Coming to Terms

**Comments for the giveaway have been closed.  Winner to be announced soon!**

My name is Jen and I'm a Fabric Hoarder.

I will never use all the fabric I have collected over the years.  Yardage, pre-cuts, bit and pieces.  Nope.  Never.

So my loss is your gain!  Who's ready for a GIVEAWAY?!

In celebration of my recent milestone.... I hit the big 4-0 this past Sunday, I have decided to thin out some of my pre-cuts and am giving away 5 charm packs!

Before I go any further, I want to add a disclaimer... I *think* the charm squares are all there in all 5 packs but I'm not 100% sure.  I could have stolen a 5" square here and there if I really liked it.  For the most part, you are getting 5 full charm packs.  All Moda.

Nouveau

American Primer

Freebird

Chez Moi

Flutterby

Giveaway deets:
- Just leave me a comment.  If you are a "No Reply" commenter, please provide your email address in the comment or you will not be counted in the giveaway.  I will close the comments on Monday, October 14th and announce the winner

Giveaway is open to US only.  Sorry.  :(  Postage is just too expensive.

I also have a layer cake and jelly roll that I found that I will never use.  I will list those for sale over the weekend.

Good luck!!
Jen :)

8 years old and 3rd Grade

Another year has gone by.  My baby is officially 8 years old.  We celebrated twice over the weekend.  Big family/friend party on Saturday and ice cream cake on Sunday.

Today was the first day of school.  A 3rd grader.  Where did my little preschooler go?!

I just realized that my 5th blogiversary is coming.  I also just realized that I started my blog on my wedding anniversary!  HA!  I never noticed that before.  I think a giveaway is in order but I'm going to hold off for another month.... when I celebrate my own milestone.  :)

I have been doing a little sewing.  Working on getting some bindings done but I also made a little wallhanging for myself.  I'll show you that soon!

Enjoy your day!

Jen :)

Punk and the Big Reveal

We celebrated Amelia's 7th birthday on Saturday with a party and happy stuff.  Lots of kids running around, swimming, face painting and balloon twisting.

 

It was a great time. 
We had cake.

And presents.  Now here comes the big reveal.  I ended up putting two balloons with a special note in a box and wrapped it up.  I was so excited to give her this gift. 

I couldn't contain my excitement but I had to.  I've kept the secret too long to blow it now.  So I was patient.  It was the first gift Amelia wanted to open.

And she opened it.  See her expression up there?  Yah. That's all I got.  No cheers.  No tears.  No "hip-hip-hoorays".  No hugs.  No nothin'.  She pretty much said, after reading the note, "I'm going to Disney.  Next present please."  What a letdown!  I'm telling you.  My heart SANK.  I'm still a little disappointed but I'm slowly getting over it. 

We chatted the next day about it and she said "Mama, all I opened was an empty box.  A box with 2 balloons inside."  The concept was lost on her, I think.  If I had gone with my original idea and given  her a stuffed Mickey and Minnie in a box with a special note, she may have reacted a bit differently.  Oh well.  It's done.  She knows and slowly she's getting excited for it.  Once she's in school (TOMORROW!), time will go by faster and she'll be ready for a vacation.

So, there you have it.  My big reveal was a big BUST.  However, 3 weeks - 21 days from today, I will be hanging out in the pool at our resort on our first family Disney trip.  I think I can handle it.  :)

Enjoy your day!
Jen

The Big 0-7!

Happy Birthday to my Punkie Pie!

Amelia - Age 2

Today is your 7th birthday.  Wow.  7 already.  What a year it's been.  You ACED 1st grade.  You learned how to tell time on a "real" clock.  You're reading chapter books.  You got your first pair of glassed AND your ears "drilled" (pierced).  The Tooth Fairy came to visit 4 times!  You got chickens (and Stanley the Rooster).  You attended a day camp for the first time and loved it so much, we signed you up for a second week.  And you are getting the biggest surprise of your life in a few hours (1st Disney trip!).

You are a funny, sweet, smart and loving girl.  Daddy and I love you so much!

July 2012

Happy Birthday my sweet, sweet girl.

Love-
Mama

It's been a while, huh?

