one shabby chick

3 down

Ok so I've gotten 3 UFO's done - yeah!

2 baby quilts/mats....

and I finally finished this one...

for the back I used a Target curtain....

 

I also tried out this great tutorial and now know what everyone will be getting in their stockings for Christmas. These are so fun and fast to sew up - and who doesn't need a coin purse?!

Rainy

So it's finally raining here..and feeling like November instead of the middle of Summer. I've been reading all the blogs in my reader and there's all these wonderful pictures of beautiful trees and Fall and we have sun, sun and more sun.

I'm sure you can't believe I'm complaining about sun but a little cold weather is nice every now and then...I'm sure I wouldn't be able to stand it for too long though. The rain does make sewing more fun though - and it's way cooler.

I usually do 2 craft fairs every December - one is our church's annual women's Christmas dinner and the other is a local elementary school's craft fair - both are pretty low-key and I sell a few things.

I was thinking about what to make this year - and thinking I would have 2 whole weeks of sewing time while the older two are in NY...but turns out the school craft fair is a few weeks early this year - Nov. 21st! So I'm trying to sort out some good ideas without overwhelming myself in the next 2 weeks.

(this was a practice one in case you were worried about those big stitches on the ruffle)

I usually make aprons and they sell pretty well - I was trying to do a variation and do a ruffle (with a rolled hem) on the bottom - just think I need to make a smaller ruffle - can you tell I'm using all my AB Love fabrics? 

I also ended up taking this quilt top and ripping the seams to make it 4 smaller ones - I love the way they are turning out.

I doubled the batting to make them extra thick and soft and, instead of binding them, I am using this method and just tying them with yarn at the seams.

I also finished this quilt and Hubby is giving it to one of his co-workers who just had a baby boy...I don't have any good pictures since it's cloudy and rainy.

 

So I've been busy, busy as soon as school is done each day - and I haven't even thought about Christmas presents yet!

Monday

Nothing like starting the morning off with a puking child right?! Luckily it seems to have been short-lived and she's fine now..and my floors and bathroom are all clean.

 I first of all have to apologize to all the winners of the stamp giveaway - still haven't gotten any of those mailed but I promise to do it in the next two days - sorry!

There are a few fun things in the quilting/blog world right now:

The Block Party quilting bee is about to become a book and is inviting all of us to be a part of it - and there's a giveaway to kick it all off -  such a talented group of ladies!

Sew, Mama, Sew's annual Handmade Holidays is in full gear - can't wait to see all the great things they have in store.

And finally Jacquie has a challenge for all of us - I still have to count how many ufo's I have but I'm going to try and finish some for sure.

Hope everyone is having a great start to their November!

I do still sew

Just have felt overwhelmed and un-motivated lately but I think it's coming back.

I was playing around the other day and made up a patchwork clutch....

 

and a couple oilcloth totes....

a skirt (playing with AB's LOVE)..

and bunting for the girls' room out of vintage linens....

I really need to be working on my swap items - but think I'll go finish up the quilting on this quilt instead.

Yep - managing to squeeze in a third post today

This little dress is off at Costco right now with it's owner...

Thanks again Dana - she sent me the adorable firefly top!

I have had it for a while and thought I'd incorporate it into a dress.

Well, today I saw it in my pile of munki munki and decided I'd make it.

I used this pattern as a guide for the skirt - it's a little wonky in places (not sure what it is with me and gathering!) but I love it - and it's just a tiny bit too big so it will fit her for a while.

I was trying to get her to pose but she was too concerned about playing with the Wii.

Here she is with Daddy....

My brother, my brother-in-law and my husband are participating in a competition called Octobeard. They are seeing who will have the fullest, thickest beard at the end of October. It's been so hot that I know Hubby is dying to shave - but since my brother-in-law shaved for the first time since his wedding (2 years ago), he's staying strong (secretly I want him to shave!).

Oh - and my sister-in-law's cd has finally been released! We are going to the cd release party on Tuesday...I think I can get a few cd's to giveaway here too.

There's another giveaway here on Monday - these stamps! OK hope everyone has a great weekend!

This is a good one

I finished up Rossie's blocks for Common Threads....

