constellation quilt

This hanging/lap size quilt is based on a kit (Northern Hemisphere) from Haptic Labs. I hand quilted it using 2-ply embroidery thread on solid cotton fabric. The kit includes directions and the pattern but not the fabric, thread, or batting, so you get to pick your own colors. I chose navy for the night sky, a Caribbean blue for the backing, and a warm white for the stars. This quilt was a gift for dear friends going through a tough time, so it was nice to think of them each time I went to stitch.

making vanilla extract

My dad and stepmom gave me a vanilla making kit, which turned out to be vodka + vanilla beans (which smell amazing) + cute bottle. I put the first two in the third, and let it sit for a month in my pantry, checking on it weekly. Cool beans, as a friend used to say! I'm looking forward to baking with this vanilla soon. Apparently as you use it you just keep refilling the vodka so it covers the beans. Here are the before and after photos: