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?