Christmas in March

We all love toys. Right? Please agree with me. It will make me feel better. 

Now what you define as "toys" could be different from mine or it could quite possibly be the same. Either way, toys are fun! ;) 

I got a new toy. I've been wanting one of these bad boys since last year when the first one came out. I didn't get one then because I told myself I didn't need it. I still don't need it, but I got it anyway. We just have to splurge sometimes. Right? *nod your head yes, there you go* ;)

So what is my new toy.....

Yep, I gots myself an iPad 2!! I love it! It's dreamy. Almost as dreamy as my Mac!

And cuz I know you'll probably ask, yes, that is Sherbet Pips you see behind it. Part of the newest quilt I am working on. I really love this line. I think I need more Pips! So so so cute!

There he is again sporting the super cool orange magnetic cover. Ohhhhh and a bee block I did for Katie. Here is a better shot with out "show off" in the way...heh!

This block was paper pieced. I grumbled. A lot. I love the look of the blocks but boy are they a project! I hope she likes it. The theme was stars.

Something else I will be digging into soon is this pile of yummy goodness...

This is Amanda Herrings new line called Sugar & Spice!  If you love it, I suggest you get it while you can. This stuff has wings and is flying out the doors!

I'll keep you posted!

So...what new toys have you splurged on lately? Inquiring minds want to know! :)

Much Love!!!

Tidbit Tuesday #41

Ohhh...It's Tuesday and I almost forgot about my tidbit. That's because I had yesterday off and today totally felt like a Monday! Glad I got my head back on straight! :)

Today's tidbit comes from someone I adore! One of the sweetest people I've "met" in blogland!! 

Her name is Cindy and she blogs over at Adventures of the Singing Quilter.  One of these days when there is no more threat of snow, we are going to get together. Aren't we Cindy? I haven't forgotten! ;) 

Here is Cindy's tip and I Love it!!!! 

"I went to my quilt retreat last week and someone had an awesome idea that I though you might like to use on your Tidbit Tuesday sometime.

You know when you struggle to lay your quilt out just right.  You think you have it, and then  you sew it together only to find you probably should have moved this block over there, etc.  Well...here's a easy, and very cheap, way to help solve that problem before a stitch is taken. 

It's called a peep hole.  Yep...those little things you look through your door to see who's bothering...I mean stopping to visit you?  :o)  They're only around $5.00 at your local home improvement store.  You can look at your quilt through this little gem and see the pattern and color and how well your layout really is.  It's truly amazing!"

Awesome tip!! Thank you Cindy!! 

Remember, if you have a tip you'd like to share, please email them to me at karrielyne@gmail.com!! I still have a few waiting in line to share, but I can always use more! 

Much Love!!!

Friday's Feature!

It's Friday and you know what that means!! 

Another awesome tutorial from Amanda's Creative Design team! WooHoo!!!

This week we have Johanna from Jona & Lili bringing you an adorable diamond quilt! 

Look!!

Isn't it just too sweet? Definitely an adorable baby quilt!!! 

She has a really great step by step photo tutorial too and makes it super easy! Just head on over HERE to check it out!  Make sure to give her some love too. :)

Much Love!!!

Fun Mail!

Fun mail is so great!!! 

I am pretty sure that at one point or another, we have all stalked our mail man waiting for that fun mail. 

However, there are some times when you get fun mail when you don't even expect it. Those are the best mail times!!

Have you seen this magazine yet? It's Better Homes & Gardens newest publication and it features a TON of Moda!! In case you didn't know....I am a bit partial to Moda. ;)

So this came in the mail to me yesterday and I was excited because, well, its quilting and a magazine and patterns for pre-cuts!! Pre-cuts are my faves! Layer cakes to be specific.

So I was looking through this ooohhhh-ing and ahhhhh-ing and still wondering why I received this. Then I flipped it over and saw this....

Do you see it? Do you see what almost made me fall over from excitement?  No? Look a tad closer. ;)

That's ME!!! Me and my Chocolate Blueberry Squares quilt where I did a tutorial for Moda Bake Shop!  {{faints}}

How cool is that?! First time for my name to be in actual print!! WooHoo!!

I just had to share my excitement! :)

I also wanted to share a link with you that I just happened to find today. Not sure how I didn't know about this before but I'm following now! Moda has a blog! It's called Moda...The Cutting Table. Head on over and check it out and follow so you don't miss any updates! :)

One more thing I'd like to share. It's just to sweet not to share if you haven't already seen it.

Me and my love for cats....



....if someone did this for me, I'd just melt!  That little Persian is just too adorable! :)

Much Love!!!

Tidbit Tuesday #40

Holy Smokes!! Forty! Forty Tidbit Tuesdays! That's like over the hill, right? *ducks from flying objects*

Hhahahaha...just kidding! Age is just a number to me. I always say your are as young as you feel. That means we are ALL spring chickens here, right?! :)

Today's tidbit comes from Erica who emailed me this great tip!! Erica, if you are reading this and you have a blog, please let me know so I can link to you and give you more credit! :) 

Here is what Erica says:

"My tip is for binding...  I like my binding to be full and to get that I have to pull my binding up to the 1/4 inch mark when sewing the binding to the back by hand.  I was always licking my fingers to get be able to grip the fabric and move it up with my thumb.  Then it hit me to use a latex glove on my stationary hand.  This works great.  I don't even have to use hair clips to hold it down anymore. "

 

What a great idea!! I know exactly what she is talking about and I plan to use this tip on my next binding!!! 

Thanks Erica!!! 

Got a tip you want to share? Please email it to me at karrielyne@gmail.com along with your blog address (if you have one) and I'll feature it here! :)

Much Love!!!

Friday's Feature!

