Simplify

Ready

It's amazing what you can accomplish in one day when you get up at 3:30am.   

We are so very ready for Christmas.

*Yawn* And bed.  Until at least December.

Good night.

So thankful

Just one more video...  it says it so much better than I can!  What am I thankful for?  For so many things, but most of all- my family.

So thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Confession

(I may regret this post)

*I'm in denial that Christmas is right around the corner.  It was 70 degrees this weekend.  I'm not even ready for Halloween.

*I've spent probably 100 hours trying to figure out how to crochet.  I still can't.  

*My inbox is atrocious.  I mean really, really bad.  

*I used to eat Cheerios every morning.  I switched to Trix a while back.  Less healthy, more tasty.  Also, more energy for about 30 minutes.  Awesome.

*After watching Star Trek this weekend I have a new crush on Chris Pine. 

*My kids have a dentist appointment today.  Pretty sure I'm more scared than they are.

*I have not seen it.  I will not see it.  I'm really tired of hearing about it.  

*I'm still rockin' Saturday's hairdo. 

*I would eat Claim Jumpers California Quesadillas for breakfast, lunch and dinner if I could afford it.

*I'm a little jealous that my mom was the Fat Quarter Shop Feature today (and also pretty proud- way to go Mom!)

*After I dropped my boys off at school, I came back home, climbed back into bed fully dressed, and watched 30 Rock for 2 hours.  

What is your confession today?  C'mon, get it off your chest. You know you want to.

update 11/24

*WOW.  I knew it was a touchy subject, but wow.  You sure like it!  Or don't.  ;-)

*No longer in total denial about Christmas being a month away.  Christmas shopped on Amazon last night and changed my header (see above). Feeling more Christmasy.  However, I honestly didn't realize Thanksgiving was 2 days away.  Yikes.

*No more Saturday hair.  

*0 cavities.  Are these my children?

Everything else is still applicable.

Especially the part about Chris Pine.

Create

I don't have anything to blog about.  There, I said it!  I mean, I'm busy, probably too busy!  I have deadlines, and orders, and a house to clean, kids to feed, and laundry to fold.  Life is good.  Aside from the laundry, of course.  (Bleh.)

This bloggers block couldn't have come at a better time though, as I have been meaning to share this video for quite a while, and just hadn't gotten to it. So today is the day. If you haven't seen it, you should.  If you have, you should watch it again!  It is so powerful, and just a great reminder of the potential we all have to create.  Love it!

Now you'll have to excuse me, I'm off to create something... 

What are you creating?

Morning-ish?

Looks like I'm not the only one who has a thing for blocks!  Wow!  And you were all so fast.  Thank you to everyone who entered.  (Hey, it's still morning-ish right?)  It also looks like the winner today is....

Eileen who said  "Hey, Nice to be among some cool designers -- and nice to be one, eh? I can't wait to make the patterns I bought from you last month (planning some thanksgiving sewing time!). My favorite color is aqua and I'm loving it with some really cool, a little gray purple. Thanks for the giveaway!"

So there you have it!  Oh wait... what's that?  I have one more to give away?  Sweet.  Looks like...

Aunt Spicy who said "Ohhhh that magazine looks so fun! Congrats on being included! My favorite color is red and white gingham. And if gingham isn't a color I'll go with red."

And maybe one more for good measure?  (Is that allowed?)

Heather who said  "Hi! Love the "sweets". Favorite color? Actually, I just redecorated the living room in this wonderful deep red, and then walked in one day and thought, "Is that rust? As in, from the 70s?!?! OOPS!" Guess RUST is my favorite color - I'm a child of the seventies!"

Email me ladies!  We'll talk.  Alright, back to work for me.  I've got a house to clean, orders to get out the door and six new quilts to design.  (That's 3 things, right?  ;-) Any requests??

OR I could just hang out on my fluffy new red chair cushion (target!)  

and get back to the Life's Journey blocks I've been working on...

Hmm... looks like the blocks might win again. 

They've been doing that a lot lately.

**Don't forget, the quilt auction for Benson and Claire is still going at the Jolly Jabber until Monday.  Things are heating up over there- head on over!

Block party

 It's a good day!  Today is my day on Quiltmakers 100 Blocks blog hop.  It is called Top 100 designers.  What in the world am I doing there?  I'm wondering that too.  Just don't tell them, or they might change it to Top 99 and one more.  

Really though, so honored to be among such fabulous designers.  There are certainly some amazing ones in there, faces you will recognize.  Joanna, Laurie, Monica, Pam, Karla, oh yeah- and my mom!  (Just teasing, mom)  And that is just the beginning!  There are prizes galore over at the Quilty Pleasures blog, and one more here.  Keep reading...

