Sleeve for an iPad Mini

I am doing a mini quilt swap with my cousin. We agreed to make each other a mini for the wall. I can't wait to show you what I'm making her. But I can't ruin the surprise. So you can't see it until she does.  

But I will show you this...

I made her this sleeve for her iPad mini. She's been meaning to make one for herself. But I beat her to it. 

One happy accident..  

I was so focused on getting the words level but I didn't notice what phrase was front and center. I couldn't have planned it better. Haha

Can't wait to get this package in the mail to her. 

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It's a swap!

The swap is FULL!! Thanks everyone! 

Do you love a good swap? 

I am facilitating a Low Volume Charm Square Swap!! I did one back in August and it was a huge success.

We only have a total of 48 spots. And they are filling fast. 

To participate: 

1. Leave a comment letting me know how many spots you would like. 

2. Buy 1 yard (for each spot you want) of modern low volume fabric. Cut into 48 charm squares. Mail to me and I will return 48 different squares to you. 

3. International swappers are welcome. I will PayPal invoice you for the return shipping. 

4. Mail cut fabric to me with a self addressed postage paid envelope inside for returning (unless international. Just include envelope with address). 

5. Ship to my by November 1st. And I will return by November 15th if all packages have arrived. 

Are you in?? 

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Bees are my friend

YSo I have been a member of the Lake Superior Modern Quild Guild for a couple years now. 

This year we started a Quilting Bee. In August we made these pineapple blocks for a member. The pineapple block has always been a favorite of mine. And I enjoyed making this block. 

BUT I quickly realized that a pineapple block quilt is not in my future. There are 49 pieces in that block alone!! 

Here are everyone's blocks together at the meeting last night. 

Sorry about the bad lighting. 

For September we needed to make a wonky diamond block. 

Not my favorite fabrics. But she asked for Browns and she likes batiks. She loved the block. 

Here are the blocks for the group. 

I am the queen for November. Can't wait.

How about you? Have you been in a Bee before? Did you like it?  

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Welcome Baby Jackson

I finished a baby quilt for a new addition to our family. His name is Jackson. 

He belongs to my stepdaughter. He is her 2nd child and I'm still not used to being called "grandma". It would probably help if they lived closer and we got to see them more often. 

Now I just need to box it up and get it in the mail. 

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The Clip Cushion

My very first Craftsy Pattern is available now!!

Have you been looking for the perfect way to keep your Wonder Clips handy? Well look no further!

The Clip Cushion is here! The pattern is available on Craftsy.

If you make one, I'd love to see and hear about it.

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Hard Work Recognized

Do you shop at thrift stores? 

I don't have many thrift stores near me. We have just 1 locally. A few others if I want to drive 20 min or so. Very disappointing. 

Anyway, my kids love to shop there. I'm not really sure why... But it's a treat when I tell them we are stopping. 

So yesterday after grocery shopping, my youngest and I stopped in for a quick look. They had so many hot finds. An awesome wooden chair with a padded seat that was screaming "BUY ME... REDO ME". It was only $15. I regret ignoring it's pleas. It was a perfect redo item! 

One thing that always breaks my heart is when I see homemade items for sale. Like baby blankets etc. Someone put a lot of work into them and I just shake my head at how under appreciated the item must have been. I have rescued a few quilts over the years. 

Well yesterday in the craft yarn bin, I found a bag of crocheted granny squares and hexagons. 

And even though they aren't necessarily my colors.. I had to scoop them up. Look at all that hard work someone did! 

I'm not quite sure what I will turn them into yet.. Maybe a tote?

I just knew I couldn't leave them buried in a scrap yarn bin. 

Any ideas? 

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Put A Name On It

I saw this idea at a quilt store that I visited while out of town last Fall. And since I don't have any girls in my house, I decided to make them for 2 of my favorite girls. 

I used a charm pack from Kate Spain called Terrain that I had in my stash. 

I had to make the pillows inside as well. I couldn't find a pillow insert that fit the size and shape I wanted. 

But... I used a different batting to stuff them and I'm not super happy with the result. I bought something different and it came in a giant box. It says it's "premium" batting. It's horrible. It's lumpy and the more I tried to fluff it, the lumpier (?) it got. So frustrating. But i had a deadline. I was traveling to see the girls this past weekend so lumpy was my only option.

I may redo the inserts and bring them the next time I see them. 

