Do what you love. Love what you do.

On every "Life is good" t-shirt is a little tag that says, "do what you love. love what you do." I try to live by that motto when I'm sewing. I only create things that make me happy. The fabric I use makes me happy. The things I create make me happy. Giving them to people makes me happy. This month, I've been busy gettin' happy. Check out some of the cheery things I've made:

This quilt top was a collaborative effort from many quilters around the country in a bee called, "Sweet Dreams Quilting Bee." I sent them fabric and they sent back blocks that they made with that fabric. I took the blocks and put them together in this quilt top. I made the pinwheel cornerstones with the same fabrics to bring the whole thing together. I think it came out really nice!

I made these key chains for the women who are on the quilt retreat that I go to each year. Just a little something handmade for them. Using selvidge in projects just makes me happy. It means, "I'm a true fabric lover," when you use selvidge!

The pillows were a custom order for a friend. When I took this photo, I fell in love with the pillows. I love how Joel Dewberry's fabric goes so nicely with nature.

Another one of my rag quilts available on Etsy! I love the colors in this one! It reminds me hydrangeas--which is a nice thing to think about when the leaves are falling and it's getting colder every minute!

Hope these images have brightened your day. Do what you love today too!

Is it Summer?

Based on the few things that I sewed this week, I think it's summer!

Two bright rag quilts:
And a very sunny block for a member of my online quilting bee:
But, I think I'm doing ok with my make-believe summer, since it's rainy and 50 degrees out right now, with no sun in sight!

I think I'll keep sewin'!

The Wonder Pets Wisdom: What's it gonna take? Team work!

My daughters love the show, "Wonderpets." (It's one of those new cartoons that, unless your a parent or grandparent of young children, you've probably never heard of.) So, the point of every show is to show that the Wonderpets achieve great things through the wonders of TEAMWORK. And, I got to thinkin'...the teams of which I am a member help me achieve some wonderful things that I probably would not have even started were it not for the inspiration of my teams.

Soooooo, this is a (((((((SHOUT OUT))))))))) to my teams!

First, the Old Red Barn Co. Quilt Along has inspired me (and the teacher, John Adams) has tought me how to create a wonky log cabin block. The result is this quilt:

It's a baby quilt that measures 30" x 30" and has lots of fun quilting details. Check out my etsy page for more pics and details.

My second shout out is to my Sweet Dreams Quilting Bee. There are 12 members, including me, and each month one member sends the other 11 members fabric with which to make blocks. We make the blocks and send them back to that member. Each month, the most amazing blocks are made. They are inspirational. And the fabric that is sent to us really gets our creative juices flowing! This is one of the blocks that I've created as a member of this group:

The third group is actually a swap that I am a member of: A Little Fabric, A Little Chocolate Swap. Each month, I send packages to a designated partner and she sends a package off to me. The guidelines call for each person to send 4 fat quarters of fabric and some chocolate, but these swaps are put together with so much care and attention to detail that you end up receiving the MOST amazing things. This is what I received this month from boutiquenutmegdesigns:The bag was made by my talented partner! The fabrics are beautiful and she also sent lots of other goodies, including that awesome trim that you see on the left.

My fourth team is my Quiltsy Team on Etsy. This is a talented group of quilters who sell quilts on Etsy. They are some of the most amazing and prolific quilters, constantly creating masterpieces to be sold on Etsy. Each week there is a forum, where members share information, tips, new items posted and just about anything. I don't often get to participate in this conversation as much as I would like, but when I read through what's been said it is inspiring! Thank you, Team Quiltsy!

My local sewing bee that I am a member of (Renee's Applique Club, as I call it) also deserves some love. This group consists of about 10 women and is led by two great women, Kelly (who was our teacher) and Renee (who hosts a monthly meeting). These women took me under their wings about 2 years ago. Many of them are retired and sew A LOT...then there's me -- a stay-at-home mom and mother with a crazy life, to say the least. I showed up in their hand applique class, not knowing anything about applique and they just took me along gently and tought be so many cool things. I can't believe the hand applique (and other things) that they produce. AMAZING! We are going on retreat in about 3 weeks and I can't wait to spend a weekend just taking in all of their wisdom! I'm a lucky girl!

Thanks to all of my teams! You've made me a better quilter and person! You've also made me very busy, so I better quit typing and get sewing!

In the words of the Wonderpets, "What's it gonna take? TEAMWORK!"