Connecting Threads

What do this quilt...

and this quilt....
have in common?

Well they're not quilts at all!

well, not yet anyway!!

Have you ever visited Connecting Threads??
you should!

Both of these quilts are designs that I made using their on site Kit Builder and both quilts made honourable mentions in their most recent Kit Builder Quilt Contest!!

Their fabrics are affordable, beautiful and quality cottons!

They offer sampler packs in fat quarters, stacks (10" squares), and charms (5"squares) as well as yardage in solids and prints, funky and traditional.

They also have thread, quilting tools and this amazing option of the Kit Builder on their site.

You just download a pattern, and it lets you pick and choose how to make that design with any of their fabrics and then calculates fabric amounts and puts it right into your shopping cart if you choose!

Both of these quilts were free downloads but they are now adding quilt designs by designers!!!

so cool!

Connecting Threads is sending me a fabric stack (10"squares) of their entire solid collection.

OOOOOOOOOH I cannot wait!!

Thank you Connecting Threads!

Tagged...

I was tagged a couple of weeks ago and was tickled about it!
Mainly because it's a fun one and I was honoured that Jenny from Mommy of 2, Soulmate of 1
would even consider me as someone she likes to read about!

She was tagged by the Preppy Mafia which is where this little game originated!
The Preppy Mafia is a totally cool new blog.
if you've never seen it be sure to stop by!
Okay so here we go!

1. Who is your style icon?
Doris Day--I've dreamed of wearing her style--I was definately born in the wrong era!

2. What is your favorite socialite lit book?
ummmmmmm.... I read Sophie Kinsella--not what you would call socialite lit--no?

3. Favorite party theme?
I love colours as themes--I guess that's what takes me back to wedding planning days


4. Go to Halloween costume?
we don't really celebrate Halloween...

5. Extravagance you cannot live without?
Running water...yes...it's that important.

6. Living person you admire?
My friend Marianne

7. Greatest Fear?
My children growing up without faith in Christ.

8. Trait you deplore in yourself?
I exaggerate!

9. Which talent would you most like to have?
to be able to quilt with a longarm quilter

10. Greatest Achievement?
getting up at 5:45 am to work out every day

There you go! more about me!
feel like sharing something about you?

What is a talent you would most like to have?

Faith Like Potatoes

Watching this with the youth from our church today...



POWERFUL!

We open our home twice a month to 10-15 rowdy teenagers and feed them.
We normally do a bible study.
Right now we are focused on the book by Jerry Brydges
"Respectable Sins"

It is also powerful.

It is changing how I live my life.

Seriously.

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On another note, I know I haven't been around much lately but I've had a bit going on....

be back tomorrow with an update :)

I have something to say

and you might not like it

but I'm going to say it anyway...

This

Is not acceptable attire at the public pool.

Especially while swimming with toddlers

and 12 year old boys.

There I've said it.

Go buy a one piece.

or a tankini.

Keep your string bikini's for the beach.

I don't care how smokin' hot you think you are for your age!

Even if you're 40 and have the body of a 20 year old...

act your age--not your waist size!

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okay I'm done now.

yes.

I'm fine.

sound off :)

Rubbers, Wellies and Donkeys

I've got a thing lately for rubber boots

(or wellies or galoshes, what have you)

I have wanted a pair for my very own for a long time

and my brother made that dream come true this Christmas...

I know you're jealous!

But what I love more than my new galoshes

are rubber boot wearing donkeys!

and just rain boots in general!

Aren't these fabrics fabulous?!!

I've been wanting to make a fussy cut quilt like this for some time now

and couldn't think of a more adorable focus fabric

plus it's not cheap

so this way a little goes a long way :)

Designed by Laurie Wisbrun of Scarlet Fig

oh my

if you love fabric or you're just quirky like I am, you'll love her designs!

you know that song? "If I had a Million dollars...."

Well, I just need $20 and this fabric would be mine!

It's My Party...

Nothing says Happy Birthday better than flowers and a birthday wish from my mom!

Although, I have to say I don't think the balloon will be mine for long...

Thanks Mom and those that have made my day special!

Including Laurie, who made my birthday complete with some oh so yummy cake balls!

BIRTHDAY BALLS as it's seemed they've been named by the munchkins here :)
crazy kids!

thank you!

2 awards in 2 weeks!

Wow!

Thank you!

I'm feeling the love

-- and this week I needed it!

First an award from Tanya at Miller Racing Family

Tanya is one of my fave bloggers.

She comments here alot and makes my day with each one.

Her presence daily on my blog reminds me that someone is reading it!

Her recipes that she shares on her blog are amazing

--if you haven't been over there-- you better check it out!

She has something new on everyday!!

The Sunshine Award is awarded to bloggers whose positivity & creativity
inspires others in the blogworld!

