Bee-less

First Finish!

2012-01-05T15:35:00.010-06:00

I have my first finish of the year! :)

Problem is, it's not on my WIP list! Oops. But at least I have momentum!!!

Here it is.

My awesome SIL gave me 2 iPhone cases for Christmas, both cross-stitch! We found them on Pinterest . . . here is the link from it.

I decided to use the pink one to make my own design. I wanted to showcase my love of quilting, so I put a wonky star on it . . . then wrote out Wonky Star, mostly because I like to say "wonky"!

I wanted to white one to show my quirkier side . . . if you don't know what this is, you may want to skip to the end. If you do . . . it's DOCTOR WHO! I ADORE this show! :) I got the cross-stitch pattern from an amazing shop on Etsy, the CraftyCompanion! This woman is wonderful! :)

Well, it's a finish at least! Stay tuned for more!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T14:04:00.008-06:00

I bet you never expected to hear from me again!

The past year or so has been (as you might expect) extremely busy. Not much crafting has been going on in this house, but I think that's about to change! (Knock on wood).

In the past month, the house has gotten mostly organized, thanks to Christmas guests, and Miss A has decided that napping in her crib is finally acceptable! Hurray!!! :) Things are falling into place for crafting.

Basically, for the new year, I made a list of all of the WIPs (Works In Progress) that I have at least started. There are 30 of them. YIKES!!!!!

My resolution for this crafty year is to have half of them done by Christmas 2012. Think I can do that?!?!

I've made myself the counter to the right to keep track. I won't bore you with the whole list, but I will keep you up to date on my progress.

Until I actually have progress to report, though, I will show you a Christmas present. My grandmother and great grandmother pieced this top while my grandmother was pregnant with my mom. My grandma quilted it and gave it to my mom as a high-school graduation present.

I love this! This Parasol Lady is my favorite!

I plan on making something similar for Ali, and my mom (probably tired of me asking for pictures so I can work on a design) decided to give this to me. I ADORE it!

Yea for quilty gifts! :)

Thanks for sticking with me. Hopefully I'll talk to you soon! :)

Bye!

I have a problem . . .

2011-05-04T14:43:00.009-05:00

I'm MESSY!

But the first step is to admit it, right?

Now, I don't mean messy like leave the bed unmade (which I do . . . A LOT!), but I mean messy like I don't like to throw things away in case I need them in the future. Seriously, I found pieces of batting less than an inch square. BATTING!!

Now this is a problem because S is a CLEAN FREAK! It stresses him out to live in clutter . . . and seeing him stressed out means I'm stressed out. So, before Alison was born, I decided to de-clutter. This still isn't done, but I'm close!

This week, I decided to work on the guest room/craft room. And, boy, do I have a situation.

The good news is this pile is gone.

The bad news is this pile is still in progress!

(PS: the cat, correctly named Ralph, gets stressed out by piles. So I've had additional cleaning today!)

My process is to pull EVERYTHING out into another room (in this case, the dining room) and then go through making piles and lists.

Here are my lists (on the door).

Here are my pile markers (for my book problem only, they had to be done separately!)

I have everything separated out, 5 bags of trash and 3 bags of charity/Half Price Books. Now I'm just working on finding room for everything. As this is a guest room first and foremost, there is limited space. So, I'm culling ruthlessly (yes, I have cried. No, I haven't gone back through the trash . . . yet!). So, until I knock a few projects out and get some more space, no more starting projects (A HUGE difficulty! I'm a starter, not a finisher!) and no more buying random fabric! Please keep me honest!!!!

I know this isn't a flattering picture of me, but if I can't be real here, where can I be real? So this is what I'm working on . . . should be done in a few days. I have a trip to the Container Store on schedule for this week. Hopefully it will get done without too many more tears!

See ya on the other side!

Finally! A Finish!

2011-04-27T10:13:00.019-05:00

So, here is a finish for you!

I made this sweet quilt for Mr. Alex (a new baby of a VERY good friend of ours!) Man! It seem like a baby boom around here!

I got the pattern from Moda Bake Shop . . . courtesy of V and Co! I love both of these sites! So much inspiration! :)

Mr. Alex's parents decided he would be a surprise, so I needed a gender-neutral quilt for him . . . and this one was PERFECT!!! (pre-approved by Mama, of course!)

The front is exactly like the pattern; the fabric is Make Life by Sweetwater, but the back is a fabric from Ikea! Super fun animals!!!! Instead of doing a straight quilting, I "Machine Tie" quilted it, by quilting polka-dots all over it (the red dots you see in the above picture). I got the idea from my SIL, who did it on the quilt she made for A. It keeps the quilt soft and floppy, and is REALLY fast and easy!

I love this family & I'm so happy for them!

Now, a little sneak-peak of my next project. The Dallas Modern Quilt Guild is having an Earth Day Challenge, and our pieces are due May 12.

I hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew!!!

See Ya!

Worst Sister-In-Law EVER!

2011-04-24T16:13:00.004-05:00

That's ME!!! :(

I feel awful! My last post was about the quilts that were given to A . . . and I forgot about the one given to her by her Aunt Beth!

It's AWESOME! The reason I forgot it (reason, not excuse. There are NO EXCUSES for this!) is that it is not kept with the others. All of her blankets/quilts are kept in her room, except this one because we work on our tummy time with it EVERY day! So it's hidden in the living room until we need it.

Sorry Aunt Beth . . . We LOVE our quilt!

See ya!

A's Quilts

2011-04-18T10:14:00.010-05:00

So . . . I'm still working on showing you my own finishes, so I'll show you some of the lovely quilts that have been given to little A.

As many of you know, I learned to quilt from my grandmother, and I love to quilt because I love quilts (so, not the process, but the finished product!). To me, they mean home and comfort . . . and I hope A feels the same way. Since I do make quilts, I understand all the love and hard work that goes into making them, and I truly love and appreciate ALL the handmade gifts given to A. We received 3 handmade quilts, 4 crocheted/knitted blankets, and 2 sewn receiving blankets (along with a TON of fuzzy blankets from stores). Since this is primarily a quilt blog, I'll show you those, but we love and use ALL of them. Little A will NEVER be cold!!! :)

This one is the most special to me . . . it was made by my grandmother.

I'm tearing up right now writing this . . . but it means the world to me that A has her own quilt from NannyPud. It will always be loved and used!

This sweet one was made by the Dallas Modern Quilt Guild officers for her! It has Beatrix Potter prints, which we love! (We have all the baby books and have been telling A all about Peter Rabbit!)

This bright, happy one was made by a sweet lady at our church. I was shocked during the shower they threw me to open up this amazing quilt.

Again, it means SO MUCH to us that people love her enough to spend so much time and love before they met her. I hope as she grows up, she will remember and appreciate all the amazing people who love her, like we do.

See ya!

WOW!

2011-04-14T09:55:00.007-05:00

It has been 3 months since I last posted! CRAZY!!!

It has been a very busy 3 months! S was promoted, so I am now able to stay at home with little A!

Speaking of . . . on February 9, at 3:31PM, Alison Grace Lamb was born!

She was 6 lbs, 5 oz and 19.25 inches! She is healthy, happy, and growing like a weed!

Last week, at her 2 month check up, she was 11 lbs, 14 oz and 22 inches. It's amazing how much she has changed in the past 2 months. She LOVES to be outside with Daddy, and she's talking up a storm (just like Mommy!!!)

We have been settling into a routine, and (knock on wood) we have one pretty much established. She's pretty structured with her sleeping/hissy fits, but she's a VERY happy baby and it is SO MUCH FUN to be home with her (she just won't let me take a picture of a smile!!!)!

Tonight is the Dallas Modern Quilt Guild Meeting (at Bernina of Dallas) and Alison is SUPER excited to meet all the lovely ladies (and sweet babies)!

I do have a few sewing finishes to show you, but I will wait a few days before I do. I don't want to overwhelm you with pictures!

See ya!

Pay it Forward!

2011-01-12T13:42:00.006-06:00

Well, I've let something SLIP throught THE CRACKS!!!!! Big-Time! I know, you're so disappointed in me!

So, back in October 2009 (yes, 14 months ago!) I decided to play the Pay it Forward Game with Beth. Last week, I received my gift from her . . . but I have YET to do gifts for others!

I actually didn't have anyone sign up, so let's try this again!

Rules:

1)You must have a blog! (Sorry, I don't make the rules)!

2)You must comment on this post stating that you want to play (please leave a way for me to contact you, either through your blog or by email)

*This is for the first 3 commenters.

3)If you are one of the 3 lucky ones . . . I will make you a little something and send it to you! I believe I techincally have a year to do this, but since I am so far behind, I will try and get it out REALLY soon!

4)You will put up something on your blog with these rules, and send a little handmade something to the first 3 commenters on your post in the next year. Then they will do the same and the cycle continues!

It's like those crazy chain letters from high school (send this to 14 people or you will never be loved!), but I think getting crafty things in the mail will be WAY better, don't you?!?!

Please help me out!!!!

Here is what Beth sent me, a GORGEOUS bag (I've already started to carry it everywhere!)! Included were some cute oragami wreaths, some Best Press (yea!) and AWESOME candy (which I promptly scarfed down. Hey, I'm pregnant . . . I have an excuse!)

I LOVE them!!! :)

I hope you want to play!

See ya!

