busy...

whew.  i finally have a minute to sit and get caught up!

friday i baked about a hundred cookies.  i spent the whole day in the kitchen.  it was so fun!  i made lemon gems, coconut chocolate chip, chocolate truffles, and cracked sugar cookies.  i wrapped up boxes to take to some of our neighbors.  i bought these cookie box kits from martha stewart (last year on clearance)- they are so cute!  everything is precut and ready to go.  they look very fancy when they are all finished.  i may have changed my mind about my teacher gifts!  these look too good!

the cookie exchange was saturday, and a lot of fun.  my mom and daughter came with me, and then we headed out to iowa for the nutcracker ballet.  it was a nice trip, but a little exhausting.  sunday we met my husband and sons in kansas city for a family dinner with his dad's side.  last night was our daughter's preschool program, which was cute.  she sang her heart out, and we could hear her over everyone else.  she may get that from me.

i also got the good news last night that i won a copy of quilting for peace from sewmamasew!  so excited to get my copy.  it sounds like a wonderful book.  we're home from preschool now, so i am anxiously awaiting nap time/sewing time!

whittling away...

ok, here's some more things i can cross off my list!
sent off my quilt top and my scarf.
sent off my giveaway prizes!
i have two of the three fringey fleece scarves finished, just one more to go!
almost all my gifts are wrapped - but i can't put them under the tree :(
my cards are almost all done too - just waiting on a few addresses.

still to be done:
6 dozen cookies for saturday morning - thinking about lemon gems
cookie trays for neighbors
teacher gifts - i have all the fabric cut for the teacher notebooks, but only one finished.  three to go!

here's a photo of one of our treasured christmas traditions.  for our wedding, my husband's aunt (and godmother) made us a nativity set.  made as in cast the ceramic and hand painted them.  amazing, isn't it?

funny story, when we were given the box to unwrap at our shower, i could tell it must be something special because of the way she was watching.  so the first thing i unwrapped was the black king.  and i was holding a rather large box.  and i thought, hmmm.  a black figurine. what in the world is in this box!

so i sat there smiling, trying to figure out what to say, when someone finally explained to me what it was!  it was one of those awkward moments, and i know she felt a little disappointed by my reaction.  but it truly is one of my favorite parts of the season!  isn't it incredible?

and on to another fave tradition - wallyworld for free pictures with santa!  they always have the same guy as santa too, which makes it even better for the scrapbook.  a little more believable, you know?  have a great weekend, i've got to run get started on those cookies!

feeling scatterbrained...

well,  i had the chance to run into the new sewing shop in downtown ottawa, ks.  it's called aunt jenny's stitch-n-stuff.  gorgeous ceilings!  those old elaborate pressed tin designs.  it's not quite what i was expecting.  it has flea market type booths along the wall, but she does sell fabric by the yard, and plans to have classes soon!  maybe i can convert a few of my friend's into sewing junkies like myself!

anyways, here's the steal of the day...  she has a whole bolt of heather ross' frog pond by west hill in mustard - for $4.99 a yard!!!  can you believe it?  i didn't see anything else like that, but i bought some and can't wait to dig into it!  anyone want me to pick up some more?  i also feel a bit guilty - shouldn't i tell her it's worth more than that?  

well, i think, to make up for ending my giveaway a day early on accident, that i will draw another name from my comments.  they will receive a fat quarter of frog pond, because i feel really dumb for not reading it through carefully.  to be honest, half the time i am online i am also cooking a meal or spelling words for emma, you know, not giving it my full attention.  i don't even know if i have that ability anymore!  so, without further ado...

#61 would be simplehappyhome .  thanks again to everyone who stopped by!

 

drum roll, please...

good morning!  thanks to everyone who stopped by and put their name in the hat!  it's been fun seeing what everyone is reading.  i myself am reading two cookbooks from the library, predator by patricia cornwell, and listening to freakanomics in the car.  and yes, sewing books totally count!

that brings us to our winner...

#19 is lauranie!  i almost feel guilty that her number came up - she's a loyal reader and blog friend and i'm so happy that she won!  it made me feel good to see people in the comments who've i met through the past couple of years, through swaps, giveaways, and etsy.  as a small town stay at home momma, sometimes you people are my link to the outside world!  have a great day, everyone!

giveaway day!

it's that time again! sewmamasew's giveaway day! i decided to give away one of my quilted notebooks. this one is made of a variety of fabrics, including some polka dot linen and a garden print.  the inside has a bit of patchwork going on too! it holds a 5x7 notebook, and I use mine to keep track of my grocery list and coupons. close it up with the shiny black button. i am making these for teacher gifts this year.  i hope you like it!

to enter, just leave me a comment.  that's it.  i would love to know what book you're reading, or what your favorite teacher gift is, but any comment will do!  please make sure i have a way to contact you if you win.  i will leave the giveaway open until saturday morning, and then i will randomly generate a number. 

thanks for coming by to see me!   now, off to try to win some prizes myself...

does santa need some help this year?

get yourself over to coolmompicks for their holiday gift guide!  lots of stuff i hadn't seen yet, including great low dollar gift ideas!  a customized coloring book?  love it!

the ever growing to do list

mail scarf to thailand for warm women
mail quilt top to oregon for give a kid a quilt
piece back for emma's quilt
make fabric notebooks for teacher gifts
pickle some green beans for new year's bloody marys
go visit the NEW sewing shop on main street!  hooray!
drop my volunteer app off at the animal shelter - they need people to make bedding
try out a couple new cookie recipes for the cookie exchange on the 12th

oh!  did i tell you?  my niece is performing in the nutcracker again this year, and i am going to iowa with our daughter to see it!  i haven't been to the ballet since i was a girl, and i can't wait to take emma - it's sure to be a magical evening.

lots and lots!

as promised...














here's a peek at my coloring wallets...











i am waiting for some family members to decide (they get first dibs!) but then i'll be listing the rest and a few more in my etsy.

thankful

so i was a busy baker yesterday! banana bread, pumpkin cheesecake, and two sweet potato pies, mmm. the kitchen smelled heavenly all day long. we had the bread for breakfast, i sent one pie with my honey to work, and took the other two desserts to thanksgiving today. all three recipes came from allrecipes, which is my favorite site to search for recipes.















i also took along some of my pepper jelly to munch on. i am really proud of myself, i only went through the line once and had one small slice of cheesecake. if you could have seen all the food - you'd know why this is impressive! all homemade, even the noodles, and homegrown corn! my sis-in-law did the turkey this year and it was delish. great job jessi!

midafternoon, when our littlest was ready for a nap, i brought him home and left my husband there with the older kids. i got a lot of sewing done in the quiet house, i made 6 crayon wallets! i only need to sew on the buttons. my goal was to have them up in my shop for tomorrow, and i may just make that goal.

i hope you all had a wonderfully fattening turkey day! let's be thankful for everything we have in our lives!

yay for giveaway day!

sewmamasew is having another giveaway day!
i am playing too, be sure to check back for a chance to win!

quilts for kids

just a quick note - another great cause to donate to if you have the time! give a kid a quilt is a project i just found out about. i was debating putting my first quilt top in the goodwill box today, as a matter of fact, since i don't have anyone to give it to and don't want to try to quilt it myself. but i think i'll send it off tomorrow! i just need to measure it and make sure it fits the requirements...

homemade play dough

this morning i made playdoh for the kids!
















we are in parents as teachers, and our educator callie brought some over last time, still warm from making. it is soooo much better than store bought, it stays soft and is easier for the kids to mold. the only drawback i could see is that you can't get the color saturation of playdoh. i got the recipe from her, and i thought i'd share it with you guys! if you're a baker, you should have all the ingredients on hand.

1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
1 cup water
1 tbl cooking oil
2 tbl cream of tartar
1 tsp powdered alum
few drops of food coloring




















the alum is just to make it taste bad so they don't eat it. i suppose you could leave it out, though. mix it all in a saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring, until it pulls together into a ball. if it's sticky, it just needs to cook longer. you can add food coloring to it, and i've also heard of using kool-aid to scent and color it. not sure if it would stain, though. another tip for you moms out there? ditch the play doh containers, and keep your playdoh in ziploc baggies. after years of wrestling with those silly plastic cups, i finally wised up.
















while i'm sharing recipes, i also want to talk about my new favorite book! it's called jam it, pickle it, cure it and it's by karen solomon. i got it at the library last week, and i love everything about this book! it reminds me of real simple magazine, simple and easy to read with great photos. on my list of things to try from the book is the severely hot sauce and the pickled green beans. i'll share photos when i do!

feeling lucky?

yay for giveaways! head over to flea market fancy freaks for a chance to win some fab stuff! including an autographed copy of ds quilts, gift tags, and - are your ready for this? - 29 fat quarters of FMF! not to one person, but still, heaven! wait a minute, maybe i don't want to tell you about this after all....

wow!

what a great day it's been!!! just when things look the worst, you know? so here's how the gods have smiled on us today.

1. got a phone call from a neighbor last night telling me, rumor has it, we are going to get rural water down our road! welcome to 2009, hillbillies! we live on the county line, and straddle the line between 2 rural water districts. neither of which ever wanted to supply water to the 5 houses on our dead end road. well, there are actually 8, but 3 of them paid to run their own lines. so sometime in the next year, we should be getting a water meter and not have to worry about hauling it in! that is so strange, i know. we have dsl but no water?!

2. got another phone call this morning, telling me that our missing labrador might have been found! so i loaded the kids up and went to see, and it was him! he's been gone exactly 2 weeks! i don't know if i've ever mentioned our dog before. he's 5 1/2, we got him from my brother-in-law when i was pregnant with our oldest. einstein's a lean black lab who runs like a cheetah! over the last years, he's ridden on the school bus, taken a joy ride in the back of the trash truck, worked all night with the guys fixing the train tracks along hwy 24, had numerous sleepovers with random strangers, you get the idea, right? anyways, the people who had him just found him sunday, so we still don't know where he was the last week and 1/2. but we are so glad to have him home!

3. the cherry on the cake? a check in the mail today for our flexspend! yippee!

i am celebrating by snuggling my dog and watching modern family - love that show! the boys and i went to kanza park today and walked around the trail, which was a lot of fun and will be something we do anytime the weather is nice enough. next week troy is finished with his night shifts, which has me so excited! thanksgiving weekend will be wonderful. decorating for the holidays, and yummy food, and our whole family together? sigh. what more could you be thankful for?

fun new ideas

the new crafts are up at so you think you're crafty! i am in love with so many of these! the bead necklace, so simple and cool. the car caddy??? must make those for my kids! and the grocery totes are awesome. go check it out and vote for your favorite!

just the facts

this is sort of a departure from my normal posting, but i feel like it's important i share these facts with you.

1. always double and triple check your flex spend enrollment at the beginning of the year. apparently, november is a bit late to make changes if you discover you've been putting all your money into "dependent care" which is code for DAYCARE. not health care for dependents. which we didn't even realize we were doing. still hoping they can sort this out so we don't lose our $$$ but it's sounding dire. it's a bit confusing because last year it paid out for medical, but something got switched at enrollment this year. grr. i guess i better find a job quick!

2. the baja fresh wrap at wendy's is delicious. and packs an amazing 48 grams of fat!!! wish i'd known that before i ate an entire one for lunch today. it tastes really fresh and healthy too! damn damn damn.

3. the southern comfort sweet tea cocktail that's meant to be served on ice is extremely sweet. we got a bottle as a gift and i don't think we'll be able to drink it! i haven't tried mixing it with lemonade but i'm hoping that will cut the sweetness.

that's all the wisdom i have to share tonight! off to try to make some more crayon books!

fun meme & contest entry!

