Jilly's Space

2010-07-03T10:40:00.004-04:00

So, summer is here and that is always a good thing :-) This is my sweet niece Isabella, she is growing so fast!! It doesn't seem like long ago I made her her quilt for her first birthday. http://jillysspace.blogspot.com/2009_03_01_archive.html She turned two in March.

And this gorgeous gal, who just happens to be my daughter, turned 15 in April. Where does the time go??? I took her and her friends to see Eclipse last night and was telling them to get to sleep at 6 a.m. this morning!! Crazy teenagers :-)

You're calling me....

2010-06-26T07:39:00.002-04:00

So, look what comes in the mail the other day. My first BOM for the christmas Designer Mystery BOM!! I had almost forgotten about this. I am reinspired....somewhat, but better than being completely flat line when it came to my creative self. Oh how I miss her and was mourning the fact that she was gone :-( I am done work for the summer next wednesday and I can see myself quite possibly digging out my sewing machine again :-) :-) I may be taking a extended leave and I am going to make sure to join a quilt quild again.

I've been creeping your your creative blogs once again. Used to be my daily(sometimes mulitiple)thing. I didn't check in for a long time. I was so touched to see some lovely ladies replying to my "leave" post. I knew I would be back someday, but hopefully I will be back at it sooner than I thought!!!

It's been a rough year and admittedly I have dealt with some really low points. I am seeing my Dr. soon as I really think I am going through early menapause or something. I have been feeling completely out of whack for quite a while. I need to feel myself again!!

xoxo

Life sure can throw a curve Ball!!

2010-06-01T06:19:00.003-04:00

For any of you who may have wondered where the heck I am. I am alive and kicking..although, I am not sewing or creating :-( I actually packed up all my sewing supplies, fabric etc last week until I have a sewing space again. Plans are to build this fall. Since moving into this house we are renting I just have no inspiration. It's been a rough-ish transition. I look forward to the day I am back in create mode. I do miss it.

I'll be back someday!! xo

For Claire/Pinwheel-Block#2

2010-03-02T16:01:00.003-05:00

I finally got this baby quilt done for sweet baby Claire over the weekend. The top has been together since October!! My friend and her hubby were blessed with this beautiful baby after several tries/miscarriages. I knew I wanted to do something special and what is more special than a quilt made with love? The strips were made from a moda scrap bag.

I still have to wash it. Machine quilting not to bad after not doing it for a while.

My Block #2 for my Pinwheel Quilt along.
Easy peasy.

Tisket a Tasket(block 11 done!!)

2010-02-26T16:15:00.002-05:00

Glad to finally have block #11 done!! I am aiming to have block #12 done this weekend.

We are in the midst of being hit by a snowstorm. So I guess that is an excuse to stay in and get some sewing done! :-)

Pinwheel Sampler Quilt-a-long has begun!! :-)

2010-02-22T07:14:00.003-05:00

After a busy weekend, I mustered up the energy to complete the first blocks of the Pinwheel Sampler Quilt-a-long that Rachel of P.S. I Quilt is having.

http://www.psiquilt.com/2010/01/pinwheel-sampler-quilt-along.html

I've had this layer cake for a while(my first one) and wasn't sure what I would be doing with it. When Rachel announced the quilt-a-long I knew what it was for!
First Block in once color selection.

And the second, my Fav.

Yay!!! I love it already!! :-) :-)

Some finishes!

2010-02-20T09:03:00.003-05:00

First up is a covered sketch book for a very creative girl that this is going too :-)

Next up is another pinchusion I made out of the new Nancy Halvorsen book I just got. I am not going to lie, this thing was a bit challenging for me. There were a few stiches that had to be ripped and the curves where a bit tough..still a bit of a newbie with these. I had to redo the center of the fower because I missed the part where i was supposed to cut out the middle of the fusible web and the pins didn't slide in nice without a "pop" sound and I figured it wouldn't be good for the needles so I took the whole top apart and redid.
But, I think all the pain staking labor was worth it because it's pretty stinkin' cute as far as I'm concerned.

Both of these things got sent off to that special creative girl yesterday. Felt good to have done and sent off!

New Quilters Forum and I joined a Quilt along!

2010-02-18T06:17:00.002-05:00

I registered at a new quilt forum this morning http://quiltinggallery.com/quilters-forum/free-projects-tutorials-tips-techniques-videos-etc/pinwheel-party-bom/#p314

and after snooping around for a short bit came across a quilt along for this quilt. I love it! I'm thinking it would be a fun quilt for my daughters room. It starts March first so that gives me time to finish last years Tisket a Tasket BOM. Just two more blocks to go!!

Just click on the Button(right) if you want to join this quilt along too :-)

A little bird outside my window...

2010-02-11T07:31:00.003-05:00

Look at the pretty little bird I spotted outside my window perched in a tree. What a rare bird to be seen!!

I wonder what you would call this bird?

Well, I know you girls are smart and have guessed it's not really a real bird.
It's actually a........ pincushion!
I know. Totally cute, right??

I was at my LQS last week and they just happened to have one copy of the new Nancy Halvorsen book waiting there just for me to buy.
So many cute things to sew in this book!!
I knew when I saw the bird that it was the perfect thing to go along with what I made the other day for a special lady.

So, they are already for take off. Safe flight little birdie, hang on to that bag!!

2010-02-04T17:05:00.000-05:00

I just signed up for this!! :-) :-)

http://fatquartershop.blogspot.com/2010/02/fat-quarter-shops-2010-designer-mystery.html

A finish and two WIP!!!

2010-02-04T07:24:00.005-05:00

I took a day off yesterday and what a great day! Between regular household chores, reading and a bit of cooking, I was able to spend time with my sewing machine again!! We are reconnecting and this makes me happy :-)

I was able to finish this Sweet Treat Bag for someone special.

I was also able to get this quilt basted and was so excited to start machine quilting it, when I discovered.....I could only find one quilt glove. *gasp* I searched and I searched and cannot imagine where in the world it went. Pretty sure no one in the house would need it for anything. Anyways, I attempted to try with one glove and it was a no go. I have no grip with bare hands and therefore no control which means I have to rip some stitches out ;-) Next trip to my LQS will be to a new pair!

And finally I got at my last two blocks of my tisket a tasket BOM. I don't know about you but digging out fabric to pick out for the appliques can create quite a mess in ones sewing space. I was able to get it all put away as I did need to sleep. My sewing space is in my bedroom which I am not a fan. I miss my sewing room from my house and being able to just close the door on the mess ;-) This fall we are planning on building and the sewing room of my dreams will be there :-) :-)

It finally happened!!

2010-02-02T08:43:00.005-05:00

I MADE the time to sit down to my sewing machine and it felt good!! :-) It's been over a month since I used it, poor thing :-(

Working on a honey bun project.
This picture was taken way back in October. I saw this moda scrap bag and new it would be perfect for a little project that I wanted to do

Here is the project that has been w a i t i n g to be completed!!

Oh and I just thought that this chicken pot pie deserved a picture ;-) The sun was shining in so nicely and we love us some chicken pot pie!!

I hope to be posting much more often :-)

Love is....

2010-01-29T07:27:00.002-05:00

......Elmo and Auntie's homemade chocolate chip cookies, xoxoxoxo

Anyday I will be sitting down to my sewing machine. I have had material out, looking at books for inspiration and I know my time is coming to start creating again!!! I miss it!! Thank-you all for you continued inspiration!

2010-01-08T09:07:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year!! I am soon going to get my sewing mojo back and therefor more blogging will be done! I had to show the cute little snowman I had made before christmas. He's got his jammies on and feeling kinda sleepy stifling a yawn. I used the pattern from one of my Tonne Finnager(spell?) books.

A update on Isabella and her Black Apple Doll I made her. Even though my husband AND her Daddy thought Rosie Posie was funny looking.....

