More Swaps

Well, Christmas is over and its time to get back in the swing of things. I am taking a week off of work to clean the house and refresh for the New Year. Ah yes, also need to make those resolutions.
To help me get back into the swing of things, I have signed up for 2 new swaps. Sassy apron swappers and Flirty apron swappers are joining for one swap - Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice (see side button). Also, Mommy Holly is hosting an Amy Butler apron swap (also see side button). I am so excited and can't wait til I receive my partners so I can start sewing.
I have also signed up for a crop at my fav scrapbook store (http://onescrappychick.typepad.com/chick_chat/about_the_store/) this Friday night and all day Saturday. Hopefully I can get those Christmas layouts completed and put in scrapbooks.

Messenger Bags

I found an awesome free pattern for a messenger bag on BurdaStyle (http://www.burdastyle.com/). Which by the way is an awesome site. I have now made 4 of these bags. I am a pretty slow sewer but can make one of these in less than a day from start to finish. I have also changed the bag a little - I like to put in a pocket on the inside. The first one I made was for my dear daughter. The second one was for my niece for her birthday. I took pics of it:

and the inside:


The third one I made for a mother - daughter cookie and gift swap at church:

and the inside:


And the fourth, I made as a gift for one of the girls at church. She had the bag "stolen" from her at the gift swap. Here's a pic but the color is way off. I used Woodland Bloom by Lila Tueller for Moda Fabrics - they are beautiful.

More swaps, aprons, etc.

Well, I've been away for a while - life just seems to get in the way. I thought I would take a moment and post some pics of recent swaps etc.
My last post was of the Hot Drinks for Hot Mamas swap. Here is the apron that I made:

and the rest of the package:

I sent a coffee mug (in the box) from one of my fav store, 2 coffee ornaments (filled with coffee beans), a pot holder to match the apron, and a candle.
I also participated in the Sassy Apron Winter Swap (http://sassyapronswap.blogspot.com/). We had to make a winter or cookie themed apron. Here is the apron I made:

DH is modeling (I love that man!)
I sent the apron with a couple of cookie recipes, some sprinkles, and a cookie cutter.
I hope my partner is making some YUMMY cookies.

Hot Drinks for Hot Mama Apron Swap

Some time ago I signed up for Yarnigras' Hot Drinks for Hot Mamas Apron Swap (http://yarnigras.blogspot.com/2008/09/hot-drinks-for-hot-mamas-apron-swap.html). The apron was due to be in the mail by October 29th. Here is the apron and package I received:



and all of the goodie inside of the package:



There were 2 coffee cup cozies, an apron, and a really cool handmade journal.
Here is the apron:


And one more pic of DD in the apron (she loves to model):


All of these wonderful things were sent to me by Bley of http://www.bibliosophybooks.blogspot.com/.
I love my apron. Thank you Bley!

Just One Word

I found this one word meme at http://allsorts.typepad.com/ and tought it looked like fun. Some of the questions ended up being a little hard with just one word. Feel free to play along.

Where is your mobile phone? table
Where is your significant other? bed
Your hair colour? brown
Your mother? TN
Your father? missed
Your favourite thing? motherhood
Your dream last night? horrible
Your dream goal? retirement
The room you're in? living
Your hobby? sewing
Your fear? failure
Where do you want to be in 6 years? here
Where were you last night? Papa's
What you're not? asleep
One of your wish-list items? time
Where you grew up? Etowah
The last thing you did? clean
What are you wearing? pjs
Your TV? on
Your pets? spoiled
Your computer? on
Your mood? content
Missing someone? yes
Your car? red
Something you're not wearing? rings
Favourite shop? Target
Your summer? hot
Love someone? yes
Your favourite colour? red
When is the last time you laughed? today
When is the last time you cried? October

Giveaway at Home Sweet Home, Noble

CathyJean at Home Sweet Home , Noble (http://auntdaisyscottage.blogspot.com/) is holding a giveway to celebrate her 100th post. Head over there to find out how to win:
http://auntdaisyscottage.blogspot.com/2008/10/my-100th-post-giveaway.html

Weekend over

Well, the weekend is over and I have done no sewing. I did a little paper crafting for Halloween but other than that it was an uncrafty weekend. I did do a lot of cleaning and laundry so not all was wasted.
I am taking a vacation day tomorrow since there is no school and I plan on doing a lot of sewing - we'll see.

Winner!

I WON! I WON! And I never, I mean NEVER win anything. The Sassy Apron Swap had an early bird drawing and I won Pillow Case Pinny pattern - I am so excited and can't wait to make one.

Fall Apron swap pics

Sorry, I have been away and not posting. We have been so busy with DD going back to school etc. And last weekend we headed up to Ghost Town - more about that here: http://carolinasisters.blogspot.com/.


