Fast Forward Button

"Life would be better if girls had mute buttons, boys had edit buttons, bad times had fast forward buttons and good times had pause buttons."
 ~Unknown

Now, I am not saying that I believe in the mute button, but today?  

I sure wish I had a fast forward button!

I had all my woes typed out, but realized the short of it?  80% of our household has some sort of sickness.  Button, included, with a nasty double ear infection. 

I have to give him props for going all out for his first true illness.   Not one ear...but both!!!  And on my birthday too! 
Happy Birthday to me!

Despite all the AWESOME CHANTING last week (I really could "hear" everyone cheering me on!), I didn't do as well as I would have liked.  But it is better than nothing, right?  I won't link up with WIP Wednesday because I really don't want to rewind to Wednesday, but I will share what I accomplished the past week!

Fall Throw Pillows

There was so much love for the fabric last Wednesday, that I was compelled to get them together.  They are simple, no frills.  But I love them.

The other pillows covers are the ones I made last years for the two chairs in my family room.  

It is all scrap fabric from my ottoman covers and my kitchen window treatments.  

The embroidery took me one whole day to do both.  The amount of color changes was exhausting, to say the least!  I haven't done a pattern/design with that many since.

Cuppa Joe blocks

I finished them!!!  

I really enjoyed making them! I busted into my fat quarter collection and found random fun fabrics.  I decided to stick with six fabrics and used all three cup styles.  I opted for Moda "Wildrose" by Brannock & Patek for the background fabric for all of them.  I am not sure how well I did them since I was trying to do them with a sick baby.  I also realized that I need to spend more time with my newish domestic machine.  I hadn't really machine appliqued in a while since I have been using my embroidery machine for that!  I opted for a blanket stitch.  Hopefully, they are up to par to the rest of the contributions!!

They have been sent off for the swap and now I can't wait to see what I get back.  Not sure what I will do with mine!

Ole Betsy

It's official.  All of the comments and emails made me realize that I should never have even posted the name.  As soon as it was in writing, it was all over.  The name is growing on me.  Even Button knows who I am talking about!  He likes to watch her go!

Sharon, the Handi Quilter representative, came out and gave me basic instructions yesterday.  We loaded a 36in x 36in muslin sandwich to practice on!  She was even very understanding that Button was sick and was clinging to me.  There was an elaborate checklist she had to follow...all bases were covered.

We used the thread that was given to me as my "start up" quilt.  I think I will practice at least one more time on muslin or scrap, but with a colored thread so I can see how I am doing a bit better.  I really do need to practice though!  Above is just some fun free-hand.  My looping, leaves, and flowers are not looking to shabby, but what is up with my inability to do meandering well?  Any thoughts?  I think I over-think it!

Here's to hoping my fast forward button decides to land on a day that I can think clearly, stop sniffling myself, and feel good enough to sew.  Just typing this post is a great feat!

So much to do...so little time

Or to be more exact...

So much to do, so much time, but I have been lazy this week!!!

I am not sure what is going on with me,  either I am worn out from the QUILT SHOW.  Or worn out from rearranging the area for my NEW GIRL,

But I have  not touched a single thing since last Thursday.

But laundry, cleaning, and some volunteering at the school took priority the last two days.

So I apologize to all of my friends that are waiting on me, and Button for not getting his highchair cushion finished!!

It does, however, look like a FREE DAY today for sewing until my heart's content!!!!
 

So here are all of my UFOs (unfinished objects in sewing speak for my non-sewing followers)

Puffy Quilt #3

I did cut out the new fabric that replaced my old choice that finally arrived at the end of last week! 

My machine will be quite busy today making my puffies and poly fill stuffing is in my future today!

Highchair Cushion

My goal is just cutting the pattern from the old cushion.  I won't put too much pressure on myself!

Cuppa Joe Swap Blocks

I have my background brown blocks cut.  Now I just need to get working on the mug appliques.  I feel like a complete schmuck that a) I forgot and b) I didn't work on them the last week....SORRY Crafty Sewing Mamas!!!!

Fall Throw Pillow Covers

I have this fabric cut out.  

