Red Headed Stepchild...

Yep.. that's how I've treated you lately. Ignoring you... leaving you wondering what's happening over here.

I haven't forgotten about you though. I've been thinking about you.. in between boxes.

You guessed it - we moved again. This time into our permanent home. Knowing this is the last move (for a very long time anyway) made it easier to bear.

I'm unpacking the sewing room this weekend. Although it's not really a room this time. It's just a corner in our unfinished basement. But that's ok - because now I can spread out (which might actually be dangerous). And let's not forget the view! I'll have to share pictures of the view once I get it unpacked. It's pretty awesome.

Anyone want to come unpack a box? Or two?

Fall.. my favorite time of year

I finally live in a place that has beautiful fall colors. I can't tell you how much I've wanted to see the vibrant transition of the trees as we go from Summer to Winter.. brrrrr..

Here are a few pictures from my part of the world..

And my favorite picture of them all....

Fall has inspired so many ideas for me this year. I don't know if it's the colors around me? Or the cool crisp air? or maybe both. But I'm loving it! I hope you are enjoying Fall in your neck of the woods..

October Friday Night Sew-In - all the cool people are doing it!

It's time to commit to doing something you love! Signup for the Friday Night Sew-in coming October 15th! Bobbi and I will both be hosting this one and we can't wait to sew with all of you!

Most of you already know the drill.. but for any newbies out there.. here is how it works.

1. Enter your blog info below. **If you don't have a blog - you can enter the Flickr group link as your URL.

2. Make a post on your blog - letting all your readers know about the sew-in. Spread the word.. we could all use the virtual sewing support and encouragement.

3. On Friday – 10/15/10 - Get your house settled, put on your comfy jammies.. maybe make a cup of tea.. and sit down to work on some of those projects (or anything else that you want to work on.. maybe you want to knit.. or catch up on scrapbooking).

4. Then, sometime on Saturday - publish a post about what you worked on.. show us a picture or two on Flickr. There is a FNSI group on Flickr if you haven't already joined. Totally optional.

And finally - on Sunday 10/17, we will enter all participants into a GIVEAWAY for a charm pack of fabric and our signature FNSI pincushion. As always we select 2 winners - so you each will have 2 chances to win!!

Apple Butter - this is what Fall tastes like!

Living in Minnesota - there are Apple trees all around. But did I get my apples off a local tree? No. I wanted to, but the one person we know with a tree - only had little tiny apples.

So - I used Granny Smith Apples from the grocery store. Maybe next year I'll use local apples.

Anyway, you must try this recipe! It is so delicious!!! We all had it on toast this morning for breakfast... YUM!

You will need:
Crockpot
5 lbs Apples - finely chopped
3 cups white sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp salt

Add chopped apples to the crockpot. Add remaining ingredients and stir.

Cook on high for 1 hour - then turn to low for approx 6 - 8 hours. Stir occasionally.

Once it looks like it has cooked down enough, remove crockpot lid and cook for another hour until the right consistency.

(sorry about picture quality... I cheated and used my phone)

Scoop into clean jars and refridgerate. Don't forget to eat some on toast while it's still warm. You will melt, trust me. The toast is just the 'vehicle' to get this into your mouth as fast as you can.

You can also give to friends if you are willing to part with it.

Wouldn't one of your neighbors love to find a jar on their doorstep this holiday season? Maybe bring a jar for the host of an upcoming holiday meal?

EDIT: I should also tell you - you can store in the fridge for 3 months or in freezer for 6mths. OR if you want to "can" the jars - you would boil in a canner for 10 minutes. (10min at 15% pressure for a pressure canner)

Seriously.. give it a try. You will be happy you did.

Friday Night Sew-In WINNERS!!!!

After a busy day - I'm finally getting around to announcing the lucky winners from all those that participated in the FNSI!!!

The lucky ladies are...

#22 - Janet from over at "Caribou Crossing Chronicles" and...

#128 - Lana from "It seams to be sew"

I don't have a picture of your prizes - because I haven't bought them yet. lol. But I know what it is... I'm getting each of you a "BLISS" Charm Pack and you will also receive the signature FNSI Pincushion!

I'm going to get them for each of you tomorrow and get them in the mail. Just send me your snail mail address and I'll have the goodies on their way!

Congrats to the WINNERS!!!! And stay tuned for the next FNSI coming on October 15th! Signup coming soon.

Friday Night Sew-In Results!!

