And the winner is!

Sorry. I promised yesterday and got to it this morning.  The winner of my 500th post giveaway is....

Annie!  From Annie's Quilting Adventure!  Congratulations Annie!!  I will send you an email to get your snail mail address.

Thank you to everyone else for the nice comments.  I am well on my way to another 500 posts.  This is number 512.  :)

On the sewing front, you can finally see the top of my newest purchase.  I got my new Swoon block all cut out and I got a couple of gathered clutches cut out and waiting.  Just need my machine...(tapping my foot).  I will be patient.  As soon as my machine is home, I will snap a picture for the full effect.

Have a great day!
Jen  :)

Oh I can't hold it in any longer!

I wanted to show you one of those pretty "After" shots.  You know the kind.  Everything that's all in its place and organized.  Ummm, unless you want to wait a week to hear about my secret.

Here I go.

Just keeping it real, Folks.  Just keeping it real.

So???  Did you figure out what I got yet??!  Here's the room while I was waiting, for comparison purposes; just in case you don't see it.

One of these days I will organize myself on these shelves

Do you see it now?!  Yes!!  Buried under all my sewing room "treasures" is a Koala Sewing cabinet!  OOOOOOO YAHHHHHHH.  I bought the QuiltMate Pro IV with the outback extension table.  Delivered yesterday and I am SO EXCITED to get creative again.  But at the moment, I am putting the room back together.  I have stuff in the hallway, stuff in Amelia's bedroom and everything else in my bedroom.  I'm having heart palpitations with all the stuff all over.  Tonight, Chris is going to attach the mini pressing and notion tables and I will be organizing myself.  In a couple of weeks, I'll be getting a few more shelves for the cabinet.  I wasn't sure if I would need them and now that I see the table and figuring where things are going to go, they will come in handy.

I can't get sewing yet after I'm all organized and put away though.  I took this opportunity to bring my machine in for its cleaning and to get my self threader fixed.  And I'm waiting for a new chair.  While I have a perfectly good chair, it's not tall enough and I knew that.  Just didn't feel like spending the money until the table got here.  The whole unit is 35" tall so that I'm not hunched over when I'm cutting.  But that means my sewing machine is at 35" tall and I don't stand when I sew.

I promise to show you better pictures when everything is in its place.  I just couldn't wait to show you any longer!

Oh!  And Amelia lost another tooth last night.  2 Tooth Fairy visits in less than a week.  Of course, I wasn't prepared!  Thankfully Chris was home and he hooked her up with $2.00.

I'm sorry for the weird looking pictures.  If Amelia smiles, her bottom lip covers her teeth and you can't see her new Jack-O-Lantern smile.  :)

Enjoy your day!
Jen

Christmas Through the Year - January

I made it just in time!  I hustled to get these little zippy wallets finished (there is still one waiting to be completed).  Tutorial is courtesy of Noodlehead here.  But I'm happy to have my first gifts done for Christmas Through the Year.  I've even started my February gifts!  Well, I made a sample.  Just to see how the pattern was going to work out.  Came out great.  Now I will continue and make a couple of more.

But sewing is coming to SCREECHING halt over here.  I am tearing my room apart.  Why you ask?  Wellllll, I'm getting a special delivery on Thursday!  Remember?  I'm holding a secret in?  It's not much of a secret because I cracked and announced it out on Facebook and told some of my bloggy friends who asked ever so sweetly to share my secret.  :)  If you want to know what my secret is, come back on Friday.  I will share it all with you. 

If you're interested in my giveaway, click here.  Winner will be announced on 1/29.

Enjoy your day!
Jen

Visit from the Tooth Fairy

Some exciting times here at home.  The Tooth Fairy came to visit for the very first time on Saturday night!  Amelia was talking to me and she abruptly stopped and got a very wide-eyed look.  She proceeds to tell me that her loose tooth was stuck behind her other tooth.  She pushed it out with her tongue and it fell out of her mouth.  LOL.  Let's just say I had a happy kid on my hands.  We called Daddy at work to tell him the good news and found an envelope to stick the tooth in for the Tooth Fairy.  I, during all this, was having a mild internal panic attack!  I don't normally have cash on hand.  I am very much tied to my debit card.  That is my life line.  I don't think Amelia would have liked an "IOU" from the Tooth Fairy since I was on my own until Chris came home from work the following morning!

