a baby quilt model?

My dear friend Christine had a baby in February, and of course, I knew that she needed a quilt. I think that Miss Ada will never be short on quilts though, as Christine's mother is also a quilter, and has done some really beautiful things! I fell in love with this fabric line, called Cape Ann, by Oliver and S, a part of Liesl and Co. It's perfect for a little girl, I think! 

I did a simple pattern, as I really wanted to show off the prints. I especially love the blocks with the little dresses on them! As usual, my binding (the grey around the edge, that holds the pieces together), is not perfect, but one of these days, I will master binding! 

I met Ada a few weeks ago, and was able to give her the quilt! Christine sent me a few photos later. Isn't she a doll? This girl could be a quilt model! (is that a thing? if not, it should be).

Of course, it's a bit sad that Ada and her mum and dad live in New York, so I don't see them as often as I'd like, but soon enough again, I hope!

Next up on the baby quilt agenda? A quilt for my godson Ethan! I have the fabric and pattern decided on, just need to get going on it! 

Are you working on anything fun right now?  

travelling fabric stash!

A few days ago, I was the recipient of the travelling stash box from Katie! This box, and several others, have been travelling around the country for some time now, passing from home to home, losing and gaining items at each stop! What fun!

The box was filled to the brim when I received it, as you can see! 

I then went through it and added a few items; mostly some mini charm packs, some FQs and a few panel pieces that I don't plan to use. 

I took a few things too - a few fats, some white thread, and a small cutting board that will be great for guild meetings! I definitely added more than I took, which is fine! 

Would you like to receive the box next? These are the rules of playing:

Rules and Guidelines 

Be an active blogger -- post about receiving the box and the giveaway in a timely manner 

Update the travel log in the box to let others know where the box has been.

There is a list of rules and guidelines in the box -- be sure to follow these to keep the box full of quality items and the experience positive for everyone. 

You may take any items from the box just be sure that you are replacing them with quality and comparable items. (Guidelines for fabric below) 

Ship box to the next person timely -- and communicate tracking information with recipient.

Shipping is within the US only  (sorry international friends!)

Fabric and other item Guidelines 

Fabric should be quilt shop quality and in new condition. 

Do not include items smaller than a fat quarter unless it falls into one of the other categories and these should be packaged together. 

Jelly Roll -- 2.5 inch strips (typically 40 strips per set)

Honey Buns -- 1.5 inch strips (typically 40 strips per set) 

Desert Roll -- 10 strips 5 inches wide cut the length of the fabric 

Turnovers -- 80 (6 inch) triangles

Candy Squares  -- 2.5 inch squares (typically 45 squares per set) 

Charms -- 5 inch squares (typically 40 squares per set)

Layer Cake -- 10 inch squares (typically 40 squares per set)

Patterns / Books should be in new or nearly new condition and should be kept to a minimum as this adds bulk and weight. 

Other items should be new or gently used condition and should be packaged as necessary to ensure that all parts remain together. 

Important Things to Remember

Please ensure that items in the box are quality. If items in the box are poor quality they should be removed. Items that are being removed can be offered for optional inclusion to the next recipient. Poor quality items can be discarded but this should be done with digression. 

Only include items that you would be proud to own -- this is not a dumping ground for outdated or worn items

Items should be free of smoke, odors  and pet hair 

You must replace all items that you take with items of equal value and replacing with more than you take is welcome. 

How to Save Money when Shipping 

You can purchase postage online from USPS at a discounted rate

When you purchase online delivery confirmation is included

You can schedule pickup from your home or office -- so no waiting in line at the post office. 

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If you'd like to perhaps receive the box next, leave me a comment here and tell me what your current project is. For a second chance, tell me what you're dying to try next! I'll randomly pick a winner next Friday (July 26), and mail the box the following Monday. How does that sound to you? Let your friends know too, so they can try to win! 

I'm a godmother again!

