November Projects and a Fun Box!

Well, first of all, just look what arrived yesterday afternoon!

If that doesn't put a smile on my face...well, I just don't know what will! I got a whole box full of goodies from the Fat Quarter Shop! I ordered a bunch of Essence fabric, Blessings fabric, a jelly roll and yardage from French General, and some Wiscasset fabric! It feels like an early Christmas!

Speaking of which, I'm realizing I better get busy sewing some Christmas presents! So here are my November Projects that will hopefully get done!!!!

First of is my Schnibble of the Month which is the Picnic pattern. I'm not using charm packs, I'm going to use some Picket Fence Fat Quarters that I've had forever!

Next is my Gobble Gobble quilt which is now on Month 3 trying to get finished. The blocks are done...my fingers are crossed.

The rest of my to-do list is projects for presents. I have 2 small wallhangings and some cute calendars to do (Moda Bake Shop).

Meanwhile, it's 70 degrees outside in November, and I'm very torn between sitting down and sewing, and going outside to enjoy the weather! I'll let you know!

Time flies!

Is it possible that October is over? It can't be...it just started...it can't have been a whole month...there's no way tomorrow is November...I'm just not ready...

Can you tell I'm a little behind! I have these grand ideas and expectations at the beginning of the month, and then somehow the month seems to slip away from me, and here I am again. It's the end of the month, and I didn't come even close to doing/finishing everything that I wanted to!

The good news is that my October Schnibble is done! It's the Cindy Lou Who pattern by Miss Rosie's Quilt Co done in The Caroler fabric by Mary Engelbreit! Now, with any luck, it will be quilted and hung up before Christmas (there I go with those big ideas again!)!

I knew the Halloween treat bags for the kids would be ready...and I was actually right about that! There's something about those very subtle reminders that help get things going!

Here's Ryan with his bag! I think it's almost bigger than him!

Here's Miss Anna with hers!

Just think of all the candy they can fit into those bags! Yikes! Why didn't I make them smaller?

Anyway, I'm afraid that's all I've got to report for this month! Even with the snow delay my Gobble Gobble quilt is not completed! I did get some work done on it, and I'm hoping to finish by Tuesday when I meet up with my quilter friend! We'll see what happens!

Here's the stack of blocks just waiting to be sewn together!

See you all in November!

I'm back...finally!

It's been awhile, I know. It's been a busy few weeks. So what have I been doing you ask...well, let me show you...

I went to San Francisco with my mom to run the Nike Women's Marathon! It was a great race and a fabulous weekend with my mom! We had such fun!

Here we are race morning, getting ready to go!

And, here I am about to cross the finish line about 4 1/2 hours later! Hooray!

It was a super race to run. We started in Union Square, ran out to the Embarcadero, saw Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge (very hidden by fog!), out to Highway 1 and the Beach, through Golden Gate Park, around Lake Merced, and back to the beach to finish. There were firemen dressed in tuxedos at the finish line to hand you a beautiful little blue box, Tiffany's, of course!

Here I am post race, showered and wearing my Tiffany's finishers necklace.

We enjoyed a girl's weekend full of laughs, sightseeing, and great food! I can't wait to do it again...the weekend, I mean, not the marathon! I think I'll need a few more months before that sounds like a good idea!

Since I've gotten home, we've been getting ready for fall and Halloween! My husband decided to show off his creative side with some pumpkin carving! He has a Bronco's pumpkin, Ryan got an Ironman pumpkin, and Anna got a Hello Kitty one! When I got back from San Francisco he even had a surprise for me!

This is my pumpkin all lit up at night!

The kids have been counting down the days until Halloween! They love dressing up, and, of course, the trick or treating!

Here are my very own Peter Pan and Tinkerbell!

And, my loves in their Halloween p.j.'s!

Oh, and did I mentioned we got a bit of snow last week! We were snowed in for two days! The kids loved their snow days, and so did I! We baked, watched movies, did lots of playing, and even fit in a little sewing (more on that in my next post!). Here's the view from our driveway, after I shoveled!

