I'm trying to machine quilt. 

I'm not sure it's very successful, but I must keep trying because my WIP need finished...

Of course the desire to finish things didn't keep me from dreaming about new projects.  Black and white is on my brain.  I didn't only dream I shopped.

And a little color never hurt anyone either.

I feel a rainbow quilt of some type is in my future.

And I'm sewing

I decided it was probably not a wise idea to start a fresh project.  I really wanted to, but in the end I opted to work on some of my WIP's.  I participated in two I Spy swaps last year, and just never did anything with them.  I am happy to say one little boy's I Spy top is done.  The other is well on it's way.  As soon as they are done I will cut into my new pretty fabrics.  Not that there aren't other projects to be finished first.

This time I mean it...

I am feeling creative again.  Honestly I have not used my sewing machine in months.  Now that the boys are back in school I have time on my hands and the desire to sew.  My mom, sister, and I went to Joann Fabrics to get some fabric because the first project on my list is fabric shopping bags.  I didn't have any fabric that I really wanted to use for this project.  I usually don't have much luck finding fabric I like there, but this time I found more then what I actually needed. 

I'm also working on a sewing area.  To this point I have just been using the kitchen table to sew, and honestly it's a real pain because I constantly have to put it away to use the table.  Now with the boys in school, I am taking over a corner of the playroom to use as a sewing area.  It's not a beautiful sewing room like many people have, but at least it's an area where I can leave my sewing stuff set up. 

I'm going to go get started on a project now.

I'm working on this bali briefcase pattern.

These strips and this project

are making me slightly nutty.

I'm finally sewing again

I've been way too busy with the cattle to do very much sewing all summer long, but finally with the shows over until January and two mornings a week with no kids at home, I can sew. I haven't been able to follow any of my quilting friends blogs recently, but will have to get caught up. Last night I started I Spy quilts for the boys. I had participated in two I spy swaps but just didn't have time to do anything with the blocks. I am going to make 9 patches and then sash them with a yet to be determined fabric. I'm excited to be able to sew and be a little creative again.

Zig Zag Mini Quilt

Yesterday I received my April STUD (Swap til you drop) Mini Swap Quilt. It was made for me by QuiltyBee. I just LOVE it!

I joined a few of these swaps on flickr and am having a blast with them! I'm trying to figure out where/how I want to display these adorable little quilts. I can't quite decide if I want to put them all on one wall or sprinkle them throughout the house. I couldn't contain myself this month and signed up to make 4 of them. The good thing is they really don't take long to do since they have to be under 15X15 inches. I also know that May is probably the last month until school starts again that I can really spend the time doing them.

Little pincushions

A while ago I had found a tutorial about making little tiny pincushions from plastic lids. I can't find it right now, but will update the post with a link when I can. Here are two that I made. They are so simple, probably took about 5 minutes to make the pair. I need to save lids so I can make a bunch more. I think they would make great little gifts.