Simplify

Taking care of business

Remember back in March when I headed out to San Francisco for a taping of The Quilt Show with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims?  Well, it's live!  And while I hesitate to tell you this, as it is excruciatingly painful to watch myself on camera (you know exactly what I mean), I thought you might enjoy it.  (Don't miss the behind the scenes photos here.)

Did I mention that the episode is free to watch through October 1?  And while you are at it, subscriptions to The Quilt Show are 20 percent off using the code 121984506098.  I've really enjoyed my Quilt Show subscription, and I'm pretty darn sure you will to.  Anyhow, head on over.

Also, I moved! Well, my little store did. My Etsy shop is no longer, say hello to Big Cartel! I've been meaning to make the switch for quite some time, but I guess it took being stuck on the couch with a rotten cold for a couple of days to actually get it done.  Go here to check it out.

To celebrate the big move, all orders are 20% off until 9/28 with code BLISS20.  Why Bliss?  Because the first 30 orders will also get the cutest darn mini charm pack of Bliss with their order.  Want to see?

Yep, pretty cute. 

I also have a few extra copies of the Where Women Create issue from this post, if you are interested.  

I think that pretty much covers it today.  Have a good one!

*Edit:  Whew!  The mini charm packs and WWC issues are gone.  Thank you!  However, the promo code BLISS20 will still work through 9/28.  Thanks a bunch!

*Edit 2- So, I know this said 10/28 when it was published and I apologize.  It was supposed to be 9/28.  Did you know that September isn't the 10th month?  Me either, apparently.  Wishful thinking?

To sum up

Whew!  What a week its been.  On Sunday night I returned from 4 crazy days at The Creative Connection in Minneapolis, and let me tell you- I'm BEAT!  (In fact, this morning my tired body finally gave in to the cold it has been fighting since school started.)  

I had such a wonderful time at TCC meeting up with old friends, 

(and by old I don't mean OLD, I mean young and beautiful :-)

new friends, 

(Friday class- sorry Shelley, I'm totally squashing you!)

(the DIY dish girlies)

and long-time-never-met-in-real-life blogging friends. 

(the adorable Lisa Leonard, and Laurie aka Tip Junkie)

And lots of un-pictured friends because I was lame and only pulled my camera out for 14 pictures the whole trip (???).  Proof of how much fun we were having!  Really, I feel bad for the other TCC teachers because the girls in my classes were the best, and we had such a great time!  So many talented, amazing women in one room.  Just amazing, all around.  Loved them all!

So to sum up- 4 days of parties, panels, classes, deeeelicious and entertaining dinners, and wonderful friends.  Next up?  A nap!  (Just 9 weeks and change until this little boy makes his debut, if you can believe it.)  Also, another Great Harvest cinnamon roll.  Because the kids are at school, the dog is snoring on his bed, and looking at these pictures makes me wish I was back in the crazy TCC swing of things with all these cute girls.  Can you blame me?

Fabric, books, parties and cookies (hopefully)

Saturday night from 6-8 I'm going to be over at Quiltique in Henderson signing books, hanging out, and eating cookies.  Oh, and did I mention they got Bliss in today?  Perfect timing!

Anyhow, there's a giant back to school party going on, complete with games, prizes, treats and of course, fabric.  Hope to see you there! 

I'll try to save you a cookie.

But I can't promise anything...

Thoughts on a Tuesday morning

Today is really the first morning that I feel like myself since school has started.  Everything is so calm and peaceful this morning. (Thank you rain!)  See, It's been 137 days since we had rain, according to the guy on the news last night.  Waking up to a nice drizzle this morning was heavenly.  I may have mentioned this before, but I am so over 110 degree sunny days.

 A few things that are on my mind this lovely rainy day...

*Sending this Lisa Leonard creation to a friend today and hoping that she'll forgive me for being extra late on the birthday wishes.  It took me a while to send because I really wanted to keep it.  ;-)

*Something magical happened last week.  My morning sickness all but came to a screeching halt.  Feeling pretty great at the moment.  Aside from feeling like a blimp and not being able to get comfortable at night, of course.  Thank you 3rd trimester!  (Crossing my fingers it lasts...)

obligatory third trimester mirror shot

*I had a whole bunch of emails about my sugar cookie recipe.  I used this one and this frosting.  7 minutes in the oven is the key.  Deeelish.  I may have gained 10 pounds in the month of August because of them.  OR, as I like to tell myself, the baby gained...10 needed pounds because of them.  Don't judge.

*Bliss has shipped!  Should be hitting your local quilt stores any time now.  Finally!  Also, my mom has a little giveaway over at her blog right now.  And a few unflattering pictures of me camping.  Enjoy.

*I got so frustrated with my long bangs the other day that I trimmed them myself.  Not my best idea.

*For those of you who asked back in this post, the bag is a pre-made Amy Butler, and I got it from Home a la Mode on a killer sale.  If you haven't checked out Home a la Mode you should.  They have tons of Moda Home goodies, which can be hard to find.  The dresser came that color, I found it at the RC Willey clearance center.  I fell in love.  But then again, I'd fall in love with pretty much anything that was that color.

*I may have taken 4 days off and read The Hunger Games series.  Loved the first book, still a bit undecided on the others.  Thoughts?  

*This kids being in school in the morning stuff is growing on me a little.  Did you know that it is possible to do things a heck of a lot faster if you don't have any interruptions?  Who knew?

Anybody else having a hard time believe that it is September?

Treats

does this not look like a sno-cone?  heavenly...

Yesterday I received an unexpected package in the mail from the one that isn't Rosie that was filled to the brim with goodies for me and love notes/treats for Max from that one that IS Rosie. (Rosie, I should warn you.  You may be a cougar, but Max snores like an old man.  Like my old man, actually. You've been warned...)

 Side note: the last package I received from Carrie had this fantastic book in it.  I keep meaning to post about it. Everything about it is delightful.  You need it!  Trust me.

Anyway, if you follow me on twitter, you know that I have been on a serious cookie streak lately.  As in, a making cookies 4-5 times per week kind of a cookie streak.  I started with chocolate chip, then moved to no bakes, then landed on sugar cookies.  Oh how I loooooove a good sugar cookie.  

Well, along with a stack of lovely patterns, adorable pin cushion, and treats for Max (bagels, actually!), Carrie sent a set of dinosaur cookie cutters that are to-die for cute. 

My kids were literally jumping up and down when they saw them.  All previous sugar cookies in our house were round, cut with a cup.  No longer.  In fact, when this package came, I just happened to have a 1/2 batch of sugar cookie dough and green frosting  in the fridge to go with it.  PERFECT!  Let's just say, I have two very, very happy little boys over here! (We are waiting for Boy 1 to get out of school so we can get started.  Darn all day school...)

This couldn't have been a more perfect reminder of the completely wonderful people (and dogs!) there are out there.  Carrie and Rosie are proof of that. Thank you so much ladies!  You made our day.  All of us.

Paganini- a Blissful new pattern from Mrs. Rosie Quilt Company 

While I'm at it, thank you to all of you other wonderful souls who flood my comments section and inbox with your sweet, thoughtful comments and photos of your projects.  I can't even tell you how much I enjoy them and appreciate them.  And you!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again.  I'm a lucky girl.

And Max?  Well, he is a lucky, lucky dog.  What with the famous lady friend (/sugar mama), and all.