November Swap

I got word from Lucinda that my two-color quiltie made it to her the other day. Now I am free to share it with all of you :)It was a bit dark the day I took pictures - I had to get it in the mail or I would have ended up keeping it and making something different to send! The pattern is called Wedding Bouquet - I had stumbled on an abandoned site with tons of free blocks - I really liked the flower and it was just two colors!
I had borrowed a book from the library last time that had a lot of influence over this quilt. Creative Quilting with Beads - it was a fluke I even picked it up. I had Owen in my arms, and Sophia following me (the older two I trust alone for a few moments) I was just checking the smallish shelf for something new that I hadn't already checked out. Since I make bracelets too, and love beads, it was a win, win situation! As I started adding beads, I had a general idea of how I wanted it to go, and my creative juices flowed :) Hand quilting seemed ideal for this little patch (12" square). It twinkles in the sunlight - I'm so glad that Lucinda loves it! I had such a blast putting all the little details into it.


To see more swap quilts visit the flickr group.

I Am Thankful : : 8

It seems I have avoided this place for much of the week. This year has been full of ups (mostly our children) and downs. As you know I am always thankful for the big and little blessings in my life - I AM blessed. But this Thanksgiving was different - in so many ways. I didn't want to be a wet blanket for anyone else, and haven't been sure how to express myself - so I didn't. We were blessed to be with good friends for the holiday, and there was tons of good food too!

I guess I miss our church family most of all. Being around a table of 20+ people, young and old, coming each with something delicious to share. It's been that way for 5 years, and now being here still without that family is hard. I know that God will see us through this time, He continues to provide for our every need, and even a few wants.

I'm not sure where to go with this at the moment - just needed to get it out . . . cherish those around you, never take them for granted, and tell them how blessed you are to have them in your life. I need to make a couple of phone calls myself.

Be blessed~
Amy

I Am Thankful for
~ My husband
~ My children
~ A loving God
~ Good friends
~ Creative therapy

My Ta Da List!

I probably could produce three different posts out with all that I have to say . . .

First up - I finished our tree skirt! I love it :) It is just over 40" square. After seeing a couple of others a bit smaller around blogland, I thought it may be to big, but why go to the trouble if no one will see it under the tree!
I opted to add a tie to the center - it's festive :)
And I quilted stars randomly - I had to find a good one - they were not all this happy.

Now I can't wait to start decorating for Christmas!

Next up - My new loot!

These fat quarters and thread are from the Freespirit giveaway. I have no idea what they will become but they sure are pretty to look at :) On top is Anna Maria Horner's newest Good Folks. Second is Moondance by Jenean Morrison (she's pretty funny - check out her new blog!), third is Jay McCarroll's line Woodland Wonderland, there's cute trees and little bugs on the pink swirly fabric. And Dena Designs, Snowflower - really cute too! I just found her site/blog now while posting :) I'm realizing that this pic doesn't show much of the prints . . . maybe I will have to show you more later.

Finally, my last addition to my ta-da's :) I think I may have an obsession with bookmarks! I couldn't fall asleep last night for these things. . . more ideas kept popping up.They have raw edges, quilt batting inside, and white flannel or pink polka-dots for backing. For whatever reason these are so fun to make for me! Not sure if these are going to the shop, or maybe gifts. . . just had to make them :)

For Me

I know that they could have used it though, they have been at each other's throats since 7:30 this morning. Rest time. I'm sure some of you are thinking "What she hasn't been having rest time!?"

In my defense - for the last 5 years almost, I have had a baby and a napper, who would both go down for a nap in the afternoon. And the bedrooms up stairs are right next door to one another - causing one to keep the other up, if rest time were to go awry. So I haven't done rest time.

