I'm going to have to start collecting towels

Stacy and I are doing our own mini-swap; one of her knitted scarfs for a couple of my potholders.  THIS is my gorgeous scarf that Stacy said she was all done with and I've been a slacker in the sewing department but I got my end of our swap done.  So Stacy, if you are reading this, I need your mailing address!

Stacy told me to do whatever I liked for her potholders.  She didn't mind color or anything.  And she likes owls (she better!  I hope I didn't get my blogs mixed up!).  I had a cute charm pack that I ordered from Quilt Taffy and the potholders were created.

I totally need to work on lining things up right.  But I digress... I like the potholders and I hope Stacy does too.  But what I REALLY like is the little extra I'm including.  I LOVE it.  It is soooo stinkin' cute!  And I hope Stacy loves it too.

First, the potholder fronts -

The potholder backs -

turn your heads to the left...  :)

And now the little extra I'm adding...

EEKKKKK!  CUTE!!!!

I won a Facebook giveaway from Sharon and my prize was a very cute zippered pouch, CUTE little stork scissors and some jumbo ric-rac.  I thought the pink ric-rac just made the owl towel extra cute.

And here they are all together -

Hence my post title.  I need to start collecting more towels to make for gifts and for myself.  I'm lovin' that owl.  I think I need one for myself.

I'm also thinking that a cute towel and some hand soap would make cute gifts for teachers and others.  And thinking like that... my very good friend from HS birthday is in a couple of weeks.  Plus her mom... maybe they need a couple of towels too.

Stacy - I hope you like them!!

Enjoy your day!
Jen

You need to see this!

I bumped into this on Mary's blog and I had to post so that those that don't read Mary's blog will see it.  It is INCREDIBLE and I WANT!

I've always wanted a VW Bug and if I could have a spiffy quilted cover, even better!!

Check out their Flickr album: Making a VW Bug Quilt

These ladies are so talented!!

Enjoy your day!
Jen

Okay, These weren't on my list

I had a pile of fabric, prepped and ready to go, for some pillowcases for Amelia just sitting on my cutting table.  Every time I needed room, I moved them.  And then when I was done, I moved them back.  Back and forth, back and forth.  I got so tired of doing that, yesterday I finished them using a "new to me" method of pillowcase creation.  I've heard of the technique (the "burrito" method) and read how to do it on paper but it made no sense to me at all.  But I found a video tutorial on Monday and now I get it!!  It's fantastic and really quick and easy.

These 2 pillowcases have been waiting 3 years to get sewn.  The fabrics match Amelia's big quilt.  I LOVE the butterfly fabric.  I wish I had bought more when I purchased the fabric for the pillowcases.  I have a little bit left that I will use in a couple of throw pillows for Amelia's bed.

Candy Land.  Something fun for her.  Punkie loves to use pillowcases that Mama made for her.  And since her favorite color is red, I think she will really dig these.

Last, pig and cow as a remembrance of our PA vacation.  Those two are cute and I wish I bought enough for a set for my bed.

Back to my list.... we can mark #1 as DONE!  Isn't that exciting?!?  Borders are on the quilt, backing is cut (to be sewn today) and binding strip to be created (today too) and it will be sent off to be quilted!  I snapped a few pictures of the top.  I love how it came out.

On Punkie's bed

And a larger view of the whole thing.  That's the backing sticking out underneath.

After 3 years, I'm glad I finally got it done!

I will have more to share towards the end of the week... I HOPE!

Enjoy your day!
Jen

I wish I had something clever to talk about

But I don't.  Sad, sad, sad.  I have been doing some sewing.  Trying to work through the endless To Do list.  AND I've been stalking my mailbox.  The Summer Tote swap that I joined is coming to a close soon.  Every day I open my mailbox with a flourish and then walk away a bit saddened.  Maybe TODAY will be my lucky day.  LOL!

OH!  I did accomplish a milestone.  I FINALLY finished sewing the binding on my very first quilt!  HOW EXCITING!!  I took it with us on vacation and worked on it a bit there and I even attempted it in the car.  I didn't get car sick so I got a lot of it done while driving home.  And once I got home, I couldn't put it down, knowing I didn't have much more to do on it so I finished it.  It's now washed and dried and on Punkie's bed.  I also finished binding my hexagon table runner!  I took that one with me yesterday to a family picnic.  I only had another foot or so to hand sew and I want to see it on my table so I worked on that yesterday and now that is finished too.

