A Day With Mr. E

My DIL and Mr. E came over for the day yesterday. She worked on Mr. E's scrapbook and baby book. I worked on taggie blankets and a baby sling for Mr. E. A friend sent a link for making a Maya Wrap. Two weeks ago I found an adorable monster print fabric and knew it would make a cute sling. There is only three seams in the sling and it was finished in no time. Mr. E loved it immediately. He was able to snuggle against mommy while she worked on his scrapbook. When he outgrows the sling, I'll make something out of the fabric.

Here he is sleeping on his daddy underneath one of his new taggie blankets.

And, because we are huge Red Sox fans and last night was the first Red Sox/Yankees game, Mr. E was ready for the game. Unfortunately he fell asleep before the game started. Someday he'll stay awake for the whole game.

Today I am turning the studio into a guest room. My mom is coming for a 10 day visit this week. It will be fun to have her around. She hasn't visited in 2 1/2 years and will love meeting Mr. E.

Happy Stitching!
Sweet P

Mail Goodies

I didn't realize it's been way over a week since I posted. I guess between work and surprise time with Mr. E I've been a little busy.

Last week I received my Spring Swap package from Lynda in Australia. I was Lynda's Secret Santa last Christmas so I guess it was her turn to surprise me. Look at the wonderful clutch bag she made for me, complete with a Giggle button. I love Giggle buttons! She also made me the needle case that so many of the Aussie girls made from their stitching weekend. She didn't know how much I coveted one of those needle cases and now I have one! She also included a small hand painted Russian doll and a Country Threads Patchwork magazine. I already have decided to make a few of the projects in the magazine. Thanks for a wonderful package Lynda!
Recently I won a drawing on Giraffe Dreams. Carol wasn't sure what to send me. I told her I am a born and bred Minnesotan and she could send me Minnesota-filled package and that's what she did. She included a pair of socks, a coffee mug, a pot holder, a Nut Goodies, postcards, a Minnesota map and some fabrics. I plan on making a Minnesota collage using the postcards, map and fabric. The Nut Goodie was a yummy reminder of MN treats. The other items are patiently waiting their turn to get used. Thanks for a great package, Carol!
I haven't had any stitching or sewing time this past week. I'm getting ready for my mom, Mr. E's great grandma, to arrive next week for a 10 day visit. We will be spending Friday and Saturday converting my studio into a guest room. Hopefully with grandma here we can spend time sewing while visiting with Mr. E.

Happy Stitching!
Sweet P

Happy Easter

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter. Ours was a quiet Sunday. We needed a day by ourselves to get over the "having the baby" excitement. It was the first day in nearly a week that we haven't been at the hospital. We spent the day watching the Masters, baseball, eating and relaxing. Oh yeah, there was a ham dinner and laundry involved too.

Do you remember this cross stitch project I started in February?
Well, I've been working on it the last few weeks. This is how far I am on it. The finished work will be about 6 inches tall. I'm amazed looking at the photo how well you can see the contrast between the reds, the browns and the white and gray. I love how it is looking.
Yesterday Mr. E went home. Here he is all bundled up ready to leave the hospital. He is so precious and so handsome already. I can't wait for more cuddle time with him.
DH's travel schedule starts up again tomorrow. He will gone 41 of the next 79 days. He will be in Indianapolis, Washington, DC, London, Dubai, New York, Kohler, WI, Hong Kong, Singapore and Las Vegas (twice). When all of that travel is done we are going on vacation! That's July 1! Whew!

During that time I will start babysitting Mr. E on Tuesdays, my mom will be here for a visit and I will be working on swap projects. Looks like my spring is full!

Until next time, happy stitching!
Sweet P

Welcome Mr. E

It's been a fantastic week around Coffee Time Stitches.

My DIL's water broke on Tuesday morning. On Wednesday night, after being in labor for 37 hours Mr. E made his appearance into the world. He weighed in at 6 pounds, 7.5 ounces and 19 inches long. He has gorgeous brown hair. Mom and dad are ecstatic that he arrived two weeks early and the doctor has pronounced him healthy.

I got my first cuddle time with him on Thursday morning and more time with him last night. Today I will help the new family leave the hospital and get settled into their home.

