This school thing is going well for boys and mama alike. My house has never been so clean! I know that is not important to some but I've felt so overwhelmed lately after 5 years of just surviving.   I am staying up on my laundry every day, walking a couple miles a day, spending a little more time fixing dinner, and cleaning up messes as they happen. It's pretty amazing, doncha think? I have been making a great granny square a day until I ran out of background fabric...and unfortunately fundage, too. It's on hold til pay day now! Here are the new blocks. You will notice some new new American Jane fabric. That is a gracious gift from my blog buddy Cindy at Tops to Treasures.  You may know her from her amazing designs on Moda Bake Shop.  Thank you Cindy!!!

 You might spy some blocks are sashed.  Once I got the fabric from Cindy, a 2nd wave of inspiration hit and I came up with a whole new plan!  I can't wait to show you.

 And since I'm out of background fabric, it was a perfect time to start the Row Along Lori Holt is doing over at her blog.  This is a free pattern she is doing in her signature style.  I for one am soooo excited!  I will also be using my American Jane stash.  It feels good to be using these fabrics I have carefully curated over the last few years.  I have decided to use up what I have and start buying fabric on a quilt by quilt basis.  I have slowed down the quilt making and I'd like to be able to buy fabric that is more in line with the recipient from here on out since I will mostly be making baby quilts and other special occasion quilts.

In other news, I am trying to train my dog to scratch my back.  He can already pick up his toys and put them away.  I should probably work on perfecting his obedience but stupid pet tricks are just more fun!  He has been a lot of fun and the last couple of days I have worn him out with a loooong morning walk which has rendered him a lump on the floor the rest of the day.  I think this will help our puppy nipping greatly!

Will you be joining the Row Along with me???

On the Grand-wagon...Take 2.

     I have finished 10 more great granny blocks. Even though the quilt along is officially over, I'm just picking up steam. Fashionably late or terribly behind the times?

 This one reminds me of school bus.  I really like it. 

 The blue print in this is my favorite American Jane print and the middle is the best gingham ever from American Jane so of course as you can guess, I like this one!

 There is not a lot of contrast in values between the grandma and great granny ring here so this one is not great but will be fine in the overall quilt, I think.

 I like the contrast here...

 and here.

 This is not my favorite because I am not a big fan of blue.

 I did not fussy cut those tickets...that was a happy accident.

 I had to use that center square because it is my LAST piece of that measuring tape/gingham fabric.  Good til the last drop!

 I start hyperventilating when I think I have used up the last of that blue ruler or red number fabric...and then I realized I have hidden 1/2 yard or more of each and I'm good again.

 The measuring tape on the black square is a not so happy accident here but I'm not that bothered by it.

This is shaping up to be a fun quilt that's more like a scrapbook of my favorite prints!  I think I am going to name this quilt after my great grandmother.  For years I knew my great grandmother was named Callie...what a sweet innocent name!  I loved it.  I think we even named a collie puppy after her.  Well years later I was going through the census and found her real name: California!  It totally changed my perception of her.  California sounds like a woman you do not wanna mess with!!

     In big news, my blog buddy Andie Johnson is now an AUTHOR! She has co-written a quilting book called Modern Designs for Classic Quilts I have seen a sneaky peek of one of her featured designs and lemme say...I want to see more. It is just the kind of thing that is up my alley...keeping quilting current and relevant without dismissing our rich history or even failing to learn about traditional quilts. A good artist doesn't neglect art history and I think it's CRITICAL that we learn about quilts past even if we go our own way. Nothing looks sillier than claiming you invented something that's been around for over 100 years, amirite????

     By the way, if you want to see a Helix quilt done up in pink & aqua, head over to see Kate at Swim, Bike, Quilt. .She is also a contributing author for the next Bake Shop book...fun!

First day...

 You see these guys??

Today they take a big step...

They are going to kindergarten!

 There were times I didn't know if we would make it.

There were times I think they wondered, too...

 But to our great surprise we have!

 Through ordinary days...

