Homage to a Dirty House~A Giveaway

Update: #58 Jill! wins!!
Have fun creating and NOT cleaning.
Thanks and see you next week!

Put your hand over your heart and repeat after me
The messiness of my house is a testament to the creativity of my soul.
I just made that up!
Where's my fabric line??

Today, let us celebrate the amount of time spent at our sewing machines. This very funny, and oh so true, line of fabric is
Housework Whenever
from In The Beginning....
designed by Sharon Yenter


Embrace the dirt in the corners and the cobwebs on the ceiling fan and get sewing!!
We want you sewing more and cleaning less.
Haven't you always wanted to hear that??
Well, here, let me make some t-shirts for you.


You'll need a quilt or pajama pants to go with this stylish top
so let's have a giveaway for
1/2 yard of the main Novelty Fabric and 3 coordinating fat quarters.
I know, we think of everything.
Except for the fact that
you can't make yourself pajama pants
out of a 1/2 yard unless you're a gnome.

And if you are a gnome.....Welcome.
We think you're adorable.
We hope you win.
Leave a comment mentioning your favorite quote from this fabric.

Random Drawing Tonight.
We really get bummed out when you don't win because we can't find your email address. :(

That's All Folks

After this...I'll be done with my 4-H tales.

This is dedicated to CJ -- she keeps asking & a big Happy Birthday to her (& me) today!

The kids did great, they got blue ribbons on most everything, plus some larger awards for certain projects. Especially Shadowman, he really cleaned up, but his lego creation didn't do so well -- he's already drafting plans for next year.


Went to the Style Revue; Lizzie did great. She didn't place. I didn't understand the judging. I think all of the girls could use some feedback. (Maybe if she would have opened her eyes that would have helped, just kidding. She'll kill me for putting this in here, but it's all I have.)


It was 107 degrees. I was busy keeping track of Harry (3) and my dad. Tried to keep Dad from "whispering" his colorful comments too loudy. He always has interesting insights into events such as this. Insights I'd prefer no one else hears.

Here is the winner in the senior division. Her dress was amazing. There was even a train on the back. Very pretty. Not a great picture, sorry.


Yes, it was worth it. It's a learning experience -- the kids work so hard, and then they go to fair & see that everyone else worked really hard too. I like that.

Hardly Wait

Can I just say.....I can hardly wait for this movie.

Who's coming with me???

I plan on laughing and crying and loving Meryl Streep even more, if that's possible.

Thank you.

Turnover~ Giveaway

Update: #71 Jenny and the Princess Peonies wins!!
Let Corrie know your pick of turnovers!
See you next Thursday!

Because we love quick, cute and easy.....
we've chosen to feature Jodi and her newest
Moda Bake Shop Recipe!!


Christmas Table Ensemble
It's like 3 gifts in one little package!


Giveaway today is One Package of Turnovers.
Tell me more about Turnovers, you ask?
Okay.

A turnover is a pack of 80 (you only need 72 for the project) triangles that are 6" on the short sides.

They are cut & packaged from the Moda factory.

Join 2 triangles with a 1/4" seam allowance to make a half square triangle block that gives you an unfinished 5.5" square. Designed to go perfectly with the Moda 5" Charm Squares.

80 triangles = 40 squares

There are several flavors to test out.......Gobble Gobble, Aviary, Basket of Friendship, Shirtings, Glace, Figgy Pudding.....etc.

Pick a friend or 3, (or me) and start sewing for her/him today!

Tell a friend about the giveaway and maybe they'll win it and make it for YOU!!
All comments will be eligible for the
Random Drawing later tonight.


Thanks Jodi for the great inspiration!
Project photos courtesy of Jodi.

Gone With the Fair

I snuck a quick picture.

Here's the dress a very talented girl made for 4-H this year. (see post below). Last year, she made a wool coat & modeled it in 100 degree heat. She is so out of our league. Let me know if you want a picture of her modeling this, I'll sneak another one.

And of course, every dress needs a matching Barbie cake.

Well, enough of her... Shadowman did well, not sure what he did, I need to look at it again -- the judges liked his leadership report, those are his ribbons.

Lizzie's humanitarian quilt is behind it (she got a blue ribbon) - she made it out of Silly Safari fabric (never showed it on the blog, because we lost the photo card in the middle of our fair fun.) It's really bright & cute.


Miss Bella did all right too with her Mary Engelbreit fabric quilt. Both of the girls were judged on their quilt & their History of Quilting reports. Riveting reading.

Today, we'll find out how the girls did on their sewing and how Shadowman did with his flannel Timber Creek quilt. Yesterday, we were turning it in & my machine quilter had used blue pen on it to draw on some of the leaves & it was still there. Oooops, had to run to the bathroom to get it wet, then would get back & find more pen. The fair lady was really nice; she set it out to dry. This is in the midst of us juggling his lego, pottery cereal bowl and candy entries.

Off to the Fair

It's fair week.

Finally.

Would you like fascinating escapades from the county fair?

We did have a moment in the car yesterday.

We turned in the sewing projects & all of the other bazillion project exhibits.

An older girl that Lizzie will model against made an incredible Gone With the Wind dress. It's up on a pedestal in the fieldhouse. Truly incredible & she made a matching Barbie doll cake wearing the same dress (I'll try & sneak a picture tonight).

Anyways, Lizzie & I are in the car & I said, "Man, do you have to compete against her in that dress?"

Lizzie very seriously looks at me and says, "Mother, just because she has a cool dress doesn't mean she'll win modeling."

I love it when they give a "parent" answer! Made me crack a smile.

I'll eat a funnel cake for you, or a scone, or a big strawberry smoothie or kettle corn. Can't wait.

