eXcellence love!

I did it. Bought THE machine. At least I hope it will be THE machine for a very long time. The Elna 740 eXcellence. Big decision...huge purchase...I"M IN LOVE...Not only with the machine, but also with my very supportive M.A.N.  He asked to see my used car when he came home today (ha, ha, ha)!

I decided on this machine because of all the features it has and came with. LOTS of feet, big harp and throat for quilting and she hums. She is beautiful.

My first project is this little bag created by Anna over at thimbleanna.com. She has a couple of great tutorials and this one allowed me to use a few of the plethora of feet this beauty came with. Sadie started 6th grade today(middles school) and this will be for whatever useful purpose it can serve.

I love that I can personalize items now.

Oh boy, too many projects to make.  Now if I could just lock myself in the house for a week!

Hot off the press

This quilt has been 9 months in the making (not because it took me that long to make, but because I procrastinated). When I saw the mini quilts created by Kajsa, I knew I need to make one. So here it finally is, completed and put in the mail tonight! Hopefully it will travel fast to its recipient.

 

I really enjoyed this little project...I think I might have to make a few more. Tak so mycket Kajsa!

Jules...this ones for you.

This quilt is on my list of top favorites. When Julia told me her colors for her nursery, I was a little skeptical, but as it came together, I became attached to this quilt and LOVE IT! The bright colors with the gray contrast so nicely.

Derek was my little photo helper
Congrats Jona and Julia!

Lost Camera

So, we've lost our camera. Have you ever lost something, worth a lot of money, and feel really awful? I feel like sitting on the couch today and eating chocolate. The worst part is we can't remember exactly where it was left. We know we had it at our pinewood derby night for cub scouts but neither Chris nor I remember taking it out to the car so we are pretty sure it was left at the church. Yet, it is not showing up at the church, at least not yet. We have emailed each ward and continue to wait to see if someone is holding it to keep it safe for us, which we really hope is what is going on. It is kind of depressing and frustrating at the same time. Because of this, no pictures for what I hope to be only one posts worth. If you have our camera or know of its whereabouts, please let us know!

Quilt along

Elizabeth of Oh Fransson is doing another quilt-along. YAY! This time I am going to finish the quilt!!! (The previous quilt-along quilt is all cut out, but not sewn together yet). The concept is a paint box quilt where all the quilt blocks would be a different color. My quilt, however, is only going to have 4 colors in the blocks. Here are my "gold" blocks. I'll also have red, black and white. I think it will turn out nicely.

What are you working on?

Gracious Giveaways

Some of you may remember this post. Well, all of my packages were delivered or mailed by Dec. 31st(talk about procrastination) and yet here is what I found in my mailbox BEFORE Christmas from Krista Lou!

I love the little magnet clasp! What a fabulous invention.

The necklace is so beautiful, you can either dress it up or down.

Of course, I won't normally wear it with this outfit, but I thought you needed to see it on me.

Thank you Krista Lou, I LOVE IT!

And then...Heather over at Trends and Traditions offered a giveaway for her new Wildflower line of fabric and guess who won the giveaway?! Moi, yes that's right. I was ecstatic and then this is what I found on my doorstep:

Talk about a generous amount of fabric! The fabric is so beautiful...now what am I going to make with all this? Heather is a very talented designer and has a lot of great fabrics and ideas. Make sure you go check out her blog. Thank you so much Heather. I am very grateful and can't wait to show you some completed items!

Bookshelves

I have enjoyed reading this blog recently. She has so many amazing ideas. One of which was a post about these bookshelves made out of rain gutters. I found a tutorial online on this other blog and then convinced my awesome husband to help me put them up in the boys room. I love them already!

Mason loves that he has a place for not only his books, but his new Didj too. I like that the books are facing forward and the kids can see the covers. So far, so good!

One little project

Sadie has been asking for beds for her dolls. She has been using the boxes the dolls came in for beds which has been working quite well actually. Yet, I felt like she needed something more. So, Santa found this set of beds on craigslist and then I created some bedding to go along with them, mattresses, pillows, pillowcases and quilts. They turned out quite lovely, I'd say...Sadie is pretty happy with them too.

Be Merry!

Merry Christmas!



As Christmas day approaches I have been able to reflect and BE grateful for my many blessings this year, for my savior and my family. I am glad to BE with my family this season and have time to play, snuggle, laugh, eat and create. BE Merry!

Letters were inspired by Heather! Thank you for the great idea! She also has a great new line of fabric! Check her out.

Winter is here!

