beautiful stuff

Elle had posted some fugly fabric that she was giving away.....I was lucky enough to win this little gem.  I think it's very pretty and I can't wait to find someplace to use it!  Thank you Elle for passing this lovely on to me!!

Next I talked my hubby into letting me purchase (with his money not mine even) these wonderful, beautiful, difficult to cut into pretties.
They are from the Parson Gray line of fabric....the blues are called Husk and the greens are called Bark.  I also picked up some Free Spirit and Kona solids to go with them.  Not sure what I am going to do with them yet.....but I am loving the Swoon quilts, so will see if that is where they eventually end up.

Just pondering....

You know.....This blog didn't start off as a quilting blog.  At first, I really didn't know what this blog would be about.  General things I assumed.....my life, my progress on the book I am writing, my family and kids, my friends, possibly my feelings for the day.  I am pleased that it does have a more direct path to follow now....what I am doing in my sewing room and my new hobby I love.  I do however wondering where I can post these other things I mentioned.   I suppose I could post those various things here still.  I mean, if you don't want to read about what I've written, you can just click out of it right?  *smile*

So.....here is where I am in life right now, just in case you haven't clicked away to another website yet.  I am working in a 3rd grade classroom as a teacher's assistant.  I love it.  I keep busy all day long and it lets me do what I love....working with kids.

I am still working on my book.  It is finished however, just need to work on the editing part.  The problem however is that this new hobby of mine, quilting, seems to be getting in the way of it and some other things I use to do to fill my time, such as reading romance novels.  I don't mind that quilting keeps me busy....I love it!

My family and kids keep my busy between running my daughter to tumbling and running my son and daughter both to basketball practices and games.  I don't mind however...it's fun seeing them grow and learn new things.

I really enjoy spending time with my husband but he is a busy man and I respect that.  One of these days we will have more time to spend together!

My quilting has been going great.  I am excited about the projects I have going on right now and the ones I have planned.  Should be a great year.

I do have pictures to post and various other quilting things going on.....but wanted to put this post out there just because I wanted and needed to.

Happy Monday To You All!!!!

What I've been up to....

So....I am still working on my best friends lap quilt.  The binding is coming along nicely (except for those pesking corner....I may never get one right), and I can not wait to give it to her. I know she will be super excited.

 Also....I started working on my other best friend's little something for her pay it forward.  I know she has her home decorated in western things and was excited to find just the right material to make her a little table topper or wallhanging....whatever she wants to do with it.   It is still a work in progress as well.  It's at the binding stage too so it shouldn't be much longer now before it is finished.

The fabric underneath is what I am using for the background fabric and binding material.

I just love the way this turned out.  Even though it's not my taste in fabric designs....the colors really appeal to me.  Love love love!  *smile*

Just wondering???

I am just trying to figure out why I see a trend for pieced backing on a quilt.  I don't have anything against it even though some I have seen don't usually seem visually appealing (to me anyways) but I would think the piecing would make the quilting of the sandwich to be more difficult.  I could be mistaken in that perception however.  I just would figure with more seams on the front and the back, there would be more of a chance for puckering.
I know I hate when I have to piece two or three pieces of fabric to make the backing large enough for bigger quilts....I couldn't imagine piecing more.
**for the record....these aren't my quilts** I stole a few pics off the internet...not sure where they came from but wanted to put a few examples up and get others opinions on piecing the back of a quilt.

This third one I don't feel looks pieced even though it is.

What are your thoughts or personal experiences????

Burr!!!

We've had a pretty mild winter so far but today is it 19 degrees F.  I had to get out this morning with my two kids for their Rec. basketball games.  Now we are home however, and lunch is finished.  So we are just sitting and watching some cartoons.  I am thinking a nap is in order shortly and then I have BIG plans to get into my sewing room the rest of the afternoon. 
Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

New Goodies

Wanted to share some wonderful new goodies I received.
The first set of pictures are goodies I was so lucky to get from my Quilt guild secret sister.

Happy Valentines Day to me.   I received a tote that had hearts all over it (back of the stack).  Some "I love quilting" socks, a zipper pouch to put my rottary cutter in, a box of choc. kisses, a heart shaped cookie cutter, and some wonderful fabrics in a charm pack called L'amor (I think....it's valentine type themed fabric).
Wonderful goodies I was happy to have!  Thanks to my secret sister.

Next, when I was buying fabric to give My secret sister, I happened to stumble across some fabrics I loved as well for myself.  How could I pass them up??!!!  LOL

Love these.....can't remember the name of them right off hand, have the name upstairs in my sewing room and really don't feel like going to get it.....lol.  I'm sure someone out there in blog land can name them pretty quick.  I think these are beautiful.  I know exactly where they are going in a quilt....unless something else comes up to claim them before the other quilt gets started.

I decided that the chances of my secret sister running across my blog was pretty slim so I wanted to post what I got her.  So happy with my purchase.  I am giving her the necklace pictured, two of the fat quarters, and a bag of caramel kisses.  She will get it on Monday evening.  Can't wait to see what she thinks of the paper piece necklace I found online.  I didn't make it, I bought it and it is pretty stunning in person.  Might have to get myself one as well!

 My secret sister likes pinks, reds and blues

 Closer view

here's the back of the necklace where you can see the paper piece pattern.

Hope everyone in blog land has a good night this evening and a happy Saturday tomorrow!

not my giveaway

Here to talk about Hope Sewing is Genetic's fugly fabric giveaway.  I personally don't feel it's fugly, but is she is going to give it away to a lucky winner....I wouldn't mind being it!  *smile*

Seriously small....and stuff

I've been working on my Oh My Stars blocks...the smallest one for the sparkling sawtooth is seriously small....but I am doing it!  Here's a little peek at the pieces and a put together block.

Today I've been trying to complete my best friend's lap quilt.  It's a friendship star quilt.  I did get the top machine quilted today and started putting on the binding.  My bobbin thread ran out and I took pity on my husband watching the Super Bowl and put off winding another one and finishing....so it is sitting to the side until after the game or tomorrow when I can finish it up.  There are a couple of little issues with the machine quilting but overall I think it looks good.  I even used variegated thread which looks really good!  Just a little preview until I get it finished!!

Secret Sister

Well.....we picked our secret sister with our quilt guild  for the new year on Saturday.  I am happy with who I got and am excited to see what I get and who has my name at the end of the year (long time away I know).  I bought my first things for my secret sister today.  Found a really cute _____________  and some neat __________________.   lol   You know I can't tell you what I got her, what if she stumbles across my blog!   LOL

Anyways.....I think they are going to make her happy.

Since I am not sharing what I bought or any projects I've been working on.  I will leave you with some love from some little fox friends.