Patchwork Possibilities and sew much more

FNSI Report

2011-03-19T18:23:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was the end of spring break week. My boys had Tball and baseball through the YMCA. It is fun to watch.

When we got home I got busy sewing. I sewed up 13 siggy blocks. I think I am caught up now and have extras yeah! Of course I got interrupted as I was signing them...my pen is now dried out. So next Wednesday I'll be buying a couple at Hobby Lobby. Then I can finish marking them and slip some in the mail.

Yeah I know that says October, but I am being lazy and not taking pictures. ;)

Terrific Tip Thursday

2011-03-10T09:53:00.001-06:00

I learned to hand quilt in 1995, I was 15 and the quilt store in Memphis (don't remember it's name) sold pens to mark my quilt.

I would think everybody would know the secret but it seems to be a close kept secret.

So here it is. I'll be illustrating with twin pillows. One is still a UFO and will serve as before and one is finished and will serve as after.

BEFORE

AFTER

Doesn't that clean up nice!

So flash forward to now 2011, does this still work?

I tested blue,red, and green for you. I purchased them last fall from Staples.

As you can see you don't want to use blue....

No, not red either...

What where did Green go? It washes out with cold water a little soap and agitation.

So I know you want the dirt. Which pens am I talking about.

Paper Mate Flair Pens! You only want the GREEN ones. You can get them in a pack with the other colors or you can order just the green ones in a case. Most office supply stores have them but I can't seem to find them at Walmart these days...

As with any method test it first yourself on your own fabric. I will not be held responsible for any errors. I didn't iron them prior to washing them out so I don't know about that.

Have fun marking your quilts. This was the quilt I made when I was 15. And yes it was covered in green ink while quilted.

Love ya,
Jenn

Springtime...

2011-03-08T16:24:00.000-06:00

It is nice and sunny at my house. My garden is planted and I am ready for spring! Now to get sewing.

I do need to share this cute quilt. I made it the begining of January for a little girl I know who was born 1/11/11.

Here is a link to the pattern.

Mon Ami... Not

2011-02-01T06:42:00.001-06:00

Normally you would be seeing my Le Petite project in all is splendid beauty. Today you get let in on a secret. My sewing room looks like this.

I am working really hard to fix the problem and until then I won't be showing you my quilt as well it is scattered to and fro and until I find the sewing machine I can't remedy the situation. I might be exaggerating just a tad. I share my sewing room with my husband who does leather work and a all the books in the house not to mention 3 kids. One of which thinks reading every book is great, at 2 though he quite has figured one at a time.
So I am off to clean.

Has it really been a year?

2011-01-05T07:38:00.000-06:00

Wow, time flies. I can't believe it has been a year since I started blogging.

It has been a fun adventure. I have met new friends and been inspired by others. I have found more time for sewing. And learned a ton along the way.

I have entered tons of giveaways and won a few here and there.

I love that it is a new year with new projects waiting to be made.

For Christmas I was blessed with stash!

My MIL ordered a quilt kit for me from Connecting threads.

Then ~~my dh~~ I ordered just what I wanted when Connecting threads was having cyber monday sale for my christmas present from him. LOL! It works. And I now have tons of bright fat quarters (see below), charms & stacks for Le Petite projects which you will not see till they are made.

I of course realized while looking at all the bright fabric that I needed some white fabric, so it should be here any day. And now I am am not buying any fabric for a while...

I have a couple plans for all that bright fabric now I just need to figure out exactly what I want to make first...dear jane, hexies for grandmother's flower garden, grandmother's fans come to mind as possibilities. Only time will tell what they become. Right now I just stare at them think how pretty they look all folded and stacked.

Le Petite Project: Prairie Point Christmas

2010-12-31T21:48:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Here is my version of Le Petite. I am in the same boat with fellow bloggers my top is done but with the holiday hustle and bustle I didn't get it quilted. That and I need to find a red boarder I like with it. I ordered some and it was too orange and I don't like it. Can't wait till it is hanging up next Christmas.

I used Connecting Threads fabric once again. Cheap Talk for the cream and blue and Sweet & Sour for the greens and Winter fun for the multi.

FNSI

2010-12-18T20:44:00.002-06:00

I sewed up a christmas present. Sorry won't be posting pictures, yet. But is was lots of fun and I am glad I got time to sew.

FNSI ----NOT!

2010-12-11T14:02:00.000-06:00

I was planning on FNSI and well I ended up sewing memories with my boys instead. We went to a "Bethlehem" and paid our taxes and saw a babe in a manger. Maybe next week I will find time to actually sew.

