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31 May 2013
30 May 2013
Home, Sweet Home
Thought I was gone forever?
You should be so lucky!
Nope, still here, still unpacking boxes and settling in. But the sewing room is mostly set up and I'm back at my machine because I desperately need some sewing time.
The move was good and bad. The bad: getting a 24-hour stomach flu three days after we moved in, which meant I spent an entire day in bed, followed by my husband spending an entire day in bed. The really bad: my sweet mother-in-law, who watched all five kids the first move in day and the baby the second, had a heart-attack the third day (same day I was SUPER sick). She had surgery and is home now and we are pulling our hair out trying to get her to slow down a bit and rest. Which means she is fine.
The good: this view from my sewing machine:
It's not a big backyard, but that concrete RV pad and patio might be 95% of the reason we chose this house. It's huge and the kids can ride bikes and scooters all the livelong day. And they do. And I get to watch! The shed is their clubhouse and we're equipped with sidewalk chalk and bubbles for now. Swimming pool to come!
The better: the view from this door:
Our house is single-level, set up in a giant L. So at the short side of the L is the family room (which will be the schoolroom) and my sewing room. The bedrooms are in the other wing (makes me feel so Downton Abbey to have a "wing"). I love that it's separate from the rest of the living space, but still in the middle of it all. Does that make sense? And I can sew late at night or early in the morning without waking anyone up!
I inaugurated my sewing room by cutting my Glamping hexies with my Go! cutter. I might have had two little helpers who ruined 12 blocks while I ran to the store. Note to self: shut the door!
And now I'm working on a Happy-Go-Lucky Briar Rose quilt. I finished the 16-patch blocks before the move, so I just have to do the X-blocks.
You should be so lucky!
Nope, still here, still unpacking boxes and settling in. But the sewing room is mostly set up and I'm back at my machine because I desperately need some sewing time.
The move was good and bad. The bad: getting a 24-hour stomach flu three days after we moved in, which meant I spent an entire day in bed, followed by my husband spending an entire day in bed. The really bad: my sweet mother-in-law, who watched all five kids the first move in day and the baby the second, had a heart-attack the third day (same day I was SUPER sick). She had surgery and is home now and we are pulling our hair out trying to get her to slow down a bit and rest. Which means she is fine.
The good: this view from my sewing machine:
It's not a big backyard, but that concrete RV pad and patio might be 95% of the reason we chose this house. It's huge and the kids can ride bikes and scooters all the livelong day. And they do. And I get to watch! The shed is their clubhouse and we're equipped with sidewalk chalk and bubbles for now. Swimming pool to come!
The better: the view from this door:
Our house is single-level, set up in a giant L. So at the short side of the L is the family room (which will be the schoolroom) and my sewing room. The bedrooms are in the other wing (makes me feel so Downton Abbey to have a "wing"). I love that it's separate from the rest of the living space, but still in the middle of it all. Does that make sense? And I can sew late at night or early in the morning without waking anyone up!
I inaugurated my sewing room by cutting my Glamping hexies with my Go! cutter. I might have had two little helpers who ruined 12 blocks while I ran to the store. Note to self: shut the door!
And now I'm working on a Happy-Go-Lucky Briar Rose quilt. I finished the 16-patch blocks before the move, so I just have to do the X-blocks.
14 May 2013
See you on the other side!
I've packed away ALL my sewing things, so I will have nothing to share until after next week.
I did order backs for six of my finished flimsies, so there will be some actual finishes in the near future.
In the meantime, wish me luck! I'm a packing, cleaning machine!
I did order backs for six of my finished flimsies, so there will be some actual finishes in the near future.
In the meantime, wish me luck! I'm a packing, cleaning machine!
12 May 2013
Happy Mother's Day!
Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mothers out there. I don't often put personal photos out there, but this is a special day, and these are special ladies.
First, my Gran, who passed away 2 years ago this month. I miss her every day. She was an amazing lady, who raised five sons and one daughter. Her one daughter is my mom.
She raised six sons and one daughter! She is amazing, strong, funny, and my best friend.
