My Results for the FNSI

So we have this bench by our back door. It's the door we use most. Everyone comes in the door and kicks off their shoes.. throws their backpacks.. takes off their gloves and hat.. and sometimes hangs up their coats. 

We have this crate there..

It's where all the mittens, hats and scarves are supposed to go. And in the summer time, we used it for baseballs.. and baseball gloves.. and footballs.

Well, I've never been a fan of how it looked. I thought I needed to find a pretty basket, or something that was nicer to look at.

Then I found this tutorial... "The Undercover Crate". The minute I saw the tutorial, I knew it was the perfect solution.

It looks so much better doesn't it. (It helps I cleaned up the floor.. but we won't talk about that)

I used one of my "Quilt Minnesota" charm packs from last year. I love this fabric.

Do you see my mistake on the picture? The white square is upside down.. aahh. who cares! I love it anyway.

I love the FNSI - if it wasn't for the sew in last night, I would have put this project off again!! Thank you to all of you for keeping me motivated!!

How about you? Did you get a lot done?

Don't forget to come back tomorrow and see who the winners are! Bobbi will be drawing and mailing the prizes this time and they are G.O.O.D!!



Sign up for the 2nd FNSI of December!!

We are just days away from our 2nd Friday Night Sew-In for December. This is the time to get those holiday projects complete!!!

One of you had a great suggestion recently - when you add your name to the list below, include your state or country. Then we can see at a quick glance where we are all from.

So why wait?? Get your name on the list! Let's get those holiday projects finished!

Winner Winner!! Yes that's 2 Winners

I have been visiting some of your blogs and you were all very busy on Friday night. A lot of progress was maded on gifts and projects.. so many pretty things too.

So here are the two lucky winners... (selecting using random.org)


First, the lucky winner of the "Ooo Rah Wallet" Pattern and fabric from Debbie @ Stitches and Seams is...

#53 Cherise from "Sewingly along".

#46 Karen from "Where is my seam ripper" is the lucky winner of this book from me.

I have owned a copy of this book for a couple years and it's been very helpful. And when I spotted it on sale this week - I knew it would make the perfect gift for the FNSI.

Ok winners - send me an email with your address and we will get these gifts off in the mail to you.

** The signup for the next FNSI (in just 6 days) will be posted tonight.

My FNSI Results

I fully intended to post this yesterday.. but I left the house early for a "quick trip" to the quilt store.. and returned home 4 hours later. I went to 3 different quilt stores and loved every minute of it.

On Friday night I made the "Ooo rah wallet" and an apron.

The pattern for the wallet (which happens to be part of the FNSI giveaway this week) is very well written. At first, I'll admit I was a little overwhelmed when I printed the pattern - but after I got all my fabric cut out, it went together SO EASY!!

And I have a great idea for this wallet. Do you have all those little punch cards and frequent shopper cards for all your favorite fabric stores (and coffee shops etc). I always kept them in a little stack in my wallet and then always felt the pressure at the register to find it.

Well not anymore!! This new little wallet is where I will be keeping all those cards!

There is even a little zipper pouch on the back for me to keep my fabric allowance.

And here is a little stack of fabric for my 2nd one!! It's going to be pretty. These wallets would make great stocking stuffers!!  

I also finished this apron.

The apron is from a pattern called "The Church Lady Apron". It's reversable.. and I fell in love with the wavy bottom.

Here is a close up of the fabric.. with little roosters..

Now I'm off to the grocery store.. that pantry doesn't fill itself. I will be back on later to announce the winner of the giveaway (2 winners).. so get your FNSI results posted!!

FNSI Giveaway Sponsor for December 9th!

I wanted to give you all a preview of the the giveaway will be for the Friday Night Sew-In on December 9th.

Isn't it pretty!!? Wouldn't it make a cute stocking stuffer?

Debbie was kind enough to offer this PDF pattern along with enough fabric to make the "OOO-RAH Wallet" to one lucky FNSI participant.

So if you are on the fence about joining in this coming Friday... here is one good reason to jump on board!! Come sew with us!

Friday Night Sew In - December 9th

Here it is! The signup for the FIRST FNSI of December! December 9th!

We all need to keep plugging away on our Christmas projects.. time is flying by. So get your name on the list and commit to spending Friday night with the rest of us!


(If you are new to the FNSI - you can click the link above this post for details on how it works.)

FNSI Winner!!

I don't have pictures of my results to show you today. I wish I did.. but I had "Quilters Attention Deficit Disorder".. it's real - I swear.

I worked on 3 different projects - all are very close to completion. In fact, I might have one of them done tonight after I put away a mountain of laundry. I will be sharing pictures as I get them done.

