Just Checking In

I thought I would take a minute and check in with all my blogging buddies. How was your weekend?? I didn't do much to speak of on Saturday other than Body Pump and Zumba. Then I was whipped, LOL. I felt good. I am noticing some interesting changes in my body with all the weight lifting. I'm not losing any more weight but things are sure toning up! I guess we need to work at a way to beat gravity right, LOL. Just cleaning and laundry, like every other Saturday.

Today was a better sewing day though. I have a few things on my plate that I *still* can't talk about and even though my part is finished with one of them...zippo. So that being said, I felt I needed to work on something of mine that I needed to get done. But what?? I wanted something relatively easy, but kind of fun, you know? Then I remembered the Moda Bake Shop project that I had all cut out and waiting for me to sew. PERFECT!! I don't know if I told you this but I cut this same project out for Quilting Queen too (it was her Christmas present from me!!) Wanna see? Here it is in process.

Of course no project would be complete without an adorable kitty helper right? So today the position of my lovely assistant is being played by Mosen. He really is kind of a lazy helper though, just look how I caught him napping on the job! For shame!!

I worked on these for a few hours and finished 18! Here are a few laid out randomly!

I didn't bother to arrange it just threw them on the floor for a quick pic before it got totally dark out. It will be sashed and stuff, just like the pattern. I am going to make mine bigger than the original one though and I think I am going to use some vintage sheet fabric I have for the cornerstones but haven't made up my mind about that yet. I have all my sashing cut but will need to cut the cornerstones so that choice can wait for awhile. I just may have all the blocks done this week. It was a super easy pattern to do and the quilt is going to be gorgeous, especially in the Dream On line I chose to work with. Can't you just see some impressive quilting done inside those Kona Snow stars?
I hope you all had a good weekend. I hear we are supposed to get more snow, *sigh*, I'm kind of tired of snow at this point, but it is better than freezing rain, right? Have a good rest of your evening and a GREAT Monday! XOP

Fabric Heaven

Yesterday was an amazing day spent with my amazing BFF, The Quilting Queen, Pauline (or QQ for short). I picked her up around 9am and we headed for an amazing place. A fabric warehouse in Ohio. Oh the trouble we get into there! It is about an hours drive for us and this is what awaited us...Fabric Heaven

Or you can see QQ showing her impression of Vanna White.

"Hey QQ whatcha' lookin' at over in that isle??"

I think it was a "put that camera away" moment!! LOLOL, you know me.
Shopping was almost complete and QQ asks me "here, you want some fabric??"

It was so much fun! Here we are with our final selections. First me with mine (some of my cart was for our friend who lets us use her access) and the other one is of QQ with her haul! We sure do heart our fabrics!!


Don't you just love QQ's expressions?? I think I bring out the best in her don't you?? I was thrilled to get some of Allison Smith's Peacock fabrics at a bargain!! I see a pastel peacock quilt in my future!!

We paid for our purchases and left to get some (late) lunch and then make the long drive home. Although, it never seems very long when the two of us are together, time really has a way of slipping by. I hope that is the case when we drive to PA in a few weeks too.

After we returned to QQ's house we settled up and then down into the basement we went. She taught me how to use our friend's GO that I had borrowed. I am making a tumbler quilt for my nephew and his new wife to celebrate their wedding. I got it over halfway cut out. Here you can see the fabrics I chose along with the stack on tumblers I got finished. I needed a plain green and QQ had some in her stash. I love shoppin' the stash!!!


I think this line is called Natural Effects. I really, really love it. I hope they will too. I had put ribs into the crock pot in the am before we left so went home to have ribs for my dinner.

I am looking forward to the weekend and seeing what new adventures pop up for me! Have an awesome weekend too!! XOP

LCQAL Block 9 Done

What a hectic day today has been. I had a ton of stuff to do at work today and was sooo distracted. Got lots of great stuff going on behind the scenes that is hush hush for the moment. I'm sorry to keep saying that but I am practically BURSTING to tell you guys but I just can't right now. Soon, hopefully soon. What I can talk about is what I managed to get done at quilting tonight. My number 9 block in the Layer Cake Quilt Along. TA DA


Isn't it pretty?? I just love how it came out!!

The Quilting Queen and I are heading out to do some shopping together tomorrow. I'll bring my camera, cuz' you know who probably won't think to bring hers, LOL. No problem, I like to share. Pray we don't get a ton of snow dumped on us tonight!!
XOP

Sparkle Lives

I don't know if any of you ever wondered where my blog name came from but here is the story. My eldest daughter is called Sparkle. I am mama of Sparkle, or Mama Spark. My DD1 is very into dragons. She drew the personification of herself in dragon form. Of course Sparkle was purple.

Fast forward to her high school graduation. I asked her to draw Sparkle and I was going to use that for her graduation party invitation. Would you like to see Sparkle now? This is the enlarged version.