The Wind Beneath My Wings

I broke down.
Joined flickr.
Have no idea what it really is.
Wanted to play in the Doll Quilt Swap.
I think I'm signed up, but who knows.
It might just be me and my monkeys thinking we're in a swap.


I'm supposed to tell my secret admirer swapper person my likes and dislikes.
My inspirations.
My muse.
My influences.
I'm influenced by Abba and Haagen Daas.
Pretty much in that order.

1. Orange (365/340), 2. Mickey Mousse, 3. Blue Bambi Cookie Jar, 4. mini bambi, 5. HST Quilt - Finished, 6. Kawaii Handmade Yo Yo Fabric Trim Altered Art Applique Pink, 7. Colani, 8. Vintage Circus Trays, 9. Bubbly the Owlet with Patchwork Belly, 10. orangecicle, 11. francisco and geraldine, 12. pinktriangle 019, 13. Crochet granny's

Soft ~ A Giveaway

Update: Thanks for all the good ideas. Gee, you all think she needs a break/spa/mani/pedi and a tote bag to go with it all!!!
Do you think she works hard or something? Has she fooled you with all that 4H talk?? Well, she probably does need a break. But I won't be announcing here what I'm getting. But I did get just the right idea! thanks!
#38 Brandy!! You win!! Congratulations for having an actual email address!!
See you next week!

Are you sick of the holiday giveaways yet??


I have a secret for you.
Christmas is coming.
You'll need flannel.
You'll want to be thinking red and green.
Pajama pants with little jingle bells will become irresistible to you.
I promise.

Here let me help you.
We have for your giveaway choices today:
Jingle Flannel Fat Quarter Packs
Have i told you lately that this Moda flannel is soft??
Like a newborn elf''s bum?!
Soft!
Available in Charm Squares too!

Winter Wonderland Fat Quarters


Again, soft flannel.
Like a snowy owl.
Or a polar bear cub.
I've petted both.
I know what I'm talking about.
Soft.

I love Candyland.
Not flannel, but still sweet.
Like peppermints.
Or Taffy!

So that you know I don't just have Christmas on the brain.....
I need a good idea for a birthday gift for my sister.
Corrie Dawn.
She's growing older by the minute.
Leave a gift suggestion for me, for Corrie.
Corrie stay away.

Random Drawing later tonight!
Email addresses people!!
Just a few weeks ago I drew THREE names and no way to contact you.
I just kept drawing until I had one with contact info. We missed you!

On the Home Stretch...

....made it through the 4-H interviews. Shadowman was with his interviewer forever...that boy is a talker. The girls were told that 5 projects was a little ambitious. Good to know.

You'd think they'd be done, but they're not. No, now they have to make posters for parts of their projects. The "exhibits" aren't actually turned in yet.

And of course, we need a booth display.

I volunteered to make a banner. I'll fit that right into the schedule.

We're going to have a little fashion show... we always have to twirl with this skirt.

Bella made this by herself. I didn't even have to peek at it. The directions on this pattern are that good (and yes, she must be good at following directions too). It's the Hip Skirts pattern, (sold out of those last week, but will get more.) Yes, we've made this skirt pattern before, but that's okay.

Featuring Baskets of Flowers fabric. She was going to have a white double skirt layer at the bottom, but that's still laying on the ironing board, so I think she changed her mind.

Lizzie's was challenging. Her requirements are more difficult, but she did really well. Learned all kinds of things about interfacing, darts, curves, and sleeves.

Here she is ready for Fall in her Wonderland dress. She's still debating on the bottom band; I think she's nervous to take it off. It actually finishes the hem very nicely.

Hurray! Congrats girls!

Reaching a goal never felt so good.

Walk the Plank: Another Pirate related post

Pirates?
I had to do something to get your attention.



Anything food related does not tend to be the most popular of posts on this blog.
Let alone FISH related.
I have no idea why.
I mean, we must have sustenance in between projects, yes?
Could it be the picture of raw fish at the top of this post?

This is a fun "project" that I found while visiting "Sam the Cooking Guy".

We just bought a cedar fencing post at the local home and garden store. :)
It was fun to try and I thought the cedar smell and smoke added a nice flavor??


Is cedar supposed to be a desired flavor?
Must be.
It was smoky good.
Who knew?
Sam the Cooking Guy, that's who!

I know.
I can hear you.
You don't like fish.
How about potatoes?

Do you like pictures of redheads and brown dogs?

How about video of a dancing dog??

I'll get back to sewing any minute.
But for now.....I'm into food.
Say hello to my waistline.

Still

I'm still here.
Sometimes I'm just not in the mood to photograph my every move.
In fact, my moves these days seem quite familiar.

Still crocheting my alphabet animals.

I'm on J and K.

I shall name them this very minute.

They're boys.

Jack after my grandpa and Kirby after Corrie's vacuum.

Still cooking.

Corrie and I have a family reunion this weekend.

V, we'll miss you!

I'm going to be Patty Prepared.

I've got Philly Cheesesteaks ready to go. Homemade granola

and it wouldn't be party without the ever popular Puppy Chow.

Calico Beans are already freezing and the salmon is just waiting to be grilled.

Still sewing on this quilt for a wedding gift.

Still searching for vintage sheets.

These are some mighty fine ones, I might add.

Okay the one on the right isn't vintage-y but I love it.

Will be great for backing.

Still loving my girls. Corrie let me steal Lizzie away even in the midst of her 4H extravaganza.

They are currently in charge of the Talent show portion at the reunion and can't figure out why I don't want to see Casey Kasem's top 40, ALL top 40, performed in one evening.

They are still bugging me about MY talent.

I told them I could crochet monkey ears.