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme
TodaysMama and Provo Craft are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What 5 items are on your holiday wish list this year?
a new sewing machine! jeans that make me look skinny. a pressure canner kit. a night out. and a massage/pedicure package!
2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received?
my nana's quilt
3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle?
quilts, quilts, quilts! i have never finished a quilt but i want to make one for everyone in my family!
4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child?
my bicycle. and later, the thriller album!
5. What items are on your kid’s wish list this year?
transformers, art kits, strawberry shortcake, and dvds like ice age and up
6. What is your favorite holiday food?
hmm. pumpkin pie is a top, and turkey, but i love our tradition of turkey tacos and tamales on christmas eve!
7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays?
crayon books, fleece scarves, quilted notebooks, pepper jelly (already finished, go me!) and lots of baked goods!
8. What is your favorite holiday movie?
the christmas story, of course!
9. Favorite holiday song?
i'm dreaming of a white christmas
10. Favorite holiday pastime?
decorating the tree

so, i realized today that my two months for wardrobe refashion has come & gone with me never refashioning a darn thing! sorry for not fulfilling my pledge, but i do enjoy looking at all the great ideas on their site!

i remembered to grab the three laundry baskets of unfolded fabric in my sewing room before troy went to bed. so i've been folding and folding and folding. when i'm cutting out things, i tend to just toss what i don't use onto the pile, and it grows fast! i also spent awhile cutting out crayon books - hoping to have a shop update in the next week, but here's a peek at some of the fabrics!

almost finished!

scarf for warmwomen, i should be done tonight!

see you soon!

oh, internet, i miss you, i really do! only three more weeks of my husband's night shift from hell. 12 hour shifts, 6 days on, one day off. ugh. no time to even talk, let alone have help with the kids. the place is a wreck, i am fighting off a chest cold and losing, and thank goodness it has been warm. the kids have run amok outside and i spread more mulch and discovered my 25 cent rosebush i planted last month is blooming! i'm trying to hold onto those little things.




















like how much fun a pile of leaves can be!

i do have a lot on my to do list - including more custom crayon wallets, bunco gift, and teacher gifts. i am 1/4 of the way done with my scarf for warmwomen, since i'm knitting with bulky yarn and garter stitch. i'm hoping i have enough yarn, it's leftover from another scarf. I made it about 3 years ago, and i love it so i'm hoping whoever gets it will too.

anyways, don't forget about me! i'll be back just as soon as my husband stops sleeping in my sewing room during the day!

great tutorials!

there are a bunch of fun things happening in the crafty blogworld right now - so since i have nothing to share myself, let me hook you up with some links you may or may not already know about! :)

first up, SYTYC is a fun online crafty competition, featuring a lot of crafty bloggers. there's a weekly theme and the contestents must come up with a project based on that theme. then we vote on which we like the best! the first week is already up, and there are some great ideas so go take a peek!

next, Block Party is celebrating their upcoming book with a quilt along! they have a flickr group and might even put pictures of our blocks in the book! they are kicking things off with a giveaway of gorgeous fabrics! i'm hoping to try to make some of these blocks, we'll see if it happens or if i just drool over theirs. either way it will be a wonderful resource with tutorials on the different blocks.

oh, and if you feel like giving back, there's a nice project underway at warm women. i read about it at clutterpunk and already signed up. just make a scarf. that's it. to help keep a fellow crafter warm. i'm planning to knit mine, but you can do whatever you want!

ok, that should be enough to keep you busy for a day or two. have fun, and i hope to be back soon with some stuff to share.

trick or treat!

where has this week gone?? i guess this is how life will be from now on. our days are so full, and we never seem to just veg at home anymore. too bad, vegging is my favorite thing!

there has been no actual sewing going on here. i had bunco on tuesday, and wednesday i had the neighbor girl come over to babysit so i could sew, but i ended up just cutting and ironing fabric and chatting - uninterrupted - on the phone. bliss.

preschool halloween parades proved adorable and the kids have had enough goodies to last them a month. and we still have the actual holiday to get through!










our son alex is the red spiderman. i know the picture is small, and it's hard to make out, but my favorite costume was all the way on the right - a flying monkey from the wizard of oz! if i's been thinking and knew the girl's mom better, i'd have taken a close up - the costume was awesome! real feathers on the wings, and a smart little jacket.

emma's class is bigger so more exciting to see all the costumes - including an adorable gingerbread man from shrek! (he's in the middle back) emma's the witch right next to him. terrible photos, i know! the camera batteries died right as the parade started so i didn't get another chance at a better shot.















i love mrs. circle's raggedy ann costume!

lazy sunday

so i think i found my latest crush. go here to check her out.

i've got a sick 2 year old with a fever and stinky diapers. so no sleep last night means i will probably crash early tonight. i was hoping to start on one of these only i think i will work on something easier. organize the game closet or fold laundry or something. i am close to finished on a holiday project - here's a sneak peek.

birthday treats

tomorrow our little girl gets to celebrate her 5th birthday at preschool. this means she gets to bring cupcakes or cookies, something other than the usual healthy snack. only, since we are headed to the pumpkin patch for their first field trip, the teacher suggested i try to convince her to bring something, oh, not as messy as a big frosted cupcake. since we'll be in public. with no sink.




















for her birthday she got a playdoh burger factory and they've been having so much fun making burgers and fries. so when i saw these over at bakerella, i knew they'd be perfect! and they are. oh they are. i used yellow cake mix, brownie mix, and ready made red frosting in a tube. i chose to do the green coconut because honestly? i didn't feel like making any frosting. these may be the easiest & my most favorite cupcakes i've ever made. i was planning to make the sugar cookie fries too, but finally! i know when to say when!




















so here it is, the fun little snack. i threw in some pretzels (note to self - buy new snack for preschool halloween party) and called it quits. i had stamped the bags with a cake and happy birthday but they looked kind of sad. so i grabbed some stickers to brighten them up.













i'm actually ahead of the game! there must be something else i'm forgetting...

get it together

it's funny, how i can tell myself i have gotten nothing done. i crocheted a new dishcloth the other day (it's cute! camel colored with orange trim!) but that's old hat, so it doesn't count. caring for our new kitties and taking care of three young'uns while my honey works twelve hour shifts. give myself some credit, girl! i so tend to focus on the negatives. why do we women set such high standards for ourselves?

i know i need to get a system down. i have been feeling like i am running behind for weeks now, and that is not a good feeling. last week, i forgot my daughter's coat the day of her field trip (thankfully it rained and got cancelled) today was picture day - and she was wearing a sweatshirt and dirty sneakers because i forgot! poor thing. she deserves an organized mom. wednesday we celebrate her birthday at school and i am hoping to make these and take them to the rescheduled pumpkin patch trip. i already stamped some lunch sacks with happy birthday and a cake. juice pouches and colorful napkins and those great cupcake burgers = birthday fun, right? hopefully it makes up for her looking like a bum in the class photo.

jack 'o lanterns

we had a good time doing our pumpkins last night. i had the older kids draw a face on their pumpkin, and then i cut it out for them. alex always draws his people with huge eyes and wiggly mouths - this was no exception!

i also tried 2 recipes for roasting pumpkin seeds, and they both were yummy! one just came out of the over - 2 Tb. melted butter to 2 cups of seeds, sprinkle with 1 tsp. salt, 1 Tb. brown sugar and 1/2 Tb. vanilla and a generous dash or two of cinnamon. the other i found at allrecipes (love that site!) and was the same except for using 1 Tb. worcestershire and 2 drops of tabasco instead of the vanilla and cinnamon. yummy! bake at 300* until crispy, about 45 minutes. it said to use a sheet of aluminum foil on your pan, but i did it both ways and didn't have any trouble with sticking.

blog action day 2009 - a little late!

so, as it was gently pointed out to me, i missed blog action day. i had good intentions, and linked to it from a facebook friend's post - and then promptly forgot the date! anyways, i am sorry to anyone that came here looking for my post.

there's not that much that we're doing to combat climate change in our house. i have to be honest, i don't know much about the topic, other than i watched al gore's movie a long time ago. i am woefully uneducated.

we recycle, we make our own ice in trays and in empty milk jugs, we chop our own firewood(well, troy does!) and heat with a wood stove. which actually might be just as bad as using propane. not really sure. we plan to put in clotheslines next spring so i can line dry our clothes. we own 30 acres, but we only mow up as much as necessary to keep the critters away from the house. we live in a rural area, so just going to get milk means i drive 17 miles. i try to multi task and combine errands in one trip - but with three little kids, sometimes that just ain't happening. and we replaced our garage fridge with a newer model that doesn't run constantly like the old one.

craft wise - i already try to get supplies at thrift stores, garage sales, and freecycle/hand me down stuff. i really need to attempt to use up what i have in my stash vs. buying new, and instead of buying a new machine, my mom gave me her singer (thanks mom!) i signed up for wardrobe refashion and have a pile of clothes destined for another life.

goals for the next year:

clotheslines
less driving (one child will start kindergarten and ride the bus, three less trips a week!)
find doctors closer to home (we've kept our old doctors, which is an hour drive)
plant a garden and can some goodies
upgrade our heating/air system to the proper size and efficiency

hope everyone at least thinks about what they can do, even if it's a small thing, to help our environment!

camera opinions needed

so it looks like i will be getting a new camera. my sony cybershot stopped working wednesday, and i'm just amazed it's lasted this long! it's been dropped on the kitchen tile more than i care to admit. anyone have a recommendation for a new one? something that's user friendly, inexpensive, and produces stunning quality photographs??? you know, i don't want much! so i've had to resort to using my daughter's kiddizoom again - eek!

meanwhile, i had another custom order on my etsy - for a tutu. i shipped it out today and i hope she loves it! even thought the photo is awful.



















that's about it for me - hoping for some quality crafting time this weekend but not getting my hopes too high. we are hosting a sleepover saturday with 2 cousins, and that means a lot of children running around needing supervision. i do want to get our pumpkins carved, and make some more pepper jelly, but if i get even that much done i'll be surprised! have a great weekend everyone!

i know i don't deserve to win again...

but i sure am hoping i do! there's not much time left for this one - but the prizes are to die for. a gorgeous winter coat and a pretty dress. who doesn't need one of those?

head over to 30days to enter, and hurry! it ends tonight!

craftytammie's catnip mice

october is sewmamasew's scrap busting month! i was inspired to make these by the newest additions to our family:




















meet duke & daisy. or king fluffy & rosie. or charlie & lola. it all depends on which child you ask. we've had them for 2 days now, and we can't agree on a name, so i imagine i will decide for everyone soon. because i need to know what to croon as i snuggle them under my chin. oh, suggestions are welcome, let me know what you would call them!

anyways. new babies need stuff, you know? so we hit the store, and i was not excited about anything i saw on the shelves there. neon colored felt mice, and plastic things with feathers stuck all over them. and i did what i always do - thought "i can totally make that myself."

introducing craftytammie's catnip mice!















so thanks to sewmamasew for hosting this fun month, and i hope you enjoy making them!

supplies needed:



















scrap fabrics. i forced myself to just grab handfuls of what was laying on my cutting table. there's some fleece from the scarves i've been making, lots of tiny strips i cut off but never can bring myself to toss. little pieces cut from larger pieces. anything works here, it's all welcome! (but i do think these would be great in linen with calico ears and tails)
ribbon for tail, if you choose
polyfil or your choice of stuffing.
jingle bells and catnip. optional.

disclaimer - i am not a vet, nor do i play one on tv. be safe and smart when using these mice with your pets (or for that matter around your children). inspect them regularly for damage and replace as needed.




















so i chose a piece of fabric that looked big enough, doubled it, and drew a mouse shape on one side. this is your sewing line, so make sure to eyeball a 1/4" seam allowance as you do so. i like to make my nose run into a point, which gives it a snout. i've also seen this done by making a folded heart shape with the inner points on the fold of your fabric. then you whipstitch the mouse shut. this would work well for fleece and felt.















next, cut little triangles to be the ears, and find a long strip to be the tail. you need to place these between the fabric layers, so that they are within the sewing line and that way you don't stitch the tail to the nose. you can see where i've pinned the ears and the tail. also, don't forget to leave a opening for turning! and try not to be like me. i always make the opening as small as possible and then fight to turn it out and stuff it.















ok, time to stitch! sew it up along your marked line. when i'm finished, i like to pink the edges.




















here's where that tail comes in handy! fish around inside, and find the end. pull it inside out. use a chopstick or other pointy object to poke out the nose.















stuff tightly with polyfil. i add a pinch or two of dried catnip and one jingle bell to give it a little noise. stuff some more, and when it's good and full, stitch up the opening.

you can, of course, stitch eyes or whiskers or any other details you want onto your mice. or make them pigs, or hedgehogs, or whatever you feel like doing that day. i don't really think my cats care that much, and i imagine these will be under my fridge in less than a week. so i didn't. but you go ahead.













tada! you've made your own *custom* catnip mice! make a few for all the cats in your life. and how cute would these be in a matching pet bed as a new pet present? just saying. thanks for visiting me!

looky!

my free fabrics have arrived! i am so in love.















first up, from kristina at quilted treasures we have a fat quarter bundle from heather bailey - i think i know exactly what i want to do with this.
a value quilt. only i will use white as my light and make all the other prints the dark. that's what i think i want to do. but first i need to do a little calculation and see if i will have enough fabric, because i would sure like to have some leftover to make other things with.




















she was so sweet and also sent me a copy of STITCH magazine, and i was happy to see a project from a blog i like, pink penguin!















then i received my art gallery fabric from libertyoriginals. it's called girly girl, and the colors are so pretty. they have several other fabric lines i love, like spellbound. she was so nice and sent me an extra fat quarter - thanks again! and how cute are her liberty original tags?

quilty love affair

today is the first day of park city girl's fall quilt festival! i can't wait to visit the sites and see everyone's quilts!















so here is my very favorite quilt. it was begun by my maternal great grandmother before she passed on. then my grandma, who we call nana, found the pieces and finished up the quilt. they both did it all by hand, which is so amazing to me. i love the riot of colors and the mismatchiness of the blocks - this is truly a scrap quilt! if anyone knows the name of the block, please do me a favor and leave me a comment?















i have to admit, when my mom first gave it to me, i was under-impressed. i didn't quilt then, and all i saw was a bunch of fabrics that didn't go together. now i totally appreciate the effort and time that went into it, and the frugality of using all their scraps for something useful.















and how the love has grown! it has become the quilt we all fight over! it's the perfect weight and size. the history makes it that much snugglier. my kid's call it nana's quilt! and i've repaired it in a few places where the seams popped. i know it mortifies my mom that we actually use it, and i will be very sad if it gets ruined. but my mom kept it folded up in a closet and that just isn't me. i plan to enjoy my inheritance while i'm here to do so!

