Luv 2 Kreate

The Best Birthday Gift Ever!

2012-01-13T23:23:00.001-06:00

Mine and the Hubby’s birthday was January 3rd. We decided to give each other a 3D/4D Ultrasound as our gift this year. Our appointment was today.

Here is a little sneak peek of Hartley Grace and her adorable chubby cheeks…

31 Weeks 4 Days

I all ready love this little girl so much, at times I think my heart may explode!

The ultrasound tech said she thinks she may have a little dimple on her left cheek. I was thrilled to hear this. There were 2 things I wanted this little one to have, a hooha and a dimple!

I am almost 32 weeks along. Hard to believe it will be just a few short weeks until she arrives. In the mean time I have been sewing away. I am currently making an adorable little quilt to hang over the back of the chair I plan on having in the nursery. I will post some pictures soon!

Blame it on the Nesting!

2012-01-03T11:39:00.001-06:00

I was able to get another WIP almost finished yesterday. I have been working on the Pinwheel Sampler I think since the summer of 2010! WOW that seems like forever… Yesterday I pulled it out. Made the last 2 blocks (the one with the most cutting). Cut all the sashing and got it all pieced together.

I would be quilting it instead of writing this post, but I need to find a backing for it. Thinking I may go to Target and look for a matching sheet to use as the backing for this one. I thought about white (because I have TONS, but I also see this one getting A LOT OF LOVE so decided against white. I don’t have the patience to get online and look for the perfect matching fabric (if any even exists at this point after waiting so long). So a sheet seems like a nice, inexpensive, quick alternative. I will be putting this one on my Bernina Quilt Frame to quilt. It will be the first one . I am nervous, but excited to play with my new toy (that has also been waiting to be used since the summer of 2010) LOL!

I only have this and my other quilt along quilt to back and quilt then all my WIPS will be FINISHED!! WhooHoo

I have so many projects I want to make and can’t wait to feel like I have the freedom to do so without all the unfinished ones hanging over my head…from now on I am going to try and only do 1-2 at time…

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012

2012-01-02T11:15:00.001-06:00

2011 was an excellent year for me, and quite honestly I am finding it hard to imagine my life getting any better than it has been this past year. Yet, I know it has to because this is the year I will be welcoming a sweet baby girl into our family!

I have lots of great memories for 2011. Here are a few of my best moments

Getting engaged to the love of my life!
May 30th, moving in and and starting a home with him.
July 4th, finding out that God had answered our prayers and was blessing us with a baby of our own.
July 9th, that 1st kiss as Mrs. Scotty Thornton!
October 18th, that split second I realized our little blessing from God was going to be a sweet little girl!

2011 (the end of 2011) also brought me several finishes as far as quilting and sewing goes. In the past month I have managed to

make 4 scarves (Christmas presents).
2 aprons.
Finish my Bliss quilt.
Make Hartley’s 1st quilt.
Fill my first custom baby quilt order.
Sew a wall hanging to frame fro Hartley’s nursery.
Catch up on my VIBee Blocks.
Frolic Imagination in Bloom quilt finished!

That is a lot of sewing in a month! I’m going to blame it on Nesting

SEWING AGAIN!

2011-11-07T10:07:00.001-06:00

I finally found some motivation to sew…I am so happy that I am going to have a little girl to sew for and I have so many things I want to make for her.

This week has been productive (at least for me). Last Friday, Amy (Allie Kat Mom) and I took a little trip shopping. We hit up two of our Local quilt stores. The plan was to find fabrics for me to send out for my month in the VIBees. Which we did.

Here is my lovely stack of fabrics from that trip…

I am very pleased with the fabrics we found…Now I just need to get them cut and sent out.

On that trip we also came across this pattern…

I fell in love with it and bought the kit. I plan on framing it and hanging it on Hartley’s nursery wall. Here is mine…

I still need to do the stitching and frame it, but I am so in love with the way it turned out. I think it is going to be beautiful in her room

I also bought 2 Sophia charm packs and some backing and binding fabrics to make Hartley’s first quilt. I started out wanting to make the Moda Bake Shop quilt “Mod Circles” but it soon turned into something so much more!

Here is the top (I found the background fabric in my stash. I couldn’t find a “solid” that I thought worked).

And here it is all completed…

The quilting detail (LOVE LOVE LOVE how it turned out)…

A look at the back…

I think it is so pretty and quite fitting for a sweet baby girl! I can not wait to wrap her up in it!!!

Now, I am off to start (or finish) more quilting!

FNSI

2011-10-21T18:47:00.001-05:00

I didn’t do much actual sewing, but I did play with fabric and thread. I bought the T-shirt from Motherhood Maternity, and purchased the iron-on-transfer online. After I got it finished I decided it needed a little something so I went to Target and found the bow I LOVE how it turned out!

Finished just in time to wear it to the Halloween carnival tomorrow

A Dream Come True!

2011-10-19T18:01:00.001-05:00

Yesterday about 1:15 in the afternoon I had my Anatomy Scan. This is the Ultrasound that most people (if baby is cooperating) get a peak at the goods and find out the gender. As most who read my blog know, I have 3 wonderful boys that I love more than anything in this world. We have a bond that can’t be explained (there is just something about the way a son loves him Mom). Although I love my 3boys, I have ALWAYS wanted a little girl. My mom passed away when I was only 2-years-old. I never experienced the Mother/Daughter bond that I always saw with all my friends. I have always craved it, especially after I started having children of my own. Anyway, yesterday we found out that our little bun in the oven is most definitely a GIRL!!!

As a seasoned mom I have had my fair share of ultrasounds. I am part of a mommy group that shares their ultrasound pics, so I know what to look for as far as what a boy or girl looks like. I have been praying for several months now that we would have a healthy baby regardless of gender. I have also been praying that during this anatomy ultrasound my little bundle of joy would give me the money shot! And money shot she gave. The Doctor put the wand on my belly for a split second and pulled it away to adjust something. I looked at her and with a shaky voiced asked her if she already knew what it was and she said yes. I told her I was certain I knew too. I said it is a girl and she said yes and put the wand back on my tummy. the exact same shot came up and the Doctor said you definitely have yourself a little girl there. Nothing could make a penis fall out of that! LOL

I immediately started bawling and my heart started racing 100 mph I was so stinking excited!!!! The Doctor was able to get all the information she needed in the scan, although my sweet little girl did not want to show her face or profile. We got some sweet pictures just not any really great profile shots which I said was totally fine by me. I had been blessed with the shot of my dreams and I couldn’t be happier!!

All in all everything is well. Next week I have to start taking progesterone shots once per month due to my preterm labor history (NOT looking forward to that). I will have a monthly ultrasound (REALLY looking forward to that) to check baby, cervix and placement of placenta. My placenta is closer to my cervix than they like at this time, but they said that can change.

I have decided not to post that special shot of the goods but I will show you the best profile pic we were able to get.

She has her hand by her face I am so in LOVE!!!

This is me at 19 weeks…

And this is the damage we did shopping for her. I could not wait to buy pink!!!

Do you see those adorable giraffe print shoes??? I think hubby thought I was having a heart attack when I found those!

I think Mommy needs some giraffe print shoes too

A Little Late, But Still A Finish

2011-09-15T11:04:00.001-05:00

A little over a year ago I got some pretty exciting news. I submitted a quilt to the Moda Bake Shop and it was accepted. I couldn’t believe I was going to have a quilt in the MBS, I mean does it get much better than that for a quilting nobody? I think not! Well about that same time life threw me a curve ball, a pretty ugly one at that. My life was turned upside down. Little did I know at the time, that curve ball was going to be one of the best things that ever happened to me. Sometimes it is hard to remember that there is a rainbow at the end of most storms :) Anyway, other than a few Bee blocks, I haven’t sewn in over a year. Partly because I lost all desire, I didn’t have room, and I didn’t have the time to do it.

