Family

Other things may change us, but we start and end with FAMILY. -- Anthony Brandt

AUNT CAROL---we LOVE and MISS YOU!

2 weeks ago, i got the dreaded call from my dad---the one you never want to answer.  Aunt Carol had suddenly passed away.  She was my dads only sister.  1 girl and 5 boys.  So without hesitation, i jumped on a plane bound for North Dakota, my home state.  I was lucky enough to get a flight fast and cheap. 

my family is big and after all of these years we have all remained close.  I cherish that.  My cousins and i talk about how lucky we have been to have such a large family and not have deaths, tragedies, illness, and sadness.  This was such a hard time for us, but we all came together.  We laughed and cried at the same time. 

My grandparents passed away a long time ago, but they lived long happy fulfilled lives. 

Although my Aunt Carol was in her early 70s, she was still full of lots of life and didnt act a day over 50.  It was a shock, and still is today. 

my cousin,  HEIDI,  who most of you know from our blogs and FNSI, drove in early saturday morning, so we got to spend some much needed time together that weekend.  Heidi's dad and my dad are the 2 youngest, and really close in age.  Carol was smack dab in the middle of those boys.  But she could handle every single one of them.  i LOVED that about her. 

This was the last time i saw her.  That day I was able to spend a few hours sitting with her and getting family stories from her.  She always had the GOOD ones too! 

Carol....we will miss you each and every day of our lives.  We love you!

  



FNSI winner

sorry i made you all wait.....but my great nephew turned 4 today so ive been cruzing the country side (arizona) to celebrate his big day!!!  isnt he the CUTEST !!!

alright...lets do this.  via random.org my winner is-----
#182  CHERYL---http://www.windsomwinds.blogspot.com/
she sewed together 168 triangle blocks !!  NICE JOB!

you are the lucky winner of this

an apron made by me (see below) and a charm pack of whimsey. 

check out HEIDIS blog for her winner.   CONGRATS to everyone on another fabulous FNSI!

see you next month!

FNSI results

not much sewing got done at my house last night.  i fondled lots of fabric though.  i bought some new Reunion yardage by Sweetwater.  I spent lots of time dreaming of things to make with it.  LOVING that navy color!!!

i made a zipper pouch with the fabrics Heidi and I bought in our hometown.

the outside is oil cloth by Riley Blake.  Ironically, when im at a quilt shop, i tend to always grab for Riley Blakes fabrics.  Have you all seen these colorful zippers at your LQS?  they are reasonably priced and have a TON of color choices.  I went to my LQS yesterday and bought some more.  :)

Be sure and check our blogs tomorrow for the FNSI winners. 

FNSI signups

HOLY MOLY...... im about 6 days late for this message.  sorry about that to all of our crafters!
My cohost Heidi posted the sign ups last friday.  Friday Night Sew In is tomorrow. 

Last weekend i was actually in my hometown in North Dakota.  My family had to say goodbye to my dads only sister---My Aunt.  it was a tough weekend and unexpected, but my family knows how to LAUGH even at the roughest of times.  BUT....i did get to spend it with HEIDI.  See we are cousins for those of you that dont know this history of how FNSI started.  we even snuck off to a quilt store!!! 

i am gearing up for tomorrow night.  Trust me, i need to relax in my sewing room with my new machine and extension table.  these tables are the coolest!!!  I have a project in store too that i bought in ND.   Heidi gave me some pointers on the zipper issues ive been having.  THANKS HEIDI!!!

last month i burnt out my old sewing machine.  the one ive been using for like 4 years.  my mom had bought me a small singer..... a little one just in case i enjoyed sewing.  If you read my blog, you know how that turned out!    I.HEART.SEWING

well, my little "work horse" as i called her has been through a lot!  ive taken her out of town, ive moved her location, ive made lots and lots of projects with her, i even gave her a nice sewing room to play in.  i guess she just got old and worn out.....poor girl.  the night i knew our run was over was when she almost started smoking......she had this horrible chemical odor that made me scared for my life.  i put her outside for the night and knew it was time to replace her.  YAY for me!!!  Now i have a larger machine so i can learn to stipple.  I even bought a darning/quilting needle. 

see you all tomorrow night!!!

Sewing Machine Cover

I'm really bad at putting my sewing machine away, so she needed a cover to keep the dust off of her.

all i did was measure the machine and make a simple cover.  just strips of this fun vintage looking sewing fabric i found.  i think my strips were 4x18.  I added some ties and a backing fabric. 

now shes all nice and snug like a bug in a rug.  

Margo Hometown Bag

i LOVE this bag pattern!!!  Margo by Lazy Girl Designs.  i made THIS bag for last months FNSI and gave it away as my gift. 

I also made THIS bag a few months ago, and loved the fabrics but its big.  its not really a daily use bag.  you know, that going-to-work-and-need-all-my-junk-with-me Bag.

the Margo pattern was perfect for these fabrics.  its the Sweetwater line HOMETOWN and the outside is canvas and corduroy.  it makes it really heavy duty.  im considering using it as a purse for awhile. 

the inside is lined with just a simple linen from joanns.  a fav of mine to use as a lining.

corduroy back and handles.  ( I <3 CORD!!)

LOVE those front pockets in this pattern.  its a great place to slip in keys.  if you ever get to meet me.....and go anywhere with me....im that girl who can never find her keys in her purse!  i hate that about myself.  my son will also tell you im the same girl who can never find her sunglasses either!!! 

happy sewing!!!