Moving on and Dreaming of Sheep

My husband and I are making a major life change...we're selling our house to buy another.  We've tried before but couldn't find a buyer for our house.  I love this house, but it's time to move on.  I've lived here 10 years.  The game plan is to buy a smaller house on a bigger parcel.  Well, I think I've found the one.  I've set a plan in motion to make this happen!  Now we are rushing around getting house repairs done, cleaning, painting, purging. 

Purging...now there's a word for you!  (everything but my sewing room - I'm not crazy)  It's time to purge the "knick-knacks"  mine are frogs - getting rid of them.  I used to collect all sorts, but now, I'm over it.  I need to fit 3,400sqft of stuff into 2,400sqft.  It is proving to be hard.

The stagers are coming next week to "beautify" our house.  I changed my wool room AKA the dining room back into a dining room.  Now I'm working out of the garage.  I hope we can sell this house soon.

The good news is that we found a house that is just about perfect for our family.  3. 2 acres baby!  Just right for sheep and goats.  I am so excited about the possibility of getting some farm animals.  There is also an extra kitchen so I can dye wool to my hearts content and not have to immediately clean up after myself. 

I will keep everyone posted as to the progress. 

Nifty Notions

I just bought this really cool stuff called Peel N Stick Ruler Tape.  LOVE IT!  It comes on a roll in twelve inch increments and you get 10 yards on a roll.  I used a yard of it on my cutting table for quick and easy measurements.  How cool is that?

This certainly can come in handy next to your sewing machine too.  What other ways can you use this nifty notion?  I would love to hear your comments.

Mad for Plaid!

 I am so excited to get these new plaid and texture wools this week. They far exceeded my expectations. They are so soft and the colors are very rich looking.  I can't wait to use them in a project. I am currently working on Sue Spargo's Magnolia quilt and the blues and golds are a perfect color combination.

Texture Bundle from A Plaid Wool




Block 1- in progress

 

New Colors

I am adding some new colors to A Plaid Wool's palette.  Here are two I am working on.  They are so yummy, I could almost eat them! The red is called "Tart" and the black is called "Black Jack."

Winding Down

We've had a very busy week last week.  The girls had finals and I think I was more nervous than they were.  Now Christmas is soon approaching and I am looking forward to spending time with my family.  We are pretty laid back here in California.  Our families are all out of town so, it's just the Upstills.  We generally stay home for Christmas Day and Boxing Day - preferrably in our pajamas.  We eat, drink, laugh, play Gin and generally just enjoy each other's company.  Jigsaw puzzles are also a holiday pastime that we enjoy.  The girls have their Santa sacks ready for St Nick to deliver them some cool stuff (hey, I know they are 12 & 14, but your never too old for Santa - at least that's what they tell me!)
Merry Christmas to all! 

Days Till...

It's officially 18 days until Christmas and my advent calender is in full swing.  This book is called the 12 Days of Christmas by Nancy Halvorsen of Art to Heart. I loved making this project so much, I made three of them! (I gave two of them away.)  Although you are making thirteen mini quilts, it's a relatively fast project to complete. You can order the stand and buttons online.

My kids get up every morning and change the numbers out for me...they love it.

It's My Birthday Day Today

Well, it's come around again.  Time sure seems to fly when your in your thirties...ok, forties!  I am being well treated today...Jackie is bringing me a Latte this morning AND driving my carpool this morning, then off to lunch with a friend.  I think I'll order dessert.  My Facebook is bombarded with Birthday wishes...love Facebook!

My friends and family always ask me what I want to do for my birthday (and Mother's Day, etc.), my reply is SEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  All I want is to be held up in my sewing room for the day.  This will be a little tricky this year because I have kids and school and the "mom taxi" is still in service at the moment...no worries though, I will get up there and fire my machine up for a little Birthday indulgence!

Cheers!