Wonderful Swap

I participated in 4th of July Mug Rug Swap over at Flickr... and OH MY GOSH!  What a wonderful package I received in the mail today from my partner Whitney!!  I LOVE it ALL!!!!

I love the Mug Rug!  The stripes in the star are wonderful and the Hand stitching that she did is amazing!  I am not a very good hand stitcher yet...I am trying..but nothing worth showing yet.   I love the little camper coaster!  It's freaking ADORABLE!!  I am sure it will be an envy on my next camping trip! 

Mr Fantastic and I split the Cherry Mash and he fell in love with it.  He has already looked online to see where we can get some more...Low and behold we found it in Leavenworth.  A city we go camping to every August with some family & friends.  So it's on our MUST shopping list.  *giggle*  otherwise Whitney will be getting a special request to mail us some from Missouri.  *wink*

Well it's getting late and I have to get up early...but I had to share a great gift I received in the mail today with you all.  Hope everyone is doing okay.

 I sent off my Wee Bee Learning catch up block today for the bee I am helping out in.  This is Teresa's Block from May.. It's called Antique Tile.

Can't wait to hear about what you all have been working on!   

TGIFF - Mug Rug Finish

Well It's another Friday!   WOW The week flew by!   I have only the front of my First Mug Rug Swap to share with you today!  It's a Flickr Group Swap and 4th of July was the Theme.  I was excited to make Wonky Stars for one of my other swaps and couldn't resist making one more for this swap.  I incorporated some Wonky stripes to go along with it. ;)

My Partner was so sweet.  She received my package earlier this week, but had yet to mail mine so she took lots of self control and wrote to tell me that she wasn't going to open hers until mine was in the mail.  :)  She posted this morning that it's on its way.   I had lots of fun making her mug rug and can't wait to see what she has created for me.     The fabrics I found in my stash reminded me of BBQ's and picnics.. and since they were RW&B I couldn't resist using them.  Some of you may recognize them from the coin quilt in my header up above.  I really enjoyed those fabrics. :)

Here is the Front...

Wonky Star & Stripes Mug Rug Swap

I also added a Scissor charm for her little snips.  I am constantly misplacing mine, since I made a few of these charms...I can see them easier in my room.  :)

Linking up to TGIFF.  Hope you check out all the other great finishes this week over at Pretty Bobbins

Catching up.

Well tonight I have spent so much time on the computer... I had to write about it.  Since we've been so busy in the backyard... I've missed out on QUITE a few ONLINE sewing activities..and keeping up with all my Blog Buddies!  I've missed so many of you and am trying to catch up... I hope to get back to a regular schedule here soon...Seems like life just happens and before you know it...It's the End of JUNE... Speaking of JUNE... it flew by and I don't remember May at all!  WOW.   I have thought of you guys often, but then I sit down and fall instantly to sleep.... due to being so very busy.  *wink*.

Our Backyard is becoming a wonderful relaxing zone...even though tonight would probably be the first night that I have sat down and relaxed.. Mr Fantastic was happy to see me just sit for a minute..*wink*.  I am like a hyper dog pacing to get one last section underway...*giggle*...That section behind the deck and next to our neighbors fence..where we laid down lots of Landscape Fabric...we've decided to make it into a Raised Flower bed garden area.  I am currently working on some Flower beds and making them out of the left over Lumber that we had from the deck.  Excited to see how this is all going to turn out.  I don't have any pictures to share just yet, but I will as soon as I get them uploaded to the computer.   

Off to bed I go.. just thought I would say HI and tell you all that I am still around.. I am working on a few projects here and there..hope to share those with you soon.   

Lots of Quilty Love,

Christine

Swaps, Blocks, and Grass

Yep, You read that correctly... I have been working on Swaps, Blocks and we laid down Sod in the back yard this Sunday and now WE have Grass...Whooo HOOO... The Backyard adventure is coming along nicely... I see relaxation in the near future. *giggle*

Here we go..

I am in two swaps...

 I figured out what I am going to make for my secret partner in a Modern Quilt Swap on Flickr...so I am excited to get started on her SECRET Surprise....Something for the Sewing Room is on the agenda for the Swap this time.

The Second swap I am participating in is with Scrappy Mug Rug Swap on Flickr... I LOVED IT!   I was able to sign up for the 4th of July Swap and sew.whitney is my partner. *wink*   I can only show you a tidbit as this is going in the mail to her tomorrow...  So..Here's the Backing...and a sneak peak of the front...

I didn't use the flags on the front, but I couldn't resist using some on the back..
I included a fun little fat quarter of this in her package as well :)  *giggle*  I love swaps!!

A little Patriotic Bling to the Front

Hopefully I can show you pictures of the front by Friday.. *wink*  I am sending this off to her first thing tomorrow, so Mr Postman work quickly... Anticipation of the big reveal is worse than Christmas for me.

Now onto Blocks... 

