Vacation Time!

We been on vacation this week and it was just what the doctor ordered! 

Who knows, maybe this blog thing might happen again. Lol

It's been awhile and a lot has changed. Kiddos are almost all grown, we have two grandbabies and have hit the half century mark. Life is the best it's ever been. 

I have also added another job to my list... fitness instructor. Ha! Who would have ever imagined, certainly not me! When I am away from the gym and need a workout, the following link is what I do. I found it during the lockdown and have been using anytime I can't get to the gym or to a class. Maybe it will help you, too. :) Here is the Link

See you soon!

~ jan

Sunday Afternoon Napkins

I do a lot of custom work. Someone needs something they can't find on the shelf, so they come to me to see what can be done. Sometimes it's a big project, sometimes it's something small. Today I finished up a order for napkins. Only six, but they are very nice on some outstanding fabric.

I cut these at 19 inches square and mitered the corners. Took 3 hours start to finish, and, while I am very precise, I am not slow... So, I would only recommend this technique if you are short on fabric and long on time! Thinking tomorrow I may make some for myself. The process will definitely be different, because I am up to my ears in work and have no shortage of fabric(might be an understatement, ha!).

Let's See if This Works

Hello. I am trying to connect my phone to this blog. It's a pain in the rear....

This Little Pig Went to Market

Home, I'm home, but it's a little bittersweet. The 2012 International Quilt Market was more than I ever imagined, and tho I did miss the kiddos a wee bit, I think I could have stayed!

Arriving in Kansas City on Wednesday, I went straight away to the airport to pickup the wonderfully talented Scott Hansen of Blue Nickel Studios! It's a good thing, too, because I kinda sorta had his clothes with me! But that's another story. ;)

From there we went to the convention center...

And picked up my credentials!! Eeeeeekkkk!!!

After the booth was set up, and we were leaving the convention hall, my mouth was dry. It was then I realized I was walking with my jaw gaping open. :-/ I was told I wasn't the first for that to happen to. ;)

Exhausted I was by this time, so headed over to the hotel to await the arrival of my roomie, the lovely Kristi McDonough, the very talented Shari Butler and her sweet hubster Dan. I can say it was love at first sight! Here we are, two weary travelers(hint: we look much better in the morning) just moments after meeting.

Stay tuned...I'll talk about Thursday tomorrow. And Scott's shirts...does anyone want to know about those? Maybe I'll write about that process, but only if you're interested. ;)

Love to you!!!

Workin' On It

Workin' on what?? Working on it all!!

Just in case you need to know, you can now type in SewSowinLove.com and get to this blog. Yeah, I know, I'm the only one who's really impressed by that. Lol And, yes, I had thought I'd use WordPress, but, after an entire week of wrestling with it myself, I gave up and called in MissTiff of Another Pie In the Sky(see her cute button over on the right). ;) She came in on her white horse to "Save the Day!!"

Working on a diaper bag out of this...


And it was a good mail day around here, I've had several of those lately, but you are gonna have to wait until after Market to see what that's all about. I can tell you this...the goods are fab, but the reading is DRY! I love algebra, but geometry, well, I am a quilter, so I do love geometry, let's just say it's not my strong suit. O.o there's a little hint. ;)

Love you all!!!! xoxoxo

What Do You Do?

So last night, I was admiring a designers work, and sent a quick note, just to say, "Well done!" They were so kind to respond(no response was needed, just being nice, I'm sure). In their email they asked, "What is it you do 'for a living'(had to put that in quotes, cause it's SO funny!)?". I'm connected to this person via LinkedIn, so they can see my profile, and now that I think about it, I guess my descriptions are pretty vague. "I make things special," just doesn't seem to cut it. Lol

Here's a "for instance." I sent this set to a charity auction in New York.



One of my very special Likers on FB saw it and wondered what I could do to make her little one something. Here's a pic "in process."



I know...no pic of it finished. Out the door too darn quick.

I make things unique. Just like their owners. Now how do I say that in 30 seconds? I've got 49 days to figure it out. ;)

Love to you All!!!!
xoxoxo

Smile

Sometimes grownups feel like children. Sometimes you wish fairytales were real. Sometimes things seem too hard. But we know God is good and always in control. And so.... We smile.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu-rLA4POkI&feature=youtube_gdata_player


Much love to you all. xoxo

Hey! Hey!

Yep. I know I'm always saying I'm going to do better. But life happens.

Here's a peek at what I've been working on....




The difference is in the details. :)



Another bag...


How about a few ornaments?





















Let's see... How about another bag? Just a tote with a few details. :)














Yes. SewSowinLove has been very busy!

More later. xoxo

Happy Sunday!

Happy Sunday, everybody!! Did you get your nap? I did!! Woot! Nothing better than a Sunday afternoon nap! ;)

Woke up ready to work! Made a couple of scarves.


Then worked on mom shirts...whew...they are wearing me OUT! But I love it and am soooooo grateful! xoxo

Now I'm working on a new project that I'm super excited about! Taking these...


