A Whirlwind of a Week!!

Did you happen to see the National Weather earlier this week? There was a hurricane in the upper Midwest. Ok, it wasn't a true hurricane - but it sure looked like one of the radar. When we went to bed Tuesday night, the weather man said "Wind Advisory" for our area. But he didn't say "HOLY SNOW"

 We woke up Wednesday morning to our first snowfall. And when I say "We" woke up.. I actually mean the kids since me and the husband were up half the night because our power went out at around 1:30am. (and didn't come on until this morning.. some 30 hours later!!)

School was cancelled - the kids were thrilled (me, not so much). Since we have been desert dwellers for the past 13 years.. our kids couldn't wait to get out and play and enjoy their first ever "Snowday" home from school.

 They played.. and they played....

Now, one would think that a snowstorm would be the perfect time to get some sewing in. But - without electricity there wasn't much I could do. Made me think that someone needs to invent a battery powered sewing machine!!

So, with my husband at work and the kids forgetting I existed, I decided to shovel the limited amount of concrete that we have. But man was that snow HEAVY... I guess that's why it took the power lines down too. So I just shoveled a path and decided to let my husband finish when he got home (thanks honey).

 And at some point while shoveling.. I think I overheard our dog say "FINALLY, after 12 years, this family realizes that I was meant to live in the snow. Don't they know I'm called an American Eskimo for a reason?!!"

She was so funny! It was the first time in her life that she had ever seen snow and she loved it. She was like a puppy again.

 Behind the house we have a deer feeder. We fill it daily for the deer and it's been fun for all of us.

But since I'm the one that goes down their every day to fill it - I told my husband I want to move it closer to the house for winter. Unless I get a pair of snow shoes.. which isn't likely.

We have even started to name the deer - we have 4 regulars. This one in the picture below is "Mark".

WHY MARK? I'll tell you why! When we were discussing names, my husband said "We should use their markings to help us remember." So our 6 yr old says "Let's call him Mark cuz of his white mark". So here is a picture of Mark..

Here's to electricity!!! Stay warm out there!

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November Friday Night Sew-In - You don't want to miss this one!!

It's time to sign up for the November Friday Night Sew-in. Commit to some much needed "YOU TIME"

Bobbi and I have a super exciting announcement to make for the November FNSI.. are you ready?

The FNSI Giveaway this month is sponsored by Me and My Sister Designs. Me and My Sister Designs have created many adorable lines of fabric for Moda. If you've never heard of them.. then crawl out of that cave you are living in and click the link and read their blog. They are super fun and funny!

Bobbi and I were lucky enough to meet Barb and Mary of Me and My Sister Designs last January. Their fabric is always bright and fun. And they are also releasing 5 new patterns including a cozy for your iron! So cute! Check them out!

So if you are excited and want to participate in the Friday Night Sew-in this month.. 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 – 11/19/10 - 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 11/21, we will enter all participants into a drawing for the GIVEAWAY!! And it's looking like we will have 4 winners this month! Yes, 4 chances to win!

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Custom Camera Strap

I'm going to be hanging out with one of my all time best friends this weekend.

We each have the exact same camera - and she's a huge scrapbooker! So I decided to make her a camera strap to surprise her.

The picture quality isn't that great - I had to use my cell phone to take the picture.

I used some scraps that I had of Saltbox Harvest by Deb Strain.

Can't wait to give it to her.. it's something small but I know she's gonna love it. Pin It

I'm all Twisted! And I like it!

Have you heard of the funnest new way to make Pinwheels? I'm hooked!

The creator of this new quilting tool owns a quilt store across the bay in Superior WI. I took a little drive to her Quilt Store the other day. She was so nice and the store was adorable. She gave us a demo of the Lil Twister and I couldn't wait to get home and play with it.

You basically take 5 inch squares - sew them together, add a border.. and then pull out the Lil' Twister and start cutting. Once you start sewing them back together - they look like this. 

I plan to add a couple more squares to this and create a table runner.

You can also use the full size Twister with 10inch squares and make larger pinwheels. I'm going to play with the larger Twister next.. I have a Layer Cake of Verna that's been talking to me. 

What a great way to use some of your scraps too! You could cut 5 inch squares and start Twisting!  

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Potato Bags

Have you seen them? Heard of them?

My Mom requested these for her and one of my aunts. 

They are for cooking potato's in the microwave. They are also good for corn on the cob and sweetpotatos. Yummm!! Apparently the potatos turn out just like they were oven baked.

They now make special batting just for these bags. It's called Warm Tator and it's free of resins and glues.

I haven't tried one yet.. but I've heard they work great! Have you tried one? Pin It

FNSI Winners!!

ooohh... this is exciting!! As always, Bobbi and I each draw a winner from participants each month (using Random.org).

The winner over here on my blog is.....

#121 - Hollie from The Undercover Crafter

You will be getting theses cute little items. A Charm Pack of "Happy" by Me and My Sister and this "Bitty Buddy" by The Gypsy Quilter.

And - now because Bobbi and I both have felt a little "off our game" these past few months with moving.. school starting.. weddings.. and all that goes with having a busy family - we each decided to pick an additional winner!!! YES, that's right 2 WINNERS on each blog. That's FOUR WINNERS!! Whahoooo!!!

So the 2nd winner over here is..

