HALLOWEEN PICS

Hope you all had a fabulous time out and about on Halloween.  Here are a few of my favorite pics from the night...enjoy.

Happy Tuesday!  Can you believe it's already November?!

Smiles~Beth

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!