So, funny story... We have been planning for weeks to head to Chicago this evening. My cousin was going to get us at the airport, and asked to confirm our flight details. I went in to copy/paste from my reservation, and our flight is tomorrow! I booked the flight on the wrong day!

There are so many ways this mistake could have been worse - we could have found out about it later, the flight could have been a day earlier and we'd missed it, etc. But I still feel pretty dumb, and sad to miss out on a day up north!

I'm already getting over it, and am excited to head out *tomorrow*, on our real flight. And browsing flickr for cool pictures of Chicago just makes me more excited! It will be quiet around here for a few days, but I'll be back with lots of pictures and some projects to share next week!

Labels: travel

I am now in the midst of my family's birthday season - my brother-in-law was last week, next is my mother-in-law, sister-in-law, then nephew, then my mom. So you can imagine I have an ambitious crafty to do list!



My mother-in-law and sister-in-law had specific requests this year, which is always fun. I love seeing if I can take their ideas and actually make what they were picturing.



This pouch is for my brother-in-law, using the upholstery samples and fabric from my stash for the lining. I tried to make a manly pencil pouch but I don't think I succeeded. Luckily we got him books, too - and my sister can use the pouch!

I have some fun ideas for my nephew, and my mom is easy because she loves everything I make. I know I'll make it successfully through birthday season - and then it will be time to gear up for Christmas!

52 Nights Update - Night 25 - I did well last night and boy did I need it! We leave tomorrow for Chicago and I am *not* ready. In addition to picking up and laundry and thinking about what to pack, I almost finished this WIP. My deadline for it was yesterday, oops. We'll have to see if they'll take it a little late...

Labels: 52 nights, bags, sewing

I belatedly realized I was going to be out of town next weekend for the deadline of Ibby Bee's bookmark swap, so I got my act in gear and finished up my bookmarks.



Felt, ribbon, pretty fabric, embroidery floss... I really like them! Now I just have to find some suitable thrifted books and maybe add a little bonus, and this should be ready to send out today.



More pictures on flickr.

Labels: needlework, sewing, swaps

This is a momentous occasion. I actually cut up some of my Anna Maria Horner fabric!!



And I only bought it a week or so ago. Usually fabric like this would sit on my shelf as eye candy for a very long time.



For example, also in this picture, is a little bit of Amy Butler fabric I've had pretty much since I started sewing. And I'm actually using it!



Is it strange to be proud of myself for this?

Labels: fabric, wip

I still have a long list of sewing projects, but I decided it is past time to get started on a few long-awaited paper projects.



I haven't done any true scrapbooking for a while, and it has been fun to work with paper again! I have quite a collection, because I am no better at resisting pretty paper than I am at resisting fabric.



Next month, Pete and I celebrate our fifth anniversary, and each year as our anniversary approaches I swear I'll finally finish our wedding and anniverary scrapbooks... Doesn't look like I'll make it this year, either.



These paper projects are good after work projects, so hopefully I'll make some quick progress!

52 Nights Update - Night 25 - Last night was great. The weather was a little cooler thanks to some thunderstorms so I went with my running partners to the track for a little speedwork, made dinner, then spent some time in my craft room on the above projects, plus a new sewing project. Deadline on the sewing project is fast approaching so you should see it here soon!

Labels: 52 nights, paper craft, wip

To thank my mother-in-law's coworker for passing on all those fabric samples, we used a couple of them to make her this tote.



Just a basic tote, with an inside divided pocket and magnetic snap closure.



So let's see, between this bag and my zipper pouch, I've used five of the samples. That only leaves a few hundred to go!

Labels: bags, sewing

Whoops, time got away from me there! We had a great little trip to San Antonio and then my sister was in town, so after work I was over at my mom's seeing Katy and Charlie.



I haven't been in my craft room in several days, and after having quite a productive streak last week that has been tough! Hopefully I'll get in there soon to work on a couple projects, though I have a lot of catch up to do around the house after being gone for several days.



Above is my little coordinating pillow I made to sit on the bed. I just started grabbing all my leftover scraps from the quilt and sewing them together without much of a plan. This method was challenging for me (I'm a planner) but I really enjoyed it! Doesn't the green look pretty with sweet Dixie's eyes?

Oh, and look what Daisie gave me!



So sweet! Here are the rules:
1. The winner can put the logo on her blog.
2. Link the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of the girls or boys you've nominated.

