Collection of Thoughts

I've felt a little absent this week...seems I have needed a little time off the computer.  Big surprise there!  I guess I feel a bit of a let down after the big push for the Festival - I'm glad every week isn't like that, but it is fun when it comes around :)

Did you add your quilt from the Festival to the flickr pool?  It's nice to see them all in one spot, but I'm still planning to get around and read all of your stories that go with them.  I made a mosaic of just a few of the submissions to the Festival last week.

1. Flower Power, 2. 100_3808_edited, 3. my sister's quilt, 4. Scrappy Log Cabin, 5. Zen Mini Quilt, 6. It's done! Community Gardens, 7. the storyteller, 8. Alex's quilt, 9. Turtle quilt, 10. Wheels Quilt Front, 11. Roots, 12. Fortune Cookie Quilt, 13. 9x9x9, 14. Old Friends are the Best, 15. "Hope Grows" quilt @ lovely bud, 16. Bloggers Quilt Festival - Pixelated Colourwheel, 17. lantern festival w beanie, 18. whimsical garden, 19. Close up of Matryoshka Quilt, 20. "Sea Glass" -- front, 21. Shoofly, 22. Star Bright Top, 23. Dude, Where's My Quilt, 24. Out of Line quilt front

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

It's amazing to see them all together like that!  If you are on flickr and didn't add your quilt yet, you still can - I just added mine yesterday.


**Also!  I will be selecting new winners for the people I haven't heard from yet - you snooze you loose!  Our sponsors are anxious to ship their wares, and I need to get things all wrapped up.  Sorry!  Look for a post later today with that exciting info.

Hugs,
Amy
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Help!

Joe found this sweet kitten in our garage!  We put up signs, hoping that a neighbor lost her, and will claim her soon. But Joe and the kids are quickly falling for her -

Kitty

I'm super allergic, and can't handle cats on the counter.  She's already box trained, super lovey, and obviously loves kids.  She's got the loudest purr too!  Anyone within an hour of Heber Valley want a kitty!?  I'll meet you half way...

I really want to see her go to a good home :)
Amy
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My List

My must do list, continues to grow and shrink!  Never seems to go away though.  I know I'm not the only one  with this issue - am I?

I have two additional quilt tops pieced for my book, need to add borders to one and get them to Natalia, so she can work her magic!  So my list this week includes prepping the backs and writing the rest of the patterns, and all that goes with those.  (I'm loving my new pins!  The little patchwork set are so teeny and work great!)

I'm also making plans for the next installment of Blogger's Quilt Festival - facebook friends were telling me yesterday if they have a quilt ready.  Do you!?  I'm getting things together for the end of May - I'll let you know when we can start spreading the word.  It's going to be great!!

Have you heard about Fat Quarterly?  A few friends have been working on a new ezine, due out later this month.  Don't miss out!

We had a great visit with my parents last week - oddly I didn't pull out the camera at all!  I just enjoyed our time.  My mom and I went down to Joann's one afternoon and took in a good sale.  They had McCall's patterns for 99 cents - hard to beat that!  Mom got a few patterns to sew dresses for my girls, I found a cute pattern for myself, and machine needles.  We also spent an afternoon on Park City's Main Street, and another in the swimming pool.  Owen has NO FEAR -- it's great to watch him love the water and really take to it.  The girls love the water too, but at 2 years they all had a little trepidation, now they are all fish :)

That's all I got for now.  

Blessings~

Amy

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Bits and Pieces & A Winner!

I'm feeling a bit scattered!  I have lots of things that NEED to get done and a few that I really want to get done - isn't that how it usually goes?  I had a couple of hours to myself Friday evening and decided to cut into some fabric for this bag -

The fabrics are Amy Butler Love, and I love it!  Sadly my machine has been overused in the last 6 months, and needs a tune-up. I have no problem piecing, but multiple layers of fabric and interfacing - not happening.  So that's going back on the bottom of the list, until I can part with my machine long enough to have it serviced.  Just imagine no pins holding the lining in place and that polka dot strap attached on the sides :)

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This is the big news in the house!