Then there's my girl, who came into our lives and made me a mom.
I'm one lucky lady, let me tell you.
Hope you have a lovely day!
10 May 2013
We have a winner!
Ugh.
Lemme say a word about "no-reply bloggers." They are missing out on all the fun.
I went through three winners before I finally landed on my winner! C'mon people! If you NEVER win anything, maybe this is why!
Okay. Stepping off to announce my winner:
- Two elephants walked off a cliff.
Boom, boom.
sad I know, i asked my daughter for that one ;)
Congrats Dee! I'll get your certificate e-mailed to you soon!Thanks for all the jokes everyone. My kids and I enjoyed them. And a lot of you are BIG fans of the interrupting cow knock knock joke. It's pretty popular around here already!
Friday Finish: Just Keep Sewing
You've got that little song from "Finding Nemo" stuck in your head now, don't you?
You're welcome!
I'm so great at avoiding unpleasant things. I'm even better at rewarding myself for the slightest bit of work. Pack a box? Sew 10 quilt blocks. It's a little skewed, but it's working for me.
Here's what I finished up this week:
Yep, another flimsy. So glad to have this one together. Going to do a pieced border for it, but it's basically done and I'm happy for that.
I'm playing for the weekend - left the law student alone with some patching and painting to do while we run through sprinklers in the 95 degree weather! Well, I might not run through the sprinklers, but my kidlets surely will.
Have a lovely Mother's Day!
Giveaway winner to be announced tonight after 5 p.m. my time. Keep the jokes coming!
Linking up with Sarah and Amanda Jean, because I can!
You're welcome!
I'm so great at avoiding unpleasant things. I'm even better at rewarding myself for the slightest bit of work. Pack a box? Sew 10 quilt blocks. It's a little skewed, but it's working for me.
Here's what I finished up this week:
Yep, another flimsy. So glad to have this one together. Going to do a pieced border for it, but it's basically done and I'm happy for that.
I'm playing for the weekend - left the law student alone with some patching and painting to do while we run through sprinklers in the 95 degree weather! Well, I might not run through the sprinklers, but my kidlets surely will.
Have a lovely Mother's Day!
Giveaway winner to be announced tonight after 5 p.m. my time. Keep the jokes coming!
Linking up with Sarah and Amanda Jean, because I can!
09 May 2013
Fabric Hoarders: The Christmas Edition
Do you have a favorite fabric? Like all time, you'd save it in a fire or flood?
This is mine:
My Christmas stocking will be made out of this material too (that project is for this year!). But that was to be the last because it was gone. Couldn't find even a scrap.
One day last week, I was browsing around at fabric.com when I thought to check Michael Miller's holiday stuff. Saw these awesome gingerbread houses, and these adorable nutcrackers (totally making my aunt an apron out of that one!), but I might have squealed like a little girl when I saw my fabric was available again. I put five yards into my cart without batting an eye and checked out as quickly as I could, hoping and praying that it wasn't already gone.
It arrived yesterday, in all it's red retro glory and I have absolutely NO idea what I'm going to make with it, but I don't care! It's here. Okay, I might make another version of the quilt up there since my oldest girl sorta claimed that one and I want my own. But that's all.
But don't rush over to fabric.com for some. It's gone again. They say it will be back in stock in July. Here's hoping!
This is mine:
I've made several projects with it.
A bag to carry around at Christmastime. An apron, but I can't find a picture of it and it's packed already.
I finished this quilt last Christmas and I love it. Backed in red polka dot minky, it is the most popular quilt in the house come December.
My Christmas stocking will be made out of this material too (that project is for this year!). But that was to be the last because it was gone. Couldn't find even a scrap.
One day last week, I was browsing around at fabric.com when I thought to check Michael Miller's holiday stuff. Saw these awesome gingerbread houses, and these adorable nutcrackers (totally making my aunt an apron out of that one!), but I might have squealed like a little girl when I saw my fabric was available again. I put five yards into my cart without batting an eye and checked out as quickly as I could, hoping and praying that it wasn't already gone.