Amelia is with my mom all week as my in-laws (our regular child-care) are in Nova Scotia on vacation for 2 weeks.  So my mom has Punkie this week and next week, we'll be taking time off and heading to NH for a couple of days.  While Punkie is gone all week, I have BIG plans. I will outline them here.  Maybe it will keep me accountable.  HA!  Right!

1. Put final borders on Amelia's big quilt and get it off to be quilted.  I REALLY want to give it to her for her birthday.  So that's on the top of my list.  Hopefully my quilter can fit me into her schedule!  ;)
2. Finish potholders for Stacy for our mini swap.  I'm almost there.  They need to be quilted and bound.
3. Pin cushion swap!  That deadline is coming up FAST!  I started my pin cushion.  That's all I can say about that right now.
4. Attach binding to butterfly wallhanging so that I can take it to NH with me to work on.  Just have to find that jelly roll that I used!  It's around here somewhere.
5. Start tote for SIL birthday gift.  Her birthday is on Friday.  I doubt I will be done by then but I can at least get everything cut.
6. Personalized pillow for my niece for birthday gift.
7. Messenger bag that I was asked to make
8. Personalized pillow for my BFF's husband's niece.  She LOVED the one that I made for Julia and wanted one for herself.  I just met the girl over the weekend and she is the sweetest so I told her I would make her one.  Her name is short so it will be quick to do.  LOL!
9. I'm 2 blocks behind on the Jelly Roll Sampler quilt along.  Need to get those done
10. Block 2 of the FQS Mystery quilt is here and I need to get that one done as well.

I could honestly keep going and going and going but I won't.  I hope to get 3 of these done and off my list before Amelia comes home at week's end.

Wish me luck!!

Since posts without pictures are boring, here's Punkie with her Baba (my grandmother) at my cousin's bridal shower over the weekend.

Enjoy your day!
Jen

We're Back

Darn it. Vacation is over.  Back to work and the daily grind.  We had a great time.  Amelia had a morning where she was sick but once everything was out of her system, she felt better.  I'll share some pictures from our adventures in another post.  Today I'll share what shops I visited and the loot I brought back.

First stop was Hayloft Fabrics in Morgantown.  This was the only shop I snuck a couple of pictures inside.  It's located on the second floor of a grocery store!  I was floored when I saw that.  Multi-tasking at its best!  Run out for some milk and some fat quarters!  LOL!  Lots of yardage and a great variety.  I will go back here for sure.  I held back on my spending since I knew I had 3 more shops to visit during our vacation but I wish I hadn't now.

Burkholders Fabrics in Denver is another "need to go again" shop.  This one is in the middle of nowhere but WOW!  What a selection of fabric!  Wish I spent more here too.  LOL!  And so nicely organized.  Great variety as well.

The Old Country Store in Intercourse was okay.  I had a short list of yardage that I wanted but found out it was available online only.  I think their selection online was better than what was in the store. 

Lastly, The Quilt and Fabric Shack... meh.  I'll skip it.  Not worth going to again.  I didn't like how the yardage was organized and there wasn't much to pick from.

Okay, this is the loot I brought home with me.  I bought some Happy, Bliss and 12 Days of Christmas charm packs.  Happy will be made into a quilt for Amelia and Bliss for me!

The cow and pig yardage is going to be made into pillowcases for Amelia as a vacation memento.

 

I picked up some red and black fabrics for an upcoming project.  The polka dot and paw yardage is for a messenger bag that I was asked to make.

I found some very cute scissor fobs and an ADORABLE pin cushion.  I love that pin cushion and had a hard time deciding which one to bring home with me.  I wanted them all.

So that's my trip.  I'll share more pictures soon!

Enjoy your day!
Jen

A Quick Hello

I'm enjoying our vacation.  Right now I'm sitting outside with my laptop and wireless card, enjoying the quiet and horse and buggies going by while Punkie and Chris went for a walk.  Very nice.

So far I hit one fabric shop and did a little money spending.  I took pictures.  You'll never believe where the shop was located.  I'll keep that a secret until I get the pictures uploaded.

Okay, they are back so now we're off to go for a ride and check out some farms.

Enjoy your day!

Jen :)

It's so stinkin' cute, I can't stand it!

My BFF and her family are coming from TX for a two week visit (I can't wait!) and they will be celebrating their eldest daughter's 2nd birthday here.

So, I made Julia a pillow.  Figured it would be easier to pack in the car for the trip back to TX instead of a bulky toy.

And I love it.  LOVE IT!

