Updates

Thank you all for such nice and wonderful comments about my Olive Rose quilt!

I love it, in fact my mom loves it too! Today is her birthday and I managed to surprise her with the quilt. She called me up last night delighted by the package in the mail, it has a new home where it will be treasured. That makes me smile, knowing that it will be loved! Also my mom has continued to have good news about the possible breast cancer. She had a lump, near the surface, removed last week, and the pathology came back cancer free! She will continue to be monitored closely in the coming months but thankfully she is able to celebrate her birthday without the threat hanging over her head. Happy Birthday Mom!

I did manage to quilt this top. But it has yet to be bound and washed, so I am waiting to post pictures. Hopefully I can get to it today - I get anxious to finish when it is so close!

I have a plan for the next SewConnected block . . . The fabrics are really great! I'm having fun too just making one block - usually I go for simple, more modern construction, but having only one block I'm more free to do a more complex pattern. And I'm learning so much!

Ella had a bunch of really hard spelling words this week. I look at the words and think that there's so many adults that struggle with these words, and try to comfort her when she gets frustrated. She's a great speller and excellent reader but these are tough homophones!

- patience
- accept
- hanger
- lesson
- presence
- patients
- except
- hangar
- lessen
- presents

I quizzed her again on the way to school - she'll do great. "Slow down and take your time" was my final words about it this morning.

I'm not a huge Halloween fan, so all I will say is - stay safe and have fun with your family. I'm off to do the usual dishes, laundry and so forth, so that I can get to the table again and sew :)

Have a great weekend!
Amy

Olive Rose - Done at last!

Looking back through my blog archives, I found that I started this quilt in July. Never thought it would take me until the end of October to get it quilted and bound, but other projects kept coming up! The corduroy backing adds an extra layer of texture to the quilt, and a little more heft. I would highly encourage you to try quilting corduroy - it feels amazing!Quilting this piece was a delight! No broken threads, no frustrations - I was/am so thankful. I am still learning how to free-motion so this is not a perfectly quilted quilt. However, I try to not even think in terms of perfection - it is too high a standard for me, for anyone really, and I do not want to breed perfectionism in my kids. I don't think it is a healthy mindset to have. So my quilt is excellent and just right!

Did you notice the stripy binding - I like it lots :) I have another work-in-progress waiting to be basted together - I had to piece the batting to get it big enough. . . I'll be back soon!
Amy

I Am Thankful : : 6

for ~

~ God's grace
~ Friends
~ Wet kisses and bear hugs
~ Satisfaction in a completed project (it's in the wash)
~ Good music - it can minister to the weariest soul



You are welcome to join me in being thankful! I would love to know the blessings in your life - leave a comment and let me know :) Or post your own list.

I've been dreaming. . .

My new machine arrived yesterday afternoon. I had to wait a couple of hours to plug it in and try it out real quick before getting ready for a dinner guest.

First I did a decorative stitch, just to see, then a straight stitch, to see how fast. Then I dropped the feed dog to see how it liked free-motion. It's beautiful! Straight from the box, it didn't want to stop. I made loops, random stipple and stars, all without any threads breaking, no need to stop. It's so smooth and quiet. I finished the scrap I was working on and told Joe in the next room "like a dream" I am so blessed to have gotten this machine!

Today I finished my top for the tree skirt. My first attempt to miter corners came out good - I was pleasantly surprised :)
I had to redo my first corner - but not a big deal. I love figuring this sort of thing out, it makes quilting challenging and exciting. And there is so much grace there - room for mistakes to be made and learned from.

I have plans to quilt my Olive Rose/corduroy project right away - I need to get it finished up, and a few other wip's. I like to be orderly and finish what I start, but I don't always have all the necessary component on hand. . .

