quilt giveaway!

this is a seriously gorgeous quilt and she's giving it away!!!!

go get in on the quilt draw at Art Nest quick!

anywho...

I was looking through some photos on Flickr and thought I'd better update the crafting going on around these parts....not that it's much!

The H2B2 (Hip to Bee Square) group is nearly finished their year of bee blocks....and I have dragged my tail through which is so sad because once I do them I love it.

Being part of a bee has forced me to learn so much! It has been immensely helpful.

This block was due for June (I finished it in June, but didn't mail it 'til July--LOOOOONG story!)

It was made using this tutorial. and was surprisingly easy.

just time consuming. It has ALOT of seams!
She's now done her quilt top. you can see it HERE.

These blocks, also for H2B2 took me forever to finish!
Due for July but I just started and finished them the other day.

Why did I wait so long??

I was scared of them... terrified!

They're fully pieced--curved piecing. I'd never tried it.

Then I had to. I mean--3 months to finish a block?? COME ON, KEL!!

although she was very kind and didn't put a time limit on us as some were having more trouble than others.

The inspiration came from these leaves created by my uberly talented bloggy friend Anna of Noodlehead fame.

Her's are lovely. I didn't want to murder her concept with my shoddy piecing.

********************************************

Well, I mustered my courage.

Cut. Pieced. Notched. Pieced some more.

within an hour and a half I had 4.

yesssss. Triumph!!

Thanks H2B2 girls for stretching my creative muscles.

Now I'm off to conquer September and Octobers blocks and then it's my turn!

stay tuned...

must see commercial

This is a terrific commercial--really makes you think....

How about you?

Dear John...

Re: Parenting Tip #623 from good ol' Dad

Sissy came home from school today and did very well on her spelling test.

I know you are an advocate of good language skills, Dad, and she is doing well in school.

Spelling is sometimes tricky for any kid when they're learning and she prides herself on her ability to sound things out.

You should hear her, dad, she's amazing!

I opened up her spelling test today and there it was--10 out of 10!

PERFECT!

It was a proud parent moment.

But what impressed me more was her bonus word...

knuckle

except she spelled it "knuckl" with no "e"-- because it's silent...but hey she got it!

It was there on the page staring at me.

this great big mountain of the english language and she's mastering it.

Suddenly I could picture you standing in our old kitchen by the stove looking at our schoolwork with so much enthusiasm. BIG smiles and "way to go's!"

and then we'd always hold back the best for last--our most successful piece of work that week.

It wasn't always a 10 out of 10 but to you it may as well have been...every.time.

We'd smile and wait in anticipation as you read the page and then drop it on the counter, slap your hands together and yell "Hallelujah!"

And we'd beam so proud.

It always made me so tingly inside knowing that you saw the hard work and that even though it wasn't perfect, it was a victory!

And you celebrated!!

With that memory fresh in my head I clapped my hands whooped and hollered and ran downstairs to Sissy to exclaim how pleased I was at her test.

And you know, Dad...she STOPPED watching t.v.

yes...stopping watching the screen is a big deal to her...she rarely looks anywhere but at the boob tube when it's on.

AND SHE BEAMED!

I made her day like you made mine.

You were a GREAT dad!

Love your ever loving daughter.

friday faves

More oldies but goodies!

sew much inspiration, sew little time!

1. Red Letter Day Quilt, 2. quiltish, 3. The Cutest Baby Quilt In The Whole Wide World, 4. Doll Quilt Finished (Full), 5. sprout quilt mockup, 6. Patch, 7. Doll Quilt Swap 7, 8. Three's Company quilt, 9. Urban Amish, 10. Fall Back, 11. belle quilt - full view 2, 12. Colorful Crafting with Jen: Rickie's Sashiko Pillow

Friday Favourites--Christmas Edition??

Christmas in July.....errr...August....

In June the new Christmas fabrics are launched onto the scene and it's about this time that I start thinking towards Christmas.

I always have a list a mile long and never do I get to even a quarter of it but maybe this is my year!