Of the many photos Mr. E has so graciously posed for since his birth this is my favorite. His thumb is not in his mouth, but it's close!

Welcome to the world Mr. E! We all love you!

Sweet P

Dema Has A Brand New Bag . . . and a Cupcake Winner

I didn't get to spend the day sewing with friends, but I did get to sew. DH painted the stairwell today so I had an excuse to spend the day sewing in my studio.

And what did I make? I made me a diaper bag! Yup, that's right! One for Dema to use when I babysit on Tuesdays. I used a cotton coffee print and embroidered orange and brown bottom weight fabrics. This is the first time I've used elastic on the pockets and plastic canvas in the base. The bag was simple to make. I was joking with DH that I need to make one in sports fabrics for him to use. I'm not sure he's buying that idea.

Here's the back of the bag:

And the front:

And the inside:

You can see I have a few baby items in it already. But I'm missing two important items: diapers and the baby!! Baby will be here soon we're told. DIL's doctor told her there's a good chance she could have the baby this coming week. We'll see!

April is off to a gloomy start. The view from our deck has been like this for four days now! Tomorrow we're supposed to get some sun. I hope so.
And now . . . could I get a drum roll please? I asked DH to pick a number and Codi at deathbydenim is the winner of the Cupcake Contest. There were many great ideas on what to make with the fabric. I wish I had enough cupcake fabric to make one of everything! All of the flavors sound yummy. I'll have to try some of them. Stay tuned, I just might do that.

Happy Stitching!
Sweet P

Drawing Delayed Until Saturday

I have to wait until tomorrow to do the cupcake drawing. I have a couple of family issues to deal with tonight. Watch for the winners on Saturday!

Sweet P

Three Years of Blogging and 400 Posts

I recently passed the 400 post mark and on April 1 I will celebrate three years of blogging. Wow! I've met many wonderful people and have more inspiration projects than I will ever finish.

To celebrate these events I am going to have a give-away for my readers. I have three pieces of cupcake fabric that have been calling out to me to use them and that is what I will do. The winner of the contest will win a Cupcake Prize package full of goodies for making and enjoying cupcakes including something made from these fabrics.
To enter the drawing please leave a comment telling me what your favorite cupcake flavor is and what you would like made with the fabric. Feel free to blog about the contest and receive an additional entry in the drawing.

The drawing will end Friday night, April 3 at 8 PM EST.

Good luck!

Sweet P

Falling Off The Wagon and Sign of Spring

When Lent started I decided to stop spending money at Jo-Ann's. I certainly have enough projects to keep me busy without having to buy anything else.

Up until Thursday I was doing a great job. I had only bought fabric for my swap project (pictured in the previous post). That fabric is already used and I only have a small amount left that will be going into another project.

So what happened on Thursday? One of my tasks this week at work is to reset the floss and cross stitch tool aisle at the store. While looking though the aisle and laying out my work plan I saw this book. Since I've started doing cross stitch again I thought these little designs would come in handy to make little projects. The stitcheries are no larger than 3 inches by 3 inches, if that. Plus I had my 50% coupon to use so I got a great deal on the book.
Yesterday I asked DH to stop at the grocery store to pick up a couple items for me. He came home with my favorite flower and a sure sign of spring - tulips! I put a few of them in the dress vase I bought last summer. Don't they look lovely? Certainly a lot better than the clouds and fog outside my window this morning. At least we're not getting snow and floods, but we will get some rain.

I'm have to work today and tomorrow, but have Monday off. I hope everyone has a great weekend! Happy Quilting!

Sweet P

A Couple of Sneak Peeks

I spent the day in my sewing room working on swap packages.
Here's sneak peek #1.

And sneak peek #2:

I also spent time working on DS #3's quilt. I love having weekdays off when DH is home. I get to have a whole day to play!

Sweet P

Sunday Stash and Sewing for Baby

It's been a few weeks since I've shown stash on Sunday. Yesterday I purchased these fabrics for a swap project. Don't they look yummy together? I can't wait to get started on this project. That will happen later this week.
I didn't get to sew on National Quilting Day yesterday as I had to work all day. This afternoon DIL came over and we worked on baby projects. I completed two of the six remaining taggie blankets. I only have to top stitch the remaining ones and they will be done. These blankets are turning out cute and soft, with a little touch of silky for baby fingers to find.
From the leftover pieces of flannel DIL was able to cut six bibs, a burp cloth and two washcloths. I have a couple of questions though. Is one layer of flannel enough for a bib? Do you have to have two layers? If you only have one layer what is the best way to finish the edges?