#23 - Marci from Creatherapy for One

You will be getting this adorable bundle of "Happy" Fat Quarters.

Ok winners - send me your snail mail address and I will get these goodies in the mail to you!

And if you haven't already been to Bobbi's Blog to see who her winners are.. get over there already!! What are you waiting for!? It could be YOU!! Pin It

Chenille Potholder - The Tutorial

Supplies:
Walking Foot (a must have for this project)
1/2 yard, scrap fabrics
Ironing board fabric (OPTIONAL)
Cotton batting

Cut:
1 Backing (or ironing board fabric) 11 inch square
1 Batting 11 inch square
1 Inner lining fabric 10 1/2 inch square
5 top layer 9 1/2 inch squares

There are a couple ways you can make the Chenille Potholder. One of them uses fabric made to cover Ironing Boards as your backing. This is totally optional. I made one without and it's still thick enough that you will not feel the heat if using as a potholder. If you want to use the Ironing Board backing - you can just use any cotton fabric as your backing**.

(** If using regular fabric and making a potholder - I would recommend replacing your cotton batting with batting made specifically for potholders. If you are making mug rugs or a floor rug - regular cotton batting would be just fine)

This is an example of Ironing Board backing. Silver on one side/cotton on the other. Totally optional though. A regular cotton fabric works well too.

Lay your backing fabric Right Side down. Add batting to begin your "sandwich"

top batting with your Inner Fabric (10 1/2 inch square). Then top that with your 5 top layer squares (All Right Sides UP)

Your stack should look similar to this

I like to pin initially to keep straight while doing the first line of stitching. You can remove pins as you go.

Set your Sewing Machine Stitch length to approx 3.0. You will want to use a longer stitch with all these thick layers. This is optional - but I found it worked better.

Continue to stitch parallel lines 3/8 inch apart. Go to one side, then flip and do the other side.

It will look like this. Some shifting is normal even with the walking foot. That's a lot of layers!!

Now for the fun part. You will cut the fabric between each parallel line. This can be done with a small sharp scissors or with the Chenille Tool. YOU ARE ONLY CUTTING THE 5 TOP LAYERS!!! Take care not to cut any other layers.

Now it will look something like this...



Now you trim off your rough edges so the Chenilled rows go all the way to the edges and it is square.

And the final step - Bind and machine wash/dry.

 I used homespun fabric for the darker potholder and flannel for the lighter potholder. Both washed up super soft. You can also play with your sizes. A larger rectangle would make a nice hot pad for setting large dishes on the table.

Or you can make a large square - and when you square it up, you could cut into 4 pieces and then bind each seperate. Making 4 mug rugs - a nice personal gift for coworkers.. or friends.

If you have questions - let me know.

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Stay Tuned....

We are behind..

Life got in the way for both of us.

We will announce the winners this evening..

With an exciting twist!!

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My Results..

I made this little Hippo last night. It was fun to make. I'm heading to a baby shower today and he's going in the gift bag.

I also worked on a some quilt piecing - more on that soon.

I am slowly working my way through your blogs.. it will probably take me a few days. We had a LOT of participants last night.. think of the yardage we used?! Pin It

FNSI - Tonights the night!

It's finally here!! The Friday Night Sew-In!!

Are you excited? I'm all ready!! I have 2 projects I'm working on.. and one of them is all cut and ready to go.

Last week I made a double batch of stuffed shells for dinner so I could freeze one for tonight! So all I have to do is pull it out and bake it. Then Momma's going to the sewing cave for some ME TIME!!!

Let's do this!!!!

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Nothing "Lady" about it!

I had no idea how many different animals migrate through this part of the country. Seriously.. I'm shocked.

Apparently the Lady Bug is one of them. At some point they have gone from being "cute and harmless" to "ENOUGH ALREADY"!!!!

I have them everywhere..

in my Kitchen..

on my ceilings..

in my cupboards..

on every door and window..

Everywhere!

Hard to see them in this picture - but there is like 10 in one corner of the back entry.

And I don't even want to know what these two were doing! For crying out loud - there are children in the house!

"Mommy - why do those two keep flapping their wings?"

"They must be fighting."... that's my story.. and I'm sticking to it. Pin It

The Great Pumpkin

If you are waiting on a package from me.. you know who you are.. I want you to know it's going in the mail tomorrow.

And you will find one of these cute Tea Towels inside - so much for a surprise.

They were super simple to make and so cute! Don't you think? Pin It

I can do that!

Have you ever been to a store or a craft fair.. seen something you love and say to yourself "I can make that". But then you get home and forget all about it and never actually make it? Yeah? ME TOO!!

But I did see something recently that I came straight home to make. I was on a mission.

It is a chenilled potholder. And trust me.. I need another potholder like I need a hole in the.. well, you know.

My colors are boring - but I was using fabric I didn't care about incase it didn't turn out. They are super simple to make and the possibilities are endless. I'm making more this week and will be posting a tutorial in the coming days for all of you.

These would make awesome gifts for people. And the size can be adjusted too. You could make a large hot pad for the dinner table.. or a small mug rug to give to coworkers for Christmas. So many options.

And the best part.. I didn't even need that little cutting tool that they sell for the chenille effect. I just used a regular small scissors. But I do think if you were going to make alot of these, you'd probably want the tool.

Anyway - stay tuned for the tutorial! Pin It