A Quilt From My Friends : :

This past Sunday my family and I adventured out for a quilt photo shoot. It's been more than two months since we last went out, can you believe it? And, this isn't even a quilt finish of my own, no, it's much more special!

Back in early October a surprise box arrived at my door, in the midst of dealing with frustrating, endless health struggles, grieving the loss of my Dad, all while preparing for my first fabric collection release & Quilt Market. Inside was the most beautiful quilt made by Nicke, Holly, Jacey, Ara Jane, Jeni, Jessica, and Amanda, along with a note expressing their hope that this quilt would bring joy to my life and peace to my heart. This amazing gift has given me that and so much more!



It's made up of twenty colorful, scrappy quilt blocks using the free Amsterdam Quilt Pattern, a collaboration quilt Holly created with Michelle Engel Bencsko for Cloud9 Fabrics, combined with my favorite, quilt as you go. Each block is signed by it's creator. ♡





While this worn-out, broken barn so perfectly represents how I've felt so many days these past few months, this amazing gift embodies the beautiful and tangible connection that only a handmade quilt can give. How quilts are such a wonderful source of comfort. My friends who made it hoped that I'd feel peace and love when I snuggle myself under it, but it also showed me how much they care, which is so helpful and healing in sad and lonely times. I truly can't thank them enough. 

 



To Nicke, Holly, Jacey, Ara Jane, Jeni, Jessica, and Amanda -- from the bottom of my heart I thank you, I'm forever grateful. 

♡  Maureen

Getting Ready : :

This past week I haven't had much time to sew. I've been plenty busy playing catch up with the kids and housework since returning from Quilt Market. Although the trip flew by, it was such a long time for me to be away from home! Now this weekend is the memorial for my Dad who passed away in June, so we've all been preparing for that as well, gathering up all our family pictures and getting the house ready for guests. While we all miss him so much, it's been extra difficult to have to wait to have this memorial. I'm sure this weekend will be filled with far more joys than sorrow, as we celebrate his life together.



There's family & friends landing each day this week! Today my sister and family are arriving all the way from Hawaii. Her daughter Sylvia is my God daughter and now I have a new baby nephew to meet. I can't wait to see them all! I have a pile of handmade goodness to gift to them, including my recent Autumn Sun Quilt finish for Sebastian. I pieced it during the hours my sister was in labor and delivering him, so it had to be. Plus it matches the Sunset quilt I gave to Sylvia so perfectly!





Accompanying Sebastian's quilt are the set of quilted pillows I made in Sweet as Honey fabric with my favorite pillow pattern found in issue 8 of Love Patchwork & Quilting. The bright orange Gentle Breeze print binding really ties both quilts together, and I think these matching pillows will be perfect for them to share. I plan to harass my sister for a cute photo once they're back home!



I was lucky to catch a quick sale Bonnie had on Instagram a few weeks back for this sweet, super soft, organic knit Doe Pillow to add to the pile, as well. I think Sylvia's going to love it!

If there's time for sewing, I plan to break in the new Janome Skyline I just unboxed yesterday, photo above at the top. My friends at Janome were so kind to sent it to me to review and create a tutorial project with in the next week or two. As much as I'm looking forward to sewing again, I feel so inspired since Quilt Market, this weekend I'm hoping to find comfort in my family and friends most of all, sharing lots of tears and laughter as we share and listen to stories of how my Dad's presence influenced the lives of all who knew him.

♡  Maureen 

But First : :

Oh my gosh! After the kids were off to school this morning, I wrapped myself in a blanket to get warm, laid down on the couch and I just woke up! I have never done that before. This cold/flu whatever is definitely still kicking my butt! I did get that curtain made yesterday and of course I started a few new things, including staying up late revisiting these Quilt As You Go blocks!



I can't wait to get that quilt finished, but before one more day goes by I have to share just a couple more of the handmade gifts that were made this past holiday! I probably should have done one long post with all of them last week when I shared the Alegria Pillows! I have promised two more coordinating pillows to go with these -- stay tuned!



Well, this is one of the little bags I made to give to some little people, my niece and nephew, filled with beautiful art supplies from Stubby Pencil Studio! Have I told you how much I love Stubby Pencil Studios? They are a wonderful sponsor here and I am grateful for their support, but I SO look forward to buying the stocking stuffers, art supplies, and before we know it -- Easter basket goodies from their lovely shop each year! We prefer to pick up creative supplies of the Eco-friendly variety, for a fair price, and they really make that easy! I can't say enough good things about them. Yes, I LOVE em'!



