Purse Winner!!

Congratulations Linda!

Linda said...

..it would be very popular here in Maine.. summer fairs always have a John Deere booth.. I am riding my motorcycle later today and I'm sure we will be riding back roads where lots of farmers are getting there gardens ready for summer..


Linda I already have your address. I'll pop your bag in the mail this week :)

Thanks everyone. Robbie is sick right now but we'll be looking up your home towns soon.

Monkey love

I love looking at all the fun sock monkeys people have made. I bought these fuzzy socks a long time ago destined to be sock creatures. I finally sat down and made some.


My sewing machine does not like the fuzzy socks. It kept dragging the socks down into the machine. I just went ahead and hand stitched these guys. You have to do so much hand stitching anyways so it was no big deal.



Meet Lilly ...

Lilly is a very happy and funny sock buddy. She loves to go to the playground. Her favorite is the slide. She would stay there all day sliding if you let her.





Sheldon,


He likes to spend his days (and nights) curled up in front of the TV eating ice cream and watching movies. His favorite ice cream is rainbow sherbet.




and Harold.

He is a bit grumpy because he doesn't like to share. The other sock creatures have taken his blanket away from him.


I have a few more but they still need to have their faces worked on. These guys were fun to make.

Buttercup bag give-a-way

I love the Buttercup bag over at Made by Rae and wanted to try making one. I have this really cute pink John Deere fabric that is just begging to be a purse. I went ahead and tried the pattern. I have never made pleats before (and it probably shows) but the pattern was extremely easy to follow. I think this was the fastest I have made a purse ever. I wasn't sure if the bag was going to be big enough for what I wanted. The design is right along the same path, but it turned out not to be big enough. Which works out great for one of you! I am having a give-a-way for this bag. The outside is all John Deere and the lining is a fun pink. It has a snap closure. I always worry if my snaps are centered just right. So this time, I purposely put it on a bit off kilter. I like the little bit of quirkiness it gives it.




I plan on making a bigger version for myself. I like the basic guidelines from Bolsa Chica. I really like the whole pleated look to these bags. I also want/need mine to have a zipper closure. The way my bags get tossed around, I need everything to stay inside! I will probably make the handle a bit longer too. I like my bags to hang just a bit more below the armpit. It's so great to be able to custom make things just the way you like them!




OK, to win this bag...just leave a comment. Maybe let me know where you live. My family likes to see how many different states stop by. It's also fun for Robbie to look for your town/state as part of his Geography lessons. He likes to see what else is near you too. We are studying the states and their birds, songs, etc. I will leave this open to international friends too. Just leave a comment before Monday April 27th and I will draw a winner. If you post about this give-a-way on your blog (and leave a comment) I will give you 2 extra entries.


Hope your day is sunny :)



~Robin

Weekend projects

Last week I was on vacation. I had a great time just hanging out at home and being crafty. I decluttered and cleaned most of the house. I wanted to end my vacation on a crafty note. I put together two baby quilt tops from my Moda Oh Cherry Oh! win.


This was the first. I love working with the jelly roll. It made everything go so much faster! This top still needs to be squared up as you can see. I added pieced applique hearts to all the intersections. I like how it looks so far. I need to buy fabric for the backing and binding though. Nothing in my stash to coordinate...yet. I'm leaning towards picking up some of the Oh Cherry Oh pink with the cherries all over for the back. Maybe one of the green prints for the binding. Haven't decided exactly on that one yet.





Then I wanted to try a stacked coin quilt since I had a bunch of left overs from the log cabin quilt. This was way too easy to make :). I want to add some flower appliques down the white columns too. Probably with some green vines and leaves in between. Same problem with the back and binding...need to go shopping!

Quilt repairs

Around 7 years ago when we first moved to this neighborhood, I did a little curbside pick-up. Someone had thrown out two really nice book cases. I thought they would be great for all our movies and the kids video games. Plus, I could use the second one for all my craft supply boxes. I had Hubby and his friend go down the road and bring them home in the truck. When they got them home, we found a quilt in the bottom cabinet. Since it looked like the family had moved out, we decided to just go ahead and keep the quilt. The rest of the cabinets were empty, so we thought they just didn't want it anymore. It looked like it had been well used over the years. My daughter (then 11) decided she wanted it. I washed it up and she has had it on her bed ever since.


