Last Saturday, Russ and I took a day trip to the Ames area to check out some Harley shops we haven't been to before and to some quilt shops, of course. =)

Here is the store front for the Route 65 Harley store in Indianola, Iowa. Cool huh??

I confess, my favorite Harley items are the ones with the Willie G zombies. I think they are cute!! What can I say?? =D

A new to me quilt shop was in Ames called, Quilting Connection. I was so busy drooling over their fabric selection that I didn't take any pictures of the shop itself. It was one of the largest, if not the largest quilt shops I have ever been in! 

I walked out with some Moda Grunge yardage and Architextures text print. That one has been on my wish list for a long time. 

Have a happy weekend, everyone!!

Last Saturday, Russ and I took a day trip to the Ames area to check out some Harley shops we haven't been to before and to some quilt shops, of course. =)

Here is the store front for the Route 65 Harley store in Indianola, Iowa. Cool huh??

I confess, my favorite Harley items are the ones with the Willie G zombies. I think they are cute!! What can I say?? =D

A new to me quilt shop was in Ames called, Quilting Connection. I was so busy drooling over their fabric selection that I didn't take any pictures of the shop itself. It was one of the largest, if not the largest quilt shops I have ever been in! 

I walked out with some Moda Grunge yardage and Architextures text print. That one has been on my wish list for a long time. 

Have a happy weekend, everyone!!

These are the 6" blocks that will be in my Modern Building Blocks quilt. The hearts are a free tutorial by Cluck Cluck Sew. She rewrote the pattern to remove some extra seams in the heart, but I made mine before that rewrite happened. She also did the quilty math for us and shared how to make them in other sizes. I love it when people who are not quilty math challenged, take the time do the math for those of us who are seriously lacking in that area. =) 

Heart tutorial can be found here:

Cluck Cluck Sew Heart Blocks

Tell me I am not the only one who lacks quilty math skills!  

These are the 6" blocks that will be in my Modern Building Blocks quilt. The hearts are a free tutorial by Cluck Cluck Sew. She rewrote the pattern to remove some extra seams in the heart, but I made mine before that rewrite happened. She also did the quilty math for us and shared how to make them in other sizes. I love it when people who are not quilty math challenged, take the time do the math for those of us who are seriously lacking in that area. =) 

Heart tutorial can be found here:

Cluck Cluck Sew Heart Blocks

Tell me I am not the only one who lacks quilty math skills!  

Who doesn't love happy mail? I know I do and Donna sends the happiest mail around! Not only does Donna@Donna's Lavender Nest have the cutest fabric in her shop, she really knows how to pretty up the packages she sends. I almost hate to open them when they arrive!! 

These pretty fabrics are Flower Sugar Fall 2014 and Valentine Rose by Tanya Whelan.  

And these darling prints are from the new Pam Kitty Garden line. I am restraining myself from buying the whole line, but it's hard!! See those two little tags? Donna tucked them into my package as a surprise. I know exactly where I am going to use them! 

I also received 3 more houses for my Sew Sweet Bee house quilt. The yellow house is from Missy@Missy's Homemaking Adventures, the blue and red house is from Sharon@Daisy Cottage Quilting, the sweet pink and aqua house is from my dear friend, Michelle@Renewing Mrs Sew Sew. Michelle isn't in our bee, but wanted to make me a house anyway. So sweet!! I have the neatest and most thoughtful friends...

Any happy mail come to your house lately?

Have a happy Monday!! 

Who doesn't love happy mail? I know I do and Donna sends the happiest mail around! Not only does Donna@Donna's Lavender Nest have the cutest fabric in her shop, she really knows how to pretty up the packages she sends. I almost hate to open them when they arrive!! 

These pretty fabrics are Flower Sugar Fall 2014 and Valentine Rose by Tanya Whelan.  

And these darling prints are from the new Pam Kitty Garden line. I am restraining myself from buying the whole line, but it's hard!! See those two little tags? Donna tucked them into my package as a surprise. I know exactly where I am going to use them! 

