A Finished Christmas Order

Merry (late) Christmas! 

I am posting this a bit late but time has gotten away from me. I have been busily sewing and spending some wonderful quality time with my husband and family.

Quick warning: This is a picture heavy post! 

A lovely friend at work asked me to create some gifts for her for family members. I posted about them originally here. I didn't actually finish them all up until Monday afternoon. Yep, it took me a month to finish the six pieces. In my defense I was quite busy at work and also had to travel to Illinois for my sister-in-law's Ph.D. graduation.

Here are the pictures of the finished products! You can find the patterns in my previous post here.

Christmas Pincushion Swap

I've tried to work on my friend Lily's order that I started during Thanksgiving break. However I also needed to finish up my pincushion for the SewCanShe Christmas Pincushion Swap!!!

It's been a lot of fun looking at what everyone has created for the swap. I haven't yet received my pincushion yet from my swap buddy. This swap is a bit different. The person I'm sending my pincushion to isn't sending me one. Instead someone else is. It's a great big circle of people trading!

I decided to create another book pincushion like I did here. I did change it up in three ways:

1. Christmas colors!!!! 
2. Used interfacing instead of cardboard for the cover. 
3. Added a little place to put sewing needles. 

WIP Wednesday -- A Christmas Order

Happy Thanksgiving, Y'all! 

I'll be spending my Thanksgiving Day enjoying yummy food prepared by my lovely parents-in-law with my husband and my sister-in-law. Gotta say I love going to their house when Pop's homemade biscuits are involved! YUM!

**Side Note: My niece calls my parents-in-law Pop-Pop and Lemon. No idea how my mother-in-law was dubbed Lemon because she is no way a sour-puss! Evidently it has something to do with Strawberry Shortcake! That's the logic of a four-year-old! My mother-in-law loves it though and has actually signed cards to us with her new name!

Currently this is my design wall:

WIP Wednesday

Current Project

Lately I've been working on English Paper Piecing making little hexagon after hexagon.

I have a number of them made up. I've actually lost count at this point! Though I may have close to 1000 made up at this point.That being said, I actually need to start connecting the pieces to actually create something! I think I will aim for a lap quilt unless I keep sewing the hexies!

I greatly enjoy the process of creating each little hexagon. It is a very relaxing task for me to do in the evenings while enjoying television shows with my husband. So I have a feeling I'll continue the process of sewing each hexagon and make more projects in the future.

WIP Wednesday: Spinning Spool Sewing Machine Cover

The Classic Block at SewCanShe this month was the Spinning Spool block. I decided that this would be a perfect block to use as the front of a sewing machine cover.

Just a little background... My sewing machine lives on my desk. It generally never goes in its hard case. I made a very simple cover (think a pillow case-like) for it but have completely lost it since then. I decided a couple of weeks ago that I seriously needed to make it cover when I found Marcus, kitty, sleeping with his head on my extension table. Cute, yes. Good for lint/cat hair build-up, no.

To begin I made a cute 12 inch spinning spool block with an adorable chevron and matching solids. I'm so glad that my want of a cover and this month's block matched up so well!

pretty spinning spools with border

Quilted Witch Wall Hanging

A couple of weeks ago I made myself a quilted pillow cover (16 inches square) to use in my office for Halloween. Here's a picture of it:

Pretty pillow!

I used the free pattern from Craftsy that can be found here. It's called the Trick or Treat Sue. I completely love it! Though I do wish I had added in a darker color or two in the borders to balance out the little witch.

After sharing this little pillow with my friends, my wonderful friend Cat of Coffee Cat Creations asked me to create a wall hanging for her with the pattern but with purple fabric accents. For her, I was up to challenge. Of course, the offer of a little financial compensation didn't hurt either!

A teaser pic that I posted on Instagram!

I'm totally in love with how it turned out. I seriously considered keeping it for myself and making her a different one. In the end, I knew I had to give it to her!

Getting Involved and Discoveries

I would love to get more involved with people who quilt. While I am very lucky to have a great friend that hosts weekly Craft and Chat meetings, all of the attendees (our friends) do not quilt. While that means everyone at these meetings are impressed with my creations, I don't have any one to really bounce ideas off of.

Thus, yesterday I began looking for local guilds that I could possibly join as well as some online options. My biggest problem lies in where I live which is a small town situated midway between two larger cities (an hour away in each direction). Plus I work 40+ hours a week so I don't have a lot of free time.

There are guilds in these *not too far away* cities; they meet during the week. Thus I would be driving at least two hours full trip for a meeting that last 1 to 2 hours. While that may sound doable I don't know if my pocketbook (or the hubby) would like that!