So should my name actually get picked to win please draw somebody who actually sewed. ;)

Le Petite Project: Butter Churn

2010-11-30T06:19:00.000-06:00

My version of Butter Church for the Le Petite Project! Over Thanksgiving I did the binding but didn't get it posted. I love how it turned out. I used Sip of Summer by Connecting Threads. This project showed me how important a design wall is. I had it ready to sew together by blocks but it when much faster when I had it all laid out and could whip out rows at a time. Not to mention put all my colors where I wanted them. Yellows together, oranges together, I had to rip out a few that ended up in the wrong places. I love the yellow as it reminds me of butter and the green of grass and orange of cheddar cheese. And well Purple if you don't know is my favorite color.

It was bright and cheery on my table on a cold winter day.

7 Projects to 2011!

2010-11-12T06:38:00.002-06:00

Has anybody else realized how close it is to 2011! There are seven whole weeks left starting today! EEK! Where did the time go!

I decided to finish or have 7 goals for those 7 weeks to bring in 2011.

Wk 1 is my Le Petite Nov quilt
Wk 2 is Life is beautiful squares handwork, as many as possible

Wk 3 is a PIF project
Wk 4 is my Southern Bell quilt top

Wk 5 is Le Petite Dec quilt/project

Wk 6 is my blue/yellow buck a block top
Wk 7 is my blue/red buck a block top

Would you like to join me?

Giveaways...

2010-11-11T18:11:00.000-06:00

Just a quick note to let you know about a giveaways...

Barb's 4 sisters and mom giveaway. Click Here for info

Barb also has one for just today Veteran's day! So check it out.

Le Petite Project: Paganini

2010-10-31T10:27:00.000-05:00

I did it! I finished something and quilted it. It is my first free motion quilting project. About 3/4 through I started to out and I look forward to quilting more projects over the next year. I am saving it for a little girl at some point. The backing is some LDS fabric with a temple, I love primary and young women.

Blogger Quilt Festival Fall 2010

2010-10-29T08:31:00.001-05:00

For my the Blogger Quilt Festival I am showing off my first hand applique & hand quilted quilt. Did I mention it is also my only one so far? I love doing those things but it takes time, something I had when I made it but now I don't seem to have any, not to mention that sitting down involves a toddler in my lap with a book. So someday I will make another applique quilt.

I made it when I was 15 years old (half a lifetime ago! eek!) and I won 2nd in the youth quilting division at the MidSouth Fair (the next year they split the hand vs machine quilts.)

I took an adult class at my LQS (can't remember the name, it has been 15 years.) I was amazed that me a young teen could do something better than several of the grownups in the class. My stitches were tiny and invisable on the applique and my quilting was tiny too. We did freezer paper which we basted with thread and used a green flair pen to mark our quilting lines.

When I made it went with nothing but I loved the backing fabric and chose my colors off of it. Now hangs happily in my front room which matches it!

Fall Into Fall winner, PIF update and Caramel Corn Recipe!

2010-10-18T21:00:00.011-05:00

Someday I will figure out how to cut and paste the actual thing for now here is the result.

True Random Number Generator Min: 1 Max: 118 Result: 6

Congrats LEAH!

I was overwhelmed with comments and stopped answering everyone. But thank you all for entering. I hope to email those who commented on the caramel corn recipe or the PIF in the next week or so.

My PIF participants are Regina of Sew Love Today, Cassie whose blog is not public yet, but it is special and Charlene of Geema's Wonderings. So for all of you that wanted to particapate in my PIF and can't please check out their PIF's. Thanks for the great response. I was worried I wouldn't get 3 and I did! So go help Regina, Cassie and Charlene get their 3!

What you still want the Caramel Corn recipe? I didn't forget, I decided to post it.

Caramel Corn from Bonnie King, St. Louis, MO

15 Cups popped Corn (about 1 cup unpopped)

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup light corn syrup

1/2 tsp baking soda

Dash of Salt

In a pan, heat butter, syrup, sugar and salt. Stir until it bubbles; remove pan from heat. Stir in soda until foamy. Pour over corn and stir well. (If you want it hard, bake at 200 degrees for 1/2 to 1 hour and stir every 15 minutes.)

Personally I never have the patience to harden it...I love it warm and gooey! It is very yummy when warm and sticky. You can 1/2 the recipe as well if needed. We got this when my brother was in Webeloes over 20 years ago. Still a favorite recipe and I think of St. Louis and our friends there every time I make it.

