Ended. Thanks for playing, check back for another giveaway beginning soon!
{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.
From SouleMama
*****
My partner for October's Block Swap Adventure swap asked for a square in pink, blue, red, and white. This is a color combination I've been wanting to use for ages but really didn't think I had enough of the right blues for it. I was so excited to *have* to make a block of those colors, and it was just the kick in the rear I needed to create the quilt I'd had in the back of my mind for so long.
As an aside, the aqua blue/red/hints of pint seed was planted by Jenny at Allsorts. She's the master of that color combination and does it so well, and often, that I couldn't help but fall in love with it. If you haven't checked out her blog and her work you really must.
I see so many more possibilities with this color combination. Of course, that'd require buying some more fabric ... I'm pretty sure I could handle that!
Available in the shop.
If you haven't yet, visit this post and enter to win a set of beautiful fabric coasters.
I mentioned this before and I'm happily following through, I have many patchwork quilts in the works. So simple, so classic.
I am working on some larger ones too, not quite twin size, but throw size ... for bigger people to picnic on, snuggle on the couch under, use to decorate the end of a bed, drape on a favorite chair to add color to a room, or whatever else big people want to use a big little quilt for.
This quilt was finished a bit over a week ago at a cub scout camp-out. I crack up at the almost apologetic, "we have lots of activities for the kids, but there really isn't much for the parents to do" heard frequently. Seriously, what could be better? So while River and the other kids wrestled with trees (I didn't see a single child without wounds of war) and battled mosquitoes (and not a one of them came home without itchy reminders of those little fighters) I sat with my feet up, chatted, and finished this delightful quilt. Again, what could be better?
Pink and green, a sister quilt to the blue and green quilt I recently completed.
There's a bit of minky in this one, and some flannel too. I just love the interestingness of the combination of textures. Some Heather Bailey, some Amy Butler. Ahhh ...
The quilting is done with straight lines again, a bit further apart than the blue and green quilt, far enough apart to create just the right look. The binding is a fantastic green and pink Heather Bailey fabric.
Available in the shop.
If you haven't yet, visit this post and enter to win a set of beautiful fabric coasters.
As I was sitting at the kitchen table last week it occurred to me that I really like my coasters.
I sit at that kitchen table Monday-Friday while the kids do schoolwork with a huge glass of ice and Diet Coke. Enough ice that my cup perspires all day long. And my coasters have never let me down, have never soaked through to wet the table. And they're pretty. Really pretty. What a win-win.
And then it occurred to me that I should make some for my shop. "Share the awesomeness," I thought to myself.
So I did, adding a whole new happy section to the etsy shop. There's not a one I don't love, please take a look and see for yourself. As much as I love making baby quilts I had such a great time doing something a little more "grown up" and sophisticated. And working on a smaller scale with fewer fabrics was fun too.
These will also be presented at craft shows.
While getting excited about sewing these fantastic coasters it occurred to me that a give-away was in order. I'm planning quite a few give-aways in November, as the holidays approach (so stay tuned for more), this is just the first.
I'm giving away this lovely blue on blue print coaster with a coordinating pink/red/blue stripe. The backside of the coaster is the stripe. The coasters come in a set of four and are 4.5" square. When all is said and done each coaster is 6 layers of fabric thick throughout ... hence the great absorbancy. The seams are finished and the coasters are machine washable (we Diet Coke drinking home school teachers can get a little loopy and spilly by the end of the day).
It is entirely probable that a bit of fabric will be included in the package to the winner with the coasters.
***contest has ended, thanks***
To enter leave a comment, with a valid e-mail address somewhere. You can tell me which coaster you like best if you wish.For additional entries mention this contest (and the coasters in my shop, if you please, and I hope you do) with a link to this post on your blog, facebook page, and/or twitter and leave a separate comment for each of those things with a way to verify that you did (ie - your twitter name, a link to the blog post, etc.) and a valid e-mail address.That's a total of four possible entries.The contest will end Sunday, October 30th around 10 PM Eastern time.Thanks for playing and good luck!
{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.
From SouleMama
My new quilt, Bricks and Trees, is featured today on Modern Day Quilts. What an honor and treat this is. Thank you Heather.
