Dirty Boys

Things I've Been Working On

This one started as a Crazy Nine-Patch Lattice Quilt, but after I made the nine-patch blocks I discovered it was a baby quilt and I didn't have enough to make more....so, enter a little improvisation (mess?).  This is an early picture, there will be the thin yellow border around all of that center grid and the outside border of the larger squares may still change several times as I go.  Back when I did the Treasure Shop Hop I decided to get 1 fat quarter from each shop, these are the fabrics from that adventure.

Geeze, lady!  Been sewing long?!  These blocks for my local quilt group are supposed to look like that.  Beth got her inspiration from the Waverunner quilt along.  Some of Beth's fabrics are also from fat quarters purchased on the Shop Hop, this was a fun idea we plan to do again next year (buying a fat quarter at each shop, I mean).

Veggie Tales is a blanket for West Coast/Central Oddball Knitters (although, I think our group name has changed several times so I don't really know what to call it anymore).  If you are a knitter and would like to join our group, feel free to leave a comment and I can email you more info, or you can find us on Ravelry, I think we're called Western Regions Oddball Baby Blankets there (see how one could get confused on what to call the group?).

For my local quilt group.  I'm unsure of what the pattern is but Terri will end up trimming those little points to create "square" rows and then place them side by side in zigzag form.

Sara borrowed some of my Crazy Curve templates, used up some of her fabric scraps she had on hand and asked us to make a block that looks like this - I'm not sure what she plans to do with them.

I bought this quilt kit awhile back and pieced together the top.  It also came with the binding fabric and I purchased the backing fabric at the same time.  Last week I bought some batting so one of these days I can get it all together.  The pattern is called Fire Escape.

3 and Grumpy

My baby, Calvin, turned 3 on Friday!

Trying to show me how old he is

Frustrated with Mommy for taking pictures - how dare I?

Decorating cupcakes for his party

A Blogging Award? For ME?

Linda over at Stray Stitches awarded me with an award:

Thank you, Linda!

There are rules to this award...
1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.
2. Share seven things about yourself on the post.
3. Pass the award to fifteen bloggers that you think deserve it.
4. Lastly, contact all of the bloggers that you've picked for the award.

Here are seven things about me...

1.  I have 2 sons, hence the title of my blog, and I love being a mama of boys!

2.  I am a hunter...of big game, you know, elk, deer, etc. but I have yet to actually "seal the deal."

3.  I'm pretty new to quilting, but it is definitely a passion.

4.  I love thunderstorms, especially those in the summer.

5.  I would love to be good enough at it to be able to decorate cakes as a job.

6.  I sometimes feel like I've missed out on something by not growing up in a small town, I blame this on listening to country music (although I do listen to many kinds of music).  I do think the small town way of life is something that would suit my family.

7.   After seeing some of the online quilting bee groups that make a block for each other each month, I created a local group like these.  We are currently into our second year and it's so fun to see people's skills developing (including my own) and friendships forming! 

Now, I will pass this award on to 15 of my favorite bloggers (though, really, I love so many).  Most of these are "smaller" bloggers so I hope you will visit their blog, show them some love and if you like what you see, become a follower, because we all love new followers!

1. Life As A Lee

2. Applique Addict

3. Renegade Quilter

4. Ardea's Nest

5. Kate Quilts

6. Wyoming Breezes

7. Twin Fibers

8. Crazy Mom Quilts

9. Jaxson's Journey With Sensory Processing Disorder

10. The Vintage Sheet Blog

11. Stash Resolution

12. Polka Dot Classic

13. HoneyBear Lane

14. Lucky Duck Dreams

15. Teaginny Designs

If any of you came over from Stray Stitches and are new to my blog, welcome.  

I haven't been blogging very consistently lately as we've been adjusting to new schedules with work, school, etc.  I hope to get back in the groove and post more very soon!

Have a Fabulous Friday and Wonderful Weekend!

Crazy Curves

I'm not kidding, you guys, I absolutely loved working with these circles!  The video tutorials on Elisa's site made sewing them so easy.  I did do a couple of practice blocks, but within no time they were going together quite nicely (not to say that they are all perfect, but I'm completely happy with this as my first circle quilt top).  

Again, fabric won in a giveaway from Quilt Dad, some purchased at Wish Upon A Quilt.

Works In Progress

Besides the circle quilt top on the wall and table, my sewing room/office is STILL a work in progress after our move in MAY!

Templates and pattern for circle quilt won in a giveaway quite some time ago from Elisa and this is my first time using them.  Have to say, I LOVE the curves (thanks, Elisa, love the templates and patterns!)!

Fabric for circle quilt is a Fat Quarterly Fabric Pack purchased from Wish Upon A Quilt in addition to scraps won from John Adams a.k.a Quilt Dad's  Mother's Day Giveaway (thanks, John, loved the fabric!)!