1. side swap package, 2. whimsy studios happy homes winter series, 3. savVy { seasons } package sent, 4. a winter wonderland..., 5. A modern Christmas - Jolly Pillow, 6. All About Christmas Swap - Mug Rug, 7. Merry Modern Table Runner, 8. christmas quilt, 9. Christmas Quilt 2009, 10. Christmas Zig Zag Quilt, 11. holiday ornament :: march, 12. Untitled

It's beginning to feel alot like Christmas!

but maybe we should finish summer first :)

Comparison

I am by no means a competitive person.

Like truly I could care less if you are better at something than I am or do it before I do--so what?

I've always said

"It's people like me that help winners, stay at winning..."

Don't feel bad for me...I don't.

Someone has to lose in order for someone else to win--might as well be me :)

I say it a bit tongue in cheek because no one enjoys being at the back of the pack ALL the time. but really I'm not too bothered either.

However, when I read blogs and see all the creativity and capability out there--in spite of being moms just like me and still doing it all? It does deflate me....

just a little.

But I have realized something about myself and those other moms/bloggers.

I can't do it all because I'm not programmed that way.

I don't thrive on the busy, noisy, craziness of creativity banging away in my brain.

I hate feeling the itch to be doing something else.

Or the pressure to be something else.

I can't function on lack of sleep and still be a good mommy. Heck, with a couple of hours loss of sleep I can't even be a half descent mommy!

Don't get me wrong-- those creative --do it all--women are admirable! And I do, admire them that is. But I won't compare myself to them.

Because they're not me.

I bring this all up because a mom came up to me this week and asked me "how do I do it all?"

How do I do what?!

"Cook, clean, sew, blog, and always have neat tidy children?"

I stared at her wondering if she had me confused with someone else. Could she seriously be thinking I am one of those creative, capable women?

It suddenly dawned on me at that moment that what I share on the outside may look as though I've got it all in check. (Clearly this woman has never actually read my blog!)

And If I look like I've got it in check then maybe those women I have been tempted to compare myself to just share the good stuff?

This woman didn't know me well and I could tell that she's been struggling with a new baby and a desire to be more than she thinks she is, but I think the answer is to be happy with what you are and then work to expand that definition over time.

Define yourself broadly and specify as you go along.

Everything in a season.

So I'm going to continue being me.

no pressure. just ME.

And just in case you are wondering--yes my children are always neat and tidy. Sissy's hair is always done and their clothes and faces are always clean.

But my floors are not.

It's a case of priorities.

I'll let someone else win the "cleanest floors" award :)

10 lbs of cake

This has been a month of Birthdays in the house of John's Daughter!

And the month of CAKE!

loads of it!

the "Middle-Man" (bubby) turned 4 this summer!

We had a HOT WHEELS birthday and went bowling--it was a hoot!

His cake was a combination of this cake and this one.

He was thrilled!

(the side of the cake is piece of ribbon--I was going to do it with icing but...uh... no.)

and the D-Man (Bear) had a very special first birthday party with Grandma and Grandpa making a special appearance.

What a big boy--I'm so sad when my babies want to grow up so fast :(

His cake was a total yummy pleasure as we all love a bit of candy-- or ALOT as was the case with this cake!

I used this video tutorial from Betty Crocker--so easy!

We have just finally waded through all of the birthday cake around here... just in time for hot dogs and s'mores by the fire.

summer can be so fattening--but totally yummy!

Friday Favourites

today's favourites are my oldest flickr favourites.

i've had them saved for 2 years and still find them inspiring!

1. finished back, 2. ORBC Q-Along Circle Quilt from leftovers, 3. Numbers quilt, 4. Liberty Bird Quilt (binding detail), 5. Pencil roll, 6. babyquilt-1, 7. SQM09-O4, 8. Kaffe Fassett Pastel Floral Parade Quilt, 9. Mod Sampler completed Back

Happy Friday!

We're having some time off to spend with friends--I can't wait!

Have a great weekend!

having trouble getting your kids to read this summer?

Let'em read in the bath tub!

yep...

right there between the shampoo bottles and the shrinking bar of soap.

I gave them some rainbow twizzlers, a drink (I told them no drinking from the tap!),

and a pile of good books-- and they gave me an hour of peace and quiet!!

I'm tellin' ya'--it's win/win!

PSSST...

Do you love fabric?

