Comfortable Days

It's been a rainy, drizzly few days here in Colorado, but we're making the best of it with some comfort food, classic movies, and relaxed sewing (yes, I said relaxed...as in casual WIPs, no deadlines, just cause sewing's fun!).

I think it's been years since I've whipped up a big bowl of my mother-in-law's legendary banana pudding. 

Beyond simple....ridiculously satisfying...and it's so easy to let the kiddos get involved.  Just vanilla instant pudding mixed with whipped cream, and layered in a large bowl with bananas and Nilla wafers. Best if it's refridgerated overnight so the cookies get all softened up. YUM!

Had a little sewing break today too...or should I say a sewing treat.  Finished up some stitching deadlines for my BOM class (more shoots approach!), so tonight I pulled out a WIP I've had stashed away in the far corner of my sewing room for monthes...my beloved hexagon quilt. 

Such a simple quilt, but somehow I got interupted by another urgent project just as it was beginning to take shape, and those sweet little vintage prints have been tugging at my heart every since.

What I'm really trying to figure out- what I think about every time I see it- is how I'm going to quilt it.  An all over pattern that has nothing to do with the hexi's?  Or emphasize each hexi?  That sounds daunting.  Hmmm...hope it comes to me in a dream.  Or do you have any ideas?  I'm all ears!!!

A New Quilt Pattern!

Ok, real quick, I really must address the recent technical troubles that have been brought to my attention....I received a comment from a sweet, concerned reader this morning actually, alerting me that they are having trouble viewing my blog- that all posts after April 27th are missing!  Eek!!!

Wait a minute.  I haven't posted since April 27th!  Whew, resolved.

Sorry all!!!  I've missed you too!  And I'm so flattered (and embarrassed) that my absence has been noticed.  I could apologize for not posting a quick "hey, I'm alive!", but I'd instead I think I'll wallow in my various lame excuses (stomach flu, skin infection, head cold, trips to urgent care for smashed fingers, party hosting, school functions, meeting overload, maddening net/phone/cable "interuptions"...and a ultimately a very serious case of "I'm-Going-To-Bed-In-Protest" syndrome).

But back to quilting!!!

Finally finished that chunky chevron pattern!  Remember, that one I was going to do in highlighter green & punk rock skulls for my sweet lil' mohawk man, Captain?  He finally made his entrance, and I got the quilt done just in time for the shower.  I LOVE how it turned out, and am excited that the pattern is now available in my shop!

PDF Quilt Pattern in 2 Sizes

$9.00 

Everything about making, giving, and even photographing this quilt turned out to be such a precious blessing.  Great shots and special moments around every corner.  Can't resist sharing a few...

I designed a simple label on a word processor, and just printed it on a sheet of printable fabric.  So easy!

My friend Di cried, we all cried...it was priceless.  I've never felt so fulfilled and thankful for great friends,
and the impact of a meaningful handmade gift.

To snap a pic for the pattern, my squeezable photo assistant and I hopped over to a scenic park while little Miss crazy pants was in gymnastics class...what a special hour we had, just the two of us (so rare!).

So much to be excited about and grateful for this week!  Hope you are enjoying yours!

Stop And Smell The Sanity

It's getting to be that time of year again.  Busy busy busy, go go go....the kids have music recitals, gymnastic performances, birthdays, bike rides, fishing, gardening, theatre plays, road trips, play dates, and of course lots of running through the sprinklers.

Fishin

Softball

We can't seem to find pants, yet somehow I can't escape those purple clogs.

I wish I could say my plate felt quite as carefree, as I layed in bed this morning at 4am, mind racing through a daunting list of emails to send, blocks to sew, blog posts to write, classes to plan, healthy meals to orchestrate, and a house to rescue (when I open the pantry door and Cheerios pour out into a pile at my feet, it's time for an intervention).  Unable to sleep, I tip toed upstairs to make myself a cup of tea, stumbling on paint tarps and tools....yesterday, me and my crazy brain decided we couldn't live another day without giving the bathroom a makeover, complete with paint, wainscotting, light fixtures, and of course a smattering of diy wall shelving & art projects...hey, why not?  I've got a special talent for piling on the projects.

Flying Geese Pillow Class I'll be teaching at Fancy Tiger Crafts this summer.

My Frolic block featured in this latest issue of Fat Quarterly Magazine available April 30th...yay!  Check.

And here I am featured on World's Tiniest Bathrooms.  2nd Place in paint skills.

When life gets busy, it's so easy to get overwhelmed.  Overwhelmed at what I tell myself I need to accomplish.  Overwhelmed that my #1 job of being a kick butt mommy to 2 little girls sometimes feels like #9 on a daily check list stuck to my fridge.  Showering and working out are mysteriously absent.

