Kitty Knoodling

Is knoodling even a word?  Well, I was going to sew yesterday afternoon and went into my sewing room and saw Aiden and Mosen on the couch like this!

LMAO! Then I sat down to sew and Aiden (the orange one) was purring so loudly, it was almost as loud as my Bernina! Who knows how they can sleep like that?

I hope to have some quilty content tomorrow. I was called down to downtown Detroit for jury duty yesterday so not much to show for the day. Didn't get selected for a jury but had to go anyway. Hope you are having a good day!! ~XOP~

My First Block Swap

I guess that is not technically true but it is my first modern block swap and I am so excited about it.  I have to make 8 blocks from the Geese In A Ring pattern found here.  It is paper pieced.  (I am not a huge fan, but am getting faster at it).  I LOVE this block so much.  I have to make 7 blocks in the colors requested by each person in the group.  Then send them to the swap mama to re-distribute.  My good friend, Jeannette is participating.  We are having fun "choosing" from each other's stash which fabrics we want in our block!

Here is my first block, made for Amy (Calico Cat) in her choice of orange and aqua:

I did so much ripping and re-stitching making this block, but I am happy with the outcome.

When I came home from work yesterday I walked into my living room (sewing room) and saw this

Oh Aiden you are such a big goof! How do cat's do that? She has to be so umcomfortable! YIKES!!

Lastly I leave you with an amazing thrift shop find of mine from late last week.

I thought this little owl pin cushion was so adorable! Now, do any of you know that that hole in the bridge of her beak is for? Glasses? Scissors? Something else entirely? Inquiring minds want to know! ~XOP~

GIVEAWAY To Clebrate 900 Posts

COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED

I told you I would have a giveaway to celebrate my 900 posts (and you reading 900 posts, LOL).  Are you excited?  I sure am.  I thought long and hard about what to give away and how to do it.  I am going to steal an idea from a friend's blog.  First things first though, do you want to know what I have to giveaway?

A Layer Cake of Little Apples!!

I love this line and thought I would share it with you too. So here is what I need you to do. You need to leave me a comment with a link to a quilting tutorial you like. If you don't have a quilting tutorial you like, send me a link to one of your favorite recipes. If you can't link to the recipe, leave me a comment telling me you are emailing the recipe. (mamaspark@gmail.com) Speaking of email, PLEASE make sure you are not set as No Reply or I will not be able to contact you when you win!! Of course I would love it if you would tell others, and become my follower, but I really want you to be a follower because you want to not because you have to.

I will use the random number generator to give me a number on Saturday, October 1st.  Comments will be closed at midnight on Friday September 30th.

I am looking froward to receiving some new tutorial links (I have some listed on my side bar that I really like, just in case you are ever looking for any) and also for some new recipes! ~XOP~

PS:  My friend, Quilting Queen is also having a giveaway!  You should stop over to her blog and enter!

100 Quilts for Kids

I got 2 quilts back from Liz that were made and quilted for 100 Quilts For Kids.  Are you participating?  Don't know about it?  Check out Kate's Blog. I plan to send mine to Margaret's Hope Chest.  Haven't heard of them?  Check out their site too.  They accept quilts and tops too.  So if you have some tops you are just not going to get done, this would be a worthy charity!  Of course they would love to have your finished quilts too.  Here are the 2 of mine that will be going off to them.

 

This one has farm animals and buildings on it.  I used my GO to cut it out.

I will also be sending the Halloween top I posted about previously. I think Liz will have a couple of tops to go into the box as well.

So if you have some quilts or tops that could use a loving home why not consider donating them and joining in the 100 quilts for kids movement? ~XOP~

900 POSTS!!! Can You Believe that??

I can't believe that I have hit 900 posts.  Wow I had no idea I had so much to say (although those of you who know me IRL would just laugh about that one as I talk...ALOT!)  So, what do I have to say today?  I wanted to post about having 900 posts.  I think I need to have a giveaway don't you?  Now what to give away?  Cats?  Should it be cats??  I have 5, I could probably spare a few.  No?  Well, I am going to think about it today so I can come up with something good and I'll let you know soon, ok?

Abbey says it shouldn't be her. I kind of agree with that!

My Fingers Are Sore!

They are not sore from disciplining our new darling, but from my feeble attempts at hand quilting.  I started this little project and then literally gave it to a friend that loves to hand quilt.  She did an excellent job on the feather border and the feathers in the inner circle.  I got it back and thought that the fans needed to be quilted in too.  I didn't want to ask her to do it so I sat down and did one whole circle of fans (there are 4 of them) as I watched TV last night.  Those fans in one circle took me 2 and a half hours!!!  I love how it looks though, so thought I would share (no laughing now).

Here is one of the circles I did from the back too (again, no laughing!)

Boy oh boy are my fingers sore now though. One from pushing the needle through and the underneath one from being stuck! I did get the binding sewn down on this one too, so just 3 fans to go and I will be completely finished with this one. I am thinking that I will work on it during the MSU football game this weekend. That ought to get me through at least one more fan. I did my stitching without a hoop and I like quilting that way much better.