Know someone who loves fabric?

You need to check out Huge giveaway!

and if you don't win you can always buy her fabric--best prices ever!

you can thank me later *wink*....

when you win...

or I can thank you when you win and then share your winnings with me!

*hee hee* A girl can dream!

remember when...

Remember when you were in my belly?
No?
You were always so gentle.
No pokes or prods from you.
No fingers poking my rib cage.
You slept when I slept.

Remember when I woke up and thought of the most perfect name for you?

I started calling you that name right away. Right then and there at 4am when I got up to go pee because you were sleeping on my bladder.

I called you your name before I even talked it over with Daddy.

Remember when I listened to Sinatra REALLY loud when we were home, just me and you?

and you swayed inside my belly as though you were dancing.

Remember when you stayed so still that I thought something may be wrong?

I was so scared for you that I called Nana quick and then daddy and then rushed Bubby and Pumpkin still in their pj's to the hospital?

Remember when they told me you were fine and I cried happy tears?

I loved you so much already.

Remember a year ago this very minute when I was in labour?

When soon we would meet face to face.

You shot out so fast that amniotic fluid flew airborn almost hitting the nurse! :)

You came so fast and the doctor almost missed it all?

Do you remember you were perfect?

Perfectly you.

Our sweet little Bear.

Happy first birthday tomorrow, Bear.

I'm making you a train cake.

CHOO! CHOO!
We love you so very much!

WIP Wednesday #2

Happy Wednesday to you!
It is for me because I got quite a bit done this week again!

woo hoo!!!

It's warm here--who am I kidding! it's HOT here!

So sewing in my basement has been an absolute pleasure :)

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Finished: Zip. Nada. Zero.

Still Going:

Bizzy Kid - unfortunately no pic this week because my cutting progress was meager at best, but I do have a couple fabrics on my "to purchase" list and then I'll be able to go gung ho...

STATUS: fabric cutting has slowly begun--awaiting specific fabrics

Sew Cherry whirligig quilt - this fabric is beautiful! In fact I don't want to waste even a tiny bit of it so I did a practice block with some scrap fabrics instead.

STATUS: ready to cut fabric

UFO's:
-Sultry disappearing 9 patch
-my sewing space-project "scraps"
-DS Scottie Dog pillow
-Make Life... Easy Bake quilt
-A La Mode cross quilt

New:

Synchronized Squares quilt along - lead by Rachel of P.S. I quilt and I realized it was perfect for my pumpkins gone wild charm pack that I've had for way too long!
Rachel is doing it with layer cakes so I modified the pattern to make it with charms and 7 inch background blocks. Even though my blocks are bigger I realized to make it a decent size I needed another charm pack...

This week I have 1 finished block and a pile of blocks ready for construction...
SPECIFICS: Synchronized Squares quilt along by Rachel of P.S. I quilt. Using Pumpkins Gone Wild charms by Sandy Gervais for Moda (OOP)

STATUS: my second set of charms arrived today so I will be able to continue on with making blocks
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WIP Wednesday #2 Recap:

last week's total: 7
finished: 0
new: 1

This week's total: 8

Friday Favourites--Read Me

I love a good stack of books!

That's something my dad and I shared--the love of a good book.

He used to tell me

"if you can read and write, you can do anything."

I believe he may have been right :)

I noticed the other day that I have ALOT of "book" favourites...

1. Bookshelf Quilt, 2. Scrappy Linen Tote - Tutorial, 3. Common Threads book block, 4. Jack's jungle quilt, 5. Rainbow Books, 6. Quilt for Mrs Z, 7. Better shot - Finished MMM bookshelf mini-quilt, 8. Patchwork Book Collection, 9. Stacks of Books

Read any good books lately?

WIP Wednesday #1

So here we are again looking at my progress on my works in progress....
some weeks are more productive than others and this week I was more counter productive really...

Let's just say I did ALOT of seam ripping this week!

haha! gave the old seam ripper a good workout!

and honestly, you won't believe what I chose to work on this week! honestly I can't believe it either!

So let's get started!

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Finished:

Sugar Pop n' Change fall quilt top!!

