Crazy Lady Crafts

Friendship Bag Swap 2009

2009-09-10T22:26:00.010-04:00

How cute is this?

I took part in a Friendship Bag Swap by Quilting Gallery. The pattern was so simple... thanks to the great tutorial @ p.s. i quilt you can make this in an evening. I ended up making one as a trial which is now the home of a beanie baby or two in my daughter's room. I had never tried free motion quilting before, but I think with practice it could be really fun.
My secret partner was Jen over @ Miss. Punkie Pie. I know she loved it... she told me so! I used some "scrappy" strips I had and the bag turned out really great. I added a decoupaged picture frame, a covered sketch book, and some extra strips for her stash.

Next up, Quilting Gallery is hosting a Christmas Swap featuring Inchie Ornament. Nadine Ruggles @ DreamWeaverQuilts has shared her love of Inchie Quilts with a simplistic tutorial for making these ornaments. I have never made one of these super mini quilts so this will something new for me... wish me luck! I have a feeling these may be very addictive!!!

Spirit Jump Quilt Squares

2009-09-10T21:53:00.012-04:00

If you are a crafter or just a person with a BIG heart, check out the group Spirit Jump.

They are an amazing bunch of caring people who FLOOD cancer and other ill people with small gifts, cards, and tokens of love to lift their spirits during their treatments and recovery.

Recently I sent in a bunch of squares to be put into a quilt for a woman struggling with cancer. Since the quilt is a surprise, I will not give any more details but to say she is loved beyond measure by this group... I will post the finished project and the recipient when I get the OK.

Another Quilting Bee 1: August Blocks

2009-09-10T21:44:00.005-04:00

Do you love my light box?

I will finish this post tomorrow... I am tired.

Another Quilting Bee 1: July Blocks

2009-09-10T21:17:00.004-04:00

July is/was my month for Another Quilting Bee 1! WOOHOO!!! I had made a slew of 9 patch blocks for a 6 month LQS block exchange (look back here) that have been sitting peacefully in a bin, waiting to be needed. I sent out each quilter, including myself, some greens, one flower print, and a white. I asked that the sewers NOT add color, but said they could add greens. In the final quilt there will be 12 sets of 9 patch blocks that work with each set from the group. I made it quilter's choice for patten, but requested either 6.5" or 12.5" blocks.

These women are amazingly creative and the blocks I received were more then I could have ever dreamed. I can't wait to share then with you... but I am posting the blocks I made. The first is 12.5" and the other three are 6.5". The third picture is of the back of one of the small "garbage" blocks. So many seems to press... ugh!

They were fun to make... looking at the fabric as if it was to be sent to someone else and then getting to keep the blocks.

Another Quilting Bee 1: June Blocks

2009-09-10T20:44:00.013-04:00

So I am WAY behind on my blog... oh boy am I behind!

Here are the blocks I made for Another Quilting Bee 1 back in June. JMBMommy made this amazing tree for the center of her quilt. She wanted to use black as a background color rather than white. You should go look as some of the blocks she received... they really were great. She has yet to post a finished quilt, BUT if you stop by her blog, there is a cute picture of her new little baby girl! Congrats my friend!

Another Quilting Bee 1: May Blocks

2009-05-03T22:14:00.005-04:00

So I am the over achiever this month for Another Quilting Bee 1. I was so excited to get this fabric that I got started tight away. I added a few scraps of the Heather Ross I had as well as adding the orange/brown dots and another turquoise. I had so much fun with these blocks!!!

The first was inspired by watching Sewing with Nancy teach basic quilting. She was showing the court house steps and my head quickly created this block. I was so pleased it came together so well. The second is so simple, but I was kinda thrown by the one turquoise and had no idea what to make. I added the turquoise seahorses and made this basic yet effective block.

The last two where free pieced. The third was a lark that turned out much better then I would have thought. It is kinda crazy meets log cabin. The fourth is what I am calling a garbage block. I took all the little scraps and bits that would have gone in the scrap bin to create something not half bad. When I look at it in the picture it seems more put together then it seemed as I was making it.

I really hope Chen @ Mushyhed's Sweatshop loves my blocks and the fabric I added. After working on these "sewers choice" blocks, I am getting so exited for July! I really think my quilt will be amazing after everyone works their magic.

Look what came in the mail today...

2009-04-29T21:27:00.002-04:00

For Another Quilting Bee 1, it is sewer's choice for May care of Chen @ MushyedsSweatshop. She has asked for 12.5 inch blocks made out of her selection of Heather Ross' Mendocino. I have some of this in my stash and will be adding to what she sent... I am sure she will say that is ok. ;-)

Now to pick a block pattern...

You Capture Week #10

2009-04-29T21:16:00.000-04:00

Joy is shinny happy kids, flowers and blue sky!

Please check out what else brings joy over @ my girl Beth's Blog... I Should Be Folding Laundry... and her You Capture weekly photo challenge.

Can't wait to see what is on tap for next week.

