Jingle Bell Snowmen

This was a piece I bought last year from the Fat Quarter Shop and it languished in a drawer all year, begging to be brought out and displayed.
I just did some simple straight line quilting, got the binding done and now its on the wall.
Sweet. Simple. And done.

Weekly Goals

Its Monday.

If that isn't blah enough, its the first Monday after vacation. That means getting back into the swing of things. Getting back on track. Ugh. Is there anything worse?

My goals for this week, therefore, are simple:

1. Make a homeschool schedule. I'm guessing I may be up for review soon, so I need to get on that.
2. Work on the binding for my winter wall hanging. I started it last night, I'd like to get it done.
3. Start cutting Samantha's quilt.

Have a great day.

New Years Goals

Good morning! Or afternoon, evening, whatever it is in your neck of the woods,

Today is Jan 5 and I've been thinking and thinking of my new years goals and I'm not sure I'm any closer to deciding on them now then I was a few days ago.  But, I figure, its time to get something written down and maybe something will come to me as I sit here and type.

Personally:

• I want to become a home school ninja. I'm not exactly sure what that means, but I'm hoping that I'll have a clearer definition by the end of the school year. We;re homeschooling our son now but will probably be homeschooling him and our youngest daughter next year.
• I want to commit to this blog better. I know I said the same thing last year, but I really mean it this time! 
• I want to be more patient with my family. Listen more, yell less.  Enjoy today and not worry about tomorrow.
  

In the sewing room:

• My number one has to be my daughter's graduation quilt. Its hard to believe I have another one graduating, but its true and its no less emotional this year. I have everything bought, I just need to get going on it. June will be here before I know it.
• Finish quilting Sew Spooky. All that's left is the bat border and then one outside border. I'm going to finish this this year!
• UFOs.....there are a few laying around....a patriotic table square that needs quilted, a gift for someone that needs quilted, pajama pants for my son that need finished. I need to get this stuff done and off my to do list!
• I want to go back to setting weekly goals for myself. Big, small, something I need to work on or something I'm distracted by this week, just something to sew.

Friday Five

Friday Five

1. The first thing that comes to mind is that we've got 97 days until we leave for Hawaii! We were there in 2011 and had so much fun, so we're going back. I can't wait! (I couldn't find a photo of all 6 of us, so you just get one of my son with my husband and I)
2. We got 4 or 5 inches of snow last night and there's no school today. I hope the kids go out and build a snowman!
3. I sewed all day yesterday and it felt really good. Since we started homeschooling our son in October, sewing has moved to the back burner so its good to get something done!
4. My mom is in town for the holidays and we've had a nice visit. We haven't done much of anything this time but its been nice to just hang out and be together.
5. Its time for the Christmas decorations to come down and the winter stuff to come out. But I really have no desire to do it....we'll see how long it takes me! LOL

Have a great Friday!

Happy 2014

This is my first post since Jan 1, LAST YEAR!

That makes me a bad blogger.

I'll do a year in review and then we're going to move on and past it and start over!

I did go back and reread my goals for the year.

My personal goals were to:

Blog more often.

Lose 10 pounds.

Find and stick to an exercise plan.

Obviously, I didn't blog more often. I was really sick with my migraines at the beginning of the year and that kept me down and out. Then, I was running around like a chicken without a head when I finally got on some meds that worked and it was time for my daughter to graduate from high school. Lots of family staying here, graduation, parties, senior events, it was a whirlwind.

After that, the longer I stayed away, the harder it got to want to post a blog. I was embarrassed at how long it had been. Now, I am just starting over!

Losing 10 pounds....well, I did do that. I lost some weight when I was so sick last winter, but then I think I gained it back when I started feeling better. Being sick is an awful way to lose anyway. But this fall, I went on a migraine diet which eliminated so many things that I did lose about 9 pounds that I am managing to keep off. Of course, the Christmas cookies are not helping! LOL

I'll get back on track soon!

And exercise, schmexercise! I don't have time!

My sewing goals were:

Valentines quilt top

Allies quilt

Sew Spooky

Swoon

More bags

Etsy Shop

I'll have to see if I can take some pictures, 2013 was actually not too bad of a quilt year, if you don't mind that I got most of them done in the first half of the year.

