Tooele, Utah

I love summer road trips.  Long or short, there is just something about piling in the family in car.  Last Thursday we went to lunch and then decided to head to Tooele.  It is only about a 40 minute drive but I have never actually been there.  We stopped off at the two local quilt shops.  I didn't find a ton of stuff but I did find some great deals.  I got some Robert Kauffman Kona solids for just $5.10 a yard!  Woot!  Yard Sale (one of the shops) also had a ton of flannel.  It almost made me want to start doing rag quilts again.

We also went to the Tooele Railroad Museum.  Eli was sooooooo excited.  We were lucky enough to arrive just before closing (they are only open from 1-4pm).  Normally, they offer train rides but we went on a bad day.  But, hey, it was free.  Yup, FREE.  You've got to love the price.

My cute kids

Pillow Talk

Ah, Doris Day.  I loved that movie.  And for some reason I think of it every single time I hear the word pillow.  (Tapioca reminds me of Thoroughly Modern Millie, so go figure)  Anyway, Lorelei made her first pillowcase yesterday and was so excited.  Just look at that face:

She was just so proud of herself!  I love projects that she can finish in under an hour.  It is just the right amount of time to build sewing confidence.  Go Lorelei!

50th Post!

I can't believe that this is my 50th post on blogger.  Who would have thought?  Or that I haven't scared away or completely bored every person that has stumbled upon my little blog.  Because I just moved, my house is a bit of a disaster untidy.  This makes it the perfect time to issue this challenge because it made it harder for me to cheat!  So here's the deal:  Go take a picture of your creative space.  Right now.  No tidying, no cleaning, no cheating!  Then post them on your blog and let me know!  I will post links to everyone so we can all check it out.  So here goes:

I have no defense for this mess.  Only the little piles by the right of the machine are things I am working on today.

Two of the five blocks I made today.

Ready to serge.

One side of the walk-in closet.  The quilt tops on hangers are all waiting to be quilted.

The other side of the closet.  I consider this fairly organized...just ignore the top shelf.

Check Out These Spaces:

Joanne

Jennifer

Asiyah

WIPs

I have been working on several things since moving, but most of it I am not ready to show yet!  We have been getting in a lot of new patterns at the shop tho.  Boy are they cute!  And hard to resist.  Thimble Blossoms is always one of my favorites.  I love this new pattern, June Bug,  by them.  I am making it in Moda Verna. The pattern picture is made with the new Moda Bliss but it doesn't come out until August and I really couldn't wait!

I also love Gudrun Erla's new book:

And I made this super cute wall hanging using one of the patterns and the Riley Blake "Boo to You" fabric.  Obviously, I need to finish up the binding.

I really like the way it has turned out.  This is my first time doing a quilt-as-you-go project, so I am pretty impressed with myself!  lol

All is well

Thank you all so much for your kind words, thoughts and prayers.  The surgery went very well and the doctors were able to fix everything that needed fixing!  Always a good thing!  He has two large incisions, but those should heal nicely.  I am just very thankful that everything worked and we didn't have to move to Plan B!

On another note, the Shop Hop was insane today!  I rocked my crown (our shop is doing a Mother's Day Queen for a Day theme) all day.   I can't believe how many people came into the shop (and rocked their crowns too).  I saw many friends, fellow bloggers, guild members, and even a few of the great ladies from the other shops!  One follower actually brought me a chocolate shake today!  How awesome is she?!   I left exhausted but I can't wait to go back to work tomorrow.  Make sure you say "hi" to me if you come in!

Drum roll please.....

I have some winners!  Chosen by random number generator, the winners are:


Of the Frilly Apron Pattern:
Kristy who said "Welcome to the "other" side! I love the Sassy Sue's skirt that Jandi In Stitches posted. All of your patterns are adorable. Keep up the fantastic work :0)"


Of the Strip Skirt Pattern:
sbmeeks who said "Sydney Meeks :) What fun!"


Of the Sassy Sue Skirt Pattern:
NeedledMom who said "Welcome to the wonderful world of blogging. You will find incredible inspiration. I really love your stripy skirt and was thinking of making a similar one for my granddaughters birthday this month. Good luck with your patterns. I know you will do well."


Congrats ladies!  Please email me your addresses and I will send out your patterns!


The winner of the five Riley Blake "Boo to You" fat quarters is:
Brooke of Pitter Putter Stitch


Congrats Brooke!  Please email your address!

Today is going to be stressful

I am going to need lots of chocolate.  And caffeine.  And probably some carbs.  Hmmm....I wonder how it is I handle stress....  ha!  Anyway, today is the first day of the Wasatch Front Shop Hop, so it is going to be crazy at work.  And, my oldest son is also having surgery today.  I would have preferred not to have both on the same day, but today was the only day that both the surgeon and the engineer from the company that made the implant are both available unless we wanted to wait a lot longer.  And, no one at the Shop Hop offered to rearrange the whole thing at the last minute to accommodate my schedule.  Honestly, people are just selfish!  ha!  Anywho... His surgery is expected to be under two hours and is technically out patient (they are keeping him for 23 hours, go figure).  I hope to update soon, but please forgive me if it takes a few days.  Things are crazy here this week!

