School is in session! 

Today is the first day of school for Ty (Freshman) and JD (4th grader).  I guess you can also say it is the first day of school for me as well (Lunch Monitor at the Middle School).  They boys were easy to get out of bed this morning and the cat is already napping away in silent bliss!

Since my job doesn't start until around 10:30am, this gives me a few moments to get updated on the past couple weeks.  Let me give you a quick peek at what has kept me busy!

As some of you know, I am very involved in Instagram swaps.  I was feeling a little overwhelmed with most of the deadlines looming, so I made myself a digital note to help me keep things sorted.  Here are my swaps, with their prospective deadlines:

#nerdymugrugswap
Ships August 8th
Host +So Charming

#finishedblockswap
Ships August 28th
Host @tessaraewilliams

#makesomeonehappyswap
Ships Sept 1st
Host +So Charming

#trickortreatminiquiltswap
Ships Oct 1st
Host @jesse_artschooldropout

I was blessed to be a "swap angel" for the #nerdymugrugswap for @kgdcraftermath.  Her originally assigned secret partner was not able to ship, so I was glad to step in and create something just for her.  She said she liked several "nerdy" things, including Dr. Who.  I must confess that the only thing I knew about Dr. Who was the bit about time travel and that one of the characters in an espisode had inspired my favorite author, Diana Gabaldon.  Here is a picture of the package I sent on Monday:

This was a super quick, but fun package to send.  I even met a new friend in the process!

Next, on the swap to-do list, is the #finishedblockswap.  This is a known partner swap.  I am making a "Wonky Star" 18" finished block for @raeshadrz.  This is the second time I have been assigned to Raesha.  My first time was my first ever swap, the StarBucksMugRugSwap.  Raesha is such a special gal and so talented and creative.  She is also making a finished block for me.  Here is my progress on Raesha's block:

For this block, I used Tula Pink Bumble (from my stash) and used Kona solids for the star.  Each square is 5", which makes this a perfect 18" finished size.  I have already pieced this and will be selecting the backing and quilting next.  This block is so fun and easy - I can see myself doing more of these.

Well, I better get myself around - School lunch is in an hour and I am excited for the first day as well!

~N~

It has been 6 months since my last post!  That was not intentional, but I finally figured out how to update my BLOG since I started using the Chrome Browser.  Whew!

Lots of sewing adventures have happened over the past half year.
I have joined the Kansas City Modern Quilt Guild, participated in a half dozen Instagram swaps and even started my own Etsy Store!

So, I have a project list and am checking it twice.  Right now, I am the in process of making another Queen Sized T-shirt Quilt for a local Scouting family.  It is really fun to make the blocks for this quilt since my own sons have these same shirts.  This past Christmas, I made my father a Tshirt quilt and used the QAYG (quilt as you go) process.  The tutorial I used online was extremely helpful and am using this same technique in this current commission piece.  The size they requested required a total of 25 Tshirts, but they did not have enough.  I was able to use some of the scouting uniform neckerchiefs to fill the block gap.  These turned out pretty good - Check it out!  I am in the quilting stage and soon the parents will get to come over and help me decide on placement.  I am so excited for them!

The next few things on my project list are swaps on Instagram, which will all be due to ship soon.  The first upcoming shipment deadline is for the #FinishedBlockSwap.  If all goes well with this swap, I should be able to assemble an entire quilt in the next year!  The quilt blocks would be made by virtual friends around the country.  I even made an inspirational mosaic to help my partner understand what I have in mind for the block pattern.  I even let my partner know what types of fabrics I was hoping for with a different mosaic.  I need to get started on this next week since August is going to be a very busy month!

Speaking of busy....  I should probably stop signing up to volunteer on committees!  Currently, I am the Director of Merchandise for our Youth Football League (we just launched a new merchandise online store and I now know WAY too much about Wordpress).  I volunteered to be the Popcorn Kernel for my youngest son's Cub Scout Pack.  That should be interesting!  My eldest son will be in High School this year and involved in the Marching Band.  I am the new Co-Chair of the Uniform Committee.  I am still the Service Project Coordinator for the Cub Scouts Pack and also take the lead role in planning a monthly Bunco Group and a Bi-Yearly Sew'N'Sew group.

Well, I better get back to the oven and get our late dinner on the table.  We usually eat pretty late in Football Season, since the practices usually don't end until 8:00pm.

Thanks for taking a peek at my little blog.  I am excited to be back!

~N~