Busy Evening

I came home after work and listed 5 patterns in my two Etsy Shops. Then I started working on a couple of PDF's. One to use in my shop for sale and the other to use in a Crochet swap up on the Pins and Needles Blog.
During all of this listing and writing.... I was waiting on a very important phone call. I had to go meet someone.. not just anyone but one of our own Blogging and Swapping Buddies. She came all the way from New York to visit her family that lives here in Ta Town....

Here she is Ms Sherry Wescott.... Of course this is APP and the Pitty. We met at one of the local ice-cream shops and had a nice visit. Sherry didn't have a lot of time for this meeting.. but I was very excited to meet her and her sister. We had a short but fun time.. I learned about her family back home and also about the family that lives here in Ta Town. What a great meeting .. Thank you Sherry for agreeing to meet me ;)


I thought I would tell you it was raining and the Pitty had to have her fleece lined rain coat on :)

Easter Mug Rugs

I have heard from my three partners and its now safe to show you my mug rugs. Thank you ladies.. I swiped photos once again from your blogs to post here. For some reason I forget to take photos before I ship off your swap packages.

I even made a couple of them for me to keep :)

This was my original design .. but it had too many small pieces.. sort of drove me nuts ;) I went back to the drawing board and came up with this one ;)

Do you like them better with the rick rack or without...

Me I sort of like them with the Rick Rack ;)

Aunt Pitty Pat say's

INSTALLING SPRING...
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33% DONE...Install delayed...please wait...Installation failed. Please try again

I am so excited... I have finished up my Easter Mug Rugs... all seven of them. I hope my swap partners love them! I had such a great time creating, picking fabrics, and stitching them together.
I spent a few hours this week working on the Accessory swap too. This accessory swap has been a bit tough on me.. I am not so good in the country color range... I am a more bright bold and up in your face colors sort of a gal.. Although making this sewing machine cover might have change my views on the country color scheme ;) The colors that I have chosen seem to be a real eye catcher. These colors just want to make a person smile when you see them ;)
I am over half done with the sewing machine cover appliques.. I thought it would be the toughest part of the swap so I am knocking that out first. I still have some of the little stitching on it to do and add the embellishments.
My partner is CJ and we agreed to make each other the same machine cover design. We agreed on the one pictured above. She would make mine in bright colors and I would make hers in country colors... It will be so much fun to see what each other came up with :)
I have to admit my problem on this cover has been the crazy patch and the circular blocks... I am doing OK.. nothing to write home about. I have never made crazy patches or the circular blocks before, not to mention some of the blocks are so small. Big fat fingers don't want to bend properly to hold them down without moving them out of position. I did figured out that if I would paper piece the circular one.. it worked out so much better than trying to cut the fabrics to size.
Other than that.. I hope to pack up Mug Rugs and get them shipped off tomorrow ;) So If your my partner.. start watching for the postal carrier to come to your door!

Jump-start your Quilting

Hello ladies.. I am so excited. I have been chosen to be a part of a blog tour that reviews a book called Jump-Start your Quilting. All projects in this book use pre-cut fabrics. I am pleased to report that all projects in this book are awesome and look very fun to make. Stick around my blogging friends let me tell you some about Jump-Start your Quilting.

Excerpt to the book:

Welcome:

Quilters today say that the biggest problem they have is finding the time to quilt. Yes, it does take a certain amount of time to stitch a quilt, but we've found a way to help you with your time crunch. If you use pre-cut fabric packs to make a quilt or quilted project, you will save part of the time you usually spend cutting fabric, and you will save part of the time you usually spend selecting fabric since the packs usually feature one coordinated fabric line.

Of course, with the time saved you will want to make even more quilts, and we have a book full of projects for you to make. If you love classic quilts, there are instructions for making seven quilt designs that are quicker than ever with pre-cuts. If you want to use your time to make gifts for the family, friends, and even the dog, you'll find eight easy-with-pre-cut fabric gift designs.