Anyway - I did draw a winner using Random.org and the winner is....

#62 Dianne from "A Month of Sundays"

Dianne - send me your mailing address and I will send you this little charm pack..

AND - a lot of you already know this.. but for those who don't... Every December we host 2... yes 2 Friday Night Sew-In's. We all have so much that we need to get done.

So stay tuned - the signups will be posted soon. The dates will be....

December 9th and 16th. 

Tips for a Successful FNSI

With the Friday Night Sew-In just around the corner – I wanted to put together some tips for a successful and productive evening.


I’m one of those people who work best when I have a deadline. Crunch time is when I really shine! I wish this wasn’t true – I wish I was more disciplined to gradually work on projects before I feel the heat. But that’s just not who I am. *sigh*

I made a list last night – it’s a list of things that I must sew before Christmas.. and a list of things that I’d like to sew before Christmas. I make this list every year – and this year I really really want to make it all!! But to do that – I need to get sewing!

So, here are some things that I have found to make my FNSI’s more productive.


1. Plan ahead – have a plan in place. If you don’t already know what you are working on.. well.. get it together man! (that’s me grabbing your shoulders and shaking you!

2. Cut fabrics ahead of time. I’ve noticed when I have my project all cut and laid out – it’s so much easier to jump in and get busy!

3. Use plastic bins or boxes to separate your projects.

I use this technique and it’s very helpful. I keep projects that I’m working on in these little bins. I pull one out, set it on the cutting table and get to work. When I’m bored with it.. I put it all back in the bin, snap the lid back on. And then grab another. Progress is what it’s all about. That way everything related to that project is in that bin (e.g. the pattern, fabric, scraps.. etc)

4. If you have people to feed – order a pizza. OR.. make a quick meal like grilled cheese sandwiches. Everyone loves a grilled cheese! Use paper plates for easy clean up.. give em all a kiss.. then head to your sewing machine and get busy.

5. Bribes.. yes, I said bribes. Come on Mom’s.. we all do it. If you have little people in your house – sometimes you have to do it just so everyone is happy.

When the Holidays are just weeks away and you have things to get done.. bribe em with whatever it takes to give you quiet time. Maybe that’s renting a special movie and making popcorn. Or letting them stay up late and camp out on the living room floor (while mommy sews).

6. Do you work? Yeah.. I know some of you do and so do Bobbi and I. We have all been there.. you come home from work.. your mind is exhausted and you really want to sew.. but you just.can’t.get.off.the.couch!

Yeah.. yeah.. I get it. So tomorrow night.. as you are sitting there.. close your eyes.. now picture yourself 2 days before Christmas. Are you saying to yourself “Dangit.. why didn’t I do this a month ago?” Yes?? I KNOW… NOW GET UP.. GO SEW!!!

November FNSI Signup is finally HERE!!

You're FIRED!!! Yep.. that's what Bobbi and I should have heard today!

Early this morning, my cohost contacted me and the conversation went something like this..

Bobbi: "Um.. isn't the Friday Night Sew-In in three days?"
Me: "Wait.. what?... YES! What have we done!!"

This Month has went flying by and the FNSI totally snuck up on us! We thought about cancelling - but honestly.. we ALL have too much to do with the Holiday's right around the corner. We just can't cancel!

So here it is.. the signup is here! Get your name on the list and commit to working on those gifts on your To Do list.. or any any other projects that need your attention.

Blog Tour Winners!

Before I announce the winners - I need to appologize to some of you. I received a few emails from some of you letting me know that you were getting an error message back from blogger about my email. I used to have a blackberry and recently switched to an iPhone.. I forgot to update blogger since my blackberry email is no longer valid. Thank you for letting me know!

Today I received this little package in the mail from the team over at Quiltmaker!!

LOVE IT!!! My 7yr old asked if he can bring the mug to "show and tell" at school. I just might let him... but what if it breaks? What if it get's lost? Oh.. boy.. maybe not! That's my trophy.

Ok.. now for the winners!

The winner of the 100 Blocks Volume 4 AND this charm pack is....

#15 Coisas da Laura 

And the winner of the magazine is..

#76 aztel2000 - Karen from Breezy Point

 

Now for an exciting surprise.. I've selected 4 more lucky winners who will each receive a magazine!!

#2 SoozeM

#21 Oddbjorg

#60 Needled Mom

#39 Bev C

Send me your address and I will get all these packages out in the mail!! (all winners were selected using Random.org)

100 Blocks Volume 4 Blog Tour

Welcome!!

I'm so glad you are here!

I was pretty excited when I first found out my block was going to be in 100 Blocks Vol 4. It still doesn't feel like it's 'real'... I keep pinching myself.

