Blogging break

We now interrupt this blog because this blogger is becoming obsessed with QUILTING!

I've made 2 quilt tops, still trying to figure out the best way to put them together and quilt. I've got one table runner mostly done, just need to add the binding. And I'm in the process of putting together some squares, still trying to figure out what they will turn into. :)

Right now I'm finding that the pre-cut squares/strips are working great for me. I don't have the patience to cut out everything. When I get the urge I just want to sit down and sew.

So far I'm really enjoying making the tops. The rest of it not so much. Oh and I'm embracing the fact that my squares and tops may or may not be 'square'.

I'll be back as soon as I can get some good pics of my projects. ;)

CIJ recap

Wow this month has just flown past! While I did not complete the crafty tasks I thought I would I did get crafty!

I was thinking of Christmas...


My thoughts were also on Halloween (for a lot of the month)

I did start a Halloween banner. Letters on the tags and still no clue as to how to decorate them. :)

Announcing the latest craft to add to my bag....


I was talking to my friend Linda and she was talking about her quilting. She started last year and is currently taking a class. I was at my sister in laws with no crafts and decided I wanted to quilt. Lets just say that first square did not turn out. I was determined to figure something out.

Lucky for me they make Charm packs. Pre cut 5 in squares. WOO HOO! I'm not good at getting exact 5 in cuts. I was at my local quilt store and came across the Halloween print pack. I feel in love. :)

I thought with my scrapping background a quilt layout would be easy. Boy was I wrong. I spent hours trying to decide on a layout. Figured something out and went to bed. Then I had to wait a whole day before I could start sewing.

This top went together so easily. Finished in a weekend and I'm a beginner!

Just this week I picked up some more squares and after some trial and errors decided to make a 9 piece block. Which I cut, rearranged and put back together. This was and interesting process. Almost to much cutting but I did it.



Today between cleaning I'm working on adding a back and batting. I'd rather be piecing a top!

So I'm happy to report that I'm crafting again. Definitely in a different way than what I'm use to. It feels great to be using the creative side of my brain.

Stay tuned, this week I'm learning beading.....

CIJ mini update

Over the weekend I made some more progress on my crafting...only an earlier holiday than Christmas.

I don't completely understand but lately my mind has been on Halloween. Maybe it's the great ideas I'm seeing on crafty blogs. Maybe it's the ideas that have been floating in my head but it's all coming together.

The Halloween banner is well under way. Letters are attached to their pennants. Still trying to figure out how I want to embellish everything.

Monday I was able to go to the Ben Franklin store. It's the only local one I know of and it's in an awkward spot so I don't make it there very often. I was so excited to see some of their Christmas stuff. It got me inspired again. I also picked up an ornament that was on sale. woo hoo!

Tonight I picked up some pre-cut Halloween fabric and once I figure out how to organize things I can't wait to get sewing! I'm very excited to make a little lap quilt to use at work.

So while I'm not working on my Christmas projects I am getting crafty and I'm so excited to have new projects to work on!

A week off kilter

Last weekend this week seemed like it would be a normal week. Yes I would be a single pet parent for a few days while Boyd was out of town. It's something I'm getting used to. Plus I was looking forward to some time alone at home when I could craft to my hearts content.

Now those of you that know me are probably thinking 'Huh' your hubby lets you do what you want when you want. That is a very true statement. One of his favorite statements is "I don't care if we aren't together. I just like knowing that we are both home. It makes it feel more like a home."

So while my mind knows this is true. My heart knows that no one has forever together. (nothing is wrong with either of us, just in one of those frames of mind).

This year we are spending so much time together outside, I know if Boyd was home that's where I'd be. We are finding it so relaxing to be outside. It really reminds me of what campers feel like. We are usually out front so most of the neighbors stop by to chat and dogs come over to play. Plus I can see the little window of river across the street. I love that!

Anyway, long story short Boyd needed me so I and the dogs went down to be with him for the week. We were at Hotel McNeeley so we were all well cared for. While we had a nice time visiting with family I missed my crafting time.

I did borrow some beading books from their library so I'm hoping they inspire me to make something. I also had my orange crochet cotton so I could work on my edging for my Happy Halloween banner.

