Ten Things Tuesday {& Mail Call}

The weather has been totally amazing and I have to admit that the whole Happy family has been finding every excuse to get outside and soak it all in.

There's always a lot of work to be done outside, but my goodness the amount of wood we have to split and move and stack and organize!  This effort is the result of the big heavy oak trees that came down in our October snow storm.  It's getting done little by little.  I am mostly in charge of the moving and stacking part. 

Sammy, who is still learning her off leash manners, found a very comfortable napping spot among the logs.  Those big heavy pieces also provided a great tie off spot for her lead!

Katie has been no slouch taking in the sunshine.  In fact, I know that I could even learn a thing or two about how she has mastered living in the moment. 

Fully.  Completely.  Like no one's watching.  Or she doesn't have a care!

Doesn't she just have the best smile!

One of Sammy's favorite things is ice cubes.  With the recent warm weather I got to introduce her to the floating ice cube game.  Take one dog bowl filled with water.  Dump in a handful of ice cubes.  And then prepare to laugh your stomach into knots as the dogs go bobbing for ice. 

Katie still snorkels with her nose in the water with this game.  Cracks me up every time!

I also got a package all the way from Australia!!  And I couldn't feel luckier to be able to give a home to these lovely treats!!  This was all a part of a fun pincushion and surprise swap I did with Megan from Silver Threads of Happiness.  Megan, thank you so very much!

I will be hanging this awesome crocheted mushroom in my sewing area and I just love the colors she picked... and look at how adorable the grass is!!  I also got those cute little glass mushroom beads.  Can you tell I have a thing for mushrooms?  I can't wait to dream up the perfect project for them!

The little tin is so very adorable (it had the glass beads tucked away in there)... I think I will be re-using the tin to hold my sewing bobbins.  Seems like the perfect size!  And coffee!!  I start my day with a nice big cup and I can't wait to try this one!

And then there are the pincushions.  In fact, I think these are what started the whole swapping thing.  I think I left Megan a comment saying how darn cute they were... and she offered to make me one... and I was very excited and wanted to make her something.  Next thing you know... we're swapping!!

I hope you can see how fantastic that forest and mushroom fabric is.  And yes, I got two pincushions!!  Pinch me!  They both have the same fabric on the back... and then one is decorated with the ric-rack while the other has a beautiful lace on the front.  They are so pretty.. how am I ever going to stick them full of pins?  

I feel so lucky for the friends I am meeting through this little blog of mine.  Amazing to know that real connections are still very present and even more fun when I find someone who understands my love of all things forests and mushrooms!!  *hugs, Megan*

Well, and that about does it.  Is spring springing where you are?  Spring things that are waking up here, like the tree in our back yard.  Did you spot Katie in this one? 

You know, this tree has bloomed each spring for the two years we have been in our house... and I kept saying that I wanted to get a picture of it.  It goes quick.  And now I can finally say I have one! 

Aren't these blooms amazing?

Wednesday WIP {With a little football on the side}

Another good sewing week!!

 

--FINISH--

Love Upon A Star -- you can see the posts here and here!

(Star quilt-a-longs by Melissa at Happy Quilting and Sparkle Punch quilt-a-long by Oh, Frannson!)

 

 

 

--IN PROGRESS--

Private Swap with Megan from Silver Threads of Happiness -- Almost done :)

Name Game Swap -- due by 15 March

I have assembled the background and have a full sketch of what I'm thinking.  Loving it so far!

 

 

--NO PROGRESS--

Forms of a Dress -- due 21 February

Yes, I need to get moving on this one!

Spinning Starlets {English Paper Piecing} -- a.k.a. I've reached a new level of crazy!

Following along with the Block Party at Selfsewn; creating Rose Stars.  I've cut out a third starlet and you can read about my overall experience with English Paper Piecing!

--ON PAUSE-- 

Laughing Leaves with Frieda Anderson

More of the project can be seen here.  Can't wait to roll up my sleeves and dig back in!  You can also check out what I learned about using fusible in an art quilt!

{Your're My Sunshine}: Bottled Rainbows {ticker tape quilt-along}

Still no deadline for this one.  The way things are going, maybe I pick this up once my show pieces are done?

This Week's Work in Progress (WiP) Stats:

Last WiP Wednesday Total: 7
New Projects: 0 (so glad I'm working on my current stuff)

Finished Projects: 1 (Wish Upon a Star!)
Total WiP's: 6 (down one!)

 

And here's a little hint of where I was yesterday.  It's a loud video.. prepare for horns honking, yelling, and a rowdy crowd!  Such an amazing time!!  I will probably do a full NY Giants Victory parade post toward the end of the week.

 

 

 

Wednesday WIP {A Lot of Secrecy}

I feel like I have a lot of secrets going on right now... can't wait to show it all to you!

--IN PROGRESS--

Forms of a Dress -- due 14 February

This is my first guild challenge!  I am finding myself sketching and re-sketching, and I have my final design ready.  Next step is to begin layering fabric!  Starting this one on Sunday!

Spinning Starlets {English Paper Piecing} -- a.k.a. I've reached a new level of crazy!

