Road Trip Ready

When I know I have long drives ahead of me, I like to be prepared with a quilt binding ready for hand stitching.  It's a nice way to pass time and still feel productive.  This weekend Shawn and I are traveling to visiting his parent's in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.  That means we're in the car for 6.5 hours each way this weekend.  Unfortunately, I am fresh out of quilts that are close to binding since I have traveled nearly every weekend this month.  What's a girl to do?!

It looks like it is hexagons to the rescue.  This should keep me busy for awhile!

On the Road to... Summer?

In February I started the "On the Road to Spring" quilt-a-long hosted by Randi.  Well, mine has turned into a "On the Road to Summer" quilt!  This weekend on our way to Traverse City, I was able to work on the binding and completed my second Spring to Finish quilt.

I like it!  It's pretty bright and cheerful!  Very spring/summery. 

I think the back is great.  The main panel is this fabulous print from Prints Charming that is uber soft.  That was actually one of the main reasons why I purchased the fabric in the first place.  Since it wasn't wide enough, I added some Moda Bella Solid in a borderline obnoxious pink.  It actually coordinates with the print really well!  I love it. 

As usual, the quilting is free motion quilting.  So easy and lovely.

I decided I liked the pink solid so much that I decided to bind the quilt with it too. 

All in all, I would say that it is a success!

Why I Love Michigan

In photos, of course, from my weekend in Traverse City.

Rocky beaches

Sandy beaches

Beautiful scenery

 Lake Michigan

Fantastic wineries

 Beautiful sunsets

Gorgeous sunsets

Ok, enough with the sunsets

And this guy, who I have been married to for 2 lovely years. :)

Blogger's Quilt Festival

Today is the kickoff of the Blogger's Quilt Festival.  The quilt I would like to share is the quilt I made for my niece, Mia. 

It is a queen sized quilt featuring Amy Butler's Love collection.  The pattern is half hexagons using this tutorial.  It is the largest quilt I have made to date. 

I really enjoyed being able to make this quilt for my niece and having it be her new bed quilt.  Here it is in use:

To check out other participants, head over to Amy's Creative Side.

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Original post here.

Giveaway Winner!

Wow!   There were 419 comments!  I don't think my little blog usually sees that many visitors in a month!  Thanks everyone for visiting! 

The winner of the fabric and the Sewline pencil is Nancy Sue.  You will be receiving an email from me shortly for your address.  Congratulations!

Giveaway Day!

Today is the May Giveaway Day sponsored by Sew Mama Sew.  Exciting!

To celebrate, I will be giving away some fat quarters and one of my favorite notions.

First, I have for you five fat quarters from Michelle Engel Benscko's line Shade Garden.  These fabrics are featured in my Shady Zig Zags quilt. 

Second, you will have a chance to win a Sewline mechanical fabric pencil.  This pencil is awesome!  As I was working on my Christmas quilt I realized the need for a good fabric pencil.  The method I am using to make the flying geese requires markings and I was becoming increasingly frustrated with inexpensive pencils that wouldn't write and fabric markers that disappeared.  So, I decided to splurge and purchase one of the Sewline pencils.  Best decision I could have made!  It marks wonderfully, can be erased, and there are lead refills that you can buy in a variety of different colors. 

To enter, please leave a comment describing your favorite sewing project.  It can be a quilt, purse, or clothing.  Be as descriptive as possible and leave links if you like!  You have until 11:59pm on Thursday, May 20th to enter!  I will post a winner on Friday morning! Good luck!

Please don't hate me.

But look what I won from Oh Fransson!:

Originally posted by Oh, Fransson!

I am beyond thrilled!!

Diversion

Today, this is what I should have been working on:

Instead, this is what I accomplished:

Sometimes, I just reach my disorganization breaking point and things just need to be addressed.  Today was one of those days.

Coming soon...

Coming soon to Nichole in Real Life we have...

...the Blogger's Quilt Festival...

...and Giveaway Day with Sew, Mama, Sew!

Giveaway items still to be determined.  Suggestions?  What do you like to see for giveaways?  I have some ideas, but you're the one who is going to be winning it, right?

Needles

I have a question for you:  what kind and brand sewing machine needles do you use?

When I first started sewing, I started purchasing Singer needles because I had a Singer sewing machine.  I didn't know what I was doing and it seemed like a good idea.  Since then, I have continued to purchase those simply because it was what I knew.  I have deviated a couple times with very poor results.  I found that one brand's needles would break very easily, regularly shred my thread, and would lead to much aggravation on my end.  After a spell of the aforementioned aggravation while quilting my last quilt, it made me start to wonder, what needles are other quilters using?

Quilter Bees: March

I finally finished up the March block for the Quilter Bees.  So, I'm a little behind.  What can I say?

Adrienne sent all of us different fabrics and asked us to make blocks that looked like mini quilts.  It will be fun to see her big quilt of mini quilt blocks. 

Tulip Time 2010 + Finish #1

This weekend my grandma, mom, cousin and I made our way to Holland, Mi for the annual Tulip Time Festival.  It was beautiful and we had a really nice time.  Here are a few photos.  If you want to see more, you should check out my flickr page.  It is full of the cliche close up flower shots that I can't seem to get enough of this spring.

In the car I was able to finish up the binding on my Hunky Dory quilt.  This makes it my first finish in my Spring to Finish challenge.

I must say, I love this quilt.  Love it.  It could be one of the favorite I have made.  I really love these fabrics.  They're so beautiful.

I used the disappearing nine patch pattern and sashed them using Moda Bella Solid in Weathered Teak.  It is a truly wonderful color.  I think it was an excellent choice and I hope to find ways to use it again.  

I especially love these mushroom looking flower ones.  I don't know what it is about them.  Adorable.

 I bound it with a purple Kona solid.  Eggplant, I think.  It was what I had around so it was the best option.

This quilt is now ready for a hand off to Rebekah to be donated to Children's Village in Detroit.  I hope the recipient loves it as much as I do.