Owen is growing up!  No more diapers here - YAY!  We've had two dry days, with no accidents - even dry naps!  He's enjoying his M&M's in this shot - I love new diaper-free bums in underwear :)  Now to stalk up on boys undies!

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The winner of last week's giveaway from Reannalily Designs --

Congratulations to Renee of Treasures of Joy!  She won, 3 patterns and Seamingly Accurate from Jen - thank you Jen!

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This week is Spring Break, and spring is finally here - yay! First crocus' are blooming in my backyard, and tulips are up getting ready to bloom too.  My parents will be here for a visit on Wednesday, so a little purging and cleaning is needed.  My girls are motivated to help since they know who is coming - shouldn't be too bad :)  I also have one more quilt to piece, and I'm thinking about/planning for the Blogger's Quilt Festival, coming next month!  Big exhale - one day at a time :)

Blessings~
Amy
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Two Years . . .

Today, is my two year blogiversary!  I am amazed at how time keeps on ticking by, and I'm so thankful for the community online.  I'm constantly inspired and pushed to be more creative, and encouraged in the adventure of motherhood - I LOVE it!

Looking back at the last year, I'm overwhelmed --

Last year about this time, I was mulling over a big idea, and figured out how to pull the Blogger's Quilt Festival together.  I love that we can all get together in one place and celebrate our love of creating!

Little did you know, I was also putting the final touches on a book proposal.  Which I never would have considered for myself - but God put the desire on my heart and I believed in myself enough to pitch the idea and sign the contract!  It still seems a little unreal, me, an author!?

It's been a great year!  Connections made, giveaways won and given, you have answered my random questions, and we have shared our dreams together.  I'm so thankful to be apart of this community!

Last year, I had a bag to giveaway, today I have none.  I figure the weekly giveaways by my fabulous sponsors are plenty :)  I do have a couple of requests for you though -

~ I've set up a flickr group for creations that you have made with the help of my tutorials or patterns.  Would you please join and add pictures to the group?


~ I've also set up a facebook page for my blog, if you are on facebook and would like to further connect there - become a fan!


~ If you haven't ever left a comment - do!  What's stopping you?  I would love to have the chance to meet you, and learn more about you :)  You have more to add to the conversation than you think!


~ I hope that you all have noticed the note at the top of my page!  This blog is moving!  amyscreativeside.com  will be my new home beginning this weekend, I'm telling everyone beforehand, to make sure you make the change with me.

I'm looking forward to the coming year here and the opportunities that will undoubtedly come for us to further connect and create together!  Thank you for being you, and enriching my life!

Many blessings to you~
Amy
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Weekend Update

Hi Friends!  I hope you are having a good weekend, with or without your sewing machine :)  I've been making a few changes to my blog, and actually got out of the house by myself today!  Yes, that is an accomplishment around here.

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I've caught up on my reader a little bit this week, one item that was brought to my attention is V's block collection effort.  She needs as many of these sweet house blocks as possible by April 30th, and she's worked out a giveaway for participants too.  (I know how much you love fabric!)

The blocks will be made into quilts, for a non-profit organization in New York - the need is real and our help is a tangible way to reach out.  V has instructions for the blocks - just round up some scraps and make up one, or two, or ten!  Thanks in advance :)

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I got a call on Thursday - April 30th is my extended deadline for two more quilts.  We are packing 14 patterns in!  I'm honestly excited and exhausted with this turn of events.  And so the book saga continues, at a slightly slower pace  :)

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Don't forget to enter the giveaway here!  I've had so much fun reading everyone's childhood favorites - the variety is amazing.  Good luck to all of you, I will shut it down Sunday evening and announce a winner Monday morning!