Happy Halloween everybody! Hope you have a safe and sweet one!

Nothing but Fun!

Well, it's been nothing but fun this week! My kids have Fall Break (why didn't I get this when I was a kid?), so we've had the whole week together. It's been a blast! Saturday afternoon was our mother-daughter group outing at the Bead Gallery! Lovely necklaces and bracelets were made by all the girls! So fun to see their personalities come out in the way they designed and made their creations!

Monday, my husband was off from work, so we got a great family day! What do funny shoes and a funky smell you can't quite identify make you think of???? Yes, that's right, we went bowling! Luckily for me, we put the bumpers up, for the kids, of course! My score improved significantly! Then we got to see G-Force which was pretty cute, even for those of us who don't particularly enjoy guinea pigs!

Tuesday was mommy-Anna day, and we had a great time. Drinks at Starbucks to start the day right, followed by the mall with visits to Build-a-Bear, Claire's, Bath & Body Works, and Borders. Next, lunch out and a trip to our great local toy store. My daughter literally could spend the entire day in there. They have playmobil sets, Calico Critters, every baby doll made, a great train set, and lots of games....the list for Santa grew and grew! Then we went to have tea-Berry Bunch for her, and Coconut Vanilla for mom! We chatted and relaxed and giggled! Then a stop at Pottery Barn for Kids (another favorite spot), where we played restaurant, cleaned the house, and did some puzzles! Off to dinner at PF Chang's (my daughter's choice, I swear)! Before returning home, we did have to make one last stop at Gymboree! A few outfits later, we were out the door! All and all a great day with my daughter! I can't wait for the next one!

Wednesday, not quite as fun, it was laundry catch up day. The pile was almost as tall as me. But, a certain package on my doorstep sure did cheer me up! My winnings from Sweetwater! Yeah!!!! It was like having a birthday without having to get older! A beautiful layer cake of their new line "Make Life", which is so cute. The pictures just don't do it justice! Now, I get to figure out what I'm going to make with it!

We've also stayed busy baking and turning siblings into mummies! What else would we be doing?

Today, I'm staring at my very empty suitcase, and trying to get ready for my trip to San Francisco! I leave tomorrow evening, and am not ready...in fact, totally unprepared! I going to run the Nike Women's Marathon on Sunday, so keep your fingers crossed for no rain, please! I'll let you know how it goes! My mom is joining me, and I'm looking forward to a wonderful long weekend in such a fun city. Our itinerary is full of great restaurants to visit, places to go, and, of course, the shopping we want to do!

Better get back to that suitcase! Have a great week out there!

October Projects

October is here, and I've decided to be slightly less ambitious this month. Wisdom, pessimism, lack of motivation, ...who really knows! I see fall break, halloween, room mom responsibilities, pumpkins, a dirty house, a huge pile of laundry, a marathon to run in San Francisco, etc in my near future. It doesn't seem my sewing machine will be getting much of my attention this month. However, in order to remain somewhat hopeful (and, quite frankly, knowing that I will need some quilt therapy), I have a few projects that I aspire to finish this month! So here goes, and please wish me luck:

The Year of Schnibbles project which is the Cindy Lou Who (I love the name!) quilt made with The Caroler fabric by Mary Engelbreit.

Next up are 2 Halloween treat bags for my kiddos. These will be the first done, I'm sure. Somehow, I have a feeling I will be getting some reminders about these until progress is made. As in, "Mom is my treat bag ready yet?", or "Mommy what will I do without a treat bag on Halloween", or "Look, Mom, there's a cool Hannah Montanta treat bag since I don't have anything else to use yet." They really are very subtle!

And, last, but certainly not least is the Gobble Gobble quilt that I wanted to finish last month, but didn't quite get around to. I'm hoping a second time is a charm in this case, plus wouldn't it be nice if it was done before Thanksgiving! It's the fabulously cute Sweet Escape pattern by Miss Rosie's Quilt Co, and I can't wait to see the finished product. My fingers and toes are crossed for this one!

