Mini Quilt

If you've ever been to Miami, you've definitely seen the works of Romero Britto.

Beginning in the airport itself, with luggage on display.

Britto is a self-taught artist from Brazil who came to Miami in 1988. Now, he's internationally known and has work in many of the modern cities throughout the world.

Driving down 1-95 the other day, headed toward University of Miami, I saw this new addition on an older building. Gives it a nice splash of color, no?


You can find these images around South Beach, Miami.


And don't forget the Dolphin's Stadium!

Really, his work is everywhere. So, how could I not be inspired?
 It's like a quilt looking right at me!

So I have used this inspiration and have made my mini quilt for the Modern Mini Quilt Challenge over at Ellison Lane Quilts.



And....how about a QAL?! This is a very easy project. It's great to do with a child. Let them draw the design and then I'll teach you how to prepare it for quilting! So, what do you think?

Grab a button and spread the word. I'll start posting tutorials soon!

<center><a href="http://sosarahsews.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="SoSarahSews" src="<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sosarahsews/6938597013/" title="South Beach QAL by SoSarahSews, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7184/6938597013_3b97ef9e54_t.jpg" width="100" height="97" alt="South Beach QAL"/></a></center>

Linked up with Quiltstory, SewHappyGeek, CanoeRidgeCreations, Esther, Freshly Pieced, JAQS Studio

New Hand Project

I really like having something I can take outside with me and work on while I watch the kiddos playing with our neighborhood family. (Of which I am usually the mom, the only mom out there.)

Or I like to sit in bed with the hubs while the kids are sleeping and we're catching up on mostly his shows, but he still wants me to be there with him, and work on something crafty.

Last year it was crazy hexies that I dabbled in, and my Birdie Stitches and Doggy Stitches Quilts with a few little embroidery hoops thrown in.



This year, I'm starting my own pattern. It will be a solids quilt, and it will be with hexies. But I'm not totally into the flowers all over the place. I think they are so nice when others do it, but it's not something I want to make, at least not right now.

I will post a pic soon (hopefully by the end of the week) of the first one or two done, and you can tell me what you think. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping it looks like the sketch I made said it should!

Memory Pillow

Remember when I made the cupcake wedding cake? (Blogged here.)

The cute couple that I made that for are James and Prissila.

When they were saying their "I do's", James said the cutest thing.

The pastor asked, "Do you promise to love Prissila, etc., etc."

He said, "Yes. I do. I promise." Then he laughed nervously and everyone else joined in. It was very sweet.

So I thought I would make them this pillow out of the same fabric from their wedding cake. And to remember that moment forever, I embroidered his words on it.

Happy Valentines Day!

My Funny Valentines

We made these cute lips and moustaches lolipops for the boys to give out this year.



You can find the pattern for it here from Blonde Girl Designs.

She generously shares it with everyone!

Have a great day and give the ones you love a big ol kiss!!!!

Great News!

All of you who are helping me along with our Quilting for Kids project, Julie from The Intrepid Thread has generously given us a 10% discount for buying material in the colors we may not have!



Thank you Julie!

So head on over and get some greens and purples and greys. You can check out the store's blog here. Thank you for your help!

Coupon code: QFORK10

Fabric Wedding Cake!

So, I made a cupcake wedding cake today for a good friend.

Actually, two good friends. The happy couple are super sweet and remind me a lot of my husband and I when we got married.

They were on a serious budget, and when we were talking about wedding plans a couple of months ago, they still had no idea what they were going to do.

I suggested a cupcake wedding cake, and they loved the idea....then I said I would do it...

It was actually really easy. And I combined fabric into the design!

So here it is....



The wedding colors were brown, white and yellow.

I bought a few "cake dummies" which are styrofoam circles or squares or whatever shape you want. The bottom layer was 20" then 12" then 6".

I covered the three using plain old white school glue and a foam brush. Do the top first, then sides. You will have to fold the fabric as you go, making creases along the sides. Once the side is done, go back and glue down the creases. As you can see, they are not visible with this material. Then glue the bottom down.