The storm eventually cleared and the rainbow appeared. I now have the desire, energy, space, and time to start quilting again. YEA! The first thing on my list was the old MBS project. It is now too late for me to post it, but I still needed to finish it. So for the past few days I worked my rear off to get it done.

It may be VERY LATE and it didn’t make it to MBS, but it is still a finish (still needs quilting), and I am still proud of it!

I have a few other tops to finish up and then I am going to put my machine on the quilting frame and start quilting them all. I have about 5-6 tops to quilt. Luckily I have the Frame and that should make it go pretty fast, I hope :)

“The Baby Made Me Do It”

2011-09-06T14:32:00.001-05:00

“The Baby Made Me Do It” is slowly becoming my catch phrase! I swear that being pregnant turns my brain to absolute mush and makes me do some CRAZY things!

Here is my latest disaster…

Last night my sweet hubby made my favorite dinner which is grilled chicken and salad with all my favorite veggies. I was so excited because I am a veggie girl and haven’t been able to tolerate veggies of any kind for the past few months. Anytime we cook chicken at my house the whole kitchen gets bleached and I also wash my kitchen sponges and dish scrubbers. We have a few scrubbers that hold liquid dish soap. I ALWAYS wash these (of course I remove the liquid soap first). Well last night my youngest son walks into the kitchen after dinner and said “What happened to the dishwasher? I think it threw up all over the floor.” Hubby and I run into the kitchen to find the above. We stood there for a few minutes trying to figure out what the heck happened, when suddenly I remember that we had chicken so I washed the scrubbers. My preggo brain just forgot to remove the liquid soap from them first! We all had a good laugh about how the baby is slowly sucking away at my brain cells…

On the bright side, I didn’t have to mop the floor today!

Sewing At Last!

2011-09-05T12:35:00.001-05:00

I finally did some sewing today! Amy came over and we worked on Bee Blocks. I finished up 2 and now I am all caught up. One of the blocks was well over due. I will be priority mail it Tuesday.

VIBee block for Meghan:

VIBee block for Natalia:

It felt really good to be sitting at my sewing machine again. I am feeling motivated and plan on working on my Putting the Bee in Christmas quilt from last year. I need to make at least 4 more blocks for it and then decide if I am going to add sashing and cornerstones. I have several WIPs that I have just a few more blocks to make before completing the top. I also have several tops to put on my frame and quilt! Can’t wait to get some of these finished up so I can start sewing baby stuff

Lovely Afternoon

2011-09-01T15:13:00.001-05:00

I had a lovely afternoon running errands today. What’s so great about running errands? Well this past weekend my friend, Amy of Allie Kat Mom moved into the apartments across from the housing area where I live.

We get together every now and then to quilt or hang out, but it is hard when you live an hour away and you have kids in school. Now that she lives down the street (literally a few minutes away) we get to hang out and run errands, etc. It was so nice having a partner in crime today. She even graciously put up with my cranky preggo butt And that is saying a lot!

Amy, I am so glad you live close enough to “hang out” now!

A Lot Happening In My World!

2011-08-30T12:33:00.001-05:00

I haven’t posted in what seems like forever! Really the main reason for that is I haven’t been quilting. Yes, I have made Bee Blocks since the new round started, but other than that nada!

There has been so much happening in my world that really there hasn’t been much time (or motivation or space) for quilting. BUT I am hoping to find my motivation and get back to it real soon…

Over the past year so much has happened. I fell in love with an old high school friend. We decided to meet up one day for a football game and have been inseparable every since. We knew it was going to be serious petty much from the get go.

I live in a suburb south of Houston and he was living in Houston. We were making the hour drive everyday which got old pretty quick! BUT it was worth it

In March, he asked me to marry him and I said YES!

The boys were thrilled!

We found a house here were I lived and moved in the last week of June. We were married on Galveston Beach July 9th where we had our first kiss. It was a BEAUTIFUL, PERFECT day filled with lots of LOVE, FAMILY, and FRIENDS!

That same wonderful week, we got some really great news…We are expecting a baby March 12th, 2012!

We couldn’t be more excited!

We are both 38 and wanted to try and have 2 before we were way too old, but that just isn’t going to happen! I have been so sick this time around that I literally wasn’t able to get out of bed for over 6 weeks except to throw up. I have been on nausea medication that has helped some. In the past few weeks things have gotten better, but to his disappointment, my baby making days will be coming to an end in March

Now that things are settling down I hope to get some quilting done. I have so many WIPs that I would like to get finished before baby Thornton arrives. Hopefully now that I have my quilt frame up the quilting will go pretty fast…we shall see!

(All photos except the sonogram pic were taken by my wonderful photographer @ The Sweet Light Photography Studio in League City TX)

VIBee Blocks

2011-05-02T15:24:00.001-05:00

Don’t have heart attacks people, but I have been sewing!

Liebster Awards....

2011-01-16T10:08:00.001-06:00

My friend and sewing buddy Amy of Allie Kat Mom nominated me for the Liebster Award (Thanks Amy). The Liebster Award is a way to highlight some of our favorite blogs with a following of 300 or less. I have come across several must reads from other peoples nominations.

I am nominating the following…

Oversewn

Chasing Cottons

Kelby Sews

And stop by Amy’s blog too

Slowly but Surely…

2011-01-05T17:58:00.001-06:00

I am slowly but surely trying to work my way back into the quilting/blogging world. I have been away for far too long. It is a lot harder than I thought it would be but I am READY!!!

I just purchased some new fabric with my Christmas and Birthday money and hopefully that will get me motivated!

And speaking of birthdays…I got a NOOK and I AM IN LOVE!!!

I am reading in most of my spare time…So much more convenient than a bulky book!!

Reveal…

2010-09-14T19:41:00.001-05:00

It is time to reveal my surprise. I am going to be working on my very 1st Moda Bake Shop Project!! I wanted to wait until I had my box of fabrics before I made the actual announcement. I had no idea what the man in brown was bringing to my door today, but when I saw United Notions on the box I about peed my pants! I didn’t realize the box of fabric would come so fast.

Here is a little sneak peak of what is to come..

This may be just what I needed to get me motivated to sew again :)

MIA & a Secret

2010-09-08T23:05:00.001-05:00

I have been MIA from my blog the past few weeks and probably won’t be posting much for a while. Things in my life are drastically changing and it is going to take some time for me to adjust. I have faith that in the end things will be for the better, but it is just hard. I will post more later. But I will tell you now that I got a job…my first job! I trained as a Medical Transcriptionist a while back before the Houston move…and well with all the changes I HAD to get a job. It will be the evening shift. I will be working after my kids go to bed and late into the night, but it is M-F, no weekends so that is a plus. I will be working on the same accounts (also a plus). I don’t start until the 1st of Oct so I have a little time to brush up on my skills and get stuff in order.

In other news, I have a VERY BIG and EXCITING surprise…I will tell you more when it gets closer. I was so excited when I found out. I really needed the lift with all that has been happening here… SO STAY TUNED! A little hint…It is QUILT related :)

We have a WINNER

2010-09-06T14:49:00.001-05:00

I am so please to announce my giveaway winner because believe it or not it is going to someone I have been bloggy friends with for a while now.

Crystal Hendrix said...

I blogged about your giveaway!!

August 26, 2010 4:04 PM

Crystal I believe I still have your address, but could you send me an email with the information anyway?

I haven’t been able to reply to all the comments that were left, but I did read them all and enjoyed every one of them!

Thanks!

Another GO!

2010-08-30T09:02:00.001-05:00

Ryan of I am Just A Guy Who Quilts is giving away a GO!

http://www.ryanwalshquilts.com/2010/08/accuquilt-go-review-and-giveaway-were.html

My Weekend…

2010-08-29T19:26:00.001-05:00

Putting the BEE in Christmas block for Tracey…

Joseph’s Coat blocks for…

Colleen

Corey

Tracey

All in all I would say it was a pretty productive weekend. I still have one more block to make for Tracey for Putting the BEE in Christmas and also a block to make for Geri for the 1 Year, 12 Quilts Bee.