You Capture Week #9

2009-04-24T22:36:00.007-04:00

So I had no picture, no inspiration, no nothing. Than last night, while doing dishes It hit me. This is what I saw when I looked at the window sill... the three flowers I saved from the hail storm the night before... and my bloom rock.

Prefect.

Unchanged.

And the last two... no words needed. :-)

My 39th Birthday!

2009-04-17T22:43:00.002-04:00

Me... on my 39th birthday as seen by my 4.5 year old daughter.

ugh...

You Capture Week #8

2009-04-16T22:42:00.005-04:00

"Rustic" from a walk in the woods.

Check out Beth's blog and see all the other great captures!

My first sale!

2009-04-15T22:42:00.002-04:00

MORE Easter Sunday!

2009-04-14T22:41:00.006-04:00

Our gifts from the Easter Bunny named Heather!

MORE Easter Sunday!

2009-04-14T01:28:00.000-04:00

The Easter Bunny names Allison also came to our house! WOOHOO!

Not Me Monday

2009-04-13T22:40:00.003-04:00

I have nothing to say other than I so did NOT eat all the Easter candy! I am so proud of myself!

Also, I am so not praying to Stellan! STILL!

Easter Sunday!

2009-04-12T22:40:00.001-04:00

Can't wait until tomorrow!

2009-04-11T22:39:00.003-04:00

Look what we got in the mail!!! WOOHOO!!!

Workign on my Super Bowl Quilt!

2009-04-10T22:38:00.003-04:00

You Capture Week #7

2009-04-09T22:37:00.005-04:00

Birthday Party FUN! Can't take too many pics of my kids!

Check out my friend Beth and the other You Capture Blogs!

The Big Jar on Mamma's Desk

2009-04-08T22:35:00.003-04:00

Easter Swap... to the post office!

2009-04-07T22:35:00.004-04:00

So did I tell you I am taking part in an Easter Swap? Here are my two 'baskets' ready to send. I would love to post the contents, but that would give it away!

I am exchanging with Heather @ thefussyprincess and Allison @ craftgirlalli.

I am so excited to see how they like their gifts!

Not Me Monday

2009-04-06T22:34:00.001-04:00

Not much to say other then I am so not checking MckMama's blog and twitter's often to get updates. I mean why would I get all worked up over a sweet little boy I will never meet!

How silly!

Love and prayers!

My bib's in motion!

2009-04-05T22:34:00.006-04:00

Fireman bibs for baby Kadin and Graeme!

It's a Fireman Party!

2009-04-04T22:32:00.004-04:00

A weekend of fun and games!

WOOHOO!!!!

More Spring!

2009-04-03T22:20:00.004-04:00

You Capture Week #6

2009-04-02T22:09:00.009-04:00

I am late AGAIN this week... grrrrrr

I spent most of today cleaning and this is the first real time I have sat at the computer. Lucky me! This also means I have not seen any of the other pictures this week... I have no idea what you guys have done. I can't wait to look!

Now for my pictures of spring:

The first image is very special to me. It is my "pregnant" Magnolia tree. What makes it so very special is MY tree always blooms about a week later then the others in our neighborhood. You may be asking, why I find this so amazing. Well... this is unique because it blooms on my birthday... which falls after all the other trees are finished blooming. Odd I know but perfect! The tree is right under our bedroom window and in life before kids, I would lay in bed all day, smelling the sweet arouma floating in throuht the open window.

The three are the kids playing in the yard AFTER dinner... it was warm and still light!

The last is a little green growth that Beaker found and pointed out to me... had to include that one! She was so proud of herself for finding it in the amoungst the dead leaves.

ENJOY my pic! See you next week!

My best dream...

2009-04-01T00:02:00.002-04:00

New Block Swap...

2009-03-31T22:59:00.011-04:00

I don't know what my problem is... I am so damn tired! There is a lot of stress in my life, but I have always had loads of that... nothing new. I think it is the change in weather... and NO I am not pregnant so do not even THINK of spreading that rumor!

Why does it feel like I can't get anything done, the piles of projects seem to be multiplying when I am not looking? Ok, OK... that was my car in the parking lot of Quilters Crossing this afternoon. I have signed up for another block swap, this time it uses Batik fabric. I have never worked with then before so I am excited. I bought double so I can make a quilt for us out of the same fabric.

What to see what I bought???

Not Me Monday... Stellan Style!

2009-03-30T00:00:00.002-04:00

In honor of baby Stellan... here we go!

The top 10 Not Me Monday list as recorded by me...

10) I so did NOT just post a blank post right at midnight to get a good spot on Mr. Linkey. That would make me a SUPER dork!

9) I have NOT been stalking Twitter on my iTouch, my computer, and my laptop. It would be so crazy to feel the intense NEED to check 100x's a day to see how this little miracle is doing. And while I am in stalker mode, I do NOT get excited when there is a new tweet.

