Sewing Expo Recap (A Wee Bit Late)

I'm a little late with my post, but things at Chez Rosie have been a bit on the chaotic side lately.  Last Friday I headed off to the Cleveland IX Center for the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo with my mom and my sister's MIL.  It's and annual tradition for us, and so exciting this year because I actually do half the stuff that they demonstrate and know what I'm looking at.  Lol. 

I had a shopping list and everything!  Ha ha ha.  So many things I wanted to check out, and excited for the great deals ahead :D

Me, Mama, and Kath taking a break for lunch

I didn't take any classes, but had a blast shopping with the gals!  Mom was on a misson to find embroidery software, and after HOURS of walking around and exploring all the options, she finally settled on the Husqvarna Viking 6D software.  She got a KILLER deal too.... 50% off!!  Talk about a fabulous deal!  Honestly, I'm totally psyched she got it.  I've got a couple of designs I need for some upcoming projects that I've been unable to find.  What a great way to "play" with the new software!

I also took the opportunity to meet a fellow Missouri Star Forum member, Debbie MM (Debbie).  She was at the expo on the same day, mainly taking classes, but we were sure to meet up in-person for the first time.  So great to meet Internet friends :D

I wish I could say that I was "good," but I can't.  Well... technically, I was some-what good.  I followed Hubby's rule of "if it doesn't fit in the craft room, I can't buy it."  Lol.  No major purchases for me, but I did manage to pick up LOTS of great goodies!

Don't mind the mess in the background!  I didn't clean off my table before shooting pics.  Lol.  Included in my "haul" was....

• Tear-Away, Cut-Away, and Poly-Mesh stabilizers for my embroidery machine
• (6) Tea Towels (for co-worker Christmas gifts this year)
• BIG spool of embroidery machine bobbin thread
• Various spools of day-glow and neutral embroidery threads
• A package of the Bosal In-R-Foam Single Sided interfacing (just HAD to try it out!)
• A couple of 1-yard cuts and a couple FQ's
• A Viking 1/4" piecing foot and package of bobbins
• (2) Stuffed Lady Bug panels
• Couple of patterns
• A fabric stack for the "Betty Bag"

All-in-all, not too bad.  I was debating on going back on Saturday (Hubby offered to take me) to pick up some more of the big spools of embroidery thread and to see what kind of wheeling and dealing was going on with it being the last day of the expo, but decided against it.   I got enough stuff to keep me occupied for a while, and while I didn't "break the bank," I still hit my budgeted amount and didn't want to go over.

Already looking forward to next year's expo... is that sad?  Lol.  Was very happy this year though, going into it with some knowledge before hand of what I was looking for, what would be a good deal, what I needed, etc.  Completely beats last year's visit! 

OOPS! I Did It Again

Every time I put myself on a "diet," I manage to fall off the wagon.  Not just a little bit, completely off the wagon.  Sometimes I can't help it ;-)  When there are so many gorgeous fabrics and so many great deals to be had.... I just can't help myself. 

Aside from the crazy order I got last week from Wawak for more zippers (216 in total!), I found this A-MAY-ZING online store located in Fort Worth, TX.

Jodie and the gals over at The Fort Worth Fabric Studio have such a great online store, PLUS they've got a totally awesome blog with tons of patterns and tutorials.  My mail organizer I made a few weeks back came from their blog :D  I grabbed a few of their "Friday Bundle Batches" from a few weeks ago and checked out.  The next day I realized I forgot to order one and placed a second order.  They've got such great customer service that with a quick email, Jodie was able to combine the two orders and ship them together.  Easy peasy!  Ordered on March 4/5 and received it on 3/7!  Lightning fast shipping :D

Here's what I got....

