Here goes Nothing

  

Here Goes Nothing

I am about to start my first quilt, thanks to Fat Quarterly's Quilt Along

We're going to be making a quilt using the block in the picture above. One block, 80 times over for a quilt that finishes up at 44 x 55 inches. Perfect for a Christmas present for a little one, or baby shower gift, or just for snuggling under on the sofa.

Want the stats?...here we go;

You will need either 1 jelly roll

OR

20 different FQs (you won't use all the fabric in the FQs, but 20 gives you a nice variety of colour/pattern) plus a 55cm cut or 3/4 of a yard cut.

*****Edit - if you want to make the bigger size 30 FQs should be plenty*******

(If you'd prefer a larger quilt, use 2 jelly rolls and end up with a quilt that measures 66 x 72 inches - you will need to make 156 blocks for the bigger size)

Here's the schedule for those of you that like to plan ahead...

Monday September 6th - cutting instructions (both jelly roll and FQ cutting instructions)

Monday September 13th - piecing

Monday September 20th - quilt top assembly

Monday September 27th - wrap up

Wow, 1 finished quilt  in 1 month.  That's more than I would get done on my own, so yes, I will be quilting right along.

Here is why I have felt so compelled to make a quilt recently.....

 

  
I love the colors of the adorable puff quilt at Sew Dang Cute!!

  

This fabulous inspiring quilt was made by Karrielyne from Freckled Whisy

You have to check her blog out, she has some fabulous quilts on there.


 
This work of art was made by Rachel of P.S. I Quilt and is also featured in the Moda Bake Shop.  I love the colors of this.

   

And of course Amy Butler's fabulous quilt designs- how can you not be inspired by that??

 



These can all found at her fantastic free patterns website.


I hope you enjoy all of this quilting eye candy and wish me luck as I quilt along with Fat Quartely.

Almost There

I am 3 followers away from 100!!!! I started blogging a few months ago as way to keep in touch with family and friends without being obnoxious on Facebook. haha- I never would have guessed that it would turn into this.... I have met amazing people, with amazing talents, and entered into a fantastic world that I never even knew existed.

  

WOO HOO!!!!

clipart.com- image credit

I am also almost finished with an apron I have been sewing for a few weeks, maybe that will be my giveaway once I reach 100 followers. I am still brainstorming but I know that I want to do one.

I will post pics once it's done today or tomorrow, depending on how much I can accomplish.

  

I am linking up to these Monday Blog Parties.  Today is a fabulous day, it is very rainy, so I am sewing, blogging, and drinking a delicious cup of tea (thanks for the tea again Mom). I had a fabulous weekend haning out with my best friend from high school, my brother in law, and family.  We attended a fabulous fundraiser for "Race for the Cure" called "Bingo for Boobies". It was so much fun and turned out fabulous.

  

   

Head on over to "All the Weigh" and link up to Friend Makin' Monday's like I did.  It is such a fabulous post.I loved answering these questions for the link up.

I like... rainy days that involve hot tea, naps, and a little bit of sewing  (p.s. that's what kind of day today is)

I don't like...when my husband falls asleep watching TV on the couch instead of cuddling with me in bed.

I love...Fall... everything about it- the weather, the colors, the smell, the activities, the food...EVERTHING!

I dream of...my life in 5 yrs, 10 yrs, 25 yrs.

I wonder...what Olivia (my 1yr old daughter) will be like when she grows up.

I know...that I need to live closer to family.

I went... to a "Race For The Cure" fundraiser this weekend and had a blast and also met up with my best friend from high school!!

I have...a lot of packing to do in the next few weeks.

I think...about the past, and future a lot.

I plan...to go back to school for my Early Childhood Education degree within the next year.

I regret...my high school and college grades and attendance.

I do ... Love sewing- even though I am new at it and not fantastic.

 
I drink...wheat beer and gin and tonics when I am in the mood.

I wish...I had money to fix my car.

I am...at a fork in the road with my life and don't know which way to go.

I am not...a perfect Mom but I sure am trying.

I need...to start working out again.

I graduated...from high school, and some college.

I hope...that I can grow old with my husband.

I want...to live closer to family, and to be an excellent seamstress.

I sometimes...snort when I laugh.

I always...hug and kiss my family. (dog included)

I can... sing pretty well.

I work...at home as a homemaker.

I cannot...skip.. I broke my ankle in high school and have not been able to since then.

I avoid...crowd... I am majorly introverted.

I will...live a long healthy, happy successful life with my husband by my side watching our children grow up.