PS - there is a button, but I don't know how to do buttons yet, so you can grab it off of Beth's post! Just don't ask me how to do it! :)

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T16:05:00.004-06:00

I know, I know. It has been a long (long, long, long, long) time since I last posted anything! I was totally unprepared for pregnancy!

We have been blessed to have a relatively easy pregnancy, compared to what some of my friends have gone through, but there is a LOT that no one tells you about!

Just to get you caught up, we are still due February 7, and we are having a little girl, Alison Grace! Now, I have been doing a lot of crafting for her (well, a lot for me anyway), but I'm still better at starting things than at finishing things, so there's not much to show for it yet. Over the next few weeks, though, I hope to show you some of the amazing things others have made for us and the wonderful nursery that S has put together! I'm sure things will fall into place in the next 5 weeks (ack!) Right?

Anyway, I do have 2 New Year's Resolutions . . . to eat healthier and to be more organized. (I think these two things are going to come with the territory this year, so they should be easy to keep, right?) Maybe the blog will help me be organized with my crafty stuff!

See ya soon!

PS: I got a new present for Christmas . . . expect my pictures to be MUCH better this year!

Life . . . Part 2

2010-08-18T20:53:00.004-05:00

So, I told you a while ago that life was getting in the way, and blogging was the easiest thing to take out . . . but I didn't tell you what life was causing all the havoc.

I'm pregnant!

I'm sure most of you know by now from Facebook, but I figured Google deserved an explanation, too! I don't really have any good pictures to show you, the sonograms so far are kind of blobby, and I haven't figured out how to scan them in well yet. But I'm sure I'll get one up here soon!

For those who want to know, I'm 15 weeks along, and due February 7 (that's the day after the Super Bowl, for those of you counting down!).

The crafting has been basically nil since I've been so tired and not really feeling well, but that all seems to be getting better, and I should be back crafting in no time! But probably crafting tiny things for a while ;)

Anyway, thanks for listening . . . I'll keep you updated!

See ya!

Life

2010-06-08T11:32:00.002-05:00

Hey guys.

So, life has gotten in the way a little lately. I'm going to take a little break for now, but I'll be back soon! I just need to reorganize some things.

See ya!

3 Reasons

2010-05-03T10:04:00.005-05:00

I can't get any crafting done!

Ralphie helps with the basting.

Katie holds down the quilt.

Oliver oversees Beth's quilting.

But they're so darn cute! It makes up for it!

See ya!

I've been a BAD, BAD girl!

2010-04-20T11:03:00.017-05:00

You have NO IDEA! First of all, I haven't posted in . . . well . . . you can see that for yourself. Anyway, it's been a busy time . . . at work and at home, topped off by the most horrific illness you've ever seen!

But you don't want to hear about that, do you?

You want to hear about the crafts, don't you? I have finished one quilt on my UFO list to the side . . . the Green one. Also known as S's quilt.

Isn't it pretty?

It went perfectly with our room, and it's so . . . I don't know . . . modern (at least comparatively). It really goes with our style, simple and clean. I LOVE IT!

It's the Denyse Schmidt pattern Stacking the Odds, and the prints are all Denyse Schmidt's Hope Valley (the green and blues). I love it, but the pattern is a bit of a . . . handful. I don't recommend it for new quilters, but it is a simple pattern. Confused? Sorry. Here's my little review: Ms. Schmidt's directions are amazingly clear and detailed (what every pattern reader hopes for), but Ms. Schmidt is also a perfectionist (and rightly so, have you seen her stuff? AMAZING!). I recommend this if you have experience piecing and quilting, and know where you can cut corners and make your own way. If you are still in the stage where you must follow every direction exactly to the "T", please hold off on this pattern. You will end up stressed and angry, and nobody wants that! Once you are in a more relaxed place, this pattern is clear and easy, and very satisfying (I pieced it in an evening)! (The white is Kona Snow that I got from Fabric Shack, and the Hope Vally I bought at the City Craft, my favorite LQS)!

So, here's the part where I've been bad. The week before I finished this lovely piece of quilted goodness, I started THREE MORE PROJECTS! Now, bear with me, 2 are for Mother's day and one is for a competition. I can't pass up those opportunities to create, can I? Can I? Please validate me! ;)

So this next month will be pretty busy . . . in addition to Mother's Day, and the deadline that imposes, my SIL is graduating on 5/14, and she will be getting a lap quilt (cross your fingers) and the competition quilt is due 5/15 to "Happiness is . . . Quilting". Also swirled into the mix is S's birthday, and his brother's birthday (probably not a crafty gift, boys are difficult to craft for) and the bee blocks.

OH NO! The bee blocks! I'm 3 months behind! ACK! Sorry sistas!

Thankfully, the Dallas Modern Quilt Guild is having their Saturday Sew this weekend. I plan to focus on the bee blocks and get those caught up, then work on the graduation quilt (on the list as the Pink Quilt). If you're in the area, you should come! It's a great day full of chatting and sewing! Last month was so much fun! You can find the details on the site.

Since this post is a little bereft of pics, I'll leave you with a shot of my Cherokee Roses intertwined with another bush (I can never remember what it is). I think it is SO PRETTY! Yea Spring! :)

See ya!

P.S. I just posted my first ever tutorial on the Dallas Modern Quilt Blog for a personal ironing stand! Check it out!

Spring Fever . . .

2010-03-26T17:38:00.009-05:00

has turned into Spring Cleaning. Not a lot of sewing, but a lot of BLAH! So, unless you want me to show you all the dirty little corners of my house (and believe me . . . I'd love nothing more than to show you), you'll have to be content with some older things and some rambling.

First of all, I should catch you up on my bee. I've let you know about everything up to December, which was my month, but I have not told you about anything else.

This was the block I made in January for Cassie.

She asked for all pinwheels, but we could use any one we wanted. I LOVED the fabrics she picked. It made me think of the French Riviera. Have I ever been there? No. Do I know much about it? No. But the cool spring colors just made me feel the sea breeze in my face and a cool drink in my hand. LOVED IT! I can't wait to see the whole thing put together! I was so proud, I actually finished this one on time and packaged it up to mail out . . . and then it got lost in the clutter of my sewing room . . . so one more package was late. Sorry Cassie!

I haven't finished Meagan's block for February or Beth's block for March . . . and I'm sure I will receive April's fabric any day now. So what little sewing time I have left this week, I will be working diligently on these. I PROMISE, I'm turning over a new leaf RIGHT NOW!

That's it for now! If you don't hear from me soon, send search parties in the direction of the fabric pile in Richardson!

See ya!

Winner and Sew Saturday

2010-03-19T11:50:00.003-05:00

Sorry it took so long, but I don't know how to close the comments in my blog, and I was hoping for a few more comments . . . but I can wait no longer. Thanks you guys for your comments. Fi and Abby, thanks for keeping me company! I'm not sure I can do this alone, so keep me updated with your stuff.

And now, drumroll please, . . . the winner is . . . Abby! I didn't take any pictures of the drawing, but I basically put the 3 names in a bowl and S pulled onefor me. Abby, I have a charm pack of Moda's Authentic for you I got at the Quilt Show! Look for an email later!

Yea!

Next up, if anyone is in town, tomorrow is the Dallas Modern Quilt Guild's first official Saturday Sew! It will be Sew FUN! (ha ha, I know I'm not funny, but it's Friday. Cut me some slack!) Come join us!

See ya!

1 Year!

2010-03-14T14:46:00.009-05:00

Today is my 26th birthday and my 1 year blog-a-versary! Hurray! In case you're keeping count, this is my 49th post, I have 4 followers, but 6 readers (according to the comments on my last post)! Not too shabby, huh?

I had a great birthday! My family (including the grandmother that taught me to quilt) all came down to go to the quilt show in Dallas this weekend. We had a GREAT time! Today, S's family came over, and we had a great big party! I don't have much to say about the weekend as I'm laying here on the couch, content and sleepy, and just wanting to stare out the window at the beautiful day outside!

Me, my SIL, my Mom and my Grandma at Market Center for the quilt show!

I have decided on a Birthday Resolution! (I figure, I'm so bad at New Year's Resolutions, I should make them on my birthday, as it is a new year to me!!!) I am overwhelmed at the number of UFO's in my possession! It's insane! I keep cleaning up the guest bedroom and finding all these half-finished projects I forgot about! So I'm going to work on them this year. I'm not saying I will finish them all, and I'm not saying I won't buy anything more, because we all know that it's impossible for me! But I am going to make a dent. Y'all are going to have to help me, though. I'm going to put a list up on the side-bar here, and list everything I'm supposed to be doing. It may take me a while to list everything, because it will take me a while to find it all, but once it's all up, I'll keep you informed on which ones I'm working on and how it's going. It should be everything I have bought or committed to before today (since I bought a ton of stuff yesterday at the show). If I decide to quit something, I'm going to explain it to you. If I buy something new, I'll have to justify it to you. You will have to keep me honest . . . will you help me?

As an advanced "thank you", I'll have a little give-away. Just leave me a little comment before Tuesday at Midnight telling me what you think about it, and I'll pick a winner on Wednesday!

See ya!

Christmas Wrap-up #3 - The Final Saga

2010-02-23T21:08:00.006-06:00

This post is going to be ALL ABOUT ME and what I got for Christmas:) Yea!

