Put Out An All Points Bulletin.....

I am still alive!!!! Here are two projects I have been able to squeeze out during a busy semester!

Blogger finally let me download my photos. Here is my tree skirt. I need to put a hole in the middle and then it will be ready!!! Blogger won't let me move my one pictures, so we will roll with it!!!

Here are my writst warmers. I still need to clean up all of the strings on them. I love them!! I got the idea from Lucy's website. I crocheted them and they are a CINCH. Consider trying them!

Coming Soon To A Blog Near You........

I have a bunch of projects in the works.

• Baby Doll Clothes for my niece
• Christmas Tree Skirt
• Two Stockings for the fireplace
• Baby items for a friend
• Altering of some tops
• AND maybe some clothes on winter break between the semesters

Wish me luck. I should have some photos in the next few weeks!!

I HAVE to have this!!!!!

This is a belt out of Anthropolgie's catalog for November 2009. I LOVE bears - black bears and grizzly bears especially. I have asked my husband for a grizzly bear (a real one - for some reason he says no!!). The model is wearing another animal belt around a dress and sweater. I am obsessing over this look. I let a little scream out when I saw it. Let's cross our fingers and hope that maybe Mr. Bear Belt will show up under my Christmas tree this year!!

Halloween Shirt

I made a Halloween Shirt for work. My husband isn't here to take pics, he is working late. Hope to have a pic up by tomorrow evening. If all else fails, I will lay the shirt on the table and take a picture!

Hurry and Sign Up Today!!!

Remember that Felt Online Workshop I signed up for? It is now being offered one more time. You have to hurry and sign up however, because there will be limited space again. If you want more details, go here! The projects have been adorable and really pretty simple. Sign up today!

I have never FELT this way before

Hee Hee. What a fun title. I signed up for the Felt and Stitch Holiday Workshop taught by Betz White. I am so excited and can barely contain myself. I won't be able to post the projects until after November 6th, so make sure to come back and see everything I have learned.

I have been interested in awhile with cutting up sweaters and working with felt. There seems to be so many little techniques you need to know, that I decided to stay away. All that changes today!!! I believe Betz will do future workshops (I am not sure if it will be holiday oriented), but if you are interested, you might follow her blog. That way if she hosts another one, you can get signed up before it fills up. There is a charge you pay for the workshop, but you would do that in town at a store. So - watch for future classes! Check out her cute pumpkin project!

I am still working on my knitting and hope to start my stockings and tree skirt for this Christmas soon. Off to get busy on school work - BOOOO!

Roll Out the Barrels!

Friday night was date night. We decided to try some place new and found a little German restaurant. It was delicious. I have German heritage and my husband has a tiny splash, but he doesn't mind the food!!!! Since Oktoberfest is being celebrated, a German meal seemed appropriate. We had some potato pancakes with applesauce (YUM!) and some soft pretzels as our appetizer. Here is what we had for our meals:

I think the next photo tells you what a great night we had and what tasty food we ate:

Look Mom, No Hands.......

Remember saying that when you learned to ride a bike? At least I did!!! Here is a quick snapshot of my FIRST ever knitting projects. Now, granted I am only practicing the knit stitch and I am just making a scarf! However, I have attempted to start knitting on 3 separate occassions and now I am doing it. I finally decided it wouldn't get the best of me. In a couple of weeks, I go back for lessons on the purl stitch and then I will be released to the world of knitting!

On a side note, my husband is unfortunately the better knitter. Our teacher told us men are usually superior knitters. Grrrr! My husband smiled across the table at me when she said that. What a brat!!!

Taking A Break From Insanity

Between working full time, school full time, trips home to visit family and for a funeral, and the husband working 3 jobs, there hasn't been much time to breathe lately. The hubby and I were passing in the night and things were getting sad - from not spending time together.

SO - I got to do something fun and then he got to do something fun. My husband took knitting lessons with me and then I went with him to a Texas Rangers game. They ended up losing, like the usually do when I go to a game. Evidently - I may not be invited back next season - could be a curse!!! I ended up getting a serious sunburn (I couldn't tan this summer - now we are almost into October and I tan - I can't win!!).

We had a great time just being together and spending some time away from the insanity and busy pace of the American life. Here is wishing you a break from the normal craziness in your lives to be with your loved ones!

I do have some projects to post. I hope to get to them soon!!

Congrats Chickenfoot!!

