I was supposed to do this post while the kids were at school….but that got filled with swimming and shopping. (I figure my family and our guests would like to have actual food on Thanksgiving!) And then I sat down to type a little Thanksgiving message when Kyle asked “Mom, can we play a game? Or do you have work you have to do?” Ya know what I said? “I’d love to play with you!”  BUT now the game is over, (I lost!) I did have to get on here before all the baking begins to let you know of a little something sweet.

Sandi’s newest line is all here! All 30 beautiful prints!!!! For the rest of today and tomorrow (Thanksgiving Day here in the US), you can use the code SWEET for 20% off all of Sandi’s fabrics.

And to add to the sweetness you can save on shipping right now too! US orders won’t be more than $5 – regardless of size!

Enjoy your Thanksgiving – and play a few games if you have the chance!

I’ve been spending a lot of time here…..as always.
Sewing and computing.
Not cleaning.
Not dusting.

But I can’t always show you what I’m making -
mostly because they are Christmas gifts.
In fact, I had to digitally “erase” the dry erase board… it has gifts listed on it.
Whew! Glad I remembered!

Now will someone come hang that on the wall for me? Along with my decals and cork board?
(It’s only been a year since we’ve lived in this house…don’t be too hard on me.)
Oh and I need a custom built thread holder – because I hate that one you see in the picture.
And please get me some cute lighting to hang over my desk too. Okay.
Thanks!

PS. Yep, my chair is coverless at the moment. The white one is in the wash…but you can make me a totally awesome cover for that too while you’re at it. Is that asking too much?

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So replaying the day’s events, I think I was asked if I was pregnant.  
I am not.

I’ve been swimming a couple times a week.
(I’ve been running and walking too…but that’s not part of this story.
Clearly it should be…as in I need to do more of it….)
So I am horrible at swimming.
Also not really the point of this story…but  then again, maybe it is…..

Anyway, here I am…going to the Y….swimming.
There are 3 lap lanes and the other half of the pool is for water aerobics.
Sometimes, there are more than 3 people who want to swim laps, so you have to share a lane.

Enter: Colorado Boy
That’s what I call him in my mind.
I know 2 things about Colorado Boy.
#1. He is from Colorado.
#2. He is the only man at the Y that actually wears a speedo.

I know this because one day I ended up sharing a lane with him.
It was like 105 degrees that day…or 93…or 89 or some other non-fall-ish temperature.
Colorado Boy: “So, is it always this nice in November?”
Me: “Nope. This is pretty hot for November.”
Colorado Boy: “I’m from Colorado, so I think this is pretty nice.”

And well, the speedo….I don’t think that should need an explanation.
I’m really glad my husband wears swim trunks.

Okay, so now you have our complete history.

Back to swimming at the Y.
A friend of mine has been meeting me there.
She is pregnant.
And she’s cute and tiny.
She’d tell you otherwise…but trust me.
She’s tiny. And cute.
(And she knows how to swim and has been giving me tips.)

So today, I got there 6 hours before her.
Because I have to swim for 6 whole hours to even come close to the same distance as she swims in 1 hour.
Alright, alright…maybe it was only a few minutes ahead of her…whatever.
I was in the water and had swam a few laps before she arrived.
I was in the water.
She is standing at the end of our lane getting ready when Colorado Boy shows up.

And he says. “Oh you’re pregnant.”
Notice: statement. Not question.
“How far along are you guys?”
Notice: use of plural.

He was totally talking to both of us.

My friend said,
“I’m just over half way.”
I did not say,
“I’m not pregnant, I’m just fat.”
He said “Oh, my wife is pregnant….blah blah blah.”

So now I know 3 things about him.
#1. He is from Colorado.
#2. He wears a speedo.
#3. His wife is pregnant.

Gesh. His wife is pregnant.
He should know the difference between a pregnant and non-pregnant person.

I was in the water.
That’s my story….and I’m stickin’ to it.

(Sorry for the lack of pictures,
Clearly you do not want to see a picture of me in my swimsuit.  
Apparently I look pregnant.)

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So I mentioned the that Izzy & Ivy patterns would be here soon – well some of them arrived!  So I had to make one this weekend – of course!  

I made the Ava Tie Top Dress – and Haley loves it! The bottom part is done with my serger, but the instructions give directions for a regular machine too in case you don’t have a serger. I realized a few things while making this. #1. I really need to get more colors of serger thread. Or even one other color. White just isn’t enough anymore.  #2. I love being able to deactivate my blade easily.