It has seen better days I'm sure but our daughter still loves it. I spent the last year trying to convince her to let me make her a new one. She wanted nothing to do with a new quilt. She loves how light yet warm this quilt is. As you can see in the above photo, most of the top fabric has worn away. She won't wash it often since she is afraid it will fall completely apart.




I can't really tell if the top is machine pieced or hand stitched together. I do know that there are alot of little tiny hand quilting stitches all over it though. Someone put alot of work into this beautiful quilt and I wanted to save it for my daughter somehow. Then we came up with the idea of just adding a piece of fabric to it to cover the front part of the quilt.




I just took a full size flat sheet from Walmart and sewed it to the front of the quilt. I just wanted to do the whole pillowcase sew and flip thing but my daughter wanted the blue to still be on the front. So...I just pinned the sheet to the front, cut and hemmed where necessary to make it fit and sewed it on. Then I just added a couple rows of semi-straight stitching to hold them all together. She wanted it stipple all over in a crazy pattern, but this works out just fine too. I knew since the original quilt was a bit wonky and I wasn't getting the top sheet on perfectly, that stippling would cause too much trouble.

Of course I had to pin it out on the driveway because I don't have any floor space bigger than a baby quilt. As usual it was a windy day out too. Here I am wrangling the quilt, trying to get the sheet pinned all on a busy road. The city guys were out cutting the grass in the medians too. I felt like I was out on display lol. Too bad nobody stopped to help :) It was worth it though to see our daughter (now almost 18) smile when she had her "new" quilt for her bed, and I saved a piece of someone's hard work. The quilt had no label on it, so I don't know who made it or when. A good reminder to label all my quilts...

A few new friends

While I'm on vacation I have been playing around with a bit of everything. I thought it might be time to make a few new friends.


This guy started out as an alligator but never quite made it there. He is now a newt! I actually like how he turned out.


Then my lil newt needed a buddy too. I saw a cute bear made from felt that had his own little vest awhile ago. I thought it was cute and decided to try making one too. He didn't come out too bad but I think he needs a bit more work. Both Buddy Bear and Nester Newt are made from a fleece baby blanket that I bought on sale for .50 a long time ago. Buddy Bear's vest is made from felt. His muzzle is made from a piece of fleece that I made my Grandson some pants from last year.
Walla Walla whale is one of my favorite go to patterns. The whales work up fast and always come out cute. This time I decided to give him some felt eyes. My stuffies always have interesting expressions on their faces :)



Everyone needs a super pickle! I was making this pickle and decided he just had to be a super hero! He has a little felt cape that helps him fly all over the kitchen rescuing sad little sandwiches.

Birthday club list

I joined a quilting birthday club recently. There are 18 of us gals making various quilt blocks. For each gals b-day, we will make the square of their choice in their colors and size specifications.

I plan on making one for each of the ladies and an extra for myself. That way I will also have a friendship quilt to keep. I will be adding each ladies name and state to the blocks.

Everyone has picked out some fun blocks for us to make. I will definitely be getting some practice.

I'm putting up a list to help keep me a bit organized. Maybe someone will find a block or two to try out.



January:

none

February:

1st:

Sandra F.

6" Sawtooth star

green, blue, burgundy, gold, biege etc. The color way is very dark. I am not a batik, bright color person.

4th:

Cindie S.

12" Log cabin

pink, purple, green

7th:

Me

12" Wonky log cabin

white as the center. Any color afterwards


Debi G.

12" Depression block

Scrappy as in the directions

16th:

Barbara U.

Memory 12"

peach, tan, cream (cream is the background color)





March



4th:

Linda G.

any 9" block

pinks and browns that are so popular this year. White and off white backgrounds is used.

24th:

Gitte A.

Tilting four patch 10"

greens, tan/cream, and maybe a splash of rose.



April


16th:

Gayden

10"

Sister Star

dark maroon and dark green as shown in pattern


27th:

Marilyn

Any star block that is 12"

creams/blues/gold or yellow



May



17th:

Marianne H.

