Sunday, February 27, 2011

im still going....

i havent given up yet :)
im using just a big ol mix match of colors....but the funny thing is it looks good when put together. (or atleast i think it does-LOL)......  kind of like a quilt.  im just wondering how long this will take me.  :)

ive had a sick house all week (not me thankfully) so i didnt get to do as much as i wanted.  yesterday i disinfected everything i could think of....basically because i dont want strep throat!!!  the plus side is my house is once again clean, so now today i can sew some projects and later work on my granny stripe.  im anxious to move onto another color.  thats how this granny stripe works.  you do 2 rows of one color then switch, so it keeps it exciting.

time to surf a little.....then grocery shop.  im making this for dinner because its cold outside.  its also an easy recipe to made that gives you time to sew/crochet/craft. 

Sunday, February 20, 2011

FNSI feb winner and granny stripes

If you are looking for the winner for Febs FNSI, please click HERE where you will find it on Heidi's blog.



I have had quite the lazy sunday.  it was nice and rainy this am, so i started working on a GRANNY STRIPE afghan.....pattern by ATTIC 24.  it goes together pretty quick.  (considering im a very new crochet'er)
im just doing a big ol random color choice.  I surfed flickr last night and found some really fun granny stripe blankets----one lady had only used like 6 colors and it was very guy'ish.  if i can handle this, im going to put that on my to do list for an xmas gift.  another lady had also created a different pattern using larger and smaller stripes.  LOVED that one too.  I do enjoy crochet'ing.  its very relaxing.....and TV friendly :)

Saturday, February 19, 2011

my FNSI results

Here is what i made last night for FNSI.  A purdy spring bag made from the Shoulder Tote pattern by Quilts Illustrated.  i made a few different adjustments, but its always been one of my favorite "easy" bags to make.  have you all tried the patterns from quilts illustrated?   This bag was 16x16 before sewing.  its a great daily bag to use for work etc.
 A friend of mine had asked me awhile ago for a pinks and greens bag.  After digging through my stash, the best fabs i could come up with were Woodland Bloom.  See my quilt hanging next to it using the same line?  I still love woodland bloom. 
 I had to get creative and move around the house to get a decent photo.  Ive been on the go and forgot to take daytime photos!!!  grrrrrr.

last night i locked myself in my MOM CAVE and sewed away.  I drank iced tea, ate pretzels and cheese, listened to some nice mellow music.....it was a perfect night for FNSI. 
These fabrics are so cheery.....

Because the outside was so busy, i made the inside very simple with linen and some fab pockets.

Remember to check HEIDIS blog tomorrow for the FNSI winner.  im going to spend my night surfing at all of your projects.  (oh how times have changed.....my saturday nights are so boring now--LOL)
I always get some cute ideas from you gals.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

FNSI reminder

tomorrow nights the night to get your CRAFT ON! 
do you have your projects ready?
do you have some snacks in the pantry?
have you got some drinks in the fridge chillin?

if you answered YES to any of these questions your a "Friday Night Sew-In" kind of gal/guy/crafter!!!

dont forget to blog about your projects.  the blogging can be done either friday or saturday.  HEIDI will have the lucky winner announced on Sunday. 
See you all tomorrow.  (except our aussie friends who are probably already crafting)

ps.....i read ALL of your comments.....seriously all of them because my emails come to my phone.  YOU are the reason we come back every month for this fun filled night of sewing, stitching, crocheting, knitting, painting, scrapbooking......

Saturday, February 12, 2011

I DID IT!!!

well, with some helpful tips from a lot of you.....i think i am well on my way to actually crocheting!  THANK YOU!!!  i have surfed tutorials, watched videos and actually managed to MAKE something. 

wanna see it:?  its a dishcloth.....  (hiphiphooray)

OH and another one :)

not perfect.....but made by ME ME ME.   yeah yeah i know its NOT an afghan but a girl had to start someplace right? 

thanks to my friend JAMIE she turned me onto the lion brand website.  they have a TON of free patterns and even how to videos. 

i am trying to find a nice easy pattern for my first afghan.  i have seen some really cute ones that are so much like a quilt.  i found a 9patch that im dying to make.   maybe ill take my dad to the yarn store with me today and have him help me get some easy to work with yarn.  he is the one that taught me the double crochet :)

im going to retreat to my "mom cave" later tonight and work on some other projects i have going.  but right now, its time to hit some garage sales, go buy some bushes for my yard, and take my family out to breakfast.  its a beautiful weekend here in the desert southwest.  its going to be around 70 all weekend. 

