Distractions

I've been distracted lately...

Distracted from my blog by a big move back to California....

Distracted from unpacking by too many boxes....

And...distracted from all of it by a wonderful new quilt project!

This one is for a dear friend, I will show you more pictures soon, but here are the fabrics I'm using. 

Ahhhh, I love these kind of distractions.

Basting Away

I love all of the different parts of making a quilt. Designing, cutting the fabric, sewing, quilting...but I'll admit my least favorite is basting. Trying to get the fabrics perfectly layered and pinned. The hardest part is making sure nobody walks on it until I'm done! It's a race to see how fast I can get it pinned and off the floor. It can be downright stressful! :)

But I was excited yesterday to baste my Crooked Coins quilt. I have been waiting until I could get the backing fabric I wanted. As I was browsing a local quilt shop yesterday I actually found the exact fabric! And even better my mom told me she would get it for me as an early birthday present, yippee!

I got it home and started pinning away. Even though it looks like somewhat masochistic, 
I think the pins look beautiful! You can see where I switched sides and starting pinning different areas. It makes a little pattern.

Time to start quilting!

And the Winner is....!

First of all can I just say how much fun it was to get all of your entries! I really enjoyed finding out the fun things you did this summer, the fabric you love, and meeting new crafty friends! To all of my new followers, welcome! I hope you find some new ideas and projects to add to our never ending crafty to-do lists ;).

So without further ado, using the Random Number Generator the winner of the fabulous Hunky Dory Jelly Roll is:

Congratulations Anne! I would love to see what you create with it. 

Be patient with me this week, I am moving! Got lots of packing to do and everything else that goes along with a move. Hope to be up and crafting again soon.

Back

We are BACK from our little trip.

BACK to grindstone :).

And the girls are BACK in school! 

Even though we are only going to be in here for a couple more weeks, they wanted to start back to school. They wanted to see their friends from last year and I think they were just anxious to be back to the routine. My son of course decided he would wait. School starts in Califorina on Sept. 8th. It will be his longest summer ever! 

Normally I don't like going BACK to do anything! I love to experience new things. But...

I am anxious to get BACK into our own home.

BACK to friends and famililiarity.

BACK to time to sew and craft!

In the meantime, I am packing, and getting things ready to go BACK.

Don't forget to enter my Blogiversary Giveaway! It ends Sunday at 9:00 p.m. (mountain time)

Happenings...

Been in Southern California all week. It's so beautiful! You'd think after living here for 12 years I'd be used to it. But after living in 100+ weather for the past year, it is just so nice.

My husband got a new job and we came to find a place to live. It has not been easy, very discouraging in fact, so we are settling into an apartment for now so the kids can be here when school starts and we'll have to go from there.

 Our backyard in Aliso Viejo.

I also became the mom of a teenager this week! My son, Sam got to celebrate his thirteenth year with his best buds and he was so happy. I can't believe I have a teenager, but he's such a good kid I don't think I need to stress. Now when my daughters get that age, watch out!

Since I've been vacationing and couldn't sew I decided to start my crochet project that I've had on the back burner. I got this great pattern from Rose Hip and can't wait to make an afgan out of it. I haven't crocheted a blanket in 10 years, so I'm excited. I added an extra "Round 5" to make my squares bigger.

If you haven't entered my Blogiversary Giveaway, what are you waiting for?  XO!

Blogiversary GIVEAWAY!!

 *This Giveaway is now CLOSED*

 It's my one year blogiversary, I can't believe it! I have had a family blog for years, but I had been wanting a way to connect with the sewing/crafting community and to keep an archive of things I've created. Craft Sew Create was born! I love being a part of this creative blogging world and to celebrate I'm having a giveaway!

You guessed it, a HUNKY DORY Jelly Roll!! This was one of my favorite fabric lines this year. The yummy colors and beautiful florals, are you drooling yet?

Three ways to win: 

1. Leave me a comment! Tell me something funny or fun you did this summer. Favorite fabric line? Anything!

2. Follow my blog! (or let me know if you already follow) I love to meet new friends and I've got some great tutorials coming you don't want to miss!

3. Post this giveaway on your blog, Twitter, or Facebook. Let others know what they can win! (Leave me a comment with your blog link, etc.)

I will pick a winner at 9 p.m (Mountain Time) August 15th, so be sure and check back to see if you've won, good luck!! (International friends are welcome to enter:)