MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR

Hoping you all had a wonderful Christmas making memories with those you love most and wishing you the happiest of New Year's!

 

I will be back in full blog mode soon.  This broken leg of mine has affected me in more ways than I was prepared for.  And I owe you all a couple of giveaways (I bet you thought I forgot)

 

 

Until then please enjoy our Christmas card

 

Smiles~Beth



WELL, HELLO THERE. IT'S BEEN A WHILE.

Wow, where did the last 6 weeks go!?!  A lot has happened, Sam turned 10 (say what?!), Halloween (we still have so much candy left!), 6 Fall baseball tournaments (2 first place & 1 second place...woot woot!), I broke my leg (yep, both bones in my lower right leg) and Thanksgiving.  Whew, no wonder I have been MIA for so long. 

 

Since I broke my leg I won't be able to sew this Holiday Season. Yep, total bummer. Luckily, I broke it before Black Friday because I was able to do 90% of my Christmas online over the past 2 days.  A blessing since I won't be able to drive for 6-10 weeks (anyone want to come over and hang out so I don't go completely stir cRaZy?).  And I got some really great deals :) 

 

I figured that just because I can't sew doesn't mean that everyone else won't be sewing, right? So, I will be holding a couple of giveaways over the next week or so (Don't worry, I will get the hubs to mail them out).  Not sure exactly what the goodies will be yet but I know 1 of them will be for my 2.5" strip scraps from this quilt top.  Perfect for a quick table runner or whatever your creative mind comes up with :)

 

That's it for me. To help livin up this post here is a pic of me and my cousin at our Thanksgiving day celebration at my parent's house.  He had surgery on his knee just a few days prior so he & I got to sit in matching recliners all day while people waited on us :)

 

 

 

I would love to hear what you have been up to or what wonderful projects you are working on.  I will try not to be too jealous ;) Be sure to come back for a visit next week and enter in my giveaways!

 

Smiles~Beth



COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS~QUILT TOP

I started this quilt in June 2011 during a quilt~a~long hosted by P.S. I Quilt.  Sadly, I had too many things on my plate and wasn't able to finish it before Christmas.  Then I kinda forgot about it. 

 

A couple of weeks ago I was able to take a few days away from every day life and head up to West Des Moines, Iowa to visit my best girlfriend.  We had plans to do some sewing and I was so excited to rediscover my Countdown to Christmas blocks while going through my fabric.  In our short couple of days I was able to get the quilt top sewn together, yay!!

 

 

This quilt has some raw edges.  I can't wait to get it all finished up so I can wash it and see how scruffily it is. 

 

 Now I just need to figure how to quilt it, or better yet, have someone else do the quilting ;)

Linking this finish up to the wonderful:
Finish It Up Fridays @ Crazy Mom Quilts

Smiles~Beth



A T-SHIRT QUILT~LET'S GO TITANS!!

   Two years ago my brother-in-law gave me some very special t-shirts (memories from coaching his oldest son's Pop Warner football team) and asked me to make him a quilt out of them.  He even offered to pay me and had cash in hand.  I turned down the cash, we are family after all ;)  Besides, I knew it would take me a while to get it done.  He has been patiently waiting and didn't even ask about it on his last visit in town (he had strict orders from my sister not to inquire...ha!).  Well, I finally got it finished and it is now in his hands.  What a great feeling to get it off of my To Do list!

 

I didn't quite get the 'perfect' picture of it but I still wanted to share it here. 

 

This one is too dark but probably shows the overall quilt the best.

 

 

This one shows truer colors.

 

 

This one shows the simple quilting a little better.  Pay no attention to all of those not-so-straight lines!

 

 

Here is one of the back.  I used Robert Kauffman Kona cotton in Ash.

 

 

And this one makes me smile because of all the little football players in the backgroud.

 

 

I wasn't able to be there when he first saw it but I did get this text from him so I am pretty sure he was smiling ;)

 

"Thank you soooooo much for the kick ass blanket!!! I would have given you a humongous bear hug if you were here.  I love it! You rock!"  He even went on to say that besides his children it was the nicest gift anyone has given him.

 

I think that is best reaction I have ever gotten from someone after making them a quilt.  For sure good enough to forgive him for calling it a blanket...ha!

 

I am linking up to~

Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts
Confessions of a Fabric Addict
 

Happy Friday!

Smiles~Beth

MY MAD FOR PLAID BAG

A fellow 'soccer mom' was carrying the cutest bag last week.  I knew that she dabbles in sewing and couldn't help but ask her if she made it.  She did! (I was not surprised one bit, she is very talented).  The pattern came from a book she has and she was kind enough to share it with me.  Isn't she sweet :)   

I used this lovely little bundle of 2 Denyse Schmidt prints (from her JoAnns line) and a simple navy & white dot I got at my local quilt shop.