I did finish my Valentines quilt, and in time for Valentines day. The top was done, but it needed basted and quilted and I did it. Not only did I do it, but I free motion quilted the whole thing. It was the first time I've FMQ something that big (twin size) and I love how it turned out.

I also basted and quilted Allie's quilt. Again, the top was done, but with company coming for graduation, getting her quilt on her bed was a priority. This one was a full size and I just straight line quilted it.

Swoon....I think I only had 1 block done.....maybe 2 or 3, if I can recall what was on my sewing room wall. (looking back in my blog, I see a post from April 2012 where I say I have 2 blocks done! So, I think I had 3 done at this point.) Anyway, I finished the other 6 blocks, set them with the borders and sent it off to be quilted. This was another priority so that it would be on my bed by the time company got here for graduation.

Sew Spooky...well, that's not exactly done. I finished the applique and got the quilt top done and basted. And I have the whole middle FMQ. But I ran out of steam when it came time to straight line quilt the bat borders. So, its on the back burner (again) until next year, when I can hopefully pull it out and finish it.

I made a few new fun bags. I think 3 and they were all the same, just different fabric.

And I put nothing in my Etsy Shop.

Looking back, it doesn't seem like I did too bad!

Now its time to take my daughter to work, so I'll have to update you more later.

Happy New Year!



Happy 2013

 

 

I really don't want to go back and see the last time I posted.

Its shameful, I know.

 

 

But its a new year! Yeah!

Its hard to believe that 2013 is here.

My biggest moment this year (I think) will be my oldest daughter graduating from high school.

I won't go there, as I'd prefer to save the tears for another day.

But, it's such a huge milestone and I am so proud of her.

Anyway, no tears.

 

I really hate new years goals. I think one time I have managed to accomplish what I set out to do.

All the other times either I didn't get it done, or I forgot whatever the goal was.

Probably about 2 weeks after I made it! LOL

 

But, still, its what people do, right?

And if its here, on my blog, I'll be slightly more accountable. I hope.

 

 

• Blogwise, I'd really like to get back to posting more often. I'm going to try for at least once a week and see how I do.
• Personally, its that never ending battle with the scale. I'd like to lose 10 pounds. Again.
• To go along with the weight loss, I'd love to find some kind of exercise that I can fit into my daily schedule.

 

Sewing....here we get a little more complicated.

UFO's are big on the list this year.

• I have my Valentine's quilt top that needs layered and quilted.
• Allie's quilt needs quilted, I pin basted it yesterday.
• Sew Spooky needs finished and then quilted
• Swoon.....maybe I can make this a BOM project and get some progress done on it, I only have 2 blocks completed.
• Sew more bags this year. Different bags. Fun bags.
• And maybe put a few things in my etsy store. You know, the one I've had for years and never done anything with!

 

Happy New Year!

May 2013 bless you in many ways!

 
 

 



Friday Night Sew In

I didn't actually sign up for the Friday Night Sew In.

Most times, when I do, I end up forgetting.

Plus, I am really not a night time sewer.

But, I am having a hard time adjusting to a baby in my house all day so I get no sewing done and NEED to start sewing at night.

I love that baby, but she is truly a distraction of the best kind!

So, the to-do list get's longer, the time (until christmas) get's shorter.

Feels like the story of my life! LOL

 

But, last night, I didn't sign up for the FNSI for a good reason.

It was my 19year anniversary.

Yep, 19! I don't feel old enough to be married that long, and have a daughter graduating from high school, but its the truth.

So, hubby and I went out to dinner and I knew I wouldn't feel like sewing later on.

Except I did. Feel like it. So I did. Sort of.

 

My birthday is Thursday, yep, thanksgiving day. It falls on thanksgiving more often then I like.

So, knowing what I was getting, I begged to open my gifts early.

And, look:.

 

 

What a surprise!

Noooo, not really, I picked it out, but I am so excited about it!

I have wanted a serger for years, but was intimidated by them and really not sure how much I will use it.

I spent 3 hours learning to thread it last night. I didn't sew a thing, except for some scraps as I tried it out. BUT I FIGURED OUT THE THREADING!!!!!!

