Modern Siggy Block Swap - Round 2!!!

After a very successful first round of Siggy Block Swaps, I'm excited to announce that we're doing a SECOND ROUND. Sign ups are going on now until the end of June (or until we reach 60-75 people). They go together quick and use 2.5" colored squares and 3/5" white squares. I did 50 of them in two nights easily!

The tutorial can be found here.

Join our group on Flickr for more information and to sign up for some fun!

I'm a glutton for punishment.

I've finally decided to start sewing up a paper pieced block I've been sitting on for a while. I had someone on Etsy take a photo of one of my Netherland Dwarf Rabbits, Tranquil Acres' GTO, and create a paper pieced block.

 The block is originally 6 or 8 inches, and I blew it up to 12 inches, after seeing just how TEENY TINY some of the pieces are. So, after two hours and a few swear words, here is my progress...

I really like the way it looks, and I think I might just make all four colors of the Otters (that's what variety she is) Black, Blue, Chocolate & Lilac.

Tutorial: Siggy Block Swap

I'm hosting a siggy block swap over at Flickr. Come join our group and get in on the fun. Instructions for making the blocks are below. They're very simple to make and sew up in no time at all. Plus they're perfect for using up those small scraps.

It's coming together...

Well I made some more progress on my craft room over the weekend. I still need to get the lower cabinets mounted and get a counter top, but I was able to start to move some things into the upper cupboards.

I was inspired by a pin on Pinterest to organize my wrapping paper a little better. There is a closet in this room used for storing seasonal items. I'm always tripping over stuff to get to my bin of wrapping paper, then dragging that downstairs so I can wrap gifts at my dining room table. Well, not any more!

IKEA was once again the solution to my disorganization. I used three BYGEL rails, 2 BYGEL baskets and some BYGEL containers and mounted them to the inside of the closet door. I can store my greeting cards, pens, scissors, tape, ribbon, to/from tags, paper and more all in one tidy little place. Plus, now that I have a counter top upstairs (well I'll have one SOON), I can just wrap my gifts up there! YEAH!!! The room is rather small, but I did want some type of artwork on the walls. Again, pinterest was the source of my inspiration, and IKEA was the solution.

I purchased three DIGNITET Curtain Wires and 2 packages of Curtain clips from IKEA (one pkg would have been enough). I mounted these on the wall, and am using them to hang my quilt blocks that are in progress. It not only serves as decor, but it's a reminder that I have a project to finish before I start on another!!! And my little artist wanted to hang some of his own artwork too, so I told him that the bottom wire was his to use any time he wanted to! He was so excited he ran to get some pictures to hang.

It's been a while...

Boy oh boy has it been a while since I've posted. Almost an entire YEAR! I'm such a slacker.
My craft / sewing room is in shambles right now. Currently our home office is more of an office / vinyl cutting room / sewing & craft room. Yeah, and it's not all that big. So trying to make your way though the stacks of fabric, sewing supplies and such is not all that easy. Not to mention my 40 some rolls of vinyl and all the tools that go along with that trade. Something had to give...

So my son's old nursery is being converted into my new craft room. YEAH!!!

My inspiration came from THIS blog. I love the look of those cabinets... so off to Ikea I went. I have to say, that the quality of the cabinets the price is very reasonable. You just need to spend a little quality time with a stack of boards, a screwdriver and a hammer. But I really didn't mind and I've assembled everything by myself. Well okay, not entirely by myself, I had plenty of help from a more than willing 5 year old! :)

So here's some of the progress photos. My hubby is going to hang/mount all of the cabinets for me here soon, and then it's off to Lowe's to get the counter top ordered.

Saturday Sampler - Let's lay it all out!

So FINALLY after over a year I've finshed my Blocks from the Saturday Sampler over at Sauder Village! The pattern was Star Light, Star Bright by Bits N Pieces.

I love the blocks, but not the layout... it was too busy. Plus I don't like to applique. YUCK! NOOOOOO THANKYOU.

So I took photos of all of my blocks and started to lay them out using photoshop.

First layout - Side by side alternating 12" and 9" blocks (with borders). I like this, but it's a bit busy and my eye just doesn't really rest anywhere. There has to be something a little better.

Second layout - I spaced the blocks out as if they had sashing between them. AHHHHH... much better. It's not nearly so busy, but it still seems a little plain to me. Sort of like Been there, Done That.

Layout Three - On Point. Oh. My. Goodness. Look at the different feel this gives the quilt! The blocks have room to breath, your eye has a nice flow. I think this is my pick!  I like how the 12 sashed blocks are on the outside, to give a little visual interest too. However, this layout calls for 25 blocks so I'll need to make another. Too bad it's not as easy to make them in real life as it is in Photoshop.

Select. Copy. Paste. Done! I wish.

So, now that I have my layout I needed a way to finish the quilt out. I decided to go queen size, since this is large enough to do that with (not to mention, my bed is a queen!). And using Photoshop once again, this is what I came up with. Granted, the layout of the blocks isn't final, but it does give you an idea of what the finished product might look like. Notice the borders seem to go under the blocks to give it some depth and visual interest. Yup... I think this is it!

The best things in life aren't things.

"The best things in life aren't things."
This has got to be one of my favorite quotes.

This morning while getting ready for work my son drew this on the shower door while my somewhat wrinkled shirt hung getting a nice steaming.

He was so proud of his creation. Every day he tells me he loves me. Every. Single. Day. Often times more than once. It can make the worst, most stressful and busiest of days just melt away to hear those words, even if it is for just a moment. 

