Happy Moment #46: Blue Pancakes

A Friday ritual with Soulemama.  A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary, happy moment.  A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments too.

“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.”

~Omar Khayyam

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. 

Creative Tuesday: Bubblegum (#50)

It's Creative Tuesday; and I'm at it again... playing with silly doggie ideas!

Wondering what a Creative Tuesday is?  Every two weeks we grab our pads and something to color with to create for the theme over at Mr. Toast's Creative Tuesday's assignment -- neat, no?

This week's theme is Bubblegum.  And I know I have Valentine's day on the brain with this one... and I know that dogs don't chew bubblegum, but the way the two pups have grown closer and closer over the last few months ... I am sure they would most likely give this joining hearts a try if they could. 

And honestly, I can't help but feeling like this is screaming out for words, but for the last two weeks... any 'right' words have escaped me. 

Maybe the inside of the card could read... "Your love blows me away!"  I know, I know... I should probably keep my day job.

Simple, silly, fun to doodle and then color in and play with in GIMP!

I hope you consider joining in this or the next assignment (really hope you do) and please take a look other artists in the community here.

Happy Moment #45: Painting the Sky

A Friday ritual with Soulemama.  A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary, happy moment.  A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments too.

“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.”

~Omar Khayyam

10 Truths About Puppies {Part II}

So, as you may remember I have a puppy.  Her name is Sammy and at nearly nine months old she is the apple of my eye as they say.  But let's get real as I share ten more truths about puppies.

{Find Part I here}

10. Puppies follow you to the ladies room everywhere. And constantly demand to sit on your lap even if it's only for a second.

9. Puppies sneak nibbles of food straight from the counter or table.

8. Puppies can melt you in an instant with those fluttery eyes (and cute brown nose).

7. Every single thing is new/fun/or has to be learned for a puppy -- like falling off the bed or playing with ice on the lake.

6. Puppies think fabric scraps are a tasty snack.

5. Puppies never think they are tired, only their eyes don't always seem to stay open like they want.

4. Puppies get a tad grumpy when they are tired.

3. Did I mention they try to eat everything?

2. Puppies sleep in odd positions.

1. And today's number one truth is...

...don't overlook your puppies most adorable and soft little feet... and yes, they smell like Doritos.

"Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot little puppies."  

-- Gene Hill

Wednesday WIP {More Planning Than Sewing}

As I admitted yesterday, there hasn't been a ton of sewing on this end, but as I was thinking about it more, I think that is also because I am in the planning stage with a lot of my new projects.  Let's take a look.

--NEW-

Forms of a Dress - a guild challenge

I don't have anything to show, but I have started sketching what this small art quilt will look like and I think I even have my thoughts narrowed down to two ideas.  And of course I am extra nervous because this is my first guild challenge!

--IN PROGRESS--

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

I have a bunch more stars pieces cut out and ready for sewing. 

Naughty Notions Challenge - make a clutch using lots and lots of notions (you can still join if you like)

I started this by pulling out a bunch of notions that were easy to get my hands ... goodness knows I have a bunch more .. as I wanted to let the notions be my inspiration, since I still wasn't sure what I wanted to do. 

So far I have pulled out a pile of colorful zippers, snaps, beads, lace, floss, and some green and turquoise fabrics, and and buttons (not pictured).

I'm leaning (at the moment) toward using the hexigon print on the outside.

The more I am stewing on this project the more I would like to be sure I use these specific brown and turquoise beads.

And I'm sure I will find myself also reaching into this bag for a few of my treasured favorites (that are so overdue of being used in something).

 

You're still asking what I'm making aren't you?  Well... so far I am thinking a rounded bottom clutch and the rest will have to be a surprise for next week.

--ON PAUSE-- 

Laughing Leaves with Frieda Anderson

More 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, but I am sure it will be an awesome winter project and just the right thing to pick up after all the crazy holiday sewing!

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

Last WiP Wednesday Total: 4
New Projects: 1 (started Forms of a Dress)

Finished Projects: 0
Total WiP's: 5

Giants Football {ALL IN}

I have a confession to make.  I didn't really do a lick of sewing this weekend.  Why you are asking?  Well, football stole my heart (and attention) this weekend as the playoffs began and our team was front and center... the NY Giants. 

And, the icing on the cake?  We went to the game!!  happy dance

The new stadium front.

Whoohohooo for the first playoff game in the stadium!



A little taste of just how loud, electric, amazing, insane, and crazy fun it is to be in person!  (and yes that's me that you can hear whooping and screaming)

Here comes BIG BLUE!!! 

WAVE YOUR TOWELS!!!

The addition of a big American flag during the national anthem was really touching!

And the game got underway!

A bit later as the Giants were coming in to score. 

Yes, sirree.... the first touchdown on the board!

Much celebrating, yelling, and high fives ensued!

At some point during the game I tucked my camera away and really focused on the game and being there, but wowie what an experience!!  And... yes, the Giants won!!  Awesome right?

Any Packers fans out there?  Well, I'm sorry to say, but we are coming for you next.  It's promising to be a great match up -- can't wait!!

And, did you see those towels in the video -- they gave us those for free -- shortly, I will show you what I have done with them to remember the game!

Thank You {I Was Featured}

What a great first week of the year... who needs to end a year with a bang, when instead it seems you can also start the year with big BANGS!  I've always been told I'm loud.  Ha!

I want to say a great big huge thank you for the features I was surprised with this week.

Have you been to Homework before?  I honest to goodness can't leave that blog without wanting to make about a zillion and five things.  Well, I was so very excited to hear that Carolyn got a sewing machine for Christmas.... bet the results will be amazing!  Oh, and she has featured my Sisters Are A Plus Quilt -- sawweeeet!

And that's not all... I have also been featured over at Fabulous Friday Linky party hosted by Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust.  Well, I guess I should confess that really Sammy stole the show with this one.  Michelle also featured my Sisters Are A Plus Quilt, but chose a shot with Sammy performing her inspection duties. 

Edit to add: Sisters Are A Plus Quilt can now also be seen on  Eat, Grow, Sew where Kelly hosts a really fun month long party for all things Cooking, Growing, and Sewing.  And if you haven't seen Kelly's scrap busting Shrinking Squares tut... it's a must check out!

Thanks so much gals --from the bottom of my heart <3-- for helping me start up the year with a BANG!

And as a special bonus here's a little puppy running and romping to start our week off right! 

Happy Moment #44: Curled Up for a Nap

A Friday ritual with Soulemama.  A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary, happy moment.  A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments too.

 

 

“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.”

~Omar Khayyam

Three Sources of Happiness {005}

1. Tea tag wisdom with a wonderful reminder to nurture my spirit!

2. Two goofy dogs who are interested in every single thing I do.  

And with silly grins to share. (Sammy the 8 month old pup on the left and Katie our almost 5 year old on the right)

2. I succeeded at making twice baked potatoes with cheddar and bacon.  They were even amazing as 'left overs' for lunch. 

Now go ahead, why don't you look around and find your own surprising and maybe not so surprising sources of happiness today!

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And if you haven't seen these yet... check out these great ways to savor and be inspired by the happiness around you:

• Project Life - a memory keeping system to capture the little amazing bits of life.
• Photo a Day - but with a really cool list of inspiration words that I really dig!
• A Year of Good Things - could be a good thing for you or a good thing for a stranger, but the neat part is that you document that goodie as a way of slowing down and taking more notice of things,