 

And not so ordinary days.

I know they will both do great.

 It's those other 20 kids I should be worrying about.

Having twins has been the hardest thing I have ever done.  I have lost patience more than I wanted, grown weary, and felt like a failure more than I care to admit here.  When I think about those with a sick child and realize I have 3 healthy, happy children it overwhelms me with both joy and a great sense of unworthiness.  One of the biggest lessons I've learned is never judge a loving mom who's trying her best...and it's a lesson I hope they learned, too.  I love you H & J!!!

Scrap 911 + Bosco update!

 I finished the Scrap 911 quilt I had asked you guys about.  I found a baby batting at a yard sale for 15 cents so I knew I wanted to keep it that size vs. add borders.  I used a solid white flannel for the back.

 Not the most practical choice but it will be snuggly at least!

 I love those Edgy Veggie prints!

 I bound it with some black cotton. 

 I just eyeballed the cross hatch quilting.  I love how puffy and soft this looks.

 And I discovered this at Kroger last week and I might be slightly addicted.  Best frozen meal EVER..and you know I am too lazy to get sponsored to say that!

 For those wanting an update on Bosco, here he is!  He is sitting at the perfect angle to disguise the fact that I left bald spots behind his eyebrows and on his chest.  I hand strip the hair from his body and use clippers on his head/neck/chest.  I am so proud of myself for saving so much money on grooming!  Unfortunately, my guy seems to be allergic to chicken and eggs.  Fortunately I figured this out without expensive tests.  He is still kind of bitey to toes and fast moving objects (read: children).  He has been neutered and to puppy kindergarten.  Just praying he outgrows it.  It does seem to be getting better, especially when he's had a good walk or been to the dog park.  This is good motivation for us both to get on a morning walk routine when the boys start school later this month.  Any tips for nipping the nipping, leave me a comment PLEASE!  The things the trainer suggested (shake cans and water squirters) actually made it worse.   If I say "leave it" he will listen to me but I want him to quit doing it altogether...not just when he's told.   He's a great puppy most of the time...full of personality! 

Vintage Fabric Mystery

 My favorite local thrift store has received a huge donation of fabric from a lady who stopped sewing.  My favorite volunteer told me to check back weekly as she prices things.  She is also a quilt shop employee.  I found the above piece for $1.25.  It is 4 yards (36" wideP of cotton.  It's a large scale print and I just love it...even if I am not sure what to do with it just yet.

 I also found several cards of vintage buttons for 10 cents each.  I've had the vintage teddy bear eyes for a while but I bought them at the same thrift store.  I stop in regularly for their fabric section.  It happens to be the store where I bought my awesome Pfaff for $10.

 And here is the mystery!  got this fabric (9 yards at 36" wide) for under $3 total.  It is also a vintage cotton in a weird pattern.  I contacted my buddy Dora at Dora Quilts and she thinks it was made to be cut into a valance and cafe curtains with the white portions being where the rod pocket should be sewn.  I think that's probably spot on.  It might also make a bedskirt/valance.  Now I need to figure out if I am going to make something with these.  I really love them but cutting up vintage fabrics makes me feel all nervous.  What would you do??

On the Grand-wagon

If you've stuck around here long enough, you might have noticed I don't generally follow quilt-alongs or quilting trends.  Well, I finally met my match:

The Great Granny Along! 

This is a quilt-along hosted by Jodi of Pleasant Home and Lori Holt of Bee in My Bonnet.

I cracked open my American Jane stash  and am having SO much fun. 

The goal is 36 or more blocks to make (with sashing and borders) a king size quilt.  That sounds very wrong so my math might be shaky on that one. I'll update every several blocks.

 One note: I didn't follow the tutorial correctly.  I went by looks/memory and added the rectangles to EVERY row before sewing my bocks together.  This cut out a trimming step.  I also cut a 4.5" square diagonally for the top/bottom and found it was much easier than cutting all the extra rectangles and then having the bias edge on the outside. 

Yes, I have trouble following directions.  It's why I usually make my own!