I want to introduce you to someone very special to me. We met at Christmas, and I turned a new page in my life, and will NEVER LOOK BACK!

ERNST!

Isn't he hot? He happens to be a Bernina 220 and runs like a dream! (In case you didn't know, Bernina is a Swiss company, so I named him after the smart kid on The Swiss Family Robinson, Ernst!)

Also, the awesome MIL got me this sweet ride for him, so I don't have to carry him!

He can do so many more things than Mo could, and he can ACTUALLY QUILT! It's so nice to not have to get frustrated with a tired old machine (sorry Mo, I still love you, a little).

My loving husband went to the Bernina store, unbeknownst to me, and picked him out, as well as a few accessories, ALL BY HIMSELF! Isn't he a peach? I don't know what I did to deserve him! One thing he made sure of was that Ernst came with instruction. Part of the package was 4 classes at the local Bernina Store to learn all about him and the crazy things he could do. That's what I was doing all January! We made all types of crazy samples, and now, I'm a MASTER! (Well, not really, but at least I know the ins and outs of him!) So, our house is pretty harmonious now, and I'm TERRIBLY happy! Hope you all had as great a Christmas as I obviously did!

See ya!

PS: My 1 year blog-a-versary is coming up. Shall I do anything special for my 2 readers out there? Hmmm?

Valentine's Day Skirt

2010-02-14T15:07:00.006-06:00

We interrupt your regularly scheduled Christmas Wrap-Up (only one left to go) to bring you a special mushy post!

For about a week or so, I have had an urge to make a skirt. This is funny, as my past two attempts at apparel making have, well, not gone so well.

The first one was in my home-ec class in high-school. I made a wrap skirt. Just a big hemmed piece of material with a snap and a tie; easy, right? Wrong. I didn't put the snap on right and had to wear it with a safety pin.

For my brother's wedding, I decided to make a simple dress. It was frustrating, but when I was done, it actually looked like a dress . . . until I put it on. Let's just say, the girls would not be caged, and leave it to the imagination. (Don't worry, I wore something else to the wedding).

But I have been wanting a skirt for a week or two, so when City Craft had a Snow-Day sale, and I found this book, I got excited. I bought 3 yards of Amy Butler's Love fabric, and last night, I whipped this up.

My Valentine's Day Skirt!

It's the Modern Circle skirt, and it was pretty simple. The book has some really cute stuff, and some really weird stuff, but it's a basic intro into apparel making, and is really helpful with terminology and growing your confidence. I give it a solid A.

I've worn it all day, even though there is snow on the ground and the wind is whipping it all over (I think I might have mooned some people) but it was very happy looking and brightened an already great day! We went to a lovely breakfast at Panera and then to see Valentine's Day, which I loved, despite all reviews. Now we're hanging out and I will be making a big fancy-smancy dinner. It'll be LOVELY!

And yes, I know I need a tan, and no, I will not be getting one. Because, as my 8th grade English teacher, Mrs. Odom, once said . . . Glaringly White is Beautiful!

Happy V-Day!

Christmas Wrap-up #2

2010-02-11T16:25:00.004-06:00

Now, moving on to S's family.

I made this for S's brother. It's a smallish lap quilt, and it's just a bunch of flying geese squares in green and white.

This was for the SIL. She's a quilter, so I made her a bunch of accessories. A pin cushion from an Oh Fransson pattern (I love it, have one myself), and a few needle books and a small scissor holder. (Also a fabric gift card, but I didn't make that!) The fabric is Alexander Henry something (I can't remember the line, but they are all the same line. I bought them here.)
This one I made for S's dad. I finally got the Modified Bento Box right! It's maroon and white, for watching the Ags!

This one I made for S's mom. It's a beautiful pattern from Bunny Hill. I taught myself embroidery on it (I had done a little, but this is my first big project). This was the 2009 Block-Of-The-Month. I should have showed it to you earlier, but I wanted it to be a surprise.

This is my favorite one. It' July! Yea!

That's it for everyone else, I'll show you what I got next time!

See ya!

Christmas Wrap-up #1

2010-02-06T17:18:00.007-06:00

Lets start with my family, shall we? I know my attention span isn't that long, so I'll try and keep this short and sweet.

First, a review. I decided to make everyone something hand-made for Christmas. I needed a padded cell before it was done, but it is finally done.

I made my mom this Dogwood throw. She loves dogwoods, and I knew she admired the quilt in one of my first quilt books. (I actually bought it for S for Valentine's day one year, but that's another story.) I taught myself needle-turn applique on this one! She loves it.

I knit my first hat for my dad. My poor dad, it's pretty bad, but I'm still proud of it. And so is he (I think!)

I made my brother beer coozies. They have his pictures on them! They crack me up to no end! They were difficult to make, and they're not very well constructed, but they were good for a laugh!

I made my SIL an embroidered picture with a "J" in it. She once asked me to embroider olive leaves for her (she's Greek) but I couldn't figure it out, so this is the next best thing!

For one grandmother, (the one who taught me to quilt) I made a pin cushion and gave her some fabric. She was pretty happy!

I had been wanting to make a Modified Bento Box for a while, so I decided to make one for my grandmother and grandfather. I didn't use a pattern, just looked at some on-line and went for it! (The main one I looked at was the one by Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts. I miss her)! Anyway, I didn't measure correctly, so I ended up making matching boxy quilts. They really enjoy them, though! This one was for my grandfather.

This one was for my grandmother.

Finally, my cousin had her first baby in November, so I made this blanket for little Gema Neveah!

That's it for my family . . . next time . . . the in-laws!

See-ya!

ACK!

2010-02-05T15:52:00.005-06:00

I know . . . I'M HORRIBLY LATE! December was a mess trying to finish up Christmas presents . . . then January was a mess, trying to finish up Christmas presents (only 3 weren't done for Christmas, but the last one took until January 25! My poor mother-in-law!)

I also got a ridiculously wonderful present, and I want to introduce you all ASAP, but I don't want to rush it. So that, and the Christmas Wrap-Up will have to wait. I hope to get it all done this weekend, but we'll see.

For now, I just wanted to stop in and let you know I was still alive, and give you some AWESOME news! Last night was the first meeting of the Dallas Modern Quilt Guild! Hurray! We had so much fun! I met a lot of new people, and we're going to have a BLAST! If you're in the area, you should stop in next month! We're just getting the ball rolling, and since all we really did last night was meet each other and talk about what we wanted to do with the guild, I don't have much to tell you, but know it was great!

Anyway, I'll be back soon with crafty stuff, I promise!

See ya!

CURVES!

2009-12-02T12:06:00.006-06:00

This fabric . . .

For these blocks . . .Are Here . . . Ready to go out to my Quilting Sisters!

Blogged about Here!

TOO EXCITED FOR WORDS!

It's going to be LEGEN . . . (wait for it) . . . DARY!

See ya!

Catch Up

2009-11-30T12:49:00.006-06:00

Christmas is in FULL SWING!

I made the first batch of Pumpkin Bread for a Christmas Party tomorrow, we've decorated the house (all except the tree) and I made a new coffee cake.

See . . . pretty, right?

To catch you up on all things non-Christmas present related . . . I'll tell you about the Bee.

I am SO LATE for Michelle . . . she was October. I blame cowardice. She scared me! She asked us to come up with our own thing, as long as it was squares in squares. I was SO SCARED! I don't do my own thing! It's very hard! So here are the ones I came up with.
I hope they work!

I'm also late for Missy, but not nearly as bad, since she was November. She asked for a wonky star!

Really proud of my first Wonky-ness!!

These will be in their packets that I'm sending out (hopefully tomorrow) with my quilt instructions.

Woo Hoo!!

See ya!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-25T13:46:00.005-06:00

Happy Turkey Day!

Sorry I've been a little absent, but I've been plugging away at Christmas presents! I should be back after the holiday (when I need a break from cleaning, decorating, or crafting) to get caught up on blogging. (Remember, exactly 1 MONTH until Christmas!)

Hope you all have a safe and happy holiday!

See ya! :)

A Birthday for Christmas!

2009-11-11T08:21:00.008-06:00

Or should that be a Christmas for your birthday? Anyway . . . My Mother-In-Laws birthday was on October 30, and I made her what she asked for . . . a Christmas table-runner.

She's kind of a Christmas Nut . . . but that's OK because so am I. And so is S, and his brother, and so on and so on. We LOVE Christmas around here!

The runner was really simple, I used 2 charm packs of Frosted Memories by Moda. It was already kitted up for me, but I can't remember where I bought it. It was a booth at the Plano Quilt Show, but I'm not sure of the quilt shop's name. Sorry! I have found, however, that things come together REALLY easily if they are already cut! (I HATE cutting!) I put it together during craft night one night, and it came together beautifully (AKA most of my points matched! Whoop!).

I feel kind of bad, because it wasn't a surprise, but I know she likes it because it is what she wanted, so that's good, right?

