Long Time No Post

Hello,

I cant believe it has been so long since i posted.Life has been very busy and so have i.I have been swapping and will hopefully find enough time to post more often and share new links ect.I do have tons to share as well as websites that i have found.I also have a new quilting book i would like to share with you.I will hopefully be able to share photo's of the inside.For now take care and do come back to see me soon.

As time goes by

Theres a really neat comedy show in England that i watch when I'm there.It's called As Time Goes By i swear that old lady is a hoot.Well if you live there or have ever watched British Comedy you know what i mean.I have to admit i love Father Tom as well.If you know anything about me you know that i don't care for comedies but those shows are an exception.

I have been so busy these last weeks.Doing swaps creating another fabric book and commissioned to do another as well.I've been alone with 6 children at various ages and did i say i was cracking up lol. So if you have been wondering where i went i was at Mother Goose's Sanitarium for mothers..

Seriously though i have been busy and alone with my children for 3 weeks while hubby is away.I donot have any pictures to upload as my picture taking skills are horrid to put it mildly.Hubby promises next week to take pics of my swaps and 1 of my fabric books i have finished.So that is the extent of my week.Enjoy your weekend everyone.

Sylvia if you are reading my blog please know i will email you soon.I just now received your comment.

Very Bad Week

This week has not been so good.I received a 1 rating because my partner didn't allow enough time for her swap to arrive.This is very hurtful as I'm the swap hostess and i would never do this to someone.I have more swaps where ladies wont answer their email to let me know if they will or will not be sending.I will have to make those swaps by sending something myself.

We got a ton of snow so i cant get on the road to mail my items.I have just had a bad week.My dear sewing machine which is very very old and given to me by my Great Aunt died.I love the sewing machine almost as much as her.She was my favorite Auntie had no children left me everything.I remember her as a vibrant full of life lady who loved and gave freely.She was also a good business lady bought tons of property in California....Well anyway shes gone now and so is my sewing machine which will set in a corner of my studio,with flowers and a candle in remembrance of her.

I set off to purchase a new one no mean feat if you know what i mean.I ended up getting an embroidery machine which has to be ordered.I also came home with one from Wal Mart to do me in the mean time.It's a singer simple 16 stitch sewing machine.I can take it with me to my quilting group i just joined and my daughter can learn to use it.My husband will be home on the 13 th from his business trip he does once a year.

Well not much else to tell will post soon some more things i plan to work on next week and maybe finish this week...

Pics Of Swaps

These are the first fabrics i received from Tassy i love these to.I especially liked the thread so gorgeous.






I wanted you to see my new stitch book.If you can find it where you are or can order it from Amazon i highly recommend it.I love this book and i was so excited when it arrived.I'm always going on the internet to find a stitch I've forgotten how to do.With this book i wont have to.





Here are some of the fabric postcards from the lovely fabric Tassy sent me.I hope my partner will like them. The bird i left quite plain because the scenery was so pretty.





These are the post cards and the extra fabric Tassy sent me.Isn't she a wonderful lady.I love the colors and especially the birds.I used the fabric to make some of my postcards for my swap partner..Tassy your very generous and a great new friend thank you.





My swap partner for the Color Swap said she plays bingo.Well it took me forever but i found a pattern for a bingo bag.I also made her a teacup pin cushion and added some fabric.She says she's started sewing.I added some yarn,embroidery thread,some nice wax popouri and some body lotion as well as some body spray..I couldn't find a book by the authors she likes so i added a James Patterson book which i have a copy of as well and loved it.I was really sad when she left me a 1 rating because she thought i wasn't sending her anything.I did email her to let her know it was coming from the USA and it was sent a cheaper route...



Here are the ATC's i made and sent off hope the ladies like them...