I also received 3 more houses for my Sew Sweet Bee house quilt. The yellow house is from Missy@Missy's Homemaking Adventures, the blue and red house is from Sharon@Daisy Cottage Quilting, the sweet pink and aqua house is from my dear friend, Michelle@Renewing Mrs Sew Sew. Michelle isn't in our bee, but wanted to make me a house anyway. So sweet!! I have the neatest and most thoughtful friends...

Any happy mail come to your house lately?

Have a happy Monday!! 

This week, I started Moda's Modern Building Blocks. I bought the pattern only and not the whole kit, which is made up of all solids. For my quilt, I chose to use all my Lori Holt @ Bee In My Bonnet fabric stash, along with some solids and tone on tone whites. Some of the solids pictured didn't make it into the quilt blocks...Not yet, at least.

Some of these blocks are huge. Two are 36"!! Keeping the blocks laid out so I can make sure the colors were distributed evenly was not an option, so I printed out the page that shows you how to put it all together and kept notes on it. 

I deviated from the pattern and substituted the 24" block for a Swoon block. If you have been around for a while, you know how I love this block! 

This next block was an unplanned change. It was supposed to look like this...

After trying to get it put together, ripping and trying again, it was still a hot mess. I ended up making  this instead...It was later where I realized where the mistake was. I made the cuts at ⅞" instead of ⅜"...Ooops! Makes a big difference!! I am calling it good enough. =)

One more section all put together. 

 This quilt is going to be really big! 84"x96"! The spaces are where more blocks need to be made and added in, however I am going to totally change up the 6" blocks and personalize this quilt even further. More on that on another day. =) 

Do you follow a pattern exactly as it is intended to be made or do you change it up and make it your own? I do both... 

Have a happy weekend!! 

This week, I started Moda's Modern Building Blocks. I bought the pattern only and not the whole kit, which is made up of all solids. For my quilt, I chose to use all my Lori Holt @ Bee In My Bonnet fabric stash, along with some solids and tone on tone whites. Some of the solids pictured didn't make it into the quilt blocks...Not yet, at least.

Some of these blocks are huge. Two are 36"!! Keeping the blocks laid out so I can make sure the colors were distributed evenly was not an option, so I printed out the page that shows you how to put it all together and kept notes on it. 

I deviated from the pattern and substituted the 24" block for a Swoon block. If you have been around for a while, you know how I love this block! 

This next block was an unplanned change. It was supposed to look like this...

After trying to get it put together, ripping and trying again, it was still a hot mess. I ended up making  this instead...It was later where I realized where the mistake was. I made the cuts at ⅞" instead of ⅜"...Ooops! Makes a big difference!! I am calling it good enough. =)

One more section all put together. 

 This quilt is going to be really big! 84"x96"! The spaces are where more blocks need to be made and added in, however I am going to totally change up the 6" blocks and personalize this quilt even further. More on that on another day. =) 

Do you follow a pattern exactly as it is intended to be made or do you change it up and make it your own? I do both... 

Have a happy weekend!! 

Two of my Sew Sweet Bee house blocks arrived last week. This one is from Trish @ Notes of Sincerity.

This one is from Donna @ Donna's Lavender Nest. Aren't they both darling!? 

I have also joined in on the Snapshots QAL hosted by Fatquarter Shop. I am using Bonnie and Camille fabric from my stash. Mostly Miss Kate and Scrumptious. The information on this quilt along can be found on Fatquarter Shop's blog. 

Last week, I made the decision to call my Farmer's Wife quilt done and put it all together. I really love how it turned out! Right now it measures at 67" x 67". My next decision is whether I want to try my hand at hand quilting to finish it up...

Have you started any quilt alongs or bock of the month quilts this year? If you are looking for a resource where you can find all the blog hops, quilt alongs, etc that are being held around the blogging world, there is a great site created  by Terri @ Childlike Fascination called QuiltAlong.Net. It's a fantastic web site!! Make sure you check it out. =) 

Have a happy Monday!! =)

Two of my Sew Sweet Bee house blocks arrived last week. This one is from Trish @ Notes of Sincerity.

This one is from Donna @ Donna's Lavender Nest. Aren't they both darling!? 

