{My First Quilt}

So,... I finished my first quilt last week and I LOVE it!!!! The squares were pre-cut 4" squares of random floral patterns that I already had around the house. This quilt turned out SUPER small. MAYBE this would be big enough for a baby blanket. I used all the pink, blue and green florals I had, backed it with a CHEAP twin sized ivory sheet and the binding is a pink and white stripe. It turned out very cute and picnic-y! :) I am already on to my second quilt, which unfortunately, I can't blog about since it will be a gift!

The pictures aren't great, but lighting is pretty tricky in my house. I love the patchwork look, and the piecing of the quilt top is not my favorite part, I really liked the accomplishment I felt after I finished the machine quilting part.

{Sugary Sweet}

A little happy birthday treat for my friend and co-worker, Jessica! How cool are the silver William Sonoma sprinkles? These are just made from a strawberry cake mix, I was more interested in playing with my new cookie press filled with icing than the actual baking part. :)

{Craft Hope, Sock Monkey}

I made this little lady this weekend for the most Recent Craft Hope Project! She will be making her way to California very soon to be loved by someone special! Thanks to Julie over at A Cup Of Coffee, My Dog and Me for the super CUTE socks for making this crazy monkey!

{Spent Most Of The Weekend...}

...blogging, reading and surfing on my new MacBook! *swoon*

{The Sewing Project}

Well, it's a work in progress, but this is my first quilt.

It's shaping up nicely. I am about a third of the way done with the free motion quilting, which is a more difficult task than I guess I thought it would be. Several years ago, I intended to make very SIMPLE lap quilts as gifts and never did, but I purchased tons of little 4" squares for the project. I picked out the pink, blue and green ones and laid them out in a random pattern and viola! Sweet floral quilt that I am sure the Mr. is going to LOVE :)

Miss Cecilia showed up for a cameo.

It looks like she approves!

{Craft Hope, PROJECT: Sock Monkey}

I just discovered this blog, Craft Hope, that creates projects intended to spread hope all over the world through the love and care of handmade items. Please read about the previous projects, they will totally bring tears to your eyes, I was sitting here with a box of Kleenex as I read about the soft handmade dollies for orphans in Nicaragua, blankies for babies in India, etc. The current Craft Hope project is handmade Sock Monkeys for young burn victims through the Firefighters Burn Institute in Sacramento, California. Take a read, get others involved, help your kids make sock monkeys for other kids. What a fun, sweet project to be a part of!

{Favs}

Audrey's Keepsake Quilt Pattern by bebebobbin

Sweet by Urban Chicks Half Yards from sewlovefabrics

Carnival Photo Booth Print by girlhula

Red Stripe Bias Tape by ShastaCreations

Jelly Filled Pattern by thimbleblossoms

Vintage Serving Plate from desertnana

Patchwork Laptop Sleeve by TrackandFieldDesigns

Carnival Stripe Pillow by Hettle

Happy Friday!

{Tara Frey's, Blogging For Bliss}

My friend and co-worker came across Tara Frey's, Blogging For Bliss book which was released August 4. She sent me a picture of the book on the Barnes & Noble shelf and added "isn't this the one you want?". I replied with "YES YES YES, WILL YOU PICK IT UP?" And she handed it over this morning! I can't wait to get reading! Thanks for such a cool book Tara!

{New Layout}

So,... it's ALMOST the weekend! Tonight I am headed out to get some thread so I can get started on that mystery project I was telling you about! :) AND I am patiently awaiting the arrival of a couple pairs of super cute shoes that I ordered online.... could have used a great pair of cute patent leather flats TODAY! ;)

I realized today that every time I take a peek at my BLOG, you know, just to make sure everything lays out properly, I feel very "crowded". Not that my little re-vamp isn't busy, but BLOG busy, not decor busy. Anyway, it took me FOREVER to figure out how to make these changes and I want to know what you think. Yay? Nay? What about that picture collage at the top? I can't figure out how to make it smaller, I would like it to be just as wide but maybe not so tall. Anyway, any pointers, secrets and tips would be a great help!

And I leave you with,... a couple of my fav wedding pics! :)

{The CLAIRE Box}

Since I am currently reading The Time Travelers Wife, in preparation to see the film, I have decided to name this box CLAIRE after the wife referred to in the title. (excellent book BTW!)

I asked my husband to go into the deep, dark dungeon that is our basement and retrieve my sewing machine last night. After twenty questions of, "What are you making? How long will this be out? Is this going to make a mess? Do I need to get it now?" He finally got it for me, I set it up and stood there looking at it trying to decide what to make. FIRST things FIRST.... I need to buy some thread!

Keep checking in, my mystery project is bound to make an appearance!

Happy Hump Day! :)

{Cake Pedestal Love}

*SWOON*
I have been drooling over these pretty white cake pedestals ever since I discovered them on the Layla Grayce website! This HAS to be one of the cutest stores I have come across. It's hard not to want one of everything! For now, I will dream of adding these to my Cake Plate Collection. (after I get them, I will dream of sheets and quilts and rugs and....)