It's a Small World....and Christmas is Right Around the Corner!

Hello!  Happy Hump Day everyone!  I hope your having as much fun as I am lately.  The crunch time is upon us, with Halloween next week, I've got 13 projects to complete before Christmas and half of them need to be done by December 1st.

Who's excited for Quilt Market?!?  Even though I'm not going, it almost feels like it trying to read all the amazing blog posts about Market adventures.  I'm really looking forward to those posts, so anyone reading this that's going to Market--daily updates, please!!! : )  I'm also happy to share that I've finally decided what I'm going to do with my Riley Blake challenge fabric.  It's such an odd assortment of fabric patterns and colors I felt a bit of panic.  Yes, I know that you can add solids to it, or even more patterned fabric, however I'm going for the CHALLENGE.  Work with what I have and see what I come up with.  I decided a little research was in order, so of course I looked at my Pinterest boards of 'Crafts I want to do'.  I found this gem that I saw on the Purl Bee.

Molly's Sketchbook Liberty Hot Pads

I did get an exciting delivery last week that I got to play with last night.  Quilt labels!  : )  I ordered through Ananemone Labels on Etsy and they are great!  I'm very happy with them.

 On a random, it's a small world note, I recently found out that one of my co-workers knows my fourth grade teacher!  How un-real?!?  Then, to make things even more exciting, she brought her to work for lunch today!  It was a blast!  Very surreal, but amazing all the same. Here's us posing for a picture.  Anyone ever have that happen to them?

Finally, my next major project is four pillows with names appliqued on them.  I'm super excited for this project and I'm working with a friend who wants this done.  I'll be going over fabric with her tomorrow and then hopefully getting started on some pillow covers.  These are the pillows I created, they are 12 x 23 inches and stuffed, firmly. The themes are super-heros (3 boys) and fun, girly fabrics(1 girl).  Check back for more updates!  Linking up with Freshly Pieced this week for WIP Wednesday! 

WIP Wednesday

I love holidays, but this week seems like it's speeding by!  I've two current works-in-progress right now.  First, this simple quilt top that I finished on Labor Day--which was not a day without work!  I think I worked hardest that day!

I'm thinking of matching the pretty turquoise for the back and stitching it in hot pink.  A simple outline of the seams for the quilting.  Any thoughts on the binding?  Eventually this will be for sale on my Etsy shop, Cozy Crafts.   My other WIP is for the Milwaukee Quilt Guild 'Shot Cotton Challenge'.  My color is Blueberry and it's the fabric around the edges.

The quilting is slow going, probably because I made the excellent decision to quilt inside the diamonds. Oh, did I mention I'm also using a thicker batting?  I believe it was Soft 'n' Crafty from Polyfil.  Ha, I did want a thicker blanket, but perhaps I've bitten of more than I (or my machine) can chew.  The loft is 3/4". 

And I've finally decided to label my quilts!    Here's my label, it's just waiting for me to figure out exactly what I want it to say.  Btw, the quilt back is fabric from V&Co. collection, Simply Style, 'Eggplant, So Hexy' and some 'Eggplant, Eyelet' on the front panels.  The binding will also be done in Eggplant.  Think I'm a bit partial to that color this Summer?

I'm linking up with Freshly Pieced.