Wee Bee Learning Group 1... I am happy to report that I got Lisa's June Block completed and it's packaged to mail.   I have one more block to finish for our May Host and that should do it.  Fabrics are picked out and a couple are cut so I should have that finished hopefully by tomorrow night and Mailing on Tuesday....  

Here's Lisa's block...She asked for Primary colors for a quilt she is making her little Boy...

 I was assigned BLUE...and I couldn't resist adding a bit of Thomas to the blocks..  

All of my nephews loved Thomas when they were little. 

Now... For the Backyard Adventure... It's coming to a relaxing spot and we've decided 

to hold off on the stage 2 part of the deck... (I think we want to forget about how much work it was before we tackle it again..haha)

Here's a pix of how it looked in April....

Here's how it looked tonight....

LOVE IT so nice and relaxing back here now :)   We can't believe that we did it in just a month and half.  

All the sweat equity is paying off!!!

Originally this back section we were going to make a second level of the deck..but we've decided to hold off and see if there is something else we want to do..We know we want to replace the fence and I've laid down landscape fabric to prevent the weeds from coming up. We are thinking about making Raised Flower Beds until we decide how we want to really finish off this section... I am sure all will change when we finally build the new Garage  (hopefully Next Spring, with the tax return)  

Here's another picture of the GRASS!!!  Jasmine LOVES it!  She was laying on it and running around like a crazy dog already today!   So happy to have a grassy spot for her to relax and play in instead of just dirt and gravel *wink*

Next weekend we may stain the Fence and the Deck... going to hope for NO RAIN!

I am looking forward to future BBQ's and fun in the summer evenings in the backyard.  Mr Fantastic and I have pushed each other to finish and Now we are looking forward to relaxing in our New Backyard. Yes...There's always something to work on..and we've still got a list...but we can take some time to enjoy the progress now...

Thanks for stopping by!  I look forward to hearing about what you worked on this weekend!!

TGIFF - Bees, Owls, & Pins

Well I have to tell you guys that I am Lovin' Flickr.  If you are on Flickr...look me up.. Jeepgirl300 is my user name.. *giggle*  I was checking out all kinds of photos from other users and I ran across these Super Cool Owl Pincushions!   I began the quest to find the instructions.....and I got lucky enough to be directed to the tutorial.   

I am sure that many of the seasoned bloggers have seen theses guys before... I found the tutorial posted back in 2010... But for those of us NEW to the internet and all the wonderful blogs out there.  I can't resist sharing.  What a fun project.  I made these two little guys in an afternoon.
The directions are available at DIY Dish.com... >>>  Click HERE for Link to instructions.  

 I have a friend at work that LOVES Owls.. and she also does a little sewing too... Sew I am going to surprise her with one of these little guys.  Aren't they TOO cute!!  One for her..one for me.. *GIGGLE*

I've also been working on Bee Blocks... I will have pictures for you on Monday or Tuesday...  I am helping out on one of them where a person disappeared.  It's so unfortunate when that happens.  I can only hope that the person is okay and that Life just Happened to get in the way *frown*  BUT LUCKY for me...*big GRIN* I get to make some different FUN blocks for a great group of Ladies...and in December they'll be making some blocks for ME   Yippee!!  So I'll be busy this weekend doing some catch up.     

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.. Thanks for stopping by...Happy FRIDAY!  

Linking up at TGIFF...over at Brasier House to check out the other great projects people have been working on.

June Yester -Year Challenge

First want to say... Thanks for stopping by and if you Link Up a Yester Year project that's Awesome!!!  I am sorry that I don't have very much in the sewing category to share... I didn't get a chance to work on any of my Yester-Year projects and was only able to work on Bee blocks that I had due and I lost track of time with those... But I am NOT going to be late in JUNE... Here is my June Wee Bee Learning Block... :)   I did it right away, so the month wouldn't sneak away on me.    I promise to be more pro-active with my Yester - Year Sewing project this Month and will have something More Quilty to share next month...  Please share with us what Yester -Year (or Not) project that you've been working on..*wink*.  I'd love to see the inspiration!!

For Nita!!  1930's Replica Churn Dash Square...Mail Yesterday :)

SO....What have I been working on all month....... and in a weird way..my backyard could be a Yester-Year project since we've lived in our house for over 10 years and haven't done anything until now to get the backyard to a more finished stage...*wink*

It's been a long long 4 weeks... I can't believe how much we have accomplished in such a short amount of time.   My Mr. Fantastic and I have diligently worked on our backyard in between and during Rain Showers, Prior Commitments, and a few medical mishaps (No Worries....all is okay).

Real quick... to catch some of you up...my last update was when we were spreading out the top soil and getting ready to grass a section of the backyard...

WELL... we STILL have just top soil... but it's a good thing, because it would have been ruined with all the deck lumber that was delivered on May 12th & 15th...