Pull out all the stops and enjoy those special occasions of the year even more with designs stitched quickly from pre-cut fabrics. You'll be able to complete your projects on time, so you can start celebrating early, and your home will look better than ever!.

If you only like to make quilts, you can now make more of them in the same amount of time by using pre-cut fabric packs. These designs may be easy and you can stitch them together quickly, but notice also how beautiful they are These are quilt patterns that you will want to make over and over again.

There's no time to waste, Buy those fabric packs and start quilting now.

Jeanne Stauffer

My project I am to review is provided by Clotilde.

My project on page 88 is named:Climbing Vines and Squares.

This quilt is rated as a beginner project. The project provides a very nice sized
57 ½ X 57 ½ inch quilt.

The instructions are simple to read and understand and are appropriate for beginner to advanced quilters. I love this book.. it also provides the block sizes, just in case you decide not to use pre-cuts. Although the reason for this lovely book, provides an easier and faster way to make awesome quilts in a shorter amount of time using pre-cut fabrics.I know I work full time and would like to complete more projects faster. This wonderful full color book provides some amazingly fun ideas.

The book provides color diagrams to show you how to place your quilt blocks, the appliques and quilting lines.

Full sized applique patterns are provided with my project. Just simply photocopy and cut out. Easy Peasy :) The quilting stitches used on this quilt are super - they really set off the quilt blocks. The stitches look to be very easy for the beginner quilter. You don't have to have a big fancy quilting machine to get great results with this quilt. There are minimal quilting stitches with a huge impact.

I have to tell you this is an A+ rated Quilt book from me. There are several wonderful projects - let me tell you about some of them.

Apron

Dog Jacket

Purse

Christmas Stocking

Other fantastic Quilts

Tote

Wall Quilt

Placemats

Gift Wraps

Has anything piqued your attention? This book certainly did mine.

If you're interested in purchasing this fantastic book run over HERE to order it.

I know you will not be disappointed you purchased it.

Thank you so much Clotilde for giving me the opportunity to review your wonderful fun book.

Others on the Tour:

Day 1 March 10: http://www.bumblebeansinc.blogspot.com/

Day 2 March 11: http://quiltcookies.blogspot.com

Day 3 March 12: http://laurenandjessiblog.com

Day 4 March 13: http://patsloan.typepad.com

Day 5 March 14: http://www.texasfreckles.com

Day 6 March 15: http://www.auntpittypats.blogspot.com

Day 7 March 16: http://www.hollyhockquilts.com

No Sew Zone!!!

Yes this has been me for the last two months in the NO SEW ZONE.. I have sewn a few things but nothing much to speak of. I finally settled down to business tonight and found the fabrics needed to do my Easter Mug Rugs.. I kept saying I needed to go to the fabric shop.. but I hate to spend the extra money for gas to drive, when I have a nice size fabric stash! I knew I better get in gear... the due date for the rugs are sneaking up on me fast.

I have all the fronts, backs and batting cut... Next is the sashing.. that won't take much to whack the strips off the yardage :) Fold and press... weeeeeeeeeee in one large swipe of the iron ;)
I finally decided on a design. After cutting out two sets of Appliques of the first design, I decided that it had too many small parts to make it nice for my partners. I will finish those two with free motion stitching. I will keep those for myself ..... just in case they turn out wonky! That's ok with me... sort of a Art Quilt meets Mug Rug ;) I went back to the drawing board and found another design that I really like and that is the one I will use ;)
I Hope everyone is having fun with their projects .. I can hardly wait to see them ;)
Happy Stitching!!

I love chocolate chips and I love scones

Chocolate Chip Scones

Try this spin on a traditional scone. The chocolate adds a rich depth of flavor.

Ingredients

• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) dark chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
• 2 cups chilled whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• Additional sugar
• Powdered sugar (optional)

Directions

Heat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease 2 baking sheets.

