You've seen snippets of this quilt here and there before on my blog.  

I believe I started it back in 2010 (eek!)  But now she is finally finished.  And the quilting on it is aMAZing.  I just had to share.

This block of the month quilt was machine quilted by the amazing Kaylene Parry of Lehi, Utah.  She has done many quilts for me before and always does a fantastic job.  I think she probably feels like I'm always pulling back the reigns on her though so I was happy to let her "do her thing" on this one.  (Thanks for putting up with me, Kaylene!  I hope you had fun with it!)

 

The basket blocks (above) and the stocking blocks (below) are two of my favorite parts on the quilt.  I love the designs Kaylene chose.  There are four stockings - one for each member of my family.  More or less can be added depending on the number you want to have.

 

Do you see my sweet little binding?  It makes me smile when I see it :)  I originally thought I would probably go with a darker binding - like the red/coral color or the dark brown - but for some reason the mustard stripe (already on the bias!) just spoke to me.  It's from Stitch Studios and I had been eying it for a while so I was happy to be able to snatch some up and use it!

This house is so cute too.  If you look close you can see the quilted scallops on the roof, flowers in the windows and a heart and doorknob on the door - so sweet!

 As a filler block, I decided to hand-embroider a label and stitch it right on to the front of the quilt!  Kaylene quilted a beautiful design around it.

And the pumpkins!?!  Oh the pumpkins.  I just love the little ocean wave pattern that she quilted...

It looks especially cool on the back side! 

Speaking of back sides, I ended up using up some light colored pieces from my stash to make a pieced back.

That always feels good, ya know?  It's a big quilt - twin size.  I don't have any twin size beds in my house and I don't know where it's final resting place will be :) but I will forever treasure this quilt.  My mom and I each made one together.  I'll never forget the good times we had while stitching our little hearts out.  Kaylene is working on quilting hers right now too.  I know my moms will be just as beautiful!

The pattern for this BOM is a free pattern, designed by Jina Barney of Riley Blake Designs.  She goes to the little quilt guild I am a member of (lucky me :).  The pattern can be found HERE.

P.S.  Most of these fabrics we used are from several collections by Fig Tree Quilts.  We are BIG fans.

A Holiday Tutorial

 Today I am guest posting over at Quilt Story (LOVE those girls!)
as part of their annual Holiday Tutorial series.

If you saw my post there last year around this time, you may remember my
Holly Berry Table Topper tutorial.  This year I've created a quick, raw-edge
Holly Berry Pillow Cover tutorial to go right along with it.

I hope you'll go on over and check it out! 

And don't miss the other Holiday Tutorials going on at Quilt Story! 

October 4th: Kerry from verrykerryberry

October 11th: Amber from A Little Bit Biased

October 18th: Darlene from Sew Cal Gal

October 25th: Kirsty from Handmade by Kirsty

November 1st: Jesse from Messy Jesse

November 8th: Tabatha from Bending Pins

November 15th: Ali from a.squared.w

November 22nd: Happy Thanksgiving!

November 29th: Karen from Sew Well Maide

December 6th: Pennie from Tuppence Ha'Penny Quilts

Have a great day!
~ Amber

Twisted Winners

You guys are awesome!  Thanks so much for all your sweet comments about Twisted.  Man, I was surprised how much you guys liked Twisted Baby!  Glad I decided to go ahead and make up that version!

 It's such a simple pattern to make ~ I literally whipped up the baby top in just one night.

 

Well, do you want to know who won a copy?

 

First, #56:

Judy who said...

That is the most awesome quilt! Love, love, love it!!

 

 Next, #91:

Audrey who said...

This pattern is great! And I love the Marmalade too!

And finally, #95:
KatieQ, who said...

I love patterns that use pre-cuts. It makes it so easy to eliminate a lot of the cutting. I really like the crisp white diamond shapes against the colorful background.


K, ladies  ~ you know the drill.  Email me with your addresses and I'll get those right off to you!  You can reach me at adctd2qultng@gmail.com.

And to the rest of you ~ thanks for playin'.
I seriously loved all of your comments.
You sure know how to make a girl feel good :)


♥ ♥ ♥

Dying to get your hands on a copy?
Head on over to my Etsy shop to get your own!

Twisted ~ A New Pattern

I'm so excited to share my newest pattern with you today!

I can't decide if it's because it features the [available in stores any second] new fabric line called Marmalade by Bonnie and Camille - which I am seriously in love with.  OR, because I am in love with the cute little X's in this quick and easy design.

It's called Twisted. 

It's Layer Cake friendly and I've included instructions

for both throw and baby sizes.

See what I'm talking about?!? This line is scrumptious!

Twisted Baby shows the two color placement option 

(making it extra twisty :)

  

These patterns are now available in my Etsy Shop. 

I'd love to give away a copy (or two or three).  Please leave a comment below.  Let me know what you think.  Tell me something interesting.  I'll pick a winner this weekend.  Sound good?

* THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED *

~ Amber

Hi. My name's Amber. And I made a bag.

My Open Wide Zippered Pouch is finished. 

I actually finished it - that's the part that blows me away the most I think.

Don't get me wrong.  For most of you reading this, this pouch would be a snap to make.  The tutorial was great and I had lots of moral support :)  But for a girl like me, who doesn't do bags or zippers (have I said that before?) - this was kinda a big deal.  But in the end - it really wasn't that hard.  Imagine that.

I made the large version.  With two little pockets.

And a cute little (fray checked) ribbon pull.

And a cute little mini tab.

Yes, I made a bag
(excuse me, a pouch). 

It feels good.  I want to make lots more. 

And maybe get a little better at this sewing a zipper business.

The wonderful tutorial for this Open Wide Zippered Pouch can be found HERE.  3 different size options are included.

Happy sewing!

~ Amber

To-do's

I've been running in 10 different directions lately

and today I am playing hooky from my day job to catch up.

Not a lot (of finished things) to show you

so I thought I'd show you what's on my to-do list.

We're still working on getting new family room furniture.

We've decided on (2) of these sofas

with an ottoman in the middle.  We're still deciding on what chair to get.  My husband really wants a leather recliner (of course ~ what guy doesn't?)  I've only found one that I think is decent but since it costs as much as one of the sofas ~ we're still stewing that one over. 

Here is a little selection of fabric samples I'm playing with for the big pieces: 

Besides furniture shopping I am working on a bag.

This is a big deal, people.  I do not do bags.  Or zippers.

It is half way done and I am hoping to finish it up before it gets forgotten.

All of these cute fabrics were from my stash.

I'll show a finished product soon - I promise.

I just started binding an ancient WIP, yesterday.

I can't wait to show you this quilt when it's finished. 

The quilting on it is aMAZing!

My marmalade quilt and pattern are just about done.  I stayed up till 2:30 this morning writing the instructions.  It's a two-in-one pattern and I am very excited about it.  It's fun, easy, quick and has lots of versatility!  It's Layer Cake friendly too :)

Speaking of Marmalade, I did accomplish one thing the other day.  I canned raspberry jam (fresh picked from my in-laws garden on Monday night).  I stayed up till 12:30 that night but told my hubby I felt pretty awesome for being so domestic.  It set up right away and is super delish on the mini wheat bagels we are loving these days!

Speaking of jam ~ I just realized I haven't had breakfast yet.  Think I'll go get me some. 

Have a great day!

Amber