When DH and I went to the MSU game a few weeks ago, the folks putting on the tailgate from the College of Natural Science at MSU went around and took pictures of people attending the tailgate. They snapped one of me and my DH and I thought I would share it with you since it is not too hideous of me! We were all decked out in our green and white. You can see his braces are even in green!

So the question for today is do you use a hoop or no hoop to hand quilt? ~XOP~

Baby In The House!

No, not a baby, baby, a puppy baby!  YEP we got a puppy yesterday.  She is most adorable!  The CEO of the company my DH works for was looking for a home for their 9 month old Golden Retriever and we just happened to be looking for a dog (and by we I mean DH and DS).  She is housebroken and has had some dog training.  So without further fuss here is the new baby!

 

Isn't she just the most adorable? She is trying to figure out the cats (who don't really like her very much and have decided that they are not so happy to have a dumb dog back in the house, thank you very much!) Previously, she had lived her life on Mackinaw Island so she is terrified of cars (there are no cars on the island). She knows how to sit and stay and this morning when I was making my lunch for today she was sitting close by and I flipped her some lettuce and she ate it!! The spinach as well. No carrots if you please though!

I just wanted to share out joy with you all. Have a great Wednesday!! ~XOP~

Surprise, You've Got Mail!

I just have a minute to share.  Do you remember that I went to the MSU football game 2 weeks ago and the tailgate the College of Natural Science put on?  We went to the tail gate and we signed up for the raffle they were having.  There were a LOT of people.  Now fade into yesterday and look what I found when I went into my house

I thought my DH had ordered something but no, it had my name on it as well as Biomedical blah, blah, blah. Oh no, I thought, something from work. Then I read it came from East Lansing and I realized I won the BIG prize!!!

An amazing signed photo of the statue of Sparty that is on MSU's campus!!! I walked by him every day I went to school there!! I am thrilled!!

I also got a cool shirt, a pen, a window cling, a little pin and a really nice key chain (which DS promptly took, and I plan to covertly take back heheheh).

All this for a person that never wins anything!! YIPPEE!! ~XOP~

Busy Weekend and Totally Amazing Find

I was super motivated to get some sewing done this weekend.  First, my DH and I went out to dinner with some friends that we had not seen in forever.  My friend Shelby and her DH, and Shelby's sister (also my doctor) and her DH.  We are going to try to make this an every 2 month event.

Saturday saw my butt parked on the couch watching MSU lost to Notre Dame, major bummer.  Good news?  I got June and July embroidered in my Birdie Stitches blocks!

                                            June

                                           July
 

On Sunday I got them sewn into actual blocks!! I also traced August and September. I got 4 quilts back from LTW and needed to put binding on. I got the binding sewn on by machine to 3 of them and got one of them turned and hand sewn down. I cut out the binding for the fourth one, still need to sew it.    I will get pictures soon for you. I also cleaned, did laundry and grocery shopping!

Now for the amazing find. I stumbled upon a new to me blog The Scientific Seamstress. Have you heard of her? She has the cutest Periodic Table of Sewing elements. You so need to go and take a look! I don't know her personally so didn't want to copy it here but there is a link on her blog and you can print it from there. I can tell you she has me as her newest follower. (Y'all know I'm a scientist too right?)

So there you have it! My weekend in the Reader's Digest condensed version! ~XOP~

Any Iron Suggestions?

It's that time again.  Time to buy a new iron.  My Orek died.  RIP.  My DH bought it for me thinking that b/c you can use it as a cordless it would be good but the holes are way too big and always getting caught on my fabrics when I am trying to press something.

So, I am asking you , my bloggy friends, for any helpful suggestions on a new iron.  I want something with small  holes I do know that much, and something that won't leak when it has water in it.  Other than that I'm totally open to your advice.  

C'mon, let me have it!!

Another Swap Received

I have just a minute before I have to head off to the dentist for a crown (someone I worked with told me that once I got my crown I would be a princess...I told him I'm already a princess and would just as soon pass on this particular crown!) and thought I would chat for a few minutes.  I HATE going to the dentist, especially for something like a crown.  UGH, I sit all white knuckled and everything while they work.  I think I may ask them for gas today to help with my dental anxiety!  ACK!  OK, taking my mind off that,  I received another wonderful swap package in the mail recently and thought I would share with you.

Some Flea Market Fancy with a little Heather Ross thrown in for good measure. Sweet huh?

Have you heard of Zulily? Me either, until my friend Mary sent me an invite. So off I went to check it out and guess what they happen to have on sale right now? Munki Munki pjs! Check out the pair I got. I'd show you but it won't let me borrow their image. It has skaters all over it. I love Munki Munki. I don't use them except to cut up and use in my quilts. Any of you Munki fans? If so you can use my code and I will get credit.

http://www.zulily.com/invite/plincoln485

So if you are a BIG fan like me, use my invite and order up a storm. I also found a percent off coupon code coupguru922 and received an additional amount off my purchase. When I subtracted it from my shipping I ended up only paying $1.95 for shipping.

