Giveaway alert

Okay, so I don't usually blog about giveaways out there, but I reeeealllly want to win this one, so here goes! Check out the Comfortstitching giveaway here. She is giving away a bag of her scraps, and she uses some really fun, awesome fabric so you know it would be super cool stuff!



Oh, and you should also check out the goods being given away on the Vintage Sheet Blog!!!! She is giving away some really fabulous stuff from Moda to two lucky ducks! It's the Dream On and there are fat quarters, jelly roll, and layer cake - yum!

Florida, y'all!

I'm back! Had a little detour to Florida! It was fabulous!!!!! My Mom and I went to visit my Grandma who lives a little ways from Sarasota. I had not seen my Grandma since I graduated from High School in 1995, Ca-razy. So, not only was the scenery beautiful but it was great to get to know my Grandma a little bit. We went to the beach, hung out at the pool and took in the John and Mable Ringling Art Museum and mansion.

This is a picture of the courtyard of the Art Museum, I think they were working on the landscaping.
This is a bronze mold statue of David.

Front view of the mansion, called Ca'D'Zan, which in Venetian means "House of John". But, on the architect's blueprints the house was always referred to as Mrs. John Ringling's House because his wife Mable was really the one who was instrumental in the design and decoration of the house. It was absolutely magnificent and opulent.

We were driving through Sarasota and I got a picture of this statue from the car. It was huge and so cool. And, my pudgy little piggies in the sand! Doesn't everyone take a picture like that???

Allright, the big secret reveal of who the quilt was for: My Grandma! I really hope she likes it! She was definitely surprised.This is the beach in Sarasota, it was absolutely beautiful! The sand was white, scattered with shells and the water was sooooo warm! I did, of course, get sunburned. I didn't care though because I was determined to get to the beach! And, it was worth it. My Mom and I both had fun playing in the waves, it was great.

Here are some pretty sunsets, clouds, etc.

Okay, and as my Mom and I were walking through the Dallas/Fort Worth (MONSTER!) airport so my Mom could get some sweet tea (divine btw!) I spied a Red Mango frozen yogurt place, and knew I HAD to stop and try it!!!! I had half key lime pie and half vanilla with fresh blackberries as my topping and it was deeeelicious! That's all.

waaa, waaa, waaa and a hexagon pouch

Sometimes what I've found is that it's better to just go back to sleep. Like, today, for instance. I woke up on the emotional side of the bed, everything was making me cry and I felt in a funk. I tried some sewing, no use. Went to church, great message that I needed to hear, umm really no use because then it made me cry. And, frankly, while I'm whining I also got a sunburn yesterday and I am so stinkin pale so they totally suck and I feel all ugh. But, the happy part of that is that I got the sunburn because Jan and I were yardsaling yesterday and it was super fun, so worth it. Started to watch a movie and found myself spacing out so took a 2 hour nap. Woke up feeling a little bit better.
So, I finished up the hexagon pouch yesterday and I have to admit that I super love it! I mostly followed the tute from Comfort Stitching, I think I've already mentioned that....but I added my own stuff, of course! Front view:

So for the back I finally used my current favorite fabric! Yes! See, last year when I went to the quilt store I bought a half yard, but didn't have the heart to cut into it. Why do I do that? But, went back to the store and bought a whole yard so felt okay about finally cutting. The thing is I would buy a whole lot more but it's like $10 a yard and let's face it: I'm cheap! Back view:

Inside:

The inside is really where I modified it to suit me. I am going on a trip next weekend I and need to take some hand sewing projects to keep me busy on the plane and such. So, I added a little pincushion, elastic to hold scissors, a velcro strap to hold thread, and a larger pocket on one side to maybe put some knitting needles or embroidery thread, or just taller stuff. Mmmmm, I forgot - I also added batting to give it some stability.
can I please just say, and I'm not being vain in the remotest right here, but I truly love that little toadstool! I feel like I should add a toadstool to everything. Okay, not everything. But you know what I mean!

Nail polish makes me happy

Okay, so what's new this week? Well, yesterday a drama bomb went off and it was completely unneccessary. No details needed as I think the smoke has cleared and it wasn't directly involving me anyways.....The best news is that I got a manicure today and it's beautiful! The doctors I work for treated our entire office to a Spa day! I am soooo not a massage type person so I was a little nervous about what I would do there, but since it was at a salon I chose to get a haircut and manicure - perfect! The color I chose is just gorgeous.