Your tablerunner was the winner! Sorry for the delay. We had a family funeral to attend this weekend, so I am catching up. I will contact you soon with details about your prize!!!! If you don't mind giving me until the weekend to catch up with everything, Chickenfoot!!!!

Thanks for all your voting. I have some updates to post myself. Those will appear this weekend too!

Because I Matter Challenge Final Voting

** NEW POSTS WILL BE LISTED BELOW UNTIL SEPT 22 **

The final voting is underway. I have posted the pictures below with numbers. Please use the poll located on the right of the page to vote for your favorites. The winner will win money to be used on Etsy! Voting will start Monday, September 14 and will end at midnight September 21. Good luck and get voting!!!


Entry #1 - Table Runner

Entry #2 - Quilt

Entry #3 - Dress

Entry #4 - Bag

Entry #5 - Sewing Organizer

Entry #6 - Hutch Redo

Entry #7 - Skirt and Top

Entry #8 - Dress

Entry #9 - Dress

Entry #10 - Quilt

Because I Matter Challenge

We just had two people submit projects for August, so I declared them the automatic winner. Give me a day or two to get the pics and the voting up for the final vote. What's the prize for the winner? $ to spend at Etsy. Who wouldn't want that??? See you in a day or two to start the voting.

I also was able to do some sewing this weekend while nursing my sinus infection. I will try to post a picture of my first set of quilt blocks I have ever made too. A LOT of cutting, but a lot of fun! See you soon!

Life's "SNOT" fair!

I am behind on posting my voting for Because I Matter due to a sinus infection that has decided to rule my life. Besides my nose dripping and only being able to breathe out of one nostril only, I still plan to get sewing done this weekend. I was really disappointed this weekend as we were headed to a big reunion at the camp my husband I worked and met at. Unfortunately, I kept getting worse and started with a fever. So, we had to turn around and come back home. BOOO! Why do you always seem to get sick around the time you want to do something!!! Oh well, back to stuff I need to get done! I should have the voting up by tomorrow so check back. Now I am off to blow my nose again - ouch - it is raw!!!!

What An Awesome Book!!!

Sewing is moving along slowly this week in the house. I have started back to school this week, so that means 9 hours a week is now spent in the classroom, 4o hours at work, and then down time. In the few moments before bed each night - I have been reading a couple pages of a book that I AM LOVING!!! I can't quite figure out what has exactly drawn me in with this book, but you MUST read it!

The book has been out for awhile and I am just obviously behind in the world of the living. The book is called:

A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg.

This book is a personal look at Molly's life and recipes that have very dear memories and events attached to them. She started a blog and it ultimately led to this book. Check out her blog: Orangette.

I hope to have some more sewing to update after this weekend. I had a friend who said it was sad that I didn't have as many posts as I used to. I feel your pain too. I hate that I only get so much time to sew. I should have enjoyed the time I worked part time and could sew more!!

Now - go get a copy of this book and get ready for some good reading!!

I Need Your Help!

I don't normally do these types of things on my blogs, but I need your help. I am marching with my team this October to help end the fight against Alzheimer's Disease. I work with the senior population and plan to work with the geriatric population when I complete my social work degree.

I, of course, started my big talking at work about how I was going to raise the most money on our team and I am in PANIC mode now! When will I learn to keep my mouth quiet???

If you can help support me in my walk, there is a link that you can go to donate. I do not expect hundreds of dollars! If you can give $5.00 even - that would help in my efforts to raise money. Any help is appreciated. Thanks for listening and thank you especially if you decide to help me end Alzheimer's!

DONATE HERE and enter Tracey Willingham in the participant's name box. You will then be taken to my personal website on the Alzheimer's Association. I am working on building up my goals and webpage!!!

THANK YOU NICHOLE!

Nine Years and Going Strong!

We are a few pounds heavier, but there is a whole bunch of love!!!!

Nine years ago on August 19th, I married my best friend at a river side wedding (it was hot!!).

It was a fantastic day and exactly what I had dreamed of. Our marriage has been full of laughter, some tough times, some heartbreaking moments and most commonly - just plain normal days of fun.

Here is to 9 more years! I love you, Snakes!

(You like my dog in the background! He thought he should make a cameo in our photo.)

Busy Busy!!

I start back to my classes a week from today which equals less time to sew (BOOOOO!). Here is what I have been working on:
I kind of distorted it, but this is the free pattern download from Moda called Figgy Pudding. Too cute, huh?