Okay, so then after I took this picture, Haley asked if she could get her hair cut. She’s been asking for a long time. So I finally took her to get it done.

She’s a little doll, if you ask me! I am not going to miss the tangles! This morning she brushed it herself with no huge hunks of hair coming out! We are not morning people, so this will make one less thing to fight in those early hours.

Anyway, back to the pattern…. the Izzy & Ivy Patterns all come with a woven label for you to put on (or in) your creation. Isn’t that just a fun little detail?!?!? I love it!

Sadly, or happily, this pattern already (the Ava Tie Top) already sold out. But I have more ordered. There are more Izzy & Ivy patterns that I’m anxious to test out. And ALL patterns this week are 15% off too. (Perfect for holiday sewing too ) 

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You guys give me way way way too much credit.  I am honored that you think I could pull off half those fabulous projects.  It was just a simple reseversilbe apron that I made.

I owe miss Kaye a little sumpin sumpin – so email me!     And the rest of you won’t get left out either becuase I want to share with you this awesome Banana Bread recipe. I like it bake it up in little loafs so I can give a few away.  I eat less of it this way!  The recipe is from my husband’s grandmother.  It’s yummy!  And I don’t mess it up by adding nuts and such things- but if you’re into that sort of thing, I suppose it can be added.    

Grandma Ruth’s Banana Bread

1 ½ cups Sugar*
¾ cup Butter, softened
2 Eggs
¾ cup Sour Milk*
2 cups Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1 cup Crushed Banana

Cream sugar, butter and eggs. In another bowl, combine the flour and baking soda. Add dry ingredients and the sour milk to your butter mixture, alternating a little at a time. Mix in the vanilla and crushed bananas. Pour into prepared loaf pan (I use 4-5 mini loaf pans instead) and bake at 375° for 45-60 minutes (mini loaves take about 30 minutes) or until toothpick intserted in the center comes out clean.

Enjoy!

*I use ¾ sugar and ¾ splenda instead
**Instead of sour milk, you can use buttermilk or add a tablespoon of vinegar to 1 cup milk.

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I am done with my secert project (see last post) but I have not had a chance to take decent pictures.  When I do find the time is usually past midnight and that is not ideal for picture taking.         Soon….soon….soonish, I promise.

But I had to jump on here and let you know that this week ALL Moda fabrics are 30% off.  Even the newest fabrics!  (That would be the linen and the white fabrics) And the precuts that go with the lines too!  

Plus lots of patterns have been restocked -Craft Apple, Pink Fig, ModKid and more.  I’m particularly excited about this awesome quilt pattern from Sweetwater.  I’m going to make this one soon (ish?).  I just love it!  

Oh!  And Izzy and Ivy pattterns should be here any minute now!  Eek!  I can’t wait for them to get here!  They were so popular at Quilt Market that they had to already do a second printing!  That’s why it’s taken longer than expected.  I’d say that’s a good problem to have!!!!

I promise this week I’ll have some “real” blog content as well – but I didn’t want you to miss out on the great great deals!  Let’s chat again soon – shall we?!?!?

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I have a hard time coming up with titles.      Sewing probably doesn’t make your heart any stronger.  Maybe it should be fonder?  But fond of what?  Fabric?  Well, that’s true!  I also know is this:   Sewing is not a cardiovascular activity.  The only way I figured it helps me loose weight is by the fact that when I’m sewing, I’m not shoving food in my face.

So I’m feeling better. YAY!  I really appreciate those of you that left me kind messages on here and also the friends that sent emails, stopped by and called to say hello.  For my birthday (a long time ago) I was given a very generous gift card to a spa.  So I will be using it this week to be pampered a little.  I’m also going out to dinner with a friend that I never get to see often enough.  I’m quite looking forward to both.  Plus my husband will be home a lot more this week.  I’m so glad!  I dont’ know how military wives can handle having their spouse gone for months and months on end.  When my hubby is gone for a number of days, I start to loose it.

Anywho, I have been sewing.  And let me tell you – the creative juices that start flowing when I start cutting into fabric really do help improve the mood!  I love love love being able to take a piece of cloth and turn it into whatever my heart desires.  I had to set aside the Shade Garden project because it needed something more – and I needed a little time to figure out exactly what the something more was.  I have several orders for friends that I’m working on too – but I really needed to make something for myself.  So here is the challenge:  

Can you guess what it is?