Changing channels, I found this NEW Material Shop this week! City Craft is GREAT! I have been feeling guilty lately about not really supporting my local quilt shops, because I definitely think keeping these guys around is important, but I agree with Abby in her post about this. We love local quilt shops, but we can never seem to find what we are looking for, the new, modern fabrics. I spend TONS of time (more than I should, I admit) lurking on blogs like Oh Fransson and Handmade by Alissa and Crazy Mom Quilts. They inspire me SO MUCH, but I can never find the same fabrics they use. So I order them off of the Internet, and they arrive, but it's never quite what I thought it would be. It helps to see and touch fabric (part of the joy of fabric shopping, but we'll get into that later). By the time I'm ready to start my quilt, I'm guilty about not buying the fabric locally and disappointed in the actual fabric. Not a good start! But City Craft changes that! They are small, but what they have is AWESOME! They have all the modern, hip designers and the bright colors. I've already bought some, but I'll show that off later. If you're in the Dallas area, you HAVE to go see them! They're great!

Enough rambling. :)

See ya!

Make Me Happy Monday

2009-11-09T16:38:00.009-06:00

What makes me happy today is . . .

The view from my back yard. I love the reds.

FALL!!!!

The massive amounts of leaves. S. hates these!

I love it! Sweaters, boots, scarves. I love the colors in the trees and the crispness in the air . . .

Our walnut tree!

But I especially love the FOOD!

I'm having to hold myself back from the kitchen. I made this scrumptious Apple Upside Down cake from Paula Dean (S calls it my Ya'll Cake) . . . but it was GONE before I got pictures. I'm already craving my mom's famous pumpkin bread. Maybe this weekend will be a baking weekend . . . until then, I'll content myself with leaves and sweaters (even if it is 75 degrees out)!

Our begonias under the leaves.

See ya!

Quilt Along!

2009-11-02T11:59:00.003-06:00

The girls at Block Party are having a quilt along! It's going to be Legend . . . (wait for it) . . . DARY! I'm super pumped! Go over and check it out!

See ya!

Make Me Happy Monday

2009-11-01T22:15:00.007-06:00

So today, what makes me happy is . . .

YARN!

And not just any yarn, but yarn from my L.Y.S. (local yarn shop), Shabby Sheep! These ladies are wonderful! I walk in at 10AM on Saturday, almost in tears because I don't understand a pattern. Perren immediately sits down with me and walks me through it. After an hour of both of us not getting it, she enlists the other 2 ladies in a search for a comparable pattern. We find one, she gets me started, and I knit for about 1/2 an hour to make sure I get it. I'm so proud of my new project! (I wish I could go into specifics, but, you know, Christmas and all!) After I am sufficiently practiced, I pull out another pattern that I need to buy yarn for, and Leah drops everything to help me find the right type and amount (at the right price, none-the-less). I was in there for 2 1/2 hours, and the ladies made me feel right at home! Even though they were busy doing a million other things, they made time for me. That is why I take the extra time to drive further than I have to (there is a yarn shop closer to me, but they were never as helpful). I guess what makes me REALLY happy, is good customer service. I LOVE SHABBY SHEEP!

Pay It Forward . . .

2009-10-29T11:18:00.008-05:00

I'm a little nervous, I am playing Pay It Forward with Beth! I've never done this before, but blog-land seems alive with it! Since I didn't know how to do this until recently, I will share it with you, too. Here's the dish:

1)I signed up for Beth's PIF. She's making something handmade to send to me. (She has a year in which to do it!)

2)To receive them from her, I need 3 people to play with me. Just leave me a comment, and I will send you something handmade (I have a year in which to do this!). Make sure when you leave a comment, I have some way to get in touch with you, either on your blog or by email.

3)The three people who sign up post about it on their blog, each get 3 responses, and send something handmade to their PIT peeps.

4)It goes on and on (don't you feel like breaking into a rendition of "This is the song that never ends"? Ha Ha. Now you have it in your head too, don't you?)

You can only play if you have a blog, and if you promise to post about this and send out 3 more presents. I'm totally reminded of those chain letters in high school, but in this one you get fun hand-made stuff, and you don't die in 72 hours or be doomed to never get married.

You're supposed to put a button on your blog for the PIF, and it's really cute . . . I just don't know how to do buttons. Seriously, I worked for like an hour last night on it, and I can't figure it out. If you can, see Beth's post about it. Maybe you can do it!

Post quickly! I'm itching to get started!

See ya!

Make Me Happy Monday (on Wednesday)

2009-10-27T10:13:00.009-05:00

I can't believe it! It's only my second week, and I've already missed a MMH Monday! Ridiculous! So here it is . . . two days late!

It's our semi-annual Hot Dog Day! My in-laws (parents and siblings) come over and we cook hot-dogs and brats over our outdoor fire pit!

Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE hot-dogs. It's a tad crazy, but I can eat them anytime, anywhere, with ANY toppings!

But it's a fun day . . . hanging with the fam and eating good food. The weather was beautiful (perfect temps for a fire!) and the conversation was lively (as usual). It definitely made me happy!

See ya!

Happy Birthday!

2009-10-20T09:48:00.009-05:00

Today is my mom's birthday! I missed her party this past weekend, and I miss her terribly! (For those of you that don't know, she lives a good 6 hours away . . . it's a BUMMER!) It's so funny, you think you know your parents growing up, but once you're out of the house, things CHANGE! I've learned so many things about her since I've "grown up". She loves Greek coffee, has an I-Phone, and watches Mad Men, to name a few. This is a completely different picture of her than what I had in my head in high-school, but I digress. For her birthday, we gave her a new Greek Coffee pot, because it's just hard to make it without the special pot. I also made her this:

(that's her, modeling!) Her favorite colors are green and blue, and I know she's constantly carrying things back and forth to work, and our house, etc. I thought she might need a pretty bag! (her old one was a beat-up canvas thing from the school she works at. This is MUCH prettier!) I used the Jane's Market Bag pattern from Posie. TOTALLY worth the 6 bucks! I was really worried about making it . . . I'm not very good at following patterns, and when people say "easy" but they are already experienced, I rarely find it easy! But Posie's instructions were simple (once I got up the nerve to start) and it came together rather quickly (in a little more than one craft-night session). It's a beautiful bag . . . I want to make myself one (or two, or three), but I need to finish Christmas stuff first. Anyway . . .

Happy Birthday Momma! I love you!

See ya!

Make Me Happy Monday

2009-10-19T18:36:00.006-05:00

I've decided that I'm going to try and think about something happy on Mondays because, well, they're Mondays! I guess I should share with you as, well, you have Mondays too! So today, what makes me happy is my yard. Specifically . . .

These Lantanas. They are gorgeous! So bright and happy! They are covering this little flower bed up front that gets ALL the sun. Nothing has survived there until we planted these. I love them! Also, here are our first changed leaves! There are a lot of dead ones on the ground, but these actually turned yellow before brown! (the picture doesn't really do it justice. They really are yellow. I promise) Hurray for autumn!!!

See ya!

REALLY late B-day!

2009-10-13T18:21:00.005-05:00

So, I'm still working on Christmas stuff, and I still can't tell you about it, but I have a few things to show you. First of all, my Dad's birthday was in August, and I made him these pillows.

I made them for his office/man cave; he's really into history, so I thought that Buffalo Bill pillows would be perfect. But my mom ended up liking them too, so now they're on the couch in the living room. I guess you can never tell what people are going to like! I'm pretty excited!

Happy Late B-day Daddy :) Love you!

See ya!

Time-out

2009-10-10T08:29:00.007-05:00

Yes, I've been a bad, bad girl. I haven't blogged in over a month! I've neglected my correspondence with my far-away friends (sorry Mary and Red). But worst of all, I've been a bad sister! I was supposed to get my block in the mail by the end of September, but it is just now going in. I'm SO SORRY DOREY! Hopefully by Monday it will be winging it's way to you with a couple of apology gifts. Here it is. The fabrics are so pretty!

It has been a crazy month, but instead of trying to catch you up on everything, I'll just go over a few highlights. I really enjoyed the Dallas Quilt Guild in September, and promptly joined, then missed the October meeting. The September speaker was amazing! If you ever have a chance to see David Taylor, don't miss it! I have pics, but I'll have to do those later. I also missed the Garland Quilt Guild October meeting and the Project Linus September meeting. My family came down for the State Fair . . . wow, the quilts were amazing! We also got to see the butterfly house, which I had never seen before!

I'm still working on Christmas presents, but I'm behind my self-imposed schedule. I'm also behind at work, but you don't want to hear about that . . . heck, I don't want to talk about that! So all in all, I'm behind. Here's hoping I find the energy to keep up with myself! Thankfully, tonight is craft night! Dang, that means I need to clean the house . . . excuse me while I go scrub the toilets!

See ya!

Slow Demise into Insanity!

2009-09-03T16:02:00.008-05:00

So . . . It's been a while, hasn't it? I've been dealing with sensory overload here, so the blog kind of fell by the wayside. Let's see . . . my last blog was Aug 14 . . . but I didn't tell you much about August. Let's take this one thing at a time!

I told you about the guild meeting last month, so that's done. (Imagine me checking that off the list).

I told you about my new obsession with embroidery (check).

I went to the Plano Quilt Show, and it was AMAZING! That' s part of my sensory overload . . . I was there from 10-ish to 3-ish. Ridiculously amazing. I took pics, but it's too far gone. Maybe I'll get back to them someday. (check).

Beth and I also went to a Project Linus Meeting put on by Jennifer and Abby. I'm hooked . . . It is an awesome charity and it was so much fun to meet everyone and work together! You should really check it out. I have a couple blocks done for a group quilt we're working on and I have a kit I need to work on, too. I'll show you those pics soon. (check).