L-R:

• Friday Bundle Batch Exclusive - Garden Notes and 1/2 yd of Pinhead Fog by Michael Miller
• Friday Bundle Batch Exclusive - Pink Limeade and  1/2 yd of Mini Confetti Dots Pink by Dear Stella
• Friday Bundle Batch Exclusive - Silent Movie and 1/2 yd of Crackle Black by Windham

They even included a cute FWFS pen and a YUMMY hot cocoa mix (it didn't make it 10 minutes in my house! Lol).  I LOVE their shop and they have just gotten a loyal customer out of me!  I'm looking forward to their upcoming Friday Bundle Batches.  I'm sure there will be more heading my way :D  These fabrics are slated to be used for more Bionic Gear Bags, but I'm not quite sure.  They're so pretty.... I don't know if I'll be able to actually cut into them or not!  Ha ha ha.

If all that isn't enough..... I went to JoAnns.  Not once, but TWICE over the weekend!  Went right after work on Friday, only to grab some more yarn I needed to finish up my Baby Brights Scallop Blanket.  The yarn wasn't on sale, but I had a bunch of 50% off coupons to use.  That was the ONLY thing I was supposed to get.  Weeeeellllll.... you know how that goes.  Lol.  Came home with just a wee more than I had planned on.

The ONLY things I went into JoAnn's For!

The additional stuff that "jumped" into my cart before I left the store

And THEN... on my way home Friday night I realized I forgot the batting I needed.  I'm making a Doll Carrier for my niece's American Girl Doll.  Bought the fabric and the bias tape and everything.... forgot the batting.  I don't normally use this kind of batting, so I don't have any scraps.  JoAnn's had all their batting 50% off, so I was kicking myself for not grabbing it.  This would just have to require another trip... doesn't it?  Lol.

Grabbed the batting, plus some more Warm & Natural since they were on sale as well.  Again, that was all I was going in to get, but somehow my cart ended up full again.  Lol.  I grabbed enough flannel to make 4 of my little Cuddle Blankets for my in-progress Etsy store I'm putting together, and then I made the mistake of going over to their remnant bin.  50% off the current price per yard.  With the Anti-Pill Fleece Solids already on sale for $4.99/yd, most of these remnants only cost me a little over $1.  Don't really have a plan in place for them, but I'm sure I'll think of something.  Lol.

That's IT!  Well, until I go to the Sewing & Quilting Expo here in Cleveland in two weeks with my mom.  I've gotta save pennies for that trip!

"Ransacked" the remnant bin!

Flannel for 4 Cuddle Blankets and 1 Self-Binding Receiving Blanket, and "Dr Who" fabric for a shirt for Hubby

Always needed cotton batting, plus some new crochet hooks and a case

Looks like I've got a LOT to do.  Best get back to work so I can "un-bury" myself from the piles of stuff in my craft room!

Happy Monday Everyone!

Linking up to Linky Tuesday at Freemotion by the River and Fabric Tuesday at A Quilt Story.

Santa Baby

Santa was VERY good to me this year!!  He definitely got wind of my new "obsession," and brought me plenty of new toys!

First up.... my gifts from my "Secret Santa."


My immediate family decided a few years ago that instead of everyone exchanging gifts, that we would do a "Secret Santa."  Each person would only have one person to buy for.  There is a $100 limit on store-bought gifts, and each person has to do a handmade gift.  Fortunately for me, my "Secret Santa" was my mom this year.... meaning she actually knew what the items on my wish list actually were.  Lol!

Mom got me the Martelli ErgoCutter, Skini-Mini Rulers Set, Individual Block Templates w/Fussy Cut Windows - Sizes 5.5" and 7.5", and Measure Cuts Scissors.  I also got two of the feet I wanted for my Viking machines... the Free Motion Echo Quilting foot and the Left Edge Top Stitch Foot.  Then, my parents still fill our stockings with little things, and this year I also go two rolls of Sulky stabilizer :-)  I'm so lucky to have had a crafty "Secret Santa."


Next up.... gift from the in-laws.

My MIL must have called Hubby and asked what I wanted for Christmas.  They got me the Queen-Sized Supreme Slider that I also had on my wish list.  She had no clue what it even was... so I know Hubby must have told her I wanted one.  Lol.  I have the smaller version of it and I love it.  It just is a little bit on the small side when it comes to doing larger quilts.  Now I've got both sizes and am prepared for anything!


Finally.... my gifts from Hubby a.k.a "Santa".

