DRUNKARD'S PATH QUILT~A~LONG

I have no business joining a quilt~a~long since I have 7 other quilts that aren't finished, including 2 from other QAL's (you can read previous posts on those here and here).  When I saw this quilt top, made with Drunkard Path blocks, by Kate over at Needle and Spatula I fell in love with the layout.  I was so excited when Kate and Kristie from OCD~Obsessive Crafting Disorder announced that they were going to host a Drunkard's Path QAL.  I just couldn't keep myself from joining in!  I am so happy I did! 

I decided to use some fabric I had in my stash cuz let's face it, I have way too much fabric just sitting around.  Plus, I really love this fabric and it seemed perfect for this QAL.

Chrysalis by Sanae for Moda and Moda Bella Solid in Stone

I also got to put my AccuQuilt GO! fabric cutter to good use.

650 pieces of fabric goodness!

I am new to sewing curves together so I got right to it to see how difficult it would be for this straight line quilting girl.  I used Kristie's modifed method and surprisingly it went pretty well.  I am not a pro by any means but I just might be after sewing 309 more of these babies together...ha! 

The wonderful thing about these squares if that there are lots of different layout options.  Here are just a few (you can see complete quilt tops here and here).

It's been so much fun playing around with these squares and seeing all of the possibilities but Kate's version is still my favorite.  I will definately be going with this layout.

I am so excited to get this quilt finished, especially since it's the first one I am keeping for myself!  And when I am done I may just make another one using this layout with black & white fabric (it reminds me of ninja blades, I think it would be a hit at my house with 3 boys!)

It's not too late to join the QAL.  Come on, give it a try!

Smiles~Beth

GIFTS FOR THE BIRTHDAY BOY

One of my little guys turned 9 this week (yeah, I know, not so little anymore).  After seeing the monster shirt I made his cousin he requested his own.  I don't typically put the same monster on their shirts but it's what Sam wanted so that is what his Mama made him (honestly, I think he wanted the same monster because his brother designed it).  The only changes made were the colors (I do my best do use their favorites). 

I also made him a wallet.  He has been asking for one for a while now.  This seemed like the perfect time to get my rear in gear and make one for him.  I followed this great tutorial by Noodlehead.

Perfect for all the moolah and gift cards he received :)

(sheesh...I wish I was 9 again!!)

I am curious, do your kiddos request handmade gifts from you?

Smiles~Beth

Linking up to:

Finish it Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts
Lolly Jane Boutique

BLOGGERS' QUILT FESTIVAL::FALL 2011

It's that time again! The Bloggers' Quilt Festival:: Fall 2011 is in full swing over at Amy's Creative Side. If you don't know what the BQF is you really should go over and check it out.  I am officially warning you though, be prepared to be there a while. With so many beautiful and inspirational quilts to look at you may want to grab a snack and a favorite drink first ;)

For those of you that are visiting from the BQF, WELCOME!  This time around I am featuring the quilt I made for my Grandma Carol.  It's not newly finished but I am just getting around to giving it to her.

Fabric is Spa by Rosemarie Lavin for Windham Fabrics and Robert Kaufman's Kona Cotton in Bone

Sorry for the dark photo...the picture above this one shows truer colors

I chose fabrics that would coordinate with her new furniture...who knew she was so modern?!  She requested something soft and warm for the back so I used a brown solid flannel by Robert Kaufman and I kept the quilting to a minimum so it would stay nice and cozy for her. 

I will be giving it to her this weekend...finally!  It was supposed to be a present for her birthday but that was in February (horrible, I know!).  Hope it will be worth her wait! 

A big thanks to Amy for hosting the Bloggers' Quilt Festival. I don't know how she found the time to organize this for us so soon after the Sewing Summit.  She is such an inspiration to  me (seriously, have you seen her book?).

Thanks for stopping by. Please feel free to leave a comment.  I would love to here from you!  Hope you visit again soon.

Smiles~Beth

MONSTER SHIRT {YEP, ANOTHER ONE!}

One of my nephews celebrated his 9th birthday recently.  When asked what he wanted he replied "Another monster shirt!!!".  It makes my heart smile to know the boys still enjoy something handmade by their Aunt Beth. 

I have to admit though, it's getting harder to come up with new monsters now that they are getting older.  Thankfully, I had some help from my oldest monster, Nathan.  He designed the monster and I brought it to life. 