Isabella loves her. Kisses :-)

Christmas from the heart.

2009-12-17T08:40:00.003-05:00

I am only getting a fraction of the sewing projects I had "planned" on doing. I didn't think I was going to get anything done at all but with crunch time I am squeezing in some sewing for some loved ones. I had the Black Apple doll pattern saved for a while and completed it over the weekend for my angel of a niece Isabella :-) I think it turned out so cute. My husband kinda raised his eyebrows at her, lol. He doesn't appreciate homemade like I do! I embroidered the eyes and mouth instead of using paint as suggested in the pattern. I was going to make her a little quilt but happend to have a little table topper that I barely used that "matched" her. Now I need to make a little pillow(pattern from crazymomquilts) and she will be ready for packaging. I hope Isabella loves her as much as I do!!

http://www.marthastewart.com/article/black-apple-doll?rsc=fav_Homepage_Homepage

Next gift is for my sister Shannon who loves make-up. So I made this for her to hold some of her make-up and pretty stuff in. It's made from hunny bun strips. I found the reds the prettiest and best suited for my sister. I hope she likes it! I will be adding a gift card to one of her favorite stores she loves to buy make-up from :-)

Poochie Bag n' stuff.

2009-12-10T14:33:00.006-05:00

I printed off the instructions a few weeks ago for a Poochie Bag by Happy Zombie. http://thehappyzombie.com/pb Tonight is my book club christmas party and we are having a book swap. I knew right away what I would use as my "gift bag". The pattern calls for 3 fat quarters and mine measured smaller than hers so I had to downsize the pattern a bit. I used some christmas fat quarter by Nancy Halvorsen(fave!!) and think it turned out sweet.

I thought while I was at it I would make a bookmark to go with it. Have had the tutorial saved for this easy bookmark for a while from Polka Dot Pineapple. http://mousechirpy-polkadotpineapple.blogspot.com/2009/05/quick-n-easy-fabric-bookmark.html I find she posts such sweet/great tutorials. On hers she has a flower, but since this is christmas I used a little tree :-) p.s...there are pockets on both sides. great to put pens or good things like candy canes like you will see in the last pic ;-)

Here's the book mark all tucked in the book. I liked the star I put in on as this will keep the book mark from sliding down in the book!

All ready for tonight. I think this will the hot item don't ya think ;-)

A Christmas runner...or two.

2009-12-07T14:57:00.003-05:00

I recently finished up two christmas runners.

This first one is going to be for my inlaws. I will be making some co-ordinating fabric coasters to go with it.

This one is ours and will be going on top of our little electic fireplace.
The fabric used on the back of both is so lovely they can easily be reversible table runners!

This fabric backing is my favorite, actually the color looks dull in this picture.

I am hoping to get more christmas sewing done over the next few weeks!! So hopefully I'll have more posts for you soon.

PIF received...so sweet!

2009-12-03T13:42:00.005-05:00

Sure is fun to go to the mail box and find a parcel waiting for you :-)

Today I received my PIF gift from Kaaren from http://www.thepaintedquilt.blogspot.com/

It's the sweetest little needle case.

(click on pic if you want to see larger image)

She even added "matching" scissors. Now the nicest scissors I have ever owned!!

Thank-you so much Kaaren. I appreciate your talent and time that went into this special gift made just for me :-)

I still have 2 of my PIF gifts to forward. My 365 days will be up before I know it. Something I need to get at in the NewYear!

Snowman doorhanger.

2009-11-15T08:31:00.002-05:00

I've had my eye on this pattern for a few years now and finally got to it! Picture quality doesn't show the colors nicely but you can see it's kinda cute :-)

A pillow or two....

2009-11-09T06:32:00.003-05:00

I was recently finished two pillows. Feels so good to finally be making some progress on stuff! I am thinking I am going to have to convert my dining room into my sewing area for a few weeks. I have so many things to do and am finding it hard in my bedroom, running downstairs to cut etc. My husband would also like to get into his dresser without fighting with an ironing board!

Cute Christmas pillow and easy!

oh and this little guy may not be a pillow but he is as snuggly as one. This is Benjamin(remember the Benjamin quilt), he came out to visit me yesterday :-)

September tisket a tasket block done!!

2009-11-04T14:33:00.003-05:00

Ready just in time. Tomorrow, Novembers block will be out and I am ready!! I had today off and made it my mission to start and finish this block and I did it! I am trying to get motivated to finish some things and get sewing, sewing, sewing for christmas!! Hopefully I will have lot's to show you over the next month :-)

I just thought these tarts looked so pretty. I made them a few weeks ago. Easy!! Just buy the frozen tart shells, make a custard and top with your favorite fruit. We added some whip cream on top...yummmmy!

October tisket a tasket block complete.

2009-11-03T08:51:00.003-05:00

Being home all weekend with my two sick kids allowed me time to get my October block complete. I have to go back and make the September block now and this week the November block comes out!! I really want to get them caught up and finished so I can feel free to start some christmas sewing.

Pillow and cake class.

2009-10-29T13:46:00.003-04:00

I wish all these were pictures of sewing projects I have completed! I miss my sewing room soooo much, I just can't seem to get motivated to keep at things when it's set up in my bedroom. Before, even if I had 10 mins to spare I could go in and leave everything whenever I wanted and not worry about how things were left. I have so many things I want to do!!

Anyways, I did take a beginners cake class with one of my best friends since moving back and on the last night we we learned how to make roses. I never dreamed I could make these. With practice they will be even better!!

I finished this pillow just last night. I was supposed to embroider little swirly vines coming from the stems, but wanted to have it done before halloween. I was sorting through the christmas sewing I have to do and it's lot's...I better get motivated in my new sewing space!!! ;-)

2009-10-22T12:03:00.001-04:00

It's a Happy Halloween Giveaway!!
I don't enter many contests because I know my chances are close to nil to win anything so wonderful, but once in awhile I just cannot resist and this was one of them.
Go check out this awesome giveaway.
http://pumpkinpatchprimitivequiltshoppe.blogspot.com/2009/10/its-happy-halloween-giveaway.html

I hope I win~~~ :-)

Fall....

2009-10-21T13:06:00.004-04:00

....my little nephew is going to join in the leaf fight that is going on.

Love the colorful leaves.
This is the gorgeous view out front of my house looking down into our little village.

2009-10-20T11:16:00.002-04:00

My poor little neglected blog :-( Things have been so busy with the move, settling in to our house and all the "life stuff". I miss my sewing room sooooo much. I did set up my sewing maching in our bedroom :-/ Not much sewing has been going on but I did manage to finish this pillow for my very very VERY dear friend Jody. I forgot to take pics so she took some for me. She loved it so much, it's her profile picture on facebook, lol. Don't you love giving things to ppl who truly appreciate it!! I made her a little tea bag pouch and she went on and on how much she just loved it...she is the sweetest thing and has been such a blessing in my life which is why I made this pillow just for her!!

Nie Nie is going to be on Oprah!!

2009-10-05T17:56:00.003-04:00

Oh my gosh! I knew it from one of her previous posts that she was going to be on Oprah. She didn't say what celebrity, but she did say she was in "chicago" filming talk show segments...and today on a oprah preview, it showed a peek at her story!! I saw the family picture, it was her!!

Okay, for the few of you who have not heard of this amazing woman you have to check out her story. I first heard of her and her husbands plane crash a year ago and have followed her blog ever since. I was so intrigued by her that I went back and read every one of her blogs she had ever posted.

http://www.nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/

According to Oprah.com it will be on Wednesday. A few other stories will be shared the same day as hers. Wow, her story is so worth making it to Oprah, she is so phenomenal!

Her sister also has a blog, she is an amazing writer...smart, funny, witty..worth following her too! :-)http://blog.cjanerun.com/

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I'm trying to find my camera software so I can upload some pictures for blogging and I cannot find it! My other computer is stored away...I will get pics and an interesting blog up at some point!

