Happy New Year!

My blog has been quiet.  Not too much going on.  We are actually headed to a wedding this evening.  My cousin is getting married.  Amelia is excited because we get to sleep in a hotel tonight.  I'm excited because I get to get dressed up and celebrate bringing in the new year properly instead of passing out at 10:00 p.m.

I would like to wish everyone a safe and happy New Year!  Talk to you in 2011!

Cheers!
Jen

Snow Sparkle and a Sneak Peek

Staying warm??  It's FREEZING outside over here.  The wind is just howling.  We got our first significant snow fall of the season yesterday.  I think we got about 8" of snow here at my house.  The western part of the state hit about 18".  Did you have a nice Christmas?  We did. Amelia is overwhelmed with new toys and doesn't know what to play with first.  I have hopes to leave this house sometime this afternoon. I would like to hit a few stores and do a couple of returns.  We'll see if that is going to happen.

A few weeks ago, I participated in a quilting class in one of the LQS in my area.  We made the Snow Sparkle pattern by Laundry Basket Quilts using the Let It Snow batiks by Moda.  Batiks are NOT my thing but I liked how the sample was done so I bought the kit and attended the class.  The teacher was great.  I would take another class from her in a heartbeat but again, she works mainly in batiks and batiks... not my thing.  The one thing she did was alter the pattern for strip piecing which was SUCH a lifesaver!  The original pattern had you cut 200+ individual 3.5" squares and make the 9 patches squares that way.  Are you kidding me??!  While the pattern was very easy to do, you really had to pay attention to your light and dark fabrics.  There was a method to the madness and I became good friends with my seam ripper for a while there.  LOL.

I got the top done minus the borders.  I don't have enough of the border fabric.  The kit I purchased is supposed to have enough but it doesn't.  After the new year, I will hunt the border fabric and binding fabric too.

I don't know if you noticed but on my sidebar there on the right, there is a new button for a "Be Mine" Blog tour that happening in a couple of weeks.  And I was asked to participate!  YIKES!  Talk about nervous!!  I've been working a prototype of my project so that I get all the measurements correct and it's coming along.  I wanted to give you a sneak peek of the fabrics and colors that I'm planning on using in my project.

I'm also going to have a little giveaway when it's my day on the tour so make sure you come back and see what's happening!

Enjoy your day!
Jen

Merry Christmas!

Christmas greetings to all my bloggy friends!  I hope you have a wonderful holiday full of family and friends, joy and laughter!

Punkie's tree - 2010

Merry Christmas!!!
Hugs!
Jen and Amelia :)

Friday Night Sew In Results

This Friday's sew-in was a bit of a bust for me.  I took the day off from work to get some things finished and started around the house for the upcoming holidays and sewing just didn't fit into my schedule the way I would have liked.

Only thing that I sat down to finish was finishing the hand sewing the binding on my 12 Days of Christmas table runner.  It's on my table now.  One more Christmas decoration on display.  LOL.

I found the backing at one of the LQS here and I really like it.  Red snowflakes.  Coordinates will with 12 Days of Christmas.  They also had it in blue but the blue was too royal blue for the top.  I have plans to get more of both for my stash.  Would make a cute stocking cuff, wouldn't it?

Other than that, I got some cleaning done.  Our tree is up and lit but not decorated.  That is on the agenda today.  I got some dark chocolate almond cranberry bark made and some dark chocolate cookies baked.  Oh. And some gifts wrapped.  Today's plan is to make the dough for oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, continue wrapping, decorate the tree and have Amelia finish her last beaded snowflakes for her gifts.  Busy busy day!

Have a good one!
Jen

Friday Night Sew In Results

The title to this post should really be "Friday DAY Sew In Results".  I had Friday off and I got lots done. 

I got her stocking done!!  WOOHOO!!  And I LOVE IT!!  LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!  I did a simple stocking but it is adorable.  I modified the pattern a bit.  The way it is written will give exposed raw edges on the inside and I think I've collected enough knowledge in my bag and tote making that I could handle changing things up.  So instead of quilting the lining pieces with the top and batting, I made two separate parts and attached them as I would a bag lining.  And I embroidered Amelia's name.  Did I tell you that I love it??

fabric - Be Merry by Riley Blake

I really wanted the red snowman fabric from this line but I couldn't find it.  I searched and searched.  So I settled on the green.

I made some Dr. Seuss pillowcases that will go under the tree for her to open.

And some Christmas candy/winter ones for her bed for now.

Lastly, I made a treat bag using the tutorial that Kim kindly shared with us back in October.  I plan on making a second one and using them for Amelia's teacher's Christmas gifts.

