So Close But No Bubble Gum Cigar

I tried...I really did!

 Unfortunately, I won't be buying myself that bubble gum cigar to celebrate a finish.

 Patty from Elm Street Quilts has a One Monthly Goal challenge and I thought

I could pull myself together and finish one of my unfinished projects.

Nope. I didn't reach the goal. Dang it!

I love these Moda Color Daze Batiks in my heart quilt and I thought making

 a goal would push me to finish. It is so close to being done!

I made the mistake of thinking I should quilt it myself using chalk stencils. I'm barely able

 to FMQ, but I thought I could do it. I can, sort of, but I'm slow and not that good.

My frustration level kind of went a little high, so I'm setting it aside for now.

Maybe setting goals aren't my thing because it makes me feel bummed out when

I don't complete something I said I would. I did complete other things, though.

That counts, right?

Sewing, Bugs, And A Spider

I have always been fascinated with taking pictures of bugs.

In reality, I hate bugs and scream like a girl when one surprises me.

This guy (or maybe gal) was trying to work its way into my garage.

I told it, "No, absolutely not!" It was about 2" long...yikes!

This spider was hanging around my tomato plants when I went to pick a zucchini.

It was gathering dinner for itself.

The zucchini has been plentiful this year.

When I'm not out seeking creepy critters, I do take time to do some sewing.

These two snippets are for the August and September Sun, Sand, and Sea BOM.

After doing a little shopping in Vegas, I came home with this kit from Moda.

I rarely buy kits but after seeing this made up and hanging on the quilt store's wall,

I had no choice but to buy it. It was calling my name!

I've started cutting out the pieces...the Moda fabrics are beautiful!

Take time for yourself and sew, sew, sew!

Therm O Web And Girl Charlee Knits Are A Great Combination

I haven't sewn knits in years, but now I am totally hooked. 

The combination of Therm O Web’s Soft n Stretch Hem Tape  and Girl Charlee Knits 

made the whole sewing process a breeze. I can't wait to sew knits again!

My mom was the queen of sewing knit pajamas and clothes...I miss her sewing knowledge.

These are the products I used to make this sweet little girl outfit (size 2).

Therm O Web’s Soft n Stretch Hem Tape

Desert Sky Feathers Cotton Spandex Knit Fabric

Desert Sky Mint Gingham Cotton Spandex Knit Fabric

50wt Aurifil White Mako Thread, MK50-2024

50wt Aurifil Light Turquoise Thread, MK50-2805

Love Notions Miss Mary Mack Tunic Sewing Pattern

Emma Collection Baby Leggings Sewing Pattern

Today is my day at Therm O Web's Fashion Friday to show this project. 

There are lots of other projects so look around while you're there.

Riley Blake Design's Sharktown Blog Tour

It's my day for the Riley Blake Design's Sharktown Blog Tour.

I don't want to play with REAL sharks, but this fabric was so cool to sew/play with.

The fabric was designed by Shawn Wallace and I love that the sharks are both cute and scary!

Sharktown

Riley Blake Designs sent me these four fabrics to use in my projects...the colors are beautiful!
Thanks, Riley Blake!

Shark and Crab Meet Quilt and Pillow

The crab looks doubtful that the Hammerhead is friendly.

The pillow is 15 1/2" x 15 1/2"

The quilt is 42" x 47"

You can get the free Shark and Crab Meet quilt and pillow pattern at

  Just Let Me Quilt's Craftsy Store.

 Check out the other Sharktown projects:

6/10 – Jedi Craft Girl

6/13 – Fort Worth Fabric Studio

6/27 – Maytime Moms

7/11 – Just Let Me Quilt

7/18 – Hem Me In

 I use Therm O Web's Heat n Bond EZ Print Lite sheets to prepare 

my applique pieces. I love that all I need to do is run the design through

 my printer, iron it to the wrong side of my fabric, cut out the pieces, 

and then press them in place. It is so fast and easy...I love easy! 

Today Is The Official Bikini Day Of 2017

Every year on this day, July 5^th, bikinis of all types and sizes are worn to celebrate 

Bikini Day and its invention in 1946 by Louis Reard, a Parisian fashion designer,

No bikini for me today. I haven't worn one since around 1972.

This is me in Hawaii in '72 trying my first Mai Tai drink. I didn't like it!

Here's a much cuter little bikini for a 1 year old.

It’s made from a pattern by Ruby Jean’s Closet called “Gidgit” and 

the fabrics are from the Just Another Walk in the Woods line by Moda.

I'm at the Therm O Web blog today showing how I used different products to
make sewing this bikini so much quicker and easier.

We could still be wearing suits like this…yikes!

One Monthly Goal To Finish Something Or Anything

Okay, I'll admit it...I have unfinished projects. Shocking, right!

The truth is, I actually have a lot of them. 

Along comes Patty from Elm Street Quilts with her One Monthly Goal challenge.

I'm late to her party (as usual) but I'm hoping to finish something this month.

I won the Moda Color Daze Batiks by Laundry Basket Quilts from 

Soma at Whims & Fancies last year and started putting this together in February. 

After the MIL fell, it slowly got pushed to the back of the design wall because of 

other deadline projects and trips back-and-forth to take care of her.

I want to finish it. The fabrics are beautiful and it's so close to being done.

So, Patty, I'm in with this one.

I'm crossing my fingers that I'll make your end of the month deadline.

Sun, Sand, and Sea BOM...Block #6

The Sun, Sand, and Sea BOM block is actually a border for Block #5.

Carla at Creatin In The Sticks designed the cutest border of fish.

Her pattern is for paper piecing, but she added an applique pattern for those who'd rather

not paper piece. I love to paper piece, but I went for applique on these adorable fish.

Photographing just the row was a bit hard and not very exciting.

But when I added the middle block...I love it!

Amy at Sew Incredibly Crazy is in charge of this BOM

and she has monthly giveaways. Don't miss out on any of them!

All you have to do is link up your block to be eligible.

The patterns are free the first month they are released, but after that they 

will be available for a nominal fee from each designer.

Amy's Block #1 - February

You can find info on it HERE and the pattern HERE.

Carol's Block #2 - March

You can find the info on it HERE and the pattern HERE.

Carla's Block #3 - April

You can find the info on it HERE and the pattern HERE.

Joan's Block #4 - May

You can find the info on it HERE and the pattern HERE.

Carol's Block #5 - June

You can find the info on it HERE and the pattern HERE.

Carla's Block #6 - July

You can find the info on it HERE and the pattern HERE.

There's a Facebook page for Sew Incredibly Crazy and Friends, too!

 I use Therm O Web's Heat n Bond EZ Print Lite sheets to prepare 

my applique pieces. I love that all I need to do is run the design through

 my printer, iron it to the wrong side of my fabric, cut out the pieces, 

and then press them in place. It is so fast and easy...I love easy! 

I'm using Riley Blake Designs Crayola Colors for my blocks.

They are so beautiful!