Fabric Basket Swap...goes in the Mail!

Happy Monday night! I hope that your week is starting out well! I forgot to post a picture of a fabric basket that I made for the Fabric Basket Swap on Flickr! My blog sponsors this swap, so be sure to visit the Flickr Group and see all of the gorgeous baskets that have been made! Perhaps you may want to join us for round two at the end of July!

The fabric basket is made with Denyse Schmidt's, Flea Market Fancy Legacy Fabric. This is one of my favorite fabric lines in my stash! The bottom of the basket is Robert Kaufman Linen in Aqua! The basket was filled with a bunch of goodies and hopefully she will love her basket!

I hope that you have a wonderful week! Have a Happy Monday and Happy Quilting!

Sunday Stash, Moda Fat Eighth Bundles....

Happy Sunday! I hope that your week is going well! I am still battling a cough that lingers from being sick. It's that nagging cough that can go on and on, then leaves you out of breath and very tired when it's over. I travelled into the beautiful Florida Panhandle this week for work. The long drive through the vast forest was totally gorgeous! The sky was very blue and dotted with clouds. Both sides of the road for miles and miles was woodlands where large birds just coasted through the sky. I must say that I was in awe of the land around me! I went to visit some old customers and made some sales calls on some new prospects. It really was fun!

How was your week? Did you do anything new or different? Did you get to sew?

Yesterday I did some sewing. I put together a baby quilt and finished the last block for a pinwheel quilt! I am part of a Bee on Flickr called Bee White Black and several months ago fabric was mailed to the girls along with instructions to create the block. I made two blocks for the quilt and the girls made the rest! The block is from the Pinwheels in the Park Pattern which can be downloaded for free from Sew Mama Sew! 

My Sunday Stash for this week are cute little Fat Eighth Bundles from Moda. I purchased them from Quilt Taffy on Etsy. I love Corrie's shop, she always has such cute fabric! Fat Eighth Bundles are just right for lap quilts, twin size quilts when you add solids, or even small projects. My mind has been trying to figure out what project to do first!

Happy Go Lucky, Zen Chic, Glamping and Twenty-Three! Glamping will be fun to work with! Bright happy colors and fun campers! The Zen Chic Bundle is destined for an X Block Quilt that was in an issue of Fon's and Porter's Quilty magazine!

Well, I better run for now! Today is the day to run errands, do laundry, vacuum and cook Sunday Dinner. We are having yummy barbecue meatloaf, mashed potatoes and a vegetable. This meal always reminds me of my friends that I worked with at The Quilt Company in Pittsburgh. We shared that meal together when we went on our sewing retreats. I really miss them...Have a very Happy Sunday and Happy Quilting!

Guest Blogger...Bee's Helping Bees...

Happy Thursday! I wanted to introduce you to Hayley and a wonderful group called Bee's Helping Bee's. As many of you know I sew a lot of Bee Blocks! Sometimes when you are active in Bees life events happen (illness, relocation, job change, divorce, death of a family member, etc.) which can put a fellow bee member in a position where they fall behind on their blocks or just have to leave a bee. I must admit I have had to have help from time to time with my Bee Blocks. To err is human. So please take a moment to read this post. Thank you Hayley for being a guest blogger!

Hello! My name is Hayley (aka Mrs. Pickles) and I blog over at Mrs.Pickles Garden. I would like to thank Leona for giving me the chance to share my special little side project with her readers.

In 2012 I discovered the addictive online quilting bee scene and soon found myself taking part in 3 bee’s and hosting 2 of my own.  Being a beginner quilter, taking part in online bee’s was stressful, exciting and in the end VERY rewarding. However, there was a down side. In one of the groups I was in only 2 out of 11 people sent me blocks. The host did her best and even made me an extra set of blocks, but in the end after 9 months of making other people blocks I found myself missing blocks and there being no chance of more on their way. I also ran into the similar problems in the 2 bee’s I hosted. Suddenly people would go MIA and although most of the time I was able to find replacement bee’s. There were a few people that ended missing blocks.

I am someone that lets things fester so time and time again I would find myself thinking about my missing blocks as well as feeling guilty for the people in my bee’s in the same boat. From reading other blogs I knew that this was not an experience that I was alone in and started to think, Hey, why don’t I start a group on flickr where we can all help each other out.... So guess what? I did.

I created a group called Bee’s Helping Bee’s. 

This group is dedicated to helping people in the online quilting community who are missing blocks from their quilting bee’s as well as those who need help finishing up UFO’s.

The concept is quite simple. If you are missing blocks join our group and follow the instructions on how to ask for help. Right now there are 40 lovely ladies looking to help out in any way they can. The only stipulation is that if you ask for help you have to help out at least one other person in the group.

So far we have been able to help 4 people, including myself and get orphan blocks, WIP's and UFO’s a little bit closer to becoming the wonderful quilts they were meant to be. It is a really great feeling being able to make a total stranger a quilt block that helps turn disappointment into happiness!