My first PIF gift has been received!

2009-09-30T07:21:00.003-04:00

I have completed one of my obligations to pay it forward, now I have to get busy and do two more!! I wonder where I am at with the 365 days, hmmmmm. Surely I have quite a bit of time left! ;-) Kathy, http://quiltinginthecountry.blogspot.com/2009/09/my-cup-runneth-over.html?showComment=1254309589187#c2775897427155172520

blogged about it so sweetly. I was concerned wether it was good enough etc and she sure seemed to appreciate/enjoy it and that makes me happy :-) :-) I hope she doesn't mind that i stole one of her pictures to share with you as I did not take a picture of everything before sending. She shares more on her blog.

She loves cherry's and mentioned in one of her earlier blogs that she was going to decorate her new sewing room in a cherry theme, so that inspired me to use the oh cherry oh fabric just for her!

PIF feel good :-)

Giveaway

2009-09-29T08:43:00.003-04:00

I wish I was blogging about something exciting I finished. But, I am still in the unpacking process and have not yet had a chance to sit down and sew. (I have no idea why my typing is being underlined???) Anyways, I did find a lovely little giveaway going on at bluebird quilts and thought I would post that so my blog didn't seem so dead!! lol

http://bluebirdquilts-lyn.blogspot.com/

I hope I win! I hope I win!!!

Hoot Hoot!

2009-09-07T09:08:00.002-04:00

I was able to complete my cute little owl wallhanging last night.

I have to credit http://sewlittlefabric.blogspot.com/ for the Hoot saying. I knew I wanted to write something with Hoot and when I saw her cute little owl stitchery with "Life's a Hoot", I said "that's it"!

(click on pic for larger image)

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I was sooooo pleased to hear that my pincushion swap partner FINALLY rec'd her parcel after almost 3 months! I was so discouraged as this was my first ever swap and I thought for sure it must have gotten lost in the mail.

Ruthie blogged about it the other day :-)

http://ruthiesplace.blogspot.com/2009/09/goodies.html

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Today we start the process of the move. It's going to be a stressful 2-3 week process, but will be worth it in the end. We are going to stay at my inlaws until we find a place so we can let the kids start school with everyone else. No sense starting them here for a few weeks and then switching. My sewing room is the last one to go. When we are here I may to need to sneak away for some me time!! Hopefully!

SOLD/Skor cake

2009-09-04T09:36:00.005-04:00

The final papers have been signed and it's official...our house is SOLD!! From the time the sign went up to the final signatures, it took two weeks...crazy!! Because it's a done deal now, I will be able to travel home and get the kids started in their school which will be better for them..although it's going to be a crazy month with travelling back and forth and finalising the move!!

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Over the weekend I didn't get around to completing my owl hanging, but I did make a Skor cake. I thought it would be fun to take pictures to share the recipe as I have had the recipe requested from my friends on facebook. They loved the pictures to go along with the recipe. It's sooo easy peasy and it's terribly sinful but oh so good!

Okay...so first off you need these 5 ingredients. You can chose any chocolate cake mix you fancy.

Prepare cake batter as instructed.

Once baked and hauled out of the oven, poke a gazillion holes in it. This allows the 'sauce' to seep into the cake. I used the end of a wooden spoon to poke the holes.

Pour the eagle bran milk over and then spread all over cake followed by the butterscotch syrup doing the same. You do this while the cake is still hot.

Then you crush up two of the skor bits. I usually freeze first as they seem to crush better and a meat tederizer does the trick or anything that you can smash them!

Sprinkle the skor bits all over the cake and then allow to completely cool.

Once cooled you add the large tub of coolwhip and then add the remaining two skor bars you have smashed to bits!! ;-)

And voila!

Enjoy.

Sewing for therapy~

2009-08-29T06:56:00.003-04:00

Yesterday was a day I needed to duck into my sewing room. It has been extremely stressful for me with selling the house, we are still going through the conditional phase and not knowing which way the buyer is going is getting to me. So after I got home from work and supper was done I announced, " I NEED to go in my sewing room" I wasn't sure what to do but I knew i wanted to do something that was instant gratification. I had printed off a template from here: http://www.colorfulkisses.com/2008/09/how-to-make-your-own-canvas-bird-art.html a few days ago and decided to go ahead with a little project I had in mind. This will be a little wallhanging i will hang in my sewing room. Isn't he a HOOT! ;o) Fatique started to hit me and I left it at this point....will try and finish it up this weekend.

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On another note...today is Mr. Greer and I's 17th anniversary :o)

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Have a good weekend everyone, xo

TA-DA!!

2009-08-27T18:15:00.003-04:00

The quilt is finished..yay! I finished the binding after supper and quickly went outside to try and get a good picture for here. The sun was setting as you can see from the shadows of the trees behind me.

I moved it out of the sun to see if I could get a better picture. Not to bad.

Let's try it over here on the neighbours fence, lol
Anyways, I am happy how it turned out and the colors seem perfect for the fall that is suddenly approaching!

2009-08-26T17:35:00.004-04:00

Wayyy back in May I blogged about completing this lap size quilt top. It's made with Nancy Halvorsen *swoon* charm packs and some yardage for borders and those little squares( I think there is proper name for those little squares).

Well yesterday I finally basted it and started machine quilting it!! I used the walking foot and followed all the straight lines. I knew I wanted to do something for the charm squares but wasnt' sure...then an idea came to my little mind. There are little apples on alot of the blocks so I wondered..."could I machine quilt an apple on them"? (Remember I am a total newbie to all of this machine quilting but am willing to step out of my stippling comfort zone!)
I got out my new sketch pad..like I can draw..hahaha...and did a quick scribble. Definately not the greatest drawing, but a plan was in place!!

And for a lot of the blocks the plan worked!! But, I am not going to lie..there were a few bad apples in the bunch, lol and I can promise you I won't be posting any close ups of those ones! Actually two were so bad that I did rip them out and once I quilt nicer ones back on, I will be adding the binding and sitting down tonight to work on the hand binding part..yay..I just might be posting a comleted quilt picture tomorrow!!! yahooooo!!!

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We SOLD the house..now we wait for all the conditions to be met so it will be finalised. Please pray it all goes through, the stress of it all is really getting to me....ahhhh.

Caught up and a cute little parcel :-)

2009-08-25T09:10:00.011-04:00

I have to be honest, I just wasn't "feeling the love" for Block #7 for the Tisket a Tasket BOM. In fact, I skipped right over that one when I was catching up with the blocks. Then yesterday I took on the "dreaded block", lol. As always the challenge is finding the fabrics you want to use, I decided on a green fabric I really love for the basket. I had actually bought this fabric to go with my wonderland bag I made a few months ago. Once I had my little sheep on, I fell in love..even before I added the stiching etc. Then when it was all done, I fell more deeply in love..I think this might be one of my favorite blocks. I mean.....

......who couldn't fall in love with this little cutie <3

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A few weeks ago I made my first Etsy purchase. I ordered 2 charm packs from Sew Deerly Loved a.k.a http://lovelylittlehandmades.blogspot.com/ Kerri has been the inspirational in me loving aqua and red together, she has made so many gorgeous projects using these colors.

Here's a peek.

Who doesn't love little Gnomes, piggies and polk a dots!!

Look at the little guy...some cute, huh?

I'm thinking these charms may be seen in a pinwheel quilt...we shall see ;o)

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We had a serious buyer for our house, we'll know today if she accepted our counter offer. It's been very stressful the last few weeks and our lives are in limbo right now. Thank-god for my sewing room, I have been feeling much better the last few days where I have had the opportunity and time to get in here!!!

Incoming!!