The rules for accepting this award are:

Post the logo on your blog -- done
Pass the award on to 10 bloggers-- done

Link the nominees within your post-- yep

Let the nominees know they received this award by commenting on their blog-- smile
Share the love and link to the person you received this award from--Thanks Tanya

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The second award comes from Emily at So Much for My Plans...

Emily's blog is one I discovered more recently but love it!

She's so creative!

and has a sensitive heart.

She's recently gotten herself involved with Craft Hope for Haiti

and bought the quilt I wanted! *giggle*

For this award, the rules are:

List 10 things that make you happy and try to do at least one of them today-- done

Tag 10 bloggers that brighten your day and link to those blogs-- done

Then link back to my blog-- thank you Emily

So 10 things that make me happy:

1. baking with my kiddos

2. my engagement ring

--it's beautiful! Hubby designed it and I still love it!

3. snuggling with pumpkin in the morning

4. watching old movies and musicals

5. eating

--come on you knew it would make the list!!

6. cards from my hubby just because

7. going to visit my mom

8. sewing--anything!

9. seeing my kids smile

10. SHOPPING!!!

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I nominate:

Blue is Bleu

Crafty Blossom

Curly Pops

Diamonds, Fur and Laundry

Felt Artistic

Joy's Hope

MaKC Creations

Might Be Crazy

No Big Dill

Noodlehead

All of these ladies are phenomenal!

and deserve both of these awards!

So I'll let them pick which one they'd like!

TA TA for NOW!

So it's just been one of those days...

yep.
ever had one?
Where everything you planned, didn't happen?
When you think you're on top of it...you're not?
when you put the clothes in the washer, add the soap and forget to press the start button....

4 hours later you realize you've done no laundry because you forgot to press START!
You make a special dinner and hubby's not home on time
so his is a bit dry and the kids aren't a fan of it
...again
your 2 year old son gives you a hassle at bedtime...
when all you really want is to snuggle him and enjoy the special time...
but instead he pulls your hair when you say you're done singing
and "no you may not have any more water"
and yes it's time for mommy to leave the room...
and as you walk out he says "I love you mommy"
and your heart melts so you go in and sing one more song anyway?

which results in a temper tantrum of
"another song! ANOTHER SONG!"
and then you're kicking yourself for giving in in the first place?

yeah,
one of those.
I know you're with me when I say
Tomorrow is another day...
and I thank the Lord that He keeps 'em comin'!

Christ is the reason for the season...

Thanking Him tonight for coming to Earth...

Being born under a star in Bethlehem...

in a feeding trough...

to live a life only to end in death...

to save the world...

to save me...

Thank you,Jesus.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

New friends and old.

Have a blessed Christmas

one and all.

thank you everyone

Thank you to those who took the time to write their well wishes

I am feeling MUCH better!

I was beginning to feel like a PEPTO-BISMOL commercial

As well as I am now feeling,

life has taken a hand

and I am up to my elbows this week

But do not fret!

I will be back in full swing next week!

chow!

p.s. I leave you with the beauty of my decorated house...

so.VERY.sick...yuck!

I've had the flu...

not H1N1...

more like the

coming out both ends
lying on your bathroom floor
crying when your friend comes to the door
have daughter make toast for herself and her 2 year old brother
have friend get your daughter ready for school
have same friend change sons diaper, dress him and take him to her place for the day
have another friend make your daughter a lunch and send it to school
order pizza for your kids dinner and have your 5 year old pay the delivery guy
have your 5 year old put her brother to bed (she sang "Silent Night" and knew all the words)
eat leftover pizza the next night for dinner

all while hubby is away on a conference in Toronto. (he felt sooo badly)

I've lost 10 pounds.

Today I'm thankful for good friends and food that stays in my stomach....

p.s. no pictures necessary, i'm sure

To Snuggie? or not to Snuggie?

Snuggies seem ridiculous to me.

Ugly.

A waste of polar fleece.

Especially after reading this post

I was sworn off of them...

until now.

I mean, come on.

They wear them on the TODAY Show!

Even the crew!Look at the "ease"(?) of which they could work--

and Matt Lauer was quoted as saying that they are "toasty warm"...

You've seen my "sewing studio"...
yeah.

don't you love the concrete floors?

So cozy.

how about no walls?

Heat?
Wherefore art thou HEAT!

I want to sew.

Alot.

But I'm FREEZING down there!

The Snuggie is looking awfully tempting all of a sudden...

Anyone own a Snuggie?

Yes, you can wish me a Merry Christmas!

Have you seen these buttons?

Pumpkin's school is selling "something like them" to benefit a charity in Russia that takes orphans to McDonald's for lunch.

Good cause. I'm not complaining.

I just think it's sad that I have to wear a button so that someone can feel comfortable wishing me a Merry Christmas.

I am not okay with taking the "Christ" out of Christmas.

I am not okay with the political correctness of our culture either.

Example:

In our house we don't do the whole dress up for Halloween thing.

We don't hand out candy.

I take my children to a "costume free/gory stuff free" Harvest Party.

People still wish me "Happy Halloween".