Last fall I was in the local Goodwill Store and found a set of four Winnie-The-Pooh curtains for $3. The only problem was the way the curtains were made a curtain rod barely fit through either end. Today I stitched a larger opening and now they can be hung.
I have several swap projects and packages to get finished and sent this week. Then I need to make a few crib sheets. The baby excitement is growing around here. We can hardly wait!

Happy Stitching!
Sweet P

Simple Galoshes

I had a couple of hours this morning to play in my studio. I finished one secret project, finished trimming my siggie squares and signed a few of them. I still had some time to play. I spotted the stack of 9-patches I made last summer with galoshes fabric. I quickly sewed 16 of them into this baby 9-patch quilt.
I like the simplicity of it. Here is a close-up of the fabric. The galoshes fabric just makes me smile every time I see it.
I'm off to work this afternoon and then three days of day shifts. Hopefully I'll get some stitching time in the evenings.

Happy Stitching!
Sweet P

A "Piece" Full Day

Today was "piece" full day for me. I spent several hours stitching blocks for the quilts for DS #2 and his GF and my siggie blocks.

I have my siggie blocks all stitched and most of them are trimmed. Then I'll be able to sign them and send them off to Connie.
I also finished all the blocks for DS and his GF. Now I can piece the quilt tops.

This evening I'm doing some stitching, but it's a secret project. Once it is complete, sent to its new home and received I'll be able to show you.

What are you working on today?
Sweet P

Rainbow On A Snowy Morning

Your rainbow is shaded violet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is says about you: You are a creative person. You appreciate beauty and craftsmanship. You are patient and will keep trying to understand something until you've mastered it.

Find the colors of your rainbow at spacefem.com.

March First Photo and Shopping at Lowe's

I didn't get my First Photo taken until today - after we got about 12 inches of snow! There's not much difference between March 09 . . .

versus March 08.

I'm trying to figure out how to make a collage of the first photos off our deck in Photoshop Elements. Hopefully I can get it done soon.

Last Friday I finally made it Lowe's to spend some of the gift card I got from my FIL for Christmas. I had no idea what I was looking for. I just assumed I would find a few items for the house.

In the clearance section of the storage department I found this tool box. Regular price: $13, I paid $4 for it.
I'm using it for storing my beads and beading tools. Can you believe I bought the beading stuff last August and I have yet to make anything with them? Probably so.
I've been busy on my cross stitch project. This morning I spent a couple hours finishing favors for the baby shower next Saturday and working on the quilts for DS and his GF. It felt good to sit at the sewing machine. I may sew some more later tonight. Right now, it's dinner time.

Happy stitching!
Sweet P

A Good Day Off

An ideal day off . . . starts with one hour of house cleaning and a couple loads of laundry.

Then, a little of this . . .

Brita Meng Outzen/MLB.com

His return . . . I'm so sad he lost . . .

Ralston/AFP/Getty Images

and all afternoon working on this . . .

Top it off with Sesame Chicken, Rice and Butternut Squash for dinner and a bubble bath. Ah . . . one day of bliss . . . Priceless!

Sweet P

Interested in a Coffee/Tea block swap?

The other day Lynn wrote that she was thinking about making a coffee cup or tea cup quilt for her new house. She said it would be fun if a few quilty friends would like to play with her. I commented that I've been thinking about making a coffee cup wall hanging for myself. I know, can you believe it? Coffee Time Stitches at Home does not have a coffee cup wall hanging.

I'm thinking of hosting a coffee cup or tea cup block swap. I'm wondering how many bloggers would be interested in playing along with Lynn and I. If you're interested, please let me know. I will draw up some guidelines based on how many people reply. I'm thinking of four 8" blocks from each participant. The blocks could be paper pieced or applique. Any takers?

