STASH BASH

First off it was ................ FE-NOMINAL 

We played a fun ice breaker that involved swapping fat qtrs --  I brought these new ones home. 

We had a secret swap that involved 2 packages. My sister that I made for was Brittnee Ransome @heart_stitches.

here's her day 1 package -- this package was delivered in secret. I still haven't figured out if that is a large mug rug or a small mini quilt but she did display it on the wall for everyone to see. 

but the quilting on it came out great 

Since I have a tendency to overdo it -- I ended up with a 3rd package for her so I slipped it in between the other 2. She loves Halloween fabrics.

the second package was the one that we delivered -- letting our partners in on the secret -- I finally got it all in one package. 

Al wrapped up 

all spread out -- this was my first mini sew together and I will be making another one (or 5) soon. 

and I'm in love with the inside -- another rainbow.

So what was Brittnee's reaction 

I was spoiled by the fabulous Sarah @sarahksews  and she showed how well she got to know me with these lovelies.

Day 1 was all about snacks and goodies 

Day 2 was all about handmade items. 

She's cute -- and now you all know why I don't usually do selfies. 

There was lots of laughing and talking and sewing. There were so many fun people -- both new friends and old friends that I got to know that I can't wait to see again. 

Oh I did mention we actually worked on some stuff too.

Made a few Moda Modern Building Blocks, finished a bee block and put together my Accuquilt block (it needs a little white added and a boarder of grey). 

Fully assembled my dad's string quilt (again it needs a boarder). 

I started working on the blocks for my Kate Spain Jewel Box Quilt -- I'm nearly 2/3 done with the first step of sewing. 

I didn't get to work on Lucky 21 or Swoon -- I started having some swelling issues with my feet so I couldn't go full force or all night like some ladies did but I am pretty happy with everything as a whole from my first retreat experience.

Oh and Mr Pink was a huge hit -- see instagram for more photos. He even has his own hash tag now #adventuresofmrpink

I also need to put out another big thanks to the awesome sponsors that made our giveaways and goodie bags so awesome. 

That's quite a bit of swag Mr Pink 

Some cool fabric I won from Bari J and a free Craftsy class. 

 What a wonderful time -- I can't wait till we all get together again and next year it's in Nashville but there is talk of a fall retreat back in Georgia later this year. 

Spring Fling Mini Swap

I know you all are starting to think all I ever do is make swaps and bee blocks lately and really it's starting to feel that way. 

This one was all about spring time and I was partnered up to make for Kimberly Russell (@kipperson) who loves Amy Butler and the color purple. I am a fan of some of Amy Butler but not a super fan so I searched around and found out that there isn't a whole lot of purple in Amy Buttler (at least what I was able to find) but I did find this lovely fabric -- 

and did the rest of my fabric pull from there (mostly stash). 

Being in the Spring theme I wanted to make something that looked like a flower so I went for a paper pieced Dresden, then I added to it to make it really special.  

I added some quilting, this was my first time using invisible thread and I seriously love it and I love the results.

and so does Kimberly. 

She liked me extras that I threw in, too. 

Be sure to check out all the great minis that I've gotten in the last 6 weeks in my other post. 

Swaps Received in March and the first part of April

Since the end of March and April were busy with swapping deadlines that meant lots of happy mail was coming my way so here's a recap of the 5 exciting  swaps that I received in return and another that I am still working on, but my package arrived early. 

Tula Pink Swap from @TawnyTawny

Studio Ghibli Swap from @Sewninred

(great extras -- she thinks I need to take up EPP, and I have to say I am intrigued)

Viva La Villains Swap from @beebsinwonderland (this one was a little bit early but well worth missing out on the anticipation of waiting at the deadline) 

Awesome Right!! 

The extras were equally awesome -- esp that cross stitch 

Rainbow Swap was from @sewkristen 

Isn't it cool -- I love things that are appliqued because of the effort that it takes and the lack of patience that I have for doing it. Plus this one is kinda naughty if you have a pervy mind. 

Some cute and thoughtful extras. 

Kitten Mini Swap, finally arrived after a 10 day delay in Chicago from the AMAZING @jaclynb

I squealed and jumped around so much that my cats wouldn't come in the room with me for about an hour. 

