Another reason to love my machine

Being a SAHM on a budget can be challenging at times. A lot of the time I'm on the lookout for a deal. Second hand clothes are the best option right now for our budget, and I don't mean vintage people. I can't see paying $20 for something used at places like Buffalo Exchange just because it's cool. Rather I like to pay less than $1.00 if I can. My friend Misty told me about the Salvation Army in Edgewood and the great sales that they have. So I drove the 28 miles out there a few days ago and wondered the whole time if I was crazy to drive all that way for a thrift store. It turned out to be time well spent. This sweater was one of the many things I got. In fact I got one like this for Kennedy last year. Now I was in a hurry doing my shopping and the deal was that you could fill a brown bag for a dollar (I filled the heck out of two bags) so I looked at the sweater and saw no stains and no major holes, or so I thought. Coming home I saw the ripped sleeve. Had this been full price I would have taken it back of course but for $.30 I knew it would be something I should fix, so I did. One thing about keeping my machine threaded is that I can jump on and fix anything in a jiffy. We had already planned on making the sleeves doubled for Ava so it worked out perfectly. She now has another great warm sweater for the fall and she can't wait. Neither can I:) Looking forward to more deals!

1930's Cousin Quilt

This quilt has been a total challenge to me and I could not be happier with the results. Each square was sewn with 1930's fabric or replica fabric and the quilters are all either my Aunt's or Cousins. I did free motion quilting on this quilt, only having done it one time before and I was not to happy with my first results, this time I can only say that how much I loved the effect. This is a true heirloom that I'm sure I will treasure for years to come.

Fabric Shoppe and a chance for a great giveaway

For those who like fabric you love this blog site http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/2011/04/sponsored-giveaway-featuring-fabric.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+JaybirdQuilts+%28jaybird+quilts%29

The blog is Jaybird Quilts and she has a sponsored giveaway right now from the Fabric Shoppe. If you have a chance skip over and check out her blog and Fabric Shoppe. It's worth a look to see Joel Dewberry's new line, Aviary 2. Once I get my project done I'm plan to make a quilt or two from his line. Very cool.

One the free giveaway she has some Ty Pennington fabric for the giveaway. It's not my normal color palate but I love it:) Aside from winning fabric (which I never do:( It's neat to see new material. Love it all:)

Happy Sewing everyone!

More projects going

This is a square that I just finished for a friendship quilt that I and 9 other ladies are working on. It's a little more colorful than I had pictures originally but I like it. Hopefully I won't hate owls after I finish the last block:) We'll see.

It's been a while...first quilt done in 2011

This has been my monster of a quilt. I loved the colors and the design of this quilt (all done in my head) but the actual quilting part was not good...not good at all:( I had a lot of problems and I know it shows. (This picture also is the best as Shane was in a hurry to take it and it wouldn't stay up the way we had it.) Still Nova loved her quilt and told me I was "the best". I guess you can't get more love than that. I have a small bit to do on the biding but all in all it's done and off my sewing table and more importantly off the list of projects to be done. Now on to my mom's quilt which I have to get done by the 13 to give it to her. All I have left to do is get the backing and quilt it. Sigh I think it's going to be another stresser.

Happy Quilting:) See you when I get out from under the pile of projects;)

A repost of one of my favorite quilts

I made this crooked blue quilt for my daughter Ava a few years ago. I was drawn to the color and patterns because the brown simply made the blue pop. I had seen a similar quilt pattern on Amanda Jean's Crazy Mom Quilts blog and knew these fabrics would do nicely for the pattern and I think it turned out well. I learned a lot making this quilt. For example the quilting on it took forever. I quilted around each individual square which meant a lot of pulling and tugging under the machine. It took me a long time to finish the quilt because it was overwhelming for a fairly new quilter. I also realized once it was done that it was really not wide enough to be a true full sized bed quilt. All of the negative aside I loved it and so does Ava. The frayed edges softened up and she loves to snuggle under it. I love that the colors are dark and yet it has a brightness to it. I'm sure it will be one I remember forever.


Please check out Amy's Creative Side Blog and the Bloggers Quilt Festival.
http://amyscreativeside.com/2010/10/29/bloggers-quilt-festival-fall-2010/

Busy Bee

Wow I can't believe this week has finally ended. It feels like I've been going and going and yet not getting anything done. But in actuality I did only I've forgotten to take pictures to prove it. I finished my second set of squares for a family quilt, (will post soon), finished a quilted wall hanging for my niece, made a horrible quilt top for a friend's daughter, and then made her a new blanket which is pictured in this post. I also made a quilted wall hanging for my aunt the week before but couldn't find the camera in time to take a picture, (was hiding in the Garage). On top of all that we had two b-day parties to go to (one we had here for the little girl who received this blanket), and also a book club meeting. I'm thankful to have this all done because I have a ton of sewing to do before Christmas and still have b-day presents to complete. Never a dull moment.

For this quilt I went out of my comfort zone as far as color. (Still working with squares because I'm still trying to get more experience before I move to more complicated patterns) I usually use brown as my solid color but wanted to try to use black this time. I loved these fabrics although I will agree that two of the fabrics are a little too similar to really tell the difference. Still I enjoy this toddler blanket. I hope she does too.