I am always on a quest to be organized - I'm sure a few of you out there totally get what I'm saying.

Every year when school begins, I always get papers that I think "I'm going to put this in a place that I won't forget"... but then I usually do forget. You still with me? Yep.. I see you shaking your head.

And since the day my husband and I got married - we have had a system for bills. We have a notebook and everything is written down when to pay etc.

So I decided to put everything in a binder. These are some of the tabs that I have...

1. One for each kid.. with their school papers that I need to keep in their sections. Along with names and phone #'s of their friends (with the parents names and address).

2. Another for my Christmas card list.. everyone's address is there. Along with my regular address book.

3. A tab for bills - need I say more.

4. Emergency repair phone #'s - like utilities, gas, cable.. etc.

5. Emergency house information - like where the shut off is for water, breaker box, gas line.. etc. Do you know where these are in your house? You should - what if there was an emergency??!! (sorry.. got a little bossy there)

And pretty much anything else I can think of in the future.

And since I like things 'pretty' - I made this binder cover...

Cute huh? I used "Whimsy" by Fig Tree Quilts for Moda. It was a little stack of 2 1/2 inch squares from my Moda Bakeshop Sampler. Along with 2 fat quarters and some Ric Rac.

Now I'm off to see what the rest of you worked on last night!

Monsters in the Closet

Yes - It's true.. Monsters in the Closet is the name of the fabric that I used to make this sweet little baby blanket.

If you are in need of a quick baby gift - panels really are the way to go. I found this adorable panel of "Monsters in the Closet" by Sue Marsh for RJR Fabrics.

This was a quick baby gift for one of my husbands new co-workers. I've never met the new Mommy (or baby) but I have met the Daddy a few times and he's a super nice guy!

And because I love all things soft - I backed it with Minky. How can you not love Minky.. it has an extremely high cuddle factor and perfect for that tender baby skin.

Now I'm on to make plans for my Friday Night Sew-In. I have my agenda set.

I will be working with this little stack of Whimsy. They are 2 1/2 in squares from my Bakeshop Sampler that I "just had to have" last year. I'm trying to be better about using things from my current fabric stash. One reason is that quilt stores around here are a bit of a "drive" for me (20 min probably). And the other reason is..well it just makes good sense.

So - are you ready to sew tomorrow night with me? Do you have your project planned? I'm ready - I just hope my "project" turns out close to what it looks like in my head.

Fall is in the air...

First - an update on my machine. She's doing just fine. She rested for awhile and it turned out to be 100% operator error. Yes, I admit it.. it was ME! And that makes me happy!

So with my machine working again - I was able to finish this table runner that I had been working on.

The weather here in northern Minnesota is changing fast and I am surrounded by colorful trees. Which is something that is very exciting to me after living in the desert for 13 years. And it's only the beginning - the trees will continue to get more and more beautiful in the coming weeks. I will make sure I share some pictures when they get more vibrant.

But in the mean time - I designed this table runner. The leaves have raw edges and I went with a Maple leaf and an Oak leaf.

The fabric is Saltbox Harvest by Deb Strain for Moda. I love the rich colors of this fabric.

I will be working on a Christmas table runner that I will post near the end of October with a tutorial/free pattern. I think I've worked all the kinks out at the moment. I used a charm pack and some yardage. So keep that in mind if you have a Christmas charm pack in your stash that you want to use.

NOBODY Move!!!!

We have a man down... wait.. no, no.. we have a Quilter down.. no, that's not it either...

We have a machine down!!! I was working away on quilting this little beauty and out of the blue.. BAM...

The needle shaft won't raise or lower. I'm sick.. I have two projects that I was finishing today and couldn't wait to show you all. But that's not going to happen.

I'm calling the Janome Dr today and see if I can take her to the ER. I'll keep you posted on her status.. she's too young.. she has a lot of life ahead of her. We'll make it through this girl!!

STAY AWAY FROM THE LIGHT!!!

Web-alicious

Now that I have all this time "alone" while the kids are at school - I found time to sit down and start my Spiderweb blocks using the "PURE" Scraps that I won from Sweetwater. I love this line of fabric! Another home run for the girls on the Sweetwater team!

Anyway - these blocks will become 2 twin size quilts.

The goal is to make one with the blue blocks...

And another with the brown blocks.. and they will be for my son's bunk beds.

I love how they look. I can't wait to have enough complete so I can put the quilt top together!