It arrived yesterday, in all it's red retro glory and I have absolutely NO idea what I'm going to make with it, but I don't care! It's here. Okay, I might make another version of the quilt up there since my oldest girl sorta claimed that one and I want my own. But that's all.
But don't rush over to fabric.com for some. It's gone again. They say it will be back in stock in July. Here's hoping!
06 May 2013
Give said the little blog . . .
Yep, I totally hijacked a little song. One of my favorites. Deal.
Welcome to my small corner of blogland.
This is me:
Okay, that WAS me, 12 years ago. I traded in my chef whites for jeans, t-shirts and flip flops 9.5 years ago when I had my first baby. Haven't looked back since.
But a girl does need a hobby besides babies (I've got five of those now!). So I got back to sewing and started quilting with a vengeance.
My specialty seems to be flimsies. I've got 15 (egad!) that need to be quilted.
In my defense, I'm on the brink of moving (as in, 14 days from today!), so I've been cranking out the flimsies. At the other end of this move is a gorgeous sister-in-law who has a long arm. Um, who wouldn't wait, right?
So I'm up to my eyelashes with boxes and cleaning and completely blanked on the giveaway this year.
How's about an etsy gift certificate this go 'round? Makes it super easy on me, you can pick out whatever your heart desires and my international buddies can enter and win as well.
So, here's what you hafta do for $25 on etsy:
Leave me a comment. We like clean jokes around here, so if you've got a killer knock-knock joke (and by killer I mean one that a seven-year-old will laugh at, so it doesn't have to be brilliant), share it. I've got a road trip coming up with my kids and I'd love to print off a list of jokes for them to read to each other. Thanks ever so!
Let the joking begin! And good luck!
Oh, the rules. Sheesh!
PLEASE PLEASE leave me a way to contact you - I've already had several no-reply bloggers comment and you'll be missing out on the fun for ALL the giveaways! Check and make sure, or just leave your e-mail in your comment!
Welcome to my small corner of blogland.
This is me:
Okay, that WAS me, 12 years ago. I traded in my chef whites for jeans, t-shirts and flip flops 9.5 years ago when I had my first baby. Haven't looked back since.
My specialty seems to be flimsies. I've got 15 (egad!) that need to be quilted.
In my defense, I'm on the brink of moving (as in, 14 days from today!), so I've been cranking out the flimsies. At the other end of this move is a gorgeous sister-in-law who has a long arm. Um, who wouldn't wait, right?
So I'm up to my eyelashes with boxes and cleaning and completely blanked on the giveaway this year.
How's about an etsy gift certificate this go 'round? Makes it super easy on me, you can pick out whatever your heart desires and my international buddies can enter and win as well.
So, here's what you hafta do for $25 on etsy:
Leave me a comment. We like clean jokes around here, so if you've got a killer knock-knock joke (and by killer I mean one that a seven-year-old will laugh at, so it doesn't have to be brilliant), share it. I've got a road trip coming up with my kids and I'd love to print off a list of jokes for them to read to each other. Thanks ever so!
Let the joking begin! And good luck!
Oh, the rules. Sheesh!
- One comment per person.
- No extra points for following (although I'm having a housewarming giveaway the first of June, so if you're a follower, you qualify for that).
- Comments close on Friday May 10 at 5 p.m. PST.
- Best joke wins. Or random number generator. I don't promise to be objective. If you make the whole family laugh, including my husband, at the dinner table this week, you win.
PLEASE PLEASE leave me a way to contact you - I've already had several no-reply bloggers comment and you'll be missing out on the fun for ALL the giveaways! Check and make sure, or just leave your e-mail in your comment!
03 May 2013
Friday Finish: Flimsies Flimsies Everywhere!
Flimsies aren't the only thing everywhere - I've got boxes coming out my ears. Okay, not really. But I've gone through three rolls o' packing tape and I'm calling it quits for a few days. Not much left to pack, which is good. But the sewing machine is one of the last things to go in a box. I need some therapy after the boxing madness that is my life now.