8) I have NOT cried just thinking about this sweet family and this unexpected turn of events. I do NOT pray for the other Many Small Children that they may understand why their mother and brother are away from home. I also pray that Prince Charming has all the support he need to manage his home, run his business and have time left over to physically and emotionally support MckMama and Stellan.

7) I so have NOT joined this, this, and this Facebook group and bookmarked many blogs supporting Stellan. (Check out this, this, this, and even this one!) I mean really, I so have NOT written on the boards, posted my prayer, and made endless positive comments. That would be WAY out of my comfort zone.

6) I have NOT had Stellan on the brain for the past week... the first thing in the morning and the last thing at night I do NOT think about is praying for the health of Stellan.

5) Over the past few days I have NOT been trying to think of what to use to make a Stellan name picture. Please... I am a creative person, you would think this so simple... :-)

4) I did NOT laugh my self into tears when I read PC brought MckMama swim suit bottoms not underpants. How on earth do you make such a mistake... guess it is a guy thing.

3) I have NOT found myself on my knees for the first time since I was a child, praying without ceasing for God to heal Stellan. I have not prayed like this ever... so hard and without care for how odd this seems to pray this hard for a child you have never meet.

2) While on my knees in deep prayer and tears on Wednesday afternoon, I did NOT jump a mile in the air when the Tweet sound broke the silence. I was so happy to read that things were out of danger range... for that moment.

1) I have NOT been holding my breath all day waiting for an update, any word about what took place today. I know Stellan has been slowly making scary changes, but thought prayer, please ask God to use his power and make his heart beat regular. I have been in prayer most of the day while I spent quality time loving and celebrating my own kids.

Please pray for Stellan to be healed and for the power of God to lead his Doctor's down right path to bring his heart back to normal. Bless this family and the bond they have for each other and for God. MckMama has such a amazing faith... she is an inspiration to us all. Her mothering, her reliance in the power prayer, and her ability to bring millions of people all over the world together in support of her miracle baby boy have changed my life. I feel like a better mother, wife, daughter of God from having traveled along side MckMama.

Thank you for reading... Typically you would be linked back to MckMama's site, but since she still in the PICU supporting Stellan, why not go over HERE and see what other MckFriend's have to say about what they have NOT be doing... it will be good for a few laughs and maybe even a tear or two. PLEASE KEEP PRAYING!

Another Quilting Bee 1: April Houses... try again!

2009-03-29T23:29:00.006-04:00

Here are the fun house blocks I made for Sarah's April Another Quilting Bee project. She fell in love with Tony from Quiltville's quilt in the March/April Quiltmaker Magazine. It is called Wonky Town... and it is TOTALLY wonky!!! Try free piecing... this was my first time and I had so much fun... until I ran out of "sky" on the last house. OOPS! And yes, the tall on with the three window is my fave!

Another Quilting Bee 1: March re-do and BONUS

2009-03-28T23:03:00.008-04:00

So I was not 100% happy with the wonky log cabin blocks I created for Sarah for March's Another Quilting Bee 1. Sarah was insistent that I be totally happy with my finished blocks and offered to send me some more fabric. I was a bit embarrassed by the offer... but what the heck! I am so glad I did! I am much happier with borders of the original two and made a third out of the scraps. In my own stash I found a white piece of matching Heather Ross fabric. I have bought scrap bags of fabric on Etsy.com, one of which must have included the little gem.

I really hope Sarah is happy... I know I am... now!

I need to see a Husband about a Dump Truck...

2009-03-27T22:12:00.009-04:00

So here is the story.... Hubby has been talking about getting a dump type vehicle for maybe 2 years now. A week ago a deal came to him via a friend to get this total "Sanford and Son" truck. He got it for the low low price of 1K... a steal since the one he had been thinking about was MUCH more... but with a better paint job. So now she sits, on my front lawn, waiting for work.

You Capture Week #5

2009-03-26T00:03:00.012-04:00

Here it is... reflections... a bit late... better late than never! Check out what everyone else is capturing over @ Beth's site.

"Honey, I am home... oh by the way, I bought a dump truck."

PS: YES... we now own a dump truck!

Another Quilting Bee 1: April Houses...

2009-03-25T23:47:00.004-04:00

Ok so Blogger is not letting post the house pictures! I have tried to upload them about 10 times and nothing... grrrrrr.

So please check them out in my Flicker folder until I can post them here.

Dragging out the Show!

2009-03-24T23:38:00.003-04:00

Here is a shout out for Quilter's Crossing in West Nyack, NY!

More Quilt Show

2009-03-23T23:13:00.004-04:00

Here are a few pictures of some quilts from the Empire Quilters show that made me smile at the show. I love the pearls as bubbles in the babies hair. If you go to the Selvage Blog, Karen has some AMAZING pictures. This was my first real show so I am still learning what and how to take pictures of... Newbie!

A brush with celebrity...

2009-03-22T22:37:00.005-04:00

So here I was, wondering the Empire Quilters show... I blindly enter a vendor booth... as I turn to leave, I face to "face" with Karen Griska's "Red Zinger" Quilt.

