Sunday, October 28, 2012

FNSI results

Sometimes I don't really feel like sewing.
So on those days I usually do some cutting instead.
It's always nice to have projects
cut and ready to sew when time allows :)
A few weeks ago I spent a few hours
cutting some scraps into 2 1/2" squares.
For the Friday Night Sew In
I planned on using this tutorial
I love the look of these 
and I have been wanting to try it out.
These blocks are totally FTS!
I just can't stop making them!
I would have made more, 
but I ran out of white for the backing
and I was pretty tired on Friday night.

I love love love these blocks
but I have absolutely no idea what I'm going 
to do with them.
Right now they are orphans.
These blocks finish out at 12" square.
Maybe when I'm finally done making the
rest of them, inspiration will hit me?

For now I'll just look at them
and smile :)
You gotta love scrap buster projects!



Saturday, October 27, 2012

The Winners for Week #4 are........





The winners for Week #4 are:

Sewing: suddenly sandra 

Crochet: thecraftersaprentice

Cross stitch: blessedangie


Congratulations ladies!!!

Please email me with your full names 
and address info to claim your prizes.

A big THANK YOU
to all our generous sponsors
and shops that were offering discounts
during our Sew & Stitch along.
I hope you all took advantage of the discounts
and found some new places to shop in the process.

Thanks so much to everyone who played along.
I hope you all had a good time :)

I'm sorry that I wasn't posting daily 
as I would have liked to be
during the entire month.
A very dear friend of mine 
drowned on Oct 9th
and I'll be honest,
it's been a tough few weeks.
Life is a gift.
Squeeze someone you love :)


Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Altered states.......

(you may be wondering what happened to my head....
well with wet hair and no make-up
there is NO WAY I'm posting that picture :)



Back in the day 
before I started shopping in the plus sized dept,
I used to sew all my own clothes.
Everything fit and I was always so proud of myself.
I made all my children's clothing as well.
But the thrill was gone
when I started sewing in the larger sizes.
I hate altering patterns.
My Mom is a now retired professional seamstress.
It was just always easier to give her the pattern
and the fabric and let her do her magic :)
Today I decided to jump back into the 
"sew your own clothes" pool.
Luckily for me the pattern I chose
had previously been altered by my Mom.
She made a dress like this for me years ago.
I used this wonderful cotton pique fabric
that I've had in my stash for-ev-er.....

I used McCall's 8788 view C.

I don't know if you can see what she did with the pattern.
She measured from the top of my shoulder 
to the point of my breast.
(nipple is just a weird word)
Then she measured that same distance on the pattern.
Sadly my breasts were about 3" lower :(
She cut out the bust line darts 
and moved them down about 3 inches,
then she moved the long torso darts down 
the same distance.
Can you see the red dots?
My "girls" would have to live directly under my chin
for this pattern to fit the way it is drawn.

So thanks to my Mom
I now have a new dress
and who doesn't need a classic little black dress?

Monday, October 22, 2012

It's the final week!

It's the final week of the Handcrafted Holiday Sew & Stitch Along.
Can you believe it's almost over?
I've really enjoyed seeing all your projects!
I haven't been doing much sewing myself this past week
as I've had some unexpected things come up.
But that is how life is :)
Anyhoooo......
This is week #4 and the prizes have gotten bigger!
Who's going to win this week?
Will it be you?



WEEK #4

Week #4's Sewing Winner will receive 
a $50.00 gift certificate from the Fat Quarter Shop!
Make you sure you hop on over to the Fat Quarter Shop
and start daydreaming about how you'll spend that $50.00.





Week #4's Crochet Winner will receive
  all 3 adorable patterns shown below
I seriously heart that chevron blankie!!!


as well as their choice of one single PDF pattern

as well as their choice of one single PDF pattern



Week #4's Cross Stitch Winner will receive 
this mega awesome
 with the retail value of over $100.00!!!!
Seriously awesome stitching supplies
at amazing prices.
Sign up for her newsletter and never miss a sale!
(I'll admit that I may have spent a bit of cash there,
but I always tell my hubby how much I saved him!)

Saturday, October 20, 2012

And the Winners for Week #3 are......




The winners for Week #3 are:

Sewing: simonedk 

Crochet: StitchinSteff 

Cross stitch: ca11i0pe


Congratulations ladies!!!

Please email me with your full names 
and address info to claim your prizes.


Don't forget to visit the wonderful
during our Handcrafted Holiday event.
Zippers, fabric, buttons, trim, cross stitch supplies,
crochet patterns, vintage sewing patterns and much more.

