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

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

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

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

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 Quilts.  If 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 Quilts.  I 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 Bulter.  I 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