Have a great weekend! I hope to have lots to show you soon ~
Amy

One Day at a Time

A neighbor (without kids) said to me in the middle of the grocery store with my kids - "I don't know how you do it." She had a smile, but I could see that she was concerned/amazed. Whenever we are together in public, my kids do alright, this day they were two in the cart and two out, and I was fielding three questions at once, as usual. They know that they are to sit, when in the cart, and hold on to the side when walking. We've been very consistent so that they know that it doesn't change. After answering the questions and setting Owen down again (he's still learning) I looked at her and said "One day at a time."

It really is that simple for me, I will say that not every day is easy, or fun. But thankfully I get to start each day new and fresh each morning. Some days I have more time to myself, some days I am just grateful for the 5 minutes in the shower alone. Some days the noise will not stop, and others are peaceful and harmonious. There's time when I could cry just thinking about all that is on my plate and other times I cry because it goes so fast. I am so thankful that in Christ each day is a new day, and He is beside me with every step. All the hugs and kisses that I get each day make everyday beautiful. I love each of my kids so much!

I pray that you are having a good day - be blessed!
Amy

Bloggy Goodness!

A quick post to share my recent win!

A big thanks to Amanda Jean for sharing some of her beautiful stash :) I received a sweet little box of fabric goodies today. While putting Owen down for a nap, my girls found them on the table and were ooohing, and aaaahing over each one. They are fabric groupies too!
Ella made this painting at school today! I think it is so beautiful - I want to find a frame for it.


She's very proud of her work, the sky is the limit for her. I'm very proud too :)

Geometry Anyone?

As usual I had drawn up my own plans for a tree skirt. Then I had to sit down and figure out how make it! Realizing how rusty my geometry skills are, I turned to google (love google!). If I'm working on something small, trial and error works. But this time, I didn't have enough time or fabric for trial and error :) After a few minutes of searching I found this really cool tool! You can move it around to help figure out the size of square to cut, or what the diagonal of a square will be. I already emailed the author to see if he would consider adding the usual inch increments not used so far.
This is the center of my tree skirt, it measures about 23" square so far. I am so happy to say that everything on last weeks to do list is done or started! I even ordered my new machine!!!

Hope you are having a great Monday! I need to plan dinner and get everyone to gymnastics here in a bit . . . Monday's are long lately :)
Amy

Custom Bracelets

My photography is lacking here - that's what I get for being in a hurry! I made these for Mendy - on the left is her mother's bracelet with Jett & Pyper's birthstones and two tiny pearls, one for each baby. On the right is a teeny bracelet for Pyper, 3 months old, we are hoping that she will get to wear it for at least 6 months.

If you are interested in something like this for yourself - let me know! There are many different styles of letter beads available for a delicate or chunky bracelet - depending on you!

SewConnected - October

Ritas block
Originally uploaded by parkcitygirl

I spent last evening completing this block for Rita of our SewConnected group :) The colors of the fabric and the change of season happening around me inspired me to make this forest block, with a little bunny foo-foo that Rita embroidered. I had a plan originally to make a simple block but as I was falling asleep last week - this popped into my head! My original wasn't exciting and so I kept putting it off for something else. This inspired and challenged me! It was lots of fun to make :)

It feels like the weekend, with Ella out of school. . . our plans to go camping have been thwarted by runny noses and coughs. Hopefully everyone will be up to a little outdoor adventure soon!

Today we went to Costco, where I was able to return my current sewing machine, no problem, (I love Costco) now the difficult machine decision is coming to a head! Thankfully I have a little Janome Jem to get me through this in between time :)

Scraptastic!

I've told you that I read lots of blogs - right!? I love to visit the bloggers that visit here especially :) it's so fun to have a social life like this! Otherwise I would be really, really isolated. I always comment, especially when I see a giveaway and . . .

I won Kristina's giveaway and got this: in the mail today! It's her recent collection of scraps, but there a few fat quarters in there too, maybe even a 1/2 yd cut or two. I know, I've been SOOO lucky lately! Everyday I check the mail with much anticipation :) There's so many different, beautiful fabrics in the mix, that I have yet to purchase. Garden party, Pop Garden, Charisma and so many more.

