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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Playing Catch Up

So as I have mentioned before, I am doing the Fat Quarter Shop Mystery Designer Block of the Month. This is my first Block of the Month and I love it!!!

Today between transporting kids, taking my car to the shop and picking up dinner (yes, takeout saved the night), I managed to catch up on some of my blocks. This is what I have complete so far....

These are the 3 that I put together today. To be fair.. I had them all cut out already. Saves so much time!!

And tonight I will be finishing the 10th block below.. She's all cut and waiting for me. My youngest son has a friend sleeping over.. so hopefully they won't want anything to do with me.

I will definitely be joining the next Mystery Designer Block of the Month which begins in June! I love the fabrics for next year too!! The fabrics will be from the Avalon collection by Fig Tree Quilts for Moda Fabrics. This next one is described by the Fat Quarter Shop as a spectacular row quilt filled with basket blocks, star blocks, house blocks and flower blocks.

I'm not huge on Applique.. but then I kept reading and it says "Each block finishes at 12" and will be an easy to intermediate pieced block (no templates, applique or paper piecing).".. SOLD!!!!

Click picture to go to Fat Quarter Shop!!

How about you? Are you sewing tonight? Are you in the Mystery Designer Block of the Month Club?? Talk to me.

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Photo Booth Bomb

So my home PC is currently at the computer clinic. The Ethernet card died. But she should be back today. 

I wanted to do a blog post so I had the great idea to use my iPad. I went into the pictures and discovered that me 9year old little boy has been having fun with the Photo Booth App. 

Seriously?!

Have you ever used Photo Booth?

I never knew what it was until he showed me.

This one above reminds me of a fish in a tank. Too funny!

And below.. my favorite one of all.

I just might frame this one!!

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So What's Up?

Ok.. I have been promising that I would explain my "funk" and why I haven't done very much blogging lately. First let me start by saying that I know things could always be worse! I am an optimist. I am always looking for the good in every single situation. It's not always easy.. but thats who I am.

So here goes..

Some of you may remember that we relocated here to Northern Minnesota from Arizona (almost 3 years ago now). When we came, it took me over a year to find a job! Yes, an entire year!!! You can read a little about that HERE.

Well, my job was very stressful. I worked LONG hours and with some pretty demanding and unforgiving people. I have worked in my field for almost 20 years and this was the first time I had been in this type of environment. It wasn't fun. So since the beginning of December, I have been at home again. I am looking for a new job.. but for now I'm giving it all to my family. And honestly.. I don't miss that job or those people AT ALL!!

But - at the same time all that change was happening - we had to make the decision to put down our beloved family dog of 15 years. I had no idea how much this would effect me. I knew it woud be bad, but holy cow! I was a wreck, worse than I expected. My sister drove to be with all of us and hold my hand as we said goodbye. It was horrible.

I know many of you have been there and know exactly what I'm talking about.

So, I told you I would explain the funk and that's it.. I'm out of work and my buddy is gone. But I'm ok.

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