Simplify

Merry Christmas to all

Handmade

I absolutely love handmade gifts- everything about them.  In fact, some of you may remember a post I wrote last year right after Christmas about just how much I heart them. Well, I made a few more this year, (not even close to as many as I was hoping to make!) but since the only recipients I know for an absolute certain do not read my blog happen to be my little munchkins, I thought I would show you what I made them this year.  So, blog, meet Spaceboy and Robot.  Robot and Spaceboy, blog.

I saw this pattern from Wee Wonderfuls at one of my local quilt shops, Quiltique, a while back and have been planning on making it for Christmas.  If you know me in real life, you know that I have about 50 projects that I am 'planning to make' at any given time.  But this time, it actually happened! 

I whipped up these little stinkers for my little stinkers last week and was so excited about how they turned out.  

Aiden has been obsessed with robots since I've known the kid, and since this one has an A on it, it should be a hit.  He's easy to please.

The 'Junior Spaceman' part is a little family joke.  It's hard to explain without hearing Canon say it, but trust me- hilarious.  

So anyway, here is little sneak peek at our handmade holidays.  Just don't tell the munchkins, whatever you do.  I may have already spoiled their Christmas by spelling their presents on the phone to my mom.  What 5 year old kid can understand L-e-a-p-s-t-e-r-t-w-o and d-i-g-i-t-a-l-c-a-m-e-r-a when they are spelled really fast??  My mom didn't even know what I spelled!  Darn it.  

I told him I was joking. 

Pretty sure he's too smart for that.

There sure is a lot riding on Spaceboy and Robot.

Good luck, boys.

Deeeaaar Santa...

It's not my fault- those {rotten} girls over at Fat Quarter Shop made me do it.  Looking through all their bundles, quilt kits, and everything else they've got over there, I've significantly added to my Christmas list.  

So Santa, if you wouldn't mind bringing me at least one of the following, (yeah, like I can narrow it down to ONE.  Ha!) I would sure appreciate it...  

1.  The Cool Nicey Jane bundle to go with the Nicey shopping cart I've got going on over there at FQS already.  

2.  The Madeline kit from Fig Tree (I've been swearing I was going to make since last Spring) to add to my ever growing collection of Fig Tree paraphernalia.  (And a cobblestone quilt kit?  That darn Sherri keeps showing hers and making me want to drop what I'm doing and start one!)

3.  Meadowsweet Kiwi Bundle from Sandi's new line.  Everything Sandi makes from it makes me want it that much more!

And Santa, if you would be so kind as to wrap it in some of this, I would sure love ya.

PS...The boys wanted me to mention that would really appreciate one of these:

 

They promise to share.  And I'm not gonna lie- it is pretty darn cute when they do.

PPS... And of course, world peace.  

(Want to get on Santa's nice list?  Head on over here to do it.  Hurry!  And after you let Santa know- let me know too!  I'd love to hear what you ask Santa for and especially see your posts!)

Happy Holidays!

Cozy

I'm alive!  Barely.  The cold/flu season this year has hit us hard!  At least two of the four of us have been sick every single day since Thanksgiving. (FUN.)  I don't even remember the last time everyone could say their m's and n's.  So sick of being sick!

Now that the sun goes down at 4:30 in the afternoon and it is darn near freezing (and did I mention we haven't been feeling great? ;-), we have been spending a lot of time Redbox/Netflix-ing and hanging out on the couch in the evenings.  It's been pretty perfect really, we all drag out our favorite quilts, start up the fireplace and watch a movie (tonight it is Rocketman) with the Christmas tree lights shining.  Love it! 

Everything just feels so cozy around here.  Tonight we had breakfast for dinner and Jarom helped the boys make muffins with the new silicone muffin cups I got from a certain someone.  How cute are they in all their red and aqua holiday goodness??  (I couldn't find them online, but some similar, not as cute or Christmasy ones are here.)  Thanks L- they are perfect!  

So anyhow- just popping my (stuffy) head in to say hello to the outside world.  I've missed you!  

Here's hoping you and yours are faring better than me and mine, huh?

Although, snuggling on the couch with three cute boys- not such a bad deal if you ask me.

See ya soon!

My favorite part

Everyone has a different 'favorite part' of quilting.  For some it is piecing blocks, for others it is applique or stippling, or coming up with a new design, or... a million other things. (I don't know anybody whose favorite part is borders though, ick!)  For me, it is a tie.  Between piecing (that's a given), and coming up with an idea that I love, and then seeing how others interpret it.  Every single one is different.  I love it.  

And I also love applique.  And binding...

Sorry, what was I saying?  Oh yeah.  So I was thinking.  What if we do a feature once a month or so, on a particular pattern.  I'll ramble on about it, show a few different versions of it, and offer the pattern at a killer price.  (Does the word "killer" age me?)  

The only problem?  I typically only have time to make a quilt out of one line of fabric (Good heavens, I'm not Heather! I wish...).  SO, to help me out with this?  My sister, Tracy who has in recent years returned to the sewing machine since her years of semi-pro Barbie doll clothing making when we were little.  She was good. 

I don't have a recent pic of just Tracy, so here a photo of Tracy's fam I took last time I was home in Idaho- do I not have the cutest nieces and nephew??

Also, I didn't know what to call the new feature series.  Jarom voted for "Quilt-tacular."  I vetoed that.  We are sticking with Friday Feature for now.  But if you have any ideas, please feel free to share.  Please?

Up first on this Friday Feature series?  

Piece of Cake

This is the absolute perfect beginner pattern/quick pattern/gift pattern/baby pattern.  It really is a piece of cake to put together, and is simply a layer cake and two borders.  Quick and easy. (Right Joanna?)

Here it is in it's original Cotton Blossoms glory:

And then a few quilts that Tracy has been working on/sewing up a storm:

Out of Sandy Gervais' Christmas line, Merry and Bright:

Adorable.  Note that they look like little presents.  How. Cute. Is. That?

And one out of Simple Abundance that is probably my very favorite (can I have it?):

And last but not least, a sweet baby/little girl quilt out of some Sandi Henderson Ginger Blossom goodness:

SO sweet.  

I may need a girl.

And there you have it!  A piece of cake.  If you want your own piece of cake, head on over to my Etsy shop, where this week my Piece of Cake pattern is just 5.00.  Yep, 5 bucks.  For 5 days.  So until... (counting fingers) Tuesday.  

OR, you can head on over to Tracy's brand new Etsy shop, The Paisley Polka Dot, where you can buy the quilts shown in this post.  They would make great gifts for someone you love.  Or your shop.  Or yourself.  (From Santa?)  Just a thought.  And when they are gone, they're gone- so snatch them up quick!

(Thanks Tracy!)

So there you go.  The very first Friday Feature.  Oh, and one more thing.  If you have a Piece of Cake quilt of your own?  Please feel free to link to it in the comments or send me a photo. 

And while we are on the subject- what is your favorite part of quilting?

Mine?  Maybe stippling.  Or, gorgeous fabric...