another dolly quilt (or two)

I've had the past week off, so I know you're all expecting me to show oodles of projects, but that's not what happened.  I didn't have that many to work on (I know I have all those new fabrics, but I'm waiting for the right project to find me) and I also spent time with kitties, cooking (remember last vacation I refused to cook?), watching a few movies and generally taking it easy.

So what did I do?

I made a dolly quilt - June installment:

I was headed for the bench where the dolly quilt parade took place and saw these old rickety steps with grapevines all over them and it screamed "PHOTOGRAPH!" and I'm working on getting better pictures, so I stopped.  I really like it.

With the dolly (she has measles or chicken pox, which is too cute):

The pattern was inspired by an ad in a magazine for a baby quilt.  You can get the pattern here, though I made it smaller.  It's called "Sweet Baby" by Susan Branch.  It finished about 24" square.

This is the fabric that's in the alternate blocks:

We don't use these steps and the entrance to the house they lead to.  The door is all wood and swells so much we can't hardly get the latch to catch.  And it's a weird size and there's a roof overhang that makes a new door nearly impossible.  Some day we're going to put on a new wrap-around deck that will replace this (and more) and add French doors or something along those lines.  (But much like everything else, it's not going to happen tomorrow.)

And then I started a second dolly quilt.  My mom gave me this fabric when I was looking for something to border the May quilts with.

Since this started it, I decided whatever quilt I used wouldn't count as "from my stash," as my goal is for the dolly quilts.  So I went ahead and started a second dolly quilt this month.

There wasn't much and I wanted to sash with it, but it was either sashing or borders.  I opted for borders, but haven't gotten them sewn on yet.  I wish it played a more prominent role because it's such a sweet print, but there was maybe a fat quarter.

The pattern was inspired by this one that Beth made a few months back.  I realize now that I didn't quite do it "right," but that's what happens when you do it from memory...  I like it anyways.

I've run out of leftover batting, so you might not see this one officially finished for a while.  I've also run out of just about every pink you see in both quilts.  Some pieces in that first one were enough for just one or two sashing strips only!  But I really like the overall look.

Next up is to use those Make Life charm squares I won.  This project inspired me to change my plans (again), but I think this one is going to stick...

Last, one picture of what is blooming in my yard.  These came with the house and no matter how much my mom tells me they're not fancy enough for her, I love them.  It makes me wonder what farm wife lovingly dug these up 100 years ago and transplanted them to beautify her yard by planting them along the back of the house and side of the garage.  Maybe it wasn't that long ago, but they were well established by the time we bought the house.

Happy quilting,

Katie

PS I lied.  I have on more picture.  The kitties have an outdoor enclosure and today, after 3 years of expecting this, Skitter (my neurotic kitty, who I never expected this from) came in the house with a chipmunk.  Then she let it go.  Here are Lexie (grey), Emma (white) and Tucker (black) helping keep it cornered...Skitter was up napping by then and Luka had tired of poking at it.  I don't think any of them realized it was FOOD!

It ran behind my desk, so I took out the file cabinet drawer and that's where they all are.

And yes, I would have let them eat it if they had killed it.  Worm pills aren't that expensive and Skitter is the only one I have trouble giving them to.  They're exclusively inside kitties (their enclosure is currently escape-proof, as Lexie-Houdini can tell you) so this was fun.

The hubby and I ended up rescuing it (they tired of it after they couldn't fish out after an hour or so) and letting it go back outside.  I bet that little guy won't make that mistake again!

PPS  Those fabric photos aren't quite right.  I took them indoors with a flash and the colors just aren't right.  The outdoor pictures are much truer colors.  I need to figure out how to get good color from indoor pictures before the weather turns and outdoor photos aren't possible any more...

PPPS  I've got giveaway goodies ready, so look for the giveaway post itself soon!