it's a good sign giveaway

I met Amy, who blogs at It's A Good Sign, about 5 years ago when her husband, Justin Hackworth, photographed my wedding. (you may have seen his work here. And check out pics from his latest trip to Haiti and the D.R.)

Amy and I have since become better friends through our blogs and email. She's a sewer and creative person who also happens to be one of the NICEST people I've had the pleasure of knowing. I was really impressed when I saw this image on Design Mom last spring! I didn't know Amy was a photographer too - it only made sense though. (By the by, that's a great post on teaching your kids to sew.)

So I snatched one up from her Etsy shop. And put it in a frame and hung it on the wall in my cramped little sewing corner, er, um, I mean studio. I ♥ it so much!

To my surprise, Amy had included several sets of notecards.

featuring each of these images. I just love the old wooden spools.

A company that distributes to quilt stores just placed a large order for them! (That's a good sign!)

and she sent me enough to share.

Her cards and prints are printed on nice heavy paper and will certainly look great in your studio too! And for just this week, Amy has put everything on sale 20% off! Thanks, Amy! What an affordable way to have some original art!

I have two sets of notecards (4 cards each) up for grabs!

To enter:
1. Go visit Amy's shop and come back here and leave a comment about what you like about her shop. 1 entry
2. Leave me another comment letting me know you are a follower/subscriber. 1 entry
3. Blog about the giveaway linking back to this post and yes, leave one more comment. 1 entry

I'll leave the giveaway open until Sunday 4:00 PM EDT, 26 July. 2 winners will be chosen via Random.org. I'll post the winners Monday morning, 27 July.

good luck!

tired.

That's how I've been feeling lately. The reality of a deployed husband has been wearing on me so much lately. It's hard playing mom and dad and still trying to find time for myself. I've managed to do it, but sacrificing sleep in the process. It's finally caught up to me. And I have a whole new appreciation for the women who go at it alone every day.

Were you wondering what their offices look like over there? Pretty dusty.

I won't tell him I posted this picture of him here if you won't, okay? I'm so proud of him!

We are in the final stretch here, he's coming home in just a few short weeks! I'm trying to stay busy until then and have a long to-do list.

• I finally got the rest of the backing fabric needed for my quilt along quilt, so I can quilt it.
• Recovering some of my pillows for my couch.
• Going to the beach!
• Going to South Carolina for a dear friend's wedding.
• A Notion or Two quilt block for July.
• Organizing my sewing area.
• DECLUTTERING.
• Cleaning my house.
• Putting together my new IKEA chairs.
• Wedding quilt (for aforementioned wedding)
• Sewing for my daughter, summer quilt (better get on that before summer is over)
• Spending time at the pool.
• Posting an awesome giveaway (hopefully on Tuesday).
• Hosting painting week here.
• Finish up my bird quilt - I got some awesome backing fabric for that too.
  

So, I've got a lot to do. Anyone else feeling this way?

le 14 juillet

otherwise known as Bastille Day! It's not really a secret that I love France. French things, french style, FRENCH FOOD. Okay, maybe really it's just the things they do with butter, sugar and flour that entice me. But one of my favorite memories of my time in France and Belgium was the crepes. Especially the ones eaten across the river from the Eiffel Tower filled with bananas and nutella, by far my all time favorite filling.

image via cafe triskell

Because today is the French national holiday I dedicate this post to all my dear friends and a dear country that I love! And, I wanted to share with you my recipe for crepes. Pretty simple really, just takes a little practice in the cooking...

Crepes!
3 eggs
Vanilla (to taste)
1 Cup flour
2 Tbsp sugar (optional - I actually rarely use it.)
1 1/3 Cup milk
1 Tbsp oil


Blend eggs and milk together in a blender. Slowly add flour while mixing (this will make the batter smooth – not lumpy). Add vanilla, sugar and oil.

Heat crepe pan or 10" skillet over med-high heat (on the lower end). Lightly spray pan with cooking spray. Pour (about) ¼ C. batter in the center of the pan and swirl it until it covers the bottom. Let cook until a shake of the pan releases the crepe and it slides easily over the surface. Flip using a spatula or a flick of the wrist!

