one shabby chick

Those Spanish boys sure are cute!

I finished up the quilting while watching a replay (couldn't stay up to watch it last night) of Rafa vs. Fernando this morning.

Man, that was a great match!

The quilting took me a little longer because I had to keep stopping to watch some incredible plays - they were both amazing.

I don't know how anyone can play tennis at that level for 5 hours straight!

So glad my own "Spanish" guy is coming home tonight!

I just saw this is post #297 so guess I need to be thinking of something special for #300!

Also - I just had to post a little something about Oh Fransson's patterns. I have been admiring them for sometime and today ordered these two.

I am just so impressed at how much information she provides along with her patterns.

If you have ever wanted to make a quilt but weren't sure how to go about it, these are great patterns to start with. She gives you all the information you need and really walks you through the process - Great patterns!

Ok have a wonderful Super Bowl Australian Open weekend!

Exhausted but accomplished

Yeah - I washed both cars (and they are white and have not been washed in who knows how long so it was definitely time). I vacuumed them too and then came in and took a nice, relaxing bubble bath.

I ended up going with my mom yesterday and we got pedicures. Hadn't done that in forever!

Big apple red - my new favorite color (my toes are a little wrinkled from the bath).

Speaking of the Big Apple - I met up with Melissa and her wonderful husband last week. They were in Hawaii on a little vacation so we met for lunch. It was so fun to meet someone from blogland (and our quilting bee).

I brought Baby Girl along who didn't say a word during the entire lunch...of course, as soon as we left, she started talking again.

I started in on the quilting this morning (pre-car washing).

I saw Jacquie's beautiful doll quilt and thought the quilting would be fun to try. I ended up going with a loopy stitch and now just need to keep making rows (with my walking foot).

Hubby called and said he got to be a contestant on Fear Factor...he had to reach into a container full of eels as one of the stunts.

Ok off to finish more rows on the quilt.

Secret sewing

Sorry, I have actually been sewing...just nothing I can show (as in, secret test sewing).

One day though...

I did pin the Improv quilt and hope to get it quilted today. I thought about the improv border but decided I would NEVER finish it if I started down that path so I used the strips on the back instead.

It's the most white (or off-white) I have ever used on a quilt - but I'm loving how crisp it is (especially with the lime green).

And I finished my Improv block for the charity quilts.

I think I'll work on a couple more in different colorways after I finish the green/blue improv quilt.

Hubby and the kiddos are on day 2 of Universal. Sounds like they are having a blast and tomorrow they'll be home after a looong day of flying.

We are having a tea party in celebration (not really, but we could be).

I also have plans to wash and vacuum out the car today. I don't remember the last time it got washed.

Guess I'd better get off this computer and start moving if I want to get it all done today!

Good Folks Giveaway

Here's another one...

Fabricworm (my favorite fabric store) is giving away 2 fat quarter bundles of Anna Maria's new line Good Folks at The Fabric Shopper's blog.

Head on over and sign-up - there's a few ways to enter.

Crafty Crow Giveaways

There are some wonderful giveaways going on at the Crafty Crow this week.

A cute little messenger bag, yummy Japanese fabric and adorable Valentine's Day cards!

Go check it out!

The tooth fairy is busy

Well, he lost another one...

and I'd better remember since he thinks the tooth fairy is the greatest...it would burst his bubble if she forgot.

I finally ventured out of my house and made it to Costco (and picked up my sewing machine - yeah!!) and then we went to a friend's house for some playtime for the kids. I picked her boys up from school on my way there and in the back seat my guy and her little 6 year old were discussing the tooth fairy.

My guy told his friend - My mom saw the tooth fairy and talked to her.

His friend (who is a little younger and hasn't lost any teeth yet) was impressed and then decided that the tooth fairy uses the teeth as money to buy things. It was so cute!

I actually didn't sew at all today - ok no wait, I did test out my machine to make sure it was working good but no actual sewing.

I stayed up late last night sewing (and watching the Australian Open) the other blocks and borders onto this quilt (it's about 48" x 75" now)...

and then had an idea - improv borders! So I started on those (yes, I am officially losing my mind here).