From Here to there, siggie blocks everywhere & FNSI

2010-10-16T09:11:00.001-05:00

I started swapping siggies. I thought it would be fun and a way to see the world without leaving Texas.
Here is the first of them.

And here are the ones in the past month! They seem to multiply when I least expect it. It is amazing how this works.

Somehow I got behind so I played catch up last night.

And by Monday I hope to have them mailed out. For those of you who swap any tips on keeping track of who you have sent them to received them from ect would be great.

It is more purple in real life.

If you would like to swap blocks let me know.

Jenn

PS Yes I have a winner and I will be posting the information on Monday along with my caramel corn recipe complete with pictures! As well as updating you on my PIF.

Great cover up!

2010-10-13T21:59:00.000-05:00

Project one for La Petite

Cover this ugly thing....

Elastic was shot and well see the nice brown stain.

With the help of the internet and some fat quarters let me present my new ironing board. It is made to match my purple room. I love it! Thanks for getting me to do this little project. I see lots of different ironing board covers in my future....

Fall into Fall Quilt Bloggers Giveaway!

2010-10-01T06:26:00.001-05:00

Today is the day. All blogger world will be hopping and trying for prizes, or at least all the quilt bloggers. That is why you are here I am sure.

Would you like to know what you could win?

Well I have eight fall fat eights from Joann's in fall colors.

But wait, there is a problem, see the box.

See all that extra room? Something needs to go there don't you think? What would quilter like? Hmm. I know something sweet, how about some homemade caramel corn. Maybe with some candy corn...
Sorry no picture (you will want it fresh) but I can promise is is very addicting and yummy, made with real butter!

To enter leave a comment. Sorry it is only open to US addresses. Though if you want I will gladly email the caramel corn recipe, as I know that is what you really want. ;) You are welcome to become a follower I love having new friends.

And I have one more thing! I am participating in a Pay it Forward.
I am joining Linda at Stray Stitches in it.

The idea is that 3 of you join my Pay It Forward and then I will send a hand made gift (made with love!!!) to each one of my THREE within the next 365 days! ( I am one of Lana's 3)

Then, those 3 people must also host a PIF on their blogs and ask for 3 people to join their PIF - To Pay It Forward!

You may send anything homemade (and you get to choose what you want to make)- a small quilt, wall hanging, tablerunner, bookmark, pillow case, mug rug, cross stitch item, embroidery item - well, you get the idea.

So, this is me, asking for 3 people to join my PIF - just leave a comment to this post stating that you want to be one of my 3.

That's it....No Catches! Now, I only need THREE.....will you be one of my three?

So leave a comment to enter that as well.

Love,

Patchwork Jenn

Uplifiting thoughts!

2010-09-25T22:03:00.000-05:00

Do 't you love to get away and hear uplifting messages? I know in a house of 3 busy boys I treasure my time away if it is something that uplifts and feeds my soul. Tonight I got away to a church meeting and heard some uplifting thoughts. Thought I would share. Enjoy!

Jenn ;)

Each of You Is Unique

My dear sisters, each of you is unique. You are different from each other in many ways. There are those of you who are married. Some of you stay at home with your children, while others of you work outside your homes. Some of you are empty-nesters. There are those of you who are married but do not have children. There are those who are divorced, those who are widowed. Many of you are single women. Some of you have college degrees; some of you do not. There are those who can afford the latest fashions and those who are lucky to have one appropriate Sunday outfit. Such differences are almost endless. Do these differences tempt us to judge one another?

Mother Teresa, a Catholic nun who worked among the poor in India most of her life, spoke this profound truth: “If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” The Savior has admonished, “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” I ask: Can we love one another, as the Savior has commanded, if we judge each other? And I answer—with Mother Teresa—“No; we cannot.”
—President Thomas S. Monson
Watch the entire general Relief Society meeting

Magical Mail Monday

2010-09-20T07:18:00.000-05:00

So I haven't won a go yet, but sometimes I do get a little lucky and magical mail shows up in my mail box.

First I ordered some patterns from Fashionably Modest Patterns and she had a giveaway for a free pattern. I really wanted another pattern but thought no just get two, you will win the other one. And I did! Yeah! So I picked this pattern as I have a linen jumper in this style that is just about dead. Really love it. So this pattern is perfect.

Then Karen of Messy Karen was making up wipers and I got one.