Also Sisters and Quilters is hosting their own giveaway
 of a charm pack each week during this event.
So even if you already entered,
Hop on over to their blog and leave another comment,
 for your 
chance to win and check out all 
the wonderful inspiration over there!!!

Friday, October 19, 2012

Finally Friday!

"Waiting for Santa" a freebie by Helga Mandl Designs.
I have to say that I'm really enjoying seeing all your fun
I've been stitching quite a bit myself.
I love getting lost in my stitch count.
It is so calming :)
I finished the "Waiting for Santa" freebie
and I'm 1/2 way through the Nativity set
that I'm working on.

"The Christmas Story" Nativity from For the Love of Cross Stitch Magazine  July 2002 and  Sept 2002
I also made another one of my favorite tote bags
for a friend's baby shower.
She's having a girl and is doing the nursery
in purple and green.
I love love love this bag pattern.
It's Simplicity 9658 view C
and you can fit just about anything into it.
My best friend calls it the "Infinity bag" 
because no matter how much you stuff 
into it, there's always room for more :)

I found this darling fabric by Heidi Grace at Joann's.
It has all those cute flowers and hearts 
with a wood grain background.
Isn't it adorable?
I used pale green pin dots for the lining
and purple cotton canvas for the outside.

Don't forget to post your projects!
You have until midnight tonight.
Good luck everyone!!!

Monday, October 15, 2012

Be Merry :)

"Snow in Love" by Little House Needleworks stitched on 40ct linen over 2 threads.



I hope you are all having a great Monday so far :)
Have you checked out the flickr group for Week #3?
Are you taking advantage of the great discounts from
our generous sponsors?

Have a blessed day
and always let those you love
know how much you love them :)
Each day is a gift.









Saturday, October 13, 2012

The Winners for Week #2 are.......




The winners for Week #2 are:

Sewing: Susie's Sunroom 

Crochet: hueisei

Cross stitch: Sew-Amy 

Congratulations ladies!!!

Please email me with your full names 
and address info to claim your prizes.


Don't forget to visit the wonderful
during our Handcrafted Holiday event.
Zippers, fabric, buttons, trim, cross stitch supplies,
crochet patterns, vintage sewing patterns and much more.

Also Sisters and Quilters is hosting their own giveaway
 of a charm pack each week during this event.
Hop on over to their blog,
become a follower and leave a comment for your 
chance to win and check out all 
the wonderful inspiration over there!!!

Friday, October 12, 2012

Handcrafted Holiday Sew & Stitch Along Week #2


Hello everyone!
I wanted to remind you all that it's not too late
to add pictures of your projects to
You have until midnight tonight!
Please hop over there and leave some love for 
the projects already posted.
There is so much talent in this group!!!

I also wanted to remind everyone of the awesome
discounts available to us during this event
as well as the prize packages for this week!
Will you be one of the winners?????

Remember, anyone can join in
at any time!


The following is a list of fabulous shops
that are offering discount codes
to all participants during the course of the Sew Along:
Just click on the shop name and go get your discounts!

Zipit (coupon code) SEWMUCH2LUV 
is good for 15% off her already amazing prices on zippers!
I buy all my zippers from Zipit!

Little Red Cottage (coupon code) SEW20  
 is good for 20% off total purchase!
She has the cutest buttons and trims!
Her prices are already great and she has so many cute items!

Crazy Annies Stitchin' & Stuff (coupon code) SEWMUCH2LUV10
(use all caps - case sensitive)
is good for 10% off everything in her shop
including items already discounted up 50% off. 
(that's a 60% off retail with the coupon)
You will seriously be amazed at her prices!

Sisters and Quilters (coupon code) SEWMUCH2LUV 
is good for 10% off total purchase!
They have amazing deals on all the latest fabrics
and their customer service is awesome!

Yarn Blossom Boutique (coupon code) SEWMUCH2LUV20 
is good for 20% off total purchase!
She has the most adorable crochet patterns!
Makes me want to take on a new hobby!!!

KalliDesigns (coupon code) SEWMUCHTOLUV2
is good for free shipping!
She has vintage buttons and vintage sewing patterns
as well as adorable crochet patterns!


Please note: these coupon codes do not include shipping 


WEEK #2

Week #2's Sewing Winner will receive this 
Everlastings Layer Cake from Green Fairy Quilts!!!
Can you believe that?
I want it......*sigh*

They have such amazing deals over there.
Sign up for their newsletter, 
you'll be glad you did!


as well as your choice of any 3 patterns
Serious cuteness!!!
I want them all!