Am I offended? No.

It is Halloween, after all.

They're being nice.

Even if I don't celebrate it.

So why is wishing someone Merry Christmas so offensive?

It is Christmas after all.

hmmmm....Just my thoughts...

God has inspired me with these fabulous colours

Now to find fabric that does them justice

One: getting a photo of oneself is not an easy task
Two: one should always clean one's mirrors prior to attempting to take a photo of oneself


Three: one should always be sure one's shirt is clean before attempting to take a photo of oneself

Well--here I am.

I've lost 11.2 pounds and am returning to Curves on Monday.

serious "owie"

Should have stopped for a pedicure on the way to see the Doc...

Just a pulled ligament but

no activity for 4 weeks.

4 WEEKS!

I have kids....

Some activities you just can't stop.

Curves, on the other hand,

well...it will just have to wait!

I think I have Back to School A.D.D.

This is not an actual diagnosis by a trained professional
however I am aware of Crafting A.D.D.
which runs in my family

and I think the gene runs strong....

Remember my "project" ?

Well I've still got that to finish before Pumpkin heads off to school
um... yeah...
5 days and counting

But I had to interrupt myself to do this project--

ALSO for Pumpkin's Back to School extravaganza
and wardrobe re-fashion
(read, there's a hole in her jeans and I don't want to buy new ones)

oh,
and the lunch bag I plan on making

and the hair accessories....

yes.

A.D.D.

If I could just finish ONE of them!

These are almost done and they were quick and fun!

I used this tutorial because it was really easy to follow.

minus the Pellon's, of course.

I'll feel better about sending my sweet Pumpkin

out into the big bad world of school

if I send her with some handmade goodness

*grin*

Okay. I admit it.

I am BORING.

I know that's what you're thinking.

And you're right.

It's true.

I am fresh out of thoughts this week.

I've been shopping with my kids for 2 full days

and now my husband is painting the deck.

Exciting, eh?

Yeah, I know.

BORING.

I didn't even get my project done.

I should work on that now....

I guess I should go.

p.s. I lost 4.8 pounds this week!

Working out at CURVES is kind of growing on me....

Hey--I said "kind of"

I don't love it

or want to marry the treadmill

or anything

I'm just not HATING it like I was....

Plus all these ladies share all the good town gossip!

It's like listening to a soap opera

while you SWEAT!

It must be said

I am a little on the plump side.

I know this.

I have known this.

This is not news to me.

But this--

I had NO idea about this!

Who is this woman?


She's awfully pale for starters--

which I think only accentuates the fact that she is...

Well, let's not mince words here--

without saying the "F" word

Ummmm.... overweight?

yup.

definately.

OOOh look at those thighs--serious cellulite!

My poor husband!

I didn't realize.

My mother took these photos.

I'd say she was using a wide angle lens

but she wasn't.

I know this because these lovely shots of my rear were captured on my camera

This morning I joined CURVES.

And I'm dieting as of now--

I mean really--how could I not after seeing this...

this...
catastrophe.

I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder

but if you could get paid by the pound?

yup--millionaire :)

So a little CURVES

a little WEIGHT WATCHERS

hmmmm....

weight: 181.4 lbs

size: 14-16

result:

I'm wearing maternity clothes and my baby is 2 years old.

*shudder*

HELP!!

by posting this realization I'm hoping to help keep myself motivated.

Maybe I can reward myself?

When I lose 10 lbs I'll treat myself to a New York Cheesecake...

hmmm....

maybe not :)

CHEESED OFF!

Okay...

Let me preface this in saying

if you own Kraft Foods International,

work for Kraft,

create recipes for Kraft

(which I totally appreciate!),

or know someone linked to Kraft in some way...

Please pass on the message that I am ANNOYED!!!

Well maybe CHEESED is a better description

and I'll tell you why...

Kraft Cracker Barrel cheese blocks used to be 600 grams.

They've been 600 grams since I was 600 grams!!

Then 2 years ago--I remember it like it was yesterday

(which is probably why it bothers me so much)

without warning they up and reduced their blocks to 540 grams

--and they DID NOT change the price!

In fact it went up!!!

I used to wait for a sale

like $3.99 for a block of cheese normally $8.

Well after that the sales were $4.99

and more recently $5.99

which in all honesty is still a relatively good sale

and I know the cost of food has inflated considerably

but now I was getting less cheese...

Well now I've hit my boiling point.

Kraft has gone and done it again!!

Their blocks of cheese have gotten smaller

now 500 grams

and the regular cost per block?

$9.42!!!

So far the sale price is sticking at $5.99

but I see this changing too...

I think I might have to stop cooking with cheese :(

but what's life without cheese?

"Dear Kraft representatives,

I'm CHEESED OFF!!"

but not off of cheese :)

How much is Cracker Barrel where you live?

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p.s. If you're looking for the giveaway, it's one post down--

and you don't need a blog to enter--just leave a way for me to reach you if you win!