2009-08-24T09:06:00.002-04:00

I haven't been able to get in my sewing room as much as I would like this summer, but I have been trying to get some projects done like my Tisket a Tasket BOMs. I managed to fall a way behind and have been trying to get caught up. One more block to do and I am good to go!!

BLOCK #5
BLOCK #6

BLOCK #8

2009-08-18T09:26:00.003-04:00

In an effort to "spice" up my chairs on my front verandah I got busy yesterday and made some pillows that I have been meaning to do for a while. I had fabric left over from the quilt I made last year (wildflower serenade, by moda) and had enough to make two pillows and a mini quilt table topper to go along with them. I am glad I took the time to do this!
Our house is going up for sale today and I am trying to add anything to make just a bit extra nice and cozy :o)

A little close up of my wee little quilt topper. I sewed on the binding due to time restraints!!
Pretty pillow...nothing fancy but just right :o)

P.S...say a little prayer for us. We are hoping for a quick sell to be able to let the kids start school back home in the fall :o) Thank-you, xo

Catching up....backwards.

2009-08-14T08:07:00.002-04:00

I am trying to make it a priority to get caught completely up with my Tisket a Tasket blocks. I started block 8 the other night even though I haven't even started block seven and block 5&6 are only partially done ;o) ah well...progress is being made and that is the main thing!!!

Lucky Me!

2009-08-11T06:31:00.003-04:00

After arriving home yesterday being away for 4 days with the family I of course had to make time to check into "my" blogs. Going through some of my faves, I came across Jennys(Jenny of Elefantz) and saw that I was a runner up winner to her giveaway., "Christmas Package of Stitches"
http://elefantz.blogspot.com/2009/08/christmas-package-of-stitches-and.html
This is just one of them, isn't it gorgeous!

She is one of the sweetest most giving people I have come across in blogland. She always writes with such kindness and seems be always sharing patterns etc. I didn't think she would send the whole christmas package of stitcheries, but she did!! I feel so lucky!!
I just had to share. I am sure most of you know of her, but if not you must go visit her blog. She just recently, once again, shared a sweet pattern to give to "us".
Go on and check her out, you won't be disapointed :o)
http://elefantz.blogspot.com

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Now what would make this day even better is if I could just stay home and sew and NOT go to work!!!!!!!

Charm Pack Table Topper

2009-08-06T09:11:00.003-04:00

A while back I came across this great tutorial for a Charm Pack Table Topper. This tutorial was posted by Sherri of A Quilting Life and can be found here http://aquiltinglife.blogspot.com/search/label/Table%20toppers

I used a simplicity(by moda of course) charm pack for this one. I love the beautiful soft summery colors in it. This is the second charm pack by this line I used, the first one I used in a baby quilt I blogged about. Oh and I bought fat quarters in this line for tisket a tasket blocks.
I LOVE ric rac which is one of the things that really grabbed my attention for this tutorial.
So sweet!

I happened to have some simplicity fat quarters, so this is what I pieced the back with and put the binding on with.
I machine quilted it, as I like to call it, with swirlies and loopedy loo's ;o)
I even got brave and quilted a little heart in each corner.

I have been doing other "little" projects that I will eventually blog about.
Things have been really stressful with trying to get the house ready to sell and I just feel so blessed to have my sewing room to escape to for "therapy"!!

2009-07-27T19:46:00.004-04:00

Summer has been super busy and last week I had tons of company staying. But through it all I was able to finish up this sweet little runner. I had the binding half way on when I remembered I was supposed to add a border...duh!! Too much on the go and no way was I ripping the binding off.
I used a Nature's Chorus(by Moda) charm pack and here it lays on my dining room table :o)
I managed to fall wayyy behind on my tisket a tasket blocks and have started getting block five together tonight. I want to get caught up as much as I can before the weekend because block 8 is out next week. The time goes too fast.

A little finish...

2009-07-19T10:01:00.006-04:00

I am so happy to be able to post a finish. This cute little quilt measures approx. 17"x17". I bought the pattern in Vermont and where I just haven't had time to get at bigger projects I dug this out a few weeks ago. It uses one charm pack and a wee bit of yardage. The charm pack is Fig and Plum by Moda. I finally sat down yesterday and finished it after getting inspiration from other blogs. We watched Harry Potter 5(refreshing our memories for Harry Potter 6-taking the kids today) last night while I hand sewed the binding and attached the tabs.
(click on pic for larger image)
Not the best pic, but this is it's home in my bathroom. Cozies it right up. The pattern is called Baskets of Blessings. We could use that right now as we are thinking of putting the house up for sale and if we do, we want a quick sale!! We've been painting and organising..ugh!! I was so happy to escape to my sewing room and create something.
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Pinchushion Swap.
Well, I entered my first swap and received(as posted) my sweet pinchushion and goodies to go along with it. Sadly, I was told a week and a half ago my swap partner hasn't received her package from me yet :o( I emailed the organizer last week to see if she heard anything on my partner receiving and I keep checking on my partners blog..nothing yet. I know I sent my sister something to Korea once and it took like 5 weeks, I am wondering(hoping) that it may take the same time if being sent to Israel? Although it's been longer than that now. I made sure to send it off early as I figured it would take longer. I will give it some more time but may have to resend for my partner, how dissapointing for her to not receive anything.

2009-07-05T10:04:00.003-04:00

I finished a wall hanging last night, nice to have a finish!
(you can click on pic for larger image) Close up.
We had my mom and Isabella here for a night. Here is a pick of her with my kids Jacob and Emma. We sure do love her....

...and she sure does bring smiles to our faces. I mean, how could she not??

2009-06-30T10:04:00.004-04:00

It's nice to be back in blogland after being away for over a week. While I was away my husband said I rec'd a package from Germany and I said, "Oh! that must be where my pincushion partner is from!" Arriving home I found my parcel waiting for me and as soon as I opened the box I knew I got spoiled! Look how sweet she had everything wrapped :o)

I just love the pincushion and all the special goodies that came with it. Now, this pincushion really is special. The roof flaps lift on both side..one side you can use as the pincushion and the other has felt to store your needles, too cute!!
Thank-you soooooo much Suzie from littlebusybee.blogspot.com :o)

2009-06-14T11:06:00.003-04:00

I made a baby quilt for a girl at work. I think it turned out sweet. I just wished a had enough ric rac to go all the way around(I LOVE ric rac!!). Anyways, It looks nice just being used on the top and bottom. The squares are made from charm packs(Simplicity by Moda).
Although I have a long way to go on achieving perfection with maching quilting, I was pretty proud of my job on this one. I was just going to stipple but thought I would be more creative :o)
Cute little Label. I just used steam a seam and hand blanket stiched around.

I was washing my daughter bedding yesterday and after hanging this quilt on the line I thought I would take a pic to show you. This is one of my earlier quilts that I made about 4-5 years ago. She has outgrown sunbonnet sue and uses it as an "extra" for the winter months. Hopefully summer will officially be here soon so we can lose a layer of blankets on our beds!

The blocks were pre-stamped blocks that I cross-stitched and embroidered.

2009-06-11T11:17:00.003-04:00

Holy smokes...I'm behind in my blog, I'm behind in my tisket a tasket blocks!!! BUT, I did complete my first ever pincushion!! Isn't it cute. I used the pattern out of one of my Nancy Halvorsen books. It's for the pincushion swap I joined(first swap too) and I got it sent out today..yay! It has a long journey, I hope Mr. Postman is gentle :o)
Side view.
I never did get my lap quilt quilted yet, but I do have a baby quilt all basted and ready to be quilted. It's for a girl at work who is having a baby girl. I am hoping to have it complete by tomorrow night or sat.

2009-05-30T16:36:00.003-04:00

I had ordered a charm pack of this wonderful wonderland fabric a while back and knew I would make something with it but wasn't sure what.
I decided on my very own quilt bag and followed a pattern out of a quilt magazine I've had for a while. I like it pretty good, I guess.
It will be great when I go to the quilt show in vermont with my aunt next month...lot's of room for fabric!!!

