Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Well hello everyone!

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas.  I had the flu!  Which means no one wanted to be around me so I didn't get to do a lot of visiting, and I don't think I got one photo!  I really thought I had been extra good this year, but the flu must mean I was on the naughty list in a BIG way!  So I still haven't been through my photos of my recent projects or anything.  I still have a terrible cough and runny nose.  I truly hope everyone else had a wonderful time visiting with family!  I was telling my co workers today I may be the only person who actually lost weight during the holidays from being sick!  I did get some lovely Christmas gifts.  I got a dress form for my sewing room!  I guess I need to learn what to do with that lol!  I wanted to wish everyone a very safe and Happy New Year!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Well I still can't seem to figure out how to copy and past the random number thing.

True Random Number Generator  Result: 163 Powered by RANDOM.ORG  

That is about the best I can come up with, so lucky number 163  which according to my calculation is: 

LauraDecember 13, 2013 at 10:19 AM

My tween and teen cousins have been making a ton of those rubber band loom bracelets... maybe she's like a kit for those? Good luck!

Thanks for the chance

 

 

I will be emailing you for your contact info.  I would like to personally thank all those that came by for a visit, and I tried to reply to all that are reply bloggers.  I do appreciate everyone stopping by and all the great gift ideas!  Thanks you so much and every please have a Merry Christmas.  I also hope you all had great luck with the giveaways.  It isn't looking to good for me as of yet!  Thanks again and I will be posting soon about some projects I have completed!  

Sew mama Sew giveaway

Hello all!  Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blog world.  I am running a little behind this morning.  I have a terrible headache and just can't think straight, but I am working through it.  We have have had a bit of winter weather here in Arkansas (2 in of ice and 6+ in of snow).  I think this cabin fever may have spurred a migraine.  As you can imagine we are not used to this much winter weather and not for this long (been here since Thursday).  It sure is pretty thought!

 
Ok on to why you are really here.  I will be giving away 6 fat quarters and a lovely quilting quickly magazine.  It is the winter 2013 issue.  I will ship anywhere.  All you have to do is leave a comment to enter.  How about gift ideas for my girl tween (a kid that is not a teen but acts like and is almost one).  I just have no good ideas, she has everything anyway.  If you are a follower or want to become one leave me a comment letting me know for an extra entry.  Thanks again for stopping by and don't forget all the other giveaways.  Giveaway is open till December 13 at 5 pm, random number generator will select the winner!

Happy Thanksgiving

Hello lovely folks!  I am blogging via mobile so no cutsie pics!  I do have some fun things I am making and will be postin a long one soon!  I just wanted to pop by and say I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving an safe travels if you are going anywhere!!

New Machine

Well I got caught up in the release of the new Singer Futura Quintet on HSN.  Needless to say I am sending it back tomorrow.  I so wanted to love this machine, but it consistently comes un-threaded.  I tried everything and then got online and read others were having similar problems.  I did a quilt block today and it came un-threaded 7 times.  It unthreads every single time the auto thread cutter is used.  It is a mess with the embroidery as well, unthreads a lot and jams up.  I had at least 3 broke needles.  I just do not have the time to deal with those issues especially from a brand new, top of  the line blah blah blah machine.  I want an embroidery machine so if you have one you love please let me know and details would be appreciated.  I am so ill about this machine.  I have seen several posts about a "learning curve"  that maybe but when you get a brand new machine you a least want to be able to finish a block or whatever with out a broke needle and re-threading it 7 times.  Ok that is my 2 cents and it is probably worth less than that, but there it is!  I am sick about it.  I feel like I have wasted so much precious sewing time dealing with this machine, not to mention thread and fabric.  Uggh!  Lesson learned don't buy a sewing machine off TV!

Opening Weekend

Well this will be a quick post because I have hunting to get to.  This is opening weekend of modern gun (rifle) season on white-tailed deer here in Arkansas.  As you may have guessed I am totally into that.  I have actually been off work for 4 days today (will have 5 days) and have literally just iron some fabric for 2 projects and printed some graph paper and made measurements for a 3rd.   I have been totally committed to deer hunting.  Hopefully this afternoon will get the job done and tomorrow I can sew and actually clean something.  I did sweep today in my defense.  I have finally picked a project for my secret santa swap on my wonderful FB group I belong to sew swapit.  Great Great group; love those ladies!!!  I have a sneak peak at the fabrics, but not the pattern cause well its a secret people!  :) 

Please do not even look at my ironing board cover!  That thing is OMG nasty!  It is in desperate need of a replacement.  I will be sure and put that on my to-do list! 

