Shout out!

A big shout out of thanks to my superstar pal, Jen, for the birthday wishes that arrived in the mail today and the Fat Quarter Shop gift certificate. What a lovely surprise! Can you believe we are 31! Look at how young we use to be!

Weaving up some magic

I have been working on that quilt for my nephew's 3rd birthday. I have all the blocks together now and just need to add the borders. I say 'just' but it always seems to take awhile. I am very pleased with this take on the traditional 9 patch and chains. It is meant to look like a basket weave. Even my husband liked it. I will keep you updated.

As a side note, little buddy said some funny stuff in the sewing room this weekend...or at least I thought it was cute.

• "Hey, whatcha doin' with them pokers? (I guess he had been into my pins before and felt their wrath!)
• "Boy, this room is a mess, mom." (So, my WIPS are taking over a bit! You know it is bad when your 3 year tells you it is time to clean up.)

Mom's day off

So, I had the day to myself, can you believe it? Unbelievable ! I feel like a new woman. Don't get me wrong, I like my job, I love my family, but this was a fun day. I started off to town (my husband laughs when I say that 'to town' but that is what we always said when I was growing up).



Look who decided he had to come along? I think he was hoping we were going to run into that Miss Kitty.


So, Rexy and I were going to go to that quilt shop I discovered the other day, but then I got side tracked by a few stores. Next thing I know, I have spent 3 hours at other places...my how time flies. That Rexy sure does get crabby about 'non-scheduled' stops. He got really bent of out shape because he thought I said we were going to Bones and Nibble... not Barnes and Noble.








Anywhoo, we went to Target, JoAnns (where someone was kind enough to give me a coupon for my stabelizer...thanks, if you are out there), my sewing shop (where I bought sale fabric - 50% off), Barnes, TJ Max, Old Navy, and then I finally made it to the quilt shop. (Enter the dramatic music)






Just look at all of the cute stuff on display! Isn't this just a great shop!







I bought some of that Moda Simplicity fabric for my new purse and new wallet patterns. I found a couple of cute patterns (some I have seen blogging around), a new tool, and again, I hit the jackpot on some sale fabric. FYI- some cute pillowcases and aprons coming right up. Well, that was a LOT of fun.









Rexy was getting really anxious to get home. He didn't want to miss The Old and the Boney, what is up with that guy watching soaps?



That leaves me with just one last thought.... I think someone wants to ask Miss Kitty to the prom! Don't tell him I said so though, he'll bite my head off.

Editor's note: Thanks for all the birthday love bloggals! My birthday is actually Weds., but as I told my husband....my birthday celebration actually encompasses a week, not just a day.

This was sitting by my door....

My mom ordered me some goods from The Fat Quarter Shop for my birthday. She had it sent right to me, since she wouldn't be seeing me on my birthday this year. My folks live about 2.5 hours away, so we tend to plan out visits in weekends. Anyway, it was a great surprise. Look at all of this good stuff!!! Patterns for a purse, wallet, and bag, Swell charms, and even that mini quilt book. Hooray!!! Thanks, Mom!

And the winner is....

Thanks to everyone who entered the contest. It was nice to meet some new quilters in the process. I have visited several new blogs and I will finish up with the newest entries this week. I entered everyone into the drawing, including those who sent a friend and earned extra entries, as promised. I also entered Jackie, as she is a faithful visitor and commenter and she is on vacation (or I know she would have entered).

I had little buddy draw as he cannot read names and I knew he would be delighted by this big person job.

The winner is....

Congratulations to Mary Anne from Moonbeams in a Jar!

And on a special note, there is a very special giveaway going on at Simplify. Camille is giving away one of her signature quilts, Bloom, to celebrate the joy that her pattern company has brought her in the last year. Congratulations to Camille and may you continue to not only have success (as I am sure you will), but to love your job. Please tell her I sent you, as I will get an extra entry!

Giving the new machine a test drive

First of all, I am glad to see some folks visiting for the giveaway. Thanks for stopping by Dandelion headquarters. So, I haven't blogged much this week because I have been busy at work on a few projects. The first of which is that I completed the top of little buddy's quilt. I am going to add a border, when I find some material I like. Sorry that the pictures are so randomly ordered but blogger is giving me some headaches today.

Then I started working on my youngest nephew's quilt. His birthday is right around the corner, that should be all the motivating I need. Isn't that monkey material ADORABLE??? Not to mention the dots, I love dots...if you hadn't guessed. Both materials are from Michael Miller Fabrics that I bought at the The Fat Quarter Shop. It looks like Kim has ordered more monkeys because she seemed to run out of it the first time it was up. So, what are you doing? Quit monkeying around and get over there before she runs out again! :) Anyway, I am not going to describe the quilt that I making only to hint that the secret may lie in the strips.

