Snuggi

I purchased Amy Butler's Little Stiches a few weeks ago. Mainly for a few patterns, and this is one of them. I plan on putting in two more spots for the ties to go through. He is a big/long guy, so I want them to be able to utilize this for some time. And yes that is a purple/pink stuffed animal in the first picture. I couldn't find any of my daughter's baby dolls.

This is for my new nephew, Riley Jay, who was born March 11th weighing in at 9lbs 3oz and was 21.5 inches long.
I have the ones my brother sent from the hospital, but I will wait till Saturday to post. I know how my sil is about her pictures.

How to stay organized?

With all the swaps I've been doing, how do I stay organized? I wish I new. Right now I have a little notebook that fits in my purse. I write down the swap and when it is due (to be mailed). I also write down my swap partner if I know it and what colors and size they like/are. Also what material/items I may need to purchase for the swap. For example, for the Fiesta Swap I wrote down when it was due, who I am mailing it to, what colors she likes, what type of apron she would like, and what materials I would need to find to make the apron - yrds of fabric, buttons, rick rack, ect.
When I have found something on the list I check it off. When I have completed it I draw a line through the page. I have finished the Fiesta Apron, it's now waiting to be washed and pressed.

I don't really like the way I'm doing it right now, creative juices just aren't flowing in the organization department right now. If you have any suggestions please comment. I'm open to all suggestions. My only thing is I need to be able to carry it in my purse. I have to have it when I shop or go to post office.

Charming Handbag

This is my first attempt at making the Charming Handbag from Bend the Rules Sewing. I have to make one for my swap partner and thought I should try it out first. It was simple to make, yet somehow I think I messed up the dimensions. The book said to copy the patten and enlarge to 129%. Well I couldn't get my stinken printer to work correctly so I just took the measurements from the drawing in the book and doubled. I think I need to try and get my printer to work correctly. I don't believe it is supposed to be so large. I might have to change the handles on this one, only because they just don't look right with such a large bag. I will try again today with the pattern, so hopefully I can get my swap complete this week.

First Signs of Spring

First sign of spring here in the northeast. I can't for the rest of my flowers to bloom. I also can't wait to be able to plant my garden. I think I'll be taking up canning this year. My husband doesn't want to get a bigger freezer, but I would rather freeze than can. I would have to purchase too much for canning. We'll see what happens.

What have I been doing?

Wow! It's been awhile since I posted anything. My goal for this year was to update at least once a week. Been busy here with this and that lately. But I do have projects I've completed.
I've joined the Swap-Bot community. I've finished my first swaps already. Well I've finished mine and sent them out. I've only received 1 so far, but the deadline isn't here yet. Here's a few pics.

This one is for a Scavenger hunt. I had to include something from each of the following categories: Something with light blue/ robin egg blue, Some type of ribbon/ trim, Some type of sewing tool, Something on a spool, Something at least half a yard

My next one was a 9 Batch Quilt that had to be 10.5. I had 2 partners and had to make 2 for each. Some people requested specific colors, I just looked at their profiles to see what colors each liked. The first one I did, she liked the spring/happy colors.





This was the first time I ever did the 9 Batch, and I think I did really good. I do have to work on getting my lines straight though.

The next swap I was in was a Pack Work Pin Cushion. I've only made one pin cushion so far so I picked this swap to learn new ways of making them. They gave an example for one here. I thought about doing it, but changed my mind at the last minute. I went with just a square block.


I really like it. I think I might make one for my self. I thought about putting a couple of buttons on it, and decided it looked just fine without any. It kind of has an Asian feel to it. Maybe I'm wrong.

I have still been working on my quilts. I have one almost all cut out. Just have to cut the light color for it. I have a few patterns for dresses for my girls, unfortunetely they are too big. My aunt is an avid sewer and has a lot of patterns. As I was thinking about just making a pattern in the one dress I wanted to make my girls, I remembered I have a neice who loves to wear skirts and dresses. Guess what, the patterns are in her size, yeah. I bought a couple of really nice aqua blue fabrics (different styles) for my girls, so I have to go find something for my niece now. Her favorite colors are purple, pink, green and orange.

My books should be here today!!! Bend the Rules Sewing and a couple of Amy Butler books. I can't wait to try the handbag pattern, so I can get that swap started. I like to get my swaps done long before the deadline. That way I can take on more.

Websites of Companies

Are you using coupons? Well I am. It has saved me a ton of money. I especially like Hot Coupon World and Jan4girls, she has a limit of $800 for 1 whole year. Yes that's one whole year, including take out. You should check out her site. I know we could never get down to $800 a year. But we sure try to get get as low as possible. I'm also part of a yahoo group called HowToShopForFree. I receive daily digest of this group, because if I choose individual email, I would never be able to leave my hotmail account. Anyway, one of the coupon savy people sent in this list of companies. They had emailed approximately 70 of these companies and received around 50 responses back with coupons. One day here this week I will be able to email a few to see what response I receive.