P.S.  Once I reach 100 followers I will be doing a giveaway.... I am thinking something sewn by me... something cute, fun, and useful.

Happy Friday

Today is a particular Happy Friday-

This evening I will be going to Bozeman, Mt- a few hours away from me.  Once I get there, I will get to see one of my best friends from high school, as she is a genius who got accepted into MSU's nursing program.  Any of you in the nursing profession know that simply getting accepted into a program is a feat in itself.  I am so proud of her, and can't wait to party it up with her. Although, I fear my party skills are not what they used to be, so that probably means that we will go to dinner and have a few cocktails- so unlike my past escapades of going to the bar and stumbling home wasted at 3am.  My how time have changed.

Tomorrow evening I will be attending a poker and bingo function called "Bingo for Boobies", It is a fundraiser put on by a few of my cousins to support their part in Race for the Cure!! They will be going to San Francisco and walking 60 miles in 3 days. I can't wait to go support them while kicking butt in poker and bingo.


Today I am linking up to.....











   

My Christmas To Do List--- Part 1

  


This beautiful stuffed fish comes from a fabulous tutorial from Lindsey over at The Cottage Home 
My 1 yr old daughter is obsessed with fish at the moment and she walks around all day long saying ffffff sh, while she points up at the wall at the beautiful painting of the fish and also my husbands fish mount of a walleye he caught in Canada several yrs ago.  Obsessed is an understatement of how much my darling loves fish, so this will be the perfect Christmas gift for her.




Felt Food, the above picture is a felt pizza with removable toppings so the kids can get really creative. I found this at craftster.org

I also came across the fabulous blog Keeper of the Cheerios who has been so kind as to compile a list of the most fabulous felt food patterns that she has found.  My daughter is going to love playing kitchen with all of this come Christmas time.
  
This is an adorable Tea party felt food set, you can find the pattern among many others available for sale at Gulf Coast Cottage etsy's shop.


Okay, so now I have to find some gifts to make for someone other than my daughter.

 
I have this lovely bag (from Martha Stewart of course) in mind for one of my very best friends ever.  She owns so many bags, but I don't think one of them are this darling, and to go with it is a fabulous computer cover from a pattern I have been saving for her personally.


I must find someone to make these luxurious pillows for!


All right, for the hubba wubba- (clears throat) and for me  ; )



Amy Butler's beautiful quilt that I shall make for our room. Our room needs a drastic makeover and I think this is just the thing. I love the design and the name says it all Sexy Hexy.  Even better, this is a free downloaded pattern!!!


This is going to be a gift for one of the mother in laws that I have
 
Thanks Jessica for sharing this very detailed tutorial.

I am entering a giveaway

I never enter these because, well mostly because I never win contest, sports, or giveaways. But this one is worth me trying my luck out- It is for a Silhouette Machine.



If you go to How Does She , they have found not 1, but 6 different blogs giving one of these bad boys away- so go, go Enter all of them because I am.

I am entering over at Grosgrain Fabulous

and at Kara's Party Ideas 

and at Shabby Nest 

nope, I am not done yet.

I also entered right here too at Making It Lovely,

and at Under The Table and Dreaming.

Last but not least, I entered at Crap I've Made


Good Luck beating me everyone!!!!  (bwahahahahaha- that's my evil laugh)

Don't Judge Me-

     

If you head on over to craftideas.info, you will find tons of awesome autumn projects. I think this would look stunning on a front door, especially if you added some spray paint in the glorious shades of fall.

Summer is not my favorite season of the year, like most people. I love love love fall and winter. The smell of a soup on the stove all day, or a roast in the oven.  I love bundling up in adorable sweaters and jeans, and of course kick ass boots.  I love the smell, and sight of the fall colors in abundance throughout the mountains.

I am especially excited for all the fall and winter holidays this year, seeing as how my daughter is 1 and will understand a little bit more about what is going on when I dress her in goofy costumes, or when we put the Christmas tree up, and she gets to open her presents.

So don't judge me when I say that I can' wait for the leaves to change colors, and eventually fall off tree, soon to be covered by lots and lots of white fluffy snow.

The following projects from marthastewart.com are also why I can't wait for summer to be gone.



Gorgeous above a dining room table!



  
I want a pumpkin family on my front deck.


 This looks like a warm, fun costume for a family!


Look at the sheep! How darling are they??


My bookshelf centerpiece for fall!

Enjoy!


I am jumping back into the blog hop world once again. This time it is Welcome Wednesday over at Take it from Me





   

I hope you will stop over and meet lots of great bloggers.