the fabrics are fun for us to sit and look at. i have no idea how old they are, but here's one of my favorite blocks in the quilt.


















if you don't have time to see all the blogs on their own, at least take a peek at the flickr pool. thanks for stopping by to visit me today! come back again soon!

good morning!

i have even more crafty goodness to share! first up, crazymomquilts has 3 of the 5 quilts she's making for quilts of valor posted today. and my humble little block did indeed make the cut, i'm thrilled she was able to use it! i'm still so new to quilting, i don't know if i'm doing certain things correctly. the photo above was stolen shamelessly from her website - i hope that's ok? my block is on the far right, 2nd from the top. that teeny little point still bugs me, i wish i'd done a different one to send. but i hope whoever receives these will know that their service is honorable and appreciated by many of us non-military, make love not war types.













and next up is that i'm getting a new (to me) sewing machine! this one was my mom's, and she put it in to get it serviced and presented me with the manual last weekend. it will do a few decorative stitches, which i am super excited about! it ain't fancy, but neither am i!

partner, where are you?

so i'm thinking that some of that awesome heather ross fabric needs to go into my entry for the allpeoplequilt contest. an easy peasy baby quilt, using 10 inch squares. again, please don't make me ask my mom to be my partner! not that she didn't do an awesome job on her journal cover, but our tastes definitely run the opposite sides of the spectrum. i was thinking maybe some goldfish, with orange and black and white would make a cool kid quilt? maybe a little rickyracky trim? squares in a square quilting? or polka dots (thinking bubbles, water here) anyways, my brain is reeling with possibilities. it's so fun to have exciting fabric to play with.

it's getting to where i'm embarrassed to admit my good fortune around here - but i won again! twice. shut up. no way. yes, way! i won a scrap bag at sewmamasew, where i comment almost daily, and i also won a $30 gift certificate giveaway over at trueup. she hosts a weekly giveaway over there - and posts them on twitter as well. this is why my yahoo reader is my best friend, gals. i see this stuff as it happens! anyways, the gift cert is for either quiltedtreasures or their etsy shop. i'm not embarrassed to admit to spending it all immediately - i ordered a fat quarter bundle of heather bailey from their etsy. it was hard to choose, though. so many great fabrics!

and if you've been hesitant to join twitter, here's why i like it. i check it maybe once a day, and most of the blog writers i like (dooce, thebloggess, mimismartypants) tweet when they've posted a new entry. and sites like trueup and sewmamasew and thelongthread tweet about giveaways. my husband thinks i spend hours in front of the laptop, but i actually have it all pretty streamlined. i scan my yahoo reader in the morning, while drinking coffee and supervising breakfast, and then check email during naptime and after bedtime i try to post at my blogs. is that too much time on the computer? probably, but i find new things i love every day and i enjoy it so much, it just feels right! and you all know how much other stuff a momma does - this is my little me time for each day(i don't watch much tv). how about you? how do you keep up with all your favorite web sites?

gnomes, goldfish, and doggies, oh my!

i promised to share my fun package i got from heather ross - yes THAT heather!

i follow her journal on my yahoo reader and woke one morning to find a post saying she was cleaning out her studio and had found boxes of miscellaneous. so she was selling surprise gift bags in different denominations. and she said shoot me an email and tell me what you would like to see in your bag, and she'd try her hardest to fill requests. needless to say, she sold out in mere hours.

and look what i got!!















i told her i'd be happy to see any gnomes or goldfish in my package - and she sure delivered! the doggies was a surprise treat. i love the little teacup dog! i wish i'd thought of it first, but here's a great quilt block using that pup. there was also a pair of gardening gloves that i have been wearing all week as i clean out my zinnia bed. i've been dreaming for days about what i might make with all my new lovelies.

get in the holiday spirit!

there's a fun holiday swap going on over at max&ellie. i sure wish i could join - but i know i won't have time, so i'm behaving myself and watching from the sidelines. if you want to join in, signups are still open!

also, i've updated my links on the left - check out some of the new blogs listed!

happy birthday to all of us!

yesterday we had a birthday party here for our son zach - he's two now - our daughter emma - who'll be five soon - and our niece lyla - who is turning six. it was utter chaos as usual - ten kids ages 8 and under running around high on pink lemonade, cake & ice cream and candy bracelets. and yogos and twizzlers and m&ms and blowpops. yikes.

we had a mexican food fiesta, with 7 layer dip, guacamole, queso, pulled pork, tacos, and 2 kinds of chicken enchiladas. i have to share the recipe for one of them - they are my new favorite food. it's from the latest issue of BHG.
*cook chopped chicken breast, mix in 1 1/2 c. salsa verde and 1 4oz. can green chiles. cook 3 minutes, stir in 1 c. shredded cheese. roll into tortillas, sprinkle more cheese on top and bake. how easy is that?! and so good.



















anyways, i made the cake too - i used a checkerboard cake pan set my mom gave me, with red velvet and chocolate batter. i have to say i was unimpressed with the end result. only because it was such a pain pouring the different batters into the divider and made a big mess in the kitchen. it worked ok, but the batters didn't line up exactly and the checkerboard wasn't as precise as it showed on the box. i think it would be just as exciting to simply swirl the two batters. you can see it in the next photo - and my lovely family, that's my honey troy and our three kids!














the kids helped me while i was decorating - it is hard to do with three of them underfoot, so i'm ok with how it turned out. the frosting was tinted pale green with halloween m&ms pressed in the sides for polka dots. then of course - it had to have sprinkles on top!













my sister-in-law wendy made the pinata for the kids, out of tissue paper, coloring book covers and a diaper box! she made it two sided, strawberry shortcake for the girls and dinosaur for the boys. she has become the family's designated pinata maker. i always video the kids smacking the pinata, and it's funny to watch how their aim has gotten better over the last two years!

favorite quilt makers

crazymomquilts has a new post up, showing some of the maverick star blocks for her quilts of valor project! someday i hope to be able to whip out quilts like she does. if you've never stopped by her site, prepare to be amazed. she makes beautiful quilts seem effortless, and is really good at explaining how to make them yourself.

another incredibly talented (and fairly new) quilt maker is ashley over at filminthefridge. she has only been quilting for one year. and she's already made more quilts than i probably will in my lifetime! she really inspires me, i love the backs she puts on her quilts!

finally, there's handmade by alissa. she makes beautiful quilts, and i love seeing what her latest project is. she has a great video tutorial on pebble quilting, and seeing the process really helps me to understand how it's done. now, if i only had a new machine...

fringe fleece scarf

here's a fun and fast project, courtesy of make & takes. i made this one for my niece's birthday, i think she'll enjoy it's fluffiness. three 1/4 yds of fleece, for under $4, and about ten minutes, i think? i used my rotary cutter to cut the fringe, but i did have to go back with scissors to snip it closer to the center seam. the bonus is i have enough left for at least one more scarf. maybe the lovely model would like one too?

next time...

thanks to everyone who went and voted for me. i got blown out of the contest - some girls had tens of thousands of votes! i think you could vote once a day - i didn't know that, so next time maybe i'll read the rules a little better! and next time is right now - they are having an a-line skirt contest with awesome prizes. and i think i need a new fall skirt...

i'm still a winner though! here's why. i bought that fabric way back when i started this blog, and it's been sitting, waiting for me to make something out of it. and i also tried sewing with elastic thread, and i wish i'd tried it earlier, it's really easy. don't be afraid, go try it out, you'll be glad you did!

and, i got an email this morning that i won some art gallery fabric in a giveaway! it's from liberty original, who has a blog and etsy shop - the line is called girly girl, and i love the patterns and colors! you can get your own fabric there, go take a peek!

finally, i'll be back soon with pictures to share of my new heather ross fabric! i was lucky enough to partake in her studio sale!

update!

so it looks like i am in 4th place right now. i have to admit, there's only 3 dresses i like as well as mine - although admittedly i'm biased! voting continues through the 30th, so anything could happen. the grand prize is a bernina, which would be wonderful. it has some features mine doesn't - and i bet the zigzag works on it! (as opposed to my silly machine!) i'm dying to do some applique but can't get mine to work.

anyways, i won't bore you with that anymore. i have been busy shredding zucchinis to freeze and making pepper jelly. hope it will set up better than last time, because i'd like to have these for gifts. i used the recipe on the certo liquid pectin box - although i had to use a lot more peppers to get the 2 3/4 C. it called for. i used a combo of jalepenos, red and green bells and one teeny habanero. small in size, packing some serious heat though!

voting is open!

hey loyal readers -i need you! come vote for my dress! there are several great dresses on there - i'm competing against some cute dresses...

whew.

oh, what a busy day. we had a parents as teachers advisory board meeting in paola (a 40 minute drive)this morning, and flew from there to get emma to preschool 25 miles away! needless to say, once we got home, i needed a little quiet time. so while one napped and the other two played, i whipped out this scarf dress.




















the pattern is incredibly easy - and i love the detail of the front - basically, think omitting several rows of shirring to give you a band of fabric that is unsmocked. i didn't follow the instructions exactly - it's supposed to have several more rows of shirring but i stopped with three (or 4?) below the bust and three above. technically, you should use two scarves, but since i don't own any bigger than a hankie, i made my own "scarf" panels from 2 yards of cotton fabric i've had for a year or two.

i love the colors for fall - i will probably add some cap sleeves or something, though. i don't have good luck with sleeveless dresses. no boobies to hold them up, and three littles to pull it down!

they are having a contest over there at burdastyle - winner with most votes gets a bernina! i'll let you know if you can help me out - i'm not sure how it all works yet. thanks in advance!

because i don't have enough unfinished projects...

i finally finished my maverick star block to send to crazymomquilts! she is making a blanket to give to quilts of valor, and i'm thrilled to participate. it did take me a couple of tries to get a block that was 12.5" exactly. it was my first time making these stars, and it's a fun way to use scraps. i hope i did it correctly! i know they are supposed to be wonky but it bugs me. i promise to not be offended if she doesn't use it :) i forgot to snap a pic before i folded it to mail, sorry about the wrinkles.

our three kids have a contagious rash and so we are housebound for the weekend! i finally remembered to get AA batteries, so they are all three occupied with assorted leapsters, leap pads and noise maker toys.










and i have been playing in my fabrics making these log cabin squares and baking banana bread. sigh. what a great day. i'm hoping i can pull enough florals from my stash of charms and scraps to make 15 of each block. i have quite a bit of some of the fabrics, teeny pieces of others.

even more postal love

i know for a fact that our mailman is soooo happy we got a bigger mailbox!

today i received a copy of a new parenting book, called stop second-guessing yourself, the preschool years, by jen singer of mommasaid.net she was kind enough to send me a copy after seeing that i had quoted her on my mommy blog! i can't wait to sit down with it!

and shamefully - this next present came the week before labor day, and i kept forgetting to take pictures of it and post about it! i loved it so much that i just threw my wallet and keys in it and went out to show it off! it is such a nice size - large enough to hold all that and more, but not too big where i can't find anything in it. and the fabric is awesome too. i won this in a giveaway (i know!!) and it's made by cindy over at imagine.dream.create. she also has an etsy shop too!

little houses, on the hillside

i've been busy making little houses. these are addicting! katie from seekatiesew made up some patterns, and i've been having fun choosing fabrics for them. it's my first attempt at paper piecing, and it took me a try (or two) to figure out what i was doing! i love the doll quilt she made, with tree quilting, so cute.















so, when paper piecing, remember to use a generous amount of fabric for each piece. it takes more than i thought it would, and you can see in my blocks where i had to skimp. i'm so greedy with my material, i can't stand wasting it, it's a real problem for me and i think this is a good exercise for me to learn to loosen up. anyways, go check out katie's houses and try one for yourself!

busy weekend

yep. definitely grouchy here. no time to do anything extra - i am still finding my groove with going to town 5 days a week for preschool.

we are playing in a ball tournament this weekend, and there's a BBQ smoke off happening too. this is the weekend my husband looks forward to all year long! i always halfway dread it - maneuvering three littles through a park full of hot smokers and the chaos at the ball park wears me out before it even starts. but, i always end up enjoying myself, and it's truly a family event. the K of C has this ball tourney every year in memory of troy's dad, who passed away 24 years ago. his aunt liz is here from san diego, and she may be my favorite aunt ever (and i have a lot of favorites) and all our friends and family turn out. we used to smoke meat it the contest too - troy is excellent at BBQ - but with the kids we've taken a few years off.

anywho. all that is to say i'm out for a few days, and hopefully will get some free time next week. hope hope hope.

gorgeous-ness

have you seen the new rugs from amy butler? to die for. seriously. i like her fabrics, they don't speak to me or anything, but i am in love with these carpets! so rich and luxurious. i don't even wann know what they cost, since i will never ever get to own one. but someday when we win that lottery, i'm getting one of each.

Made by Rae Jackpack Backpack GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Made by Rae Jackpack Backpack GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

you all know i love madebyrae and here's a chance to win one of her adorable backpacks!