This little bag I should really make into a tutorial -- My Drawstring Mini Satchel! Made with some pretty, pink Outfoxed by Andover Designer Lizzy House. Just the right size for carrying those ballet slippers to class, which was the request! This bag is lined, can be reversed, and is very washable.







And this Boy's Shoulder Bag was made by my sweet friend Jodi of Tickle and Hide! Jodi is a huge inspiration to me for a great number of reasons, and the generous heart who sent me this amazing quilt to receive on the day my youngest went off to school. Which is still so amazing to me! Well, I won this bag in one of Jodi's giveaways not too long ago, and I knew right away that my nephew would be the perfect recipient! Again I filled it with lots of art goodies from Stubby Pencil, including this wooden train. My nephew Benny loves trains as much as I love sewing!



In fact, I think my perfect wish would be for everyone to find something they love as much as Benny loves trains and I love sewing!!

p.s. If you happened to stop by before early afternoon Monday I had my date to share my Luxe in Bloom tutorial and Giveaway wrong -- This Monday is my day!! And, I also found out since then that the wonderful iron was sent from Oliso, a generous gift from Riley Blake for being a part of the Design Team!!  ♥, Maureen

January Beginning : :

The last of our family visitors headed back home over the weekend, and so today things are officially back to normal. Well, except that both Kevin and I are pretty sick with this nasty chest cold that everyone has right now, we're never home and under the weather at the same time?! Plus we're all a little heart sick from saying our goodbyes. It's always so hard, especially after having such a special and long holiday. We made a lot of great memories in this new house of ours, and started some new traditions, too. It really has been magical! So much so that I can't even think of taking our tree down yet.

So today, I have plans to take an easy, do some cleaning, and then sew and get myself a little more acquainted with this new, super fancy iron of mine!



This pretty yellow, Oliso Iron showed up on the doorstep of my old house, and was delivered by my best friend who noticed the box, just before Christmas! No note or receipt attached, so it's a bit of a mystery gift? And quite the upgrade from my old, $13 Black & Decker Iron!



So far I have only spent one day working with it, but I am loving it! It presses beautifully!! It has a sensor in the handle that lowers the iron when you touch it, and raises the iron off of your work when you let go. If you suffer from chronic joint pain, like I do, or other arm and shoulder injuries, I can see where this could make a big difference in your sewing life. It really does minimize the amount you have to lift, and for some of us, that's huge!



Having such a pretty iron also made for some sweet picture taking as I worked on my next Fat Quarter Gang Project with Luxe in Bloom! This fabric is SO gorgeous and I'm really excited about this next tutorial! I really hope you guys like it, I'll be sharing the project how-to on the AGF blog next Monday, along with a Luxe in Bloom GIVEAWAY right here!!



I also want to thank Melody for the gift I received for joining in the Ruby Star Wrap-Along! It was so much fun and totally my pleasure! Aren't these sweet?!



Happy Monday, everyone!!  ♥,  Maureen

A New : :

Last night just after 8 pm, once everyone was in bed and in our 'back-to-normal routine,' and I was enjoying my first alone moments of 2013. I began to look back on this blog, through the projects I had finished and shared here throughout 2012 and I was a little shocked, in a good way, at my output. For weeks now, because of the busyness of our move into our first home and all the holiday orders, I have been sort of beating myself up over all the unfinished things -- the qayg quilt top and tote bag I had hoped to finish and share here with tutorials, the Scrappy Chevron pillow I ran out of time to post, the unfinished quilt tops and projects, the lists of things never started. Taking that time to look back at all I HAD finished was so nice and just what I needed to take the time to do for myself!

So, today I've decided to feel good about all the finishes, skip the recap, and jump right into 2013 with something new to share!



Just before Christmas, this quilted pillow set was made for my sister and her husband to give as a gift. I used some of the fat quarters from the Alegria bundle that I stashed from Project Anthologies a few months ago. This collection is SO gorgeous! It's all organic cotton, designed by one of my favorite bloggers Gennine D. Zlatkis for Cloud9 Fabrics. Isn't it lovely?



I added in what little I had left of the brown floral Flea Market Fancy print, with some Art Gallery Pure Elements in a navy to frame the Alegria fabrics, and then lots and lots of quilting stitches!



