My latest project

Linda, one of my closest friends, just became a grandma! Yes, she's my age....oh my gosh! Her daughter Brittany delivered a beautiful, baby boy last Tuesday afternoon. They held the baby shower quite some time ago, figuring that she would either end up on bed rest or delivering early. I had the best of intentions (you know what they say about those, path to hell pathed with them) of making her a quilt for the baby. They chose great colors for a nursery, red, white, and black! Slacker that I am I presented Brittany with a box of fabric at her shower, and picture of the quilt pattern that I intended to use. I knew I had plenty of time to come up with a finished quilt! Oh, did I ever tell you about what a great procrastinator I am? I believe this is also one of my many talents that I inherited from my parents. The day after the baby arrived I found myself running to the quilt store (yes there are actually stores just for quilters!) and buying the last of the fabrics I needed. Thankfully the pattern I used is actually very easy. I know it doesn't look like it, but strip quilting is a snap. The pattern comes from Eleanor Burns book, "Quick Trip Quilts". They are quilt in a day quilt tops. Yes you really can make these quilt tops in one day!

I ended up "machine tying" the quilt, and also did a pieced binding.

Here's a nice little close up of the binding!

Whenever I make a quilt I always have some sort of battle with the cat! When I layer the quilt I try to make sure the cat is sleeping. However, it never fails, the moment I lay out the bottom fabric he comes running to "hide" underneath it. I gave him the extra piece of fleece that I used to back the quilt with.

See how he "hides"!

Usually he'll leave me alone after this. Not this time. Indy (short for Indiana...get it Indiana Jones) decided I needed his help sewing as well!

Indy is a Bengal. I rescued him from the pound in January. He is a very solid cat weighing 14lbs! Believe me, it's all muscle!

Despite his help I finally managed to finish and was able to take the quilt and drop it off yesterday. See, procrastination really does pay! While they checked out the quilt, I got a chance to snuggle the new baby! So little and soft, only 6lbs.
If you look closely at this last pic you'll see Indy's paw on the top. When I layed the quilt out one last time to take a photo, there he was again! Still, It turned out quite nice! Don't you think?