As adults we get caught up with things; work, chores, bills, groceries, errands - and we often look past the little things that pass us buy every day. Opportunities to call an old friend, to play a game with a child, or ask someone how their day was are passed over so we can do something for ourselves instead. Other times we just overlook things, like that we believe our spouses or kids know that we love them, so we don't take the time to say it. 

Well we need to stop, slow down and take time for others. Call that friend. Play a game. Say "I Love You." It really can make a difference in someone's day. Even if it is for just a moment.

There's another quote that I've read somewhere that goes something like: While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about. I couldn't agree with this more!

So, thank you Wyatt for all of the life lessons. And by the way, I love you too!

Just One Star

Moda is participating in the Quilts of Valor program and is asking any and all quilters to help. They need to collect 1800 Star Blocks by May 1, 2011. I know the deadline is drawing near, but it's not that difficult to whip a few blocks out in an evening. For more information about the program, visit the Moda Blog. For the pattern and instructions, click here.

There's something to be said about doing things for others. It just feels good, you know? Did I have to make these blocks? No. Could I have used that time to work on something for myself? Sure. But honestly I got so much more out of this. I don't know who this block will end up going to. I don't know their name, their face, or anything about them. But what I do know is that I'm grateful that they're serving our country, risking their lives so that we can live our lives with our freedoms. So to anyone and everyone who has ever served, Thank you. From the bottom of my heart THANK YOU.

If you have some extra fabric sitting around, an an extra hour to give - please consider making a block or two. 

One of the finished blocks.

Sewn, pressed, signed and ready to go to their new home!

Ever wonder what happens to leftover frosting?

I made a cake for a little girl's first birthday this weekend. I had leftover batter so I did what anyone would do .... MADE CUPCAKES! I slappled a little of the buttercream I made onto them, and set them aside. Well, after I was finished decorating the cake, I had some piping bags with icing still in them. So I thought, why not let Wyatt have some fun?

He decorated and sprinkled a giant cupcake and a dozen and a half small ones and enjoyed every minute of it!

He put the sprinkles on so carefully!

And now you know where leftover frosting ends up!

Mmmmm.... now that looks like a sugar induced coma just waiting to happen!

3 x 6 Sampler Quilt Mini Bee

Done! Finished! Completed!

I've got my six blocks done for the 3 x 6 block swap! WHEW! They're not due until June, but now they're done and out of the way. I hope the girls in my hive like them, if not I guess I have plenty of time to make new ones! LOL.

These blocks will be sent to:

1. The_Cleof

Bright fresh and modern Colours: red, blue, green, yellow, purple, turqoise

Cleof, I picked green and went with it.

2. Lydia - [blog]

Gray, Green, Black

3. KarinKajsa - [blog]

Red, Green, Pink

4. Amy.Newbold - [blog]

Green, Gray, Purple

Amy, after I put this together, I thought they looked a little batik like.

Most of the fabric is by Marcia Derse.

I'll gladly remake it if you don't care for the fabrics. Just let me know!

5. Brakmack

Orange, Gray, Aqua

6. JustPlainLaine - [blog]

Gray, Lime Green, Aqua, OrangeLaine, hope this is okay!

It's mostly lime green with bits of light aqua and orange sprinkled in!

These ladies were WONDERFUL to work with and so much fun!
I'm glad that I was able to meet each of you, even if it was just online. ;)

New Vinyl Designs

I just added a Sea Life themed set of vinyl decals to my Etsy Store. Check them out and let me know what you think! Stop by OneDecalGal.Etsy.com

Lights, Camera, Action - Fabric Auditions

I'm auditioning fabrics for another block for the [3 x 6] Sampler Quilt Mini Bee

This block is for Cleo who's requesting a variety of bright colors and white. Here's what I was thinking...

I think the light teal and dark pink need reworked. But I'm pretty pleased with the rest of the colors.

Hopefully I can get some feedback to be sure that's exactly what she was looking for.

I didn't realize what little reds, yellows and blues I had in my stash. Guess I better start collecting! HA!

Tutorial: Foundation Paper Piecing (Freezer Paper Method)

I'll confess. I abhor pinning. I don't know why I just do. Maybe it's because I'm always jabbing myself with the little boogers. So if I can avoid it somehow, I do. Another peeve of mine is when my quilt blocks don't line up quite right, or are too small or large and my points get chopped off when I'm squaring up my blocks. Oh that just irritates me.I think that's why I really enjoy foundation paper piecing. My errors are practically eliminated!

So, here's how I do my paper piecing, step by step with photos.

You'll need some freezer paper. You can do this one of two ways, the quick and easy way is to purchase pre-cut sheets like these:

You can find them at Amazon.com

Or if you a roll of freezer paper on hand, or would prefer to buy a roll of it and make your own sheets, you can do that too. You can usually find freezer paper in the grocery store, by the aluminum foil and plastic wrap.

If you use the roll, the next steps will show you how to print on your freezer paper sheets.

Cut youself enough 8 1/2 x 11" sheets for your block. My block took 8, but I cut more than what I needed and stashed them away for later. Now grab some of your printer paper and head over to your ironing board.

Layer a sheet of freezer paper on top of your printer paper, shiny side down.

With a iron (no steam) on medium to med high heat, press the freezer paper onto your printer paper. You don't want to iron it too much or you'll have problems peeling it off later. Mainly make sure the edges are pressed down where the paper will feed into your printer.

Next, print your designs onto your freezer paper, and then peel your freezer paper off, and save the printer paper for later use! Pretty slick huh?