Vote For Us!

ok, our entry is showing up over there so PLEASE go see us and if you like it, give us a few stars, would you?

journal entries

well, i suppose i can share this with you after all. my mom & i ended up making journal covers for the allpeoplequilts contest. and silly me, i thought the deadline was the 9th, so instead of taking photos yesterday like we planned, i went over this morning after dropping my son off at preschool. that way, i reasoned, i'd save making a 40 mile round trip just to snap 6 photos. well, guess again, the deadline was the 7th. grr. i need to get organized. i had written the 9th on the calendar right next to the laptop, so obviously i was multitasking - probably pouring milk and mopping the floor while changing diapers and combing curls.

ANYWAYS. i think they turned out very cute, so it's not a total loss. just in case i slipped through the deadline police, i'm not posting photos here, but you can run over and see them here. ahem, please excuse the hairdo - it's rainy and muggy here, and i forgot to do my makeup before we scrambled off to school. mom looks pretty damn good for having surgery 4 days ago though, huh? and funny, we both match our notebooks but didn't plan it that way!

i wonder what the next challenge will be? they've done a bag, an apron and a notebook this year. again, if anyone wants to be my partner next round (i'm looking at you, darling chatterbox!) email me at tammieschafferATyahooDOTcom. i will do my best to finish before the deadline.

elm studios

how sweet is this?? i won this prize in the dress-up drawer's giveaway week! see, when i tell you about these cool contests, you really should go enter them. people really do win!

i had been in love with elm studios etsy shop for a few months, and i really want a little bird family wall hanging! but since we may keep adding to our nest, i have to wait and see whether we need a blue or yellow bird. so when i found out i had won her prize, i was over the moon. everyone please check out her shop - these would make fabulous wedding presents and she has lots of other fun things!

i decided to use it as a little ring dish for our dresser, and it sits next to our family portrait and a wedding photo of us. thanks, jaime, for hosting the giveaway. stay tuned for the next round - i'm going to be participating with some cool prize of my own!

and thanks so much, erin, this is one of my favorite things. i just love it!

grr...

i missed my 300th post! i had wanted to do something special for it...

i am feeling pretty grouchy due to the lack of crafty time these days! i had wanted to get my table runner tute finished up, but it will have to wait another day or two. tomorrow night is my "night off", and my only plans are to sew sew sew!

our weekend company left this morning, and we had a really nice quiet weekend. the fish weren't biting, but we had lots of yummy smoked pork and good conversation. a little dancing, a little singing, and lots of naps. ahh. hope you all had a great weekend too!

cool nicey jane

i saw this and wanted to share my latest fabric obsession with y'all. is heather bailey incredible or what. it's like she read my mind and made fabric just for me. the swell colorway is cute too. while you're over there, take a peek at amy butler's love preview. looks nice, loving the dots!

charm pack table runner - part one

i have been hoarding this charm pack of mary englebreit's recipe for friendship for months now. i knew i wanted to use it in my kitchen somehow. i got inspired by this project over at the bakeshop - and decided to make one to fit our super long kitchen island. the prints are so cute!















for my table runner, i used:
1 charm pack of moda's recipe for friendship, or 20 5 inch squares of your choice
20 5 inch white squares (again, whatever you'd like to use is fine!)

cut 9 of the white squares in half on the diagonal. these are for the edges.




















now, the fun part! lay them out on the diagonal and play around with the placement. i did ten pairs of prints, and then filled in the white. i find that i see clumps of color better if i take a photo of it, which is weird. i'm new at this, maybe my eye is untrained. sure, that's what it is. i changed the order of mine all the way up to sewing the last strips together. the nice thing about a charm pack is they are all sort of matchy matchy anyways.




















ok, start sewing your rows! i used a 1/4" seam.

i press mine to the print side, rather than opening them out. it helps me match the seams better in the next step. also, be sure to press the seam flat before pressing the seam to the side. this sets the seam, and it keeps it from getting wonky.
















the next step is to match seams and sew some more.
















after sewing these seams together, i press them open. with the white in between, i didn't want the print showing through so this takes care of that. as you can see, i left points on both ends and this makes it hang just right over the edges of my table. on our island top, it fits nicely and leaves room on both ends for a place setting. i like that i'll be able to use this in more than one place!




















later today, i will quilt and bind this. today is em's first day of preschool, so i need to get ready for that, but we get home about 3 and *hope* everyone will feel like napping. it's rainy and thunder-y here. i'm also planning to pick up a movie while we're out, so even if nobody sleeps, i should get enough quiet time to stitch this up and share it with you! see you later!

hello everyone!

did you miss me? it feels weird to not chat with you every day! grab a cup of coffee!

it's been a fun last couple of days! i started potty training our youngest - and moved the boys into their new bunk beds too. some work in the garden, a super fun fish fry, and lots of new hand me downs from our neighbor. including a gorgeous wood doll cradle and a wood rocking chair for the kiddos. i can't wait to personalize them with new bedding and a slipcover.

i also started on a table runner - hoping to finish it up today and share my very first tutorial on it! hooray! disclaimer - it's actually very basic, so it's probably been done before. but not by me. that's the important part anyways.

i also had some very great news this morning about a possible job opening that would delight both me and my husband (who really wants me to go back to school and become a dental hygienist) let's just say that it would involve all the things i love to do and i'd have summers off. any guesses?

i'll be back later today with some photos and show and tell.

lame, lame LAME!

i've been so totally lame the last couple days. yes, i'm still working on the yoyo project, but truly i've been *so* lazy.

and i signed up for wardrobe refashion right before stuff and save at old navy - what was i thinking? 50% off clearance and then 20% on top of that?! i tried to buy mostly knits though, since i can't sew those myself. really. i can't. my zig-zag doesn't work. oh, and i had to buy cleats for troy, softball tourney's in two weeks. and it was bogo at payless. yes. i signed up to not buy clothes, and then spent more than i ever do on clothes. don't tell me what to do, damn it.

anyways, plans for the weekend include pie baking, room painting, and putting together the boys' new twin beds! white wood bunk beds. i can't wait to show you their cool new room! it has a thrifted chair for reading books too. sigh. one day we'll do our own room.

it's in the cards

sometimes as i scroll over to check my email, it rolls over my horoscope and today i actually read it. here's what it said (i'm a scorpio):

you're an expert at focus -- which some folks might actually call 'obsession' -- and you love nothing more than that feeling of concentration. it translates into infatuation in your book, and it's all good.

which is kind of right on, as far as how i feel about projects when i start them. but i guess in my case, the focus wears off a little sometimes! :)

anyways, once the kids hit the sack, i'm hitting the sewing machine. i am going to finish two shirts tonight, if i can get focused! see you soon!

wardrobe refashion

i signed up for the next round of this! i have a whole pile of clothes that need reworked, i thought this might prod me along. here's a blurb from their website:

"participants of the blog pledge to abstain from the purchase of new manufactured clothing for the period of 2, 4, 6 months or LIFE. they pledge to refashion, renovate, and recycle preloved items with their own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium or make their own from scratch."

sounds fun, plus i've been seeing so many great projects out there in blogland, i can't wait to get started.

downtime

well, my honey is working nights this week, and sleeping in the craft room during the day. so not much sewing is happening around here right now. that's ok, i've been keeping busy. still working on my cross stitch when the kids are sleeping, stitching some yo-yos when they aren't. i have a big box of fabric circles that someone gave me, in pink and green and blue and floral - and i mean a box. there are so many! and i stuck them under my cutting table until i figured out what i wanted to do with them. i have a plan - never fear - and i will share it with you soon. a few other things have to happen for the whole project to come together.

i am also trying to get the kid's rooms painted and trimmed, since we are going to start trying for baby #4! that sort of put the fire under my feet about some of these home improvements i've been putting off. i have tile to grout and trim to caulk, and quite a bit of painting. we also have two birthdays coming up, and my mom's retirement, the list goes on and on. busy is fun, right?

cross stitching away

DSC09670
Originally uploaded by craftytammie

we just learned yesterday that we'll have a houseful for labor day - which means i need to convert the mess that is my craft room back into a guest room. i am a messy crafter - i leave piles everywhere, i have umpteen unfinished projects floating around - you get the idea.

so while sorting stuff, i found my box of needlework supplies. and inside, this sampler i started when i was pregnant, on bed rest, with our oldest. who will be 5 in october. screeching halt to cleaning! i started working on it again last night, maybe i can finish it before her birthday comes around. but boy, those stitches are teensy! i had bought the wrong fabric, but decided i could handle the challenge, and wore granny glasses to see what i was doing! thank goodness our new house has better lighting!

anyways, this tiny little sampler is only about 6 inches tall. i will probably try to mat it in an 8x10 frame. i don't remember the name of the book where i got the pattern, only that i got it at the topeka library about 5 years ago.

Sweetie Pie Bakery Felt Cake GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Sweetie Pie Bakery Felt Cake GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

so here's the honest deal

i've had a margarita and a two beers (thanks to the babysitter!). and now i'm the only one awake, and i'm multi tasking by surfing the web, watching chris rock and scheming my next ten projects. i come across this site, quilts and more - because i think i'm sixty instead of 35 - and i realize, i need a partner! they have a challenge contest, and you know i can't pass up a challenge. any of you loyal, sexy, skinny readers of mine want to partner up? see the deets here and let's get together and make some journal covers! i about swooned when i saw the grand prize. seriously, though. don't make me ask my mom.

good morning, i think?

hmmph. it's super early here, but all three kids woke up at the same time - 3:45am, and they won't go back to sleep. emma fell out of her bed but insists that lambie pushed her off. the boys were just crying, but neither seems to know why. and since troy had to be at work at 5am today, they were up right before him. i'm sure they will fall asleep soon - they are watching little einsteins and giggling - but i won't be able to! once i'm up and moving around, i have a tough time shutting back down. time for coffee.

i'm sure you've heard of spoonflower by now - it's a site where you can order custom fabric. pretty cool - i don't know how to do it (yet), but i love seeing the new designs each week on their blog. right now they are having a holiday contest, and this week you can vote for two of 18 fabrics! and true up has a tutorial of sorts comparing them with other online printing services.

anyways, all day today (the 20th) you can get 2 free swatches - shipping is free too - so it's a great time to try out that design you've been thinking of!

that reminds me. remember the "ugly" fabric i won awhile back? it was a spoonflower sample that didn't quite come out like she wanted. ugh, was it really in march? i *need* to make something with that! i am still leaning towards binding for a kids quilt. maybe i will go ahead and make the bias tape - and it could inspire my next quilt top project. the hourglass blocks are all completed and waiting for me to cut and sew on the sashing. and i feel really good about having used up all my 5 inch floral charms! i ended up with two left over. next i have a stack of 6 inch novelty prints from a swap, and i always planned to make i-spy quilts.

i know this post is long and rambling, but like i said, it's early here. the youngest is back asleep, and i think i will go stretch out for an episode of wubbzy with the preschoolers.

hi, my name is tammie

i have a confession to make. i bought more fabric. it's actually not my fault though!

while the power was off last week, we were in kc for the day, and there were all these garage sales! and when you can get a whole tub of fabric for $5, and a box of zippers for $2 - can you really say no? or not buy *both* tubs of fabric? and another sale had lots of remnants for 10 cents or a quarter. anyways, i wasn't sure what was in the tubs but i'm done sorting and washing them, and i'm ready for show and tell!

















one tub was full of bottom weights, lots of twill and linen and denim! hooray! and the second had lots of scraps. muslin and sheets, not as much quilter's cotton as i'd hoped for, there's a bunch of knits, and some random stuff. and there were also a bunch of decorator chintz and tapestry samples.






















so what am i going to make with all this lovely fabric goodness? knowing me, i'll start a bunch of things all at once. i also checked out in stitches again today, and it's inspiring me too. the kids are all napping so i'm off to do bodies in motion. i'd rather be sewing. sigh.

extreme blog makeover

well? what do you think? this is a free template called happy day from leelou blogs. it's so bright and happy! i may see if i can change the font size a bit, but for now, i'm loving it. go pick out one of your own!

it's giveaway time!

no, not from me -but that's ok! because over at the dress-up drawer they are having a bunch of great prizes! head over there for a chance at oodles of great handmade gifts! i've also found some new etsy favorites, so even if i don't win, i know where i'm doing some of my holiday shopping.

hourglass madness

here's a peek at the hourglass blocks! i've got more ready to stitch at naptime this afternoon. i'm planning to sash it with the white. i've got several yards of a blue calico that i used in one of the blocks, and i think it will make a nice backing fabric. this is going so fast, i can't quit working on it!

also - if you've never changed your rotary blade, i would suggest it. i finally replaced mine, and about sliced my hand off! i was nervous about cutting through nine layers of fabric for my katie jump rope blocks - but it should be smooth slicing now.

chain me to my treadmill!

today has been a rainy, blah kind of day. the kids didn't want to go to their mom's day out group - so i had to drag them along on my thrift shop trip. three's a handful! i did get a beautiful vintage sheet, with lots of yellow and pink flowers. and a pretty tiered skirt for me. but then the cashier, who sees me once a week, and always chats with me and the kids, said "oh, are you expecting another baby?" and i had to admit that no, my belly's just fat. jeez.