My only thought so far is a coin quilt. Like the ones I've seen here, here, and lots of other places. Any other ideas?
I gotta run and make dinner for the fam!
Amy

Giveaway

Pigtails and Snails is giving away this gorgeous quilt that she designed herself! I love it and would love to win it! :) Go leave her a comment for YOUR chance to win!

My Week : To Do

I hope that you had a great weekend! We were forced to slow down a bit with frigid temperatures and a couple of stuffy noses, bit I like that pace. I finished up my custom bracelet order (I will ask Mendy, if I can show pictures), and almost completed the roman shade for my friend.

~ I have a new plan for my SewConnected block - soon I have do it!

~ I would like to start the tree skirt this week too!

~ Of course I have too keep up with the kids, and their runny noses as well.

~ Ella has Thursday and Friday - we are planning to go camping :)

~ I have some decisions to make about my machine. . . I'm thinking this. any thoughts? I bought my other machine not too long ago via Costco, I am able to return it no problem :)

Really I've been obsessing about this decision - I want it to be right, for me and all that I would like to be able to do. It's kinda like buying a car! Any input or suggestions are welcome.

Happy Monday ~
Amy

7 Random Facts

I was tagged last week by Summer, and have been a bit remiss in posting - oops! I always love reading the random meme's about others so figured I better play along.








Oh, and it started snowing about an hour ago! It won't stay, but it is still crazy to see snow on the trees with leaves :)

1 ~ I greatly dislike feet. Especially bare feet touching my bare feet.

2 ~ I've been feeling extra domestic lately. Planning menu's and whatnot - it seems that fall is here!

3 ~ I really need to recover my ironing board.

4 ~ I enjoy flavored creamers in my coffee - usually fat free.

5 ~ TV I like : Project Runway, Top Design, 30 Rock, The Office, The Amazing Race, The Locator, What Not To Wear, 'Til Death.

6 ~ I learned to sew via 4-H at the age of 10, my mom is a seamstress but left-handed, and didn't want me to learn backward. I don't think this would have been a problem, but had a great learning experience anyway. I made lots of garments for myself and won ribbons at the fair.

7 ~ My most recent read was "The Shack" - I highly recommend it!

I have no clue who to tag! I would love to get to know any of you more this way :) So leave me a note if you want to participate - k!?

I Splurged

Well just a little :) Fat Quarter Shop has Christmas fabrics on sale, and I have been wanting to make a new tree skirt for a couple of years. So I just did it! :) I drafted it out already, I just need to get a few other projects off my list before I start. I also bought a panel to make a table runner, such a fun and quick project, but I'm going to cheat! I'm being realistic - the weeks keep flying by around here. In other news: I spent an hour or so, ripping out the quilting I had done on my corduroy project. I wasn't happy with the quality of quilting my machine was producing. :( After having my thoughts confirmed by Amanda Jean, I've come to terms with the idea that my current machine is holding me back. Where to go from here? Not sure yet - stay tuned.

Banana Bread

Our local grocery takes ripe/bruised bananas and marks them way down. All 4 of my kids love bananas, so getting home with a bunch of bananas can be challenging, many times I'm left with 1, especially when we are walking. And so I have a hard time passing these up!I usually feed them a few and then make banana bread with the rest. I stocked up big time :) I've been a little unhappy with one recipe and decided to try the stand-by that I grew up with - it was better than I remembered. The crust is just the right golden color, and crunchy, while the inside is moist and delish.

I thought I would share the recipe - I love how simple it is, and on the low-fat side :)

Banana Nut Bread
2 1/2 C flour
1 C sugar
3 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
3 TB vegetable oil
3/4 C milk
1 C mashed bananas (2-3 medium)
1 egg
1 C finely chopped nuts

Heat your oven to 350 and grease 1 large or 2 small loaf pans.
Measure all ingredients into large mixer bowl; beat on medium until just combined.
Pour into pans and bake 55-65 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.