(Here's my silly little block:)

SO, want to win a copy? (Of the magazine, not the block!)  Piece of cake.  Just leave a comment with your name and... your favorite color for good measure.  And do it quick!  The winner will be announced on Friday morning-ish.  

Why the ish?  I keep staying up too gosh darn late working on these blocks from Joanna's Prairie Sweets pattern.  In reds and greens for Christmas, of course.  But probably not in time for this one.  I've been appliqueing them by hand, which is so much fun, but takes...a bit longer.  Aren't they so sweet?  Love this block! 

Speaking of blocks, I've got my eye on more than a few blocks in this issue (Starting with yours, miss PKM!) And then a few more blocks on top of that... and one or two (or fifty) more on top of that.  

So to sum up:  Lots of blocks, Quiltmaker, giveaway, favorite color, see you Friday.

Overwhelmed

What can I say?  Just... thank you.  That seems so simple, but really, thank you.  I never in a million years could have guessed that we could raise that much, that the auction would be so successful.  Thanks to you, of course.  

The winner of the Wild Thing quilt auction?  That would be the unstoppable duo of Kimberly from Fat Quarter Shop, and Vicky from LA Quilter.  It was a close one, and there was a bit of a bidding war there at the end.  (And I mean "war" in the nicest possible way.)  The mysterious Amy came in a close second.  And the best part?  These generous souls are going to auction it off again (!) over at the Jolly Jabber this week to raise even more for Benson and Claire , so you have another shot at it!  (Hint, hint).  Amazing.  Just amazing.  Head on over and check it out.  And while you are there?  Give them a big hug.  However you can.  

I am just... overwhelmed by your generosity.  This was a powerful reminder of all the good that is out there.  Such amazing people who are willing to help those around them.  Even if they've never met. 

For updates on Benson and Claire, visit their family blog here, and don't forget, there are still lots of great auctions going on at the Benson and Claire Auction blog, and if you would just like to donate, even a few dollars, visit this link.  

I know, I've said it already, but thank you.  To Kimberly and Vicky, to Amy, to Kristen, Michelle, Katie, Christine, Deborah, Zarina, Michelle, Laila, Mandy, Sandy, Cindy, Holli, Polly, Bren and everyone else who helped with this auction.  For your kindness, for your generosity, thank you.

Silent Auction for Benson and Claire

You know, I love my kids.  They drive me crazy, they make me smile, they tug on my arms constantly, and they give the best hugs.  There isn't anything I wouldn't do for my kids.

When I first heard about Benson and Claire, it really hit home for me.  (Especially these videos of little Claire.) Partly because their dad, Jared, is from my little hometown, and his family lives just down the road from mine, but partly, because I'm a mom.  And my heart just breaks for every mom, every parent, or grandparent that has to go through something like this. 

From their family blog:

Benson and Claire were born with a rare genetic disease in which their liver produces too much oxalate--called primary hyperoxaluria. Claire's condition has progressed much faster than Benson's. She has been on dialysis since she was 3 months old and is on dialysis 3 hours a day, 6 days a week. She is now on the waiting list to receive a combined kidney / liver transplant. It is expected Benson will eventually need similar transplants.

Benson and Clarie are part of the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA). This non-profit charity helps children in need of life-saving transplants by organizing volunteers to raise funds for transplant-related expenses. With the cost of a transplant often exceeding $500,000, transplant patients are unable to shoulder the financial burden of such a procedure. Please visit www.cotaforbensonandclaires.com for more information about COTA and Benson and Claire's medical journey. Consider donating even a small amount to help this family through a dual kidney / liver transplant for two children. 100% of all funds raised are used for the kid's transplant-related expenses.   

So to (hopefully) raise some money to help them out, (I mean, really- look at those smiles) I am going to auction off one of my all time favorite quilts, Wild Thing.  This is the actual quilt on the pattern cover, measures 58" x 64", and it was pieced, quilted and bound by me.  It is soft and snuggly, and in perfect shape, as it has been traveling in trunk shows to different quilt stores.  It has been freshly washed and smells delicious.  :-)

If you would like this quilt (and patten with it on the cover) to come live with you, here's what you do.  In the comments section, leave a bid, bigger than the bid in the previous comment.  Push publish comment.  Smile.  :-)  Oh, and spread the word!

The silent auction will start now and go through November 9 at 6 pm PST.  There is also a silent auction for many other wonderful services and products over at the Give Hope for Benson and Claire Auction website that their family and friends have set up to help them. 

If you aren't able to bid on the quilt or other items, please consider donating even a few dollars by going to this link.  I know every dollar and every prayer is going to an amazing little family, and is appreciated more than we can imagine.  Thank you in advance!

Now go hug and kiss your kids.  Really, right now.  And tell them you love them.  I know I will.