Scrappy Pin Cushion Swap & DQS #8

My friend Caryn convinced me to sign up for the Scrappy Pincushion Swap that she and another Flickr member started a few weeks ago. I received my pincushion the other day. So do you it suits my personality? Some of my favorite things are in it . . . embroidery, nautical theme and reproduction fabrics. It is absolutely wonderful!





This is the first swap that I joined since the DQS#8 earlier this year. Unfortunately I had to drop out due to issues with work -- basically my manager left and the company was taken over all within weeks of each other. My manager leaving had nothing to do with the takeover but needless to say the past six months have been very busy and stressful. Fortunately I recently found out that I will have a position in the new job -- very good news! Although I am still very busy at work, these are easing a bit for now and I have started quilting again.

All that aside, I wanted to post the doll quilt that I receive even though I had to drop out. My partner and swap mama agreed that I should still receive the quilt as it was made for me and since I was going through such a rough period. I am truly thankful to them both. I hope that someday I can be an Angel and step in when someone else is unable to fulfill her commitment to a future swap. Those of you who know me will agree that this quilt also fits me . . . I love Americana (my family room is decorated in red/white/blue year round).


I have more pictures to post from swaps that I participated in late last year ... need to busy taking pictures as they are all wonderful.

Happy Stitchin!

Someday I will learn . . .

Okay so I haven't posted quite as often as I thought I would when I declared that I was back in Blog Land but work was busy for a little longer than anticipated. Things have calmed down a bit but the calm is short lived as it will be month end again within a week! Gotta love the world of accounting and finance!

So a few weeks ago I am having a conversation with my cousin and she is telling me about a dear friend who has the cutest baby boy and oh would I consider making a quilt for this precious bundle ... the decor is a kind of tree of life . . . nature . . . theme . . . okay I say before I could stop myself, let me do some thinking and see what I come up with for colors, etc.

A few days ago I send her a link to a quilt made from the new Jungle Batiks . . very earthy tones . . . if you want to see it for yourself, visit www.fatquartershop.com. She writes back . . hmm ... not quite what she was thinking .. see they have this tree painted in the baby's room and oh here are some links . . . so again before I can stop myself, I say well maybe we could do a family tree type thing and put in pictures of Mom / Dad / Grandparents, etc. Next thing I know I am now searching for quilt patterns with a family tree / tree of life that I can incorporate pictures of family members within the tree!

What Was I Thinking??? Obviously I wasn't thinking so if any of my fellow quilters know of a pattern that might work or that might be adapted could you send me a note?

Someday I will learn and I am praying that "someday" comes soon!

Happy Stitchin!

I am baaaack . . . (well I am going to try and be back)

I know it has been forever since my last post -- actually Christmas! Yikes!! Anyway I can't begin to describe what has transpired over the past 5 months except that is all has to do with my job. I have been traveling for one or two weeks every month since January (with the exception of April when I was actually home the entire month -- my family didn't know what to do with me!).

Anyway things are still up in the air at work (my company was taken over in January) but I should know where I stand by the end of June. In the meantime, I have actually started sewing again. I hadn't done much sewing since Christmas either.

I spent yesterday with the Firehouse Ladies and if one ever needs any inspiration to begin quilting again, I strongly suggest you spend a day with your sewing friends. For one, I realized just how much I missed hanging with them and sharing ideas, stories and food. I came home and spent the rest of the day working on my applique stars -- thanks for the inspiration, Megan. I have only two stars left on the second border -- yippee!

So, I will try to post more often in the future. I have swap pictures to share with everyone from swaps that I participated in late last year before everything went crazy at work. I will try to post some of them soon.

Happy Stitchin!

Have A Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!

I hope you are able to spend time with your families during this wonderful season! I didn't get to all of the items on my "to do" list but that's okay. Somehow I think Christmas will still be wonderful.

I am blessed this year as my brother and his family are in for the holidays. They live in Florida and arrived on Tuesday night. I am still trying to figure out why we didn't go visit them instead of staying here in the frigid Northeast.

As we are celebrating with our families, we should take a moment and thank the women and men who are serving our country and unable to be with their families. Without them we would not have the freedoms we so often take for granted here in the USA! God Bless Them!

Merry Christmas to all!

Mischievious Cat or Christmas Terror?

Hi, I know it has been months since my last post and I have tons to post just haven't found the time. Hopefully in the New Year I will find more time to post.

Christmas is almost upon us. The tree is decorated and the cat is terrorizing the Christmas tree this year. He is swatting the ornaments which have become a new toy for him since they move and cats just love things that move :) He loves to run under the tree and land on the tree skirt which then slides along the carpet as it is backed with a nylon lining. It is store bought as yet another year has passed with no handmade tree skirt. Well there is always next year!

If he holds still long enough for me to take a picture, I will post.

I will be back soon with pictures of my presents from my SCSS which arrived a couple weeks ago. they are waiting to be put under the tree (if the cat ever stops terrorizing it) and will be opened on Christmas Day.

Happy Stitchin!

Purse Mania - I just can't help it . . . .

Okay so if there was a group for purse addicts I would be a charter member. I would probably be the likely person to start such a group. I don't know why but I just love 'em. I have so many purse patterns and I keep finding more.

These two are my latest projects and will be taught at my LQS in October. The pattern is by Artful Offerings. Of course, summer is over here in the Northeast so they will be tucked away for next year. Hmmm I can feel the need for a purse in fall fabrics . . .

Happy Stitchin!

Firehouse Sew Day

Today was sew day at the firehouse with my fellow quilters. I hadn't been in several months so it was good to see everyone. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures to share of progress made today as it was more of a social gathering than sewing gathering but that is a good thing too! Sometimes you just need to hang with the gals! My friend, Talin, recently started her own blog -- surf on over when you get a minute and check it out. She also has an Etsy store -- her handmade items are fabulous.