Simplify

Flying pigs

I never thought I'd see the day.  In fact, I may have seen a few of these outside my window just now:

My very own mother has finally started a blog.  Wohoo!  She's not quite sure what she's gotten herself into, so do me a favor and head over and say hello.  She's not too scary, for the most part.  Just don't break curfew or leave your shoes by the back door and you should be good to go.  Oh, and heaven forbid nobody answers the phone when it rings.  She is known to use some choice words in those kinds of situations.  ;-) (Okay, it's the one time in my life I've ever heard her swear, and I've teased her about it ever since!)

So anyway, head on over, bookmark/google reader it, whatever it is, do your thing.  And while you are at it, check out her 'My first quilt' post.  Thats some crazy hair going on over there...  Happy Blogging Mom!  Love ya!

A few other things to mention:

*Amy over at The Quilt Shoppe/Kati Cupcake in my hometown is having a giveaway for a fantastic Amy Butler/Quilt Soup kit.  I hesitate to tell you, because I really really want it.  I love Amy Butler, and I love Quilt Soup even more.  So go over and enter (if you must) and tell her I sent ya. 

*Judi at Green Fairy Quilts is also doing a giveaway, and raising money/quilts for a great cause.  Head on over and spread the word.  Try not to be too jealous of her amazing long-arm quilting while you are at it.  You've been warned.  

*I've been meaning to mention this, but Facebook...  Here's the thing.  My blog is my quilting/design/creative space, my twitter is.... I don't even know what to call it, my... space (?), and my facebook is my basically my extended family (of which there are many)/high school friends. Just family and old friends, nothing quilty/creative.   For now, the spaces are separate. We'll see what the future brings.  Trust me, you aren't missing out on anything.  Please don't hate me.  :-)

*Quilt parade is on Monday, see ya then!  (I've heard that Moda Lissa may be throwing candy.  I'm just sayin...) 

Happy Weekend everybody!

My first quilt

WOW!  A big thank you to everybody who has participated so far in the Parade of Quilts!  If you haven't posted yours yet,  you still have until Sunday to do it.  Plenty of time.  (Ahem, Joanna...)  I'm a little hesitant to post mine after seeing all of yours...  seriously.  I can't even believe some of the quilts you attempted for your first.  One thing is for sure, there is some crazy talent out there.  

Okay, so here is my first quilt.  There in the back, can't you see it?  ;-)  (That was for you, Carrie!)

Okay, okay, here is is for real, with my boys holding it up to hopefully take your eye away from the quilt.  

Not a lot matches up on this quilt (this was one of the better nine patches), the corners are pretty rough.  Good thing it has that awesome hunter green/black gingham sashing and my black all over crazy stippling to highlight the piecing.

 

I got the fabric at the 'fabric tear' at my first Quilt Market (without being stabbed with scissors!).  I was 14, and it was in St. Louis that year.  Guess that would have been 199..7?  or would it have been 1998?  Can't remember.  

Yes, it's a little scary.  But still, I love it.  

The last quilt I finished-finished was this one, my Wild Thing quilt out of Simple Abundance.  I've started and ALMOST finished several other quilts since then, but they are still under wraps, (bleh!) so its a good thing they aren't quite done.  Don't worry, I'll be sure to show you the second that I can!

So there you have it!  My first quilt and my most recent finish.  I think I've come a ways since the beginning.  At least I hope so.  I've definitely learned a lot.  What have I learned?  I don't even know where to start.... hmm....  well,  the 1/4" seam is pretty crucial, never stipple over safety pins, and measure 5 times, cut once.  Learned all those the hard way, of course.  I also learned how much I adore fabric, and how much I absolutely love to quilt.  (Especially when it's not on a deadline!)

Now I'm off to work on my NEXT quilt.  And quite honestly, thanks to all of you, I can't wait to dive in....

See you Monday with the whole quilt parade in tow.  WOHOO!!  See ya there!

3 things = happy me

First things first- if you are looking for the 'My First Quilt' parade info (and you should), scroll down.  Still plenty of time to join in the fun.  Just do your thing by Monday and let me know!