I got Dorey's material for my bee . . . I'll show you the block once I finish it. (check)

I finished my Dad's birthday presents, but he won't see them until this weekend, so you won't either. But I promise it will be here soon! (check)

Tuesday night was the Garland Quilt Guild Meeting. Beth couldn't come, but Abby came and joined! Yay! Now I have a new-member buddy. We sat with Cheryl, Marie, and Sharon (again). What a hoot! Those girls crack me up! The speaker was Betsy C. and she spoke about wool. The projects she brought were AMAZING. I caved and bought her book and a yard of lovely wool. Now . . . what to do with all that? I'm sure I'll think of something! (check)

The Wacky Garland Girls (see above) invited me to the Dallas Quilt Guild Meeting this evening . . . and I'm pretty pumped. We're meeting for dinner before hand, and I can't wait to learn all about the guild. It's supposed to be awesome! (check).

Finally, I have gone crazy. I realized what kind of work making everyone Christmas presents would entail . . . and I've decided to do it anyway. I now have a "Christmas Binder" that is with me EVERYWHERE, with a 4 month schedule and multiple lists. Lets keep our finger's crossed and the straight-jacket ready, OK? (check).

OK. I think we're all caught up. If I've left anything out, try Abby or Beth's blogs . . . they do most of the exciting stuff with me. I'll also try to keep you updated on the progress of my slow demise into insanity so we won't have to resort to another mass blog (with no pictures nonetheless. Scandalous!)

See ya!

Really Really Awesome!

2009-08-14T15:23:00.003-05:00

I read Jacquie's blog regularly, and am so inspired by her. I really love her stuff! Well, today she had a link to this wonderful place, Iraqi Bundles of Love, and I've decided to join her. I think the whole thing is amazing, and I really want to help. I'm not even going to try and explain it, you should really go see it yourself. Even if you don't want to or can't help, it's really nice to see what people are doing over there! (I'm suppose to have a button in the right hand corner of my blog, but I can't figure it out, so I just linked it.) The link talks about quilting/sewing stuff, but they also would love to have knitting stuff, too. I'm really excited and will be (hopefully) getting this together this weekend. Just wanted to get this out there!

See ya!

Somewhere Over the Rainbow . . .

2009-08-12T20:01:00.009-05:00

So, I've met someone. I'm so full of warmth and sunshiney-ness (word?) and color. Yes, I said color. This new love, this new found happiness, this new passion . . . is . . .

EMBROIDERY!

Gotcha! Like I could leave S :)

A few months ago (like 12) I decided I wanted to learn embroidery. I bought this book. It's AMAZING! It has really cute projects, which I will probably never do, but it's directions and stitch guide are really precise and clear. It really helped. I started out by doing "drills".

(Can you tell my mother made me practice spelling a lot . . . it's kind of sunk in!)

I have also bought a LOT of embroidery thread. It's not the nicest, or the most expensive, but it was a starter pack of 150 skeins for $15. I also bought bobbins and some binder inserts to keep them organized, but here they all are, in all their glory.

I love them. I keep wanting to run my fingers through them. My color pallet is usually pretty muted, but I think I'm coming around. I especially love the greens . . . and the blues . . . and the reds . . . and the oranges! You get the idea. I'm finally in love with color!!!!! I'm so excited!

I'm already working on one embroidery project, but it's going to be a Christmas present, so I can't tell you about it. But I've decided that I'm going to make everyone a personal ornament for Christmas. I'll show you the progress on those so you can see how I'm coming along. Right now I have the thread and material . . . and some ideas. I'll keep you updated! I'm pretty pumped. S says I'm doing really well, and he's proud of my project so far! I'm off to work on more practice . . . and to pet my pretty threads:)

See ya!

Guilding

2009-08-06T10:02:00.008-05:00

That's what I do :) Tuesday night was my 2nd guild meeting. . . my FIRST as a member :) I'm RIDICULOUSLY excited! I have a name badge and everything . . . see?

Member #207 :)! I also won a door prize to a quilt shop in Lewisville, Quilt Country. I've never been there . . . but that will be rectified soon!

There was an interesting speaker, Pebble Rhem, about applique. Her quilts were AMAZING! It was insane! I also got to see Marie and Cheryl (Cheryl is the one I forgot last month) and met Hope and some other lovely ladies. (Sorry if I misspelled your names . . . let me know if I did). Marie did the awesome Geico quilt I told you about last month. It ROCKED! (Still does, I'm sure).

The BEST PART OF THE NIGHT, though, were my buddies! The SIL came with me, and we got to meet the awesome Abby! We met online, and have been emailing back and forth . . . it was so great to meet her in person! (She let me borrow her scissors . . . I think there's a BFF in the making here;)

Anyway . . . not much else. I meant to post this last night, but the power was out ALL NIGHT! I'll be back to update you on some projects later!

See ya!

Buzz Buzz!

2009-08-05T09:21:00.004-05:00

I'm just a little black rain-cloud . . . hovering under the honey tree!

Poo's song. It's all I can sing when I think of bees . . . most of the time.

NOW . . . I'm in my own bee! Hurray:) I'm ridiculous amounts of excited! I'm having to dash this off at work, but I just wanted everyone to know!

We are the Quilting Sisters, and I have already spoken to Mother Meagan and Sister Dorey. We'll be introducing ourselves to each other over the next few days. You should TOTALLY check it out. Now that I have sisters and a bee . . . maybe I should change my blog name . . . I'm not exactly bee-less anymore!

Now I'm singing "How do you solve a problem like Maria"!

I wanna be a will0w-the-wisp! :)

See ya!

Christmas in July! (kind of)

2009-07-29T12:50:00.012-05:00

I wrote this last week, just waiting for pics, hence the name.

So . . . ya'll know I'm a planner, right?

OK, OK, I know. I'm a liar. Let's try this again.

Ya'll know I WANT to be a planner, right? I LOVE to make lists and piles. I even have lists of the lists I need to make! Do they ever get completed? No. Not ever.

I'm also pretty good at biting off more than I can chew. I have these grand ideas of the way things should be, but they never quite stack up. This is especially true at Christmas. Well, this year is going to be different!! (Hey, no snickering. It really is!) I have decided on a "Hand-made Christmas"! Everyone will have something hand-made. I wanted EVERYTHING to be hand-made, but I'm at least a little realistic! So, to ensure my vision of the PERFECT Christmas, I am starting now. Actually, I started a few weeks ago, but haven't made much head-way. My list is growing, my crafty supplies are growing, and my mental state is deteriorating! J/K (for now!). So I may not be able to show you much of what I am making, since I'm not really sure who reads my blog and who doesn't. I don't much like surprises, but I at least like others to be surprised.

But I need your help! I stink at thinking up presents, especially for boys! Guys are hard to shop for, much less MAKE for! So, I have a few ideas, but I am DEFINITELY open for more! I have a father, a father-in-law, a brother, a brother-in-law, a grandfather and THE HUBBY! Just a little reference, the grandfather got a scarf last year, and the hubby is getting one before Thanksgiving (I hope!!!). Ideas? Thoughts? Prescriptions to make the Christmas voices go away?

Any-who. Here is something I can show you.

It's my HAPPY QUILT! So named by S. My color choices tend to be a little darker, a little drabber, so I decided that I needed something brighter! I was totally inspired by Posie. All her stuff (house, bed, pillows, ect) are so cheerful! So I got together all my brightest, happiest fabrics. There are NONE LEFT! My favorite part of the quilt is the back. (It's also a block or two on the front.)

It's a REAL LIVE vintage sheet! It's been my sheet for a long time. It's the first one I remember, and my favorite because it's been used so much and so often that it's worn down to the perfect softness level. I don't use it any more, as I've lost the fitted sheet and the pillow cases, but the flat sheet I still have. After showing my mom, she laughed and told me it was older than I thought. She got it for her wedding in 1976! Woo hoo! My first vintage sheet! Anyway, it's really soft, and perfect for me to snuggle up on the couch with. I'm totally in love. So the points aren't "pointy" and the binding is a little wonky, it's ALL MINE! (Mua-ha-ha)!

See ya!

Let's Play!

2009-07-28T09:38:00.003-05:00

I found this on Happy Zombie's blog. I couldn't resist!

“Let’s Play”
Let’s Play rules: IT’S HARDER THAN IT LOOKS! COPY, ERASE MY ANSWERS, ENTER YOURS, POST IT ON YOUR BLOG, FACEBOOK, ETC. USE THE 1ST LETTER OF YOUR LAST NAME TO ANSWER EACH OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS. THEY HAVE TO BE REAL PLACES, NAMES, AND THINGS. NOTHING MADE UP! TRY TO USE DIFFERENT ANSWERS IF THE PERSON IN FRONT OF YOU HAD THE SAME 1ST INITIAL.

Have Fun!!

1. What is your last name? LAMB
2. A 4 Letter Word? LIFE
3. A Boy’s Name? LAURENCE (as in Little Women)
4. A Girl’s name? LAURA
5. An Occupation? LEMON FARMER
6. A Color? LAVENDER
7. Something you wear? LACY UNDERTHINGS (what, this is hard!)
8. A Beverage? LEMON DROP (oh yeah!)
9. A Food? LIVER
10. Something found in the bathroom? LIPSTICK (ok, stretching it, but it's in my bathroom!)
11. A place? LIVERPOOL
12. A Reason for being late? LAZY
13. Things you shout? LIFE SUCKS! LAY-OFF! LOSER! LEMONY SNICKET! LOBSTER BISQUE! (yadda yadda yadda)

Tag. You’re it.

