LIFE'S JOY! ISLAND BATIK FAT QUARTER GIVEAWAY!! Samoan Jelly roll giveaway

Since this little buggar has been born my life has been turned upside down but in a good way.

He spends a lot of time here at my house to help his parents out because as I have probably mentioned before, he is a very time consuming baby.

I was afraid that I would not want to tend him much because of my quilting and projects but for some reason everything goes to the side and we make up the time lost later.

That is one joy, the next is Island Batik Fabrics.

February 15th there will be another blog hop, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.

What a fun hop.  I have to tell you that these fabrics are so amazing when you want to create a landscape and shading.  So do come by.

I want to give one person a fat quarter of my coveted Island Batik fabric.  All you have to do is tell me where you think I will be going for February's blog hop?  That is it.  Maybe I will give you a sneak peak?

Then...for two weeks I have done nothing but cut, iron, and square up 416 of these half squares.  

I can't show you the finished results but trust me it is one wonderful quilt even if I say so myself.

Now on to other projects.  I am so excited to have this one project done above and pattern on the way to being completed.  I have a few things I have to get done for others and then it will be my time to play for myself.

Life is good...

HERE IS A PSS:

Jelly roll giveaway at Inchworm Fabrics

WARM AND NATURAL - THE WARM COMPANY

During the month of December "The Warm Company" had a 12 days of Christmas giveaway.

I was a lucky winner on two days.

I won this Insul-Bright and I am so excited to use this.

Then I won this Warm and Natural Batting, to be honest, I only like to use this batting, warm and white as well.  I brought a whole roll of it on sale at Hancock's so I am set for the year.

For me this batting makes it so much easier to FMQ on your domestic machine than polyester batting.  I do have a few rolls of polyester batting only because it was given to me.

So what is your favorite batting to use?

QUILTY GOODNESS WITH LIFE FLYING BY AT WARP SPEED.

I have heard it said that if you want something done give the task to the busiest person you know.

That is debatable.

Here are six Blanket/Quilt set for Heaven Sent

Being a new grandmother has taken a lot of time and I have to say that I am enjoying every minute of it.

Unfortunately, my son and his wife are walking zombies, fussy fussy baby so I take him as much as I can (I know so selfless of me).

My husband and I made four day trip to Idaho to see this couple married.  Don't know how my husband did it but he drove all night on the way home.
Can't trust me to drive at night.

Had fun making these goody boxes.
I got the cut outs from the paper packet I purchased at JoAnn's.

Life has been super busy.  Some days I am so busy that I just stop.  I am learning to filter out what is non important and what is, that has helped a lot.

Hope all of you have a fabulous New Year!!!

POTATO BAGS

I have made over 40 potato bags.

I have used my bag several times...and it is great

NO SEW SNOWFLAKE TUTORIAL USING THE ACCUQUILT GO CUTTER

                                                               Snowflake ornament

MATERIALS NEEDED:

1. Accuquilt Go Die #55043  Holiday Medley
2. Heat N Bond Ultra firm
3. Assorted Christmas fabrics 5" squares
4. 5" square of  card stock paper ( I used the end of the roll in my Christmas wrapping paper..it is no longer a tube, it is just heavy paper in a roll which works out great for projects)
5. Ribbon
6. Hole punch

INSTRUCTIONS:

• As you see here, this is just a scrap of fabric that is about the size needed but you will need either a 10" x 5" strip or two 5" squares of fabric the same for your heat n bond.
• Iron your heat n bond ultra firm onto the back of your fabrics as shown here

•  Then place your 5" square of card stock in between the squares.  This card stock gives it the strength you need to have a nice firm ornament not a flymsy one.

•  fold over and iron

• Take to your trusty Accuquilt Go Cutter and cut out the shape you desire because you can even do the Christmas Tree.
• Use a hole punch to punch in a hole for the ribbon.                                                                                                     

Tie your ribbon in and there you have a super fast, fun ornament!

• 

MY ADOPTED GRAND CHILDREN

I have been teaching these two how to sew for about three months now.  This day they were making pillowcases for their brothers for Christmas (forgot to take a picture)

They have made covers for their sewing notebooks, started a quilt, made hair bows and did a drawstring back pack. 

Just love these girls, they are so eager to learn.

One thing I told the mom was, "I am not one to make the child rip out if it is not perfect".  I know several people who have had terrible experiences sewing because they had to rip out and rip out until it was perfect.  I told the mom that in time they will learn to do it well but for now, they do it well enough (they do rip out some but not at every turn).  By no means are their projects a mess but sure they can use improvements but for now I just want them to feel joy in their accomplishments and have a love of sewing.

In return the mom does my hair...oh boy yes.  I think I get the better end of the deal for sure.

TEE SHIRT QUILT

I was asked to do this Tee Shirt quilt.   I was sent the fronts of the tee shirts and some small pieces cut out already, notice the sides....

The person who owned these tee shirts felt that he would save room by cutting out the designs on his shirts and just save them for later (small pieces)

It took me a while to figure out how to place the larger ones and then I decided to just do a border with the smaller ones.

I searched high and low for the sashing fabric...I know...I know....I just had this idea in my head and wasn't gong to settle for anything less.  Luckily my husband understood and didn't mind taking me to several places....well...more than several.  

Now I just have to quilt it.  I should have already had it done today but I lost motivation.  

Some of you may know but at the risk of repeating myself I have my first grandbaby.

He weighed in at 10 pounds 9 oz...left the hospital at almost 11 pounds.

He is sooo precious.  He spent his time in the NICU for his hospital stay.  Since he was so big he had low blood sugar and he and the mom had an infection.

We are so glad to have him home...I can't wait to have him to myself without parents watching me....trust me, we have waited years to finally get one and well....it is spoil city at our house.