Quilt Show weekend

So we didn't go to the Lancaster Quilt show, but we did shop. I found so many pretty fabrics, tried to be good, but bought this whole pile anyway.

And we made a little bunny tabletopper/wall hanging for Easter at my Aunt's house.

Birthday

Yesterday was my husband's birthday. Because we still have chocolate cake with peanut-butter icing here I thought I should make him something different for a birthday treat. He loves fastnachts(A Pennsylvania Dutch treat). I thought that would be a perfect idea. I've never eaten one so I really don't know how they are to taste. I'm not exactly sure why I never ate one, but I haven't. I followed a recipe that was in the Lancaster Farming a couple weeks ago. They weren't too hard to make although quite time consuming. I was told they were pretty good.

I have been having fun making dolls the last couple days. Since the dolls I made are for my nieces birthdays this summer, and I am having trouble keeping them until that time, I decided to make them some tiny dolls for their Easter baskets. They aren't finished but just wanted to share a little "in progress" picture. These two little dolls are about 2/3 the size of a pair of scissors, maybe 6 inches tall. They were a real challange to turn, especially the arms and legs. I imagine I won't be making too many of these tiny ones.

Tree Skirt finally finished

Last night was our quilt guild Christmas party. Everyone dressed in pajamas, had delicious food, and sang Christmas carols with quilting themed lyrics. It was really funny. We got the most adorable little favors, a Christmas tree made out of fabric, a spool of thread, and a flat head pin with a star stuck on it. I just think it's so cute!

In other exciting news, I got my quilt back from Kathleen. I was waiting on the porch when our mail lady came with it. Kathleen did a great job! I'm so happy with it. As soon as I got it out of the box I started the binding, and finished it the same day. Took a couple pictures of it. I'm always in awe of how much the quilting makes a difference. Before it's quilted it just doesn't seem to have the same presence it does once it's quilted. It just makes me want all of my quilt tops finished right now! The next task is trying to figure out which quilts I want to send next so I can get them on their way before the end of the week.

I've been busy working on Christmas gifts, but can't really post them at this time because the recipients read my blog. I don't think my mother in law does so this one is safe. I made her and overnight bag. It was one of my first attempts at machine quilting so it leaves something to be desired, but I feel like I kind of have the hang of it now, just need to practice to be able to get smooth and not so choppy. I hope after Christmas to make some fabric sandwiches and just practice. I had fun using two really different fabrics on this one.

Last year I started a tree skirt with what I thought was enough time to finish it for Christmas but it didn't work out. I had it all put together and quilted in the center but I didn't get the colored blocks quilted. Finished them up by adding a star in each one. I have to say after putting it together it was a little hard to get the scissors out and cut the opening for the tree. I was determined to finish it this year and I did. The problem is we still haven't gotten to go and buy a Christmas tree, so the little boy decided he'd fill the position for now. However you can only be a Christmas tree for so long before the tree gets tired and needs to lay down. Apparently tree skirts make a good resting blanket.