But I also found a guild in the same town that my husband's parents live. PLUS their meetings are on Saturdays! Thus we could visit his parents AND I could go to a meeting! Right now I think we are going to go to their November meeting (just missed the October one!).

Thoughtful Thursday

On Thursdays, I will post a few of things that I have been thinking about. This includes projects that I thinking of creating, thoughts about life and family and just general get-it-out-there-and-out-of-my-head ramblings.

I am....

 ...happy that I had time today to work on the math for my table tiles quilt as part of the quilt along at abyquilts. Of course, I cannot just follow the rules! So I'm changing it up a bit by turning the quilt into a baby quilt. 

.... behind on the quilt along a little and am still cutting out the little blocks. I think about to the halfway point of the cutting. Haven't even started sewing the blocks together! 

Being Honest

Wow... Super bad blogger here! It's been 3 weeks since I last posted! Y'all... that's not good!

I keep saying that I'm going to post more often and then I just don't. I could blame it on everything... don't have a designated computer area, too busy with work stuff, too tired to sew, etc.

But plain and simple, I haven't made it a priority.

Do I need to? Yes. Why? For me.

For those who actually come back to read this blog of mine.

While I am not the best blogger or understand all of the features that I can use on Blogger, I do know how to check out my stats and see the number of visits I get in one day. And in the last few weeks, at least one person is on my blog. You have no idea how that feels unless you also blog. Some days you think no one is reading and no one cares what you say. And maybe that's true. But why does anyone start a blog:

To share, to connect, to put themselves out there and say "Hey, look at what I made! It might not be the BEST but it's MINE!"

 What I'm Going to Do...

I'm going to try to post at least twice a week: Wednesday and Friday. That way I can continue to participate in the link-ups that I so enjoy. It allows me to do exactly what I wanted this blog to do. To connect me to people who love what I love: sewing, creating, making.

Guess I better get writing!

Business Birthday Gift

It's Finished!

I have a wonderful friend that I met in graduate school. She is wonderfully kind and thoughtful. On top of that she is a wonderfully talented jewelry artist. Her business, Coffee Cat Creations, was officially created on August 31 of 2011. Thus, for her business "birthday" I made a one-of-a-kind business-inspired tote bag!

I used the tutorial here for the measurements. I changed it up by making the pockets from paper pieced blocks from the Block Central website. Pointedly I use the mug and the heart cat (but didn't piece in the heart). Also, her absolutely favorite color is purple which is why so much purple is included. Plus she uses pink and purple in her logo so I tried to mirror the colors.

The Coffee Cat Creations logo

Hello, Out There!

Wow! It's been nearly a month to the day since the last time I was active on this blog. Amazingly my stats bar shows that people are still checking in and seeing what I've been up to. Or rather what I haven't been up to!

I could offer excuse after excuse but it comes down to poor time management and a priority list. My sanity went to the top of that list and this blog dropped to the bottom. This is such a new project for me that it is easy to drop it to keep the basics on top, such as laundry, food, and going to work!

This semester like last fall, I am teaching one class during my normal full-time job plus teaching at a community college. Thankfully that only puts me at teaching two courses. While at times I almost wish I could drop my evening class, I know that I cannot as I do enjoy teaching and keeping up to date with those skills. In addition, it gives me money pocket money for fabric and things! (You know, like groceries!)

WIP Wednesday - Variable Star Block

Hello, all!

Today I have a simple work-in-progress that I hope will be a FINISH very soon! Maybe even in time to post this Friday?? That might be pushing it! :)

I created a variable star within a variable star using the instructions at SewCanShe. She gives you the instructions and measurements for the first two rounds. I used the BlockFab app on the iPad to find my final measurements. (Thanks, SewCanShe, for the link!)

I wasn't sure how much I would like the app but now that I am using it I love it! It is super helpful plus combined with SewCanShe's awesome instructions I feel ready to do all the blocks on the app!

Any way, here's my block in progress currently:

 

Variable Star with no border

Hand Quilted Tote Bags

I am so excited to be sharing these two tote bags with you!

The first I gave a sneak peek  a week ago. Now that I've finished the other tote bag I'm ready to share!

Happy Animal Tote

So here's more photos of the first:

Large scale view

Close view of hand quilting

Thoughtful Thursday

On Thursdays, I will post a few of things that I have been thinking about. This includes projects that I thinking of creating, thoughts about life and family and just general get-it-out-there-and-out-of-my-head ramblings.

I am....

 ...hopeful that I will have another productive weekend of sewing and creating. My list of things to make keeps getting longer every day! Darn Pinterest! Those pins just keep building up! But at least Pinterest lets you keep things saved in one spot versus a gazillion and one bookmarks on your computer.