I have also joined in on the Snapshots QAL hosted by Fatquarter Shop. I am using Bonnie and Camille fabric from my stash. Mostly Miss Kate and Scrumptious. The information on this quilt along can be found on Fatquarter Shop's blog. 

Last week, I made the decision to call my Farmer's Wife quilt done and put it all together. I really love how it turned out! Right now it measures at 67" x 67". My next decision is whether I want to try my hand at hand quilting to finish it up...

Have you started any quilt alongs or bock of the month quilts this year? If you are looking for a resource where you can find all the blog hops, quilt alongs, etc that are being held around the blogging world, there is a great site created  by Terri @ Childlike Fascination called QuiltAlong.Net. It's a fantastic web site!! Make sure you check it out. =) 

Have a happy Monday!! =)

I was running low on quilt labels, so I created a new label and sent my order to Spoonflower. Never heard of Spoonflower? It is a company where you can design and create your own fabric designs, as well as wallpaper and gift wrap. Its very cool! You can also buy designs that other people have made. There is a lot to look at! 

Last time I had my labels printed on regular cotton, this time I wanted to try out their linen/cotton blend fabric. I really like the look and feel of the fabric. Their service was super quick. I ordered my fabric on January 8th and it arrived yesterday! 

The linen/cotton blend fabric is 54" wide, so in the one yard I ordered, I got 77 labels. Breaking that down, each of my labels cost a little over 35 cents each, which I think is very reasonable.  

When I am piecing the backs of my quilts, I sew them in as part of the backing. Occasionally, I finish the edges and sew them on top of the backing, but I try not to have to do that. 

Do you label your quilts? What method do you use? 

I was running low on quilt labels, so I created a new label and sent my order to Spoonflower. Never heard of Spoonflower? It is a company where you can design and create your own fabric designs, as well as wallpaper and gift wrap. Its very cool! You can also buy designs that other people have made. There is a lot to look at! 

Last time I had my labels printed on regular cotton, this time I wanted to try out their linen/cotton blend fabric. I really like the look and feel of the fabric. Their service was super quick. I ordered my fabric on January 8th and it arrived yesterday! 

The linen/cotton blend fabric is 54" wide, so in the one yard I ordered, I got 77 labels. Breaking that down, each of my labels cost a little over 35 cents each, which I think is very reasonable.  

When I am piecing the backs of my quilts, I sew them in as part of the backing. Occasionally, I finish the edges and sew them on top of the backing, but I try not to have to do that. 

Do you label your quilts? What method do you use? 

It is finally finished and I love it!! The quilting took forever on my trusty Juki and my noble walking foot, but it was worth all the time it took. The texture is amazing! 

Stats

Name : Favorite Things 

Pattern: Twisted Irish Chain class on Craftsy.

Size: 80" x 80" ish

Fabrics: Flea Market Fancy and other special fabrics from my stash.

Below are a few of my most favorite blocks...

This fabric came from a blogging friend. I think I remember who it was, but just in case my memory isn't as good as I think it is, I am not saying who. =) I had enough of it to make two blocks for the quilt. 

All ready to cuddle...

Have a happy Wednesday!!

Linking with:

It is finally finished and I love it!! The quilting took forever on my trusty Juki and my noble walking foot, but it was worth all the time it took. The texture is amazing! 

Stats

Name : Favorite Things 

Pattern: Twisted Irish Chain class on Craftsy.

Size: 80" x 80" ish

Fabrics: Flea Market Fancy and other special fabrics from my stash.

Below are a few of my most favorite blocks...

This fabric came from a blogging friend. I think I remember who it was, but just in case my memory isn't as good as I think it is, I am not saying who. =) I had enough of it to make two blocks for the quilt. 

All ready to cuddle...

Have a happy Wednesday!!

Linking with:

I shared yesterday how I felt 2014 was the year of messy in my life (Beginning a New Year...Part 1). Todays post is a continuation of what I am doing to make this year less messy. =) 

I would say the most important area where my life was messy was my spiritual walk with Jesus. I wasn't in the Word regularly. I have tried several read the Bible in a year plans in the past and I have failed every time. This year I am trying a new plan called the 5x5x5 Bible reading plan. This reading plan takes you through all 260 chapters of the New Testament, one chapter per day. The gospels are read throughout the year to keep the story of Jesus fresh all year. That is manageable! 