Stir together flour, 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder and salt in large bowl. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts, if desired. Stir whipping cream into flour mixture, stirring just until ingredients are moistened. Turn mixture out onto lightly floured surface. Knead gently until soft dough forms (about 2 minutes). Divide dough into three equal balls. One ball at a time, flatten into 7-inch circle; cut into 8 triangles. Transfer triangles to prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with additional sugar. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve warm, sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.

Makes 24 scones.

Recipe found at All Chocolate click Here to visit ;)

Sunday Nite.. reflections of the week :(

Hello ladies its Sunday Nite and we are having a huge storm. The hail made it look like it snowed see the attached photos!

Now I am dodging Tornadoes... aggggggggg SPRING sort of weather here! Although it is cold 37 degrees!!!

What has everyone been up to? Me just trying to get back on line after a virus wiped out my computer and my modem... Yes ladies that was an expensive fix ...Now I can stay in touch with all my sweet friends that I have met through my blog and on FB.
But alas.. the computer man said the bad virus most likely came from FB.. so that means very limited FB for me. Sorry if you have gotten use to see me on there. I can hardly afford, every-time I turn around to repair the computer. I have had two viruses in less than a year... I've had my computer for over 5 years before I got my first bad virus, where it could not be clean by the virus protector. Then I just got this one this weekend.. and both of them ... I think came from FB... Anyway... ladies please watch out.. Beware of the things you look at on face-book.
If I have you on Skype please send me an email with your Skype address again please ;)

SEWING ... what's that???
I went three weekends in a row and have finally found my Easter Mug for the Easter Mug rug swap. I have to tell you finding that mug was a challenge in itself ;) I am very pleased with the mugs. They should work out lovely with me rugs.
I finished a tote.. but alas I can not show it yet its a Pay it Forward!
I have my applique pattern picked out for my Easter Mug Rug... yeah .. I guess I have been sewing a bit.. just not like I would like to :)
Maybe this coming weekend...
Hopefully no running to the computer shop three or four times over the weekend ;)
Have a Fabulous Day sweet friends!

APP has a Birthday very soon!

Like most older ladies I was hoping this Birthday would come and go sort of un-noticed. I think once you go over the 55 year mark.. you just don't want to be reminded another year has passed. I suppose I should look at this in a positive manner... one year closer to retirement!!

I had to get a new drivers license this year and it really reminded me .... how truly old I am getting. I compared the photos from the last DL to this one and Oh my Goodness!!! There was only 6 years in between. I had a few grey hairs 6 years ago.. but in this years photo.. I almost look totally grey!!! Not to mention those dreaded words ... added on pounds!!! Yes I am like 35% of the ladies out there.. I lied about my weight on my DL. :) I know bad APP!!!
Having gotten over the shock and realization that I really am getting older.... I have sort of come to terms with being older. I look back and remember my young self saying I am never going to have wrinkles, grey hair, and extra pounds....
What I have to say about that now my sweet friends...
My wrinkles must be from too many smiles and lots of laughs with family and friends!
My grey hair ... Natures way of frosting my hair without having to pay for it in a salon!
My extra Pounds... Good meals with family and friends.. besides more of me to love!!!

Having said that .... what this post is really all about is the love... my friends have for me!!
My Dear Sweet Friend CJ... remembered my Birthday in the Biggest way!!! Here is what she handcrafted with love just for me!!

Annie's little face is so sweet!!!

Love those stripped stockings!!!
Groovie!!

My little girl has a very special tote~
You will see in photos below ;)

Not hard to see the love in this little girl :)

Here is that special little tote bag... look its me and the Pitty!!!

I don't know about you .. but this is one of the cutest little Annies I have ever seen and she made me tear up when I pulled her out of the gift box....
CJ you have made my heart sore with your love and friendship... Thank you so much for making this year's Birthday so special!! I love my pretty pink Annie~~~~

Something fun to share ;)

I found these adorable pincushions at Stamping with Blue moon Creations. Anne has provide a wonderful informative tutorial on how to make these fun sewing accessories ;)
Anne also offers scrap booking inspiration.