It is so easy! I have a large Kitchen Aid and easily doubled the recipe with 2 large loaf pans. I think my next batch may be muffins. I hope you try it - it is so yummy :)
Amy

Colors of Fall

It has been so beautiful here! I had to share pictures of the changing leaves - here's a big dose of fall for those of you living without "seasons" :) This is by far my favorite time of the year, when I can hear the leaves crushing under my feet. I will go out of my way to crunch a few more! What is your favorite fall activity?








Our weekend was very, very wet. But I love the aftermath! Beautiful snow capped mountains. The valley we live in is surrounded by amazing peaks, this is the most photographed for it's jagged edges. The best part is - I can see it from my kitchen! All winter long I watch the storms come in and out of the valley based on these mountains. Mt. Timpanogos
Hope you have a great Monday!
Blessings ~ Amy

I Am Thankful : : 5

I am thankful for ~

~ My healthy mom
~ The rain that is falling - still! (it's been about 36hrs of rain)
~ My new broom! (it's the little things, right?)
~ New athletic shoes - my toes have been cold in sandals lately
~ Friends and Family :) Yes, that includes you!



You are welcome to join me in being thankful! I would love to know the blessings in your life - leave a comment and let me know :) Or post your own list.

Corduroy

Quilting on corduroy has been fun! Really, I'm just getting started, but it feels nice :)

What are you up to?

More Randomness

I realized last night that at the end of my Random post yesterday I said "Happy Tuesday" - lol! It seems the week is getting away from me. Maybe I need to keep the calendar a bit closer :)

I hope you are having a great week, honestly I'm glad that it is going fast! The last couple of weeks were really long.
Blessings ~
Amy

Cookie Monster . . .

More like Cheez-it Monster! Owen loves these crackers and found a way to help himself. I walked into the kitchen (after leaving for 2 minutes) and laughed, then ran for the camera :)

He's trying to clean up his mess - isn't that sweet!? Many times I feel that our home is quite small, but I am thankful to always have an eye or ear on what may be happening with the little ones.

Randomness

Happy October! It is feeling more and more fallish around here :) Usually by the end of the month we have had at least one decent snow storm - not sure we are ready for it, but winter will be here before fall is officially over!

I have been a bit cryptic the last week (maybe you didn't notice?). The reason being : my mom had a serious breast cancer scare. Thankfully her biopsy results came back yesterday without cancer! Prior to the biopsy her Dr was 99.9% sure it was a rare and aggressive form of cancer, needless to say, this has been a huge concern for our family. She has had very good care, and will continue to be watched closely for the next few months, as this cancer is easily misdiagnosed as an infection. As you know I recently finished a Quilt 4 Cancer, and this experience has brought it closer to home than I thought possible. I hope to produce a quilt annually for any cancer organization collecting quilts.

On the creative front - I have been busy! I thought that I would take a little break after all the bookmarks but I have kept going! I made a set of pj pants for myself. . . my favorite pants gave out, just threadbare from lots of wear. I cut them up for a pattern and it worked great!

On Sunday evening we went to friends' house for dinner and I came home with projects :) Karen flies with Delta, as an attendent, and needed pants hemmed. Easy peasy done! And she has had all the makings of a roman shade, but not the confidence to make it herself. So I took it on :) I will have to show you the fabric later - it's pretty.

I also have an custom bracelet order, that I have ordered beads for. God is so good to give me a bit of work - that I can do at home! Oh, and one of my bookmarks sold! (Thanks, Melissa) If you want one you should be quick! I have a feeling there could be more of those in my future :) I've also prepped my materials to quilt this quilt - ssshhh - it's a birthday present for my mom. I hope to free-motion quilt it, I just need to get my nerve up again - I know I can do it!

I have decided what to do for this months SewConnected block - now I just need to draft with measurements, and execute. I will have pictures soon.

I found these solids for a great price, and Joe wants a quilt with this fabric. I'm a little stumped with what to put with it - any ideas?

I think that catches me up for the moment - I hope you are having a good Tuesday