I know! I did put it away after last week's little photo session but then my hubby wanted to sit out on the deck on Sunday night. I figured since we were going to be chatting I might as well do some seam ripping and this project box was still sitting out on my sewing table.

Once I got it ripped apart hubby saw instantly where my problem area was and helped me solve it. And then I guess I couldn't stop until I saw it complete!

thanks to the hubby for his encouragement and his master photo taking abilities in getting a clear photo of my now finished quilt top--YAY!

STATUS: this is going away for awhile--I mean it this time!

Still Going:

my sewing space - I was inspired this week by a podcast I listened to (while folding laundry) pointing me in the direction of really organizing my scraps. I've had leftovers from several projects spilling over everywhere in my studio so it was time to tidy.

These are the remnants of ripping apart extra blocks from this quilt.
I removed and threw out the cheap sheet fabric and saved the fabulous designer fabrics.

I'm not done yet but it's a step in the right direction

STATUS: more slicing and dicing of scraps and organizing bins need to be purchased

Sultry disappearing 9 patch - I figured out to get it the size I want I need 10 more quarter blocks. so I did cut some more fabric for the blocks but didn't get any further.

STATUS: need to sew 10 more quarter blocks

UFO's:

-DS Scottie Dog pillow

-Make Life... Easy Bake quilt

-A La Mode cross quilt

New:

Sew Cherry whirligig quilt - received my fabric super fast! I will be using my Square it Up templates to begin my blocks.

SPECIFICS: Sew Cherry layer cake by Lori Holt to make a whirligig quilt using these templates made by my friend Jodi

STATUS: cutting fabric this week

Bizzy Kid - after purchasing my pattern I immediately pulled this pile of fabrics I have been saving. The focus print for this pull is the great Starling fabric (bird print) from Alexander Henry.

SPECIFICS: Bizzy Kid pattern by Cluck Cluck Sew available HERE

STATUS: fabric cutting will commence shortly

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WIP Wednesday #1 Recap:

last week's total: 6

finished: 1

new: 2

This week's total: 7

Friday Favourites--Over the Rainbow

Lately I have been a little obsessed with rainbows :)

I think it's been ever since Pumpkin had her rainbow birthday party

A rainbow just makes me feel happy!
Hope your weekend is filled with big puffy white clouds and rainbows!

1. april 2011 do. good stitches, 2. rainbow stairs, 3. Baby quilt - for baby William, 4. Rainbow (surprise) Cake, 5. Starry Path, 6. Mug Rug Practice, 7. Pencil roll, 8. Color Wheel Quilt :: hand quilted, 9. Not Square Mini ! ;)

She made me do it!

Bizzy Kid quilt pattern

photo stolen...ahem... borrowed from Alison of Cluck, Cluck Sew

oh yeah. I bought it.
I HAD TO!
SHE left me no choice.
It's fabulousness just overcame me and before I knew it I hit the paypal button.
you can do it too... here

I'm pulling fabrics now.... :)

a work in progress

That describes my sewing space perfectly.

A work in progress.

A couple of weeks ago I got the best deal on some plastic tubs at Canadian Tire.

Like almost free kind of cheap!

so of course I bought lots!

and then I went back and bought more for my scraps-larger ones...

the smaller ones are shoebox size and they fit my other WIP's perfectly!

which made me and the hubby happy.

less than $15 = happy hubby

organized sewing space = happy ME

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so what are these other WIP's?

Well there are more than I'd like to admit....

AND this does confirm to my hubby that I'm good at starting but not so great at finishing...

but it's all relative--

and now that I'm organized--it'll be so much better!

I've told myself that once there are no more boxes for a project then I can't begin anything until I finish one--so on with the show

this one is a scottie dog for my dear middle child who has asked for a "dark blue" polka dotted dog stuffy.

SPECIFICS: Scottie Dog (free) pattern from Denyse Schmidt HERE

STATUS: so far the front patchwork is done and the back will be made from the royal blue felted sweater in the picture

Next up, a quilt made with a layer cake of my fave Sweetwater fabric called MAKE LIFE...

this quilt is a modified Disappearing 9 Patch using a special cutting method

SPECIFICS: Easy Bake pattern by Cluck Cluck Sew available HERE

STATUS: blocks completed...now I have to sew my quilt top together

now this quilt has been put away for a good reason.