I had this brilliant idea to enlarge it (check) and make it into a quilt. Well, you can see how long that has taken me right, she is 25!! This is what I needed the purples for!!!!! Are you ready to see the top?? It is kind of small but cute, I think. Ok enough stalling...

And because you probably want to see the applique up close (I know I would want to) here it is.

I LOVE IT!!! I used dark purple thread to "draw" in the lines so now it looks like the actual drawing. This was totally new to me and I like the effect. So be kind, tell me whatcha' think. Wouldn't you like to know what you look like in dragon form?

Thank you everyone that sent me fabric too. It just makes the quilt~

Better Late Than Never...Right?

That's what I thought anyway. I had designed a mug rug for my DD1. She is the one that hatched the pea fowl that now reside at LTW's farm. I did the owl, then the two birdies (which I gave to DD2) and I had this one drawn, fused and actually stitched. All I needed to do was the free motion quilting (UGH). I decided to do it today. I started it and them PTM called. We wanted to meet up at JoAnne before the snow storm hit. I needed some thread for the purple project and a little sparkly purple, which I found.

We managed to get what we needed and just in time too because as we were leaving the snow was coming. I shoveled and then came in to sew. I sewed for awhile and then went out and shoveled again. I think we got 6 inches. DH shoveled yet again and he said there was at least another 3 or 4 inches. SHEESH!! Now we are waiting for the sleet and icy rain.

Alright, enough about all that, I'm sure you would like to see the peacock mug rug right? Here ya go! Front and Back!!


I think I am in LOVE with my Valentine Peacock. I may just have to make him bigger and make a doll sized quilt. (In my spare time, ROFLOL)

I did work on the purple project too and got it finished. Too dark for a photo tonight so you will have to wait until tomorrow. Have a good night and if you have to go out tomorrow, drive safely!

Friday Night Sew In

It was Friday Night Sew In yesterday and I took the day off work to spend it in PTM's basement sewing. I got up and we met at the gym for Zumba. Then I went home and showered, got my stuff together and drove over to her house. PTM's niece and DDIL were joining us from Canada for the day (actually they are staying there until tomorrow). I can't show you what I worked on for awhile and finished but that super secret project? All done! Once I am given the OK I will show it to you but I don't think it will be for quite some time, sorry about that. I finished that project and then it was dinner time. Look what we got to eat!!

It was so YUMMY! We had loads of amazing food. Then back to the basement. I was able to cut out some of the purple squares I need for the little quilt I am planning on making from the pruple fabrics you all sent to me. See?


I wanted to take a minute and thank all of those that have sent me some purple fabrics. I have received 4 envelopes so far. Crispy, Toni, Joan and S.V. I really want to thank you guys. I am so close to having what I need, but I know some additional fabrics are on the way. I am so excited about that!! Here are the fabrics I have received so far.


I am hoping to work on this tomorrow and have something to show you all.

The other thing I managed to get done, after I returned home, was the second Birdie Stitches block. I like how this came out. I thought I was so clever to make one of the hearts red but then I see someone had already done the same thing. Great minds, I guess huh?

I had Body Pump and then Zumba this morning. I cam home, showered, ate and DH and I went to a camper and RV show. It was fun. We are thinking of buying something later but we figure we need to be able to decide what we like first so we went and looked. There are some really nice fifth wheels out there and that's what DH was looking at. We are not ready at the moment but it was fun to look!
When I got home, I found another envelope of purples (shown above) so I cut a few. Then it was time to make dinner and now I am watching Queen of the Damned with DH (Jack is laying by my side as I type this!) I hope you are having a wonderful weekend too. I hope to have more to share tomorrow!!

Delayed Christmas Gifties

I have a wonderful friend that lives in England. Her name is Faith. We met when I first started blogging and have established a great friendship. Her blog is about her quilting and her crafting. She doesn't post consistently but she is battling MS too which makes it difficult for things to wrok right all the time. She is a free spirit, a rocker chick, and one of the most generous people I have ever met. If you get a chance go over to her blog and say hi and tell her you came from my blog.

She had sent me a package for Christmas and it finally arrived today!! I could not have been more excited!! The box was HUGE and wait until I show you the treasures inside!! Here's what I saw when I opened up the box.

OOOOOOO what could be inside?? Well this beautiful turquoise shirt with lots of beads and sequins. Look at that gorgeous pashmina. I guess my favorite color is not a surprise to those that know me! Do you see the hexie pin cushion there too? It is all beaded and beautiful, my words can't really describe how beautiful this is.

Here you can see the back of the pin cushion too. Look at all this cool owl stuff too, a pen, a notebook and a neat little case. Funny story about this owl stuff, remember my mug rug? I based the owl off a mug that had the same owl designs on it as on the stuff Faith sent me!! Great minds and all right??

All this was so special but wait until you see the BEST part. Faith is an amazing artist and she painted a card for me!!! SQUEAL!! The owl and the Pussycat.


I can't say anything except for wow, just wow. I have no idea how I have been blessed with such amazing friends, but I consider myself very, very fortunate! Thank you Faith, from the bottom of my heart, you are brilliant and I am so proud to call you my friend.

