I Spy Elmo...Trucks...Dora...Halloween...Doggies... Picnic...Babies...FUN!

The I Spy Quilt for the little boys is almost done. I sandwiched the top, batting, and backing; then pin-basted it and machine stipple quilted it. 

The top has 100 different themed fabrics. I knew Andy would like finding things on it, but even Davy has fun with it at 7 years old.
I wanted the back to be educational and fun, too. I was so excited to find this US/Canada map at JoAnn's. It is bright and colorful!

Davy chose the rainbow fabric at the top and I found the fish in matching colors. Katie says it's...well...BUSY, but I think it's fun. I am amazed that I was able to get the top onto the backing straight and centered. I put it together on my kitchen table by myself.

I don't have much experience with free-motion quilting, but I do enjoy doing it. I think with more practice, I will improve. I was happy that the back stayed smooth with no puckers.

 I meandered across one row at a time, being sure to overlap other rows so that it was very random.

I found the rainbow and fish fabrics at Walmart! I bought extra of the fish print because I thought it would make a cute summer outfit for Andy. I will bind the quilt with the rainbow stripes, cut so that the strips will be narrow on the binding. I hope to finish the binding tomorrow so that I can show it at my Guild meeting tomorrow night.

Little 50s Suit...So Adorable!

I finished the 50s shorts yesterday. The pattern was terrific. Everything went together easily and I love the way they are constructed. After I finished, we took Andy outside to take some pictures. He loves wearing his dressy shoes and loves to "tap" around the house in them. I'm really happy with this whole outfit. It fits perfectly and just looks so cute! I think he will wear it for Mother's Day tomorrow.

Here's a view from the back. There is elastic in the back waist, which makes the fit very nice. We are really good at cultivating dandelions! Andy liked picking them and blowing the fluff from them. I was experimenting with some of the photos and did this black and white version with a colored dandelion. I may share more views tomorrow. Happy Mother's Day!

 

Cutest Little 50s Shirt

I managed to nearly finish the "Will" smocked shirt today. I just have to finish the buttonholes and sew on buttons. I LOVE the way it turned out. I kept it very simple, with no piping or cuffs. I struggled with not using piping, since it does make a pretty finish, but it wasn't on the 50s pattern (for the shirt that goes with the shorts) and I didn't have any cotton navy fabric, so I decided the plaid was fine on its own. I think the little bit of geometric smocking is adorable and it will fit with the V-front shorts really well.

I am cutting out the shorts now. I hope to finish them by the weekend. Katie surprised me with tickets to a local performance of Anne of Green Gables on Saturday and I'll be doing something fun on Sunday, too, so I'm going to have a great Mother's Day weekend. I hope you do, too!