After Christmas sewing.............

Ah, what fun it is to sew, sew, sew.  Here's my latest project, all finished.  I love chickens and roosters and homespuns and just about anything country and primitive. And can we have enough tablerunners?  I'd planned to have this done before Christmas but you know how that goes.  Now, lets see what other UFO's I

can dig into.

             

 

You can find this little cutey in my Etsy shop at http://www.madcreekdesigns.etsy.com

Holiday To-Do lists................

http://www.madcreekdesigns.etsy.com/Phew!  Semester finals are over.  I thought they'd never end.  One Prof. decided to add just one more exam that we weren't expecting and our recent snow cancelled classes for a couple of days, delaying my scheduled finals.  But, finally, it's over.  Well, till January that is. Now for some serious fun. 

I 've barely begun checking off items on my project lists for Christmas. This is what I'm working on this week.   I have tons of them to make. I started out planning to make just a couple for Christmas gifts.   Then friends showed them off to other friends and my list grew quickly.  I was very surprised to find out that a lot of people haven't even heard of these microwave potato bags. I guess I've had one for so long, I thought they were a kitchen staple by now.  So, I'm surrounded by potato fabric at the moment.   And if you're like me and keep adding people to your gift list at the last minute, check out my Etsy shop and pick up a couple potato bags. They make a fun but practicle and inexpensive gift. I've been making these large bags that hold a few large roasting potatoes but I'm about to make some smaller, for those single people in our lives.  I love them, they sure make a quick and healthy meal for lunch.

 I'm even giving a few to some of my elderly neighbors.  I have an older gentleman across the street that lost his wife about a year ago.  He is now learning how to cook a few simple dishes for the first time in his life.  Quite a trooper, this guy.   Another neighbor and I are taking turns teaching him a new dish each week.  We're trying to stay away from the stove as he does tend to get side-tracked and forget things, sooooooooo, the microwave and crockpot meals have been a Godsend for him and us.  And one of his favorites has always been roasted potatoes.  So these micro-wave bags are great.  We've just introduced him to adding toppings to his baked potatoes and making a good healthy meal with them.   According to Kenneth, "I never knew you could put something other than butter and sour cream on a potato".

So, that's what I'm up to this week.  How about you?  Are you checking projects off your holiday gift list?  I'll show you more of my list soon.  ASAP, hopefully.

Wanna have a snowball fight?

7a.m. More to come. In case anyone wants to know, this is perfect snowball packing snow.  So come on over and enjoy it.  I'll keep the hot chocolate on for ya.

Uh oh! Here it comes..................

more to come............

I've got the chile on, if you can get here in a few hours we can at least eat well.  And I have plenty of quilty projects I could use help with....................

Brrrrrrrrrr................Here we go! Snow!

Our first snow here in Muscatine, Iowa.   The weather man sez lots more to come during the next 48 hours. I'm already done with it!  Once is enough.  Where oh where is Spring?

Handmade Give-aways..............

Phew, Fall classes are just about over and Biology almost did me in.  Still might.  Once the last assignments and exams are finished, I'm hitting the sewing machine hard to get Christmas gifts ready.  In the meantime, check out a couple of great sites and blogs for super tutorials, great give-aways and just plain fun handmade ideas and gifts.

http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/ 
Giveaway Day ~ Handcrafted Item(s) + Supplies/Materials


The Ultimate Handmade Holidays Master List 2009

http://sewmamasew.com/index.php 

Browse our shop for modern cotton fabric and hip new sewing patterns from indie designers. Visit our blog for sewing tutorials, project ideas and giveaways. Join the supportive sewing community in our forum to share your skills and learn something new.

And don't forget to stop by and see Geta.  She's got another beautiful give-away.  While there, check out her tutorial for her nifty trapunto techiques.

http://cadouri-din-inima.blogspot.com/

Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping..............WOOHOO!