Blue Turquoise and White Swap

This is what i received in my Blue Color Swap.I was so amazed by the wonderful items i received.I got my favorite Chocolate and Raspberry Coffee yummy.I received a gorgeous mug to drink it in.I love pottery so i was so really happy with it.Yummy chocolate to eat and the bath salts are amazing.They are eucalyptus and lavender. I got some fantastic yarn in two different colors and some fibers as well.I then got this amazing lip balm in peppermint and some castile soap in peppermint.Oh and did i mention the beads they are gorgeous i love them.I received a new book to read and some great sharpies.I love it all what an amazing package.Thank you so much Kristine.I will be posting soon the swap i sent off for the blue swap.

Last Weeks Blues

Last week has been so busy for me.As you can see below i did get some things done and received some swaps (lots)in the mail.The Blue Quilt Block you see is the first in 3 that will be framed and hung on my wall.My favorite colors are Blue and Purple with a deep rich red running 3rd.I will post a pic of the purple and red block when blogger isn't acting up.So lets see i made 6 fabric ATC's,60 fabric and paper beads,finished a cigar box,bound my fabric book and cut and pieced 3 crazy quilt blocks.That's not to bad considering that my car wouldn't start and we got a huge pile of snow and ice.

Sunday was relax day no stitching or cutting or doing.I look forward to Sunday when i can relax read my blogs drink my coffee and have a me day.So if i didn't leave a comment on your blog its because you didn't update.I do like leaving comments when someone has updated their blog and i like to receive them as well.Which doesn't mean you have to update but please don't email and ask why i haven't visited.I answered all my emails and Jena and i had a nice chat on the computer/camera so we can see each other.Sunday is also my day to catch up on all the groups i belong to on yahoo.I will try to post some links to the crazy quilters group I'm in and the others.

I have decided i will only answer emails on Sunday unless it's a question from someone whose ordered a fabric book ect.I usually spend about 2 hours a day reading emails from my blogger friends.So unless it's a friend or family member i talk to on a regular basis you wont be hearing from me.Jena asked if i planned to do the (buy no fabric) resolution or other.

My answer is NO i love fabric.I buy lots of fabric on ebay and get it cheap.When you can buy 20 fat quarters of the newest Moda fabric for 13.00 US dollars then there is no reason to say no.I make item's to sell with my fabric so my purchases actually give me income.Well those are my resolutions and whats been happening in my world this week.

Whats going on in your world?

Blue Quilt Block

Some Pictures of my Fabric Book Bound

Oh What A Day

I must admit I've had lots of fun today.No stitching on Sunday to let my hands rest but lots of blog reading,sleeping late,working on my new website and trying to get all my links on here.When i lost my blog last year i had to refind all my favorite sites and artists.Some i remember their name others i visited once a month and couldn't recall.So if your reading this and are a fiber artist please do check out my stitch dictionary to the right.It's filled with tons of fantastic pages for stitches and embroidery.Many of them offer lots of patterns for any type of stitching or sewing.

If you like to Swap the please follow the links on the right to my current swaps.I will be hosting some of them each month such as

Fabric Postcard

Fabric ATC's

Quilt Block Swap

I will be thinking of some more as they come to me.Tomorrow i will ad a pic of my crazy quilt blocks i worked on saturday.Im excited to get started on them so i can frame and add them to my bedroom wall. I guess thats all for today hope the weathers nice where your at.

Swap Bot Swapping Days

Thursday i received all my swaps sorry i don't have pictures hubby took the camera.I received my ATC Holder that i hosted awhile back.I have to say I'm totally disappointed, little to no effort was put into it. It was left in it's original condition which is not pretty and then had about 3 butterflies painted on it.The ATC inside was a nice gesture but when i took it out the top fell away from the card because it wasn't glued properly.I was thinking of sending it back to her but I'm not that rude.

The next box i received was my yarn and coffee.The yarn is sheep wool and the most beautiful color of purple.They hand spin it while you wait and comes from Prince Edward Island in Canada.She also sent the most delicious coffee it was wonderful.

The next box i received was from the one rate swap.I received some beautiful yarns(2) and some fabrics,candle or candy molds,cookie cutters,ribbons,buttons,cheese cloth and the most wonderful needle puller.I have always wanted one and could never find it.It was a fantastic box with tons more stuff just cant list it all.