Gennine's birds are so beautiful!



Today, just after I finally catch-up on my emails and finish this movie with my little girl who is home with a nasty chest cold, I hope to make two more. But if not, that's ok, too!

I'm just really happy to be back here, in my little space today!!
Happy New Year, friends! ♥,  Maureen

So Much Sewing : :

Since my etsy holiday sale, I have been sewing (what feels like) non-stop! It's been wonderful, stressful, crazy busy, and fun all at the same time! SO much has been happening in our little world since that Friday just before Thanksgiving when we moved into our new home -- never-ending unpacking, wonderful family dinners, washing machines breaking, too much shopping, a little traveling, several birthdays, colds & flues, and sadly even some loss recently -- all of which has kept me from having any time for sewing anything other orders and therefor having anything new, beside lots and lots of crowns, to share here.

Well, I've taken so many crown photos over these last couple of weeks and I thought I'd share today a few of my favorites and a glimpse at what my sewing days have looked like lately!















Morning, noon, and very late night -- these crowns are keeping me busy! And, now it's time for me to get back to it!! Happy sewing! ♥,  Maureen

A Sponsor GIVEAWAY : :

I have a very special Friday Giveaway today, just in time for the Holidays, with Stubby Pencil Studio!!  

With Christmas just around the corner, I'm excited today to introduce Stubby Pencil Studio 

 here in my Friday Giveaway spot, just in time for all you busy, sewing Mama's & Papa's 

to check out all their amazing "green" options for creative holiday gift giving!! 

 
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Stubby Pencil Studio offers a wide selection of art and craft supplies for children that are not only high quality and affordable, but also eco friendly and fun for kids!

In their words, "Stubby Pencil Studio offers eco friendly craft supplies like crayons made from soy - not petroleum; stationery, greeting cards, sketchbooks and journals made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper - not virgin trees; pencils made from sustainably harvested wood and recycled newspapers - not dying forests. You'll also find unique eco friendly gifts, non-toxic toys, classic games, do-it-yourself kits, reusable bags, party decor and favors, and many other fun and creative eco products for kids."

 You can check out Stubby Pencil Studio at their  WEBSITE * FACEBOOK * BLOG * NEWSLETTER

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

We hope you enjoy visiting their sites!! 

For this special giveaway, Stubby Pencil Studio is generously offering to one winner a Stocking Stuffed with creative goodies!

Stocking includes -- Rainbow Softdough, Crayon Rocks Holiday Set, Washable Markers, Mini Blank Books, Push-up Crayons, Frosty Friends coloring cards, Triangular Pencils, Colored Pencils Tube, Oil Pastels, Double Sharpener, Penguin Eraser, Clown Whistle, and organic Lollipops… A Value of more than $80!

In addition, Stubby Pencil Studio is offering 15% off for all MCH Readers!
Use discount code  MCSAVE15 and receive 15% off orders thru 12/31/12!

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Enter to Win!

Here's how,
 
1. Simply leave a comment here in this post! If you want, feel free to share a favorite holiday craft you have shared with the children in your life?! (one entry)
2. Follow Stubby Pencil Studio on facebook. Just let me know that you did by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (one optional entry)
3. My followers get a third entry! Whether you follow me here, in your reader, or on Facebook, just let me know that you do by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (optional extra entry)
4. Help spread the word!! I know that many of you already do, so I thought it would be nice to add that as another way to enter! Whether by tweet, facebook, pin, blog, etc... (one optional entry) 
 
That’s 4 possible entries! Enter now through Monday morning, December 3rd. Mr. Random will pick the winner and I will announce their name at the bottom of this post, here on the blog, I always try to have that up by 9 am EST!

* Note * This giveaway is open to EVERYONE! If you're a "no reply" or an anonymous commenter, remember to include your email address in your comment so that I can contact you, should you win! Please check to make sure you can be contacted!

 Wishing a wonderful weekend to all!!!  

* * * * *  UPDATE  * * * * *

Thank you to all who entered this past weekend's Giveaway!! 

 

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  From 350 entries, Mr. Random says the lucky winner is...

Comment #61 -- Cal, who said...

my comments are getting eaten up, but in summary, both my kids love art projects but are chaotic, so crayons mostly for damAge control right now.

Congratulations!!! I will be in touch shortly!