That is what I got done during my Friday DAY sew in.  And I'm really happy!  Looking forward to next week's sew-in.  I have plans to work on my BOM blocks.

Enjoy your day!
Jen

Gingerbread House

We have a little holiday tradition among us cousins and we get together and decorate gingerbread houses.  Last year, Amelia stuck on 2 pieces of candy and was all done.  Here's the link to last year's house.  This year, she actually sat with me and we decorated together.  I came up with the chocolate tiled roof.  The rest of the house design was all her own.  Only thing I was in charge of was putting the icing where she wanted it.

Here's the front:

The back:

and one of the sides:

A few photos of the whole group's.  We are missing one.  One person had to leave before we snapped our photos.

Next year I'm going to do some research and get different candy supplies and possibly my own house.  I've seen a few out there and people are so creative!  I just like to be a copy cat. ;)

Enjoy your day!
Jen

Secret Santa Swap Received and A few other things

I was Judy's swap partner and she made me a very cute wallhanging.  Amelia already claimed it as her own.  I really like it.  Judy did a beautiful job on the stitching.  I love the label on the back.

Thank you Judy!!

And something that I finished.  Vickie shared a tutorial on her blog on how to (quickly) make up an XL hot pad.  CLEVER!  I liked it so much, I made two!  My Christmas table is going to be very festive!

I also got some quilted items back from Sharon.  I'm working on getting the bindings on now. Once I'm done, I'll show them off.  :)

Enjoy your day!
Jen

Okay, someone heard me

Look what I bumped into this afternoon...

And yes.  I ordered the pattern.

Sigh.  I'm going to make ONE new stocking this year.  For Punkie.  IF and big IF I can find the fabric I want to use.

That is all.  No more.  The other two will have to wait until next year.

I have some things to show you but I'm not feeling it today.  I caught a bug or a cold or something.  So I'm going to take my sick self to the couch and veg out the rest of the night.

*cough cough*
Jen

Someone needs to stop me

I want to make the three of us new Christmas stockings.  I just don't have the time.  Someone please tell me that there's always NEXT year!

Enjoy your day!
Jen

Layer Cake Quilt Along Block 2

This block was created by Vickie and I think it's great!  While it took some brain power on figuring out my layout since I used two different colors, it all worked out in the end.

Here are my 2 blocks together.

Enjoy your day!
Jen :)

I'm Caught Up

I think.  Here's what I got finished in the last couple of days.

First, my Bliss bag.  LOVE IT!  I made one boo-boo when I ordered fabric.  The aqua polka dot?  It's flannel.  I didn't realize it until I received it.  Oh well.  The inside is really soft.  LOL.  I left out the green and brown charms.  I wanted a red/pink/aqua color scheme.  I can't wait to show it off tomorrow!

okay.  turn your heads.  I'm tired of fighting with blogger.

I got the blue and white candlemats quilted a while back.  Just had a chance to snap their picture.  One is flipped over so that you can see the pretty backing.

I finished the personalized pillow for the birthday girl.  I love how this one came out.  It has moved to the top of my favorite list.  It will be going into the mail this weekend.  On its way to Texas.

Lastly, some zippered pouches for Christmas gifts.  I don't know who is getting which one.  I think I'm just going to put them in separate gift bags and it will be the luck of the draw by the recipient.  Actually, the Frolic one is going to go to my SIL since it has her favorite colors in it.  Rest is up for grabs.

I coordinated the zippers as best as I could.  Thought I would show you that too.

That's all here.  Tonight I will be doing some baking to bring dessert for tomorrow's Thanksgiving dinner.  I don't like pie.  Terrible, I know.  So I must bring chocolate!  :)

Have a great Thanksgiving!!  Gobble!  Gobble!
Jen :)

Secret Santa Swap Items

I got everything finished for my partner.  I just have to add the label to the table topper.

Here's the table topper:

And here's a matching key chain:

You've already seen the snowflake ornament in my previous post.

I hope she likes it all!  It's going into the mail this weekend.

Come back tomorrow to see what else I've finished!

Jen  :)

Friday Night Sew In Results

Hooray!  I got some sewing in AND I did a Christmas craft with Amelia.

First - I got the letters started for another personalized pillow.  This one is for my BFF's youngest daughter.  She is turning 1 at the beginning of December.  I can't be there for her big birthday bash (they live in Texas) but I will send a gift.  I need to work on the border and get the pillow all together.  I will show you again once I'm done with it.

Next up, Amelia and I beaded some snowflake ornaments for the grandparents for Christmas gifts.