Too cute. I am almost afraid to use it. And I plan on making some. I love the small size. That is about how much knitting I get done one a washcloth before I lose interest so maybe I will actually finish some.. ;) For the pattern go here.

That is it for magical mail. Maybe someday I'll get one of those big boxes I see popping up on other's blogs. But really I am blessed and I think small packages best.

Friday night

2010-09-18T08:22:00.000-05:00

~~Football~~ Sew in. So the football game was great but we lost...

Oh right you want to know about my sewing...

Happiness in a box.

Look at those colors for a person with 3 boys it is fun to sew something with some pink.

Chopped up and strutting their stuff.

Paired up ready to sew.

Sewn.

See my nice flags.

Anybody want to iron?

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL

2010-09-10T08:47:00.000-05:00

I figured I needed to start posting these.

I finish them and then don't post.

I'll try to be better.

I guess I could iron them but why it will be a few months till they are sewn and they will wrinkle again...

So here are the first 4 blocks I have stitched, 28 to go.

Can't wait till they are all done. I love working on them and I got my niece interested in stitching as well as her friend. Life truly is Beautiful and an adventure. Thanks for stopping buy. Oh and if you are interested in joining the fun, In Between Stitches is the place to go. They have been great and the kit is less than anywhere, trust me I read all the BOM sites...

Here goes nothing!

2010-09-08T11:05:00.000-05:00

Well I am actually doing the Free motion Quilt along. (Button on the side for those that want t join.)

Here is my quilt top. Yeah I know it isn't ugly but who wants to work on ugly. So I am dubbing Purple Passion

First Up My Green Goblin practice square. I used the gingham to help me with my lines. It I am pretty happy with it. My stitches are kinda even and my zigzag looks great. No looking at my squiggles or my lines either...

Now to go baste my quilt old school with pins instead of spray. Stay tuned for updates...

Hoppity Hop!

2010-08-29T18:19:00.001-05:00

I am hopping after Barb of Bejeweled Quilts and following her on a Blog hop. Care to join us?

Friday Night Sew in!

2010-08-21T10:37:00.000-05:00

I am sure it was Friday night somewhere in the world while I was sewing and my toddler was sleeping so does that count? My night was spent swimming with my boys.

Anyway here is my sewing project. I got hired to make a civil war custom for a Daughter of the Confederacy. This is the skirt I sewed up yesterday. Still needs a hem and what not.

(now to find the camera so I post a picture)

How was your Friday?

Tumbling along!

2010-08-16T21:11:00.001-05:00

Remember my tumbling block quilt? Well I had 3 left over tumbling blocks (okay 2 and 7/8ths of a block.) As any good quilter I was holding onto them for dear life, they were scraps after all and from a dear friend. So in the scrap pile for them. Then I was blessed to read this fun blog. (don't check it out and please don't put your name in the pot for the GO! she is giving away!) So I got to thinking that I could do something with my almost 3 tumblers. So I came up with a cute little purse. I did mine a little different as I wanted it quilted and pockets inside and of course handles and a snap at the top. Okay so it is really nothing like hers except it uses 4 tumblers.

Did i mention I put a clear pocket on back for my drivers liscense.

Well it was so much fun making the little one... I decided to make a bigger one with more tumblers. Well since I don't own a go I used my handy rotary cutter and my construction paper pattern (yeah i copied the tumblers before they got sewn) and went on a tumbling.

So I am done tumbling for today. I hope to post my tumbling tote tutorials in the next week so you can tumble too. And I plan on having a giveaway for a tumbler tote too so tumble on over sometime next week.

Which would you rather get the small one or the bigger one?

Pull out your ugly fabrics

2010-08-12T06:29:00.000-05:00

You know the ones thare are stashed in back of your fabric stash from long ago forgotten projects. You can pass them on to some unsuspecting soul for them to quilt. Just go here for the details Stash Manicure.

Now I am off to see if I even have 2 yards worth of fabric to sew along...I tend to destash often and ruthlessly. And currently my stash is lots of PUL and sweat fabric...

Summer is Over

2010-08-11T07:13:00.000-05:00

Well at least at our house. When dh goes back to work life returns to normal. I get to homeschool my boys and play on the computer more as we aren't so busy. Haven't figure if playing on the computer more is a good thing or bad thing...anyway, thought it was time to post again. I have been sewing, though not all of it quilting.

First up are some wonky log cabin squares I made for a contest at a local quilt store. I had lots of fun. I had scraps from Lucky's scrap box and it was fun and mindless. Quilt Dad is where I got the idea. If you haven't been be sure to check out his site.