 

I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out!

Happy Thursday to all!

Smiles~Beth


100 QUILTS FOR KIDS: WHEELS TODDLER QUILT

After a summer of very little sewing I am happy to have more time to spend with my sewing machine.  I sure did miss her ;)  I think I have gotten more projects done in the last week than I did all summer!

 

My latest finish is a baby/toddler quilt.  I put this stack together a while back with Katie's 100 Quilts for Kids challenge in mind. It's so nice to have it crossed off my list.  Especially knowing it will be going to a special little one.

 

Fabric is Wheels by Riley Blake along with a couple other prints from my stash

 

Backing is by Michael Miller

Since Katie recommends donating to a local charity if you can, this little cutie will be going to my local Quilts for Kids chapter.  They will then give it to Children's Mercy Hospital (in Kansas City, MO). 

 

If you have some extra fabric and a little extra time I encourage you to join Katie's 100 Quilts for Kids.  There are so many children in hospitals that would cherish your talent & kindness.

 

Smiles~Beth

 

 



MONSTER PENCIL POUCHES

It's no secret that my boys love all things 'monster'.  So, when I saw these cute little pouches over at Make It Love It I knew I had to make a couple for my own little monsters.

 

 

They are now happily living in monsters #2 & #3's desks at school :)

 

Smiles~Beth

A MONSTER TOOTH FAIRY PILLOW

My littlest monster lost his first tooth last week. 

I was so excited for him (and sad at the same time, he is really growing up). He has been waiting for that moment for a year.  When you have 2 big brothers it's hard not to want to be doing all things they are, even if it's losing teeth. 

To help celebrate the big event I made him a monster tooth fairy pillow.  I pinned this pillow a while back and knew that my littlest monster would love something similar.  I combined that monster with the monster from a shirt I made last year for my nephew and voila!

It came together rather quickly and I was able to use scraps from his All Star quilt...bonus!! 

He can't wait to lose more teeth!

Smiles~Beth

QUILTS FOR KIDS~FINISHED

I received my first quilt kit (it won't be my last!) from Quilts for Kids a couple of months ago. I was a little worried I wouldn't have time to finish it in a timely manner, our summer was filled with just about everything but sewing.  Thankfully, with a little help from 2 of my monsters I was able to get this sent off within the requested 45-60 days.

It was such a wonderful feeling to complete and send off this cute little quilt. 

A big thanks to my littlest monster for holding this up for me :)

I hope the recipient enjoys it as much as we enjoyed making it.

Smiles~Beth

IMPROMPTU~SHAKING THE DUST OFF

With school starting back up tomorrow and our summer winding down I have found a little time to wipe the dust off my Janome and sew a little. 

Remember way back in May when I cut fabric for Nathan's quilt?  Well, I still haven't gotten it done but I have managed to turn some of these 9-patch blocks

into these

I am using a the Impromptu quilt pattern by Rachel Griffith of P.S. I Quilt.  It's taking me a little longer than I thought but mostly because I changed up the pattern just a bit.  I have only 3 of 13 of these blocks finished.  I am hoping to get at least 3 more done by Friday.

Hope everyone is enjoying what is left of summer.

Smiles~Beth

DOWNY & QUILTS FOR KIDS

Did you know that Downy Touch of Comfort has teamed up with Quilts for Kids? (apparently this is old news but I just heard about it!)

Quilts for Kids is a fabulous program that strives to provide comfort (through quilts) for children in hospitals around the US.  I recently got in touch with my local chapter to find out what I can do to help.  It is much easier to help than I thought.  I made a simple request for a quilt kit (yep, a free kit) and within a couple of weeks I received a package full of precut fabric and instructions on how to complete a 4-patch quilt.  All I have to do is sew it up, grab some batting, quilt, bind & mail back within 4-6 weeks. It even comes with a quilt label.  Super simple!

I love what these quilts represent and look forward to getting it done.  I have also picked some neglected fabrics from my own stash in hopes to get a quilt done for Katie's 100 Quilts for Kids.  Also, a wonderful charitable foundation. 

If you have a sewing machine and a little free time or some fabric hiding in a closet somewhere begging to be used please consider contributing to of these great causes.  If you don't have time to sew but have some fabric they will happily accept it.  Every child deserves some comfort.