Any 12" block

tans


June

none



July



13th:

Peni Y.

Balkan Puzzle
12" (use this one)

Christmas fabric and solids in Country colors. Brick, red/maroon, country blue, hunter green, cream on cream-country Christmas prints like Debbie Mumm fabrics.

15th:

Linda H.

12" Sarah's Choice

any pastels and florals



August



7th:

Susan W.

12" Sunlight and Shadows

cream or tan for the background. Dark and light any country colors



September


7th:

Christie

Basket of Chips

Civil War repro. tan/beige no whites


October



9th:

BJ M.

Any 12" star

reds and blacks

Elva P.

12" 9 patch

pink and brown

13th:

Joleen W.

Bachelor's puzzle

Fall colors with the light color in the block being some form of cream.




November




5th:

Jean T.

8" Mock log cabin

black and white

19th:

Bobbi G.

12" 9 patch

blue and yellow




December




5th:

Arlene E.

12" sawtooth star

blues with a cream background



A pretty impressive list. I think I can handle most of them. A few I will need to take it slow with but overall it looks like alot of fun! I will definitely get plenty of practice with the rotary cutter (something I need). Lots of fabric shopping in my future too :)

We are starting with June birthdays but since there are none...onto July!

Hexing a long

Coming along nicely....

My Halloween Hex

Moving along pretty well on the Halloween hex quilt. I think it is going to be a baby or lap quilt. I'm planning on doing a row of 3 flowers and then a row of 2 flowers. Alternating until it is the length I like. I do have to do a little research to see how to finish off a hexagon quilt though. I would like to find a way to avoid having all the stops and turns when putting on the binding or to avoid binding completely.

I don't know what will be the backing fabric yet. I do know that I want to quilt it in a variegated orange...I think. Most likely in an all over pattern. It would be nice to have some glow in the dark thread in there too. I'm thinking about adding some hand embroidered motifs in the center of the white hexes too. I'm thinking bats, pumpkins, ghosts, etc. All thing Halloween!

Tax Day U.S.A.

Today is tax day here in the U.S. Have you done your taxes yet?


Tax Day Graphic Comments


Tax Day Graphic Comments


We always do ours early. I'm too scared to leave it to the last minute. Knowing me, I would mess something up.

I put a hex on you...

I've always like hexagons. I don't know why, just like the different shape to them. Squares are nice but can be boring. I was searching the web looking for new things to do (like I need another new project) and came across Sunshine's Creations English paper piecing tutorial. I thought I would try to make a hexagon quilt. I've always loved Grandmother's flower garden and thought I would give it a try. I decided to use all Halloween prints since I have so much in my stash.




As usual I just dove right in and started. Not knowing exactly how many hexes I needed but having a basic idea of the main flower design. I decided to make the hexes have a 2" side to them. That makes them somewhere around 4" across I guess. I just stuck my template on my cutting mat and decided a 5" square would be the right size to start with. I cut bunches of 5" squares out of the Halloween fabric pile. I figured if I cut too much, I could always use them for another quilt or a patchwork trick or treat bag or something.




I set up a nice little station in my little kitchen and got started. This was of course after cutting out over 200 little hexes from freezer paper! I've never used freezer paper before but it worked really well. I have used a few of the hexes a couple times now and they are holding up nicely. So, I cut a bunch of hexes and ironed them onto the backs of the squares. Then I trimmed all the excess fabric from around the freezer paper hexes. The directions say to trim to a .25" but mine are more like .50". I didn't want to run short anywhere.


After getting a bunch basted, I started hand stitching them together. It isn't exactly what I had in my mind's eye, but I like it anyways. Once all the prep work is done, it goes pretty quick. I definitely need to pick up some of those leather thimbles though. My poor middle finger is sore from all the hand work. This is a great little project for doing in front of the TV. Since my sewing machine is in the living room, I don't like to run it if the family is watching a movie or something. This way they think I am still part of the family and I get to get some creative things done! Win win if you ask me :) I also take it to work with me to work on during break times. It's pretty surprising just how much basting I can get done in a few minutes time. Great take along project.