OMGosh, yeah!!! Today, I will be sewing on it.

I'm quite happy with my FNSI results :)

Trick Or Treat

Parisian Showgirl

She didn't go trick or treating, but this was at the halloween party the previous weekend

Captain America

Yes, I made most of this costume. We both loved how it turned out!

Katniss

If you have to ask who? then I suggest you go read The Hunger Games.

Yes, its a kids book but an excellent read. 

 

 The Grim Reaper

The typical boy costume. By the end of trick or treating, he had no gloves, no mask, no scythe, and the hood was pushed off his head.

 

 

Hope you had a Happy Halloween!

Frankenstorm

Frankenstorm.

That's what they're calling it here.

My hubby is calling it The Perfect Storm.

Have you ever seen that movie? I can't quite list it as one of my favorites, but I do like it alot.

 

Hurricane from the south.

Cold front from the north.

And a wintry storm from the west.

Sounds bad, doesn't it?
Check this out:

 

We're right in the middle of the east coast.

That black dot by Tuesday, yep, that's us.

They're saying its going to ruin Halloween, boy won't my kids be unhappy.

Good thing I bought candy they like to hand out, as that may be all they're getting.

 

In the meantime, we prepare.

Hubby is finishing up taking down the pool. The deck has already been cleared for the winter.

I need to run to the store and get some essentials, but I did major grocery shopping last week, so we're ok there.

 

Hope you stay safe, dry and warm!

 

 



Some Halloween Sewing

Here are a few goodies for your eyes

 

This apron was actually sewn back in September. I think. I pinned it last fall and never found the time to make it, although I did buy the fabric. So, this fall it made a reappearance and I got it done!

Since I stole borrowed the idea from someone's etsy site, I didn't have a pattern, so I just kind of made due, combined 2 different patterns and voila, here it is.

Here is the original:

Pretty close, right? I love how it turned out and it makes me feel cute when I wear it :)

 

In other halloween news:

 

 

Over the summer I became obsessed with making these kitchen towels that hang on the oven handle.

No more towels on the floor. Or the stove. Or the counter. No more searching for one when your hands are dripping wet.

The two towels on the right are from Jen. You may remember that she made them for me last year for our Santa Sack Swap. They used to look like this:

I just added the strips of fabric at the top to make them hangable. Hope you don't mind Jen!

 

And, last but not least, a project I made last year that I don't think I ever shared:

A folded star pot holder, pattern courtesy of Moda Bake Shop.

This hangs above my stove, and although I don't use it as a pot holder, it certainly could be! Its nice and thick!

 

That's it for today, thanks for stopping by!

 



October Update

I meant to post yesterday,

as that would have been the 2 month mark since my last post.

No wonder I don't have many followers, huh?

 

Alot has happened since my last post, back in August.

My mom and my grandma came to visit.

I took senior pictures of my daughter.

I took regular, yearly pictures of the other kids.

I did a bit of golfing.

Drama club has started and is in full swing.

 

Fall decorations went up and came back down.

Halloween decorations are up.

Thanksgiving is already being planned,

Christmas lists have sorta been started in my head.

 

I guess my biggest time eater upper is this:

Yep, that's Adalynn.  She'll be 3 months old in a few days.

I don't get much done when she's around!

We laugh and talk and do lots of cuddling.

Of course, she also does a lot of fussing and crying; babies do that.

 

I've managed to get a few sewing things done anyway.

And if my iphone ever finishes syncing, I'll be able to show you something. I hope.

 

Yesterday I worked on Samantha's halloween costume.

Why is she always the one who wants work out of me?
Regardless, it's turning out cute and should be done before the annual teen halloween party on Saturday night.

The other kids bought a packaged costume, although Allie needs me to do a small bit of work to get her costume all pulled together.

Oh! And Nick picked out a scarey costume that he can't wear to school so hubby and I are going to design him a Lego Mini Figure costume for the parade at school.

 

Alright, no pics from the iphone this morning, maybe next time? As I think about it, I really do have alot quite a bit to show off.

Burp Cloths

It continually amazes me, what wonderful things people come up with on the internet.

Thanks to Natalia, over at Piece N Quilt, I designed these adorable burp clothes.

