Weekend

This weekend I did some stitching. I stitched on about 1,000 (ok,not really) Girl Scout badges on a friend's little girl's vest. I had forgotten how stiff these little boogers are! My fingers were very sore by the time I finished.

I also spent alot of time on the computer looking at quilt blogs. There are thousands of talented and nice quilters out there! and I think that I read all of their blogs! People are so nice to share their talents and their projects, so many great tutorials and quilt-alongs. It is very hard not to start a new project after an hour (or 2) of blog reading!

Here are two blogs with projects that have caught my eye. Have you ever read Humble Quilts?

http://humblequilts.blogspot.com/

Lori makes such sweet quilts. She is doing a little quilt quilt-along.http://humblequilts.blogspot.com/2012/01/pink-lemonade-part-1.html

My laptop won't highlight (i have no idea what is wrong) anyway, I think the little quilt is darling. I had to try a block or 2:)

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and another fun quilt along is the one happening at Jo's Country Junction.http://www.joscountryjunction.com/

She is hosting a quilt square quilt-along. I finished mine and I love it! I plan on doing a post on the square and linking to Jo's post on January 30. I also need to take some better pics!

What fun projects have you seen in blogland lately?

Redo

I got all set to put my applique quilt together and I noticed some boo-boos. While making this quilt I used several hand drawn leaf templates. Some of the templates were larger than others.

I really don't want my leaf points getting caught up in my seam allowance. Some of them are ok..barely squeaking by.

BUT, many of them (23 to be exact) are CRAZY bad! I have to redo them.

UGH! I really want to get this quilt put together. I will look at the top then and decide if I want to add borders or not. I want this quilt big enough to use. I have to get moving on it and get it done though because I have a graduation quilt to make and have finished by May.

Guess I better get off the computer and get busy ripping and re-sewing!

Bow Tie Progress

I fell in love with the vintage bow tie quilt that Bonnie Hunter posted on her blog, this summer. Bonnie posted a tutorial and a challenge to make bow-tie blocks as Leaders/Enders. Well, the bow tie block is one of my favorite quilt blocks, and I have always wanted a cheddar quilt! So I joined in!

My favorite block (so far)

Here is my bow tie progress. I havent done my blocks as Leaders/Enders because I have been working on some hand applique. I just LOVE making these blocks! They are so quick and easy!

When I had some free time I gathered up some of my Civil War repro fabrics (and some that I just like) and got to cutting. I cut when I feel like cutting and sew when I feel like sewing. These little blocks are so satisfying to make. I love the fact that since I have a stack of squares already cut, I can just sit down and sew. I call it mindless sewing:) A great way to destress!

I am a busy Mom so it's nice that even while waiting for my son to finish brushing his teeth or while supper is cooking, I can sew up a few blocks! I hope to make enough blocks to have a lap quilt for my couch.

Now, if I can just keep Ruby out of my chair! Thanks Bonnie for the motivation!

Happy New Year

Any plans for tonight? I plan on spending the New Year's Eve at home! I do not like to go out on this night. Staying home is my idea of fun!
Just like Christmas Eve, everyone else is working. Cade is going next door so it will just be me at home tonight. I have been cooking a little for our New Year's lunch at my Grandmother's. Kelsey and I made these candy-pretzel thingys. Very quick and very easy. and very easy to overeat! I found the recipe on Pinterest.



I got a Kindle after Christmas. So far I am LOVING it! I still have alot to learn with it. I have a book loaded in it so I will probably spend some of my time reading. Anyone know of any really good books?

I am down to my last few blocks for my applique quilt. Amanda Jean finished hers and it is BEAUTIFUL!! I only hope that mine turns out half as good as hers! You can see hers athttp://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2011/12/apple-cake-quilt.html

and this is who I will being spending my night with! Ruby! Happy New Year Friends! Hope your night and day are filled with family, friends, good food..and some sewing!

Playing Around

Tuesday, I had to go to the Santa Studio for 2 after Christmas appts. After a quick run to the grocery store, I got my little bow tie blocks out and played around with them. I think they are very cute! I am in no hurry with these, I enjoy sewing them. I have a bunch already cut out from my Civil War stash so they are quick easy mindless sewing!! Perfect for when I just want to sew. I plan on just sewing a few of these at a time, in between other projects. Maybe by next Fall I will have enough to make that lap quilt that I want!

Here are a few pictures from our Pizza and Krispy Kreme trip.

Andy, Kelsey and Cade. My oldest son Joey finally got a job and has moved in with 2 other guys. I don't know how long that will work. Joey is working as a dispatcher and had to work the holidays. We did see him on Christmas night though.

Kelsey and Cade. Cade loves watching the doughnuts being made but did NOT want me to take his picture. Also, no pics of me scarfing down 2 hot doughnuts!

Remember Me?

Whew! I doubt anyone is still reading (or waiting) on my blog posts but here I am! Time has just gone by soooo fast and I feel like I'm barely hanging on. In October, I was approached with a job offer to take appointments (from home) for a Santa's Workshop and Photo Studio. Well, it turned out to be waaaaayy more involved then I was led to believe. Long story short, I have been very busy, very stressed and away from my home and family the past 2 months. I did meet some great families, make some money and I got to see the magic of Christmas through childrens eyes everyday. I enjoyed most of it and hated alot of it!

Anywho...Santa's busy season is over so today I made myself just go in my sad, lonely and cold sewing room and just sew..something..anything. I havent sewn in so long! I have been reading blogs and seeing the cute things people are working on. I have had major sewing and fabric envy! Today I just worked on some of these little cheddar bow tie blocks. I am using Bonnie Hunters tutorial for these. Have you been watching Bonnie's Orca Bay Mystery that is going on? I have and have printed out the clues. Looks like a fun quilt. I hope to put these bow ties together for a nice lap quilt for my living room....someday:)

My sweet Kelsey has been home from college and has been so helpful to me. When she wasnt working at Old Navy, she has been home to watch Cade, take him to karate, she did alot of my Christmas shopping and baked some of our favorite holiday treats and did more than her share of housework. I am so thankful for that girl! She also crocheted this blanket for her Dad.

Thanks for still reading my blog! We are headed up for a night of pizza and Krispy Kreme doughnuts! I will be back!

November

In November, I am working on this quilt....still:( I still love the look and the quilt but I'm tired of the applique. This is what fits on my wall. I have 3 more rows done and I am working on a row now. I have to decide if I want to do two more rows or just love it like it is. I have a border picked out and will sash it in white.

At night I am working on this pillowcase.

and, as soon as I get done with my applique quilt, I have to get started on my niece Alexis' graduation quilt. That girl has been asking for a quilt for years and is sooo excitied. She gave me these circles for color inspiration. I have a few ideas but nothing solid right now. I am thanking myself for buying a Kona color card this year. It will sure help with picking some solids. A print might be harder to find.


Lastly, I am trying to get in some run/walking. Kelsey has been running at college and we ran together some this summer. We have entered our church's 5k Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. I am sure I will finish last but my goal is to be able to run the whole 3 miles....my large butt may have something to say about that!