If you would like to join us we would love to have to be part of our group. Our flickr Page is http://www.flickr.com/groups/beeshelpingbees/

Thank you once again to Leona for giving me the chance to spread the word about out group!!

More Bee Blocks Ready to Mail!

Happy Monday! I hope that your weekend was filled with Quilty Fun. I have been battling the same virus and it made me pretty tired.Three more Bee Blocks go out in the mail for the Quilt Around the World II Bee. Each block is for a different lady in the Bee. The first block is for Judy who requested Gelato colors. I made her a fun Wonky Star!

The next block is for Elizabeth who requested some HST's. The HST's actually line up with a sequence of other blocks.

The last block is a fun wonky book stack of blocks for Pam. I just love the rainbow of colors that she chose!

 

This is a busy travel week for work. As far as quilting I have a Fabric Basket and several other small projects to finish and mail. I hope that you have a really good week and that you get a chance to sew. Have a Happy Monday and Happy Quilting!

Bee Blocks Go in The Mail!

Happy Sunday! I hope that your weekend is going well! I am feeling better and finally sewing! I still have several Bee Blocks that I would like to be able to complete today, but I thought I would post what I finished this morning! Bit by bit I am getting caught up and it will be a welcome relief to get everything mailed! The first three blocks are for the NuBee's Bee on Flickr. The girls in the Bee each requested their colors. I made Spool Blocks for them and they each turned out very cheerful!

 

 

The string block is for Deana from the Bee White Black Bee on Flickr. Deanna sent out strips of black and white, grey and red fabrics. I added some strips from my stash to complete her string block.

The last two blocks are for Melissa of the Munki in the Middle Bee on Flickr. Melissa requested some wonky Churn Dash Blocks and they were super fun to make! In the Munki in the Middle Bee we get to dig into our stash of Munki Munki fabrics and make blocks for each other. It was neat to use some of my text fabrics in the blocks. (by the way one of the HST's in the block directly below is turned in a different direction to add interest to the block, and is not a mistake)

 

These blocks will go out in the mail on Monday Morning! My fingers are crossed that they will like them! Well, I better run for now. More blocks to make! Have a Happy Sunday and Happy Quilting!

A Little Project and a Recipe...

Happy Wednesday! I hope that your week has been going along well! I am feeling much better than a few days ago. I just have a bit of a cough and that's about it. Being sick sure makes you appreciate being well! I burned the underside of my right arm on a baking pan a few days ago and it stings a bit...Hopefully it will heal quickly and not leave too much of a scar. Luckily I was able to complete another swap package that needed to mail out. The friendship bag below is going to an undisclosed recipient for a swap that I can not share the name of...LOL!! 

The friendship bag is made with the Collage fabric line from SUCH Designs for Windham Fabrics! Collage will be released to your LQS in July! I love this fabric line and am working on a mug rug for another friend! I was so excited about this little bag that I took a picture of the front and back of it!

This is the back of the Friendship Bag. The colors and fabrics just meld so perfectly together! It has that modern edginess to it and at the same time it is very welcoming. Hopefully my mystery friend will like receiving it!

I made Chicken Cacciatore for dinner tonight. It was super yummy and super easy!  We live on the single mom budget, so I thought I would share the recipe with you. This recipe yields four servings.

Ingredients

1 package chicken legs or chicken thighs (usually with 5 or 6 pieces)

1/2 chopped onion

1/2 chopped green pepper 

1 cup sliced Mushrooms

1 chopped stalk celery

2 tbsp crushed garlic

2-3 tbsp Olive Oil

1 small can (16 oz) Petite Diced Tomatoes

1 small can (8 oz) tomato sauce

1/2 cup white wine

Garlic Powder, Black Pepper and Basil to taste

1/2 box Angel Hair Pasta

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. You will use a large skillet and a covered roasting pan. Preheat your skillet on medium heat. Add two tablespoons of Olive Oil to the heated pan. Brown the chicken legs or thighs in the oil. Season them with the Garlic Powder, Black Pepper and Basil while they are in the skillet. Mix the onion, green pepper, mushrooms, celery and crushed garlic to the same skillet with the chicken. I usually add another tablespoon of Olive oil at this point. Saute the veggies with the chicken for about five minutes. Add the Petite Diced Tomatoes and the tomato sauce to the skillet. Let simmer on Medium Heat for approximately ten minutes. Transfer everything in the skillet to the covered roasting pan.

Bake in the oven for one hour. Prepare Angel hair pasta on the stovetop in boiling water. Serve the Chicken, pasta and sauce together with salad and crusty bread. I love this meal because it is so savory and you can prepare it for under ten dollars. Enjoy dinner with someone you love and talk about your day! A family dinner at the dinner table fills your heart with joy and lets you learn more about your kids and what's important to them!