Today - I'm losing it and it's only noon. Emmalie and Sophia, only 17 months apart, are both independent and smart little girls. Many days they play together without trouble, other days they are trying their hardest to bug the other. That was the scenario today :)

So I implemented rest time, for me! A little time to clear my head, eat some lunch (while it's still warm) and throw another load of laundry in. As I type, Owen is not napping, but Sophia and Emmalie are quiet, and as quickly as it started it will end - it's nearly time to go get Ella :)

Thanks for checking in on me, I'll be back soon ~ Amy

Good Stuff

So somehow I managed to sit on the goodie bag from Beki for the last two weeks - hmpf! Here's the goods she sent -



Her Short and Sassy Pleated Handbag, can be found in Beki's etsy shop if you happen to have a hankering for a cute new bag! I'm trying to decide which fabric to make mine from - I'll fill you in as I make my mind up :)

Yesterday I had a great crafty day! I quilted the tree skirt. I designed/made two new bookmarks. I got to 75% finished on my scrap quilt. And cut binding for the skirt. I just need to get back to the machine and the tree skirt should be complete tomorrow. We'll see!

I have plans to make orange chicken for dinner - yummy! I've not made it before, so I'll have to link later once I've decided it's good :)

Your Thoughts?

A clean house/space does wonders for the creative energy! I've done other stuff too, but want your thoughts on these - if you please :)

Gotta run! It's time to get Ella :)
Thanks for your help!

"It smells so goooood in here!"

Words from Ella as she came inside from playing at 4:45pm. Yes, the sun has already set here by then. While they were outside I whipped up a batch of these yummy pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. Well technically my mixer did the grunt work, but someone has to operate it - right? And I let each one have a small cookie before dinner - I wasn't able to wait myself either. Yummy :) And here's their smiling faces to prove it!Ella - always ready with a pose and smile.

Emmalie - I had to ask her to open her eyes - her smile is that big!

Sophia - she likes to roll her eyes at the camera - or is it me? Pretty sure it's the camera!

And Owen! Who happens to be going to one nap - boo hoo for me!

As far as my cleaning accomplishments . . . yesterday I had to find and conquer the vacuum clog. I managed just fine, but being seriously allergic to dust and dander of any sort, it made for a long day thereafter :) But I did make some serious headway . . . we live in a townhome with three levels. I live mostly on the second level, where the kitchen and family room happen to be. I thoroughly cleaned the first 2 floors yesterday, under couches, in couches and all the baseboards. (I got a roomba for my birthday while pregnant with Owen, and since haven't paid as much attention to the baseboards on a regular basis.) And did the same today upstairs. Not to mention all the stairs - carpeted stairs are a pain to keep clean. And I purged my desk, well computer armoire, something was about to fall off of it and the doors didn't want to close - it was time!

In light of that, and all the running around I did this morning, I haven't made any substantial progress on my crafty to do list - but I'm seeing a crafty day in my near future. :)

Hope your well!
Amy

A Quick To Do List

It may only be Tuesday, but I feel my week quickly getting away from me! So I thought I would post what needs to get done and hopefully be able to check it off.

- finish the binding on my swap quiltie, photograph and mail.
- quilt the tree skirt, I've had it pinned together for a week now - I need to sit down with it.
- continue sewing with scraps.
- cut fabric/interfacing for bookmarks.

Looking at it here, it doesn't look like much, but I have another "to do" in my head. Cleaning. I feel like a few areas in our home have been ignored long enough and I need to pay some attention to them.

With that, I'm off to get started! Hope you are having a fabulous day~
Amy

Oh and look over here - I think I may have been accused of winning too much by John, but I'm still hoping to win over here too!

A Full Weekend

In a nutshell . . .

~Dinner at friends' house, playing games, and letting our kids run a little wild.

~ Sewing with scraps~ Owen figured out how to put olives on his fingers - all by himself, and it was his first time eating them.

~ Cleaning/picking up the house. Multiple loads of laundry and dishes in the dishwasher.

