2015 June ~ Baby Rag Quilt with Coordinating Teddy Bear

So I made this super soft baby quilt using flannel and it was super simple since it was just stripes of different widths of coordinating fabric being sewn together with a half inch seam allowance.  I made a matching teddy bear to go along with it and I hope Mila, the beautiful baby this was gifted to loves them both for a long time to come.  I chose ladybugs as the focal fabric since it was a nickname for her mom, Nikia when she was growing up.

The teddy bear I made to go along with the baby quilt =)

Before I washed it 3x to rag it up =)

These heavy duty Fiskars Scissors were a life saver!

Tanner helping me get the lint pieces off =)

2015 January ~ Rag Quilt for Baby Hunter

Hunter on the flat unraggy side of the quilt, looking Cute as a Button!

I have been a little behind with my sewing as a few of my closest friends know and when a baby is born in the family, what better excuse do I need to make something right?  I decided another rag quilt was in order but with lots of fun colors and it was going to be made with flannels so it would be super soft since for a baby.  I washed it with a Color Catcher and dried it twice before gifting it to him to get the fluffiness to start and to collect a bunch of loose strings.

So Hunter is now 5 1/2 months old and he is growing up on the west coast with an awesome set of parents who are going to teach him all the fun and exciting things that he can possibly do outside like fishing, horse back riding and jetskiing.  His daddy even made the crib and changing table they use for him everyday.  This little guy (ok, not so little) will have such a loving upbringing with the fabulous parents he has!  His mom Jenn even took some pics with him on the rag quilt and said I could post them here to share on my site!

Pic before being washed.

Pic after being washed 2x and dried 2x and ready to be shipped to CA =)

Here is a link to the first rag quilt I did back in May.  Also if interested I used Aurifil thread throughout for the piecing and the quilting, you can find some here on Amazon.  

Hugs & Smiles, Tiffiny ~ Smilie Mommy

2014 December ~ Baltimore Ravens DIY Memory Board

I can finally post the pictures of this cute memory board I made for a Baltimore Ravens Fanatic in my family since she has received it now for Christmas.  You can see the other memory board I made here that has more of a tutorial that I posted a few weeks ago. 

Let me know what you think in the comments below.  










I used 16x20 canvas boards like this but you can use any size you would like depending on the size you want to fill and other things besides canvas boards you normally paint on.  This is just how I did it.
Hugs & Smiles, Tiffiny ~ Smilie Mommy

2014 December ~ DIY Memory Board Tutorial

I made this diy french memory board for a dear friend last week and I can now share the pictures since Santa brought it to her house early. =)  















The colors worked out perfectly for her sewing room, so I was really pleased with how it turned out and how much she loves it as well.  I used a 16x20 art canvas with two layers of 1/2" batting hot glued onto the art canvas frame to get the loft I wanted to achieve under the fabric. I would highly suggest buying an electric stapler like this one here on Amazon  it saved me so much energy I would have used with just a manual staple gun going into the back of the wood frame. I also chose a thin ribbon, I wanted the fabric to be the highlight where the ribbon and cute buttons were just the right touches to finish it off.  This was the first one I ever made, I would definitely make these again.  Let me know what you think. 
Here is a link to the newest memory board one I made in the Baltimore Raven's theme.

Hugs & Smiles, Tiffiny ~ Smilie Mommy

2014 May ~ Rag Quilt Pictures Finally From

I am finally getting around to posting pics of the rag quilt I completed in May.  Seems like summer break just started for my boys a few weeks ago but the reality is school starts this Thursday!  By the time it slowly sinks in that I now have a 5th and 7th grader, it will be time to be decorate the Christmas tree, ohhhh shhhhhhhh, I said that out loud!  

So this was my first rag quilt, now while it was a simple style for me, it was still my first time.  One thing I learned while making one that I didn't expect was that the piecing thread should blend into the fabrics I chose.  I was expecting the raggy cutting area to hide it more than it does.  So that is one thing I would suggest if you ever make one yourself.  Let me know if you have ventured into making one of these before.  The most time consuming part of it was the cutting every 1/4 inch of the seams.  

I hope to be back to posting more very soon.  I have several different projects going on at once right now, but that is always the way right?  =)

This picture shows the true colors of the rag quilt

The true colors are shown in the picture above =)

2014 May ~ Progress on a Rag Quilt

Hello everyone!  My current project has been a rag quilt made with 100% cotton from my local quilt shops (LQS).  Most of you know that I always am wanting to learn new techniques and challenge myself.  This may not be the most challenging of my projects, compared to the quilt that has over 1300 triangles in it that I am still working on but it does qualify as a technique I haven't done before.  The reason I decided to make one of these is I have a friend that may want 3 rag quilts for her adorable grand-babies and I wanted to make one of my own prior to making hers so I would know ahead of time what are some things I should look out for.  She wants them to be really snugly and cozy so we were most likely using flannels.  This rag quilt still needs to be hemmed around all four sides and then snipped on the seams so when I wash it, it will be able to bloom and give off the cozy rag quilt look many love.  Let me know what you think  in the comments section below.  =)
Go here if you want to see the finished raggy quilt!

