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. Pin It

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. Pin It

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!!!

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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!! Pin It

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? Pin It

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. Pin It

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!!

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