So, there you have it! We'll see what happens! Enjoy your fall wherever you are!

Oh, and GO ROCKIES!!!!! Roctober is here again!

Lucky, lucky girl!

I have been on top of the world since Wednesday! I won the online giveaway from Sweetwater for one of their brand new, hot off the presses precuts. In fact, they are so new, they haven't even arrived yet. I will post a picture as soon as they are here! I'm so excited-I won something (which never happens to me), plus I get some really fabulous new fabric. Could I be any luckier?

The new line is called "Make Life..." by Sweetwater for Moda. If you haven't seen it yet, you simply must go over to their site http://sweetwater.typepad.com/makelifesweet. Thank you, thank you ladies! You "Make Life..." much sweeter for me!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Better late than never-September Finishes!

Well, here I am again! No posts for two weeks, and now 2 posts in one evening!

I started the month off with a bang and had finished my shams and pieced the blocks for one Schnibble by the end of the first weekend. Somehow, other "stuff" just seemed to get in the way! Perhaps I was a little over-ambitious with my goals, too.

Okay, well here are the shams for my bedroom redo. I'm still waiting for the quilts from my miracle worker quilter, but I think they are going to look great. Will post pics...I promise...no 2 week delays!

Next, I worked on and finished the Schnibble of the Month which was the Winter White Schnibble pattern from Miss Rosie's Quilt Co made with Aviary fabrics! Love it and all that it now means (see post below for more on that!)

Then, I finally finished up my other Schnibble project. Literally, I just turned the sewing machine off and took the picture of this one! Nothing like the last minute, right? It is the Imagine pattern made with Peace on Earth fabrics.

My Gobble Gobble quilt is still waiting in a plastic bag for me, maybe next month, I mean tomorrow, I'll get around to that! We'll see, no one holding their breath out there, right?

Anyway, it's been fun and I probably got way more done thanks to this group than I ever would have finished on my own. So, thanks and can't wait to see what October brings!

Schnibble of the Month

So, I've been gone for too long! We had the "blue screen of death" as my husband called it on our computer last week. A trip to Best Buy and a very large purchase later, we have a new computer! I'm figuring things out...and so far so good...knock on wood!

Did September fly by for anyone else out there? I can't believe it's the last night of the month. Nothing like waiting to the last minute to post my Schnibble of the Month picture, huh? Truth be known I didn't finish it until last night while watching the Rockies (finally) win their game! Anyway, drum roll please....here it is....

It is the gorgeous Winter White Schnibble pattern by Miss Rosie's Quilt Co. done with the Aviary fabric by 3 Sisters. I love it! My office is done in 3 Sisters pastel prints, with green paint, and this will be perfect hanging on the wall! I have to admit, I tried to hurry with this one as the deadline seemed to be approaching much too quickly. I tried to get by without trimming up my flying geese blocks. Mistake, big mistake, huge mistake...have I mentioned I hate my seam ripper. I tried to piece the blocks together and couldn't stand it! Everything was turning out so wonky I wanted to scream. So, out came the seam ripper, and everything was redone. I feel much better about it now.

The kids and I decided this was a perfect example of mom not practicing what she was preaching. I always tell them to do their very best the first time, so they can avoid all the do-overs. Well, nothing like a little hypocrisy to add to my mothering skills! Oh well! I think in the end it was good for all of us. We all got to see the wisdom of my words, AND the fact that everyone, even mom, makes mistakes! We've had a few good laughs about it, and realized that this quilt hanging in the office will be our constant reminder to do our best and take our time with the things that are important to us!

With that bit of life lesson, I think I'll go pack some lunches for tomorrow! I'm toast! Happy October everyone, and may you do your very best (at least most of the time!).

Charming Girls Tag

Okay, I'm it, and I"m very behind! Somehow the business of school, gymnastics, music lessons, sick kids, upcoming birthdays, volunteering, and other general mom stuff has gotten in my way of sewing and blogging this month! I was off to a pretty good start, but the sewing machine has been very quiet and still the past few days. I have high hopes, though, for the weekend, and remain optimistic that my projects will somehow get finished over the next two weeks! By the way, can you believe September is half over already! Yikes! The store today was covered in Halloween stuff! Doubles Yikes!