1. BirdsEye www.birdseye.com

2. Sensodyone www.sensodyne.com
3. Starkist Tuna www.starkist.com
4. Idahoan www.idahoan.com
5. Cole's Garlic Bread www.coles.com
6. Arm & Hammer www.armandhammer.com
7. Windex www.windex.com
8. Uncle Ben's www.unclebens.com
9. Whiskas www.whiskas.com
10. Lipton www.liptont.com
11. Zatarains www.zatarains.com
12. Mrs. T's Pierogies www.mrsts.com
13. 9 Lives www.9lives.com
14. Barber Foods www.barberfoods.com
15. Banquet www.banquet.com
16. Del Monte Veggies www.delmonte.com
17. Blue Diamond www.bluediamond.com
18. Florida's Natural www.floridasnatural.com
19. Campbell's www.campbellkitchen.com
20. Jose Ole www.joseole.com
21. Malt O Meal www.malt-o-meal.com
22. Haagen Dazs www.haagen-dazs.com
23. Tillamook www.tillamookcheese.com
24. Michelena's www.michelinas.com
25. Kotex www.kotex.com
26. Luigi's Italian Ice www.luigis.com
27. Thomas' www.thomas.gwbakeries.com
28. Hostess www.twinkies.com
29. Edy's www.edys.com
30. Tyson www.tyson.com
31. Hatfield www.hqm.com
32. Hillshire Farm www.hillshirefarm.com
33. Bic www.bicworld.com
34. Eucerin www.eucerin.com
35. Farm Rich www.farmrichfun.com
36. Kozy Shack www.kozyshack.com
37. Mt. Olive www.mtolivepickles.com
38. Pilgrim's Pride www.pilgrimspride.com
39. Healthy Balance www.healthybalance.com
40. Mrs. Smith's www.mrssmiths.com
41. Helluva Good www.helluvagood.com
42. Perdue www.perdue.com
43. Viva Paper Towel www.vivatowels.com
44. Edward's Pies www.edwardsbaking.com
45. Electrasol www.electrasol.com
46. Woolite www.woolite.com
47. Kashi www.kashi.com
48. Schick www.shaving.com
49. Smart Ones www.eatyourbest.com
50. Georgia Pacific www.gp.com
51. Ling Ling's www.ling-ling.com
52. Horizon www.horizonorganic.com
53. Land O Lakes www.landolakes.com
54. Sargento www.sargentocheese.com
55. Dannon www.dannon.com
56. Bolthouse Juice www.bolthouse.com
57. Hefty www.pactiv.com
58. Tribe Hummus www.tribehummus.com
59. 7 Up www.7up.com
60. Morningstar Farms www.morningstarfarms.com
61. Welch's www.welchs.com
62. McCain's Fries www.mccainusa.com
63. Vlasic www.vlasic.com
64. Stonyfield Farm www.stonyfield.com
65. Keebler www.keebler.com
66. Celestial Seasonings www.celestialseasonings.com
67. Boboli www.boboli.com
68. Entemman's www.entenmanns.com
69. Arnold Bread www.arnoldbread.com
70. Freihof's Bread www.freihofers.com
71. Tree Ripe OJ www.johannafoods.com/juice.htm
72. Wonder Bread www.wonderbread.com
73. Hebrew National www.hebrewnational.com
74. St. Ives www.stives.com
75. Ronzoni www.ronzoni.com
76. Tropicana www.tropicana.com
77. Ball Park Franks www.ballparkfranks.com
78. Clorox www.clorox.com
79. White Castle www.whitecastle.com
80. PictSweet www.pictsweet.com
81. Lean Cuisine www.leancuisine.com
82. Olivio customerservice@...
83. Tide www.tide.com
84. Oust www.oust.com
85. Chef Boyardee www.chefboyardee.com
86. Propel www.propelwater.com
87. Bagel Bites heinzconsumeraffairs@...
88. Snapple www.snapple.com
89. Clearasil http://www.clearasil.us/
90. Rumba Juice www.rumbaenergyjuice.com
91. Luna Bars www.lunabar.com
92. Mott's www.motts.com
93. White House Applesauce www.whitehousefoods.com
94. Natures Own Breads www.naturesownbread.com
95. Cascadian Farms www.cascadianfarm.com
96. Brach's Candy www.brachs.com
97. Fast Fixin's www.fastfixin.com
98. Carl Budding www.budding.com
99. Bar-S Hot Dogs http://www.bar-s.com/
100. Hawaiian Punch www.hawaiianpunch.com
101. Bigelow Tea www.bigelowtea.com
102. El Montery www.ruizfoods.com
103. Wylers Soups www.wylers.com
104. Nexcare www.nexcare.com
105. Sunny Delight www.sunnydelight.com
106. Freschetta www.freschetta.com
107. Dunkin Donuts www.dunkindonuts.com
108. Blistex www.blistex.com
109. Little Crow Foods www.littlecrowfoods.com
110. Promise www.promisehealthyheart.com
111. Pepperidge Farm www.pepperidgefarm.com
112. Greenies www.greenies.com
113. Crayola www.crayola.com
115. Gorton's Fish www.gortons.com
116. Hanes www.hanes.com
117. Marie Calendar www.mariepies.com
118. Pine-Sol www.pinesol.com
119. Foster Farms www.fosterfarms.com
120. General Mills www.generalmills.com
121. Rhodes Bread customersatisfaction@...
122. Breyers www.icecreamusa.com/breyers
123. Duncan Hines www.duncanhines.com
124. Sea Pak Shrimp www.seapak.com
125. Dole www.dole.com
126. Mama Mary's www.mamamarys.com
127. IBC Root Beer www.ibcrootbeer.com
128. Dial Soap www.dialcop.com
129. Bakers Joy www.bakersjoy.com
130. Jennie-O Turkey www.jennieo.com
131. Barbara's Bakery www.barbarasbakery.com
132. Ian's Natural www.iansnaturalfoods.com
133. Hansen's Beverage www.hansens.com
134. Alexia Foods www.alexiafoods.com
135. Brown Cow Yogurt www.browncowfarm.com
136. Ocean Spray www.oceanspray.com
137. Flat Out Bread feedback@...
138. Rudi's Organic www.rudisbakery.com
139. Mussleman's Applesauce www.knouse.com
140. Skinny Cow www.skinnycow.com
141. Baker's Inn Bread ravindernath@...
142. Lactaid www.lactaid.com
143. Silk Soy Milk www.silksoymilk.com
144. Shady Brook Farms www.shadybrookfarms.com
145. Mrs. Dash www.mrsdash.com
146. Rice Dream www.tastethedream.com
147. Blue Bunny www.bluebunny.com
148. Sobe www.sobebev.com
149. Michangelo's Frozen Entrees www.michaelangelos.com/efamily
150. Mission Tortillas www.missionfoods.com
151. State Fair Corn Dogs www.statefairbrand.com
152. Splenda www.splenda.com
153. Equal Exchange www.equalexchange.com
154. Odwalla www.odwalla.com