First off... Happy 4th!  I hope everyone is staying cool and enjoying the holiday (if you are in the States).

I noticed my last post was 3 weeks ago.  Sorry!  Life has been nutty and truly?  I haven't done anything creative.  I spent some time in my sewing room today and thought I would be in there for hours but it took all I had to go up there for the 2.5 hours I worked in there.  I'm just not feeling it.

Let me fill you in on the last 3 weeks.  The secret trip to Lake George, NY for a few days was a hit.  Amelia had no clue and was even a bit confused.  She asked if we were going to NH after Lake George.  When we told her we were sticking around LG for a few days instead, she was super happy.  We had a nice time.

Project "New Kitchen" is underway.  I'll show you some progress photos if you care to see them.  I thought it was a lost cause and now it's on fast forward.  My house is a wreck.  Boxes of kitchenware is on/in every available space.  There is a fine layer of sheet rock dust on everything too.  My husband promises to put up some plastic when they sand it down to help with that.  I have old sheets to put on my furniture too.  I'm not going to bore you with all the different angles of demo photos I took.  And if you're on FB, you've seen them already.  This is a picture, standing in my new kitchen looking into the old.  My breakfast bar is going there.

Loving all the sheet rock dust!  NOT!

all sheet rocked and first coat of compound on

just another view

Punk lost her 2 front teeth.  One came out about a week ago and the 2nd she pulled out while on vacation with the in-laws in NH.  I haven't seen her yet with the 2nd one missing.  She's still on vacation.  Talk is they will be heading home either tomorrow or Friday.  I've enjoyed my peaceful time but I'm ready for her to be home again.  I miss her.

Tooth Fairy visit again!

And some sewing.  I finished 8 of the 13 pencil cases that I need to make for Amelia's upcoming birthday party.  I like how they came out and I totally shopped in my stash.  You can't tell that I did that; made not a dent in it but that's okay.  I need to shop for the 3 boys.  Amelia wants theirs to be super heroes and race cars.

And you know what else?  I was in Walmart yesterday and they already have "Back to School" stuff out!  Really??!  Back to school??   School barely finished up here and they already want us to buy new pens and pencils for school.  Insane.

I haven't mentioned it in a while but as of today.... 76 more days until our Disney trip!!  And in 52 days, my baby is going to be turning 7 and will be getting the biggest surprise of her life!  Next month I can finally spill the beans!!

Enjoy your day!  I promise not to be away for so long again.
Jen :)

On this day...

My life changed forever.  I was now officially a Mama.  Today is Amelia's 6th birthday.  Happy Birthday, Punkie!!

We partied hardy this past Sunday.  And I'm grateful for that because it seems like Hurricane Irene isn't going to turn and we are going to have some wild weather on Sunday.  Here are a few pics from the big bash....

Birthday girl and her cake

BFFs

feeding frenzy at the pinata

Slip and Slide fun

guest shot

And I have to add this one: my grandmother.  She looks SO THRILLED to be at the party.  LOL!

Happy Birthday, Amelia!!  You are an awesome little girl and SO READY for 1st grade!

Love you!
Mama and Daddy

Party Favors

The day is getting close.  My baby is going to be turning 6 soon.  Sigh.  6.  SIX.  AND going into 1st grade.  Double sigh.

Well, her party is this weekend and I had a couple of cute ideas for party favors.  I saw this on MBS for the 4th of July and I thought they would be fun to give the kids.  I filled them with some candy.  Pink for the girls, purple for the boys. 

Bottlecap necklaces and magnets; I didn't think the boys would want a "Tangled" necklace.

House is clean.  Party favors are made.  Cake is ordered.  Groceries are half purchased.  I think I'm ready.

Enjoy your day!
Jen

Friday Night Sew In Results

I got some sewing done yesterday.  I also got side-tracked by another 'need to make' project.  I focused my time pretty much on getting that one done.  But I'm not finished with it yet.

I've ignored my Bliss Disappearing 9 patch blocks for some time now.  I finally pulled those back out and got 4 more done.  They haven't "disappeared" yet.  If my math is correct (and it hardly ever is), I think I need 36 blocks plus sashing and borders for the top to fit my bed just the way I would want it to.  I need my husband to do the calculation for me to double check.

