Luke's Dinosaur Quilt

                             Here is my first large quilt project, finished earlier this year.

 I found this wonderful pattern in the January/February issue of Fons&Porter Quilting Magazine.  http://www.fonsandporter.com/index.html the panel was designed by Michele Wojcinski for Avlyn Fabrics.

Luke is as high as he can be displaying his finished quilt. I was slow getting started on this project. I searched everywhere for this dinosaur panel in the middle but I finally found it bugfabric.com. I wasn't able to find the coordinating Fossil prints so I went to a favorite local quilt shop, http://www.aheartlikeyours.com/ and fell in love with these batik prints.  As I got started my simple lap sized quilt grew until it fit his double bed. I am linking up with Sew Many ways today for So Darn Crafty linky party...check out all the great ideas!

Spring Rain!

Spring Rain

Spring rain

leaking through the roof

dripping from the wasps' nest.

by Matsuo Basho

Rain, wind, gray skies, and the chill it brings will keep me inside today. I will cut strips, sew strips and bind my quilt project.  Busy and industrious projects keep my mind off the dreary weather outside and remind me that I can find joy in other places of my life. I am imagining the satisfaction of finishing the quilt and laying it out to photograph.  Every stitch in the binding will be sewn with the love I have for my grandson.  He will treasure this keepsake for a long time and I am happy in the memory of choosing and cutting each fabric piecing it together and seeing his delight at the progress of this quilt. In my heart it is a very sunny day.

My Favorite New Toy

This left-handed, ergonomic rotary cutter by Martelli is my favorite new toy

...I used it on my dinosaur quilt



My cutting is steady and in control

 

The blade retracts safely inside the handle and opens at the flick of the wrist onto the mat. Good tools make a difference a matter of just working on a project and enjoying myself.