Ok I am off to the woods.  I am late on getting out there.  I like to be in woods by 2 so I am 11 min late lol!  Hoping for a wall-hanger!!!  Fingers crossed bloggy friends, fingers crossed!!!

Auction Quilt

Well I believe I mentioned that I was making a quilt to auction for a friend.  That is all done with.  I was so nervous that no one would bid on it.  Although I knew someone from my family (8 of us there) would bid if they saw my panic.  There were actually several quilts in the auction, which made me more nervous.  As it turned out my quilt went for the most!  I was so surprised, and so glad it made more than I thought for my friend.  I also had 2 guys (lol) ask me if I could make them one just like it, because it reminded them of quilts their grandmothers made!  How cool is that!!!!  I of course said no lol!  I just get super panicky and nauseous when thinking about selling one.  I just don't believe people have any idea at all what it takes to make a quilt.  They are just not willing to pay what it is worth.  Although mine brought the most money it only covered the amount I had in fabric and batting nothing more.  A king sized quilt went for $50, I about fell out of my chair.  That didn't even begin to cover the fabric, probably not even the batting.  It was a handmade quilt, done on a machine, not store bought or anything.  I think, in my area, I might decide one day to do baby quilts.  It could be possible to sell those for time and material, but nothing else.  I would rather give them away, is that bad?  Then I don't feel so bad about all the "imperfections" in the quilt that to me gives it life and personality!  Anyway that led me to going way way out and crazy and buying (on HSN) the new not even on the new singer all in one machine that does well all in one.  I got sucked into to the whole debut cheapest price it will ever be thing.  I do not have it yet, but they sold it good!  I have been wanting to try my hand at embroidery, and this machine does it (and quilts, and fashion, and well you get it all in one!)  I will let you know how it goes and a review so to speak of it!  I am going to bind my hemisphere's quilt stating tomorrow and I can't wait to show you the quilting and binding.  I am so pleased with this quilt!!!   ok enough about me, what have yall been up to?

Front

I was so proud of my corners lol!  Me and binding have a hate/hate relationship!

back

 So this is the secret garden quilt by the lovely Amy Gibson.  You can do a workshop and get the fabric on Craftsy HERE

Lots of News

Wow I have let things get away from me a little bit.  I have lots of relevant and irrelevant news.  Well maybe not LOTS but it feel like a few things anyway.  I'll start with the quilty relevant news so you can skip the rest if you like!

I have been a pattern tester for Aria Lane (well on the list for a little while) and got to test my first pattern.  It is by Megan Nichols and called Hemispheres.  It is a really cool pattern.  I will say it was a lot little challenging for me since I had never even thought of doing a curve quilt before.  I think I have done one block that had a tad bit of curve to it.  It freaked me out was exciting to try something so new.  I bit off quite a bit doing a twin size.  It seemed smaller in my mind lol!  All joking aside this has been my favorite quilt so far, because it challenged me so much!  Also the directions are great and very straight forward and easy to follow.  Another surprise was skimming through my blog reads this morning and actually seeing my name and quilt top HERE!  Megan is having a QAL and if you think this pattern is something you like, but are skeered (that is country for scared) then what better way than a QAL!

Here is the front and back of the quilt.  Not true to form I am actually quilting said quilt right now.  I am making this for a dear family friend that has lung cancer and through some other issues has no quilts at all.  That just can't be so he must have a quilt to snuggle with and this will be it!

I also decided on a WIP to make for the benefit auction for the same friend and I will show that one when it is done.  I have 2 quilts sandwhiched and one about a 1/3rd quilted.  That is big time for me!  Thanks furlough lol!




Ok  end of quilt relevance and to not relevant but my life stuff.

I am not sure if you guessed it but I am very very country and could maybe even be called redneck LOL!  I am a wildlife biologist as I have said before and avid hunter and fisher.  I harvested a buck out of my house Saturday.  Yes you read that right out of my house, the basement window to be exact (what better deer stand could there be).  I have a little food plot off the back (about 120 yds), and he walked out there and happen to be spotted.  It was a heck of a shot with a muzzleloader, and I am pretty proud of it.  He is a 2.5 year old 8 pt.  I am kinda proud of it.  Me and my daughter also go a doe last weekend so we have some deer meat for sure!