He got me all the organization stuff I had on my wishlist from Michaels.  We moved my craft room during our break from work (both of us were off work the week between Christmas and New Years) and I really wanted a pegboard to put by my cutting table to hold all my goodies.  Now it's just a matter of getting Hubby to actually put them up for me :-)

I was totally SHOCKED when I opened up the last present....

Not only does he pay attention when I talk, but must have a super memory to remember that I really wanted an Open Toe Free Motion Quilting Foot AND also the Do-It-All Quilter's Hoop for my embroidery machine!

LOTS of new goodies to play with... and now that my room is moved (post with pics later this week), I've got no excuse not to get in and play with them!

Hope everyone is having a terrific Tuesday!

Linking up to Linky Tuesday at Freemotion by the River

Sunday Stash & To-Do List Update

We're coming to a close on this glorious 3-day weekend here in the States :(  I'm really dreading having to go back to work tomorrow, but I just keep telling myself... only a few more weeks until Labor Day!  :D 

I know I said I wasn't going to be buying anything for a long while, but I kinda broke my own rule and did a bit of shopping at JoAnn's on Thursday night last week.  Between the sales and the coupons... I just couldn't help myself. 

Butterflies

Super Heroes

Space Aliens

I don't feel too bad about the purchase.  All this, PLUS two crib-sized battings for $40!  The fabric is enough to make 3 child-sized quilts that are going to be for my niece and two nephews (hopefully) for Christmas. 

If you haven't noticed my ever-growing "To Do" list on the right sidebar, be sure to check it out.  I've got the links to all the patterns as well on there.  If you have been watching it closely, you'll notice that there have been TWO projects checked off this weekend, but three added to the bottom as well.  Lol. 

With the holiday weekend, I managed to not only finish the first Christmas gift for this year, but also to crank out the table runner for my coffee table (post & pics to come).  Checking two off the list felt REALLY good!  I've made myself a schedule of sorts to stay on track for the Christmas gifts this year.  Permitting no major catastrophes occur, it's looking like they should all be done by November and ready to go for Christmas. 

If the three child quilts get done prior to Christmas, great!  If not, no worries.  There are about 3-4 months of winter here after the holidays, so even if they didn't get them until January... they'd still have plenty of time to use them before the warm weather hits.

Hope everyone has had a wonderful weekend, a spectacular Sunday, and have a great week to come!

Sunday Stash - 6/29/14

Here we go with my most recent (and LAST for a while) additions to my stash...

First up, order #1 of 2 from from Missouri Star Quilt Co.

• Rosey Jelly Roll by Tanya Whelan for Free Spirit Fabrics
• 2 yds - Rosey Little Roses Pink Yardage by Tanya Whelan for Free Spirit Fabrics
• 1 yd - Kona Cotton - Azure Yardage
• 3 yds - Kona Cotton - Snow Yardage
• Yellow Brick Road Quilt Pattern
• Dritz Lint Brush - DESPERATELY needed one!!
• Missouri Star Quilt Company Mug
• Autographed 1st Issue of BLOCK Magazine - Freebie for ordering
• Three Handy Notions Bundle - Free Daily Deal item

Chalk this order up to the "Freaky Friday" sale they had on Friday the 13th!!  Just couldn't resist.  The Rosey Jelly Roll has been on my wishlist since I first started shopping at Missouri Star a couple of months ago.  I LOVE it!!  Bonus... we share a name :-)  I wanted it, but had no clue what I would use it for.  That is, until I saw last week's Missouri Star tutorial (Beach Balls Quilt).   It will be the perfect fabric for that pattern.  Again, this is another project that has been added to the monstrous "To Do" list with no recipient in mind, but I'll be fun to make :-)

Next is order #2 of 2 (and my last order for a long while!) from Missouri Star Quilt Co.