I still have to take off the Halloween Covers.  Yes, I know Halloween is over, but I didn't get to enjoy them very long! 

Do you like the new fabric?  I am not sure if I am going cutesy or what yet.  I do know that I am keeping some of the larger pillows simple like I did for Halloween!

Christmas Musical Costumes

Did I mention that one of my major volunteering jobs at my boys school is to sew new and alter old costumes.  It's that time of the year again!  

So far, it looks like only alterations after yesterdays fittings!!  Last year, the three camel costumes about put me under.  I work with all donated fabrics (did I mention how ugly donated fabrics can be?) and just pray that Mary and Joseph are around the same height as last year's, because those two costumes are the more elaborate.  Luckily, I have HUGE hem allowances on most of the costumes, because middle schoolers are notoriously either REALLY tall or REALLY tiny!  

Did I mention that the musical director wants them all done by the end of next week before Thanksgiving break?  YIKES!

So if you could, can you chant?

Go. Heidi.  Sew. Heidi.  Go. Heidi.  Sew Heidi.

As always, linking this to Lee's Freshly Pieced.  It is always enjoyable to see what everyone is up to!  I have found many a favorite blog that I now follow by checking out the other WIPS!!!!! 

And it is a special day....it is her ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY for WIP Wednesday!

WIP Wednesday: A spooky sort of week...

I was so distracted helping the boys prepare for the Halloween festivities, that a lot of sewing went on hold.  I did get Button's costume embellishments, a bow tie and duck feet, just in time Monday afternoon see HERE.  It is amazing how fast I can sew on a deadline sometimes!

Monday actually was a very busy sewing day.  Halloween!

Halloween Throw Pillows

I finished FOUR of them Monday morning.  I am working on one more today.  

I found all the fabric on the remnant rack at Hobby Lobby.  The bigger pillow fabric are Home Dec fabrics.  

I started out with the idea of the cat and the bat, but didn't like that they didn't pop.

I appliqued the moon with some scrap white/beige fabric I had in my stash to make the black "pop".  

I used batting as my "stabilizer" so it would be a bit puffy.  I then cut out two cat and bat shapes.  One in the black burlap and one in the solid black cotton I had.

I needed to have the  cotton because the burlap has a very loose weave and also frays like crazy!  I love the look of burlap, but it sometimes drives me batty (ugh..do you ever get tired of my puns?)!

I then did outline quilting for the bat and some swirly curly free motion on the cat pillow. 

Simple envelope backings.  Makes it easy to do change outs for the holidays.

I realized after I was finished that the moon idea was meant to be. 
I looked down from the upstairs and realized the matched something else.

My HAUNTED MANSION MANTLE!

Today's pillow is going to be a bare tree in the burlap with either a small moon or much larger moon in the background...we shall see!

Mr. Boss doesn't understand the need for me to get them done on the holiday or after. I tried to explain to him that I would rather pack them away to be stored with the other decorations than have the fabric and WIPS sitting around in my studio.  Don't you agree?  

Hawaiian quilt

Only five total hand stitches made last week.  Every time I pull it out to work on the last few evenings, I end up laying my head down on a pillow and passing out.  Sleep wins over sewing. A very rare occurrence around here!

Puffy Quilt #3

Baby boy and momma are waiting patiently for our replacement fabric to arrive on my doorstep.

  I am still a little sad that I couldn't find the other fabric.  

10x10 inches!  Who knew it would haunt me so!!  Serves me right for designing a quilt without making sure I have enough fabric. 

The new fabric has brown dots on the white/cream background, but goes with the "dot" theme!

Covered Button Project

DONE!  I will share the final project on Friday! 

It comes with a tutorial...even though the more skilled sewers don't need it!

Highchair Cushion

Zero.  Nada.  Nothing.  No progress....so sad!

Cuppa Joe Block Swap

Did I mention that I joined a swap this past summer?

No?

Well, maybe because I forgot?

Guess who has 24 blocks to knock out today.....

ME! ME! ME! 

Sorry swap buddies....I am doing nothing but the blocks.....I swear....

Except only after I finish Mr. Boss's laundry.  

He gets kind of cranky without clean socks.

Like always, go to Lee's Linky party