Suburban Stitcher

Anyone up for a game of BINGO?

2009-12-10T13:45:00.002-06:00

Holly Jolly Blog Bingo, that is!The fab ladies over at the Quilt Shoppe are having some Holiday Bingo, and we're all invited! Go here to check out all of the rules...

But please, be nice to me, and pick all of the words that aren't going to be first, umkay? I mean, maybe if I win, then I'll share with you too...

Alright, I'm in!

A finish and some dec

2009-12-08T06:02:00.001-06:00

I finished my November Schnibbles. Here it is: and the dec…home decor that is :)

I am very proud of my tree this year. For once it came out in person how it looked in my head. Amazing!

That’s it for today. Off to work…

The long overdue Vegas/Thanksgiving Post

2009-12-06T10:25:00.001-06:00

Well peeps, we’re obviously back from Vegas…and boy what a trip it was. I can truly say that I. WILL. NEVER. travel with children under the age of 5 on a plane ever again. We will drive everywhere…everywhere…EVERYWHERE! And if we can’t drive…we won’t take the kids, or we won’t go!

So, now that we’ve established that :)

We stayed with my sister and her husband. They live in North Las Vegas, so it was not really on the strip AT ALL. It’s just like being in any normal city. On Wednesday we did a lot of playing…at home… and we also went to one of the bases in the LV area (Nellis) to walk around for a while. The boys loved all of the “stuff”, of course… I was the party pooper on Wed, so we came home early.

Thursday was the big Turkey day, so there was lots of cooking and even more eating! I’m the one in the white who looks pg…and Aunt Susan is on the left ACTUALLY pg but can’t tell, can ya!!! I know…she’s gonna be one who walks out of the hospital in their size 4 jeans…

Friday Aunt Susan and I had a great day running around Vegas to quilt stores, cross stitch stores, lunch, and getting lost! trying to find a maternity store that truly didn’t exist…I SWEAR!

First stop of the day was the most important…

Next, and equally as important was Quiltique (and as smart Aunt Susan so politely informed me…it is pronounced similar to “antique” not “QUILT. E. Q.” like BBQ…) How cute is this store! I. LOVE. that they have that little compartment of fat quarters on top of each shelf…and that they coordinate with the collections right beneath…very smart ladies! And…see those really thick bolts of Mill House Inn on the bottom left shelf? That was FLANNEL…I KNOW! I swear that the bolt of light pink polka dot flannel nearly leapt into my suitcase… I purchased a few FQs of Paula Prass fabric, a cute FQ of some roosters, and a Mill House Inn Charm Pack.

Next was a quick stop at Stitcher’s Paradise. Only picture is what I bought…some Nora Corbett fairies. I particularly thought that this shop did an EXCELLENT job of having current models displayed in their shop. Very very very nice shop and owner!

Next was lunch, and this was so funny. So, my name is Dianne, right? Well, we went to Panera Bread, and the lady asks for my name. I tell her “Dianne” and look how she spelled it… Really? Good thing the food was good :) Here’s what I had…(trying out the food setting on my camera!) The last stop was Nancy’s Quilt Shop. No pictures of the shop, but I did purchase a few 1/2 yards and some FQs. All in all a great day!

Saturday we went to the strip for a few hours…basically cause we were LV newbies and you can’t go without at least saying that you were on the strip, right?!

Hope that you all had a great Thanksgiving out there, too!

Until next time… :)

Snow in Texas

2009-12-05T08:05:00.001-06:00

OK…I’m interrupting the post that I had planned to put up today to share a few pictures of the snow that we had yesterday in Houston. It was a lot of fun for us down here totally not used to it like you folks up north!Nicholas and I went outside when it first started. I thought…this is probably it, so I’ll just “run” out real quick… Told ya…total snow rookie. And yes, those ARE my pajama pants you see…along with the really bad pedicure… You’re only gonna see real life on this blog :)

I took a picture of the fence outside my kitchen window when it first started. The spots are snow…not bird poop…I promise…And just about an hour or two later, this is what we had… I know it’s not impressive for you in the north, but for us this is huge… OK…now on to the obligatory home and kid pictures of snow and snowmen! Hope that your Friday was as fun as ours was!

Busy holiday week

2009-11-23T12:00:00.001-06:00

Well, today is a frantic race to the finish line…and the finish line is tomorrow at 5:50 pm! That’s when we leave for Vegas to visit Aunt Susan and Uncle Will for Thanksgiving! All of us are super excited… I am really a packing procrastinator…and I’ve barely started. But, rest assured, we will be ready for tomorrow!