Week #2's Crochet Winner will receive 
their choice of one single PDF pattern 


as well as their choice of one single PDF pattern



Week #2's Cross Stitch Winner will receive
this lovely bundle of fall themed charts
and 18ct Charles Craft Fiddlers Cloth
from SewMuch2Luv :)


as well as 20% off  one chart of their choice from
She sells gently used charts at low prices
so with the 20% off it a super deal!!!
I have purchased several charts from her
and the customer service is exceptional!



Thursday, October 11, 2012

The BERS Table Topper

Hello again :)
I finished up my "BERS" table topper.
I used 4 different star blocks
from the book "Jelly Roll Sampler Quilts"
by Pam & Nicky Lintott.
I didn't have a jelly roll of homespun fabrics,
but it was easy enough just to cut the fabric
to the required sizes.

I used Osnaburg for the centers in place of the 
4 patch the pattern called for
and I drew out my text in pencil and 
embroidered the words in matching floss.
I made a border from 2 1/2" squares 
and used homespun for the binding.

I used Perle cotton floss to do the big stitch quilting
to finish it off.
I decided to spin the blocks so that I can turn the topper
to showcase the current month.
 
I hope you are all working on fun projects as well.
I love to see your creativity!
Remember you have until Midnight on Friday to post
your projects to Week #2 flickr group
for this weeks prizes!

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Leafs Me Happy Blog Hop!


Hello and welcome to day 10 
of the Leafs Me Happy Blog Hop!

Today is my turn to show off my Fall Themed blocks!
I have called them "the Bers" :)
Shocker I know....... 

 I decided to use homespun fabrics.
I used Osnaburg for the centers and 
embroidered September - December
on each square along with a few words
that represent what these months mean to me.



These blocks are already joined together
for a table topper and I'm working on the hand quilting.
I'm hoping to have it done in the next few days.
Thanks so much for stopping by today
and don't forget to hop on over to all the other blogs
that are displaying their blocks today as well!

Quilter in the Closet

Monday, October 8, 2012

Are we having fun yet?




Happy Monday everyone!
Is anyone having fun yet?
I spent the weekend with family
but still managed to finish up these 2 Christmas ornaments.
They are both free charts that I found on pinterest :)

OK....so the winner of the mug rug is:





Connie
who shared the link :
"My number one tutorial that I go to over and over is a pillowcase tutorial at "Notes from the Patch." It could not be any easier.
http://patches.typepad.com/notes_from_the_patch/2010/07/tutorial-tuesday-24-pillowcases.html"

Congrats Connie!
Please email me with your full name and address
so that I can send your prize out to you :)


Look what I got in the mail on Saturday!
I ordered these beauties from the Little Red Cottage.
Michele is the owner and she has offered us
a generous coupon code.
Make sure you check out her etsy shop!
Her prices are really great and the customer service rocks!
And with the coupon code  (SEW20)
it just gets even better!!!


and there are already some great projects over there!
Go check it out and add your own!!!












Saturday, October 6, 2012

Week #1 Winners Are.........


The winners for Week #1 are:

Sewing: rregena

Crochet: Poochy Buns

Cross stitch: the crafter's apprentice

Congratulations ladies!!!

Please email me with your full names 
and address info to claim your prizes.


Don't forget to visit the wonderful
during our Handcrafted Holiday event.
Zippers, fabric, buttons, trim, cross stitch supplies,
crochet patterns, vintage sewing patterns and much more.

Also Sisters and Quilters is hosting their own giveaway
 of a charm pack each week during this event.
Hop on over to their blog,
become a follower and leave a comment for your 
chance to win and check out all 
the wonderful inspiration over there!!!


Thursday, October 4, 2012

Just checkin' in :)


I'm working on a Christmas ornament :)
What are you guys up to?

I wanted to remind everyone that you don't have 
to have a completed project to post pics
for the Handcrafted Holiday Sew & Stitch Along.
You are welcome to post pics of your work in progress!
You have until tomorrow at midnight
 to upload your pictures. 
Also, I need to point out that there is only one
flickr group for Week #1.
I had a computer glitch when I set up the link
so please make sure you post your pics 
only to the group titled

If you have already posted pics to the group titled
Handcrafted Holiday Week #1,
please re-post them to the correct group.
As of this moment,
there is only 1 entry for cross stitch
and zero entries for crochet.
It would be sad to have no one to claim the prizes
for Week #1.

