It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Hello!  :)

So Sorry I've been away. I was going to try to keep up with posting while I was getting ready for boutique but it just didn't happen. I did manage to get a lot of stuff done though. I'm actually quite amazed at how many things I finished in a week. This is going to be a long post . . . but hopefully one you'll enjoy!  :)  I'll start with the items that I had already started when I last posted.

Remember this . . .

It turned into this . . .

Isn't it adorable?!!! I'm really happy with the way it turned out!  :)  This runner was made by a pattern I got from Cleo And Me on Etsy. You should check out all her adorable patterns! They are really great patterns with easy to follow instructions. 

Here's the back of the runner . . . 

And a close-up on the fabric . . .

Isn't it adorable! I absolutely LOVE this fabric!!! It has glitter all over too. It's so festive! I got it at JoAnn's. I only had a little left so I had to go and get more to make more runners. I already made two runners and plan on making more. They only had a few yards left so of course I got all of them!  :)

Here's the finished Christmas Tree Mini Quilt. I wish the picture was better to show all the rich colors. I added red buttons since you last saw it. I was supposed to add some stringed lights too but I didn't think they looked good. Maybe it's because I used such rich deep fabrics. I made four of these . . .

Remember this stitchery . . .

It was the last stitchery in a set of seven for a banner. I had made two of each for two lap quilts. I actually made four of the snowman just because he was so cute!  :)  I planned on using the extra two for a couple of mini quilts. Here's the beginning of the mini quilts . . .

I loved the way it looked but it needed a border. I tried lots of different border fabrics and ended up with the same white polka dot that I used on the Christmas Tree Mini Quilts. It didn't distract from the other beautiful fabrics I used and I think it kind of looks like snow.  :)  I quilted it in the ditch and then added the light blue snowflake binding to finish it off. Here it is . . .

What do you think? It turned out pretty cute, huh?!!! I really like it! Here's the back . . .

I liked it so much that I made four of them. Yes I used the other two that I had planned on using for the lap quilt with the other stitcheries. I just couldn't help myself. I knew I wasn't going to have time to make the lap quilt for boutique. Then I got to looking at the other stitcheries and my stash of Christmas fabric . . . hummmm . . . 

I turned two of these . . . 

Into two of these . . .

Here's the back . . . 

And two of these . . .

Into two of these . . . 

Here's the back . . .

I stopped there. They were all made using the same design and quilted with the same in the ditch method. I wanted to keep it simple.  :)  I ended up with four Snowmen Mini Quilts, two Santa Mini Quilts, and two Christmas Tree Mini Quilts. I still have two each of 4 different stitcheries ready for the lap quilt I plan on making. I just have to stitch up 6 more stitcheries to replace the ones I used for the mini quilts. 

What else did I make for boutique? I made some crayon roll-ups. I used Angie from Summerfield Quilts, awesome Crayon Roll-Up Tutorial to make them. The tutorial is very easy to understand with lots of pictures. Thanks Angie for such a great tutorial!  :)  They were very simple and quick. I made 8 of them.

Here they are all rolled up . . . 

Here's the back of my favorite one . . . 

And the inside . . .

I had picked up the crayons during the back-to-school sales earlier this year just for this purpose. I even have more leftover. Guess I'll be making more in my future.  :)  

The night before I had to bring my things for boutique I had some extra time so I looked through my stash. I had some wine fabric and thought it would make a nice runner so I got busy putting it together. I didn't use any pattern. I basically made it up as I went along. I knew I wanted to keep it pretty simple. I also want to use some prairie points in it. I started with the wine fabric and then put some log cabin style strips around it. Then I put a border between the two blocks and at each end. I added the prairie points with the borders at the end. I was going to leave it there but it looked kind of skinny so I added the borders to the sides. 

Here it is . . . 

And the back . . . 

I didn't know whether I should turn both blocks the same way or not. I ended up facing them away from each other. I figured it would look great that way in the center of a table. What do you think? I kept the back and binding the same brown as the front to keep it simple. I wanted the focus to be on the wine fabric.

Here's a close up of one side of the runner . . .

And a closer view of the prairie points . . .

