So Simply Stephanie

BOTH SWAPS FULL! After making my first quilt, I am in love. I especially adore I-Spy quilts, so I've decided to host an I-Spy fabric swap here on my blog! What is an I-Spy Quilt?   A quilt made with fabric that has neat prints, especially fun for children to play I-Spy.  There are many other cute things you can make with I-Spy fabric squares, like I-Spy Blocks and an I-Spy Book . Where did I get the idea? Well, I missed out on a swap over at one of my favorite blogs: Obsessively Stitching . Then was directed to a swap over at Ken+Tris . After participating in her swap and finishing my first quilt, I just knew I wanted to make more of these fun quilts! So here goes... the 1st 20 people who email me or comment on this blog will be able to participate. Please forward this on to any friends you have who may be interested. MAKE SURE TO LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS!!   THE BASICS: *Have 200 I-Spy squares in the mail to me by AUGUST 15th (plus a self addressed return envelope, s

I finished my first quilt ever today!!!  Here is the finished I-Spy quilt: I even made a label with a photo of myself & my son.  This is something my aunt does on many of her quilts and I knew immediately I wanted to add photo label to this: Here is my happy little guy checking out his new quilt: I really enjoyed making this quilt.  It was not nearly as difficult or time consuming as I expected.  I would really like to make more of these, but would need more I-Spy squares.  If I can't find another swap for these, I'm thinking about running a swap here.  Would there be any interest???

I changed my mind about the backing for the quilt.   I found some great fabric at my local fabric store that has glow-in-the-dark stars. My son LOVES it. I was able to pin baste all the layers (yay for a large tile floor in the kitchen) last night. I did all of the quilting today! I did an easy quilt pattern - straight lines along the i-spy blocks.  I decided to use invisible thread.  I like the invisible look of it, but wow was that stuff difficult to use at first.  I finally got it figured out and it was smooth sailing.  The quilting is BY NO MEANS perfect.  The fabric shifted a bit while I was quilting.  I guess next time I need to put in more pins to help with that.  So far, I am very happy with my very first quilt! This evening I plan to sew on the binding to the front.  I doubt I'll have enough time to hand sew the binding on the back of the quilt.  But YAY, it's almost done!

For a friend to give as a gift...

I started my FIRST QUILT EVER a few days go.  I just finished the top!  Here it is: It isn't perfect, but I  LOVE it and think my son will, too. I used ivory for the sashing & black for the little squares mainly because I had them on hand.  The back will be large blocks of solid fabric with prints sprinkled in (I think).  Aside from the I-Spy squares, I'm trying to only use fabric I have at home instead of buying more. Next up - creating the back.  I'm very nervous about the quilting part.  I had originally decided to do free-motion quilting (not knowing how tough it would be for me).  I think now I will do straight line quilting.  I know it will be boring, but easier.  And this is, after all, my first quilt. For any quilters out there, do you have any tips for me? P.S.  A big thank you to Care over at Obsessively Stitching .  Without all of the great help on her blog, I'm not sure I would have been courageous enough to make a quilt.

200 little squares of awesome-ness! My squares from the I-Spy Fabric Swap arrived today.  I had a great time looking through all of them.  Here are a few of my favorites: Top to bottom, left to right: Bees, mice in a maze, scissors Japanese (?) dolls, bicycles, caged birds Trucks, vintage clothes, pyramids/camels/etc. I can't wait to get started on some I-Spy Blocks  and an I-Spy quilt like this one from Obsessively Stitching :

I have a few sewing projects in the works right now (mostly items to spice up my kitchen).  I have chosen fabric from the new Early Bird  collection by Cosmo Cricket . I love these prints!  They are so much fun. Want some ideas to spice up your kitchen?  Go check out Spice Up Your Kitchen Link Roundup .