Just Another Monday

Today was all about waiting in line. There were long lines at the bank and long lines at the post office. I expected it, but didn't plan for it. Oh well.

This weekend I finished up the embroidery for the market tote sew-a-long. I went a little overboard but I couldn't just leave it with minimal stitches. The flowers were screaming to be brought to life and the pattern that Jennie came up with is just great. If you aren't interested in sewing up the bag, you should at least make up this piece and frame it.

I have a confession as well. Until this project, I couldn't make a French knot. I would struggle with them and usually find a way to get by or cheat. I'm thinking it was the floss I was using. This is the first time I've used perle thread for embroidery. Anyway, I am now hooked! I could have covered the entire thing with French knots. I just may do that one day.

I used quite a variety of stitches to create different textures. If you are curious about a certain one, feel free to ask.

And speaking of the lovely ladies at Clover & Violet, I found out that I won the drawing from the November stash project linky. I didn't win any of the Giveaway Day prizes, so this made my day.
In other news, I decided to treat myself to some fabric purchases because of the extra hours I have been working. I got my package from Fabricworm today, which is very impressive. I only ordered it on Friday. I'm still waiting on one other purchase which is scheduled to deliver Friday. In that order are my solids for my challenge block tutorial. So after Christmas it will be for that post.

From Fabricworm I picked up a half a yard of the scissor print and a couple yards of Essex linen. The linen is special because it will be part of my dyeing adventures after the new year.

The rest of this week I need to get working on my projects. I've been getting caught up in researching some things, which is fine, but is taking time away from actually doing anything.

I hope your Monday is treating you well!

Enjoying a Warm Weekend

I've been finding it hard to stay inside and work on anything this weekend because of the warm weather we are experiencing. Today the temperature was in the 50s. 50s! In December! This really is unheard of in my part of the world. At least consistantly.

Of course the sun still sets around 5pm and the nights are freezing. We did have a light dusting of snow at the end of last week that is now gone today. It's really hard to get it through my mind that Christmas is a week away. I go outside and it feels so September/October, that I am fooled into thinking I have so much time left in the year.

I took Jameson and Angus on long walks every day this weekend. They pretty much demanded it. We didn't have a destination in mind and I let them lead the way. Angus has a near obsession with catching a squirrel so he sticks his nose to the ground and tries to jump up every tree we get near. If he happens to see one, then he is off in a jolt, always stopping short because of his leash.

Little girls always yell out at us and ask if they can pet them. The answer is always no because sadly, Jameson has fear aggression and I don't want him to snap at anyone. Strangely there weren't many people outside today, enjoying this rare treat from nature. This isn't a bad thing though because I love the silence that comes from walking the streets alone.

The skies were full of Canadian geese finally making their way south. I know this means that cold temps and snow are soon on their way. Inevitable, but not welcomed by me.

There were small and large v's of birds. They were honking to each other, and I imagine to me, saying, "Goodbye! So long! See you in the spring!" Their bellies were golden thanks to the setting sun as they cut across the pale blue sky. The wind was still and the sky had slight streaks of clouds.

I want to carry this walk with me through the winter that will be coming soon. I eagerly await the return of the geese as they stop over for awhile before heading north to their homes.

My evenings have been filled with my weekly cleaning and some progress on my project list. I hope to finish up something tonight and will be back tomorrow to share it with you.

How was your weekend? Did you find some magic on these days of rest?

Giveaway Winner!

The Random Number Generator has spoken and picked comment #12 as the winner out of 149 comments.

Congrats, Janine! I have sent you an e-mail already.

To everyone else who entered, thank you so much for your comments. I noticed there are a lot of you who want to learn how to free motion quilt and paper piece. I tried to reply to most of you and if I didn't, I do appreciate the time you took to stop over here.

Out with the Old, In with the New: Week 4

This is my weekly kick in the butt to get pending projects done by the end of the year. To see previous links, click here.