I took a really quick embroidery lesson at my shop and I made these great pillowcases from my stash. Didn't they turn out cute?

Finally, I was up very late working on a babydoll quilt for our friend, Makayla. She turns four in a few days and we bought her a Strawberry Shortcake doll that smells like strawberries. When I was little, Strawberry Shortcake was my favorite and I had the doll that blew strawberry kisses. So, what can I say, I couldn't resist! So, I decided she needed a quilt to cover up with. Luckily, I had all of this fabric in my stash...and I even embroidered Strawberry's name right on the quilt. Voila! Little buddy thinks it will be a hit. He usually knows what the ladies like.

I guess that is all for now. If you haven't entered the giveaway, don't forget to leave a comment there. I will probably draw on Tuesday. Have a good weekend.

A special note for moms: cool toy giveways over at 5 Minutes for Mom that you should check out! Cute bug ride ons, toys for big kids, too. Seriously cool toys!

Giveaway

Finally, spring has decided to stay and yesterday on my walk, I spotted about 20 dandelions all at once just waving at me in the breeze. To celebrate, I am having a giveaway. To enter, leave a comment. If you send a friend, I will give you an extra entry for each friend that mentions your name.

What is the prize? I think I will giveaway that pretty peach apron I made. Perhaps I will put some goodies in the pockets as well. I will try to draw sometime on Tuesday.

SORRY THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED. PLEASE VISIT AGAIN.

Curly Hair Bow Tutorial

Alright ladies, little mister and I were making some hair bows to go along with a dress we were giving as a birthday present. These hair bows are easy to make and fun. If you watch sales on ribbon or find them on clearance, as I did in this case, it can be quite economical as well. Each bow takes about 1 small spool of craft ribbon...I think that is 6 feet.

Supplies:

• ribbon


• scissors


• small hair clips


• no fray


• starch spray


• oven sheet covered in foil


• 1/4 inch wooden rods...one per hair bow cut in half to fit in your oven


• wooden clothes pin (the pinchy kind)


• hot glue gun


• preheated oven to 275 degrees

Step 1- Gather all of your supplies.

Step 2- Tightly wrap your ribbon around your rods securing each end with a clothes pin. (*Sorry, I forgot to take a picture of this, but it is pretty easy.)

Step 3- Spray with starch and place on pan. Bake for 20 minutes. Cool for 3 minutes.

Step 4- Slide ribbon off the rods. You may need to wiggle it a little to get it unstuck.

Step 5- Cut ribbon into about 2.5 inch to 3 inch pieces. 'No fray' the edges.

Step 6- Pile the ribbons into piles you wish to be "bows" and pick one of the longer ribbons to tie with. I pick up the ribbons piece by piece pinching them between my index and thumb, wrap the longest bow around them, and tie them.

Step 7- Secure the bow to the clip with the hot glue gun. I usually put a bit of glue in the knot as well so that it is secure.

Step 8- Fluff your curlies.

Random Facts About Me

Dawn tagged me to share 7 facts of randomness about myself. ;)


Here are the rules:

1. Once you are tagged, link back to the person who tagged you.

2. Post THE RULES on your blog.

3. Post 7 weird or random facts about yourself on your blog.

4. Tag 7 people and link to them.

5. Comment on their blog to let them know they have been tagged.

Random Facts About Me:

1. When I was a kid, I was in 4-H. This is where I first learned to sew. I made a peach apron. What do I still like to sew today? Yup, aprons. BTW- I earned a blue ribbon on that. I also did quite a bit of cross stitch. BTW- my mom became group leader because I wanted to be in 4-H and the leader was retiring. She is the world's greatest mom. She also taught the kids baking in our house.

2. I then had home economics with the best teacher in the world. I sewed a pair of shorts and a jumper. Along with baking all kinds of fun things. This was the end of sewing for me for about 10 years.


3. A year or so after I as married, my friend (and dear college roommate) Billie and I were having a conversation about how I loved quilts. She told me that her aunt held these quilt in a day classes at a church and that I should come. She assured me that all I had to do was sew straight. My dad helped me buy my first machine ($200) and my husband was sure it would sit in the closet forever. I went to the all day event (8 AM to 11 PM) and had a lot of fun. I left with a hand tied Trip Around the World quilt. I came home inspired. I made some curtains and a shower curtain for my bathroom. I put the machine away and that was pretty much that.