It is so cheerful and girly.  I bought that striped polka dot fabric from Joann's and it's perfect for the pillow.  At least I think so!  I had to get this done since we're leaving for vacation next week and the party is the following week.  I wouldn't have time to get it done and I didn't want to cram it in.  You know how mistakes happen if you rush. 

Another thing off my To Do list and I'm really happy about that!

Enjoy your day!
Jen   :)

My Sleeping Beauty

That sweet face.  I hated to wake her.

Enjoy your day!
Jen

No Motivation

It's been horribly hot here.  I'm sure everybody else is feeling it too.  With this heat, I have no motivation.  None.  Zero.  Zip.  Zilch.  And I have a whole lot on my To Do list.  The heat and humidity are supposed to break by the weekend.  It can't come soon enough.  We are in desperate need of rain too.  Weather man is telling me big rain is coming Saturday night.  I hope so!!

We are leaving for a mini vacation next week.  Going to Lancaster, PA for some fun.  So for our trip, I made Punkie a quilted notebook using this tutorial, courtesy of Rachel.  She loves to write and practice her skills and spelling.  I thought this would help pass the time in the car.  It was quick, quick, quick!  My binding is a hot mess though because Amelia was desperate for me to be finished with it and she would not leave me alone until I got it done.  If she had let me be, I would have practiced my hand-sewing skills and did it correctly but sometimes speed is better with a 5 year old! 

Sorry for the dark photos.  I took these last night because I knew the notebook was going to go to Grandma's house this morning (and sure enough, she took it with her).

Amelia picked out the cute cupcake fabric during our visit to Joann's on Monday.  I bought extra to make potholders or something out of it. It's quite cute!  And it's a pretty, sunny yellow.  Not this drab looking thing.

Okay, now back to my To Do list.  I have a few potholders to make.  Stacy and I are doing a swap.  Have you seen my scarf?!?  It's GORGEOUS!  I can't wait to get it!!  And I want to know if I can wear it in the summertime because I don't think I'll be able to wait for snow in order to wear it!  I'm making potholders in exchange for the scarf and I have everything cut for the potholders; I just need to sit down and make them.  But if you read the title of my post... NO MOTIVATION!  But now that I've seen my scarf... these babies are getting done this weekend!

I also have a birthday prensent to get done.  AND my pin cushion for my swap.  AND a tote for my SIL's birthday.  

So much to do, not enough time!!

I better get going!  LOL!

Enjoy your day!
Jen

1,000 post giveaway

Jill is having a fantastic giveaway marking her 1,000 post!  Head on over and check it out!

Daisy has done it again!

Sharon has worked her quilty magic once again!  And quick, too!  I send her my hexagon table runner and a wallhanging that I pieced for Amelia over a year ago but did nothing with.  LOVE them both!

On Amelia's wallhanging, she quilted happy sunshines and butterflies.

On the table runner, she quilted bees.  Love it!  It's on the recliner because my table is loaded with papers and I REALLY didn't feel like cleaning it off to take a proper picture.

Now it's binding time.  I really should hand stitch the binding on the backs of these things but you know what??  I'm STILL hand sewing the binding on the first quilt that Sharon quilted for me and that was done over a year ago!  In my defense, I was scared to hand sew because I didn't understand the process.  But I finally started it and I understand but it is slooooow going.  I get hand and eye fatigue so I do it when I can.  I try to do it in the evenings but sometimes I'm just too wiped out to bother.  I think I'm going to machine these on.  At least the table runner.  I want to get it on my table!

Thank you Sharon!  More will be coming your way soon!!

Enjoy your day!
Jen

Summer Tote Swap Revisited

My swap items are ready to go into the mail.  I just wanted to show the little extras I included.

I made another cute little zipper pouch and I LOVE the yellow zipper that I used.  I think that just makes the pouch POP!  I wanted to make more little odds and ends but I just want to be done with this swap so that I can move ahead on a few other things.  NOT that I didn't enjoy this swap.  Please don't get me wrong there.  But I've done 3 potholder swaps back to back, this purse swap and a pin cushion swap.  I'm kinda swapped-out! 

I also included some hand cream, some grape flavored anti-bac, a cute lip balm from Yankee Candle.  The holder, if you will, is shaped like a tiny little Yankee Candle jar!  I bought 5 of them.  Yes, I'm crazy.  LOL!  Lastly, I found these cute purse holder and key chain and I included those too.

I hope my swap partner is happy with everything as I am!

And since I was in a zippered pouch making mood, I made one for myself.  I don't know what I'll put in it but this one is MINE!

Enjoy your day!
Jen