But, in other news, I have four, count 'em, FOUR flimsies to show you.
Should I start with the favorite or the first one done?
In fairness, I'll go in order of completion (that sounded so much like those stupid voice recordings you hear, when you really just want to hear a real voice!).
I had the stuff all cut out for this quilt (did it on my semi-annual cut-a-thon a few weeks back). Sarah, of Confessions of a Fabric Addict fame, introduced me to the Angler 2. What a lifesaver that was!
So, my Flirt Briar Rose flimsy is done:
I love this pattern. I've got plans for a Happy Go Lucky one once I get settled in to my new home. And we got the rental we wanted this week, so that is settled and oh so awesome. It's near a fabulous park we love, only a few miles from the MIL, great friends, my aunt and uncle, Hobby Lobby and Craft Warehouse. It has a big backyard with RV parking (we don't have an RV, but it does mean my kids have a space to ride their scooters and bikes that is fenced in and away from hazards like cars and such).
Okay, but back to quilts. The second one I finished last week was this one:
Now, I've admitted I don't love this quilt. Is that horrible to say? I like the pattern. I'll use some white if I make it again. It's for the H2H quilt drive and I wanted to choose colors that would wear well as I'm donating it to the group that is taking them overseas.
I guess it's good that I don't love it since I have to let it go, but I feel sort of guilty about it. I meant for it to turn out better. Just didn't happen. Oh well. The flimsy is done and I've got the backing and binding fabric coming so I can finish this before we move and get it off to Sarah.
I'm pouring all my quilty love into this one:
I used this tutorial (ah, heck, I'm using the whole idea, fabric and all!) and it was so much fun to put together. Used my Angler 2 to make the snowballs. Seriously, if you don't have one, get one. Makes life with HSTs and snowballs and the rest so much nicer. Promise. I've got plans to make more of this style.
I'm working out a pieced border I think. Or should I just do a thin white border and then one of the fabrics from the line? Your thoughts?
Option 1 - small dark inner border, then on-point four patches, then outer border:
Option 2: just some half snowballs, which make them look like stars (I'm not sure about this one . . . .)
Option 4: (pardon the huge picture with the small quilt) just three solid (or semi-solid) borders - I like the simplicity of this one and it would soften the super-busyness of the scrappy quilt, but it's also sorta plain Jane (nothing wrong with that, just exploring options)
So tell me what you think!
This one was on my to do list for this week, and I finished putting on the white borders this morning.
I've made a few versions of this quilt (um, lemme see . . . . about 7 now). I think I'm worn out on it, though I do love it. It's called Matchbox and it's designed by the fabulous ladies at Abbey Lane Quilts. This big girl will be backed in some minky and go on my bed at Christmas time.
Linking up with Amanda Jean and Sarah, because I'm pretty stinking proud of my awesome flimsy collection. Grand total before my move is at 15 so far. I've got one more to lay out next week and stitch up. Gotta git 'er done!
Have a fantastic weekend. We're going to enjoy the sunshine!
But, in other news, I have four, count 'em, FOUR flimsies to show you.
Should I start with the favorite or the first one done?
In fairness, I'll go in order of completion (that sounded so much like those stupid voice recordings you hear, when you really just want to hear a real voice!).
I had the stuff all cut out for this quilt (did it on my semi-annual cut-a-thon a few weeks back). Sarah, of Confessions of a Fabric Addict fame, introduced me to the Angler 2. What a lifesaver that was!
So, my Flirt Briar Rose flimsy is done:
I love this pattern. I've got plans for a Happy Go Lucky one once I get settled in to my new home. And we got the rental we wanted this week, so that is settled and oh so awesome. It's near a fabulous park we love, only a few miles from the MIL, great friends, my aunt and uncle, Hobby Lobby and Craft Warehouse. It has a big backyard with RV parking (we don't have an RV, but it does mean my kids have a space to ride their scooters and bikes that is fenced in and away from hazards like cars and such).
