one shabby chick

Officially exhausted

OK I am finally done (although I will be binding a quilt tonight while watching tv). And I even made some banana bread with the huge bunch of about-to-expire bananas that I have ignored all week long.

 

I have everything packed up except for a few things I need to put in the car....here in Hawaii most craft fairs are outside so I have the tent and chairs plus lots of our furniture - ha ha! No, just a couple things to use for display....

I'm not sure if I have enough but it's too late now...I have some small quilts, bibs, diaper covers, aprons, totes, ponytail holders, burp cloths....I really wanted to make some of these but yesterday my serger started acting up and I can't get it right again - I think I need some different thread. I tried a million times (and no, I don't exaggerate!) to fix it but it just wasn't ever right - so I gave up. Which is good because otherwise I'd be in there right now, cramming in some more sewing.

Instead I'm sitting here, drinking a beer, about to tell you about the best part of the craft fair....my apron.

I decided (after another round with the serger today - oh and I forgot to mention my iron simple stopped working on Wednesday! Luckily my sister had my old Rowenta that leaks but still works ok - she saved the day as I was about to burst into tears! I know you can all relate!) that I would make myself a little craft apron to wear tomorrow to keep my money bag safely on my body.

I went in and looked around at all my fabrics - thinking about how I was going to finish the edges since my serger was not cooperating.

And then I spied the little pile I had just received from Kerri - and I had the most wonderful idea.

 

A roller skate apron!

I absolutely love it - even if wearing it proves I really don't have a waist - I don't even care! Maybe it will help me live up to the cuteness of my helper - my younger sister (who is just too cute - it's not fair!) (I cannot find a picture of her on my computer but tomorrow I will get one and show you all...)

(this is the only one I can find of her) 

 

What I've been up to

have a few more totes to make today and then it's on to aprons...... 

Real

I was reading this post yesterday and smiling at Kathy's self-diagnosis but was also struck by how easy it is to paint a rosy little picture and not the reality of life.

(had some friends over for dinner and she brought me some tulips - so lovely!)

We headed to the beach today as lots of friends had furlough Friday and it's a gorgeous, sunny day here in Hawaii. Yes, that part of my blog is reality - it's gorgeous here but I don't take advantage of it as much as I should - hardly at all, I'm afraid.

Even this morning when my friend (who brought the above tulips) called to ask us to join her and her boys at the beach I thought for a while about whether to go or not. We could have done school quickly and then I could have gone in my room and sewn while the kids played in the house - selfishly that's what I wanted to do...it's easy, less work for me and more time to sew.

 

(this little one is now fast asleep on the couch)

But I knew my kids would love a day at the beach with friends and they need to get out of the house and have fun...so we went and it was a blast.

 

I do know that the reason for all the latest sewing (as in cram sewing) is the craft fair next week but still, my kids are more important than any craft fair or additional income. I need to make more of an effort to make sure they appreciate the wonderful place they are growing up and enjoy it to the fullest.

Also thought I'd show some pictures of what gets neglected when mommy is sewing a lot....laundry.

This is to fold....

this is all to wash (there are loads in the washer and dryer too!) - lol!

Oh and this is what we are eating for lunch now that everyone is showered (and no longer covered in sand - it's now on my bathroom floor)...

while watching this on Netflix (love that new wii disc). 

Just wanted to show you all it's not all peaches and cream here...ok now I'm off to sew a little before Hubby and I head to a parenting thing tonight at church - we need all the help we can get!

Secret and not-so-secret sewing

Here's the secret part....

 

pattern testing for a friend.

I'll show the whole thing soon.

And some craft fair sewing....

flannel blankets...

one with minky (since I had some in the stash)...

and a new tote.

I'm trying to do a little every day to build up a good inventory.

 

* Found some 20" pillow inserts at Walmart too - perfect for displaying the pillow covers.

A day spent sewing

I feel like I should have accomplished a lot more...but the top was a new pattern so it took me a little longer to figure everything out.

 

I made some patchwork bibs (used this pattern - I really like it and so easy to follow!)...

   

a little halter top (not sure if I will be making these for the craft fair or not but they are SO cute...made the 18/24 month size to try it out and it is a bit snug but fits Baby Girl...don't know why I didn't make a size 4 instead?!)

a quilted pillow cover (I'm thinking about making a few of these for the craft fair....have to go to Walmart and see what size pillow forms they sell before I make more).