I stippled both front and back of the bag and did swirlies as I like to call them on the sides. Handles were just straight lines. Oh I wonder what wonderful quilty things this bag will carry ??

2009-05-24T19:25:00.002-04:00

Well I sure haven't been a very exciting blogger lately!! I guess I was side tracked a bit with the nicer weather....
...And Isabella came to stay with us for 5 nights and I had to play with her in my spare time!

BUT, I did finish this quilt top last week. It's using two nancy halvorsen charm packs(cider mill road). Lot's of sewing with those little strips, squares and corner triangles! I am planning on stippling this baby this week/weekend.

Oh and I have had these little squares together for a while, just stippled them tonight. I wonder what it could be?? Hmmm...we'll have to wait and see ;o)

2009-05-11T11:15:00.004-04:00

My Aunt is a beautiful sewer and when she emailed me some pics of a baby quilt she made for my cousins new baby girl I just knew I had to share it with you guys!! My Aunt lives far away from me :o( We have often talked about how we wish we lived closer to eachother so we could sew together, I could learn so much from her!!
I just love this quilt. She pieced the top and did the freezer paper applique method. She said she used satin stitch on the applique so the characters would "pop". We are canadian and my cousin and his wife moved to the USA a couple of years ago...I just love how my aunt added the beavers with the canadian flag for them.

A close of up of the cute little duckie :o)

2009-05-06T16:16:00.003-04:00

Shauna's baby shower went really well. Here are two pics of her showing the two quilts I made for Benjamin!

I make these cupcakes for events and they are quite a hit. Topped with blue buttercream icing..yummmmy

Shauna and I. I can still remember holding her when she was just a baby.
Time goes so fast. I do love my sisters so much!

So true....

2009-05-01T07:57:00.004-04:00

I am going to be so glad to be done work today because I come home, change and head to my sisters! It's a 3hr drive and I am gone for two nights. Tomorrow is the baby shower for Benjamin. It will be a great time. I baked my yummy cupcakes last night, made the icing all up so all I have to do is ice(baby blue icing ;o) them tomorrow.
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The other night my husband and I went through some bins that were in storage and one of them was stuff from when the kids were babies. Little outfits, little shoes, quilts(one of them was the very first one I made..I'll post about that someday soon). In one of the bins was a stitchery I had forgotten all about. I did this when Emma was just a baby...14 years ago!!! People always told me, they will be grown up before you know it..so true. Where does the time go?
(you can click on pic if you want to see it clearer)

I was pretty impressed looking at the detail in it...did I do that?? I used to do cross-stitch alot, but I think this was my first and only big embroidery project. All this stuff went to the way side for quite a few years as I was working and raising the kids. I am so glad to have found my creative side again :o)

2009-04-29T07:17:00.004-04:00

I figured I made a diaper/wipe tote for my soon to arrive nephew Benjamin, I better make one for my niece Isabella too! Isn't it sweet? I used most of the fabric from the past two quilts I made her. The pink flannel plaid is from a quilt I made her before she was born and other pink is from her Isabella quilt.

Today is my day off and I should be right into the cleaning etc. But no...before I drove the kids to school I had started laying out my quilt I will be sewing up. This was a unplanned project. I was at my quilt show last Friday and some vendors were there from another province and I fell in love with some charm packs(Cider Mill Road by Nancy Halvorsen), there was a pattern for purchase so I bought the coordinating yardage. I finished cutting out the sashing and setting squares last night and couldn't wait to get at it this morning. I will try and get some house work done today but there are no promises!! ;o)

2009-04-28T06:36:00.002-04:00

Well, why not? Kaaren from http://thepaintedquilt.blogspot.com/ has been a great influence in getting me more involved in the blogging world by joining a few bloggy things like Pay if Forward and a Pincushion swap. I've got the cutest little pattern I wanted to try for a pinchusion and this will be perfect motivation.
This swap has been started by Sandra of http://quiltathome.blogspot.com/
Fun fun!!

2009-04-27T07:26:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I made a diaper/wipe tote with some of the same fabrics in Benjamin's quilt. So cute!! This all will be given to my sister this saturday for her baby shower.

So, being a part of my first quilt guild has led me to be involved with my first quilt show. I had four quilts to display. I thought it was so cute that they put Benjamin and Isabella's quilts up together..can we all say awwwwwww ;o) Isabella will get her quilt back this weekend when I travel to attend my sisters baby shower for Benjamin.

Unfortunately I must head off to work. I just want to stay home and sew!!! I have been corrupted by the sewing demons..they whisper to me often, "No, don't clean your house..sew instead" "No, you don't want to go to work, you want to stay home and sew"! ahhh...I must work though, cause I need to by fabric!!!
Have a super awesome week! xo

p.s...I still need one more person to join me in Pay it Forward. See April 19th post for more details :o)

2009-04-24T07:31:00.003-04:00

In just the nick of time I've joined parkcity girls first online quilt festival. http://parkcitygirl.blogspot.com/2009/04/quilt-festival-spring-2009.html

I don't have alot of quilts to choose from as I am pretty new to the quilt world. It wasn't hard to pick though as I absolutely love Isabella's quilt! I made this quilt for my niece Isabella for her first birthday and it just makes you smile just like she makes me smile. She is a little angel who I love sooooo much. She was born with gastrocysis(where the bowel is outside the belly) so had a bit of a rough start but has healed wonderfully and is an absolute doll. This quilt is unique as it has a few concepts going as you can see. I got the wonderful *free* applique pattern from http://dontlooknow.typepad.com/dont_look_now/
Here she is with her new quilt and she even let me take it back for a bit for our quilt show that my guild is putting on this weekend. Thanks Isabella...Auntie loves you, xoxoxo

2009-04-23T18:16:00.004-04:00

I finished up block 4(march) for A Tisket a Tasket BOM today. I knew the bow was too narrow for blanket stitch so I finally figured out how to do a little button stitch and liked how it turned out!
All four blocks that have been done so far.
I have another person signed on to join me with Pay If Forward...yay!! I still need one more person needed. See my April 20th post for more details

2009-04-22T16:45:00.005-04:00
Benjamin's quilt is done! Today was my day off so I went and spent the afternoon with one of my best friends. As we sat chatting I was able to finish hand stitching the binding. My sisters baby shower is next weekend. I am planning on making a diaper/wipe holder with coordinating fabrics. I decided to try something different with machine quilting..leave it to me to not master one and move on to try something new. I tried a little spiraly pattern. Notice I am not posting any close ups, lol. It turned out pretty cute over-all, even with the little flaws here and there "o)
Ummm..well you could click on the pic for a bigger version, which I suppose, will be somewhat of a close up..yikes!
This pattern is from Nancy Halvorsens Baby Winsome book.

Yay!! I just noticed that I have someone signed up for my first Pay It Forward. I just need two more PIF participants. If this is new to you as well, please see my previous post that explains more.