The Gods smiled on me and I had $10.00 in my wallet.  A lone 10.  I didn't want to be cheezy and give her just 4 quarters (I always have change in the house).  I wanted it to be a special morning for her.  So her first tooth cost the Tooth Fairy 10 bucks. 

Lessoned learned: go to the bank and get a bunch of singles to have on hand for the next couple of years!!

I did explain to Punkie that while the Tooth Fairy was VERY generous with her first loose tooth, I didn't think that the trend would continue with the rest of her teeth.  The first loose tooth was special.  After that, the Tooth Fairy would probably be more practical and give only a couple of dollars for the rest of them.  She seemed to have accepted my explanation.

So I have an empty wallet but a very happy little girl.  I can live with that.  :)

Don't forget if you are interested and haven't commented yet... 500th post giveaway happening here.

Enjoy your day!
Jen

500th Post Giveaway

I did a little shopping from my stash and a little shopping in the store and I got a little creative and made something for this giveaway.

Up for grabs.... a charm pack of "Hello Betty" (bought a few years ago from FQS but never used it), a mini charm pattern (also from my endless pattern supply), a quilted needle book (made by me using this tutorial), and a "I heart 2 quilt" decal for your car window.  I have one and I love it.

Apologies are needed for the quilted needle book.  My machine sewing of the binding got a little off-kilter in spots. I debated about taking it off and doing it again but... that's what gives it "character".  LOL!  And my husband doesn't know his own strength and gave the pearl snap one whack too many.  It's not broken on the top; seems to be on the inside.  Again, think CHARACTER.  I'm sorry. I was so upset this morning with him.  UGH.  I should have just done it myself.

So if you're interested in my slightly flawed giveaway, just leave me a nice comment telling me it's going to be okay.  :)  Giveaway will be open for a week.  Winner will be announced on 1/29.  If you are a "no-reply" commenter, either leave me your email in your comment or you will not be counted towards the giveaway.  I need to have a way to get a hold of you.

see the wee cracked button  :(

1/29 - Comments are closed.  I will be drawing a winner sometime today.  Good luck!
Enjoy your day!
Jen

Swoonin'

Snowy day out there today.  I had commented last week (I think) on Anna's blog that I didn't want any snow.  She told me that I needed to "embrace my inner snow" and my husband pretty much told me the same thing.  He got a commercial plowing job for the season and told me that he needs only 4 good snow storms and that will pay for our trip to Disney.  So... C'MON SNOW!

Speaking of Disney, we met with a travel agent yesterday to learn the ins and outs of our potential trip and we're getting close to booking!  WOOHOO!  I thought for sure the prices would bug my husband's eyes out but he was really mellow about it.  After some discussion on the way home and a bit more looking online at the different resorts the travel agent priced out for us, I think we've made a decision as to where we're going to stay when we're there.  More on that later.  I will just say that I am SUPER EXCITED and having a hard time holding my secret in around Amelia.

On to Swoon.  Block 3 is complete.  Block 4 fabrics have been pulled out of the pile and ready for cutting but I'm not feeling it.  They will have to wait.

Some other finishes.  I finished the first round of gifts for Christmas Through the Year that Darlene and Cheryl are co-hosting.  I'm not ready to show you yet though.  See, MY part is done but I need the husband's muscles for the last bit.  If I get on him before he leaves for work tonight, I should be able to show you tomorrow.  I also finished my accessory bag for the swap that Kris is hosting.  Again, I need the husband's muscles for one last part.  I'll explain when I show you what I made.

I know a few weeks ago I promised  a 500 post celebration giveaway and I haven't forgotten.  I just need to snap a picture and post.  Stay tuned!

Enjoy your day!
Jen

Late for the party?