Postage Stamp top - 6 more blocks done.  Rachel is way ahead of me!  I have lots of sewing to do to catch up.  My plan is to sew some more this afternoon.  At least for an hour.

And the 'need to make' project.  If you are familiar with the site youcanmakethis.com and are a "fan" of them on Facebook, they are giving a free download until the end of the month for a super cute Summer wallhanging.  Mine isn't completely finished yet but I'm super close.  It will be done next week.  At least that is my plan (minus quilting and binding of course).  I'll show it again when I have the white blocks completed.

There you have it.  My FNSI results.  I have something else I've been working on.  I'll show that soon.  I know I've been complaining about my non-working status but I've been getting tons done in the sewing department.  I just feel guilty sewing the day away so I've made a schedule for myself.  House chores in the morning (or errands or whatever) and sewing after lunch.  It has worked out for me.  Someone suggested that to me in a comment in one of my blog posts.  I can't remember who but it has worked.

OH!  One more thing... today is my husband's birthday!  We did our little family celebration last night with a delicious ham dinner, a sinful chocolate truffle "bomb" dessert and presents.  This morning, Punk and I treated him to breakfast out and this afternoon, we're going to his parents for steak dinner and cake.  Weekend full of celebrating.  Happy Birthday Honey!  We love you!

Enjoy your day!
Jen

Go on over and....

Wish Rachel a Happy Birthday!  Today is her special day!

Happy Birthday Rachel!!!

Enjoy your day!
Jen

It's all about ME!

Happy birthday to ME!

Happy birthday to ME!

Be on the look-out for a giveaway announcement!  Happening soon.  I promise!

Enjoy your day!
The Birthday Girl

Happy Birthday Punkie!

Amelia is 5 today.  I don't know where the five years went.  They flew right on by.  People told me to cherish those baby years because they would be gone before I knew it.  They sure knew what they were talking about!

You are growing up to be a beautiful little girl.  You are very polite - saying your "Please" "Thank You" "Excuse Me" and "You're Welcome".  But you also have a sassy side (those are Mama's genes.  LOL!) and you aren't afraid to show it.  You love to give hugs and kisses.  You love pink and dolls, dirt and trucks.  You keep asking for a dog but you're not willing to clean up after it just yet.  You are a joy in my life and my biggest accomplishment.

Mama and Daddy love you to the moon and back!

Happy Birthday my Punkie Pie!!
I love you!

Go on over...

And wish my friend, Kris, a Happy Birthday!

Today is her special day.

Happy Birthday Kris!  Enjoy your day!

I have some projects to show you - I should have them done tomorrow.  So come back to check them out!

Amelia and I are off for our "Day of Beauty".  We both need haircuts and then we're going to spend the afternoon with my mom.  The weather this weekend is beautiful!  So, I need to get off this computer so we're not late for our appointments.

Enjoy your day!
Jen

A Finish

This is my version of the Mill House Inn tote that was featured on the Moda Bake Shop. I like it. I used the Aviary line from Moda. I ended up giving this one to a friend of mine for her birthday this past weekend and I have another one started for a Christmas gift for another friend.


Only a couple things I would change for my own personal preference. The bag seems really "soft" so my next one, I'm either going to interface the bag first before adding the batting or use a fusible batting. Needs more heft. Same with the handles. I'm going to do the same. They need batting or something in them.

I have enough of the jelly roll left to make 2 more totes so I'm going to make one for myself but I'm going to make it bigger I think. Add a few more strips to the top.

Overall, I really like the tote and it was fairly quick to do. I did a cross-hatch pattern on it for the quilting. I TRIED to stipple... I practiced on something else and my stippling... wellllll, I need a LOT more practice. LOL. And I didn't feel like stitch in the ditch so this is what I came up with.

I added a swivel hook to the inside so that she can hook her keys but I forgot to take a picture of the inside of the bag! Oh well.

Since I have been feeling a bit better, I started up on some projects that I've put aside. I'll have more to show soon! I also need to start on my block for Terry's Quilt. I think I have a block pattern in mind.