In the meantime, I’ve been working on a few things to get ready for the holidays.

Remember this? From sometime in the summer? Well, now it’s COMPLETELY finished and looks like this: I’m so happy to have this one finished. I used a professional quilter for the first time since my first quilt…and I’m absolutely THRILLED with the results. Hopefully sometime today or tomorrow I’ll be dropping off two more quilts for her to work on!

Also, I’ve been working on my Picnic Schnibbles for the November challenge. Here is how it looks right now…I’d really like to have this finished in time for the reveal on December 1st, but I’m definitely not holding my breath! That would require me to finish it either today (probably NOT) or in the day or two that we get back from Vegas (more likely!).

I also just finished the center block for my BOM. It’s really pretty…As always, it’s using those Glace fabrics that are gorgeous! This is actually a fairly good representation of the colors. That bottom left corner is a bit washed out from the sun…but the center is really really close to life…

On the cross-stitching front, since finishing Jack’s stocking, I’ve been working on Mirabilia’s (Nora Corbett) Bluebell Fairy/Pixie. She’s really cute! It’s definitely quite a change from my Shepherd’s Bush/LHN designs that I’ve been working on lately. All of that shading really makes a huge difference.

OK, that’s it for me. Off to go do some packing for Vegas. I will definitely have some pictures of our adventures there.

I hope that you all have a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving and enjoy your time with Family and Friends…and eat lots of pie :)

2 finishes today!

2009-11-08T18:18:00.001-06:00

As promised…long ago…here is Jack’s stocking.It has been sent off today to mom who will be doing the finishing for me.

Also, I finished my Cindy Lou Who Schnibble for October…just a tad late!I used Sweetwater’s au.then.tic line of fabric for Moda. I had been eyeing this fabric for a while, and this was such a fun way to use it! I went back and forth on whether to use a back border or a green one…and I’m glad I chose the black in the end. The backing fabric is the green with black writing.

So, on to the next project…one of 8 million :)

wondering…

2009-11-05T19:20:00.001-06:00

where I’ve been?

Well, it’s been kinda crazy around the Brown household lately!

Work is busy. Home is busy.

I have been sewing and stitching. A bit on Jack’s stocking…still no pic (sorry!).

…a bit on a little who baby that I didn’t finish in time for the October deadline…

…using a little bit of this…

I can’t wait to start this…

…and equally excited about this…

using this…

And just because it wouldn’t be a true blog entry without the obligatory kid picture…here’s us on Halloween…

Happy stitching, sewing, quilting…or whatever your heart desires!

Fantastic Giveaway!

2009-10-28T10:40:00.000-05:00

check out this one! awesome gifties from market...

http://cvquiltworks.blogspot.com/2009/10/sharing-my-good-fortune-with-you.html

Hope you win!

Sick, but still posting

2009-10-22T09:52:00.001-05:00

Wow, I had no idea that this week I’d be running an infirmary over here! We’ve had Swine flu, pretty sure…and now I’ve got it too! I’m home from work today with Nicholas, who started running a fever (again) and I also have fever today :(

Even so, here’s a few pictures of what’s on my table these days.

Remember that picture of what I cut out last week? Well, here are the first few blocks.

And for those who guessed, it is Wild Thing by Thimble Blossoms using Santorini by Lila Tueller. I am LOVING how this is turning out! I think it’s just an excellent way to showcase this fabric!

I also got and finished Month 5 BOM from FQS! Ironically this block was designed by Camille of Thimble Blossoms :) The color is a bit off in the picture, but as always, it’s using those Glace fabrics that are to die for! Love them more every month when I work with them.

And since I’m up to date on the monthly blocks, I figured it was time to work on the center star and start some of the sashing and cornerstone stars…since there’s going to be a lot of them…

So, I pulled out the fabric…(even washed out, they’re gorgeous!)…and I started cutting away.

Do you get nervous when you cut into big chunks of yardage? I found myself getting nervous last night…like I was afraid to use it or something?! Weird…

That’s it for today. Hoping to get a few stitches in Jack’s stocking today. I think that’s about all I will have the energy for…what with this fever and all :(

See you all later…

Yet another AWESOME giveaway!

2009-10-21T06:52:00.001-05:00

Maybe you read my blog, and you’re not a quilter. But, you’re probably a stitcher, and we need fabric for finishing…

So…either way, you NEED to check out this giveaway.

http://pumpkinpatchprimitivequiltshoppe.blogspot.com/2009/10/its-happy-halloween-giveaway.html

She’s giving away 27 FAT QUARTERS…yes you heard correctly…27!!! Red Rooster’s Pumpkin and Spice line.