Following along with the Block Party at Selfsewn; creating Rose Stars.  I finished my second one and you can also see my post about my overall experience with English Paper Piecing!

Private Swap with Megan from Silver Threads of Happiness

I am starting the second part of the surprise.  Closer to shipping my box!   

Name Game Swap -- due by 15 March

We are swapping a mini quilt that uses the name of our swap partner in the quilt.  Cool, no?  I have gotten my partner's information, snooped around for ideas and inspirations, pulled a bunch of fabrics, adjusted my stack, finished my sketch and I am ready to begin putting fabric to batting.  My only hint will be that it's going to start with some ticker tape quilting!

Wish Upon A Star -- star quilt-a-long by Melissa at Happy Quilting and Sparkle Punch quilt-a-long by Oh, Frannson!

Great progress on this over the the last week... and you may notice that I added a new type of star.  I kept seeing the Sparkle Punch quilt-a-long by Elizabeth at Oh, Frannson and couldn't resist.  Besides mixing star types got my mojo going and helped me figure out what I want to do. 

I am working at a frantic pace to finish by Saturday and will reserve further photos (to keep this a surprise) until it's done!  And did you know that this is the first time I've done anything (purposely) wonky... what fun!! 

--ON PAUSE-- 

Laughing Leaves with Frieda Anderson

More of the project can be seen here.  Can't wait to roll up my sleeves and dig back in!  You can also check out what I learned about using fusible in an art quilt!

{Your're My Sunshine}: Bottled Rainbows {ticker tape quilt-along}

Still no deadline for this one.  The way things are going, maybe I pick this up once my show pieces are done?

This Week's Work in Progress (WiP) Stats:

Last WiP Wednesday Total: 7
New Projects: 0 (might add one next week)

Finished Projects: 0
Total WiP's: 7

And a dose of Katie and Sammy antics --a typical scene straight from my sewing room....

If I were to narrate it would go something like this...

Sammy, "Trying to catch my tail... gotta get that tail"

Katie, "Hahaha, wouldn't it be funny if I stuck my nose in the shot.  I'm so funny"

Sammy, "Hey... get your nose outta my shot.  This is a video about meeeee!"

Wednesday WIP {Seeing Stars}

Managed quite a bit of sewing time this week and it feels good to get back in the groove!!

--IN PROGRESS--

Forms of a Dress -- due 14 February

This is my first guild challenge!  I am finding myself sketching and re-sketching, but can feel myself getting closer to the One!

Spinning Starlets {English Paper Piecing} -- a.k.a. I've reached a new level of crazy!

Following along with the Block Party at Selfsewn; creating Rose Stars.  And.... drum roll please.... I finished my first one!!  Whohohoooo!!!
On the ironing board waiting for a nice press (and in terrible yellow closet light)

Pressed and happy!  I need to grab a better daylight picture, but really liking how it came out!

Private Swap with Megan from Silver Threads of Happiness

I have mostly finished up the pincushion I made for Megan and getting to work on her surprise surprise.  Yup, I'm having a fun time with this one. 

Name Game Swap -- due by 15 March

We are swapping a mini quilt that uses the name of our swap partner in the quilt.  Cool, no?  I have gotten my partner's information and am starting to snoop around for ideas and inspirations.  I did pull a bunch of fabrics, but want to make sure they are her style/colors -- this is going to be out my normal style and should be interesting!

Star Struck or Map to the Stars -- star quilt-a-long by Melissa at Happy Quilting. 

I am up to eight stars -- you can see more here!!  Feeling good about it.  Now, I just need to figure out how I want to lay out the design.  I was originally going to just lay them out next to each other, but it feels heavy and unbalanced.  Still trying to figure out what to do next.

A bunch of new stars.

All the stars together.  You know.  Looking at this picture again (and sorry for the low light) I'm thinking it's the blue check and bold bottom right star fabrics that are throwing the design off.  The softer colors are melting in to the brown instead of fighting it.  Hmmm....

Naughty Notions Challenge -- I've decided not to enter in this round due to everything else going on. 

--ON PAUSE-- 

Laughing Leaves with Frieda Anderson

More of the project can be seen here.  Can't wait to roll up my sleeves and dig back in!  You can also check out what I learned about using fusible in an art quilt!

{Your're My Sunshine}: Bottled Rainbows {ticker tape quilt-along}

Still no deadline for this one.  The way things are going, maybe I pick this up once my show pieces are done?

This Week's Work in Progress (WiP) Stats:

Last WiP Wednesday Total: 8
New Projects: 0

Finished Projects: 1 (backed out on Naughty Notions challenge)
Total WiP's: 7

And a dose of Katie (left) and Sammy (right) playing in the snow we got over the weekend!

Wednesday WIP {Three New Things!!}

I can feel the pace of the year starting to pick up as swaps are beginning and I am getting back into my rhythm to enter an art show in March and my guild quilt show in May. 

--NEW--

Spinning Starlets {English Paper Piecing} -- a.k.a. I've reached a new level of crazy!

