Woo Hoo for March!!

So the first few days of March here in Weott have been pretty nice.  We have had chilly mornings with some frost on the ground but usually warm during the day.  This next week though we are going to get a good amount of rain.  The dogs have really enjoyed the sunny days with their 'swim lessons' down at the river.  They mostly just run through the shallows but Snickers did get some courage when he thought he could make it in a deeper section and was surprised by deep water.  He ran right into it and went completely under water.  He came out a little frazzled and was hesitant to go in the water after that.  But today he had no fear and had a blast running in and out of the shallows.

Puppy Update:
Training is going great, they are doing well learning the 'come' command.  Both are allowed off leash at the river and have been pretty consistent at obeying the command.  Of course they get a treat when they do well. :)  Ross and were so shocked today to see Snickers using a soft mouth to retrieve his toy duck in the living room.  He would stay as I tossed the duck away and when given command would go retrieve the duck gently and bring it back to my lap for a treat.  Ross might have to get himself into hunting after all. :)

Crafting Update:
I have started Petra's Stanislaus t-shirt memory quilt and am putting together a 'simple' tutorial for a t-shirt quilt to be posted when the project is complete.

March Goals:
As far as my March goals I have to say I've been doing well at trying to work out more. I would say every other day is how it's going right now.  Healthy eating is still a work in progress... Ross didn't help by buying Oreo's tonight. :(  Friends and family have sent us a number of delicious and new recipes for our meal plans.  I can't wait to put some to use!  The Photo Challenge is going great!!!

I have started another Pinterest project that was inspired by a fellow CHiPy wife who has this project as part of her home decor.  Pictures later, but I will say it has to do with book pages, wooden dowels, and mirrors. :)

I also shipped my baby quilt off to Craft4Change this week and we built the trellis for our peas and cucumber in the garden.  Sprouts are growing and transplantation is coming around the corner... Can't wait!

Happy Friday!!

~ Miss Kasie ~

WoW, february flew by.

So my goals for the month of February were to try and workout everyday, cook healthy dinners, and finish my baby quilt for Craft4change.  Well I wasn't very good about achieving my goals but now that March has started I have set some new goals.

- Finish Craft4Change quilt (DONE)
- Workout a little each day
- Get back to meal planning and eat healthier
- complete March Photo-a-day Challenge
- Get seedlings planted into the garden
- complete one project from Pinterest each week

Wish me luck!!

Since I have completed one of my goals already I figured I would blog about it.

A few friends have already asked me to teach them how to quilt.  I may not be the best person to teach how to quilt as I am not an expert but I would love to teach this awesome skill to anyone who asks, so here is my "tutorial for a baby quilt."

First things first, here is what you will need:
2/3yd of each fabric (three different fabrics)
1yd of the super soft and cuddly fabric (you'll know which one when you feel it)

one bag of Crib sized high loft batting

one spool of machine quilting thread that matches your fabric choices

one sewing machine (don't forget the seam ripper, it may come in handy for mistakes)

fabric scissors (or really good scissors, or your hand will not be happy) 

          **Rotary cutter and a cutter board work best!

ruler or craft ruler (longer than 12'')

Sewing Pins!

1. Wash and dry all fabric (i did not wash the cuddly fabric)

2. Iron all fabric (i did not iron the cuddly fabric)

3. Set cuddly fabric and batting aside you won't need for a while.

4. For each fabric you will cut out the following in this order

       - 6 1/2'' square (6 of them) 

       - 2 1/2'' square (6 of them)

       - with remaining fabric cut out 1 1/2'' strips (you should have approximately 216'' in strips)

5. Start with one color's 2 1/2'' squares, lay down on a different fabric strip and pin.  You can leave a little space between each square on the strip.  You will make one long sewing line so as long as the squares don't get sewn together it is fine to get them as close as possible. 

ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, RIGHT SIDES (OF FABRIC) GO TOGETHER WHEN PINNING FABRIC TOGETHER!!!

 Look at image below for example

6. Now sew along the pinned edge with a 1/4'' seam allowance (look to your machine for allowance width.  

7. Cut apart the squares and iron them flat.  Here is where you can top stitch to make it stronger, but I did not do that on this quilt.

8. Take a strip of the 3rd color fabric and repeat on the side of the square that is now extended with the previous strip.  Pin (RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER), and sew one sewing line, cut apart, and iron flat.

Look at image below for example.

9. Now you can start to see the log cabin pattern forming.  The key to remember is that you want to sew the new strip on the side of the square with the seam you just sewed, slowly moving around the square.  In the picture above the next strip would be a white polka dot strip and it would get pinned to the right side of the square.  

10. Continue with this routine until you have completed two times around the square to create a 6 1/2'' completed square. 

Look at image below.

11. Now you have all of your 6 1/2'' squares and can begin forming the top of your quilt.  

12. Layout the squares in the pattern shown below.  **TAKE A PICTURE OF PATTERN LAID OUT!!! this will help you later in case you forget. 

13. From here you will start to pin the rows together.  Go slow and take your time so that there aren't any "woopsies." Start with the first square on the left in the top row.  Pin (RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER) to the square to the right, and continue down the row. You will have 6 squares in each row and will sew five seams in each row.  Again; pin, sew, iron flat. 

Below is one row pinned together.

14. When all 6 rows are sewn and ironed flat lay out your quilt in the pattern shown above. Now it's time to pin the rows together starting with the top row (RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER).  Pin, sew, iron flat.

Congratulations!! You now have the top to your quilt assembled.

 

15. Now it is time to put the TOP, BATTING, and, BACK together :)  Lay your batting down first, then your cuddly fabric with the right side up, then your quilt top right side down (RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER).  Cut excess off to make batting and back same size as the top then PIN along the perimeter.  

16. Start sewing in the middle of one of the sides using 1/4'' or 1/2'' seam allowance. I used 1/2'' just to make sure all the layers were sewn together.  As you sew along the edge be sure to reinforce the corners by back stitching in and out of them.  As you come around the quilt towards your starting spot stop sewing about 8-12'' from the starting spot to leave a hole and back stitch. (you will close this hole later).

17. Carefully reach in with one hand and grab a corner, pull gently out of the hole until you have completely flipped the quilt "right side out."  Gently use finger to push out the corners.

19. We are going to top stitch along the seams of the rows to bring the entire quilt together and ensure that the batting does bunch and that it will lay flat throughout the life of the quilt.  This will also add a bit of texture to the back of your quilt. 

Tada! :)

CONGRATULATIONS, you are finished!!! 

Happy Sewing!

~ Miss Kasie ~