From A - Contraflow Quilt Top

The immanent arrival of a house guest prompted a furious clean-up of my craft room guest room. First thing off the floor was the Contraflow quilt top that I've been working on for the past couple of months.

Another quilt sourced only from stash, I used a layer cake of Kate Spain's Terrain collection and some trusty Kona White. After working through some mistakes in the instructions, I followed the Contraflow pattern in 25 Ways to Sew Jelly Rolls, Layer Cakes & Charm Packs (mistakes in finished dimensions and background fabric cutting, if you're wondering).

I opted to group similar colours together to try and create more of a flow with the prints. Although the bright orange block on the second row seems a little out of place, I am pretty happy with how it came out.

Coming in at 78.5" x 86" (almost full/double), this beauty is on its way to Lindsay for the royal long-arm treatment. I couldn't bring myself to attempt basting this beast on my bathroom floor and the idea of shoving it through my machine filled me with dread. A wise decision me thinks, since I only have about 6 weeks to finish it and two more baby quilts.

From K - Sew Together Bag Catnap Style

Ever since I received my Lizzy House Catnap bundle, I knew it would be great for small bags and accessories. Her colours are always so saturated and crisp. When I came across the Sew Together Bag again last month it felt like fate and I started plotting right away.

Coincidentally The Quilt Barn blog also happened to host an awesome sew along at the same time so I've been following along (albiet more slowly). She has some incredible step by step photos that take any guessing out of the pattern that you might have.

 So far I'm really loving the pattern and it's coming together quite well. The hardest part now is deciding on what fabric to choose for my exterior panel and binding. Decisions, decisions, Lizzy's line has some great options.

 I'll be sure to take lots of pictures when I finish it off. I'm hoping for a finish soon!

From K - Lowbrow Hat for Spring?

It's officially the first day of spring... Somewhere in the world I imagine at least. Just not in Canada. Definitely not in Canada. I typically find myself nearing a bit of a rut this time of year as I start to tire of winter and dream of spring. In order to fight the March blues I knit myself up a special end of winter treat to keep me excited for chilly mornings that make it practical to wear my new cashmere blend hat (and by excited I mean tolerant, and by chilly I mean blizzardy).

Let me introduce you to my Lowbrow Hat. I knit it with a skein of Plucky Knitter Primo Aran in Baroque and I couldn't be more smitten. So Mother Nature, you keep those winter winds blowing and I'll keep my new hat on my head. Deal? Deal!*

*but just to be clear today is the first day of spring so I'm more than happy for that to happen too. Like for real. The equinox is happening so hold your end of the bargain. Anytime Mother Nature, any time...

What are you doing to keep your head both sane and warm these days? Any and all tips are welcome!