My Valetine Loves Me

Last night my DH showed me a basket and told me that I needed to take the basket with me in the morning to work. It would be my Valentine's Day gift. Say what?? "There's a note inside to tell you what you need to do". Ok, I can do that. So this morning there was the basket, sitting on the ironing board by the door, with pretty red wrapping inside. I slung it over my arm and took it with me to open at work for lunch. This won't be embarrassing at all now will it? I decided that if I was going to do this thing I would need a friend to take some photos to share with all of you, so here you go with a play by play. Get a cuppa and prepare to be amazed, LOL

First up? Read the note and see what it says right?

"Hey, what's in this basket of love??"

First up take out the placemat and put it on the table. Sprinkle it with rose petals.
Next up take out the vase and place the rose into the vase.

"Take out Valentine's picture frame with the photo of you and your Valentine. Place it on the table." Wow where did he find this old photo of us?? Remind me to get some new pics for this frame! LOLOL

I know, it is a little corny but it is soooo us, LOL. At this point I peeked into the basket again and inside were 4, count them 4 heart shaped boxes of candy!! Also, some Bertie Botts Every Flavor Bean and a box of Conversation hearts.

I could barely hold them all up to show you!

The last thing? A pair of hand cuffs that said "Prisoner of love". HAHAHAHA. So funny!!


The last line? "Remember how much your Valentine loves you." AWEEE, 28 years and he still loves me enough to do silly things like this!

Happy Valentine's Day honey!! You are my favorite Valentine!! XOXO

Drum Roll Please.......

And the winner is...Number 79 Debra!!! I will be emailing you shortly to get your addy. Thank you everyone who commented. I appreciated all the nice comments!! I hope you stop by often. I have some more things to post later (the amazing Valentine's Day gift I got) but this post needs to be short!

Happy Valentine's day to everyone!!

One More Day to the Giveaway!!

I want to take a minute to thank everyone for their wonderful comments over on Stash and also here on my blog. I appreciate you taking a minute to leave me a comment. I had a few chuckles and no Jack is not included in the giveaway! Although, thanks for asking! As a matter of fact he is sleeping right next to me on the couch as I type this! He nagged and nagged until I finally sat down so he could nap. Aren't cats so funny??

Back to the giveaway. I plan on drawing tomorrow, Valentines Day so if you want to be in the draw for my Giddy scraps and the scraps from the box you need to do the following:

You will need to leave a comment on Stash telling me you are a follower of Stash Manicure. In your comment please tell me if you have ever done string piecing and what you like about it. You need to become a follower of this blog (please tell me you are) and let me know what you thought about the tutorial. That's it one comment on Stash and one here on the post about the giveaway.

Now I have a little favor to ask. Since I am giving away some scraps I have been going through my scraps and I realized that I am in need of a nice assortment of purples/lavenders. I am working on a little project for my DD1 and I want to use some purples to frame it up. I am looking for pieces that I can make 2.5" squares from. I have to preview a few size squares but I should be able to get what I need from 2.5" pieces. Anyone up for sending me some purple squares, scraps or strips?? I may have some scraps/squares or strips you could use so just ask me! I hate to go out and buy even a FQ when I really don't need so much. If you can help me out please send me an email at mamaspark@gmail.com

Alright, I think I'm finished for now. I am almost done with my super secret project so will be able to move on to some of my own things soon and will have more pics for all of you!

OM gosh I can't believe I almost forgot to tell you that I found an amazing BOM and will be beginning that one soon. I will be on the look out for some jewel tone prints for this one to combine with the Kaffe Fassett fabrics I already have. I put the button on my side bar and it is called My Tweets. The center medallion pattern is one you have to purchase but the rest of the patterns are free. Anyone want to join me??

Have a great Sunday and I will be back soon!

I'm a Guest Blogger Over At Stash Manicure (Sew We Quilt)

I have a guest post over at Stash Manicure today talking about string piecing. To celebrate I am having a giveaway over here. I have most (20 charms)of the Giddy Charm pack left from my Birdie mug rug to give away along with my left over scraps from my owl mug rug.


Look at this, Jack is even pressing them nicely (not) for you. My caption for this is, wait for it...


JACK IN A BOX!!

I crack myself up. But seriously, if you don't mind a little cat hair, and you are never fully dressed with out it, then here is what you need to do to go into the drawing.

You will need to be a follower of my blog and also of Stash Manicure and tell me in your comment. You need to leave a comment here and over at Stash Manicure with this information in it. Tell me something you would like to make with my string/scraps or something about the post at Stash. One comment on this blog and one at Stash. One comment per person.
**Please make sure you are not a "NO REPLY" commenter. ** I need some way to contact you if you are the winner. If you come up as no reply and do not leave me an email addy in your comment, I will just re-draw.

I am looking forward to hearing what you have to say. I will do the drawing on Monday, Valentine's day. Good Luck and thanks for stopping in!!





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