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Friday Night Sew In signups for 2/18/11

Are you all excited for this months Friday Night Sew-In?  I know I am....ive been a craftin machine lately.  Teaching myself to crochet, a wood project in the works, a few behind the scenes swaps to do.  I have a huge list.....and need this night to give me the push to complete something. 

Heidi and I love doing these each month. 
2/18/11 is the date!

If you are new and need to know how it works.. here are the details:




1. Enter your blog info below. **If you don't have a blog - you can enter the Flickr group link as your URL.



2. Make a post on your blog - letting all your readers know about the sew-in. Spread the word.. we could all use the virtual sewing support and encouragement.



3. On Friday – 2/18/11- Get your house settled, put on your comfy jammies.. maybe make a cup of tea or pour a glass of wine.. and sit down to work on some of those projects.



4. Then, sometime on Saturday - publish a post about what you worked on.. show us a picture or two on Flickr. There is a FNSI group on Flickr if you haven't already joined. Totally optional.



And finally - on Sunday 2/20/11, we will enter all participants into a drawing for the GIVEAWAY!! Heidi will be drawing the winner this month and sending the lucky person a box of goodies!


Sunday, February 6, 2011

Mexican layered dip

we ate and ate and ate today.   that was a great game right to the end!!!
(even though im a vikings fan---football is football right?)

I thought I would share this delicious recipe my mom makes all the time.  my kids refer to it as Grandmas Dip.

I have a few pics while I was making it today, but the good picture didnt happen because my family tore into it before i could get a nice side shot.    :)

Ingredients:
3-5 ripe avocados
3 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1-8oz sour cream
1/2 cup mayo
1pkg dry taco seasoning
1cup chopped green onions with tops
1 can ripe black olives-chopped
2 cups diced fresh tomatoes
shredded cheese----any kind you love and loads of it. 
 
1.   peel, pit and mash avocados.  put in a bowl and add the lemon juice, salt and pepper.  mix together well.  set aside.
2.  in a separate bowl, mix sour cream, mayo and taco seasoning.  set aside.
3.  dice/chop your onions, black olives and tomatoes.  (i truly dont measure them to how many "cups" the recipe says. i guess based on who likes what and if i get sick of chopping)

on a large platter/dish, spread the avocado mixture on the bottom.

next, spread the sour cream/mayo/taco seasoning mixture.  make sure you spread smoothly with a spatula, but do not mix with the avocado.

spread your chopped veggies.  (onions, black olives, tomatoes)

 put LOADS of shredded cheese on top.....and your DONE.
You can serve immediately OR cover and chill in the fridge.
Serve with tortilla chips of your choice.  (we love scoops by Tostitos)

the original recipe called for beans on the bottom, but over the years we eliminated them due to a bean allergy in the family.   im not going to lie....i dont miss the beans.  LOL

enjoy!

Friday, February 4, 2011

Rack


A girl cant have a sewing space without being able to display some of her goods.  I found this adorable rack at Hobby Lobby--and with a coupon it was pretty reasonable.  (i got the idea from a few other blogs).  once it was hung up alone tho...it looked blah.  I decided to move my S E W blocks above it.  what do you think??  

now it just needs more quilts :)
my next thing is to paint this room.  "builder beige" just isnt working for me.
I finished the projects for my friends grandbaby this week.  2 pillows, 2 blankets, 2 burp cloths.  its not twins, shes just one excited grandma! 

im still attempting to crochet----maybe ill have a few rows to show you this weekend :)