Blogging Break

I received a call tonight that my grandmother's heart is failing quickly. I expect to be getting a call shortly that she has passed. I am going to be taking a bit of a break as far as the blog goes until at least after the funeral and perhaps until I get my machine back. I have a bit of a heavy heart today. I hope you'll understand if I don't get right back to comments, but do know that I appreciate them so much.

Feel free to email me if you swappers have any needs, I will check that.

Thanks.

Friendship Bag Swap and Other Thank yous too

My swap package arrived today. You've never seen a grown woman, like myself, pounce on a package that fast. I was on my way through the house...dropping my purse, kicking off my shoes, I had to run to the bathroom...when I saw the package. I grabbed it in pursuit of the bathroom, and multi-tasked ladies! Are any of you this bad when it comes to packages?

But, now you can see why....isn't it darling? I love the sky, grass, flowers motif...very clever. I never would have thought of anything so clever myself. She also sent me a cool book...which I forgot to snap! Looks like projects I would like! I'll keep you posted. Big thanks!!

My partner was Made By Haigh. She has a wonderful blog, with great projects posted but few comments. Stop on over there and say hi. I bet you'll find something to inspire you with.
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Another big thanks to Corrie at Quilt Taffy for sending this great fat quarter pack prize my way. Isn't it fresh? If you haven't checked out Quilt Taffy yet, head over that way. Every Thursday they draw a giveaway winner. And every post offers some inspiration not to mention sometimes a chuckle or two!

-------- In other package pouncing action:
Another big thanks to Toni from The Red Boot Quilt Company for this adorable bear quilt pattern...one of her own designs! I was just thrilled to win.

Sitting Pretty

My first goal for September is complete. Unfortunately, with my machine still in the shop, it will probably be the only one I get done this month. I do love it though.

Looking for a good read?

In this fictional story, Lois Bate was 5 years old when her 30 year old father, Kevin, past away from a disease. On her 12th birthday, her aunt surprised her with a gift from her father. The Manual...a manual he wrote her to be read every year on her birthday until her 30th birthday. A guide for life. A very good read, check it out if you are looking for a good book.

Sound the horns- I have a project to share

I have been carefully holding onto some posts with projects to share because, as you all know, my machine is down. Therefore, projects are few and far between. My friend Carol took the Friendship Bag and made it out of 2.5 strips. She was generous enough to share the dimensions with me and tada! I used some scraps from 2 years ago with the leftovers from my NY fabric! Love it. Pink and green...make my heart sing. In general, I think I like pink all the time. Now, what do I do with it? It is pretty generous in size. I am thinking on it.

Friendship Bag Swap

I sent out my friendship bag swap on Monday. My partner liked aquas and bright greens. I sewed this complimenting towel to roll up in the basket. I thought that was clever because it helped keep the shape of the bag. I hope she liked it. I haven't heard from her yet, so I hope to hear from her soon.

Buddy's daddy took him to Kindergarten on Tuesday. Isn't he getting big? It tugs at this mama's heart strings.

Soccer fever is back! Our first game was Saturday.

Swap partners have been emailed.

Swap partners have been emailed. Please let me know, if you did not receive your information. Happy sewing!

Man Down. Man Down.

I was busy working on my second quilt over the weekend, when all of a sudden I couldn't keep the thread from breaking. I trouble shot it to death and then grew irritated and gave up. The machine has been acting up lately anyway, it was time for some maintence. It is still annoying though. I was over halfway done with the quilt, which for me makes it more irritating being so close to being done and having to stop.

I have received everyone's emails for the swap, never fear. I am just saving myself a step and emailing you back on Saturday with your partner's information. I'm excited girls, thanks for signing up!

Charming Girls Club mini quilt swap

Kelly asked if I would organize the mini quilt swap, since several of you expressed interest in it. I am so excited, girls, this is going to be fun.

Here are the requirements:
1. You must be a Charming Girls Club member to participate. There is still time to sign up for that club (you have until the 7th), if you want to join in the fun.
2. Create a mini-quilt. For our purposes, we will define that as anything under 45 inches in width or length.
3. Send it to your partner by Saturday Oct. 31st. Please only sign up if you feel you can make the deadline. No one enjoys not receiving a swap package when they put a lot of effort into theirs. If an emergency happens, be kind and let your swap partner know when you feel they can expect to receive their package.
4. After you have received your package, please email or snail mail your partner a letter thanking them.
5. Have fun.

If you are interested, email me this information:

1. First and Last name (I will not post last names on my blog.)
2. Your postal address.
3. Any likes or dislikes such as color or what you might be looking to do with your quilt like hang it in a particular room or put it on your table.
4. Your blog address (if you have one, it is not a requirement)
5. Your email address.

My email address is available in my blog profile. Feel free to email with any questions.

The deadline to sign up is Friday, September 11, 2009. I will send out partner information on the 12th!


I know several of you have joined in the Schnibbles fun. You might be able to do a 2-for-1 here, and use one of your Schnibbles patterns. I hope you consider joining the swap! It will be lots of fun.

Happy sewing!!

Editor's comments: Peg- I do no have an email address for you or anyway to reply, so please email me.

Practical Bag for practically anybody who loves bags!

I sewed this up in a snap! (Perhaps I should mention that I've had it cut out now for over a month, so you don't get the wrong impression.) This picture does not do this bag justice, so my apologies. It is really cute and I received all kids of compliments on it. Where did I receive the compliments? Hmm. Let's see. At the library when I was carrying in Buddy's 5 books and my 2 books, several people commented on it. When I carried a bunch of supplies into work the other day, several coworkers commented on the cute shape and they loved the handles. See....cute. You cannot deny it.

It is a great pattern (Practical Bag) by Tonya Whelan of Grand Revival Designs. I used my fabric I bought in Soho at The Purl Bee. This is a great pattern for all levels of sewing enthusiasts.

Sew on, ladies! Sew on!