Come on ladies....
let's see what you are working on!
Also, check out the flickr group
 and see what has already been posted.
Share some love and encouragement!

Have you been checking out the shops
that have generously offered discounts?
I know I'm working on an order today :)

Also, don't forget to hop over to
Sisters and Quilters for their charm pack giveaway!
Become a new follower and leave a comment
for a chance to win an awesome charm pack !!!

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Pees and Carrets

Don't forget to check out 
AND...one of our lovely HHSSA sponsors,
is hosting a seperate giveaway on their blog 
for more charm packs!
Hop on over and leave them a comment to enter :)


Being a Nana to 6 awesome little people,
I am constantly amazed by their
skills and abilities.
They are all so wonderful
and different at the same time.
The Sunday before last,
my oldest grandson Elijah
showed me a drawing he made.
I asked him if I could have it and he said yes :)
I quickly scanned it and went online to 
Spoonflower.com to have it made into fabric.
If you've never been to Spoonflower,
you have to check it out.
You can design your own fabric (super easy)
as well as purchase designs made by others.
Pretty stinkin cool,
but not cheap.

It's $18.00 a yard (the most I've ever paid for fabric)
 but for special projects it's totally worth it!
I had visions in my head of new grocery bags
as soon as I saw his drawings.
When I opened the package from Spoonflower,
I'm pretty sure I squealed out loud
because the dog looked a bit startled :)
I couldn't wait to start sewing!!!
I used green canvas for the bottom of the bag
and green polka dots for the lining and handles.
I used my all time favorite grocery bag pattern
I have several of these that I use every week
and people always ask me about  where I got them.
I love using them and I love sewing them.
Totally an FTS pattern!!!
These make great gifts too :)

Here is Elijah's original artwork.
I love everything about it.
I love his spelling.
I love his eraser marks.
I love his little arrows.
I just love love love it.


I know that I will be the envy of everyone at Sprouts!!!

I ordered another yard of fabric
using this artwork but I made the graphics smaller
and staggered the layout.
I should have it next week and I'm thinking  new placemats :)
I can't wait for my fabric to arrive.
Now that I know how easy it is to have fabric printed
I'll be watching out for more masterpieces from the grands
to use in projects for my home.





Tuesday, October 2, 2012

"Let's talk Tutorials" Giveaway!

Don't forget to check out 
the Handcrafted Holiday Sew & Stitch Along!


Another Giveaway?
Yes indeed!!!

Would you like to win this mug rug?

If you are anything like me
you love a great free tutorial!

Since we will be spending this month
sewing and stitching,
I thought it would be fun to share
our favorite tutorials.
I know there are tons online.

I'm including a list of some of my favs
and I want to know about yours.
I'd love to see some links for
free crochet patterns and cross stitch charts too!


All you have to do for a chance to win
is leave a comment with a link 
to any free tutorial that you love.
It can be one you wrote yourself,
or one you found online.
You have until Sunday Oct. 7th
to add your link.
I'll pick a winner at random
and announce it Monday Oct.8th.

Here's a few links for you to check out:


and these are just a few examples!
Come on and lets all share the goodness!
Also...don't forget to check out 
and check out the projects and share some encouragement
and add your own projects!

Monday, October 1, 2012

Handcrafted Holiday Sew & Stitch Along Begins Today!!!!


Are you ready?????
I'm so excited about all the generous people who are
supplying us with discount codes and fabulous prizes
to make this a really fun month of sewing and stitching!
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

The Details:
 Sew anything you like.
Cross Stitch or embroider anything you like.
Crochet anything you like.
It's totally up to you.

( Please only post projects that you are currently working on
and not previously completed projects.)
You can post pics of work in progress
as well as completed items.


Each week there will be 3 winners!
Yep 3 winners!!!
One sewing winner,
One cross stitch winner,
One crochet winner.
How fun is that?


Every Monday morning for the next 4 weeks,
begining Oct 1st,
I will post a link to a flicker group
for you to share photos of your creations.
Each Monday there will be a completely new
flicker group for that week only.
Winners will be chosen at random from the flicker group
every Friday evening
and I will post the winners on
this blog on Saturday.

You can join in at any time!
This is not a talent competition.
It's a time to be creative and encourage one another.
I don't know about you but when I know
that others are playing along
I tend to get more done.

You can post as many pics as you like of your projects,
but even if you post 5 pics of your project,
it will only count as 1 entry for the giveaways that week.

