Still calm even though.....

Christmas is so close.  I don't feel any pressure to get things done or to do last minute shopping.  I wonder why?  Could this be the reason.....???

A very nice Merlot from my secret Santa

Noooooo... its because there is very little for me to do and I still have time.  Check back with me on Friday morning... I may be a whole ball of mess then!  We are celebrating Christmas with my family on that day since I have to work all Christmas weekend... 12.5 hour shifts...  They are so kind to accommodate me.  But if you were to ask my OLDER sister, Cindy... lol...  she would tell you that it is always about me.  And, well, it is.  LOL...  I love my family... just sayin.  They spoil me rotten.

We had our Secret Santa exchange at work last night.... and beside the Merlot  labeled by Running with Scissors (how appropriate for a quilter~!)   I also received a gift card to one of my most favorite quilt shops in Cedar Rapids.... Pine Needles.

I can't wait to go and buy more fabric.... however, maybe I should get more thread.  I have been doing more quilting this year and my thread selection for quilting is dwindling down.

Well, I better get back to my sewing room.  I have to finish quilting a Christmas gift so I can put the binding on tomorrow morning... AFTER I have had my pot of coffee and not a minute sooner!

Another Friday Night Sew IN!!

Crazy busy getting ready for the Holidays????  Only a few days left to go and I only have a couple more small gifts to buy.  I participated in another Friday night sew in... it was fun and I did get a quilt finished quilted and bound!  Well, my sister actually pieced it... this is a gift for our niece, Jaycie.  She is a teenager now and we thought this was a more grown up quilt for her.

Opposites Attract by Julie Herman of Jaybird Quilts
find pattern here

I also did more work on the Quilts for Kids quilt blocks.  I had fabric left over from the first set that I made and decided to make four more blocks.  

I still need to trim them down and then sew the units together (there will be two grey blocks and two black blocks)... I love this pattern.  Whodathunk that half square triangles would look so cool!

Its time to step away from the computer and change over the laundry.  I will be working on my other nieces quilt this afternoon and yes... my sister pieced it and I will be layering it and quilting it.  If I am fast enough I will be binding it too.  We will be celebrating Christmas with the family on Friday.  Time to suit up with my quilting mojo!

Charity sewing and Friday night fun!

One of the things that has always brought me joy was making quilts
for people in need.  Our local quilt guild, the Muscatine Melon Patchers, does  just this.
We make quilts for our domestic abuse shelter.  There are thousands of people that
use their services every year with the majority of them being children.  It really
breaks your heart when you see the numbers and know that these people are coming
directly from our county.

As I was surfing the internet this morning, more specifically blogs and flickr, I came across the blog of SoSarahSews.  She is the mastermind of Quilts for Kids.  This is an online Flickr community open to anyone who wishes to make quilt blocks, as directed by Sarah.  You may make one or a hundred!  Sarah puts these together and gives them to children in need.  The quilt I am helping with is for a little boy who is in foster care with his sisters. I believe that these quilts will bring lots of love to the children who may be thinking that they are not lovable, or that no one cares.  As quilters we have a great opportunity to share our passion with these children.

We know how much we love making our quilts; how much love we pour into each and every quilt.  And what about when we are picking out the fabrics... do we not love to touch the fabric and soak in the texture.  From the moment the idea first pops into our mind, to the purchasing of the fabric, cutting the fabric, assembling the top, the quilting and then finally sewing on the binding, do we not feel love?  Absolutely!  WE ARE QUILTERS!!!
 
So please join in on this.  There is a bit of urgency for this particular quilt... Sarah needs the blocks by Christmas but they will only take 30 minutes of your time if you send two. She still needs a commitment for 20 more blocks.  I am making four.  I challenge you to make 4 as well!  All you need is an 8.5" square of black(or grey) and 8.5" square of white. to make one block.

On a lighter note.........

 Friday fun night!!! What is this?????  well, it is my first time participating in Friday night sew in.  Fun, easy and free!!  It is an internet group that gets together..usually the 3rd Friday of the month but this month it is the 2nd Friday.... we sew in our jammies at our own home (unless you have a group of friends to sew with)...Then on Saturday you post your project in the flickr group!  Easy Peasy!!   The party starts here!
and  finishes here.  Oh...and how dare I nearly forget.....there's a  GIVEAWAY with each sew in!!  yeah!

An organizational tip

Before I moved into my new house I was doing some inventory of the old.  I just had to laugh at myself when I looked at my piles of quilting magazines...  How many times had I moved that pile from house to house... I had magazines from 1999!  

just a small sampling of the magazine stash. I had to break it down so it
wouldn't seem such a daunting task.