Smiles~Beth

BIRTHDAYS & BASEBALL

My apologies for the long absence.  The last 3 weeks have been filled with 3 birthdays and 30 baseball games, yep 30!!

I am now 36 and have a 12-year old son. All I can say is WOW!  I am totally amazed by the wonderful young man my Nathan is becoming (and that I am old enough to be his mother...ha!!!).  He is one of the kindest people I know.  I love that he asks me how my day is EVERY DAY and still gives me hugs without having to ask for them.  He makes me smile every day and I am so very proud of him. Happy Birthday Angel!!!

I also want to wish one of the most beautiful, giving, strong women I know, my Mom, a very Happy Birthday! Love you lots!

As you have probably figured out I haven't gotten much sewing done.  I did manage sewing up all of my blocks for Carin @ Margaret's Hope Chest.  (You can read my original blog post here)

Thankfully the deadline for these blocks was extended to the end of July so these little pretties won't be late.

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer!!!
Smiles~Beth

MARGARET'S HOPE CHEST...I HELPED, CAN YOU?

While reading one of my favorite blogs yesterday I found myself inspired (and not in the usual way).   Amanda Jean @ Crazy Mom Quilts has teamed up with Carin @ Margaret's Hope Chest to help donate quilts to children.  How wonderful is that?!?! 

Amanda Jean designed a super simple quilt block that anyone could make (seriously, if you can sew short straight lines, you CAN make this block...no matter your sewing skill level).  I knew right away that I wanted to help and was instantly rummaging through my stash to find fabric. I quickly had 18 blocks cut out.

I am hoping to get all of these sewn up and sent off by the end of the week. 

If you would like to help put a smile on a child's face, you may find out how you can here.  I would be happy to provide the fabric if you live close by :)

Smiles~Beth



FAMILY PICTURES

We had family pictures taken not too long ago and thought I would share them here.  They were taken by the ever so talented April Yost of A Yost Photography.  I can't say enough good things about April.  She was amazing from the very beginning.  From working with me & our complicated schedule to calming me down when I realized we forgot the middle monster's orange tie to dancing while taking the photos to get just the right look from the boys to checking in to make sure I received our order ok.  And the pictures, well, they speak for themselves.

A big thanks to April for capturing these beautiful moments for us.  If you live in the Kansas City metro area I strongly recommend her for your next photo shoot.

A Yost Photography

(This is my personal opinion & I have not been compensated in any way)

Smiles~Beth

SMALL PROJECTS LINK UP

I meant to get this posted before our Orlando trip, oops. I promise all projects were completed in May :)

When Amanda Jean @ Crazy Mom Quilts posted her Small Projects Sew Along I jumped on board right away.  It turns out May was a little busier than I anticipated so I didn't get as many things crossed off my list as I wanted, oh well. 

1. Pincusion (for me)

2. Fabric trashbag for car (2)

3. Kindergarten Grad shirts (2)

4. Cut fabric for Nathan's quilt

5. Pillowcase for Sam

6. Mickey Mouse shirts for Disney (17!!!)

7. Skirt (for me)

8. Phone holder for when it is charging

9. Finish binding on Chrysalis DP quilt

10. Bind Dr. Seuss quilt

11. Zip pouch for special someone

12. Cape

13. Pillows for new couch

14. Money cuff (3)

15. Replace straps on Kristine's dress

16. Get t~shirt quilt top complete

17. Fix Nathan's jammies

18. Make 4 Granny Square blocks (I am SO behind!!!)

19. Cut solid rectangles for I Spy quilt

20. Table runner for kitchen table
21. Luggage tag
22. Pillowcase for Adam
23. Sleeveless bow shirt (for me)

1.  Pin cushion

Sprocket Pin Cushion Tutorial from Cluck Cluck Sew

3. Kindergarten Grad shirts

True color in the pic below.



Adam and his wonderful teacher, Mrs. Andrews



4. Cut Fabric for Nathan's quilt

6. 17 Disney shirts

I don't have a picture of all 17 of us together but most of the group is in the pic below...see how easy we are to spot ;)  We were quite the bunch.





9. Finished binding on DP Chrysalis Quilt

10. Bind Dr. Seuss Quilt

15. Fix straps on dress
The original straps were thin and broke after several washings.  I chose to braid strips of kona cotton together for the new ones and then added a little elastic at the end to ensure a good fit over the shoulders.

19. Solid rectangles for I Spy quilt

 

I am hoping to get a few more crossed off before the end of June but not putting any pressure on myself.  Summer break is in full swing along with baseball season so sewing time is limited. You can see other bloggers Small Project Sew along finishes here.

 

Smiles~Beth