I would love to pass this to:
- Daisie since she is such a good momma and is always doing something new;
- Melanie for being such an awesome commenter and great quilter;
- Beki for her gorgeous bags and being such an inspiration (did you see these gorgeous quilt blocks??);
- my sister Katy for being so supportive of the blog and keeping hers up to date with pictures of my nephew;
- Fiona for being my Aussie pal and such a fab seamstress;
- amandajean for being my #1 quilting hero;
- Finally, everyone else!! I love all of my readers and commenters, you guys are all wonderful. Thanks for coming by to check in on what I'm up to!

52 Nights Update - Night 24 - I don't think Monday should count as my no tech night, since I rushed home from work, mowed the front lawn, then rushed over to my mom's for dinner. No challenge! So (other than posting this) I'm getting of the computer and getting to work on my to do list for tonight! And I don't think anyone can fault me for having the Olympics on in the background...

Labels: 52 nights, quilting, sewing

Just a quick floor update - our 2nd of three rooms, the living room, is done! A reminder of our nasty carpet:



And our gorgeous new floors:



Now I just need to finish recovering the couch throw pillows, stain our new coffee table, and figure out what to do with those great windows...

P.S. - See that awesome shag rug??


This is Hitch prepared to attack. So ferocious! Thanks for modeling the rug.

Our neighbors were throwing it out! What a deal.

We're off to San Antonio for the weekend to visit a dear friend and go to another friend's Texas wedding reception. I'll see you when I get back!

Labels: homework

I made all those quilted totes back at Christmas and have really been wanting to make one for myself. Funny things sometimes motivate me - for example, I had jury duty on Monday, and a quilted tote of my own would be perfect for carrying my book, snacks, and water bottle in style!



I had picked out some fabric ages ago, and spent a little time tweaking the pattern I'd come up with to save some time since there is so much quilting for these bags.



Rather than quilting the outside fabric and then constructing this like a normal lined bag, I quilted the outer fabric to the inner fabric, and bound up all the rough seams on the inside.



I outsmarted myself trying to make a clever inside pocket (patch pocket/zipper pocket combo), so the sewing is a little messy in places, but as usual, I learned for next time!



And all of these pictures are misleading, because of course it is already packed with my stuff! I am in love.

Labels: bags, quilting, sewing

With hundreds of upholstery samples?



My in-laws came over on Sunday and my mother-in-law was toting several bags full of these upholstery samples. A coworker picked these up when a local furniture store was going out of business and has had them hanging in her closet for a couple years. Can you imagine? There are some really fun fabrics here (and some that I can't believe ever saw the light of day) and I have a few ideas to make use of them.



My first project was a quick little zipper pouch. I can put my wallet/phone/keys in here to grab when running into the store or out to lunch.





The inside is turquoise with pockets edged in the outer fabric - sorry for the crummy photo!



If you suddenly had hundreds of ~12x12" pieces of fabric, what would you do?

P.S. - I did finish the pink project but since we are currently riding out Tropical Storm Edouard, the light is pretty low for taking pictures!

52 Nights Update - Night 23 - Finished the pouch above, made dinner, and, um, watch Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. *cough* Oh well, I enjoyed myself! And today I get a bonus day - Tropical Storm days are our equivalent to snow days, I guess - no work for me today!

Labels: 52 nights, bags, fabric, sewing

When I was little, one of my favorite places to go was the local stationery shop. I especially loved testing out new pens. To this day I constantly am tempted to pick up new pens, or swing by the supply room at work to see if there's anything different. That's the only reason I can think of to explain this...



Trying to make good on my July OPAM (yes, I know July is over, shush), I got to work cleaning out drawers.



People, this is ridiculous.



I tossed the ones that don't work anymore, got all the others in one spot, and called it a day.



The truth is, I can't make much progress on my own, since most of the junk in this room is Pete's computer stuff. Heaven forbid I suggest tossing any of the ten defunct keyboards in the closet! So much for July's OPAM. What should I do for August?

Labels: homework, OPAM

You are all so sweet about the quilt! We've been sleeping under it for a few nights now and it is wonderful.

I am busy tucking into my next project. It involves pink. I never liked pink when I was little - too girly - and I am making up now in a big way.



This is another project for me, before I get started on several that I will have to send out into the world.



Also, tomorrow officially starts my media blackout to keep from hearing any spoilers for Breaking Dawn. My copy is on its way from Amazon, so if you don't hear from me for a few days picture me curled up with my new quilt reading teen lit!

Labels: sewing, wip