So February happened...

...and now it's March!

I can't find the cord to connect my phone to the Mac so for now I'm without pictures to share. 

This has been a very busy year so far.  Just this week we've had people come to check out and try to fix our washer (still needs a replacement motor we're waiting on now), and a home inspection from our landlord (I hate being inspected...makes me so nervous!).

Ben got into grad school, started an internship, and became the marketing guy for one of the clubs he's in so he's got a busy inconsistent schedule to say the least, but it's all good things. 

We passed around germs last month so I'm glad that's over with.   We've managed to get Abby almost potty trained.  It was rough going for a while, but I'm pretty sure the worst is over (fingers crossed).

I've been so busy trying to remember what appointments we have what days, what papers I need to get printed, questions I need to know answers to, or what I need to remember to ask, who I need to call....that I've dropped the ball on a bunch of other things like returning emails, blogging, checking flickr groups, making bee blocks, and keeping in touch with anybody!

I've sewn three things so far this year and you'll have to wait for pictures.  I finished a quilt in January, and then made two pillow covers for our couch in February to add some color to the greyness we've still got here in Idaho...

My sewing stuff is right next to the washer and when it broke I moved it all just to make sure the fabric would be safe and out of the way when the washer was being repaired....and have moved it back and forth about 4 or 5 times so far. 

Anyway, just wanted to let y'all know I'm alive, just busy.  And I hope this post doesn't sound like complaining...all these things we've had to do are good, and the problems we have had could be much worse, they've just made me tired and so I haven't been productive at all...

It's a nice rainy day today so I'm thinking we'll watch some movies, make cookies, and I'll slip back to my corner and get something done!

Get ready to see a swarm of bee blocks!! Once I find my cord of course.

A quick hello!

Sorry I've been hibernating so much!  When it doesn't get much warmer than 18 degrees (unless it wants to snow, like this week) I just don't get much done. At all.  And have no desire to get on the computer, mostly because my fingers are ALWAYS cold.  It's nuts.  I need some warm weather. 

I've had some awkward friend experiences lately that have left me even more anxious to hibernate.    Long story short, I now don't have to worry about being in charge of something anymore, and am quite happy to cross it off my list of responsibilities.  Would've been nice if it had been handled nicely though....but whatever.  I'm figuring out how to be selective about things.  If I don't enjoy being around someone who isn't a positive or enjoyable person, then I'm not going to.  And if I don't enjoy doing something, I shouldn't feel obligated to do it.  And that is just fine. 

Moving on....I did manage to be creative this week and made this paper heart garland Sunday morning out of scrapbook paper I had around and some yarn.  I hung it over our dining table (that's in the living room) and I love it.  It adds some nice color during the winter. 

We got a new chair for the living room and got rid of our way too big and ugly green couch and it totally gives the room a much better feeling!  Feels so much more home-y and comfortable, we love it!  It decreases the seating but I'm not really worried about that, lol. 

Abby drew this jelly fish on Sunday while I cut out the hearts.  Now I need to find a frame!

I finished a quilt on Monday that I'd started in December after a particularly difficult parenting experience with Abby.  We were friends in the morning of course, but it was a reminder of how fast she's growing up and how she needs me less and less for certain things. 

I love how it turned out and will get some decent pictures when it's warm enough to go outside again ; )  The binding is my favorite part.  I really love that fabric, it's much more fun than I thought it would be!

I won a $25 gift card to Fat Quarter Shop a couple weeks ago from #talknt and finally used it!  I was very restrained and got some fabric to use as backing and binding for my Soda Pop quilt top from last year.  Now I just have to get to basting it! 

What have you been doing this month?

Holy Hiatus Batman!

Sorry to have checked out like that!! 

Christmas was great.  Busy, but so fun.  And I think I fell asleep around 11 pm on New Year's Eve.  I'm still in denial that it's 2013, it totally snuck up on me, but here we are!


I got sick for a few days which obviously wasn't fun...and am close, but not quite back to normal yet and not really sure what caused it all so I'm going slow. 

I'm going to be participating in an auction to support Sandy Hook (I'm donating a quilt) that I'll have more details on soon.

It's inspiring to see how many different ways to help there are, and how many people have made such an effort to do kind things in light of such a terrible happening.

I haven't sewn much lately, sort of lost my mojo with getting sick...but I feel it returning.  Kindof need it to so keep your fingers crossed. 



Fat Quarter Shop has an awesome sale section right now that I've been drooling over.  Pink Castle has some great stuff on sale right now too.



I've gotten some great mail lately from wonderful people and places.  It totally continues to amaze me what awesome friends I've made online this year, and have enjoyed so much!  Incredible. 

I'm almost out of pins from basting too much, so I finally got a little quilting in last week!  I'll definitely have lots of finished things to show you this year.

We've got bunches of snow on the ground here in Idaho, and I'm not even ready to think about getting back into the swing of things (playgroups, church activities to plan, budgets, phone calls, appointments...)....I just want to hibernate.  Especially since it was -11 this morning....  That's way too cold for my California bones.  Way too cold. 

So...I didn't really come too close to finishing my 100 days hustle list, and honestly don't feel like reviewing it.  But I have decided to be, you know, somewhat responsible, and finish more than I start.  So, you'll be seeing a lot of finishes here so I can go forward into new projects with less guilt!  Yay. 


I did read a book while I was sick!  It was pretty good, not a happy scenario though, but definitely intense.  I didn't like the ending though but it was a surprise!

