Tuesday, May 29, 2012

SMS GIVEAWAY DAY WINNER!

So sorry for the late announcement.  We had a very busy weekend of baseball that consisted of 9 baseball games (6 wins, 2 losses, 1 tie and a trophy!).  Needless to say, we all felt like this by the end of the last game.


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I want to thank everyone who entered and especially my new follwers!  Although I wasn't able to respond to most of the comments I did read every single one.  I am surprised (and jealous!!!) to know that so so many of you have been to Italy.  My favorite was to Cabo San Lucas a couple of years ago.  It was the first trip the hubs and I had been on alone since our honeymoon (10 years prior)!!  I have a feeling that our upcoming trip to Orlando (Disney, Universal Studios & Sea World here we come!!) with my side of the family will take over the #1 slot though ;)  Ok, now for the winner!!

It's Valerie!!!!
Valerie said...

LOL I wish I had a vacation story from some place exotic, alas. My favourite vacation was to Tadoussac, in Quebec. We went for 4 days, an anniversary getaway. It's supposed to be a whale-watching mecca, but the whales didn't get the memo and we saw zero of them. But we did stay in a charming B&B, went for hikes through the woods and brought home a very charming souvenir who showed up 9 months later :)
May 21, 2012 10:32 AM


Congrats!!!  I have already sent you an e-mail.  You can expect your goodies soon!


Smiles~Beth

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

DR SEUSS QUILT~FINISHED!!

Okay, so some of you already know that I finished my Dr. Seuss quilt last week but I said I would post better pics of it so here they are.  Plus, it is just so darn fun & colorful I couldn't help but post about it again. It is already a favorite in our house :)

 

I used just about every print from the Celebrate Seuss line by Robert Kaufman.  I also threw a Lorax print or two in there.  Each wonky block measures roughly 10 1/4" square.  (You can find my wonky block tutorial here).


For the back I cut up a panel from the same line & bordered each scene with coordinating fabric.  I used Kona cotton by Robert Kaufman in Turquoise, Snow and a red from my stash to help showcase these adorable snippets.  I may just like the back more than the front!

 I used a black & white stripe for the binding (purchased at Hobby Lobby).  I decided to machine stitch the binding onto the front for this one.  Knowing it is going to get alot of use by my 3 monsters I figured that would be best.


I love how this one turned out. It is truly a quilt for both the young and old in our house. 

One last picture of one of my favorite blocks.


A big thanks to my neighbors for letting me borrow their swingset for these fun photos :)

Hope you have a splendid day!

Smiles~Beth

Monday, May 21, 2012

SEW MAMA SEW GIVEAWAY DAY~CLOSED!!!

Comments are officially closed (500 comments!!) as of 10:56 pm Central Standard Time.  Thanks to all that entered!


Welcome to all of you visiting from Sew, Mama, Sew! It's so nice of you to come by :) Hope you are enjoying all of the great blogs out there participating in Giveaway Day. Feel free to browse around.

Ok, enough chit chat, I know you are excited to see what I have for you. Here is what is up for grabs...

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A charmpack of Sunkissed by Sweetwater for Moda.  I also have some scraps from this quilt that will happily tag along.

If you want a chance to win this little pretty + a few extras all you have to do is leave me a comment telling me where you went on your favorite vacation.  I will ship internationally so everyone is welcome. You have until May 25th, 4:00 central standard time to enter the giveway and don't forget to check out the master list to be entered in hundreds more giveaways!

Winner will be announced by May 27th. One of my boys will pick the lucky winner randomly.  Be sure to include your e-mail address if you do not have your e-mail on your profile. Otherwise I will not be able to contact you if you win and that would be sad.

You may earn additional entries by becoming a follower of this blog and/or "like" Sewing for Sanity on facebook.  That's up to 3 chances to win!!  Be sure to leave me a separate comment letting me know you did so. Already a follower, leave me a comment reminding me (if you commented that you are a follower and aren't one then I will have to pick another winner).