I haven't decided if I want to do a quilt with them or just hang them in my boys room which is done in primary colors. Decisions, decisions.

And last is my efforts at marketing my skills. School is about to start around here and lots of little kiddos, go to public school where they have naps. With naps comes napmats made of vinyl and well I can't stand the thought of napping on vinyl can you? So I whipped up some simple nap mat covers, of my own design and am marketing them on craigslist. Here is the pink girly one.

Unveiling of the beautiful dress

2010-07-10T07:33:00.002-05:00

Doesn't it look gorgeous on the bride? We modified a McCall's Halloween dress. I can't take credit for these pictures, my friend who does photography did them, thanks for sharing Katie. She also has an etsy store for printing on canvas.
And here is a wedding day shot. Congrats L & R! We love you guys!

Busy, Busy, Summertime

2010-07-08T23:02:00.000-05:00

It seems to happen every year. Summer vacation comes and I find myself extremely busy as my dh is off most of the summer. So I spend less time online. And more time with actual adult conversation. This year I seem to be busier than ever. I have two boys with birthdays this week and as they get older I can find time to do things I just couldn't with young babies. Like canning all day...

Today my dad and I canned 55 quarts of tomatoes. My table is a sea of silver and gold canning rings. It is really neat to see. Tomorrow will be bread and butter pickles, dill pickles and sweet pickle relish. Last few weeks it was pitting plums and making jam.

The wedding I made the dress for is over and I just need to get some pictures from a friend so I can post. Poor girl got sick on her wedding day, don't think she will ever forget it. She was feeling better by the reception in the evening thankfully.

And since I don't have enough projects already I am starting another one. LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL!
Found it while looking for a siggy swap which I also joined.

Mail Call time, old and new.

2010-06-26T07:22:00.000-05:00

During the crazy GO! week I got two packages. And I have been meaning to post and of course haven't.

This first one was very exciting.

Now I can do free motion quilting. My evenfeed foot went to pieces on me thinking I was replacing her. So now I need a new even feed foot.

And I won this bag of notion and fabrics from Pat. I was so excited. It was my first win. She included some cotton too. I made some wonky log cabin squares with some of it and didn't take a picture so they will be up later when I get my squares back.

Then Friday I got this package from a little island.

Inside were these beautiful purple fabrics.

I laid out this quilt.

I was short one light purple tumbler for my layout and didn't really want to reaarrange rows to try to fit the two left over tumblers in. Then I remembered the fabric from Pat and wouldn't you know they matched! So I made a patched tumbler that matched.

Can you spy it in my tumblers now? You can if you look real hard but I wanted the pattern to flow instead of having a color out of place.

Thanks Barb, can't wait to Snuggle under a quilt just for me. It has been way too long since I made something just for me. I got a Friday night sew in! Yeah. Last friday I tried and failed. My blocks didn't turn out and well it not a good night. Yesterday though it went great. My boys let me sew, and I only had to tear out two seams that went on crazy. So now my tumblers are all together and I just need to finish the top with some boarders. Then I get to use my new foot and try some free motion quilting.

Giveaway Winner!

2010-06-17T17:10:00.000-05:00

Thank you all for entering. My random number chose Joanna. I enjoyed reading all your entries. And Kelly's did make my day though I passed on the opportunity. Thanks for being so generous. If you need notions be sure to check I Have a Notion, Kelly is a doll.

Another Go Giveaway imagine that!

2010-06-14T15:55:00.000-05:00

This one is in Canada! Check it out and let them know I sent ya!

http://www.stitchintheditch.com/default.asp

Giveaway!

2010-06-12T17:19:00.001-05:00

I am celebrating 600 hits! 500 in a week. I hope never to go through another crazy week like this again. ;) People upset with me for being nice and caring or mad with me for being excited for something good that may happen to me and sending a email they could delete with the press of a button. I won't finish first which doesn't surprise me, I am too nice and according to some, I smile too much! I hope everybody had fun and we can be friends when it is over. I really am new to blog land I have only been here 6 months and have 22 followers. So this was a dream come true!

So my giveaway is a tissue Cover and coin purse I made. The tissue cover is from a free pattern here that you get when subscribing. And the coin purse is from this pattern.

So to enter you have to leave a comment about the best thing that happened to you this week!

You also get another entry for following my blog.

And you can get an entry for posting on your blog.

Post a comment for each entry. It closes June 15th.

Thanks and have a wonderful day!

Go Directly to GO!