Honestly, I was left speechless... then tears filled my eyes. I was in AWE! The colors were so much brighter against the red then you can see from the pictures. Something like this may look complex and a bit intimidating, but up close, it looks very straight forward. Here is the "How To..." from the Selvage Blog.

As if seeing the quilt was not great enough, I got to meet the creator, the master of selvage sewing herself, Karen Griska. She was so nice, listening to me rattle on and on like a dolt. Do you know she has a book called "Quilts from the Selvage Edge"? It really was the highlight of the show for me... making me feel like I might just be a REAL quilter. Enjoy these closeups... I even have a point as wallpaper on my phone. I really am a dork!

Tomorrow....

2009-03-21T22:30:00.003-04:00

I am so excited! Tomorrow I am going all by myself to the 2009 Empire Quilters show in NYC. My LQS has a booth so I thought I would go to the show as a sign of support. It works out my husband can watch the kids for a the afternoon.

Going someplace without the kids? PRICELESS!

Will post show pictures!

a few links...

2009-03-20T22:49:00.015-04:00

I am feeling REALLY tired today. I had wanted to rework my AQB1 March blocks, but I am in such a lazy mood... they can wait. So instead I am going to share with you (who ever YOU are) a few links to places I have been visiting lately!

1) I ordered this wooden toy sewing machine off Etsy.com for Beaker. On vacation, she had said she wanted a "sewing toy" to use with her small stash of fat quarters she collected while shopping with me. I can't wait for it to get here!

2) While on Etsy.com, I bought few fabric grab bags from one of my favorite sellers, Starlit Nes t. She has super fast shipping and great range of fabrics.

3) A few general sites I read most days: Whip Up Blog, Craftzine Blog, ikea hacker Blog, and a new one, Needlework News Blog.

4) How can I read hundreds of blogs each day? Flock ! For over a year I have run my online life smoothly with the help of the Flock web browser.

5) my guilty pleasure... Celebrity Baby Blog.

See you tomorrow! Happy Surfing!

what i am reading...

2009-03-19T22:14:00.002-04:00

LONG day!

2009-03-18T22:38:00.001-04:00

Sorry for the lack of real post today...

It has been a long crazy day and I can't really get to writing anything worth anything.

See you all tomorrow.

Babs

You Capture Week #4

2009-03-17T00:04:00.000-04:00

Shadows... from vacation... need I say more.

Another Quilting Bee 1

2009-03-16T00:22:00.000-04:00

So here are the two blocks I made for the Another Quilting Bee project. Sarah sent us the loveliest Heather Ross fabric I was so excited I could hardly wait to get off the plane Saturday, get home, the kids in bed and start sewing.

I am not 100% pleased with my blocks. I got confused with the size, making them more wide then tall. To make up for this I had trouble filling out the sides. The one has really "thin" edges that may get lost when worked into the finished quilt, but I hate to ask for more fabric to rework/remake the blocks. I have never done free-form sewing like this before... I am sure it will be FINE... it is just like me to over think the finished product.

What do you think? I really hope Sarah likes them!!!

treasures from vacation

2009-03-15T23:28:00.003-04:00

So I found 2 LQS's in the West Palm Beach area, and HAD to go for a visit... my own mini Shop Hop with my best little girl. We had a really fun time! I got some more greens for my Another Quilting Bee project. I am deeply in love with the green bulls-eye. I almost got it in all the colors but I was TRYING to be a good girl. We got the fire hats to make a gift bag for a friend's son who is having a fireman themed b-day party. The real find is the ATV pattern. The one shop only had the lonley fat quarter but I will find more! The rest are random FQ's that Beaker picked out or I did... just a few fun odds and ends. Over all, I think I spent about $100 in total and am really pleased with my small bounty.

** My Quilt Shop **
** Buttonwood Quilts **

vacation day 9... last day :-(

2009-03-14T23:15:00.000-04:00

vacation day 8

2009-03-13T23:05:00.003-04:00

vacation day 7

2009-03-12T22:48:00.003-04:00

vacation day 6: Moon Monograms

2009-03-11T22:53:00.008-04:00

Made w/o a flash while the full moon was rising tonight.

vacation day 6

2009-03-11T21:57:00.002-04:00

You Capture Week #3

2009-03-11T00:00:00.003-04:00

You Capture week #3! Here are a few "textures" from my Florida vacation. I am loving these exercises. It has made me look very differently at vacation photography.

I could have posted 10 or 15, but I limited myself to the five blogger upload slots. You would have been soooo beyond bored if I posted all the texture shots I took.

As a special note, in the last image I tried to capture the texture of the late day sun coming through the palm trees. I think it kinds worked. What do you think?

Please enjoy...

vacation day 5

2009-03-10T22:47:00.005-04:00

vacation day 4

2009-03-09T23:35:00.004-04:00

vacation day 3

2009-03-08T23:21:00.002-04:00

vacation day 2

2009-03-07T23:06:00.003-05:00

vacation day 1

2009-03-06T22:31:00.007-05:00

Oh how I love it here... I am able to breath... to rest and relax.