And then I stop myself.

No one's going to get cancer if I don't get my swap partners blocks in the mail today.
Society will not crumble if we just order a pizza for dinner and call it good.

The cool early morning air seduces me through this open window, as trees full of birds chatter and welcome the rising sun.  It's going to be a gorgeous day and, dagnabit, I'm determined to soak it in!...and finish that paint job.

XO

Quilters Give The Best Gifts

Seriously, they do.  Between guild swaps, my birthday, and thank-you's, this week I received 3 of the most delightful gifts!  I'm awed (and humbled!!!) by the talent and generosity of my sweet friends!

First up- Front Range Modern Quilt Guild pin cushion swap!  I could hardly believe my eyes when I tore away the tissue paper to reveal this ridiculously adorable mason jar turned sewist's dream.  I actually missed the meeting because I had a class to teach that morning, so someone brought me the cute brown bag from my anonymous partner.

I actually don't even know it's from yet!!  I need to find out so I can shower them with thanks for rocking this cushion and making me feel so guilty for not giving a cushion that is nearly as cute or functional.  (Thankfully our Pres. got mine, and she has a sense of humor so hopefully isn't mortified by my wierd attempt at modernizing an antique doily with over-zealous embroidery.  I'm too embarrassed to even post a pic).

As if this weren't enough to make my day, the bag also included a gift from another guild friend, thanking me for spending what I'm sure was less than 10 minutes editing some quilt photos for her...why do I feel like I got the better end of the deal here???

I know, insane, right?  Stephanie's a free motion Jedi...check her out at Spontaneous Threads, and don't miss her recent quilt that just won the Tangerine Tango Challenge, AND is going to be featured in the 2012 Modern Quilt Guild Showcase at Fall Market.  Ahhhh!  Talk about inspiring!  Maaaaybe in 10 years, if I practice every day, I might be able to make something a fraction as impressive as her quilts (and pouches, apparently).

Lastly, and this wasn't from a quilter per se, but a crafter extrordinare nonetheless- my sweet friend Brooke  of TeeterTotterTot, who is the ultimate Etsy hound, surprised me with this 1930s quilt history gem for my birthday.

It's a book, a catalog really, of quilt patterns- all the classics- with little tid bits and tips for all the "modern ladies" of 1933- things like gluing fine sandpaper to the backs of their templates (don't forget- they cut EVERY single piece out with scissors!), and pulling a thread out to find the grain of the fabric.

The intro entitled "A Heritage of the Past" really struck a chord for me...I feel like it could have been written today, and honestly, it nearly brought me to tears...I can't deny that despite the modern fabrics and designs that I love, I am a traditionalist at the core.

"To the women of Colonial America we owe a deep debt of gratitude for the advancement in the art of quilt making.  When materials were lacking they combed the fibers, spun them into yarn, loomed their own materials, and dyed them over the open hearth to obtain the desired color effect.  No task was too great to prevent them from obtaining the materials and colors needed to complete their quilts.  Each new design was greeted with a chorus of enthusiastic approval, and gifted hands fell busily to work completing them.  To have created a new design was the proudest achievement of the year.  Little did they realize that the designs they were creating formed one of the strongest fibers in the fabric that makes up the spirit of America.  Just as truth needs no alteration, simplicity is beauty in itself, and the simple designs they created are just as beautiful today as they were in the 17th century....Join the happy throng of women who are finding companionship, peace, contentment, and above all the joy of creating with their own hands a fresh, new quilt of lasting daintiness."

Ok, maybe the daintiness part cracked me up a bit, but the rest was moving, truly.

I know, I know, giving is better than receiving...unless you're receiving gifts like this.  Then it just rocks.  Thank you sweet friends for inspiring me with your talents and kindness!

XO

We Have Some Hexi Winners!

Whew!  I'm no software engineer but DANG...proud of myself right now.  In my attempts to bring back my numbered comments, so I could find out which of you lovelies won the hexi giveaway, I actually spotted some html code that didn't look right (???)...so I deleted it (heck, why not?  It's not like my whole blog could disappear or anything...umm riiight).  FIXED.  It's a technology miracle!  [enter angels singing Hallelujah Chorus...]

You lucky, patient winners are:

                                                  253- Rubyd
                                                  45- Linda
                                                  70- Donna Joy
                                                  147- AuntieBelle
                                                  428- Silverlotus

I've emailed you to get your address for shipping.

Congrats, and thanks to all of you who participated!!!  Stay tuned for another fun BOM giveaway on July 1st!!!

XO

Easter! I Miss You Already

Anybody else survive an ultra-packed Easter weekend extravaganza?  Whew!  What happened to buckling up my white patent leather mary jane's at 6am, snoozing through the sunrise hymns, staining my nose with lily pollen, and celebrating the resurrection of Christ with a simple, understated plate full of deviled eggs?