I am happy to say that it was a hit!!  A big thanks to Nathan for helping me out!  I think he may be the new official monster designer ;)

You can see some of the other monster shirts I have made here, here, here, here, & here.

Hope your Wednesday is good to you!

Smiles~Beth

HALLOWEEN FRAMES

I added a couple of Halloween frames to our decor this year.

Both frames are inexpensive wood frames purchased from Hobby Lobby.  For the BOO! frame I simply painted the wood frame with acrylic paint by Folk Art (color: vivd orange, also bought at Hobby Lobby).  Once dry, I hot glued different sizes of googly eyes to the frame.  I then cut a piece of scrapbook paper the size of my picture opening and added BOO! to the center (I used vinyl that I cut using my Silhouette).  Easy peasy!

For the spider frame I simply used Mod Podge to adhere  1 large (12x12) piece of scrapbook paper to the front & sides of the frame.  I then cut another piece of scrapbook paper the size of my picture opening.  Again, I use my Silhouette to cut out the simple spider shape out of vinyl (don't have vinyl, just use scrapbook paper. it will be just as cute).  I added a couple googly eyes and viola, 2 simple Halloween frames complete. 

I will definately be making some Christmas frames soon using the Mod Podge method.  Maybe I will take pictures along the way and share the process ;)

Have you added new Halloweenish decor to your home?

Smiles~Beth

9 YEARS OLD {WHAT?!}

Wishing a very HaPPy BiRthDaY to my Sunshine!
(aka: middle monster or Sam)

Some things I love about you
~your ears (even though you think they are big, which they are not)
~your smile, those dimples are hard to resist
~the way you love your brothers
~you never give up at ANYTHING
~your sense of humor (even if it gets you in trouble alot sometimes)
~your honesty
~your love for Rally
~you will try new foods (you like most of them)
~the way you look up to your Dad
~your hugs...they are the best!!! (thanks for giving them to me everyday!)

Love you lots, Sammy!   I am so proud to be your Mom!

POCKET CLUTCH WINNER!

Thanks to everyone that entered to win the Pocket Clutch!!!

The winner is (imaginery drum roll)...

Kelly!!

Kelly said...I'm now a follower!!

So happy to have you as a new follower!  Please send me your info and I will get the clutch mailed out to you.

Hope you are having a great weekend everyone!

Smiles~Beth

HYDRANGA WREATH

Looking for my Pocket Clutch giveaway?  Click here to enter but hurry because it closes at midnight, cst.

 I saw this tutorial by Vanessa at V & Co a couple of months ago  and fell in love.  I immediately ran out and bought all of the supplies.  Well, they sat in a bag for 2 months until the other day.  And, look, now I have my very own hydranga wreath!!

I just LOVE it!!!  Wishing I had taken the time to make it months ago.  Especially since it game together so quickly.  Thanks, Vanessa!!!

This one turned out so well that I decided to make a Fall wreath inspired by one I saw on Pinterest.  I ran out of spray glue so it'll have to wait a few more days but here is a sneak peek.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!  Smiles~Beth

Linking up to

Finish it up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts

SOMETHING SWEET

Looking for my Pocket Clutch giveaway?  Scroll down or click here.

The middle monster went to a pumpkin patch with a friend last Friday.  In the midst of all the fun he was having he thought of his momma and picked me the prettiest flowers I have seen in a long time...such a sweet boy!  (Don't worry, he was given the OK to pick them).

Thanks for making me smile, Sammy!

Smiles to all

~Beth

1 YEAR BLOGIVERSARY & A GIVEAWAY!

I realized about a week ago that my 1 year blogiversary came and went (it was officially 9-29-10).  To celebrate and to thank all of you for taking time to read my simple little blog, I am having a giveaway!  I wanted to do it last week but was busy finishing the T~Shirt quilt (it raised a decent amount of $...yay!!).  Ok, so now onto the giveaway!

This cute little Pocket Clutch is about 7"w X 4"h, fully lined with a front pocket and magnetic closure.  It is perfect to carry alone when you don't need more than your phone, a debit card/cash and some lipstick or to keep important items organized in your purse.  I hope you all love it as much as I do!  If you would like to make your own you can purchase the pattern from Keyka Lou Patterns. 