The Bible I have been using for the last 9 years is a MacArthur Study Bible and it is beginning to fall apart. New year, new Bible. =) I decided to look for a Bible that is more streamlined and less cluttered with extra study notes and references to simply read. Remember, I get distracted easily. ;-) I was really taken in by the journaling Bible, but after seeing the tiny font size in that Bible, I knew that was not going to work for me. My must haves for a new Bible were:

1 ~ wide margins for notes

2 ~ single column text

3 ~ easy to read font size

  

   The ESV Legacy Bible by Crossway was perfect! My MacArthur Study Bible will still be used when I need more information.

Here is my new Bible sporting a new cover I made. The tutorial can be found at Amy's Creative Side. 

Clean, easy to read pages. I love it!!

If you look carefully, the last sentence on this page is the Scripture I use in my blog header. =) I need to get it underlined!! 

Have a Happy Friday and weekend! 

I shared yesterday how I felt 2014 was the year of messy in my life (Beginning a New Year...Part 1). Todays post is a continuation of what I am doing to make this year less messy. =) 

I would say the most important area where my life was messy was my spiritual walk with Jesus. I wasn't in the Word regularly. I have tried several read the Bible in a year plans in the past and I have failed every time. This year I am trying a new plan called the 5x5x5 Bible reading plan. This reading plan takes you through all 260 chapters of the New Testament, one chapter per day. The gospels are read throughout the year to keep the story of Jesus fresh all year. That is manageable! 

The Bible I have been using for the last 9 years is a MacArthur Study Bible and it is beginning to fall apart. New year, new Bible. =) I decided to look for a Bible that is more streamlined and less cluttered with extra study notes and references to simply read. Remember, I get distracted easily. ;-) I was really taken in by the journaling Bible, but after seeing the tiny font size in that Bible, I knew that was not going to work for me. My must haves for a new Bible were:

1 ~ wide margins for notes

2 ~ single column text

3 ~ easy to read font size

  

   The ESV Legacy Bible by Crossway was perfect! My MacArthur Study Bible will still be used when I need more information.

Here is my new Bible sporting a new cover I made. The tutorial can be found at Amy's Creative Side. 

Clean, easy to read pages. I love it!!

If you look carefully, the last sentence on this page is the Scripture I use in my blog header. =) I need to get it underlined!! 

Have a Happy Friday and weekend! 

I love the freshness of a new year, don't you? It's a time to reflect on the year gone by and look ahead to the new year. I can categorize last year with one word, messy. My blog was messy, my life was messy and my house was messy. I am a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants gal by nature. Impulsive describes me well. Sometimes it works well for me, other times? Not so much. I also tend to zone in on something and the world around fades away, which means that the things that need taken care of don't get done, because I forget. I get distracted easily and then forget what I was working on in the first place. Think, mop in the middle of the kitchen when hubby gets home at 5 in the afternoon because I got distracted earlier in the day and forgot to finish the mopping. True story...

 I adore my iPhone and in many ways it has made my life simpler! However, I have found that I need to physically write down and see what is on my to-do list to stay on top of things that need to be done at home and at work. That's why I decided to spend my Christmas money on an Erin Condren Life Planner to aid me in my effort to be more organized.

I'll give updates on how it is working for me as the year progresses.  =)

I also bought some new pens, fun washi tape and stickers to add some extra pretties to my new planner. =) 

With my purchase, I was given a referral link to share. When using my referral link, you will get $10 off your purchase at Erin Condren, and she sells more than just Life Planners.  In return, when using my referral link, I will also receive $10 credit in my account for a future purchase. 

My referral link to ErinCondren.com.

What are the ways you use to help you to stay more organized?

Have a Happy Thursday!!

