Bags, Bags and more Bags

I found some new bag patterns.....

The first bag is a hobo sling bag pattern that I found in a magazine. I love the simplicity of the pattern and how it whips up in no time. The second bag is a pattern by Kati Cupcake Pattern Co. called the Journey bag. This one is definately a keeper. The pattern has 2 sizes and both are easy to make. This one takes a little more time than the sling bag but is definately worth the time. I have more already cut and ready to sew....

My baby is still at the fix-it shop...

My sewing machine finally gave out on me. I sew every day for at least an hour so she gets used a lot.... She has been having issues for a while but I kept putting it off because I had deadlines to make. Well she finally stopped and gave me the hint that she can't take anymore. She siezed up and I took her to the Dr.


And since I can't be without a machine for too long. I bought a new one to piece on. That will be another post for another day....

Some spring finishes...

Time flies when you are having fun. Spring has not shown its true self for sometime here in California and to be honest I am getting a little frustrated with it. I want cool mornings with sunshine. I want to wear shorts and flip-flops. I want to eat BBQ and fresh veggies from the garden. Instead its raining, day after day after day. On the positive side... I have not had to water my lawn or garden in weeks.

This baby quilt was sent to my Cousin Olivia in Wisconsin. She just had a baby girl named Nora. I love the look of this little Irish chain quilt. I used all pink scraps and a dark brown polka dot inner border. I backed it with some vintage pink fabric my grandmother gave me a few weeks ago. Feels good to have it done and in use already.

On the fence...

To buy EQ7 or not to buy EQ7 that is the question.

For those of you who have EQ7 (or 5-6) what is one thing that you can think of that would help sway me to purchase it. What is that one function you have found you can't live without?

For those of you who do not have EQ7, what has stopped you from purchasing it?

I design quilts by sketching them out on graph paper but have found the process a little time consuming if I want/need to change anything about the design. Which happens a lot! My designs are constantly changing or evolving. I'm an accountant by trade so the math is not a big deal to me; however, it would be nice to have it done for me for a change. ;)

Check out the fabulous Doll Quilt that was sent to me this week...

Lexis from Washington DC sent this blue beauty to me along with some thread, a yoyo maker, a fat quarter and an Odyssea charm pack!

Keeping it Real.

Just keeping it real.... Notice the stacks of projects I have to move if I want to press. This is how it looks right now in my master bedroom. Yes that's correct, I sew in my bedroom even though I have a sewing room next door. Right now I can not even walk into that room. (hanging head in shame) My dear husband has given me until May 10th to get it together and back into the sewing room. I'm not sure I have the drive to get it done.

I have been really busy with work and in my spare time, I'm trying desperately to finish this quilt. It is for a friend who recently got married. I won't see her again until June so by then it has to be done. I wasn't so sure about it but it is growing on me. I love the scrappiness of it and how the vintage fabrics actually play nice with the modern fabrics. I'm thinking another one will be on the list of charity quilts to make using any and all scrap fabrics. I can't wait to free motion big flowers in the white blocks. Now I just wish there was enough time in the day to get it all done....

Storm damage

Storm damage
Originally uploaded by melodylynn128

While I have been on a short (okay long) break from blogging.... We have been having fun cleaning up after the storms that hit Northern California this last week. This tree basically missed the backyard fence and only damaged the top of one board. We were soooo lucky. Our house however was not so lucky. The roof was leaking. Really leaking. I have contractors working on the stituation right now. I will post about that tomorrow.

Oh and yes I have been sewing. Maybe this weekend I can catch up blogging on those projects.

Funny Farm Part 3

Finally its Sunday and the weekend is almost over. My Brother, Jared and Sister-in-Law, Betsey, come to help me feed the cows in the pasture. This is the feed truck stuck in the mud. My Brother was driving not me! Betsey was not amused.

Jared walks back to the yard and starts up the backhoe. We load the last bale intended for the bull field and use the backhoe to feed.

Here is Jared hooking up the tow strap to tow the feed truck back to the barn. We got so much rain Saturday night that parts of the pasture were like soup. You can't really see it but it is raining, more like a drizzle, the whole time we are trying to feed. Not much fun...

So after this we decided to head back into town and Jared cooked us girls waffles for breakfast! Thanks Stu! (Stu is his nickname)

I have many more photos but these were the highlights of the weekend. Let's just say that I was glad that my Parents made it back Monday afternoon with their new addition "Hank" and nothing died. :)