• .5 yd - Wizard of Oz: 75 Years of Wickedness - Gray Yardage
• .5 yd - Wizard of Oz: 75 Years of Wickedness - Green Yardage
• .75 yd - Wizard of Oz: 75 Years of Wickedness - White Yardage
• 3 yds - Wizard of Oz: 75 Years of Wickedness - Black Yardage
• .75 yd - Wizard of Oz: 75 Years of Wickedness - Black Yardage #2
• .5 yd - Halloween Parade - Star Orange Yardage by Doodlebug Designs for Riley Blake.
• .5 yd - Halloween Parade - Stripe Orange Yardage by Doodlebug Designs for Riley Blake
• 1 - Halloween Parade Charm Pack by Doodlebug Designs for Riley Blake
• .75 yd - Basic Brights - Stars Multi Yardage by Windham Fabrics
• .5 yd - Basic Brights - Aspirin Dot Red Yardage by Windham Fabrics
• 1 - Basic Brights Charm Pack by Windham Fabrics
• 1 - 5" Charm Pack Tumbler Template

All of the Wizard of Oz fabrics go along with the panel I got last week from equilter.com to make my MIL a quilt.  Not quite sure when I'll get around to it or when I'm going to want to give it to her, but seeing as though she is a HUGE Wizard of Oz fan... I couldn't pass up getting the fabric now before it's gone for good and too late!

The Halloween Parade fabrics/charms and the Tumbler Template are going to be used to make a table runner for my living room for Halloween.  I'm sure I'm going to have extra left over, so I'll have to come up with something else creative to do with the remnants.  Also, the Basic Brights fabrics are to make a simple charm baby blanket for my stash of baby stuff.  Whether I give it away as a baby shower gift, or (hopefully) use it for our future child... looked like fun fabrics to play with!

This is my LAST order from M* for a long while!!!  I've now got enough precuts and yardage to do almost 16 projects!!  I have officially put myself in the "crafting freezer" and need to focus my energy on creating instead of shopping :-)

Last up is my last order from Connecting Threads:

These were all the colors I originally wanted but missed out on during the sale due to being out of stock.  Figured for the little bit more to pay for full price, I could go ahead and grab them now so I have them, instead of waiting on a sale in the future.  Between the three orders I've placed with them over the past few weeks, I have practically every color I could possibly need!

Well, that's it for my new stash.  This will most likely be the last Sunday Stash for quite some time as the "no shopping" rule is going to prevent me from making any additions.

Hope you're having a splendid Sunday, and have a great week to come :)

Sunday Stash - Mega Haulage Ahead!

I was a BBAAAADDD girl over the past week and half or so!  The mailman has been bringing me lots of "Happy Mail" full of yummy quilting goodies!

First up is my (first) order from Connecting Threads:

Fuchsia - Tomato - Butter - Aqua - Midnight - Sandstone - Taupe - Latte - Espresso - Slate

I wanted to take advantage of their killer thread sale ($1.79 each down from $2.79 each).  Most of the colors I wanted were completely sold out by the time I went to place my order, but I did manage to get quite a few to start building my thread stash.  Most of them match upcoming projects, and then I grabbed a few just to have :-)  Couldn't pass up the sale!!

Next we have my second order from Connecting Threads:

Wine - Tea Rose - Meadow - Lichen - Lime - Calypso - Hyacinth

Next up is yet another order from Missouri Star Quilt Company

• Home For The Holidays Fat Quarter Bundle by Doodlebug Designs for Riley Blake
• Natural White OMNI Thread
• 3x - A Beautiful Thing Charm Packs by Zoe Pearn for Riley Blake
• 2x - MSQC Tape Measures - one for my knitting bag, one for my sewing room
• .5 yds - Kona Cotton - Sunflower Yardage
• 1.5 yds - Kona Cotton - White Yardage
• 1 yd - Home For The Holidays - Flake Multi Yardage by Doodlebug Designs for Riley Blake
• 1 yd - Home For The Holidays - Stripe Multi Yardage by Doodlebug Designs for Riley Blake

The Home For The Holidays fabric is for making a matching table runner to the Christmas Tree Skirt that I have planned.  I LOVE this fabric and just can't get enough!  I know I'm going to have more than I need, but I'm sure I'll find something else to make with it.

The A Beautiful Thing Charm packs were the Daily Deal one day last week.  I had no plan for them, but I just loved the patterns so I had to get it!  The Sunflower and White Kona fabrics go with the charm packs and I've now got a Lucky Charm Quilt on my ever-growing "To Do" list.   No recipient in mind for this one, just want to make. 