(picture from Pumpkin Patch Primitives website)

See…told ya it was a good one!

great giveaway for you quilters out there!

2009-10-19T08:38:00.001-05:00

kati cupcake has some very super cute patterns, and now she's got a line of fabric, too!

v and co. is hosting a giveaway, so go check it out here.

Good luck to you all (and me too!)

Back to work…

2009-10-19T07:00:00.000-05:00

In more ways than one.

I was off on Friday, so it’s back to work work.

But also, I feel like I’ve been off from crafting. This weekend I got back to it.

This is what is on my project table now. Can you guess what it is? Or what it’s going to be?

A few sights

2009-10-18T11:00:00.001-05:00

from the Houston Quilt Market.

A friend and I went to Market on Wednesday night, and it was so much fun! I definitely would like to go back this afternoon to see what I didn’t already see. And, of course, there’s a few things that I’d like to pick up…if they’re not already gone!

This one was just so intricate that it was picture worthy! Definitely not my style, but whoa look at the detail!

This one was so unique because of the colored quilting threads used! I can’t even IMAGINE being able to quilt like this! Close up of the center

This one I took because, I mean, it’s so not your grandmother’s quilt…

This one I loved! So fun and whimsical!

And finally, a tribute to my Louisiana roots…a little blue dog inspired art…

Hope that you all have a great Sunday afternoon!

One year ago…

2009-10-13T04:17:00.001-05:00

my life changed completely…again.

My heart grew bigger than I ever knew it could.

We gained a big brother and a little brother all at the same time.

I knew that you would be a cuddler even before you were born. And I was proven right.

You have a smile that never quits, and a temper that never does either (thank you Grandpa Jack).

You LOVE your big brother, almost as much as you love your food, and that makes my heart happy.

You are so courageous, and I can already see your passion for exploration.

I pray that this will blossom into a desire to explore your Lord Jesus Christ and that you will LOVE and desire Him more than anyone or anything else in this world.

I love that you COMPLETED our family, and that you have taught me how to love more completely in the process.

You are so sweet, my little Jack. I love you more than my heart can stand.

Happy 1st Birthday.

See, I told you, it’s a problem

2009-10-04T06:28:00.001-05:00

Remember last post? Where I talked about all of the things that I wanted to do? Well, I’ve worked on some recently, started some… Let’s just look at the evidence:

1) Jack’s stocking: still working on this one. It’s coming along very nicely.

2) Home Dec project: started yesterday, but in my head since before we moved here over two years ago. I started painting my master bedroom.

Had to take down all of the drapes for this one. Slept with no window coverings last night, which made me feel like I was sleeping in a fish bowl. Oh, and mom, this is a fairly accurate picture of the brown…it’s PERFECT!

3) New Projects: I started a prayer shawl yesterday for a friend. No pics yet.

That’s about it on the project front, but I do want to leave you with a couple of pictures of my biggest little boy. It was a big week for him. He had his first day of homework on Monday, and he had his first soccer game yesterday. Homework was finished successfully, and the game was great. He scored a goal…and it was great!

That’s it for now. Off to church this morning and then I’m back to paint the rest of the room.

feeling overwhelmed

2009-10-01T11:24:00.002-05:00

I am a lover of all crafts. It is definitely my therapy.

I am also a lover of being comfortable in my home, whether it be because of the people in it, or the way that the house itself looks.

I love the process. Don't get me wrong...I love finished results, but I {heart} the process of doing things. I think this is why I have so many projects that are finished, but not finished...know what I mean? :)

I spend so much time reading blogs and catching up on the beautiful things out there in the world of cross-stitch, quilting, and knitting. And I also love looking at all of the blogs out there that have to do with decorating, nesting, etc.

I have come to the realization that I have too much that I want to do.

I mean for real...look at this: (picture from ThriftyDecorChic)

I mean who couldn't whip this up?!!! Right??!!

And have you heard about this, quilters out there?

Month one is done, and now it's month two...and I want to join, but I'm behind...but look at all of these pics...

I don't have any of those schnibbles patterns, but boy golly I sure am coveting them now! I {heart} charm packs, and what a fantastic way to use them!

Maybe I'll just keep coveting and adding to my evergrowing list!!!!

Progress Report and Chart Winner

2009-09-25T07:50:00.001-05:00

I actually wrote the following post on Tuesday…but Blogger has been acting up for me…so hopefully it’s working now…

As meager as it is, I did promise an update on Jack’s stocking. Still working on that big ole person…lots of dark red overdyed perle cotton for this one!

