Want this?!?!?

Then run on over to Jaybird Quilts for this awesome sponsor giveaway!

Simplify and Dream on! + FNSI Time, Again :o)

Camille from Simplify is celebrating her fantastic book's #6 spot on Amazon's Best of 2010 list by having an amazing giveaway. Don't miss out! :o)

New to me this week is Amy's Creative Side | Challenge Week. The challenge is to set a goal, link up and comment on the post linked above, and get it done in a week. Easy peasy! Meet your goal and you will be entered in a drawing for an awesome table runner kit. Perhaps that could be one of your future one week challenges to finish, or start? :o)



And yes, kids... it's that time, again. Time to be held accountable. Run on over and sign up for Handmade by Heidi: Friday Night Sew In!   First Sew-In will be this Friday, post your finishes on Saturday and win a prize on Sunday. Let's beat those winter doldrums down. :o)

Week 3 Stash Report & Goodies!

Used this Week:   0
Used year to Date:   10
Added this Week:    3
Added Year to Date:    5
Net Used for 2011:    5 yards

 Ok, so how could I resist a birthday party for my LQS? We were bribed with coffee, tea, cake & cookies! And SALES! So, I caved when I saw some paisley prints by Moda. Different lines, but I LOVE paisley!

While I am not an embroidery type person, Shell from over at Shell's Blog  posted this cute book, Doodle Stitching that I had to have. So, a PINK hoop and a starter pack of embroidery thread were needed to put my embroidery scissors that Santa brought me to good use. ;o) I might even jump in on the LMS | Birdie Stitches Quilt Along!!! SO... definite goals this year will be trying my hands at embroidery and small wood working skills.

My mom gave me a couple of after-Christmas gifts... I love project books! She gave me Pretty Little Mini Quilts, and Craft Challenge: Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Pillowcase. Love them both!

Lastly, while thrift shopping with my Retail Therapy partner, I came across this vintage Quilters Newsletter. Why couldn't I resist it without even looking inside? Because it is dated the year and month of my birth! How cool is that!?!?

It has been a crazy busy week here with nothing else to do but shop while the maintenance guys tear up the attic here. Thanks for letting me share! :o) Happy stitching!

TAG! You're *IT*... but in a good way! :o)

Which means favorite blog ~ that's really nice. Thanks to Shell's Blog for including me in her favorites list! I really AM honored and extremely humbled. :o)

So this tag is to highlight a couple of your favorite *smaller blogs* ... like this one... those blogs which bring you oodles of inspiration but don't have as many followers as those really HUGE ones do. I am all for spotlighting my talented fellow bloggers so I award this to:

Elizabeth from *Don't Call Me Betsy*
Susan from *The Cranky Quilter*
Jolene from *Blue Elephant Stitches*
Megs from *Monkey Beans*
Beck from *Sarcastic Quilter*

 I have a whole bunch of blogs I love, and most of my faves are the smaller under 300 size, so it was tough to narrow it down! But there are a few that have not yet been nominated that I thought I would share with you!
If you wish to accept this tag then you in turn do a post saying who tagged you, pick 3-5 of your favorite lesser known blogs (don't pick ones that have 300+ followers as the aim of this award to to highlight the lesser known ones) and let them know they've been tagged.

Thanks, again, Shell! <3

Week 2 Stash Report

Used this Week:   10
Used year to Date:    10
Added this Week:    2
Added Year to Date:    2
Net Used for 2011:    8 yards

Who Doesn't Love Dr. Suess?

Dawn, from Dawn's Quilt Corner is having an unbelievable New Year's giveaway. SEVEN yards of Dr. Suess fabric from Robert Kaufman "Cat in the Hat" and "Celebrate Seuss" Fabric lines! I about passed out when I saw this. I love Dr. Suess! My kids love Dr. Suess! Everyone I know loves Dr. Suess! Who couldn't? SO, I am sharing this bit of info with my readers to give myself another chance to win. LOL Hope it's me, but good luck to you! :o)

Christmas Shopping & FNSI finishes

It's Saturday afternoon here, and I am enjoying a silent house for a bit while nursing a headache. (Where did THAT come from? Grrr!) While the kids are gone, I need to finish up some last minute things, or it will be late nights at the sewing machine for me this week. ... On to more cheerful news! I spent the morning/afternoon shopping with my mom and sister-in-law. I did manage to buy some neat gifts, but when I got home, I realized I had also picked up a lot of things for myself here and there. (Am I the only one?) My loot for the day:

 I just could NOT resist these adorable POLKA DOT embroidery scissors! I love all things polka dot, and didn't have a pair of embroidery scissors (not that I embroider) SO, it all added up in my head. And this lovely charm pack of Moda Adoring to accent some planned stockings. :o)

The whole point of a trip to the fabric shop was to get bobbins, yep there they are! Burt's Bees has some new *flavors* I have yet to try, so I NEEDED that, being winter and all. More flat pins, and some Twill tape... saw a great idea for making your own labels.

I raided the scrap bin while at JoAnn's and found that great paw print flannel which is perfect for the lining of the next journal cover on my to-to-list. My daughter will love it! A little nursery print for some planned NICU blankets, and that awesome giant ric-rac I found on clearance at Hobby Lobby. All in all, they were great bargains, a few dollars here, a few more there. When I got home I was like *oops* that's a lot of little things!

NOW! FNSI finishes!

A striped green journal cover for daughter #1. I hope to make a matching pen/pencil roll to match before the big day, too.

A cute repro-print pillow cover... My first! I have another almost finished just like this and eventually they will grace my bed, and not the red couch. ;o)

That was my Friday in pictures. Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend, and if I'm not back before the big guy arrives... Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night! :o)