I'm mad at it.

Mainly, it's just not going together right and is just not playing fair.
So I put it away and was going to leave it there for a LOOOOOONG time but then taking it out to take these photos did spark a tiny desire to see it finished....

and then as I folded it up and put it back in it's tub--and saw all the stray threads--

I remembered all the seams I've ripped out on this baby and it may stay out of my sight for a bit longer :)

SPECIFICS: fall quilt adapted from the Sugar Pop n' Change (free) pattern

STATUS: retired until further notice

These lovely blocks were gifted to me from Heather Bostic of (House) of A La Mode fame.

She was making a quilt in aqua, grey and orange 'til her hubby nixed the orange and then lucky me!

So far there aren't enough to make a quilt the size I'd like so I need to add to it...

SPECIFICS: inspiration quilt HERE

STATUS: blocks in progress

Lastly, probably my most favourite project at the moment.

A quilt for my pumpkin's bed (double) made with the love Sultry fabric by Basic Grey for Moda.

Using a couple of layer cakes to make an oversized version of the Disappearing 9 Patch.

Take a good look at this fabric--isn't it so pretty?

I just love it in all it's pinks and limes and browns.

thanks to my mom who understood my need for this fabric and came to my aid with her credit card until I could pay her back--now that's love! Thanks mom!

SPECIFICS: Disappearing 9 patch (oversized) --my first bed quilt

STATUS: initial blocks sewn--slicing and dicing, trimming and quilt top sewing in progress
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So I guess that's most of them that I'm working on however I have tons more swimming around in my head.

And I may have just purchased a layer cake of Lori Holt's new line "Sew Cherry" to make a quilt for someone super special but it won't do to name names at the moment

*wink wink*

Dear John...

I had terrific potato salad this weekend and it reminded me of you.

Your potato salad will forever be my favorite!

Although your cryptic recipe forever leaves me trying to duplicate it but never quite mastering it!!

We had a campout in the neighbour's backyard.

12 adults, 13 children--tons of excellent food!

and running toilets--totally your kind of event.

What also made me think of you was that it was your wedding anniversary.

I called mom.

I think she had a hard time of it this year.

Not that I can blame her. We all miss you.

I sometimes sit and wonder what if you hadn't "ditched us for heaven".

If you were still here, happy and healthy, how life would have ended up.

What would you be doing?

Would you have visited us for Canada Day?

Would we have had a huge celebration to commemorate your wedding day?

I know that there will forever be a little part of every celebration that is missing something.

that something is you.

oh--

and it will always be missing your potato salad because that recipe you left me is waaay too vague!

LOL!

love,

your daughter.

mmm mmm....good!

We had Prime Rib roast for dinner tonight--serious yum!

I learned how to cook the best prime rib watching Rob Barrett Jr. in his youtube video series "Cooking for Dads".




yes, he's corny--but he's original and fun.

and his recipes are seriously good.
Every. time.

I love the cooking show venue he offers although he also has a cookbook.
Check out some of his other videos--he's made over 100 episodes!

and then maybe you can have something yummy for supper :)

Friday Favourites

My hubby pointed out the other day, that I have been neglecting my blog...and he's right.

Well, no more!

I'm going to have at least 3 posts a week--that's my goal anyways...

So it all begins today!

Jeni over at In Color Order (her Etsy shop is always full of great stuff!)

posts from her flickr favourites on Fridays.

Her Friday posts always inspire me.

So I was thinking that I might do the same seeing as my flickr favourites are abounding and changing continually!

sometimes there will be a theme and sometimes not :)

this week I just looked at what my newest favourites of the week were....Enjoy!

1. Japanese + and X Quilt, 2. Stargate Quilt Front, 3. Strings Quilt Back, 4. 4, 5. apple cake quilt top, 6. City Green Front, 7. [3 x 6] Bee Quilt Block, 8. [3 x 6] Bee Q2 2011 - Beehive 5, 9. "Hope" progress for MeredithQuilts

Hello, old friend...

spring has begun :)

"Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end."

Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT

I thought I'd be...

Calmer. Cooler. More in control.
not ridiculous, but poised, witty even.

so. not. the case.