Adalynn is my friend Amanda's new baby.

She was born July 19th

and will be my "daycare" baby starting next month.

I can't wait to take care of her!

But, mom and dad did not want to know the sex of the baby before s/he was born.

So, I told them a quilt would have to wait until after the birth, because I wanted it to be gender specific. As soon as the baby was born, I whipped up these fantastic spit up cloths and brought them to the hospital as my "welcome baby" gift.

I love how they turned out, and I know Amanda does too!

The quilt has already been made and delivered, but you'll have to wait to see that!





Sew Spooky Block 2

Here it is...The Haunted Barn from Sew Spooky



Sew Spooky is in the house

Sew Spooky is here!

It arrived on Thursday, 6 weeks late and VERY much anticipated.

I know we've covered how halloween is my favorite holiday.

This quilt is going to be an amazing addition to my decorations.

And I wasted no time getting started on it.

Here is block 1

The block is complete with the exception of the hand stitching. If you look closely, you should be able to see my smoke coming out of the chimney lines.

Just in case you are interested,

I got mine from Homespun Hearth. The 6 weeks late was the fault of the fabric company, not HSH, and I was very happy with their customer service. I would definitely order from them again!

Thoughtful Thursday

• My last post was June 11....I wonder if its coincidence that I quit blogging the day before the kids got out of school?
• Right before that, I think around June 4 or 5, I went to the annual DC quilt show and picked up 2 quilt kits, as well as some other "stuffs".  One quilt is done, been and back from the quilters and already hanging around the living room. The other is on the cave floor, waiting for the scrappy border to be added, then a solid border, then layer and quilt.  I need a bit more yellow fabric, which I hope to pick up tomorrow, and get that on toward finished.
• I have quite a few projects that either need blogged about or pics taken so I can publish the post. Sorry! Furniture that got painted, Disney projects that still haven't been blogged about, dining room chairs, etc etc
• I have another newphew! Oliver was born June 7, on my daughter's 17th birthday. He looks like another doll baby!
• My daycare baby, who I will get starting in September, is a GIRL!!!! OMGosh, she is just so precious and I can't wait to take care of her!
• Swoon is almost off the grid....I have found another quilt that I love more and am contemplating that for my bed instead. Have you seen this one? I figured it out on EQ7 today, I have almost enough fabric.....its alot to think about.
• Speaking of EQ7....I got it last year for Mother's Day. How sweet of my family, huh? Yeah, you probably know I ordered it myself, but its the thought that counts. Anyway, I hated it. And it was expensive. Made me sick, really. I have the Quilt Design Wizard (by the same company) and I love it, so I thought EQ7 would be great. I tried it a few times between then and now, and still, just ugh. But 18 months later, I persevered, I figured it out (I think!) and I am definitely more comfortable with it! Yeah!
• The children are having a good summer. Its hard to believe that I have a senior, a junior, a 6th grader and a 5th grader. 3 different schools. 2 different drama clubs. And, did I mention a SENIOR? I am starting to freak out a bit. Its tempered with the knowledge that she will probably never move out, a fact she freely admits.
• 
  
  Ok, let's see if I can leave you with a pic.....

I found a photo of a rainbow cake on Pinterest, but I wasn't thrilled with the recipe they used, so I just used a white cake mix, mixed up my colors and voila, check this out!

It tasted as good as it looked!

Have a good night.

I'll try to get back here more often!

Crayon Art

I think the photo's will speak for themselves.

Check our new canvas crayon art:

Nick's Artwork

Allie's

Samantha

The Tardis...again by Samantha

Ironing Excitement

You've heard my tale of woe regarding irons.

I'm not even going there right now, but I will say this new iron seems to be working well.

I am now going to show you my ironing excitement.

This is what my ironing board used to look like:

Dull, boring, reflected heat instead of absorbing it, and covered in "oooops, I just got sticky bond type stuff on my ironing board."

Check out the new ironing board cover:

Amazing improvement, huh?

The credit goes to the Moda Bake Shop, where I got the tutorial.

I had pinned it and shopped for fabric way back in the fall.

And then my strips sat there. And sat there. And everytime I opened that drawer, they just stared at me, begging to be used.