2010-06-08T18:27:00.001-05:00

Ever since my wife learned about the "GO!" she can't stop talking about it. She talks about the "GO!" going to church. She talks about the "GO!" going grocery shopping or visiting family. Wherever we go so goes the "GO!" or at least the dream of having a "GO!" I suppose if she doesn't win the "GO!" I'll have to go and get her one or like Monopoly, "I won't pass Go. I'll go directly to jail." And of course she's given me explicit directions on where to go to get her GO!.

Seriously, I cannot think of a wife more deserving. Everything she does or creates lifts another. You can certainly see it in her beautiful quilts that are more often than not made for others and always on the go. Go get them sweetheart!

Loving husband or "GO to guy."

Quilt my dear wife made for my Principal's retirement.

GO! Here to vote for PATCHWORK JENN! GO girl!

Lastest working

2010-06-08T07:20:00.000-05:00

So I am sewing a dress for my niece. I would show you pictures but just in case the groom is lurking, no pictures till after the wedding.

I should be sewing it right now, but I am not. I am off to cook breakfast and take a shower, then pick some plums and make some jame with 3 boys in tow. I will find some time to work on the dress, I am dreading the zipper and hence the procrastination. What it is about zippers I hate...I am not sure but I hate them and avoid them as much as possible though I can put them it, but the thought makes me crazy.

What do you all put off doing sewing wise? Cutting? Seam ripping, Mending. I know I have a pile of 5 minute jobs hanging around, myself. I did clean my sewing/family/leatherwork room yesterday. Well as clean as a sewing room gets. :) I swepted and picked up the floor so I shouldn't step on a pin. Here is my semi clean sewing room (see how much I hate zippers I cleaned instead of sewing in a zipper.)

Ironing ~~table~~ board and desk with quilting pieces, chair with wedding dress pieces, and dear jane.

Ironing table and desk with quilting pieces, chair with wedding dress pieces, and dear jane.
Some of my stash, a mending job, thread and fabric piled on top and a computer for watching netflix. ;)

Sewing table my hubby made which is also perfect for leather work so I chose to share.

My week.

2010-06-03T06:06:00.000-05:00

Somebody is leaving my dh's school and I volunteered to make a quilt. It is so much easier than the first quilt I made when somebody handed out rectangles and I had them going both directions and there were over 100. This one is much simpler with 12 squares. I need to go quilt it up and then I will post some pictures. I really am loving the colors I picked, vs the school colors of brown and yellow.

And while I have your attention you might want to check out the giveaway over at Cutie Pinwheel

She has 200 followers and is celebrating!

If you are dreaming of a GO!

2010-06-01T04:45:00.003-05:00

You need to GO! to Barb's Bejewled site and enter to win one. Good luck!

PS! Be sure to tell Barb I sent you! Thanks.

Things I Can't Make with a GO!

2010-05-29T20:57:00.001-05:00

In an effort to be grateful for the things I have I decided to post things I can make without a GO! Not that I wouldn't be grateful if one dropped from the sky and landed in my sewing room, but I need to remember the blessings I do have and the creativity that comes from not using a GO!

My life is not the cookie cutter life, nor do I really want my quilts to be cookie cutter quilts, yet for some reason I have been hoping for exactly that a cookie cutter for my quilts.

So here are my unique things that nobody else in the world has, because there is not a die for them and they are my design.

First theses are some silly squares I made with my boys a few years ago. They are their hands. Nobody else has a copy of my boys hands, I don't think they make a die for that. All hands are special and unique. Little hands that play with toys, make messes on my clean walls and give love pats or high fives. All mine.

These are some bird houses I made for a round robin, again, nope no die for my houses. Each is unique and drawn by me and cut with scissors. I know, very archaic, I think it does work. Each one is one of a kind. Not something everybody else is posting with different colors.

These are my Southern Bells. It was a fat quarter challenge that I went overboard with. I had so much fun designing and making my own Southern Bells after looking at other ones online. I couldn't find ones I liked. So I just made my own.

Then you have my Dear Jane. Yes everybody is making it, but I don't think there will ever be dies for it! It is just not a quilt you can make with a GO! Here are my first 5 squares.

So while I am thrilled for my friends who have won a GO! and I would love to win one, I think my scissors, rotary blade and some pencil and freezer paper can turn out some things you just can't capture with a cookie cutter. I am grateful for the ability to to cut outside the lines and find my own way of expressing things with fabric that reflect me!

