Baby Quilts needed for Triplets~YIKES!!!

Yep, I need to make 3 quilts for my niece in the Dallas area who is expecting triplets....OMG!!! I am wondering what the easiest quilt pattern would be....something I can do quickly, but not look like I didn't put any thought into it. I am stumped.....Any ideas out there???

Well last night I pulled out 12 yards of blues, purples, greens, pinks, and and an orange....I must have already boxed up my yellows for the move :( I cut them all in 2 1/2 inch strips with my Accuquilt Go cutter in less than 2 hours...that included my pressing time before cutting :)
Now what to do with all these strips....I need an idea fast. I was thinking maybe the Bento Box....the centers could be yellow if I dig deep enough into my stash. Is it easier to make them Big Log cabins and cut them in 4ths, or make individual blocks and sew them together? I have no clue. I did notice that I have more blues than any other color....I think I need to find some white with polka dots to take away from all that blue....gender neutral is what I am going for. Well guess I better get to hunting this down today and get 'er done!
More packing today too....will I ever get moved? I wonder.........
Have a great day everyone.
~Sonja~

A Mug Rug is born, and a Great Birthday after all...

A Mug Rug is Born

Well here it is....a mug rug that I created using some leftover scraps from the Baby Rose quilt, some scraps from Gloria #1, and some from my own scrap bag. Even the binding are made from leftover scrap strips. The small square and the half triangle squares with cut with my Accuquilt cutter....I LOVE IT!!! The back of the little quilted mug rug is denim from a pair of jeans that don't fit anymore, and a layer of scrap batting. I think it's cute, and eco-friendly too. My oldest daughter refers to me as her hippie tree-hugging mom....that's quite another story!
Well I just came off of my birthday weekend....Saturday I was feeling kinda old, kinda depressed yada-yada-yada, then I signed into my face book page on Sunday, and I had at least 100 nice Birthday wishes posted to my wall from family, friends, and some nice peeps that I really don't know. You gotta love it right? I felt better.
While I was trying to thank everyone personally with a comment tagging them as I went, I got a phone call from a male friend, whom I have had a small crush on since he walked into the room when I 1st met him. Yep, I'm kinda old to be having a crush on someone....thinking it was just silly, so I pushed it out of my mind. I do have to admit, and being the shy person that I am, I have been flirting with this man ever so subtle that even I didn't realize it myself until recently. Maybe some magic happened on Sunday over a cold beer, gazing at each other from across the room, a few stolen looks, a wink or two, a big Birthday Hug, good conversation, and the sweetest kiss that I ever had.....Romance at my age, well not likely, but hey it's not impossible!!! Keep your fingers crossed!!!

Feb. Rambles

sassyfibersbySonja.etsy.com

Well the blog for February......Last Wednesday we had a going away party at my sewing workshop for my long-time pal Charlotte, who is moving to Florida. Dang, I am so gonna miss her, as I can honestly say that she is 1 of my best friends. Even though I have years of  "people I know" I only have a hand-ful of friends. I am so sad :( but I know she will be happy to be around her sisters who also live there. We all make a quilt block for her, so she can remember our fun times at the workshop. Of course I forgot my camera that day, so I didn't get a picture of my block (sigh)...but I made a cowboy boot applique with the San Antonio Spurs fabric as the upper boot. It turned out pretty nifty, as all the other ladies blocks did. I also put together all of the scraps that Gloria gave me to make quilted mug rugs....well they are all put together except for the binding. I have figured out a way to add a front double pocket on 1 of them, one holds your spoon or stir stick, and the other can hold your tea bag,sweet-n-low packet or dairy creamer. Neat idea right? Thanks for the scraps and the batting Gloria, as I will use all of it!

In other news about quilting...I have been going thru my prized quilt books and magazines picking out my very favorites to keep. Sadly the rest will either end up in my etsy store, or at my flea market booth at Trader's Village, as I won't have room in the new apt. for all of my treasured items. I also found out that my niece in Dallas is expecting with triplets, so I need to get busy making 3 quilts for the new babies. I am thing that the rail fence pattern would be the easiest, and the fastest to make, and I guess I'll use all pastel colors, as we don't know the sex as of yet.

Oh yeah, my birthday is coming up.....hmmm what to do?

February sales on my Etsy store are up to 10.....yay!!! Slowly but surely I am picking up....small items but it's a sale, and every one counts! Maria from our sewing group just opened her shop on Etsy too. I told her to call me, and I would help her finish setting it up. She is making wonderful beaded crotchet necklaces. She also showed me how to make easy travel pillows last week. I love simple stuff that is fast, and easy, that is economical for me and my future customers. Not much good news to report on the job hunting front.....I have signed up with a temp agency, and have applied for 2 civil service jobs through a gov. site as well. Also I have a resume posted on the San Antonio workforce commission, but so far no matches. What's a single person to do?