Here is all of the fabric I need plus I have a few others tucked away in a basket too. I can't wait to start!!!

My friend hired me to make some blankets and burp clothes for some of her friends who are expecting babies. 4 girls!!! I have four burp clothes put together and still need to assemble four more. That way each mom can have two burpclothes and a blanket. I am also adding a bib from the same material for each baby too. Whoo - that's a lot of sewing. I hope to complete this project in the next two weekends! I have to say this project has been fun because I love the pink and zebra!!!

I also have been cutting out 192 strips of fabric for the Scrappy Christmas Block Swap. What fun!! I think I like the Modern Quilting better than classic. I have to assemble 12 blocks and I am making myself two extra blocks too. I also received my first set of two from one of my partners. I can't wait to figure out what type of projects I want to make with all of these blocks.

I suppose that is enough updating for now. I am also finishing up another swap item for one special gal who never received anything from a swap and a weekender bag for my friend Sarah!

Not to mention a million other projects I have on the planning board. Never enough time!

I spent last night watching several movies on my laptop while I was cutting and assembling. It made me wonder - what do you do when you sew? Listen to music, watch tv, watch movies, enjoy the silence, etc? I would like to know what most of us do when we sew. Leave me a comment and then I will update everyone in a couple days on what people do most often while sewing!

More Updates!!

I have been working on some projects.... slowly here and there! I am clearing my cutting table of projects, so pictures will come soon. As any good crafter does, I have about 5 projects going at once!! See you tomorrow!

Because I Matter Challenge

Voting for July's projects will start tomorrow night! I am taking the top two winners. If you are in this challenge, get your photos to me by tomorrow night! If you aren't in the challenge, stop back by tomorrow for your chance to vote on your favorite project!!

Looking for a Holiday challenge?- NOW CLOSED!!!

THE SWAP IS NOW CLOSED!!!!!!

Time to think of making yourself a Christmas Gift?

Join this swap! Click on the icon above. You can make 6 blocks or 12 blocks!

Camera Found!!!

I finally remembered that I took my camera to a pool party not too long ago!! So - here are some of the projects I have been working on. They are long term projects and will probably continue to be long term (it seems like they never end!!!).

Before I show you my projects - look at this awesome find from Craigslist for SUPER cheap- My husband took it for a test ride!

I have started to sew and make triangles for my zig zag quilt with some awesome Heather Ross fabrics.

I worked some more on my Quilt made from one of my favorite Heather Bailey prints. I have been stitching around some of the patterns on the fabric.

I started crocheting a Ripple Afghan for the fall/winter.

I need to do a little more sewing for my friends and myself this month. The heat wave here in the South is taking it out of me. I just don't feel like sewing when it is so hot. I just want to lay in a pool all day long!! I hope to have some more projects soon to post for you all to see!

Wanted: Missing Camera

So much for an update!! I can't find my camera all the sudden! Maybe I left it at work. As soon as I find it we will have some updates. Good gravy - I am a mess!!!

Updates Galore Coming!!

I have a couple photos of what I have been working on lately and I am wrapping up a few swap loose ends. I haven't done much sewing this month so far, but I have done tons of needlework. I also have the winners for May and June's Because I Matter Challenge to post. I have decided to enter the two top winners each month so that there will be 8 selections to choose from at the end of the summer! Keep watching for more photos of all the projects this summer. These ladies are making some great items!!!

See you tomorrow with updates!

Because I Matter Challenge Voting Round Two

It is time to vote for your favorite June item. I changed the voting this time. You will find the voting to side of this post. You can only VOTE ONCE, so choose your item wisely. Once you have voted, you CANNOT VOTE AGAIN! You can only choose one item to vote for as well. Spread the word on your blogs so we can get a ton of votes.

To see the photos, go to:
Because I Matter Flickr Photos

This month's photos are at the front of the downloads. There are still photos from last month. Any photo from the picnic placemats on were last months. Vote on the photos before the picnic placemat.

Good Luck Everyone! Voting ends July 8th!

I Need Your Help!

My Coworkers niece has done an amazing thing and needs your help with votes. She is participating for a scholarship by joining the duct tape prom dress contest. Her name is Amanda and she took strips of duct tape and knitted a prom dress and items for her date to prom. You HAVE to see this. She is incredible. If she receives the most votes - she will win a $3000 scholarship!