Well, I better run for now. My son has yummy leftovers for tomorrow while I am working. Have a Happy Wednesday and Happy Quilting!

Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day! Today is the day we remember our soldiers who have died serving our Country. We treasure their bravery and sacrifice so that we can enjoy the freedom of each day that we live in the United States.  

I hope that your weekend has been relaxing. I have had the flu since Friday and to be honest with you it took the fun right out of a holiday weekend! I spent most of my time sleeping, sneezing and blowing my nose. Today I began to feel a bit better and was able to make a pillow cover for the Sew Sew Modern Swap on Flickr. There is also a friendship bag that will be mailed along with the pillow  and filled with goodies for my partner's sewing room. My partner requested a blue, tan and brown pillow cover for her living room. Not my kind of colors, so I literally had to think and think and think about how to go about this pillow cover! I made quarter square triangles and framed them in text fabrics. I used Robert Kaufman Solids in a Monochromatic range for both colorways. I do like the illusion of roundness that the quarter square triangles make when on the pillow form!

The friendship bag was a bit more up my alley as far a creating with color! I used the Briar Rose Fabric by Heather Ross for Windham Fabrics. This line will be released in July of this year! I lined the Friendship Bag with a bright green Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton. The bag is quilted with straight lines. You can find the tutorial for this bag on the P.S. I Quilt blog by Rachel Griffith! Very simple to make and beautiful to give! (I love her blog..she is so creative and she is also a Southern Girl!) Just a few of the goodies that will go into the bag are included in this picture. 

Well, I better go for now and get some rest. I hope that your week ahead is filled with happiness, friendship and a little time to sew! Belated Birthday Club packages are soon to be mailed. I have been working hard to get caught up with them! Have a Happy Monday and Happy Quilting!

Happy Mother's Day and Some Winners!

Happy Mother's Day!! I hope that your weekend has been filled with love and family! My sons spent the day with me hanging out. They gave me beautiful cards and some really welcoming hugs! We had lunch together and hung out. It was a lot of fun and I love them so very much. It is so amazing to see the young men that they have both become! What did you do today? Did you sew, did you spend time with your families? Did you share a special meal?

I did get a chance to do a bit of sewing. I started cutting bee blocks and made some Friendship Bags. I worked on the beginnings of several mug rugs. This is a picture of the beginnings of the friendship bags:

They now have handles on them and two still need to have the lining attached. I used some of the Briar Rose Fabric designed by Heather Ross for Windham Fabrics, a bit of Flea Market Fancy Legacy Fabric from Free Spirit Fabrics and some of the Collage Fabrics from Such Designs for Windham Fabrics! The mug rugs that I am working on using the Collage fabrics also.

WOW!! I was blown away from receiving so many responses to the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day!! Thanks so much for visiting and saying hello! There were 1595 people that viewed the post and 1291 entries! I couldn't respond to all of the emails and am very appreciative that so many people came to visit! The winners of the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day are:

Karen M... Karen has won the Aurifil Sample Thread pack and the Indigo Crossings Mini Charm Pack

Gene Black... Gene has won the Aurifil Sample Thread Pack and the Sherbet Pips Mini Charm Pack

Amy's Crafty Shenanigans...Amy has won the Aurifil Sample Thread Pack and the Snowman's Gatherings Mini Charm Pack

Giddy99...Giddy has won the Aurifil Filato Lano Thread Chart and the four large spools of Aurifil Filato Lano Thread

Congratulations to all of the winners!!

Have a Happy Sunday and Happy Mothers Day!!

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day!

Happy Monday! It's Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day!! Yay!! This Giveaway is sponsored by Aurifil Thread and my stash...lol..! What makes Giveaway Day so fun is that it lasts for four Days! (Until May 10th!)

Welcome to my blog if you are a first time visitor, or if you are a returning follower, thank you for coming back! My Bloggy Giveaway is filled with items for four (4) lucky winners! With four chances to win it might be YOU! Here is what you can win:

Three winners will one sample pack each of yummy Aurifil threads and one mini charm pack from MODA.

One lucky winner will win four large spools of Filato Lana 12 (hand embroidery weight thread) and a color chart!

Winning this Sew Mama Sew/ Aurifil Bloggy Giveaway is super simple! Here is what you need to do:

1. Leave a comment on which Aurifil Prize pack that you would like to win! For example you could say Snowman Gatherings, Sherbet Pips, Indigo Crossing or Filato Lana 12.  (This way I will know which choice to send you!)

2. Mother's Day is this weekend, so what will you be doing? I am hoping to  sew, sew, sew!!

3. If you want a chance to have a third entry..be sure to follow my blog or become a new follower...

Each comment is worth a separate entry, so be sure to comment all three times!

This Bloggy Giveaway will end on May 10, 2013 at midnight! Winners will be announced by May 12, 2013!

Have a Happy Monday and Happy Quilting!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!!