Busy, Busy, Busy

This last week has been a crazy one. Between going to physical therapy three times a week in Murray, painting my kitchen (not finished), babysitting up to 6 kids, trying to make 4 quilts and creating my Etsy shop and new blog, I might have bitten off more than I can chew. The current state of my house proves it.

I started painting my kitchen almost two weeks ago. However, what was supposed to be a simple project has turned into a major nightmare. When we got to the counter area we found that the builders had used silicone caulking on it. You can't paint over silicone. So we've had to try to remove the caulking, recaulk and then paint. Sadly, we're still trying to get the original caulking off. Silicone is the bane of my existence right now. I HATE it. It's almost impossible to remove. So now my kitchen is currently half red and half blue. *sigh*

On a happier note, I've gotten a bunch of new quilts done and finally created my Etsy site and blog and have them listed. I'm so excited! I've named my shop Pukka Designs. As per Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of pukka is:

: genuine, authentic; also : first-class

I love the word. You can see my shop by clicking here. My new blog is here. I was going to wait until it was completely finished, but I've decided to let you all see me build it up from scratch. So far there's only rag quilts, but I'm currently working on a couple of non-rag quilts. I'll post them soon. Please spread the word about my shop!

Here's a quick preview of the quilts in the shop:

Miranda's Quilt

Back when we first moved back from Texas in fall of 2009 (Yep, this is a very long overdue post), I was despairing over my lack of fabric because I wanted to quilt so badly. Miranda gave me a bunch of fabric she'd had for a couple of years because she knew she'd never use it. I remember when she got it. She LOVED the fabric and yet was giving it to me. (Have I mentioned what a GREAT friend she is?) I couldn't dream of taking it until I had a very clever idea. I would take it and pretend that I was using it for a baby quilt for Lindy (who wasn't born yet) and then make a quilt for her instead, since that's what she originally wanted. Brilliant!

I used the Slide Show pattern from Atkinson Designs. I think it worked perfectly. I kept texting her pictures of my progress (until it got too big & she'd know it wasn't a baby quilt) to see what she thought. Before Christmas I took it to her. She looked so confused when she opened it. She thought it was for my baby. It took her a little while to figure out that it was actually for her and that I'd tricked her. Ha ha! I wanted to quilt it for her, but my machine went all wonky so I couldn't. I gave it to her unfinished & then Brad took it in to be quilted several months later (because I'm a loser & never actually did it). I don't have pictures of it all finished & quilted (hint, hint Miranda - I'd love a finished picture) but I do have pictures from the day I gave it to her.


The squares are from the Freckles line by Free Spirit. So cute! The rest is just white on white and an aqua small floral pattern for the border. None of them are solids like they appear. I love how it turned out.

Oh ya, I forgot to mention that Brad was totally in on this with me. He payed for all the extra fabric & batting I needed and I made it. We make a great team.

Canada Quilt

One of my really great friends from Canada came to visit this week. He came down to celebrate his birthday down here with friends. For his birthday gift, I made him a shag quilt of the Canadian flag because 1. He's very proud to be Canadian and 2. It gets to at least -40 degrees below up there so a warm quilt will be useful. I think it's so dang cool.

I found it here. I didn't get a pattern or order the whole thing from them. I just saw the picture and decided to do it on my own. Allan helped out a fair bit too. In fact, there were a couple of places on the leaf that I would've royally messed up without him. It's 54" x 72" just like the picture. This one was a lot of fun to make. I love how it turned out!

The front

The back

Closeup of front (that's red lint on it)

Closeup of back

BYU Quilt

Last week was my dad's birthday so I made him this BYU lap quilt. I was telling my mom about all the cool things I wanted to do for this quilt, but she pointed out that my dad just won't notice nor care so I should do something simple. I took her advice and think it turned out quite well. My wonderful mother-in-law and sister-in-law helped me tie it when we went up to Logan to visit. So this was finished very quickly. I think my favorite part is the back. It's a little bit different since most backs are usually one solid color. Instead of doing that, I pieced mine. I think it looks awesome! I'm tempted to make one for myself. GO COUGARS!

My mother-in-law, sister-in-law (Arlen) and me tying the quilt

A close up of the material

My dad showing off the front

My dad showing off the back

Quilts Galore!

Recently I've really taken to quilting. Before I got married I had started a few quilts and only finished one. Now, I've finished quite a few. I don't know what changed, but all of a sudden I have a lot of patience for it and really enjoy it. Here are some pictures of the quilts I've made.

This first picture is of my sister holding the quilt I made her for her graduation present (and finished almost a year after). It's a random shag. It has everything from cows to rockets. She had to put the squares in the order she wanted them in because I kept trying to find some sort of pattern and just couldn't do it. It drove me crazy. My sister is about 6' tall so this is a fairly decent sized quilt.



This quilt is the one that I started back in high school and although it's not completely finished because I still have to get it quilted and bind it, etc., the top of it is done & I consider it a huge accomplishment. It's purple and green and is HUGE. I really like it though. The squares in the middle look white, but are actually a light lime green.




This next one is a baby shag that I made for our friend, Jess. Or rather, for her baby. I love it! I definitely have a thing for animal quilts for babies. Allan actually helped me sew it because he wanted to say that it came from both of us. 

This next one is the quilt that Miranda asked me to help her make for her new niece. It's also a shag but instead of squares, we did it in strips. We whipped it out in just a few hours and it turned out great, if I do say so myself. :)





This next one is one that I made for my niece, Abby. It's the first quilt I've finished that isn't a shag! So in other words, my first binded quilt. I'm really happy with how it turned out. I hope she likes it.




I have definitely saved the best for last. This quilt is the first applique I've ever done. Originally I started it to give away, but after putting in SO MUCH time, energy, effort and money, I just couldn't give it away. So I'm keeping it for when I have a little girl. It is certainly the most extravagent quilt I've done. I absolutely love it. The pictures really don't do it justice. And although this one isn't finished either (still needs to be quilted and binded), I finished the top and therefore it's being put on the blog.