This move I decided I wasn't going to do that.  I was tired of being surrounded by clutter and I was definitely not going to bring it with me!  I think we all do that when we move anyway.. It is a perfect time to toss, giveaway and recycle what we have found we no longer  use.  I did notice as I looked at my magazines that I was getting a bit nervous.  I like to have the patterns just in case ONE DAY I will make them!  LOL.... lets be honest, for me that one day rarely gets here!   So I made a compromise with myself, I would keep only the patterns that I really thought I would make and recycled the rest of the issue. I didn't like how the patterns were written in some of the  magazines that I had subscribed to in the past so those went immediately to the recycle unless I really liked the quilt and thought it worth the effort to decipher the pattern.

I just so happened to have on hand a little 3-ring binder and page protectors.  I printed a fun little page for the front of the binder.

The next few hours I spent looking through my magazines tearing out the patterns I really wanted to keep and saying good-bye to others... I couldn't let them go without doing at least that!  LOL  

all this....

into this....

equals this!

My pile of magazines went from chaotic to controlled.  There is one pattern per page protector and the picture of the pattern is in the front so I know at a glance what it is.  Now I know that if I was completely wacko I would make a table of contents but that will take away the fun of browsing through the notebook.  I wonder how long this will sit around before I even look at it again!  LOL

WOW!!!! Can you believe it is Dec 1st already?!!!

Time has sure flown by since my last post.... I have been one busy bee.  Lets start by what did I finish....   Randy's Quilt.  Modern Christmas Table-runner, I helped my lovely sister with my nephews quilts so she could get them quilted.  I was just the pressing and cutting girl..but as you know, I was loads of fun until I got tired of standing!  LOL  

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I spent it with my most favorite people in the entire world...my family!  I have also been busy getting my house decorated for Christmas!  It is looking so pretty!  What is that you are saying????  You want to see pictures???  Well, since I just finished taking them... I think you are in luck.  This post will have lots of pics and then I will probably be a bit in posting again as I have GOT to get this t-shirt quilt done.... I want to take it to the quilter tomorrow...I think I may have to pull an all-nighter!  Put on the coffee!!!!!!

Have you started Christmas shopping????  not many days left!  chop chop!    My list is short and I have almost all I need... just a few small items and I am done.  I got my sons gift today...

These trees are in my kitchen/dining room .
The other images above are on the half wall that
goes down to the basement.

No flash... don't the lights look pretty.  I love the simplicity
of the clear lights.

Wanted to show the ornaments....still need a topper.. I was thinking
feathers!  pink, teal, red, and blue feathers!  lol

I just love this.... the ornaments are just clip art
from Microsoft... I printed them on regular paper, cut and
famed them.  Easy Peasy and the frames are from the dollar
store.  The Faith plaque is one I talked my sister out of.
I just loved it soooooo much.  She spoils me sooo much!

My wall decal wouldn't stick so I just
put some paint over it and peeled it off.
this is the same wall color that is painted
on the inset of my bay window.  It needs
a little touch up.  I will do that after the paint
dries.

This is my man and his quilt!  

completed table runner for the swap..bye bye!  My partner, Ailsa has received this and loves it!  That makes me very happy!

This is the ornament that I made and sent with the runner.

This is the runner I received..too pretty to put on the table!

Here is a closeup of my runner... I received this along with a house ornament,
handmade card, a piece of the fabric that was used for the back of the 
runner and a postcard of the town in which she lives.  Dianne
lives in the Czech Republic  I absolutely love this!

Apple PIe

So the other day I was feeling quite like Betty Crocker and decided to make an apple pie. It is the season after all.  And nothing gets you baking like a promise to your co-workers that you will bring a pie in.

I really wanted to dazzle them with my skill so I went to the store to see if I could buy some... skill that is.. LOL  Well, I couldn't find skill so I bought some granny smith apples and Pillsbury role out pie dough instead.  I didn't make my pie crust from scratch since my son used my rolling pin to kill a mouse..... YUCK!  I am in the market for a new one if you have any recommendations.

I do have some gadgets that I like to use when baking.... and all of them are from pampered chef.  I just love their stuff!  My friend Angie is a consultant so if you are interested in ordering some here is her email.....   angie_hilkin@yahoo.com.. just tell her I sent you!  No, I won't get any rewards for the referral... but success sometimes comes with a little help from our friends and we could all use that, right?!
Are you ready to see the pictures????   Well, wait no longer .. here they are!