Is everybody ready for Thanksgiving?  What a hectic time, right?  Along with the turkey and all the trimmings, most of us have at least a couple of extra days off from our regular work routine. So what do we do with that extra time?  Hopefully, get some Christmas projects finished or at least started.  And if you haven't started your Christmas shopping, this weekend is a perfect time to start.  Or if you're very "on top" of things, great weekend to seek those hard to find, special people gifts.  Did you know that Etsy is promoting Black Friday and Cyber Monday with tons of great deals for your holiday shopping?

What is Black Friday and Cyber Monday?  What is Cyber Monday?


Cyber Monday is the Monday after Thanksgiving. Traditionally (or at least how the media markets it), Black Friday, the Friday after Thanksgiving, is the time for big brick and mortar retailers to offer their huge deals on their wares. And Cyber Monday is the time for Internet retailers to do the same.
 
So what is Etsy, you might well ask?  Etsy is a great "all-in-one" shopping place.  Like going to a huge mall, only you don't have to walk for miles to find that one special item and wrangle all the crowds.  On this very special weekend, Etsians are promoting some great deals. So if you're looking for anything (and I do mean anything) handmade, retro or vintage, head over to Etsy this weekend and find sales and free shipping of all kinds.
 
Last but not least, a final plug for my etsy shop, I've giving FREE SHIPPING on all finished quilts and as always, LOW EVERYDAY prices on all pdf patterns.
 
http://www.madcreekdesigns.etsy.com/

A little turkey with your turkey???

Isn't he cute? At least I'll be able to laugh while I do dishes.

More UFO's to check off my list.

Now, lets see, what should I work on next?

A little bit "nutty"...............................

Did you see the fun give-away at Anne Sutton's Bunny Hill blog?  Check it out. I love her blog and website.  What fun designs!!  She always has something interesting to share with us.  I only wish I were as productive as she is.  Me thinks she does not sleep!

http://bunnyhill.blogspot.com/

I played hookie yesterday................

All studying and no quilting makes a girl quite cranky, soooooooooooooo, I played hookie yesterday.  I think I may again today, too.   Yesterday I made a kitty tote for a customer and it turned out so cute, I may just have to make another, maybe larger for a project tote.
And I got more mugrugs ready for sale and my own Christmas gifts.  I thought they'd make a good "neighbor" gift to go along with a plate of Christmas cookies this year.

I think I'll dig out my ricrac and make a few gingerbread man mugrugs like this.

or maybe this one.  Tell me, do you think it looks like a flamingo face? 

Before I got this posted, I actually got a few of these started. Just need to finish the edges and add pupils to his goofy eyeballs.  I had a piece of this fantastic feather fabric, I picked up years ago and have been hoarding for just the right project.  I love those colors, whatever they are.  Flamingo Pink, I'd say.

Well, I'm off to play.  I think I like playing hookie.  I hope you all have as much fun today as I plan to do!

A little holiday gift for you......................

Just a small gift for you. 

Can you believe it's November already and time for holiday planning? 

Here's a little 6" paper piece gift box for you to download.  Just click the link and you'll find the pdf file.

http://sites.google.com/site/madcreekdesignsquiltpatterns/

My family reunion, kinda spooky.................

I just had to share some pics of my weekend family reunion.  Some "cuzzins" dropped by for a few days along with one of our very special aunts.  What a great way to end the month of October.

We had more fun digging thru our local Goodwill store for our costumes.  It's amazing what you'll find there. You didn't think we dressed this way everyday, right?  Well, some mornings, maybe.

Get your cheeseburger here.......................

Free Applique Cheeseburger Pattern How 'bout a double cheeseburger to go with your beer.  Click the link for a free 8" x 8" applique pattern.  Enjoy!

WooHoo! My first freebie!

Well, I've been trying to figure out how I can give you free patterns for a long time. Easy and cheap, that is. I think I've finally figured something out.  So this is a dry run and I need your help. 

