My first quilt

Since I'm not getting much done in the crafting realm (too much time spent at work, I say!), I thought I'd capture pictures of finished pieces. I'll start with my first quilt - but only because it hangs on my living room wall making it easy to find!

I came across this pattern in a Miniature Quilts magazine at the library. Life had just settled down after graduating from college and moving to Minnesota. I was ready to do some crafting! I bought some fabric from the remnants bin a JoAnn's and set to work. The blocks are 2" and are foundation pieced on muslin. It was my first attempt at foundation piecing and I loved it! Up to this point, my only quilting experience was a beginner's hand piecing class that I took with my mom while I was in college. I finished this little one and was hooked!

If you look closely, you'll see that the center of the center square is a cat - viewed from the side. The cat was fussy-cut from the backing fabric - a blue/white plaid with black cats interspersed. I'm enough of a cat person that my cat fabrics have their own drawer!

This leads me to my next quilt - a cat quilt my parents made for me. (It just happens to be hanging right next to my mini-quilt)

Isn't it fun? I even decorated my craft room in my last house around its colors. I'm lucky in that both of my parents quilt and have graced us with many quilts. I definitely come by my quilting addiction naturally!

A couple weekends ago, we were able to go to the coolest parade. EVER. (At least according to one 3.5 year-old boy). This parade consisted of approximately 75 fire engines. That's right - nothing but fire engines - new, old, little, big, quiet, LOUD. You can see some other pictures here.

There were several fire engines that the boys could sit on and ride in - all three enjoyed this part!

Have you heard about the Accuquilt GO! cutter? It looks like a neat tool. I could especially see myself using it for a hex quilt - much nicer than trying to cut them out by hand or rotary - a step which has stopped me up to this point. I've entered where ever I've come across give-aways. Right now, Millie's Quilting is having such a give-away. I can't imagine winning one, but it would be a nice surprise!