Here's a teeny, tiny order from equilter.com:

• 75 Years Of Wickedness - Totally Wicked 36" x 44" Panel

I'm going to be making my MIL a quilt using the panel and some Wizard of Oz fabric I grabbed on my most recent Missouri Star order (which should be here sometime this week).

Finally, a quick little order from The Fat Quarter Shop.

• Dowager Countess Downton Abbey Fat Quarter Bundle
• Feast Bountiful Harvest Fat Quarter Bundle
• .5 yd - Bountiful Harvest Brown Dots & Medallions Yardage
• .5 yd - Bountiful Harvest Tonal Words Yardage

SORRY for the lousy picture!!  It got dark on me too quickly last night and I had the worst time trying to get a picture.  The Downton Abbey fabric is to go along with the fat quarters I won from  Audrey at Glory Be Quilter last week.  I'm going to do a Yellow Brick Road quilt for my grandma for Christmas with this one, and I'm so excited to see how it turns out!  These fabrics are GORGEOUS and I can't wait to get started!  The Bountiful Harvest fabric is to make a muchly-needed table runner for my coffee table.  We got new furniture a couple of months ago and the coffee table is scratching easily :(  Hopefully a table runner with help with that!

Add all this to the gigantic haul from JoAnn's I got last Friday... and the TWO orders that I'm waiting on from Missouri Star, AND the third order from Connecting Threads..... I'm good to go for a LONG while!!  After those orders, I'm done!  I'm completely cutting myself off from shopping until I get more projects done and limiting myself to only purchasing stuff that I need to finish a project.  No more fabric.... no more notions... no more thread.  I'm going "cold turkey"... wish me luck :-)

Have a wonderful Sunday, and a great week to come!

I Won!! I Won!!

Wow, am I surprised!  I NEVER win anything lately.  I linked up two Fridays ago with Audrey at Glory Be Quilter who was hostessing TGIFF! I linked up my finished Dr. Seuss top along with the finished Sunny Side Cardigan for Miss L.  I had no idea I could win her giveaway for three Downton Abbey fat quarters!!

They are absolutely GORGEOUS!!  Now, I have to admit... I've never seen the show so I have no clue as to the background of the designs.  But they are really purdy :-) 

I've already got a plan for them too!  I was going to make another Survivor Rag Quilt for my grandma (who is a colon cancer survivor), but I think these fabrics are perfect to do a regular quilt for her.  Now... just have to pick a pattern.  I'm thinking a Yellow Brick Road quilt might be good.  Easy and it will highlight these fabrics beautifully! 

Only drawback of winning these gorgeous fat quarters.... I just spent money!  Lol.  I went out and found the matching fat quarter bundle over at Fat Quarter Shop and with their current promo of free shipping on orders of $40 or more, I just had to snag it up.  I should have enough to do a Yellow Brick Road, but if not... I'm sure I'll figure something else out.  To get my order to the $40 mark, I also snagged up a Feast Bountiful Harvest fat quarter pack along with some matching yardage to make a muchly needed table runner for my coffee table in my living room.  Hopefully I'll get my order by the end of the week and I'll have it to show off at next week's Sunday Stash post.

Thank you again to Audrey for the wonderful prize!!! Especially mailing it to the US from Canada :-)  You're awesome!

Hope everyone has a terrific Tuesday!

Sunday Stash - Missouri Star Quilt Co. (AGAIN!)

It's "Sunday Stash" time again from over at Molli Sparkles' Blog.

 

I know, I know... I said in my last Sunday Stash post that I was done shopping for a while.  I broke my own promise.  I just couldn't help myself... REALLY!

Back on May 28th, Missouri Star Quilt Co's Daily Deal was this awesome charm pack from Doodlebug Designs. 

I can't quite remember the price off the top of my head, but it was crazy cheap!  I've got a really cute Christmas Tree Skirt on my "To-Do" list and thought this line would be PERFECT for it! 