I kept the quilting simple by quilting next to the seams and around the prairie points. I couldn't believe how quickly the runner came together. I even had time to sew the binding to the back by hand. I was very happy with all I'd accomplished.

My boutique is in Quartz Hill, California, which is next to Lancaster, California. It's where I used to live before I moved to Corona a year and a half ago. I've been doing this boutique for the last 5 years and it's a really good one. If you are near there and want more information just ask. I went there Wednesday morning to bring my stuff and help set up. The boutique runs Thursday through Saturday. I will be there Saturday afternoon to work a shift and pick up my stuff when it's over. I hope I do well. The money I make will be used for Christmas presents. Wish me luck!  :)

Until Next Time . . .

I finished it!

I actually sat down and finished the apron for my swap buddy today. I really like how it turned out! I hope she does too! I would love to show it to you but can't until after she sees it first... it's only fair.  :)  She emailed me this morning and told me mine's on it's way. I can't wait to see what she made for me! We were to do either a fall or Halloween apron. I told her to surprise me. I wonder what she decided on.... hummmmm?  Guess I'll have to be patient and wait until it gets here.

I've been told by many people that I'm a very patient person. I really don't think I am. I guess I can be very patient in certain situations.... in others I'm very impatient. I consider myself to be both patient and impatient all at the same time (if that's even possible!). :)

Since I can't show you the apron I completed I'll show you a runner I made before I started blogging. It's pretty simple...

I love pink! Can you tell? I really fell in love with the cherry fabric and the rest developed from there. This was only the second quilting project I worked on. Here's a little bit of the back...

Tomorrow I'll be working on some extras for two swaps I need to mail out this week. I'd love to start sewing the aprons I'm making for myself too, but that would probably be wishful thinking. I have a lot of stamp auctions on Ebay that end tomorrow so I will be quite busy with those. 

Thanks so much to all of you who leave me comments and follow me! It really brightens my day!  :)

Until next time...

Cherise  :) 

This 'N That... and Everything in between!

Hello!

I've missed you! Sorry I've been gone so long! I've been a busy girl. Getting into trouble here and there, working on some sewing 'to do list' items, and getting around to some other non-sewing things that have been on my other 'to do list'.

I wanted to post the following runner I made on 9/11 but didn't get to it then.

My heart goes out to all the people who were directly affected by 9/11. May your loved ones remain in your hearts and memories forever. My heart also goes out to all others whose lifes were indirectly affected. I know the events of that day changed us all as individuals and as a nation. I know I am proud to be an american!

I have always loved the americana colors! They warm my soul! I use them a lot in my decorating. Here's the back of the runner.

Let's see... you're probably wondering what I've been busy with. I managed to cut out MY Thanksgiving apron that will basically match this one I made last month.

I didn't get to work on it yet but it's cut and ready to go! I also designed, cut, sewed and finished my mug rug for a swap I'm in. It turned out so cute! I can't believe I designed it and like the way it turned out. I'm sad to say that I can't show it to you yet as I have to wait until my partner sees it first. I wanted to mail it out this week but my partner emailed and said she had flooding and damage from the storms. I'm waiting to hear whether she wants me to mail it now or wait until things are less chaotic. I really don't want it to get in the way.

The non-sewing related item I've been working on has taken up a lot of my time. I'm a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. I've had a couple of boxes of retired stamps & other items I've been wanting to sell. I finally took the 100+ photos and got them all in an email and listed on my other blog. If you like stamps please check the items out at cbyc-su.blogspot.com. You can view the photos here. I also have a link on my right sidebar.

Were you wondering how I've been getting into trouble??? Well... did you notice the new buttons on my upper right sidebar? I've decided to participate in a few new things...

This event started today. It sounds like fun and you will have the opportunity to take advantage of some great deals along the way. You will have the opportunity to make blocks from many wonderful designers. You don't even have to make them all if you don't want to. Go check it out for yourself.

Birdie Stitches Block of the Month...

When I clicked on this button on a blog I immediately fell in love with the project and knew I wanted to do it... although it started in January and ends in December. Do you think I can catch up?? lol!!! This is the fabric I want to use...