so i came home and worked on some hourglass blocks to cheer myself up. i'm using a bunch of random, 5 inch charms i collected through swaps. the white is cotton i bought to make curtains in one of our old houses, then never got around to it. this will be an ongoing project, these squares are small! i've been putting them in a picnic basket as i finish them, i figure i'll run a few of them up each time i sit at the machine, and eventually i'll have enough to make a blanket. gotta love chain piecing!

i'll probably skip the quilt guild meeting. i'm feeling a little low in the self-esteem department today, and i think i'll spend my free time on the elliptical instead. listen to some upbeat tunes, get the exercise rush going. when i'm low all i want to do is snack and sleep, so i'm trying really hard to resist those urges!

lazy summer days

another weekend flew by - this time of year gets so busy! i suppose it will only get worse as the kids start school, i better just enjoy this last year of freedom before bus schedules and lunch boxes! we played all weekend, had softball practice and a sleepover, and i put in a new flowerbed! one of my annoying habits is constantly expanding the amount of weeding that i have to do. i made meatloaf and dump cake, and took naps. it's a great life.

i also finally cut into my fat quarter bundle of katie jump rope! i've been nervous, not wanting to mess it up, not sure what i wanted to make. i decided to make crazy nine patch squares. so i cut 10" squares of 9 of the fabrics, and if i do ok with those i will make 9 more, and make a throw for the living room. the colors are so bright and happy, and we fight over the one quilt we keep in there. it was sweltering upstairs though, and our son kept getting out of bed, so i didn't start cutting the crazy parts yet. naptime tomorrow, hopefully!

tomorrow my room redesign will be up at fresh nest, and i am attending my first quilt guild meeting! they are having an quilt historian come from lawrence to speak. hope it's fun and that i meet some new crafty friends!

aww,

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com


how sweet is that! that's what i see in my head too, if we have one more baby. three boys, probably.

yeah, baby

i knew, even as i typed the words, that committing to completing a project a day was a curse. although i haven't NOT yet, it's bound to happen sooner than later.

for example, my projects that i completed yesterday? sewing on buttons. yes, they'd been sitting around waiting for attention forever, and now they are done. so technically complete. but stretching it a little. and i did get my two baby gifts sent off (kimono top and bloomers for baby taylor, crayon book and gap onesie for baby kyle and big bro brandon)

i guess starting a quilt right now wasn't the smartest? :)



















i did go ahead with the brown, and i like it. my husband waited until i had half the blocks sewn together to say "i don't think i like that color" pointing to the turquoise. the exact color that i specifically asked him about the day before. the one he said was fine. men.

the only issue i am having now is that the whole thing has a very seventies vibe. i think this would be an excellent color choice and pattern if i were making the baby size - which is made of 5 inch blocks. in 9 inch blocks it's kind of in your face. since i know this quilt is sure to be ruined within 5 years, i'm trudging ahead, and thinking i'll make the back very simple, just a long strip of pieced color blocks with brown on each side. i think i can live with that.

oh! the best part about this blanket? our son aj, who's 3 1/2, has been "helping" me by cutting up selvedge strips into teeny pieces while i work. and choosing new fabrics he wants me to put in. he told me he doesn't like the yellow, and he wants me to put in a strip of sports print he found, leftover from a crayon book. then he chose a neon green dot print. i'm hoping he won't notice i'm not taking his advice.

zigzag-ing along

i told you i wanted to start another quilt, and it had totally slipped my mind that there was a quilt along happening. it's for a zigzag, which is what i wanted to make next!

i decided to work on a quilt for one of the boys, inspired by their future room design. i had bought yardage of a deep brown my last shopping trip, knowing i wanted some kind of blue/brown zigzag. this is what i have so far:



















i don't know how i feel about the brown now though. i think i may leave it for another project. also, i'm afraid of how all solids will show stains. i love the idea, just not the reality. so i may have to throw in some prints, just for my sanity.

any advice for me? are the colors too girly? i was thinking beachy fisherman sandcastle builder...

lucky us

i almost forgot to tell you! i was chosen to do a room redesign over at fresh nest!


they are going to be redesigning our boys' room, and the timing is perfect. zach is ready to move to a twin bed, and aj is old enough to sleep in a top bunk. we'd been looking at bunk beds and i've been planning a spruce up for the paint. i can't wait to see their suggestions!

unplugged

sorry about the huge space at the top of the last post. for the life of me, i couldn't get it to go away!

we had a good weekend, how about you gals? i did a little sewing, made two color books for my nieces' birthday party yesterday.

































that's one of them, the other didn't photograph as well, for some reason all the pics were blurry. i've started shoving more crayons in them, it now holds 12 and seems to keep them in better. i love the dancers in this fabric. it's from a pillowcase i found thrifting last year.















i also worked on a baby blanket that i've been wanting to make for a long time. it's two pieces of flannel sewn together with jumbo ric-rac trim. i just love the silly monkeys. if we have another baby (something we're considering) i will want to do jungle animal nursery this time!

this week, i actually don't have any idea what i will work on. i'm wanting to start another quilt. right now our power is off (grr) and i can't do much of anything. i may go play in my fabrics and plan out my next project though.

tiered skirt!

i made this thursday, but i've been having so much fun reading the comments on my last post, i decided not to publish it until friday!















i'm proud of myself for a number of reasons.
1. all stash supplies - the middle mini stripe is so old i don't even remember where it came from.
2. no pattern used! i made it up as i went along, using my daughter a measuring guide.
3. i started and finished this all in one sitting.
4. the kids kept me entertained playing with their guitars and making up songs while i worked.

that last one makes me feel better about wanting to spend time doing my own thing. i feel like i'm teaching them to do their own thing too, and to not need constant attention and feedback from me. i keep telling our son that when school starts he'll have to share the teacher with lots more kids than just his siblings. that may be tough for him! plus, they see me sewing so much now that the novelty of the machine is wearing off, and soon i'll be able to teach them simple sewing like lacing! hooray!

i have set a somewhat lofty goal for myself to complete one thing a day, for as long as i can. i have so many unfinished projects, that should give me a range of things for days when i get very little time to sew. and i'm excluding weekends, because there's always too much going on for that to happen.

anyways, i need to sew two more things before sunday - presents for two very special birthday nieces. this skirt started out as that, but ended too big so emma scored instead! i will probably make crayon books anyways. they are the right ages for them (3 and 4). see you tomorrow!

mine! no, mine!

i have a question that has been bothering me for awhile now. well, not a question, really. just a comment. or a question. you decide.

how do so many people take something so generic, like a tote bag or a pillow, and then churn out a pattern for it and call it their own? i've made the rounds of sewing books and sites, and i think all of them have something along those lines, whether it's a tunic (weekend sewing has a version of the same tunic i own and got at target) pattern, or a tiered skirt, or a zipper bag, or a basic tote, or even cloth napkins - really? you thought that up all by yourself? you get to claim credit for that pattern?

there are obvious examples of true blatent rip-off-ism out there (see here & here) but i always feel a little offended if i see someone stating on their blog *for personal use only* and it's something so basic, that i learned to make it in home ec back in 1986. i guess my big dilemna is how much of design is personal expression in choice of fabrics and colors and textures, and how much is technique, and how much is fair use? if i take something generic and make it mine, is it really mine? or is it an improved version of someone else's design?

i first started thinking about this while knitting washcloths. i would love to sell more of them in my etsy shop. and i feel like if i cast on, without a written pattern, and work up a stitch that i like, it's my creation and i should get to sell it. but am i the first person to do a garter stitch border with a basketweave design? surely, undoubtably not. so i don't sell them. and i feel frustrated.

oh, here's the last thing i have to say about it tonight. isn't the idea of a crafting community all about teaching and sharing? but still creating your own ideas and designs? isn't that the spirit of the crafter, and the idea behind most of these craft sites, to share and teach and be a community? what do you think?

another kimono top

what did i tell you? these are so simple!















i whipped this out today while the older two played (fought over) blocks and the youngest slept. it's from two scraps of floral i bought yard sale-ing for 25 cents! vintage bias trim, and it's done. the sleeves are shorter/smaller than the pattern called for, because i goofed and cut the back in two pieces (i cut the fold line - gah!) and didn't have enough left to recut it and the sleeves. so i made the goof the sleeves. still cute, and it is hot here so short sleeves are more appropriate!

now i don't have to choose which baby gets the handmade top - they both do :)

tuesday night sewing club

i actually got some sewing time last night! i noticed that my husband was a bit put out that i would "rather sew" than watch baseball with him. uh, hello? he's known me for 13 years! you'd think that wouldn't be a surprise. anyways...















so i made lucy's kimono from weekend sewing. and i had looked at a few examples before hand, so i was expecting the bulk under the arms and knew to use more bias trim and to put the ties in correctly - i really didn't use the book much at all. super easy, super fast, and since it's so tiny you could really splurge on nice fabric for this! although, all my babies were bulimic and threw up every meal, so i don't know that i would want to. i used some leftover from emma's quilt top, and paired it with some leftover bias tape i made for an apron a long time ago. i love using things up, i always feel so smug. not that it made a dent in my stash, but still.

now, which newborn baby to give it to?

Hide N Seek Woodland Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Hide N Seek Woodland Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

did you guess?

it's the buttercup bag from made by rae! (who just had a gorgeous baby girl, btw) i printed this off awhile back, but just decided to start one yesterday. chose the fancy denim that i bought on impulse, thinking it would be a skirt for emma, and didn't like as much once i got it home. it works good for this though, i think! go right now to start your own, it's so easy and fast and adorable!

maybe it's the sunny yellow lining,



















maybe it's the cute pleats,













but i love this bag! look for more to come, in my etsy shop! or go make your own, and add it to the flickr group, won't you?

stop by the apron fest ----> going on this week - there's some super cute aprons to be won!

i am in heaven. troy's uncle bud grows a huge garden and we got one of his spaghetti squash. i was skeptical, did some research and decided to try baking it to use as "spaghetti" the kids adamantly refused to try it, so i fed them something else and spooned up a bowl for me. if i hadn't know it was squash, i wouldn't have believed it. yum. and so much better for me (and my hips) than pasta! i also read about using the leftovers to make fried squash patties - i may try that tomorrow for breakfast. it was so good, i forgot to show you the before!



















i still have oodles of pears to use, i had put them aside and forgot about them after making the honey last week. so it's do or die time now, the fruit flies will be here if i wait to much longer! on the list to make tonight is pear pie and pear bread and even a pear jello dessert - that should about do it.

finally, i'll leave you with a sneak at my latest project - i started and ohmygoshigotsoclose to finishing this during nap time yesterday! i'm hoping for more of the same quiet time this afternoon. any guesses?

more good stuff

time once again to show you some fabulous things i got in the mail recently.




















first up, the book living in style by barclay butera. this book is full of fabulous photos and rooms i could move right into(like the one above). i won this book in a giveaway over at one of my daily reads, fresh nest design. they are hosting a design contest right now, winner gets a flor rug, go check it out!

next up, a wonderful apron i got back in june:




















so cute, and it looks just as lovely hanging on my peg hooks. i love it!

another tote!

i made this tote for my friend joy, who waited patiently for months and never even reminded me that i was supposed to have it made before summer started.

tmi?

i don't think i've ever mentioned it before, but i have a B.S. in home ec (family and consumer sciences, actually). i took classes like sewing and craft demonstration, fashion merchandising and interior design. it sounds fancy, but believe me, way back then, i already knew more than they were teaching in my program. we didn't have computers to work with in class and the internet was just beginning. i had worked retail for a few years already and was frustrated by my fashion classes, taught by an older (in my eyes - out of touch) teacher. i even switched majors to english at one point, but this stuff is all i've ever wanted to do, so i switched back. after graduation, i worked for abercrombie and then jcrew, until troy took a job in central kansas.

i don't really know why i'm sharing this. it's just been on my mind a lot lately, after years of feeling like i wasted a college opportunity to "do something" i'm beginning to feel like i've been on the right path. and that's a great feeling. there are so many opportunities for crafters right now!

in bloom

i realized yesterday i haven't been taking advantage of all the fresh flowers i have blooming right now! i usually keep jars of them in the kitchen all summer, but i have yet to cut a single bouquet. the poor zinnias have taken a beating this year, between heavy rains and winds knocking my trellis on them twice. but they are looking better and should get me through the fall with lots of butterflies to look at. the black eyed susans are new this year(thanks mom!) and they have taken off!

bunco was fun last night! i made meatballs with the grape jelly/chili sauce - have to say, i didn't like it as much as i thought i would. but i've always wanted to try them, and now i have. and an artichoke dip that was yummy. knorr spring vegetable mix with mayo, sour cream, cream cheese, parmesan & artichoke hearts. i made some no bakes and rice krispie treats too. it was fun seeing everyone, i missed last months game. i gave away travel kits of soap & glory i found at target(75% off!) and hand knit washcloths too. i made fabric gift sacks since i couldn't find paper sacks the right size. i'll make a tutorial later for these, they were easy peasy.

i made the pear honey and it is really good! of course, being me, i didn't follow the directions and sort of made up my own as i went. i used the crockpot and it didn't cook down as much as it should have, it's a bit runny. and i didn't can it, choosing to freeze it instead. i used small containers since it will have to be eaten quickly after thawing.

cute bag giveaway!