Post it Note Tuesday

Woot Woot for my first "Post It Note Tuesday" with

It's that time of the Year-- Back to School

I loved going back to school as a child with my freshly new notebooks and Lisa Frank folders (did I just age myself?) and my brand new backpack and lunch box.

The idea of new teachers, friends, classes, sports- it was always so exciting, and while my daughter is no where near being of school age yet, I thought I would throw together some really great back to school stuff that I have seen around lately.

First off, Lunch boxes- We all know that brown bagging it can be much cheaper, and healthier for your child, but something about a new, fun lunch box makes the kids really want to eat cold lunch at school.


Japanese style lunch bag- It's reversible and turns into a placemat!



I love the shape of this one.



These are reusable snack and sandwich bags, how clever!!

 



What a fabulous reusable cup for the school year


  
So adorable! I love the texture to this kids backpack.


This looks like it would last for years. That is one heavy duty backpack


.

Slow Down- Construction

Sorry for the chaos folks, I am trying to do a makeover on my blog and it is incredibly trying.

P.S. I hate blogger templates, does anyone have any ideas for free templates?

Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart--

I have not made up my mind about her, I can not decide if I like her or not. I watch her morning show once in a while, but I find her to be so rude and bossy to her guests on that show. It is quite irritating, she thinks she is the best thing to happen to this world since sliced bread, I am quite convinced of this.

However, I am in love with her Martha Stewart Living Magazine. She has the most fabulous recipes, photographs, and craft ideas in there. I highly suggest you subscribe to it.
I just love this bookshelf made out of a dish rack- I can already hear the spray paint calling my name.



The best way to keep the furniture and walls scribble free! I wonder if Martha really came up with this idea.



I want this in my kitchen! What a great way to remember everything.

This iconic woman, who knows about everything crafty, delicious, organized, clean, and garden related is inspiring to me. (I just wish she would take the ego down a notch or two.)

(disclaimer: I have not been paid, or asked to write about Martha Stewart or any of her ideas. I simply like her magazine and just wanted to show everyone why.)

The Best Year of my Life

Happy Birthday to my Princess Olivia who is 1 yr old today!!!!

A Letter to my beautiful daughter~~~

To my dearest Princess Olivia--

Words cannot even describe my love for you. From the moment I knew I was going to have a baby, I loved you more than anything or anyone in the world.

Over the past year, I have watched you grow from a cuddly little baby to a walking independent toddler with a mind of her own. It is amazing to watch you explore the world, whether it be at a park, the grocery store or in our very home.

I feel so privileged to have been able to stay at home with you for the last year and watch you take your first belly roll, first words, and first steps. I will never forget those memories for the rest of my life, nor will I forget the countless hours spent cuddling with you in bed, on the couch, or in the bath.

While I am very sad today that a whole year has passed already, and I feel that it has passed way to fast, I am also very proud, and happy to watch you grow up happy, and healthy. Your smile is contagious, as is your laugh also. I can't help but to crack a smile, or even let a little giggle slip when you are being mischievous and throwing your banana on the floor in protest, or when you pull EVERY single book off of the bookshelf just to see how I will react.

I look forward to every year that I get to stay on this earth and be "Olivia's Mommy". While I must admit that I can wait to see what the future holds for you, I also am excited to see where you will go on life, because I know that you will go far, and be happy, successful, and always very very, very loved.

Love forever,

Your Mommy

xoxoxoxoxoxo

I'M BACK!!!!

Sorry blogger friends for being away so long-

but alas, my computer is fixed!!!

Now seeing as how it is almost 11:00 pm my time, I am quite tired. I just wanted to let everyone know that I will slowly be getting my blog back into the blogosphere this week, along with sewing Olivia's bday dress, getting her party ready, cleaning the house, fixing the holes in the yard (thank you big black dog), weeding the garden, baking bday cake, oh my god! I am not even halfway through my to do list of stuff to do this week.

On the bright side of things, my Mom and brother will be here this coming Friday for the bday party, and then we are going to see the movie "Eat, Pray, Love"!!!!!!!!!!

We are also leaving Big Sky Country for the great state of Wyoming in September to be closer to our families!!! YEA!!

But, I am pretty sure stressing about moving, Olivia's 1st bday party, money, new jobs, new place to live, getting my $2,000 car problem fixed before moving, uggh! Yea, I am pretty sure I am getting an ulcer- not really, but I do feel sick from stressing so much!

I am just going to take it one day at a time, and have a blast planning my princess's 1st bday party. I can't wait to show everyone pictures!

sorry i am MIA

My computer is broke for the moment. I will be back when it is fixed.