No Real News...

Nothing of major substance seems to be of good topic for a post...but I thought I'd write a post anyway :)

Yesterday was rather productive...I finally just got to it and made a cover for the stool I recently started using at my sewing machine.

My grandma acquired this stool when she (and my grandpa) bought their last house in the mid-90's. When my grandma moved from that house in 2008, she stayed with us for a little while...and I got the stool. I have always liked this stool even with it always looking like this...

For a few years, we kept it in the kitchen and used it there... I always meant to make a black and red cover for it to match the kitchen, but never did. More recently it has been just sitting in the hall, not being used.

About a week or two ago I decide to try it at my sewing machine...my other chair was seeming really low. I like the height [for now :) ]...it makes for moving from the machine to the table and ironing board easier.

So yesterday, I looked at the stool, and decided it REALLY needed a cover. I went to my scrap drawer and pulled out a rather large piece of mid-weight denim...left from a pair of culottes Grandma Aabye, a dear lady at church, made for Liz. I figured that it would be a good weight to put up with the wear & tear it would get from my up & down on it.

After about a hour...voila!

The loooong awaited stool cover!

Then after that, I finished up the favors for the church Valentine's Banquet [unless more that two more couples sign up to attend :)]

Also, I'm looking into trying to advertise for my Etsy shop, anyone have any suggestions? Things you've found that have worked for your shop? Are the Etsy Search Ads the best way to go? Thanks for the input!

I may link this up with a few mid-week parties :)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,

and cometh down from the Father of lights,

with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

James 1:17

God gives us many blessing. Also, He will never change His mind from what He is. That right there is alot to be thankful for!

Amanda

New Bible Case...

A new Bible case for my new Bible is completed! Yeah! The new Bible came the day after my birthday, but last weekend was a little busy, so I wasn't able to get started on the case till this week...so glad to get it done for this Sunday! And I'm able to finish it today for Finish it up Friday with Amanda Jean at crazy mom quilts.

My first dilemma was what design to make on the outside...I finally chose the Carpenter Wheel (Star) block. I also decided on a tan, pink, red combination of materials.

When I was first squaring my HST, I miss judged and one of them was a little off, but I used it anyway...but without realizing it - it ended up rather noticeable in the top left diamond.

Here is the flap side of the case...

Chad helped me decide on where to put the extra strip of material and how to quilt the block...love how it turned out!

Here is the inside. Above the pocket for my Bible and notebook is a small pocket for colored pencils to highlight with...

This is a picture of the entire back/outside...

I just noticed another piecing mishap in this picture, the far left diamond is off. Must not be as distracting in person!

I do love the materials!

Linking this up to the fun weekend parties...

But the word of the Lord endureth for ever.

And this is the word which by the gospel

is preached unto you.

1 Peter 1:25

God's Words, the Bible, will always endure...no matter how people do try to get rid of it. We learn and are taught by His Words...we should keep them protected and fight to preserve them.

Keeping His Words...

Amanda

A WIP Report...

Hard to believe that for the first 25 days of the year I was able to keep up on a blog post a day...I guess, I've just kind of taken a short break :) but to get back to 'normal', here is this weeks Work In Progress Wednesday... with Lee from Freshly Pieced...post.

New Project...
New Bible Case. This is just one-half of the Carpenter Wheel block that I'm using as the main section of my Bible Case. The HST are sewn together, but they still need to be sewn into rows.

I also need to make the HST for the other half of the block. At first, I was going to just use it like this...as half a block - but I'm really, really liking the color flow and combination...so I'm going to make a whole block and go from there.

I love this block...probably why I like the Swoon block so well too! However, I'm not sure on the best way to quilt this block, any suggestions?

By Friday, I'd like to be finishing up the Bible case and starting work on the favors for our church's Valentine's banquet...making cute little 'pockets' I saw on Carlee's blog, Ladybird Ln. Using pink, brown, and tan materials (alot like the colors in the Bible case) to make them Valentine's like, but not SO Valentine's that they are only usable once a year.

Also, I was able to get the skirts finished...showed them on last Thursday's post.

Weekly wrap up...

New Projects: 2 [Bible Case, Valentine favors]
Completed Projects: 1 ['the three skirts']
Continuing Projects: 5 [Bible Case, Valentine favors, Liz's Sashed Postage Stamp Quilt, the Table Topper, and 'the lost' Quiet book]

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily,

as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Colossians 3:23

Amanda



Giveaway Winner...

Well, today I get to announce the winner of my first giveaway...and I meant to get this done sooner. Oh, well...you don't really mind, do you? :)

I made a list of everyone's name from the comments left here on the blog and those that 'liked' and commented on the Facebook page...as close to the order that they came in as possible. It came to 32 entries and I used a number picker...

This program will generate a random number between two numbers of your choice.

Enter a lower limit:
Enter an upper limit:
Random Number:

---

So our winner is...  Kimberly R.

She left a nice comment and became a new follower of the blog...Thanks and Congratulations! Sending out an email to get your mailing info!

Thank you to everyone who entered! Hopefully I'll be able to host a few more giveaways :)

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Genesis 1:1

The Bible never tries to convince us of the existence of God...we just know He was the Creator and has a plan for us.

Amanda

Matching Skirts...

They're finally made! These girly skirts were suppose to be one the girls' Christmas presents, but alas...they didn't make the 'cut'!

