I Made This Too

I made this for the Goody Bag Swap on Flickr. 

I know I said "no swaps" etc. awhile back but my friend Greta told me about it so I thought I would give it a go.

I am back to "no swapping" now.  Not because I didn't like making the bag.  I did.  I sent lots of goodies too.

I am just not good with deadlines.  I want to be good with deadlines but I am not.  At least when it comes to this stuff.

I am good with deadlines when it comes to getting stuff done for the children (and let me tell you, June has been full of stuff to do for the children).  I am good with deadlines with work (although I missed a few last week because I was sick-ish).  

But when it comes to sewing, deadlines are not my thing.  Because of all of the other deadlines I have.  

I like to sew because I like to sew.  Putting pressure on to sew because I have left it to last minute because I have done 12 files, baked 7 dozen cookies, taken the dog to the vet, helped with school projects ... not so good.  And not so fun.

And I know that there are lots of people who sew like crazy, meet swap deadlines and do more than I do in a day.  I tip my hat.  Seriously.

L xo

PS - I am pretty impressed with myself with the quilt deadlines I had this month though.  The school quilts were done in advance of the dates and there was no rushing.  Even the pillow was a rainy Saturday afternoon thing.  All done with more than enough time.  I think that was a first for me.

PPS - I may not be good with the swaps and all, but the "alongs', let me tell you ... there are sooo many I want to join.  I have a list for you that I'll post tomorrow.  

Thursday

Do you like my inventive title?  It is late and I am making good on my blog every day this week promise to myself.  Today was crazy - all the sewing I had planned ... not so much.  Tomorrow for sure.  It is just that life seems to get in the way of all of my good sewing intentions these days.  I am sure it will all done ... eventually.

See you tomorrow.

L xo

PS - I made these pincushions for the first Pincushion Swap.  I didn't sign up for the second - too much on my plate as it is.  There are some amazing pincushions being made though.  Kinda wish I had signed up.

Pillow Talk

I made this - start to finish.  It is perhaps one of the only things that I have completed, sewing wise, it what seems like FOREVER.  I used the amazing tutorial at Sewtakeahike and it was easy peasy.  I wish I could keep this sweet pillow, but alas, it it for my Modern Swappers partner (I like the swap, hate the name - is that okay to say?).  I have plans for more of these pillows for my own house.  Let's see if I can get that done before next year.

L xo

PS - I wanted to post J.K. Rowling's Harvard speech last week but last week was a little crazy, with first week back to school and all.  So here it is today.  It is brilliant.  I listen to it quite often because it is just so true (in my humble opinion).

J.K. Rowling Speaks at Harvard Commencement from Harvard Magazine on Vimeo.

PPS - I haven't shared this speech with the boys as of yet because I think they are too little to hear some of it.  I will make sure they hear it when the time is right.  You should share it too.

PPPS - I just realized I only posted 3 times in August.  Let's blame it on huge life change (first month not at job), shall we?

I Am in Awe

Let's take a minute to look at this pillow, shall we?  It is my pillow.  Not made by me (I doubt I could ever do such a good job) but for me! Made by my Pillow Swap 3 pal, Val.  

Can you believe it?  

I am in love with this pillow.  It is beyond gorgeous and made so well.  As this was a blind swap, I really lucked out, didn't I?

This pillow has made my day.  Really.

L xo

PS - If there is a Pillow Swap 4, I am signing up and crossing my fingers I get Val again.  Hint Hint.

Charmed, I'm Sure ...

So my friend Greta talked me into doing hexagons.  I just learned to sew with a sewing machine last June and have never done any hand sewing so the thought of hexagons is a little daunting.  But, never one to say "no", here I am starting hexagons and attempting this little hexagon along with Texas Freckles (except there has been no alonging yet - this may be something that gets done to and from the drive to the cabin).

In order to have enough fabric to make all these little hexagons (I am doing the 1.5" ones), I have cut up a 4 charm packs and am going to do some swapping with Greta, Greta's mom, and my friend Ruth.  I have cut up a Flutterby pack, a Hushabye pack, a Nicey Jane pack and a Summer in the City pack.  Pretty good, I think.  I know the other girls are cutting up some beautiful fabric too so I am really looking forward to it.

I am also doing a little Porkchop Swap (I have no idea what that means) with some girls over that the ORBQ.  Haven't done anything with this group before so not sure what I'll be getting (we are cutting up 25 5x5 squares and sending them on to 7 other people).  Once I get my fabrics, if there are some that aren't my thing, I plan on putting a package of them all up for grabs.  I am sure that someone will want them. 

All in all, lots of fabric coming my way soon.  Got to love that, right?

L xo

PS - I sent out my May block fabric, my June block fabric and I know EXACTLY what I am doing for my July blocks.  Just need to finish everyone else's blocks.  If it is one of yours, sorry.  I promise it will be done shortly.

PPS - To my darling children - I realize the end of school is right around the corner and that you are oh so very tired of EVERYTHING but, guess what?  So are Dad and I.  So let's cut each other a lot of slack.  Before I send you to school with a for sale sign around your neck.  Love you always, Mom. xo

PPPS - You should see the blocks people are making for my Beatnik Bee month.  OHMYGOSH.