Cinderberry Stitches

I finished preparing another stitchery to take on the road this weekend. It is by Cinderberry Stitches, and it was in an issue of Australian Homespun magazine. I just love her designs--so whimsical! I also started the embroidery part of her free pattern from the Stitcher's Angel Project. I think I might use it in a different way than in the pattern. I really need a sewing case to hold my needles, scissors, etc when I'm traveling, so maybe I'll use it on that.


So, I'm thinking about trying to go to the quilt festival in Houston at the end of October. The thing is, I'd be going by myself, and I am a little nervous about going--I have visions of women mauling each other to buy fabric! If any of you have ever gone to one, please let me know how it is. Who knows, maybe its too late to go already.

Getting Ready

You'd think I've never gone on a vacation before, I'm so excited for this weekend. I completed a charm bag to carry all my 'fun' stuff. I've started preparing my 'stitcheries' for the road. I am going to make the free pattern from Cinderberry Stitches (for the Stitcher's Angel Swap) and another one from Australian Homespun Magazine. I got all my floss ready. I'm super excited because I am going to use the DMC variegated thread for the first time!


My next quilt I am going to make is called "Chubby Chicks" by Black Mountain Quilts. I had a really hard time finding the green polka dot fabric by Mary Englebriet. I looked EVERYWHERE! Finally I found it at Sweet Peas and Angels (or so I thought). I was all excited, until I got a phone call from the quilt shop telling me that they had just sold out of it. I was crushed! But the nice saleswoman told me that she might have something else that would work. I told her that it had to coordinate with the 'Friends and Flowers' charm pack, because that is what I was using for the chicks. Well, I got the package yesterday, and the fabric was perfect! So please stop by their website and check it out. They have a great selection of fabric!

Surprise

So Todd, who is still out of town, told me today that next weekend he is taking me and the kids out of town. He won't tell me where we're going, just that we're leaving on Friday and coming back on Monday. And I won't find out until we get there! I generally don't like surprises. It is going to kill me, trying to figure out where we're going! If I had to guess, I'd say we are either going to Williamsburg or Pennsylvania. I'm really looking forward to going on a 'vacation'. I haven't been on one in a LONG time!

Today I made a little crayon roll-up for Liberty.


Of course I had to use airplane fabric! It was super easy to make, so I'm going to have to add it to my present pile.

English Paper Piecing

I went to Occoquan today and did some shopping. Occoquan is a little old fashioned shopping area with two cute quilt shops: Epicurean Crafts and Treasures From the Heart. They also have a fabulous craft show every spring and fall. I got a bag FULL of scraps for $4. I'm going to use them for the framed hexagon project (see previous post). I'm thinking that they would make great Christmas presents. I also got a few fat quarters for my appliqué stash and some wool. Whenever I find good wool, which isn't often, I buy it.

I also found out about a machine quilting class in October at one of the quilt shops there. So I am definitely signing up for that one.

I got my bird earrings in the mail yesterday! They were so beautiful, that I put the right on! Look how nicely they were packaged:

I started the hexagon project last night. English paper piecing is so fun! I like projects that are portable and that I can do on the couch :) Here's a better shot of my fabric scraps:

And here is a pic of the first 'floret':

Step away from the sewing machine...

I am just finishing up the first block from the Moda "Piece and Plenty" mystery BOM (yes, I know--it started a year ago!). After going back and forth on whether I was going to do machine or hand-turn appliqué, I decided to do machine appliqué. My machine has really been getting on my nerves--the bobbin thread keeps popping up. So I decided to step away. I just have to sew on the ribbons on the sides, but it can wait. I had to do this when I was making my first quilt. I took a 3 month break from it. But it was worth it. I was able to get back to it refreshed and not irritated at myself.

So I've planned out my next few projects. One of them is a framed project I found in Quilt magazine several months back. Its a hexagon block using paper piecing, and I love handwork, so I think it will be fun. It was designed by Mountain Patchwork, and they sell all kinds of kits for framed quilt blocks. Its given me a bunch of ideas for gifts!

Today the postman delivered some fabric! My husband got me some steals on eBay. I got 18 Moda 'Building Blocks' fat quarters for $14.50 and 15 Moda 'Poetry' fat quarters for $22.50!

Birthday Party

We went to a birthday party today for a little friend of Liberty's. She had fun running around--she took a nice long nap when we got home! She couldn't quite figure out how to eat her cupcake without getting her hands dirty.


I finished my first swap for my angel swap partner! Woohoo! I wish I could post a picture of it, but I don't want to run the chance of her seeing it on my blog!

