11 in '11 Update

Do you remember that Kim started a challenge/goal back in January of completing 11 quilts in 2011?

That seemed fairly do-able, although I knew I was going to miss 2 months due to our big Hawaii vacation.

I haven't posted picture's yet, mostly because, you guessed it, I haven't taken any, but I did complete quilt #10 back in October. I took a machine quilting class and picked out some baby girl colors for my quilt top. I had planned on giving it away as a baby gift, but teen daughter #2 convinced me to keep it as an easter quilt.  As it is my first free motion quilting project, it didn't take much to convince me.

I figured that after that, it was smooth sailing. I had plans for a christmas quilt, plus a quilt each for my niece and nephew for christmas. Fast forward to today....28 days 'til christmas.

My christmas quilt top is done, it just needs borders added. Maybe this week?
But, the other 2 quilts have been taken off the list, I simply don't have time.

Part of my goal for next year is going to be to complete as much of the holiday sewing AHEAD OF TIME that I can. Obviously, I may have to wait 'til the fabric comes into season, but I need to get ahead of the game!

So, for now, I will complete my 11 in '11. I will make my goal.

But I can't help wishing I had planned better and gotten those other 2 quilts done.

By the way...the christmas decorating has been started. No tree yet, but hopefully this week. I don't know.....with the drama play next Thurs, Fri and Sat, my week is going to be swamped. But it should be up by next Sunday, anyway. I need some more wall hangings/wreath-y type stuff.  I think I'll head back to Michael's tomorrow and see what I can find.



Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is almost over, for those of us in the US.

The turkey was amazing, the family and company was wonderful

and quite a bit of crafting got done!

My in laws are in town, so I am trying not to hide in the Cave too much, instead doing things that I can do in the living room, or at least on the same floor as everyone else!

I finished my Candlemat swap gift, I just need to wrap and mail it.

I worked on 3 different sets of christmas decorations.

None are done, but all are pretty close to it.

And, I think I am going to brave the Black Friday crowds and head out in the morning to get some shopping done. Not christmas shopping, unless you count "stuff" as christmas shopping.

I am going to hit Michaels, Joanns, and maybe Hancock Fabrics.

And since Allie is going with me, we'll absolutely be stopping for refreshments at Starbucks :)

I have an order partially planned for the FatQuarterShop on Monday.

I may add a few things to my cart, we'll see how I do tomorrow.

If you haven't heard, they are having 25% off your purchase on Cyber Monday.

I'll also be ordering a few quilt books from Martingale Press tomorrow, when their things go 50% off.

If you celebrated thanksgiving, I hope it was a good one!

Thanks for stopping by!

FNSI Results

My 12 days of christmas quilt top is (almost) done! Yeah for FNSI!
I changed the layout of this pattern, instead of 5x5 rows, I went with 4x6.

I'm going to add some borders to make it a bit wider, but my family loves long blankets that we can tuck in around our legs. The border fabric is on its way, so I hope to finish this next week.
This is half of it, the current dimensions are about 48x72.

I also got most of my peppermint candy pillow cut out.

After that, hubby demanded attention as he learned to use his new iphone.

But, a good night and alot accomplished!

FNSI this week!

The FNSI is this week!
Are you signed up?
Did you remember?

The link should be at the bottom of my blog.

I used to have the image on my pc and I could repost is inside the blog....

except I got a new pc and its gone.

I could go on the old hard drive and find it.

But its late and I'm tired.

18 years ago today I married my hubby, and he spent the whole of today

showing me how much that means to him.

He's a good guy and way more romantic then I am! LOL

But, the Friday Night Sew In is just a few days away.

I've missed the last few due to conflicts, so combine that with a very long todo list and I am there this week!
Nothing will stop me!
Well, unless I forget.

Which I'll try not to! LOL

Hope to see you there.

Well, not see you really.

But I hope you can participate!



