one shabby chick

Instagram + blogging

Didn't mean not to post anything here for almost two weeks - Instagram is just so easy and instant!

It's like you can do a bunch of little blog posts all through the day!

I'm oneshabbychickhawaii over there if you want to follow along.

So here's some of what I've been posting over there:

I got my Lifeproof case and tried it out at the beach.

Father's Day - Thai food, pool time and Tres Leches:

Traveling Quilts bee - star block for Faith using this tutorial:

Faith's blocks from everyone so far:

Jiu-Jitsu:

Soccer (my son is playing in a summer league):

Hubby built this awesome bike/skateboard rack:

someone lost their very first tooth:

Re-covered my sewing table:

Euro 2012 watching:

Ice cream making:

Ringo Pie bee block making:

pattern here

pattern here

Tamiko's theme is Magnum PI so this is my attempt at TC's van

Quilt making:

Letters made using Elizabeth's wonderful pattern!!

and now I'm exhausted :-)

Double digits

My little guy turns ten today.

I love doing these birthday posts mostly since I get to look back through all my pictures and see how the kids have grown through the years.

They were all so little....

And sweet...

and cute...

Not that they aren't now but I could cuddle them a lot easier back then than I can now.

I'm so happy my little guy has found something he LOVES to do - Jiu Jitsu. He is so excited about it and lives for every practice.

We got his gi on Thursday and then had a birthday trip to the Lego store Friday where he picked out an Avenger set.

Tonight it's burgers and baked beans as requested by birthday boy.

Happy Birthday my sweet boy - I love you!

Snapshots

(this girl is off on a big adventure in TN with my mom and dad - we miss her!)

(what became of all those ripe bananas)

(beach days)

(typewriter sewing)

(mexican and cajun)

(new goodies)

(mountian views)

Shabby Apple Giveaway

I love doing giveaways!

Makes me feel like I'm giving you something back since you all take the time to stop by here and read what I'm up to!

And this one is really cool!

A $75 gift certificate to Shabby Apple (US residents only - sorry international peeps!!)

Shabby Apple is an online boutique that has the cutest things!

Plus.....One Shabby Chick + Shabby Apple....need I say more?!

Here's a look at some of the cute items they have:

Dresses

Tops

Swimsuits

Jewelry

and tons more!

And one of you lucky readers gets to win a $75 gift certificate!

You can enter two times using the box below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway open to US residents only and will end June 23rd! Good luck!

And if you don't happen to win, but see something you like, I'm happy to say there's a 10% off coupon that's good for the next month - oneshabbychick10off.

Making friends

So I got a new friend in the mail....

Yep, in the mail!

I have been wanting a machine with a bigger quilting area/throat so I can quilt bigger quilts a little easier.

I love my Bernina (Activa 230 PE) but the throat space is pretty small.

So on Tuesday, the Juki came in the mail. I ordered it here since we only have one local sewing machine shop and they are pretty pricey.

I paid less for it than what I paid for my Bernina.

OK so where do I start?

Boy is it heavy! But not in a bad way....in a "it's going to to be around for a while and sew through anything" kind of way.

I didn't realize when I bought it what a powerhouse this machine was. I just knew that it was reliable, had a large quilting area, had good reviews and Penny had one and loved it - ha ha! Yes, I take my research very seriously!

(oh and Penny's post here has great tips in the comments too!!)

It is so fast! And powerful! Wow!!

I'm amazed at the speed and how it just sews through zippers and layers with no problem. And with a regular foot too.

It came with a walking foot and I tried to quilt with it and had some puckering issues. Safieh told me to fiddle with the thread tension so I need to fool around with quilt sandwiches and thread tension and presser foot tension too.

I did some paper piecing too and that worked just fine. I need to get a zipper foot (Elizabeth already pointed me to the right one) and maybe a 1/4" foot if there is one? and I think I'm set.

I'm keeping my Bernina as the Juki is only straight-stitch and doesn't have a free arm so I can't topstitch small bags or ipad covers on it but other than that, I think I will be using it for almost everything.

Oh and my favorite part - automatic thread cutter!! Boy, I didn't know what I was missing!!!

The bobbin winder is super easy and winds really straight.

I actually really like the way the bobbin goes in on the side of the machine - it's really easy and when you pull the little handle/bobbin thingy (like my technical terms) to slide the bobbin in, it stays put! It's locked in - imagine that! No bobbin sliding out as you are trying to put it in!