* made these with the tabs in the back like this - which I have finally now updated with new pictures, Katie :-)

The quilt for my friend was a big hit - she loved it! I made a bib for her too but forgot to snap a photo.

And I ordered some twine and tags (via pdf) from this great Etsy shop - trying to figure out a good tag line to put on it...anyone got any good ideas - I'm drawing a blank!

Carrot cake cookies and a quilt

Finished up the binding this morning while watching Life with the kiddos (I have to say - I like Planet Earth so much more but there are some cool things in the Life series).

 

We are supposed to bring our favorite dessert to the baby shower so why not try out a recipe I have never made before - right?! I made these cookies.

They are really yummy...the kids love them - except for the oldest since they contain carrots {gasp} and raisins {double gasp}.

I tried out some stippling on this quilt - somehow it's much harder for me than these little swirlies...I definitely need more practice but it came out ok.

Hope she (the mom-to-be) likes it...she's having her 4th boy.

And I need to ask everyone (and I'm so sorry but...) does anyone remember sending me these pinwheel blocks?

The kids tore into the mail yesterday and I didn't get to see who sent them...just let me know so I can put your name down on the giveaway list and make sure you get proper credit for them.....

More blocks

I should be sewing up the back to this top, basting it and then quilting it I actually already did all that (and have the binding on - just need to hand sew it) - I was trying to post this earlier today but the internet was acting up...I need it tomorrow.

But instead I got the best packages in the mail and wanted to share them...

These are the latest quilt blocks for the Quilting for Babes:

from Jamie

 

from Kerri (I think you sent these Kerri - the kids opened the package too fast!)

from Jeanette

 

from Greta

Aren't they great?

I finished up Paloma's blocks for The Block Swap:

And Kerri sent 2 more blocks for the Bee-autiful quilting bee so I laid them all out together and took some pictures - love them all so much!

OK off to play some soccer!

A little late

I've been a bit scattered - and I'm a day late in announcing the winner...sorry about that - here goes:

 

The winner is #44 - Suzanne Lefgren - email me your address Suzanne and I'll get it in the mail to you!

I've been doing a bit of sewing...

  

Trying out some flannel receiving blankets - the flannel on these is so soft!

A new little coin pouch - I absolutely love this Echino oilcloth - it's so gorgeous (it is a little thicker than the AMH and Heather Bailey laminates though - just fyi).

These aren't sewn but I made some ponytail holders and a few magnets for the craft fair.

 

I love the yoga poses...

 

I have to finish this baby quilt as the shower is on Friday - and I have a pattern to test too!

 

Plus I need to power out some aprons and totes for the craft fair so I should have lots of sewing to show you all the next few weeks!

Oh I have to show you the most delicious cookies my sister made - so, so yummy!

 

Hubby and I ate them all and didn't share any with the kids (they got chocolate chip ones instead - they wouldn't have appreciated the effort anyway).

 

A first

OK so today was the first time I have ever put in a magnetic snap...and really it wasn't very hard at all!

 

I made this little satchel.....(I need more practice on my top-stitching) - The pattern is so well-written and really cute! Thanks for the suggestion Lisa and Kathy!

(and it could be yours-keep reading)

I added a few pictures to the Quilting for Babes Flikr group - you guys are so great!

And I have all 6 blocks for the first quarter of the 3 x 6 Sampler Bee....aren't they amazing?!

 

OK so I promised a giveaway - now I know my top stitching isn't perfect but it's a cute little bag and I'll load it up with some fabric too.

  

This is actually post #558 so I'm a little behind but it's fine right?! How about everyone tell me a favorite book they've read lately.....I have this one and this one from the library right now but haven't started either of them.

***Comments are now closed - thanks!

Quilting for Babes Flikr group

HI everyone - this project just keeps growing - thanks so much for spreading the word and sending your blocks and quilts.

 

I have received a few blocks and a quilt top and will post some pictures later today but I wanted everyone to know I've set up a Flikr group for us too....so feel free to add pictures of your blocks and quilts there (it might help me keep track of them better too!).

I thought Kathy can hopefully take some pictures (right Kathy :-}) when she delivers the quilts too!