I also got a comment from the designer of the table runner that I posted in my last post. Its by Quilted Quickies, and Fat Quarter Shop also sells it. It was my first Dresden Plate pattern, and I loved it! It's so easy to make-you'll get addicted!

Hi Todd!

This picture is for Todd. He is on the road this week, so he's checking my blog for pictures of his princess. So we can't talk bad about him :)

He took Liberty to the doctor today for her preschool checkup before he went to the airport. Then he took her to Walmart for a 'surprise'. I told him not to get her a new fish. Her old one died, and she's been asking for a new one. He was going to get her a new tractor, but she saw the baby dolls and HAD to rescue one. She is on a one-woman mission to free all the baby dolls from all the stores. She honestly believes they are being held there against their will!

She came in the door carrying her baby doll. While I was taking her shoes off, she said, "Mommy I got fishie. Daddy buy me fishie." I stood up and looked for Todd, and I could see him hiding behind the kitchen wall. I said, "Todd, did you buy her a new fish?" And Liberty said, "Yes Mommy. I show you." And she took me into the kitchen and showed me her new 'fishie' in the Walmart bag. Todd eventually came out of hiding. I should of known he was up to something-he was giggly all morning. Here she is with a picture of Fred the First (may he rest in peace):

Yesterday I went to the library to stock up on books before Todd left. I love the library! All the books I want for free! My library has a webpage where you can go online and look up books and request them. Then when they're ready, you just walk in and they have them all waiting for you at the front desk! Its the best! Even my dad's library in Idaho has the same thing. So I go online and pick out books for him and my mom picks them up. he says its like Christmas.This week I am concentrating on finishing my stitchery and reading books. Oh--and getting my Angel Swap buddy's package ready to go. Here are some updated pics of the stitchery. I'm really loving how its turning out.

Happy Monday

Here are some fat free cookies for my friends, to help cure 'the Mondays'!

I made a new friend today: Jeanette from Utah. Thank you for your sweet words, Jeanette, I look forward to getting to know you!

In other news, I got my angel assignment today! I'm so excited to send off my first package. I want it to be perfect! Anyone with any advice of gifts to send to my secret swap partner, please let me know! I have been sleuthing on her blog to get to know her better.

Here's my notes so far...

I got a little piece of happiness in the mail today- an art print I ordered from Etsy!

I just love birds (I know, you figured that one out already!).

I started preparing my quilt today. I have bought a quilting stencil and some 'chalk spray' to mark it with. The quilt stencil doesn't really show up very well with the spray. Any suggestions?

Flying Circus, Take 2

Well, we finally made it to the Flying Circus. It was wonderful. It takes place in an old grass airfield out in the middle of nowhere, and has a 1920s theme. As soon as I got out of the car, there was Cole Porter music playing. The weather was good, warm, but with a nice breeze. Of course Liberty loved it-she's airplane crazy. She even got to go on a little kids airplane ride. It was just a large toy airplane that goes up about 4 feet in the air. Wyatt slept through the whole thing, but maybe next year he'll be old enough to enjoy it.

The airplanes, all lined up, ready to go.

Liberty, getting a little sleepy.

So I survived Todd's first out-of-town trip since the baby was born. I also found a great babysitter, so when Todd goes out of town again next week, I'm going to have her come over and help out with the kids so I can get some schoolwork done.

I banked some hours on the internet this week looking at Blythe Dolls. I first saw them on Doe's blog. I am totally addicted. Of course, I must get one. I told my husband about them and that I needed one, and the sweetie that he is, said "Yes, Dear" as any good husband knows to do. I can't wait. I am planning on getting the 'Welcome Winter' doll. The most fun part about Blythe dolls is all the fun clothes and accessories. They are great dolls for grown ups, especially because of the grown up price tag!

My other internet venue this week was Etsy. Do not go on that website unless you have some serious time to spend. I made a few purchases: an art print of birds that made me smile (and I just love birds anyway), a bird bracelet, and some bird earrings (I'm not sure that that link will work). Yes, I know, birds birds birds!

The web designer almost has my page done. Look for it on Monday or Tuesday. I just saw the latest preview and I'm really excited about it. It has hydrangeas, a bird, and a vintage quilt picture on it, and that's all I'm going to say!

My OCD Moment

I went a little OCD today. I ripped apart my entire Bareroots stitchery and replaced all the borders. But it was well worth it. I just wasn't digging the original borders. I had a partial Moda Sanctuary jelly roll that worked out perfectly for replacing the borders. Now I just have to add a couple more borders and finish the embroidery. Here are a few pics:



On another note, Wilbur is now famous! I was looking at one of my FAVE blogs, Little Acorns, and who do you think was on the main page? Why, Wilbur Wright Davis. I showed him his picture, and I must say, he is quite full of himself now, strutting all around the house.

