of fabric.  A good amount of hard work has gone into the front and research has been made on the style of quilting you wish to do. Now you are ready!

I only have one last suggestion...spend some time on your backing.  You have put hours, days and weeks into the front of that quilt.  Why just be happy with a solid piece of fabric for the back?  I am not encouarging you  to create a whole other pieced part for the back, but think about it a bit, be creative.  I am fond of penny strips.  When you make larger quilts it is necessary to attach two pieces of fabric together in the back to create enough coverage.  Might as well create it with some style sense.  For the majority of the back I have a fun whale youth print, then my penny strip comes next and I finished it off with a simple Kona solid.  For the penny strip I just sewed a bunch of very thin pieces of scrap together and then attached several together.  Easy, peasy!

After you have the front and back ready to go all you are going to do is make a simple sandwich! Here is the recipe:

Lay down your backing so the right side is facing down.  I prefer to put down another blanket first so I can easily pull it all up if need be.

Next, add your batting being sure to have extra coverage on all four sides.

Next, add your quilt top and trim off the excess batting while leaving some extra allowance on the outer edges.

Last, grab those pins!  You want to make sure that you pin everything down nice and snug while making sure all three parts of your sandwich are smooth and tight.  It helps to start from the center and work your way out!  Once you have everything pinned you can get quilting!  Next week we will finish this quilt along...maybe just in time for someone's 30th birthday and a snow storm? (keep your fingers crossed!)

-melissa

11 months young

Charlotte Gray is 11 months young today. Her hair is still crazy. She crawls all over the place and never stops talking or making noises. She enjoys reading books again and Jack and Abby have probably lost weight from being chased all over the house. She climbs on anything and loves to eat whatever we're having for dinner. We think she is great and we love seeing her grow and learn. Now for the pictures. Enjoy...

little charlotte hands

little charlotte feet

couldn't resist posting this one with her in her socks...can you say wedding day slideshow picture?

sitting like a big girl on the slide

sticking out that tongue of hers

on the playground with mommy

pondering life

going up

coming down

love that face

proud to be her daddy

getting scooped off of the slide

ending our day with some sweet ice cream

if i was a flower growing wild and free...

If I was a flower growing wild and free All I'd want is you to be my sweet honey bee. And if I was a tree growing tall and green All I'd want is you to shade me and be my leaves.

If you were a river in the mountains tall, The rumble of your water would be my call. If you were the winter, I know I'd be the snow Just as long as you were with me, when the cold winds blow.

If you were a wink, I'd be a nod If you were a seed, well I'd be a pod. If you were the floor, I'd wanna be the rug And if you were a kiss, I know I'd be a hug.

If you were the wood, I'd be the fire. If you were the love, I'd be the desire. If you were a castle, I'd be your moat, And if you were an ocean, I'd learn to float.

Happy Valentines Day from our family to yours!

valentines is coming...

We have never been really big Valentine people.  I need no chocolate, diamonds, flowers or fancy meals.  I would rather for people to show me they love and appreciate me the rest of the 364 days of the year than in one day.  Jay does a pretty good job at that, so we have really never been big into this holiday. I think it is sweet and I like to celebrate it more with the kids in my life.  Nephews, nieces, students and of course, Charlotte.  Thinking of the upcoming holiday, I have whipped up a few valentines to go to those extra special kiddos in my life. Please feel free to download and use if you like them!

Valentine for that boy in your life that is “wheelie” digging all things that go vrooom! I am pairing this with a matchbox car.

Valentine for that super cutie that is so young, sweet and as cute as a button!  With this valentine I am sending a picture frame covered in buttons.

Of course a tricky little play on words for the fifth grades.  These will be given with a lollipop that has a fake mustache attached on the stick!

And last but not least, I want to make sure that the other teachers on my team at school do not feel forgotten.  I always want them to know that I think we are “mint” to be, no matter how crazy the school year gets!

Hope you enjoy and can use a few of these ideas!

-melissa