 

 

Ah, but such is the life of a 2nd grader.

Nowadays, Easter's got 2 crazy kiddos, and a huge, nutty, extended family...all with their own crazy kiddos.  The egg hunts...ahh, nothing like chocolate melting in the sun...the ironing, I mean, beating into submission of linen...leaving an hour early and walking 4 blocks to get a balcony seat at church...

And yet, I love it!  The fresh scent of lilacs and honeysuckle in the air, lovely parades of Derby-esque hats, homecooked favorites, and the laughter of family balanced by tears of gratitude as I let my heart dive deep into the reinactments of the crucifiction.   

First though, a little sewing.

I snagged a few yards of this pretty striped knit at a local thrift store last year, tucked it away for a spring-ier day...and that day came this weekend.  Thanks to this fantastic tutorial, I was able to whip up a preggo-friendly maxi dress, without a pattern, in just an hour or so, and had enough fabric (and time) leftover to make a little one for my mini me too. 

I especially love how hers turned out, though I may have to add some straps before it officially goes into the closet.  My 3yo is a bit of a gymnast and we don't need any...ya know...Janet Jackson moments.

I love how we both had different perspectives on the photo shoot....here's mine: "Awww, you look lovely honey, in your beautiful new dress!"

Here's hers: "Can I go dig for bugs now?"

Thanks to the roomy dress, and convenient baby bump, I had no trouble sneaking in an extra large slice of that cake!  I was so flattered to see that my mom chose to use the Heirloom table runner I made her for Christmas...it matched everything perfectly!

And then there were the egg hunts...there were several...and I'm about to turn myself, and all that candy, in to Social Services before my whole family gets diabetes.

The Easter Bunny got mixed reviews.  Two thumbs down and a "horrifying experience" from the pot- bellied critic who clung to me in terror the entire time.

Awwww, but such are the joys of Easter!  I can't wait til next year!


WHAT?  YOU WANT TO KNOW WHO WON THE HEXAGON GIVEAWAY?  Alright, alright, calm down.  I know, I'm the worst giveaway hostess ever- I promised you an announcement on Thursday, and it's....Tuesday...the shame.

In all truthfulness, I'm slightly delayed in announcing due to some NOT COOL recent changes to Blogger, that removed my numbered comment function, meaning I would need to count through hundreds of comments to find "number such & such" that Random.org has chosen.  Grrrr.  So, rather than do that, I'm opting for plan B, which is go to bed, let this baby do some growing, and figure out how to fix the problem in the morning!  Thanks for your understanding!  I'll announce on FB & contact the lucky winners via email as well.

XOXO

Hexagon Giveaway from Paper Pieces!

Ok, ok my patient BOMers, as promised, here is a fabulous giveaway from the dears over at Paper Pieces- my absolute favorite makers of all things English paper piecing!!!  It's April now and we just launched a super fun lesson all about English paper piecing with hexagons.....yum!  This is one of my absolute favorite quilting techniques- not just because it makes adorable designs, but also because it gives me such a fabulous hand project to tote around with me to my daughter's endless gymnastic practices, and of course never-ending exciting Rockies games.

SOOOO, what's the giveaway??  5, yes, that's FIVE of you will win a brand new book book published by Paper Pieces featuring some aaaadorable new English Paper Piecing projects, AND three sets of hexagon templates- all the sizes you'll need to make this month's blocks!!!

Woohoo!!!  THANK YOU Paper Pieces!

How To Win:

*Step 1:  Become a follower of my blog, if you aren't already (just click "join this site" in the right sidebar or "follow by email" at the very bottom of the blog.)

*Step 2: Leave a comment to this post telling me one thing you've loved about being part of the Craftsy Block of the Month so far- maybe you made your first quilt block ever, or discovered a new technique that's rocking your world...or maybe you've had the chance to get together with BOMers in your area, or meet a new quilty friend from across the world...whatever it is, please share!  If you're not signed up for the FREE BOM series, no worries- just leave a comment about what you'd love to make first with this fabulous prize!  You can check out all the quilty mischief we're up to, here.

*Step 3:  This one is the MOST important!!!  You MUST include your email address in your response, or read this post to make sure you're not a dreaded "No-Reply Blogger" (ie email address is set to be hidden).  Otherwise, I can't contact you and you can't win!

Winners will be chosen via a random number generator and announced right back here on my blog on Friday, April 6th (my bday- woot woot!).  Good luck!!

*UPDATE:  This giveaway is now closed.  Thanks to everyone who participated!  It was so much fun to read all of your lovely comments! XO