Be sure to check out the other featured quilts, incredible talent and inspiration going on there! I see many wonderful modern quilts in my near future.
The kids and I tried to take quilt pictures yesterday outdoors but the wind had no intention of cooperating and the quilts were blowing horizontal. We're going to head out and try again today.
I'm patiently waiting for the rain to abate so I can take and post some pictures of another patchwork quilt, finished over the weekend while hanging out in the woods with the cub scout pack. Nice breeze, bits of sun, great conversation, good food, a relaxing lounge chair ... not a bad venue for quilt binding.
A last (for now) patchwork quilt is getting it's binding stitched, though my aging eyes (crap, I'm only 45) would appreciate a little more natural light to ease that task. I cannot believe how bad my up-close eyesight is getting, and how quickly it's getting bad. I think reading glasses are a necessity.
These two quilt blocks were sent out as part of Block Swap Adventure. I sent them out mid-last week so they should have been received by now. These were such a pleasure to make, I hope they meet the needs of the recipients.
Because I'm Frugal is so exciting! After years of watching and scrutinizing every penny spent it's nice to be able to share what I've learned. The feedback has been wonderful, so far. Your support in spreading the word that the site is there is most appreciated. Look for give-aways in November both here at Because I'm Me and there at Because I'm Frugal.
{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.
From SouleMama
*****
Another with the blue green theme.
My screensaver is a slide show of random photos from taken over the last years (gazillions of them, I'm sure you can relate). Every time a simple patchwork quilt comes on the screen I promise myself I'll put making one at the top of the list. So I did. And here's the first. Yes, first, because one just wasn't enough ... so, more to come.
A collection of yummy blues and greens. Many of the fabrics were used in this quilt, but I went more aqua/teal with this one. It's always fun to see what a difference a slight color change can make.
The back of this beauty is blue/green paisley, a fabric I absolutely love and have purchased many times. It's from JoAnn's and they have more, and JoAnn's happens to be next to Target, where I have to go. Coincidence? Perhaps.
The binding is an awesome blue with green and blue leafy things (some sort of leafy plant branch type thing ... great for BOYS) on it. Another great find from JoAnn's. I love finding a fabric with good color that isn't floral.
I quilted this with royal blue straight lines. That was fine, but just didn't feel like enough when the quilt was done so I added more lines. And then it felt just right, so I'm very happy with that decision.
Heading to the shop.
Last week I said I'd be posting my menu plan and shopping plan weekly, one on Sunday and the other on Monday.
I take that back.
After giving it some serious thought I decided that this is my sewing and family blog, and that it's getting too filled with other stuff and losing focus, and that doesn't work for me. So sewing, family, crafty stuff stays here -- and no, I'm not sure how sewing and family go together, exactly, but if you do one and have the other you know they do.
Personal finance and saving money, which I've spent the last few years focused on, go here at Because I'm Frugal . I'll be posting personal money saving tips, financial information, guest posts about all things penny pinching, money saving recipes, weekly menus, and shopping plans. This is something I've wanted to do for a long time but really had to wait for the right time, and that time has come. It's my hope that I'll be able to encourage and inspire myself and others to work, or continue working, towards debt freedom and financial security. I hope you'll visit me there and share -- your stories and information, and also the blog with others who'd benefit from it.
Thanks, and see you here and there.
I take that back.
After giving it some serious thought I decided that this is my sewing and family blog, and that it's getting too filled with other stuff and losing focus, and that doesn't work for me. So sewing, family, crafty stuff stays here -- and no, I'm not sure how sewing and family go together, exactly, but if you do one and have the other you know they do.
Personal finance and saving money, which I've spent the last few years focused on, go here at Because I'm Frugal . I'll be posting personal money saving tips, financial information, guest posts about all things penny pinching, money saving recipes, weekly menus, and shopping plans. This is something I've wanted to do for a long time but really had to wait for the right time, and that time has come. It's my hope that I'll be able to encourage and inspire myself and others to work, or continue working, towards debt freedom and financial security. I hope you'll visit me there and share -- your stories and information, and also the blog with others who'd benefit from it.