In other news, look . . . I'm knitting. This sample is not large. There's only 10 stitches to a row. It's a start and probably won't become anything special. It could be a scarf for one of my teddy bears.
I finished the Merry stitchery from Gail Pan. I have an idea for these little stitcheries. I just need the time to execute the plan.
I have two days off the end of the week. I'm hoping to spend some time painting the trim in our living room and kitchen area. I need to get it done before the baby shower for DIL in three weeks.

Until next time, happy stitching!
Sweet P

Sunday Sewing

It was supposed to snow today, instead we are getting rain. I'm not complaining too much. I only hope it doesn't freeze overnight, otherwise tomorrow morning will be nasty.

DH is traveling again and I had the day to sew. DIL came over after church and we worked on a few baby projects.

For the upcoming baby shower I'm making Penny Pockets for the party favors. Winnie-the-Pooh is the shower theme. Pooh's favorite colors are red, orange and yellow. With red linen leftover from Thanksgiving napkins, orange fabric from another project, a spool of red organza and yellow buttons, I have a growing collection of Penny Pockets. I'm going to fill them Bit O'Honey candy because Pooh loves honey.
Next up we worked on receiving blankets with taggies. I bought four spools of ribbon on clearance the other day that will work with all the flannel we bought a few weeks ago. Here's a couple of the blankets. Notice how the ribbon on the top blanket is inside out? That's what I get for not thinking the project through entirely before stitching.
I finally sewed the sleeves and the hem of DIL's maternity top I started three weeks ago. Of course, I had to get a photo of her in it. Doesn't she look so happy?
The requisite side photo of the growing belly. She's not sneering at the camera, she was eating chocolate while posing for the photo.
Baby is due two months from today. It seems like only yesterday when she found she was pregnant!

I'm off to work a late shift tonight. We are resetting the notions wall at work. Sounds like a lot of fun.

Sweet P

Butterfly Stitching

I've been working on my Butterfly stitchery from the Giggle Club the last few days. I love how it looks so far.
Sonya used pink, blue green and purple for her butterfly. I was lucky to have variegated hand dyed thread from Desert Sky Quilting in those colors. The outside line of the butterfly wing was green. The thread I had was a green and purple variegated. It worked great against the purple satin stitched dots.
I may work on the rest of the project tomorrow. I work the closing shift so I have the morning off. I plan to spend some time sewing unless there's too much snow and I have to shovel in the morning.

What are you up to these days?
Sweet P

Did You Hear The Sound?

Did you the thwack the bats? The thud of the ball hitting the glove? Those sounds, my friends, are the sounds of Spring Training. And our beloved Captain, Jason Varitek (affectionately known as V-Tek) is back and ready to go.

Photo from RedSox.com (Brita Meng Outzen/MLB.com)

There are 9 days and counting until the first spring training game. The season (and home opener) is April 6. Woohoo! I can't wait. Can you?

Sweet P

I Have a Winner

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you had a good day. I worked early today and was home in time to take a nap before DH and I cooked dinner. We grilled porterhouse steaks, made loaded smashed potatoes and green beans. For dessert I made triple chocolate cupcakes.

DH commented I don't take enough photos of him so I took this one of him just before he ate his first cupcake. See the wall behind him? That's the last wall we need to paint in the condo.
I asked him to pick a winner (and forgot to take a photo of the drawing). He chose Fiesta of Quilting Fiesta . Thanks everyone for entering the drawing. I wish I could send something to each and every one of you.

Happy Stitching!
Sweet P

Thoughts on Stitching

Yesterday morning I traced two stitchery projects: the Merry block from Gail Pan and the butterfly stitchery for the first Giggle Club project. As I was tracing the projects I wondered how do you trace your projects? Do you draw all the lines or do you make a mark to show you what to stitch?

For example, on the Merry block I traced the entire circle and the flowers. I only made a slight mark where the lazy daisy stitch will be and I didn't draw the cross stitches or the french knots. Before you ask, I use Aunt Martha's Tracing Pencil and Paper. The pencil washes out when the stitching is done.
How do you keep your threads together for a project? After Christmas I bought a Christmas ornament cross stitch project kit dirt cheap. There are lots of threads with the project and I didn't want to mix them in with my own thread nor did I want to spend money to buy a floss bow so I made my own thread keeper. I cut a piece of cardboard about 3 inches wide and 8 inches long from a soda box. Then I took my hole puncher and made enough holes for the thread. I labeled every color with the color from the kit and added the thread. It works for me.
I do have an ivory thread keeper for smaller projects. This piece is about 1 1/2 inches wide and 2 1/2 inches long. Right now it's holding the thread I'm using for my butterfly.
Don't forget to enter my Give Away for our one-year condo anniversary. Just leave a comment on the entry below. Also, I'm doing a similar give away on my home blog, Coffee Time at Home. You can enter both drawings if you'd like.