I love the freshness of a new year, don't you? It's a time to reflect on the year gone by and look ahead to the new year. I can categorize last year with one word, messy. My blog was messy, my life was messy and my house was messy. I am a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants gal by nature. Impulsive describes me well. Sometimes it works well for me, other times? Not so much. I also tend to zone in on something and the world around fades away, which means that the things that need taken care of don't get done, because I forget. I get distracted easily and then forget what I was working on in the first place. Think, mop in the middle of the kitchen when hubby gets home at 5 in the afternoon because I got distracted earlier in the day and forgot to finish the mopping. True story...

 I adore my iPhone and in many ways it has made my life simpler! However, I have found that I need to physically write down and see what is on my to-do list to stay on top of things that need to be done at home and at work. That's why I decided to spend my Christmas money on an Erin Condren Life Planner to aid me in my effort to be more organized.

I'll give updates on how it is working for me as the year progresses.  =)

I also bought some new pens, fun washi tape and stickers to add some extra pretties to my new planner. =) 

With my purchase, I was given a referral link to share. When using my referral link, you will get $10 off your purchase at Erin Condren, and she sells more than just Life Planners.  In return, when using my referral link, I will also receive $10 credit in my account for a future purchase. 

My referral link to ErinCondren.com.

What are the ways you use to help you to stay more organized?

Have a Happy Thursday!!

Last week, I began quilting my Favorite Things quilt I made from the Craftsy class Twisted Irish Chain. This quilt seems like it taking forever to get the quilting finished. Partly because I am quilting this one densely so its very slow going and partly because I have been working extra hours at the shop to do inventory. Let me just say, I am so glad that it only happens once a year! 

 I have finished quilting two of the rows and have five more to go. 

Here is a close up of the dense wavy lines. I want the lines to cross and touch occasionally. 

And a view of the back...

Cannot wait to have this one finished! =)

I am participating for the first time in the Let's Bee Social linky party hosted by Lorna @ Sew Fresh Quilts. Click on the Let's Bee Social button in my sidebar for information on how you can join in, too. =)

Have a happy Wednesday!!

Last week, I began quilting my Favorite Things quilt I made from the Craftsy class Twisted Irish Chain. This quilt seems like it taking forever to get the quilting finished. Partly because I am quilting this one densely so its very slow going and partly because I have been working extra hours at the shop to do inventory. Let me just say, I am so glad that it only happens once a year! 

 I have finished quilting two of the rows and have five more to go. 

Here is a close up of the dense wavy lines. I want the lines to cross and touch occasionally. 

And a view of the back...

Cannot wait to have this one finished! =)

I am participating for the first time in the Let's Bee Social linky party hosted by Lorna @ Sew Fresh Quilts. Click on the Let's Bee Social button in my sidebar for information on how you can join in, too. =)

Have a happy Wednesday!!

Once again, I am participating in an online sewing bee this year hosted by the lovely Donna at Donna's Lavender Nest.  Make sure you visit her shop and check out her darling fabrics! Oh, she also does longarm quilting, if you happen to be looking for someone finish up a quilt for you. =) 

January is my month to be queen bee, which means I get to decide on a block for the ladies to make for me. For a few years, I have wanted to have a quilt made of houses, but I never seem to get one started, so what better time than now when I can have some houses made by my bee sisters? I found a lovely tutorial for the perfect house @ BloominWorkshop. It's not a complicated block and yet has plenty of pieces to make it scrappy and fun. 

Source: Bloominworkshop

I can't wait to see what the ladies come up with. =) I look forward to having a whole neighborhood of bright and happy houses! 

Have a happy Monday! 

Once again, I am participating in an online sewing bee this year hosted by the lovely Donna at Donna's Lavender Nest.  Make sure you visit her shop and check out her darling fabrics! Oh, she also does longarm quilting, if you happen to be looking for someone finish up a quilt for you. =) 

January is my month to be queen bee, which means I get to decide on a block for the ladies to make for me. For a few years, I have wanted to have a quilt made of houses, but I never seem to get one started, so what better time than now when I can have some houses made by my bee sisters? I found a lovely tutorial for the perfect house @ BloominWorkshop. It's not a complicated block and yet has plenty of pieces to make it scrappy and fun. 

Source: Bloominworkshop

I can't wait to see what the ladies come up with. =) I look forward to having a whole neighborhood of bright and happy houses! 

Have a happy Monday!