Thanks, and see you here and there.
{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.
From SouleMama
*****
Stacked bricks in green and blue. No more complicated than that. I like uncomplicated.
Each of the bricks is the same width, just placed askew for a "tumbling" look.
There's not a fabric in this quilt that doesn't excite me, and plenty of them have been waiting, patiently, for just the right use. No time like the present! The white is a super soft sheet found at Target.
This quilt would have been a perfect match for Rivers nursery, which is where the stars came from - they were attached to the posters on the corners of his crib.
And then there's the back. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful Ikea tree fabric. Another I'd been saving for just the right occasion.
I'll be putting this in the shop.
I'm constantly asked how I get by with a very tiny grocery budget. It's not easy, that's for sure, but there are some little tips and trips that ease the challenge and, when it comes down to it, it's exciting to watch the grand total go down, down, down.
There are great blogs out there that will guide one through grocery and drug store deals. I use them and couldn't do without them.
I am going to attempt to share bits of my weekly shopping plans with you, on Sunday (not Tuesday, though it certainly appears to be Tuesday now). Please link to yours in the comments.
CVS $0 out of pocket
Reach Toothbrush 2 pack $3.99, $2 ECB (limit 1), $2 coupon
Gallon Milk $3.79
** Will use $2 pledge ECB (no longer available but expired Monday), also have $11 ECB from shopping last week. I am buying the milk to use the expiring $2 ECB, we always need milk and that's a good way to get a deal on it. Today ECB's from quarterly shopping should print, giving me another $2.50 to use over the next few weeks. Some customers have also received a $5 ECB at the in-store printer ... that would be really nice! Total out of pocket will be close to $0 for this trip, and with the quarterly ECB's printing I should break even on ECB's.
This is a small CVS trip ... some weeks are, some aren't. My goal is to pay nothing for most things. We're actually down to 2 extra toothbrushes so this is a good week to buy these, but even if we weren't in need this is what I'd buy, the goal is to stock when items are free (not crazy extreme couponing stocking - just what we'd normally use in a reasonable amount of time).
Unfortunately, there isn't anything on sale at Publix this week that flips my skirt, so I may just skip that trip. Their ad comes out here on Thursday, but I shop at the beginning of the week so I will still post the deals I find appealing then.
In addition to CVS I'll shop at the bread outlet ($.88 per loaf), Sam's Club for fruit and a few things, and my local produce market for veggies.
There are great blogs out there that will guide one through grocery and drug store deals. I use them and couldn't do without them.
I am going to attempt to share bits of my weekly shopping plans with you, on Sunday (not Tuesday, though it certainly appears to be Tuesday now). Please link to yours in the comments.
CVS $0 out of pocket
Reach Toothbrush 2 pack $3.99, $2 ECB (limit 1), $2 coupon
Gallon Milk $3.79
** Will use $2 pledge ECB (no longer available but expired Monday), also have $11 ECB from shopping last week. I am buying the milk to use the expiring $2 ECB, we always need milk and that's a good way to get a deal on it. Today ECB's from quarterly shopping should print, giving me another $2.50 to use over the next few weeks. Some customers have also received a $5 ECB at the in-store printer ... that would be really nice! Total out of pocket will be close to $0 for this trip, and with the quarterly ECB's printing I should break even on ECB's.
This is a small CVS trip ... some weeks are, some aren't. My goal is to pay nothing for most things. We're actually down to 2 extra toothbrushes so this is a good week to buy these, but even if we weren't in need this is what I'd buy, the goal is to stock when items are free (not crazy extreme couponing stocking - just what we'd normally use in a reasonable amount of time).
Unfortunately, there isn't anything on sale at Publix this week that flips my skirt, so I may just skip that trip. Their ad comes out here on Thursday, but I shop at the beginning of the week so I will still post the deals I find appealing then.
In addition to CVS I'll shop at the bread outlet ($.88 per loaf), Sam's Club for fruit and a few things, and my local produce market for veggies.
I'm going to try to be consistent with this ... on Monday, as the title suggests. We'll see.
