All Things Quilty

I spent last week working on "secret" projects! Now some of them are no longer secret so I can post a few pix.

This is the "not quite a diaper bag" that I made as a gift for J's baby shower. I used part of a charm pack of Moda's Prairie Paisley with a little extra for the lining and handles. This is currently my favorite fabric and I've collected several extra pieces to use in some other future (currently unknown!) project. It's kind of got an Americana look and mixed well with some cowboy fabrics that Wendy at Among Friends helped me choose for the bibs, burp cloths and diaper pouch. I'm not sure what the name of that fabric line is but it made some cute accessories for a little baby boy! By the way, I just discovered that Wendy now has a blog too. Though I haven't figured out how to post a comment on it, I'm sure she'd appreciate your visit!

The pattern I used for the "not quite a diaper bag" was in the August 2007 issue of McCall's Quilting. I added an extra pocket on the inside though.
Some of baby's accessories. The bibs and burp cloths were fun and quick. The diaper pouch is big enough for a couple of diapers and a pack of wipes for those short little outings.
I am guilty. I made B become quilty! Isn't this the best beginner quilt you've ever seen? She pieced this using a Charm pack (I don't know the fabric line - sorry) that she picked out at where else but Among Friends. She even quilted this herself on her little Janome and did a fine job! I'm proud of her! Of course she's already moving on to another project. That's my girl!
Remember this quilt? Guess where it found a home and guess who climbed onto the guest bed last weekend to claim her corner.
One last photo today. I'm not saying much about this. Only that it is progressing nicely, thank you.

What's Brewing at the Baby Shower?

Have you looked at the Grandbaby Ticker on the sidebar? Only 64 more days to go ! J's sister-in-law and future sister-in-law hosted her first baby shower today. It was held at the Delafield Brewhaus. But the only thing brewing today was coffee, root beer and yes, a BABY!

There were piles and piles of presents! I'm not sure how they'll get these all home to MO. But the little one certainly will have a nice stash of clothing, toys, gadgets and gear when he makes his arrival! J's friend make this cute cake. The from scratch chocolate cake (similar to my mother's chocolate cake recipe) with butter cream frosting was delicious. It takes a special occasion like this to banish the guilt!
There were too many photos of cute "little" things to post.
One of my projects from last week. I'll post a better photo this week for all my quilty bag lady friends out there!

I had to reach across the table to snap a photo of this yummy strawberry/chicken salad before someone dug her fork in! She's probably wondering what this crazy woman was doing stalking her salad! I had the chicken salad croissant, which was very good, just not as pretty, and E had the good old hamburger. But she dug right into that before I could get the little Kodak fired up!

There couldn't have been a prettier Wisconsin day to hold a baby shower. My favorite photo of the day! A proud papa and an anxious mama! J's been working so hard getting some home improvement projects completed - wonder where he picked up those genes! A little rest and relaxation was his goal while the ladies "showered" the mom to be.

I'll hit the road back home in the morning, battling the Chicago rush hour traffic. E and I had a great time shopping on Saturday. We were trying to see how many suburban malls and shopping centers we could tackle in one day! At last count, I believe it was six. If it hadn't been for that margarita at the last stop - I might have been able to make seven!

Have a great week and a happy June! Summer has arrived!