while the quilt is being made...

Adelaide did not get her new quilt in time for her birthday as I had planned all summer. Though it does sit in my studio in a pile - pieced, backing cut, batting sized and binding made. (And we're not going to talk more about that except for two things: 1. Let's change the Summer of Quilts to the Year of Quilts, shall we? Yes. and 2. I quite literally dream of a long-arm quilting machine magically appearing in my studio, though it hasn't happened yet. Enough about that.)

So no quilt, but a beautiful bed. A beautiful old, $8 church rummage sale find. And she adores her very own bed to pieces. Adores it - it's a lovely place to play. And sleep? Well, sometimes. But we're in no rush for that. So far, she's made no mention of the fact that it's missing a Mama-made quilt. Phew. The gorgeous vintage pink chenille spread - a gift to me on my own birthday from a dear friend - was perfectly timed and is perfectly placed on Adelaide's bed until her quilt arrives.

So that there would be something handmade on her bed while her quilt is in progress, I made her this little quilted log cabin pillow with fabrics from her soon-to-come quilt. I used the log cabin pillow tutorial from Dacia Ray (thank you!) as a guide.

After finishing hers, I dug around the monstrous pile of unfinished projects to unearth this bit of log cabin pillow - started this spring as a precursor to Ezra's quilt. So I quickly finished this one up for him too (which will be a lot less awkwardly squished when I get the proper size pillow form in there).

And now...to the quilt...

Comments

[jean]

oh my. now that is a dreamy little bed. lovely.

[Diana]

I also planned on finishing my son's quilt during the summer, so he would have it ready for the colder days. The good thing is I'm still not ready to put him in his own crib (he's 5 1/2 months). So I'm quilting sloooowly and do you know what? I like it much more like this, quilts shouldn't be a fast project (or do I say this to feel less guilty?). Have a fun day!

[judi]

You so make me want to get my little girls quilt finished as well. All it needs is it's binding as I am lucky enough to have a sister who has a quilting machine and quilted it beautifully for me this summer!

And...... the bed! Man, the bed........ my heart is barely beating at the price and the shape! Just beautiful!

[Beth]

Omg. I want to come have a sleepover in that sweet bed!

That bedspread is the stuff of dreams. And $8 for that bed!

Perfection.

[Melissa!]

Just yummy sweetness!

[Jen]

What a deal...I had the same goal for the summer. I made one and two others are waiting. One to be stitched, the other to be cut and pieced. Year of the quilts sounds much better!

[Helena]

Sweet Miss A. I can not believe how she has grown. I read you were interested in a long arm quilting machine. Ask about or put the word out that you would like to get one used. Often the serious... and I mean die hard quilters often up grade their machines. Try a quilt shop that may want to replace one..it may work fine but they need the latest features. Also, business closing or a quilter having a major change. The price will be so much easier to deal with for the normal quilter. XOXO

[kristin]

what a great space you've created for her. the old bed is incredible. we are on the lookout for the same type of bed to recycle (right now our daughter has her organic mattress on the floor just waiting for a wooden bed like that) you were very lucky to find such a nice one. the pillows are a beaeutiful touch.

[Alicia A.]

Does she share a room with the boys? She's got a perfect little girlie corner in there if she does.

[Melissa]

Oh Yummy! love the bed sooo much! The pillows are beautiful too.

[Meredith]

Wow! I adore Adelaide's sweet room. It's so perfectly perfect and timeless. Lovely. And of course, still marveling at your sweet sewing skills!!

[colleen]

$8.00? do your church rummage sales take place in 1952? you have a time machine, right? i love her room, too, and i really love the pillows you made. thanks for showing me that tip of tying ribbon on the back. i hate the gap you get when you use envelope-style pillow cases. so perfect!

[Mary Beth]

The pillows are beautiful. My six-year-old has that same nightgown!

[katie]

I love that pillow, and that bed! What a find! Perhaps the beautiful quilt can be a Christmas present.

[Ruth]

I love the pillows - you have inspired me to have a go myself. And Adelaide's corner is just beautiful - like a vintage picture book.

[cloth.paper.string]

ah... we're in that between family bed and big girl bed stage too. the spot you've created for adelaide is a lovely nest. may there be many sweet dreams in that bed!

[katie]

I love the big girl bed! And she is just so tickled too -- look at that face! Love the pillows. More inspiration. (So much inspiration, so little time.)

[Wendy]

I love that you put her name on the pillow. So special!

And the colors are great. Those are the colors I wanted for my daughter's room, but she's 8 and chose differently that I would have. Oh well.

[Anna]

Adelaide's bed is lovely. You have the best luck at rummage sales.

LOVE the pillows!

[Amy Curran]

I love Adelaide's room. It is so comfy! I have been wanting to make some log cabin pillows....i will have to try this tutorial.

[mel boniface]

Eight Dollars!!!! That bed is GORGEOUS!!!! i gotta get out more. the pillows are beautiful as I am sure the quilt will be too! Although the bed does look beautiful with that chenille bedspread. reminds me of grandma's house! sweet!

[Deborah]

Yes, of course, the YEAR of quilts! It's been like that in my studio for the past several years. (You know, you can often rent time and instruction on long arm machines with local quilters. You could get the quilt done in an afternoon!)