It's Sophie by Chez Moi for Moda. It's so yummy and will look so great with the birdies! I just ordered it and can't wait until it arrives! I got a couple of charm packs for the birdie blocks.

I will be using this one for the birdie block centers...

this one for the sashings...

this one for the outer border...

this one for the binding...

and this one for the back.

I can't wait to get the fabrics and get started making birdies!!!

Do you think I'm crazy yet? Well... it gets worse! I've also decided that it would be fun to join this quilt-a-long.

The good thing about this one is that it doesn't start until September 27th and new blocks will come every 2 weeks instead of one or two a week. Hopefully I'll be able to keep up with it.  :)

I've also got the Ghastlies Blog Hop that I've signed up for.

It doesn't take place until the end of October though. I've already decided what I'm going to make, gotten my fabric and am ready to go. Bad part is I can't tell you what I'm making until then.  :)

Well I think I covered it all! Whew!!! I know it's a lot... and YES... I AM CRAZY!!! but... it makes me happy! Sorry I covered so much in this post. If only I would post more often... sigh....

Until next time...
Cherise  :)

Elvis & Priscilla... may they live a long happy life!

Meet Elvis (left) and Priscilla (right). They are my only pets. (I will eventually get a dog and cat too.) I love animals! (Are fish animals?) Ok... let me rephrase... I love pets! Elvis & Priscilla are Betta's. I have never had Betta's before but my hunky dude has. He got Elvis a couple of months ago. He talked about always wanting to breed Betta's so I kept saying, "I'll get a female and you can breed them." I found another fish bowl and the thrift store and my hunky dude got Priscilla for me. What else could I name her since Elvis was already in the house!  :). I don't know a lot about Betta's but I do know that they have to be kept separate as they fight. (Exactly how you breed them I have no clue so I'll leave that up to the hunky dude.) So they live next door to each other on our coffee table. They often interact together... it's so cute! Eventually the hunky dude will breed them but for now they are my friends and entertainment. I never knew fish could be so interactive with people. Any time I'm around Priscilla she greets me... and when I wave at her she dances for me. Yes I may seem a little over the edge with my fish but they are the only pets I have and I am a pet person.  :)  It's been driving the hunky dude a little crazy but he's getting used to it and actually seems to be interacting a little more with the couple than he was. I've even seen him smile at them more often.  :)

So you might ask why I'm talking so much about my fish. Well... first of all they are my pets and part of my life and of course I have to share them with you!  :)  Secondly I made the quilted table topper they're sitting on just for them. Every time we cleaned their bowls and put them back on the table there always seemed to be some residual moisture on them. Hunky dude was putting a towel under them but that was so boring. I had some scraps laying around that I thought would be perfect. I had to go get a little more to add for the backing so I picked up one that looked like water to me and I got down to business. The fabrics remind me of water and are really fun!

It was a simple design and I even tried a little free motion quilting in the sashings. It's very rough but was fun! Here's the back side.

I'm really happy with how it turned out and how it sets the fish off nicely! Have you ever made a project just for your pets? I would love it if you would share!

Until next time...
Cherise  :)

p.s. I would love it if you follow me! I will return the favor! Have a Nice Day!  :)

September is National Sewing Month!

September is national sewing month. I know I plan on doing a lot of sewing this month. How about you? What projects do you have going on or coming up?

Some of my future projects include:  working on my Stars Quilt-a-Long quilt, a couple of mug rugs for swaps, a couple of aprons, a bag or two, maybe start some other quilt-a-longs (haven't decided yet), work on some Christmas runners for a holiday boutique, start on some quilts for Christmas gifts... I could probably list many more items. I've definitely been bit by the sewing bug. I want to sew everything! I wish I had more time and money!  :)
Did you know that Melissa over at "Happy Quilting", is offering an AuriFil Thread Giveaway. Be sure to go check it out and enter for your chance to win! 

Have you noticed the "Ghastlies Blog Hop" button in my left sidebar? I am planning on participating this October. I ordered my fabric over the weekend and it shipped today. I can't wait to get it and get started. I will be making an apron with it! Perfect for Halloween or all year long! If you're interested, or curious, click on the button to go check it out.