Anyway, back to the Charming Girls September tag. Here goes:

1. As for the name of that little darling, I was thinking of "Gumdrops". Somehow the color and size of the pieces, just remind me of gumdrops. Maybe I'm just hungry right now...but I think it works!

2. Christy
C-cranky...no just kidding...not normally anyway. How about Creative instead. I love being creative whether it be with fabric, or photos, or redecorating the house, or kids parties, or whatever.
H-helpful. I like to help others out, and always manage to sign up for everything!
R-retarded. I can walk into a room and forget why I'm there. I can lose my own keys in my own purse. I can put cottage cheese away in the cabinet and put the fork in the refrigerator!
I-Independent. I love my alone time, even though it's very rare these days. I like doing things for and by myself.
S-Sweet-tooth. I love sweets. I love chocolate. I love ice cream. I love cookies and brownies. I love candy. You get the idea.
T-Tempted. I am constantly tempted by new quilts I want to make, new projects I want to start, new recipes I want to cook, new books I want to read. If only there were more hours in the day!
Y-Yearning. I am yearning for one of those darling Lisa Leonard necklaces, a massage, the new French General fabrics, a pedicure (you have no idea how badly I need one), and a truffle while we're at it!

Thanks for stopping by! I'm off to start dinner, and get to gymnastics, and then collapse into bed! But doesn't the idea of a day of sewing somehow pull us all through!

This Month's Agenda

So, here we are, September already!!! First of all, I have to show you the pictures of the much blogged about Glace BOM from The Fat Quarter Shop. Here are the first 3 month's blocks:

Aren't they beautiful?

Okay, now onto other things. Deciding what to post for the Charming Girls Quilt Club was fun, but definitely difficult. There are just too many projects, and not enough time! I know you understand! If only I could get as much done as I'd like to! Think of all the quilts I could make...okay, back to reality. Here's what I came up with for September:

First, are the pillow shams I want to make for my bedroom redo. I made a new quilt for our bed and a matching wallhanging (which are both now at the quilter). We have purchased the new paint for the room, the new sheets are waiting in the closet, and the artwork piled up. So, here are the materials for my new shams-

Next, up is the quilt I started with the Sweet Escape pattern by Miss Rosie's Quilt Co. using the Gobble Gobble fabric line. Wouldn't it be great to have it done by Thanksgiving and actually get to use it this year!

Then, I'm working the Year of Schnibbles project which is the Winter White pattern by Miss Rosie's Quilt Co. I decided to use Aviary fabric so I can hang it in my office which is all done in 3 Sisters colors and prints.

And, lastly, since I was looking through my Schnibbles. I realized I started the Imagine pattern, but never finished it. It is done in Peace on Earth fabrics. Wouldn't that make a fun Holiday gift, assuming I get it done!

So, there are my goals for the month! Hopefully, I didn't bite off more than I can sew! We'll see! Happy September everyone!

From Mania to Addiction...and a little giveaway!

So, would it be totally freaky if I went from never doing a BOM to doing 6 at one time! It seems I'm developing a brand new addiction, which, by the way, I really don't need. I already have an unhealthy relationship with Starbucks, Diet Coke, ice cream, fabric (come on, who doesn't?), Sportscenter, ...it seems the list could go on and on. And, yet here I am on the verge of another, and I'm ready to plunge!

I already adore the Fat Quarter Shop and drool on their website regularly. Then, they started blogging about their BOM's, and now I'm really hooked. I started with the Designer Block of the Month that they were doing mostly because the Glace fabric is so gorgeous I just couldn't help myself! Then, over the past week or so, they've been blogging about all their fabulous BOM's, and, catch this, giveaways also!!!! It's like a slice of heaven with a scoop of ice cream on top (did I mention my problem with ice cream already?)