Quilting Can be fun Giveaway

2010-05-27T06:39:00.002-05:00

Hop over to Pat's blog to win some fabric in her "Yard Sale."

Go! Giveaway on Facebook

2010-05-26T19:00:00.000-05:00

Accuquilt is trying to get 7,500 people to like them on Facebook and Splitting stitches is offering a chance to win a tumbler block kit.

So if you haven't already hop over to facebook and friend Accuquilt and post about it and let Splitting Stitches know. Tell her I sent you too! Thanks.

I HAVE A NOTION ACCUQUILT GO GIVEAWAY ENTRY

2010-05-26T10:19:00.002-05:00

IHAN GO! Fabric Cutter Giveaway My entry!

Yep, count me in the number of quilters that do crazy things for 10 entries for an Accuquilt Go!

I thought of showing my sewing room but not enough entries for me I NEED TO WIN! So to maximize my entries, creating blocks it was. Besides who really needs to see another messy sewing/family room/library/leather workshop that has 3 energetic boys tearing it apart daily. Really it is just a mess. Especially with my youngest finding all the shiny objects to dump, or put in my machine.

I choose to make the two blocks for 10 entries. The one is simple I used the 1 1/2 inch strip and made a rail block. A smaller rail than I normally would but with the GO! Fabric cutter it would be really easy to cut and finish this quilt!

The other is a hope at more entries. I used the 6 1/2 inch squares for my background. Then I used 2 inch squares for corners. For the "I" & "H" & "N" I used 1 1/2 inch strips. For the beautiful A I tried to replicate the A from the BABY die. Needless to say I really need the GO so my A can look better. So if you haven't all ready checked out IHAN website for all your quilting needs. But please don't enter to win the Accuquilt Go Giveaway, it is MINE!

And to demonstrate why I need GO! Fabric Cutter, I was cutting pieces for my star quilt and wouldn't you know it I can't even cut right! I I was really pleased when I got done, I cut everything to 2.5 with no problem. Should have paid attention, it was supposed to be 2.25! Guess who had to trim all the blocks and strips down to 2.25? See my lovely scraps I made for no reason other than I can't tell the difference between 2.25 & 2.5!

Yes I really have been sewing

2010-05-19T11:17:00.000-05:00

I did two rows for my round robin exchange and you can see the posts here.

Then I made myself and apron for National Apron day. I lost the pattern pieces to my Emmaline pattern so I winged it with just the instruction sheet. I love it. Now to make some more.

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Then I started Dave's laptop sleeve with my left over black and white. No pictures till it is done.

Then I worked on my buck a block for this year. I now have Jan-Apr done and Just need to assemble May's block.

I found myself at the quilt store with my boys today. Wearing my apron so I could get my free surprise, which turned out to be a quilt magazine! I am so excited, I don't know which design I want to play with first, I love them all, both the old versions and the new versions.

While at the quilt store I got scraps with lots of help from all three boys! They picked up pieces I wouldn't have but look at the results.

All my boys love the car track and tote to take to when they have to be quiet at the doctors, dentist or at church.

I also stopped at the library today and since they were tearing up the carpet in the kids room I got browse the adult section, while carrying my 21 month old in my beco front pack. He was not happy but I found the quilting section and checked out some books for me!

Then I found myself at walmart with a cute pattern of a shirt i have been wanting to make so I got the pattern and the fabric and sewed it up right quick. I of course didn't really follow the directions but did my own thing and french seamed the seams. I love it and have been enjoying wearing it. Then I got a comment from somebody from Austria who had also made it! Sewing really makes the world much smaller. Check out her blog. She does block party friday with me and I need to get back to sewing my friday blocks.

As if all that wasn't enough sewing, I got some fabric and made a slip similar to vintage hems for a brown dress that is a tad to short. I love it and saved a bunch, I only spent $8.20.

Somewhere between my shirt and my slip I managed to make an apron for my mom for her birthday. Kicking myself I didn't take pictures yet.

Oh and the most exciting news is my niece is getting married and I offered to sew her gown! I love sewing dresses and haven't gotten to sew a wedding gown since mine. And wedding gowns are so special you only get one in a lifetime (well hopefully only one!)

2010-04-23T21:44:00.001-05:00

Texas Bluebonnets 2010

2010-04-23T21:39:00.001-05:00

My boys!

2010-04-23T21:29:00.001-05:00

Pretty sure my middle son took this one. He loves taking pictures.

What I was supposed to eat the pudding, not face paint?

Our homemade birthday cakes! We have to duplicate this one again in July.