(Warning:  this might be a super boring post, but I get asked about time management tips so often that I thought it was worth doing a post about.  Especially since I now have one tip.  Well, sorta.)

To-do lists and me, me and to-do lists.  Up until recently, its pretty much been a lose-lose relationship.  I tend to overcrowd my daily to-do lists with really big things like:  design 6 new projects, or clean and declutter whole house, or plan a menu for this month (I dare you to guess how long its been since that one happened).  Most of the time though, the problem wasn't necessarily the items on the list itself, but the sheer length of it.  20-30 items on a list like that, and you can pretty well bet that crossing off 'actually finishing the list' is  never going to happen.  Well, a few weeks ago, I came up with a plan...

Instead of 20-30 things on my list, I am picking 3.  Three bigger-ish to-dos, every day of the week except for Sunday.  (I take the whole day of rest concept and run with it.)  Every night I write 3 things on my list for the next day, and 3 things only.  I am obviously free to do more than is written on the list, but when I do this, I am overachieving, which feels a lot better than never finishing my darn 2 page list.  Obviously there are things that just won't ever make it on the list, because they are daily things (feeding kids, cleaning up messes, putting out orders, emails, spending quality time with these fine people:

etc).  

For example, last weeks list:

June 29

1. Write pattern for Square One

2. Restock pattern bins (aka folding and bagging until my fingers fall off)

3. FHE (Family Home Evening) with Jarom's fam

June 30

1.  Get Authentic quilt top put together

2.  Do math, sample block, and send fabric to mom for secret project (okay, it doesn't say that last part, but just in case you were going to ask)

3. Clean sewing room 

July 1

1.  Pay all bills 

2.  Clean downstairs

3.  Clean out computer (there were less than 2 gigs of space left)

July 2

1.  Organize new laptop- transfer files

2.   Stipple Authentic quilt

3.  Take kids swimming

July 3

1.  Clean upstairs/ change all sheets

2.  Write pattern for Authentic quilt

3.  Start French General quilt

July 4 (this was a good day)

1-3.  Hang out with fam, enjoy 4th of July, do nothing 'productive' 

You get the point, right?  

I would also like to point out that there is a strict NO guilt policy after finishing the list.  If I finish my 3 things, I am allowed to sit around and blog, sew, or just hang out with the fam, guilt-free, never thinking about those patterns that need to be written, bathrooms that need cleaning, etc.  

For me, it works.  I get a surprising amount more done, and I'm much cheerier when I'm accomplishing goals (and then some) instead of falling short.  THAT = a happy me.

So there you have it.  Now you know.  I'm just as boring as the next guy (well, girl).  Not like you didn't know that already.

What tricks do you have up your sleeve? 

And please don't say things like "cleaning lady" or "personal assistant" because I just can't handle the jealousy.  ;-)  Seriously.

Oh, I made a red velvet cake for the boys tonight.  It wasn't real pretty, but it was tasty!  Nothing short of a miracle.

Here's the proof that it actually came from my kitchen:

Sure, I haven't made a cake for... who knows how long (???),

but since it wasn't one of my 3 things today,

I feel like such an overachiever....

and it's a good day.

Parade of quilts (and lots of parentheses)

If you've been over to Carrie (of Miss Rosie fame)'s blog  lately (and if you haven't, you should)  you may have heard about this already, but if not, here goes.  WE (yes, the both of us) had this crazy idea while chatting in the intersection of the Notions booth and Deb Strain at quilt market.   Here's what we were thinking...  

See, all quilters have a "first quilt".  If you are a quilter, you know what I'm talking about.  The quilt you are (strangely?) immensely proud of, that you learned the most from, and that (if you are like me, at least) may make you cringe if you look too closely.  Or maybe even from far away.  ;-)  Over time, (and after learning everything the hard way, or was that just me?) you may have noticed a few changes in your quilts.  Probably that they just get better and better over time.

(stolen from Carrie's blog.  fantastic, isn't she?)

