Disappearing 9 patch top

I held a very fun and exciting Disappearing 9 Patch block swap recently. I was astounded at how many signed up for it. Then ...... how many of you wanted to join in on it twice. This swap was one of my famous... use what you have fabric swaps. We received some very fun and exciting blocks from this swap. I have received tons of wonderful feed back and several of you have said you can't stop making these blocks :) And they are blaming me for this new addiction they have. LOL I know these blocks are so darn easy to make ;)

So here are the results of one swappers top!
All laid out under construction
She decided not to use all 40

as not all the colours worked together)

& below sewn together.


Wendy: I made a few extra of my own blocks...so they are the repeats
& I added in some extra strips on the sides . . . all balanced!

Now see what you can do with these fun blocks... This quilt top is Brilliant!! I even think the left overs would look fantastic in a pillow or pillowcase, or why not a tote ;)


Great fun!Wendy from Hartylittlepeaces has given me permission to use her photos and some of the article from her blog post.
Thank you Wendy :)

I think I did... I think I did!!!!

Well I did it.. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.. in CA that is ;0)
I got all of my Christmas presents made!!!! I am so thrilled. I hope everyone likes them :0)
I promise I will take photos of everything to share with you when I return home.
You will notice there are three more items to make.
Those are the three items that.....
I have to make for my family here in Ta Town :)
That is not including the 8 Andy's and Annie's
I promised to make for my family and friends.
Good thing those are all in various stages of being done.
I am not sure what I will make for the remaining three items.. but give me a month
and I will know what I am going to do :)
Thank you everyone for cheering me on.
I don't know if I could have gotten all of my gifts done,
without your words of encouragement and sweet comments.
Thank you :)

Its done.. yeah!!!

A Comfy Tote For the Pitty Pat :)

I have been working on another one of my create as you go sewing projects. I think it turned out pretty good for all the trouble I had with it. I spent every night after work and half of today on this silly tote. Although its not one of my best projects but its not one of my worst either. I am still trying to get use to using bias. I really had a struggle on the corners. OK I had some trials and errors with this little tote but all in all it was a lot of fun to create and make. I made this tote so I could take the Pitty in the quilt shops with me and Nadine. I could have jammed her down inside of my purse... but she would not be able to see out. She loves to watch people and see things too. Yes you guessed it the funny looking material in the center is mesh. I wanted her to be happy going with us and enjoy her day while we shopped :) Now she can ride and look out at all the fun stuff too :)

Swine Flu Symptoms

If you wake up looking like this,

don't come to work.



I got this in an email and it cracked me up!!!
I hope it gives you a laugh too :)
I laughed to myself as this looks more
like a Troll than a Piggy :)

Please Remember!!

We have a little less than a week and counting to get the word out all across this great land and into every community in the
United States of America .

THE PROGRAM:

On Friday, September 11, 2009, an American flag should be displayed outside every home, apartment, office, and store in the United States . Every individual should make it their duty to display an American flag on this eighth anniversary of one of our country's worst tragedies. We do this to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11, their families, friends and loved ones who continue to endure the pain, and those who today are fighting at home and abroad to preserve our cherished freedoms.

In the days, weeks and months following 9/11, our country was bathed in American flags as citizens mourned the incredible losses and stood shoulder-to-shoulder against terrorism. Sadly, those flags have all but disappeared. Our patriotism pulled us through some tough times and it shouldn't take another attack to galvanize us in solidarity. Our American flag is the fabric of our country and together we can prevail over terrorism of all kinds

So, here's the plan:

(1) Tell everyone you know (at least 12 people).Take a moment to think back to how you felt on 9/11 and let those sentiments guide you.

(2) Fly an American flag of any size on 9/11. Honestly, Americans should fly the flag year-round, but if you don't, then at least make it a priority on this day.

Thank you for your participation.

God Bless America!

To properly display and fold a flag go to this web site ;)
http://www.usflag.org/flagetiquette.html

Happy Birthday

I forgot today is the day that Awtem Nymp is holding her Annie birthday party. Today is Annie and Andy's birthday. Run by and check it out.. lots of fun and wonderful comments.

This was my very first attempt at making Annie's.. She is living in Sunny California with my Grandma Peachy :)

I love this Annie.. She started a new life after she made it to her new home after my swap partner received her. This Annie stands for everything I believe in .. My country and the love of it :) I wonder if she is called PVT Benjamin???
Thank you Ronda for this wonderful photo of my Annie that you received :)

It's Monday :)

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday ... all of my American friends :)

I hope all of you get to spend it with your family and friends doing something fun. Please remember if you drink, drink responsibly .... have a Designated Driver and if you don't have a DD ..please call someone to drive you safely to your destination:)

I wonder whats up???