I'm thinking about backing them with a solid flannel. Making them nice and warm for the Minnesota winter ahead!!

I had thought about doing a tutorial for these spiderweb blocks - but I found an awesome tutorial by Heather. If you decide to do the Spiderweb blocks - I highly recommend her tutorial!

AND - in other news for you LOCALS (locals meaning Duluth area). There is an awesome suedo retreat offered by Hannah Johnson Fabrics & Quilt Shop. She is having a Sewing Camp of sorts - once a month thru the end of the year.

I have decided to sign up for the November retreat. Why don't you join me?!!! It is on November 6th and 7th (my b'day weekend). The price is super cheap.. only $5.00 for Saturday and $7.50 for Sunday. You sew all day with other crafty ladies at the Lakeside/Lester Park Community Club. And you go home to sleep in your own bed.

At the moment - I'm only planning to go on Sunday. But hey, it's from 8am - 6pm... think of what I will accomplish without my husband or kids around!!

Retail Therapy

See this..

It's a bag full of retail therapy.

I took advantage of being able to shop ALONE after my breakdown this morning.

I bought this cute little charm pack of "Fandango" by Kate Spain. It's so pretty.

And then I bought 2 yards of fabric from "Pure" by Sweetwater. I have a plan to make Spiderweb blocks using all this...

That is a pile of scraps that I won from the Sweetwater blog a few weeks back. They had a giveaway of their scraps from Pure and I was the lucky winner. The plan is to make two twin size quilts for my youngest son's bunkbeds. One quilt will have the brown center to all the webs and the other quilt will have the blue.

Thank you for all your kind words after my post this morning. I am much better now. And the bus should be here soon to deliver my tired little boys. Do you think they'll be upset if I'm waiting by the mailbox?

Mixed Emotions

I know.. I know.. millions of kids do it every day. blah blah blah...

Today is the first day of school here in Minnesota. But for my little Arizona boys, it's not just the first day of school.. but it's also the first day of school IN Minnesota. AND.. the first ride to school on a big yellow bus.

In Arizona, we were just down the street from the school. We rode bikes.. walked.. and yes, sometimes we even drove. Don't judge me.

But today my little babies stepped onto a School Bus for the first time. I almost didn't let it happen. I wanted to drive them myself. Especially on the first day of school - but everyone told me not to. They said let them ride the bus the first day.. learn the ropes.

Do you know what kind of things they learn on the school bus? I do.. I used to ride the bus and I was one of the worst ones... seriously.

Yeah - well as the big yellow bandit drove up to steal my babies.. I sat on the front steps with camera in hand and could feel myself getting all choked up.

I heard the bus driver say "Hi Guys.. are you ready for the first day?".. and I wanted to yell "DON'T GET ON THE BUS.. MOMMY WILL DRIVE YOU!!"

But I didn't.. I just chocked back the tears and watched the door close. I had thoughts of jumping in my car and chasing the bus.. or becoming a home schooling Mom...

But then it hit me.. I now have 7 hours (or so) to myself...

I could watch a movie.. a girly movie.. or sew.. or take a nap.. WOW.. the possibilities are endless.
Oh, who am I kidding, there is laundry to do and beds to be made.

But, before I do any of that, maybe I will get in the car and see if I can find that bus. You know.. just to make sure they get to school safely on time.

September Friday Night Sew-In!!

I will be hosting the Friday Night Sew-In for September "solo" this time. Bobbi has a very important wedding that weekend (her nephew).

The Sew-In will be on September 17th! Are you ready? That gives you 3 weeks to formulate your plan, so get busy!

Most of you already know the drill.. but for any newbies out there.. here is how it works.

1. Enter your blog info below. **If you don't have a blog - you can enter the Flickr group link as your URL.

2. Make a post on your blog - letting all your readers know about the sew-in. Spread the word.. we could all use the virtual sewing support and encouragement.

3. On Friday – 09/17/10 - Get your house settled, put on your comfy jammies.. maybe make a cup of tea.. and sit down to work on some of those projects (or anything else that you want to work on.. maybe you want to knit.. or catch up on scrapbooking).

4. Then, sometime on Saturday - publish a post about what you worked on.. show us a picture or two on Flickr. There is a FNSI group on Flickr if you haven't already joined. Totally optional.

And finally - on Sunday 9/19, we will enter all participants into a GIVEAWAY for something fun! Maybe some fabric.. or a sewing gadget or two. As always we select 2 winners - so you each will have 2 chances to win!!