Monday, July 07, 2008

Someone turned 3 years old!

Today is Napoleon's birthday. I will be grilling up a steak for him and Caesar to share. 3 years ago, he was my first "baby" and now I have 3, one human and 2 fur babies. Babies and dogs bring a lot of laughter into the household.Someone else is having a bundle of joy soon, so I made this Care Bears soft book for her. Don't worry, Napoleon's paws are clean. Since both my dogs live in a Chinese household where we take off our shoes when we enter the house, they get their paws washed when they come in, too.I made my first soft book from a kit I got at Joann Fabrics, but this time, I bought fabric panels from Hayloft Fabrics. You just have to supply the batting. I used a nice cotton batting I got from Michaels. Hayloft Fabrics delivered quickly and without any problems, so I would definitely recommend them.

The only problem I had was in making the book. The panels are not printed in perfect rectangles, the sides are not straight at all, so you can't cut them out straight. In fact, some of the sides are warped, so it made lining up the panels very difficult. I did my best not to lose any of the important parts of the book when I sewed them together, like the star numbers and the pictures. It was frustrating and I almost didn't send it since I felt awful it wasn't perfect. But then I remembered that babies won't scrutinize the book for imperfections. They are just happy playing with it and putting it in their mouths.

This is the second month of the virtual quilting bee at Common Threads and I made this 14 inch quilt block for Melissa. Curves are hard, but I had a lot of fun with this block. I just don't know if it fits in with her theme. When I hung it on the wall to take pictures, it reminded me of a modern art painting. Slap it in a frame and you can hang it on your wall.

28 comments:

Lunden said...

The block Is GORGEOUS!!!!

flanthrower said...

Happy Birthday Napoleon! That is such a cute picture of him. He looks like he's reading the book too.

I love your block. I have that Alexander Henry fabric and have been struggling to figure out how to use it. (I think I only have half a yard of it.) Maybe a quilt's the way to go.

One Shabby Chick said...

The block is so great! I need to get off my butt and make mine!!

priscilla joy said...

happy b-day napolean! sounds like you are going to be spoiled...my dogs aren't allowed to have steak (but shh. don't let them hear that)!

Rima said...

Happy Birthday to Doggy Number 1!

Love the book and the block. The block does have modern art written all over it.

jenny said...

I think the block turned out great - I really like it!

Agnes said...

Happy Birthday, Napoleon. He is so cute!

schrodinger said...

I know the bean is going to LOVE the book. Thank you again (oh! and I couldn't see any wonkiness).

Happy birthday Napoleon!!

Anonymous said...

Wow, what a lucky pup! Happy b-day, Napoleon!

rohanknitter said...

Happy bday to Napolean!
The soft baby book is really cute and I think that the quilt blocks would be a beautiful wall hanging.

jacquie said...

The block is beautiful...I have lots of crumpled paper on the floor to show for my efforts. I think I need to relax and just do it. Hopefully in the next couple of days. Happy doggy birthday to Napoleon!

Jennie said...

Happy Birthday Napoleon.
I can't stop looking at the quilt blocks, the curves were so interesting.

Kristy said...

Ooh, I love that quilt block!

Danielle said...

Oh Napoleon looks just like he's reading that sweet care bears book you made for your friends baby!

And you're right, the new quilt blocks do look like they could be modern are for sure. Very pretty, you are really great at quilting.

Rebekah said...

your block is so pretty! It does look like a piece of modern art!

And I love the Carebears, so I might have to buy that kit (for myself) : )

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday Napolean! Your mommy's very talented...just look at that quilt block!

Amanda Jean said...

that quilt block is gorgeous. I haven't done any curved piecing (on purpose, anyway)...but it looks like you did an awesome job at it.

Anonymous said...

I LOVE that quilt block! I would totally hang it on my wall like that. Just beautiful.

bettyninja said...

really love the look of your block!

Unknown said...

I am in awe over your stunning block! Really well done!
~Emily

Jackie said...

Happy Birthday to Napolean.

I am sure Little Bean will love the CareBear quilt block jus like us.

YayaOrchid said...

Happy Birthday to your little doggie! I must say I LOVE the little book you put together. I see from the link that the panels are expensive. The price would be for each page you create? That is to say each panel creates one page? It does make a very nice gift.

Par said...

Paws wash, same as mine.
Happy 3!

Anonymous said...

Happy belated birthday to Napoleon! That quilt block is wonderful! I love the little birds peeking out and the combination of colors.

nova said...

Soft books are a sweet gift for a wee one, I am sure it will be loved. I am loving the block, I really like the way you sliced into the aviary fabric there as well as the placement of the solids. It looks great!

sUsAn said...

Happy b-day to your sweetie! How funny...I live about 20 minutes from Hayloft! :) I've been there many times and rarely leave without something.

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

I LOVE that quilt block. It looks so clean and elegant. And what a very intelligent young man Napoleon is!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!! Joann Fabrics is provides really fantastic fabric!!