I have had a heck of a time getting motivated to sew this weekend. I wander what the story is. I did sew some today but not as much as I needed too.. I guess I will have to hit it hard and heavy tomorrow. I did get the last pillowcase finished for Granny Peachy. Then I started in on the 15 neck coolers for the guys. I have them over half done.. but I was hoping to get them finished today. Maybe just maybe if I'm not too tired after I finish here I might work on them some more tonite. I really needed a break.. I worked on all of those items for about 5 hours. Even though I got a late start sewing. Then I heard this very faint little voice saying... come to the fridgie .. come to the fridgie... Pepsi was calling me :0) Besides I think I need food.. I still haven't eaten dinner or lunch :( I know bad M.
I would like to at least get the seams pressed and creased on the coolers before I got to bed. Then the rest of the sewing should go really really fast tomorrow ;) Then I have one more MUST have present to make. After that I have to make an apron and a purse to carry the Pitty in. I will use it when Nadine and I go out shopping ;) Pitty has to go shopping with us.. she can't stay home. I take her everywhere with me :)
Then after that if time permits I will just make some small stuff...
This purse is going to be one of those design as you go also items.. I want the sides to have mesh panels so Pitty can see outside when she is in side ;) I might need a day for that.. Tuesday was my day to sew that.. Other than that.. I can't figure out why... Or can I????? I really didn't want to get with it in the sewing dept today... I think I know why :)
Nadine was laughing at me because she told me I should check out this web site:
oneprettything.com
Check it out I did!!!
I started looking at that web site and I could not stop until I looked at all of it. Believe me it is a huge web site.. it took several hours to go through all of it. There is some amazing stuff on that site. It was like.... I have to click just one more page... I kept telling myself I will only look a few more pages.. then it was one more and then two.. oh my gosh I was hoping it would go on forever :) It really was ugly to see me so wrapped up in that site.. I lost all track of life around me... I can hear it now..... your asking what about the Pitty???? No I didn't forget the Pitty she was on my lap as I drooled out the side of my mouth and had this daze look on my face. This web site has tons of free tutorials and patterns. It also has a few sites where you have to purchase patterns. There is anything and everything to make.
Like I said .. I was sort of glued to my seat looking at all of the wonderful stuff :)
This web site should come with a warning:
JUST SAY NO..... TO... ONE PRETTYTHING
It is very addictive.. I might have to join a Blogger Anonymous group over it :)
I just couldn't stop!!! LOOKING!!!

Hurry Hurry

Only a micro.....short time left to sign up for my Halloween Apron swap.. then just one more short week to sign up for the fun and creative Halloween Andy/Annie swap. So if your thinking of joining in on these swaps.. you better run now to sign up :) After that both swaps will be closed. Apron swap partners will be assigned .....I hope if all works out on Tuesday :) So look for it in your email boxes :)

I have to say.......I have been very surprised there have been so few ladies signing up for my Halloween Annie swap :( I was hoping it would be interesting and lots of fun. Also a great way to use those creative juices. Although I do understand there are so many swaps to choose from this time of year. Maybe next time you can join in on the up coming fun :) As I have a couple of fun swaps in the works, for the fall and winter season ;) Keep an eye out on the blog for those up coming events ;)
As always ladies thank you so much for following my blog and joining in on my fun.. you always make my life more fun ;)

I am beyond thrilled about this art bag :)

I have just completed one of my hardest projects to date. I machine quilted all the fabric on this project. I also designed this project from scratch. It was one of those sew as you go things, and make it up along the way. I can tell you I am very very please how this awesome 17 X 21 bag turned out. My rough estimate on time.... I spent in the area of 14-16 hours making this project. I really do think the time I spent making this bag was well worth the effort.. and then some :)

I wanted to make my nephew a sketch pad portfolio bag ... so he can carry it back and forth to San Francisco School of Art. I also wanted it nice and manly, so that he would be proud to carry it and he would use it for along time to come. I think I accomplished everything I set out to do with this fantastic little art bag. It is lightly padded, it has an adjustable shoulder strap and a huge center front pocket. The pocket has a Velcro closure so he can get into it fast :) I even made a matching charcoal pencil roll. I was very excited when I came up with the idea.. to incorporated some camo fabric as accent trims ;) I even used some vintage buttons for other fun embellishments on this bag :) Its sort of hard to see the buttons on the bag, there is a close up of the pencil roll. It shows what the buttons look like. I used brownish tan buttons then, dark green buttons stacked on top of each other. I think using the vintage buttons, really gave just the right amount of pop to this bag and pencil roll.
I can see John John now... un-furling his pencil roll...
laying it out just so.....like Leonardo DiCaprio
did in the movie Titanic..
Leo looking like a real artist.
All stern faced with concentration...
all knowingly... musing on how to start his project :)

These photos really don't do this little art bag justice.. it really is awesome!!!
I HOPE HE LOVES IT!!!