Friday Five

1. The drama play is only 3 weeks away and I am so excited.

Did I tell you they are performing Miracle on 34th Street and my (almost 11) 10 year old daughter has the child lead? I can't wait to see it, they have been working so hard.

2. Allie will be 11 next week. I can't believe how fast the time goes.

3. I am really excited to start Mama and Me journals with my kids.

I got the idea from Pinterest, and I'll show them off later when I get 'em started.

4. My secret santa stuff is coming along nicely. I am just about ready to wrap it all and get it shipped off to Jen. I hope she likes it.

5. Pinterest. My new addiction. If you are a craft junky like I am, well, beware. Its like crack. I am way too lazy and busy to spend hours randomly surfing the web for cool ideas. But I have time to browse Pinterest several times a day looking at new stuff.

Nearly Wordless Wednesday

Here are just a few things I've been working on lately...

These are wood letters that I painted and then cut fabric to fit.

I used modpodge to make the fabric stick and then had hubby screw them into a piece of wood for a base. My fall decorations are not near as awesome as some of my other holiday's, so I am working on adding more.

This wall hanging idea came out of Quilts and More (I think).

I added the borders to make it big enough for my wall.

What you can't see is that all those leaves are individual and appliqued on!

Rag Wreath

Hurricane Glass with dried beans (split peas, black beans, and corn) in it, tied with fall ribbon,

Its sitting on the runner I made last year.

My not so little trick or treaters.

Ninja, Tardis, Pirate and Ginny Weasley.

I made the Tardis and pirate

I Dream of Jeannie and Major Nelson.

I made my costume and put hubby's together from an old uniform he already had.

Christmas Countdown

The Christmas countdown has officially begun.

Its 53 days, 16 hours from now, actually.

Mine began the other day when I put a widget on my desktop.

But, its November, so if you haven't started thinking and planning yet,

now is the time!

I won't start my kids gift shopping until the beginning of NEXT month,

but the homemade things need thought about and started  now.

And since I do homemade for most of our extended family,

I need to get busy.

But, first,

the halloween decorations need to come down.

The fall stuff, that made a brief appearance in September,

needs to come back out.

But for today, I have laundry,

dinner and a day of jammies planned!

 



Counting the Days...

There are 58 days 'til Christmas.

That is all.

Please go about your day.

Halloween Ribbon Wreath

Have you checked out Pinterest?
Beware, its terribly addicing!

Amy recommended it several months ago, so I got an account.

And the acceptance email sat in my email box for (literally) months.

Until another blogger mentioned it again. Sorry, I can't remember who.

Sooooo, I went and checked it out.

Did I mention its addicting?
You can check out my boards by clicking on the "follow me on Pinterest" button on my side bar.

Now, its on my list of places to go at least once a day. Sometimes twice.

Sometimes I sit down and several hours later realize that I am still there.

I need to take some pictures of things I've been working on. Some are for Jen and I can't share those. But other's, well, if I took the pictures, I'd have something to show you.

For now, I'll leave you with this:

I got the idea off Pinterest and I am very famous for "OH, I can do that!"

Although, usually, I'll buy the supplies, realize I don't have time to make it right now, and a year later, when the holiday rolls around again, I'll think of it and finish it.

But this one, I was determined to get done. And I love it.



Not blogging, but sewing!

I guess with only 3 followers, no one probably misses me too much, but I have been BUSY!

Nothing I can really blog about tho, sorry!

I've been working on the girl's halloween costumes.

They need to be done by next Friday, so I'm getting down to crunch time and really don't have much progress. Some, but not near enough!

I've also been working on my Santa Sack Swap gifts.

THOSE I am so excited about!

I wish I could share!

Suffice it to say, I'm thrilled with what I am working on and may be making duplicates for myself.

And my family.

And the homeless guy on the corner.

And the crossing guards.

And.......I'm joking, I'm not really going to make it for all those people!
But they are darn cute!

Ok, my dear son is begging for the computer and its time to take the teens to their Homecoming dance.

Have a great night!



More Presents!