Todd is TDY for a few days, so this is my first time ALONE with two kids since Wyatt was born. Not too stressed out about it, but wish me luck!

International Sensation!

My husband thought no one was reading my blog, but I have proved him wrong! I got a handy little ticker (bottom right of page) that shows how many visitors I get each day and which country they are from. So, Todd-HA! I would love it if some of you would post a little comment and tell me about yourself! The whole point of my blog was to meet fellow quilters/crafters. So please, fell free to leave a comment!

Today, after browsing through some of my favorite blogs, I was inspired to use up some of my scraps. I decided to make a doll quilt out of some leftover reproduction fabrics (I had used a charm pack to make a lap quilt for my mom). Here's what it looks like so far:

Another added benefit to making a little quilt is I can practice my machine quilting. I am quite please with myself :)

Some other big news...I found a company online that custom designs blog layouts for a reasonable price: Shabbee Chick Designs. They are going to start my design process on the 15th (Friday)! I am so excited! My brain just can't learn new computer skills anymore! I tried to figure out how to make my blog prettier, but it hurt my head too much!

Flying Circus

A little sneak peek at my Woodland Bloom jelly roll quilt. I told my next door neighbor Donna that she could have first dibs on it for her baby girl.

Remeber the movie "Pollyanna"?

My Aunt has been giving me all of her vintage children's books, and I saw this one. The illustrated Pollyanna is even Hayley Mills! I used to love the movie, and pretty much all Haley Mills' movies.Todd attempted to take Liberty to the 'Flying Circus' (its an air show, not an actual circus) in Warrenton today. They started walking up to the field and they announced that they were canceling the show due to thunderstorm warnings! Liberty was completely heartbroken. So Todd took her to Chuckie Cheese. They are having the air show next weekend, too, so we are all going to try to see it then.

Ahh..the weekend!

I finished the center of my Shangri-La jelly roll quilt top. I had to order the fabric for the borders, backing, binding, etc. So when that gets delivered I can started quilting it. I am terrified! I have never quilted my own quilt before. Hopefully it will turn out okay. I ordered stencils online and have read up on it as much as I can. Wish me luck!

Now I am starting quilts for my sister-in-law. One will be a jelly roll quilt, and then I would also like to make her a wedding ring quilt, which I haven't done before.

I'm looking forward to getting alot of sewing done over the weekend, since Todd is home. I've got some caramel rolls upstairs; I've been waiting for the dough to rise and now its about that time-time to pop them in the oven!

Wyatt's First Date

Wyatt had a visit this morning from little Ella next door. She's actually a few days older than him, but you'd never know it because he's so big!

In other news, I finally got my Fat Quarter Shop delivery! I ordered some yardage, a charm pack and an adorable pattern called 'Little Fat Chicks" (more on that on a later post). I also got 2 more jelly rolls: Dandelion Girl and Woodland Bloom.


I am all about jelly rolls right now. I am in the middle of my first jelly roll quilt. I got all the quarter blocks done today. Here's a sneak peek:

And the most exciting news--my husband told me to start researching sewing machines! He told me a year or so ago that if I was still a 'crazy quilter' at our 5 year anniversary, he would buy me a Bernina as a present. I'm really looking forward to being able to quilt my own quilts. My little Singer just can't handle it.

It's okay to get a little dirty!

Just finished taking Liberty outside to play with her sidewalk chalk. She's getting a little OCD in her old age. She can't stand being dirty. I had to wipe off her hands ever 10 seconds because they had chalk on them. Check out the video of her on the right-hand tool bar-you'll see what I'm talking about.

Yesterday was an eventful internet day for me. I joined an online quilting group, Our Quilting Beehive (thank you all for making me feel so welcome!). I also stumbled on a couple of new fabulous blogs: http://thehappyzombie.com/blog/ and http://weewonderfuls.typepad.com/.
I MUST find the Lecien Minny Muu Volume 3 fabric featured on the Happy Zombie page. It is from Japan. Hmmm, maybe I can send my good friend Lauren off in search of it!

There is so much fabulous quilting and crafting stuff on the internet. It's great for a stay at home mom such as myself. So all you fellow crafters out there, get to exploring the web!

Oh-and I did change the border after all (see post below). Now I'm at my second-guessing myself stage about my project. After I work on something for awhile, I start to get all stressed out about it. Someone once told me that's because when you work so closely on something, you start seeing all the flaws, etc.