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The Kick I Needed

This past Fall I received an email. It was about a meeting with local quilters to discuss forming a local Modern Quilt Guild. 

I decided to go. Just to check it out... hear what they had to say... see what the group looked like.

 

Well, as you can imagine. It was a great group and I was pumped and inspired. So much so that on that very first night, I had become the Vice President of Programs for the Lake Superior Modern Quilt Guild. Yes... you read that right. 

 

We have had a great start. I've met some amazing new friends. And it has helped me cope with all the stress around me. I've been inspired to sew and start looking at fabric again. I can't tell you what a difference it has made. 

We have even schedule our first outside speaker. We will be hosting Amanda Jean of Crazy Mom Quilts for a weekend in April. She will be doing a trunk show for the public and an awesome class for our guild. So exciting. 

How about you? Do you belong to a quilting guild? Does it inspire you?

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Run for Your Lives!!!

So about a year ago I decided to teach myself to crochet. Actually, I wanted to knit. But quickly gave up. So I gave crocheting a try and fell in love. 

I've made a bazillion hats.. And although I might be exaggerating on that part, it's pretty close. 

Anyway, in the beginning, I found www.ravelry.com. If you crochet or knit and don't know about Ravelry... Slide that rock off the hole you are living in and check it out! The inspiration and ideas are endless. 

Then this past Saturday, my 9yr old asked me for a zombie. I guess I should be honored that he has so much confidence in me. I found a pattern on Ravelry and went to work.

While making his zombie I learned that my son could easily run a sweatshop during the process. He was relentless. "Is it don't yet?"  "Will it be done tomorrow?" "Why are you taking a break?" "Do you want a bandage for those raw fingertips?"  

So, after 2 evenings of working away, here is his new zombie...

Ain't he "cute"? 

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Is that a Mustache or are you just happy to see me?

As I'm sure you are aware, mustaches are the cool thing lately. 

So for Christmas, I decided to make some mustache pillows for my boys. I could see the idea in my head. I had a plan. 

When I went to the quilt store to buy the brown minky for the front, I think she was a little shocked at how much I was buying. She must have thought I meant a square pillow. But nooooo.... This is what I was making. 

They were difficult to wrap and put under the tree. But my boys absolutely love them!! 

Here is the backing fabric. I really wanted to use a fabric with actual mustaches... but I had to settle for foxes with mustaches, bow ties and sweaters. I'm glad I did because as you all know.. Foxes are pretty cool right now too. 

I drew half the 'stash on tissue paper and then cut it on the fold so each side would be even. This is one of those rare moments when it actually turned out better than it looked in my mind. Usually it's just the opposite. 

How about you? What kind of homemade gifts did you make this year?

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Back in the Saddle

I have been sewing again... It feels so good to let the creative stuff out! 

My life is still upside down and sideways.. But I wanted to let you know that I'm ok and I'm sewing again. I have made some fun stuff that I will be sharing very soon. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR! This is going to be a good year... I can feel it. 

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Attention Texas!

I will be taking a trip to Texas soon for work. I will be alllll by myself.

You know what that means... I will have my evenings to explore on my own. Nobody's agenda but my own. 

I've been researching quilt stores and yarn stores. But I trust you guys so much more than google!! 

I will be north of Dallas in Frisco TX. Where should I go? What should I eat? 

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It's official....

I've been meaning to do this post for awhile. I need to take a small blogging break until October.

So much is happening and chaos is all around. I just haven't had time or the brain power to give the attention needed to my blog.

**CORRECTION** See, my mind IS scattered!! Wendy from http://sugarlanequilts.blogspot.com  will be taking care of the FNSI the next 3 months. I'm so sorry for the mistak

Very sorry about the mistake, Wendy!!

But, Anthea from www.hibiscus-stitches.blogspot.com.au has been kind enough to host and care for the monthly Friday Night Sew In until October!! Yay Anthea!!

So head on over there soon. She will be posting a sign up for July FNSI very soon. 

Thank you for understanding and for being here!! I appreciate each and every one of you!

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Friday Night Sew In - Signup!

I'm late... AGAIN!!

I totally spaced getting the signups posted. It's been a hectic week. I'm gearing up for a job interview on Monday. Wish me luck!

I will be sewing tonight. I have been cutting fabric this afternoon. I'm making tote bags. Will you be sewing or have you already?? Get your name on the list! Let's get busy!

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Welcome to the Blog Tour!

The giveaway has ended. I have drawn two lucky winners!!