In closing, I have a question that has been bugging me.....If you knew that someone had taken something that didn't belong to them, what would you do? I observed something last week, and it has really been bothering me to no end. Y'all take care, and HURRY SPRING!!!

xo~Sonja~
PS....while reading some of the blogs that I subscribe too, I found a stolen quilt alert. Please be on the lookout for this quilt.

Baby Rose Quilt Completed and Delivered

 The Baby Rose Quilt Completed and Delivered on Friday. The proud papa, and the grandpa were camera shy, but they agreed to hold it up as long as they weren't in the picture itself. Mind you that the quilt was fresh out of the washer and dryer when I went to show them. I KNEW that I should have taken it home and done a fast pressing on it before taking it in for show and tell. They would not let me have it back to do the above mentioned. I am so very glad that it was such a hit with them. They promised to send me a picture of Baby Rose with her new quilt.....I hope they keep their promise!

PS: I just found out yesterday that my niece is 7 weeks pregnant with triplets.........looks like I will be making 3 new quilts very soon. Please wish her luck with her pregnancy, as I am quite concerned. She is 6ft. tall and as big a round as my wrist....maybe weighs 95 lbs wringing wet.....how she is gonna carry 3 babies has me concerned. Pray for her, and their well-being.
~Sonja~

Lost my job yesterday.......

What a way to start the week!

January Round-Up Rambles

Well my Spurs lost tonite in overtime........can you hear me grumbling???

Since it's rodeo time in San Antonio, they will be having a lot of away games.....I can't remember the last time I went to a game, as they have become out of my price range in my current economic atmosphere.... please insert a sad face here.

I haven't blogged in awhile, as I have been really busy.

I did finally get the Quilt for Baby Rose quilted, and bound. Now all is left is the monogram, and then washing it to bring out the quilty puckers....insert smiley face!

Also this Texas weather has my allergies, and sinuses acting up. Seems like I have had a head cold for the entire month....

I did make it out to my booth at the flea market on Sat. though. It wasn't the warmest day, and it was really windy. Even though I wore my hoodie and kept the top on, the wind made it to my ears. I woke up with a beginning of an ear ache, but that seemed to subside thank goodness.

Most of my furniture has been moved to the new apartment. I should be sorting stuff instead of blogging, but I needed to take a break from that. It's hard going through one's lifetime of possessions, and deciding what to keep, what to sell, donate, or just put in the garbage....but it MUST be done. I have listed some of my collectibles in my Etsy shop, as well as sewing , & crafting supplies. I might add that during the holiday shopping season, not even 1 sale did I make, but this month I had 4 sales....not making much sense to me, but I am glad I did have some activity there, no matter how small they were.

I am trying to pack up my sewing supplies, so I can move them, but before I do, I need to make a friendship block for Charlotte, who will be moving to Florida in just a few weeks. No, I am not liking the notion of my old friend moving....even though I know quite alot of folks, I only have a very small group of friends, and she is one of the later.....inserting a tearful face here!

The block is supposed to relate to myself, my likes, or something that just makes a statement about me. Hmmm....still thinking about this one.

Well since I didn't do a goodbye 2011 post, thought I might add an accomplishment that I made last year in my January Round-up Rambles: I went from smoking 3 packs of cigarettes a day, down to 1 or less. No I am not really quitting per say, but trying to make it easier for myself if and when I decide to do so. And my oldest daughter, who is gonna be my roomate said that there will be NO Smoking in the new apt.... Also in 2011, I actually had a date.....it's been like 2+ years since that happened......

Not much else going on right now, so when I get that monogram put on the quilt, I'll post the picture here. Til next time, have a wonderful day.

And the quilt top is complete.....

Process Challenge/Pink Quilt for Baby Rose

Well here is a preview of what I have done so far.......The close-ups look more red, but they are really pinks!

The pink quilt for Baby Rose

Well a few weeks back, I got a custom order for a baby quilt. Before I sign on to do a custom order for anyone, I always want to know more about the person it is for. I think that is what gives me the inspiration not only for the design, but also for the fabric selection.
I met with Diane to discuss my process, & show her some samples of my work~taking 2 completed quilts, and several others in different stages of construction, so she could see my seams. Then we discussed the quality of the fabrics that I use, and the batting....and why I use them....I like to let the person know what those cost because I figure that a quilt is something special that you give to someone, & you want it to last many years of normal use, so I don't scrimp on my materials. So we are both satisfied that the finished quilt will be something special, just as she wanted.
Now we get down to the inspiration for the quilt itself.....
Well it's for a baby girl, so she wants a girly girl quilt in pinks....and I ask more about the child. Well come to find out that the baby girl is her boyfriend's grand daughter, and she was born pre-mature. She was still in the hospital the day we were talking, but was doing well, and was scheduled to be released in a few days. Then I asked what the baby's name was, and she said her middle name was Rose~that is when the light bulb went off for the focus fabric.....I told her that I would be back the next day with the fabric samples, but that I already had something in mind.
I had a print that I had purchased for another order that didn't work out, which was pink roses on a white background. When I took that bolt the next day~I explained why I had chosen that fabric for the focus of the quilt....the smallest of little pink rose buds represented the child being so tiny when she was born, the bigger buds being her growing and getting stronger everyday, and the rose all bloomed out would represent the baby growing into a normal girly girl, that smiles, laughs, and plays just like all children do, and she was on her way to becoming a beautiful but special little person. Well with all that said....Diane told me that as soon as she saw that fabric, she knew that It was the "ONE". I should have this quilt done by the end of the week, & pictures will be forthcoming....It's a dreary day outside today, so I'll have to wait for a better photo op day~
Take care everyone in blog land... and Merry Christmas to you ALL!
xo~Sonja~