Now I need to finish bee blocks that are overdue (more than I'd like to admit to).  Then I have a pattern testing block to finish, a quilt for my best friend's birthday to get done, etc...

So tell me!  How have you been?? Is there anything on your list today?? 

Winner!!

Wow!!  I had over 300 comments on this giveaway! That's incredible, thank you all for participating!  I read every comment but didn't get to respond.  Your answers to "What makes you happy" were so wonderful, each one brought a smile to me, it was awesome!  So, thank you!!

If you decided to stick around and become a new follower, thank you!  I hope you'll enjoy it here ; )

There were 304 eligible comments and the random number generator chose #7!  (I don't know how to make a screen shot....so you'll have to trust me!

The 7th eligible comment was....

Crunchy Con MommyDecember 3, 2012 10:39 AM

My preschooler makes me happy (and my husband!) And Christmas carols, cozy boots, sunny days, and sewing projects that turn out well :)

Sew. Quilt. Give. finished charity quilt

Today I am super pleased to present to you the finished quilt from another charity bee I have loved participating in: Sew. Quilt. Give.

I was in charge during the month of July and requested simple and colorful granny squares using this tutorial from Blue Elephant Stitches.  

I received absolutely lovely blocks in return and made about 10 more to get the quilt to the size I wanted.  Finished, this quilt measures 45 1/2" x 54" and has been labeled and mailed!

I love how this quilt turned out!  I really wanted to do something a little extra bright and happy so whoever receives it will maybe be more inclined to smile or at least have this quilt to smile about!

I hope they love it.  I hope it brings peace and warmth and comfort.  I hope it is a happy place to go to when everything else seems to be wrong.  Jenn will be taking this quilt, and all the quilts made in Sew. Quilt. Give., to the Alexandria House in Los Angeles.

Christmas Time is (almost) Here!!

Since I'm allowed to have the tree up with lights on now without embarrassing my husband, that's exactly what we've done!  We did put it up early though.  He was a little mortified....haha!

I thought I'd show you some of our Christmas Spirit and decorations.

We have lots of Nativity scenes.  At least 6. 

I grew up in Palo Alto, CA and every year, the church would put on a Christmas Creche exhibit and showcase different Nativity scenes from all over the world, made with all kinds of materials.

It was a tradition to go see it, and as it got to be a bigger event we would help with it as well. 

It was one of the highlights of the season and fell between my birthday and Christmas and I still miss it!  So we have several Christmas Creches here...

We have one Advent calendar that my mom made.  Each day we add a new ornament to the tree

I've seen this wonderful idea floating around and decided to try it out this year.

What do you know we already have 24 Christmas books suitable for kids!!  So I'm looking for one more, that might be a Christmas gift we can read last.  I'm thinking something that tells the Christmas story, not the Santa one as it'd be fitting for the day.  We'll see.

So I got all of them wrapped (Abby used my extra paper to wrap a couple of her books.  And no I didn't show her how to wrap, she just watched me and then copied me.  Like she does.  With everything!)

I'm excited for this month (and in total denial that it's actually here)!  I'm hoping we can enjoy these traditions and make some new ones as well. 

What traditions do you have in your family??

Happy Giveaway Day!!

And it's Monday again!

Welcome to anyone here from Sew, Mama, Sew!  I hope you'll like what you see here and want to hang around a bit.

My name is Marian and  I have 2 kids, 1 dog, and a wonderfully supportive husband.  They're all the best and so encouraging and tolerant of my need to buy fabric, cut it up, then sew it back together again.  I love them.

I make mostly quilts, and have an Etsy shop here (coupon code alert: THANKS25 for 25% off everything until the end of the year!) where I sell baby and toddler quilts, pillow covers, and zipper pouches, and whatever else I can think of!

Here's what I've been up to lately: 

 (photos by Allisa from her post)

Just yesterday I was featured on Allisa Jacobs' blog with three pillow covers I made using her fabrics (designed through Spoonflower) as part of her sewing social group!

 (photos by Allisa from her post)

It's a fantastic post, and group, with so many talented women I'm just thrilled to be part of!  I loved making these, Allisa's designs are gorgeous, and you should see what else she does!!

 (photos by Allisa from her post)

I've been broadening my skills by pattern testing for Diane at From Blank Pages.  She's a total doll and I've so enjoyed getting to know her through Instagram (I'm mgriffin87 if you feel so inclined) and her blog.

I was so scared of paper piecing.  It was on the "maybe I'll try it in 5 years if someone comes to my house and shows me how" list, but I figured I'd give it a shot when she asked for pattern testers! At least she'd get a total beginner's opinion right?

Well I totally love it.  This pattern in particular is so incredibly versatile!  I'm planning to turn what I've made here into a quilt, with this block off center with a neutral or solid background and awesome quilting.  I hope you come back to see how it turns out!!


AND the part you've been waiting for...the giveaway!!

I am offering this bundle of fabrics to one of you lucky ducks to enjoy!

This giveaway will be open to US READERS only (just to keep shipping costs down this month since I haven't shipped xmas gifts yet - so sorry to my international friends!!) and will be open until December 7th at 5pm at which point I'll pick and announce a winner!  

To enter: leave a comment on this post telling me something that makes you happy!

GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED - THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ENTERED!!  I read every comment and as soon as I figure out how to number them, I'll pick a winner!!  Thank you!  I am so excited at how many participated!!! 

Ready......GO! and have fun with the giveaways!  Hope you win something awesome!