Fam-Damn-Tastic!

2009-07-27T19:54:00.004-05:00

Here is the pic of the whole family I've been promising you!

Good looking family, no? YES! :)

Also, here are the baby gifts I've been promising you, too. This little guy (I'm sure) needed new stuff . . . because, honestly, everybody needs new TINY stuff!

I made 2 bibs (one with that awesome owl fabric) and 2 bags. I obviously don't know what a mom needs in her diaper bag, but, in my head, these bags can be used for an extra bottle and extra diapers. I hope Little Carter likes them. It was kind of fun to make such tiny things.

Anyway, it was a LONG week, and all this rain is making my head hurt, so this will just be a short post.

See ya!

Home again, home again,

2009-07-22T12:49:00.008-05:00

Jiggity Jig!

We had a BLAST on vacation. We went to Beaver's Bend State Park in Broken Bow, OK with my parents and my brother and his wife. The park is gorgeous and the small town is so cute! I didn't catch any fish, but S caught 4, and I think that's awesome! Here he is with his last one!

Sweet little rainbow trout!

I'll post pics of the family later this week, my mom and SIL got the best ones, so I'll show you those when I get them. For now, I'll show you the view from our bedroom. Each bedroom in the cabin had it's own personal balcony, and ours looked out into beautiful woods. It rained Sunday and Monday, but only after we had gotten in for the evening, so that was OK . . . in fact, it made for a really lovely evening cuddling on the couch!
We went on a FABULOUS canoe trip (OK, so I didn't like this one as much as last year, but it was fun.) The company that took us has several trips, a 10 mile (all day), a 6 mile (half day), and a 4 mile (3 hours). Last year we did the leisurely 6 mile, with mostly calm waters and little paddling or maneuvering. THIS year we did the 4 mile with rapids and a small waterfall. It was quite stressful for an inexperienced paddler (ME)! Poor S had to calm me down, maneuver, get out and push, maneuver some more, push again, and make small talk with in-laws. He is SUCH a sport! So with all the fast movement, getting stuck, flipping the canoe over, and stress, I didn't get many pics. But I did snap a pic of the van that picked us up. The company is GREAT! We love them so much, we vow to use them every year!
Finally, S and I stopped in a little antique shop in Broken Bow on our way out of town, and I bought a quilt. I want SO BADLY to start an antique quilt collection! Have I told you this? I have 5 generations of family quilts, 2 of which need repairs and restoration. Well, I have vowed that anytime I see an old quilt for a good price, I'm going to pick it up. I saw an old quilt for$35 in the shop and SNAPPED IT UP, without checking it out first.

Now, I knew I should look at it. I looked at the other 3 in the ship, but for $200 a pop, I couldn't afford them (but they were gorgeous). This quilt is UGLY! (In case you couldn't tell). I really don't like it! It's a Double T, a temperance pattern from the 20s, but I'm PRETTY sure it's from the 80's as there are some hot pink and navy blue patterns mixed in (bottom left corner sashing). But the way I look at it, I have an ugly, not so antique, quilt that is worn down. I can use it to practice repairs and restoration on until I'm good enough to mess with the valuable quilts. So anyway, wish me luck!

I'll be back with more pics and some crafty stuff soon, I promise!

See ya!

Preparations

2009-07-14T22:20:00.007-05:00

We're going on vacation on FRIDAY! WOO HOO!!!!! We will be in Oklahoma fishing with the fam! We went last year, and had a blast! Can't wait for a little R&R!

With that in mind, we are preparing for the vacation (hence the title) . . . have you noticed it's more work to get ready for vacation and return from vacation than it is on a normal week? I'm so frazzled!

Last weekend we went to El Campo for a buddies' wedding. It was a lot of fun and good to see everyone. We stayed with our good friends and got to see this little man.

Isn't he a heart-breaker? We expected to see several more buddies, including the friends who are suppose to receive the gift I previewed last week, but since they couldn't make it, I guess you'll have to wait another week until the post office can get it to them!

While we were getting ready for the trip Friday night (you know, laundry in the washer and dryer and pie in the oven) our electricity went out for an hour and a half! Basically ruined the pie! It came back on around 9:30 PM, and we had to leave at 7:30 AM, so we came home to a wreck. But for an hour and a half, that wreck looked pretty good . . . see?

So now I'm trying to clean up the house from last week. My mother-in-law is sweet enough to come take care of Ralphie while we're gone . . . but I hate to have her see the house messy. She is one of those women who ALWAYS has a perfectly clean house, no matter what. I don't know how she does it, but I have YET to find a spec of dust in that house! One day, I'm going to learn how to do it, but I just can't seem to crack it. My mom is the same way, and I'm totally jealous!

Finally, I'm gathering things for OK and putting them places I hope I won't forget them. I mean, I love my family and all, but I'm going to need some entertainment! In this pile, you will see 2 small quilts I need to bind, an embroidery project, and a knitting project (some are in bags). I also have 3 books and fishing equipment . . . I mean to relax the H*** outta this weekend!

See ya!

P.S. My best friend is moving back to Texas from Hawaii in November. Screams of excitement are emanating from Richardson . . . can you hear them? Whoop for all the "Monday Night Craft Night" gals being back in the same state :)

Catching up + guild!

2009-07-09T09:38:00.014-05:00

Well, since I have been away so long, I have a little stuff to catch up on. Not much (as I'm pretty boring) but some stuff.

First, the two helpers at craft night. My Ralphie, and my SIL's "puppy" Kate!

Next, a sneak peak at a gift I'm making. More about it next week!
Now, on the the Garland Quilt Guild! First of all, I had a BLAST! These ladies were so much fun! Actually, it wasn't all ladies, I saw 2 men there. How cool is that? Also, the show and tell was GREAT! Such a great diversity of styles! I definitely have a lot to learn from them! I'm a little shy, so I sat WAAAAAAYYYYYYY in the back. But I sat next to a lovely lady named Mary who talked to me and explained things during the meeting. She was SO NICE! She was also sewing on binding the whole time . . . it was great! She is a long arm quilter, and her quilting was amazing! Near us was a lady named Maria (if I have these names wrong, I'm sorry. I'm so bad with names) and she made this quilt.

Here's a close up.
A Geico Gecko T-shirt quilt! Evidently she works for them, and it was SO CUTE! I love it!

Finally, the program was wonderful. This lady, Joan Howes, gave a wonderful speech on the History of Quilting in the US; something I'm very interested in.
Here is a close up of her oldest quilt, an applique from around 1850.All of her quilts were amazing; I wish I had sat closer. All in all, I loved it, and I'm very glad I joined. Maybe next month I'll find a small group to join. I'm still pretty pumped!!!!

Sorry it's such a long post, but I'm pretty excited! (if you couldn't tell). I leave you with a picture of the Mighty Hunter, camouflaged in her environment.

"You can't see me, but I can see you . . ."

See ya!

Tag with Red!

2009-07-08T08:32:00.004-05:00

Rebekah tagged me with the following game . . . I've never done one before, so here goes nothing!

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To:
1. Oklahoma Vaca with the fam!
2. Catching another fish in OK!
3. Canoing down the river!
4. SLEEPING on VACA!
5. Finishing the UFO that has plagued me for a while! Should be done this week!
6. August quilt guild meeting
7. Carlos Ruiz Zafon's new book
8. Quitting time! Woo hoo!

8 Things I Did Yesterday:
1. went to work
2. commuted WAY too much!
3. ate Jack in the Crack (and got sick, of course)
4. complained about needing a nap
5. blogged (for the first time in a long time)
6. lusted over these pillows
7. Went to my first Garland Quilt Guild Meeting
8. Joined the Garland Quilt Guild! Woo hoo!

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:
1. start my own business/work from home
2. QUIT!
3. create crafty projects instead of copying them
4. see Red, Mary, and Fi more! :( I miss Monday Night Craft Night!
5. buy a TON of fabric, no budget worries
6. clean the house in under an hour (and have it stay clean)
7. lose 30 pounds
8. be more punctual (especially with gifts, I'm bad at late gifts)

8 Shows I enjoy:
1. Top Chef
2. How I Met Your Mother
3. Pushing Daisies (it's cancelled, boo!)
4. Life (it's cancelled too, NBC sucks!)
5. Masterpiece Theater (specifically, Ms. Marple and Poirot)
6. Psych
7. Burn Notice
8. Real Housewives of New Jersey (yes, I know it's a trainwreck, I can't help but watch!)

8 Friends I'm Tagging:
1. Beth
2. That's all I know! I need more friends, too!
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

More about the guild later, when I can upload pics.

See ya!

New adventures . . . dirty house!

2009-07-07T18:18:00.003-05:00

I know, I know, I've been neglecting the blog (and no, the house is not clean yet) but I'm reaching that lovely state of not caring anymore. I've also been behind in crafting, I'm so un-inspired lately. But I have a few things to show you, but it'll have to wait until after this weekend as they are gifts. But I am going out tonight! Now, now, don't get too excited, I'm just trying out the Garland Quilt Guild, to see if it works for me. Maybe I'll have some exciting stuff tomorrow. I've gotta run!