                         This handy little contraption in the apple slicer, peeler, corer.
                          It is worth every penny even if you only bake once a year.
                           I had 6 apples peeled, sliced and cored in less than 5 minutes.
                           and that included the  time it took to take the pictures of the
                            process!

                                              I love the stringy peel!

                  The prepared apple!  Just a little peel remains but that is easily cut off in

                     just a matter of seconds...or you can just leave it and bake it into the pie.

I used some fun little cookie cutters, I actually think they are for cheese but I used them to cut
the crust.  Fancy Pants, I know.  LOL


 Now I have to tell you about another giveaway that is currently going on.  It is over at
Kammy's Korner.  She is giving away a Cutting Edge stencil..of your choice up to a $50 value. I really want to win, but in order for me to increase my chances I have to blog about it.... But I would like you to win too!  I know you would share with me, just I like I would you!  LOL

This is one of my favorites.  There are so many on the website. Just click and go 
see what they have. You may be surprised at what all they use stencils on!  You should see what Kammy did with hers! 


 So head on over to Kammy's and enter the giveaway now.  Heck,
while you are there you really should check out her blog.. she is very talented and has
a keen eye for design.  
Unfortunately I have laundry up the wazoo today so I better get off the computer and get to work. Nothing makes you feel more creative than a clean house and clean clothes!
Have yourself a wonderful day!

Look What I got!

A while ago I entered a giveaway on The House Undone Blog.... they were giving away an original acrylic painting from VickisArt.....  You can check out her Etsy Store here.  This is the first piece of ART that I have owned that wasn't a print or made from my son back in his elementary school days.  I just love this painting.  It is beautiful. I just need to decide if I want to keep it in my living room where I will see it throughout the day or do I want to wake up to it in my bedroom... Either way, with the arrival of this painting, I realize now more than ever that my walls are pretty naked.  I really need to dress them up.  I have a plan for the TV wall... I am going to do a gallery wall... all frames will be black but they will all be different shapes and sizes.   I would love to put a stenciled pattern on the walls, but the opposing wall is brick..... hmmmm I just think that would be tooooo much pattern for me. No resting place for my little eyeballs!  LOL  Well, for now.. I am just going to show my photo's of the picture... when I finally decorate my walls, I will blog that as well.  In my mind it is going to be absolutely beautiful.

 Below I was trying to impress with the signature of the artist...but my camera wouldn't focus... I was too close I guess.  LOL

Here is my picture hanging all pretty on my wall.

 Can you see Leroy's tail.... As for the apple pie that I was going to post today... it will have to wait for tomorrow.  This painting had to take first priority!

I hope you all have a fantabulous day!  I have a date with Edward Cullen tonight.  YUMMY!  Now he is better than apple pie FOR SURE!

More of my Modern Christmas Table Runner Swap

I can't believe that it has been so long since I have written anything.  I have definitely been busy.  I have been working on my Facade quilt..almost done with that ..only 4 more rows to attach before the top is completed.  I am still waiting for the fabric to arrive for the back...I just ordered it Friday so it hasn't been that long..lol..   I must be patient.


I took the big step and began quilting my Modern Christmas Table Runner... I don't think I don't want to give it away.  I  L>O>V>E it!!!!!  But gosh, trying to decide on a quilting pattern was a struggle... so I stand in front of it tracing with my fingers  the design I am contemplating, trying to give myself a visual before committing to thread.  Lord knows I hate to rip out quilting!  I did a lovely big stitch ...well, probably just a running stitch..I don't know the difference..hehehe  ..oh silly me.

And now since I am in the writing groove, I am debating if I should take this time to write about my apple pie.  I think I will wait.  I got some awesome pictures for you to see ..it was so gosh darn cute!  Thank you Pampered Chef..oh and Pillsbury for the amazing crust!  

I have to work tomorrow so I should get busy with my housework tonight.  The Bosch Pest control guy is coming tomorrow when I am not here.... I don't want him to think I am a slob, but I have been sewing a lot and well, you know... the housework does tend to go to the bottom of the priority list.  I think I am going to take my dog to town with me..I really want a soda!

Happy Halloween!!!!

 Happy Halloween to my bloggy peeps!!!!  This is me above... and I am feeling sooooo pretty!  Well, I have been a busy bee lately... and since I didn't have my internet behaving like it should... we won't go into that story...lol.......  I am a little tardy in getting some posts made here.    I have been doing some sewing and I even made some Halloween cookies to take to work... I left some at home for my son... didn't want him to feel left out.. Actually, I just wanted to see his reaction when he saw them.  