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And, I bought my first domain today!  I'm having to switch away from parkcitygirl, as it was registered to the city of Park City, but I'm happy with my solution.  Any guesses as to the name?  I think there's big  hint. . .

Amy
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Taking it Easy

I've enjoyed getting to know people on twitter in the last few months and, recently, Jody had a contest over there.  Look at what I won --

These fabulous fat quarters arrived last week, and I'm loving them!  Those flowers in front are Woodland Delight, and some cute Christmas fabric.  Thank you so much Jody!!  

Those of you that commented yesterday, will be glad to know that I did not do any housework!  Just laundry, and I made dinner for the first time in two weeks - Joe has been taking great care of us :)  I pulled out a couple magazines and took care of a few emails.  I'm taking it easy!  

I hope you are having a good day~
Amy
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Catching up . . .and Rosebud Quilter Giveaway - Winners!

-  mostly on rest, snuggling on the couch with the kiddos, and tv.  Thursday I visited the doctor, my cold was not getting better - turns out it was a sinus infection and ear infection. . .thankfully, I now have time to rest up, and I am feeling a bit better with medication!

-  Joe called me crazy - I was sketching a new design already!  My creative juices are flowing - I can't help it :)  Don't tell him about the three more in my head.

-  My house needs a deep clean.  I like to purge papers and whatnot, every other day or so.  The piles are deep - it's time to purge!  and the floors are sad.  I figure little by little I will make my way through the house this week.  After I get my energy levels back up :)

-  I have a pile of magazines, and books that I would love to read, and fabric scraps that need to be organized.

-  I want to get my blog reader under control again - I love all the inspiration in there!

This seems to be too much for one week, it's probably a two week list.  :)  I'm going to take it easy!


Rosebud Quilter Giveaway Winners
Two fat quarter packs from Michelle at Rosebud Quilter, go to --

Congratulations ladies!  To get your own stash of Modern Meadow, visit Michelle.  She has some amazing sales going on at the moment too - check her shop for details!

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What are you working on this week?
Blessings to you~
Amy
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All in the Details

As I write, it is 12:30, I should be in bed!  But I'm getting details together.  I likened writing a book to planning a wedding, to Natalia the other day.  So many little details that will never be perfect, but the day comes and you go through with the plans.  I'm so thankful for editors who know what they are doing!

I have 12 finished quilts, bound and washed.  I love each and every one!  Picking a favorite will be impossible - sadly you all will have to wait quite a while to see them - sorry.  I've actually pieced 15 tops in the last two months - there were a couple of fabric choices that I made, and did not love.  And so, I started over!  I figure I must LOVE it for it to make the cut :)  In that way the book is a living thing too.  It's constantly changing - hopefully for the good!

I have been double checking all my math this evening, and figured out the binding details --

I've tacked down 90 yards of binding - in a months time.  two thirds of it was done in the last week!  I have a rhythm :)  And I love hand quilting thread for bindings, like gutterman or yli - good stuff that I paid $4 a spool for.  It glides through the fabric and doesn't knot up as much as regular thread.  I just use 2, well maybe 3 neutral spools - and they will last forever!

I have 6 - 7 items on my to do list for my Thursday - but I'm excited!  It's coming together!!  All those little details that I hope, make it a great book!

Have a great day!  I'm (hopefully) crossing things off my list, after I get some sleep.
Amy
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My Immediate Future --

Lots and lots of inches/feet/yards of bindings!  I like to roll my binding on a ruler like Natalia, and then I've learned I can wear it like a bracelet while attaching it to my quilt top.  This keeps it from getting twisted, or tangled.