Don't forget about my Celebration giveaway! You have until the 14th to leave me a comment to be entered in my giveaway (comment on the 10/06 post please for giveaway entry).

Enjoy your day!
Jen :)

Let's Celebrate with a Giveaway, Shall We?

They say it's your birthday!

Well, it's my birthday too, YEAH!

They say it's your birthday!

We're gonna have a good time!

I'm glad it's your birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU (ME)!

That's right. Today is my birthday. I am the big 3-6. Nothing special planned today. But I would like to have a giveaway to celebrate the following:

- My Birthday
- 1 year blogiversary
- 200 posts

I feel very disorganized regarding this giveaway because I have nothing to show you! You will be entering a giveaway that you have no idea what you'll be getting and I apologize for that. You see, I've been dealing with some personal medical issues for the last month and I *think* I'm finally on the mend. I haven't had the energy to do much creating in the evenings. I've been going to bed quite early... in turn getting UP really early which doesn't make me very happy.

But I promise there will be some cute stuff in my giveaway! I would like to have it Halloween related so I guess I can say that. You'll be getting halloween "stuff". I plan to make SOMETHING for the giveaway. I just have no clue what it will be yet.

So if you're still interested in my "Don't know what you're getting but it will be Halloween related" giveaway, please leave a comment here! You'll have until October 14th to comment and then I'll draw a winner. How does that sound?

Pass the word along!
Happy Birthday to me!

Jen

Home is the place to be!

I really enjoy going away solo. Makes me appreciate what I have - a nice home, a loving and caring husband and a wonderful little girl. I called home once I got off the plane and asked Chris to keep Amelia up - I was on my way. I walked in the door and Amelia was so excited to see me. I think she hugged for a full 5 minutes. She just kept saying over and over again - "Mama. I missed you. I'm so happy you're home." I didn't think she would notice my absence since she herself was in New Hampshire while I was gone. Makes my heart swell. I love being a Mama.

My trip to Texas was great and uneventful. It was hot and muggy so all of my time was spent indoors. I had a good time catching up with my BFF. Just like old times. We chatted about our lives and little girls and just laughed and laughed. Her husband felt overwhelmed because another one of Barb's friend made a visit from New Jersey to help celebrate Julia's first birthday! That was a big surprise! We all had fun together but Nate was overruled with all the women around. LOL.

Julia's first birthday was a success! She had a great time. Here are a few photos of the birthday girl... OH! The pinwheel wall hanging and little tote bag were well received! Barb loved them! That made me happy.

Took her a few days to warm up to me but by the time I was ready to leave, she would laugh and smile. We were buddies. I hope that the three of us can go there in the Spring next year. I think Amelia would have a good time with Julia.

Friday before all the chaos of a birthday party was to happen, Barb was willing to take me to the quilt shop of my choice. I chose Cabbage Rose Quilting and Fabric in Fort Worth. The building is very non-descript and once I saw it, I thought we just wasted our time. Was I ever wrong! I guess I should never judge a book by its cover. It was awesome. I was in heaven and if possible, I would still be there! They had every Moda line under the sun! Barb found herself a chair and relaxed while I shopped. LOL. Being 20 weeks pregnant, she just liked the time to veg out. I took my time but I knew she was hungry for lunch so I didn't really want to keep her waiting too long.

I was a bit overwhelmed and I did go in there with a plan of action but that went out the window. So I'll show you what I got.

I got a few packs of charm squares.

And some Cotton Blossom yardage...

To make this with my CB charm squares...

A couple of pillowcase kits for Punkie (I love fun pillowcases)....

Some polka dot yardage for my stash.... They had so many different polka dot fabrics. Every color combination you could think of. I was in polka dot heaven. LOL.

Some FQs for my stash and some for an upcoming project...

And lastly, more random yardage for my stash...

I really could have shopped more but my credit card wouldn't like it so I had some restraint. We're going to upstate New York next week for a few days and I'm going to try to hit one or two shops up there during my visit. Just need to pick out a few!

So. That's it. I'm happy to be home and relaxed. And we're all a happy family again. I guess that's what we needed. Time apart. LOL.

Enjoy your night!

Jen