I stuttered and probably spoke in sentences that made no sense.
I spoke fast. Like lightning speed.

My voice wavered and I don't think I let her get a word in.
Oh. stupid. me.

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I just got off the phone with the celebrated Do It Yourself-er Kim of the DIY dish girls.
and let me just say that I think they are awesome, both she and Kris.

Why did I have this super chummy chat with Kim you ask??

well let's back track...
I just bought their DVD.
Yes this one...


On SALE for $10 bucks till friday! (May 27, 2011)

This DVD is chalk full of ideas for your kids to make and do this summer!

Not convinced? check out this excerpt from the video:



My kids and I used this video clip to make a gardening apron for my daughter and a tool belt for my son--they loved it and really connected with the video!

so anywho.... I ordered it and had a question but my email wasn't working and at the bottom of your invoice is a phone number.


so I dialed it.


and KIM picked up!

and I went on and on like a gas-fed duck and she was super friendly and didn't even seem to notice what an absolute dork I am!

moral of the story?


buy this DVD for your kids, your grandkids, for birthday gifts, and just because--it's a wealth of crafting fun!

p.s. by the way, I am in no way being compensated for this review-- I just knew when I saw it on sale that I HAD to have it!

Blogger's Quilt Festival

Hello to all visiting from the Blogger's Quilt Festival!

Welcome!

I am Kelly and I am John's Daughter.
And this is my story.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My father, John, died of Lou Gehrig's disease 3 years ago this past February.

We were very close.

In amidst this turmoil I felt idle as my parents lived 9 hours away from me.

So I began to create.

As my father's illness progressed he lost weight and was cold all the time.

That Christmas I gave him a blanket.

A quilt actually.

Made from thrifted wool sweaters.

It was an idea born of idle fingers and a need. (and a little inspiration from Betz White)

Once completed, I realized that making that blanket had been theraputic for me.

As well as for my dad.

He loved it and it was well used for 2 years.

Upon his passing, I spiralled into a world of self pity and doubt.

I tried to get away from things by spending much time on the computer.

I blog surfed. I read. I devoured.

Quilting.

I taught myself.

or should I say the blogosphere did.

Either way, when the most wonderful Dana of the Old Red Barn Co. began a quilt along, I dived in.

And my creation was for my son.

I had sewn for my daughter. Girls are so cute and frilly and fun to sew for, but my boy deserved some handmade.

I began with some $4 sheets on sale at our grocery store.Unfortunately for me I hadn't realized that real quilter's used 100% cotton, as my sheets were a poly blend.
I added in other fabrics like Katie Jump rope and Monaluna (which at them time I didn't realize that these fabrics were of demand--I just liked them)

The quilt top sat for about a year. W a i t i n g .
I realized one day that I was afraid of it and after a chat with my very supportive cousin, I backed it in one of the sheets, quilted it with my walking foot (my first time) and bound it.

Within 4 days.

So here it is, my Therapy Quilt.

It's not perfect in theory, but it is now offering my son comfort on his bed.

That is what makes a quilt perfect. Not the quality of stitches that go into it but the love in every stitch. You can almost feel it when you wrap a quilt around you.

Since beginning this quilt 2 years ago, I've accomplished many handmade projects and 2 other quilts.

After completing a few more quilts, my goal is to begin making lap quilts for the ALS Association in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Do you do any charity quilting?

what's your favourite cause?

Thanks for visiting and feel free to pop by anytime :)
I'll be here :)

Let me sew!

(PICTURE HEAVY POST AHEAD)

here is an update in pictures as to what I've been up to in the sewing room lately...

all the blocks for my 3 x6 mini bee grey and yellow quilt that I have received so far

3x6 mini bee 1st quarter, 2011--block made for myself

March blocks for H2B2

3x6 mini bee 4th quarter, 2010--block I made for myself

3x6 mini bee 1st quarter, 2011--blocks made for others

Barn block made for a "town" quilt--H2B2 March block

SUPER long overdue blocks (I forgot about them!) for Ana--Tethered Threads 2 block swap

I've been pretty lazy in the sewing department lately :(

but am getting back on the wagon today so I have something new to show you by the end of the week--that's my plan, anyways :)