So here is where you come in.  (And yes, this is also applicable to all you designers out there who want to join in!) We thought it would be great to have a "Parade of Quilts" of sorts, where you show two quilts.  Your first quilt, and the last quilt you finished.  Post about it on your blog, flickr, etc, then leave a comment on this post, and over on Carrie's blog.  We will post a link to everyone who participates next Monday, along with our first quilts.  (There may be a random (/fantastic?) prize or two involved as well, I'm just sayin...)

So in a nutshell...

1.  Blog post (titled My First Quilt) with photo of your first quilt and photo of your most recent quilt + something you learned along the way.

2.  Leave a comment on this post, and over at Carrie's with the link to your post.

3.  Grab a Route 44 and come back next Monday to (hopefully) see the links to all "My First Quilt" posts, and possibly even a winner if we get enough people to join in the fun.

(If you don't have a picture of your first quilt, show the earliest one you have.  We aren't picky, quilts, table toppers, anything will do as long as it is quilt-y.  What will make this great is YOU!)

What do you say?  You in?

ps- sorry about all the ( )'s in this post.  I tend to do that when I'm excited about something (which I am!), and also when I post late at night (sorry).

(I'll try to be better)

(goodnight)

Thank you

To those who built this great country, and those who protect our freedom each and every day, we thank you.  

Now we are off to go eat a hot dog, watch some fireworks, and celebrate this free country in which we live.

Happy 4th of July!

4

Can't believe it.  This little man turned 4 today...

He is my baby boy, my little Canon (although he insists these days that his name is Harry Potter), and I'm just not ready for him to grow up.

(his 'best smile' which also happens to be the reason I try really hard not to never say 'smile' when I take his picture)

I know I should be thrilled, and I am.  But I'm not going to lie, every single time I see how much he's growing, my heart hurts.  

(1st birthday)

(today)

If you know me in real life, and probably even if you don't, you know I have a special place in my heart for my little Nano.  He loves his 'mommia' more than anything (except maybe his babies), and is constantly reminding me.  And everyone else.  Even his dad.  ;-)  

Oh how I love you little man. Happy, happy birthday.

Love, 

Mom

7 summer faves

(Because nothing says summer like sno cones.  Also, we don't have them here {ridiculous, I know}, so this was in Idaho last week.  Which also explains the long sleeves. Brr...)

It's over 100 degrees here in our happy little corner of the world, which means summer is in full swing.  Summer here is a little bit like winter everywhere else, it is so unbearable that you just stay inside for 8 weeks or so until you are completely stir crazy and ready for fall.  Of course, we get out to go swimming once in a while, but it is risky.  Have you seen how white I am?  The sun and I do not get along.  Aiden got that from me.

So, since I'm stuck inside for the next few months, I thought I'd compile a list of a few of my favorite things this summer... 

1. My aqua-ish flats from Target via Amazon.  Cute, comfy and lets face it, the perfect color.  

They match perfectly to my favorite aqua-ish necklace.  

Also, I really want them in red...

2.  Getting packages in the mail.  Today there was one from Target, and one from Ted.  Any guesses on which one was opened first?

Sorry Target, no contest.  It was full of French General and Sweetwater goodies.  

I'm working on some super secret stuff over here (gosh darn it I hate the secrets) and having a ball.  Here's a peek, but don't tell on me.

3.  The pretty new lantana that is growing in my yard.  Love the colors!  We planted some new stuff out in the yard for FHE on Monday (Family Home Evening= a little family activity {almost} every Monday night) Definitely better than the crispified snap dragons that had seen better days.  The yard looks so cheery.  Too bad its too hot to go out there, huh?

4.  Winchells.  I am hooked.  We used to be fans of Krispy Kreme, but Winchells has now taken that place in my heart.  Oh my gosh they are good...

5. Twitter.  Don't tweet?  Well, you should.  I'm afraid blogging has taken a backseat to this simple, quick, fun little... program(?).  I tweet from my phone, and I love it!  I think you all know of my (undying) love for my iPhone already, so I won't go there.  