Hugs & Smiles, Tiffiny ~ Smilie Mommy

2014 January ~ Baby Quilt for Hannah Addyson =) Applique & Horse Picture Piecing

I designed this baby quilt on my own and it was delivered to California in March.  Little Hannah, my niece was born in December and her mother rescues horses, so that was my idea behind including a picture piecing method of a horse head in the center of it and then personalized it with her first and unique middle name appliqued on it. I made it really big so she will hopefully still be using it when she goes off to college one day.  I did not do the free motion quilting myself on this baby quilt, I think it turned out fantastic, I will find out if she has a website I can share right here on my blog as well.  Let me know what you think, leave me a comment please =)

The back was a super soft cuddly minky!

Isn't she a cutie pie?!  =)

2014 February ~ Beach Bag / Pool Bag FREE Pattern

So, I made my first grocery / gym / pool bag from this great free pattern I found.  So now, I have made another one that is much larger for my Amish neighbor.  This one can actually fit my 9 1/2 year old into it...hahaha!  Her favorite color is purple but it couldn't have any bold fabrics, so I went with purple and just made some cute stitching in black thread of hearts and flowers on the handles and around the top.  I also made this bag a bit larger then the original pattern calls for and added a pocket on the inside and the outside.  Let me know what you think.    Hugs & Smiles, Tiffiny ~ Smilie Mommy

February 2014 ~ Spruced Up a Normal Pair of Jeans with Variegated Purple Thread

So I bought a new pair of jeans yesterday, they fit great even in my short leg department (hahaha).  But they were just missing something.  So I used my favorite type of thread, the variegated type and it also just happened to be my favorite color of purple and chose a cute stitch off of my new Juki that looked liked flowers and stitched it down the outside of each leg. 

I even had someone in my church this morning approach me to say how cute it was.  It was really easy to do and made a boring pair of jeans a bit more exciting!



Hugs & Smiles, Tiffiny ~ Smilie Mommy 

February 2014 ~ Grocery / Gym Bag with Free Pattern & Tutorial

So I just finished making this really fun bag and I can't decide what to use it for.  My original plan was for going to the pool, since the bag I have been using a few times a week is a bit snug for my towel and other necessities.  The free pattern and tutorial did not call for the pockets that I added.  I put a big pocket on the outside of it and one a bit smaller on the inside for my phone and keys.  It seems though that the bag has other plans to tote my almost 10 year old around...hahaha!  Let me know what you think when you have a quick minute.

Hugs & Smiles, Tiffiny ~ Smilie Mommy  

2013 December ~ Baby Quilt with a Heart =)

 I just completed this adorable heart baby quilt, here is a link to the pattern over at the U Create blog.  I did many things to their pattern to make it my own.  I added  larger borders, I wanted more of the background fabric before it reached the final border which I also made larger.  For some reason, I can't make small baby quilts and the original pattern was a generous size already.  I always hope and imagine the baby doesn't grow out of it, they want to drag it around with them until college at least...hehehe (wishful thinking, I know).  The back of this baby quilt is a yummy soft lilac colored minky and it really highlights the quilting of the clouds with the added textures.  Well, I hope they love it as much as I do!  Please drop me a comment, tell me what you think too!  =)

Hugs & Smiles, Tiffiny ~ Smilie Mommy

2013 November ~ Picturing Piecing Butterfly Quilt Block with Fussy Cutting ~ IQBS

For the friends who have been following along, in the summer I joined a wonderful group of quilting people, I can't say ladies since I do believe we have two brave men in our group who put up with us giggling all of the time.  The group is called the IQBS ~ International Quilt Block Swap, you can read more about the group by clicking the link above and also searching keyword IQBS on my website in the top left corner of this page.  You will be able to see the previous posts that include some of the beautiful blocks our group has been making for each other!  

Well, here are two of my most recent blocks I have made.  I had been wanting to try this new technique (to me) called "Picture Piecing" not to be confused with paper piecing.  I had seen some beautiful quilts that looked like real pictures and I wanted to learn how to do it.  So this purple butterfly block above was made from a pattern inside the book 

I bought off of Amazon, called Picture Piecing, that was actually signed on the inside cover by Cynthia England herself, but you have to make sure you purchase it directly from the author herself and I am not sure if maybe I was just the lucky new book owner of the day.  The butterfly block flew to Italy to be enjoyed by a quilt friend there near Rome.