Happy First Day of Winter!
We are celebrating by going here:

This is also our first day of Christmas break and the kids are looking forward to going swimming today! Too bad we aren't outside playing in some snow instead like all those people up in good ol' Maryland. Hope you guys are enjoying the snow! S is ready for Christmas:

Isn't she so cute?! She loves her Santa hats this time of year. This one was given to her by her primary teacher at church yesterday, as were the glasses. I think she probably slept with the hat on. Who knows. I have been busy creating little things for this girl. She wants everything American Girl and I have a few things in the works.

I am also going to make some letters like the ones shown here as gifts for a couple of friends. I am really excited and I hope they turn out good. Happy creating and Merry Christmas!

Baby, it's cold outside...

There are many projects in the works in The Top Room. One of which required me to use a Sharpie to trace numbers. I accidentally left said marker on my ironing board the other day and the older kids took Derek up to watch TV. He busied himself with a little art...Velma received a makeover. Anyone know how to get permanent marker off of metal?

While I have been sewing and buying, it decided to snow today. Normally this is something to do the happy dance over, however, this weekend we were planning on traveling back to Maryland to see some friends. Now it looks like we will be hanging out at home. Plus, school got out early today because of the "chance" of snow. It has already stopped and the roads are wet. These southerners drive me batty sometimes. We may just have to take a trip to the mountains to find the snow if it doesn't stick. Can you see it in this picture?

Here is a little peak at another project I have been working on. I love handmade gifts, both giving and receiving. I hope little ones will like the sets I am making for them. You'll have to wait, obviously, to see the full project. I put them in the mail today!

Merry Christmas!

Giveaways!

Annie, over at Regarding Annie, did such a fun thing...giveaways on HER birthday for others! I was lucky enough to be one of the three recipients of a benevolent gift, a junk tie! Now, this is my first experience with a junk tie and I hope that I am wearing it correctly.

Thank you Annie, not only for the gift, but for sharing your marvelous writing talent with all to enjoy!

Coming along...

I have a new quilt under way. It is taking me a while to get it cut out as I keep procrastinating, but that stage is soon over and I will have something to share! Thanks to Camille, this video was inspiration for today...now I am going to figure out what I am going to make all my peeps for Christmas this year! Enjoy.

Hawthrone Threads Giveaway!

It's a giveaway! I love giveaways. Charlie and Lindsay have moved from Etsy and opened a new website (which is fabulous by the way) and are hosting a giveaway! Click here to check out their new site and enter to win! They are quick with the orders and have a great selection of fabrics...and will chat with you! Oh, and check out the shop for fabric by color! That is a handy tool.

Fraternal twins

Finally, they are born! These two quilts are from a pattern created by this talented gal. I wanted to have them finished when I went out to Oregon after the race, but didn't quite get them done.

However, they are now on their way to Oregon with my hubby who will be hand delivering them today to these two special ladies:




Love you Grandma and Ursula!

Foyer is finished!

Finally, a color we like! Thank you Cynthia for helping me pick put the color and to Katie Rae for your awesome suggestions. It is a great feeling to have it done...and it is so warm and inviting now.
 

Foyer remodel and dining room colors

We have been trying to paint our foyer for about a month now. We have gone through 4 different colors and still don't like it. This last time I bought a different brand of paint and realized THAT makes a huge difference! Needless to say, I won't be buying that brand again. Here is what our wall looks like now...

and this is what I "think" I want it to look like. I love the dark chocolate in this room, yet I am afraid it will be too dark, so in the meantime I have spent way too much time and $ on other colors!


Here is our foyer. It is not very big and the lighting is yellow. Maybe I should switch the light bulbs. That would be a novel idea.

What to do, what to do. I've already spent $60 in paint I will probably never use. Any suggestions?

In other news, I love how my dining room turned out. Here are the colors:

I am debating what type of fabric to use for the window treatment. What do you think of this? Maybe I should add more color somewhere? I am not good at these things. Help please?!

Marathon is completed!

To read and see more about my marathon, click here. It was an amazing journey!

26.2 in San Francisco!

Fundraising is completed! nice. Around $4200 is what I raised all together. Thank you to everyone who participated in making this a success for me. I am so excited to be on my way to San Fran in 9 days! Yes, 9! 26.2 here I come.

Ready. Set. Run! and run and run and run...

Here is what I have planned on this trip so far:

A night tour of this place...


And a slice of this cheesecake, dolloped with cream (fortunately the Cheesecake Factory is right across the street from our hotel!) This is my post race reward, maybe I'll take the whole cake...



A visit to Portland to see Grandma Hari

and Ursula (sorry Ur, I don't have a picture but am excited to come!) both of whom I am running in honor of.

Of course none of this would be possible with out the wonderful support of this person,



who has watched the kids every Saturday morning for more than 3 months now and helped me with fundraisers without complaining I might add! You are amazing and thanks honey (can I get a massage now please?).