Quilting bee

Well I have never participated in a bee, but think I should.  So I searched around for one that wouldn't stress me out and make me feel like I was not good enough.  So I went with Newbee Quilter.  I am on a waiting list for Hive 7, please come and join in.  It is for new quilters, nothing crazy just good solid blocks and fun! 

Winner and request

Ok I don't know how to make to cute little insert of the whole number generator so I copied and pasted and this is what comes up lol!  Anyway Congrats Amiee:

 

AimeeOctober 5, 2013 at 4:13 AM

Sorry you're furloughed. I think a remedial Kindergarten class might be good for some of our political leaders ~ they can relearn basic lessons like playing well with others, sharing their toys, & working together. Hopefully they'll figure this out & get things back up & running quickly. I think you should give them all to one person; someone could get a nice sized quilt out of all three. 

I will send you all three, but since there were only two of you I plan to send something, maybe a couple of fat quarters to Bonnie as well.  Just seems unfair to only have had two people.  So I will email both of you for your addresses.  Thanks so much for stopping by.

True Random Number Generator Min:   Result: 1 



OK I have another project that I must get on the move with.  I have a very dear family friend that has lung cancer.  He is a family friend that has been around our family for a very long time.  He is loosing his job and with that his health insurance.   So his family his having a benefit for him and I would like to contribute a quilt.  What would be something that is quick and would bring a good price?  Help!!!  Thanks again ladies for stopping by and I hope you like the items!  

Up and running

Wow your computer crashes and its all down hill from there.  So what has been going on with me...
Well I am a federal employee and I am furloughed!  It has been the biggest cluster I have ever seen.  We had basically no guidance on what to expect, only get information from the media same as everyone else.  No paycheck and who knows when I will get one.  Also the vision, dental, and health benefits, who is paying for that since I don't have a check for that to come out of!  But anyway enough of that depressing crap.  Oh I am into pattern testing these days as well.  It is really something I am liking.  It has brought me out of my quilting box, and challenged me to try different things.  If you get a chance I would recommend it!  Make sure you have the time is my recommendation.  Ok so, I promised once I got back up and running I would have a giveaway!  So I will I have 3 turnovers from Moda for a lucky reader.  I have one for Friday, one for more sewing time, and one for my computer!  I think one person will get all 3 so you can actually make a quilt or something with them, however if the consensus is to slip them up and have 3 winners I am easy!  Just comment and let me know!  I will random number it to choose a winner or winners.  I will ship where ever so it is open to everyone.  One comment for the one for 3 winners or 3 for one winner.  Followers get another chance.  Open till October 6th, winner announced the 7th!

 

Hello Again

hello to my followers and welcome to any new followers. So what's been going on with me? Well my computer crashed and it still at the computer hospital. I have a tablet now but I'm not real sure how to use it. So please bear with me on this learning curve. I also will not have internet at home until October the 4th. Which is problematic for making any post. So I'm away at training for my day job and I planned accordingly so I can show you some pictures of what I've been working on. I have a good friend who just had twins not too long ago a boy and girl.  I wanted to make them something special. I picked up a tumbler template from the Missouri star quilt companya while back, and thought it would be perfect for these two sweet babies.I used two charm packs, and some soft minkie fabric to make these little quilts. I did not use any batting, just the top and minkie back.  I think they turned out great and will be perfect. I will be sending them this week, when I return from training. If you go to the missouri star quilt co the website there is a tutorial on how to put together a tumbler quilt.  This was a quick and easy project that I would recommend for any newish quilter to try.  

I have a few more things in the works, but I will have to let you know another day. How about when I get my internet set back up and my computer back we have a giveaway. A way for me to say thank you for sticking with me when technology doesn't!

Hopefully back up and running by wed

Well I have ordered a tablet, as a backup, so it should be in by wednesday.  Hopefully have some pictures and projects to share if I can get it all set up!  

My computer is out!

My computer has pooped out so i am posting from my phone.  I should be all fixed up by the end of the weekend!  Everyone please have a safe and fun Labor Day!

Sewing and loving it

Wow it feels so good to be sewing again.  Fixing to finish up my 2nd quilt top.  Pictures to come! 

WE are IN!

Well we are in the house and I wanted to show you my little sewing room.  It is not as large as the spare bedroom of the old house, but it is for sewing only.  It has been a process let me tell you, or I wont.  Its done we are moved and I hope to never revisit the building moving process ever again!!!