GOOD LUCK!

Smiles
~Beth

Sunday, May 20, 2012

MODERN QUILT GUILD MEET UP

Last night I went to the Modern Quilt Guild meet up in Kansas City.  It was my small way of trying to be part of the Spring Quilt Market.  I only live about 30 minutes from where it was held and since it was open to anyone I figured I would take the chance of looking like an out~of~place stalker so I could meet a few really cool & inspiring bloggers. 

I am so happy I went!!  Although I am not sure I can say the same for my hubby.  He was such a trooper :)
warning~there are a couple very blurry pics ahead, sorry!
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There were 2 people I was looking forward to meeting and was able to meet them both.  Hopefully I didn't make too big of a fool of myself while talking to them ;)

First is Amy of Diary of a Quilter.  I have been a follower of her blog for a long time and am so thankful that she shares so much of her creativity with her readers.  She is the author of some wonderful patterns and also has free tutorials on her blog. 

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Next is Amanda Jean from Crazy Mom QuiltsIf you are a regular reader you probably recognize her blog name from all of my Finish It Up Friday posts and the All Star zigzag quilt I made for my littlest monster.  In addition to her blog she is also the author of new quilting book, Sunday Morning Quilts.  I stupidly left my copy at home.  I wish I had brought it & had her sign it for me, oh well.

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I also met & chatted briefly with Julie from Jaybird QuiltsI didn't get a picture with her but I did manage to snap this one of her enjoying the announcement of all of the prizes.

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I snapped this picture of Amy BulterI wish I had the nerve to go say hi to her. I truly am a big fan of her fabric. 

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Although I didn't get to go to the actual Quilt Market I was able to score a couple goodies, courtesy of the owner of Bound in Stitches and a sweet gal named Trina Thomas of Oklahoma.

Yep, that's Amy Butler on the cover!!!  Thank you, Michele!

A super cute pencil from Liberty of London...thanks Trina!!

Another worthy mention would be that I met Kathy Mack of Pink Chalk Studio.  I am pretty sure she thought I was crazy so I opted not to scare her by asking for a picture ;)

I had a great time meeting these quilty gals.  Amy & Amanda Jean have been a big influence on me & have helped inspire me over the past few years.  It was truly a pleasure to meet them.  Thank you both for sharing so much of yourselves with us and for taking the time to chat with me. 

Smiles~Beth

Friday, May 18, 2012

DRUNKARDS PATH CHRYSALIS QUILT for THE BQF

It's time for the Spring 2012 Blogger's Quilt Festival hosted by Amy @ Amy's Creative Side...hooray! 

If you are new here, WELCOME!!!  I am so happy you stopped by. I hope you are enjoying all of the beautiful quilts linked up to the BQF.  There is so much inspiration!!!

 I have been anxiously awaiting for the BQF to arrive so I could show off my Drunkards Path quilt.  I finished the top back in December during the DP Quilt~a~long hosted by Kristie @ OCDI then sent it off to Natalia of Piece N Quilt to be quilted and finally I finished up the binding last night. 

This is without a doubt my all time favorite quilt!  It is the first quilt I have made for myself and I am so proud of the all of the curved pieces (I was totally out of my box!!).  I alos couldn't be happier with the quilting Natalia did.  I wasn't very excited about the back of the quilt but she completely transformed it with her amazing talent.  I couldn't be happier with her work.

So, here it is. Warning:there are LOTS of pics!

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Well, I am off to take a look at all the other fabulous quilts over at the BQF.  Hope you are able to take a couple hours to do the same this weekend!
Amy's Creative Side
Smiles~Beth

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

A LOOK AT MY DESIGN WALL

Ever since I finished my littlest monster's quilt I have been getting requests from the other 2 monsters for quilts for their beds as well. 

My oldest monster recently got a new bed and freshly painted walls.  I think some new bedding will finish it off perfectly.

So, here is a look at what I have so far.