The other block I made was for a quilty friend in the UK and she wanted the color red used in her block. 

Most Recent Blocks for IQBS ~ International Quilt Block Swap (Hunter's Star)

I really have been sewing even if I haven't been posting pictures of my progress.  I completed these two blocks for the International Quilt Block Swap aka IQBS I am participating in.  This first one was given to a quilty friend named Carol, she is doing an awesome thing with the blocks she is receiving.  Carol asked that her blocks be made red, white & blue so that she could piece them together to make quilts to go overseas for the Quilts of Valor!  They are giving the quilts to injured soldiers, I just think that is awesome of her to do this! 

The star pattern above is called a Hunter's Star quilt block and the pattern can be found by clicking on the link to the left. The pattern gives information for doing a 2 colored Hunter's Star, I did mine in 3 different colors.  I thought it turned out beautifully!  

UPDATED 11/6/2013:  I just found this awesome ruler to make the Hunter Star process even easier!  There is even a great video tutorial to watch!  
 
The second block was made originally for IQBS, the person had requested country colors and style for her quilt block.  If anyone knows me that is not on my normal color palette, but I stepped out of my bright comfort zone of colors and obliged.  Then that member was no longer in the group but the block was made, so it was donated to the leader, Stephanie of IQBS, she is using it to make a quilt for Quilts of Comfort!  I will be making her a few more matching blocks, her plan is to prepare it for a boy to enjoy.

Hugs & Smiles, Tiffiny ~ Smilie Mommy

What I did yesterday... Staining our Amish Built Swing!

So I decided yesterday was the day I was going to stain our new swing that I pretty much found in a local Amish families yard!  He promised me I wasn't taking his wife's swing and that it was there to purchase.  Soooo anyway, I love our new swing!  I really love it since I stained it yesterday for over 6 hours...our neighbor down the hill was even yelling up that they loved the color (of course while I was laying under it, yesssss, I even painted the bottom of it!)  Let me know what you think, I am pretty proud of it, especially since it was the first time I stained anything besides my shirt...giggles, I crack me up!  =P

BEFORE

AFTER

CLOSE UP

IQBS Update by Guest Blogger Stephanie B: The Red, White and Blue Edition! (International Quilt Block Swap)

Wooooo Hooooooo, proud to be introducing another blog post by one of my closest quilting friends, Stephanie B!  Stephanie will certainly be persuaded by all of us to create a quilting blog too one day.  Just not sure where she will find the time, I imagine she is flying / running / sometimes stumbling around in a quilted cape to get all of the things done that she does in a day!  I am certain she is sneaking a few extra hours into her day...hehe!  So here it goes, I hope everyone enjoys learning more about our groups!  =) 

Hugs & Smiles, Tiffiny ~ Smilie Mommy 

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International Quilt Block Swap

Quilts of Valor IQBS

Stephanie Buscemi

Administrator

IQBS Update: The Red, White and Blue Edition

It is so good to be back with Tiffiny and all of you following Smilie Mommy Quilts!  If you happened to miss our last blog post about The International Quilt Block Swap: IQBS, here is a little info about our group. The IQBS is a group of quilters from around the world sharing our love of quilting.  Members of our group come from Australia, Indonesia, India, Sweden, Spain, America, just to name a few. It’s an exciting project for us and I feel fortunate to be the administrator of such a diverse, talented and genuine group of quilters. It’s wonderful to see the different fabrics and techniques that are used in other countries.

The month of August is under-way and our “Star Quilters” for the month are beginning to receive their blocks from the group! This month Carol Cricenti and Beth Blevins are our Star quilters. Carol requested that we send her red, white and blue blocks so she can create a Quilt of Valor with them. The Quilt of Valor Foundation is a wonderful organization. They present quilts to members of the Armed Services who have been touched by war. Here is a link to their website: http://www.qovf.org If you’d like to check it out, volunteer, or just take a peek at the gorgeous quilts made for their mission. The quilts, lovingly created by volunteers, are absolutely beautiful; and, knowing they’re destined to comfort or soothe one of our wounded service members, it just makes them a bit more beautiful, I think. Carol has received blocks from all over the world from our IQBS members to help create her Quilt of Valor. 

Luciana De Smet sent this one from SantaCruz de Tenerife, Spain. 

 She has included circles in this block! You know and I know how difficult little circles are to work with!