At the same time, I also pinned an ironing board caddy. I always have scissors, seam ripper, pins, markers, and spray starch things on the end of my ironing board and this was my fix for that problem.

No pattern or tute for this, I just used my leftover jelly roll strips, quilted as I went, folded it up and sewed it onto the end of the ironing board.

Not to be outdone, the sewing machines were calling for some attention. So, they got covers made out of the fabric that was left.

Here is Allie's:

(Sorry for the horrible lighting! Ugh!)

And here is mine:

I have a few scraps left still, and I'm eyeballing that cute little trash can that Jen posted about the other day.

And yes, that is Swoon up there on the wall behind the ironing board. I only have 2 blocks done, but hoping to add to them soon!
I just bought season tickets to Six Flags and the quilt shop is just a hop, skip and a jump from there, so I'll have no more excuses for not getting things done and off to the quilters.

Project: Bedroom Furniture

Project Bedroom Furniture has been started.

About a week ago, I bought a gallon of primer. A few days ago, Allie and I took off some of the hardware and made a trip to Home Depot. We came home with paint brushes, a gallon of paint for her (in yellow) and a quart of paint for me (in green). Of course (because, really, no DIY project is ever 100% easy), none of the hardware was the right size, but we found some we liked and bought one of each (we need lots and lots) in hopes that we could make it work.

A day or two later, I stopped at Lowe's and still, no hardware that would fit the existing holes. (Nothing on the internet either!) But, I did come home with wood putty.

And yesterday, Allie took all the drawers out of her room and brought them to the garage. Her and I took off all the hardware and we were ready to go.

Today....daddy and I filled the holes that needed replaced.

Her and I primed the dresser, chest, side table and my bookshelf that has joined this project.

Daddy and I also sanded the  filled holes and he drilled the new holes.

Oh, don't let me forget to mention, we didn't wear gloves on our hands because I am used to paint that washes off. Oil based primer does not "just wash off".

According to my birthday teen (17! How did that happen?) who googled for me, as my hands were covered in the aforementioned paint, mixing oil and salt and using it as soap should work.

And it did :)

Tomorrow I plan on putting primer on all the drawer fronts, painting ALL the pieces, and running to Home Depot to buy the rest of the hardware. After all that, I have a feeling I'll be done for the day!



Monday Mayhem

Dictionary.com defines mayhem like this:

may·hem

   /ˈmeɪhɛm, ˈmeɪəm/ Show Spelled[mey-hem, mey-uhm] Show IPA

noun

1. Law . the crime of willfully inflicting a bodily injury on another so as to make the victim less capable of self-defense or, under modern statutes, so as to cripple or mutilate the victim.

2. random or deliberate violence or damage.

3. a state of rowdy disorder: Antagonisms between the various factions at the meeting finally boiled over, and mayhem ensued.

 

#3 seems to fit my thought pattern right now.

A friend and I (and a friend of her's and Allie) went to the Quilt Expo yesterday.

I came home with a few new things, most of which I can't talk about yet.

My problem lately is that I can't decide what to work on first! AHHHHHHHH!

 

And then I spent some time last night on Pinterest.

I have a love/hate relationship with that website right now.

Its really hard to work on your todo list, and get everything crossed off, when you keep adding things to it!

 

My latest is this:

We bought Allie some new-to-us furniture at a yard sale last summer. Its really ugly.

But, its old, its sturdy and she really needed something(s) bigger then what she had.

She has a dresser, chest of drawers, a mirror and a side table.

 

My new goal is to turn it into something like the above.

Think that'll keep me busy for awhile?

 



Tuesday Top 5

1. Hubby and I are leaving in a few minutes to go golfing today. After a long 3 day weekend, I'd love to just go back to bed, but I know we'll have fun anyway.

2. We got the pool put up this weekend. It looks good and I know the kids are excited to use it this summer!

3. I recovered my dining room chairs on Friday and Saturday. Hopefully I'll get the matching valance done tomorrow.

4. I've been working on my craft to do list and the "projects" side is whittling down. The quilt side....not so much.

5. I hand stitched the binding on the quilt for my new nephew. I absolutely love how it looks, but it did take me awhile. Not sure what I'll do next time I have a "normal" size quilt.

Have a great day!