Here are some highlights from our first day.

9/40 Days of Blogging, Lent 2009

2009-03-05T00:03:00.000-05:00

I am so excited....

In just a few hours Me and the kids will be in FLORIDA!

WOOHOO!

I am cheesing out on this post to get back to cleaning and packing.

I will really write on vacation.

You Capture Week #2

2009-03-04T00:09:00.001-05:00

The first is my dog, Sam with out flash. Not bad if I do say so... The second four are pairs. I tried my had at editing and am not sure how it great a job I did. Hope you enjoy my sweet Sammy dog. He is an almost pound pit/lab mix. He and his sister have been such great pets. The love and adore the kids and we feel so super blessed to have them in our lives.

7/40 Days of Blogging, Lent 2009

2009-03-03T00:09:00.003-05:00

I am soooo excited!

Sarah over at SarahsCorner has received her fabric from the Etsy shop Down Shadow Lane. She has picked some very sweet fabric by Heather Ross and some coordinating solids. We are going on vacation and when we get back my fabric should be here. This is my first quilting bee so I can't wait to get sewing.

6/40 Days of Blogging, Lent 2009

2009-03-02T13:29:00.002-05:00

Today is a snow day... both kids home... not much time for much more then laundry, Dora and making a mess. you have NO IDEA what my house looks like right now. It is a 100% total pit hole! The living room/kids area is one big toy bin. We are leaving for Florida on Thursday and I have NO IDEA how I am going to get everything done. I hate leaving my house for vacation so much so that I get panic attacks! Lets hope not this time.

Well my camera is out of charge and I don't have much other then packing/cleaning/laundry to share with you. My only wish is that I can get all my running around done tomorrow and have all Wednesday to get the house stuff done.

5/40 Days of Blogging, Lent 2009

2009-03-01T23:44:00.004-05:00

Wow is it only day 5? What to post... what to post!

Ok here are a few pictures of the bib's I did for Valentine's Day. I will post the ones for St. Pat's and Easter as soon as I get them finished. Enjoy!

4/40 Days of Blogging, Lent 2009

2009-02-28T23:06:00.007-05:00

Ok, this is a bit late, but for New Years I tried my had at sewing some beads on a plain Old Navy dress. I think it turned out cute and Beaker seemed to feel like a princess. Who am I kidding... she ALWAYS feels like a princess! I had to sneak in the pictures of her hair in a pony as it looks so amazing!

3/40 Days of Blogging, Lent 2009

2009-02-27T21:27:00.003-05:00

I sew with a wonderful online group called The Heartstrings Quilt Project. For January and February, we were to sew fun Happy Blocks to be sent in and transformed into colorful quilts for kids. I sent about 205 block... I kinda got carried away. I made the mistake of leaving the trimming of all 205 blocks until the end. YUCKKY! Well the blocks have been received and I love knowing they will be put to good use.

2/40 Days of Blogging, Lent 2009

2009-02-26T23:10:00.002-05:00

WOOHOO! I have joined my very first Quilting Bee. Sarah @ SarahsCorner.com is hosting not one but TWO sets of 12 for "Another Quilting Bee." VERY ambitious! I am in the first group that contains women from all corners of the USA and from Europe. I am so excited I could pass out.

Sarah is first in our group but her fabric is being mailed last as the etsy store she purchased her fabric from had a family emergency. I am sure it will be waiting when we get back from vacation. My month is July... I am not sure I can wait that long! Every time I look at my sewing area I start thinking about what I want to send out. I keep coming back to the same idea... finish something I have already been workign on. Could be interesting to have the group add to one of the many projects I still have yet to fully realize.

Any idea's??

40 Days of Blogging, Lent 2009

2009-02-25T14:09:00.003-05:00

On my "personal" blog, I have started a blog "carnival" for Lent, "40 Days of Blogging, Lent 2009."

I want to become a better mother, wife and crafter. Using the blog as a tool for self growth during this magical time of lent seems the perfect fit. So please join me as we grow and resurrect our lives over the next 40 days.

You Capture Week #1 (part 3)

2009-02-24T22:00:00.004-05:00

Ok here is the last of the pictures! Enjoy!

You Capture Week #1 (part 2)

2009-02-24T21:51:00.003-05:00

You Capture Week #1 (part 1)

2009-02-24T19:53:00.006-05:00

Hey all...

My sweet friend Beth is an amazing photographer. She is hosting a photo blog carnival called You Capture to encourage us all to pick up our camera's and record life.

Her first exercise was to take pictures WITHOUT using the flash. Hope you enjoy my efforts! It was so much fun. I took over 250 pictures of the kids in motion... it was not too hard as I have 16 over-head lights in my living room.

Thanks Beth! You rock!

Post Office here I come!

2009-02-18T22:17:00.005-05:00

Swaps in the bag... or envelope as the case may be. So exciting!