 ... trying to remember these words above. I tend to forget the "encourage someone" part of this message and I think it is just as important as being a blessing to others. But encouraging you also are a blessing. 

.... excited to be sharing a finished product in tomorrow's post. Early peek: it's a tote bag! And I've decided to actually keep it for me as I love all of the colors and the design. Happy girl here! 

... completely not ready for the fall term to start. I have not started planning my classes at all! Thankfully I am only teaching two sections but one starts week after next and the other after that. I do have at least one week to start prepping! I always seem to wait to the last minute to get my lesson plans together. Thankfully college students are a little more forgiving on missing plans! 

... really ready to get back in my sewing room and make some more things. I have some very pretty things to create! 

WIP Wednesday - Modern Coin Quilt

On Saturday I was in the mood to sew. You know just had to make something! So what's a girl to do? I pulled out all of my precuts to take a look at what I could make. Here's what I dug out:

My stack of precuts and other pretties.

So using what I already had, I decided to make coin quilt similar to this one. However, I did not have quite as many pieces to work with. In fact I had 30 blocks at 6"x6" and nothing in my stash to make more squares up. These fabrics are definitely outside the norm of what I purchase but I got them last summer (!) at a good deal.

Time for Tasks Tuesday

Happy Tuesday! 

 I've gotten a couple of projects done this weekend. I was also successful in getting some new projects started and some others planned! I'm super happy about this development in my sewing room since I've been having some trouble getting the creative juices flowing.

I've also started to use my planners for both work and home planning. There are still some kinks but at least I've actually started to use them! I've actually filled in a number of spots for planning some future blog posts plus tracking link-ups and giveaways on others' sites! 

I have just about given up hope on getting a quilt made up using Amanda Jean's quilt along. I may eventually get around to making a quilt in the rail fence pattern. But I don't know if I'll get a chance to submit it to Margaret's Hope Chest.

Other than the projects that I have already started or planned, I am going to sew up a variable star as part of SewCanShe's classic block. I'm not sure what dimensions I'll make the block up. I think I'd like to turn it into a large throw quilt or a pretty quilted tote bag. I love the idea of the star within the star. I already have ideas on how to quilt it!

What plans do you have in the works?

Thoughtful Thursday

On Thursdays, I will post a few of things that I have been thinking about. This includes projects that I thinking of creating, thoughts about life and family and just general get-it-out-there-and-out-of-my-head ramblings.

I am....

 ... finally starting to use Bloglovin'. I have been using Netvibes to follow my favorite blogs but it seems like most bloggers use this platform. So I wanted to try it out! Now to find the time to actually get to ready the posts that I want to read!

... excited to read some of the old posts in two blogs that I stumbled across. I'll share them soon. And hopefully share some of the projects that I found there! I have been posting them to one of my Pinterest boards. I didn't realize how many pins are actually on there and I'm at over 100 on just that board! I just hope I'll have time at some point to make some of the lovely quilts that I admire! 

Love these lyrics! I found this sign here.

Time for Tasks Tuesday

Whoop-whoop! Finally finished one project!

Instagram Picture! Bad quality, I know!

This is the orphan block that I had left after making my June Classic Block for SewCanShe.

I'll share what I did soon!

I do still have one other hand quilted front piece to turn into a tote. I love the colors of it and it will be a wonderfully large bag! Can't wait to finish working on it!

I am still working with my planner and figuring out how to make it all functional for me. But I am using it! That's the important part. Now to figure out the merging of home life/work life/teaching life/blogging life/crafting life! Yeah... not so great on that front!

I'm hoping to make a baby quilt out of my (lonely) sailboat block. There is only two thing holding me back:

1. A big enough scrap for the ocean and hull for a 24" block
2. The negative space between the pieced blocks

The design is in my head and my "design" book but I'm not ready to share! Sorry!

Here's hoping that I get a chance to post!

Thoughtful Thursday

On Thursdays, I will post a few of things that I have been thinking about. This includes projects that I thinking of creating, thoughts about life and family and just general get-it-out-there-and-out-of-my-head ramblings.

I am....

 ... almost done with my new and improved planner/home management binder! I think that I will end up needing to actually keep two planners. One for my job and another for home. There's just too much home stuff for it not to have its own place but I don't want to be packing my work planner back and forth. Thus once a week I'll do a cross check!

... looking forward to sharing some of my favorite quotes each week with you! I realized that this post generally doesn't have images and I really don't like that look! Sorry just being honest. So here is today's:

Found this via according-to-Kelly.com.
Please note that this is available here for purchase. I'm assuming that Kelly posted the image once she purchased it.
I am sharing the one that she shared on her site and I linked back to. Hope this keeps the copyright police away!