Another Chance to Win a GO!

2010-08-28T22:34:00.001-05:00

over at http://aquiltinglife.blogspot.com/2010/08/hexagons-and-go-giveaway.html

I’m having a Giveaway!

2010-08-26T12:54:00.002-05:00

It has officially been a year since my family and I uploaded everything and moved to Houston. For the most part it has been a good thing although we still miss the family and friends that we had to leave behind :(
Also, my DQS9 partner received her doll quilt this morning and loved it! I made 3 matching doll quilts. One for my DQS9 partner, one for me, and one to give away on my blog. I have been planning this from the beginning, but wanted my partner to receive her quilt before I started the giveaway. Today seems to be the perfect day to start!
I am working on the binding as we speak,but promise it will be finished by the time the drawing is over!
(sorry about the crappy picture…camera and lighting are not my friends today)
The signups will last until September 5th. There are 4 chances to win…
1-Leave a comment telling me about a favorite package that you received in swap or bee. Or a surprise that you have received in the mail.
2-Leave a comment telling me about a move that you have experienced…were you scared? Did it turn out well? Did you end up staying or moving back? If you have lived in the same place all your life leave a comment saying so.
3-Become a follower and then leave a comment letting me know. If you are already a follower let me know.
4-Post about my giveaway on your blog. Come back and comment with the link to the post.
That’s it. Sounds simple enough.
Good luck. I am excited to find this quilt a new home :)

DISCLAIMER: Please make sure that you have your email enabled in your profile OR leave your email in your comments. I have to have a way to get in touch with you if you win. If I draw your name and I can not reach you, then I will have to draw again.

Yet Another GO Giveaway!

2010-08-24T15:37:00.001-05:00

Head over to http://alamodefabric.blogspot.com/2010/08/give-way-time.html Heather is giving away a GO!!!

GIVEAWAY!!!

2010-08-24T11:51:00.001-05:00

GO check out Karrie’s giveaway…You could win yourself one of these.

A Little Sewing Today…

2010-08-22T16:23:00.001-05:00

But not as much as I had hope to accomplish. I woke up motivated, but then I lost it :(

I did manage to get this done.

Kendra’s block for Quilting Divas Bee. I really love how this one turned out and it will be hard for me to send it on!

Quilting Divas Group

2010-08-22T00:08:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago I was invited to join an 8 week mini bee called the Quilting Divas. This is such a fun group made up of some really talented ladies. I feel very fortunate that I get to be a part of it. For the past few weeks we have all been trying to decide on colors and blocks. Last Friday was the deadline for decisions. Since then the ladies have been posting pics of fabrics and ideas. There have even been a few finishes.
I wanted to share with you the blocks that have been posted that will become part of my quilt…
This one is from Jessica
This one is from Kelly
And this one is the one I made
This is one quilt I can not wait to put together!
(All photos were taken from the Quilting Divas Flickr group. The only photo that belongs to me is the one of the block I made.)

Friday Night Sew In Progress

2010-08-21T01:56:00.001-05:00

This is what I ended up with at the end of the night…

1 Block for the Quilting Divas Bee

1 Block for the Quilting Divas Bee. This block will be sent to Jessica. I really hope she likes it. I had some issues with my points this time. Not all of them but a few did not turn out all that well. I tried to secure them with a few extra stitches while still keeping them clean looking. Crossing my fingers that they don’t fray after washing…

I also completed the petals for Kendra’s block, but I don’t have her background fabric cut and I am getting tired so it will have to wait until tomorrow…

I will work on the others tomorrow after the Houston Modern Quilt Meeting. I haven’t been in a while and I am looking forward to it!

Friday Night Sew In

2010-08-20T23:03:00.001-05:00

I signed up for the Friday Night Sew In although I haven’t gotten much done. I am working right now to cut out pieces of fabric to make my Quilting Diva Bee Blocks. I wanted to get them all made tonight, but my car has been in the body shop all week and I didn’t get it back until 5 this evening. I had a ton of things I had to do this evening to get the kids ready for school. I didn’t get home until almost 10 pm. I will try to post a picture later tonight or tomorrow.

I’m So EXCITED!!

2010-08-18T16:02:00.001-05:00

My oldest son comes home this evening after spending the summer back home with his Best Friend working! I sure missed him!

Come on 8:00…

EQ and a little PURE

2010-08-17T13:22:00.001-05:00

I have been wanting to do a stack and whack type cross quilt for a while now but haven’t quite figured out what fabrics I wanted to use. Well today I was playing around in EQ6 and imported several of the new MODA fabric swatches. This is what I came up with…

I love the browns and blues in the PURE line, and with all the guys in my house I could use a more masculine colored quilt…of course it probably wouldn’t turn out exactly the same as this one, but it would be similar. I would want to make sure the colors are spread out a little better in the real quilt.

I have a charm pack that I would try to incorporate into the quilt. So it might have a few squares here and there with 2-4 small crosses. Then I could use what was left for the back. I would use 2 Layer Cakes for this project that I haven’t ordered yet. Wanted some opinions before I did…so what do you think??? Yes? No?

Goodie, Goodie, and More Goodies!

2010-08-07T15:11:00.001-05:00

This is what I had waiting for me in the mail today…

A few prints to add to my Hope Valley Collection…

Some Greens…

Some Black and Red…

Meadow Sweet 2…

Some Modern Meadow in Berry and Green…

And a little more Modern Meadow in Green and Blue…

I really wish I could have afforded to get full yards of each of these, but I could only get 1/4 yards at this time…oh well, I can always add. Finally I have something other than Jelly Rolls, Layer Cakes, and Charm Packs in my stash :)

Featured…

2010-08-07T00:16:00.001-05:00

One of my photos was featured on Sew Picture Perfect! Pretty exciting to see a photo of one of your project on someone else's site :)

More Bee Blocks

2010-08-06T14:31:00.001-05:00

I wanted to share more pics of blocks that have been made for my Putting the Bee in Christmas quilt…

The first set is from Natalia

They are fantastic!

The images are from Natialia’s Flickr account

Isn’t the siggy block adorable! I think I am loving the siggy blocks these girls are making as much as the quilt blocks!

These are from Amy

Photos from Amy’s Flickr Account

Amy made me 3 blocks because I had mentioned that I was going to use the left over fabric to make a few extra blocks. She is such a sweetie :)

Here is Kelly’s siggy block…

Photo from Kelly’s Flickr Account

Her blocks can be found in this post.

How I spent my day…

2010-08-06T00:15:00.001-05:00

I finished my quilt along top. I took this picture hanging over the banister looking down into the entry way where I have it laid out on the floor. I am really pleased with the way it turned out. I even have a few squares left over. I think I am going to make a mini postage stamp quilt with them and maybe add some type of appliqué to it to give it interest…just not sure what yet.

Week 5…

2010-08-03T11:50:00.001-05:00

of following my new schedule for my house. I worked hard to get every thing in order and to create a new schedule that would work with this house. I was too lazy to update when we moved (almost 1 year ago). The house is clean and in order and everything is staying that way. Even the kids are doing better!

I have mentioned before that I try to follow FlyLady’s system. I used to have a BIG bulky binder that I kept everything in (I still have it, but I don’t use it anymore). I decided when I redid the schedule that I would create my NEW Household Binder in Microsoft OneNote (anyone have this? If not you should get it). OneNote is like an electronic binder! I now have my Routines and everything else neatly organized on my computer! I just add notes to the calendar and print. I put a copy on my fridge for everyone to see.

This is a screen shot of my Daily Planner Page that I print for the fridge. This is the main page. On it I have everything. The calendar and all the appointments, daily and weekly routines, and birthdays and anniversaries for the month. I also have the Zone schedule.