I haven't gotten much sewing done the last couple of days. I have been designing a mug rug for a swap I'm in. I know what I want to do in my mind but not sure if I know how to do it. So instead of sewing I've been searching the internet for tutorials, etc. I now believe I know how I want to proceed so I will start with that tomorrow. Wish me luck!

I'm not the type of person who likes to beg but I just started blogging a couple of weeks ago and would really love it if you would "follow" my blog. It would really make my day! There's a place to do so to the right. Let me know you're following me and I'll be sure to return the favor. I plan on offering a giveaway when I reach 100 followers... only 96 more to go... lol!  :)   Help me please!  Thank you so very much!   :)

Until next time...
Cherise  :)

Fab... Fab... and not so Fab...

Hello!  :)

Remember back on August 18 when I told you I'd share my second quilting project with you later? Well... it's later and I'm actually going to share my 6th project with you instead (I mean why go in order?)  ;). I found this cute runner on Moda Bake Shop. I knew I just had to make it! Here's my version...

I was a little intimidated by the prairie points as I'd heard they were difficult, but I went full speed ahead anyway. I actually didn't have a problem with them at all. They were actually pretty fun. I fell in love with them and can't wait to add them to another project. I used fabrics I had on hand in pinks and greens. I machine quilted it with a simple pattern and added chocolate rick rack to finish it off. I still want to add buttons at the tips of the prairie points but haven't found any I like yet.

Today I didn't sew at all. I was in one of those Lazy Daisy kind of moods. I did manage to drag myself to JoAnn's to pick up a couple of items I needed for my Stars Quilt-A-Long. I know what you're thinking... how could I not be in the mood to look for fabric? Well I usually have no problem going fabric shopping but today I just wasn't really in the mood. I did go and am glad I did.

One of the main reasons I needed to go is because I need a need blade for my rotary cutter. Mine is very dull. Of course they were out of the one I needed. I did pick up the 12-1/2" square ruler I needed. Actually I got a set of 4 which included the 12-1/2", 9-1/2", 6-1/2" & 4-1/2". It was a much better value as a set, $34.99 then if I just got the one I needed right now which was $22.99 and with a 50% off coupon I just couldn't pass it up.

I also found the perfect border fabric for my stars quilt.

Isn't it just yummy?!!! It goes perfectly with the other fabrics I already had.

I think I did pretty good considering I forgot to bring the fabric samples with me.  :)

Well... here we are... I've shared the fab... and fab with you. Are you wondering what was 'not so fab'?

Here's my story... Every day Mr. Hunky texts me when he's almost home from work (he texts while stopped at a light and not while driving). Then I go outside to meet him. It's just something we do. It makes us happy. Anyway...  today after I got the text I walked down to the mailbox and got the mail. I walked back up to the house and went to sit on an electrical box right next to where Mr. Hunky parks. It was hot outside and only part of the box was in the shade. So I proceeded to sit on the corner in the shade and guess what? I totally missed, slid off the box, hit the box and the pole that was there to prevent you from running into the box. The mail keys, mail and my flip flops went flying. I landed on my right side in the dirt, rocks and a pile of ants! On the way down I bent my big toe and the two next to it backwards, skinned my knee, scrapped my arm and hurt my hand. I was not a happy camper. I managed to scoot over to the grass, only a few inches away. Looked up to see that no one was there. Thank God no one witnessed that. Then I wiped the ants and dirt off and started to cry wishing Mr. Hunk would get here already so he could hug me, give me sympathy and help me up. As soon as he started pulling up I really started crying. He parked and came over and asked me what happened. Of course he thought something bad had happened to someone and that's why I was crying. As soon as I told him I fell he asked how I managed to do that and then started laughing. I totally understand his reaction but come on... where was my hug and sympathy? He eventually hugged me and helped me get up. I hobbled into the house, cleaned myself up and sat with my foot up. My big toe is very sore. I can't bend it very much. The other two seem to be fine, which is good. My hand is very sore and I can't lean on it. I'm sure I'm going to be sore tomorrow and my foot is pounding right now. Oh well... Motrin here I come. Thanks for letting me share my mishap with you. If I had seen it myself I'm sure I would have laughed my head off. I'm sure it looked pretty darn funny.

Until next time...

Cherise  :)