These are the fun severed finger sugar cookies.  I got them from an issue of Rachel Ray's magazine.....  Aren't they absolutely gruesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  eewwwww

            This is the finished top for the Modern Christmas Table Runner swap that I am                          working on.  I can't say who its for yet, but will do that after I know she has received it. I absolutely love this.  I have a quilting design already.  All I have to do is layer it and go for it!   I will post the final funner in a couple of weeks!

This is the star block... I cut the points off when imaging this block...its there on the 

actual runner..lol....  my quilty friends will get the importance of points!

And this is how it all started.....  graph paper, fabric and colored pencils.  I love this process.  

Oh, and one last picture to show you.... I was inspired to take this when Julie from Jaybird quilts took a picture of her views.... below is what I got to enjoy from my front window.... most of the leaves have fallen now and that's ok.  I look forward to being able to enjoy them again next year!

I actually stood outside on my porch to take this...otherwise there were tons of little window panes in the way!  giggles

This is the picture with the window, taken with me standing.... not so pretty and the hickory tree leaves were already turning brown...now it has no leaves at all....hehe  But with the way my furniture is placed in the livingroom and when you sit and look out the window.. I get the pretty view..I am so blessed!

Its Monday!

Yeah for me!  Five more days before I go to work again..wooohooo!  My house is a bit of a mess since I spent last week completing the top for my man's quilt, making a matching pillowcase and I made a little purse for a little girl who sells farm fresh eggs. She delivered two dozen to me on Sunday.  She loved her bag and my hugs from her were never ending!  I am so blessed!  

I recycled some of my sons old blue-jeans and added the fun

chicken wire fabric for the handle and the fried egg fabric for the cuff.The idea

for the style came from the internet at this link

http://thehappyhousewife.com/home-management/low-sew-purse/#ixzz13ceqyhpy

I modified it just a little but the happy house wife was my inspiration.

The pillow case

                                            This is the quilt that I made for my man...mmmm  mmmm                                           It's the BQ pattern. Since the trucks are directional I this was the only layout I could do..oooo.. I should have
                                            staged a big accident and had them all meeting in the middle!HAHA

                                                 A close up of the truck fabric.  Randy drives
over the road and requested this sort of print.  His birthday is coming up.  Can't wait to give it to him.


Now.... onto the Christmas table runner swap.  Well, my partner isn't participating much so I am going to have to rely on my stealth stalking skills to make a runner that will be to her pleasing.  I have decided to go with the fabric she mentioned  she liked ..which has a modern coloring but still somewhat traditional.  From looking at her blog she seems to be more of a traditional gal ... I see stars a lot on her projects.  So my design plan is a traditional runner with stars in the center... I will do some big stitches on it as well... she likes that!... Maybe I could add some beads to perk it up a bit!  I will draw  a sketch and post it with my fabric choices later this week.
Well,  the FlyLady harkens me.... gotta clean so I can be inspired.  Clutter really stifles my creativity and so does dust, dog hair and dirty dishes!  LOL  

Have a great day!!!

This was my first doll quilt swap.  I made this for Jenn who LOVES brights!  I am sure I got this pattern from somewhere.... oh, yes!  It was from my sisters book... if I had the name, I would give proper credit. I had some teaser pics in earlier posts but forgot to post the final product!

 I have a lot of other quilts, normal size..lol.... on my flickr page http://www.flickr.com/photos/arbonnegirl/ These doll quilts appear on that photostream as well... I am excited to show more of what I am doing.

Christmas Table Runner Swap...fabric preview

Good morning!!  What a wonderful fall day.  The leaves are so thoughtful.... blanketing my lawn after it cried out how cold it was last night.  Now if they could just find their way back onto the trees it would be great!

Last night, I gathered some fabric from my stash for the Modern Christmas Table Runner Swap.  I can say that it looks better in person than in the picture...the green doesn't make sense but trust me...in real life..it really looks great.  The green and the red will be used in bits and pieces  just for the 'pop' of color.  I am listening to the comments and will be adding a solid...probably white to break up all the color and give the eye resting places. Today I will tinker with some sketching to get a design plan and post that later.

So maybe, pull the green add a stripe?Or what about adding a touch of orange?  ok..so I pull the red and green add an orange and a stripe.... and some white.  You guys are the best! Thanks for helping me make up my mind.  Gotta go find some orange to preview...oh, and the stripe.  I will have to go fabric shopping ...what a drag.  (NOT)  hehe.    

My son has a football game tonight and I have to work this weekend so I probably wont post again until Monday.  Don't miss me!!