Cheri Quite Contrary: DIY Lightbox Tutorial

Cheri Quite Contrary: DIY Lightbox Tutorial:
Wow!!! I must do this!
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Blog Hop Party with Giveaways!

Just found out about this on Sugarlane Quilts. You can join up here

My new tool~The AccuQuilt Go!

Yep, I finally took the plunge and ordered this yesterday while it was on sale. It arrived this morning, and now to re-organize my sewing room, so I can use it. I have a custom quilt that I am working on, & 3 more people waiting in line to pick their colors, & theme. (So I need this tool!) Merry Christmas to me!!! I feel sorry for my broken piggy bank, but if I spend more time sewing, & less time cutting, I think it may pay for itself in a few months.

Noted: The Entrepreneurial Generation | The Etsy Blog

Noted: The Entrepreneurial Generation | The Etsy Blog:

Great read!!!

This was my comment.....

Very thought provoking concept. As a 50+ single female trying to survive in today's economy, I had to fall back on what I knew, which is sewing. I majored in art, & business in H. S., but no higher education, because I had to work too much. I have spent my life working for someone else, & making them $$$. Now I can't buy a job..... Starting a business doing what I love has always been a dream for me, & I was actually forced to do it.....I may not have taken the plunge otherwise. I just wish I had taken photography LOL! The kick in my pants though seems to be everyone's fascination with quantity, & not quality. In a culture where everything is disposable, & cheap to replace sickens me, & it's hard to find anything made in the USA anymore. I am sticking to my guns regardless. I don't make crap, & I'm not buying it either~if that is all there is~then I will go without. Why??? Because I can, & I'm used to it already.

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Before I Die & Candy Chang - StumbleUpon

Before I Die & Candy Chang - StumbleUpon:

Wondering what I would write.....this story is amazing.

WHAT'S ALL THIS?

Candy Chang is an artist, designer, and urban planner who likes to make cities more comfortable for people. She's a TED Fellow, Urban Innovation Fellow, and co-founder of Civic Center and Neighborland. This is her site. Please enjoy.

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Dallas Cowboys Busy Cook Apron - Sonja Threadgill Nelson - Picasa Web Albums

Dallas Cowboys Busy Cook Apron - Sonja Threadgill Nelson - Picasa Web Albums:

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Puppy Love Quilted Fabric Postcard 1 by sassyfibersbySonja on Etsy

Puppy Love Quilted Fabric Postcard 1 by sassyfibersbySonja on Etsy:

stumble upon

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Nótt by Dina - Living, Dreaming With Some Crafting in Between: Tutorial : DIY Friendship Bracelet

Nótt by Dina - Living, Dreaming With Some Crafting in Between: Tutorial : DIY Friendship Bracelet

I just joined stumble it......this is great!

Christmas Cats 2011 - a set on Flickr

Christmas Cats 2011 - a set on Flickr:

'via Blog this'

Paw Print Fleece Scarves

Well I missed my Wed. blogging about my hump-day happiness, and my Wed. workshop doings.....
I was cutting fleece scarves, assembly line style the entire day that I spent at the workshop. When I came home, I stayed up really late sewing them....& was too pooped to move! Here are a couple of pics of those that I did get fringed out, & ready to wear.

Paw Print Fleece Scarves

The one on the left is cut every inch....the one on the right is cut every 1/2 inch creating the fringe. That is my favorite one on the right.

Closeup 

On my mannequin...whom I found in a dumpster......isn't she great! The price was good too:) This scarf was cut at every inch to create the fringe. I had never worked with fleece before, so this was my initiation project. I found it to be quite easy, but it dulls your rotary cutter very quickly. Also you need a dedicated cutting mat solely for fleece......or use the backside that doesn't have the grids.
These measure 7 1/2 inches wide x 60 long. You can see the other scarves if you click on my flickr photo stream button.
I'm a little late on this as well, but Happy Veteran's Day! I support our troops, past present, & future! 

Baby Quilts

My John Deere Quilt

The Hot Pink & Chocolate Butterfly Quilt......