I'm a bit late posting, but I got my newest set of Santa sack gifts in the mail last week.

Friday? Saturday? I don't remember cuz Allie brought it to me while I was in the cave sewing.

But, it came! Thanks Jen!!!

Everything looks fabulous and I can't wait to open it all!

I know you believe me that it looks great, but here's the proof:

My sack is filling up!

A peek inside!

Jen did send me an extra treat that she let me open right away.

It was a 2 part suprise:
A Bath and Body Works purse size hand sanitizer.

That Teen #2 promptly sniffed and stole and I don't have a picture of.

But here's the other gift:

OMGosh, it smells amazing!!!! One of my very favorite scents!
I'm not sure what Bath and Body calls it, but it smells exactly like Yankee Candle Christmas Cookie!

Sooooooo good!

Jen, thank you so much for everything!

And just to tease you some more:
Here's a small piece of something I just completed for you:

I love his smiling little face!



Already Monday

Last week was a sewing free week.

Which is a bit depressing.

But I needed a break, I guess.

I mean, I bought fabric.

I even have some washed and in the dryer.

And I've been working on my Santa Swap for Jen.
(Here's a sneak peak!)

So there has been some progress on the to do list, but not much.

And I really need to start making my to do list for the holidays.

With this being the last week of September, I feel like I need to concentrate on my house right now.

Lots of straightening to be done before I can haul out the halloween decorations!

Although some are already out. Just don't tell anyone!

Hubby and I went to a wedding on Saturday.

Ahhhh, the memories.

Of course, the bride was beautiful and the groom was handsome.

But it was the looks on their faces as they went through the ceremony that made you go awwwwww.

I'm sure everyone who has been married remembers that feeling of love and desire that you feel the moment you say I do.

I hope their love sustains them and they have a wonderful life together.

I try to be grateful every day for my life, my family and my husband, but some days make it easier to remember then others.

So, congrats and good luck to the bride and groom.

May your life and love carry you through every day!

iSpy

Another check mark in the done column!

This quilt is for the baby shower I am going to tomorrow.

The baby's name will be Kennedy (I love that name) and she is due around halloween.

It was tempting to do a seasonal quilt for her, but I decided to go the traditional route and went with pink.

There are several i spy blocks in the quilt, as well as strings to hold toys in each of the corners.

I hope she likes it!

Trick or Treat!!

Trick or Treat is done!

I actually finished it a few days ago, but just got around to taking the pics.

The kids are in love

and think its the best quilt I've ever done.

See for yourself:

Backing by M'liss



Finished size is about 66x77

Nearly Wordless Wednesday

I've been busy quilting, not so busy blogging.

Here is my story:

halloween panel #1

halloween panel #2

dish soap apron side 1

dish soap apron side 2

WIP: baby shower quilt for this weekend (#9 of 11 in '11)

Swoon block #1 (not sure if I have shared this one or not)

Never Forget

Friday Accounting

Eeeek!
I think I missed every day this week!
I would wake up in the morning and think I should blog.

But I either hadn't taken any photo's,

or they were still on my phone, camera, etc.

And they still are.

So, no pics today unless I go search the web for a graphic.

Nevermind, I thought of something I can share.

Even if I haven't been blogging, I have been quilting!

Trick or Treat (my halloween quilt) is completely quilted! Yeah!
I finished that up yesterday, so now its just waiting for binding.

That should happen this weekend.

My baby shower quilt is pinned and ready to be quilted.

That has to happen this weekend.

The shower is next Saturday, so I'm not leaving myself too much time.

Yesterday I bought the baby toys that will go in each corner,

so that is taken care of too.

I sewed Allie and Nick their halloween pillowcases. To which the teen's replied:
Where's mine?

I also quilted one of the Trick or Treat  panels.

I need to get out some more fabric and make a hanging pocket, and that will be done.

But, my first project for today comes from Camille over at Simplify.

Today is her day for the Moda Country Fair Blog Hop and her project is simply delightful!

