Foxy baby

Our expecting mom decided that our granddaughter's nursery will be decorated in purple/lavender.  Beautiful color, but have you tried to find fabrics in lavender that are infant appropriate?  I found that it wasn't an easy task.  And to top that off when I asked my daughter-in-law if she had any theme in mind to go with lavender, she found a ready-made quilt that was adorable, but in the wrong colors.

I love challenges, so I unrolled my ream of paper and started sketching a similar quilt design.  I did add more embellishments than the original, but I think the finished design came out well.  Using my drawing I made appliqués for the quilt.

I machine appliqued the woodland animals and flowers/leaves.  Fingers crossed that when washed multiple times the fabric holds together and doesn't fray.  I usually only use machine appliqué on wall hangings and not on quilts.  Regardless, I guess it is what it is.

I quilted a daisy type flower and leaves around the animals and quilted designs in the actual animals and flowers.   It's finished - it's everything I hoped it would be and I'm loving it.

The finished size is 42" by 54"

Since it was a challenge to find lavender fabrics - I purchased a few fabrics that auditioned for this quilt that didn't work to my liking.  Now I have some lavender stash.  But to use up some of this extra fabric I sewed a cloth toy box tote.  This tote has dual uses.  First, I can fill it with gifts goodies for the newborn and I filled it up quickly.  Second, it will be useful to store and carry toys. 

This tote was a free pattern from Art Gallery Fabrics  called Pine Toy Box. It measures 10" square.  I love Art Gallery Fabrics and their Lookbooks are so inspiring.  If you're not familiar with their Lookbooks take some time and check them out - your head will spin with some great ideas.  Also, their fabric is of great quality.  I seek it out at quilt shops.

I can't wait to fill it up.  I think this is a great way to give a gift - a gift in a gift.

So January came to a close and I feel I accomplished some great projects.  Now with February starting I have a couple quilts I'm ready to tackle.  I'm thinking I'd like to make a heart quilt to hang on my front porch for the month and second, I have a quilt for my special little guy to make.  He wants to help (he's four) so I'm going to cut out the squares and let him help me arrange them around.  Gotta get busy.  I'll keep you posted.