I have been trying to stitch on this every day, but like yesterday…it doesn’t happen EVERY day. I have also been working on stitching a gift…but can’t show it yet!

The winner of the chart…and I’m going to be honest…it wasn’t random. My blog, my rules. So, I chose my favorite comment. Cari, please email me with your mailing address, so that I can get this chart right to you!

Today I’ll be stitching on that gift again…and maybe convincing myself to pull out a quilt sandwich that needs to be quilted…

I survived the week!

2009-09-20T17:37:00.001-05:00

Well, this was a crazy week! Between work stuff and home stuff…Phew! I’m pooped! However, I did manage to do a bit of stitching and sewing this week…

I finished the quilt top for Jack. I will be doing this for his birthday. It’s made from an American Primer by Moda charm pack. The inner border is American Primer also. The outer border is a Moda…but I’m not sure from which collection. It just worked perfectly though…

I also received and finished the FQS Block of the Month. This is number 4…

I did stitch also this week. I worked on Jack’s Stocking. I also finished something for my LNS and finished off something for me. I’ll try and have pictures of those tomorrow!

Here’s hoping that we all have great weeks this coming week!

OMG this is so cute!

2009-09-13T13:25:00.001-05:00

first, i apologize for the corny title…i work in a high school, and i just watched the first episode of “Glee” that i DVRed from earlier in the week…so i’m full of corniness right now.

but anyway…have you seen this? new from Victoria Sampler…

OMG this is so cute!

And And And…the Victoria Sampler ornament in the new JCS 2009 ornie issue is a coordinating christmas tree scissor sheath!

OMG!

Edited to add: Thank you sweet commenter who corrected me! This is a VICTORIA SAMPLER design. THANK YOU!!!!!

Finish, Sale, Giveaway

2009-09-13T06:32:00.001-05:00

My finish is the 2nd in this series, Hope. I started this over a month ago, and I finished it up yesterday. So, one less WIP!

And, as much as I want to pull out the 3rd design and finish it, I am going to work on some existing projects first! Most importantly…that stocking!

So, for sale, I have the chart and remaining limited edition Gentle Arts fibers for Hope. If you are interested, the cost is $5. Please email me at diannebbrown@hotmail.com (sale pending)

Finally, the giveaway.

When I was going through my WIP collection a few days ago, I found the chart for Geranium House by LHN that I finished a few months ago. The chart is well used…but absolutely still readable (just curled around the edges from being drug around for so many months as a WIP. Rather than try and sell it, as it is “loved”, I’d like to give it away.

If you are interested in owning Geranium House by LHN, please leave a comment on this post. The post must contain your name, where you live, and use the word Geranium.

Here’s my example :

Hello! I am Dianne from Richmond Texas. I would love to have this chart, because that way I can have GERANIUMS in my house all the time, since I can’t keep them alive outside.

Hope you all have a great Sunday and end to the weekend!

Really? I mean, REALLY?

2009-09-11T06:16:00.001-05:00

I’m not a fan of owning up to things. Like, admitting to how bad a problem is. This is probably the reason that it takes so long for me to commit to a weight-loss routine, or a new budget, etc. Two nights ago, for some CRAZY reason, I thought that I needed to get an ACTUAL COUNT of my WIPs. So I did it. And I’m still alive.

46.

REALLY?

Two of these are from about 1 month after I started stitching years ago.

They’re on AIDA, which means I definitely won’t ever pick them up again. They may actually go in the trash! (I won’t tell if you won’t!) So, it’s a good thing that I don’t like the project any more anyway!

So that brings the project to 44.

Another one is SORT OF OK (it’s a project on a Tea Towel)…but realistically…I don’t see myself picking it up again.

43.

I think I can live with 43 for now.

One of these WIPs is the stocking that I started last year right after Jack was born. It’s a Shepherd’s Bush stocking. I. LOVE. IT. But, last year when it became very apparent that it would not be done in time for Christmas, I put it aside for other things. Now, it is definitely time to pick it up again to finish. Here’s a pic from this morning (early, no light…):

I worked on it on and off over that last week, so it does have a little bit more than when it was shoved aside last year. I do love the colors in this one though!

Before I go, I want to thank all of your for your kind thoughts and hugs from yesterday’s post. As my mom so quickly reminded me (and most of y’all), kids are SO resilient. Us mommies usually take things harder than they actually affect the kids. That post was written at work, about 45 minutes after the phone call, so it was choc’ full of emotion…that I couldn’t really “let out” in public at school in front of 2800 high school students! Thank you all so much for listening and for holding my hand though the day!

And by the end of yesterday, both Nicholas and his mommy felt OK about the whole situation :)

My heart is breaking...