I love this quote! Sometimes I think we get caught up in wanting something else or something more and forget to be thankful for what we have. I was reminded of this early this morning when I read today's post at the Happy Home Fairy. I love this lady's blog and her heart. So when I saw this image in my Pinterest board I knew I needed to share it!

Time for Tasks Tuesday

This weekend was nearly a total bust on sewing.

I was able to finish up my Sailboat Block for SewCanShe. I made only the 12 inch finished block. I have a great idea on making it into a baby blanket. I'll either put it up for a later gift or gift it to my sister's sister-in-law. (Don't forget I'm in the South; this is how we roll! Just wait until I get four or five contacts down!) I'll post my finish later. I know I want to make the 24 inch finished block also.

My Planner and Home Management Binder - The Planning

Lately I've been having trouble keeping on task and getting things done. Simply put, I haven't been as organized as I need to be. I have a planner that I keep on my desk at work.

And yes this is what the corner of my desk looks like ALL the TIME! I am a bit of a mess!

However, I don't use it as much as I should or could. Another problem I have is it just feels bulky. Nor do I feel I can fit what I need in a planner and home management notebook into this small book. Thus, my search online for a different product.

Thoughtful Thursday

On Thursdays, I will post a few of things that I have been thinking about. This includes projects that I thinking of creating, thoughts about life and family and just general get-it-out-there-and-out-of-my-head ramblings.

I am....

 ...hoping to finish up two totes that I have started. I have hand-quilted two fronts over the last couple of weeks. I'm not sure what I will do with them when I finish but they kept me quite busy! 

... still struggling on how to get organized using a planner and home management binder. Really want to have something in place before next week but not sure how I'm going to do it! 

Time for Tasks Tuesdays

Wow, it has been entire week since I've posted anything. I evidently am getting worse at this posting weekly thing!

I have actually noticed in the last few weeks that a lot of things have been slipping away from me. I thought I had a good planner and time management system in place but do not evidently. Thus, I am currently on the hunt for a new planner and management system.

However, it has to be more than just calendar. I want to be able to do meal planning and blog scheduling there. Plus plan and make notes on my Project Life album that I am so far behind on. Plus make notes on projects that will ultimately make it to the blog! And a chore system because my current one of clean it when I can't stand it isn't really working!

Time for Tasks Tuesday

Hi, all!

I spent my weekend majorly busy with massive decluttering and just general cleaning. Not much crafting at all going on here. Unless you count sorting through craft supplies!

I am still working on some hand quilted items that I plan to turn into tote bags. However, my hubby has mentioned that one of them might be more fun as a wall hanging. Really surprised me that he suggested it! :) I'll post these once I actually turn the blocks into the totes!

Selfish Sewing - Pincushion

I generally never sew for myself. I usually make gifts for my niece or nephews, gifts for new babies, or just general fun.

So far this year, I have made myself TWO things! This is huge for me! :) If you count this blog then I've made myself THREE!!

First thing I made was a wall hanging that you can see in my header. I used some free paper piecing patterns to make it. I'll find it and post about that another time.

Now for the thing I made over the weekend. (You know, when I was supposed to be doing a fabric pull, cutting and piecing a quilt for Amanda Jean's Quilt Along?)

Okay, it is so CUTE!!!

Time for Task Tuesday

Today is the day that I recount all of the things that I have done and accomplish! Making myself seem so fancy and accomplished. HA! That just didn't happen! (And doesn't most of the time!)

I have completed one of the three goals that I set for myself here for the summer. The Classic Blocks for June are long done. Of course this means that the July block will be released soon. I'll share once I find out what it is. I believe I use the block to make a baby quilt to put in my "stash" in case I need a quick gift in the future.

Thoughtful Thursday

On Thursdays, I will post a few of things that I have been thinking about. This includes projects that I thinking of creating, thoughts about life and family and just general get-it-out-there-and-out-of-my-head ramblings.

I am....

 ... excited that it is THURSDAY! That means tomorrow is day 1 of our weekend adventure! I am beyond excited and so happy that we are able to go! Now fingers crossed on good weather!

So what our car (for two people!) will look like!

... happy I have some hand quilting ready for the car. I plan to hand-quilt a couple of fronts for tote bags. I may possibly try to sell them on either Etsy or eBay or just locally on Facebook. Of course, I'll post them here first! :)

Time for Task Tuesday

Okay, technically, it is still Monday.

However, I have a feeling I am going to be a bit out of it tomorrow so I figure I would do this early so I still did the post at least!

Tomorrow morning I am having what should be a simple procedure to determine why I have been having pain in my abdomen and side. They have ruled out gall bladder so they are moving on to other likely suspects. I am starting to think that I may have an ulcer of some type due to the stress that I have been under with my personal life and work. I don't know if I am more nervous that they will find something tomorrow or that they won't!