Feels good to be organized again!

I won Again!

2010-08-02T18:22:00.001-05:00

Seriously, can you believe I won another giveaway? I almost fell out of my chair…not only did I win, but my name was drawn 1st out of 4 which means I had 1st choice in prizes! All the prizes were wonderful, but the main prize was a Verna Piece of Cake quilt. How could I NOT choose it? She emailed me saying she would put it in the mail on Friday! Thank you so much for such a generous giveaway Sherri!

Oh, I also forgot to mention that I won a $25 GC to Quilt This! too. I used it to purchase a Botany JR.

The last few weeks have been really good!

Disappointment, Surprises, & Progress

2010-07-31T14:30:00.001-05:00

I got an email last night form the Lady I was purchasing the quilt frame from. She informed me that she was returning my money because she offered it to someone else for more money…I hate people like that! At least I got my money back. Hubby wasn’t to happy about it either. We had already made arrangements to pick it up and he had rearranged his schedule to do so.

On a brighter note, he woke me up this morning and told me to get ready. He drove me to my LQS and bought me a brand new frame and said this is what we should have done in the first place! I love that man :) He is VERY good to me, better than I deserve!

The quilt frame is on backorder and will get here mid August. Bernina is making a few improvements to them. I can’t wait to get it!

Yesterday I worked on my Crazy Mom Quilt Along quilt. I will probably finish it up this weekend even though she hasn't posted the rest of the instructions. I studied the layout and know how to complete it. Here is what I have so far…

I have a white row that goes all the way around and another set that goes all the way around. Then there will be 2 more sets for the top and 2 more set for the bottom. I think I will back it with a sheet from Target (if the color matches). Not sure if I will have any squares left over. If I do I will probably piece them into the back or make a mini quilt with them.

Putting the Bee In Christmas

2010-07-30T13:36:00.001-05:00

My 1st blocks were posted today for my Putting the Bee in Christmas Bee quilt…

These were made by Kelly

I LOVE the way they turned out. Thanks Kelly.

Lucky Me!

2010-07-29T23:14:00.001-05:00

Seriously, I have had a stoke of luck this week. First I won 2 Dream On charm packs from Miss Print’s blogiversary giveaway.

Then I won a $25 gift certificate from Old Red Barn Co to the Fat Quarter Shop (2nd time I have won something from Dana).

Next, I got a heads up email about a Bernina quilt frame that was for sale at an unbelievable price…lets just say I am getting it for about 1/3 of what it originally costs! I get to pick it up next week (sick with excitement)!

Then this evening I was blogging and came across Linda’s post…she is purging some of her craft stuff. I commented on the Sew What Skirts book (I have been wanting) she emailed me and is sending it too me!

Yep, it has been a very lucky week :)

Funny, I am NEVER lucky. Makes me wonder if I am going to get struck by lightning or something…

A Little Sugar Anyone???

2010-07-29T12:07:00.001-05:00

Last night about 9:20 I decided it would be a good idea to have an ice-cream sundae making party. So Scott and I loaded everyone in the car and drove to the store to pick out the goodies (we don’t keep that kind of stuff at the house, if we did I would be as big as a house)! We got home and made the best sundaes ever! Parker was having a friend stay the night and we told him that we did this EVERY night. You should have seen how big that kids eyes go…he said you do??? Like he really considering moving in with us, LOL!

It was lots of fun, and we all had a little sugar high going on :)

This monster was mine…yummy!

A Good Day

2010-07-28T18:15:00.001-05:00

Considering the night I had, today turned out to be pretty good! I didn’t get any sleep last night which normally translates into me being cranky and blah, BUT today my quilting buddy came over for a sew day. We got a lot done. She brought her adorable little girl who even though the BIG age difference gets along quite well with my boys :)

Thanks for a fun day Amy!

We never take pics while she is here so I will just show you a picture of the progress I made on my quilt…

Swag Bucks

2010-07-27T16:30:00.000-05:00

Have you heard of Swag Bucks? I was introduced to Swag bucks about a month ago. You can earn Swag Bucks several ways. I downloaded the toolbar and use Swag bucks to search the internet. I have some of the pages I visit everyday saved a a search and click on it instead of the actual page. I earn daily buy voting in the daily poll. I also am Friends with Swag Bucks on FB and twitter. This way I am alerted of any CODES they have out to earn MORE Swag Bucks. I managed to ear 700 Swag Bucks this month not even trying. There are several other ways to earn that I haven’t even done. I will be trading my swag bucks for Amazon gift cards, Barns N Noble gift cards, and also cash deposites to my PayPal account! I mean come on…it is free money! I am not saying you are going to get rich by doing this, but every couple of months you can have enough points earned to buy some extra fabric or whatever else you might want or need. If you are interested click on the button below and sign up.

More productive???

2010-07-26T17:18:00.001-05:00

In an attempt to be more productive and spend less time on the computer I moved the computer out of my main room. It is now in the office/guest room right across from my sewing/dinning room. I am hoping to get my house in good order and get more sewing done :)

I am also going to try and get the rest of the boxes unpacked from the move almost 1 year ago (hanging my head in shame). I think we are all just living in this house like it is a temporary stop on the way to the next place. We have moved so many times that we stopped really trying to make any place home. Don’t get me wrong, we have done a few things, but I have kept myself from putting to much into this house to keep from getting emotionally involved. Seems like every time I get a place the way I want it and feel comfortable and at home we end up moving. I realize I can’t live feeling this way. So my goal is to make this house more than a house and start making it a home!

I managed to get the computer hooked up and the BOSE speakers hooked up to it. Now I can listen to music and the Bible all over the house :)

I also got the shelves and books cleaned and decluttered along with my sewing room. When hubby gets home he is going to take me to the store to purchase a few more storage containers so I can get better organized and have some more storage. I have SO MUCH stuff!

Anyway, wish me luck in keeping with my goals. I am going to need it!

New Challenge

2010-07-26T11:51:00.001-05:00

I joined a new challenge today. Head over to http://tallgrassprairiestudio.blogspot.com/2010/07/quilters-butt-and-improv-challenge.html and read about it and join the team!

Friday Night Sew In

2010-07-23T22:47:00.001-05:00

My first project

I finished my DQS9 quilt! I sewed the binding down this evening. Just 2 more to go :)

I also worked on the Crazy Mom Quilt A Long quilt. I wasn’t sure I was going to do this quilt, but my friend Amy R brought hers to my house to work on…I fell in love so I decided to do one in the same fabrics (Hunky Dory). She is waiting for me to catch up with her and then we are going to work on them together.

I have the 62 JR strips sewn into sets. I now have 31 sets ready to cut…

And the center of my block has been sewn…

I have several of the strips cut into their pieces, but haven’t taken a picture of that.

I have a disease…

2010-07-22T13:13:00.001-05:00

That compels me to buy fabric…tons and tons of it even though I have enough to make 1 quilt top a month for the next 2 to 3 years! No matter how hard I try or how much I try to control myself…I jut can’t! I am just waiting for the medical community to catch wind of my symptoms and label it with an official name. Maybe then they will come up with some kind of treatment for me…until then I will just have to continue to purchase fabric…What makes this worse is I seem to have too many enablers showing cute stuff whether it be quilts or fabric lines…so as any sick person will do, I am putting some of the blame on you! That’s right, you heard me…STOP making so many cute projects and posting pics! Stop posting pics of all the cute fabrics you find! Stop having such fabulous quilt alongs! Stop inviting me to participate in your fun groups!

Just kidding…don’t stop! I rather enjoy my sickness and with out you guys I would be lost!

Going to go sew and try and fight the urge to buy the cute Thimble blossoms pattern that Tracey posted

…and try not to purchase a LC of Bliss!