But, what was still mostly a pile of material yesterday...

and originally only meant for two skirts for the girls, became skirts for all three girls :)

I'm really excited to have these done. I was afraid it would be one of those projects that I would just keep pushing aside and never do. Now, the three girls, as Liz likes to call us...{especially if we are going some where, I'll get "...just us three girls?", when Chad isn't home} have matching skirts for church on Sunday.

Adding this great accomplishment to the great weekend linky parties on the right side bar...along with the wonderful Finish it up Friday party hosted by Amanda Jean from crazymomquilts...just love that party!

Also, don't forget to checkout my giveaway...it's not over till Monday :)

Another side note...for those that want to help me out :)
If you go to this link...it is to one of my LQS's Facebook page... and 'like' my photo of the three skirts, I could get a $25 gift certificate if I get the most 'likes' on my picture! Thanks...I'd love to go shopping there! [This is the quilt shop where I purchased my sewing machine...and get it serviced :)]

And Jesus said unto them,

Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you,

If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed,

ye shall say unto this mountain,

Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove;

and NOTHING shall be IMPOSSIBLE unto YOU.

Matthew 17:20

How much are we missing out on just because we don't have 'enough' faith?

Have a wonderful weekend!

Amanda



Day 25 - Working Wednesday...

Let's Celebrate! Today is the last day of The First 25 Days of 2012...so today is also my Birthday! It's my 32nd and it's been an interesting year... last year on my birthday I made my first comment on a blog (to the talented ladies at Sweetwater) to enter a giveaway. Less than two months later, March 17, 2011, I started blogging!

Before we get into more celebratory activities, I'm going to show you my WIP. Lee at freshly pieced is graciously hosting the weekly WIP Wednesday, so here's my new project...

Skirts for the girls (and me)...

I have the girls' cut out, just need to put them together...mine needs cut out still (it will take a little more work than the girls'. They're from flannel I got on sale on Black Friday...and were to be for Christmas. Oh well, better late than never :)

** UPDATE: I was able to get Amber's skirt sewn together today...very cute! Working on Liz's and mine tomorrow.

I also did a little...very little...work on Liz's quilt. Ok, so I didn't actually touch the quilt, but I was trying to make my template for the flower...

It's to go on each of the pieced postage stamp blocks. My first attempt to start cutting it out wasn't working, so I think I'm going to thicken the lines and reprint...try again. I really would like to have her Christmas quilt done by her birthday...in March :)

So, this weeks work progress...

New Projects: 1 [skirts]
Completed Projects: a bunch of little ones covered in other posts

Continuing Projects: 4 [Skirts, Liz's Sashed Postage Stamp Quilt, the Table Topper, and 'the lost' Quiet book]

I also hope to get back to the Quiet book for Liz, but we'll see, because the Curves Class starts a week from today...I can't wait!

Ok...so lets CELEBRATE some more! My first blog comment was to enter a giveaway...and I've entered quite a few more over the past year, and have yet to win one! However, I have not yet had my own giveaway...so without further ado, I'm hosting my FIRST giveaway!

Here is what you could win...



A New Wave mug rug/potholder, a matching Mini Clutch, and a collection of fabrics that range in size from fat 16th's to fat 8th's.

Now to the logistics of a giveaway...

Anyone may enter!

First chance to enter is to just leave a comment on this post or on my Facebook page (under the status regarding this giveaway).

You can have a second entry if you comment and let me know that you are a follower here on the blog or comment on the Facebook page that you 'liked' the page [new followers are welcomed :)]

The commenting will be open till sometime Monday morning.

Can't wait to hear from you!

For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Luke 1:37

Amanda

Day 24 - Tasty Tuesday...

On this last Tasty Tuesday for The First 25 Days of 2012 I'm going to share an easy recipe that is greatly enjoyed around here. This is one of the easiest dinners for me to make - Easy Stromboli!

Easy Stromboli

1 loaf frozen bread dough
4 oz block of Mozzarella cheese
pepperoni
1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese

Around lunch time I get the loaf of dough out of the freezer. I don't follow the package directions exactly...so here's how I do it. I place the loaf on a cookie sheet lined and sprayed with cooking spray, then cover it with a piece of plastic wrap (also sprayed). I preheat my oven to it's lowest temperature (170 degrees) and turn off the oven, then place the loaf in the oven.

At dinner time I preheat the oven to 375 and stretch the thawed loaf out on the cookie sheet, alot like making a pizza crust. Once stretched, I layer my filling...which can be anything that you like on pizza...

I start be slicing the block of Mozzarella cheese, laying it down the center of the dough. Then top with as much pepperoni as preferred. On top of the pepperoni, sprinkle the cup of shredded Mozzarella. Fold the sides in, over the top of the filling. Pinch down the outside seam. Spray top with cooking spray and sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Bake in the 375 degree oven for 20 minutes. Cool Stromboli for about 5 minutes. Cut and enjoy! Great with sauce for dipping, too.

See the linky parties I typically join in on the right sidebar.

Be sure to come back tomorrow for the LAST day of The First 25 Days of 2012...my birthday, remember :) So we can celebrate and have my first GIVEAWAY!

The LORD is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped:

therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth;

with my song will I praise Him.

Psalm 28:7

Amanda