I actually fell in love with this line as scrapbooking paper of all things.  I ordered the entire line from A Cherry On Top last year for my "History of Christmas" album I've been working on.  I LOVE Doodlebug Designs, and was floored to find out that they do fabric as well!  Being a newbie quilter, I'm still learning all the fabric designers and manufacturers, and I can't believe how many companies cross genres and do both paper lines and fabric lines :-)  

Naturally, I had to make sure I got enough to complete the tree skirt, so I got 2 of the charm packs (one at the DD price and one at the regular price), as well as the rest of the yardage to complete the top.  I'm most likely going to just back it with muslin, which I can pickup from JoAnn's later on, but I just had to jump at such a great deal for something I absolutely love!

• x2 - Home For the Holidays charm packs
• 1 Yard - Home For the Holidays - Peppermint Red yardage
• 1 Yard - Home For the Holidays - Stripe Multi yardage

Again, ordered on May 28th and received it on June 2nd.  Well... it should have been June 2nd.  The stinkin mailman was apparently too lazy to bring the package to my door, or completely forgot to deliver it and marked it as "attempted delivery with no authorized recipient to receive package" with a notice left.  Funny thing is... I was home when they said they attempted delivery, did not get a notice as indicated, AND there was no signature required on the package so there was no reason for them to not deliver it.  Called USPS and filed a formal complaint.  They finally brought it on the 3rd, but I was aggravated to say the least.

I would LOVE to say this is it for my shopping... but unfortunately I can't do that.  I really want to now make a matching table runner for my living room and have all the materials required sitting in another cart on Missouri Star.  I'm not in any hurry for it naturally, so it's going to sit there until they have another free shipping or bonus Quilter's Cash day.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday, and a great week to come :-)

Sunday Stash - Missouri Star Quilt Co. Pt. 2

It's "Sunday Stash" time from over at Molli Sparkles' Blog.

 

Last weekend was a big "Happy Mail" day for me again.  Not only did I get my goodies for my upcoming Craftsy workshop, but also my huge order from Missouri Star Quilt Co.  I'm seriously addicted to this store!!  This is my third order from them, and definitely won't be my last!  Great customer service and quick shipping times.    I ordered last Tuesday (May 20th) and received it on Saturday (May 24th).  This order had been sitting in my cart for weeks, just waiting for me to hit the "Submit" button.  I had promised myself that I wouldn't buy any more sewing goodies until I finished a couple of projects off the "To Do" list.  I have managed to get a couple of projects done, but not nearly enough to justify a huge order like this.  Well.... that was until Monday Night/Tuesday morning.  

I have been having some insomnia problems lately for reasons unknown.  I go to bed and literally just sit and stare at the TV, hoping to fall asleep.  When that doesn't work, I turn the TV off and lie staring at the ceiling.  Those nights come more and more frequently lately, and I have no clue why.  Anywho, that particular Monday night/Tuesday morning, I didn't sleep at all.  I literally woke up at 7 am on Monday and stayed awake until 9 pm on Tuesday night!  What else is there to do that late at night/early in the morning other than watch TV and surf the web.  I watched a few tutorials online, read some forums, and checked my emails.  Still couldn't fall asleep.  Then it happened.....

I got the Daily Deal email from Missouri Star.  Free shipping plus bonus Quilter's Cash on your order.  All the goodies in my cart earned me almost $25 in QC!  I felt it was a sign that I needed to order... Lol.  So I finally hit the "Submit" button.  

1. BLOCK Magazine Spring 2014 - Volume 1 Issue 2
2. Cotton Supreme - Canvas Honey Bun
3. Ansonia Blue & Green - Connecticut Geo Turquoise Yardage
4. Ansonia Blue & Green - Honeycomb Lace Mossy Yardage
5. Ansonia Blue & Green Layer Cake
6. Kona Cotton - Parchment Jelly Roll
7. Grant Park Jelly Roll
8. Grant Park - Warm Red Yardage

I got all the stuff for the two quilts I want to make for my Aunts for Christmas this year, plus the back issue of the BLOCK Magazine.  I already have the batting and backing for the two Christmas quilts, so as soon as I can get a couple more projects off the "To Do" list, I'm going to get started on these.