Quilt

Here is the quilt I've been working on for my new nephew. He's hasn't been born yet. Due date is March 7th. I purchased a set of burp clothes at Target when they were on clearance. I paid $1.74 for a set of four. I think it only cost around $20 for all the materials. This is one of the many quilts my family will be receiving for Christmas this year. I just have to finish the binding and I'll be done. So, 1 down and 9 more to go.

I have purchased the colors for another quilt. Greens. I absolutely love green. It reminds me of walking through woods or through fields. Here are the fabrics.

I'm not sure who to give this one to though. I guess I'll make it first and decide at a later date.

Apron Swap

Okay I just found this blog. She is doing a Feista! Hot Mama Apron Swap.

I just signed up for this swap also. I think I will only sign up for a couple and see how I do with them. I have the perfect apron in mind for this swap, so I should be busy this week.
I do have a few other projects I have to finish up and start this week. So busy, busy, busy. Just the way I like to be.

Kitchen Colors

Now at tax time, we have decided to try and finish our kitchen, sum what. We purchased 3 new cabinets for our peninsula when we first moved into our house. Yes 2 yrs ago. We haven't bought counter tops for it yet, only because they have to be custom made. Well we are going to be finishing it this year. That isn't they only remodel we will be making in our kitchen. We are taking out this huge pantry and installing cabinets also. That will be further down the road. We're taking out the pantry only so I can get the fridge I want. But any way, when we do the peninsula, I will be painting also. I have to find colors that match these pics.

Hopefully you can see the colors. It's kind of a greenish blue.

Apron Swap

I have signed up for the Flirty Apron Swap. If you want to sign up for it go here.

I'm just now getting into sewing more. I've had my machine for 3yrs and never really did anything with it. I now have two adorable girls, and have always wanted to make kids clothes. I have made one apron before, which was out of an old pillowcase. I think it turned out fine. I now have experience with making skirts, so i should be fine making an apron. I really can't wait to start though. I just need to find vintage material. I've looked online and that will probably be where I purchase from.