Or early?  I'm going with early.  One of my 2012 goals was to get the (2010) 12 Days of Christmas BOM from the FQS completed this year.  I only had the last block to piece and I got that done yesterday.  Next up is sashing the blocks and get it into a top.  But that will come in time.  I need to do a little shopping.  I went to the fabric store on Sunday morning and I looked at their red selection and nothing was quite right.  I think my option is to find some 12 Days or Flurry red online.

block 12

all 12

For some super Christmas cuddling, I'm thinking backing in flannel.  I know it's not much but it feels good to get part 1 of this WIP off my to do list.

We did end up spending an overnight at a hotel on Sunday (it was FREEZING outside).  We had a good time.  We took Amelia to the local aquarium for a while and then we spent some time in the hotel pool.  Would have been better if the pool water was about 10 degrees warmer but us adults survived.  :)  It was a nice mini getaway.

Last night we got some snow.  First big snow since October.  October we got knocked out by snow.  This morning?  Only 2 inches.  But it was enough to give Amelia a 90 minute school delay.  As I'm typing, she is outside enjoying the snow before school starts.

Enjoy your day!
Jen

Ruby, don't take your love to town

Classic Kenny Rogers song.  Have you SEEN him lately??  Too much plastic surgery!

Block #2 is done over here.  Now I'm taking a Swoon break for a week or so.  Other things are calling my name so I'm moving on and I'm okay with that.  But I've pulled my fabrics out for block #3 so that they are front and center.  I won't forget about them for too long.

Other things happening.  I'm almost done with my accessory bag for the swap.  I pulled the fabrics out this evening, started cutting and sewing and then POOF.  Adding a zipper and sewing the bag together.  I would like to get that finished and into the mail soon.  It has to travel to Australia this time. 

Any plans for the long weekend?  IF you get MLK Day off.  I would like to get to the fabric store on Sunday and pick up backing for Amelia's "Amelia" quilt.  That is one of my 2012 "goal" quilts to get finished.  I would also really like to get the last block for the 12 Days of Christmas BOM done and start laying out the top.  Would be nice to have it done before the 2012 BOM shows up.  Speaking of, have you seen it??  Vintage Modern.  Can't wait!  And all I need to get for my stash are a couple of charm packs (maybe a layer cake too) just to have around.  No need to stress over which fabrics I like the most out of the line.  Someone else will decide that for me.

Sunday afternoon, I think we are going to head out to spend the night at a hotel.  Why?  So that Amelia can swim and we can pretend we're on vacation.  LOL.  Those are our plans.  I'm hearing about all kinds of snow around the mid west.  Here?  Windy and rain.  It's been pretty warm.  Too warm for January for sure and too warm for snow.  However, cold weather is on its way.  We may just get hit with the white stuff sooner rather than later.

Stay warm and remember, bend at the knees not your back when shoveling!
Jen :)

Swoonin'

I'm swoonin' over here.  Got my first block completed.  8 more to go!  And my second block almost all cut and ready for piecing.  The blocks are big but lots of cutting going on.  I decided to cut one block at a time; including my white background.   To stand and cut 75 3.5" squares (or however many needed for the whole quilt)... I will screw it up.  One block at a time is more my speed.

I'm making mine out of Ruby.  I've had all my FQs picked and matched together for a couple of months now.  Just waiting for the time to start cutting into it.  I have changed my mind on a couple of them.  I may re-thinking the pairing up.  We'll see.  I also have enough FQs to either make another Swoon for Amelia or digging through my quilt patterns and books and seeing what else I can create with Ruby.  I really don't want to toss the FQs into my stash and be forgotten about.  I want to use them.  They are really pretty.

Guess what came in?  No.  Not my secret.  You all have to be patient like me.  3 - 6 weeks.  BOOO!!  No, Punk's glasses came in!  She looks so cute in them.  See?

We need a haircut.  :P

I think they make her look so much OLDER.  I don't like that part. 

She wore them to school for the first time yesterday and did really well with them.  Wore them all day in school, except for recess and lunch.  I just don't want her to lose them.

