Monday, March 30, 2015

The Case Of The Disappearing Frixion Ink

Cathy at Quilted Works said I needed to try a Frixion Pen.
If she said I should try it, then of course I had to try it.

What the heck is a Frixion Pen?

I have no idea, but I had seen it mentioned on other blogs.

This one had an eraser. Well, it definitely doesn't erase off of fabric (I tried.)
Hmmm...so what does it do?


I heard it was good for drawing embroidery designs on fabric so since I'm getting ready
 for the Tea For Two blog hop, I used it to draw this cute teacup on some fabric.


I started to iron on some stabilizer to the back and checked to see if it was sticking.
Surprise! The ink had disappeared where I'd used steam.


So that's what this little Frixion Pen does! 
Since you can see I accidently drew the saucer part of the pattern over the spoon,
all I have to do is steam it off when I'm through stitching. How cool is that!
(It would be cooler if I'd already stitched it before it disappeared...now I have to redraw it.)

I heard there is another Frixion Pen that is permanent and great for labels.
If that's true, I'll be checking that one out next!

Do you use a Frixion Pen?

Tea for Two starts tomorrow!
You can find more info at Sew We Stitch or Needled Mom.

Monday, March 23, 2015

Tree Bird Giveaway Winner

#23 - Carol
No, not me! The other Carol!


Congratulations, Carol, and thanks for your sweet comment!
(An email has been sent to you.)

A big THANK YOU to the rest of you who visited, too!

Last Day of the Tree Bird Hop

The Tree Bird blog hop ends today...check out all the creative birdie things going on.
You can find the whole schedule by clicking HERE.

I have a GIVEAWAY going on right now along with the Tree Bird Blog Hop...it ends today!


Thursday, March 19, 2015

Snapshots Of A Cake, Sewing Machine, And Teapot

I've finished three of the Snapshot quilt blocks and I'm totally amazed and in awe.
I'm not amazed and in awe at the blocks (well, actually I am because they are very, very cute), 
but what I'm really, really amazed at is the fact that I'm still on track with this quilt along.
Normally I'm at least six months behind on quilt alongs and then I just give up.

There's the first block, The Cake


The second block, The Sewing Machine


Now the third block, The Teapot


You can learn more about the Snapshot Quilt Along over at the Fat Quarter Shop.


There's also lots of birdie beauty happening in the Tree Bird Blog Hop.
You can find the whole blog hop schedule HERE.


My giveaway for the Tree Bird Blog Hop is HERE!

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

The Elephants Are Coming!

I've been crazy in love with elephants ever since Lorna at Sew Fresh Quilts
created the most adorable quilt pattern, Elephant Parade, and had us quilt along with her.
Thanks, Lorna, for such a sweet pattern...I've had so much fun!


Even with my elephants going the wrong way and scaring that poor turtle, I love how it turned out.
To finish it, I added a double ruffle and some very simple wavy lines to quilt it.


I'm thinking of making another one in shades of blue (and no ruffle) for a more Monkey Boy look.
Don't you want to make one, too!


AND...

The Tree Bird blog hop is still happening...check out all the creative birdie things going on.
You can find the whole schedule by clicking HERE.
I have a GIVEAWAY going on right now along with the Tree Bird Blog Hop, so check it out, too!
HERE

Sunday, March 15, 2015

My Tree Bird Is Here Today


Elizabeth's Studios has a whole line of beautiful bird fabrics and it is just stunning.

I took my one-man crew out to take photos of my projects. 
He's just the best crew I've ever had!



The panels of birds and birdhouses had gorgeous colors and designs,
so I fussy cut them and created a lap quilt with a scalloped border.


I love those birds and birdhouses, plus the beautiful quilting by Quilted Works.



I was in a fussy cutting kind of mood, so I picked out some of my favorite birdhouses from
the fabric and created a sweet little pillow that would be perfect for someone I love.


This swing usually has a Monkey Boy on it, but they weren't around so it displayed my pillow.

 i

Sewing has been en-lightening since I got my Inspired LED light...I can see so much better!

Before I got lit up...


After I saw the light...


It's like a Broadway show around here!


It's been a while since I've had a giveaway, so I picked these up on my shopping trip
to Quilted Works and thought someone out there might just like to win them.

Don't they both just scream "SPRING!"


The Rules
  1. Leave a short and sweet comment.
  2. One comment per person.
  3. The giveaway can be mailed anywhere.
  4. You don't have to be a follower to play along, but of course that makes me smile if you do.
  5. Giveaway ends at 5 p.m. PST on March 23rdEntries after 5 p.m. PST on March 23rd will not be included in the giveaway.
  6. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT: If you aren't sure whether or not you are a no reply blogger, LEAVE ME AN EMAIL ADDRESS...pretty please! You can't win if I can't contact you! If you don't get a reply from me to your comment, you are a no reply blogger.
There's more of us flitting around with beautiful bird projects so check them out!
You can find the whole schedule at It Seams To Be Sew.

Thanks for stopping by to visit!

Friday, March 13, 2015

What's In My Little Brown Bag

It was suggested by another sweet bloggy lady that I probably needed to do a little retail shopping
to get my energy back after hanging out with those busy, busy Monkey Boys the last few weeks. 

Sounds good to me!

It had been a while since I'd seen my favorite ladies at Quilted Works, so that's where I headed to 
pick out a giveaway for my Tree Bird blog hop post on Monday and see what's new in their fabrics.
(Don't forget to come back on Monday to see what I picked out for my giveaway!)

I love that store and those ladies gave me just the pick-up I needed!
They also talked me into picking up a little brown bag for $5.


This little bag holds two fat quarters and I have to make something with them.
Hmmmm.....I have to really get some creativeness going in this befuddled and foggy brain!


The rules say I can "purchase more than one" so I may have to sacrifice and go back for more.

Tree Bird Blog Hop Begins Today!


Thursday, March 12, 2015

Birds, Planking, And Tree Bird Blog Hop

There was a tiny little bird attempting to build a nest in the tree in front of my daughter's house.



The bird actually gave up and quit building it.
That nest building was almost as pathetic as watching me plank! 
My hubby, Monkey Boys, and daughter totally out planked me (I managed less than a minute.)
I think Monkey Baby even outlasted me!


Luckily, there are some great quilters out there who can outdo me in a million ways.
You really have to go check them out during the Tree Bird blog hop that starts tomorrow!


Friday, March 13


Monday, March 16


Tuesday, March 17


Wednesday, March 18


Thursday, March 19


Friday, March 20


Monday, March 23


Just Saying...You Inspire Me

In case I haven't mentioned it lately, you inspire me. I'm grateful for that! Your blog posts have kept me going through good times ...