Channeling my inner Martha

I am the proud owner of a new sewing machine. It all started when my friend Heidi took me to this cute fabric shop called the Quilting Cottage in American Fork. They actually had cute fabric that didn't look like your grandma's curtains. All of the sudden I had all of these ideas burning through my skull (Orange County) and my inner seamstress was awoken! And no, my big plans did not involve making prairie dresses. I decided to start with something simple-- baby blankets. I made this one for my friend Kristol who is having a little boy next month:



And this one for my friend Cecily who is having a little girl:



I warned them not to look at the edges too closely because really I had no idea what I was doing. I probably looked hilarious in the fabric store. I carried the entire bolt of fabric up to the cash register at JoAnn's on one occasion (forgetting to get it cut at the "special cutting counter") and the cashier looked at me like I was SO lame. I also received the same look when I asked the lady at the cutting counter how many feet were in a yard. Should I know this? Yes. But you know what, I don't measure in yards very often (never) so I figured it didn't hurt to ask. Those hard-core seamstresses are in a club all their own!

Anyway, my blankets were far from perfect but will hopefully get the job done :) My next project is going to be a bit more ambitious. I'm going to be making a quilt for Jackson from this book which has the cutest patterns I have ever seen. I have high hopes, so if it turns out I'll post a picture when I finish.

Other future projects:
Pillow cases in fun/funky fabric for my bistro set on my patio
Diaper bag
Christmas stockings patterned after some I fell in love with from Crate &Barrel last year
Table runner for my entry table

If any of you who know how to sew have suggestions on stuff you like to make or know where some good fabric stores are, let me know!