So Funny! For Quilter's Husbands

Fons and Porter (love them!) just released the latest issue of their newsletter.  

In it is an article written by Patrick Cook entitled "Laments from a Quilter's Husband."  

Must read!  Hilarious!  Afterward, you may return to your regularly-scheduled quilting projects. 

Preparing for Human Interface

That title might be a result of me watching a LOT of Big Bang Theory this week.  Love it!  

But, despite the geekoid terminology, it is true.  I am getting ready for my first outing into the real world outside of cyberspace.  I am taking The Little Shop Of Stitches on the road, doing two church craft bazaars in my town.  Yay!  

Both bazaars promote handmade craftiness as well as home-based businesses.  I found the most adorable clear plastic paint cans and knew I had to work them into my display.  Here is what I have so far...

Big gallon sized cans, which hold 4 yards (could have held more if I tried harder to stuff it)...

 Medium sized with half yard cuts...

And, itty bitty guys that hold two fat quarters!

My dad volunteered his "vintage" step ladder to use in the display, also.  Isn't it funny how "vintage" sounds so much fancier than "old?"

The overall theme for my booth is "Quilter's Workshop -- Building a Quilter's Christmas."  The first bazaar is in two weeks, and I have plenty more to do to get ready.  So, while not much sewing occurred today, there was a lot of fabric-play!

Did you know that today is exactly two months until Christmas???

The Promise of a Front Door

Last week, my first grade son was on Fall Break. 

No, that isn't a typo.  Our school system gives the kids (and the teachers) a breather after the first quarter is over.  As a former teacher, I thought this was a WONDERFUL idea.  I worked in another school district.  How envious I was of those educators who had a luxurious five days to let their gray matter settle. 

As a parent, however...

I'm kidding!  :)  I enjoyed spending extra time with the boy, and am so thankful that I am able to do so.  We made Halloween Rice Krispie shapes, visited a few church craft bazaars, bounced at the bouncy place, and went out for a Mother/Son "gourmet" lunch.  (That means Wendy's when you're six.)  The time actually flew by.  Not a great deal of sewing or Mommy work completed, but a good bonding week.

I did manage to finish the little embroidery project I've been working on.  Voila!

The design is just adorable from Chickadee Hollow Designs.  Love their stuff!  I'm thinking The Little Shop of Stitches needs to start carrying some of their products soon! 

I have fallen in love with hand stitching.  The day doesn't seem right unless I've stitched at least a few minutes.  It is relaxing, and it calms my brain - and that is not a simple feat!  

This lovely little project has a lot of meaning for me.  This is a promissory note to myself.  Someday...The Little Shop of Stitches will have a front door. 

It's here! It's here! It's finally here!

Amy Butler's latest line of fabric--Lark--has been highly anticipated, and it is finally here!!!  I'm so excited I could just start dancing!  Take a look!  Here we have Treasure Box in Ocean...

Souvenir in Mineral...

Nanna Chic in Cloud...

and, Gypsy in Cobalt.

It is art -- truly.  Of course, I am partial to the blues myself.  I think I will just sit and stare at the pretty colors.  They make me happy.  :)

Stitches to Minutes Ratio

Have you ever felt like you have more stitches to make than minutes to make them in?

Wisdom from Dr. Seuss

Today I turned 39.  

There, I said it.  I didn't want to say it.  Didn't want to admit it.  In fact, I argued with the calendar yesterday as it taunted me.

Wasn't I just 16 with ginormous hair, rocking out to Bon Jovi?  How did I get to be pushing 40, carrying a ginormous Mommy purse?  (I still like to rock out to Bon Jovi!  Don't care who knows it!)

Wasn't I just 22, graduating from college with a million possibilities before me?  Now I am graduating into a new career with a million things I still want to do.

Wasn't it just yesterday when I was 32 and had the most beautiful baby boy looking up at me with big blue eyes?  

 Now my "baby" is rapidly gaining on me in the height department (not hard to do!) and is starting to do the under-the-breath-kid-laugh that tells me he thinks I'm weird.

Shortly before his death, Dr. Seuss wrote this verse:

“How did it get so late so soon? 

It's night before it's afternoon. 

December is here before it's June. 

My goodness how the time has flewn. 

How did it get so late so soon?”

That kind of sums it up for me.

In some ways, many things have changed.   I've accomplished many things I am proud of.  I've learned from each experience, and I think that's what The Big Man Upstairs intended.

Throughout it all, I've stayed true to myself.  I believe that, too, is an accomplishment.  Here's to another 39 years.

Friday's Featured Fabric

It's time to share one of my favorite fabrics with you!

How cute is that???  I just love it!  

If you have a little one in your life, or one that is expected to arrive soon, this is the perfect print for a baby quilt.  It is neutral, so little guys and little girls will adore it.  

In fact, a whole nursery could be created around this jungle theme.  Curtains, little pillows or pillowcases, maybe some bumper pads for a crib, a dust ruffle for under the crib or bed, a bag for Mom or Dad to tote around all of baby's necessities.  So many possibilities!