Here it is... County Crossroads

I used fabrics from one of my favorite Moda lines "Neptune" by Tula Pink.

The design process started with a pad of graph paper and colored pencils.. and after many ideas.. this is the design I settled on.

I must admit that I was so impressed with all the blocks in this issue! I honestly feel like I am still in "Quilting Kindergarten" compared to some of the amazing blocks in this issue!

Here is an example of what 9 of my County Crossroads blocks would look like together.. it gets an entire different feel doesn't it?

The magazine will be available for sale within a week. But for now.. if you want to get your hot little hands on a copy, just leave a comment.

I will be selecting 2 winners.. one for a magazine...

and a second winner will get a magazine AND this lovely charm pack of 6 inch squares.

Thanks again for stopping by!

Happy "touring".

Quiltmaker 100 Blocks Tour and Giveaway

This is the week of the Quiltmaker 100 Blocks Volume 4 Blog Tour!!

I will be participating on Thursday - but for now, and every day this week, head over to the Quiltmaker Blog to participate. There are a lot of great prizes waiting to be scooped up each day all week long!

Yes it's True!

I'm a little excited about the new 100 Blocks Vol 4....  

...because I have a block featured! WHAAHOOOO!!!

The magazine isn't out yet - it will be out in early November. So I'm still waiting to get my hands on it.

I will be participating in a Blog Tour the week of November 7th. (My day is November 10th). But I will have information on the Blog Tour each day starting on 11/7 to help you find all the participants. There will be Giveaways for some amazing goodies!!

I will also have some advance copies of the magazine that I will giveaway too! YAY!!!

Can't wait to show you guys my block!

FNSI Update....

Just to let you all know I was able to power through and cut all those hexagons. Once I got the math figured out, it went pretty smooth.

I only needed 39 hexagons for my project. If I had needed more than 39 - I probably would have to break down and buy an Accuquilt thingy.

If you want to know who the LUCKY FNSI Winners are.. head on over to Crafty Vegas Mom to find out. You never know.. it could be you!

FNSI - Progress

One of the downsides to living in a smaller town is that we only have one big chain craft store - and it's not JoAnns. *sigh*

Well, I've been trying to work on this diaper bag for someone and I was stuck in limbo. My local craft chain was totally out of the magnetic closure.. for.a.very.long.time!!! So long, that it made me wonder if there is someone in my town that operates a purse/bag making sweatshop.

So I had to pay double the price from somewhere else - but I had to get this bag done.

I finished it during the FNSI. And the person that ordered it - sent me an email asking for another one for someone else. So I need to make another one this week. 

Not the best interior picture - but look at those little bunnies! So sweet. It's a personalized Diaper Bag. 

After I finished with that - I wanted to start a project with my new "Circa 1934" fabric from Moda. It involves hexigons. I've never worked with hexi's before but they didn't scare me. I was up for the challenge. 

AARRRGGGHHHH!!! Cutting these little hexi's about put me in the nut house! And look...

....I didn't get very far. And I don't even want to tell you how long those few took me to cut. I don't have a ruler type hexi template.. or an Accu Quilt thingy.. so I eventually had to walk away and made myself some hot cider. 

I could have kept cutting - BUT I was worried that if I don't have them cut right - it will make sewing them even more frustrating. Any quilter knows that accuracy is the key to a nice finished product. Right?

Do you have an Accu Quilt thingy?? Can I come over? 

Gearing up for a productive WEEKEND!

Yep.. that's me. I'm getting ready for the Friday Night Sew-In tomorrow night. I plan on sewing most of the weekend.. as much as I can squeeze in anyway. You know.. between feeding my family.. doing laundry... and cleaning.

I have a few supplies that I need to pick up on my lunch hour tomorrow and then I will be all set.

I will be working on 3 projects in total and one of them will be with these fabrics...

How about you? Have you signed up for the FNSI yet? Do you have your project all ready?

Don't forget.. Bobbi is hosting the signup this month. So head over there to get your name on the list if you haven't already.

Sign-up for the October Friday Night Sew-In!!

The signup for the October 21st Friday Night Sew-in has been posted!!

My co-host and cousin, Crafty Vegas Mom, has the linky over on her blog this month. She is planning a super fun giveaway with another very well known sponsor who was generous and sent some amazing gifts to pass along to one.. or two of you!

So get on over there and get yourself signed up!! We only have 8 days to go!!

Double the Cuteness!

One very nice benefit of going to Arizona this past week for work - was that I was able to see some of my old friends.

Even though I missed my kids terribly, I was wishing I had more time to see everyone.

Just 4 short months ago, my friend Ashley had twin baby boys. I couldn't wait to meet them and to see their whole family. They went from a family of 3 to a family of 5!!

