Blowfish Pincushion

 I wish I could say that I came up with this sweet girl, but I can't!!

 About a month ago, Bree at Distant Pickles posted a picture of her completed fish on Facebook. 

Image via Distant Pickles

 I immediately went goo-goo, ga-ga over it.  I think I even squealed when I saw hers.

And, first off, I am bound by duty to tell you that Bree is one of TWO contributors to Distant Pickles.  Their story of how they blog from afar HERE is too cool!  I love Bree, she is superwoman with amazing creativity and quilts like a mad woman.  Julie, on the other hand, is just as crazy with her skills, but her humor constantly gets me.  Seriously, the email banter that we have is out of control some days!

Okay...back to the point of the post!  Bree asked me if I would test the pattern for her. 

Ummm........YEEEEES! 

 I knew EXACTLY who I wanted to make this pincushion for!  My friend who not only bakes (and blogs at Baby Got Cake), but is really getting going on her sewing talent. I love to see her grow each day.  And I was waiting for a perfect thank you for sending me this shirt.

Why the shirt? I use DUDE at least once a day, but more like 10 times a day.  With four boys, it is a quick way to tell them most ANYTHING.    "Dude, can you please remember to take your shoes off before you come in the house before your dad yells?"  "Dude (random driver on the road), where did you learn to drive?"  "Dude, seriously, how many times do I have to tell you to brush your teeth in one day?"  "Dude, mommy is tired. I am really not in the mood for games" 

And probably the most used phrase "Duuuuuude, you have a stinky diaper!!!!!".

I digress......

Bree has her tutorial here for Riley Blake.  Go check it out!

Here is my girl in Riley Blake's Alphabet Soup Girl by is in all her glory. 

psst...confession time...I couldn't believe that I actually had a Riley Blake in my stash!

In case you are wondering...the bow was added because, in good ole Heidi-fashion, I was sewing late into the night and did NOT follow her VERY clear directions and did not do the panels in the correct order.  Also, I highly recommend you use batting like Bree did.  I filled mine entirely with crushed walnut shells, which are actually great for pins, but they made the entire pincushion VERY heavy and it all settled and made her fat more than round.

But, aside MY missteps, I think she turned out great!  

And my friend was pretty surprised and happy too!

My Booty

No...not THAT one.  This IS a PG rated blog, you know!

This kind of booty....

Pirate's Cove, Miniature Golf Course, Williamsburg, Virginia

Of the pirate treasure kind!

AAAARGHHHHHH!!!

Jamestown, Virginia, USA

I am feeling a bit "pirate-ish" after downloading about 500+ photos off of my digital camera!  I was even being "stingy" with photos this trip!  Yikes!! I take too many pictures don't I!

Oh...the booty you ask?

A Cross-stitch Shell Cushion kit

Inspired by the design that Martha Washington loved.  Even her China was in the shape of the shell...I saw it at the American History Museum in Washington D.C!!!

I picked the kit up at the Mount Vernon gift shop. I have a VERY special love for Mount Vernon since our home was just down the street for almost five years! I am not sure where this cushion will find a home, but I am sure I will find one!!!

Colonial Williamsburg Scrapbook Paper

I just love picking up great coordinating papers to make a special album!

Amish Quilt Puzzle Block

It is actually not MY booty, but Bunny's.  He couldn't put it down.  He still can't put it down!

It flips around and makes all sorts of different block shapes...more than these photos show. It is pretty addictive to flip it and see a different quilt at every turn!

Colonial Williamsburg Fat Quarter Bundle

 

I can't tell you how EXCITED I am about this bundle.  I found it at a shop called Craft House in Merchant's Square at Colonial Williamsburg.  

Photo from Craft House website.

I remember drooling in there about 15 years ago when we were on a VERY tight budget.  

This time, I was ready to shop!

There was a small, but pretty great selection of cross-stitch kits and fabric bundles and quilt pattern kits.  I hemmed and hawwed and picked the bundle up above.  The shop assistant informed me that I could get free patterns at Windham Fabrics website.

I didn't know much about the Windham Fabrics, so I googled it when we got back to our hotel.  I found that they made special lines for Williamsburg and the bundle I had picked was the New Town Farm collection.

New Town Farm by Windham Fabrics (Mosaic by me)

I was even more excited when I realized that not only did I have ALL 52 fabrics above in the bundle, but they whole line was archived.  It made the cost much more of a deal when I found that out!

The line has a free pattern, but I want to make sure that I utilize ALL of the fabrics, so I am actually thinking about adapting this pattern.

A new pattern offered by Moda Bake Shop.  It seemed timely that it showed up while I was on the hunt!

  It is called the American Banner Rose by Minick and Simpson. Go and get it HERE.

My goal is to have something done by NEXT Fourth of July!!!!!!!

Oh...and I apologize for the near future...I took a million photos...and well, you know....

I have to share, don't I?

One less day to quilt

When your flight is cancelled!!

Cracker Barrel

You have to eat at a Cracker Barrel at least once a trip.

Colonial Williamsburg

On the hunt today....

Vacation?

Button thinks we need a vacation from our vacation.

Happy fourth!!!

Can't believe I have finally seen the fireworks in Washington DC after all these years, especially since we lived in the area for five years!!!