Here's a tip for you --

I sew my strips together this way.  I've tried cutting them on the 45 degree angle, but usually mess it up!  So my easy solution is to sew, then clip away the seam allowance.  Most of the time I don't mark it, just eyeball it and move on to the next bit :)

I'm sure there's a few of you shaking your finger at me - I'm okay with that - this is what works for me.  :)
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In other news, my Emmalie is sick with pneumonia :(  She's had a couple of colds in the last month, and the coughs that accompany them, and developed that nasty infection deep in her lungs.  Sadly, she had it about three years ago too.  Most of my Wednesday was spent arranging doctors appointments, a quick trip to the hospital for a chest x-ray, and pharmacy for meds - all the while her main concern was that she not get a shot!      Poor thing.  I'm praying that we see her energy pick back up in the next 24 hours, and that the medication clears her up, so she can get back to school!  She hates to miss any school.  Though I'm pretty sure Kindergarten may be the culprit of the colds!

I hope you are having a good day - I'm probably on the couch with Em and a needle and thread, stitching a binding in place. OR trying to keep up with everyone's comments for the giveaway :)

Amy
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Question For Quilters

I have a boring post today - BUT I would love for you to answer a question for me!


As a quilter, is there anything you have learned, that you wish someone had told you?


I asked this question on twitter and had some great responses, and would love to have your input too :)


I need to run, everything is coming together but, there's still so much to do!


Blessings~
Amy


PS - tomorrow won't be so boring :)  hint, hint
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Happy Day!

Knowing that you all will be excited for me - I have to share!!

I got a laptop!  Just for me :)

I feel official now.

Hope you are having a great day~
Amy
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SewConnected

SewConnected has been the such a great experience!  I love swapping blocks with other quilters, and pushing my creativity.  December was our final month, I'm just a month and a half late!  Thankfully Audrey is not in a hurry, and she loves the block :)

I've stepped back from swaps for now, waiting to see how life settles after writing this book.  I'm thinking I will have to find a new "normal"  after my deadline.  Speaking of which --

My work space!  The ironing board has come in handy lately, when not ironing it has become my return to spread out on!  And yes those headphones are for sound reduction - my kids distract me all the time.

Check back tomorrow for another chance to win some fabric!
Amy
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Seven Items On My Mind

I am always amazed how everyone comes out of the woodwork when fabric is up for grabs!   Glad to know I can get your attention - LOL :)  Thank you for all your comments, quite  a few of you have brought tears to my eyes, and reminded me of special moments.

--> I have a poll up in my sidebar still - it looks like the 1/4" seam tutorial has just pulled ahead of the straight line quilting tute, 2 more days to let me know which would be more helpful to you.

-->I found this rug while browsing earlier, I see a quilt.  Don't you?  The best part would be customizing the colors!

 I really like this one too, but for a rug :)

--> I wanted to tell you that my friend Vicki is doing a Simple Squares Quilt Along, just in case you don't have a current project or need a good starting point in quilting.

-->And have you seen Sew What! - It's a fun blog loaded with links to tutorials around blogland!  I've just added to my to do list - for later :)

--> I wanted to mention the Craft Hope shop once again, they have raised over $30K for Doctors Without Borders!  Amazing!  There are still many items for sale if you are looking for a way to help out.

--> After all your book suggestions, I had been waiting for my copy of The Time Traveler's Wife via paperbackswap and now have it waiting on my shelf!  I have forbidden myself any extra reading until after I'm done writing - I tend to get caught up in a book and can't put it down.  Not conducive to getting stuff done!  But I'm so looking forward to spending a few days on the couch with it :)

Blessings to you~
Amy

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Do you do this?

I have to wear slippers or some sort of shoe around the house.  Usually not the same one I've been wearing outside, especially this time of year.   They help my back from hurting, as I am on my feet non-stop, and keep my toes from freezing off!

 

 I take off my right shoe when sewing, and when someone needs something, or the world is ending in the other room - I jump up and take care of things!

 

 Am I the only one running around with one shoe on??

Today, along with all the usual sewing and household stuff, I'm sanitizing the house!  We've had three super sick kiddos (croupy cough cold)  the last few days, and I'm trying hard not to get it.  Hope you are having a great day!