The birthday boy.

My World

2010-04-23T21:24:00.000-05:00

Quilts By Lee: Lofty Goals

2010-04-23T10:48:00.000-05:00

Quilts By Lee: Lofty Goals

Check out this giveaway! I so need that black and white layer cake! Really I do!

Drumroll Please! .....Presenting my FIRST DEAR JANE BLOCK!!!!!

2010-02-12T16:51:00.000-06:00

The rules are you can't see the back or ask how many seams I picked out and resewed! I am very happy with how it turned out but, please don't compare it to Jane's original they might not match exactly. For those Janiac's this is G-6 or Papa's Center Star. The background is white and the color is a light purple with white polkadots. I am so excited to be starting this. So 1 square done and 224 to go....

I machine sewed everything except the inside edges of the large star, they were hand appliqued to the center star. I was very glad that I had been doing Block Party Friday those itty, bitty, flying geese work just like large ones. Thanks Hetty for making me do Flying geese it paid off big time. The center star went really fast and wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be.

Yes, I have been sewing!

2010-02-12T06:52:00.001-06:00

I haven't blogged but my machine has been busy. I have done my block party Friday blocks and my black and white ones. Now I have them done I hope to get the fabric to finish them off soon. I came across this Madeline schnibbles and it was love at first sight. So my blocks will be going on point in a similar manner. Now to decide if I should add a color just leave it black and white.

This is my January 2010 buck a block. Now to get February done soon.

And I am teaching a class to some homeschoolers. We will be doing hand sewing and I thought we could all use some cute pin cushions. I have a boy in the class hence the flag one. I saw them somewhere on the web you use a golf tee and they fit in a spool of thread. If I find the link I will post it. This is what I get for finding things and not bookmarking, and dealing with 19month old who really thinks mommy should be reading a book not writing about sewing! Off to read Berenstain Bears GOD LOVE YOU!

My tiny quilt

2010-01-25T20:31:00.000-06:00

I finished my Friday block party block and didn't feel like working on my king size quilt. I was thinking of doing a string quilt with spider webs but something else happened. Now I need to back it and finish it but I laid it out with the binding so you can get the idea.

Now why would I want a tiny quilt not even the size of a piece of paper? I'll let you all ponder that. I have a plan for it, that is near and dear to my heart. And no it is not for a guinea pig that my boys will not be getting. I'll let you know when it is done.

SLACKER and An update on my friends brother!

2010-01-15T15:44:00.000-06:00

So I am a slacker and didn't sew this week as I had toothache. I finally got to the dentist and I am feeling better, not great but better.

My friends brother that was missing called and was in Florida. His parents are driving to pick him up. I am just so happy that he is safe.

Oh and I had a birthday and decided to spend my birthday money on a used serger. I am a brand girl and love my Bernina 830 so I got a used Bernette 334DS off of ebay. Can't wait to get it up and sewing!

Thanks Barb, I think?

2010-01-08T11:54:00.001-06:00

I now spend my internet time trying to enter free giveaways. And so I must mention the one on Alderwood Quilts so I have another entry.

Off to look for more giveaways, First stop Bewjeweled quilts to look for more sites...

My centers are all done!

2010-01-08T11:45:00.000-06:00

I finished yesterday. Now to work on the settings. Here are the pictures for those who care. After the first six my husband commented, yeah they all look the same. Men... Oh course how many times does he as for a critique of his leather working skills?

In other news, most of the time I worked on this I was thinking of my friend's little brother, Eric, who is missing. I can't imagine what her family is going through. I have brothers of my own and I have lost one and it was hard, not knowing would be worse I think. My prayers are with their family.

Block party week 1

2010-01-08T11:31:00.000-06:00

This was my square for Block Party Friday. I don't know if I like piecing denim but it looks cool. The spots are just water.

My first six centers! 10 more to go!

2010-01-04T19:53:00.000-06:00

Things to come

2010-01-03T19:39:00.001-06:00

In an effort to further develop my talent of sewing I am starting this blog. It will be my brag page, and I mean that in a non prideful way. I want to have a place to document my talents for future generations, so if my kids or grandkids care to see what I create it will be there, even if the artifacts are long gone. I'll be posting pictures of my projects. Currently I am working on a buck a block quilt for my bed, training pants for a little one, and planning a Round Robin and a Dear Jane. Pictures to come. Here is a picture of the buck a block I am working on. This is the display from Quiltin Country. Mine is a work in progress I'll post pictures in a few days.