have you been to moda bakeshop yet? moda is probably my favorite fabric company and i love seeing the new projects they post. so, the latest one is called the charmed gift bag. these would be great for teacher gifts, party favors, just about anything! kim is giving one away on her blog bitty bits & pieces, so be sure to stop by there as well!

three things to say tonight...

i sold another list taker! i am on a roll! maybe now my honey will watch the kids so i can do some sewing this weekend. i did finish another today that i've been playing with for awhile, but it's a bit wonky so i'll be gifting it to a family member. i love some the fabrics in it! a vintage linen dot, a swiss dot, other linens and prints.



















i added a pocket inside for cards or stamps. i like this, i'll be adding that to future notebooks as well.














i really need a better machine/walking foot. and a new camera. just saying.

i have found an idea for all those pears. pear honey, which is something i bought locally last christmas and it was so good. i've got tons of empty jars, so i'm going to give it a try. or i may try this one for orange pear jam, it sounds easy. but i don't think i'll be able to try them for another couple days. they aren't ripe yet, and i am hosting bunco tuesday.

which for some reason is freaking me out! i can't think of anything to make to eat! right now i'm thinking cocktail meatballs, and spinach dip. and pie for dessert. we'll see. i also have two bottles of wine i'm busting out, maybe some of the gals will help me drink them!

still stripping fabric swap!

i am hosting another swap over at swap-bot! this one is for 2 1/2 inch fabric strips. i loved making my quilt top and have found a few other projects i want to try, like this quilt. we'll be sending three 2 1/2 inch x width of fabric (generally 44") to two partners. you do have to be a member of swap-bot to join, but it's free and easy (and a bit addictive)

anyone feel like helping me? i made this graphic on inkscape only to find out that svg files aren't allowed on swap-bot(or blogger, for that matter). so i snapped a pic to get it on screen and ask for assistance! is there anyway to save my drawing so i can use it? it's frustrating to me because i know what i want to do - make this a button to use on swap-bot and allow others in swap to put on their blogs - but have no idea how to go about it...

our friends' gardens runneth over...

yikes! sorry about that awful banner - i was just playing around and didn't think i'd saved it! i am so not technically savvy, but i try. thank you for not mentioning it :)














so today is all about fruits and veggies. we've had two people give us bags full of corn, so i made a huge mess in my kitchen first thing this morning. and the kids had corn for breakfast. our kids love "grandma corn" and they request it anytime they see her. she told me once "that's all they think i can make!" she's actually a fabulous cook.














next i have to figure out what to do with all these pears! any recipe suggestions?

in business

so this is exciting for me - i have a custom order on etsy! two crayon books - they're listed in the shop, and i have a few others in the works.

i am really wanting to make another quilt top, though, and i'm thinking it has to be the zig zag quilt from crazymomquilts. it's genius, the way it's put together. i would never have thought of it. and i have 2 yards of brown solid just begging to be paired with some blues and tans. polka dots maybe? i'll have to do some digging in my stash and see what comes up. but i have a vision...

dreamer

first, some wonky coasters i made for our living room. although the kids refuse to leave them on the tables. these were made with some small blocks i got as an extra in a charm swap. i can't remember who made them, so if it's you PLEASE take credit!












these are two pieces of fabric i got at goodwill yesterday - for $3 i got about 3 yds. i love the cheater print, baby blanket in it's future, and the floral will make a nice peasant blouse, i think. or maybe a quilt. i know i talk a lot about making quilts for someone who has only completed two quilt tops. but i have big dreams.

yay for me!

i just finished sewing my quilt top together! why did i wait so long? it went so fast and my seams lined up almost perfectly! i think i will take it to the quilt shop tomorrow and see how much it would cost to have it done professionally. if i do it myself, i am afraid it will never get finished. oh, and that it will look awful. heehee.

that's all i got done today, except for drooling over the book i got on interlibrary loan, weekend sewing, and wishing i could make every single project in there. well, except for the napkins. why does every sewing book have a "pattern" for napkins? i think i can sew a square.

ben franklin's baby

here is another goodie i got in the mail! thanks rOssie, and go check out fresh modern quilts!

aren't they gorgeous! i know i want to use the pez print in a quilt. don't know what i will do with all the other cuteness yet. i am this close to starting a charming handbag.

cuff 'em

remember those vintage quilts i got from that garage sale? i finally got up the courage to throw them in the washing machine. they didn't fall apart - hooray! but the heavy one just would not dry! after torching it in the dryer forever - i decided to rip it apart. when i did, i found not one, but two blankets had been used as batting!

the backing was shredded anyways, so my daughter helped me to remove it, and as a thank you, i used the edges of the quilt (they'd been under the binding) to make some of these mama chic wrist cuffs! the middle one is mine, but there are two baby ones. i wish i had time to finish one more this morning. she's sleeping over tonight with 2 of her girl cousins.

color book

i made this little book for our daughter - when i was little i dreamed of big skirts and bonnets. my room was done in holly hobbie, of course, complete with canopy bed. the outside was a little boring, so i added her name, and then realized it would be too close to the edge so i sewed on a polka dot stripe. i used to do a lot of needlework. i have been wanting to incorporate some into my sewing.











anyways, i've been working on it bits at a time today, and when i do that i always forget stuff. like the elastic to close it with. or to use a heavier interfacing. it's a little floppy, and i will need to figure out a way to close it, but it's 99% done. and that's something, right? i wish i had a walking foot for my machine. someday!

best summer salad

this is my new fave!

ingredients:
1 bag frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts(about 7), thawed and rinsed
1/2 bottle wishbone red wine vinaigrette (it's sweet - gives the chicken a nice flavor)
1 bag new york texas toast croutons - sea salt and pepper
1 bag salad
1 box strawberries - cleaned, hulled and sliced
kraft creamy poppyseed dressing

marinate chicken in vinaigrette - i did mine overnight. grill chicken. when it's hot off the grill, i like to chop it up using two knives- it comes apart nicely. plus you feel like a fancy chef. then mix it all together - salad, croutons, chicken, strawberries, and drizzle with poppyseed dressing. enjoy! and let me know what else you think would taste yummo in this!

time for a finished project, don't you think?

i am done with this o & s lazy days skirt for my daughter, although it's a little on the long side. she seems to grow before my eyes though, and she's pretty loaded up on skirts at the moment, so big's a good thing. vintage bias tape instead of ribbon trim. easy and done. see others at sparklepowersewalong or at oliver + s flickr pool.

for some reason, i can't get back in the saddle of her quilt top. maybe it's knowing that once it's put together, it will still be sitting - waiting to be quilted. maybe because i have no idea what to do for the back. i just filled two bobbins with the natural thread, so i guess tonight is as good as any to finish it.

i am in the middle of two other projects too, but i swear i'd need an extra hour every day just to take pics of them. i so need an eye-fi.

crafting will resume...

as soon as they get the damn power back on! we had a bizarre storm blow through that has had us without power for 48 hours now, and possibly until the end of the weekend. my poor husband took yesterday off work to clean up all the tree branches that were broken off. we lost one walnut tree and a few large branches from my favorite oak tree, boohoo! and our poor shed is needing a lot of attention. the wind ripped the entire north side off, and blew out the windows on the south side. no a/c, and it's summer in kansas - gah! send cool thoughts our way, please!

big plans

so here's a WIP - i saw these letters the other day and had to make some right away! if i can finish a set by this weekend, i'll be adding them to a birthday gift for a 2 year old. they are turning out cute! i also traced some number puzzle pieces we had laying about. i've been making mine using 5" charms and they seem to be the right size for little hands. i've been freehanding the letters. i love that she used chenille for the backs, wish i has some to use!

um, what's next. i am finishing up a tunic top - that i started - ready for this - at least 3 years ago, probably longer. luckily, it still fits, and i'm just fixing the gathers, they were a bit wonky.

hi there!

did you all have a great fourth of july? we did! we just got home from a long weekend with family up in iowa. it is so pretty up there, really green and lush. my dad's family reunions every fourth at spirit lake, and we had a lot of fun.

so anyways, i am super excited because i don't have anything i have to do all week, and that should mean some sewing time! i also got two dishcloths knit on the long car ride. i've been tackling my yarn stash, making myself use up some supplies so i can fit them into our guest room. i am so close to finished with three or four projects, so i hope to be posting a lot this week! see you soon!

oh, i don't want to forget - the fabric shopper is giving away an AMY BUTLER BAG!!! who doesn't want some of that yumminess?

paint chips make me happy!

get a free quart of paint today over at glidden - i chose onyx black, because it's only a quart after all, and i could not decide on any of the colors! so many pretties to choose from. i almost got warm gold, and deepest aqua. i love looking at paint chips!

more love in the mail!

this time it's from knitty bitties! packaged up so cute!



















check out her etsy for your very own quilted list taker. she also makes great crayon books for kiddos!

the vegemite taste test

all right, becky left me a comment and i realized i had never sampled the vegemite. today is the day! i've been up a few hours, gotten a lot of chores done, and i figured, i could use a healthy breakfast.

here goes!




















umm, yeah. that's, er, healthy. i'd show you an after photo, but it would be rude. let's just say, it's not my taste. thanks, though, becky, i can mark another thing off my bucket list!

and sorry, i know i told you here i wouldn't post any lingerie photos. one of the best things about living in the country is staying in your nightie until noon. (or later...)

fabric love

marianne over at pickled pear lane sent me this fat quarter bundle of katie jump rope fabric! i am so excited to turn this into a quilt.

i am thinking of a four leaf clover pattern, that i found in a library book about the kc star quilts. the four leaf clover is a pattern i saw on an antique quilt once and fell in love with. basically, it's a nine patch, but the outside edges are curved. this creates a circular design between the blocks, i just love it. i haven't run the numbers yet, so i don't know how much fabric i need exactly. but it should be easy enough to either buy more (yay!) or to fill in with some from my stash. that would make it more scrappy, which is the look i like.

speaking of quilts - i guess my husband works with a guy who has a long arm quilting business on the side! i told him to get a quote for me, and i'm hoping that he'll give us a super deal! then i could get emma's quilt done right.

fantastic refashion

Summer of 69 Thrift Store Refashion Frock

I LOVE THIS!!! i can't believe it only took her an hour or so, it's so cute and summery!

Marseilles Dress SHABBY APPLE GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Marseilles Dress SHABBY APPLE GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

to do, to do...

well, i thought i'd take a break from showing off all the cool stuff i've won (yes, there's still more!) and talk about some things i'd like to make.

first up, this super simple argyle fleece throw. i don't know about you, but i love fleece. at least at first, before it gets all pilled up. it's so soft! i know they make some "anti-pill" fleece, but i haven't ever tried it. this blanket looks really easy, and i was thinking it would make a cute baby size blanket. so that will probably be what i start with. i anticipate some quality netflix time while doing all the hand stitching! if you know any tricks to keep it from pilling, or brands of fleece you like, i'd love to hear them - a baby blanket gets a lot of wear so i don't want to waste my time if it will look awful in just a few months.

i really want to make some raised garden beds. this project will probably have to be next spring - we just finished tearing up our yard and it's a bit late for planting anyways. but the lowe's garden club magazine has plans for a strawberry bed with a bench along the outside, so you can sit while you harvest your yummy berries! i think this would be especially nice for the kids, so they can "help" pull weeds and pick produce. we have a spot in our yard that is perfect, i'm thinking two boxes would be just right. one for tomatoes and peppers, one for berries and herbs.

i want to sew a few things for myself - my summer clothes are just sad. tanks and the same shorts in three colors. that's my uniform. this skirt is first up - so cute, and she says it's easy! i'm thinking i have at least two fabrics that would work for it. i also want to make some cute thin cotton tanks. and this ruffle top tutorial might make me try sewing on knits! ok, and this ruffle one too - so sweet. and maybe better for my nonexistent bustline!

finally, for the need to finish stuff. i need to hem my living room curtains! they are just hanging there, ten inches too long and raw edged. we are having a party next weekend, so that's my motivation. i was planning to use another fabric to trim all the edges with, but now i'm thinking i just want to get it done. i can always add trim later if i want.

i need to finish sewing my blocks together. i have totally stalled out on my quilt top. i haven't had any time for sewing the last couple of nights, and i am feeling cross.

more handmade love!

all the way by royal mail from the uk!

i have already hung these up in our mudroom! they are just perfect, i had a bare spot to fill and these just belonged there. i love that you can see them from the kitchen, and when you're coming in or out of the house. thank you handknittedthings! they are even nicer than the photo showed!

owl love

i got this cutie little list taker with adorable owls. the tiny pink polka dots inside are the perfect complement. check out her blog and her etsy shop! she's even having a destash sale right now.

prize number four

this sewing "apron" is so great! the idea itself is genius, and i adore the fabrics she made it in! it hangs around your neck. it came with a seam guide and a retractable cord. i've already added my own tools - the seam ripper gets a lot of use. love it, and when i'm not wearing it it hangs so nicely over the back of my chair. thank you so much for this!

send me to chicago!

ok, gals, i need your help here! i am dying to go to BlogHer, and i've entered a contest to try to win a scholarship to go this july! please check out my photo essay, and if you like it just click on the little likey link. thanks so much for reading my blog, this is a little view into my life outside of crafting!

my first mini quilt!

i was thinking of joining a doll quilt swap, so i made this one last night out of scraps from my quilt top. i should have been joining blocks instead, but i was anxious to finish something!


i backed out of the swap - i think i need more practice first, but i love this little gal! i'm not sure what to do with it exactly - it's not the right shape for emma's doll cradle, but it might look cute hanging on the wall. i could make different ones and hang them in her room to match her quilt.

prize number three

so i get a package the other day, and inside are these wonderful fabrics! this was another goodie from the sewmamasew day, she sent me two prints and a ruffly trim. i can't wait to use them! the kitty print will go in a quilt for sure, and the shrooms might become a tote.

and! an australian coin and a sample of vegemite. i've always wondered what that stuff looked like, and now i know! i'm a little scared to try it though. thanks so much! i'll have to add the link in a little bit, the card is in my sewing room and my husband's sleeping in there (night shift) ok, so here's the link, finally! go check out what becky's up to.

more postal love

today two of my swap packages arrived! both were fat quarter swaps, and they are just fab.
first up, cupcakes, yum!














second was for the 2hippos swap, and this is the first of three i should be getting. love this teeny polka dot print!

prize number 2

this cute and practical "green bag" from the green bag lady. paper or plastic? FABRIC! mine is bag# 5185 - and the web site shows that 5585 bags are in use! amazing! if you have fabric to donate to her cause, you can contact her through her website, and she also has patterns to make your own! be sure to check it out! and thanks, teresa!

prize number one

here's a peek at what the lovely postman has been bringing me.















a sweet finger puppet set from becka rahn. go check out her etsy shop too. some of my family thinks i'm a little weird, but i adore puppets. i have a small collection, and these are the cutest ones yet. especially loving his argyle vest.