For my swap @ Stitches and Scissors , a "Wishing it was Sprin g" Fat Quarter Swap, I picked two fun flower prints. The woman I am swapping with is a lovely young thing! Her blog is impeccably filled with colorful links to decorating ideas and inspired items for when she is blessed with a child. She has a strong faith in God and a deep love for life. I hope she enjoys what I am sending.

In a weak moment, I decided to take on 8 partners for the "Sew, Mama, Sew!" Fat Quarter Swap. My partners are from all over the USA and 2 from Spain. I have AR, AZ, MI, MS, VA, WV and 2 from Barcelona, Spain. I can't wait to see what I get! EIGHT new-to-me fabrics! WOOHOO!!!!

These days I feel like I have been cleaning and doing "life" things rather then making the time to get down to sewing. I have about 10 projects in the works and like 10 more I dream of when I look at my "stash". This week my kids are at the sitter 6 extra hours so I have been using that time to get a bit more organized. I will post new pictures of the sewing space tomorrow.

Off to finish a bit of cleaning then bed...

Swaps...

2009-02-11T21:59:00.004-05:00

How about a little swapping to make the winter a bit more springy! I am going to take part in two different Fat Quarter Swaps.

Here are their details:

1) Darci @ Stitches and Scissors is holding a "Wishing it was Spring" Fat Quarter Swap. The requirments are 2 FQ's that are sunny, happy, and make you "wish for spring." You get two partners and 2 new-to-you FQ's. ~Sign up closes 2/11/09~

2) The famous "Sew, Mama, Sew!" is also hosting a Fat Quarter Swap. For this swap you need 4 or 8 FQ's. I decided what the heck.... give me 2 sets... eight chances to get my next favorite fabric! ~Sign up closes 5pm 2/13/09~

Now it is off to the stash/LQS to get ready... I so love fun mail!

So did I tell you....

2009-02-08T00:19:00.004-05:00

Hey All!

I am so excited to get working The Black and White Quilt Challenge Project. A few weeks back from I ordered the Califon Collection by Mark Lipinski. ChristaQuilts! was having a sale so I got a 13 fat quarter set plus some yardage. Dear friends were married in October so this project is for them.

There is a r/w/b quilt on the current issue of Quilting that has me intrigued. It is called "So Many Snowballs." I think with the triangles being reds and the main pieces being the Califon, it would make for an amazingly modern project. We shall see... all in good time. I have a TON of other projects but hope to get this at leased cut before January is over.

Babs

PS: this was posted HERE back in December!

what i am reading...

2009-02-02T23:50:00.004-05:00

Super Bowl Twist

2009-02-02T00:04:00.003-05:00

GRRRRRR! I had HUGE plans to get started on the Super Bowl Twist but Hubby got home late tonight so now sewing. I have a small stash of RWB 2.5 inch strips I plan to use for a quilt to donate to Alycia for the Quilts of Valor project. She has an amazing dedication to this group and is so close to gathering 400 quilts, her personal goal.

With luck I will start Tuesday.

Pictures: Happy Blocks

2009-02-01T23:23:00.006-05:00

Please enjoy theses images of my under construction Happy Blocks for the Heartsrtings January/February project.

They are fun, simple, and super addictive!

Pictures: "The Big Quilt"

2009-02-01T22:19:00.010-05:00

So this is the quilt I made for my husband's boss. It was a huge labor of love from me to him as well as from our family to her. She went out on a limb hiring him to be the "care taker" for her son, paying him well to manage him home and in many ways his life. She is a remarkable woman who we are blessed to have in our lives.

The fabric for this quilt is from the "City Girl" collection by Kitty Yoshida for Benartex. She lives in cute little house over looking the Hudson River so I wanted this to be for lazy afternoons reading on the deck or late nights watching movies. The colors in this fabric spoke to me, reminding me of her house, which is painted a warm lightish blue. In all the magazines these days you see amazing square block quilts. This pattern, called "Squares N Squares", came from a small company, Meme's Quilts. I kept the basic measurements for the squares but did not to the applique on the boarder. For the backing, I used 12 inch squares.

The quilting was an unexpected gift from Coleen @ Quilters Crossing. She offered to put it on the Handi Quilter and quilt it for me. Such an amazingly simple thing for her but for me a HUGE relief! I was not sure how I was going to quilt this big quilt on my little machine.

So here it is, in all it's glory. I was so proud to learn it was resting on the foot of her bed. Does it get any better?

another lame update!

2009-02-01T13:58:00.001-05:00

Update...

7 tote bag teacher gifts ~all parts cut and ready to sew~

1 scrapbook page ~delivered~

6 charms for charity ~sent~

1 quilt for my husbands boss ~delivered~

10 christmas bibs ~all finished!~

Update...