When I first met Ashley.. she was a single girl. Look at her now.

I made super soft flannel blankets for the boys. Since they live in the desert, I didn't want to make something too warm. They are self binding blankets - if you've never made one before, you need to consider them next time you need a quick baby gift. Here is a great tutorial. They are so easy to make.

I miss these babies so much right now!!! They are identical and so happy! Benjamin and Ethan... but I seriously couldn't tell you which is which. 

Here they are snuggling with the new blankies. I told their Mom that when I come back next year for their 1st B'day, I expect them to be dragging these blankies around as their favorites.

And here is Kennedy - she is so sweet. I brought her a Moose from Minnesota. 



The moose is wearing a wool sweater with a moose on it. The irony made me laugh.

Here are some better pictures of the blankets. 

This is my new "go to" baby blanket.

Enlightened

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you might remember this post. I told you about my nephew, Timm. He's an actor. He's been working very hard at it for a lot of years!

He is in a new TV show that is premeiring this coming Monday night on HBO. It stars Laura Dern and it's called "Enlightened". Timm is her boss, Dougie. It looks pretty funny from what I have seen so far.

Here is a trailer

Season 1 Trailer - Agent of Change

And here is another video....

Invitation to the Set

The only downside - I don't think my kids will be able to watch their cousin since it's HBO so you never know what's going to come out of someones mouth.

Anyway - if you have HBO and you watch it.. I'd love to hear what you think of it. It premiers Monday Oct 10th.

A Sunday Bike Ride

This past weekend, the 4 of us took a bike ride. I really didn't have time for it because I had quite a few sewing projects that I needed to finish. You see, I was hopping on a plane early Monday morning to go to Phoenix for the entire week to meet my new team. Since I used to live there, I was planning to see some friends and I had gifts to deliver.

But - my husband convinced me (with guilt) to take a break from all the sewing and enjoy the Fall colors before they are gone. I'm glad I did.. 

Here we are taking a little break... we rode 8 miles. 

The pictures don't even begin to show how pretty it was. 

The air was cold crisp.. and clean.. and the sky was so blue.

 

This is a bridge that goes over the St Louis River... 

It was early in the morning. But I wish it had been closer to noon so Sun would have higher in the sky and made this a much better picture. 

Is this a cute picture?! My boys look so happy. Makes you think that they were actually getting along doesn't it? Pictures are deceiving - what you don't know is that they argued almost the entire way over who would be in front of the pack.

"I'm first!"

"Na Ah.. it's my turn to be first!"

"You always get to be first!"

"WHAT? - being born first wasn't enough for you?!!"

"MOM.. he's riding to close to my back wheel!!!!"

"MOM?"... "MOM"....

"DAD.. Mom's ignoring us!!"

And on that note.. I'll "Leave" you with this beautiful picture...

P.S. I'm still in Phoenix - so I'll be sharing more pictures of all the things that I made and carried in my suitcase. Stay tuned!



FNSI Results and Winners!!

Well - I suppose you were wondering if I forgot about you?! I didn't. It's been a very active weekend here in my little world. My FNSI wasn't quite as productive as I had hoped. But I did make progress and that is what matters.

Sorry about the picture quality - I used my phone. Anyway, I'm working on a diaper bag for someone in Arizona. I'm using "Lily & Will" by Bunny Hill Designs for Moda. It's adorable if you haven't seen it in person. I was pluggin along just fine until I realized I didn't have a magnetic fastener to add to the diaper bag. So I had to stop and wait until I make it to the store for a fastener.

Now for the best part - our FNSI Giveaway winners!!

The giveaway this month has a theme - Sweetwater! I am a huge fan of all their fabric and when I recently purchased their new book "Simple Home", I knew I had to give a copy away to one of you!

So I purchased an extra copy to give away, AND the best part - the ladies over at Sweetwater generously contributed some goodies to go with it.

My first winner selected using http://www.random.org/ is...

Freda - from Impera Magna - She worked on some adorable quilt squares for a quilt she is making. Freda won a copy of the new book along with a set of blank Sweetwater Notecards. (I really love these notecards and it's killing me to give them up! I'm going to check out Sweetwaters Etsy site and see if they sell them.)

Winner #2 is...

Narelle from Pins and Whiskers - She did some applique and then finished a scarf.. so cute! Narelle - I'm sending you these goodies from Sweetwater... it is a table runner pattern and 5 fat quarters from their Christmas fabric.

Congratulations winners!! Send me your mailing address and I will get these in the mail this week.

And thank you to everyone who participated! Bobbi and I love hosting the Friday Night Sew-In's and we are so happy that you all join us each month.