Natalia’s Blocks Finished

2010-07-17T18:11:00.001-05:00

based off of this tutorial

http://www.janssendesigns.com/2010/01/christmas-tree-table-runner-tutorial.html

This is why…

2010-07-17T15:41:00.001-05:00

I LOVE my mailman!!!

He is always delivering me such wonderful goodies! Of course I LOVE my hubby even more because he is the one that makes it ALL POSSIBLE!

New Website & Give A Way

2010-07-14T10:55:00.001-05:00

Head over to Pleasant Home where there is a great give away going on. She has started a wonderful new website featuring sewing related pictures. The new website is called Sew Picture Perfect.

Productive day…

2010-07-13T23:18:00.001-05:00

Today I managed to get 1 of Natalia’s blocks done. I have everything cut and ready to go fro the second one.

I also machine appliquéd all the petals down on all three of my mini Joseph’s Coat quilts. One of them is for the DSQ9. I originally planned to hand appliqué the blocks, but after giving it a try I decided I had bitten off more than I could chew. Hand appliqué isn’t really my cup of tea! I am happy with way it turned out. Now all I need to do is sandwich and quilt them.

Here is a close up of the stitching…

One more thing. Along with everything else I am doing, I decided to participate in the Bible in 90 Days reading plan again. I started a week ago Monday. I have managed to read/listen the required reading everyday. Please pray that I will be able to keep up with the assignments.

My Day

2010-07-05T20:43:00.001-05:00

I had a fun day shopping with my friend Amy R from allikatmom.com ! We went to the outlet mall close to her house. I got to see where she lives. She has been to my house a few times already so it was about time I made the drive to hers. Looking forward to getting together with her again.

On my way back from Amy’s I picked the boys up from the airport. We got home and I did a load of laundry so I could pack my bag for my trip to Austin.

I managed to get both of the BFF quilts finished. Her quilt has been labeled and wrapped. I can’t wait to give it to her. I wasn’t really in love with it until I pulled it out of the washer…It is PERFECT for her. My hubby likes it too and is happy I am switching mine with the NEPTUNE that I have on the bed. He just doesn’t care for NEPTUNE (strange man) but I love him anyway :)

Happy 1 Year to ME!

2010-07-04T23:25:00.000-05:00

It is my 1 year quilting (July1st) and my 1 year Luv2Kreate blogging anniversary (July 3rd). WOW how time flies. When I started blogging it was really just a way to keep a record of my projects and to be able to look back at my quilting journey. I never imagined that people would actually read it…I wasn’t even sure I would be able to keep up with a blog, but I am glad I did because I have met some great gals this past year!

I have finished 15 quilts. I have 3 tops that still need to be finished. I made 1 bag (not a God given talent). I have made countless Bee blocks, 3 mini quilts, and have 3 mini quilts in progress. That is a lot in 1 year!

Can’t wait to see what this next year brings :)

Haven’t decided yet, but I may have a little celebratory give away in the next day or two…we will just have to see :)

Best Hubby EVER!

2010-07-02T09:47:00.001-05:00

Wednesday, we got a last minute call from the kids Grammy asking if they wanted to visit for the Holiday weekend. I put them on a plane yesterday late afternoon (after all the delays due to hurricane Alex).

Yesterday afternoon while I was getting the kids ready for their trip hubby called saying he had a surprise…Ok 1 thing you may not know about me, I LOVE surprises when I don’t know one is coming, but HATE it when someone says I have a surprise for you and then I have to wait for it! On the other hand Hubby LOVES this. He likes to plan surprises for me (BIG and LITTLE) and then give me hints over days and sometimes weeks. He knows it drives me crazy and for some reason the game makes the surprise fun for him. We have been married for 7-1/2 years now and I have accepted this and play along for him :)

Anyway, he calls saying he has a surprise. He has booked a hotel room for Friday night then proceeds to give me a few hints. We played the guessing game through text messaging all afternoon (I have to admit it was kind of fun, but only because I knew I would have the answer soon). Last night (after I guessed the answer) he told me where we are going. NOW this is where the BEST HUBBY part comes in. He booked a room at the Westin Hotel connected to the Galleria and has planned 2 fun filled days of SHOPPING, eating, and relaxing!!! For the record hubby HATES (ok maybe hate is a strong word) shopping, but knows how much I LOVE it…isn’t he sweet??

I am off to pack and take the dog to be boarded! Have a great weekend…I know I am going to :)

BFF Quilt Update

2010-06-29T13:12:00.001-05:00

I was able to piece both mine and my BFF’s quilt tops yesterday…The 2nd one went a lot faster since I already had the 1st one done. I didn’t have to figure out placement and all that (because lets face it, that is usually the hardest part). There are a few subtle differences between the 2 quilts so I can tell them apart. Now I just need an idea for labels…this is where you come in! Please comment with a label idea (type, shape, and saying).

Not the best picture, but it is sort of hard to photo 2 quilts laying out on the floor in 1 shot! So it is what it is :)

Now comment with those label ideas!

Quilt for BFF

2010-06-28T08:30:00.000-05:00

I am working on a quilt for my BFF. She lives in Austin and since I moved to Houston I actually live close enough to visit her. Her Birthday is the 7th of July and I am driving up to spend a few days and celebrate with her! I am so excited it has been too long since we got to spend time together. We are going to have a wonderful time doing girly things…SPA DAY with massages, manicures, pedicures, and facials.

Here is a preview of what I am working on. I am making 1 for her and 1 for me (just alike)…

I purchased a sheet in the color of the dark taupe (it was as close as I could find without spending $50 backing the thing). I also decided to go that way because I am making 2. Hubby would have a heart attack if I asked for $100 to back the quilts al lat once :)

I think I am going to go to the LQS to and get the binding. I was thinking one of the reds…What do you think?

I had a very difficult time laying this quilt out. it took me about 4 hours arranging and rearranging. Finally I got to this point which I found somewhat pleasing.

QUESTION: Tell me what you use to back your quilts.

We have another TEEN in the house!

2010-06-27T15:46:00.001-05:00

Happy 13th Birthday Parker…

Seems like only yesterday that you were born! I will never forget holding your tiny little hand in the incubator. you were the smallest thing I had EVER seen (2 months premature). All that time spent in the hospital was worth EVERY SECOND! I would do it all again in a heart beat. You have brought me more joy than I could have ever imagined…I LOVE YOU!

I’m melting…..

2010-06-25T20:54:00.002-05:00

I am having a temporary (let's hope) melt down! Crossing my fingers that I am back to normal soon.

Joseph’s Coat #2

2010-06-23T21:00:00.000-05:00

This is what I spent my Wednesday afternoon doing…

I have #2 all ready to be hand sewn! I am not sure what I am going to do with this one. I may keep it and then make another to gift, OR I may gift this one and make another one for me :)

I LOVE MY MAILMAN

2010-06-23T18:00:00.000-05:00

Look at all the loveliness he delivered to me today!

1 Martinique LC

2 Martinique CPs

1 Fandango LC (SWOON)

1 Fresh Cottons JR

2 yards Fresh Cottons dots

1 Hunky Dory JR (too replace the one I used in DQS9)

3 Bars of my FAVORITE soap from Old Red Barn Co. (LOVE IT)

AND…

I am expecting one more LC of 12 Days of Christmas to be delivered soon :) (for Putting the BEE in Christmas)

DSQ9—Ready for hand work.

2010-06-23T10:00:00.000-05:00

I worked on my DQS9 quilt this evening while hubby and the kids watched baseball. I got all the petals sewn down and ready for sewing. I am so happy with the way it has turned out. When I am finished with this one I am going to make one for me and maybe even one for a dear blog friend who makes my online world so fun…It would make a great Christmas present for her I think ;)

I didn’t like how 2 of the bottom petals were placed (light and dark grays…didn’t flow right) so I switched them and I am much happier…don’t have a picture of that though…hubby is already in bed.