There are two thread holders on the top of the machine - I have black and white thread up there right now.

It comes with a pretty big table attachment but my hubby is going to cut a bigger hole on my table so I can have the Juki sitting flush with my quilting table which will be so nice when I'm sewing quilts.

Did I cover everything? Anyone have any questions/tips for me about it?

New pouches and iPad covers

Just wanted to drop in and let you all know I added some more pouches and ipad covers into the shop.

I have a post I'm working on right now about a new sewing friend too!

Oh and the mail today was amazing!

New fabrics from Pink Chalk Fabrics:

New books:

I cannot wait to try some of the blocks from the Fat Quarterly book - great, great ideas in there!!

Waterproof case for the iPhone - which means now I'll get to taunt you all even more!

Batting!! Love Joann's batting sales +free shipping!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Father's Day!!

Summer

It's so sunny and nice outside.

But I'm at home, doing laundry and cleaning.

We are hitting the beach tomorrow though  and yes, I'll be sure to taunt you all with share loads of pictures!

Especially next week when this finally comes!!

Today's mail day was awesome!

3 amazing patterns that I won over on Pretty Ditty - I love her patterns and I cannot wait to try out the Maxi dress pattern!

2 Figgy patterns that I got at Fabricworm - I see a big knit order in my future!

Bundle of fabrics from Sew Fresh Fabrics - love that McCall's sewing one on top!

2 FQ bundles of Vintage Modern and Lucy's Crab Shack from Randi at Fresh Squeezed Fabrics.

A few more feather fabrics from MaterialGirlFabrics.com - the yellow and pink are my favorites!

 

There are a couple of sales this weeks I wanted to let you know about:

Southern Fabrics has 10% off your entire order 6/9-6/16 (excluding gift certificates and shipping) with coupon code tenpercent.

Fresh Squeezed Fabrics has a weekly sale that she announces on her blog and right now there are some amazing scrap bundles in her shop here!

Sew Fresh Fabrics' sale section is bursting at the seams!

Fabricworm has 15% off Moda fabrics through 6/14/12!

Marmalade Fabrics has some amazing deals in their sale section!

OK I'm off to make some banana bread as all those bananas are now super ripe!!

Friday

This week flew by!! And we were home for most of it too - lol!

My little guy is finally doing better - had to get some stronger meds for him yesterday as he was still wheezing but hopefully that will finally kick it.

Tomorrow I'm off to a homeschool curriculum sale to sell a few books and then taking Bela shopping since she's heading to TN with my mom on Sunday.

They are going to clean out/pack up my Grandpa's house - so sad!! They are shipping a bunch of the furniture here though and I'm getting the coolest curio cabinet - can't wait to show it to you guys!

More snapshots anyone?

bananas from my sister's yard

custom zip pouches

destash packages - thanks to everyone who bought fabric and shop goodies!!

my beautiful Ringo Pie block from Leila!

yummy goodies!

My shoulder is slowly feeling better- been icing it and doing lots of stretches and going to the chiropractor once a week.

And today I started on a custom twin quilt for the cutest little girl.

Her mom always buys her little skirts at my booth at the craft fair.

She emailed me about making a patchwork quilt for her daughter's new "big" bed and I'm thrilled with how these blocks look.

Not too pink but it's still bright and cheery - secretly hoping she doesn't like the colors or something so I can keep it - lol!

I'm using Elizabeth's tutorial here.

I used 12.5" squares and then, when they were all sewn together, trimmed them down to 10.5".

You make these blocks in sets of 9. I've made 2 sets so far and have 5 more to go so it will be a bit more scrappy than this - I just put them altogether right now so I can email her a picture of the colors.

Isn't it a fun pattern?!

Destash

Just a quick note to say I'm about to start uploading destash bundles.

I have about 25 bundles to list - if you see anything you like be sure to use coupon code June2012 for 20% off too!!

Snapshots

(Last Wednesday - the water park has a deal right now so you can buy a ticket and then get a pass until the end of the year - YES!!)

(custom orders)

(view at the chiropractor's)

(first two arrows)

(tortilla soup)

(tacos)

(my nephew Parker)

(more mexican food)

(little fainter)

(more custom orders)

(Starbucks treats after the doctor's yesterday)