2009-04-19T16:58:00.002-04:00
I have joined my first PIF from Kaaren's blog http://thepaintedquilt.blogspot.com/.
The concept of a PIF occurs when acts of kindness are performed without expecting anything in return and are passed on, trusting that the recipients will do the same and Pay It Forward, resulting in a never ending chain of kindness.
By signing on, my commitment is to make and send a gift to the first 3 friends who post a comment to this post requesting to join this exchange and who promise to Pay It Forward to 3 other persons, and so on.
At this time, I don't know what my 3 gifts will be, but I can promise you a gift made by me and from my heart that I will send to you within the next 365 days. By signing on, what YOU then have to do in return is to Pay It Forward by making the same announcement and commitment on YOUR blog.
I'm so excited to be participating in this exciting venture. Who will be my 3 pay it forward recipients be??? Can't wait to find out ;o)

On another exciting not..I have baby Benjamin's quilt all basted..good thing cause I have to have it completed by Thursday!!!! Will try and get some machine quilting done on it tonight.
Hope everyone had a great weekend, xo

2009-04-16T17:20:00.003-04:00

Sometimes it's just nice to see quick progress. I was thinking yesterday I would like to make something that could be done in a day or two instead of weeks. So I was looking through the Nancy Halvorsen "Baby Winsome" book yesterday and decided to make the diaper/wipe holder. I used the coordinating fabric I had left from the "baby winsome" quilt I have in progress. I wanted super quick results so used the zig zag stitch on most of the applique...I won't do that again ;o) Anyways, it turned out pretty dang cute. I put two empty wipe holders in it to see how much room and it can easily fit a wipe container and a couple of diapers(depending on size)
Two projects done in one week..woohoooo! This is a first :o)

2009-04-15T13:51:00.003-04:00
Today was my day off and was I ever glad to have the whole house to myself and SEW! I usually plan errands etc for my day off but I told myself today I was spending a good part of it in my sewing room. I completed the machine quilting this morning and sewing on the binding. While having a lonnnng conversation with a friend of mine and watching a little t.v. I completed the hand sewn part of the binding..yay! I just need to add a label to the back. This quilt is for my sister who is due in June :o) Now I have to get on to the next one for her.

I will definately make this quilt again in more "traditional" baby colors for either girl or boy. I had some Baby Genius Grow Up charm squares to use up and applied it to this quilt. They weren't what I expected when ordering and was kind of stumped with what to do with them. When Jodi from http://www.simplythisthatandtheother.blogspot.com/ posted this pattern at the Moda Bakeshop http://www.modabakeshop.com/ I knew what I would use them for. It was the first time I did prairie points. I still have a long way to go with accuracy for machine quilting but I am getting the hang of it. I really hope there is a class offered on this sometime. I am in a small town where there is not much opportunity for this stuff....so for now, trial and error it is ;o)

2009-04-14T10:37:00.002-04:00

Here is my March Tisket a Tasket block.
This is one of the quilts I am making for my nephew. I am following a pattern from the moda bakeshop. I am starting to machine quilt it today....*deep breath*

This is another quilt I am making my nepew(he is not born yet, he is still in mama's belly-last post). It's a quilt pattern I am doing out of Winsome Baby by Nancy Halvorsen. All the applique(baby name) and stitchery is done. I just need to get the border fabric and the top is done!

2009-04-13T06:25:00.002-04:00

I should have had something blogged last week but could not find my battery charger for my camera! I had to get serious about the search before it was found. My son can be a great help at times with clean-up..but where things get placed in clean-up can be a bit random..lol.

My post today isn't sewing related but I will have one within the next few days. I have to show you last months Tisket a Tasket block and a sneak peak at TWO baby quilts I am making my beautiful baby sister(below).

We had a nice easter weekend that was made extra special by a visit from my sister and her boyfriend. I am known in my family as the "one who takes the pictures" and she had asked if I would take her pregnancy photos instead of her having to pay a huge amount of money. So, we did it and I am so please how they turned out. She wanted them in black and white which is my favorite. I just bought a black shower curtain(couldn't find a black flat sheet in walmart), cleared out a spot in my living room and tacked the curtain to my wall and voila a studio space was all set.

Sadly, I have had my camera for over a year and still don't know how to use all the extra features and relied on the automatic settings..lol. We ended up with almost 50 keepers. I am posting just a few....isn't she beautiful :o)

2009-04-02T06:21:00.002-04:00

I am slowly making progress on a baby quilt. I wish I had more time to sew :o( Lately, I have been saying repeatedly, " I don't want to go to work..I just want to say home and sew"! lol I am excited to see how this turns out. I am using a super awesome tutorial from the moda bakeshop. I will post about it when this is complete.

I did have a day off yesterday and time was made to go to my little quilt shop that is 20 mins away. There is not much around where I live for fabric. I am heading to the "big city" this weekend and hoping to check out some quilt shops!!
I got some much needed white and grabbed a few fat quarters that I thought would be sweet in a baby quilt and some charm packs. The fig and plum is planning on being turned into a runner using the same pattern I used previously(posted) for my dear friend..."just because".

Disappearing nine patch..

2009-03-27T07:10:00.003-04:00

This post comes at a good time because there is a tutorial that was just put up on how to do this SUPER easy pattern. http://rachel-griffith.blogspot.com/ I love how she made hers into a runner, I am going to try that!
This lap size quilt used two charm packs and then I bought extra coordinating fabric for the border. Measure approx. 61x61.

I decided to experiment and try machine quilting swirls on the border and then stippled the middle which I must say I am improving on..who would of thought!!

It's new home :o)

2009-03-26T19:40:00.003-04:00

Here's a little update of Isabella's quilt with the dollface herself with it!

Here is the finished runner I had shown in the process in a previous post. I love the colors and how it all tured out.
I am lovin' the rick rack!!

Yay!

2009-03-24T06:32:00.003-04:00

Okay..so I did finish that runner and I do have another project done.

I just need to find the software for my camera to download into this computer so I can put of the pics. My daughter tripped on the powercord to my dear laptop and broke the screen :o( : (

So I will be back to putting up pics soon...

2009-03-11T16:07:00.000-04:00
I was inspired by a project from Moda's Bakeshop(see right side bar). It's a table runner. I didn't have charm packs so cut up my squares. I wasn't sure what material this was, but saw through searching that it is by Urban Chicks. I rec'd it at my quilt retreat in a "treat bag". I added the red. I really love that blue and red with the white.
I will be able to post the finished result in the next few days because I have it all stippled and the binding started!! Yay..two finished projects in one week..woohoo!!

I also am posting about the best idea ever. I had read it a few times about tying your scissors to your sewing machine. I was forever "looking" for scissors, now I have to search no more. I always have my little scissors handy.

Isabella's quilt is DONE!!

2009-03-11T15:28:00.004-04:00

Today I had the day off and was able to complete the binding. The only mistake I made about the binding was to think "oh I'll just go and buy the binding when I am ready"...guess what? I went to get some more pink for the binding last night and it was all gone!! So, it was between the blue and the green..I chose the green as it was softer and I wanted to keep it "girlie"

Doing that little swirly tail on the bird was the scariest part! I had to follow the line I drew first with COLORED thread..looks good, just don't look too close..lol.

I even added a label. I printed mine after a few attemps of using the permanent ink pen or whatever you call it. It would either run or I would mess it up somehow. So, I opted to use some printable fabric sheets I had. MUCH neater job. Isabella's Bday is sunday : )

This was my second stippling project and I have to say it was a much better job than my first try. I did have a few bumps in the road along the way, a few times incorporating the thread ripper. Sometimes I felt like a car losing control...lol..seriously I would be motoring along and new I was off course and I was going to crash somehow..but I always got myself on track. Great way to learn..trial and error. Overall I am so happy with it. This quilt makes me smile. I can just see her little finger pointing to the flowers and the bird.

OH....and big blog excitement. Crazymomquilts commented on my blog today...can you say I was so excited!! I obsessively check her blog everyday, she is so amazingly talented and so inspiring. Thanks again Amanda Jean : )

Soon...

2009-03-10T19:58:00.003-04:00
..Isabella's quilt will be done. It's been sandwiched, it's been basted and....

....it's been stippled!! I came home from lunch today and finished it and was so excited. I don't have a pic though, that will be shown after the binding is on. I have to go trim it up and hopefully get the binding sewn on tonight.

Stay tuned all you people..lol..hello?

A Gazillion Blanket Stitches later....

