and on we go.

This is sort of a mixed post... full of contrasts.

First the business --

I'm making calculations for this:


Here's a link to the flickr group for those who want to join in our {chubby} star quilt along.

I've had a slight delay though -- despite searching through every drawer in the office sewing room, I could not find the calculator.

Calculating yardage for four different quilt sizes (call me crazy -- but I just don't think you'll all want to make a King size with me) without a calculator has been a bit tedious... so the hubs is picking up a calculator for me while he's also out picking up parts for the harvester.

I'll have a full directions post, with fabric requirements in the next day or so, but for those extra curious or anxious to get started, I can tell you this much now:

Each block will be 8" finished, and the design consists of a snowball and chain/X blocks interacting.

Each snowball block requires:

one - 8 1/2" square  (focal fabric) and
four - 2 7/8" squares (contrast for the star points)

Each X block requires:

eight - 2 1/2" squares (background fabric -- white/neutral)
sixteen - 1 1/2" squares (background fabric -- white/neutral -- strip pieced)
sixteen - 1 1/2" squares (chain print)
eight - (scant) 2 1/4" squares (contrast star points)



I got started on my first few blocks last night, because I needed some cheering up and Nicey Jane is good for cheering up...

*warning -- here's where the post gets sad*

We had to say goodbye to an old friend last night.  He's really sick with cancer all through his liver, kidneys, and lungs.  It's been a bit sad at the Jacobsen house.



We sure will miss our Duke.

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Thankfully, I've had something other than Nicey Jane to also help cheer me up.

This little beauty will be coming to see me soon (and you know there will be one to see one of you too).

AccuQuilt Go! Cutter

I am thrilled to try this pattern.  

Curves can't scare me... (ok, maybe a little sometimes)

(Images from the AccuQuilt site)

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I think I still need a little cheering up.  Here are a few more images from our camping trip last week.

quick winner post

Announcing a winner --

#91 -- bastelliesel

My Christmas fabrics will be jetting to Germany (I think). :)

Gaby -- I don't have your email address, so please leave a comment with your address, or email me. :)

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Your comments were wonderful...thank you!  I have been out of town the last few days (we got in at midnight this morning)... so I'll be getting to them in the next couple days.

Duff -- I will be cutting a little something special for you... in appreciation for the wonderful suggestion. ;) ;)

I will also have fabric requirements for the Chubby Stars quilt-along very soon (I was making calculations by the camp-fire, and didn't finish quite all of them)...

OK... Back to the laundry for me!  But not without first leaving you with my favorite picture from this week (OK, one of the favorites) of my favorite people. :)



(P.S. -- to clarify from my last post -- not pregnant yet, we just plan to "see what happens" in a couple months or so... which is why I need to get my big quilt done first!)

a quilt along???

Christmasy giveaway going on here.

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I'm thinking of hosting a quilt along

Of chubby stars and Irish chain.

Inspired by these.


And this.



And this (from APQ's October edition).

Here was my quick partial sketch up. (The corner stones of the blocks and sashing pieces would make the Irish chain -- which I didn't color in yet because it was quite small)

This is the fabric I'll be using (mostly Nicey Jane, a little Amy Butler, some Anna Maria Little Folks, and a touch of a couple others).  

It'd be a massive undertaking for me because I want to make it King-sized (y'all can pick what size you want to do).  But -- since the Jacobsen family is planning on adding to its numbers fairly soon... I think I better knock this out before morning sickness knocks me out.

Saying I LOVE that fabric, is such an understatement.  And I LOVE chubby stars.  And I LOVE Irish chains.

I'm gonna go for it.

What do you all think?

I'll be back soon with giveaway results and fabric requirements. :)  (You'll need focal prints, contrast pieces, and background pieces)

My husband is going to love me to death if I actually make a quilt for our bed.  Maybe it will inspire me to actually re-do our whole room (that is in desperate need of it)

(the chubby stars quilt pictured above can be found in this book)

300 peeps giveaway -- closed

I've been working on cutting my bee fabric...



And since there are 300 of you, I decided to cut a little extra, and have a giveaway.

Here are 13 fat-eighths(ish).



Thirteen of them because it makes a baker's dozen, and my friend Erika likes Baker's dozens. :)

Oh, and I finally decided on my bee blocks.



My fellow Christmas bee ladies will be making one cartwheel, and one tree (or ornament) block.

And I hope they still like me at the end of my turn, because I need the blocks to be 22 1/2" !!! (sorry ladies!)

I'm using Fun Christmasy prints, and some white Kona Crush for the cartwheels -- and random fun Christmasy prints for the tree blocks (sashed in white).

I think it's going to be fabulous.

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To enter the giveaway:
- Be a follower and  leave a comment  (one entry/person please).
- I like fun comments... just saying...I haven't decided yet if I'm going to pick at random or not...maybe tell me about Christmas... or pointers for camping with a baby...or what you'd make with these...or what you're working on...or...

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I joined another group *gulp*
The Hoop Up swap.  For embroidery.

Here's my inspiration mosaic -- vintage ornaments.  It's also going to be fabulous.



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I'll also be putting my I-spy fabrics in the mail (hope you don't mind I'm sending 11 different prints Stephanie!)

Can't you hear little babes all over the world now... "I spy a Winnebago."

*New followers are of course welcome... but as always, only if you actually like it here. :)
* Giveaway will close next Monday
* I'm thinking about hosting a quilt-along...more on that to come. :)

just a little improv pillow

This was my reward for completing my first week of Team Improv(e) your butt (see button in sidebar for link).

I took last week off because I got a cold (blegh)... but I'm back to it this week! :)

when it gets too crazy...

When it gets too crazy...

Like this.



or like this.




I like to do a little sewing for fun.



all improv.

will probably become a pillow for a friend.

You know you've arrived when...

... the lovely Heather posts one of your creations in her inspiration mosaic!

Thanks Heather!



(some other people even followed suit... I feel so honored). :)
(Top left pic is mine, by the way...)



For {Urban} Home Goods Swap.

I want to make another Pretty Petal Clutch.  And I want to get this book too.