In the meantime, I am done with my June Classic Blocks! Go here to see the finish. I gave it to the grandmother-to-be this morning to pass on to the mommy! I'm hoping that the mommy likes it!

Happy Baby Animals

A co-worker down the hall from me will soon welcome her first grandchild, a little boy.

I wanted to make the mommy-to-be a sweet quilt and thought knocking out two projects at one time was perfect!

Thus, the Classic Blocks of nine patch and snowball joined forces to make this:

It isn't perfect but I'm okay with that. Of course looking at it now I wish I had down a bit more planning out and had the dark blue squares of the nine patch connect with the dark blue of the snowball. Of course I couldn't see that pattern until I had completely sewn it together. I decided I like this just fine.

Thoughtful Thursday

On Thursdays, I will post a few of things that I have been thinking about. This includes projects that I thinking of creating, thoughts about life and family and just general get-it-out-there-and-out-of-my-head ramblings.

I am....

 ... so ready for next Thursday to get here! I usually am not someone to wish my week away BUT... my four year wedding anniversary is then! My fantastic in-laws have gifted us with a weekend away! I have been under so much pressure and stress with some personal problems that this weekend will be a Godsend!

... grateful for wonderful and understanding parent-in-laws. Both my mother-in-law and father-in-law are such kind people. They may not truly understand how much I need this weekend away but they are gifting it to both me and my husband out of love.

Time for Tasks Tuesday

Cannot believe it is already June 17th! Y'all, this year is half over already! Didn't I just put up the Christmas decorations?!?!

Last week I started this new "Time for Tasks" post. (See here.) My two big goals for the summer are two different sew alongs.

I did great with Task 2: SewCanShe Classic Blocks, not so much with Task 1 with Amanda Jean.

Classic Blocks

I created these blocks for the June Classic Blocks.

Here are more of them put up on my design wall.

Just cock your head to one side! No idea what I was thinking when I took this wonky photo! It's "artistic"!

Unfortunately I had a measurement mishap at some point and I had to trim all my blocks to 12" square versus the 12.5" that the pattern calls for. Thus my points are nowhere near meeting. Bothers me a little but not enough to NOT gift this. :) Home made equals some mistakes, right? It has character!

Scrap Basket Quilt Along

I was supposed to do my fabric pull for this one over the week. Totally did not! I was worried I wouldn't have enough fabric and couldn't pull the trigger!

On Monday, Amanda Jean posted the information on the block construction. Now that I have the directions on putting the quilt together I think I'll be more comfortable in picking out my fabrics!

I have a few fat quarter bundles that I think may work well for this as well as some yardage. So we'll see what I find!

Recap

Hopefully by Friday I'll be done with the quilting of the baby gift. Right now I am fighting it for some reason. I've already ripped out about two hours worth of quilting. Sad part is I am doing straight quilting and it is just not working for me! I guess tonight I'll be working on the scrap basket quilt along to give myself some more time away from it!

Hoping I am more attentive to my tasks for myself in the coming week!

Love,
Ashley

Baby Airplanes

I decided to break from my standard baby quilt pattern and instead create the Fat Quarter Quilt from the Two Little Banshees site! When I did my search this morning, I found that she has turned the pattern into a PDF for Craftsy. Go here to follow the link to Craftsy to download for free!

I LOVE this pattern and the incorporation of the different colors. I am still a little hesitant when combining colors. I have a habit of picking on multi-colored, object print and then pairing it with a lot of solids! Of course, I followed my norm with this quilt but I still love it!

I made this quilt for the one of the pastors of my church and his wife. This is baby boy 3 for them. The oldest boy is in LOVE with airplanes, especially the older models! And of course, little brother is following suit and falling in love with them too! So it was only natural that I search out a focal airplane fabric.

Thoughtful Thursday

On Thursdays, I will post a few of things that I have been thinking about. This includes projects that I thinking of creating, thoughts about life and family and just general get-it-out-there-and-out-of-my-head ramblings.

I am....

 ... excited to finally finished the quilt for my church friend. She is now in week 42 (!!!) of her pregnancy and the little guy seems happy to stay put!! My hubby is dropping the quilt off today since I didn't feel up to church last night.

... ready to tackle my next baby quilt to gift. This one for the daughter of a "down-the-hall" coworker whose baby shower is very soon. It is a little boy so I really need to stock up on my boy non-flowers fabric!

Time for Tasks Tuesday

Good afternoon, all!