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I am using the Impromptu pattern by Rachel @ PS I Quilt but changing it up a bit with the color blocking.  Nathan wanted some red.  I think it will add just enough color when it's all done. 

What are you working on?

Smiles~Beth

Monday, May 14, 2012

ONE THING, ONE WEEK CHALLENGE 13

Last week, Amy from Amy's Creative Side hosted another One Thing, One Week Challenge.  I decided to commit myself to getting the binding sewn on to our Dr. Seuss quilt.  It took me until 15 minutes ago to finish it up but I am pleased to say that I met my goal.  The pics are bad since it's so dark in here.  I will post better ones in the morning along with some details but for now these will do.



Thanks to Amy for the challenge.  I am pretty sure this would still be in the unfinished pile if it weren't for her ;)  I was also able to cross another thing off of my Small Projects Sew Along list...whoo hoo!!

What have you been working on?

Smiles~Beth

I SPY {SOME PROGRESS}

Not that long ago I posted a list of small projects that I would like to get done during the month of May.  Of course, I won't get them all done (there are 23!!) but it's nice to cross some off the list.

Last week, I finished cutting the blocks for our I SPY quilt, yay!!!

There are 51 different prints, cut at 6.5" square.  I am using Kona Ash for some contrast in between the prints, cut at 3.5"x 6.5".
Some of the boys' favs.
Some of my favs.
I am not sure when I will get the time to piece these together but it will be nice to just grab the squares and start sewing when I do.  It's also nice to cross something off my list!
Hope your Monday is treating you well!
Smiles~Beth

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

TEACHER APPRECIATION GIFTS #1 & #2

The boys' Elementary school is celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week this week.  Our fabulous PTA sent out a theme for each day to help parents with ideas.  Monday was 'bring your teacher flowers' day.  Typically I would jump right on the flower bandwagon, it is Spring after all, but this year a veered off the path a little. 

I found these colorful watering cans at Target and couldn't resist them.


Although they are quite cute on their own I decided they needed a little something.  I used my Silhouette to make some vinyl letters, added them to the watering cans and presto! 


Now they have something cute to water all of the beautiful flowers they received (and this won't die).

Today is 'bring your teacher supplies' day.  Since I am all about giving the teachers things that are cute and useful, these stamps were just perfect.


These cute stamps came from Pick Your Plum.  I added an ink pad and some blank note cards to complete. 


You can see the Teacher Appreciation gifts we gave last year

Smiles~Beth

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

MY SMALL PROJECTS SEW ALONG LIST

I was so thrilled to read about Amanda Jean's small project sew along for the month of May. She must know how busy I am ;)

With sports taking over our lives for the next few months I will have very limited time at my sewing machine.  Small projects are just what this girl needs to feel like I am putting a dent in my long list of things to make.  A finish is a finish, no matter how small!
So, here it is.  My small projects list (in no particular order).  Now, I know it won't all get done but it will be nice if I can get a few things crossed off.
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)

Here's to small projects!!
Hope your day is splendid!

Smiles~Beth

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

IT'S ABOUT TIME! ALL STAR QUILT FINISHED!!

I honestly can't believe it's been a month since my last post.  I don't have too much to report other than life is just busy.  In between soccer and baseball I have managed to make a few things.  Nothing too exciting, a few baby things and fabric trash bags for the car.  I did finally finish up my littlest monster's All Star quilt though...hooray!!!  If you are new here, it has taken me almost 2 years to get this baby done (horrible, I know!).  Not because it was difficult to piece together but simply because I kept putting it at the bottom of my list.  I am so relieved to have it crossed off my list!



You can see more pics of the back here.

My first scrappy binding

I had it quilted in a loop & star design.  I just love it.  Not only does it go with the theme of the fabric, it also goes along with another nickname I have for Adam...my Little Star :). 

Linking up to the fabulous Crazy Mom Quilts blog for Finish it up Friday fun.

The fabric I used is All Star by Riley Blake and you can find  the free zigzag pattern by Crazy Mom Quilts here.

Smiles~Beth