In the spirit of football season or whatever reason you feel you need, I've got a mug o' beer for ya' all.   Click on the link and download the pdf file for the free applique pattern. (You'll need Adobe free reader)

Then, if you will, come back here and leave me comments regarding your experience in retrieving the pattern.  I think it's going to be easy but I'd love to hear about it, was it difficult to get to, did it download easily, was it more work than you want to deal with? If all goes well, I'll have more free patterns from time to time and I'll annouce them right here. 

 CHEERS, EVERYBODY! and Happy Football Season!

http://sites.google.com/site/madcreekdesignsquiltpatterns/

Quilt Festival at Park City Girl

I had to jump on the Quilt Festival band wagon.  This is one of my favorite quilts, it's not to big but it's the cuddliest quilt I own.  I made it using homespun fabrics with a flannel backing and it's so soft and warm. I don't dare cuddle with it if I'm planning to watch a good movie.  I never stay awake for long under this one.

Join in on the Fall Quilt Festival at ParkCityGirl by clicking the following link or the Quilt Festival button on the left.  Tons of great prizes and plenty of quilty eye candy to enjoy.

http://parkcitygirl.blogspot.com/2009/10/quilt-festival-fall-2009.html

Sorry it's been so long..................

You my remmber I've talked about Geta's Quilting Studio and Geta's beautiful shadow trapunto work in earlier posts.
Well, she has something new to share with you...........monthly give aways and tutorials.
Check out this month's give away----fabric and triangle sets for making  beautiful kaleidascope blocks.

Run but don't trip over yourself and get in on Geta's generous give aways. And while you're there, see all she's been up to.  What a productive quilter this gal is.   Click on Geta's Monthly Give Away button.   

http://cadouri-din-inima.blogspot.com/

Weird happenings in blogland.........

Well, I'm experimenting at uploading photos. For some mysterious reason, my photo uploader here at "B" has changed. And I'm not sure I like it. Sooooooooo, doing a little experimenting.
In the meantime, check out some of my favorite little people.

Mommie, why is the babies' face all scrunchie?

Well, maybe it's ok to have a little brother afterall.

Oh boy! I can go to school now and get away from my new little brother.

I love playing with my Daddy!

Aren't merry-to-rounds just the coolest thing?

Just monkeying around...........

Ok, some of these guys aren't so little anymore.

Hold on, Braiden, GrandpaGreat will stop tickling you in a minute!

My terrific Dad, my one and only super wonderful nephew and his absolutely adorable boys, Sully and Braiden, my great nephews.

Ok, maybe I can get used to the new photo loader, maybe.................except I can't get my name at the bottom of each post. Hum, maybe that will have to disapear altogether.

A few of my favorite little people................

I'll have my dinner in front of the TV, thank you.

Blogger being contrary.............

Well, kids, I was going to post some pictures this morning but, hum, my photo upload button seems to have disapeared. Is it cold? It is only 45* this morning, maybe that's the problem. Anyone else out there in bloggerville experiencing this trouble?

I'm off to search the help files.

Chile or Spaghetti, that is the question..........

Such a mess but a true sign that summer is moving quickly past us and Autumn is upon us.

Now, shall we have chile or sphaghetti?

Say it on your tombstone.................

I woke up way to early this morning, so with a cup of coffee by my side, I decided to catch up on some of my favorite blogs. Jean's blog (http://quiltinjeanie.blogspot.com/ ), always chock full of interesting things posted about this sign generator. It's a riot. You can make warning signs, street signs, even your own tombstone. Want to make your own? Go here:http://www.streetsigngenerator.com/
http://www.jjchandler.com/tombstone/
http://www.warningsigngenerator.com/

I think I should put the tombstone idea in my Will so when I die I'll save my family from the decision of what to put on my tombstone.



My sewing room definitely needs cleaning up and organizing. Anybody out there for hire?



Ok, I'm done playing now. Mostly, I've finished the pot of coffee..........