 We’ve been happy to learn a little about Tenerife from Luciana.  It is of one the islands of the seven Canary Islands archipelago.  Five million tourists visit Tenerife each year, the most of any Canary Islands. I can see why, it is absolutely gorgeous. Its beauty is enchanting and I plan on visiting Luciana in Tenerife, one day. It’s too pretty to resist! Here are a few pictures that Luciana has shared with us:

 

 Picturesque and peaceful, Tenerife, Spain seems dreamy, romantic and peaceful.  Lucianca sews on her Terrace, with a beautiful view and a few cats to keep her company while she stitches. Sounds like a vacation, every day, to me! (click to see more beautiful pics!) =)

Carol also received this block from Ana Srihadiana from Bekasi, Indonesia.

Located in West Java, Indonesia, Bekasi is on the eastern border of Jakarta. It is a bustling suburban community with a large population; it is the fourth largest city in Indonesia. 

Indonesia may be far from Austin, Texas, yet Ana and I can share blocks and ideas through our Face book group page, as if we lived next door. She’s very talented. I love the “Indonesian” flavor that she gives to the “American” blocks that I have done!  For instance, Ana took my Amish block and recreated it in embossed batiks. Such a lovely combination! I wouldn’t have thought to do an Amish block in batiks but I will now!

Charlotte Cronkhite of Dallas, Texas, 
sent this beautiful block to Carol:

Qurrat Thakur from Austin, TX sent Carol this red, white and blue beauty (click to see even more beautiful pics!)

 More sparkling stars from IQBS members:

Photo credits: Rachel Spiteri/Thangool, Australia; Merrill Hogan/Melbourne, Australia; Qurrat Thakur/Austin, Texas; Linda Hashimoto/Ontario, Canada

Design by Rachel Spiteri

Design by Merrill Hogan

Design by Linda Hashimoto

With over twenty-four members in IQBS, Carol will have plenty of gorgeous blocks from all over the world to make one of her beautiful Quilts of Valor!  It is touching to see the blocks from places not directly affected by the recent wars offered to Carol for such a worthy service project. Hugs and Smiles to everyone in our group helping with this project!

As you can see, IQBS is humming along with the quilters enjoying being a part of an international group of talented quilters. You would think this would be satisfying enough but you know quilters, there is never enough!! From our IQBS group grew our own Quilts of Valor Group on Face book, which then grew into two groups, Quilt of Valor IQBS teams 1 and 2. Though, these two groups were formed just a few months ago, they have become very popular and very successful! We thought why not join together to make a quilt every few months? That is just what we did. Our first two Quilts of Valor are presently under-construction. Each member simply makes one star block in red, white and blue for the quilt. Someone volunteered to do the construction, another the quilting, another the binding! By sharing the work, we’ll be able to donate two quilts, every few months! It has been especially rewarding to work with these two groups of quilters. Some are members of the International Swap but not all of them. I’d like to share some of the star blocks we’ve received and the progress we are making on the quilts, as well, in my guest blog posts. You’ll receive two updates for the price of one sit and read!

Quilts of Valor IQBS, Teams1 and 2 are sending in some of the prettiest star blocks that I have ever seen! It is so intriguing to see the intricate designs created in the blocks and the fabric choices that make the blocks sing! There are a few I’d like to share with you.

Linette Ivanovich- Green sent this sparkling star:

 

Design by Grayson Murray- Nelson:

Design by Angie Boyd

 

As the administrator of Team 1, I am the lucky one who gets to receive all of these gorgeous stars in the mail!! They will make a very pretty creation together. Carol, our Star-Quilter of the month in IQBS, is the administrator and recipient of the Team 2 stars. It is a genuine group effort. Here’s a picture of the stars that I’ve received so far just thrown together:

It’s taking shape! Once all of the twenty-four stars have arrived, I’ll sash and piece them together. I’m really excited to see our individual stars make one beautiful quilt! Hopefully, by the end of October, it will be complete and ready to donate to the Quilts of Valor Foundation thanks to the generous time and talents of The International Quilt Block Swap, Quilt of Valor Team 1 and Quilt of Valor Team 2!  If you’d like to find us and join our Quilt of Valor effort, you can find us at our group page on FaceBook by Searching for Quilts of Valor IQBS.

Thank you for allowing me to share our groups’ progress and inspirations. Tiffiny, a big thank you goes out to you for allowing us to share our experiences with the blogosphere. I’m sure I will be back soon to share more of our progress and successes. I hope so! Once our quilts are together for Quilts of Valor, I promise to post pictures here in Tiffiny's aka Smilie Mommy’s blog! They promise to be wonderful!

One last thing, before I go back to the sewing machine to continue making stars. A beloved member of IQBS, Qurrat Thakur, was accepted to show at the 2013 AQS Des Moines Quilt Week Contest. Her wall-hanging of Batiks, “Spring Flowers,” will be on display at Quilt Week! Isn’t it gorgeous? The Binding is made from her mother’s wedding saris. Is that just so sweet?!? We are rooting for you, Q! Good luck but you don’t need luck, you have talent!

Designed by Qurrat Thakur