Here is a shot from the back. You can see where I pulled out the papers from the sections that were sewn on all six sides. I don't really like having the crinkly papers in there, so I took out the excess ones. Plus, this way I could reuse the papers if I needed to. I did underestimate how many black hexes I would need. I cut enough squares, just didn't cut enough freezer paper templates. I cut all I could from the roll of freezer paper I had in the house. I know I could just cut a few, but I didn't want to have to stop and iron on new hexes all the time. I probably have enough templates, I just ironed them on to mostly the orange squares.

Fat quarters received!

I received the fat quarters that I won from Stitches and Scissors! I just love the paint by number deer fabric. I have absolutely NO idea what I am going to make with them though!

To keep the good Karma going...I need to host a give-a-way myself! Now to just figure out what to give a way :) Check back in the next week to see what I eventually choose.

Pepperoni hint

My family loves to make and eat home made pizzas. Pepperoni is always on the ingredient list. I almost always buy turkey pepperoni because it is healthier and less greasy than the regular type. Even the turkey can get greasy though. I normally buy the thin slices but this time all they had at our store is the thick slices.

To help cut back on all the extra grease on your pizza, pre-cook your pepperoni in the microwave. I read this hint awhile ago somewhere on line and thought it was a great idea!


Line your pepperoni up on a paper towel covered microwave safe plate. We don't use paper towels, so I just used a few napkins instead. Then cover the pepperoni with more towels. The above picture is after microwaving for 1 minute. Since the pepperoni is thick, I cooked it for a 2nd minute.


This picture shows the napkins from the top of the plate after the first minute of cooking.


After the second minute...


If you use regular pepperoni, your paper towels will be much, much greasier. Adjust your cooking times to go with the thickness of your pepperoni. If you cook it too long, the edges will curl up and you will have cup shaped pepperoni.

Every little bit helps when you are trying to watch what you eat. Plus, we don't care for greasy pizzas.

Hoppy Easter !!!!

Easter Graphic Comments



Easter Graphic Comments



Myspace Easter Graphics

Brought to you by the letter N...

Our Grandson Nathan will be one in June. I crocheted this pillow for him out of WW yarn. It still needs to be stuffed, but I need to go shopping for fiberfil first. Everyone else in the house has a letter pillow and I couldn't let poor lil Nate not have one. I just used whatever yarn I had on hand. I'm slowing replacing my yarn stash with a fabric stash. I really enjoy sewing more than crocheting right now. I like how bright the orange is. Plus, the black crocheted edge makes it pop nicely.

In my mail box

I've received and purchased a few things lately that have been arriving at my house. My poor mailman, between what goes out and what comes in, he is pretty busy at my house.

My sister has been a Grover freak since she received a stuffed one the day she was born. She is now 35 (I don't think she reads this blog so I think I'm safe saying her age lol). I bought this book new on Ebay for a whopping 99 cents! The shipping was low too, so a good deal.


I'm thinking about making a couple blocks like this one in the book. Plus I need a couple Super Grover blocks too cuz that's her fave Grover. I've also learned recently that she is now into the Pink Panther too. I wonder if they have and Pink Panther fabric? He should be easy to replicate in a block too. I'm leaning toward minkie for the characters...I think. I know I want it to have some texture. This will be for Christmas this year.



I've been wanting to try locker hooking since I saw it on a PBS craft show awhile ago. I was waiting to find a kit with at least a pattern, the canvas, and a hook for a decent price. Once again, around a dollar on Ebay. I have learned to be patient on Ebay and I can usually find a good deal here and there. Not sure what colors I will use on the pillow top though. Might make it a Halloween orange and black since that is a fave holiday around here.


I saw these bags over at Quilts Illustrated. I had them bookmarked for a couple months and decided what the heck...I want them, so I bought them! I made some extra cash from selling the craft books that I no longer use on Ebay. Since I had some fun money left after paying the bills, I decided to splurge a bit for myself. I need a new purse - who doesn't? Now all I have to do is go out shopping and find the perfect fabric for them.



