Giveaway

I have been MIA...only because I've been busy/productive/preoccupied and away from the computer. I'll get back to blogging soon. I'll have updates of finished quilts (for Christmas and for myself!) as well as exciting news about a trip coming up for us.

In the mean time, register for this great giveaway!!

Ice Skating

Sorry for the picture quality...taken on my phone. My hubby and I took the kiddos to their first ice skating class...they both loved it!! Notice in the first pic that S is staying upright (for a few seconds anyway)!! I think C did get tired by the end of the half hour, however, as at one point she was just laying on the ice...making snow angels!! That's my girl. I may dress them a little warmer next week, but C was fabulously accessorized!! We found them their own skates today so they're all set for next week.

Winter in October

My dad sent these pics to us to show my 4 year old son the chicken coop he has been building. I don't think he finished as much as he was hoping to before the first snow storm! We have not seen the chickens since July (only a week after they had arrived) so when he saw these pictures, S exclaimed "The chickens are huge"! I love the one with the long feathers over it's face...looks like she could use a trim!

S also thinks he should go visit Grandma and Grandpa to see how much snow there really is. The Hills look beautiful behind their yard...but it's just too soon for snow!!

Projects Galore

I finished my second block for the Sis Boom Pow block gather....the other blocks are looking amazing. I like how my second one turned out. It seems appropriate to have raw edges for the bird feathers and nest. I actually finished the block on Sunday as well as 4 tote bags. 3 are for Christmas gifts (for friends' kids..thought I'd tuck a book or two into each bag). I'm particularly pleased with the Firefighter fabric and coordinating book!!

I also want a tote for C to keep her dance things in and one for each S and C to keep gloves/hat/scarf for ice skating lessons. S was so pleased with his tote..he promptly filled it with toys. I'm hoping it won't be hard to convince him next Wed that the toys will need to stay home.

I was pleased how productive I was on Sunday. I also figured out my stippling on a "practice" quilt. It must be the thread I was using though, as I was so close to being finished and the thread started breaking. I changed threads..then no problem, but didn't have enough to finish with. I moved on and basted 2 other quilts. I'm hoping I have time to quilt them this weekend. We do have a Fall Carnival to go to Saturday afternoon, then friends over for dinner after trick or treating. Sunday is hopefully ALL MINE so I can be a quilting fool. Already have ample thread purchased!

Happy Birthday

I was a little irritated because I tried to post this Friday morning before we left town, but I could not get any pictures to download. My girl turned 3 on Friday!! We left town for the weekend...went south and visited a zoo, a childrens' museum and an air/space museum. Both kids are becoming huge aviation buffs just like their dad! Friday was a bit of a rocky start but the rest of the weekend was great. We rode the Skyfari at the zoo (just like a ski lift). At first I was thinking that was a huge mistake...but both kids loved it! The childrens' museum is all hands-on so the kids had a blast. I did a little shopping (no fabric!) and we had good meals. Now back to reality. My hubby was up at 0430 to get ready for work and I work tonight.

I Won!

I actually won a drawing from one of my favorite blogs! Not only is winning (for the first time) exciting, but the fabric I won is beautiful! Some (Amy Butler) fall colors from Amy at Diary of a Quilter! If you don't already read her blog, you should start. I am always so inspired by her beautiful pictures as well as creativity. It's a source of motivation and inspiration to see projects done by other busy moms!

Just a short post today...I have pants to hem, suitcases to pack and laundry to do. Tomorrow is going to be a BIG special day for us!

Autumn....no sewing

No, I didn't get any sewing done this weekend. I worked a suprisingly short shift Saturday night. Since I was so well-rested Sunday morning, I baked pumpkin bread, made rhubarb/blueberry jam and took the kiddos to the Pumpkin Festival. It was chilly out there, but they had such a great time! I've never seen such a huge smile on S's face as when he was riding the pony! We didn't go for a hay ride (I was too cold by then) but they were very pleased with the adventure. Grandma was able to come along with us so it was a very special day. The kiddos and I changed into jammies when we got home and took a 3 1/2 hour nap!! Perhaps I'll get some sewing done this week.

Sis Boom

My package of fabric arrived from V for the Sis Boom Pow quilting bee. I would love to sit and play...but I have to finish laundry/pack/organize for the week because I need to leave tomorrow morning for Minneapolis. I am taking a class (for work) all day Monday and Tuesday. It's tempting to bring my sewing machine along to be able to do a little quilting in the motel each night...but I have a few projects that will fit better in my suitcase than the Singer will! My mother is on her way to our house to stay w/ the kiddos while my husband is working Monday and Tuesday. I still need to get the sheets on the guest bed. Oh, I'd better go!