Mr Fantastic spoke up and said he wanted to get the deck in before we got too far into the backyard design...SO...We went straight into Deck Building Mode...and haven't taken a break since... I am pleased to announce that the Deck is at a presentable stage to show you images... WE are definitely NOT carpenters, as Mr Fantastic said "this is definitely bigger than the Napkin Holder, I made in High School".  *giggle*  It has been a learning experience for us both... we've learned what to do right and wrong... *wink*

We are not completely finished...we still have finishing work to do and couple sets of steps to make... One going up to the "Future" Rebuilt Garage and another to easily access back edge of the house    Then we'll have to clean and stain the deck as well.... Everything we have read about says that you should wait a few weeks to a month before staining...so we have will just enjoy the deck for now...

Here is the Before on May 7th 2012....

I laid down that landscape fabric to keep the mud out of the house thinking we had some time before the deck was going in. Notice how you step out onto the porch..then have another step to the (would be) grass..then step up again on (temp steps) to garage... Uggh.. for years it's been this way.. :)

I reused the Landscape fabric, but placed it in between
 the support rails...SO no weeds will come up thru the deck

 A midway point shot of the progress.....Mr Fantastic finishing up the Last Joist...before laying the decking started..(The decking took the longest due to the RAIN starting and wanting to make sure the boards went in straight....)

Here are (current) Afters..

Before the Railing went up...

We still need steps to the left going up to the garage landing
and a bit of finishing work... but WOW....

Our New Rail...we are going to put the BBQ in this corner...

And here is a most Current After (as of this AM).. 

Yes the Rain is back again... started last night after we finished the Railing... UGGh...

I LOVE IT!  I am super proud of us for managing to create this wonderful addition to our home and outdoor living space!  We still have a bit of finishing work to do...but BOY isn't it GREAT....

Now... Back to the grass...*wink*.... maybe the rain will stick around to help the grass grow quickly...can't believe I just said that....*giggle*

**I took a better picture tonight after work when the sun came out :)  6/5/2012 8pm

Thanks for stopping by and I realize this isn't a quilty post but I had to share *wink*.   I hope you have something to add to our Linky Party  -  Quilty or NOT *wink* for the YESTER - Year Challenge.  The Linky Party will start at 8am PST and be open for a couple days..

My Own FNSI

I did my own FNSI (Friday Night Sew In)... I locked myself in my sewing cave and went to work on blocks that I managed to get behind on.  I can't believe I let MAY just slip away like that.   It has been a busy and hectic month....no need to go into too many details..but life is returning to some normality.. (I hope)   I'll have pictures of the backyard to show you soon... We are SOOOO close to having all the deck boards done on the deck, that Now I just want to wait and show you the finished deck... :)

My May Block in the Wee Bee Learning Flickr Group is for Barbara.  She blogs over at Cat Patches.  Lots of fun stories about her kitties and her quilting.    How ironic that Arnold wouldn't leave me alone when I was working on this block... He must have known it was going to fellow kitty lover :)

Her block was a Bow Tie type of block... She wanted to have a theme to the block....since I loved those fabrics I used in my MSM Swap.. I couldn't resist using a Oval/Circle Theme for her block too!

The next block I finished was for Cherry in our Wonky Bee Group. She blogs over at Cherry Blossoms Studio... Her colors were FUN!!!!   She has a wonderfully Wonky Block of Mod Circles.   I Loved all the Bright colors she sent us to use... I can't wait to see all her blocks together!  It's going to be a wonky circle of fun!

I am off to the DMV to have my Bi-annual emissions test done on my Jeep and then Straight to the post office to get these beauties in the mail to their hosts!   I again am so sorry that I got behind.  I promise it won't happen again!

Happy Sewing... Did you work on any great projects Last night???

TGIFF - Jolly Rancher Bags :)

 I finished this project a couple Friday's ago, but I haven't been online to share it with anyone... Life happens and gets in the way sometimes.   But I wanted to share these fun little bags!  I am calling mine Jolly Rancher bags...as a fellow online friend said they look like Jolly Ranchers without all the Sugar!  hahaha.  Loved it!!!  Happy Friday Everyone!!! 

When I shared these early this week I didn't have the link... but I found it and wanted to share, in case you wanted to make a bag for yourself or friend....   I found this pattern at May Your Bobbin Always Be Full  CLICK HERE for the Tutorial.    It was a very fun and easy pattern to make.  I made this project for my Secret Partner in the Modern She Made Swap.   I hope my partner likes them.  She hasn't received her package yet...

LuAnn, over at May your Bobbin Always Be Full,  instructs you how to make 5, but I didn't need that many, and I wanted a couple different colors... So I just made a strip that was about 10 inches by 18 inches in size... and then followed the rest of her great directions!!!   

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Thanks for stopping by and I hope that you have a chance to check out the great finishes over at TGIFF, hosted at Quokka Quilts.