Okay, but back to quilts. The second one I finished last week was this one:
(my little photo bomber)
Now, I've admitted I don't love this quilt. Is that horrible to say? I like the pattern. I'll use some white if I make it again. It's for the H2H quilt drive and I wanted to choose colors that would wear well as I'm donating it to the group that is taking them overseas.
I guess it's good that I don't love it since I have to let it go, but I feel sort of guilty about it. I meant for it to turn out better. Just didn't happen. Oh well. The flimsy is done and I've got the backing and binding fabric coming so I can finish this before we move and get it off to Sarah.
I'm pouring all my quilty love into this one:
I used this tutorial (ah, heck, I'm using the whole idea, fabric and all!) and it was so much fun to put together. Used my Angler 2 to make the snowballs. Seriously, if you don't have one, get one. Makes life with HSTs and snowballs and the rest so much nicer. Promise. I've got plans to make more of this style.
I'm working out a pieced border I think. Or should I just do a thin white border and then one of the fabrics from the line? Your thoughts?
Option 1 - small dark inner border, then on-point four patches, then outer border:
Option 3: A solid border that crosses in the corners, then a bunch more nine-patches
Option 4: (pardon the huge picture with the small quilt) just three solid (or semi-solid) borders - I like the simplicity of this one and it would soften the super-busyness of the scrappy quilt, but it's also sorta plain Jane (nothing wrong with that, just exploring options)
So tell me what you think!
This one was on my to do list for this week, and I finished putting on the white borders this morning.
I've made a few versions of this quilt (um, lemme see . . . . about 7 now). I think I'm worn out on it, though I do love it. It's called Matchbox and it's designed by the fabulous ladies at Abbey Lane Quilts. This big girl will be backed in some minky and go on my bed at Christmas time.
Linking up with Amanda Jean and Sarah, because I'm pretty stinking proud of my awesome flimsy collection. Grand total before my move is at 15 so far. I've got one more to lay out next week and stitch up. Gotta git 'er done!
Have a fantastic weekend. We're going to enjoy the sunshine!
01 May 2013
WIP Wednesday: I'd rather be . . . .
Hmmmmmm.
This:
Or this:
You guess.
I'll wait.
I busted out a bazillion boxes yesterday. Nearly the entire sewing room is packed. Only a few more boxes of books to pack (we're bookish people!), toys and the kitchen. Not bad with three weeks to go! And lest you think that we order lots from Barnes and Noble, we don't. But they sure do give out free, awesome moving boxes.
And then I pruned rose bushes until I was sufficiently scratched enough to swear off roses for the rest of my life. I think the world has got it backwards. Why are dandelions the weed and roses the pretty flowers? Dandelions don't hurt. They seem to do just fine the more you abuse them. I find roses to be too princessy for my tastes. At least the ones in my yard. Oh well. I'm moving away from them soon and I won't be missing them.
So I'm rewarding my little self with some sewing. I must get at least two more flimsies finished before the move. This one is nearly done - just one row left!
I have a whole slew of flimsy finishes to share on Friday. Just you wait! Three, plus this one. Happy day!
Linking up!
This:
You guess.
I'll wait.
I busted out a bazillion boxes yesterday. Nearly the entire sewing room is packed. Only a few more boxes of books to pack (we're bookish people!), toys and the kitchen. Not bad with three weeks to go! And lest you think that we order lots from Barnes and Noble, we don't. But they sure do give out free, awesome moving boxes.
And then I pruned rose bushes until I was sufficiently scratched enough to swear off roses for the rest of my life. I think the world has got it backwards. Why are dandelions the weed and roses the pretty flowers? Dandelions don't hurt. They seem to do just fine the more you abuse them. I find roses to be too princessy for my tastes. At least the ones in my yard. Oh well. I'm moving away from them soon and I won't be missing them.
So I'm rewarding my little self with some sewing. I must get at least two more flimsies finished before the move. This one is nearly done - just one row left!
I have a whole slew of flimsy finishes to share on Friday. Just you wait! Three, plus this one. Happy day!
Linking up!
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