[m]

I was just thinking this morning that we should shift Atticus from his crib (he's been in there since 6 months) to his own bed, but where to get a decent bed? I'll borrow Colleen's idea and hop in your time machine to the rummage sales you go to in 1952. What a perfect solution!

I love the pillows so much. Can't wait (in a slow, methodical way, of course!) to see the matching quilts.

What a lucky family you have.

[Grace]

what was your mattress solution? (i remember you saying something about looking for an organic mattress a while back.)

i'm totally in love with the bedspread and the bed frame!!! gorgeous!

i love that her pillow has her name on it. totally sweet.

[tara pollard pakosta]

can you come decorate and spread your goodness into my house?!
LOVE IT!
her bead is so cool! and the pillow is PERFECT!
cant' wait to see the quilt!
love your blog!
tara

[mary]

these are great, amanda. For the past month, I've had some fabric selected for a new log cabin pillow. You've inspired me to dive into the project and just get it done!

I adore adelaide's look of pure delight. What a nice image for morning.

[Toni]

I want so much to dress up a cute and comfy bed for Noah. Alas...he still sleeps in our room, on the floor with his old crib mattress. I think the day is coming soon when he'll feel ready to go back with his brother and make his poor(vintage and very cute!)bed feel loved :)

[Jude]

Gorgeous cushions. I love the shelf above her bed with the sweet little dresses hanging under it - what a pretty idea. Can't wait to see how the quilt will turn out. I have to tell you I have been thinking a lot about your 'unschooling' it keeps popping into my head. I'm a teacher you see so I feel I can see it from both sides. I was talking to some other teachers today that I had just met and some of them I was thinking 'Boy, I'm glad you don't teach my children.' It got me to thinking about the times I have been unhappy for the older girls with their schools or teachers and then I look at Lily on the cusp of starting it all and I can't help but wonder 'would she be better off with me teaching her at home?' I like the project approach idea you use - which isn't always possible to do in a class of 24 kids with so many different little personalities and learning styles. So thank you for making me stop and think anyway - it's good to question things isn't it?

[Kristy]

All of this beauty makes me positively lust for a studio. And a paypal account. And thrift sales where you can find gorgeous beds for 8! dollars!

[Ashley]

What a beautiful score! The chenille looks lovely on it but I'm sure the mama-made quilt will look even sweeter!

Oh man, you're not the only one lusting after a long-arm. One day, my friend, one day!

[amy]

what a gorgeous bed! and what a steal...!

[Emma]

EIGHT DOLLARS????!!!! What a bargain! And so beautiful, too.

You know, I read about "thrifting" and "yard sales" all the time on American blogs, but over here in Old Blighty it's just not the same. A trip to the charity shop or a jumble sale never turns up anything as fabulous as that. (Unless old lady cardigans or mis-matched shoes are your thing.) That's it! I'm coming to America!!!

[Laura]

What an amazing find!!! Gorgeous bed and I love the pillows.. I hope to make beautiful pillows too for my own baby, one day. Thank you for inspiring me. :D

[Amy]

Lovely bed; lovely pillows and BEAUTIFUL little girl :)

[brandie]

so so great, amanda!

[Laura]

What a lucky girl! What a beautiful room! What a wonderful mama... And blessed you to have such a sweet little girl.

[Danielle]

Pretty! I've been dreaming of a pink and orange quilt for nearly two years now ...

[Helena]

Lovely pics, I am definately envious! PS I tagged you over at my blog when you have the chance.

www.elenibags.typepad.com

[Gina]

OOHHHH, I adore her bed too! What a find. I bet it feels so big to her little body, like a castle or grand bed of a queen.

[Amber Lee]

All in good time. I have a quilt top, with the batting and the back put together for a friend. It has been waiting three years to get quilted. No magic long armed machine has turned up in my studio either, so I'm thinking of just sending it out!

[saganaga]

Well, Amanda, you're still doing better than I am with my boy's matching bunk bed quilts---all the plaid fabric & other materials for them have been sitting around for about 3-4 years. Just the other day my husband asked me when I was going to get working on those quilts...

[Lisa {milkshake}]

What a bed! After seeing this bed I really wish I hadn't let my daughter choose her own ;)

[julie]

Beautiful pillows... and I love that bed you found for Adelaide! What a beautiful find!

[Tiffany]

I dream of that long arm too - I even have the space for it! But alas, 4 years later and I'm still dreaming... :^(

[Lesley]

That bed is gorgeous!!!
I love the way you have done her room too - so fresh and pretty. She'll be having sweet dreams in a bed like that. I love your cushions too and may have to make some.

[Dacia]

Thanks for the shout out! Glad you found it helpful. :)

[erin]

they are lovely, amanda! i love the fabric you chose on both of them - so cute.

[Gabriela Delworth]

Hello Amanda,

Just a brief hello from Toronto, Canada.
I love your blog and what you do.

Gabriela Delworth

[amy]

yr a lucky ducky with yr thrifting...
have been scouting all summer
for a big boy bed.
sweet jealous
have a great day
enjoying yr blog
all summer

[emilyruth]

i just love how every time i read your blog (read: every time you post) it makes me want to play & create & sew up a storm...thank you for that...& those log cabin pillows are too yummy for words...