Cutting them up and throwing in a little funk...



Can't wait to show you what it's going to be!! Gonna have to hurry! Must be done by Thursday. Yikes!!

Guess what? Tomorrow's Monday! Who's excited?? I know, I'm crazy, but I LOVE Mondays!! Why?? I'm not sure, maybe the promise of a new week? Who knows... ;-)

Catch ya later! xoxo

Ok, ok....

So was chatting with a friend this evening, and she ever so gently reminded me of how well I keep up with my blog. Yeah, I'm talkin' about you, Christine. ;)

Every month I say, "I am going to do a solid month...Lol...and....it never happens. Haha. Obviously.

Hey! I'm a busy girl. Do I still get to call myself "girl"? ;)

So here's what's going on. This week...

Had the pleasure of helping with the 2yos at Bible study. After two hours, I was thinking, "Somebody pass the Xanax." Who knew attending Bible study could lead to drug use? ;)


My DD, BonnieLove was born 14 years ago. Here she is the day she was born. Her AuntK taking care of her while her tired momma ate some lunch and rested just a bit. Yes. She was about an hour old here. Beautiful then, and you should see her now.


Wanna see? Here she is. Can't believe I gave birth to this lovely creation. What a blessing.


And she is just as beautiful on the inside. :)

Working on a new project. Very excited. Can't wait to share when it's completed!


Yep! Fatigues! Curious?? ;)

We hit a new high on the FB fan page! Had a contest and got a winner!!


Woot!! 202 fans!!!

Seems like I'm missing something... But it'll have to wait. I'm off to bed.

Night, All! xoxo

Uberfest Block 12

So, here we are, October 12, and I have not been the the best blogger... but I've been here in spirit! I'm super excited to share my little piece of Uberfest with you.  Calling my block Autumn Sun, as it is inspired by cool crisp autumn days, when the sun shines brightly(cause ya know, I'm a sunshine kinda girl). Scott sent me these four fab pieces of fabric, from Nel Whatmore's Sleeping Beauty line, you can read all about it here. The rules said I could add in one fabric of my own(it's from my stash, no clue as to where it came from ;)  ) I chose a cheddar, or gold, if you will, so here they are:






Instructions were to include either half square triangles or log cabin.  Of course, I went to work trying to incorporate both.  My first attemp at rough sketching was horrible!  ...no fancy software here. ;0)
And one night on my way to bed it hit me. Thank goodness I keep notebooks everywhere!  This is what I came up with:







And colored it in with the kiddos crayons:







Really just a log cabing with the inside strips made up of half square triangles.  I could tell you how to do these but Miss.Print has done a wonderful job expaining it here.

After you make your squares, layout your block.




 See? It's really just a simple log cabin. No rocket science here. Lol!  After you have all your strips made it's time to sew it all up!



 Round one.



 Round two, and all done. :)



Lights not so great in my sewing room(yeah, I know), so here's another taken downstairs.  Yes, Kandis if you're reading this, I know I need a "real" camera!  My phone STILL is not cutting it! :-/

The PDF is available for download here. 

You can find tomorrow's block by Erin Singleton of Two More Seconds  just by clicking her name, but you'll have to wait... ;-)

Oh, My Word!

Holy Moly!! It's been a while!  Not going to apologize but how about we play a little catch-up? ;-)  Real quick like, ya know. :-)

Since you've last heard from me, I've....

Sewn a forest of trees...





Done some of my best work yet, IMHO, on a friends pillow for her bed.  Yes, I did cut those birds and branches out, each one is a solid piece.  Yeah....kinda proud of that one.




Went and had a wonderful visit with the Divine Miss Em(and her sweet momma, too)!  Isn't she lovely?  Love her so!!




Have done a load of team wear!!!  Keep it comin', it's my bread and butter, no lie!



Opened a little Etsy shop...made one sale, and sewed these scarves...that have yet to be listed. :-/  But, hey, they were fun to make, and I can always give them as gifts! ;-)




*ahem* bought a little fabric...just a little...




Made a bonnet...for that Etsy sell. ;-)  What American girl, at sometime doesn't want to BE Laura?



My baby turned 7.



To celebrate, we took the monkeys to the zoo. Haha...yes, I know I'm funny. Lol....at least give me credit for trying!




While the kiddos were admiring the animals, their mom was drooling over the flora... Found a fav..Confetti Lantana! Why do I NOT have this in my yard???




My friend Chrissey and I fell in love with a little girl named Grace...Repeating to myself..."J, you are too old to start over, besides, you just got your life back!" AND.....repeat





And finally, at midnight, this blog will post my Uberfest post!  I know, I've been horrible and I feel the guilt, but it's done!! I've designed an original(at least to me)block, learned how to do a PDF, upload it and link!  I thought I was signing up to do just a regular quilt-a-long...hahahah....nope...WAY out of my league for sure, but I love a challenge and learning new things! Here is my starting 4 1/2 inch square...




As you can see it's been a full 5 weeks, and, as always, no promises, but.... I will try to do better. ;-) xoxo