Mary from http://ipiece2-mary.blogspot.com

And 

Lovie from http://loviesquiltsandlife.blogspot.com/

Congrats! Send me your address!!

Welcome to the Quiltmaker 100 Blocks Vol 7 Blog Tour!

I'm excited to have my block in this latest volume of the 100 Blocks series. Each and every volume is FULL of inspiration and ideas.

Here is a picture of my block... it's called Whirly Zig! It is a combination of two of my favorites, pinwheels and zig zags.

In celebration, I will be giving away an advance copy of the magazine which will be available in stores on May 7th. Just leave a comment for a chance to win.

And don't forget to visit www.quiltmaker.com for links to all the blogs in the tour! There is plenty of inspiration to be seen along with goodies to be won!

Thank you for visiting! Giveaway ends Saturday!!

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He Can See!

My youngest has wanted glasses for a couple years now. I'm not sure when glasses became cool. I remember when I first got glasses, I was in the 8th grade and I was devastated!

Well, his dreams finally came true. His prescription isn't very strong, but he says they make a difference in the classroom. We went to pick out his frames... I loved this pair. But obviously by the look on his face, he didn't.

This was the pair he fell in love with..

So, this gave me the perfect excuse to make him a cute little case.

I found a great tutorial HERE.

The tutorial called for a magnetic clasp. I didn't have one on hand, so I used a plastic snap instead. It works great!

Also, I had about 45 minutes to burn today and I was right by Goodwill. So I stopped in to see what they had. I found this plaid Full size flat sheet. I plan to use it for the backing on a denim quilt.

I also snatched these 3 vintage (aka used.. old) pillowcases for 99cents each. I think they will make great tote bag linings!

How about you? What kinds of treasures do you find at thrift stores?

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Drumroll please....

Yes, I'm late announcing the winner of the 100 blocks giveaway. I woke up the next morning sick as a dog. I am coughing like a truck driver who smokes 2 packs a day. It's ugly and exhausting. My husband was making fun of me this morning because he says when I'm coughing during the night, I keep saying "I'm sorry".  I think he's making that up because I have no recollection of that at all.

But today I'm feeling 'better'. I'm sewing and I have started a full attack on my mountain of laundry.

So.. I decided to draw 2 winners to make it up to you. The lucky ladies are....

#34 Wendy B. from Sugarlane Quilts

And

#20 Valerie from The Pumpkin Patch Quilter

Congrats ladies! Send me an email with your address and I will get these off to you both!

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Busy Weekend and a GIVEAWAY!!

I had a very fun and busy weekend. My sister and her 2 grown children came to visit. We barely slept all weekend and we did a 5K on Saturday morning. By Sunday night.. I was pooped.

Saturday night after a little Just Dance competition on the xbox with all the kids, we sat down to sew.

My sister wanted some more of these iphone/ipad/ipod holders. And actually, they can be used for any phone or tablet.

The pattern is from HERE.

The pattern says to fill them with rice - However, I usually fill them with crushed walnuts. I like they way they feel. 

BUT, my sister really wanted them to be washable. So we filled them with those poly pellets that are used for stuffed animals. They are more spendy than the crushed walnuts but are definitely washable. 

I'm in love with the argyle fabric!

And finally.. I got my package of advanced copies of the newest 100 Blocks Magazine this past weekend as well.

It's great and full of inspiration so I'm giving one away!!!

All you need to do is leave me a comment. Just tell me what you would like for Mother's Day.. or what you have planned for yourself.

Giveaway will end Thursday noonish..

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In Need of Some Cheap Inspiration?!

We are library folk.. we love going to the local library. And my kids tend to bring home too many books.. just like their Mom.

We made the trip yesterday. I got this lovely pile...

These 2 aren't quilting related. One is knitting and the other crochet. The crochet book has library 'checkout' stamps in the cover from 1984. I love that.

Here is another oldie. Full of scrappy quilt inspiration.

Here is another non quilting book. It's for braided rugs. I've always wanted to make one. But I don't see it happening any time soon. Fun to look though.

And this quilting book is one of my favorites. My library has 6 or 7 volumes of this series. They are awesome!

And this Classic Country... I'm not a big Thimbleberries fan but I must say that this book is filled with beautiful quilts.

And I'm SO HAPPY that we went yesterday. Because today we are cooped up in the house due to a Spring Snow Storm.

How about you? Do you frequent the library for inspiration?

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