May Block for Let's Bee Together

Before I left for Florida I managed to finish my May block for Mollie in Let's Bee Together (after I found it, because it had gone MIA during the move...along with SOOO many other items - has anyone seen my cat?).  I had hoped to get it into the mail before heading out but that didn't work out so I just sent it last week and she should have it by now.  

I was a bit nervous because I had to stretch a pretty small amount of fabric a long way and I didn't want to be doing any cutting and wasting, especially since I didn't have any of the fabrics in my stash, or any time to get more from Mollie.  I stuck with this simple stacked rectangle look (does this type of block have a name?  I'm sure it does).  You can see where I had to add an extra strip of white (which I'm sure isn't the same 'white' as I was provided with) on the edge.  I added it there because I figured she could choose to take it out pretty easily that way.

I'm working on a hand applique block right now for my local quilt group and I actually love it!  I wasn't so sure on the day we had our lesson from The Applique Addict but now that I can sit on the couch and do it at my leisure it's fun.  The block is of a pair of flip flops, I have the actual shoe part done but just need to add a small flower decal to them and then I'll have some pictures to share.

Annnnd...since June is almost over (when and how did that happen?) I need to also finish start the block for Let's Bee Together for Carolyn and hopefully the Canada Post is no longer on strike so her blocks get to her!

Flurry Giveaway Winner

I'm home from a lovely Florida vacation and I have chosen a winner for the 2 charm packs of Flurry that I was giving away before I left.  As you may recall, I had won a giveaway and so I was paying it forward by hosting my own giveaway!

True Random Number Generator picked good ol' number 6:

The number 6 comment is from a new follower, Sallie.  I have emailed you, Sallie, so check your email!

Thanks to all who entered and be sure to check back as I'll have a couple more giveaways in the near future!

Look Who's Back

Hey...did you miss me?!  

My last post was on Mother's Day and I mentioned we were spending the day moving.  I kind of think we went about things all wrong because we spent all month moving!  We had to be out of our house by the end of May and now that we're finally out, we can start getting things more settled in at the new place (maybe soon I won't have to lie on my belly to type on my computer that's on the floor!)  

Thanks for waiting for my return, I'm glad you're still here because I have a surprise for you!  I guess all of my traveling for the Shop Hop paid off because I got a message a couple of weeks ago from one of my local quilt shops that I had won a prize!  While it wasn't the coveted $50 gift card to each shop (the grand prize), I was happy to have won anything at all!  Here's my loot:

Twelve Days of Christmas Appliqued Quilt pattern, Christmas note pad, miscellaneous Christmas charm squares,  length not yet determined cut of "minky" fabric, baby quilt pattern and some kind of ribbon

 I haven't decided what all I really want to keep and use so maybe you'll be seeing some in a giveaway soon, but in the meantime, while I was picking up my prize, I decided to get a prize for one of you as well - paying it forward in a giveaway prize type of way!  I'm a complete sucker for a lot of the wonderful holiday fabrics out there and these are some I really love, but have yet to even use for myself.

These 2 charm packs of Flurry can be yours, all you have to do is leave me a comment telling me what type or color or line of fabric you're a sucker for.  If you want an extra entry, leave a comment if you're a follower (become one if you are not yet following).  If you so desire to have a 3rd entry, feel free to blog about my giveaway and leave the link to your post in the comment.

I'm going to give you a little bit (or a lot) of time to enter this giveaway.  I'm going on a little vacay and I'll choose the winner on June 15th, so get your entries in before then!

No-reply bloggers must be sure to include your email in your comment or your entry will not be considered - thank you!

I've won 2 other giveaways recently as well so I'm thinking I'll be having 2 more giveaways of my own soon...so stick around!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms, grandmas, aunts, sisters, godmothers, guardians and friends.  Not only those with biological children should be appreciated on Mother's Day...it takes a village!

Story about the pictures: tucked away in a deep corner between 2 buildings at work is the most beautiful tree, well, it's really beautiful in the spring anyway.  The only way I see it is by passing by a certain window in that corner and I'm pretty sure not very many people have even noticed the tree (I've pointed it out to several people and the reaction is usually something along the lines of "thank you for showing me, I had no idea that was there."  I have no idea why, but I'm really drawn to this tree (which I believe is a saucer magnolia).  For several years I've been admiring it ever spring so this year I decided to bring my camera and try and get some pictures.  I'm hoping one day to have a tree like this of my very own!

Hope you all have a fabulous Mother's Day!  Me?  We're moving today!

April Block for Let's Bee Together

Here is the block I made for Melinda for our Let's Bee Together online quilting bee.  I sent it in the mail Friday and am hoping she's received it by now so I don't spoil the surprise for her.

I used the tutorial for this block, the only difference being that I used one piece of fabric for the center rather than the 4 squares.  I hope she likes it!