One panic moment I will tell you about is that none of the plug-ins in the sewing room worked.  My heart was crushed.  After a strung wire we are all back in business and all out break down was averted.  You have to realize that I have not touched a machine since May, and then I plugged it in just to turn it on and look.  WT?@#$%%  nothing!  But again that is the past and I have a lovely sewing room that has fully functional outlets!

Ok so here goes: Oh and the Lord only knows where my actual camera is so these are phone pictures!

You walk in and there is a closet with shelves woo hoo!

Then a desk with my daughters machine on it.  Note the book shelf with a missing shelf.  Thanks movers!!!

Said missing shelf bookcase again and a lovely storage shelf thing my sister-in-law snagged for me at a yard sale.

The said storage shelf and cutting/pressing table...

You can see my design wall didn't make it through the move to well either.  erggg!

Oh and there she is my lovely missed machine with a view of the yard through the  window!!!!

Finishing up with a tote full of projects I have been collecting to get started on.  Oh and I know not one decoration on any wall, but I literally cleaned the last box out 5 min ago.  Give a girl some time :)!

Seriously it is so great to be moved in and I can not wait to get started making things for this house!!!  Thanks for sticking around through the absentness!



Oh and I am linking up with Ellison Lane Quilts on studio spotlight series.  Kinda perfect timing!

still working...

Ok so I lied!  Not on purpose but still.  It has been OMG crazy at the new house.  We have one day left to prepare for the movers, and I just don't know!  This house maybe the death of me...


To be continued...

Where have I been....

Hello strangers in blog land!

Wow it has been a while.  I am still shacking it up in the woods in our little hunting cabin.  I have had very little internet service and well just have been so busy building a house!  Speaking of said house the move is next week!  Wow it seems like it has been years that we have all been crammed into this one room shack, but just since June.  I will be taking pictures of the house today to post about.  I have been a little superstitious about taking pictures because I am a weirdo.  So I do feel better about it now that we are almost done!  I have my very own sewing room!  It even has a little closet with just shelving for supplies and fabric.  Granted it is the smallest room in the house, but it has a window and it is right in front of the house not in some dark corner of the basement or attic.  I am a happy camper.  So I feel a give away coming on since I know I have entirely to much fabric.  I am sorry for going missing for a while but now with my own house and room and everything I have high hopes of being a much better blogger!  So if you wouldn't mind giving me another chance, I will be having a giveaway coming up in the next week or two after the big move.  Thanks and many blessings to you!

steph

Moving Building I may not make it

It has been a while.  I have been having sewing withdraws!  Well the house is moving at a FREAKING snails pace and Lord help us please at least get in there by July (supposed to be June 1st).  This puts me having to leave the current house by end of May.  So I have to figure out what we need to pack and leave with us.  Such a mess!  I will be totally without a sewing machine for at least a month.  Just pray for our sanity. 

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I am still here I promise

Well hello strangers!  It has been a while since I have gotten to actually have time to type anything.  I am in full swing relocation (that is the official government term).  I have had more meeting and tours of my current home than anyone can imagine!  It is a VERY thorough process to say the least.  I am hopeful to put my house on the market next week, and then starts the scary, hopeful to sell quick but not too quick since I can't leave here till the end of May!  Then there is the house demolition and building.  Wow if you want a work out weight loss program I totally recommend tearing down a house it will completely work every muscle in your WHOLE body, and OMG they will be telling you about it later.  I can barely walk and that is no joke, but on a side note I have lost 12 lbs :).  So all week work and house meetings, then all weekend other house demo or rebuild.  Finished tearing down the old shell (for now) and will be ready to start with the new this week.  Needless to say I have not had much time to sew anything.  I  (sniff sniff) had to pack up most of my fabric and things to declutter for showings and such.  I have to say that was kind of a blow and hit me a little harder than I thought.  I did get to go visit my fabric and actually touch it this weekend.  My parents are fabric sitting :).  I am participating in a swap on my favorite Facebook group sew swap.  We are doing a tote swap and I had to enter.  I haven't made a tote (well just finished a practice one) and I really wanted and needed a reason to do it.  I will post some pictures when that is done.  Hopefully this week! 

I hope everyone is doing well!  I do apologize for being out of touch.  Oh....  Google reader is going away (grrrr!)  and if you are using it please don't forget to take me with you in your new chosen feed.  I follow so many blogs and chose to take all mine to bloglovin.  I have seen a lot of others go with that one.  I will be posting a  link in my gadgets as soon as I remember how to do that  :)!  Anyway happy Sunday and I hope everyone has a Blessed Holy week!
 Steph

DQ13 in the books

Well I sent my mini quilt

This little quilt was a design that I thought of after reading my partners bio that she liked quilts that tell a story.  Well that scared the heck out of me and I was all nervous about  what in the world.  In the back of my mind I wanted to do a hexi turtle (just been wanting to make one) and then it hit me Tommy the Turtle!  My daughter was in a community production of this story which was written by a guy from our area!  And there you have it!  I sent her the quilt and the book with a note about how I came up with it! 