2009-09-10T08:07:00.002-05:00

Just got a phone call from hubby.
Nicholas (3 year old) was having a melt down.
He didn't want to go to school today.

Background: This year is the first year that he's not in the same building all day. He starts at one school, gets on a van, rides about 3 miles, and then finishes the day at an after-school program. It's a LONG DAY for him. And me being the put-together, everything is great mommy, OF COURSE has not let on that it kills me that he has to do this. Back to the story...

Hubby says that I need to talk to Nicholas.

NICHOLAS (crying): Mommy I don't want to go to school.
Me: Why not, baby?
NICHOLAS (crying worse): I don't like the blue school and the red school.
Me: Tell me why you don't like your new schools.
NICHOLAS (still crying): It's too long to go to two schools all day, mommy.
Me (now crying but trying to pretend that I'm not): I know, baby, but your teachers are nice and....(can't remember the rest...but I'm sure that it was a bunch of lies wrapped in happy words to make him feel better...)

Of course, I'm at work when this happens, and immediately feeling like so small. Things running through my head like: OK, well, I'll quit, and we can sell the Honda, and be a one car family. I could do grocery shopping after Josh gets home. We can go without health insurance for me and Josh and just get it for the boys...and we could do less cable, or less cell phone, or something...

Meanwhile, Hubby calls back.
He's talked Nicholas into school.
All is well.
For today.

My heart is still breaking for my little boy.
Today being a mommy really stinks.

Project Updates and my Sweet Husband

2009-09-09T17:03:00.001-05:00

First up: Project updates.

I’m actually UP. TO. DATE. on my FQS BOM (wow that’s a lot of acronyms…).

Block 3 is my most recent finish.

And here’s block 1…cause I don’t think that I ever showed it to y’all:

Here’s blocks 1, 2 and 3:

When I looked at all of these together, I thought to myself…hmmm…self…that block #1 looks a bit smaller than the other ones. So I measured them all, and sho nuff, that block #1 is exactly 3/8 of an inch TOO SMALL! All around! I mean I can fudge with an 1/8th…but 3/8ths…that’s really really really off! They’re supposed to be 12.5” squares, and it is definitely 11 7/8” square. Well, one day I’ll pull it apart, but today is not that day. I can already tell how much my piecing has improved just over 3 months.

My latest quilt top finish was a fun little “just cause” gift from my mom. I got it about 2 1/2 weeks ago, when she was picking up my kiddos…and I think I started it like a day or two later. It uses the Nature’s Chorus line of fabrics.

I will say that it was definitely not one that I would have jumped at just looking at it alone. However, this chart paired it with some dark Moda Marbles, and boy does it work well! The shop that my mom visited in Estes Park had this as a model, and my mom bought the stuff to make it exactly as the model/chart prescribed! It finishes out to 45x45…so it will be a nice small lap size or crib size quilt. I might even turn it into a wall hanging for my house…the colors are so nice! (This pic is a bit overexposed, so the colors are a tad richer and deeper than this shows).

Second update: Boys first day of school.

My boys go to a preschool program that didn’t start until yesterday. The way that my husband’s and my schedules work out, he takes them to school and I pick up in the afternoon. So, naturally, I laid out their clothes for the first day, had everything packed and ready to go so that he didn’t even have to think. The one thing I forgot to remind him was to take the first day of school picture! So, when I set out to load my pics today of my quilt updates, I was very surprised to see these on the camera:

I. LOVE. that he took the time to take these…and that it was a sweet surprise that I got on my camera today!

Ha! Had to throw that one in too! Love ya babe!

Question...and a good link for a giveaway

2009-09-08T10:47:00.002-05:00

Question first...

I have the chart for Cosima by Monasterium Designs...and unfortunately, I know that I will probably never complete this chart. I love it...but...you know... It is a VERY limited edition chart. Only 250 were printed and they are all signed by the designer. If anyone out there is interested in purchasing this chart, please contact me by email, or leave a comment on this post.

Also, check out this AWESOME giveaway from FQS. I'm definitely a Figgy Groupie...so the fact that I'm sharing this with you shocks even me! JK...go check it out!
http://www.fatquartershop.com/Fig-Tree-Quilts-Fabric-Moda-Fabrics.asp

another great contest

2009-09-02T20:13:00.001-05:00

FQS is having another great contest…for a $100 gift cert…

http://www.fatquartershop.com/Civil-War-Tribute-Judie-Rothermel-Marcus-Brothers-Fabric.asp

This BOM I could DEFINITELY get into…very very pretty!

So, head on over and compete against me for that money!