I won this wool felt from a contest I entered over at Skip to My Lou. It also came with a pattern for a lunch sac and lunch items. The wool is from Prairie Point Junction's Wool Felt Central. I've never worked with actual wool felt before. I'm sure once I do I will be hooked. Not sure if I will make all of the lunch sac and food though. I might make some of it and then play with the rest of the wool felt. I also saw lots of bright and fun colors over at Wool Felt Central that I would like to go back and buy. If you're looking for wool felt, go check them out. They seem to have very reasonable prices and everything ships fast.

30 fat quarter give-a-way!!

Head on over to PigTail & Quilts, she is having a fat quarter give-a-way in honor of her daughter's 30th birthday. What a fun way to celebrate! Last day to enter is April 20th...

I WON ME SOME MODA LOVE!!!

I had to pop in and tell y'all right away!!! Some how I managed to find myself over at Green Fairy Quilts. I'm sure it was one of those times when I was following links on other blogs. I love wandering around from blog to blog. She has some of the greatest quilt patterns. It's hard to choose a favorite. I love Butterfly Mania . The Turtle Walk is also cute (way down at the bottom of the page).

Anyways...I entered her Moda jelly roll contest and won this!!! Judi is even including one of her patterns too. I have never worked with jelly rolls or Moda fabric. I love all their colors. It will be fun to actually get to try them out!

This is coming at a good time too. I had a severe asthma attack this weekend and ended up in the ER yesterday for many hours. After all that suffering it will be nice to sit down and sew again. I don't trust myself to sew when I don't feel up to par. I always end up having to fix too many mistakes.

Can't wait for it to arrive :) Thanks again Judi!!!

Pinwheel quilt

For some reason my camera absolutely hates this quilt. This picture looks great on my camera and also looks fine in the preview on my computer. When I look at the bigger pic, this is what I see. Then, I went and took another picture a few days later in my kitchen. I went to upload it to my computer and there was no pictures on my camera! I even looked at them right after I took the pics to see how they looked (and to make sure my messy kitchen was mostly out of the picture) and they were there. Oh well, I'll have to try again later.


This is my first pinwheel style quilt. Since I generally don't follow many rules, I'm not sure if it is even right. I did make the mistake of cutting the white squares at 2 am one night after work. Probably not my best idea since I think the white squares are a bit bigger than the other ones. Oh well, I like it anyways. Hubby actually LOVES it! He wants that style for our bed. I will make another one just not for our bed. I want a wonky log cabin in there.





The back is a white sheet that I dyed purple. I forgot to dissolved the powder dye before I put it in the bucket. This left darker splotches of purple all over the fabric. It reminds me of those speckled Easter eggs. I really like the effect. I also used the same purple for the binding.


This is one of my fave blocks. I love fabric with sea life on it.

I like both of these too. The flowers are nice and Springy. I don't know why I like the green one. I guess it is just the shade of green that captures my eye.



This one has the same purple from the back and binding of the quilt. I love the girly sport fabric too.


Added:

The reason my camera hated this quilt...the memory card died! Oh well, it's a good thing we had an extra in another camera no one uses. The quilt has found a home too. My daughter Mandy is part of JROTC at her high school. She was telling me about her Sgt.Major's wife. She has been in and out of the hospital dealing with cancer. All the kids in her class wanted to chip in a dollar or two and get her some flowers and a card. I thought she might like to have a quilt to snuggle under too. Mandy checked with her class and they all agreed. She showed them a pic of the quilt and it was a done deal. On the label I put the school's name, JROTC, the year, and made by me. Now she will have a lasting memory of theJROTC class of 2009! The Sgt.Major's wife has it and LOVES it! I'm so glad. She says it's too pretty to use, so she is planning on hanging it on the wall.

A froggie and some flowers

I made these a couple weeks ago. They have just been sitting around waiting for their turn in the spotlight.

The lil' froggie is 6 inches long and the flowers are 9 inches across not counting the leaves. I didn't realize just how big the flowers were going to turn out. I thought they would make nice brooches but now I think they will need to go on a tote bag or something.

Green Fairy Quilts

Green Fairy Quilts is having a jelly roll and pattern give-a-way. Go and check them out. There are some great patterns and the fabric is is gorgeous!