Still Alive & Kickin’
I’m still here! See! Here’s a picture to prove it. Although, I swear I don’t have that many chins in real life! I think I have some kind of rare (or maybe not-so-rare) blog/email-induced attention disorder. It seems that whenever I sit down to type a blog post or answer emails, I’m quickly distracted by Facebook, Pinterest, other blogs . . . , and before I’ve blinked an eye my computer time is up with nothing constructive to show for my time. Hmmmm . . . that doesn’t happen to other people, does it?
So, I think it’s time to challenge myself to blog regularly. I’m doing great on the 365 Photo Challenge! In case you haven’t seen, I’ve posted a new photo everyday for 60 days! 60 DAYS! And, each photo was taken the day that I posted it. I don’t think I’m going to challenge myself to blog everyday, though, I do have work and family to take care of. I think this challenge will be to blog something at least once a week, on Wednesday, if I haven’t posted before. You may hold me to it!
As far as what’s been going on here: We’ve had multiple colds run through our whole family and start over again. (Bleh! I’m so thankful that, at least for today, no one has a runny nose or nasty cough.) My spring pattern line is coming along. (I have some exciting new things in store, along with big kid sizes of a couple of your favorites.) I’ll have my second Quilt Market booth at Spring Market in Kansas City in May. (Whew! Lots of work to do in the next couple of months.) And, I have some more exciting news to share with you soon!
For now, though, I’d love to hear any advice you have for staying focused! Especially, staying focused when you sit down at the computer. Surely, I’m not really the only one with that weird attention disorder.
2012 in Pictures: Week 8
Facetime with Katie
Studio Still Life
Hanging from the Trees
Katie’s Smile
Dance with Me, Sister!
A Friday Night Movie
Mini Lightsaber Battle
From 2012 Project 365
2012 in Pictures: Week 7
Happy 2nd Birthday, Charlie!
Difficult Sewing
Happy Valentines Day!
Sean & Jamie Time
Mix, Mix, Mix . . .
Cold Defense
Testing the Waters
From 2012 Project 365
52 (Family) Projects in 2012: #4
My baby is two years old! We celebrated Charlie’s second birthday yesterday with cake and a few little presents and, of course, a new mama-made outfit!
I sewed up my Buttons & Buckles Overalls using Ann Kelle Cool Cords in Whale Print and Argyle. I just love the weight and feel of these corduroys! They’re so soft, and they’re not overly heavy or thick. That makes them easy to sew and great for layering in the winter or wearing alone in the spring. I even have a few more yards set aside for summer shortalls.
I can’t believe how fast my little guy is growing! I thought I’d make the 3T so he’d have room to grow, and it almost fits him perfectly. Sigh. They don’t stay tiny for long, do they?
Pictures of Samantha’s birthday room re-do are coming soon! I just have a few little things to finish up.
2012 in Pictures: Week 6
Ready for the Big Game!
Three Shaggy Little Boys
Three Clean Cut, Slightly Silly Little Boys
A Little Progress
Moms Night Out
Scooby-Dooby-Doo!
Valentines Dinner & Fellowship
From 2012 Project 365
2012 in Pictures: Week 5
Multitasking
Birthday Quilt In Progress
In the Office with Mama
Samantha’s Artwork
HELP! Jedi Have Locked My Head in a Box!
Bare Feet and Grass Stained Knees
Daddy & Daughter Birthday Celebration
From 2012 Project 365
Hopeful Threads: Giving Back & a Giveaway
Have you heard about the wonderful things happening over at Hopeful Threads? Kristy has such a heart for people in need, especially children, and she is doing a fabulous job of encouraging those of us who love sewing and are blessed with much to take a few minutes each month to give back. On the first of every month, Kristy posts a new charity sewing project on the Hopeful Threads blog. Participants from around the world join together in contributing their time, talents and fabric to help those who need what we can give.
Last month, I set aside a day to sew up a dozen bloomers for the January project. Annabelle’s Wish had a special request for bloomers to go with the many dresses that are donated during the summer months to the little girls in China’s orphanages. One day of sewing time and a few yards of fabric was an easy thing for me to give even on a tight budget. This month, Kristy is encouraging you to find a fundraising project that you can contribute to, whether it’s by creating a handmade project to be auctioned off, bidding on an auction or by skipping that latte and giving the dollars instead. (That last suggestion was not really from Kristy. It was all me, and really for me.)
Also, this month, I’m joining in as a Hopeful Threads supporter! (Kristy and I are working on a really exciting plan for a project that we’re hoping will happen in a few months, too, but it’s a secret for now. Shhhh . . . ) In addition to asking you to skip over to Hopeful Threads and start using your sewing talents to give back, I’m giving something to you: three chances to win two of my patterns! You have to go read Kristy’s post to find out how to enter: FD Giveaway.
Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God that He has given you. Deuteronomy 16:17, ESV
2012 in Pictures: Week 4
Pecan Pesto & Whole Wheat Pasta
Can We Play?
Say Cheese!
It’s Mine!
Running in for the Score!
Sean
Saturday Morning Breakfast with My Big Boys
From 2012 Project 365
52 (Family) Projects in 2012: #2 & #3
Why, yes, I am a little behind on my 52 Projects already. I’ll be making up for it over the next week with Samantha’s birthday present! It’s going to be so cool! In the meantime, though, projects #2 and #3 are new winter PJs for Charlie and Jamie.
They’re apparently very comfy PJs! At Fall Quilt Market, the folks at Shannon Fabrics stopped by my booth and asked me if I’d ever tried sewing my knit patterns with their Cuddle Fabric. I hadn’t, but I was willing to give it a try. They shipped me a box of some of the cutest prints last month! You really have to jump over to their site and see their selection: Cuddle Fabric Prints.
I started out with my Charlie Tee pattern and my AJ Bottoms pattern. I did have to make some minor modifications to get them to work with this fabric. It does have stretch to it, but it’s not quite as much as a cotton knit. (Cuddle Fabric is a polyester plush fabric similar to Minky, Moda’s Snuggles and Joann’s Soft & Comfy.) Once I widened the necklines and narrowed the neckbands on the tees and lengthened the waistbands on the pants to allow for the difference in stretch, they turned out really nicely. My boys certainly think so!
New Look, Instant Downloads & a Discount!
Have you seen the new look over on my main webpage? Cynthia of Webwurkz did an absolutely amazing job with the updates that I needed.
The biggest part of the update is to my Patterns page. When you click on it now, it takes you to a page that shows you all of my current patterns.
When you click on each pattern, you’ll find a pattern description, photos and a box where you can click to order the paper pattern or the pdf pattern. AND, when you purchase the pdf pattern there, you get it instantly! No waiting around for me to email the pattern. Gotta love instant gratification, right?