~ A mini quilt for a swap. I'm dying to show you the whole thing! I've had so much fun working on it :) I joined this group a few months back when it was started up - and haven't had the chance (or I've been too intimidated) to participate. The challenge was two-color, and these are the two colors I decided to work with.
~ A 500 piece jigsaw puzzle with my girlies. Within minutes Emmalie and Sophia were asking how long it would take . . . they went outside to play after a half hour :)

~ Friends over here for dinner (separate set) complete with homemade bread and fresh Alfredo - yum! (This time I have enough leftovers for another meal Penny)

What did you do this weekend? I need to catch up in bloglines but fear that it may not happen today! See you soon ~
Amy

Cutting . . . Check!

I just finished up cutting all my strips this morning. I probably could have finished yesterday, but I took a little slice off my index finger . . . that slowed me down - a lot! Watch those fingers people! I just got caught up I guess, thinking I had it all together and wham, ouch. Thankfully I didn't get any blood on the fabulous fabrics :)

I counted them - 263 pieces. I know, your thinking - it's a scrap quilt - just sew it! I'm a planner - I can't help it :) It should be a queen size by the time I finish - that's exciting, especially as it is all scraps!

Bookmarks:
The four that I made two weeks ago, have all sold! Thanks for your encouragement to put the black & white one in - it sold first. I read this post a while back and it has been resonating - "sell one thing." I can make those little bookmarks in quantity, so I have plans to make more and get my shop stocked up for Christmas. Great little gifts for teachers and special friends :)

Have a great afternoon ~
Amy

Currently . . .

I'm cutting!
I know that I mentioned a coin quilt . . . but a block I drafted a while back really needs to be created. I will share more later :)
Amy

I Am Thankful : : 7

for
~ my faith
~ my husband
~ my kids
~ our safe home
~ trials that make me a stronger person


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.

Blogger Award :)

My friend at No Crying Over Spilled Milk is spreading the love, go check her out, unless your hungry . . . she has a picture of a candy bar up at the moment :) Yummy!

Part of the award is sharing more about myself, that doesn't necessarily end up here regularly. Here goes!

Seven things I did before...
1 - Fit kids shoes at Nordstrom
2 - Financial Aid Officer
3 - coordinated events big and small
4 - publish weekly bulletins
5 - and monthly newsletters
6 - kept the church financials
7 - had more trust in people (I'm working through this)

Seven things I do now:
1 - Change diapers
2 - pick up after Owen, sometimes his sisters too.
3 - lots of dishes/laundry
4 - blog
5 - quilt/sew
6 - drink coffee
7 - purge paper clutter

Seven things I would like to do:
1 - sleep in on Saturday mornings
2 - travel anywhere!
3 - get out to a movie/dinner
4 - keep up with the house better
5 - but still have, lots of time to sew
6 - raise our kids with love for each other and Jesus
7 - be more consistent in everything

Seven things that attract me to my hubby:
1 - his sense of humor
2 - his laugh
3 - his no nonsense attitude
4 - his handsome face
5 - his smile
6 - the way he interacts with our kids
7 - the way he loves me

Seven favorite foods...
1 - chips & salsa
2 - chocolate
3 - coffee
4 - carrots
5 - potatoes - just about any way :)
6 - fiber one bars - the mornings are to busy for breakfast
7 - Reese's pb cups ( I do my best to stay away from them)

Seven things I say most often...
1 - I love you
2 - get along with your sister
3 - don't push/hit your brother
4 - discipline (they go get the box of chores, or the little one sits for a time-out)
5 - do you need a hug? (go see this post - it's great!)
6 - what would you like for a snack?
7 - no touching

I'm supposed to tag seven people. If you've already been tagged with this and I've listed you, feel free to not participate, but please keep the award. Here they are:

One Shabby Chick
Artfulife
Audreypawdrey
Commonplace
It's a Lucky Duck Day
Juicy Bits
Sewtakeahike

I selected these amazing ladies, because they are daily reads and always up to something great! Go check them out and be inspired :)

Go See Dana!