Pretty!

 Here is a close up of Amelia's.  This one is for my mom.

And this one is mine.  Well, it's going to go to my Secret Santa swap recipient.  I should take a picture of my table topper.  I'm all done with it.  I just need to make a label for it.  I'll show you soon.

  
I also got some prep done for a quilting class that I'm taking tomorrow.  My husband was feeling a bit better so he kept Amelia entertained so that I can do some sewing and then I entertained her with some beading so that he could rest.  It worked out and I'm happy about that.

Now I can shift focus (again) and finish my Bliss tote.  It's really coming along!

Enjoy your day!
Jen

Friday Night Sew In

Are you in?  I'm really going to try.  I have started a project; not the bag but something else.  Yes.  See?  I TOLD you.  I have terrible focus!!  But in my defense, this is a birthday gift that needs to be in the mail next week.  I need to finish it.  I have started on my new bag though.  It's coming along.

My husband is feeling under the weather.  I mean, he stayed home from work and actually vegged on the couch all day.  That is so NOT like him.  He's a man on the go go go!  He really must not be feeling well.  I will be on Punkie duty tonight.  I hope I can get some sewing in!

So.  Join us tonight.  If you can.

Enjoy your night!
Jen

Distraction

Oh.  Why can't I focus on ONE thing at a time?!!?  GRRR!  For the MOST part, I do pretty good.  I spent some time over the weekend making some zippered bags - assembly line style.  They are all at the same point in the creation of them.  Making 5 at a time, this method works for me.

But.  But.  I want to move on.  Take a detour.  Just a short one.  Couple of days.  It won't be long.  Because I want to make this:

Out of this:

So that I can show it off on Thanksgiving.

It's okay.  I'm not very modest.  LOL.

Enjoy your day!
Jen

Stash Busting

I've been hoarding my stash of red and aquas for while.  I made some of it useful for myself and made a little Nifty Note.

I've been using it all week.  Keeps all my little notes and shopping lists under control.  My purse ends up with a lot of little bits of paper in it.  Then it starts to weigh a ton.  Hopefully this will help.  I showed it to my cousins and they really liked it and hoped that one will its way to each of their Christmas stockings.  I guess I can manage that.

12 Days of Christmas.  I had 4 charm packs and I used 2 of them; one to make my Secret Santa project plus another for myself.  Then I had a bunch of leftovers.  Instead of letting them sit and collect dust and then finally handed to Punkie for her fabric habit, I made myself a simple disappearing 9 patch table runner.

I have big BLISS plans in my future so I thought I would see how I like the disappearing 9 patch block.  I like it.  Quick and easy but looks cool too.  I took it to my local favorite fabric store to buy some backing because I didn't have enough of something here at home and the ladies there liked it too.  This is going into the mail today for Sharon and some quilting magic.

That's all I got.  Hopefully I will get some sewing done this weekend.

Enjoy your day!
Jen

Layer Cake Quilt Along Block 1 and Some Fun

I took today off.  I ran some errands and now I'm getting some sewing done.  I got the first block completed for the Layer Cake quilt along.  I'm using a Smores layer cake that I've had for a couple of years.  I only own one layer cake so that was my only option.  LOL.

I used the pressing the seams open tip again on those triangle pieces and everything matched up beautifully.  I wish I knew that tip a while ago.

I could use more contrast in this block but I'm happy with how it came out.

Now for some fun.

Jenn had commented on my pillowcases and asked me if I had made a birthday one for Punkie.  I had not so she kindly sent me a yard of Happy Birthday fabric that she had.  I love it and I can't to make Amelia a pillowcase with it.  I'm on the hunt for more since I think that would make very cute gifts for all the other little ones in my family.  I haven't hit Joann's yet (that's where she got it) but I have plans to do that next weekend.  Thank you Jenn!!

And I won a giveaway over at Jen's blog.  She was celebrating her one year blogiversary and I received an awesome giveaway prize.  I'll show you my picture but her pictures are much better.

She included Christmas duckies for Amelia.  She will love them.  I LOVE the box it came in and I'm going to have to hide it because Amelia will claim it for herself.  And the "Peppermint Frost" magnet.  I'm a sucker for magnets. Thank you Jen!

I just realized that there are three Jens here.  LOL!

Okay, I'm off to sew some more.  I have a couple more hours to myself before Punkie gets home.

Enjoy your day!
Jen

My Mug Rugs

The newest craze out there in blogland are these mini quilts that people have called "mug rugs".  It's a giant coaster.  Enough room for your mug and a snack.  I finally caved and made up one for myself and Amelia liked it so much, I made her one too.