This weekend has beyond crazy and I almost did no sewing! I did work on the binding for a baby quilt for a friend who is moving into week number 41 of her pregnancy! Thanks, kid, for staying put for me to finish your quilt! :) I'm sure momma doesn't feel the same way!

Also my younger nephew (2) is in the hospital with breathing issues. He's been there since Friday and actually spent one night in the PICU. :( Poor little thing. Thus, his brother (3) and sister (4) have spent the weekend with my husband and myself. Such a crazy thing to go from no kids to two kids. Of course a weekend at Aunt Ashley's is fun but not so much when I'm waking them up at 6AM to go to day care so I can get to work by 7AM. Please say a quick prayer for healing for Teagan and for the doctors to figure out why his oxygen levels are so low and why he is wheezing.

FINALLY Finished Friday

Backstory:

I have this wonderful sweet friend who I worked with for three years at the university. She is honestly one of the sweetest, down-to-earth people you will ever meet. She taught me so much about kindness and faith.

In May 2013 she finished her bachelor's degree in psychology. Did I mention she was incredibly smart?

So, of course, I decided I would make her a throw quilt using some of the precuts that I had randomly purchased on Amazon. In fact this one here.


Image from Amazon.com.

 I loved the colors and just knew that it would be perfect for her! Happy, bright but traditional!

Thoughtful Thursday

On Thursdays, I will post a few of things that I have been thinking about. This includes projects that I thinking of creating, thoughts about life and family and just general get-it-out-there-and-out-of-my-head ramblings.

I am....

 ... ready to finish up my current project and post some pictures of it! I started it last week and am ready to bind it. Probably a good thing as the baby it is for was due on Wednesday but hasn't made his grand appearance yet! Poor momma!

... looking forward to spending time with my niece and nephews this weekend. Those kids tire me out but I love them!

Time for Tasks Tuesday

I decided that I needed to give myself a second "mandatory" day to post. Especially after I looked over my posts and realized I ONLY post on Thursdays! Definitely isn't going to work!

Thus, I am starting up "Time for Tasks Tuesday". I know the name is corny but I like it!

What is this you ask? Simple. A place for me to document the projects that I am working on, where I am with them, and just thoughts about other blogs. I do something similar with my Thoughtful Thursday posts but I need something to do every week like it!

Plus, I needed a summer project. While I do work full-time, my secondary "part-time" teaching position isn't only in the fall and spring terms so a lot of my time is now freed up!


For the summer it is time to.... 

Image from Emily Jasper

Thoughtful Thursday

On Thursdays, I will post a few of things that I have been thinking about. This includes projects that I thinking of creating, thoughts about life and family and just general get-it-out-there-and-out-of-my-head ramblings.

I am....

 ... glad to be back posting something on this blog even if it is just a "Thoughtful Thursday" post and not something crafty.

... beyond tired of having a stomach virus. I am now on day 8 of a stomach bug. That's right, DAY 8! My nephew and sister had it last week for Tuesday evening and Wednesday. Thus, I, being a kind sister, came over to make soup for the family. Of course, my nephew wanted to be loved on and I gave in. Thus, my 8-DAY adventure with this virus. Hopefully it is over but you never know. I thought I was done with it on Saturday but yeah....

Thoughtful Thursday

On Thursdays, I will post a few of things that I have been thinking about. This includes projects that I thinking of creating, thoughts about life and family and just general get-it-out-there-and-out-of-my-head ramblings.

I am....

 ... beyond excited about Monday.... why you ask? Simple. I have declared it a mental health day. I am taking off from work and locking myself in my office/sewing room for a couple (or more) hours and I am making SOMETHING! I don't care if all I make is a giant mess and nothing pretty comes out of it! I am creating something that makes me happy! Hopefully it will be a pretty something that I can share with you all but I'm okay with a total FAIL!

... so grateful for an awesome coworker that gets me! She completely understands me taking off and is happy for me! Plus, I was supposed to make her a tote EONS ago and haven't so that might be my creation of Monday!

Thoughtful Thursday

On Thursdays, I will post a few of things that I have been thinking about. This includes projects that I thinking of creating, thoughts about life and family and just general get-it-out-there-and-out-of-my-head ramblings.

I am....

 ... happy that my nephew is feeling better after waking up with hives this morning. Unfortunately he appears to be allergic to the fabric softener that his mom (my sister) just bought. 

... wondering why my carpal tunnel is acting up so much today. Probably from picking up my nephew all day.

Creating Tote Bags

... and a few bugs

A few weeks ago, I posted about an awesome cause that was the brainstorm of MJ.