2008-12-26T23:44:00.004-05:00

7 tote bag teacher gifts ~all parts cut and ready to sew~

1 scrapbook page ~All peices ready to assemble~

6 charms for charity ~sent~

1 quilt for my husbands boss ~top 75% done~

10 christmas bibs ~all finished!~

2008-12-16T09:55:00.003-05:00

hey all!

i am getting ready for 9 days of sewing! here is the list...

7 tote bag teacher gifts

1 scrapbook page

6 charms for charity ~sent~

1 quilt for my husbands boss

10 christmas bibs

and god know what else!

i will post a TON of pictures later today.

happy holidays!

A finish... well 59 finishes :-)

2008-11-13T22:04:00.006-05:00

When I first read about the call for Christmas Stockings for our Troops in a post to the Heartstrings group, I was really excited. What an amazing project, making stockings that will be sent to our Troops in action as a small thank you for all that they have sacrificed for our freedom.

I was on vacation and bought then fabric at our local quilt shop, run by a wonderful woman named Pam who has a son in the service.

This is one of the first projects I have done where it turned out EXACTLY as I wanted! The stockings were string pieced on a foundation. You can see the directions on a free download from Quilt in a Day which makes it totally clear and easy. I had a few yards of each fabric and still have enough string left over to get some smaller holiday projects out of the way.

The "cuff" was fussy cut from a larger piece that was kinda striped. I was it and knew it was what I wanted for a simple yet festive embellishment. I am not sure you can see, but I rolled the cuff edge less then 1/4 inch and zig-zag stitched it down with a gold top thread. I wish I had not run out of time as I would have loved to add a note of thanks to the recipient, but there was just not enough time.

God Bless our Troops this Holiday Season!

Another Field Trip with Vicki!

2008-11-10T21:21:00.004-05:00

As always, Vicki has created an amazing list of quilts and fabric crafts from all over the blogosphere. THANKS VICKI!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Field Tripping the Web – Issue 28

Eye Candy – Projects people have recently completed

Anne Ida's star quilt
Wanda's zig-zag quilt
Susan's Freefall
TLC's emerald circles
Amy's pencil roll and table runner
Julia's quilt for her Mom
Julie made lots of projects during her mini-retreat
Wanda's big handbag and baby quilt
D2Quilter's patriotic quilt
Karen's Out on the Town quilts
Beth and tirane's Precious Little Princess quilt
Bernadette finished two quilts this week
Nancy's charm party tote
Elaine's shirt quilt top
Julie's Color of Joy
Connie's City Lights
Julie's Tobacco Rose quilt
Megan's little neighborhood
Joyce's dragon OBW quilt

Longarm –specific Eye Candy

Lynn's quilting on a log cabin quilt
Rhonda's quilting on an appliqué quilt
Deb's quilting on a good chase quilt
Randi's free motion quilting
Helen=Mary's quilting on an embroidered quilt
Gayle shows how she tamed a beast

Fiber and Other Art

Frieda's postcards
Plays with Needles bead journal
Jeanne's birds with links to the pattern
Anna's Taking Stock Tutu
Just go and see everything that Linda has been up to
Michele's journals
Jeanne's journal

Tutorials and On-line Projects

Vivian shared how she quilts one of her favorite background fills
Kathy's triangle tree ornament tutorial
Wanda's Tribble Trouble block tutorial

Other Interesting Stuff

Judy is having a drawing to celebrate her 100^th country visit – the drawing is November 15

Field Tripping Sunday

2008-10-26T15:33:00.003-04:00

Ok, ok... I confess... I am stealing Vicki's list again! I do love her blog and her weekly link list is an easy way to get inspired. Babs

Field Tripping the Web – Issue 25

Eye Candy – Projects people have recently completed

Beth's pelican and marbled dyes
Kristen's hand-stitched dragon
Julia's witch wall hanging
Judy's fish print art quilt
Beth's kite baby quilt
CraftApple's embellished shopping totes
Jacquie's steely log cabin
Carole's Halloween cat
Silver Thimble's Halloween quilt
Terri's laptop case
Deb's red knitted scarf
Sally's Starlight Path
Floribunda's 3 little quilts
Gunnel's new art quilt with detail shots
Jodie's teacup, yes it's a fabric teacup

Longarm –specific Eye Candy

Rhonda quilted a Christmas quilt

Fiber and Other Art

Karen's Maple Leaf Collage
Beate's Angel ornament
The Lone Beader's beaded DeLorean time machine
Annica's hand-stitched postcards
Elizabeth's accordion book

Garment Sewing

Tutorials and On-line Projects

Helen-Mary's longarm scarf tutorrial
Judy's video tutorial for sewing metal to fabric

Other Interesting Stuff

John Petrey's dress sculptures
Helen is having a drawing for 5 of her cute new patterns
Liz is having a blogiversary drawing on October 31 – register here
Kristin has a great drawing for cool craft stuff - the srawing is October 31

My treats come today...

2008-10-21T22:05:00.005-04:00

I was so excited to get a nice little package in my snail mailbox today. This was part of the Halloween Swap via Blackberry Creek Home Arts. I had to photograph the contents before my 3.75 year old daughter got home from school and stole everything.