As you cook the crepes stack them on a plate or foil. To keep warm until serving wrap tightly in foil and let sit in a warm oven. They can also be frozen and reheated.

image via cafe triskell

Fill with yummy stuff! Such as:
Nutella (with bananas!) Lemon juice and sugar
Jam Fresh fruit
Ice cream and chocolate sauce Applesauce
Smashed bananas cooked with brown s ugar
AND the whipped cream!!

I hope you don't get this too late in the day to join in celebrating with me and having them for dessert! If you do - let me know how you like them!

the nursery reveal!

I've been busy getting this bedding set together for Maggie. Who in fact is probably having that baby as I type this! I finally finished the binding on the blanket.

I was really kind of
VERY sad to see this go. I ♥ it so much! I really am going to make another one of those pillows. I also think I need pom pom fringe in every color!

I got to her house and set to work on tying 6 bumpers on the crib. The ribbon worked out well, although it was a bit short to tie bows. But I think I like this better anyway.

I'm definitely not a baby bedding stylist, but I tried to get some pictures to show how cute it all looked in it's new home.

I love the rocking chair corner. We couldn't decide which side of the pillow we liked better, I'm sure it will be flip-flopping a lot. I covet that pink damask lamp - I eyed it at Target every time I went and didn't pick it up. Silly me.

And what a fun cute little elephant nightlight!

The bed decided it liked this side of the pillow.

I love the wainscotting with the pale yellow walls. And HELLO gorgeous chandelier!

Is it weird that I'm so attached to this bedding? The room is very sweet and calm. I told her I'm coming over to hold the baby and sit in there when I need a break! And Maggie, good luck today!

This is by far the biggest custom order I've taken on. Well, besides the bags I've done, it's the only one. But I'm so glad I did it. I learned to use my serger better as well as how to sew with minky (pin it A LOT!). I discovered how much I like collaborating with someone to create something beautiful which will be well-loved . And it was a huge confidence builder for me. Perhaps I have it in me to take on more challenging projects.

What challenging projects have you been working on lately?

and the pillow

Another sneak -

I decided this little number needed a little pizazz. Enter the pompom fringe!

I'm delivering all of the bedding today! Can't wait to take some pictures of the whole nursery. Will post soon!

Stay tuned for my first ever theme-week: Painting Makeovers! (mr. linky will be making an appearance!)

crochet anyone?

Are you tired of taking mismatched store bought reusable totes to the store? Do you want to make your own that could look as cute as this?

Penny at sewtakeahike has come out with her first pattern!

She is giving away 5 pdf files of the pattern and the tote you see up top! Just go to her site to see the 3 ways you can enter! Really it's so easy!

and if I may quote her:
But really, everyone is a winner. Because during the giveaway, I'm offering the pattern up for only $3.50. Just through the giveaway time. It will go to it's normal price of $5 next Sunday June 12th at 8pm MST. (If you purchase the pattern during the giveaway and win a copy, I will reimburse you.)

what have you got to lose? Even if you don't win the bag or pattern, you will have met one of the nicest crafty bloggers on the planet.

If you will excuse me now, I need to go buy some yarn.

i really do ♥ pink

and I really do ♥ my new-to-me serger. Remember how I got it?

I finally got it out while my mom was here and figured out the tension and have had fun finishing up seams! It's especially helpful in taming the fuzz minky creates!

I was asked by a friend if I would be interested in making her baby bedding so we met up and she picked out a couple of my FAVORITE prints! Amy Butler Belle Acanthus in Olive for the blanket and Sandi Henderson's Medallion Bloom from the Farmer's Market collection. And the piece de resistance - hot pink minky to back both.

Now I just need to hand-stitch the binding down on this blanket. Look at that nice serged edge!

The instructions on the bumper pads say to cut 24 20x2" strips of fabric then press them all, then topstitch them all and 5 hours later you can have fabric ties. And some burned finger tips. How do I know this? I've made them before. I decided it would be just as lovely to use a coordinating grosgrain ribbon in Lemongrass.

I just love the moment in a project where you get to see it all come together! It's so satisfying! I really want to keep these for myself (no, I'm not announcing anything) - they are just so CUTE! And the blanket is deliciously cuddly. That's the real minky there folks - it really is softer than the imposters! (and now I sound like a commercial.)

So this is a little sneak peak for you Maggie! I hope you are as excited as I am!