Until next time, Happy Stitching!
Sweet P

Prayers for Fire and Flood Victims

I've caught up on ready my blogs for today. So many of you are being affected by the awful fires and floods in Australia.

I'm sending plenty of prayers and positive thoughts to everyone who is affected by the devastation. May God take care of you.

Sweet P

Welcome to My New Home and a Give Away to Celebrate

Welcome to my new home! I hope you like the new look!

Not much has happened here in the last few days. Today has been a "change" day at Coffee Time. Here's a before photo of our living room color. We really hated the color. We've always said it looks like something you'd see in a baby's diaper. The gray swatch on the wall was one color we thought we would use in the whole living room, but ended up deciding to use it on one wall only.
Here's the color we chose - Warm Sienna #1203 from Benjamin Moore. It is a dramatic change and color. It took us about two hours to complete the room. We still need to paint the trim, but then again, we haven't painted any trim even though we've now painted four rooms in the condo.
The only major space we have left to paint is the stairwell going up the stairs. Not bad for only living here one year. Yup, that's right. Next Saturday, Valentine's Day, we will have lived in our condo for one year.

So, to celebrate my new blog home and our one-year anniversary in the condo I will be having a Give Away. To enter the drawing leave a comment and tell me what one quilty or crafty technique you would like to try and why you want to try it. I'm not sure what the prize will be, but it will be fun. I will take names until next Saturday, Valentine's Day. If you'd like an extra entry, post a link to my new blog address and let me know you've done it.

Thanks for stopping by my new place!
Sweet P

Learning New Crafts

I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before or not, but I have been promoted at work. I work for Jo-Ann Fabrics and am now the Hard Lines Supervisor. Basically I am in charge of every department that is not fabric or home decorating. This includes: seasonal products, florals, storage, jewelry, paper crafting (scrapbooking and stamping), Wilton products, kids crafts and needle arts (knitting, crocheting, needlepoint and embroidery). I'm happy with the promotion, but there are three areas where my skills are non-existent or lacking: knitting, scrapbooking and jewelry.

I asked my supervisor what order should I learn these skills so I can be more helpful to guests. Her response was: knitting, jewelry, then scrapbooking. She recommended the knitting book below to get me started. It's written for young girls, but the instructions are great and the projects are simple. The other magazine is my newest reading love. The sewing projects in the magazine are great and always inspiring.
DH had given me a large gift card to Michael's for my birthday for getting some of our menus framed. I had enough money left over on the card so I decided to purchase some knitting needles. I also found this Scrapbook in a Box. I figured this is a good way to learn the basics of scrapbooking. I plan to use it to highlight our special meals.
I don't need any beading supplies. I purchased those supplies last September when I was thinking about starting beading.

This doesn't mean I'm giving up quilting. I think of it more as I'm expanding my skills. I doubt I'll ever become a master scrapbooker or a master knitter. But I intend to have fun trying!

PS - If you know of any great knitting or scrapbooking blogs, please let me know. Thanks!

Sweet P

First Photo, Sunday Stash and Super Bowl

In two weeks DH and I will have lived in our condo for one year! This past year has gone by fast! The view from our deck is almost the same as it was one year ago - winter gray and icy. We have had a lot of snow this winter. I am almost ready for spring.
Here's my latest fabric acquisition for my home decor. The fabric on the left is actually corn yellow. The fabric on the left is very textured. The green matches our kitchen. The burgundy goes well with the half bath color. Yesterday we bought rust-colored paint to use in our living room. Both of these fabrics are remnants so I have to be judicial in using them. I plan on making valances for the kitchen window and patio doors with them.
We are waiting for the Super Bowl to start. We have plenty of food and will be celebrating DS #2's birthday. If you're not a football fan, I hope you have a great day stitching!

Sweet P