When buddy was 1 1/2, I went back to the all day class and made another quilt. This is when I became a quilter at my home. I started sewing much more at home. I made room in my guest room to leave my machine up all the time and I have found that this has enabled me to just jump on it for 20 minutes or so whenever I want. That is basically how I learned to quilt.


4. My favorite treat is a frozen mocha or chai. I love that. Although. I will try just about any coffee beverage and sometimes warm mochas hit the spot, too. I have been known to travel well off the beaten path for some good coffee or some good quilting.


5. I have read Gone With The Wind about 5 times. I just love the dynamics between Rhett and Scarlett. I like the companion novel, Scarlett. However, I recently read and hated the new book, Rhett Butler's People. The author chose to just ignore all of Margaret Mitchell's work. I love the movie. I particularly love the dresses of the time. Who could wear a corset? I have a large plate collection (pitifully still at my parent's house) of GWTW dresses. Someday I suspect they will be on Ebay. I also have been to Atlanta and visited the Margaret Mitchell Museum.


6. I love Mr. Darcy.


7. I love to bake. Recently I made this, and this, and this is a family favorite only I use cool whip for the frosting. All of them are very good, quick, and easy. Need a quick no bake dessert that everyone will rave about? Try this.


I am tagging a few people...frankly, I doubt that I have 7 to tag that haven't already been tagged. I apologize if anyone has already been tagged and you won't hurt my feelings if you don't do it again. ;)


I have officially tagged:


Mary Anne at Camp Moonbeams

Niki

Dana at Old Red Barn Co.


Cheryl


Billie


Aisha

Colleen formerly of South Africa


You'll be inspired by all of these pages whether they are busy with spring planting, quilting up a storm, walking for a cause, or trying to start a new life.

The tale of the hail, tornadoes, and the new machine

That's right we have had awful weather today. Just terrible. Rain. Hail. The meteorologists calling for tornadoes. No joke.

Don't worry, it didn't stop me from getting my machine. Although, I did get on the road well before it all started to hit. The family and I went into town to get the machine. I had a really brief lesson threading it. Mr. "I am 3 and I am bored here" was getting a bit of ants in the pants, so I will go back for more lessons another time. Then we grabbed some lunch. then Mr. "Wonderful husband who bought me this nice machine" went looking for a new quilt store that I finally got wind of. That was loads of fun. What a nice shop, too. They had everything! Lots of fun things....Cherry Baby, Moda, moda, moda, that cool apron book that Mary Anne was using. Tons of neat things...loads of cool fabric! I didn't buy a thing! Oh believe me, it was hard! It was really hard.

But, I was waiting because my friend, Bev and I have this quilt shop trip planned in about 2 weeks. SO, I am standing in this awesome shop thinking maybe Bev would rather save gas and just come here for the morning. When I hear Bev, say my name! Telepathy??? No, I turn around and there she is....how fun is that??? We both agreed that we would come back to that shop and have fun there instead. Mr. 'I am 3 and it is my nap' was calling.

So, we headed home and that is when all the bad weather hit. I was laying in bed (taking a nap so I could unpack my machine and get some sewing done) and I heard hail and the tornado alarm sounding. I turn on the tv...I kid you not, they have not a thing about it. Two minutes later they say we will have a suspicious funnel cloud passing by in 10 minutes. It never did.....and they cancelled the warning. I suspect they were a bit late in their reporting. Luckily, it didn't matter much.

Miss Jean asked that I post pictures of the new gal in town. Miss Jean is just so sweet and I am happy to oblige!

I did some sewing on Buddy's quilt and I am happy to report that I really like the machine. Did I mention I get unlimited owner's classes for life and 1 year of creative sewing classes for free! I am going next week for some help on the embroidery.

Anticipation

I'm going to get my new machine tomorrow...tralalalalfalalaa!
If you only knew the problems of my old machine
You'd you'd join in and sing...tralalalfalalalaa!

A quilt for buddy

Yes, I have been working on a new project. Actually it is the same pattern I used for my nephew...only a different color way. This is the busiest quilt I have ever made, but buddy picked out all of his own fabrics. There are some cute animals, and lots and lots of dots. I hope to have this top wrapped up by Weds, so that I can pick up a new machine on Friday.

Perhaps it is time for a new machine

I am thinking of buying a new sewing machine. I went this weekend to browse, and I thought the Janome MC9700 was very nice. Does anyone have any feedback they can give me about this machine???