Last weekend (4th of July weekend), Steve and I went up to Connecticut for a baptism - Heidi and her husband Adam asked me to be godmother to their baby Ethan! The baptism was in Adam's hometown at his family church, and one of his best friends from childhood (who lives in nearby New Haven, CT) is the godfather. 

Here we are!

Afterwards, Adam's parents hosted a wonderful dinner at a nearby restaurant - the oldest inn in CT, and rumored to be haunted! 

Here's a selfie, by Steve, Ethan, and Sophie  :)

I was so thrilled that our friend Christine was able to be there! She is a good friend from DC (Heidi introduced us, actually!), who moved to New York when she was married a few years ago, as her husband is a college professor. They had a baby a few months ago, and I was so happy to meet baby Ada! Ada is just a month older than Ethan, and I've decided that they are getting married one day. Here they are meeting for the first time-

They totally dig each other  :)

I was so honored that Heidi and Adam asked me to be godmother, and I am beyond blessed to now have THREE handsome godsons! Since my three godchildren are all boys, I think that would be a hat trick, if I played hockey (am I the only one who finds this joke I came up with completely hilarious? yes? okay). I've also decided that my having three godsons is God's way of telling me that I will only have daughters one day! I'm also lucky that Heidi and Adam live in nearby Annapolis, so I will see Ethan often. My oldest godson Jackson (turned six on the 4th!) lives in my hometown in NH, and my second godson Andrew lives in New Jersey, so I don't see them as often as I'd like. 

Do you have any godchildren? How do you keep yourself involved in their lives, if you don't see them often? Do you have any special traditions with them?  What kind of godparents do you have, if you have them? 

happy happy happy!

Happy 4th of July, fellow Americans!

Also! A most very happy 6th birthday to my godson Jackson!

This photo is from my most recent trip home, in May! 

Love this boy!


Also! It's my NINE year anniversary of living in DC! Crazy. I can't believe it! 

How are you celebrating today?

Let's Get Acquainted linkup!

Happy July, friends! Happy Canada Day, my friends to the north! 

I'm doing a link-up! I love these, but don't participate often. Why? I don't know!

Just a few days ago, I posted a photo of the baby quilt that I recently finished and made for Steve's sister Heather, but here's the photo again, if you missed it. 

"Let's Get Acquainted" is being hosted this week by Heather of Quilts in the Queue. Heather is in the DC Modern Quilt Guild with me, and makes some really lovely things! 

For those of you who are finding me through this linkup, I'm Lexi and I live in Washington, DC, though I'm originally from New Hampshire. I've been quilting for just a few years now, and consider myself an advanced beginner at this point! I make mostly baby quilts, doll/mini quilts, and pillows, but have done a few other things here and there. Here are a few photos of some projects over the last two years:  

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you may have seen one or two of these before, but I don't think that I have posted many of them, now that I am looking at some of these again!  Most of these were for gifts or swaps, though a few I've kept. Also, some of the doll quilts, I've sent to Majlinda and Boikokobetso, the little girls that I sponsor in Albania and South Africa with World Vision! 

Aside from quilting, I am a big reader (my mother's a librarian, and I should be one too!), and I love to cook. I'm a total magazine junkie, and have piles of mags and recipes torn from them all over my house! My boyfriend Steve and I love to travel, I am obsessed with corgis and hoping to get one soon, and I collect tea cups/pots, babushkas, and a few other little things that strike my fancy. My mother has been quilting for about 20 years now, which I think is what prompted me to try it! 

Here are the rules for the linkup, if you wish to participate!

1. Link up and recent sewing/quilting post.
2. In your post, or somewhere on your blog, include a link or button letting people know about the link-up and how they can join in the fun!
3. Visit at least two blogs that link up before yours, and everyone who visits you.
4. When the linky tool asks for your name list your favorite summer treat.

Oh, and my favorite summer treat....likely strawberry shortcake! That was also Heather's choice, but great minds think alike  :)

So, please share and link up on Heather's blog!