Spring Mini Swap from @jmtuller

Look at all that great color!! She also put in some great extras -- it's like she knew I was running low on pins. 

This was truly a great month and a half of swap packages, now it's time to rearrange my mini wall in my sewing room so that I will be able to display them all. That's going to have to wait till after stash bash and the swapping awesomeness that I will be doing there. 

I have a few other swaps on the horizon as well but they will be in a few months. I think I'm going to take a break for a little while and really focus on the things that I commit to so that I can get some personal sewing done -- those things aren't going to finish themselves. 

A Totally Different and New Project

So you all know that I have several projects going on at once -- like we all do. This time the new project offers me the chance to work with my hubby and learn something totally new -- CARS!!!

Those of you that follow me on Instagram know that I had been having trouble with my Chevy Sonic after only a year -- truth be told I hadn't really liked that car after about a week of having it. I looked into trading her in and just rolling my payments but couldn't find anything that I liked that met all my needs and was in my budget. My husband had been wanting a 3rd car for some time and had already been looking at cars online so when he suggested that I start looking online, I was skeptical to say the least. I knew that this could entail getting a private bank loan or getting taken for all of our savings and I have a considerable commute every day so being without a vehicle was not an option. 

After about a week and a half I found one that I felt comfortable going to test out that my husband could agree on our owning. So we drove about an hour from home and tried out the 1994 Civic I had found on Craig's List -- the interior was a little shotty and very dirty but I felt that she had good potential and if my mechanic agreed that she was sound this would be my new car.

Hubs and the mechanic went back later in the week and checked things out. The mechanic assured him this was a car he would let his wife drive but it did need a little work right away (like new fluids, changing the belts and a system flush) but nothing dramatic or unexpected for a 23 year old vehicle. (that means in 2 years she'll be a classic) The rest of the upgrades and replacements could come on down the road. This was great news for me because I was getting a "new" car and could get rid of my headache of a Sonic and as a bonus I wouldn't be having a car payment any more. (You are all smart people and know that's code for more fabric, right.) 

We brought her to the shop for the immediate repairs and tune up -- most of the crew wanted to take my car home with them and they did an awesome job making her ready for me and even did a thorough cleaning of the interior -- you could tell that they really loved this car. 

The shop is staffed by a group of late 20's and early 30's guys, and they were getting emotional because the car like they had learned to drive on and had fond memories of owning was leaving the shop. I had to promise to bring her back as we did more upgrades or at least let the mechanic I know take pictures to bring in and show to them. Seriously, I thought a few of them might tear up when I left with her and turned down their offers to buy her from me. 

Next we needed to start looking for things to tweak the minor things that we still needed to fix -- like getting a rear view mirror, a new emblem for the front and upgrading some of the more worn interior components since the former owner had been a smoker and hadn't taken very good care of things. Which means lots of this is being used. 

So the new project begins -- learning about car parts and car language and visiting auto salvage places to put my new knowledge to use. I am looking for new seats right now and then I plan on making the most awesome quilter worthy covers for them -- black, grey and bits of teal using a modified Scout pattern. So it's not all about mechanics -- some of it is about pretty and comfort. 

This past weekend I missed out on sewing time because I was out finding parts, getting sun burnt and putting a new lining in the trunk -- it looked like a mug monster had exploded back there but now it's clean and ready to hold anything. 

I added my sugar skull Storm Trooper to cover some paint wear 

Small touches are making a big difference in this car and I know that it will be one serious learning experience but I am eager for the ride. I am finding that I am adding new groups on Facebook about Civics and reading more car blogs but rest assured that quilting is still my passion and I really can't wait to show you those awesome quilty things I will be adding... like maybe this sticker. 

This weekend it will be more about the sewing as I am finishing up a few things before heading to Stash Bash at the end next week and have to finish my secret sewing in preparation, my huge project tote bag and my bee blocks for this month so that weekend can be all about fun new projects and fun new people. I'm traveling down with a great group of ladies from the Charlotte area and then it'll be 3 total days of quilting awesomeness with my 70+ new friends (many of whom I already feel I know from the online community).