All in all it was a thrilling day.There is nothing better then when your box is filled with goodies and it seems like Christmas every day.

On another note i did manage to get some crazy quilts cut out and pinned to the muslim.I also got a pic of it will blog later and show the pics.That all for now thanks for visiting.

My friend Jena

I had planned to post about my friend Jena in Germany on Tuesday but today seems to be the big day for posting.Each month we do a fabric swap one on one which is tons of fun.She loves fabric scraps and i loveGerman fabric.Here is what i received and the first pic is what i sent. There are over 1500 pieces of silks ,satins,embroidered silks,sari ect in there.Perfect for here Crazy quilts.

From Jena In Germany

Almost Forgot

ARTY MEME

-a pay it forward game

I just picked up a meme at SuZ Stuff
"Quote"Arty Meme

The Arty Meme is a chance to have a piece of needle art from a fellow needlewoman! The idea is to offer 5 pieces of your work on your blog. The first 5 people to ask for your work will get one of the pieces. Her obligation to the Meme is that she must then announce the meme on her blog and offer 5 of her pieces to others. The exchange of artwork continues . . . Mediums, methods, execution; deadlines are up to the offering needlewoman! Have fun

Soooooo....the first 5 comment responses will receive from me a Crazy Quilted ATC

Crazy Quilt Block

Stained Glass Block

The following blocks will make a gorgeous small wall quilt (as i tend to do) or make a beautiful bed or throw quilt.You will need to cut out the large pieces and then using the diagram pin them to your foundation block.On once you have done that using a quilt pencil(which disappears with water)make the vines ect.If you need additional help please let me know. Please dont forget to click on the pic for a larger picture.

TeaPot Block

Here is one I'm currently ,working on to hang in my kitchen.I plan to frame it don't forget to right click.

Busy Days and Patterns

Today has been busy but blessedly quietly with only 3 children at home and the other 3 off to school.That 4 day holiday almost made me crazy with breakfast,lunch and dinner for 6 kids who all wanted something different.I've spent the whole day making patterns and thought i would share some with you.Please feel free to right click and use the save to hard disk option.I love sharing patterns and finding new links ect to share as well.Today i found several please look for the (CQ) for new ones.

Ive Been Tagged

6 wierd things about me.....
Rules are:

* Tell 6 weird things about yourself.

* Tag 6 persons, leaving a message in their blog telling you tagged them and they now have to visit yours.

* These rules are to be reproduced by the person who's been tagged......

6 weird things about me.....

1. I like blogging, but i dislike being tagged....

2. I have new project ideas in my head all the time,then promptly forget to write it down before i get another idea...

3. I love to buy new fabric and trims then don't want to use them because i want to save them...

4. I'm a night owl but i get up at dawn to start my day....

5. I have to clean my studio space each night because i cant create if every thing's out but i cant create without a mess so i get it all back out in the morning....

6. I hate pastels and brights in my own work,but i love them in other peoples work....

Not enough time

I've been trying to get on here all week to post but there are just not enough hours in the day.Saturday brought some wonderful mail from Clare Lendrem.I ordered some beautiful threads and fiber packs from her.I will try to edit my post later and show you some pics.I lost my camera to my DH who is gone for the weekend.You can find her on ebay she sells some gorgeous item's i have to warn you though you will be hooked.I finally finished a fabric book and ordered some more fabric today.

Visit this site http://www.reprodepot.com

For some fabulous fabrics and patterns.I purchased several bag patterns and some gorgeous text fabric.Check out the Amy Butler patterns and the new arrivals section.I also signed up for a "How to make your own patterns class" which should be lots of fun.I've read all my blogs and found some new ones will be adding them later today.All in all this week has been fun and very productive,will be adding some new items to my etsy store.I signed up but never have the time to really put anything on there.I love that place all the handmade items will really get your creative juices flowing.