Now that I don’t have to worry about how this is going to turn out I can work on my Sew 2 Speak Bee blocks.

DQS9 Update

2010-06-22T21:00:00.001-05:00

I managed to get all my petals made this afternoon :)

When I finish this one I am going to make another one just for me :)

I LOVE IT (go figure).

Tuesday’s Goals

2010-06-22T11:08:00.001-05:00

I have decided to set some goals to accomplish today, and for some reason writing them and posting goals to my blog for the whole world (ok maybe not the WHOLE world) to see gives me the extra motivation I need to get things done. I guess I need to feel like I am accountable to someone :)

I usually have all my BEE blocks finished by this time every month but with the trip and having my niece here my machine hasn’t been turned on in about 3 weeks now (GASP). I really need to get caught up. Luckily I had the fabrics for 1 of my Bee Blocks early and got it mailed off before June even started so I guess I have 1 down already (feeling better already).

1. Sew 2 Speak (Flying Geese Blocks)

2. Make more pedals for DQS9 quilt.

3.Cut white DQS9 background if I have time.

I got the fabric for 1 Year, 12 Quilts in my mail box yesterday. I have an idea what I want to do with that GORGIOS fabric, but still want to give it a little more though.

I have to make a Block for the Round Robin too. I have the blocks, but I don’t have any BATICS to make them with so I will have to go shopping. That will have to wait until next week.

And although I shouldn’t I HAVE to go lounge by the pool for a bit to get my daily dose of Vitamin D!

I am going to leave you with a pic of my DQS9 progress. I decided to do turn under appliqué. Depending on time restraints I MAY make a extra mini quilt using the raw edge to add to my partner’s package.

DQS9 Start

2010-06-21T19:25:00.002-05:00

The Block has been drafted and the fabric has been chosen. I decided to go with Hunky Dory simply because I already have some in my stash. I am trying to use what I have...So partner I hope you will like it!

Right now I am aiming BIG. Depending on how smooth it goes I will do all 42 pedals. You never know, it may end up smaller.

I have also decided that this will be just a 1 sided quilt...I think I will be doing good to get the 1st side complete with all the hand work that needs to be done.

I am seriously considering a raw edge appliqué for this quilt or machine appliqué??? Opinions on that??? I think it would be a LOT easier...

I just don't want my partner to be disappointed with the final outcome.

I’ve done it again…

2010-06-21T12:22:00.001-05:00

I’ve gone and joined another Bee! I received an email this morning from TraceyJay asking if I wanted to join a Christmas Bee. Although I am already in my fill of bee’s this one really appealed to me. There will be 6 in the group each making 2 blocks each month. It will start in July. How fun is that? I already have a block layout and fabric decided on…this was easy for me. I now need to convince my hubby that I need some more fabric! Wish me luck :)

I’m so CRUSHING…

2010-06-15T19:34:00.001-05:00

On Dana’s (Old Red Barn Co.) Oatmeal Milk & Honey Soap! It is so creamy and refreshing. The sent is soft and clean. I AM IN LOVE! I have incredibly sensitive skin and usually have trouble with soaps, but not this soap. Stop on over and visit Dana and order some. You wont be disappointed. By the way she has other flavors too :)

I plan on buying some to give as gifts for Christmas and such.

CGQC—JUNE GOALS

2010-06-06T23:48:00.001-05:00

I have a lot going on this month so I am going to have a VERY MODIST list.

1. Finish pinwheels for the pinwheel sampler quilt.

That’s it 1 goal and if I accomplish that I will be happy!

DQS9

2010-06-06T22:54:00.001-05:00

I have been watching the Doll Quilt Swap Group on Flickr for some time now. There are so many beautiful creations. I have been wanting to join, but was a little afraid to try. I filled out the form at the very last minute and got an email yesterday letting me know that I am in!!! Whoo Hoo I am so excited. Now I just need to figure out how to make a Flickr mosaic of inspirations. Anyone know how to do that??

Tunnel Vision…

2010-06-04T12:35:00.001-05:00

Or something like it. I haven’t been able to focus on anything but my Pinwheel Blocks for the Pinwheel Sampler since I started them Last week. I decided to do 25 blocks instead of 16 and I have 22 of those finished! Only 3 more to go. The goal was to finish them before my BIG trip home, but unless I get them finished today (very doable if I get time to sew, see we are celebrating the last day of school here and my sewing time has been greatly compromised). You better believe I am going to do my best to get them done though :)

Here is what I have so far…

Give-A-Way Alert!

2010-06-02T22:59:00.001-05:00

Sugar Stitches is giving away a FQ Bundle of Heather Ross fabrics. Head over to http://sugarstitches.com/blog/?p=696 to check it out!

AccuQuilt Go Give-A-Way

2010-06-01T09:51:00.001-05:00

In case you haven’t heard, Barb of BEJEWELDED QUILTS is giving away an AccuQuilt Go. Head over to her blog to read all about the product (she LOVES it) and sign up for your chance to win. If you do please tell her that you heard about it from Rene @ Luv2Kreat!

Below is the link to the give-a-way. http://bejeweledquilts.blogspot.com/2010/05/accuquilt-go-giveaway-time-is-nowthe.html

May Finishes--CGQC

2010-05-29T10:37:00.001-05:00

Here are my finishes for May…
Round Robin Blocks – I did not get these to make

~~1 Year, 12 Quilts—8 point Stars~~
~~Sew 2 Speak—Spider Web Block~~

~~Add borders to Frolic~~
~~Ravishing In Red Bee Blocks~~

Start Pinwheel Sampler Blocks

There’s a New Ruler in Town

2010-05-24T17:17:00.001-05:00

I have been wanting to buy a new ruler for a while now. I have the EZ Jelly Roll Ruler that I LOVE, but it doesn’t work for everything. For one it doesn’t have the 1/8'” marks. I have several other rulers that I bought when I first decided to quilt, and really didn’t know the differences between different brands and such.

Yesterday while cutting my LC for my Pinwheel project I made 2 cutting mistakes on one fabric and made another mistake on a different fabric (not good when you only have 10” to work with…Luckily I had the same fabric in a 5” square to fall back on…Anyway, that was my BREAKING POINT! I just can’t see the markings on my old rulers. I am sure they are perfectly good rulers, but for me the ORANGE markings just DO NOT cut it!

Today I marched myself to Joann’s and bout myself the SIMPLI-EZ Ruler 6.5 x 12.5 I LOVE this thing. The marks are black and red (non of that orange crap I can’t see) and to top it off it actually has the marking written out for you :) NOW that is SMART!!! It is also a Lefty/Righty so you can turn it and flip it and still see what you are doing :)

I am going to be replacing ALL my rulers with the Simpli-EZ rulers and soon :)

Pinwheel Sampler

2010-05-23T00:38:00.003-05:00

Here is my 1st block from the PS I Quilt quilt along.

Just 24 more to go :)

Friday Night Sew-In

2010-05-22T09:49:00.001-05:00

I signed up to participate in the Friday Night Sew-In, but woke up Friday sick…I slept until mid-afternoon when hubby came home, and then checked emails for about 5 minutes, thought about sewing, felt like I was going to die, so ended up watching TV on the couch the rest of the night.

I plan on trying to get some Bee Blocks out of the way, and checking out what everyone else worked on last night.

HAPPY SATURDAY :)

Bloggers Quilt Festival

2010-05-21T15:33:00.001-05:00

It is time for the Bloggers Quilt Festival. This will be the 1st time for me to participate.

I chose this quilt to share because it is still my AL TIME FAVORTIE quilt. I love the colors, the feel, the size, EVERYTHING! It was also my 1st completed quilt.

Since making this quilt I have completed 11 other quilts, but this one will always have a special place in my heart :)

My Inquiring Mind Wants to Know…

2010-05-20T10:24:00.001-05:00

Do you make LARGE or SMALL quilts?

Do you make MINI quilts?