What's for dinner?

Do you have one of those recipes that you forget about?  My recipe box is full of them.  They are all tried and true recipes that my family loves.  They go on the regular dinner rotation for a few months and then disappear.  Luckily, they are always rediscovered!  So, here is what we had for dinner tonight:

Sweet & Sour Meatballs

In a small sauce pan bring to boil:

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/4 c. bbq sauce

1/4 c. white vinegar

1 tsp. prepared mustard

1 tsp. Worchestershire sauce

Place frozen meatballs (or homemade ones if you're an over achiever) in a 9x13" glass pan.  Pour boiled mixture over meatballs.  Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.  Serve over rice.

On another note, my computer has been giving me grief all week.  Things got heated, we both said things we regret, but we have made amends. Which means that I will announce a winner to the giveaway very very soon.

What is really in my stash

You can make your own graph here.

Retail Therapy

I don't order a lot of things online.  I still prefer the good old fashioned brick and mortar stores.  I like to try things on.  I like to wander.  Heck, I like to get away by myself for an hour or two.  The past month has actually been a bit hard on me.  I'm not what I would call a shopaholic, but I do miss having most of the stores I like to frequent a mere 5-10 minutes away.  So, what is a girl to do?  I clicked on an ad for Mod Cloth yesterday (while checking my email, or facebook, or something, who knows?) and discovered cute accessory heaven.  Okay, they have cute clothes too, but since I enjoy my chocolate, I think their clothes may be a bit too tight for comfort.  But I did order this:

It is the "Sew Charming" necklace.  How cute is that?  I've been looking for a longer necklace to add to my collection and now I am anxiously awaiting its arrival.

I also wanted this:

and this:

I'll get you next time, my pretties.

So, what is your favorite online shop?

Twelve Years and Counting

Twelve years ago today, my husband and I stood in front of our families and said our vows.  Wow!  I feel like we have been married forever but I still can't quite believe it has been that long.  Or that I still kinda love him!  ha!  We celebrated Saturday night with a nice dinner.  We also went to see Sex and the City 2.  Obviously he still kinda loves me too!
I wanted to post a few pictures of us from way back when but they all seem to be in boxes.  I will have to remedy that later.  Instead, here is a few pictures of my kids at the carnival on Friday.

Time's almost up!

The giveaway for Jaymie's patterns and the Riley Blake Halloween fabric "Boo to You" ends tomorrow.  Make sure you get yourself entered here.

Are you ready?

One look at the calendar confirmed it:  the Wasatch Front Shop Hop starts in just fourteen days!  Two short weeks before I am required to visit 15 local shops in just four days.  Okay, maybe not "required" but certainly "compelled".  I think I can convince my husband that it is necessary research.  I'm a bit nervous tho about my ability to make it to all of these shops!  Just check out this map:

Talk about covering most of the state!  Sheesh!  Anyway, for those who don't know, the shop hop is June 16-19.  Are you ready?

More than a member

Belonging to a club or other organization has its benefits.  And I do love meeting other people with the same obsessions interests as me.  But now I am finding that there isn't a whole lot of local clubs I would like to join.  This has gotten me thinking about starting a small quilting group in my neighborhood.  I'm just trying to decide if the responsibility of running one is worth it.  And do I know, or can I find, enough people to join?  Is it going to be like my Wii Bowling League idea?  I thought of having bowling parties a few years ago when the Wii came out, and found that few of my friends were interested.  A bit of hope tho, I mentioned the idea again last week and now have quite a few people who want to sign up!  Anyone have any cool ideas for my team name?  
Wait!  How did I get off-track....  I really am looking for some tips and advice about starting a small guild.  Or just some good ideas of things to do?  What is your favorite thing about your guild and how did you get involved?

June Giveaway

One of the great things about blogging and working around fabrics all day is meeting some fabulous designers.  One great designer is Jaymie Soderman of Sassy Pants Patterns.  She has numerous patterns for adult and children's clothing ranging from skirts and aprons to rain coats.  She's a junior in college, studying to be a high school sewing teacher.  How fun is that?  All I studied in college was business plans and accounting.  Informative, but not all that exciting.  So here's a few of Jaymie's projects:

The Frilly Apron

The Strip Skirt

Sassy Sue's Skirt

Too cute!  Now, Jaymie is my friend and is just learning how to blog and needs a bit of encouragement!  So she generously offered these three patterns for a giveaway (three winners, woot!)!  Let's give her a big blogger welcome!  Here's the rules (you knew they were coming, right?):

• For your first entry, leave a comment with your name.
• Second entry, leave a comment on Jaymie's blog telling her which pattern you like the best!
• Third entry, become a follower of Jaymie's blog and leave a comment on THIS post saying that you have done so.

AND as a bonus, blog about this giveaway and you will be entered in a separate giveaway for five fat-quarters from Riley Blake's Halloween line, Boo To You!

Oh, and all you bloggers, leave a comment on my NEXT post saying that you blogged.  Because, seriously, this is going to be impossible if they are all on the same post!  Ha!

Giveaway closes:  June 8, 2010 Midnight, MST