On this side I used a linen-look cotton blend as a base, and appliqued on a sweet birdy, using Heat and Bond and some hand stitching with my Perle 8 thread (I think I am hooked on hand stitching!). 
On the reverse, I used that cute bird fabric that I picked up at the local Fabricland for under $4/yard. Then I monogrammed on her initial with a little Hunky Dory. 
A little snap closure, and away we go! A nice, quick project.
So, the other day, now 5 years old, she comes running to me. "Mommy, Mommy, look what I found! My butterfly costume....and it STILL fits!"
I just about peed my pants seeing how she had crammed her little tushie into this. Priceless!
......and Sam's quilt!
I loved working with the Riley Blake Wheels line. The fabric had a great retro feel to it and strong colors, which made them feel so rich. Evan's quilt was made as a strip quilt, with a vertical strip intersecting the horizontal, like crossroads! I used a chocolate brown color as sashing and binding to add to the "man factor." 
For Sam's quilt, I modified this quilt design to allow for rectangular blocks, to best suit the fabric for fussy cutting these cars.
I opted to use the Wheels blue dot fabric as a base, and paired it with the same chocolate brown sashing for continuity with his big bro's quilt. I was striving for 2 complimentary quilts, but with individuality, just like these boys. 
The backs- I will abandon all modesty here and just say....I rocked it!! :-) I couldn't take a picture that did these justice. These turned out even better than expected. At some point in the process I came up with the idea of the stop light, using each of the lights as a way to record the birth information- name in the red light, date and time of birth in the yellow, and weight and height in the green. I love how these are now embedded in the quilts as a keepsake.
I hand stitched these in brown embroidery thread (though I wish I had used a slightly darker brown), using the same method as I did for the Mckinley quilt. I used a circle cutter, then attached the embroidered circles using Heat and Bond, with some stitching around the sides with Perle 8 thread. The edges are raw, and I love how they frayed up a bit after washing. 
Quilting- my FIRST go at free motion. I was so scared! But I knew the design of the quilt called for it, so I sucked it up and went for it. This is where I was glad I had a "third" twin quilt.....remember how I didn't like one of the originals, so I made another? Anyways, the third quilt became my guinea pig. During the course of it there were many s-sharps uttered, tons of spikes and loops in the stippling, and let's not forget that basting/puckering fiasco.....Up close it kind of looks like crap (to a quilter's eye), but when you look on it as a whole, the imperfections kind of fade....that is what I love about quilting. So, not bad for a reject. 
For the second/third go round at free motion on the "keeper" quilts, I tried out 505 spray adhesive for basting, and it was a dream. I know it adds cost, but in the end I will pay a premium for my sanity! Not a pucker on any quilt since (I have used it on 4). My free motion vastly improved as I went, and I can honestly say I enjoyed it by the end. I love how the stippling adds that puckered feel, and the brown thread looks great highlighted against the blue solids on the back. 
Some people have asked me what I intend to do with the third quilt. Well, when I started quilting back in the springtime, it was in response the the amazing Quilting for Babes program started by my friend Kathy at Magnolia Designs. Baby quilts were made and donated to the NICU at the Children's Hospital from all around the world. I had planned to make 3 to donate, in gratitude for the health of my 3 gorgeous kids. I donated 2 "girl" quilts (my first quilt, plus another), but had yet to contribute a "boy" quilt.....so, here it is. Hopefully it will give some joy to a family who is in need of comforting.In other twin news....2 more twins have just arrived to another good friend of mine. Yes, it is true. Something in the water up here?? And boys again. So that means...."Twin Quilts 2" will be coming to a blog near you (er, right here, actually). New designs, but (hopefully) equal Awesome Factor. I'll give you a hint: I will be using the stack of blues and greens.....
Linking up at Sew and Tell and the Crafty Soiree and Quilt Story Fabric Tuesday :-)
When I saw this linked up at Quilt Story a couple weeks ago, I knew I had to have one. The tutorial is at Flamingo Toes. She had a great theme week where she made necklaces inspired by those for sale at Anthropologie. This little number retails for about US$ 140. Including the cost of the silver chain, I made it for under $20. Not bad, eh? 
I used some kind of charcoal fabric...it shimmers a bit (I suck at fabric names beyond "quilting cotton", remember?) and paired it with some pretty little purple/pink beads to add a subtle splash of color. 
I love the little detail of the baby flower at the clasp. So pretty when you have your hair up.
Thanks, Bev, for a great tutorial!
I love a quick project. There is something to be said for instant gratification. This fabric choker is just the ticket! All you need is 20 minutes (!!!), and you have a snazzy little accessory to wear out on the town. You don't even have to heat up your iron for this one!
-2 strips of cotton fabric, measuring 2.25 inches wide, length the width of fabric yardage (42")
1. Align your fabric strips, right sides facing, and sew down the length to make a long tube using a 1/4" seam allowance, leaving the 2 ends open.
2. Invert the tube by attaching the safety pin to one end and insert pin in open tube. 
3. Find the center of the tube. Tie a knot just off center. Drop a bead in the tube (on the slightly longer side). 
Push bead down until it reaches the know, and place a second knot on the other side of the bead to "trap" it. 
6. Place around your neck and tie it up at the back. Admire.
Am I seeing stars? 
What's in the bag? You'll see, in my next giveaway (yup, one in the works)......
Is that girl embroidering again? Yah, baby! (said in my best Austin Powers voice) 
What's the deal with that stack of solids? You'll see! 
What are all those beads for? 
I suck at keeping (crafty) secrets, and have no "off" button when it comes to craft time, so I am sure you will see more soon, after a few late nights :-)
Big G, my 6 year old son, and I were having a talk about our elderly dog, Bailey, who is not in the best of health.
By the way, Big G also said "Holy S*$t" this week.....not nearly so cute.