I made 330 cupcakes total. I used box mix, bought while they were Buy one get one free, and then made my own buttercream using a recipe found here.

(I copied and pasted it for you :)

1 packet of Dream Whip
1/2 C. Cold Water
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 TBSP butter, softened
3 Tablespoons heavy whipping cream
2 Cups Shortening
2 lbs. Powered Sugar

Combine dream whip, water, and vanilla with a mixer in a deep bowl until combined on low; Increase speed to high and whip until mixture begins to look fluffy (approximately 4 minutes).

Add shortening, whipping cream, and butter. Combine with mixer on low speed, scraping sides of bowl as needed. Once combined, mix on high for approximately two minutes. It should look like frosting at this point. Add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition.

This recipe will frost a 13 x 9 x 2 or two 9" rounds, with icing left over for piping and decorating.

Read more: http://www.food.com/bb/viewtopic.zsp?t=283825#ixzz1m7ppnf6m

I was skeptical, but it was a TOTAL crowd pleaser!!!!!! I am so excited that everyone loved the cupcakes. And the bride and groom were very happy.

They popped a little mini cupcake in each others' mouths instead of cutting a cake. And then the groom at two more. It was really cute.

And just so you know, the icing held up great. And I live in Miami, where the humidity is really high. It was inside, but still set up great. And the flowers were made with Fondx fondant and tasted great.

I Forgot!

Today, my "My Love for You Grows and Grows" quilt is being featured over at Quiltstory.



You've probably already, seen it, but go on over and take a look. And if you're not following Quiltstory, you should. It is so nice that they share our stories! Each quilt has a story to tell, you know!

Also, I'm working on a project for the Modern Mini Quilt Challenge. Then I plan to make it into a tutorial. Maybe even my first quilt-along!

New Blocks

Our group on Flickr is getting some action.

Here are a few new Asterisk blocks from the group. They will be used in our quilt for a child in foster care. You can read more about it here....and YOU can help!

We still need 20 more blocks to make a twin sized quilt.

This is from Jennifer at Knotted Thread


These are from Melissa...A Child of the Wild Blue Yonder.

Here's my first one.

Wanna help? Head on over and sign up!

Linked up

New Quilting for Kids Project

The Asterisk Quilt

This will be a quilt for a sixteen year old girl who is in the foster care system. My mom has been working with her for a long time. And without too much detail, her short life has included child trafficking, running away, and pregnancy.

Amidst all these things in her life that are so horrific, she still has her heart opened to the things of God. She will talk about God and goes to church. She is a lost little girl, but there is hope for her.

This quilt will be hers to keep. And since she is a teenager, I thought we should do something a little modern.

The inspiration for this quilt comes from Lee at FreshlyPieced. I saw the quilt that the do. Good Stitches group did that she directed, and thought it would be perfect.



Thinking about colors, I found a mosaic on flickr that Lisaleh made and loved the colors. The colors are chartreuse, purples, and grays. A link to the picture is here.

If you would like to help out, please go over to the flickr group Quilting for Kids and sign up. I am looking for any style of asterisk, big or small, one or many on each 12.5" unfinished block.

I need a total of 42 to make a twin sized quilt for her.

I would also like your help in spreading the word. You can use the button that is on the sidebar to put on your blog and if there is anything I can do to help, please let me know.

January 2012

Well, I feel very accomplished this month!

I got two quilts finished. 

You can read about this quilt here.



I also finished a Quilting for Kids quilt.



Wonderful people helped me by sending in blocks. I just put them together. You can read about this quilt here and here.

You can also join the group on Flickr and help out with the next project.

Bee Blocks I've sent out:





All in all it's been very productive! I've even been out of town for a week. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you'll join the flickr group Quilting for Kids.

I'm also planning a different type of quilt that I can't wait to show you all!

Linking with LilysQuilts Esther's Blog FreshlyPieced