I pretty much immediately started working on it! Went to the local fabric store; in this case, WalMart. Yep, the town I live in is so small that the closest "real" fabric store (or a Hobby Lobby even!) is an hour away! So, yeah, if I need a fabric fix in a hurry to the WalMart it is! Don't get me wrong; they have lovely fabrics. But there is something to be said about walking through acres of lovely fabrics and touching all of those textures! But that's another story!

Thoughtful Thursday

On Thursdays, I will post a few of things that I have been thinking about. This includes projects that I thinking of creating, thoughts about life and family and just general get-it-out-there-and-out-of-my-head ramblings.

I am....

 ... working through a lot of things... some things have come up in my marriage and in my life in general that I am struggling through.

... hoping to be able to focus on sewing up some of the fun patterns that I won recently from Sew Like My Mom's giveaway. Once I get some done, I'll start sharing! :)

Thoughtful Thursday

On Thursdays, I will post a few of things that I have been thinking about. This includes projects that I thinking of creating, thoughts about life and family and just general get-it-out-there-and-out-of-my-head ramblings.

I am....

 ... not in a good place, emotionally or spiritually. Right now I am going through a very difficult time and it has been going on for more than a week. Thus, no "Thoughtful Thursday" last week. I just could not handle putting my thoughts out in a public forum when I was so venerable.

... not saying I am in a good place now. I am trying to heal but am taking things day by day, moment by moment.

Thoughtful Thursday

On Thursdays, I will post a few of things that I have been thinking about. This includes projects that I thinking of creating, thoughts about life and family and just general get-it-out-there-and-out-of-my-head ramblings.

I am....

 ... excited that I fixed a problem with the backing of a gift quilt. Basically I found a hole in the backing of the quilt that I am half-way done with hand-quilting. Thus, I cut it out when through my scraps and pieced together a backing for it. All without taking my germy self to the store! Go, me!

... hoping I finish hand-quilting my gift quilt before mid-May. It is actually a graduation gift for one of my wonderful friends who graduated in May of 2013! Yes, last year! So if I finish it before the anniversary of her graduation, it still counts as a graduation gift, right?
 

Yay!! Guess what I won?!?!?!

Recently I entered a giveaway over at Sew Like My Mom's site. Just like every one else, I'll click on that little enter me button not expecting to win... but this time I did!!

Last week, I went ahead and just clicked the enter button for Sew Like My Mom's 5,000,000 Pageview Giveaway. I figured it wouldn't hurt but I probably wouldn't win. (I enter these things all the time over at Young House Love and never win. Hint, hint, universe!)
 

Thoughtful Thursday

 Erm... Thoughtful Saturday??

On Thursdays, I will post a few of things that I have been thinking about. This includes projects that I thinking of creating, thoughts about life and family and just general get-it-out-there-and-out-of-my-head ramblings.

I am....

... hopeful that I am finally done with this stomach virus! Yes, I was the lucky girl who got the stomach virus twice in less than three weeks. 

... excited about finishing up the totes that I made for MJ's collection. Right now I have almost six completed but I have enough fabric left that I should be able to make another two or three. I pointedly made them happy and fun. I wanted them to be super happy. :) 

Work in Progress...

... no more! 

I have finally finished the baby quilt that I used in making my Perfect Baby Gift tutorial! Meaning, that I finally gave it to the baby's parents!

All of these photographs were actually taken at my office before start of business! 

Completely forgot to take pictures before I left home!

Thoughtful Thursday

On Thursdays, I will post a few of things that I have been thinking about. This includes projects that I thinking of creating, thoughts about life and family and just general get-it-out-there-and-out-of-my-head ramblings.

I am....

... excited about going out of town this weekend with my hubby. 

... happy that I'm going to have time and space to work on a bunch projects while at the hotel.

Thoughtful Thursday

On Thursdays, I will post a few of things that I have been thinking about. This includes projects that I thinking of creating, thoughts about life and family and just general get-it-out-there-and-out-of-my-head ramblings.

I am....

... grateful for my wonderful co-workers.

... grateful for a sweet husband. 

Getting Out of a Slump with A Wonderful Cause

Lately, I've been a bit of slump with my sewing and crafting. I got super excited about creating my header and images but then hit a wall. I am having trouble making my quilting labels (something wrong with the application, I think). Plus, I have so many ideas that I am just frustrated because I cannot pick one. Also, good ole' Louisiana weather has been kicking my booty with all the weather changes and I've been sick with allergies and horrible sinus pressure.

I am on the mend. Hopefully, fingers crossed. But I still haven't set foot in my sewing room. Most nights I've curled up on the couch, enjoyed Netflix, and played on my Kindle Fire. But today, I stumbled across an awesome idea...

Thoughtful Thursday

On Thursdays, I will post a few of things that I have been thinking about. This includes projects that I thinking of creating, thoughts about life and family and just general get-it-out-there-and-out-of-my-head ramblings.