Sneak Peek

I can't post the whole picture yet because there still needs to be an element of surprise for the recipient of this bee block, so here's just a quick sneak peek of the latest block I did for Let's Bee Together, a virtual quilting bee.  This one is going to Melinda in Georgia!  Stay tuned for the reveal of the entire block later in the week!  If you ever have the chance to do a virtual quilting bee, I'd recommend it.  I love getting fabric in the mail every month, and while I don't get to keep it for myself, I love having a quick project to do (even if I do sometimes procrastinate it until the end of the month).

Treasure Shop Hop Day #4

Day #4 found Beth, my 2 boys and I taking a little road trip north, to the mountains!  Our first stop of the morning was at Stitch n' Snip in Garden Valley, ID, an approximate hour and a half drive.  This was a small shop packed full of goodness!

Another hour and 45 minute drive to McCall, ID and we visited Granny's Attic and Huckleberry Patches.  At Huckleberry Patches, I found this beautiful Yuletide Magic panel that I absolutely love - I cannot wait to turn into something wonderful (hopefully).  I decided I'm a sucker for Christmas fabric, I really could have purchased a fat quarter bundle (or more) of the coordinating fabrics in this line.  I haven't noticed this fabric at any of my local quilt shops, but I haven't actually looked, I just happened upon it while in McCall.  I'm either going to have to search down here or find an excuse to go visit this shop again.

Thanks for joining me on our Shop Hop journey.  Next year I'm thinking we'll get crazy with it, maybe have more interested members from our quilt group go with us, do all shops in a weekend and stay in a motel somewhere overnight, dress up - crazy hats, huge sunglasses, sequins...I'm not sure.  I just think it would be fun to get as crazy as we want with a large group of people.  Though, don't get me wrong, I really did love the quality time with Sara and Beth on day 1 (and Beth on day #2 and #4) - we've been friends awhile, but it has been a long time since we've spent so much time together and it was fabulous!

Treasure Shop Hop Day #2/#3

So, my Day #1 post was titled Treasure Valley Shop Hop because that's what I thought it was...turns out, I included the "Valley" on my own (we do live in the Treasure Valley so I thought that's what it was).  Anyway, Day #2 (Monday, April 18th) consisted of my friend Beth and I traveling to Kuna, ID (not much of a travel really, Beth lives about 2 minutes away) where we went to Knit One Quilt Too (no website that I could locate), a quaint little shop that is great for knitters and quilters alike.  Of course, wouldn't you know I didn't take any photos of the local quilt shops...I guess because they're closer I didn't think about it.  Next we went to Nancy's Quilts and More (again, no website) - you might remember me talking about the shop in this post.  After Nancy's we thought we'd take some of the back roads to get to downtown Nampa, ID (Nancy's has a Nampa address too, it's just out in the country).  We figured it was going to be an easy trip and surely we could figure it out despite the fact that neither of us had ever been this way.  This is another reason I really wish I had a camera with me (we did have our phones, but thought about taking photos after the fact): we got lost!  It didn't seem like we were driving for very long (time-wise) but we ended up about 10 miles from where we wanted to be, though, probably drove an extra 20 or so at least to get there.  Well, we weren't really lost, we just ended up taking the back roads, the more scenic route.  We were driving around something neither of us had ever heard about - the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge and it was really quite peaceful.  I happened to glance out of the window and saw a huge body of water of which I couldn't see the other side...I had thought, up until this point, that it was just a swampy/marshy area.  I exclaimed, probably rather loudly, "is that a giant body of water?!!!!" And Beth just started laughing hysterically - that was a yes.  It was such a memorable moment and I wish we would have taken our pictures by some of the Wildlife Refuge signs.  

We were just assuming at this point that we were at Lake Lowell - it was the only body of water in that area that we could have been at, unless of course we had drive a whole lot further than we thought.  Stop #3 of the day was Bluebird Quilt Studio in downtown Nampa.  This is definitely not my favorite shop for fabric but everyone is nice and they seem to do a lot of classes, and block of the month type projects that seem fun.

Day #3 was Tuesday, April 19th.  My friend Sara (different than Day #1 Sara) and I were able to go to the 2 shops in Boise, Quilt Expressions and The Quilt Crossing, while my 5 year old was in school (I dropped him off at 1230 and had to pick him up at 3...I was late).  I love Quilt Expressions - it's huge, has a great selection of fabric and my dream is to take their longarm class so that I would be able to rent time on the machines (they have like 5 or so in their shop).  The Quilt Crossing is also fabulous - great selection of fabric and I had 2 gift cards from my Birthday, and I only used one that day!

Join me again to hear about the final day and last 3 shops!

Dream Big

Help this family bring home their adopted baby, Sergey.  Go to the blog to find out about their baby Sergey and how your $10 (or more, or less, whichever) donation can help bring him home and possibly win you one of several great prizes - though the real prize is getting Sergey home to his family.