TNT Thrusday - Drawing and No Hands

So I tried 2 things new this week :)

First, I decided I wanted to draw a custom quilting design on my quilt.  This is totally new for me.  Most of the time I do an all over free motion "just go for it" kind of thing.  The few times I have done more of a "custom" design I have always just used the seams as a guide.  So I pulled out my water soluble marker and my 1" ruler and  about 5 hours later (not all consecutive) and a trip to JoAnn's to buy another water soluble marker (the first died out)  I was done.  The great thing about water soluble is every time you make a mistake just give it a little squirt squirt and you get to start over.  (Which I did several times :)  (oh, and I will be showing this quilt in a few more weeks, this is your sneak peak until then :)

Second, I gave my "hands free system" a try.   While I was up in Salt Lake sewing I chatted with Kati about her "hands free system" and if she liked it or not.  I had pretty much just put my little bar aside when the machine came figuring it couldn't make that much of  a difference.  Kati told me she loved hers and suggested I learn to use my left foot on the foot pedal so I could use my right knee on the bar. So I took her advice and tried it!!!   It took about 5 minutes and I was off!!!!!   I love it!!!!!!  I can't believe how much faster it is to shift fabric, sounds silly but true!!  I can't wait to try some applique with this, oh it makes me giggle just to think about it :)

So that is what I have been up to.  What did you try new this week?? Link on up :)

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Staring at Fabric

*** If you are looking for the Fat Quarter Shop Giveaway you will find it here :)

Sometimes I just sit in my little sewing room and stare at my fabric.  I am hoping we all do that and I am not a little crazy for just enjoying looking at it.  This week though, I have been staring at it hoping to come to some conclusions.  

My month for the Sew Bee Create bee is June and so I need to start getting some packages ready to go in the mail.  What's holding me up??  

Do I want a Christmas block with my oh so my favorite Christmas line ever???  I have seen so many amazing quilts in Countdown to Christmas and I so want one.  This might be the perfect time to break out this FQB. 

But then I think, maybe I want a cool shabby chic block to make a nice throw blanket for myself with these amazing prints from Daisy Cottage.  Don't you just love these beautiful tones??

I can't decide :)  Which would you do??  And fabulous block suggestions for either??  I am assuming if I decide on a block that it would be easier to pick a bundle :)

I also pulled out my Heirloom scraps so I could whip up some pillow cases to match my finished Stars Quilt-A-Long quilt.  More on Friday :)

And then I spent quite a while staring at fabric on-line trying to come to a decision on some new projects.  Do you remember my Braided Irish Chain tutorial??  Well I have been asked to teach it at the beginning of next year (I am so excited, and a little nervous :) I have altered the tutorial a bit to make the Queen size version  more of a square so it fits the queen bed a little better.  I will also be teaching a King size version.  Which means I need a Queen and King quilt to show.  That won't take long right :)

I took advantage of Burgundy Buttons sale last week and finally decided on Hello Luscious with Moda Bella White for the background for the queen size quilt.

And for the king size quilt I went with Reunion with a Moda Bella Slate background.

ore of a square I have also been doing some major quilting this week.  But won't be showing it for a few more weeks.  You know the drill :)

On to the rundown, I am so glad I can keep track of everything hear.  It is really helping me to stay on top of my projects (especially those with deadlines) and not let things fall through the cracks :)

Designing Stage

• King Size Serenity Quilt
• Sew Bee Create Quilt
• Circle Meets Square Quilt
• Snip and Clip Quilt

Piecing Stage

• Jessi and Me Quilt 
• Father's Day Rolling on Out Quilt
• Braided Irish Chain - Queen and King

Quilting Stage

• Solids Quilt for Free Motion
• DDD Baby Quilt

Completed Stage

• Moda Bake Shop Take it All

Market Giveaway with Fat Quarter Shop

So I am not going to Quilt Market, Le Sigh.  You can bet that I will spend the entire weekend wishing I were in Kansas City!!!  Maybe some day.  However, even though I don't get to go, I still get to know so much of what is going on.  How you ask??  Through The Jolly Jabber!!!!  Every year the fabulous crew at The Fat Quarter Shop give an in-detail day by day report of market on The Jolly Jabber.  It totally makes you feel like you are almost there :)  (almost)

So, to celebrate Quilt Market this week, Fat Quarter Shop will be sponsoring this totally amazing Quilt Market Giveaway!!!  Where there will be not 1 but 2 winners!!!

One lucky reader will win this beautiful bundle of fabric goodness.

And a second lucky reader will win this serene bundle of fabric goodness.

That's 2 Fat Quarter Bundles!!!  Yippee Skippee for celebrating Quilt Market!!!

So . . .  How do you get a chance to win one of these awesome Fat Quarter Bundles??


Easy, just leave a comment of what you most want to see from market??  A new fabric line, A particular booth, School house, Sample Spree, or simply that you are new to Market and want to see it all :)

For a bonus entry you can follow the Jolly Jabber (so you won't miss any of there awesome market updates) and leave me a comment that you did so or already are a follower.

That's it.  Up to 2 entries per person.  Giveaway is open to international entries.  It will close on Saturday Morning (19th) and a winner will be selected randomly and announced shortly after.

My Little Crafter's

As I said yesterday, my favorite part of Mother's Day is all of the cute adorable things my children make for me.  And so of course, being the proud Mother I am, I decided to share them with you all :)

This was made for my by my 9 year old son.  He said he choose this pattern because it was the easiest, Which made me laugh.  Doesn't look to easy to me.  Did you ever make one of these in school?? I never did but I always thought they were so cool.  They remind me of the old Spirograph toy I used to have :)   On the back of this is an original poem written by my son.  It will always be a treasure to me.

My (almost) 7 year old daughter made me an adorable book telling me all the things she loves about me.  Yeah, it got me a little teary eyed :)

This was my favorite page.  Sometimes I am not as patient as I should be during our little sewing sessions together so I am glad she sees past my little hiccups and still loves to sew.  (or sow if you are spelling it phonetically :)

My 5 your old made me this adorable little bean art!!!  He said he really liked gluing the beans but they don't taste very good.  Which also made me laugh :)  It has a cute little poem on the back about him being a little flower and helping him to grow.  Yeah, that totally got me crying :)

And my 3 year old (I still can't believe she is 3) made me a matching bean art.  (They go to the same school)  It appears she wasn't to keen on smiling that day :)  She is quite the little independent one.

Such fun Mother's Day Gifts from my little Crafters!!  (Along with lots of homemade drawings and pictures from coloring books, and little treasures they found lying around the house :)  I had a fabulous Mother's Day.  It is such a beautiful day for me.  How blessed I am to have such amazing little creations that call me Mom.  They look to me for guidance, support, nurturing, and above all, love.   I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!!!

Happy Mother's Day

I hope you are all having a wonderful Mother's Day!!!  I know I am loving every minute of it.  My husband is currently making dinner (love it) and after dinner I am told I get to open these :)   I think I mentioned it before, but all of the cute little homemade crafts from school are probably my favorite part of Mother's Day!!!!

So, I best make one lucky Mom's day and announce the winner of the Intrepid Thread Mother's Day Giveaway :)

And that lucky Mom just happens to be . . .  #75

Happy Mother's Day drmithome!!!!!  I have sent you an email.  

And a Very Happy Mother's Day to all of you amazing women.!!! Whether you have or have not had children, all Women have a Mother's Heart and that unites us on this special day!!!!