I'm going to start off with two projects that are not on my list. One is long term and I'm going to enjoy slowly working on it. The other I really didn't intend to start and will probably finish it by the end of the year.

I did most of the crocheting on this while waiting for tires to be put on my car. I forgot how quick crochet is!

Original List:

1. Ornament swap. Sent and received! I really am excited to show you what I came up with. My partner gave photos of an owl ornament and a folded ornament as inspiration. I remember seeing this tutorial on the Moda Bake Shop blog and thought I could turn it into an owl.

Before cutting the fabrics I was going to use for my partner, I made a mock up ornament. I am glad I did because I made some errors and tweaked a few things. The mock up isn't too owl-like, but he is still cute.

My changes for the final version were to make the scarf out of felt instead of knitting one, and to embroider the year on it. I also made the head shaped like one of an owl. I also dropped the felt wings. I still love my prototype one though. He's special.

The points didn't quite meet up, I know.

Anyone interested in a tutorial? I am planning on making more, including other animals, so I could easily document the process. Just let me know in the comments.

2. Stocking for Stockings for Kids.

3. Monthly Challenge block. Block is done! Next up, a tutorial. I couldn't find the solids I wanted locally, so I need to order them. The tutorial will probably be up after Christmas due to wait time on packages.

4. Kaleidoscope quilt. Same as last week.

5. Drunkard's Path quilt. I have added two more blocks that are done.

6. Zig Zag quilt. Same as last week.

7. Market Tote. Embroidery has been started. I will finish it by the end of the week and hopefully get to assembling the tote too.

8. Halloween mini. Same as last week.

9. Surprise mini. Done!

10. Cowl to match hat and mitts. Done!

11. Pattern for hat. Same as last week.

12. Business logo/details. I have been doing some rough sketches and colorings of a logo.

Added Projects:

1. Mini X quilt.

I just realized that there are about two weeks left of the year. I'm starting to think my list was a little too ambitious. I do like having this weekly check in so I will probably continue it into the new year.

How are your projects going?

The Big 3-0 and an Award

For those of you who haven't hit this supposedly scary milestone, it's not scary at all. I have had a pretty good day so far. One downer is the rain that will eventually freeze, but it is better than snow. I had my last final for the semester this morning, looked at some art, met a friend for lunch, and did a little shopping for a project I'm going to work on later this month. Now I'm hanging out at home waiting for Chad to come home from work and doing a little embroidery.

My regular Wednesday post will show up tomorrow. It just wasn't a great day for taking photos of any kind. I have made progress despite the crazy hours I have been working. And because I don't have enough things I want to complete, I am adding a few new things. One will be revealed as I work on it, probably next week. The other is for the student art show this spring. The optional theme is in honor of Charles Darwin. There are cash awards available, with the potential Best in Show earning $200 if they also follow the theme. I figure why not make some pieces to submit based on the theme, if I'm inspired by it. I have his book On the Origin of Species, so I will be diving into that right away. Even if I don't come up with inspiration from it, I really need to submit work to the show anyway.

Whew. And to think I thought I might get to relax for the next month.

Awhile back I was awarded the Versatile Blogger award by Sana. She happens to have celebrated her birthday yesterday. Thank you, Sana!


I'm sure this one has floated around the community for awhile. One of the rules is to name blogs who you feel deserves the award as well. I'm not sure who hasn't had it or wants it, so if you are interested, let me know in the comment. I love all the blogs that I have been coming across and feel that so many in the community deserve this title.

Now for the full rules:
1. Thank the award-giver and link back to them in your post.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Pass this award along to 15 recently discovered blogs you enjoy reading.
4. Contact your chosen bloggers to let them know about the award.

So seven things about myself...

1. When I was a child I had a huge crush on Robin Hood from the Disney cartoon. So much that my best friend and I would play Robin Hood instead of house or doctor like other kids. He was Robin and I was Maid Marian, of course. I got the opportunity to meet him on a trip to Orlando and will let you see for yourself how happy this made me.