I'm definitely cut off from shopping for a while.... a LONG while!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday, and a great week to come :-)

Sunday Stash - Missouri Star Quilt Co.

Here's my very first "Sunday Stash" from over at Molli Sparkles' Blog.

I actually got this order a few weeks ago but just kept forgetting to blog about it.  Ya know how it is.... you get some "Happy Mail," tear open the package, fondle all the goodies inside, and then put the box in your craft room to be put away.  However, in the days that pass, you forget about the box and then when you do remember, you can't remember where you put it :-(  That's what this was like for me.

I placed a decent sized order with Missouri Star Quilt Company (my new favorite place to shop!) and got it about a week later.  Oh, the box was FILLED with lovely goodies :-)

1. The BLOCK Magazine, Vol 1 Issue 1
2. Enchanted Pond Jelly Roll by Holly Taylor for Moda Fabrics
3. Kona Cotton Parchment Jelly Roll
4. Enchanted Pond - Magenta Yardage
5. Kona Cotton Parchment Yardage
6. Small Charm Quilt Pattern by Fons & Porter
7. Tree Skirt Pattern by Fons & Porter
8. Summer In The Park Quilt Pattern by Fons & Porter

Now, I know that the three patterns are all ones where Jenny from Missouri Star has done tutorial videos on YouTube.  Maybe I'm weird, but I like to have the physical pattern to reference to rather than watching the tutorial a million times to try and write down the directions from there.   For whatever reason it just seems easier to have the physical pattern.

The Lattice Quilt that I'm going to be making for one of my aunts for Christmas this year came out of the BLOCK magazine.  It is a gorgeous pattern and I can't wait to get started on it.  The jelly rolls and the yardage from this order are all for the Summer In The Park quilt that I also got the pattern for.  That one is going in my living room... whenever I manage to get it done.

That all being said, after reviewing my post from Monday and looking at my "To-Do" list, I've decided that I'm not allowing myself to buy any more fabric/materials until I get a couple of projects done off of the list.  I have the backing and batting for the two quilts for my aunts (picked those up at JoAnn's last weekend with a couple of coupons and a good sale) but I'm holding off on buying the stuff to make the tops until one or two more projects on my list are done.  I've got all the stuff already picked out and sitting in a cart on Missouri Star's website, but I'm holding off on hitting the "Submit" button, at least for now.

Today also happens to be my Dad's birthday!!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY Dad!  Here's to many, many more fun-filled years!!

Dad enjoying the sun on their vaca to Floriday last week

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Sunday, and has a great week to come :-)

Happy Mail Day

Happy Good Friday everyone!  Today Hubby and I are fortunate enough to have the day off, and what better way for me to spend my day than hiding out in my craft room and playing with some HAPPY MAIL!

The mailman just loved me today... orders from Quilters Warehouse, Amazon, Citrus Twist, and Missouri Star Quilting Co.  Lots of new goodies to play with!

A Touch Of Whimsy by Anka's Treasures from Quilters Warehouse.

Janome Even Feed Foot with Quilting Guide Horizontal Rotary Hook Models and Janome Clear View Quilting Foot and Guide Set from Amazon.

Ansonia Pink & Chocolate Jelly Roll by Denyse Schmidt for Free Spirit Fabrics from Missouri Star Quilting Company.

Also from Missouri Star Quilting Company....

• The Binding Tool
• Quilting Quickly Bookazine - Winter 2013
• Clover Desk Needle Threader
• 4" Lightweight Needlework Scissors
• "Nana" Loveables Labels (NOT732 & NOT734)
• GoldnGlide Quilting Needles Size 9

Now, I didn't take a picture of what's in my Citrus Twist kit for this month, but I'll try and do a video over the next few days showing off all the goodies in the kit.

So many new goodie to play with, I don't even know where to start!  Guess the first step is getting everything put away and organized in my craft room... and then it'll be time to play!

I Was A BAAAADDDD Girl!

I just couldn't help myself... I swear!  It's not my fault that JoAnn's put out so many coupons and had what I needed wanted on sale for a crazy price!  Hubby should have known better too... to let me go to JoAnn's unattended, armed with coupons!