Sunday - Homemade Macaroni and Cheese (recipe to come), salad
Monday - Chicken Fried Rice*, salad
Tuesday - Southwest Roll-ups using homemade refried beans (the kids loved this meal, I was surprised)
Wednesday - Spaghetti and tomato sauce, broiled zucchini**, salad
Thursday - Marinated Chicken on the grill, salad, grilled yellow squash
Friday - Quiche (a variety - probably turkey bacon & broccoli, cheeses, and vegetable)
Saturday - something in the crock pot
*Chicken Fried Rice
I don't really have a recipe for this, but here's the basic idea:
Heat 1 T oil over medium/medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook til white on the outsides. Add diced misc. veggies (peas, carrots, onion, zucchini, broccoli, mushroom, water chestnut, etc) ... great time to clean out the produce drawer and cook until they are softened. Add rice that is at least 24 hours old and cold, if you precook and freeze rice that's great too (and a huge time saver). When the rice is warm and separated create a crater in the center and cook 2-3 scrambled eggs. After eggs cook toss everything together and coat with low sodium soy sauce. Mix well and serve.
If you don't want to use oil use a smidgen of chicken broth instead. Really.
**Broiled Zucchini
Halve zucchini lengthwise and score, spread a bit of butter or spread on, sprinkle on some parmesan cheese and seasoned bread crumbs, broil for 2-3 minutes until browned. Feel free to add garlic or parsley or basil or whatever on top before broiling. My kids love this and will happily eat yellow squash or zucchini cooked this way (cooked most ways, actually, but this is a fave).
Sunday - Homemade Macaroni and Cheese (recipe to come), salad
Monday - Chicken Fried Rice*, salad
Tuesday - Southwest Roll-ups using homemade refried beans (the kids loved this meal, I was surprised)
Wednesday - Spaghetti and tomato sauce, broiled zucchini**, salad
Thursday - Marinated Chicken on the grill, salad, grilled yellow squash
Friday - Quiche (a variety - probably turkey bacon & broccoli, cheeses, and vegetable)
Saturday - something in the crock pot
*Chicken Fried Rice
I don't really have a recipe for this, but here's the basic idea:
Heat 1 T oil over medium/medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook til white on the outsides. Add diced misc. veggies (peas, carrots, onion, zucchini, broccoli, mushroom, water chestnut, etc) ... great time to clean out the produce drawer and cook until they are softened. Add rice that is at least 24 hours old and cold, if you precook and freeze rice that's great too (and a huge time saver). When the rice is warm and separated create a crater in the center and cook 2-3 scrambled eggs. After eggs cook toss everything together and coat with low sodium soy sauce. Mix well and serve.
If you don't want to use oil use a smidgen of chicken broth instead. Really.
**Broiled Zucchini
Halve zucchini lengthwise and score, spread a bit of butter or spread on, sprinkle on some parmesan cheese and seasoned bread crumbs, broil for 2-3 minutes until browned. Feel free to add garlic or parsley or basil or whatever on top before broiling. My kids love this and will happily eat yellow squash or zucchini cooked this way (cooked most ways, actually, but this is a fave).
I am ridiculously excited to announce that Because I'm Me now offers printed items, such as notecards, postcards, and calendars for sale.
A great deal of thought and care has gone into the choosing of the available items. The selection will continue to grow and evolve.
click the image to visit the shop |
Started with an idea of many random wonky stars, no real pattern or sense. The quilt came together bit by bit, never a clear plan, just added a bit here and there ... whatever felt right at the time.
And somehow that took a very long time. There was always a little more to add, a little more to cut away, a little bit to move around.
The end result "is what it is". I'm not sure how I feel about this quilt. Were I to do it again I'd use a different color for the background solid and I'd quilt it differently - random stippling just doesn't make the statement this quilt deserves and I wish I'd gone with more of a blowing wind look.
I so love the fabrics. Oh my goodness, the multicolored floral just makes me swoon.
I have many more quilts in the works right now, and a head full of product ideas I can't wait to create and share. I'm excited to have been bitten by a creative bug (finally!) and have been keeping the sewing machine super busy ... next order of business may be finding out how to add more hours to the day - if I discover that I'll be sure to pass a tutorial along.