What other type of sewing do you do?

What do YOU do with all the quilts you make….

Do you KEEP them?

Do you GIFT them?

Do you SELL them?

Just curious :)

Friday Night Sew-In

2010-05-19T15:51:00.001-05:00

I will be participating in the Friday night Sew-In this Friday May 21st. If you want to join us go over to Handmade By Heidi and sign up.

This Friday I plan on either quilting my Frolic Bloom Quilt OR starting the Circle Around Quilt by Julie. I have a Martinique Layer Cake and some Kona Cotton Ivory all ready to go…

New Goodies :)

2010-05-19T15:46:00.001-05:00

Today I got my Schnibbles Times Two from Kelly @ Cotton Cham Quilts and I made a trip to Joann’s were I bought Liberated Quiltmaking II, EZ Circle Ruler, 8 yards of Kona Ivory, an 2 spools of thread in Ivory.

I haven’t accomplished much this month, and the only goal I have met for May is 1 of my Bee blocks and I managed to get the boarders on my Frolic Bloom quilt…just not feeling it for some reason. I am hoping to find some motivation soon so I can make the Circle Around Quilt by Julie @ Jaybirdquilts this Friday for the Friday Night Sew In.

PLEASE RETURN…

2010-05-18T12:18:00.001-05:00

My motivation if you have seen it!

Thanks,

Backyard Makeover

2010-05-13T15:15:00.001-05:00

Hubby and I have spent the last few days buying furniture and plants to makeover our backyard…

I now have my own little piece of paradise!

It’s Been a Good Day…

2010-05-09T20:58:00.001-05:00

I managed to add the borders to my Frolic Bloom quilt top this evening. I set the goal to at least add one of the boarders, but once I got started I couldn’t stop!

Now to get it ready for quilting :) That is my goal for tomorrow.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother’s Day, I had a pretty good one. My husband and children treated me like a queen. And I got a new charm to wear on my silver chain. I just LOVE sand dollars or anything else that has to do with the beach or ocean…

They even prepared my favorite meal of fresh scallops and shrimp on the grill, YUM!

Seeing RED

2010-05-05T20:08:00.001-05:00

I needed to join another group like I need a hole in my head…but I did. I joined another BEE!

I couldn’t resist. I LOVE RED, and here we have a WHOLE BEE completely dedicated to it. I have to admit I am most excited. Thank goodness my Month isn’t until April so I have plenty of time to start collecting some fabulous RED fabrics :)

I am not sure but they may be looking for 1 more member if anyone is interested.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/ravishing_in_red/

The list

2010-05-05T16:17:00.003-05:00

Ok, I finally got all my stash of pre-cuts and patterns organized. All the fabric has a print out of the project attached so I can just grab and start!
Here is the list…

WIPS
Two To Tango
Stacked Coins quilt
Circle of Geese (Neptune)—4 CP (Changed to HST Quilt)
Don't Look Now Flower wall Hanging
1 Year, 12 Quilts Bee Cross Quilt (waiting on 2 blocks)
HUGGS XXXXX Scrap Quilt
3 Mini’s finish binding
Frolic BLOOM

TO-DO HAVE FABRIC FOR
Simply-a-Bloom (Simple Abundance Jelly Roll & Charm Pack)
Sweet Menagerie--Hushabye
I Love Brown quilt
Verna Pinwheels-MBS (2 CP)
Mill House Inn Scruffy (LC & CP)
Recess Irish Chain 9 Patch (JR)
Blush Easiest JR Quilt Ever (JR)
Blush D9Patch (CP)
Blush PS I Quilt Pinwheel Sampler (LC & CP)
Make Life…(JR) strips
Make Life…GO Round (LC) circles
Make Life…(2 CP) triangles
Mill House Inn Giant Log Cabin (LC & HB) Quilts N More
Mill House Inn Charm Friendly (3 CP)
Oz Circle Round (LC) Quilts N More
Whimsy Square (LC) MBS
Hello Betty Charm Quilt (LC)
Verna Jelly Filled (JR)
Jungle Jane (Frolic LC)
Window Boxes (Frolic LC)
Tying the Knot (Hunky Dory LC)
Candy Bar Road (Sorbet LC & JR)
Patchwork Rendezvous (Verna LC & JR)
Simple Abundance Piece of Cake (LC)
Love U Baby Charm Quilt (CP)
Welcome Spring MBS (Hunky Dory JR)
Whimsy JR Strip Quilt
Ava Charm Quilt (Objects of Desire JR)
Flag Quilt (kit)
Modern Chain (FQ collection)

TO-DO NEED FABRIC
Watermelon & Shoofly-Love of Quilting (yrds)
Whirly Gig Quilt Along with CJ (LC)

I have a couple of patterns coming in so I will have an excuse to buy some new fabric soon!

Organizing

2010-05-03T15:14:00.001-05:00

Today I spent the afternoon organizing my stash of patterns and Precuts. I have a really bad habit of purchasing precuts with a specific idea in mind and then forgetting. OR buying a pattern with a certain precut in mind and then forgetting. So today I decided to do something about it.

I slipped the pattern or a printout of the picture into the plastic of the Layer Cakes and Charm Packs…

I slipped pieces of paper with the name of the pattern I was going to use with the Jelly Rolls…

I added a print out of the pic for some of the Jelly Rolls…

I even printed out all the tutorials and inspiration quilts I had been saving for so long and added them to binders for easy access…

Feels good. Now I know which fabric is called for and which fabric is not :)

May Goals-CGQC

2010-05-01T16:53:00.001-05:00

It is that time again, the time to list my goals for the month.

Round Robin Blocks

1 Year, 12 Quilts Bee—(2) 8 point Stars

Sew 2 Speak Bee—Spider Web Block

Quilt and bind Frolic

Start Rachel’s Pinwheel Sampler Quilt in BLUSH

Tying the Knot Quilt Pattern in Hunky Dory

I think that is a pretty good list…

What do we have here?

2010-04-28T16:05:00.001-05:00

A quilt top…

Ok, I’ll admit that it still needs borders, but still! My backing fabric shipped this morning so it should be here sometime tomorrow (I think). I will put the borders on later today or tomorrow morning while I am ~~stalking~~ waiting for the mail man. I am hoping to have it quilted by Friday night so I can add it to my finishes for April.

Want to know something funny?? The whole time I have been putting this top together I have been craving eggs! The shapes remind me of eggs sunny side up. Hubby thought I was insane, but hey I see it! If that white one in the center had a yellow circle it would look JUST LIKE A FRIED EGG :)

Back when I knew it ALL

2010-04-28T11:23:00.003-05:00

Up until recently (VERY RECENTLY) my youngest son Parker (he is 12 now, will be 13 in June) would end just about every sentence he said with “Right Mom”. I have noticed here lately that he hasn’t been doing that, so last night I asked him why he doesn’t say it any more…Want to know what he said???
PARKER: “I used to think you knew EVERYTHING, now I realized you DON’T know as much as I thought you did”
ME: “Your right Parker, I don’t know everything and I am glad that you are becoming your own person. You have grown up so much”
ME: (On the inside) THANKS…WHAAAAAAAAA!!!!
I miss my baby and being the center of his world :(
Parker when he was 6

Parker now

Going in Circles

2010-04-27T13:30:00.000-05:00

I am making good progress on my Frolic Quilt. I have half of the top completely finished. I am going to be working on the other half here in a minute. It is really turning out CUTE.

My 1st circle…not bad

My 1st flower…could use some improvement.

2nd flower…much better!

Love the dots!

1/2 finished!

This was my first time machine appliquéing. I almost let that fact keep me from making this quilt. I am so HAPPY that I didn’t! Appliqué isn’t that hard if you just slow down and watch what you are doing :)

I need to order my backing fabric this evening. Hopefully I will have this quilt completed in time to add to my April finishes.