I had a bunch of 40% and 50% coupons, PLUS a 20% off your entire purchase coupon (including sale items!)  so I just couldn't help myself.  Three hours in the store later, I was walking out with some major loot.

Mega ton of fabric for upcoming projects - Simplicity patterns for my mom ($1 each!), a Singer sewing box, crib-sized Warm & Natural batting, 50-pk of Wonder Clips, Dual-Purpose Marking Pen, "Precut Quilts" from Leisure Arts, straight pins, curved safety pins, a 6"x12" Omnigrip ruler, spray water bottle, a bottle of Mary Ellen's Best Press, and finally.... an Oliso Pro Smart Iron (on sale in the store for 30% off!!).

Now, the iron was totally a non-planned purchase.  I have seen it on various blogs and on many YouTube videos, and I really love the concept of it.  However, the reviews are split right down the middle and I really can't justify the cost, even after the 30% off, if it's going to give me grief in a few months.  I have a feeling it's going to go back to the store this weekend :-(  Does anyone have any experience with this baby to give me some feedback as to whether or not I should keep it?

Oh, and I also managed to finally settle on an ironing board.  $99 in-store plus a 50% off coupon = Happy Rosie.

My mom bought this same one last year I believe and she said she's been happy with it.  Although, after reading the reviews on JoAnn's website, I'm not too sure about it now.  It may go back with the iron on Friday when I have a chance to get back to the store.  I'm not sure. :-(

I Need An Intervention

Hi, I'm Rosie, and I'm a craft-a-holic!

Seriously.... as Hubby frequently points out, when I get a bug up my butt about something, it's all I can think about.  I'm all about the sewing and quilting right now.  I've got so many projects planned, it's not even funny.  Now that I've finished my first cuddle quilt, I can't wait to get started on my next project.  I've got all the fabric cut for cuddle quilt #2, but I can't stop thinking about what project I'm going to work on next.

I can go ahead and post this here as I know she doesn't read my blog, but I'm going to be making my dear MIL a rag quilt for her birthday/Mother's Day next month.  She's a soon-to-be cancer survivor and I saw an this awesome blanket at the sewing expo over the weekend that I thought would be perfect for her. I didn't buy the kit because the color for general cancer is purple, but I managed to find her shop on Etsy and going to use it for inspiration.

Photo Credit: csdblc on Etsy

I LOVE the look of this quilt, but wanted to make it a little bigger.  Hers is 48" x 48" and I want to make more of a throw quilt.  So... I've modified the design a bit making it bigger, but also adding some "Rosie Touches" to it.  Instead of the word "HOPE" going across it, I'm going to use my embroidery machine to embroidery a couple of really pretty designs I found over at Embroidery Library. 

Because I'm a dork (and a computer wiz), I made up a layout in Excel as to what I want the blanket to look like.

The finished blanket will be 52" x 71" roughly.  I'm going to do some appliques as well as some fully embroidered designs on the white squares.  I just need to find an applique design of an awareness ribbon to use and I'm all set.  Hopefully my machine will cooperate with me and I can get them all done.  If not, I do have a plan B.... go to my mom's house and use her "Cadillac" Viking machine :-)

Armed with a handful of coupons again, I headed off to JoAnn's after work tonight and picked up all the fabric for this baby.

Only one problem.  I was looking for a dark purple flannel print for the solid squares (no embroidery) and COULD NOT FIND ONE to save my life!  I swear... they don't make purple flannel for some reason.  So, I had to improvise.  I think the grey/black scroll will work.  I'm just worried it'll make the quilt too dark.  Ah well... we shall see.

Even after all the planning I've done for this blanket, I've managed to plan not one but TWO more!  It's involving some shopping online and then yet another trip to JoAnn's this weekend to pickup all the stuff.  I just can't help myself.  There is just so much I want to do!  Add to that the THREE knitting projects I've got on the needles right now, and the TWO scrapbooks I'm working on.... there is just not enough time in the day for me to get it all done!

Can't wait until next week when I've got a three day weekend that I can just spend in my craft cave :-)