2009-03-08T09:53:00.003-04:00

...and I need a neck and shoulder massage! It wasn't the funnest process to secure that applique but it is done! The quilt is now ready to be sandwiched and I need to figure out how I am going to machine quilt it..yikes! Being the inexperienced newbie that I am. I am sure Isabella will forgive me for any mistakes I make : )

2009-03-06T08:24:00.004-05:00

Sewing down the applique process has begun for Isabella's quilt! Is it a bad thing that I would rather not go to work today and just stay home and sew!!
I am taking Kellie's advice ( http://dontlooknow.typepad.com/dont_look_now/ ) and using blanket stich for the applique to ensure longevity as this will be toted around for a few more years I suspect. I plan on having the blanket stitching and the quilt sandwiched and hopefully started on the machine quilting by the end of the weekend!! Her bday is next saturday so I better get cracking.

2009-03-04T16:52:00.004-05:00

This was supposed to be a wallhanging, but I decided to make it into a pillow. I stippled on the border and just did a bit of quilting around the rabbits. I pondered wether to quilt in the white, but chickened out.

I am excited about a quilt I making for my nieces first bday. It's a mish-mosh of ideas. This will be the middle(main focus of the quilt). I got the idea from :http://dontlooknow.typepad.com/dont_look_now/2009/01/flower-garden-pillow-tutorial-.html I wanted to do something special for Isabella because I just lover her sooo much!!

I mean who couldn't fall madly in love with this face!!

2009-02-23T18:14:00.002-05:00
This past weekend I attended my first quilt retreat. I almost didn't get to go because I got sick :o( I missed Friday eve and Saturday morning but made my way over by dinner time. I had prepaid and wanted to get what I could out of it. I didn't feel my best but had a good time just the same. I loved seeing all the projects the ladies were working on, we have some beautiful quilters and sewers. This is the mystery quilt we did, I FINALLY got my done after a few incidents involving my thread ripper :o( My head wasn't so clear..ah well.

This is basket number 2 for tisket a tasket...Isn't it so sweet!!
I made this little bookmark today for a dear friend of mine. I have ordered her a book from an author she likes and will put this in it for her bday.

Everything Valentine's <3

2009-02-16T20:30:00.002-05:00
We had a wonderful Valentine's Day. Well who wouldn't if they had chocolate cupcakes with buttercream icing!! yummmmmmy
Sugar cookies with colored white chocolate for icing : )

Getting creative with the heart shape cookie cutter. I made a special vday breakfast for hubby and the kids.

Heart shaped tortilla..I cut out of the big tortilla wrap thingies. Brushed lightly with olive oil, lightly salted and baked till crisp...super cute and yummy with quacamolie.

Roses from my husband....how sweet : )

This was Valentine's Day #17 for us...how fortunate.

Ta-Da!

2009-01-30T07:05:00.004-05:00
Well, here it is. My first stippling(?) project. I put the (?) beside stippling because it sure doesn't look like the stippling I've seen on here..lol. I have two maching quilt books arriving any day but grew too impatient and just wanted to do it!
Here's the back..yah, I know it's interesting huh? I did learn that I was putting the runner in the wrong way for stippling. No wonder I couldn't really see where I was going and what I was doing clearly...live and learn. It actually doesn't look bad from the top if you don't look too closely, lol.
The fabric is dandelion girl by Moda using most of a charm pack and some extra fabric. Nice soft colors.

A Tisket A Tasket and few other things : )

2009-01-23T07:32:00.004-05:00
I am participating in my first BOM and it's a good one. I remember wondering what the heck a BOM was?? A lady from my quilt guild posted the link in our group and when I saw the first block I knew I wanted in on this one. So cute and simple...simple, being the key word for me, lol.

http://bunnyhilldesigns.com/dynamic/?page=Free%20Patterns

This is my first block completed, turned out pretty cute I think. I love that a flickr group has been created for us to see other blocks completed. Some women are so creative and chose their own color scheme and added their own "twist" I am not there yet and stuck pretty close to the block shown.
http://www.flickr.com/groups/969252@N20/

This is a sweet little table runner I have complete(top) and will be my first stippling project ; )

This will be my first "BIG" stippling project. I just need to put the dark blue border ont he top. It will be for us so it won't really matter if I mess up alot, I can't wait to try it. I am waiting for two books to arrive on Machine Quilting that I ordered through amazon!!! This quilt is a disappearing nine patch. I love it for how easy it went together and I am all about easy!!

2009-01-12T18:45:00.002-05:00
Here is the lapquilt and matching pillow all done. I gave this to my husband's parents for christmas. We had it professionally machined quilted and it turned out beautiful!!!

Book cover exchange

2008-12-09T06:22:00.003-05:00

For our christmas guild christmas party we did a quilted book cover exchange. We chose a bag which contained a book and some fabric a few months ago. This is what the one I rec'd ended up looking like. It was a little address book. I thought it turned out cute. You should've seen some of the covers...WOW! I didn't feel experienced enough to start cutting up fabric and creating something fancy. I happened to have some coordinating fabric for the binding that went well with her fabric. Anyways, she was pleased when she opened it and had actually forgotten what fabric she had "thrown in" for the cover. I should've took a pic of the one I rec'd. This is the inside and where i was brave enough to add some character..lol

2008-11-27T06:15:00.001-05:00

We started decoration for christmas. I just love these little snowmen I found at a dollar store!

They are so cute!!

I am posting 5 of the 8 cute little stocking I finally finished. I will add another pic sometime soon of all 8

I'm trying to be productive and get little projects out of the way. I am a first year member of our quilt guild (yay!) and this year we are giving quilt covered books for our gifts at the christmas banquet. Cool idea. I few months ago, we brought in a "book" of our choice(I brought in a mini album) and fabric of our choice in a brown paper bag. We put it all in a bin and then everyone picked one, so we had to take that home and cover it. Mine isn't so creative as I am kinda a newbie, but I think it's going to be pretty cute. I'll post pics of the finished product : ) I have to get it done, christmas banquet is Tuesday night. I've always been a bit of a procrastinator.
Then I have to put the one remaining strip of border around my inlaws lap quilt and I am going to take it to be machine quilted. I still haven't rec'd my quilting feet for my new machine..grrrr. I am so looking forward to learning this technique.

2008-11-21T11:01:00.000-05:00
I am so behind in posting. I spend more time looking at other peoples blogs when I have time, much more fun! I finally got my new sewing machine..yay!! It's a janome (quilters companion 6019). I am still waiting for the quilting feet that were supposed to come with it, I can't wait to learn to machine quilt. I think I will put together more quilts if I knew how to quicken the whole process. I added a few pics. I love my little pillow. This was made from left over material from a couple of christmas runners I made.

I am finally working on completing the my first jellyroll quilt(lap size). The center went together pretty quick, I just needed to get more material for the borders. I need to add another strip around and it's ready to be sent to be quilted!! I wasn't so sure I liked the colors, but once sewn together it's quite beautiful.

Jellyroll's and cute little stockings

2008-10-29T07:54:00.000-04:00
I am in the midst of sewing my very first Jellyroll quilt. It's going to be a lap size and I am planning on giving it to my mother and father in law for christmas. I wasn't sure about the prints, but boy, once it was sewn all together it's lovely! I still have to go get more fabric to sew on the border.

I am also making these cute little stockings. There are 4 more to be made and they will go on once of my christmas trees this year.

I am hoping to convince my husband to buy me a new sewing machine. I really need one and now that I am getting into quilting, i want to be able to machine quilt and I cannot on my old kenmore : ( I have researched a bit and have my site set on a Janome. There is a dealer about an hour from here and I am going to go there and see what is available that doesn't cost an arm and a leg!

Happy Thanksgiving.

2008-10-13T09:10:00.000-04:00
This year we are having a quiet Thanksgiving. We had our Turkey supper yesterday and enjoyed the candle light and mellow setting. Giving thanks for being together and healthy. Last year my sister were with us, they were sure to call to say Hi and that we were missed. Living 3 hrs away from family can be lonesome at times.

cooking/baking with Emma

2008-10-03T18:56:00.000-04:00

Emma made a casserole for supper last night. I told her that I want her to make supper once a week and she can pick what it will be. She did a great job and we all enjoyed it.
I think she is so beautiful...don't you?