Manufactured by Robert Kaufman, designed my Lesley Grainger, "Earth Wild Friends" is quilt shop quality and 100% cotton. 

Click here to see it along with other coordinating fabrics.  Ready, set, create!

Way Cool Quilt-y Site

You may have noticed our newest button along the right hand side bar.  We are now featured on QuilterBlogs.com!

Quilter Blogs & Store Search

Yay!

Tons of cool quilt-y stuff on their site, including a Giveaway Radar for free stuff, and lots and LOTS of cool quilt-related blogs on their blogger list.

An awesome way to spend some time in quilter's cyberspace.  Check it out!

Selfish Mommy

During the summer, my son and I had lots of bonding time.  And, I'm happy to report, most of it was the good, healthy kind.

One day, he was watching me in the sewing room as I worked on a quilt project.  He had also overheard me talking about the Show and Tell session at my local quilt guild meeting.  Now, being a well-versed young man, graduated at the top of his kindergarten class, he knew exactly what Show and Tell meant.

He announced that he wanted to make a quilt and learn how to use the sewing machine.

Be still, my heart!  How proud could a Mama be??

We lugged down the scrap box, and he carefully chose the colors and patterns that "spoke" to him.  Together we learned about the pressure foot, the foot pedal (that was the funnest part!), and making the machine go and stop.  I served merely as an assistant, and he was the Chief Designer.  He was very methodical in his choices and work.  I did not (and still do not) completely understand his vision, but who am I to judge an artist?

His work-in-progress is here:

Quite lovely, yes?

As often happens, his fascination with all things sewn waned after just a few days.  I kept his work in a box in the sewing room with his name on it.  The box has remained untouched for about three months now.

This morning, I was working on a project while he played in his room.  I realized it was silent next door, and every Mom knows that is not a good thing.

I found him on the floor, looking forlorn. "Are you OK?" I asked with concern.

He looked up at me with his huge blue eyes and said, "I don't think it's fair that you get to work in the sewing room all the time, and I haven't worked on my quilt in a long time."

Selfish Mommy.

A Quilt-y Girl's Best Friend

It's official.  I have decided.  My all-time favorite quilting tool is...

(Dramatic pause)

My seam ripper!

I know, I know.  Some people might think the dramatic pause may have been overkill for this little guy.  But hear me out.

I believe this little three dollar wonder is not just a tool, but a friend.  Here's why:


1.  My seam ripper is by my side throughout each and every project.  (Supportive)
2.  My seam ripper is ready to lend a helping hand whenever needed.  (Dependable)
3.  It does not mind when I sing as I quilt, or as I rip out stitches.  (Easy-Going)
4.  It does not laugh at my fabric choices.  (Non-Judgmental)
5.  It reminds me of Lisa Boyer -- my top pick for funny quilt-y reading!  (Light-Hearted)
6.  My seam ripper never tells anyone about the mistakes I've made.  (Discreet)
7.  It never yells at me about those mistakes -- even though they may have been repeated.  (Patient)
8.  It gives me confidence to try again, and again, and again.  (Encouraging)
9.  My seam ripper is not afraid to begin a new pattern or technique.  (Self-Assured)


And, finally...


10.  My seam ripper will never leave me for a new, better, younger, skinnier quilter.  (Loyal)

Seriously.  Right there in your sewing basket you have supportive, dependable, easy-going, non-judgmental, light-hearted, discreet, patient, encouraging, self-assured, and loyal.  If my friends could use only ONE of those adjectives to describe me, I'd be floatin' on clouds for days.

So, take care of your seam ripper.  It does so much for you.  Perhaps I need to get out of the house for a while...

Happy Linky Day!

I'm a day late in getting these great Linky Ladies out to you.  Better linked than never!  Enjoy!

Have You Ever Spilled Your Purse?

I mean, upside down, all fall out, nothin-but-an-empty-bag spill?  

All of those lovely little interior pockets that promised to keep your little goodies neatly and securely organized just gave up!  Your little lovelies are now a jumbled heap on the kitchen table, top of your desk, or floor of your car.  All the care and precision you took deciding in which little pocket to place your lip gloss is now a totally wasted sixty seconds.  And, a quick game of estimation tells you "The Heap" you gaze upon contains approximately one hundred of those sixty seconds.

Ever happened to you?

Now...ever had one of those WEEKS?!

One of those weeks where it seems some being of a higher power took your life and just flipped it upside down?  The form in which you so carefully packaged your life lays empty, and beside it is "The Heap."  All the care, all the organizing, all the time -- for naught.  You look at "The Heap" that is your week, and just stand very still and shake your head.

Certainly this is a joke, you say.  It must be a dream.  I am watching a TV show of someone else's week.  OUCH!  That was you pinching yourself.  Yep, this is you.

You look to the sky and ask the higher power, "OK.  I'm listening.  Everything happens for a reason.  What do I do now?"

And the higher power gives you a fill-in-the-blank answer.  Quilters, see if you can finish this sentence:

"When life gives you scraps, ..."