Sick!

I went to my allergist for my six month check up only to find out I have sinus infection.  That would explain why I haven't felt good for a week!  I'm blaming it on this weather--wet, rainy, sporadic sun with high pollen counts, cold, did I mention WET??  So, it's the couch for me again today waiting for the meds to kick in and the head to quit aching.

Giveaway Winner---Me!!

Heidi at handmadebyheidi.com was is packing for a move from AZ to MN. (Welcome back to the midwest!)  Anyway, she wanted to giveaway some flannel rather than move it, so she had a giveaway.   And I won!!  I have entered quite a few giveaways, but I have never won.  I am careful to enter only on the sites that I visit regularly, even though there are so many out there.

I'm seeing a lot of burp cloths, taggie blankets, taggie blocks, and baby quilts in my future!

Do you see that pink in there?  I'm hoping I'll have some use for that in the future at least! Don't get me wrong, we love those grandsons, but there's nothing like sewing some girly girl stuff once in a while!

Thanks, Heidi!  Look for some projects on here this summer.

Bags

I've been working on some bags and I sent this one  to Mom for Mother's Day.

  It has a magnetic snap closure and pockets all around the outside.

There are also pockets on the inside for her cell phone and such.

This one is for my niece who wants to use it as a diaper bag.  I made it a little bigger than the purse size.

It also has pockets around the outside which will be handy for bottles, toys, and such.

The inside has two bigger pockets just right for all of that baby paraphernalia that you need when you have kids!

I've made quite a few of these and I'm sure I'll make more.  They are just the right size, sturdy, and cute! I used a pattern from Moda Bake Shop.  You can find the pattern here.

Happy Mother's Day!

A Little Fabric Shopping

I belong to a Piecemaker's Club.  It is held at my favorite local quilt shop--Willowcreek Quilting and Gifts in Kalona.  It meets the first Wednesday and Saturday of the month.  Each month new fabric and patterns are shared along with members sharing things they have made.  I don't really know anyone who goes on Wednesday nights, but I enjoy going.  Anyone want to go with me???

Different projects are also offered.  I still don't have my first project completed, but that will be on my list after school is over for the summer.  This month we started a "Buck a Block" project.  It will be 12 blocks, so it will be a year before it is completed. I chose two fabrics to start with.  This one will be shades of my favorite color--purple.  I'll share pictures once the first block is done.  I have a hard time getting to the meetings, but the last two that I've been to I have won $10 each time sharing my things.  So, this week I spent the gift certificates, used a coupon and added a little of my own $$ to purchase a few things.

I have been admiring the Nature's Notebook by April Comell for Moda since it came out.  I'm not sure yet what I will do with it, but I had to have some!  The jelly roll is Strawberry Lemonade by Me and My Sister Designs for Moda.  The colors would make a great little girl quilt, or a springy wall hanging, table topper, table runner, etc.  I have also been wanting this purse pattern.  You will see me carrying one soon! (only in different colors for summer)  And then there is the table runners pattern.  I like making table runners.  Since I have been learning and trying more and more different patterns I like to do small projects.  That way I see a finish and know if I'm good enough for a certain design before I try something larger.

I also purchased my new sewing machine at this store.  When I bought it they mentioned a workbook that would be nice to have.  Of course it cost extra.  So, I bought it too.

I have studied poured over it and I know that I will be using this often!

I am headed to my sewing room right now to spend a few hours.  Yah!

Oriental Coleslaw

A while ago my friend, Beth, made this salad.  Not being a salad lover OR a rabbit, I didn't like it!  Others continued to rave about it.  One night at book club I decided to eat outside of my box, so I ate some of this salad.  Well, Beth wasn't there and I said, "I like this better than Beth's recipe."  I was promptly told that it was indeed Beth's recipe.  I guess my tastes have changed or something because I have even made it.   It's my "new" favorite salad!  Thanks, Beth!!

Oriental Coleslaw
1 pkg. shredded cabbage/carrots
1/4-1/2 diced green pepper
1/4-1/2 c. sunflower seeds
2 green onions diced
1 oriental chicken pkg. Romen noodles

Dressing:
1/2 c. vegetable oil
3 Tbsp. vinegar
1 Tbsp. sugar (I added a little more for Bud!)
Seasoning packet from Ramen chicken noodles.

Mix dressing together and toss with slaw, pepper, sunflower seeds, and onions 30 minutes before serving.  Add Ramen noodles just before serving.

YUM!

Check out the recipes at And Baby Makes Five.

Yard Creatures

We worked in the yard today, replanting, planting, and moving plants.  We got a lot done, but I had to come in when the allergies started bothering me.  I was sewing when Bud called and asked me where the snake was that I had seen earlier.  He wanted me to come out and look at what he had found.

We're pretty sure it's a bull snake, but it sure looked creepy! (And no, he didn't kill it.) The one I saw earlier was MUCH smaller.  It was a garter snack I'm sure.

Do you ever run into creepy creatures in the yard???