The fabrics include:

Grey Checked Floral from Erin McMorris’ Wildwood collection
Retro Apples from Timeless Treasures Apple collection
Lime Tapestry from Patty Young’s Mezzanine collection

I may have a little special gift for someone who guesses correctly.  And I’ll have pictures when the lighting improves.  Hope your weekend is going well!

PS.  Sunday is the last day for the free shipping offer!

(Orders over $35 in US.  Use code FREE.  International order over $35, save $5.  Use code WORLD.)

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Today I spent some time looking through all my photos on flickr.  It helped me feel better.

Today I also went swimming.  And it was the best I have ever done swimming.  It helped me feel better too.

(The reveal for the Shade Garden project will have to be another day – sorry it’s not done yet.)

Here is Haley’s Christmas Dress last year.  I used a Pink Fig pattern, the Lily Top,  and super cute vintage inspired fabric.  The boys didn’t get Christmas outfits last year.  See – their life is improving.       

You still have time to make all sorts of things for Christmas. I’m not feeling up to pestering you about it though. So I’ll just say that all the Holiday prints are on sale. All are under $6/yard.

And there are other prints that would make awesome Christmas items without being too Christmasy – if that makes any sense! Like the Whimsy line from Michael Miller. Okay, that’s all I’m saying for now about Christmas.      Oh wait – did you see the Figgy Pudding outfits for this year?  That fabric is awsome!  Okay, really….I’ll stop talking now about Christmas.

Oh and the Apple line from Timeless Treasures is all back in stock! It’s retro goodness would make for some dang cute Thanksgiving things – like napkins and aprons. Oh – I’m seeing a project in my near future.

Only a couple days left of the shipping deal.  Don’t miss out!

PS. Sorry that I’ve been in a funk. I’m trying not to let life get me down. Sometimes it just takes a bit more work.

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I’m not gonna lie.  I’m still in a bad mood.  I can’t shake it.
But that’s not very fun.  Know what is fun?
Making things….

So I’m going to make myself something from Shade Garden.

And Linen.

mmmmmm – linen…….

I’m feeling a little better already……

PS.  I should tell you that I’m offering free shipping (US) this week on orders over $35.  Code FREE  (through 11-8-09)  International customers use the code WORLD to take $5 off your order of $35 or more.

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Before leaving for Quilt Market, my husband and I decided we’d take a little vacation as soon as I returned home.  We knew we’d go somewhere in Colorado – and that got me thinking..

I can get the kids Christmas pictures in real snow!

So I set off to make their Christmas outfits like 2 days before I leave for quilt market.  Maybe I’m not too bright – but  I LOVE the way they turned out.  I used fabric from Figgy Pudding.  And the Art Gallery Nature Elements  (love them) for Haley’s overdress (that is the Feliz pattern again – no ruffles this time.  I imagine you’ll see more pictures of these outfits and more details on them!)  BUT in my haste, I forgot to bring Haley a white shirt.

FAIL!

So we take the pictures anyway and photoshop does the rest.  I am so horrible at photoshop. (btw, I have photoshop elements b/c I can’t afford the real thing.  And mostly I’m happy with it.)  So don’t laugh at me…okay?  Here is what I did.

Step 1: Open Picture in photoshop.  (if you can’t do that…well then there is no hope so just skip to the end.)

Step 2:  Lasso the pink shirt

Step 3: Go to Enhance: Adjust Color : Change Color

Step 4: Select the pink color with they eyedropper.

My understanding is the the fuzziness will include hues around the color you picked. A higher number is a larger spectrum – so I put that up pretty high since I want the shades of pink to be changed.

Step 5: Adjust the lightness

On my Flickr photos  I showed what happens when you mess with hue and saturation. For this picture I didn’t need to adjust that at all. So I just moved the light scale. I did not go all the way to 100% b/c that looked a little too bright to me.

Step 6: Also mask the cold sore.

My poor children get cold sores sometimes. So I used the spot healer brush to dab that away.

And the finished picture…..

It’s not perfect at all. And now that you know the shirt was pink you can see halo effects of the pink around. BUT I think that at first glance it’s close enough that hopefully most people won’t sit there and stare at it. What do you think? (Knowing myself, I’ll probably go back and try to get rid of a bit of that pink glow.)

Are you a photoshop expert?  If so I’d LOVE more tips!

EDITED:  So this is what it should look like when you know what you’re doing.  Thanks Jenny for the help!  You rock!

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