My friend Dana is giving away these 3 quilts! You have all week to go leave her a comment and she has instructions to give you even more chances. And maybe we can share if you win!?
Amy

Flutterby Squared

Another finish for me - in less than a weeks time too! I purchased a queen size batting on ebay and have made great use if it so far :) It's sold at our walmart, of course, but it is surrounded by tons of construction right now and getting there and out again is more headache than I care to partake in. So check out this store if you are in need - they always add a quilt label to the package too. Enough rambling! I called it Flutterby Squared since that's what it is - squares - what I love is that it's not boring. The squares are different sizes and it keeps it interesting :) I drafted this out of necessity - based on the fabric I had on hand, doing as little cutting as possible to make a large enough quilt to not be considered a mini. It's 40x60"The front is quilted with the teal/turquoise color, and the back is black. I'm starting to think that my free motion quilting is more a meander and less a stipple. I borrowed a book from the library about machine quilting and it has some good info and practice pages (to photocopy). I've been looking for the Modern Quilt Workshop over there - to no avail. I will have to buy it for myself for Christmas :)

This quilt is listed in my shop too! I had purchased the fabric with money from the sales there, thinking that it would go back into the shop - no matter how much I love it! Now I just have to pray that they sell - so I can do it all over again :)

I hope you are having a good Monday! It is very wet here . . . all the snow has melted as the rain continues to pour. Just so long as we get more sunshine tomorrow I won't complain :)
Amy

Sewconnected - November

November 2008 Sewconnected
Originally uploaded by parkcitygirl

Since the little ones did not sleep in at all this morning - I set to work on this block for Buffy after breakfast. The medallion print has been featured in many of the blocks and I think the finished quilt will look great!

Happy Saturday :)

A New Look

Not the blog! Owen :)

We have been going back and forth about how to cut his hair for a month or so. . . I finally just grabbed my scissors and went for it! Our girls were bald until they were 2, and never a haircut before 3, and our boy has a full head of hair! This is a pic of Owen in all his messy glory - he loves to rearrange, anything and everything. I am working on the book shelf with him - it's too much to have it unloaded 2-3 times a day. Mostly board books they can't really be hurt, but I don't have enough floor space to ignore the pile. You can see how long his hair was in this picture too - in his eyes, and he was also accused of having a mullet in the back (which it wasn't! Only if I had not cut it too.)
His hair is relatively long - but he barley sat still long enough to make the first cut!

On the creative front : I have a second flutterby quilt top ready to quilt, and I would like to make my sewconnected block for the month too. Oh and there's a mini-quilt to get figured out. Maybe I should have made this list on Monday :)

Happy Friday!
Amy

As Promised

I decided to call this - Bold & Bright Baby Quilt. It is already listed in my etsy shop. I've wanted to have quilts in there all along but this is the first finish without an intended recipient. :)
Love all that puckery goodnes!
The snow has been coming down all last night and this morning - I love how still and calm it is outside as the snow insulates the ground. I also love how bright it is! Open the curtains and there is plenty of light for great pictures. We've had about 6 inches accumulate so far :) I was also reminded of the inconveniences of snow - messy roads, our van was piled high and I couldn't find the scraper (I did find my gloves), and it takes longer to do the usual. . . oh well - it's beautiful :)

Moving On

Hi friends! It has been an eventful morning :)

~ I finished the binding on my current quilt project.
~ The snow is finally flying!
~ I voted.
~ Our water has been turned off for a couple of hours - thank goodness I got my shower first!

Here's a quick pic of my quilt - it hasn't been washed yet, as the water is off . . . I will have to show you a few more details once that has been done.I used a thrifted sheet for the backing, and a variegated thread to quilt. My goal in quilting this one was to have as few loops as possible, and to spread it out a bit. I'm happy with my progress - hope your having a great day!

Amy

Bookmarks Again

The box of scraps that Kristina sent me - has been taunting me! I am not quite ready to start into another quilt top, and a quick finish sounded nice. So I auditioned scraps for bookmarks! 3 of the 4 will end up in my etsy shop once I take individual pictures of each. (I'm not so fond of the black and white) Once again I find myself smiling when I see them :)

Hope you are having a great Saturday! We have a foot of snow on the way tomorrow - should be fun. But we have to wait and see if the weather people know their stuff!

Amy