Pirate Girl -- Captain Kira

Where do I even begin……  I was so excited about this quilt (and I still am)!  When I found out my sister was going to have a baby, I couldn’t wait to get started on a quilt.  I had to wait til they found out if it would be a boy or girl before I could even decide what I would do – I didn’t want to wait!!  I started shopping for fabric right away.  The problem was that I wanted it to be loved by the baby, toddler, child, teen, and by the parents too.  I asked my sister what she was thinking of doing for a theme for the baby and there was never a super excited response that made me think….  That’s it… that is what I will make!

I finally found out.....  It’s gonna be a girl….  Now I can figure this out!!  I still wanted to make sure that everyone would love it so I started asking questions….. princess, ballerina, animals, Disney, lady bugs, pink, purple… super heroes, Starwars, He-man???....  And I could not get an answer for anything!  I decided that I better just figure this out on my own.  My main problem was that I didn't want this to be too girly.  I wanted something just a little bit girly but still with some power behind it.  I thought about Wonder Woman….  But I was not totally in love with the fabric. Then I finally found this wonderful line of pirate themed fabric called “Out to Sea by Sarah Jane for Michael Miller.”  The more I looked at it the more I fell in love! It was absolutely perfect…..  when someone hears pirates, the first thing they think of is that it is for boys.  Not this time!!  I found someone on Etsy that did a custom bundle for me so that I got all of the pieces I wanted.  19 fat quarters in total.  Now came the hard part…..  I needed a pattern that would accommodate the large prints and keep the map in one piece so that it can really be enjoyed.  

Getting it all cut out.

I got out my graph paper, did some more Google searching to inspire me and then started sketching….  I started with the largest piece – the map – and went from there.  I figured if every square on my graph paper was one inch I should be able to design something that should work.  

How I worked it out.

Figuring out the layout.

Once I got the general design down, I had to figure out placement and see if I even had enough fabric to accomplish this.  I found colored pencils in colors that approximated the fabric colors as best I could and started coloring…..  It took me a few drafts and a lot of contemplating.  I had several squares that had nothing in them so I decided to find solids that matched.  I needed solids to do her name and “Yo Ho Yo Ho” as well.  I’m pretty sure that I over think and over analyze most of the designing and progression of the quilt because even after I had it all figured out I was still not perfectly satisfied.  

I started cutting anyways…..  Began the embroidery and worked on my sketch for the appliqué ship.  

Pirate ship sketch.

Turns out the appliqué ship was my favorite part!!  I love love love the way it turned out!  And it was so simple.  I used Pellon 805 Wonder-Under and cut the pieces out and ironed them down.  Then just did a straight stitch around all the pieces with a zig zag stitch for the poles.  I can’t wait to do more appliqué now!!!  

Finished block.

I love the little kitty.

Perfect!

It didn't take me long to get it all put together once I was ready to sew.  I did it in quarters- they didn't match up perfectly so I used the white to fill here and there so it would square up. 

The first quarter done.

The second quarter done - this one was not even!!

Half done.

All four quarters together at last.

I couldn't wait to get it the finished top to my long arm quilter!  I opted for the softest back I could find.  It is Cuddle 3 by Shannon Fabrics.  I absolutely love it and can't wait to make something for myself with it.

I bound it with the Cuddle and I loved how if turned out!!  I think I used 2 1/2 inches for the binding.....  I should have written it down!!!

Easy peasy!

I love my Wonder Clips!!

My last section to bind.  

The precious Kira with her quilt.

She loved it so much she would not hold still for the picture.

I love the design and how it shows up on the Cuddle.

My long arm quilter is amazing and I love how she always puts the perfect pattern with the quilt.

This is by far one of my favorite quilts I have ever made!  I have some amazing Hawaiian fabrics that I may use with this same pattern.  It will be a while before I get to that one.....  I have to work on some of my QFK projects first.  Some day!