We also made some wonderbar cookies...mmmm, chopped up wonderbars!

Cute little fabric basket.

2008-09-28T11:24:00.001-04:00

I loveeee this little fabric basket.!! I have been following crazymomquilts christmas tutorials and have been so inspired. After seeing the little fabric basket the other day I knew I just had to try it. I had some fabric left from my scarecrow wall hanging and ta-da!!
Link can be found from crazymomquilts site...http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/
I just have to figure out what to put in it!! I want to make some up for christmas. Wouldn't it be so cute for christmas baking...any other ideas ?

Mr. Scarecrow

2008-09-26T19:52:00.001-04:00
I saw this pattern in a quilt magazine and had to make him! I completed it just in time to display on these beautiful fall days.

Isn't he sooooo cute! I am so please on how it turned out.

Sunflowers

2008-09-23T13:58:00.000-04:00
My inlaws have grown these beautiful tall sunflowers this year. I thought what a great photo op! So we grabbed the step latter and took some pics!

First day of school!

2008-09-03T08:32:00.000-04:00

2008-09-02T22:28:00.000-04:00
It's been quite busy in our household the last week..wood to put in for winter, we'll be nice and cozey now!

Getting kids ready for school. This is a pic with my beautiful sister Shauna who is a hairdresser. She did the kids hair for back to school. We went on a family canping trip this past weekend. A pic of me and my husband.
Nothing like gathering everyone around the campfire.
Tonight I attended the quilters guild meeting. I am so excited!! Last year I went to one later in the year, but I was just too busy and not in the right head space for sewing etc. But I have it out now and I am ready to start some projects. I bought some beautiful fabric tonight at the guild to make a table runner for christmas time. I will prob start some of it tomorrow even though I have another project on the go! I really want to make a quilt for our room this winter. That will be my "Big" project. I loved it when they did show and tell tonight...some beautiful quilts...very inspiring.

Eight 13 year old Girls in total!!

2008-08-26T22:18:00.001-04:00

My Daughter convinced me to let her have a "end of summer" slumber party. This was a huge feat to take on...these girls are wild!!! I was still telling them to shhhhhh at 2:30 a.m.! Ah well...it was one night and memory they will have forever : )

I got busy making them a few goodies to have, they sure loved those cupcakes and cakepops(thank-you bakerella!)
Emma took a pic of me during the pre-party preparation.
p.s...I did require a late afternoon nap the following day...whew! those girls wore me out!

Yesterday...I made a apron!! : )

2008-08-06T10:02:00.000-04:00

I've been wanting to dig out my old sewing machine and do make something. Wasn't sure what do to, but knew I wanted to do something simple since it's been a while. So, I went to walmart found a great apron pattern and grabbed some fabric.
I have only made a few things with patterns over the years. I have never found them easy, but I guess I need to just practice! It's like a puzzle..putting it all together.
I'm pretty proud of my apron : ) Next time I will tackle one of the full aprons.

I especially like the pocket on it...cute : )

2008-08-03T20:32:00.000-04:00

We just got home today from renting a cottage for a week that was right next to a lake. It was so nice to get away from the phone, t.v. and computer. My favorite part of the day was first thing when I would rise before everyone, put the coffee on and then once it was ready I would sit in front of the big window facing the water and read. I loved the silence..so quiet I could hear the clock ticking. Life is so fast paced and noise seems to be always around. Sometimes we forget the importance of the simple things.

Family and friends would come out to visit us. My mother and sisters rented the cottage next to us..but they only came certain nights at separate times. It was nice to spend the time I did with them though. I really love my sisters dearly and especially my sweet little niece Isabella!!

The kids had a great week and got along really well and Emma gave me barely any attitude..ahhh..that was wonderful..lol

2008-07-26T15:38:00.000-04:00

I originally started blogging just for cooking. But, I am being so inspired by all the blogs I have been reading! I'm not sure how I'll do with this but I am going to try and blog a bit about my life too. I am on a journey to simplicity in my life. I have an inner calm after going through quite a few years of depression and discontentment. I have a beautiful family and feel so blessed.

This is my little niece Isabella...is she not the cutest!!! I love her so much, wish she lived closer. I will get to spend lot's of time with her next week when we are meeting for a family vacation.

Cupcakes for my inlaws 40th anniversary.

2008-07-08T12:27:00.000-04:00
For my husbands parents 40th anniversary I made some cupcakes! They were quite the hit!! I used bakerellas recipe for the chocolate cupcake and dora greenspans buttercream recipe...a match made in heaven. Oh and those are chocolate transfers on top...ppl couldn't believe they could eat the decoration ;o)

My nephew couldn't wait to get ahold of one of these. He's just as cute as the cupcake : )

Bakerella inspires again and again and again!

2008-06-21T10:49:00.000-04:00

I just love this girl. Today she posted the most adorable cupcakes I have seen yet! TOO cute..check them out!

This past week with the end of school I made a few batches of cupcakes for my kids and hubby. I can't keep them in the house....they are too good! The chocolate cupcakes are so moist and chocolately. The Vanilla cupcakes with the sprite are so good. I used Dora Greenspans perfect party cake icing...it's the best icing I have ever tasted so far!! Light and buttery..just sinful.

Gone Crazy in the Kitchen!!

2008-06-08T09:00:00.000-04:00

I have been baking like crazy the last few weeks. I can't wait til my summer sabbatical begins! I just want to be home with the kids, get my house organised and BAKE. I am so happy to be getting this interest back. Creating something out of nothing and bringing smiles to my family and friends faces makes me feel so good : ) I will post a few pics of some things that I have made recently. The latest where the Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Cheesecake from the Whimsical Bake House book and the cake that "everyone" has been talking about....The perfect party cake! The icing for this cake is amazing!! This is real fancy stuff for me. I always just stuck to basic simple little recipes. I am so excited to keep trying new recipes!!

mmm..cupcakes

2008-06-01T18:27:00.000-04:00

I am so excited about my cupcakes with my CUTEST chocolate toppings.
All this thanks to Bakerella!! I have been waiting to try her moist cake recipe with butter cream icing. Today was a nice relaxing sunday to go ahead with this and I thought I might as well try the little chocolate creations to go on top. I only had the dark and white wafers so couldn't really play around with the colors...but they still turned out so adorable, I am sooo pleased.
I have done more of her creations but just haven't made time to post. I knew this had to be posted because they are just so great. My husband and kids raved over how delicious they are. Actually my daughter gave them an 11 out of 10...pretty good review if you ask me : )
I love creating and am so still so excited I found bakerella, it has really opened the door for me to start getting creative again.

First Blog Dedicated to Bakerella

2008-04-15T11:24:00.000-04:00

Who would of thought that out here in cyber world I would find these amazingly creative ordinarly woman who like to write and post pictures about FOOD!! My favorite topic. I am a married mother of two and was at one time very much into baking sewing etc. But, as life goes, I got busy and didn't have the time or energy(it seemed) to take time and be creative.

So, one day I happened to be home during the day and put on the t.v. Scanning the channels I saw Martha Stewart. Now, let me say I have been telling myself for a while I just needed something or someone to motivate me to get using my creative side again. I always loved to cook and do the little extra for my family and friends. WELL....when I saw those cakepops by Bakerella that day I was inspired!! I went on a bit of a frenzy with baking and let me tell you my pants are a bit tight! I am posting a pic of one of the cake pops I made. I can't wait to have the right tools(styrafoam to hold pops, cookie cutter etc) when I make these again. I just made them egg shaped. My family just loved them!!

Thanks so much Bakerella for awakening the creative side of me that has been asleep for too long!!