Let me know if you check it out. Have a wonderful afternoon!! ~XOP~

Look Who Came To Visit

I was sitting at my sewing table minding my own business when I happened to look out the window.  What did I see?  The most adorable Gold Finch feasting on the seeds from my Cone Flowers.  How adorable is she?

I was looking over my latest swaps. I thought I would take just a minute or two of your time and share them with you too!
First up was this honey bun of Sweet along with some yardage. SWEET!

Next up was a visit from my my favorite characters, the Ghastlies!! Who doesn't love them? I am not sure what I will use them in but I needed them to stop in for a visit.

I'm really liking that green color way too. Do you guys have some of this? If you do what are you making with yours?
Then I had bought a Groupon and it was to This and That Japan. It was going to expire soon so I had to use it. This is the loot I picked out with my Groupon.

I love those cats and those bunnies are to die for!  If you haven't checked out This and That you certainly should!  I'm just trying to keep my head above water this week, so incredibly busy at my paying job!  Might be a quiet blog week for me but who knows.  ~XOP~

Spartan Football!!

We were lucky enough to get tickets for the MSU football game on Saturday.  I didn't care that they were playing a small team, or that it was pouring rain the entire way there.  I was going to go to a Spartan football game!!!!!  As we drove on to campus the rain went away and the sun began to shine down on MSU.  God loves Spartan football!!

We met up with my husband's sister and her husband and my husband's brother and his wife and their kids. We had so much fun! All six of us are MSU grads and bleed green and white. They have season tickets and parking passes so we parked and walked and joined their party!
My BIL was working the grill making breakfast sandwiches.

Then my SIL's son showed up with some of his buddies. They were heading off to the U of M night game. Clearly wearing the wrong attire for our party! His other brother, our God son, graduated from MSU also. His mom is the one on the left.

Now Mark and Jackie have a daughter attending MSU as a freshman this year. Our middle daughter graduated from MSU also. Lots of green and white! I look awful in this photo, hindsight tells me that I was getting sick! I ended up with a fever later that night!

On top of everything else MSU won their game 44-0. After their last score I managed to capture the fight song as I panned the stadium.

We really missed DD2 but all in all it was an amazing day. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend too.  ~XOP~

Blocks for Amy

Many of you know Amy from Mrs. Schmenkman quilts.  Amy recently lost her husband to occular melanoma. (He was only 42)   If you want to know more you can go here and Sarah explains all about it.  Basically she is gathering up blocks for a couple of quilts.  So if you want to contribute to the quilt, please email Sarah and let her know.  One set of blocks is bright and one pastel.  The pattern is simple and I made mine in less than 30 minutes for both of them.  If you happen to have some Kaffe or Phillip Jacobs fabric and some white you are in business.  Here are mine.

All I need to do is sign them and send them off. My condolences go out to Amy and her daughter. I have no idea how it would be to suffer such a loss when you are so young. I pray that God will be with you and your daughter to get you though.  ~XOP~

The Cat is Home Now

You remember that saying?  When the cat's away the mice will play?  Well, my DH is home so no more playing for me.  I'm thinking that next time he goes somewhere I may need to do some painting!  HA, he is going to be afraid to go anywhere!!  He had a great time in Canada and he looked all scruffly when I picked him up.  It took a good chunk of my time to drive to get him and get back home, but worth it!

I made it out to JAF to see if any additional Sugar Creek fabrics were available and found two more prints. Unfortunately there was a power outage and I couldn't check out! I had to go back the next day and get them. I just need 4 more to have the whole line. I am picking them up for two other friends too.

The visit with my friends was so nice!  They stayed for a few hours and it was great to see them and catch up.  Apparently it has only been 2 years since we saw them. I saw them at my son's grad party, but I was so busy with food and all I don't think I talked with anyone for very long!  In any case, I think we need to see each other more frequently!

Lest you think I was not working on anything I want to assure you that I was.  I finished another Christmas tree top and am sending it to Liz today for quilting.  I didn't get any pictures b/c it was night time when I finished last night.  I also got the back finished to the little left over squares quilt and am sending that one too.  I hope to have it finished soon so I can send it along to MHC with the Halloween top for the 100 Quilts for Kids.  Are you participating?  They are also looking for sponsors if anyone is interested in that.  I did manage to finish binding 2 Thimbleberries projects too.  A small wall hanging and a table runner.  I will take photos soon.

I was pretty happy with my productivity this weekend.  I got into 2 more swaps too.  I am lovin' this swappin!  You know who wasn't productive?  These two.

 

Wouldn't it be great if all brothers and sisters got along this well? It seems like all the cats are finding their way back to how they acted before we had our dog. I don't know if that is good or not. Both DH and DS want another dog. *sigh*  I'm sure it will happen, but we were so spoiled with the last one.  I just don't want to jump right in to another dog.  DH had expected we would have one when he got home!

Have a wonderful day and we'll talk soon! ~XOP~