PAY IT FORWARD

Have you heard of a Pay it Forward exchange? You receive a handmade gift from a blogger in exchange for agreeing to send a handmade gift to 3 other people. You do get 365 days to complete your end of the paying-it-forward. I certainly don't want to wait that long to give/receive.
I first read about it at Quilt Dad, but I was too late signing up.
I did find missmikol's place and I was lucky enough to sign up with her.
So...if you would like to receive a gift from me...you just need to leave a comment!
I think this is such a fun idea.

Aaaah Autumn

We lit some autumn-scented candles in the fireplace to set the mood....of course, in our house, the mood is set by my four-year old saying, "Hey Dad! Fire up the candles!!"

I'm back!

I've just been busy with life...not much time in front of the computer...but I am joining a quilting bee!! I'm so excited to join and try something new (applique)! Check it out!!

A little of that...

We have this great hutch from an antique store close to home. We painted it using a gallon of "oops" paint from Sherwin Williams (always an adventure choosing from that selection). I tried to free-hand some flowers across the top but did not like them. When I tried to sand them off, the rest of the paint came off too. So...I used some scrapbook paper from my stash and stuck it on using double-side tape. I'm very pleased with the solution (and it was free!). I'm debating whether or not to use different paper on the back of each shelf in the hutch as well.

A little of this...

I decided to make throw pillows for the livingroom...yet another accent piece (I do love them). I think it will be fun to have different turquoise fabrics to compliment the Anna Maria Horner Drawing Room fabric that I used on the drapes. Our furniture is large...and tan...and that's about it. A few splashes of color will liven the furniture up. I'm not sure how many pillows I'm going to make. I have 5 or 6 embroidery panels completed, but need more pillow forms. I may be making a stop after dropping S off at preschool. Speaking of which..this is the second week for him and it's been a rocky transition. He doesn't like playdough and has become very angry when asked to join in this activity. It's a fine balancing act to respect one's own desires...and the desire of your preschool teacher! He has a lot to learn.

Art

We finally matted, framed and hung 6 prints I ordered from Etsy many many months ago. They were odd sizes so I needed my hubby to cut the mats and we used 11X14 frames for them. I love the colors and they look so nice hanging in the diningroom.

MIA

Last week kind of got away from me...going to the park every chance we get, S is in summer school two mornings a week (to get him used to the idea for this fall), so our days are full and blending into one another. And, I'm rambling.

This is the largest of the three windows in our livingroom. I made the drapes with my dad over our July 4th vacation! This is Anna Maria Horner's Drawing Room Sketchbook in blue. Turquoise is taking over our main floor..but I certainly don't have a problem with that! We're not sure yet what color we're going to paint the walls. Just need to live w/ these for a while and wait for inspiration. It is amazing what 30 yards of fabric can do for a room! I'm so pleased with them. It was like going full circle: I used to play in dad's upholstery store when I was a kid. I didn't even know what all the equipment was used for exactly. And now...here I am making drapes for my own livingroom. I was so anxious to get rid of the old lady drapes that were hanging in there when we bought the house. Dad will be bringing all of his drapery equipment out here this fall. I'm afraid the playroom is going to serve a new purpose. S and C are not happy with the plan...but the large windows and adequate lighting are thrilling for me considering the small sewing cave I call my own now. The kids aren't even sure they want their toys in the room I'm sewing in now. Perhaps with more lighting they're realize it's really suitable. I wonder...deep down...if that's why I've never really moved into my sewing room. Perhaps I knew we would be rearranging rooms in the near future!

No Plan B

I'm so glad I didn't try to quilt my pink and orange quilt top without more practice. I found some left over blocks (from years ago) that I used to practice free-motion quilting on.

I failed miserably...hence no pictures! It may have had something to do with the fact that I forgot to decrease my stitch length! Oh, what a mess. Guess it just means I need more practice.
We spent some time playing outside and I did all the exciting weekend things like laundry and cleaning so we would be ready for another week. I did get the quilt top cut and together for my neice's best friend. I want to order the backing from fabric.com as I saw some pretty 108" batik that will go well with the top.