And this is what I got

How super cute is this!  I can't wait to decorate with it in my new sewing room at my new house!!!! 

DQ13

I have all the applique finished, basted and ready to quilt!  Almost finished and picture ready! 

DQ13

I am getting very close!  Pictures to come!!!

DQ13

Well now that the pillow swap has been sent and received by my swapee I have turned full attention to the Dall Quilt Swap 13!  There is so serious talent in this group!  I mean for REAL!   This will (well maybe) be my last swap for a while as I am moving, building, packing, and sorting!  Or I am supposed to be packing and sorting!  I have sort of promised that after the swaps I am currently obligated to I will stop and focus on the packing and sorting of things to toss, sale, or move.  I must say this task is way less fun than sewing boo hiss!!!!  I sort of have full intentions of keeping said sort of promise, but I must be allowed to de-stress and sew.  I plan a good mix of sort, toss, pack, and sew.  I also have challenged myself to make all the little extras for the new house (curtains, bed spreads, wall hangings, etc)!  I am excited about that and for the best part......  A WHOLE NEW SEWING ROOM!!!!  That will not also be a bed room, it may second as an office but no one ever uses an office around here, just the printer!    Ok so there it is; cut down on projects sort of maybe.....  But in the meantime....


DQ13

How cute is he!

So this is what I have come up with!  After the big revel I can go into more detail as to why this turtle and such, but this is it for now.  I am in the middle of hand applique. 

I have no clue how to quilt this as I suck really bad at FMQing so I am at a total loss.  PLEASE HELP!!!!  I thought I might just hand quilt the applique pieces, but it feels like it needs something.  Any suggestions please....

More fun>>>

Well I made a lovely needle book out of my pillow scraps from these links:

• Nanacompany
• sotakhandmade

I am now finished up with my pillow swap goodies and will be sending it off to my partner next week!


No on to my DQ13 project!

It may not look like much, but if I can pull this design off then it may be my best yet!  Stay tuned!

Pillow Swap

You all know I absolutely love the Facebook group Sew Swapit!  We are doing a pillow swap, which I have never even thought about making.  I did make one and have to say I loved it.  I got my Pillow Pattern idea from the lovely Amy Gibson.  I also did a hidden zipper which I am so excited about!  I have never ever ever done anything with a zipper.  I haven't even had good luck with zippers that were already sewn in :)  I got a  wonderful video  from a new blog that I am now following called house on hill road.  Thanks to both lovely bloggers for their help!

 See my zipper!  Oh so proud!  Hope my partner likes it!  I got some goodies for her today, but love these beautiful fabrics so much I may whip her up something else!

My 2013 to do list!

Well I have seen everyone's to do list and I guess I feel like if I can put it out there then maybe I can actually do it!

1. Finish the 2012 BOM from Craftsy!  This is a must!
2. Do the Sugar BOM with Amy from Stitchery Dickory Dock
3. Do the new 2013 BOM from Craftsy!
4. Finish up my little Dall Quilt for the DQ swap!  (so excited)
5. The year long swaps with my wonder FB friends on sew swap
6. Do a couple quilts I wanted in 2012 granny panties and civil war!

Oh that is plenty! 

To top off all that lovely business I will be moving and building a house!  Woo hoo!  So stay tuned to wonderful stresses and pictures of the craziness.  I won't be moving till the summer but the stress is already here :)! 

Let me know what yall have going on in 2013!

Happy New Year!

Wow what a crazy holiday couple weeks.  Been traveling and visiting and everything.  I hope that everyone had a super wonderful Christmas and New Year, and that everyone is safe and sound and getting back to 'normal'. 

I managed to finish my quilts right in the last possible second! 

I know these pictures leave much to be desired but all I had was my phone. 

I now am working on my Dall Quilt swap and Pillow swaps I signed up for.  Also doing the Sugar BOM with Amy and that just got started. 
I have to admit I did not sew a thing in the last 2 weeks, but I did crochet a scarf while traveling.  I must get my butt busy have a lot of exciting things coming in 2013!