Mine came out bit long and skinny but it's fine.  I really like them and would love to make them for gifts this Christmas but I pushed that idea out of my head.  Not going to do it.  At least not this year.

I busted open my Moda Sampler box and used "Spring Fever" for my mug rugs.

Amelia's is the pink binding, mine the purple.  I like the checkerboard look and I will make myself another with just the mini squares.  They are cute, aren't they?

Enjoy your day!
Jen

What I've been doing

I started this post last week and just found some time today to get my pictures uploaded and posted.

I have been working in the sewing room.  I got these candlemats pieced for my hairdresser for Christmas.  I just need to sandwich and quilt them.  I made several last year using Julie's tutorial.  My hairdresser loved hers and requested some more "everyday" ones for her kitchen.

Another thing I'm working on is a Christmas wallhanging for me using the same pattern as the Secret Santa swap.  I know.  I complained and complained about the HSTs.  But some of you bloggy friends gave me some great tips and I put a couple to good use and they worked!  One being - skip the 7/8" initial trim down and just trim and square the block once the HST is complete.  I debated that when I started the first one and I wish I did that to begin with.  The other tip was from Jill who commented and told me that:
1.  she LOVES HSTs
2.  press the HST seam OPEN

WOW.  This is a total new to me tip and it WORKED.  I worked on 4 of the 6 rows last night and I didn't swear once!  Everything is lining up so nicely.  Okay, I lost a point here and there but for the most part, it's coming out awesome.  And I'm really happy with my results. 

An update to the above - I have finished quilting my Secret Santa table topper.  It's now ready for binding; which I wanted to get done tonight but I don't think that's going to happen.  I also finished mine and it's sandwiched and ready for quilting.

With that said, I'm SO going to finish my pinwheel sampler!


Enjoy your day!
Jen

Happy Halloween!

From my little witch!

Trick or Treat!
Jen and Punkie

Oh HSTs - You are going to be the death of me!

Why?  Why?  WHY can't I get these things right?!!  UGH.  I'm trying but failing.  Not so miserably but miserably enough to annoy me.  I'm working on my Secret Santa Swap quilty item and I picked a relatively easy pattern.  Okay Jen, just say it.  EASY pattern.  Kris made me a table topper for the Valentine's Day swap that I participated in a last year.  When I looked at the pattern, it would not have been one I would have chosen because the fabrics used on the pattern cover... sorry.  I found them ugly.  Goes to show - put your BEST fabrics on the pattern cover sample.  You will sell more patterns!

But I LOVE what Kris created for me and I decided to use that pattern (I did end up purchasing it) and I liked the size.  AND it used charm packs which I have plenty of.  It has HSTs in it.  I took my time.  Pressed (NOT ironed) with starch, sewed a 1/4 seam seam and they STILL came out the wrong size!!  I'm telling you.  I am so DONE with HSTs!!!!  Not really.  I need to finish my pinwheel sampler.

Well, here it is.  Half of it anyway.  It's not too bad but there are mistakes and a lot of fudged seams.  I'm thinking if I can can the center all lined up right, nobody will notice the rest.  LOL!

And here's the second half.  Just laid out for now. I hope to get some sewing time in between *ahem* work today.  :)

UPDATE:  the top is all pieced.  And it doesn't look half bad.  Even if I did fight with the HSTs.

And the pattern I'm using.  Grandma's Attic by This and That.

I also finished some Halloween pillowcases for Punkie.  Excuse the color.  That blue is NOT blue.  It's purple.  It's weird how the camera distorts colors, isn't it?  I really want a new camera.  My brother has a super fancy SLR digital camera with removeable lens and everything.  It was in my possession but he needed it back.  Bummer.  THAT camera takes beautiful pictures!

I will be back to show Punkie's Halloween costume.  It is all done but I would like her to model it for you but she's not ready.  We need black shoes.  That's on tomorrow's errand run.

Enjoy your day!
Jen :)

Giveaway winner announced!

I had 29 entries for my giveaway and a few new visitors to my blog.  Hopefully a few of them will come back and visit again.

I used random.org to pulled up the winning number and it gave me....

Number 11!  Number 11 (excluding Myra since she asked not to be included in the giveaway) is JILL!

Congratulations Jill!!  Email me your snail mail and I'll get the package out to you this weekend.

Thank you everyone for entering my giveaway!  :)

I will be posting soon on some few things I've been working on.  One of them being Punkie's Halloween costume.  :)

Enjoy your day!
Jen