SEWN contest is now over!

here are the random winners:
lfinndesigns! wins the original bag full of goodies.
and happycakes0428! wins the second bag (which is cut out but not assembled!)

thanks to everyone who participated in the sewn giveaways - i haven't won anything yet, but i think i may have overloaded last week anyways! did i mention, i won two more prizes after i posted about how much i'd won? gulp. i sure do wish i'd bought a lotto ticket that day.

yes we can!

we made it! 100+ posts and counting! the giveaway will end tomorrow, and i will try to draw winners by dinnertime! now, i'd better get busy making bag #2...

more treasures

i did go garage sale-ing this morning, it was another city wide event, and i couldn't stay home! even though i needed nothing, i managed to fill the entire van. two end tables, one bookshelf, a barbie condominium, and a spiderman backpack. i also got a big round mirror - and i love mirrors! a vintage raggedy ann and andy sheet, some fabric and toys, it was a lot of fun.

i also finished up a few more washcloths, they just needed their ends woven in. i plan to give these away as gifts, and i may whip up a few more to put in my etsy shop.

on hold

so i'm making good progress on my quilt top! i am nervous about screwing it up at quilting time. but i will keep on moving forward, i have 11 blocks done so far.

i am being extremely lazy this weekend. reading, swilling beer, eating pecan pie, and watching big love on netflix. i have so much that i should be doing! painting, planting, cleaning, sewing... we are hosting a birthday party here for 100+ people the end of the month! this will be the first time a lot of our family and friends will be at our house, and i should be getting ready. but let's be honest. most everyone will be outside, fishing or canoeing or just drinking beer! a gazillion kids will be running around, and i will be stationed at the chip bowl. so i'm not getting worked up. yet. i did back out of doing the birthday cake and offered to do cupcakes instead. hooray for easy!

i have gotten a couple of my fabulous prizes, but i am missing my camera (again) and so that post will be later, possible monday. thanks for stopping by!

cutting along!

more strips cut, some sewed together - i still don't know what i am doing, and it appears my blocks will be 12 inches? not sure how i managed that, but as long as i keep throwing in new fabrics i hope i'll get enough for a twin size quilt. i love how the brights are looking - that block in the top right is pretty blah. i think i need another blue or maybe a chocolate brown? the pink and greens are threatening to take over!

and i didn't slice off any fingers.

so here are some of the fabrics i've chosen for my first quilt-along! i'm already behind. this will be for our daughter, if it all works out. all the fabrics are from my stash, although several i bought a few months ago with quilt making in mind. a few are treasures found at the goodwill - a moda feather print and a robert kaufman floral. the very bottom is a cotton moire print i got there too. the rest are from hobby lobby, joann's, & wallyworld. i know they may not hold up forever, but it's my first attempt. also, there may be a few other fabrics making an appearance, because several aren't full 1/2 yard cuts so i need to fill in some blanks. since snapping this pic earlier today, i've gotten all but two of the fabrics cut into 2 1/2" strips. it's exciting to play around with the patterns, and i think it will look adorable in her room. crossing fingers...

whew.

the guilt over all the prizes i've won has been bothering me - so i decided to give away the other two clutches i made! random number generator selected #222 and #165, which is K.Anne and Candice! i've contacted them both and hope to hear from them soon. there, now i feel better!

jackpot!

i knew i felt lucky, but i think i should have played the lottery instead! in sewmamasew's giveaway day last week, i won not once, not twice, not even three times - but 4. please don't hate me. i can't even really believe it! i won some great stuff, and as each package arrives, i will be posting pictures and links to the sender's blogs. i have a few new projects to start this week, so i hope to have more finished stuff to share soon too!

if you haven't already joined up, click over to the old red barn's co. quilt along (see the button over there on the right? scroll down if you have to!) for chances to win prizes, including a janome sewing machine. man, what i would do for that machine, i can't even write about here. but i'm just saying, i hope i didn't use up all my luck already.

my two cents

What brand and model do you have?

i actually have two. the first is an old sears machine given to me by my grandma. i haven't used it in years though, i'm sure it needs a good cleaning and possibly a tuneup! the second machine i have is a brother, the very basic model. i found it on craigslist and got it for $25, along with some fabrics and trims.

How long have you had it?

about 2 years.

How much does that machine cost (approximately)?

$70

What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)?

i sew basic bottoms for my kids, tote bags and wallets, pillows and curtains and blankets. nothing too fancy.

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?

i try to sew at least every third day, or i get antsy! but i play in my fabrics every day!

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name?

i am kind of ambivalent about my machine. i paid $25, so i can't expect too much, right?

What features does your machine have that work well for you?

it runs. that's pretty much it!

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?

it refuses to zigzag! it has some tensioning problems that i haven't been able to resolve. so i have compensated by using french seams if the unfinished edge would be a problem. also, if i wind the bobbin too full it doesn't work properly. as i said, i bought this used, so the problem may be limited to my machine and not the model itself.

Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it!

the only story i have is that before i had a room to sewing, i had it on my dining room table with the cord stretched out. my 3 year old yanked the cord and pulled it straight out from under me while i was sewing! luckily, i wasn't actually running the machine and no one got hurt.

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?

only if your budget is such that this is all you could afford. even then, i think you could watch for sales or a used machine that might be better.

What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?

that depends on what you use your machine for, obviously. i would love a machine i could do lots of decorative stitches with, but i don't think i need an embroidery feature. i would also love to have the scissors button.

Do you have a dream machine?

i've not looked, because it's simply not in the budget and i try not to torture myself.

it's done

so the cake is off to the party! i also made one of these little cuties in case the grey fondant horse doesn't survive the trip. there are two sizes of flowers on coiled wire to stick out of the top, but they are fragile so she promised to send me a photo of the cake once fully assembled.

i do think it will be awhile before i tackle another cake. they are stressful for me, i spend the whole time afraid that i will drop it or someone will stick a finger in it, or once my cat licked spiderman's eyeball off my nephew's cake. you know, little things like that. sewing is much more relaxing for me.

anyways, as i was writing that, i remembered that i have my BIL's 40th birthday cake to make the end of june, and then my parent's 40th wedding anniversary, and after that we get into birthday season around here. so i may not get to hang up my apron just yet. but no more that aren't for family. family will still eat the cake after your cat licks the eyeball off. trust me.

winner winner

so i type in 222 on random.org, and the number that popped up is 129. so that makes the winner of my sewmamasew giveaway purse kit and clutch allison! i've sent an email and hope to hear from her soon! thanks, everyone, for coming by to visit, i've truly enjoyed all of your comments and am crossing my fingers that i win a little something too! and don't forget to enter my sewn giveaway below - it ends june 8th!

advice, please!

i discovered my camera, stashed in a tote bag hanging in my room - i have no recollection of putting it there. that seems to be happening more and more these days. sigh. old age sucks.

anyways, i am still working on the cake - that horse is proving really difficult! partially because i am trying to make a grey dappled pony, and i can't get the depth and all that i would in brown. but, i have a back up plan if this fails. i can't disappoint a 6 year old birthday girl at her own cowgirl party.

but be honest with me - how dumb is my horse?














here's my backup pony:


i'm thinking she may be riding the top of this cake. i've sent pics to her mom so she can may the final decision, i don't want any tears or tantrums when the cake isn't what she thought she was getting. the birthday girl - not the mom! i also know that i put waaay too much importance on these cakes - tomorrow night this will be a tummy ache and fond memory for the party goers. so, back to work, keep entering contests below!

giveaway update!!

i realized that like usual - i forgot something. at least it was only one thing! i have the sewmamasew contest open to USA only, sorry all you others!

oh, maybe i forgot two things. contest ends may 31st at whatever time i am able to get a post written and randomly choose the winner. my sewn giveaway is open longer though, and is international, so check it out too. i am making this cake this weekend, so wish me luck!! now, i'm turning this computer off - i have been on overdrive visiting all the sites and entering contests!

welcome!

whoa, sewmamasew's giveaway day sort of snuck up on me! it could have something to do with having 19 people come stay for the holiday weekend. yep. 19. we had a blast, stayed up way too late, ate waaay too much, and i even got in a little sewing. and fishing. i caught a 4" bass! he was too cute.

so where were we? ah yes, the giveaway! if you're new to my site, don't forget to enter my sewn giveaway too! and now, drumroll please:

i've been thinking purses, so i'm giving away supplies to make your own! included are a set of bamboo handles, 4 fat quarters of fabric, a magnetic snap, and quite possibly some ric-rac or buttons or some other embellishments, i'm still playing in my stash.

EDITED TO ADD: sorry for the blurry photos! at some point this weekend i misplaced my camera and have been turning the house upside down looking for it. but i wanted to give you an idea - so these were all taken with my 4 year old's kidizoom camera! i'm still deciding on the 4th fabric needed, it may just be tan linen...















there are some cute free patterns out there you could try, like the buttercup bag at made by rae or this one by melly & me or check out u-handbag for oodles of purse info.

and because i want to share some homemade love, i'll also send you a handmade *by me* artsy clutch made from amy karol's pattern. i'll even let you choose which one you'd like!















no photos yet, as it is 4:45 am and raining, but as soon as the sun shines i will snap a pic and get it posted. just leave me a comment here to be entered. go ahead, be daring and enter to win sight unseen! thanks for visiting, come back soon!

more finished things!

excuse me while i do the awesome dance. uh-huh, uh-huh, go me, oh yeah!

the pillowcase skirt i made emma - easy peasy, sewed a casing and that's it.


















the pirate shorts i made the boys - so nice they can wear the same size, although these are a bit long for zach and will look like capris on him, or whatever you call short pants on a boy.

hmm, a cape?

i worked on a few things today - finished up a wrap skirt that i bought yard sale-ing. actually i bought three of these for a quarter each - the prints were cute and i hoped they would fit. just add bias tape and you've got a new skirt, right?

except i'm too big for it. it barely wraps around me, and if the wind blows i'm flashing everything! it's more like an apron. only it's too big for that. i even tried it as a halter, but it makes me look pregnant. grr. after i made all that gingham bias tape too. i'm still scheming how i can wear it without dropping ten pounds.

lots of loot

more giveaways coming up!

first, sewmamasew is hosting another giveaway day, hooray! this one will happen on wednesday, may 27th, so be sure to check back then for your chance to win something fabulous. last time, i gave away a handknit scarf - but this time i am thinking of something sewn. and probably some supplies tucked in as well.

second, to celebrate the launch of sewn, there is a bloggers giveaway to spread the word! i am number 48 on the blog list and it just started today! each blog listed will be having their own giveaway, and the date for this is monday june 8th. in addition, sewn is having it's own giveaway so be sure to stop by and visit.

EDITED TO ADD:

and what might you win in the sewn giveaway???

a handmade *by me* linen tote bag stuffed full of goodies! some fabrics, vintage patterns, lots of fun stuff will fit in this bag - it's big! i'll pack it with things you will hopefully love. i made her using the purl bee's apple picking tote pattern. so yes, you could fill it with apples if you wanted. it works nicely for that. and, if i get more than a hundred entries - i'll double the fun and give away two of them! because i'm super cool, don't ya know?

this contest will end on june 8th - so you have a little time to make your way around the blogiverse and see all the other cool contests. and of course, on may 27th i will be giving something else away - so come back and see me soon! and thanks to those who've already entered. it's nice to know i'm not just talking to myself!

more to check out!

there's a new website called you can quilt this! they are having a grand opening giveaway of quilting software - worth taking a look at their downloadable patterns too! i really like the incognito wallet.