I am....

... grateful for my husband. He drives me insane sometimes but I know that he truly loves me. Today's gesture: putting away the dishes in the dish drainer before I had even woke up. Yes, that's love. :)

... excited about the changes that I have made to my blog and about the plans I have coming up.

My New Look

So excited about my new look and I'm not taking my physical look though that's about to change too! (That's for a different day!)

I decided to change up the entire look of my blog! The background and the header in particular. I wanted to make the blog more me. Which if you can't do that what's the point of blogging.


Of course, that being said, I have actually made two different headers and keep switching them back and forth! I can't decide! :)
Here's option 1:

Here's option 2:

Option 2 is the one that I am currently using and leaning toward. I like that I have room to insert new pictures if I get tired of the current ones as I create new projects.

Thoughtful Thursday

On Thursdays, I will post a few of things that I have been thinking about. This includes projects that I thinking of creating, thoughts about life and family and just general get-it-out-there-and-out-of-my-head ramblings.

I am....

... still missing my coworker! Poor thing will probably be out until next week. I need her at work to keep me sane!

... worried about my little nephew. He had a seizure on Tuesday and was released today. At this time I am unsure what is wrong. (Say a prayer for the little tike.)

The Perfect Baby Gift

A couple of years ago I stumbled across this awesome book at my local public library. It was filled with simple fun baby gift ideas. Today I couldn't tell you the title of that book. I did end up purchasing a copy during a library sale fundraiser but haven't a clue where that book is now. Hopefully I will now be able to find the book!! I'm also certain it is storage with the rest of my crafting books.

But that's off topic. Every time someone I know is pregnant or has a baby, I make the same baby quilt. The one I found in that book. It is super simple to make, uses limited fabrics and comes together quickly. 

Wanna know how to make this wonderfully easy gift? You're in luck! One of my co-workers down the hall just had a little boy with his wife and I just haven't had time to make their gift until now! 

Thoughtful Thursday

On Thursdays, I will post a few of things that I have been thinking about. This includes projects that I thinking of creating, thoughts about life and family and just general get-it-out-there-and-out-of-my-head ramblings.

I am....

... missing my coworker. She's going to be out for another week after having surgery. I sure do miss that crazy lady!

... happy today. Why? Because today will be a good day!

Getting Crafty...

I had every intention to have a fun, fabulous post and finish to post today but alas I do not!

Why you may ask??

Simple... I did not sew this weekend! Instead, I got CRAFTY!! :)

My First Sale!

Over the last week or so I've been working off and on on a sweet baby quilt for my coworker who recently became a grandmother. I love the way that the quilt came out. So simple but modern and sweet.

Excuse the Instagram picture! It's the only one I had! :)

Thoughtful Thursdays

On Thursdays, I will post a few of things that I have been thinking about. This includes projects that I thinking of creating, thoughts about life and family and just general get-it-out-there-and-out-of-my-head ramblings.

I am....

... grateful for my state job! Yes, there's lots of politics to deal with but I'm grateful for this job!

... grateful for my wonderful students! They make me smile in every class!

Snow Day!!!

What happens when the university closes due to inclement weather???

 

Easy!!

 

You get kitty cuddles!

My Marcus kitty!

Quilting Class

I have never taken a formal quilting class. I had home economics in junior high and high school. So I learned the basics of sewing and cutting and such but not on quilting.

I learned to quilt by reading books, reading blogs and watching YouTube videos. I have probably read every quilting book in my parish library!

Using this collection of information I have started my road to quilting. I am still a little uncomfortable in a group of quilters.

But that's about to change!

Thoughtful Thursday

On Thursdays, I will post a few of things that I have been thinking about. This includes projects that I thinking of creating, thoughts about life and family and just general get-it-out-there-and-out-of-my-head ramblings.

I am....

... thinking that the easiest way to cripple the South is to make it snow. I just spent the last two hours at work alternately working and gazing out the window watching flurries fall.

... thinking that I am way too Southern for this snow to keep falling! I hate being cold but can deal with it better than being hot! Which is to say that I need the temperature to stay at 70*F so that I can be comfortable.

Awesome Deal!

I love Groupon! Maybe a bit too much. It is so easy to click on these deals!

I don't have the time now but Groupon currently has an awesome deal on a My Publisher book!

I love My Publisher since you can work offline even if you do have to download the software. Of course, I have a soft spot for it as I made my wedding album with them.

Happy Digital Scrapbooking!! :)

My First Blog Post....

... creative title, I know!

I never thought I would be one of those people with a blog. I love to read other people's blogs but I definitely didn't think that anything that I could write would be worth anyone's time. Why should it?