Anyway, I decided perhaps given the enticement I could do one more BOM. Now, the conundrum, which is going to be the second one. I like them all! I want them all! Am I starting to sound like Veruca Salt from Willy Wonka? First it was the Pennsylvania Dutch BOM with Wiscasset, then Green Piece, then Robyn Pandolph's Bespoke Blooms, well, now look what they've come up with-

The Civil War Tribute which is spectacular http://www.fatquartershop.com/Civil-War-Tribute-Judie-Rothermel-Marcus-Brothers-Fabric.asp

And, then today, look what I found

The Fig Tree Club http://www.fatquartershop.com/Fig-Tree-Quilts-Fabric-Moda-Fabrics.asp, which is so difficult to resist my fingers trembled when I minimized the screen!

Can you stand all the loveliness?

So, here's the question, do I hold out with my one BOM (I can already see you shaking your head, right?), or do I take a another leap...

Go take a peek, check out all the wonderful options, enter the giveaways for heaven's sake, and then come back over and tell me which second BOM I should join. And, no, my husband has already informed me that all of them is not an option (phooey!!!).

Now, since I'm desperate for some blogging love (comments, followers, anything!!!) I'm going to do a little giveaway of my own. Leave me a comment telling me which is your favorite BOM, and I'll enter your name once in my drawing. Blog about me and my BOM dilemna, and I enter you 5 times! I'll leave this open until next Friday, the 11th of September, and I'll anounce the winner on Saturday! What is the giveaway you ask? How about a hint...Moda precuts!

Well, off I go to indulge in my other addictions...I hear a diet coke calling my name...

Have a wonderful and very safe Labor Day weekend!

BOM Mania!

So I've never actually done a BOM (Block of the Month) program, and in the interest of doing new and different things (like entering the scary techie world of blogging), I decided a few months ago to try it. Of course, the delicious fabric was a major enticement! I found the 2009 Designer Mystery BOM from the Fat Quarter Shop featuring the Glace line of fabric. Great designers, great fabric, great store...what more can a girl wish for! Well, I'm working on my 3rd block now, and they are drop dead gorgeous (I'll be posting a pic soon). I love getting one a month, so easy and quick, and leaves me dying to see what comes next.

Well, like all things quilty...addictions come easily, and I find myself drooling over another BOM at the Fat Quarter Shop. They are doing a Pennsylvania Dutch BOM with Wiscasset (which I can't wait to see in person). It looks wonderful and now I'm debating whether I should take the BOM plunge, again! Go and check it out at http://fatquartershop.blogspot.com/2009/08/bom-mini-series-part-1-pennsylvania.html and let me know what you think!

I'm thinking it's pretty hard to resist!

Some Must See Blogs

Here are a couple awesome things you've got to check out online right now! I mean who doesn't love a giveaway?

Over at the Crazy Old Ladies blog you can enter for a chance to win a Moda scrap bag! They are celebrating their first Moda bake shop project. Which is adorable, by the way!

http://crazyoldladiesquilts.blogspot.com/


Heather over at Anka's Treasures has an amazing giveaway for quilts and some charm packs! http://ankastreasures.wordpress.com/

Good luck and please feel free to share any winnings with me!

Happy Tuesday!

Technology Here I Come!

So here I am in cyberspace! Who knew? Me, the girl who can't keep her cell phone charged, has yet to figure out how to text message, and still doesn't really get twittering (what is that anyway?), has jumped into the world of blogging. I've been lurking around this blogging universe for a few months, quietly reading and checking it out. And, much to my surprise, I love it! It's just too fun to be sitting in my own house making friends around the country (and world), and getting to see so many amazing pictures (especially the quilts).

So here goes nothing! I'm in!

So hello everyone out there! My name is Christy and I live in beautiful Colorado Springs. I have two kiddos, Ryan is 4 and Anna is 6. I get the great privilege of being a stay at home mom, and I love it. I'm also an avid quilter and fabric collector (of course).

Thanks for stopping by and I'm looking forward to meeting you all in this crazy online place!