giggleface studios

Fabric, Fabric & More Fabric!

The first round of Quilt For Kids quilts are done! They have been quilted and bound and are ready to be packaged and sent out. My sister did a fabulous job quilting these, as always! I love to bind my quilts using bits and pieces of leftover fabrics from the quilts. It gives the quilt some movement and a hint of whimsy-patchwork. One of the perks of making quilts is that you get to name them...how fun is that?

I chose to name this quilt: Over the Rainbow, because I believe that this is what you would find somewhere over the rainbow...unicorns and bubblegum!

This quilt was the kit that I requested from Quilt For Kids and named it: Purrfectly Perfect! I know that some child is going to love snuggling in these quilts, because I had a hard time trying to pry these from my daughters fingers. Oh, the power of a quilt!

On a separate note, but still fabric related...

A Touch of Comfort

There is nothing more comforting than a warm quilt wrapped around you when you are sick. It provides reassurance and a sense of protection. Each year more than 6 million children are hospitalized away from home with serious and life-threatening illnesses. Downy and Quilts for Kids have come together to help provide a touch of Home and Comfort to these children by handing out handmade quilts, and the best part is that you can be part of this amazing program by donating and volunteering your time by....QUILTING!

To get you started request a Quilt Kit free of charge and shipping costs. It comes complete with simple pattern instructions, label, pre-cut fabric for the top and back. You only need to provide the batting. The quilts need to be machine quilted due to daily washings. When you return your quilt you can donate another quilt made from your fabric stash (we all have them), because it costs the same to ship one as it does two. Why not double the love? I requested my kit a week ago, and within two days it was on my front door step!

These quilts are just the right size for piecing in an afternoon. This particular one measures approximately 44 1/2" x 38 1/4". My sister and I are "sharing" in the quilting process. I enjoy piecing quilt tops, and she enjoys quilting + she has a long-arm quilting machine which makes for easier quilting!

Remember this quilt top I mentioned earlier? I love putting fabrics together to create fun quilts, but I must say that we have reached a limit of quilts and blankets at our house. I'm so happy that I can sew and make quilts to my hearts content and give them to someone who needs warmth and comfort! After making the quilt from the kit I couldn't just stop there, so I went to the fabric store and stocked up on some great fabrics for future quilts. One yard or less is all you need to make a 38"x 45" crib/lap quilt or 36"x36" NICU quilt.

I encourage you to watch this short Downy Touch of Comfort documentary and the Quilts for Kids video to get a better idea of how much these handmade quilts mean to children and their families. Also there are some great stories, quilt galleries and free patterns to download. You don't have to turn out quilt after quilt to make a difference. I know that realistically I can only complete 1-2 quilts a month. Don't let quantity stop you from sharing your love. ONE is better than NONE!

Coloring & Cheap Therapy!

Thanks for all the Birthday Wishes everyone! As I stated in my last post I spent the day coloring in my new coloring book with my new Ultra Fine Tip Sharpies and Prismacolor Colored Pencils. I colored like a MADWOMAN too...I was unstoppable! This page took a few hours to color because of all the little details, but I was determined to finish it before turning in for the night. I couldn't/wouldn't stop to make dinner, so Honey ordered pizza instead!

I am really liking how it turned out! You know how it is sometimes when you are in a frenzy, and you don't really see what you are doing...you have to take some time away and then come back to see what you have actually done! I decided to frame this coloring page in a frameless-frame that I had boxed away. I just cut out some card stock that compliments my colors and used some double-sided tape to hold it down and...

Ta-Da! Instant, Cheap, Fun Art!!

Here are some of my favorite coloring books: Charley Harper Coloring Book, Mexican Folk Art, Mary Engelbreit and Art Masterpieces to Color. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I don't actually color inside any of these books...instead I copy/print the page I want on some white card stock. That way I can color to my hearts content the same page over and over and over again!

Oh, and I see that there are some fans of Sharpies too, so if you haven't see this go check it out! Also, the Sharpie blog and gallery.

HAPPY COLORING!!!

Happy Birthday to ME!

This past Friday was my birthday, and also the busiest day for our family! So we have been celebrating it in small chunks here and there. Honey took the day off from work to take me out for a tasty lunch and some shopping! I really enjoy afternoon dates...the kids are in school, you don't have to pay a babysitter, you don't have to worry about how late its getting, and you can get right in to eat because everyone is at work too!

Here are a few of the presents I got...I am so lucky and spoiled! My Mom gave me a wonderful stash of Halloween fabrics. These will come in sooo handy when I get ready to piece my HocusPocusVille Quilt. Books, magazines, coloring books, art supplies (I am so loving the fine tip Sharpie set...and so do the kids...I have to keep them under a close eye for fear of them suddenly disappearing)! I also have some yummy fabrics coming in the mail from Superbuzzy and Reprodepot (Thanks Honey for the generous gifts cards) that I will obviously be sharing when they arrive!

Speaking of quilts and fabrics, here is a little sneak peak of something I have been working on for a wonderful cause (I will be posting more about this soon), but for now it's off to be quilted by my sister a.k.a The Sassy Quilter!

I'm going to finish my Birthday celebration/weekend off by eating more of these delicious Birthday Party Ice Cream Sandwiches...complete with sprinkles (you know how I feel about sprinkles), coloring with all my markers and pencils and taking breaks to read and daydream inside some of my magazines!