The list of treats included two ghoulish magnates, a spooky hand strung necklace, a creepy door spider and a few other small goodies. Also, there was a very monsterish hand crafted Halloween card.

Thanks Ally for all great items!
They sure did make me smile!!!

Do you like???

2008-10-19T01:16:00.003-04:00

So I read on Mary's blog about a website she found on Julia's blog called The Cutest Blog on the Block. Wow that's a great many links! Well I found these cute pumpkin's and thought it would fit right in with the holiday. Soon I will be having Beth @ Ruby and Roja make me a beautiful blog design but until then this will have to do. The work those ladies do is so creative... they really listen to what you want then work with you until they get it perfect. I was lucky enough to have Beth make over my personal blog and WOW!!! I want to cry every time I see it! Now all I have to do is make more time to use the damn thing. Happy Crafting!

Annie's Stockings!

2008-10-18T10:42:00.006-04:00

Annie @ Annie's Quilting Adventures has finished 15 stockings! They look amazing... I love all the colors. I really need to get moving on MY stocking project. So many strings so little time. :-) Check out Operation Christmas Stocking if you have some spare time.

Halloween Swap 2008

2008-10-17T20:31:00.004-04:00

So I sent them a day late, but here are the items I sent for the Blackberry Creek Home Arts Halloween Swap. The "rules" were one handmade gift and 3 other Halloween items. I sent a handmade fabric pumpkin, a set of kitchen towels, a small photo album, and a nice book I found at the Christmas Tree Store on carving pumpkins. I hope SHE likes them! After I know SHE got the box, I will post a picture of the card I made for her... I think it turned out cute!

one of the blogs I adore...

2008-10-16T23:27:00.004-04:00

So there is a blog written by an amazing sewer and quilter named Vicki called Field Trips in Fiber. Each week she makes a list called Field Tripping the Web. I have become a HUGE fan! Here is this weeks list...

Field Tripping the Web – Issue 23

Eye Candy – Projects people have recently completed

Longarm –specific Eye Candy

Sonya's quilting on an appliqué quilt
Therica's feathers in a square
Helen-Mary's quilting on log cabin, QOV and Christmas quilts
Jackie quilted a star quilt
Carla's barbed wire quilting on the sashing of a pinwheel quilt

Fiber Art

Emmy's little bag
Molly's pincushion
Kate's star ornaments

Garment Sewing

Debra's garment refashion
Sharon's Vogue 1060 coat
Darling Petunia converts 3 T-shirts into one cute skirt
Selvedges run amok at Ric Rac, actually it's pretty cool
Summerset's coat
Lindsay's Sweet Sixteen dress

Tutorials and On-line Projects

Sonya's freezer paper appliqué tutorial
Susan's grommet tutorial

Other Interesting Stuff

I found this link on Mental Floss – amazing art with spray paint

WAY behind....

2008-10-08T00:03:00.003-04:00

Hello fellow bloggers....

I am so sorry it has take me so very long to post. I spend what seems like hours on this crazy laptop and never get around to posting. My plan is to get better and spend some real time over the next few weeks getting in the habit of updating at least 2x's a week.

So here goes...

1) I have joined a block-swap at our local quilt shop. The "rules" are flowers or tight pattern and tone-on-tone cream 9 patch blocks. Make 12 and each month get 12 back. At the end, you will have 72 total. I have decided to theme my blocks and make 4 extra for me. At the end, I will have a 24 blocks of my own. Check the photo of my first blocks.

2) The group Heartstrings that I am a part of held a Block Party to get back stock of red and blue centered string blocks. I was able to make 9 red and 6 blue plus I found one blue that got lost in a box of Christmas strings.

3) I am working on 50 string Christmas stocking to be donated to soldiers via a Heartstrings member. This is a fun and easy project. Over the summer I got a bunch of yards of quilt shop holiday fabric on sale. I am hoping I have enough for backing as I saved yardage with candy canes.

4) I am goign to try and join a fabric swap called Spare Change via the blog Chickpea Sewing Studio. Look for more information as I get more involved.

Ok, that is my update for tonight. Please remember to VOTE next month!

1 + 1 = 2 then.... 2 + 2 = 4!

2008-09-13T11:42:00.001-04:00

Welcome to the first post of my crafting blog! I wanted to keep my personal blog when I address the real craziness separate from the crafting. In the future, I want to have a fun productive crafting biz and this is the first step.

On this first post I want to share my first quilting blocks made for the Heartstrings Quilt Project. This is a prolific group of quilters who make string quilts for different charity groups. Right we are working on Quilts of Valor for member Alycia who has a goal of collecting 400 finished quilts to donate in 2009. I was a part of one quilt by donaitng a section, but now I want to try and make my own full top.

In September and October we are sewing green centered blocks. I had yet to sew a real string block, so last night I got down to business. I made 4 blocks then sewed them together... a start! Only 44 more to go!