Puppy Love

2010-04-27T13:07:00.002-05:00

Kody has me wrapped around his little paw…how could I resist his cute little face?? I LOVE my pup :)

Have you Heard???

2010-04-26T15:06:00.001-05:00

EQ7 is coming out on June 7, 2010

I for one can not wait!

Google Reader Users

2010-04-26T14:00:00.000-05:00

I use Google Reader to read all my subscriptions and Blogs I follow. I HATE logging into Reader so one day I was looking around for an easier way and found out how to add a SUBSCRIPTION button and NEXT button to my browsers shortcut bar (I use Firefox but have used this in Chrome and IE too). It makes reading all the blogs you follow so much easier. It also makes it easier to subscribe to a blog.

To do this you need to log into Reader. Up at the top left you will see something like this…

reneboyd@luv2kreate.com | Settings ▼ | Help | Sign out

Choose “SETTINGS” This will give you a drop down menu. You want to choose “READER SETTINGS”. Which will bring up a page with the following tabs…

Preferences Subscriptions Folders and Tags Goodies Import/Export Send To

You want to choose “GOODIES”

Read the info and it will tell you EXACTLY what to do.

If you decide to use this let me know how you like it! I couldn’t live with out these shortcuts now!

Productive Day!

2010-04-25T21:33:00.001-05:00

Such a LOVELY pile of scraps…

This is what the quilt looks like as of now…I need to go to Joann’s tomorrow to get thread to appliqué the circles.

I am doing my quilt just a little different than Natalia did hers. I am adding 1/2 circles to the 1/2 blocks on the outer edge. I Liked the way it looked and I wanted to use ALL the charm squares. I still have to finish cutting out petals for some of the blocks, but that won’t take long. I will probably get that done before I head to bed.

This quilt is really fun to make. It is coming along nicely. The most difficult thing was cutting out all the circles, which wasn’t hard at all just took time with all the starching and cutting (I used Natalia’s starch appliqué tutorial—LOVED IT by the way). I probably could have gotten them done faster, but I wasn’t in a BIG hurry.

EDITED:

I have all the petals cut out. I decided to add pedals to ALL the blocks that used a solid print. Natalia only did a few of them. I didn’t want my quilt to be EXACTLY the same. Plus I am leaving off the appliqué words at the bottom too.

I got a lot done so I am heading to bed…will work on it some more tomorrow after the trip to Joann’s.

Couldn’t Help Myself…

2010-04-25T13:30:00.002-05:00

I feel like I accomplished a lot this month so I planned on taking a little break before starting another project, BUT I couldn’t help myself. I got my sewing area all cleaned up from my other project and set the Frolic Bloom Quilt supplies out so they would be ready when I decided to start it…They just looked so exciting and fun so I decided to go a head and get started. I am going to try and not be in a BIG hurry to get it finished (yea right).
I have the Layer Cake pieces all cut in half and ready for the next step.

I really love all the bight happy colors in this line. The piece on top might be my favorite…but there isn’t one piece in this collection that I don’t LOVE! I can’t wait to cuddle up under this fun quilt! Hopefully my appliqué will turn out OK. That is my only worry :(
Thanks Natalia for such a wonderful tutorial. You are such an inspiration!

UPDATE:
Pieces cut…
We have a layout…
Mental Note: I really have to find something to do with the scrap triangles…
Any ideas???

CGQC—APRIL FINISHES

2010-04-24T19:36:00.001-05:00

April Goals
~~Recess Charm Quilt~~
Frolic Quilt
~~Sew 2 Speak Block~~
~~1 Year, 12 Quilts Block~~
~~Round Robin Block~~
~~Hubby's B-Day Quilt~~

I managed to get everything done on my list EXCEPT the Frolic Quilt. In my defense I added hubby’s B-Day Quilt. It was not part of the original plan for April, but I decided that is would be best to go ahead and get it done because you never know what obstacles you will be presented with. I also added some scrap blocks to the list…just for fun. I may or may not start the Frolic Quilt this month. I may wait a while. I have SEVERAL new patterns and fabrics I would like to PLAY with :)

I did not get pictures of my SEW 2 SPEAK blocks or my ROUND ROBIN blocks…but I assure you they are done…

All in all a good month. I managed to finish 2 complete quilts!

Two More Down!

2010-04-24T16:29:00.001-05:00

I am officially finished with the Recess (mother’s day for Nanny) Quilt and the B-day (for hubby) Quilt. I don’t have them labeled, but I am still trying to decide how I want to do that and what I want them to say. Anyway, here they are…

Not exactly the best pics, but I don’t have many places to hang them to get good outside pics…plan on practicing to get better ones.

I am so happy with the way the quilting turned out on hubby’s quilt. It was my second time to stipple. For those of you who have been reading my blog will probably remember my 1st attempt to stipple (the valentine quilt). The machine ended up getting put in the shop for several weeks :( While it was there they tuned several things, and also upgraded my BSR foot to a heavier spring and washer…WOW is all I can say. NO MORE skipped stitches. I worked beautifully! I was able to keep my stippling uniform this time to :) I can not wait to give this to hubby!

I am just as pleased with the way the Recess quilt turned out. I love the way I chose to quilt it. I really think my Nanny is going to LOVE it!

He’s Back…

2010-04-22T16:07:00.001-05:00

And all is right in my world!

Great Mail Day…

2010-04-22T15:35:00.001-05:00

I have had the best mail day! I will let the photos speak for themselves :)

I am smiling from ear to ear!

What is Wrong with this Picture???

2010-04-22T15:31:00.001-05:00

Can anyone tell me what is wrong with these pictures??? BESIDES the quality???

If you guessed Kody is missing then you are right (that last shot probably gave it away).

Kody had his grooming appointment today. I dropped him off at 8:50 this morning and he is still not back…I miss him when he is gone…HATE grooming day!

LOVIN IT!

2010-04-22T15:25:00.001-05:00

Sometimes in the blogging world you get lucky enough to find someone that you develop a friendship with. I still find it funny that I can consider myself a friend of someone I have never actually met! One such person for me is Crystal. I don’t remember how I first came across her blog, but I was instantly draw to it. He photos and stories about her 3 little boys often brought back memories of my own 3 boys. Like me she is the only “female” in a house full of “males”. Through her blog I have come to know Crystal as a kind, generous, faithful, amazing woman and a VERY dedicated mom.

Recently Crystal had a little Name My Quilt contest on her blog. The prize was a mini quilt she had made. I am the lucky winner of that quilt and it came in the mail today…I just LOVE IT! It is soft and beautiful.

Thank you Crystal!

Even the envelop it came in was sweetly decorated…

Inside was a sweet note from Crystal thanking me for helping her name her quilt. She also told me that this is the first quilt she’s made that has gone to someone OTHER than a family member. She also pointed out that it didn’t have a label, but what she doesn’t know is it doesn’t need one. This is the 1st quilt that I have received from a friend and every time I see it I will think of my new friend :)

I have another online friend that informed me that I needed to start photographing my quilts in my backyard…So CJ I experimented with these photos just for you!!

It’s a Safe Bet…

2010-04-22T12:49:00.001-05:00

That I WILL NOT be putting on my swimsuit this weekend! Every now and then (thankfully not too often) I have a day where I just eat EVERYTHING in site…today would be one of those days.

So far I have finished off the rest of the Wheat Thins tomato and basil crackers, Drank 2 DP’s, Had 2 bowels of Captain Crunch cereal (yummy), One fudgesicle (or was it 2??), and 2 things of Easy Mac…AND it is ONLY 12:30! I can’t seem to shake the idea of making homemade chocolate chip cookies either…

Guess the swimsuit will just have to wait until next week :(

I HOPE IT RAINS!

One More Give Away!

2010-04-21T18:12:00.001-05:00

Sunflower Quilts is Celebrating 300 posts…you know what that means…one GREAT give away! Head on over and check it out.