201th post!

it looks like i missed my 200th post! no surprises there - i hadn't even switched my calendar until a few days ago - as i mentioned i am behind this month! anyways. busy is good right?

for mom's day, my hubby gave me flowers, a card full of cash and an order to go to the city wide garage sale in ottawa. sorry ladies, he's taken. i had so much fun, and found lots of treasures. an antique metal mirror, tons of vintage sheets, and the sweetest doggy pillow. my big thrill was finding some vintage quilts for $5 and $6 each. i didn't even unfold them because i had an armful already, so i was a tad disappointed to see how shabby they are. but if repairing them is out of the question, at least i won't feel bad cutting into them!

meet the bosses

when did i decide i needed to do it all? i have been feeling a little overwhelmed with all the demands on my time lately.

the biggest one, of course, is my family. we have three little ones, ages 4, 3, and 18 months. i don't talk about them much here, because this is my crafty space and i want to keep it all for me. but they do require most of my attention, and there are times when there's no time left for making and creating. they're a little young yet for crafty fun - zach eats the crayons and alex likes to smear glue stick everywhere. emma's gotten a little practice at school, but there's rarely a moment when she and i are alone together. those days will come.

i also have two cakes to make this month - one for my nana who is turning 90! we are having an open house for her neighbors, and planning dinner out with my mom's side of the family. and another for a friend of troy's from high school. she found him on facebook and asked if i could make one for her. her daughter is getting a pony, so it's a pink, yellow and brown cowboy party. with stick horses too! love the idea. i made a strawberry cake last night as practice and it is pretty good.

i also need to make baby blankets for gifts, and i've had three people request more dishcloths. something i haven't had time to work on, but i need to make it happen. i am actually glad for summer vacation, emma only has three more days of school left!

you really need to go to seekatiesew she's having a fantastic giveaway! go on, see for yourself.

no, i didn't forget about you, internet. but i have been scrambling to purge our house of unnecessary items. i was inspired by a magazine article that said throw out fifty things. (note - that magazine was at least 6 months old. maybe older) so i have been going room by room, drawer by drawer, eliminating clutter. one trip to goodwill and another to recycling. seriously, why do i hoard magazines?!

i made myself a card holder out of vintage and linen.














and dinosaur lounge pants for aj.

but otherwise, all's quiet on the craft front. i am excited for my husband to come home tomorrow. it's been an interesting month alone with the kids.

tulle next time...

so, i go upstairs to my craft room to make this skirt for emma, and i come back downstairs with these shorts for alex. huh?

it all boils down to disorganization. see, i sort of cheated. remember when i showed you my stash? those pics were real, but artfully staged to leave out the piles of stuff.

so when i go looking for one thing, i quickly lose interest and find something else that is right in front of me, and off i go.

so, fish shorts it is! he picked out the fabric months ago, and i planned to make lounge pants. but i didn't pay any attention when i started cutting, and i screwed up. i cut each pant leg side by side, so the fish were repeating in the same spot vertically. i did this on pants for emma last year, and ended up with two butterfly wings spanning her butt. not as cool as it sounds. trust me. so then, with the meager fabric i had left, i cut out another piece and shortened them. and i still have half a pant leg on my cutting table.




















that drives me nuts! i can't stand to waste fabric. i save the teensiest pieces, and i don't know why. it's not like there is a shortage or i won't find anything new i like. but i simply can't help myself. i made a matching pocket, lined with linen and finished with some vintage bias tape. i'm hoping the pocket edges will curl once it's washed and you'll see a linen trim around the edges. they look so cute on him! well, except that i made the pattern myself, and he has a bit of plumber's crack going on. they are too short in the back waist, and almost too poofy in the front. how do i fix that for next time? or shjould i just buy an actual pattern- heehee! anyways, next up - tulle skirt!

quilt techniques

craftapple has an adorable new quilt pattern out! i am loving the teensy bird in the tree! i seem to be drawn towards applique more and more lately. i just picked up a bunch of quilt books at the library, an amazing one called beyond log cabin that is full of stunning quilts. i still don't quite get the technique, foundation pieceing. i feel like i did when i first tried to knit - i can look at the diagrams, but my brain can't compute what the heck to do! it's frustrating! so those are two things i want to try soon - applique and foundation piecing.

i am hoping to get more knitting and crocheting done in the next few weeks, i just enrolled my kids in a program every monday, which means - that's right! 5 hours of alone time every week! of course, we live 20 miles from the center, so i'll be staying in town, but i'm planning to find the comfiest chair at the library and bring my mp3. hooray!

contests galore

found a new site for giveaways and cool stuff! check this out
i am in love with the pouches at simbiosis, she's giving some away! and the giveaway for the girliebirdboutique is great too! i'd actually be tempted to put my own name on it, my daughter gets all the cute stuff.

new stuff!

as promised!















artsy clutches - from bend the rules sewing by amy karol*. these are so much fun to make! the flannel lining makes them a nice weight and i got to use some of my new fabrics.

*OMG. if you've never looked at that book, do yourself a favor and get your hands on a copy. i checked it out at the library way back when i wanted to start sewing. it's one of the few craft books i've read cover to cover. she's like the personal trainer of sewing! whenever i get frustrated, tidbits from her book pop into my head.

another list taker. this one was in the damn it pile for a few weeks. i was zipping along, making the front and then, when i went to cut out the lining, i accidentally cut right through the back of the patchwork piece. that'll teach me to clutter my cutting area. so it sat for awhile while i debated if i could fix it somehow. i think it turned out nice, though.
















they are both listed in my etsy shop, and i also have some more to finish and post about! so look for more later today!

going nutty

sorry for the lack of postings. trying to get in the groove and hopefully have some new things to show on sunday! i wish it would stay warm, when i'm all bundled up i just want to snooze. and i'm even behind on my slacking - 2 weeks of lost to catch up on!

about the only thing happening around here is pecan shelling. troy's sister has a bunch of pecan trees and she gave me a walmart sack full of nuts. seems like my brain had forgotten how long it takes to shell them, and i swear, i've been working for a week and my bowl's not even half empty. would you look at this monster? the line from cars keeps repeating in my head - "you get to work with bessie? shoot, i'd give my right lug nut to work with her!" so i've christened her bessie.














at least i'll have lots of pecans for baking! i also sat out on daring bakers last month. with my husband working so much, i didn't think i had it in me to make my own spinach pasta, bechemel sauce & ragu. but the recipe sounds divine and i will definitely try it sometime.

another thing going on right now is, as always, swaps! i am in a vintage sheet swap, cut a sheet into quarters and swap them. and these are what i sent out:














aren't they almost painfully sweet? they were one of THREE awesome sheets i scored at the thrift store one fine afternoon. there's an identical blue, and another pink floral with lacy picot edging. i have received one sheet, and it's so soft and pretty. sorry, no pics yet, but i am still deciding what to make with it! now, off to sew a bit before bed.

lucky me

i'm so lucky this week! first, i won this dress:














sorry for the crummy photo - taken with my daughter's playskool camera! she was so excited to get mail, and even more happy when she saw it was a dress! i love it, very pretty!

next, i won a yard of ugly fabric! hooray! (i think!) vacuumqueen made a mistake or two when ordering her fabric from spoonflower. now, i personally didn't think the fabric was so bad - but i haven't seen it in person yet! stay tuned to see what i make with this!

finally, for a chance to win some super cute japanese fabric, go see fat-connection, browse her etsy shop, and post your comment!

mommy helpers

yay me!

be sure to check out the online craft show "i heart handmade"! lots of cool shops and they are giving away prizes every day! i actually won already, an adorable girl's dress! go to pick your pocket and see all her cute dresses! it was hard to choose one, so i picked something to match her new blue-grey mary janes. it will be my daughrter's easter dress, i'm so excited! i asked heather to put emma's name on the address, so she can get her first package in the mail.

i also finished up two projects last night - these have been lounging around my table for months, but no more! pj capris and another apple picking tote. i whipped out a few more crayon books, and tonight i am hoping i will get some baby blankets cut out. i'm feeling a bit run down though, so i may crash on the couch, crocheting flowers - my new fave thing to do while i watch telly.

want a reuben? please?

two more list takers - but these are gifts, so if you want one for yourself, just let me know! i made one for my sis-in-law's birthday out of a heavyweight print. i love this fabric! i made pillows for my bed out of it too. i bought quite a lot of it, planning to make a window seat cushion, but decided that the print is too busy for such a large space. i want to make some totes and such with it too.

the second list taker is made out of the first charm pack i ever bought, heather bailey for freshcut? it makes me happy and i love the colors and the button. i like the fabrics i chose to go with her prints, i think they work well. and the patchwork inside is a cute surprise. downside - i used a thin lime green for the lining, which got all wonky on me when i topstitched, and the button is waaaay to heavy for this. when you open it it goes thunk! so for now, i am keeping it for me. unless my friend joy steals it for her birthday gift.

and i made a crayon book for the small fries. i actually have several ready to stitch, mostly boy prints but a few girly ones as well. i'll give these as gifts and probably list a few in my shop. i am having trouble finding inexpensive 3x5 note pads - any leads? i'd prefer unlined pages.

hmm, what else have i been up to? oh, st. pat's, i made my first corned beef ever! i fell in love with reuben sandwiches while pregnant with my oldest, and now i order them every time we go to a restaurant that serves them. i thought i would try out making them at home, and it was super easy! the only problem being that NO ONE ELSE around here would eat it with me. "i don't like sauerkraut!" "this bread is yucky!" so i have been forced to eat an entire corned beef roast, whole can of saurkraut, and a loaf of rye bread, all on my own. since tuesday. and yes, i have almost completed the challenge. don't be sickened by my appetite. it's a curse. today i actually had two reubens, one for lunch and another for dinner. i doubt i will order them the next time we go out.

selvage salvation

i've purposely avoided writing about selvages for the simple fact that everyone else is - and i doubted i would ever tackle a selvage project myself. but modalissa is giving away a giant ball of selvages and i decided that if i win it, i will jump on the old bandwagon and create a selvage project myself. hmm, what to make...

temptation

i finished up another list taker, and it's been added to my etsy shop. i really hate to part with it, though. i never realized how hard it would be to make things and then have them sitting here, off limits! i wanted to toss it into my bag and write my grocery list in it! sort of like my scarves, they've been begging me to wear them out and about. i decided that anything that doesn't sell by the time the listing expires is fair game.

hungry for hippos

badskirt is having an amazing giveaway! i almost hate to tell you about it because i am hoping i will win, but please go check out her cuties. stay away from lollie, though - i want her!

i'm hooked...

(insert groan here) remember when i said one of my goals for 2009 was to relearn crochet? well, i've been trying it out for the last week or two, and it sort of clicked this weekend, and i think i've got the hang of it. i still prefer the look of knitting as a rule - but man, is crochet fast or what? and so i've been using up all of my variegated cotton for dishcloths - another plus for crochet! the var. yarn looks better in crochet than in knitting, at least in my opinion. i like the blocks of color you get, and the subtle x pattern too. i haven't tackled any stitch patterns yet, other than the basics, but i am having fun and am thinking that a little sweater for emma might be coming soon.

and in other exciting news, i made my first sale on etsy! i am so very new to all of this, so there was a teensy little mixup and i'm in the process of sorting that all out. but i can't stop grinning! someone out there likes my stuff! hooray!

my first swap! i'm so proud!

so everyone needs to run over to swap-bot (sign up if you're not already) and join my first novelty square swap! it's super easy, send 10 6 inch squares to two different people, and get 20 back! hooray for fabric! i am planning i-spy quilts for each of my kids. but you can do all kinds of things with them, patchwork, scarves, bean bags, softies - whatever your little kiddo's heart desires. sign up by march 15th, ok? and if this goes really well, i will plan one a month, so please play along!

fifth time's the charm

so i finally knitted a hat that would actually fit an adult! it came out just like i wanted and so it will be on it's way to my swap partner tomorrow. i used the cecily beanie pattern from knitting daily, and even though it has a seam i still think it came out really nice. i also made her a dishcloth. sent it along with some rub on transfers, and one of my new business cards! love those. now i have to finish my mobile - which is so close to being finished that i should be working on it right now! good night, more finished projects on the way tomorrow!

daring to bake

this was my first month participating in the daring bakers challenge! and the recipe was something i've always wanted to try - flourless chocolate cake. basically, chocolate, butter, and eggs. i put off making it because for valentine's because troy wanted a dairy queen ice cream cake, and we still have a third of that in our freezer. but i baked it yesterday to meet the deadline, and it was tasty! i used some dark chocolate raspberry hershey's kisses i got on clearance, with a coupon - i made money on that deal! it does taste exactly like the chocolate you use, so i can see how it could be even better with some super fancy chocolate. i will add the photo later on, it's on my other computer and i'm feeling lazy. hoping next month's challenge is something with yeast - i have issues with rising bread and need to force myself to practice.

The February 2009 challenge is hosted by Wendy of WMPE's blog and Dharm of Dad ~ Baker & Chef.
We have chosen a Chocolate Valentino cake by Chef Wan; a Vanilla Ice Cream recipe from Dharm and a Vanilla Ice Cream recipe from Wendy as the challenge.