6.  This nifty little lens cleaning pen thingy I found on Amazon.  No more fingerprints on my lenses/filters, and no more cleaning them up with my shirt (gasp!).  

7.  The way that this kid can kick back and relax.  I've mentioned this before.  And I'm still jealous.

Okay, well there you have it.  I have {many} more favorites but I'll save those for another day.  I'm off to enjoy a maple bar.

What are your summer faves?  Let's hear it...

One Happy Meal

Okay, you KNOW I never blog about cooking.  I rarely blog about food actually, as it just makes me feel guilty for not cooking more than... oh, once or twice a month (don't judge).  In fact, I don't usually read Bakerella because there are just too many delicious things to bake, and it makes me want to drop what I'm doing and go mess up one of her recipes.  But this... this I am absolutely dying over.   

 

You have to go check it out if you haven't already.  

All I ask is that if you make some, you send a few this way.  Deal? 

Drool away...

...jiggity jig

I think it is safe to say, I am traveled out.  Don't get me wrong, it has been a fantastic month and I wouldn't change a thing, but I am ready to be home for a little while.  This last weekend we went up to Idaho to see my little brother, Ryan, and new sister-in-law Breanna get married.  Yes, I was the obnoxious older sister who was standing behind the real photographer snapping away.  I took.... oh, 400 pictures or so??  Yikes.  

Anyway, it was a fun weekend, filled with everything that comes with a wedding, plus kids, cousins, sno cones, etc.  I heart Idaho.  Here's a few more photos...

Now that I'm home?  It is back to work.  Times 100. Plus 5.  I've got deadlines all over the place, a disastrous sewing room to tackle and a sewing machine that is begging to be dusted off since all the market madness.  Oh, and the fabric.  OH the fabric.  It is just begging to be cut up and sewn back together...  

In other news, there were a few things I've been meaning to tell you, things you definitely need to know.  

*Sandy Gervais (yes, THE Sandy Derbais or something like that ;-) has started a blog.  So do your thing, bookmark, google reader it, whatever you need to do.  She's awesome.  

*Speaking of awesome, the girls over at Sweetwater, also known as the masterminds behind the new au*then*tic collection that we are all swooning over, have started a blog as well.  So do your thing over there as well.  Did I mention they are awesome?  I got these quilt labels from then a few days ago and have since been trying to cook up some great reason for them to send me 10 zillion more.  Are they not the cutest thing ever? (and did I mention you could win some?) Thanks girls! 

*Also last week I got a surprise in the mail from Beth that just made my day.  It has found a home in my sewing room and I think it will live there happily for a very long time.  Thanks Beth!  Aqua red, and green?  You know me well.  :-)

One more thing, I'm jabber-ing over at the Jolly Jabber again today.  Pretty exciting stuff, check it out here.  Thanks for having me, Kimberly, Jocelynilla and crew!

Alright, well, back to work.   And this...  

Yes, there's a new obsession in the Roskelley home, anyone care to guess what it is?  (Don't worry, they are only allowed to watch the first two movies.  The others are way too scary!) 

Okay, okay, seriously, back to work.  Have a good one!

*one more thing... THANKS for all the birthday wishes.  You girls are so great!  I really am a lucky girl to have friends like you...

Apparently, I'm very easily distrac...

26

Yep, its true.  I'm another year older.   To celebrate, I'm wearing red polkas and my favorite new aqua necklace from Chicago,  

enjoying my freshly painted guest room, 

not making mac & cheese for breakfast (again) for this little stinker (?!?),

and kickin' my feet up and drinkin' a DP from Sonic.

Yes, I know what I said, but it's my birthday.  Don't judge.  And no worries, I'll quit again tomorrow.

So, yep, 26 years since this day, which just happens to be my mom's birthday too.  Pretty cool, huh?

Happy Birthday Mom!  Thanks for bringing me into this crazy world, and for not selling me to the gypsies 20 years ago.  Much appreciated.  ;-)  Love you!

And thank you to all of you, who through phone calls, emails, posts, tweets and delicious Dr. Pepper have made me feel special today.  I'm a lucky girl.