Already Ready

I'm already ready for Christmas!

Are you?

Feeling of Accomplishment

So tonight I got busy sewin', and finished two quilt tops. Granted they're small lap-quilts, but I do feel like I've done something today. I haven't been sewing much since I got back from North Carolina last weekend, and I guess all that pent up sewing just had to get out, eh?

Now, the 3-in-1 quilt set is finally pieced and ready for some basting! One small problem is that I need to go buy some fabric for the backing and binding. Whoops :) I just LOVE fabric shopping!

There are so many new projects that I'd love to start working on now that the Pride and Glory and trio are finished. I started an apron that I quickly lost interest in. I don't think I'll ever be making any dresses or shirts or anything. Making cuffs and seams just isn't worth it!

Unfortunately, I think I may have worn out my old Singer sewing machine. I not only broke a needle in the middle of the sashing, but it's starting to skip stitches, the feed dogs aren't pulling like they should, and my tension is all wonky. I'll take it to the doctor as soon as I can, really. After all, I can't even finish the tops I have now if my machine won't work, right?

Which also reminds me... I know that for one of my Christmas presents I'll be receiving a new sewing machine. I've been looking at the Brother PC-420. Does anyone recommend this machine? Also, what are some good sewing machines for quilting?

Sorry, Kiddos!

So I've been having a rough time this past week and, honestly, I can't really bring myself to blog. I've got so much in my head that trying to sort it out isn't something I care to do right now. There has been a death in my family that was very close to my heart, and I can't think of trying to write anything.

However, I am in blog-land reading each of your blogs. I want to read as much as you guys can put out, because it distracts me from the other stuff.

News to note:
Since winning the Fabricworm giveaway for the Bloggers Quilt Festival, I have chosen my fabrics and received them. I'll post pictures when my heart stops breaking. I also stopped in Fancy Gap, NC (on the way home) at their pottery and fabric outlet and bought a few things. Just 4 fat quarters and 2 embroidery hoops. (Yes, those darn hoops).

I'm out, and I hope you all are doing MUCH better than I am :)

AAHHH!!

So today I've been flopping around on the internet trying to find the blog that had the AWESOME Bible scripture as the header (I can't remember the scripture or I'd just look it up). I can't remember the blog or anything, so I've gone through my history, clicking anything that might be what I'm lookin for. So I come along Amy's Creative Side and click on it, knowing it isn't the right site, but I like the blog. Come to find out, I'M A WINNER! I've not won anything before really, and I won a 50 buck gift certificate to Fabric Worm because I entered the Bloggers Quilt Festival! Am I a lucky duck or what?!

This brightened my day even after I found out that Wally World doesn't sell Embroidery Hoops! Ah.

God Bless each and every one of you!

Of Cutting, and Cakes, and Shopping, Oh My!

Alright, so I can't be the only one out there that absolutely hates cutting. Whether it be with a rotary cutter or an actual pair of scissors, I just can't seem to get the hang of it. My angles never measure up (even if I do measure a bajillion times)!

I have been reading these super awesome blogs about cakes, icing, fondant, and wonderful cuteness. So being the explorer I am, I decided to do such on my own. While it's alright, I think that the fondant will not be made again. I won't be putting the websites up for the fondant recipe and instructions up due to my uneventful-ness, but if anyone wants the site I'll be happy to give it to you! I think it just may have been a little too much for the cake I made, and I may have had it a *weensy* bit too thick. Maybe. Or positively. Either way it took more time for me than what I would readily have on hand for baking a cake. I will, however, give the link for the homemade buttercream icing! This stuff is insanely yummy. My mother actually took a spoon and cleaned out the mixing bowl! I will say it's definitely not your average icing, and I love it :).

Went to our local Wal-Mart (because that's basically all we have) to get some groceries and stuff. The whole time through the store I kept on thinking to myself that I was forgetting something, even though I remembered to get the elastic thread (shirring, anyone?). I get home and not ten minutes after I realize I wanted embroidery hoops. AH! This has to be the 5th time I've happened to forget them. I must tattoo this on my arm until next shopping day!

Yet Another Day

So here goes to another post, bloggers!!

These past few days have been hectic, and - unfortunately - near quilt free. With the holiday weekend upon us, it's been hot days, cool nights, and shindigs that require my presence. I've gone to two birthday/graduation parties, and at 4 other peoples houses for a grill time.

Luckily today I was able to get back to my machine and supplies and get something done around here. I finished adding my third piece to each of my strips so now I'm totally ready to start cutting for my three in one quilt pattern. Wish me luck, guys!

Speaking of said three in one, I was thinking about adding a little something to make it my own, and then submitting one of those beauties for the mini quilt swap. What a way to kill two birds with one stone, right? Good times.

I found an old apron mom had hanging up decorating the kitchen. Yes, I've seen it a million times in the kitchen, but today I really looked at it. It's absolutely gorgeous, and I believe that I will make one for myself! I have so many new ideas to try out, but sadly my pocketbook doesn't have the same ambition ;).

Before leaving the house for said shindigs yesterday, I got my cakes in the oven and baked. They're sitting in the freezer right now, chilling out so I can get the ingredients to make the icing and fondant to decorate said cake. This is another new adventure I'm taking on, but the more the merrier, right?

Alright, enough time on here, it's back to the cutting board I go!

It's Been A While

Okay, so I've come to the conclusion that no matter what kind of blog I have, it'll never be updated daily. I've tried LJ, and also Xanga. I think I also had one on diaryland or something like that when I was younger, and that didn't work out, either.

Big thanks to KarrieLyne at FreckledWhimsy for giving me a heads up on a mini quilt swap! I've not done this, and figured it would be an awesome adventure! It's called Another Little Quilt Swap 4 and if anyone else is interested, you can find the info here. As much fun as it seems like it would be, I don't know if I want another project on my plate :P

For my patriotic quilt, I got the binding finished, and washed and dried it yesterday. Now all that's left is to add the star applique on the sides, and I'm finished! Well that and the label :) i'm so excited for this, you have no idea. I'll post pictures probably tomorrow with the finished product (I'll be sewing tonight, ladies!)

i also have a quilt trio i'm still working on. it's, however, on a standstill because I wanted to get my other quilt finished in time for the ending of the bloggers quilt festival. I may just keep it on a current halt while i create my mini quilt for the swap. Who knows, I may have crazy amounts of projects at one time :)

Another thing to mention, is that instead of using yet another pattern to try to quilt, I have decided to come up with my own little design. I admit that I've seen quilts like it before, but I'll be putting a small twist on it to make it my own. I never figured that i'd be making my own creations! Especially at such an early stage in this project!

wish me luck!