Set Bottle

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Surprise Finish ...

Okay ... for some time I've been pondering a project I wanted to make as a surprise for a lady friend ... bouncing from one idea to another.  Then when the March/April 2011 McCall's Quilting issue came out and while cruising it's pages, I found this pattern:

A Gift for Mom is what this is called, designed by Kari Carr.  I immediately knew it was what I wanted to make.   Isn't it funny when an idea hits you like that?  However, as you will note from my finished product: 

 I took a few liberties from the pattern ... big liberties ... guess I just can't help myself.   

The pattern calls this a "cozy quilted shawl" design. I used a soft minky swirl inside. The front of both sides are pockets ... see here: 

I got the "coffee break" and the "coffee cup" from the Whimsical's Companions book ...again, borrowing and taking liberties with patterns, it's what I do, but its what I had in my mind for this particular lady friend so when it spoke to me, I listened. 

Tell me what you think .... hit or miss?  Could you see yourself wrapped in this, drinking your morning mo-jo cruising the blogs or newspaper?

Well, either way, its off to the mailbox tomorrow and fingers crossed hoping the surprise hits a happy mark!

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Meandering Stroll

I've been taking a little stroll around our bloggihood and spending a wee-bit of time (okay several hours ... shhhh!! ) reading blogs tonight.  Wow!  The things happening in the 'hood!  A few things I felt the need to share, so please bear with me and I thank you for your indulgence....


First of all ... please add to your prayers Jenny of ELEFANTZ and her fellow Austrailians.  Oh my goodness, puts life in perspective.  She and her family are just opening the battened down hatches after the cyclone Yasi has passed over which, of course, were only just being aired out after the recent floods.  And still, while she and her family clean up from this disaster, she's thinking of others around her and even many of us in the U.S. going through the ice storms and snowy blizzards. .... Might be worth a stop over to give her your best wishes?   Thanks!


On a happier note, one of my all time favorite bloggihood neighbors, Ms. Vanessa from V and Co.  was spotlighted on her local news program, Channel 4's Good Things Utah.  Yes, I am taking the liberty of sharing the broadcast link here.  Her spot was that good!  I've admired her fabulous crafts and projects but avoided this particular beauty as it uses ruffles and I have had ruffle phobia until I watched her.  Way cool technique and I may even be sharing a Valentine's Day pillow or two for my daughters very soon here at Why Knot ... just sayin.  Check Ms. V out, you'll enjoy it.  Trust me. :-)


Oh yeah, next on my bloggiland stroll I wandered through this site .... The Sewing Summit.  I've been mentally doing a search of a "mom" retreat I could convince my husband I really wanted to attend this year.  I think this may be it.  Last year, as many of you  may recall, I attended the Sisters 35th Annual Outdoor Quilt Show (blogged about here).  I went with a fun group of ladies and thoroughly enjoyed myself.  I was toying with the idea of attempting to make a trip down to quilt market this year, but knew that was probably  out of the question and really, in all honesty, not the place for me ... yet ... as much as I drool over the idea.  Then I heard rumors of The Sewing Summit here and there in the bloggihood.  From their website, I share these words:

We are a sewing and blogging conference for the modern sewist who wants to connect with others in a fun and inspiring setting. We are planning classes, panels, speakers, vendor demonstrations, networking events and more.

This summit will be held October 7, 8, and 9 in Salt Lake City.  I'm thinking I could convince my husband to be primary care giver for a few days ... any advice on plausible, convincing arguments would be greatly appreciated :).  Anyway, any thoughts on this summit? Anyone else thinking of attending?  How fun to meet bloggihood neighbors and while absorbing all the creative mojo surely to be located in one location!  Just thinkin. Hopefully soon to be plannin.

Oh ... and I have sewn a bit ... check this out:


Block-a-Palooza Block #4


I've also been working on another quilt for one of my daughter's best kindergarten classmates as she is leaving in a couple of weeks and my daughter will sorely miss her.  I should be able to share pictures after the weekend.

Okay, the hour is again late. I should probably connect my my head with a pillow.  I thank you for stopping by and visiting ... it means the world to me! 

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Set Wisteria

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Set Summer day

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Set Swirl cooper

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Excused Absence ... (lots of phots)

I claim excused absence .... really, I had a note!

Oh wait ... that's not it ...  the dog must've eaten it ...

No? You don't buy that either?  Oh man ... how about this?

I'z been bizzy bizzy ... truly!

Here's proof:

My first three blocks for the Block-a-palooza Waiting for Spring quilt along.
I'm using Sweetwater's Sunkissed line by Moda.

Postage Stamp Quilt Along with Rachel at P.S. I Quilt
using Moda's Kansas Troubles line of fabric.

Close-up view of postage stamp quilt.

Kindle Book cover outside

Kindle Book cover inside

Second Kindle Book cover

Second Kindle Book cover (inside)

I made these two Kindle book covers for a couple of school friends of my daughter's.  Her mom is a quilter but doesn't do small projects and since I do, I thought they'd enjoy having covers for their Kindle Christmas presents.

I made two of these potholders but only photo'd one.

Snap bag .. Tweet Tweet fabric ... Moda, of course!

I made the potholders and the snap bag as donations for an auction at our church to help offset costs of the pastor's daughter two eye surgeries.  They were making baskets of kitchen items and spa/bath items.  Figured the snapbag could be used as a cosmetic bag and who couldn't use more hot pads? :)  This way we didn't have to run to town either to purchase items ... just sorted through the trusty ol' stash pile!  Yay stash pile!!

Oh, yeah, I also travelled this past weekend to see my SIL get married.  Fun was had by all but I'm sure you'll agree, my daughters seemed to have some of the most fun:

Abbie dancing with one of her uncles.

Emily dancing with her daddy.

The happy couple.  Congratulations!

And, I'm so proud of myself, I'll share, though there's not much to share yet.  I'm learning to embroider!  Yay me!!  This is on my list of things to try this year and since we had an eight-nine hour drive to the wedding, here is what I started:

Okay, so not very good yet ... but I am just starting! 
Pattern is from Jenny over at Elefantz...she's doing a free BOM.
Beautiful pattern, I hope to do it justice!

I also replaced one jacket zipper, one baby-sleeper outfit zipper, put two zippers in a tent flap, made a canvas seat for a tree stand and put buttons and button holes in my husband's work shirt collar.  Do these count?

LOL

Okay, enough excuses ... I'm off to make more now.  Hopefully this time I'll catch the dog in the act of eating the note!  Hugs to all and thanks for sticking with me!! 

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