You can see her story HERE. She is all over the internet. How cool! Voting lasts until July 2nd and the judges are asking for people to vote once a day for their favorite. If you like her dress and want to help, please stop by and vote for her. To vote go to stuckatprom.com and go under vote now. You will find Amanda under the vote now page and she is entry number 36.

Thanks!

Finally.... here are some projects

An obama apron for my boss. She loved it!!!

My bag for the Seams to Me Swap. It was really hard to not keep it for myself!!

More to come too!

The Finalists are.......

the Chickenfoot Runner and the Hutch Redo for May's challenge. Congrats. Since it was a tie, both will be added into the final voting in September for a chance to win. I have to say all the projects so far have been so great! I can't wait to see next month's entries.

I have done some sewing on the home front and have some updates to show you. I will be home tomorrow night, so stay tuned for an apron, a purse and my niece's birthday present!

Thanks for voting and get to work (hee hee)!!!

It is voting time!!!

I need your help. The first month of Because I Matter Challenge has come and gone. Now I need you to vote for your favorite project. The one project that wins this month will go on to the final round of judging for the prize in September. You may vote as many times as you would like!! Let's get a ton of votes that way all my ladies will feel motivated to continue on sewing for themselves this summer. Here is how the voting will work:

I have named the projects at the bottom of my blog (sorry, it was the only place it would all show up!).

Follow the flickr link to the projects and choose your favorite one.
FLICKR LINK: http://www.flickr.com/groups/1105320@N20/

Return to my blog and vote away!!!

Voting will occur from Sunday until Friday at midnight. Get the word out about your favorite projects on your blogs and get some people to vote with you. Good Luck to all of my challenge ladies. May the best project win!!!

Ushering in a new era in our household

Back in 2000, my mom took me to Walmart in Waco, Texas and bought me a $100 sewing machine. I remember her exact words were "Let's make sure you are really going to do this sewing thing before we buy you a nice machine." I began sewing off and on over the years, but did not really start my sewing "hard core" until the fall of 2006. A new day was born in the household. My spare bedroom went from barely holding anything in it - to being completely monopolized by my obsession. Fabric began exploding from the walls!! For nine years, my faithful little Brother sewing machine helped me create some fun projects. My machine heard the language my grandparents would have been horrified to know that I used!!! My machine saw me through some hard projects I swore I would never make again. This weekend, my Brother sewing machine finally began it's retirement. While a side of me was sad, I was mostly pumped as I thought about what new machine I would replace it with.

Tonight, we went to a local sewing machine store and a new member of the family was brought home. Allow me to introduce you to my new machine:

Just like in 2000, my mom bought this machine for me. (My mom reminded me now that she bought this machine for me, I now can complete her wish list of projects!!!). I knew I wanted a Janome and there were several models I was interested in. Most of the ones in another store we stopped out were sold out. I had been interested in the machine in the photos when the lady at the store gave a demo. The nice thing about the gem 760 is that it is 3/4 the size of a regular machine and it weighs 12 pounds. The other great thing like an article I read said was that usually a slightly smaller and light weight sewing machine means you sacrifice things and usually A LOT of things. With the gem, you get a normal sewing machine just a bit smaller and a bit lighter. Awesome. We are pretty sure we will move in a couple years and when that happens, I know we will be down sizing (my husband is uber green!!). This machine with it's smaller size only made the most sense!
The difference: the arm length is 1" shorter and the width is 1/2" difference. That's it! I know - crazy, huh?

This machine has 60 stitches, several which can be used on quilts. I played with it just a bit tonight. Tomorrow night when I have more time I am going to finish up some projects that I was afraid to continue with my old sewing machine's health declining! I have some picnic placemats to show you and also an apron I received. The apron is PERFECT. I will try to pry myself away from the machine at some point tomorrow night and attempt to show you some pics!

Now...... off to prepare a pillow for my machine to lay on so I can wake up in the middle of the night to check on my new baby!!!!

Voting will start soon......

for the Because I Matter Challenge. Watch for more details. If you guys would help us vote for a winner in May, that would be great. There is still time to join. I will be cutting off the chance to join in the next couple of weeks, so if you have been thinking about joining, do it soon!

I will post a link soon for you to go and view pictures and where to vote. I also have been getting some sewing done this weekend, so check back tomorrow for some updates.