I'm looking forward to getting back on track soon.

Weekend wrapup

We had a great weekend. Kicked things off on Friday night with girl time. Munchies at a girlfriends house and lots of chatting!

Saturday was the big sale day in town and I blogged yesterday about all I came home with. Only I'm still kicking myself for not picking up a kit from the quilt shop. At the time I talked myself out of it because well I'm not a quilter. Granted if you checked my crafting bookcase you wouldn't believe it. I use to sew a lot and I've always held off from quilting because I know I will love it and want it all. But I digress. We spent the afternoon hanging out with the pups and taking a long afternoon nap. We love days like that!

I did craft a weathered Beach sign in the evening. Boyd always laughs, he went to bed early and woke up to the remnants of my crafting in the garage. Thankfully he's very understanding!

Today was just one of those great relaxing days. Nothing big on the agenda other than mowing at my mom's. Today I was really wishing I had that fabric to work on a little quilt. I'll get there someday!

Instead I worked on picking up the house, laundry, dishes and crafting another weathered beach sign. We decided on "Beach Dreamin". I know we don't really live by a beach. I can see the river outside my window but there are virtually no quotes about rivers.

I also spent some time in the craft area doing some general pick up and organizing. I'm not ready for scrapping but I did a mock up for a crafted Christmas card. I like it and at the same time I don't. I colored it with chalks and it's just to time consuming. I guess I should figure out who I'd be giving them to... a shorter list would make the project more fun!

Almost forgot the other big news - for me. I went through last years pictures and figured out what I want to print. That's been a huge block for me. I think I'm going to finish up the pj 365 that I'd started. It would really fit for most of the year. Not sure what I'll do when it comes to the time we adopted Emma the dog.


On a different note I need some advice/inspiration/kick in the butt to make a change in our house. On one of the hallway walls I have 9 12x12 picture frames. They've been there for 3 years now I think. Well I'm embarrassed to say for the last 2.5 years those frames have been filled with Halloween papers. Technically only one says Halloween the others are just spider webs and Halloween colors. When I started this I was planning to change out the papers with each season. That obviously didn't work out like I'd hoped.

I've thought about putting pictures of the 4 of us in the frames but that's not tripping my trigger. Also thought about filling them with cool papers, that doesn't thrill either of us. One thought I like but don't know quite how to fulfill is to put pictures of family (parents, grandparents, people who touched our lives) in the frames.

I've been through my scrapbook pages but the colors on all the pages I like weren't working out for the space or together.

Slowly but surely I'm wrapping up all the little loose ends around the house. :)

CIJ & Ridiculous Days

Christmas in July a Saturday edition.

Today was the big Ridiculous Day sale in my little town. Let's just say that I hit the jackpot.

I got most everything at the little gift/flower shop downtown. I think I picked up something for most major holidays and really stocked up on Christmas. :) The Hallmark store had a few more things to add to my collection. And the local thrift store, well I made a major score there.

For the last few weeks I've seen three big boxes of Christmas trees that were marked AS IS and were $5. They said they didn't know if they worked or all the parts were there. I finally had Boyd go with me so I could get help moving the boxes. I really wanted in that bottom box. I didn't know why but knew that I would love it.

We brought home a pre-lit flocked 7.5 ft tree. I know the neighbors thought we were totally crazy when I put up the tree in the driveway. All the pieces, a trunk that looks like a real tree and it lights up so nice!

I can not wait to decorate our home for the holidays!

Christmas in July 2010 week 1

I'm not sure about you but it feels like this year is just flying by. I sneeze and a whole month is gone. Not really but sure does feel that way sometimes.

With that in mind I've decided to focus on Christmas this month. Gathering ideas for new decorations, thinking about Christmas gifts that I can craft and getting in the holiday spirit.

I've done pretty well in my first week. I went to the library and came home with a bag full of Christmas books and a couple of movies. I couldn't wait to dig in. I've read through eight books and started on gift ideas for the family.

With all that in mind I'm surprising myself by wanting to work on some Halloween decorations..... we'll see what the weekend brings. :)