Have a good Monday. --Jodie

Another WIP

I don't have any definite plans for this one yet...I was thinking it would look cute folded and sitting in a vintage, red armoire I found at a garage sale. I find it a little amusing that I bought the armoire as an accent piece..and now my accent piece needs an accent piece. :)

--Jodie

Pink and Orange

Just a couple quick pics of my pink and orange quilt top. Yes, I have used this pattern before. Yes, it is my favorite because the pieces are large and show off the fabric that I like so well and it goes together so quickly. Yes, I am stuck in my comfort zone and can't seem to move away from straight lines/squares/rectangles. I do want to branch out, but I'm just not ready yet. I'm also waiting until I can decide how to quilt this before I finish it. I want to try free-motion quilting, but I am terrified of ruining my quilt top. I actually thought I'd practice on a smaller quilt that I don't necessarily like. Who has quilt tops lying around that they don't like? Plan B: just jump in with both feet and deal w/ the results. Well, maybe I will try Plan B this weekend.

I'm so pleased this quilt is finally finished (except for a label on the back..but that will be done very shortly). I showed the unfinished quilt to my neice at her open house and she and her best friend loved it...and her friend said, "I want one just like it". So..that is my next quilt to start. I bought the fabric and will start cutting this weekend.

I added some embroidery to a couple squares just to personalize it a bit more. I love the Sublime Stitching patterns that I found here.

My neice is "leaving" for college this fall. She will move into the dorms about 5 blocks from home. It will be an easy transition for her and my sister as well. Her best friend will be leaving the state, so I'd like to finish her quilt and get it in the mail to her soon after classes start this fall.

The fabric I used on the back of the quilt is something I found at our local fabric store that "specializes" in remnants. I'm glad I bought 5 yds of it as I'm sure I won't find it again (at least locally) and I thought not only the colors were a perfect addition to this quilt, but I found the numbers to be a bit ironic to use on her "Quilt for College".
I used 3 types of metallic thread to quilt it. I did not plan to use 3 types. I would have been perfectly happy to finish using the type I started with, but ran out and could not find the same again. I tried another brand with similar colors, but it must have been the coating that caused such problems...the metallic coating actually separated from the thread and I could only quilt about 2 inches at a time before the thread broke. I settled for another brand and could only find it in silver, which looked nice. I have some ugly areas where you can tell I had been fighting with the thread breaking and restarting. I'll just inform my neice to never look at those areas.

--Jodie

Dining Room

I'm posting a few pics from our dining room...it's a little cooler outside today so we have the windows open and it feels so wonderful to have a little breeze coming in and blowing the curtains open! It is such a welcomed relief to not have the humidity to deal with. I made the simple cafe curtains using Amy Butler's Lotus Wall Flower fabric. I have enough left to reupholster a vintage setee I bought at an estate auction. When I'm ready to tackle that project, I will post the before and after shots.

The bottom pic is my fabulous $2 find at Hobby Lobby. I love their 90% off section! I had my hubby help me hang it and he stepped back to admire our handiwork...and noticed one of three of our chandeliers hanging over our dining room table and he said, "Hey look at that! The picture matches the real ones!" I do love how handy...yet perfectly oblivious he is at times!

A dent in the WIPs

Well I did get some accomplished on Sunday. My husband spent the day taking pics at the air show and the kiddos played well while I was sewing. I did finish my neices quilt, but the pictures are a bit blurry. Hopefully I will be able to get some better shots and post later. I have never had so much trouble with a quilt as I did with that one. Even while sewing the binding in place, it seemed like the batik fabric was "slippery" and I had a tough time keeping the edges together. I don't remember how many seams I actually had to pull out.

I did finish a lap-sized quilt for a friend. She lost her mother over a year ago and gave me all of her mom's fabric. I feel honored to take over where her mom left off. She intended for all of that fabric to become quilts, so I'm busy putting it together. I have a couple more quilt tops done, but need to get more batting before I can put finish the larger ones.

I'm pleased with the way this pink one turned out. It measures 42x42, so it went together lickety split..esp quilting it stitch in the ditch.

Summer Joy

Inaugural Blog

Hello and welcome to my new blog. My goal is to meet other creative spirits, learn and share ideas and hopefully participate in as many quilt swaps as I can!
The quilt in my blog title is one I am finishing for my neice for graduation. It's the first quilt I've made using Batiks and I'm thrilled with the explosion of color it has created!
I'm off to finish the binding on this quilt.
--Jodie