I have another fun tutorial to share with all of you!! 

This weeks tutorial is from Jackie who blogs over at Jackie's Art Quilts.

She used Sweet Divinity by Amanda Herring for Riley Blake to make the cutest scarf!! This scarf just screams spring!! 

Told ya!! Super cute huh? :)

Head on over HERE to check out Jackie's tutorial!

Much Love!!!

Bugs Are Catchy

I tried really really really hard not to get bitten by this bug. 

But we all know what happens when we try to stop thinking about something. We think about it just that much more. 

Uh huh. I see you all nodding your heads.

Mind you, it's not that I don't like this particular little bug, because I really really really do love this little bug...I just didn't know what I'd do with it. {{Explanation: I have this insane piece of brain matter that tells me that I need to have a purpose before I obtain these little bugs.  Bugs of any kind really. An MD may be in order for this particular medical condition.}} ;)

 

So what bug am I talking about, you ask? 

 

This one:::

Innocent Crush!! Pfft!! Who is that Anna Maria Horner kidding? There is no innocence about this. I am totally guilty. Half yard of each cut guilty and I have no idea what to make with it. {{GASP}}!!

 

Psst...by the way...I really love said Anna Maria Horner. Even if she makes me do things my brain matter tells me not to! :)

So, if you were me, what would YOU make with this yummy goodness?! Leave a comment and include a link if you'd like! I'd love to hear your thoughts and gather up some inspiration! :) 

Even better, join in the fun. Go grab your own half yard bundle (or the like) of AMH Innocent Crush and play with me! :D

Much Love!!!

P.S...sorry for no Tidbit Tuesday yesterday! My silly internet thought it needed a break last night and wouldn't let me on to post. Silly interwebs!

Waves! :)

{{jumps up and down and waves}} 

{{crossing fingers that you all can still see me}} :D 

Can you believe that I haven't been able to sew since I last posted. Which was Tuesday. TUESDAY!! Not one tiny tiny stitch! Not even a ripped stitch! ACK!! Not only that, I haven't sewn yet today either! Double ACK!!! Hopefully tomorrow I can get in some time. I really really really need to finish quilting my Whiskers & Max quilt! 

So I thought I'd at least stop in and say hello! Also I wanted to share two tutorials with you from two fabulous friends!!! 

First up:

This adorable quilt is from Brooke at Silly Mama Quilts! You can click HERE to find her step by step tutorial! :)

Second up:

Aww....a pillow! You all know how much I adore pillows!! Here is another super cute one from Candice over at Made With Love! Click HERE for her step by step tutorial. :)

And because I can't help but show you these pictures....

Prepare yourself to go "awwwwwwwww..." ;)

 

See? Awwwwwww. :)

her paws are so cute!

How can that be comfy? Head rush... lol!

Kittehs have such cute noses. :)

Kitten tested. Mother approved. ;)

Much Love!!!

Tidbit Tuesday #39

**tap tap tap**

Is this thing on? 

I promised I'd be back today for a really great tip! I really wish I was the genius that thought of this, but I wasn't. Bummer dude! LOL. :) 

Nope, this tip, as far as I know, originated over at Red Pepper Quilts (amazing blog by the way) but I first saw it on my buddy Ann's blog called Renegade Quilter.

We are quilters, so we quilt. This part is not my favourite part of putting a quilt together but I am getting better at it. However, I still look for ways to try and make this easier on me because it is a lengthy process.

Those quilts can be slippery little suckers and you need something to get a grip so you can quilt away. No way could I quilt a quilt with just my bare hands. I normally use these cute little purple gloves that have rubber knobbies on the finger tips. Those did work, for the most part, but it was difficult to get a really good grip to move the quilt along. Not only that, they were kind of pricey. 

So the tip today is to go out to your local hardware store and get yourself a pair of these babies, or something of the like. 

Mine came from Menards (these are not everywhere but its a store like Home Depot) for $3!!! Any hardware store should have something like it. Maybe even Wal-Mart or Target, but I've not looked there. They are a knit glove and the palms and fingers are a rubbery surface. 

See all that crinkly goodness? That is what grabs a hold of your quilt and make quilting sooooo much easier!!

I admit, they are not the prettiest things you will ever wear, but don't worry. It's not like I'll be behind you taking pictures of you in your silly mits.....*crosses fingers behind back*. ;)

A couple of suggestions to go along with these is to get a pair that fits as snug as you can stand. If you get a pair that is too loose, you won't have the control you need. If they are too tight, well blood won't circulate to your fingers and that is, well....that's bad. So don't get them too tight. :)

Oh, and just to prove that I haven't been a complete nincompoop in the sewing department....

I have been working on a cute little project in Max & Whiskers by Basic Grey for Moda.  More on that soon!

Much Love!!!

Quiet As A Mouse

I have been as quiet as a mouse the last few days, huh? Come to think of it, mice are not always that quiet...hmmm...although I DO love cheese!! :D

I actually haven't had much time to do much sewing lately so that's one reason it's been quiet on the blog front. On top of that, our office is doing some reorganization and half of my team was affected. Which means half of the people I normally work with, will be shifted to a different department. I am glad that I wasn't one of the ones moved, but I am seriously going to miss those 5 people. Well, most of them anyway. ;) 

So I am sorry I haven't been here. Too much to do and too much stress lately but things should iron out over the next few weeks and you'll be begging me to shut up. Well...hopefully not that bad...lol! 

I also know I missed Tidbit Tuesday again. Shame on me. I know. 

*hangs head*

But, I have a REALLY great one for the next Tuesday coming up!! I think you will like it because it's another money saver! Woot! 

So until then, let me leave you with this....hopefully you will get a chuckle out of it like I did. :)

Much Love!!!