I've also been making some hexagons. I have to say it's quite addictive! Awhile ago I picked up a scrap bag at the thrift for like $1, and nestled in the bag were two ziploc baggies of paper hexagons. They are all cut out of old paper bags. I can imagine an older very thrift lady being very practical by using paper bags to cut out the shapes. They have pin holes so I know they've been used. And are being used again by me :) So, I have one project started out of vintage sheets, I've been fussy cutting fleurs. The other project I started today after the spa, which is going to be one of these hexagon pouches that I saw made on Comfort Stitching. It is in preparation for a trip I have coming up and I want to be able to take the hexagons along to work on them. I have been so inpired by all the projects I've seen made with the hexies, like this, and this. I'll let you know what happens :)

July Bee blocks

July Bee blocks
Originally uploaded by colimachia

I finally tackled the wonky stars for July's blocks for the Vintage Sheet Bee. Usually what happens when I don't know how to do a certain square I will print out the tutorial and follow along as I'm sewing. I forgot to print out the tut so I had to wing it. I did a trial run with some of my own fabric first, it went well. Then onto the real thing. Everything was all good except one square got out of hand. I'm sure you can guess which one. Middle far right. Ummmm, sorry? I hope Bethany doesn't have to barf when she sees it. The pictures really make the backround look blueish but she sent us all gray fabric to use for the solid backround. The small one is teeny tiny but it was fun to put it together! Each little square started out as 2" square.

This morning I also finished up another kindle cover for a friend but won't put up a pic until I give it to her :)

A finish and a beginning

The big finish is my quilt! Ya-hoooo! Second quilt down, so many more I want to make! I finished it on Sunday, so relieved. The best news is that it's three weeks early for delivery :) Here's a view of the front. So, I set the 10 second timer on my camera and then ran, picked it up and held it for the camera - I got more of the room, my sewing machine, lamp and June than the quilt. But, it gives you an idea of the size.



And a view of the back:

So I used transparent thread for the border stitching because I couldn't decide on a color that would not make me crazy. Basically I just "freehand" stitched wavy lines with flowers in the corners. I did stitch around the appliqued flowers from the front to add more stitching and batting stability. Did I mention that my inspiration for the quilt was the "Cherries and Blossoms" table runner from the Moda Bake Shop? If not I want to make sure I put that out there. Of course I used my own stash because that's just what I do.

All finished and ready to go in the suitcase for delivery :)

I had such a feeling of elation when I finished it, and excitement for what I want to start next - which is???? I don't even know because there are so many options!

So last night was book club and we finished up the book "A Voice in the Wind" by Francine Rivers. And now we are beginning the second book in the series "An Echo in the Darkness." I must confess that I had already skimmed through the book in the library so I could figure out what happens. It's on the same level as reading the ending first (which I do) I think. I've also skimmed the third and I'm not sure I'm going to enjoy it quite as much as the first two. It was a little like -muh- and the others practically read themselves. So I was late to spin class tonight because I started reading the 2nd book after work and just kept reading and reading until I finally realized I either need to leave for class or just poop out and read all night! Um, then I realized that I've been on a rather stubborn weight loss plateau lately and better hoof it to class! So I did that.

lame

I am so embarrassed right now I can barely stand myself. eewww. So the next door neighbors moved out a few weeks ago, and the house has been empty. And it's been so quiet and nice and dark. They always had their porch light on (always) and it would shine right into my bedroom. So, today I'm sitting there on the couch with June watching "The Princess Bride" and hand stitching the binding on the quilt. Nice and relaxing. Then I hear like at least 2 or 3 cars in the drive way. New neighbors moving in. hmmmm.
The thing is, there is a driveway and half of it is mine the other half is that house's. There is a distinctive break in the pavement. I have lived in this house over a year and I have only parked in that driveway like 3 times. Once when Jeannette came to visit and the other when my Mom did and also on a random lunch break. Because the other neighbors always parked there and I think they also didn't have jobs so they were always home. Fast forward to today and I started to panic a little bit because even though I really prefer to park on the street in the shade I like having my side open. What's a girl to do? Well, if you want to make a good impression on new neighbors - don't do what I did! I marched right over and said that side is mine and it's fine to use it today but the other neighbors used it like it was theirs and....and...and...and like halfway through I realized that I was being totally rude, un-neighborly, unwelcoming, ugh! There's no coming back from the point of no return rudeness. Seriously, ugh!!!! Now I must lay low and stay out of sight. Or maybe just leave for the rest of the afternoon?
The only good news is that I'm almost done with the quilt!