I think I'm going to sneak upstairs for another 20 minutes or so and get my second Swoon block prepped.  And I need to cut the last block for the 12 Days BOM.  And I need to finish my first round of Christmas gifts.  Lots to do.  I think I'll be taking a "mental health" day soon so that I can just sew the day away.

Enjoy your day!
Jen

Candy Sleighs. Who knew??

Man.  Those are generating some BIG interest out on my Pinterest account!  To refresh... Ellyn posted about some VERY cute candy sleighs that she and her friend made.  I spotted them and pinned them to my Pinterest accout to remind myself to make them for Christmas 2012.  I found the time and made them for this past Christmas; which were a huge hit!

The pin out on Pinterest?  Over 200 "likes" and over 1000 "repins"!  My email account is over-run with emails about people repinning that picture.  Even my BFF in TX made a couple dozen for her girls to bring to preschool.

Ellyn - I think you've started a candy sleigh craze!  LOL!!  Because I know I'll be making them again for this year and more of them.  Some of the adults in my family were disappointed that I didn't have enough for everybody.

I've almost decided what I'll be giving away for my 500th posting.  Stay tuned!

Enjoy your day!
Jen

Do you wanna swap?

Kris over at Dandelion Quilts is hosting an accessory bag swap.  Sign-ups are closing on the 12th.  Join in the fun!  You need to email Kris directly if you want to join.  Read this post.  She sums up all the instructions there.

And I would like to point out... this is my 500th post!  WOW!  I didn't think when I started blogging that I would have that much to say that would warrant 100 posts, never mind 500!  You know how we LOVE to celebrate on blog land soooooo... a giveaway will be coming SOON!  I didn't put any thought into the giveaway since I just saw today that this is my 500th post.  LOL!  Give me a few days to collect my thoughts as to what I would like to do and I'll let you know.  :)

Enjoy your weekend!
Jen

Wow! Happy New Year?

Seriously??  It's 2012 already?  Where did 2011 go?  I hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday, both Christmas and New Year's.  We sure did!  Santa was VERY generous again.  I need to remember to tone down my "Santa" shopping for Punk this coming year.  I went a bit overboard.

2012 proves to be a good year.  Lots of plans in the Miss Punkie Pie household.  First - a full kitchen remodel.  Hopefully to be starting SOON.  We need to clean out part of our garage so that the new area of my kitchen can get started.  Then walls will be knocked down in the old kitchen.  Super exciting.  But.  There's always a "but", isn't there?  Construction Man told me last night that if my car issue (my car is making noises) is in the transmission and not the wheel assembly (whatever that means), my new kitchen is on hold for a little while.  Here's some praying that my car issue is NOT in the transmission!  I've waited a year for this new kitchen and I WANT it!  Everything is all picked out.  Just need to get going.

Second - we are DISNEY BOUND this year!  WOOHOOOOOOOOO!!!!  I can't wait.  And SHHHH!  It's a big secret!  Amelia has no idea.  We will be telling her in August at her birthday party.  We're going in October.  Again, it's all planned out in my head.  Just need to meet with the travel agent.  There is an agent in my "local" area that deals only in Disney travel.  We're going to make an appointment to talk to her, find out our options and book it.

Third - Amelia will be starting 2012 with GLASSES.  Yes.  She needs glasses.  She's actually far-sighted.  Has issues with "focus" sight.  She's been complaining off and on that words are "fuzzy".  I made an eye doc appointment and they got her in during the week.  The doctor seems to think that she may still outgrow the eye issue as her eyes mature.  If not, she could need them for reading the rest of her life.  No problem.  She picked out some very cute purple frames.  Pictures to come once the glasses come in.  AND she has her 1st loose tooth.  She's patiently waiting for the Tooth Fairy to make her appearance.  We told her the Tooth Fairy was on vacation until 1/3 so her tooth better not fall out before then.  LOL.

And lastly, I did some shopping for myself.  A little "Merry Christmas and I got a new job so I can kinda afford it now and you can't hassle me, husband" type of thing.  Wanna know what I bought?  Welllll, you're going to have to come back and find out.  :)  When I have it in hand, I will show you. 

Happy 2012!
Jen