To enter, simply leave a comment on this post (be sure to include your e-mail address so I can contact you if you win!).  For a 2nd chance, become a follower and leave me a separate comment telling me so.  Already a follower, great!  You can leave a separate comment reminding me for your 2nd chance to win (don't forget to include your e-mail address so I can contact you if you win!).  Giveaway closes on Friday @ midnight cst.  Winner will be chosen via random.org and announced over the weekend.

Good luck!

Smiles~Beth

GWE T~SHIRT QUILT {FINISHED!!}

Wow, I can't believe it's already been a week since my last post!  Between the kiddos school/sports activities, being sick and trying to catch up on laundry, I have been working hard trying to finish the t~shirt quilt for the boys' school auction tonight (first posted about here).  A small label completed the quilt just a couple of hours ago...talk about stitching down to the wire!  It is now all washed up and ready for it's new home.  I hope it raises some good $ for the school.  Let the bidding begin!

It's not really crooked...darn wind!

Straight line quilting only done on the sashing.  Love the way it turned out but it made the t~shirt squares a little poofy.  I will have to be sure to prewash EVERYTHING before making my next one!

The back...I absloutely LOVE that giant gingham print (purchased here)

Binding love

Looks like we need to fix the fence before my little helper gets loose ;)

If you are looking for some creative inspiration you should check out Finish it up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts

Tatertots & Jello
Amy Lou Who's Sew & Tell Fridays
Made by you Mondays @ Skip to my Lou

Hope you have a spectacular weekend!

Smiles~Beth

LET'S GO WILDCATS {A T~SHIRT QUILT~IN PROGRESS)

Every year the boys' elementary school holds a school carnival for the kids and an auction for the adults.  Students donate items for their themed class basket (this year we have Clifford, Christmas Fun & a Tailgating basket to donate items for), local businesses donate items from their shops, dinners, Chiefs tickets, gift certificates & much more.  It's a fun night for everyone and a great way to raise $ for the school. 

Last year someone mentioned that it would be cool to have a quilt made out of old GWE t~shirts.  I agreed.  So, with some help collecting past years spirit wear (one as old as 1992!!!) I am making a t~shirt quilt to be donated and auctioned off.  I hope everyone likes it!!

Here is what I have so far.  I am adding 2" white sashing and a border all around it.  It will make the quilt just the right size and make each square pop. (I am using Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton). 

Well, I am off to get this quilt top finished, quilted and bound.  The auction is in just 1 week!!! 

Smiles

~Beth

FOR SALE!

My apologies in advance for shamelessly trying to sell you something.  That's typically not my style.  Good news is, I will be having a giveaway very soon to celebrate my 1st blogiversary!

My sewing bestie and I got a wild hair up our arses and decided to make 50+ shirts and 15+ halloween bags to be sold at a local consignment shop.  Ya know, one of the ones that set up shop for just the weekend.  Well, let me just say, it didn't go well.  Not because our stuff isn't uber adorable (well, cuz, it is...wink, wink) and not because the sale wasn't super awesome.  It just wasn't the right venue for us (taking note).  So, we have lots of cute stuff for sale. 

Yikes, look how bad our grass looks!!

Flower appliqued onesies/tees~ 1 each,  6-12 months, 2t
~2 each, 12-18 months, 18-24 months, 3t, 4t 

Flower close up...love those ruffily edges!!

Pumpkin onesies~ 2 each, 3-6 month, 6-12 month
Pumpkin tees~2 each, 12-18 month, 18-24 month, 3t, 4t 
1 each, 2t

Pumpkin onesie close up...love that curly ribbon and little button!

Pumpkin tee close up.

Monster tees...my little guys favorite!!
1 each~Blue monster 12-18
2 each~Blue Monster 18-24, Red Monster 2t, 3t, 4t

Little man tie shirts...these will go fabulously with jeans!!
1 each~ 18-24 months (tee)
2 each~ 3-6 months, 6-12 months (onesies), 2t, 3t, 4t (tees)
3 each~ 12-18 months (tees)

Lots of trick~or~treat bags!
There are 2 Buzz Lightyear bags, 2 Mickey Mouse bags, 1 multi-dot bag, 1 "eyes" bag, 4 skeleton bag with different colored linings (2 orange, 1 red, 1 pink), 1 "boo!" bag, 1 pumpkin & stars bag, 2 children dressed up in costumes bages, 3 purple skulls bags.  All approximately 12"x 12"

If you would like to purchase any of these items, have any questions or would like to see a more detailed photo, please e~mail me at bt.besties@yahoo.com.

Smiles~Beth