a piece for me

Just a few days ago I came across this fun tutorial.

Then today I notice this on my desk.

So of course I just had to pull out some scraps and go to town on my very own Halloween (quilt as you go) mug rug.

Some pictures along the way.......

Am I a quilter?

I'm not to sure....
Am I a sewist? Yes- I love sewing as a whole.
Am I a quilter? I have been self teaching how to quilt over the last year and a half, I have a few finished pieces, I have swapped and gifted quilted items- But does this make me a quilter?
I do believe I fall under quilter as a catagory, Newbie one at that.
Hows that sound? I am a Newbie quilter :)

Good enough to link to this post by Lily Pad Quilting?

Here are some pictures from around my house

Finished Quilted pieces needing to find new homes.

(Left) Currently on my design wall- 2 from a swap 1 I made

(Right) a wonderful piece that was gifted to me by Pieces to love

 Quilt rack that's first seen as you enter the living room from the stairs

these are mixed pieces- passed down, made new and gifted and made by me.

 My kitchen/dining as of this morning.

I love Halloween!

 The piece on the wall was a panel I got last year, I quilted around each scene and framed here and there using fun little spiders and such throughout.

The table runner I received in a swap.

Framed Fairies

Just a few days ago my friend Melissa @ Sew BitterSweet Designs launched her new pattern All Framed Up and I jumped at it. 

I fell in love with this when she debuted it as a block and was hoping she'd make a quilt pattern out of it.

For my quilt I used fabrics from my stash.

Alphabet Fairies. Flower Fairies by Michael
Miller, the green was left over from another project from last fall, the background fabric with dandelions is a piece of Japanese cotton my mom brought back for me, the back is a natural cream.

This took me a few nights to work on but it went together quickly.

 I played a bit by adding in the corner pieces to the back as well as trying out different quilting stitches my machine offers. For the binding I used my backing a tutorial Melissa offers.

I am so happy with MY quilt! 

Yes MINE, this lovely lady with take center stage on my couch.

If you ever make anything that Melissa offers stop on by the Sew BitterSweet Designs Flickr group, I'd love to see your creations.

Goals

This year I'd really like to learn more about quilting.
I've set a few goals for myself to help me along.
I'll be trying my hardest (while still sewing for the shop) to follow along with

1. the Challenges over at I don't have a problem, I have a well rounded fabric stash
2. Scrappy New Year Quilt A Long with SassyBlog
3. Sew-along with Fresh Squeezed
4. Craftsy's free BOM

Now I'm even like "wow, hey, hold on" I figure if I pace myself and focus on one a week- theres 4- then it shouldnt be too bad. Right?
I even sent up my desktop calendar for this!
1 project a week.
Plus sewing for the shop inbetween, stock shop once a week (hopefully) maybe biweekly, or once a month. Your input would be great on this.
When? How often? to stock the shop???

softies for Christchurch

As I posted earlier about the softie drive here ,

we now have our box all ready to go out tomorrow morning.

Included are 3 Tutrtles and 4 Owls

New year=New look

Not only are we getting a new shop we are getting a new look too
Stay tuned........

Look what I won!

I never win anything.
These are from a great Stamping Up Blog
All Things Alicia
The package arrived today & to my suprise there where extras too.

Handmade by Paula

I wanted to share this awesome card maker with everyone.

She does beautiful gorgeous cards

and she donates them to

Operation Write Home

Go check her out!

Dragonfly Graphics & Designs

I just wanted to thank Heather for my new blog template and logo design.

Heres a link to her if you want to go check out her shops & sites.

http://dragonfliesgraphics.blogspot.com/

She also did Nature'sToyChest store front and banners.

Such great work from a fellow WAHM.