It's long and wouldn't fit in the picture so I folded it up a little.

This is going to be such a cool quilt.

I got the BEST mail today! Fun stuff.....Amy Butler Home Dec fabrics (they arrived so fast I couldn't believe it!)

I ordered them here on Wednesday and they came today - plus I had a coupon so they were 10% off! Such great customer service too!

I also got some of this in the mail - and I want to share it with you.

I am giving away a 10" x 30" piece - you'll get all the scenes with this piece. Leave a comment telling me your favorite munki munki print - how does that sound?

I'll leave the comments open all weekend.

I think I'll go work on this outfit for Baby Girl - I'm wanting to attach this top to a bottom piece and turn it into a dress.

(not sure if I'm going with this fabric or not...)

*** Comments are now closed!

Quilting Bees

I finished up Amy's blocks yesterday...

I made up a bunch in different sizes - can't wait to see the finished quilt!

 

I also finished a word for Rossie and am working on another one now.

She is making this quilt and so we are all making words or phrases for her. I made this word from 5" blocks and the next one is longer so I am making 4" blocks.

My first word is Aloha and my second one is going to be Pura Vida - these are so fun and I love how clean these blocks turn out.

My to-do list is just huge and I'm trying to break it down into manageable pieces so I don't get overwhelmed and do nothing!

And I keep finding new ideas and projects that I want to start!!

And I'm thinking this quilt may be the one I pick for my month for A Notion or Two...I'd cut out all the pieces and then everyone would just have to sew them together - what do you guys think?

Checking In

Still not feeling great - Baby Girl and I stayed home this morning as she seems to have a fever and runny nose now. I am going to attempt to go play soccer later though :-)

We did venture out yesterday to the kids' soccer games and a cute 4 year-old's birthday party (just Baby Girl and I). She kinda didn't know what to do without any of her siblings at the party - took her a good hour to pry herself away from me.

On Friday I made this little skirt for the birthday girl but then decided it was too busy so now it's Baby Girl's.

I used the Little Bo Peep skirt pattern from Seams to Me - great pattern - really easy to follow. I was just second-guessing my fabric choices.

So on to plan B - I already had all the pieces for this cute little backpack cut out - back when I was supposed to test the pattern and flaked out.

So I got out my book and sewed it up - it is sooo cute! I have another one cut out to make for Baby Girl.

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend!!

Back in the saddle - sorta

Ok I'm finally back (I think)....been sick with a cold this past week but am finally feeling better today.

I've been so un-motivated this week - I'm sure it's because of the cold but still.

I did finally get a little sewing in today. I tinkered around with a few quilts I need to finish up but my brain just wasn't in it so instead I started a new project.

A quilted runner for the top of a small bookcase in the living room.  This quilt is my inspiration - I'm just making it smaller - 13" x 40".

 

(I used my tiny piece of Recess)

I've gotten some great mail lately...

(I love this fabric!!)

some fabric from Fabricworm...

and Sew Deerly Loved....

 

 

I absolutely love this fabric:

And - just to let you all know...Randi has the new Amy Butler collection in her shop - LOVE!!

Independence Day

Tuesday was Costa Rica's Independence day...but we celebrated last night since everyone couldn't make it on Tuesday.

I made arroz con pollo (can't find the recipe I use online - it's just from my mother-in-law), black beans and tres leches (I posted the recipe here before) and my mom made corn tortillas and marinated steak.

We invited a few friends over and had a great evening.

The kids and I spent the morning watching youtube videos of parades and typical dances so we could find pictures of faroles (or lanterns) to make our own.

Hubby had mentioned lanterns but I didn't realize how big or elaborate they are! We tried our best with the limited time and resources (mainly cardboard boxes)...

Our eldest made a typical Costa Rican oxcart.....

Bela made a dancing "Tica".....

Our middle guy made a "fire" lantern....

and the littlest made a turtle with some help from me (although the painting was all her)....

We put candles in empty tin cans and they were all proud of their creations.

They've also been making pictures with color tiles.....

(look like anyone familiar?)

I have a new baby boy quilt I'm working on....

and a few munki munki blocks I've been sewing up....