See ya!

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?

2009-06-15T10:14:00.003-05:00

Sorry for the long absence, but we've been trying to do some spring cleaning lately. Our summer seems to be pretty jam-packed already, plus work, so the cleaning is going pretty slowly and the crafting is non-existent. But I'll get back to it soon, I promise. One thing, though, I'm trying to think of something to make the little heart-breaker in my last 2 posts. He is SO SWEET! His mama can make MUCH better quilts than I can, so that's out, but I'm not sure what he needs or wants. Any suggestions? I hope we get to meet face to face soon, but if this d*** house doesn't get itself cleaned soon, I may never make it out again!

See ya (I hope)!

Carter Johnstone Hamm . . . part duex

2009-06-03T09:13:00.002-05:00

Here's a picture! Hurray!!!! Isn't he a sweetie!

See ya!

Carter Johnstone Hamm

2009-06-02T16:13:00.004-05:00

I don't have much time since I'm at work . . . but I'm too excited to not tell anyone. This morning at 10:15AM Carter Johnstone Hamm made his arrival! His Daddy says everyone is fine, and I'm EXTREMELY excited! I hope we get pics to show you soon. Woo hoo! It's a baby-palooza!!!!

See ya!

My humble opinion . . .

2009-05-27T20:31:00.002-05:00

A few weeks ago I bought myself this book.

It is a BEAUTIFUL book . . . it's now on my coffee table! The pictures are wonderful and the stories are great. It's a difficult book to understand, though. Maybe I'm not quite to the level that they are writing to, but the book seems very wordy (yes, yes, I know. books have words). It just gets a little confusing sometimes. I made a quick block from one of the prettiest quilts in it.

It's just a test block, so I used ugly fabric . . . don't go thinking that this is going to be a whole quilt. I had to quit reading the text after a while, I got so frazzled. So I looked at the diagrams and figured it out on my own (not that hard, it's an Ohio Star, and those are everywhere now). So maybe I won't be making the quilts in the book, but it's gorgeous just the same. I'm proud to have it on my table!

See ya!

Home Sweet Home . . .

2009-05-25T08:49:00.007-05:00

Most of you have never seen our home, so I thought I would show you it.

S has worked very hard on the yard, and it looks amazing! I'm so proud of him! We have 2 big oak trees and 2 big walnut trees. We're pretty lucky to have such a cute home with such a great yard.

So, I am working on a quilt . . . but I'm so dad-gum close to finishing that I don't really want to show you until it's done . . . hopefully by the end of the week. I'm working hard to get it done for Spring to Finish! So here's a sneak peak!

Finally . . . do you remember this chick?(Yes, I'm thinking of the one played by Uma Thurman, but I can't find a good picture. However, great movie!!!) I am her, just without the hotness or the craziness. Yep, just the poison part. It's been about a week and is finally going away, but I'm pretty much miserable. Pity me. :(

I now leave you with a picture of Ralphie helping me with a layout for work . . . she is a GREAT helper!

See ya!

Mother's Day . . .

2009-05-14T14:49:00.007-05:00

So, almost a week late, here is my Mother's Day Post.

For my mom, I made this.

It's just a little tote for her garden. My mother has an AMAZING garden. Everywhere we have lived, our yard has always been beautiful. Her house now is the one place we have lived the longest, and her backyard gets more lovely every year. In addition to amazing flowers, she also has vegetables and herbs. Her tomatoes are crazy big. S's favorite garden is when she makes her pico garden, with peppers and onions (but I think he just likes the resulting pico!). So back to the tote. The bottom is hard (I cut up a warped cutting mat) so it would hold up a little better. The black and pink material is separated into pockets so she can stick her tools in there. I thought it would be good for her because right now she carries her stuff around in an old box top. When I told her that, she laughed and said that the box top was for weeds, and the bag was too pretty for that. She wants to use it when she harvests her vegetables.

For S's mom, I made these.

They are pillows to match a wall hanging I made her when I was dating S. I was trying to get in good with the family, and I think it worked. It's hanging in their bedroom and they love it. The hearts are mostly from my Grandmother's stash (she helped me a lot with the original hanging). It's so funny because she has had her stash for a LONG time! I have found the same material in the stash that is in the quilt she made me when I was born! (It's lovely, a pink and blue double wedding ring. I pull it out when I'm sick or sad because it makes me feel better.)

So there are 2 more for the Spring To Finish! That makes a total of 3! Woo Hoo :)

Also, I have an update on the Improv quilt. I'm quitting. (Sorry Jacquie). I tried, but I couldn't find a way to be happy with it. I think that I haven't grown enough as a quilter to branch out on my own yet. I need a few more "safe" years of copying patterns and coloring inside the lines before I get a little crazy. But at least I tried. That's a big step for me! Anway, at least that's one less UFO! Woo Hoo!

See ya!

Oh baby baby . . .

2009-05-10T19:32:00.011-05:00

So this weekend was the wedding! Congrats MaryAnne and David! We're so happy for them! Here they are with all the buddies and the buddies-to-be! The wedding was great, and it was wonderful to see everyone.

We got to meet this sweet little boy! (and see his daddy looking like the brawny paper towel man!)
We gave him this quilt . . . which was finished in the car on the way to the wedding! Nothing like a last-minute gift!

It's quilted in the ditch. I know some people don't like it that way, but its quick and easy and it looks pretty good. It's not the best quilt every, but it's my best one so far. I'm pretty proud of it, and Steven was too. I hope Miles likes it.
Of course, Ralphie had to help. I guess this is project #1 for Spring to Finish! Hurray!
We also got to meet this sweet angel (no, not Danelle). Tatem is Joe and Roses' sweet baby. We didn't even know they were pregnant. She's 11 weeks, and we're pretty impressed. She is gorgeous.

I also have 2 mother's day gifts to tell you about, but I didn't want this post to be too long, so I'll talk about those later.

I leave you with a self portrait by Kaylie Paige.
See ya!

1 Chance at a first impression . . .

2009-05-05T18:21:00.007-05:00

FYI: Tallgrass Prairie Studio has extended the Spring to Finish! Hurray! Maybe I can redeem myself from last month. I'm not going to make a list this month, but I'm pretty sure I'll do better than my dismal 1 finish and no submissions.

And now, to personal business; I still feel sick, but I'm getting better. I need to be in tip-top shape, though; this is a big weekend coming up! Not only is it Mother's Day, but S's birthday is Monday and we are going to College station for a wedding on Saturday. At this wedding, we will be seeing all the buddies (well, at least some of them), including Kyle, Katie, and baby Miles! We will be meeting him for the first time . . . and I am EXTREMELY excited! I am making him a quilt! (I'm not above bribing babies for love.) It is pieced and half-way quilted, but this is it!

It is a Monkey Wrench design, and if you know Kyle and Katie, you'd understand. Kyle and his father are REALLY into cars . . . they fix them up and go to shows, and it's basically a family affair. I'm pretty sure that Miles will be working on cars pretty quick.

I'm still pretty sloppy in piecing, and even though I did my best, my blocks were not square. They needed to be 12 1/2" square, and they were insanely bad. I used Fransson's freezer paper method, but I didn't really like it. I couldn't make it stick really well without using steam, and the steam made it wrinkle. The blocks were also so large that it was difficult to handle. When I ripped it off, it pulled and broke the thread. Maybe I should try the freezer paper with pieces instead of whole blocks or maybe I should iron it immediately before I sew it. Or maybe I just need to learn to piece correctly. That might help. The end product was great; one of the best set quilts I've done, but it was a hassle. If I have to, I'll use it again, but only when EXTREMELY necessary (like I'm giving it away to non-family and it actually needs to look good). This is the first quilt I have made for someone outside of my family. I'm not exactly happy with it, but S loves it. So I guess it's OK.

This block is my favorite.

It has a T-Rex in the middle! Steven picked out all the fabrics and the design. It's about half bright colors and half kid prints, but there is the required Aggie fabric. The "wrench" is a really cute fabric that looks like pick-up tool box metal. I should have it quilted and bound by Wednesday or Thursday, and I'll put up a pic of it later. Maybe I'll get a pic of him this weekend! Woo Hoo!

I leave you with a preview of one Mother's Day gift. It is finished and shipped, but I won't tell you about it until next week after she gets it.

I am now off to finish quilting the Monkey quilt!

See Ya!

Influenza

2009-05-02T12:45:00.001-05:00

I have the flu. Not the swine one, the regular, hit-you-like-a-ton-of-bricks flu. I feel like crap. Not only that, but I missed Spring to Finish and an apron challenge from Angry Chicken. It pisses me off, and that makes me tired. Going to take a nap.

Reminiscing . . .