For all you paper artists out there be sure to sign up for Hancocks newsletter.Its full of 65 pages of yummy fabrics that would be perfect for ATC's or the mini art you all do.Today is all about relaxing and yes cleaning my studio.Oh what a wonderful day goodies in the mail on saturday all day sunday to figure out what im going to do with them.Hoping all of you have had a wonderful weekend as well.

Gimme Stuff

A friend of mine who lives in Germany(more about her later) sent me an interesting link today.Gimme Stuff(she just discovered it herself)is a place where you can exchange one on one with another person.So here i am at 3 am in the morning blogging and sending you a link.I have not tried it yet so please trade at your own discretion.It does sound like heaps of fun though.

Some Changes

Today i had some major changes in my life.My mother who Ive been in business with for several years is retiring.I had to decide whether i wanted to keep the name "funky chicken originals" as my business name or not.Since this is the name my mother chose and not me i decided to let it go.I plan to buy a shop in some far away land in the next 2 years.With that in mind i wanted a name that would lend it self to my favorite art form "Fiber Artist"...One of my favorite Authors is Barbara Michaels she doesn't write under that name anymore.She wrote a book a very long time ago called "Stitches In Time"its a wonderful read and i encourage everyone to do so.It goes with the other book Ammie Come Home.The quilt on the front of the cover and the story she created for it is hauntingly beautiful.Which brings me to the reason Ive decided on a Stitch In Time as my new business name.I'm sure others have used it or are using it as well.I plan to have my shop overseas in perhaps France or Spain which means hopefully no-one there has used it.

I will miss my mom who is more of a Paper Artist and journal maker then i am.I'm hoping that we will still be able to spend time together at least once a week as shes promised.

In other news Ive added two more links under "Fiber Artists" and hope you will check them out.I will be adding more as i find them.I really enjoy reading other peoples blogs and often find even more of them when i click on their favorite sites.It will take me a day and a half to link them all on here.I purchased some fabric today a great portion of the walmart stores here will be selling out all of their fabric.Im a bit surprised by that but they claim noone purchases the fabric.I must admit i dont purchase alot of my fabric at walmart.A friend of mine does it for me on ebay and sometimes sells my creations as well.So off i go to wash more fabric and then roll it to be used later.

The only problem im having is where to stash it all.

Until Next Time

Happy Sewing

Trash and Treasures

Today was filled with trash and treasures.Normally i clean my studio on sundays a boring day for me.Sunday found me busy creating goodies for all the swaps im hosting and have signed up for.So while hauling all the trash away to the dumpster i noticed the mail lady had left several packages at my back door.

That is where the treasures came from.I received a package from my friend in Germany and Russia.Beautiful yarns and fabrics.

I also received a wonderful package from my friend Nina in Norway.I managed a pic of hers before the camera died.She sent me some gorgeous ribbons,tasty coffee and delicious chocolates.

Thankyou Nina for the lovely items.You will be receiving yours soon.

Happy New Year

I just wanted to post Happy New Year before the New Year is over.Can you believe its 2007 i can hardly believe it.

We had a wonderful Christmas and celebrated with dinner and opening presents on Christmas Eve.The children loved their gifts and i cooked enough food for 23 people.Each year the children choose the breakfast breads i will bake.I will post pics later and the recipes.They can be baked at any time of the year and they were delicious.I love to bake so it was wonderful when they chose a couple new recipes.

This is also my new sons first Christmas his name is Mikale.

He is now a little over 12 weeks and has a beautiful smile and personality.My cousin who is a photographer took some wonderful pictures.I will post some as soon as i transfer them from video to photo files.

Ive started a new fabric book and this one is more manly i think.Ive decided to use some vintage mens shirts along with some floral fabric.I will post some pics of the new book when i can.'

Have a Happy New Year

Crazy Days

As most of you know i hardly ever read the comments on my blog.I went to my blog today because i have'nt had time to post for awhile.I was overwhelmed by nasty comments and huge amounts of spam.It amazes me that some people donot take the time to find out who you are before posting.It also amazes me the amount of time people spend leaving nothing but useless spam.

So if you want to leave a comment you will have to be approved first.