2. I don't wear makeup at all and don't plan to ever start. Well, I did play around with funky eyeliners in my early 20's, but only when I was going out to the bar.

3. I have a degree in Human Resources that has been pretty worthless to me.

4. I love to travel and have a goal of visiting all seven continents before I die. It used to be by the time I was 30 but you know... So far, I have made it to North America (obviously), South America, and Europe.

5. I have been in love with the Taj Mahal since I saw a photograph of it as a child. Before I knew better, I thought I could buy it when I was an adult.

6. I love playing music and can play the piano, trumpet, cello, flute, guitar, and ukelele. I haven't made much time for making music lately though. That may have to change in 2012.

7. If it were legal, I would ride a horse everywhere instead of driving a car. I also would have chickens, cows, sheep, goats, and many more animals. I'm lucky to have found a man who wants the same thing.

Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for taking photographs. I have lots to share with you. Now to catch up with email and posts.

Misc Stuff

Since tomorrow is my birthday, I went with my annual tradition of buying myself a gift. This started as a teen when I would buy myself piercings and into my early 20's when I bought designer purses and shoes.

This year I decided on this:

Weaving is on my to do list to learn for next year. And while this isn't the ridgid treadle loom I have my eye on, it will be a great tool for all kinds of things. The other loom I intend to buy early next year once I have saved up for it.

In the mail today was my ornament from the swap organized by Lindsay at Lindsay Sews! I love what Olivia made for me (two ornaments!) and she also included some holiday fabric and chocolates. Thank you, Olivia!

It looks like she hasn't received the one I sent yet, but once she does I will share what I made.

And finally, here is Cheeto in all of his glory. Angus is obsessed with him a bit and I can find him sometimes just staring at him in the living room.

I just want to pinch his cheeks! Too bad I can't. I have it in mind to make a stuffed Cheeto, so then I can pinch all I want. (And please excuse how shaggy Angus is. He is desperately in need of a haircut.)

His poor legs. When I carried him inside again I knocked him into the wall so one of them fell off again.

I need to find a place for him to live. As much as I love him, Chad isn't so keen on him, so the living room is out. Possibly my garden? Think he will keep some of the birds away?

Giveaway Day!

Giveaway has ended and the winner has been announced here.

Today is the day that a lot of us have been waiting for since they announced it at Sew, Mama, Sew. If you are visiting from there, please feel free to look around a bit and thank you for taking the time to stop by!

My giveaway is a bit different than most. I recently got more into making mini quilts and discovered back issues of Miniature Quilts magazine. I bought a bunch of them and ended up with doubles, so one of you will get the chance to experience them. The magazine is full of patterns, tips, inspiration and more. There are patterns for both traditional piecing with measurments or templates, as well as foundation patterns. Sometimes both for certain patterns.

A sample page from one of the issues.

The prize will be six different issues of Miniature Quilts as well as a charm pack of Lollipop by Sandy Gervais for Moda to get you started. I love charms for making mini quilts. They are the perfect size to cut down to the size of pieces needed for minis.

I recently made a mini using a pattern from one of the issues I have and found the directions to be well written and the tips valuable. You can read more about it here.

To enter this giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment! I'm looking forward to trying some new things after the holidays and new year, so I'm curious, is there anything new that you want to learn or try? It can be related to sewing, or not.

I do want to offer a bonus entry for my followers as well. So, if you are a current follower or a new one, leave a second comment and you will get another entry.

It is important that if you do not have an e-mail address tied to your profile that you leave it in your comment. If I draw a no reply response, I will immediately draw someone else. You may leave your e-mail as name (at) email (dot) com if you wish. This giveaway will end Friday, December 16th at 11pm CST. I will draw a winner and contact them by e-mail. If I don't hear a response by Sunday, December 18th, I will draw another. I will ship internationally.

Thank you for stopping by!