Amy

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Hope for Haiti

This week I'm pretty sure we all have been shocked and affected by the devastation in Haiti.  My friend from college wrote a great post that sums up a lot of my feelings - I highly encourage you to read Jaimie's post! 

Over on twitter I've seen a couple posts about crafthope and their response -





If you are able to contribute in any way, big or small, it is all part of the larger goal, bringing hope to Haiti.

Blessings,
Amy
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Fun Gift Idea for a Quilter!

Jenna sent me these fun socks!
Aren't they great!? I think these would be great for any quilter to wear proudly. They are so soft and comfortable too! If you need a last minute gift idea for your quilter - I hope you are in the San Francisco area! The Sock Market is at Pier 39.
I did find them a few places online too. Check here, here or here. I've never shopped at any of these places online, so I'm not certain of shipping and such.

Thank you Jenna!!
I hope all of you are well~
Amy

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Home Spun Holiday

My friend Natalia is hosting this fun event, and I've been trying to sit long enough to enter all week!Part of my issue is the usual messiness of our four busy kids, and I've not taken any pictures of our tree - until tonight. Just for you! You can see our stockings and tree skirt that I've made peeking out from under.

We don't have a mantle to hang stockings on, and the 3M hooks we put up last year have all been broken by over use, so they are waiting patiently under the tree! I've only pulled them off of Owen's feet once - he learns pretty quick. But I've still been batting him away from the tree on a daily basis!
I made a tutorial for these last month too. Just in case you need one more thing to do this week :) Tomorrow we are baking and then I must wrap up some presents! I think a trip to wal-mart is in order for a few wrapping supplies. We have two more days of school this week before our vacation begins.
I hope you all are warm and blessed ~
Amy

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4 Ways to Stay Warm This Winter!

We have had a week of frigid temperatures, I'm not complaining really, but I have to stay warm! So here's a fun post for you --

1 - Wear your warmest down jacket, over your second warmest down jacket, with a scarf from mom too.When we first moved here from Southern California, I needed the biggest warmest jacket I could find - I was never warm! Now I mostly wear the lighter of the two, this week I've doubled up when taking the girls to school at -10F.

2 - Good boots.Those ugg boots don't work for me here - I need traction so I don't land on my bum outside! These are a pair of North Face boots I got on Steepandcheap a couple years ago. They zip up the back, making them a quick and easy boot!

3 - Our wood stove is the best! Today out of desperation I split kindling and built my first fire of the season.
Joe usually enjoys building the fire, but had to get out the door too quickly this morning.

4 - Lots of snuggle time under lots of quilts!

Most of my quilts I fill with cotton batt (warm & natural) but I have one with primaloft - and it is my favorite this time of year! Always toasty warm.

That's my list! What do you do to keep warm!?

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Gift Ideas for Quilters

I've got a nifty list of gift ides, dream products for quilters, and a few must have's too!

OLFA Rotary Circle Cutter
Large Self-Healing Cutting Mat -- Mine is on it's last leg!
Instant Design Wall
Super Satchel Thread Box
10 Yards Moda Muslin Bleached White
Gingher 8-Inch Shears -- I mostly use my rotary cutter, but having a great pair of shears is so nice - these are on my list!
Quilt Display Rack
Binding Clips
Electric Quilt Company Amy Butler Software 22 Sewing Projects
Easy Dresden Quilting Ruler -- This is such a fun tool!
EQ6 Quilt Design Software -- This is on my list too, but I need a new computer first! :/
And if you are buying for a reader - you might consider a book suggested to me by my blog readers.

Are any of these on your list? Maybe you should send a hint to whomever is shopping for you!

Natalia and Vicki are sharing their own lists of gift ideas as well - maybe they have something you need!

What are you hoping for under the tree?

I had the best weekend with my family AND my sewing machine - I hope you did too ~
Amy

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