Check out this little girl:

My template is printed.

A friend is coming over soon to quilt for the day.

So, I am off to find some fun, fall fabric and make my dishsoap an apron!

Have a great day!



New Iron

Sept 2, 2011

I'm going to date all my posts this month.

I'd really like to blog something every day.

We'll see how that works out.

I'm not sure I can come up with 30 days worth of things to talk about!

But for today, you get to hear about my new iron.

My old iron died back in the spring.

It still works, but the steam only seems to be intermittant.

And it wasn't very hot, in my opinion.

It was old anyway....I couldn't even tell you how old.

Although I'm sure my mother would comment that hers was older and still working.

Anyway-

I bought a Shark iron after that.

And it was hot and steamy!
Until it died.

Less then 3 months after I had it.

I was using it, and it was working.

2 minutes later, not working.

Talk about frustrating.

I  knew I should have bought a Rowenta, but I really hadn't wanted to spend that much money on it.

This time, I was going to buy a Rowenta.

When they went on sale at Joann's.

And, of course, I had no clue when that would be.

So, I returned the Shark iron.

Did some errands.

Decided to run into Kohl's for some new jeans and maybe boots.

DOH! Kohl's carries small applicances!

Not only did they have a Rowenta iron, they had about 4 to choose from.

They showed but didn't have the Steamium model.

If they had it, I probably would have gotten it.

But the next model down was the Pro Master.

And they had that one in stock.

So it came home with me.

And I love it!
Its hot.

Its steamy.

It irons cotton WONDERFULLY.

And I can get a facial at the same time I am ironing.

Happy Friday, friends.

Fall is in the Air

September 1, 2011

Am I the only one who thinks fall starts today?
The fall candles get brought out and lit.

I'll start my fall decorating (as soon as I dig those bins out of the shed).

I start buying and planning halloween costumes.

Christmas gifts sit in the back of my mind.

Lists and lists get written.
All the things that need done.

The baby quilt I need by Sept 17 is partially pinned and ready to be quilted.

The backing is flannel, which I have a love/hate relationship with.

I love how soft and warm it is.

I hate how it doesn't stay pulled tight and wrinkles so easily when its being quilted.

I am not a huge believer in walking feet. I don't think they make a huge difference when quilting,

but that's my opinion. I could be wrong. But, mine is broke.

It happened last time I used it and I thought, oh well, I rarely use it anyway, so why replace it?

Except that I really need it for this flannel backing.

Sigh.

I didn't realize this until today. So, I bought one off ebay and now I just have to wait for it to come in the mail. And that baby shower is getting closer and closer.

Nothing like a little pressure to get things done, right?

In the meantime, I can:

start quilting my halloween quilt

work on my October Secret Santa gifts

make a new purse for myself

work on halloween costumes

By the way,

Yankee Candles are my favorite and I'll have one lit from about now through February.

The scents will change, but something will be lit pretty much every day.

It brings such a cozy feeling to my house :)

FNSI Results

My FNSI results are less then impressive.

I kinda forgot.

Oooopppps!

It was an incredibly busy day yesterday.

I took Allie out in the morning to run errands.

BJs and Joanns.

I did get the 8 yds of white I needed to start making Swoon.

Then home where I paired up my Ruby squares and started cutting out Block 1.

By 1:30 we were out the door to take Sam and hubby to the mall.

Sam needed new sneakers for school and then her and hubby were going to see movies.

Yes, different ones.

I did some browsing and then read a book while I waited for them.

As soon as they were done, it was back home, pick up the littler kids

and off to the elementary school to meet their new teachers for this year.

After that, we endured a bad rain and thunder storm and I sat in the rocking chair,

cuddled up under Cherry on Top and read a book.

And totally forgot about the FNSI.

But I did get the 2 fat quarters cut for block 1, so I guess I got something done.

Ahhh well, it was a productive week none the less :)

And Juliann, here is the pattern I am using to make my halloween quilt.