You can't make just 1

I'm hooked!

A while back I saw this pattern...

 I was intrigued by the double zip pouch. But, like most of us, I said to myself "I can figure that out myself". But I couldn't.. so I broke down earlier this week and bought the pattern. It was so simple!!

This is the 2nd pattern I've used by this designer and they are so well written! So much detail and easy to follow.

I made these so far - and plan to make a few more once I get more zippers.

I used her method to make the larger bag.. "Heidi's Stuff". This larger size wasn't included in the original pattern. I'm going to use it when I travel.. for my shampoo and bathroom goods.

I want to make a bigger one for both my boys too.. for all the little things they want to bring in the car on road trips. Like game systems.. etc.

FNSI WINNER!!

Now for the good part - the Winner of the FNSI GIVEAWAY!!

Drumroll please.....

Thanks to Random.org - which selected FNSI Participant #122

SUPERMOM!! Congrats Susan from Supermom - no cape (love that name). She made some progress on Friday night working on her disappearing 9 patch blocks. Way to go! It looks good.

Send me your info Susan and I will get these goodies out to you...

It's a FNSI Pincushion made by me.. and a 4 pack of Verna fat quarters! Whahooo!!

Call off the Search Party!!

I’m here – I’m alive. I’m sorry I’ve been absent, but I’ve been a little under the weather.


As I’m sure you all agree – there are different levels of “sick”.

There is “too sick to go to work”

“too sick to go to the quilt store”

And finally.. “too sick to sew”

Now, when someone is too sick to sew – hopefully they have sought medical attention.

Earlier this week I was actually too sick to sew. But by Friday night I was only too sick to go to the quilt store. (You still with me?) So I was sewing with the rest of you… and it felt good too.

And today, I feel really good – I don’t sound good – but I feel good.

Enough about me though.. wanna see what I worked on?

Remember this bench?

It was one of my 2010 to do items. When we cleaned out my in-laws house last summer, it was one of the items that we brought home.

Now it looks like this.

Ain't it purdy?!

And remember back in January when I said that I was going to try and do one unfinished item from 2010 per month this year? Well, this is my February finish from 2010. So far so good!



A Cake, a Cave and a Cutie!

As I mentioned yesterday - we had the family together this past weekend to celebrate my son's birthday. The kids always play so good together and they had a blast and the weekend went too fast.

I attemped to get creative with my son's cake - I made a Castle. I think I should have put a little more detail into it.. but he loved it.

My older son and his cousin spent quite a bit of time outside digging this cave at the end of Grandpa's driveway. It was pretty deep. And I learned that I did not pass my claustrophobia on to my boys - they had not problem crawling deep in there.. and everytime they did, I cringed.

I also snapped this little picture of the youngest grandchild.. she's 3 now and belongs to my brother and his wife. Adorable!

I have threatened to steal her away before.. and this time she even agreed.

Some Creative Recycling..

Thanks to my Sister-in-law for starting me down this path. My family got together this past weekend to celebrate my youngest son’s 7th birthday. When chatting with my SIL, she mentioned some mittens that she bought last Summer at a craft fair.


They are made from a felted wool sweater – and her quote “They are the warmest mittens I have ever owned”.

So I went to Goodwill early this week and found the perfect sweater for only $2.99. I brought it home and tossed it in the wash machine.. then into a hot dryer.

And made these…

These were my first attempt - I'm not happy with the thumb section. I need to come up with a better way to do the thumb.. right after I find another wool sweater!

FNSI Sign-ups!!

Are you looking for the Friday Night Sew-In Sign-up?? My co-host, Bobbi, has the it all on her blog.

www.craftyvegasmom.blogspot.com

Now go get your name on the list and commit to some ME TIME!!!

T-Shirt Quilt Complete

Well, I finished the T-shirt Quilt and delivered it to the recipient. It felt good to have an item off my "to do" list.

I really appreciate all of your suggestions on how to finish/quilt this one. I decided to go with grey thread with straight line quilting at an angle across the quilt.

For the back I used a soft green flannel sheet. I know some quilting purists who would never consider using a sheet as backing - but I honestly don't see anything wrong with it. I've seen some adorable quilt backings made from sheets - kids quilts especially.

This was my first T-shirt quilt and I learned a few things along the way.

1. I typically don't pre-wash fabrics before quilting - however, I should have pre-washed my sashing fabric. The reason is because the T-Shirts have all be washed so many times and had no "shrink" left in them.

2. When making a quilt using T-Shirts previously worn by a sweaty athletic teenager.. you can smell said teen every time you use the iron. A little lavender scented spray startch goes a long way.

Now I'm off to work on another unfinished project from my "to do" pile!

Thanks again for all your suggestions!

Chalk Board Fabric!!

Yes - it's true! I found fabric that is a Chalk Board.

I know you've seen the Chalk Board paint.. which is also very cool. But this fabric is so versatile and inexpensive. It was $11 a yard.

You could take an old frame and staple it inside - hang in the kitchen to post your weekly menu.. or in a kids room.. or your sewing room to list all your TO DO list items.. The options are endless!

I haven't decided what I'm going to do with it yet - but to show you, I cut a square and hung it inside this magnetic memo board. It's just in there with magnets (that's why it's not stretched very tight).

How cool is that!??!