A new blog friend of mine Kris from Duke Says Sew What has turned me on to the idea of English paper piecing.  Sounds so formal, right?  Well, you might remember that I had paper piecing on my list for 2012, so when I looked over the Block Party at Selfsewn and saw how cute the Rose Star was... I caved. 

So far, I've cut out the template from paper, cut my fabric scraps, based most of the pieces, and begun hand sewing them together.  I think I may do a seperate post on my experiences with this process so far.

Private Swap with Megan from Silver Threads of Happiness

Adding this here so I don't forget.  I have so many ideas to surprise Megan and I'm tickled that we have the same silly forest, mushroom, elephant, and button likes!  And have you see her Pink Granny Blanket?  It's totally sweet!  Makes me want to get started on a crochet blanket.

Name Game Swap -- due by 15 March

We are swapping a mini quilt that uses the name of our swap partner in the quilt.  Cool, no?  I haven't gotten my partner information yet, but am going to pull together an inspiration mosaic to help my partner stalk me!

--IN PROGRESS--

Star Struck or Map to the Stars -- star quilt-a-long by Melissa at Happy Quilting. 

I made zero progress on this last week.  Bad, bad, me.  I really need to just sit down and whip up a bunch of stars.  I'm feeling more inspired to sew after last night's guild meeting! 

Naughty Notions Challenge -- make a clutch using lots and lots of notions by the end of the month

(you can still join if you like)

I have a pretty good idea what I want to do now... just need to make the basic clutch and start embellishing!

 
--ON PAUSE-- 

Laughing Leaves with Frieda Anderson

More of the project can be seen here.  Can't wait to roll up my sleeves and dig back in!  You can also check out what I learned about using fusible in an art quilt!

{Your're My Sunshine}: Bottled Rainbows {ticker tape quilt-along}

Still no deadline for this one.  The way things are going, maybe I pick this up once my show pieces are done?

This Week's Work in Progress (WiP) Stats:

Last WiP Wednesday Total: 5
New Projects: 3

Finished Projects: 0
Total WiP's: 8 (creeping up as we get closer to quilt show time!)

And, how about a picture of Sammy and Katie?  That was a lot of rambling and not a lot of pictures.

Forms of a Dress -- due 14 February

This is my first guild challenge!  I have completed my sketch and am ready to pull fabrics to get going. 

Mail Call!! {Thank you, CraftyRie}

I have had some amazing mail show up in my box and I wanted to share the goodies with you!!

First was a Sunshine in the Mail swap package from the lovely Rie at Craftyrie.
Just look at the stamped paper goodness!

The cutest little box which neatly hid the lovely Mona doll.

I also got some incredible fabrics... zigzags... Christmas Kangaroos!!!  and horse loving fabric.  I'm a lucky lucky gal!!

Incredible note cards with some of the coolest animal cutouts.  I'm loving the patchwork feel of the paper!!

And a postcard of a mountain near Rie's hometown in Australia.  So so pretty!!

This was certainly sunshine in the mail!!  Oh yes-sirree!!  Thank you again Rie for your thoughtful and totally delightful package!!

Sanity Saving Sewing Sessions

I've had lots of time to spend in the sewing room over the last week.  Here's what I've been up to:

--COMPLETE--



Color Wheel Charm Swap

- Cut Charms - CHECK!

- Mail my charms - CHECK!

Sunshine Mail Swap

The Sunshine in the Mail Swap was hosted by the lovely Seaweed and Raine.

- my package is off to Australia!!!



--IN PROGRESS--

Happy Hippo Stenciling (new!)

I showed you a sneak peak of this last Friday.  Just a little something I was playing with using the reverse stenciling. 

I put two pieces of fabric together, both facing up, stitch a design (in this case a hippo), and then cut out the inner hippo part to let the second fabric show through.  It's a really fun technique and I am enjoying working with it!

Crewel Spring Flowers

I picked this project back up because it's so easy to take it anywhere in the house and have been addicted (again) ever since.

Doesn't the yarn horse look great with the light shining through?

Here is a quick look at the whole piece -- soon to be pillow.  I have four flowers left to go... more than half way now!

And here is a closer look at the ones I have finished.  So hard to pick a favorite.  Which one is your favorite?

--ON PAUSE--

Star Struck

Star quilt-a-long by Melissa at Happy Quilting.

I am still deciding what size to make and haven't started any stars yet, but at least I have all my fabrics now and I am getting close to cutting!

{Insert Name Here}: Bottled Rainbows {ticker tape quilt-along}

I am looking froward to getting back to this one, but decided I needed a finish, so this one was put aside. 

Big Blue

Still waiting for one last sashing row to be cut out and attached. 

Still thinking about putting a border on this one as well.

X Marks the Spot

Haven't started quilting this yet. 

I need to clean off my desk and just give this a go!




Katie Fiber Art

No action here.

You Can Sew-a-thon!!

You haven't heard of it??... check it out here or read about our first project (Strawberry Pincushion).

This Week's Work in Progress (WiP) Stats:

Last WiP Wednesday Total: 7
New Projects: 1 (Happy Hippo stenciling)

Finished Projects: 0 (But getting so close)
Total WiP's: 8 (up one)