The following is a list of fabulous shops
that are offering discount codes
to all participants during the course of the Sew Along:
Just click on the shop name and go get your discounts!

Zipit (coupon code) SEWMUCH2LUV 
is good for 15% off her already amazing prices on zippers!
I buy all my zippers from Zipit!

Little Red Cottage (coupon code) SEW20  
 is good for 20% off total purchase!
She has the cutest buttons and trims!
Her prices are already great and she has so many cute items!

Crazy Annies Stitchin' & Stuff (coupon code) SEWMUCH2LUV10
(use all caps - case sensitive)
is good for 10% off everything in her shop
including items already discounted up 50% off. 
(that's a 60% off retail with the coupon)
You will seriously be amazed at her prices!

Sisters and Quilters (coupon code) SEWMUCH2LUV 
is good for 10% off total purchase!
They have amazing deals on all the latest fabrics
and their customer service is awesome!

Yarn Blossom Boutique (coupon code) SEWMUCH2LUV20 
is good for 20% off total purchase!
She has the most adorable crochet patterns!
Makes me want to take on a new hobby!!!

KalliDesigns (coupon code) SEWMUCHTOLUV2
is good for free shipping!
She has vintage buttons and vintage sewing patterns
as well as adorable crochet patterns!


Please note: these coupon codes do not include shipping 


And now on to the prizes!

WEEK #1

Week #1's Sewing Winner will receive
 a $20.00 gift certificate to Zipit!
It's really the only place you'll ever need for zippers!
How cool is that?
I buy all my zippers from her!

as well as this adorable pattern bundle 
( I think I need to buy this one myself)
That tiny kitten just makes me squeal!


as well as this beautiful charm pack 
of "Trails End" by Holly Taylor
generously offered by Sisters & Quilters, 
who by the way are also hosting a separate
giveaway on their blog.





 Week #1's Crochet winner will receive
 their choice of one single PDF pattern 
I am so amazed at how cute these patterns are!


as well as their choice of one single PDF pattern
Crazy talented.....right?





Week #1's Cross Stitch Winner will receive 
a $20.00 gift certificate from Crazy Annies Stitchin' and Stuff



as well as this lovely stitchable ornament pattern
I just love love love these!!!





WEEK #2

Week #2's Sewing Winner will receive this 
Everlastings Layer Cake from Green Fairy Quilts!!!
Can you believe that?
I want it......*sigh*

They have such amazing deals over there.
Sign up for their newsletter, 
you'll be glad you did!


as well as your choice of any 3 patterns
Serious cuteness!!!
I want them all!


Week #2's Crochet Winner will receive 
their choice of one single PDF pattern 


as well as their choice of one single PDF pattern



Week #2's Cross Stitch Winner will receive
this lovely bundle of fall themed charts
and 18ct Charles Craft Fiddlers Cloth
from SewMuch2Luv :)


as well as 20% off  one chart of their choice from
She sells gently used charts at low prices
so with the 20% off it a super deal!!!
I have purchased several charts from her
and the customer service is exceptional!




WEEK #3

Week #3's Sewing Winner will receive 
this stinkin cute pattern bundle 
from the Little Hibou Shoppe!!!


as well as this gorgeous charm pack of "Fellowship" 
by Brannek & Patek
also donated by Sisters and Quilters!
They are also hosting a giveaway over at their blog.



Week #3's Crochet Winner will receive
 their choice of one single PDF  pattern 


as well as their choice of one single PDF pattern




Week #3 Cross Stitch Winner will receive
a $25.00 Gift Certificate to 123 Stitch!
It's like a stitcher's candy store!
Yummy!



WEEK #4

Week #4's Sewing Winner will receive 
a $50.00 gift certificate from the Fat Quarter Shop!
Make you sure you hop on over to the Fat Quarter Shop
and start daydreaming about how you'll spend that $50.00.
Someone is going to win it.....it might as well be you!




Week #4's Crochet Winner will receive
  all 3 adorable patterns shown below
I seriously heart that chevron blankie!!!


as well as their choice of one single PDF pattern

as well as their choice of one single PDF pattern



Week #4's Cross Stitch Winner will receive 
this mega awesome
 with the retail value of over $100.00!!!!
Seriously awesome stitching supplies
at amazing prices.
Sign up for her newsletter and never miss a sale!
(I'll admit that I may have spent a bit of cash there,
but I always tell my hubby how much I saved him!)


The flicker group for week #1 is now open!
When you post your photos, 
why not leave a link to your own blog
so we can read more about your project
and get to know you better?
Have fun everyone!!!!