I know these are long overdue but here are a few pics from the swaps. First of all, there was the Fall Apron Swap at Sassy Apron Swap (http://sassyapronswap.blogspot.com/2008/07/fall-sassy-apron-swap-sign-up.html). I made this apron that DD was so kind to model for me:



the back:



and I love this pic:





And this is the apron that I received with the matching potholder:







and of course, a pic of DD in the apron:





For Booming Aprons (http://boomingaprons.blogspot.com/) halloween swap, I received this wonderful package:



with all of this:



and this apron:



and the reverse of the apron:





Sorry those last couple of pics didn't turn out so good - I didn't have my model.

And the pics that I took of what I made got "lost" when a memory card went bad. Pictures of a trip that DD took with her Grandmother were also lost (which made for a very, very sad day at our house). But you can see pics here at my swap partners blog :http://creationsbydebbiejean.blogspot.com/2008/09/halloween-banners-and-swap-items.html

Thanks for looking and I am so sorry it took so long.

20 Things I Love About Autumn

1. Hot apple cider on a cool evening.
2. Making Christmas lists.
3. Thanksgiving esp. dinner.
4. Christmas shopping.
5. Finding the right pumpkin.
6. Baking cookies.
7. Long, cool walks in the park.
8. When the leaves change colors.
9. Wearing sweaters.
10. Halloween
11. The State Fair.
12. Not too hot, not too cold.
13. Corn maze!
14. Pumpkin carving.
15. Making jams and jellies.
16. Sewing and making Christmas gifts.
17. New School supplies (I've been out of school for years but still love shopping for new school supplies with or without my daughter).
18. Soups, stews, chilli, and other comfort food.
19. Caramel apples.
20. Enjoying all of the above with my family.

Busy, Busy, Busy

I have been way too busy and it is driving me CRAZY. I am ready for things to get back to normal and my schedule to calm down. I have been working on the 3 swaps that I have signed up for and hopefully by the weekend I can post pics. However, I did want to take a moment and share this...

That's right - Head on over and visit Dena Rooney at Sugarshop.typepad.com and enter to win $75 worth of fabric. And while you are there - check out her blog and all of her fab pics. She is SO talented. This is one of my fav blogs, so enjoy and good luck!

It's Been A While

Well, DD is home from camp - has been for a week and a half and we have been so busy.
No, the quilt is not finished but the class is. I have a little (OK, a lot) of actual quilting to do and then the binding and I will be finished. We were out of town last weekend and will be again this weekend but hopefully I will get to finish it soon. I am also in two, make that three more swaps all due at the end of the month. The first two are apron swaps - see the sidebar - Booming Aprons is hosting another Halloween apron swap and Sassy Apron Swap, a fall theme. And I also signed up for a fall card swap. And school starts back next Monday - DD is starting the 7th grade (and her 2nd year at middle school) and I am enrolled in another sewing class also starting on the 25th. Busy, busy, busy - but hopefully I will find the time to post a little more often.

SWAP pics (lots of pics)

Well, here are all of the pics that I have been promising. First of all, here is the apron that I made for Booming Aprons Beat the Heat Halloween in July Swap (http://boomingaprons.blogspot.com/2008/06/beat-heat-july-halloween-apron-swap.html):

DH was kind enough to try it on for me so I could take a pic:

I love that man!
Here is the apron that I received from Andrea at http://www.wearetherobinsons.blogspot.com/

I love it!
Here is the tote that I made for the Tracey's We the People Tote Bag Swap at http://www.itching2bstitching.blogspot.com/

Here is the inside:

My partner is really lucky that I don't have the time to make another bag 'cause I really want to keep this one. I love it. Of course, I also love the one I received from Christy at http://www.mamasaidsew.blogspot.com/:

and the inside:

and all the other goodies that I received with the tote:

I LOVE this tote and plan on using it for all sorts of stuff.
Also, here my quilt top w/o the borders:

I think DD is going to love it.
Well, that's all.
:)

SWAP Tote received

I was quite surprised to come home and find a package on my doorstep this afternoon. I received my We the People SWAP tote bag. It is absolutely beautiful. I am so behind on posting pictures but its been a rough week - but pics coming soon.

Halloween apron finished!

Well, I finished my Booming Apron's Beat the Heat Halloween Apron just in time. The deadline for mailing is tomorrow and I will swing by the PO on my way into work. I took pics and will post asap.
I have been super busy the last few days and am ready for a break but it doesn't look like I will get one anytime soon. I had a lot of quilting homework this week and I am sure I will have a lot next week. Plus this coming weekend is the last weekend we have before DD comes home from camp and her room is no where near ready. But my apron is done so I can rest easy tonight.

Week 2 of Quilting Class

Well, I just came home from week 3 but haven't had a chance to talk about week 2. During week 2 class, we started sewing our pieces together and had to have one completed square before we were allowed to leave. Here is my very first square:


I am very happy with it and DH even said he liked it. Anyway, all my squares were sewn and ready for class tonight. Yeah!

BTW - I am watching Project Runway and am really enjoying this season so far.

Crafting weekend?