Nursing Covers

I am so blessed to have my niece out visiting from England.  And even more blessed that she had a brand-new baby while she was here. This is her fifth one and the fourth boy. She was online ordering some hooter hiders and was told, "no no don't do that Auntie Kristi can make you one."  I went and picked up the fabric from my sister-in-law the day she was in labor. Since I worked all week I had to wait till today to finish them up. The fabric was awesome and I love the way that they turned out. I sure hope they function well!

Since one of the fabrics was white I decided to line it with another color so I did that one second because I figured it would be harder. Which left this awesome fabric depicting none other than milk as the chosen fabric for the first one. 

This fabric is awesome!

I made them both about 27 inches by the length of the fabric and added a cute little terrycloth piece on one corner. To make the terrycloth piece I made a 7 1/2 inch square and then cut it down the middle to make the triangle. Then I just used another piece of fabric on the back of it sewed down the long side, flipped it and then ironed. I also added a few stitches to hold it and make it nice and stiff. Hard to explain....  I'm glad a tool a couple of pictures.  

Triangle.

Perfect little pocket to slide your hand in and clean up a little dribble.

I'm not perfect when it comes to measuring and heming. I simply iron it down about a quarter of an inch fold it and iron again.  (I ditched the pins at some point too and pulled out my Wonder Clips...  One of my favorite tools when sewing or quilting!!!). 

Strap placement.

Along the top I did a little more than a quarter of an inch so that I had room to put the boning in. I used about 10 or 12 inches of boning right in the center of the cover. I attached the straps to either side of the boning. For the first one I used a 3 inch strip by the length of the fabric and just sewed right sides together then flipped it around to make the strap. I didn't like the way it turned out for the first one and I hate taking the time to flip it, so for the second one I decided not to flip them. 

This one is not very photogenic!

For the second one I ironed down the middle and then opened it back up ironed each of the sides in to the middle and then re folded down the first pressed seam.  Then just stitched on the outside.  I think this helps make the strap sturdier as well.  I hope you can see the difference in the pictures....  It's hard to explain.  

To line the second one I just cut the second piece of fabric a bit smaller than the first and set it right inside the pressed edges. 

I love my Wonder Clips!!

Second one finished.

The boning works.

Chunky fingers!!!

They are definitely not perfect but custom and full of love just the same.  And way cheaper than a hooter hider!!

Zesty Lemon Pie

I don't cook!!!  But for some reason my husband actually asks me to make this pie for him.  I always have trouble finding the recipe so I decided that when I made it today I would post it here....

Our old house had a huge lemon tree in the front yard and most of the time it was empty because everyone in the neighborhood would pick the lemons. Our new house has lemons too....  The tree is in the yard behind ours.  The part of the tree that overhangs into our yard is loaded with lemons right now so I grabbed a few for the pie. I think they are a different type of lemon but good all the same.  I had Neiko do the zesting and I squeezed the juice.  

I also let Neiko mix it all up which can be dangerous sometimes!  I used a store bought crust and real Cool Whip (not the lite one either).  I also get real sweetened condensed milk. 

Once it is all stired together...  I like to top it with the lemon zest. You can do fancy swirls if you are really talented.  

Here is the secret...  You don't have to cook it!!!  Just put it in the fridge for about an hour and it's good. Yum!!!

Zest Lemon Pie

About half cup of lemon juice

One can sweetened condensed milk

Heaping tablespoon of lemon zest

A little less than one tub of Cool Whip

9" Graham cracked crust 

Chill for about an hour

Enjoy!!!

Ripping Seams

You wouldn't think someone would be so excited to rip seams!!  I am... And it is because I am nearing the end of this quilt!!!!!  Not because it was harder than thought or because I don't want to do it, but because I am super excited to finish it!!  I can't wait til I can post the entire project and show it off!!!!

Here is what I'm ripping....

It turns out that the back piecing was almost perfect and just needed extra for the long arm machine.  And the seam from the two pieces was nearly perfect down the left side.  So....  Rather than worry about excess fabric when trying to attach the binding, I am removing the quarter to half inch along that edge. Hope this goes by quick!!!