2009-04-28T21:31:00.003-05:00

I love Sew Mama Sew (on my side bar). One of the great things is the Forum, where people ask and answer questions. I have asked a few myself, and have received wonderful (and quick) advice. As I was perusing it today (yes, my 50 cent word, perusing) I found a woman who is just learning to sew and wants to make a quilt for her young son. A friend of hers told her it was too hard and not to even try. It broke my heart. So I (along with MANY others) told her to go for it! The first thing I ever tried to make was a quilt. Now, I'm not saying I'm a wonderful quilter (ya'll know I'm not) but I do enjoy it. So it got me thinking about the first quilt I made. I don't have it anymore, but I remember it well. In first grade, we read a story about a boy who couldn't go anywhere without his blankie, but his mother said he couldn't take it to school with him. So throughout the book, his mother would cut his blankie in half until, by the first day of school, his blankie would fit in his pocket. (Isn't it funny the details we remember? Now, ask me my teacher's name from the first grade . . . a total blank!) So I had to make a blankie that would fit in my pocket for an assignment. It must have been over spring break, because I remember being in my Great Aunt Billie's house with my grandmother and her sisters quilting around a frame, and asking them to help me make a quilt for school. Obviously, I got REALLY bored REALLY quick, and ended up gluing it together, but they did try. Now, go ahead, ask me my address from first grade . . . a TOTAL BLANK! But I remember quilts and books! The next time I tried to quilt, it was in Jr. High. Here is the product. It's a Nine Patch/Nine Patch. Those are applique tulips in the off squares (still my favorite flower). I pieced it, got bored, and left it at my grandmothers. For high school graduation, she had found it and quilted it for me. I didn't realize how much I would treasure it until recently. I didn't try to quilt again until I met up with a group of lovely ladies (and their blenders and margarita mixes) in college, and the rest, as they say, is history. Sorry about the ramble with few pictures, but sometimes a trip down memory lane is just what the doctor ordered.

See Ya!

Darling . . . it's been too long

2009-04-25T14:52:00.008-05:00

I know, I know . . . I'm a horrible blogger. It's been, what, 2 weeks? But it's been a crazy 2 weeks. Here's a quick recap:

Went to Austin to meet this sweet girl, Riley-

Here I am with Riley. She is so sweet. She's a month old and is SO TINY! She spent most of the time sleeping in her swing, or screaming in some one's arms, but she actually slept with me. Most babies tend to freak out when I hold them, but she didn't. My cousin says it's because she's family, so she automatically loves me. I like that. I love her too.

And Daddy (mine) with Riley.

Momma and my grandmother (Nanny-Pud) with Riley. This is her ninth great grand child!

And lots of other wonderful family members, but only so many pics can fit. Came home on Monday and saw Red for the first time in like a year! I'm not showing that picture because I look like I've been shot at and missed and sh** at and hit. It's not a good picture. Then had the week from H E double hockey sticks at work (I don't like to talk about work, but believe me, it was bad.) Then, we got to see some more friends we hadn't seen in a while. . . Rockey, Lindsey and little Laney!

Isn't she precious? She's a year old, and she is the happiest baby I've ever seen!

Then the dishwasher died and Steven's shower exploded (not really, but it did require a plumber on Monday.) The new dishwasher came today, a week after it went out. I've been washing dishes by hand (it sucks, really bad). But its here now, so that's good.

Another, good thing, the flowers are blooming.

These are my dianthus. I LOVE THEM!

As I promised (so long ago) here is a sneak peak at my latest work in progress. I keep thinking I'm almost finished, but it never gets there. This is the first quilt I've made for someone who isn't family, so they don't have to love it. I'm extremely critical of it, and I'm not really loving it, but S thinks it's cool looking, so I guess it's OK. Maybe next week I'll have more pics for you. You can tell me your opinion.

By the way,"Hi" to Mary and Fi. They both have commented on the blog, but I don't have emails, so I can't say hi back. Love you and miss you both! Quilting hasn't been the same since our Monday Night Craft Night (and blenders of margaritas)!

See ya!

Pre-Easter Ramble . . .

2009-04-09T09:56:00.006-05:00

I meant to blog last night . . . but I'm leaving town tonight and last night just got away from me with the laundry and packing and spending time with the hubby and cat. So I'm rattling this off during my lunch hour at work so I don't feel blog guilt while I'm with my family for Easter.

First, did you know it's Spring To Finish time at Tallgrass Prairie blog (see button on side bar)? That means we are going to finish at least one UFO (Un-Finished Object) by April 30. Woo Hoo . . . just the inspiration I need! I have several. The first (and most important) is a Monkey Wrench quilt for a new baby. Miles Hess should be born around the 14th, and I wanted to make him this quilt. Sorry, no pics yet; I'm not too happy with it. This is the first quilt I have ever made for someone other than family, so I'm extremely critical. But here's hoping! I also would like to get my Project Improv quilt pieced, more on that below. Finally, I have a quilt top from Moda called Portebello Market I bought as a kit after Christmas. I have it all cut out, but that's all. Maybe I'll get it pieced. I like it because of the name; I know it's supposed to be for a mushroom market, but it reminds me of Bed Knobs and Broomsticks with Angela Lansbury and that song, "Portebello Road".

Next, I finished this pincushion from Elizabeth's (at Oh Fransson) tutorial for Sew Mama Sew. It is awesome! If you look close, you can see 2 little green eyes peeking out from under the table. That would be Ralphie. She is a BIG help, as you can see. I wonder if this counts as a finished project?

Finally, a Project Improv update. I think I have stumbled upon my inspiration. I am typically a very traditional person; I use traditional blocks, I like to piece by hand, and I like vintage looking fabrics, especially ginghams and calicos. But I LOVE applique, I just don't do it often. I am also teaching myself embroidery from this awesome book. I have decided to put these things together. I want to do applique and embroidered "art blocks" and I have chosen the Texas wild flowers as my subject. I'm not drawing anything, I'm just going at it (watch out!). My first block is going to be the flowers below. I have no idea what they are, but they are on the side of every highway, and I love them.

I hope it works. Finally, I leave you with a parting pic of Ralphie "helping" (my material and embroidery floss is in that basket).

Happy Easter!

P.S. A shout out to Codi for helping me with my Aunt's sewing machine. The sewing/quilting community is SO HELPFUL! I'll post more later!

Purling . . .

2009-04-03T09:56:00.001-05:00

Look out kids . . . this girl can purl!

I know its a horribly pic, but I promise, there are purls! Thanks to the awesome Sister in Law who showed me how! She is so patient, and I am a horrible student (the yarn ended up half way across the room most of the time) but she stuck with me! Now I just have to figure out how to control it. I'm off to start on hats and socks!

Hopefully next week I will have pics of quilts to show you! I just have too many irons in the fire to focus on one right now.

See ya!

Happy Birthday Red!

2009-03-31T20:57:00.000-05:00

Meet Rebekah Warner Elliot (AKA Red). This is the two of us at my wedding (I like this picture, I was skinny then). She is my best friend, and TODAY IS HER BIRTHDAY!!!!! Happy birthday Red! I miss you like crazy, but I'm happy you are having fun in Hawaii!

Improv Blocks

2009-03-29T18:14:00.000-05:00

Wow. 12 days. I'm not a very good blogger, am I? I had TONS of great blog ideas last week, but I just never got around to sitting down with the computer. I guess I'll consolidate some of them, and save the rest. First, I want to introduce you to someone very special to me. Meet Maurice.

Maurice (or Mo, as we call him) is a Singer. We met my junior year in college, and I scrimped and saved for 6 months to come up with the $100 to buy him. I loved him immediately. But Mo is a grumpy old man (hence the name). He gives me fits, and I often abandon a project for several weeks just so I don't have to see him anymore. He will be featured a lot in my blog . . . probably he will be mostly associated with curse words, as he is in the house, but that's ok. He's practically a curse word himself.

Next, I wanted to show you a few blocks that I have pieced. (Have I mentioned I'm a quilter? A bad one, but on none-the-less.) I joined a group called Project Improv , and part of the group is to make improvisational blocks on your own (more about those later) and then make one Log-Cabin inspired Improv block for charity. See my two below.

Both pieced in the log cabin style, one just wonky, and one to look like a log cabin. I thought it was cute. In the next few days, I should have a button up to take you to the flicker group, I'm just working on the logistics (told you I wasn't a good computer person).

I have another few projects I'm working on, and I hope to show you those soon, if Mo cooperates.

See ya soon!

Happy St. Patty's Day!!!!

2009-03-17T18:34:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to say "Happy St. Patrick's Day"!

Also, I think I found my newest hobby.

Anyone want to spot me the airfare to the Alps?!?

My First Post . . .

2009-03-14T17:41:00.000-05:00

Today is my first post! Today is also my 25th birthday. Wow . . . 25. I started thinking today, there were so many things I was going to do before I was "all grown up", and I haven't done that many. But there are a lot of things that I have done that weren't in my "plan" when I was 10. For example . . . I am married (10 year old me keeps going "yuck!") and I go to work every day (10 year old, and 25 year old me says "boo") and I am basically a normal, everyday person. That was DEFINITELY not in my plan. But I love my life just the same. In spite of a regular 9-5 job, I have several passions. I love to quilt and sew (I'm not that good at it, but I love it anyway. That's why they call it a hobby, right?) and I am learning to knit and embroider. I also have a fat cat name Ralphie

(she's a girl . . . don't ask) that you will probably see a lot of pictures, because she is incredibly entertaining. Here she is eating my birthday flowers. I never had an inside pet before, and she is hilarious! I've decided to blog because . . . well . . . everyone's doing it! (I'm totally a sucker for peer pressure!) I hope this blog will help me to work on my writing skills, as well as organize my crafting. I'm pretty good at starting projects, but finishing them takes years! Maybe you guys will help me stay on task! Also, you will have to be patient with me, I'm a little technology impaired, so this may be slow going.

Thanks! :)