Tonight the kids went to bed extra early since the late nights of watching Curious George have made them grumpy and tired and I've been watching Andy at the Australian Open.

And reading a Christmas gift (subscription) from a friend

and contemplating the need for a pedicure. My toes need to be cute when hubby comes home!

A better view

Sort of...I went out to take pictures this morning (which I've learned is a bad time to take them) but I took them anyway since I had hauled everything out there.

The little guy says his tummy is still feeling sick so we skipped church and watched cartoons on the couch instead.

He's playing with the Eyeclops he got for Christmas - I'm afraid of what we'll spot in the living room rug - it works that good!

Back to the quilts-in-progress....

Here's the Common Threads one:

I'm still liking it and think I'll work at it a little at a time so it doesn't overwhelm me. I like smaller quilts because you can finish them so quickly.

 

I tend to burn out on projects that are longer but I'm going to stick to it...maybe I should give myself a tentative deadline.

And the Improv one:

Definitely want to make this one bigger so I'm going to make about 6 more blocks.

(and I had this folded overnight - I actually do iron my fabrics!)

And the second MIdwest Modern quilt:

Well, guess it's another day hanging around the house...wonder what I can do? :-)

A first and re-thinking the red

My little guy lost his first tooth last night (and we heard Bela lost her snaggletooth in Costa Rica too - guess the tooth fairy brings colones there).

So of course he got a visit from the tooth fairy - who he totally thinks is real (and it's so cute!). He raised his arms in celebration when he found money under his pillow this morning.

Except then he wanted his tooth to check it out some more. So I had to think fast and tell him that the tooth fairy had given it to me for safe-keeping but I guess he was big enough to hold onto it himself.

I had planned on picking up my sewing machine and doing a Costco run today but the little guy said his tummy hurt (and my mom just had the stomach flu) so I just stayed home instead...and sewed.

I finished up the red on the blocks and then started sewing them into rows. But before I did, I decided I needed to add something to break up all the red.

It looks better in real life than in the pictures and I think I'm digging it. I'll have to pull it out again and check tomorrow.

I also sewed up my improv blocks with some off-white sashing. I love them and decided the quilt needs to be bigger so I'm working on a few more to add to it. I think I might make one red block for contrast like this quilt.

I don't have pictures since it was late but I'll post some tomorrow. Oh, and I finished the binding on this one and it's in the dryer right now. We've been watching Curious George every night before they go to bed (which is great for sewing binding).

I went with red

OK first of all, Fabricworm has Anna Maria's new line, Good Folks, online here if anyone wants to pre-order it (I already did). Cause you can never have too much fabric!

Thanks for all the suggestions and I really do appreciate your opinions.

In the end though, I went with red...mostly because I had it on hand (and also because you know how I love bright things).

I'm about halfway through sewing all the borders on.

I ended up with blocks in 3 different sizes - 10 1/2", 11" and 11 1/2". So I'm sewing red to each square to make them all the same size (12 1/2").

Then I'll add the sashing and start sewing them in rows. I'll need to add some big borders as I'm planning on this fitting a queen-size bed (and yes, this will be sent out to be quilted).

The sewing machine place finally called and said my machine is done so I think I'll go pick it up tomorrow. I must say the Brother sure has been working great (but I do love my Bernina).

I finished a few more Improv blocks too and want to sew them up into a lap quilt.

I think I actually will go with white on this one even though it will be in contact with my kids.

I'll just have to make sure it's used for snuggling only (and not with food).

I have a bunch of red scraps from the above squares that I'm keeping - figure I can use them to make a quilt like this one day.

Lots of sewing...

but not much to show for it - sorry!

I'm working on a test project that I can't share with you guys yet - one day though.

I did sew up some new Improv blocks...

and a few more blocks for my Common Threads quilt.

I have 20 now and think I'm ready to start piecing them into a quilt. I'm still due two more from the Bee but not sure when those will arrive so I'm going to get started on it anyway.

I'm trying to figure out which color will look the best for sashing. I can't use white since it will be for our bed and there's just too much activity at our house to have a white quilt on our bed.

I've also been playing lots of memory and Pictureka (great game by the way) with my little guy - he's missing his big sister.