Well, with DD still at camp and DH working, I've spent most of the day alone. Went to church and actually made it to the early service. After church, I ran to Sam's to pick up a few groceries and planned on coming home to craft. However, I ended up cleaning and cooking.
Yesterday, I attended a Stampin' Up Christmas in July workshop. We made 2 cards and a tag. Here are my creations...

A picture will go in the red square on the bottom card. I think this may be "the"card this year if I can get DD to pose for a Christmas pic.
Here is the inside of the "truck" card...


BTW, while I was at the quilting store for my class on Wednesday, I picked up some new fabric. First, I picked up the fabric for the We the People tote swap hosted by Tracy at itching2bstitching (http://itching2bstitching.blogspot.com/2008/06/we-people.html). Here is may fabric. It is from Sandi Henderson's Ginger Blossom line.

And I also picked up fabric for a new apron. This is from urbanfarm by Keri Beyer.

The top piece is actually an apron pattern - not really sure how to describe it but all I have to do is cut it out and finish it. The main apron, the ties, and a facing our included. The sample made in the store did not use the facing but lined the whole thing. I chose a fabric (the bottom in the pic) that matched the ties and plan on this being a reversible apron.
I have a lot of homework to do for my class - I have to have all of my pieces cut before Wednesday. I will be busy the next 2 nights.

stitches and scraps

View my page on The Apronista

Quilt Class tomorrow

Well, I start my quilt class tomorrow evening and I couldn't be more excited plus I am a little nervous. And I don't know why...
In other news, I received 2 letters from DD today from camp. She reports that while she is having a good time, she wants to come home and sleep in her own bed and get goodnight kisses from DH and me. And she has 5 more weeks of camp. I kinda want to go and get her.
And DH and I had Date Night tonight - that's right and on a Tuesday evening none the less. We grabbed BBQ chicken sandwiches (at home) and then headed to the movies to see Hancock with Will Smith. BTW - excellent movie IMO.

Holiday weekend, end of vacation, and some apron work...

Well, I am about ready to head to bed and my vacation has come to an abrupt end. We took the week off to get DD ready for camp plus we were expecting 2 sets of house guests (one set didn't show). All in all I'd say we had a pretty good week - a nice visit from our friend Shawn, lots of shopping, dropped DD off at camp (BooHoo), a pretty nice July 4th - cookout with friends included, and yesterday we attended Coon Dog Day in Saluda, NC. Today was very quiet - we slept late, ate cinnamon rolls (YUM!), played online, and cut out my apron for the Beat the Heat Halloween in July Apron Swap. I only sewed a little but figured I can get it finished this week - afterall, my house is clean so no housework to do.
I do start my quilting class this week and I am a little nervous but very excited.

Grosgrain: Roosters-N-Rickrack Pinafore GIVEAWAY!!!!

I was doing a little blog reading - nothing else do to on this lazy July 4th and came across this awesome giveaway -
Grosgrain: Roosters-N-Rickrack Pinafore GIVEAWAY!!!! Go check it out!

Swaps

Well, I signed up for the We the People Swap at http://www.itching2bstitching.blogspot.com/ and received my blog partner's name and likes and dislikes today. I can't wait I think I know what fabric I am going to use. I made DD a small tote out of some Heather Bailey fabric that I LOVE and I think my swap partner would like it too. Here is a pic of DD's tote:

and the inside:

and yes, I know, my stripes did not line up correctly. I really wasn't thinking about it when I cut the fabric and I was told that it didn't matter but of course at that time I didn't think that I would be posting it online for the whole world to see. LOL

I also received my swap partner for Booming Apron's Beat the Heat Halloween Apron Swap and need to figure out how to keep in touch with my partner to learn of her likes and dislikes.

Quilt Class signup

Well, I did it. I have always wanted to quilt - even before I wanted to sew. There is just something so beautiful about a homemade quilt. Sooo while DD is off to camp this summer for the next 5 1/2 weeks, I decided to take a beginning quilt class. And make a quilt for DD (unless it turns out horrible then who knows). So, I dragged her to the quilt shop on Saturday to pick out fabrics. This is all new to me and I had to ask for a lot of assistance. We were told to pick one fabric first and then choose based on that fabric. The class is using the Turning 20 Again pattern and 12 fat quarters are needed. So, DD picked this...

And then we found 7 more on our own. But we were lost on the last four. With some help from some very patient salespeople we went home with these...

and yes I know, there are 13. During the cutting process, DD found this one and the salesperson said it was a good idea to have an extra one just in case.

Anyway, now that I am home - I am not sure of these 2...

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Apron Swap

Well, I was in my very first apron swap and received my apron this past week and I love it.
I do not have a pic to post yet but here is the apron that I sent to my swap partner - Sheri:



I hope she liked it.

And I have decided to join in another one - Booming Apron's Beat the Heat July Halloween's pron Swap. This one has a fall / Halloween theme (duh) and I am so excited.