2011 in Review

Looking back over this past year, I am amazed at all that has transpired.  I have only had this blog since June and am writing my 99th post, have over 200 followers and am humbled by it.  I originally started this post with the intent on keeping the extended family up to date on our adventures and it has branched out from that.  Part of my resolution for the new year is to bring a bit more balance back to the blog and incorporate more of life, aside from quilting, into my posts.
Well, seeing as how I only started this blog six months ago, I didn't document everything I made, but will give it a go.

These cover a wide range of projects, from swaps to personal gifts to etsy orders.  I also participated in a variety of block swaps and QALs (unfortunately, my kaliedescope one is the only one I finished...).  This year I am involved in two bees, Moody Blues and Sew.Bee.Create, and am very excited for them to start.  I plan on limiting myself with swaps this year and will try and focus more on completing my huge WIPs pile and expanding my shop's inventory.  I also am pulling back a bit in order to focus more on finishing my kid's school year off strong.  

Hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year!  

Blogger's Choice Bundle Contest!

Over at Quokka Quilts, she is running a wonderful contest sponsored by the Fat Quarter Shop where bloggers create a bundle of their choosing.  This bundle uses 12 prints and 3 solids.  I chose this particular combination to celebrate the upcoming birth of my friend's first child.

1. Sunny Happy Skies by Bella Blvd for Riley Blake Designs
2. Pimatex Basics by Robert Kaufman Fabrics
3. Pimatex Basics by Robert Kaufman Fabrics
4. Heart Garden by Robin Zingone for Robert Kaufman Fabrics 
5. Meadow Friends by Deb Strain for Moda Fabrics
6. Sunny Happy Skies by Bella Blvd for Riley Blake Designs
7. Sorbet by Michael Miller Fabrics
8. Fox Trails by Doohikey Designs for Riley Blake Designs 
9. Jungle Buddies by Viv Eisner for Wilmington Prints
10. Baby Safari by Carina Gardner for Northcott Fabrics
11.  Me and My Sister Favorites by Me and My Sister for Moda Fabrics
12. Knock Knock by Dana Brooks of Lazy Daisy Cottage for Henry Glass Fabrics: 
13. Bella Solids by Moda Fabrics: fushia
14. Bella Solids by Moda Fabrics: snow
15. Bella Solids by Moda Fabrics: prairie green


It was so hard to pick just 12 prints and then only 3 solids.  It was even harder to not just go ahead and purchase this.  Oh, did I mention the winner of the contest will receive 1/2 yard of each of the 15 prints?  Isn't that just amazing!  I do not envy the judges who have to pick the winner!  Best of luck to all who enter! The deadline to do so is the 15th of January.

New Year's Resolution

My friend Anna, over at Molding Minds Homeschooling, beat me to the punch and posted her resolutions already.  So, I plan on linking over with her.

My resolutions are simple in appearance, but a tad bit more difficult in their follow through.

1: Finish the Bible in 90 days Challenge starting in Jan.

2: Stick with my weight loss goal and exercise routine

3: Stay on track with homeschooling

4: Balance my quilting and swap commitments, don't try to do too much.

5: Work on my WIPs pile

6: Finish the 31 Days to Clean Challenge starting in January.

7: Balance my blog posts to include both homeschooling and quilt stuff.

The biggest challenge I see is the follow through of the challenges and making them an everyday, lifelong, habit that will draw me close to God, bring peace and stability to my family, and be a blessing to others.

I probably have more to add, but I think this is a reasonable start.

I am writing this on my tablet since our computer contracted a virus, and will go on later to do all the necessary linky stuff.

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.2

And we have a winner! (Really!)

(Sorry about the previous false posting.  I received a new tablet for Christmas and accidentally posted from it when trying to write on it.  I am writing this post on my computer until I'm a bit more literate with the tablet....)

First of all, I'd like to thank each and every one of you who have left a comment!  I wish that I had the time to respond individually to each of you, but with over 600 comments, 6 children and being smack dab in the middle of the busiest weekend EVER (Two Cantata performances, birthday party, and a wedding all in three days) I just knew that was impossible.  I did, however, read each and every one of them!  I was completely amazed at the response that I received, over 600 comments!  I am very humbled that there were that many people stopping by to my little ol' blog!  Thank you!  Oh, okay.  Enough of my rambling.  :)  The winner is......

Congrats!  I wish that I was able to pick more winners, but alas my stash does not run deep!  Keep on the lookout though, I have surpassed 200 followers.  I am at just over 215 with google friend reader and networked blogs, so I may just run another giveaway if I go over 250.  I have emailed AJ, if I don't hear from her by the 21st, I'll draw another winner.  Thanks again everyone for participating in the annual blog hop party  with Quilting Gallery!

WIP Wednesday

Now, I realize that Lee is taking a linky party break, but I felt that I needed to post in order to gather up my thoughts! First things first though, I wish to thank everyone who's commented on my giveaway (you still have a couple of days left to enter if you haven't)!  I've had 524 comments to date!  I wish I were able to respond to all of them, but with Christmas around the corner, my daughter's birthday Friday, two Cantata performances for half of the family, a wedding, etsy orders, homeschool, and just plain life in general, I am a wee bit busy!
So, onto my WIP progress.
I had a few finishes, yay!  I finished off the last of my NuBee blocks:

I also finished my Cups and Saucers Swap gift:

I did add some fabric inside, forgot to photograph those.  Oops.
Finished some scarves:

Both of which are on sale at my etsy shop.
Part of an order, a circular playmat with drawstring:

So, though I still have oodles to do, I did get some things finished!
Finishes: 6
Need to finish: 7
Ongoing: too many!  ha!
No progress: again, too many!

Well, I hope that you all have a wonderfully productive week!  I'm praying I do!  If you don't hear from me again before Christmas, well it's because of the above busy-ness and succumbing to it!

Manic Monday

Well, it has been a while since I have done Manic Monday!  I figured today would be a good day to catch up with us heading into the 12 days of Christmas.  AHH!  So much to do...
Anyways, this was my previous list:

1. Exercise routine, fell off of the wagon last week trying to get those pouches made!
2. School lessons, the kids don't mind I've fallen behind. :) Really need to get some plans made for while they're out of town.
3. Christmas Sampler Quiltalong, my computer and printer are now talking to each other. Yay!
4. Housecleaning, can't leave for vacation with a disaster of a house.
5. Catch up on laundry and get the kids packed for a 10 day stay at Grandma and Grandpa's.
6. Charms Pack Quiltalong
7. Bee blocks!
8. Whatever else I'm forgetting, I know I am!

Okay, I was really bad!  The week with the kids away and all my grand ideas of planning and catching up fell flat!  I instead, spent three days in a drug-induced sleep.  I.Hate.Vicodin!  It made my so dizzy and sleepy.  But I am no longer in pain!  I have so much more energy now that my teeth are no longer bothering me.  I had someone on facebook ask her friends which they'd prefer: labor or tooth pain.  I prefer labor hands down!

Alright, now to my new list!
1. Two Esty orders: they are custom orders, must get cracking!
2. Cleaning my house.  A never-ending endeavor with six kids...
3. Christmas presents: I have a set of pillows to make, the rest I am buying.
4. A purse to make
5. Lesson plans
6. Exercise.  I haven't done any since the surgery.  Feel like I've been playing catch-up
7. Finish cowl I'm crocheting.
I haven't made any progress in either the 12 Days to Christmas Sampler or Charms Sampler.  Hopefully after the holidays I'll be able to pick them back up.

With Christmas coming, what do have planned for your Manic Monday?

Good and Easy Eats E-Book Review & Giveaway **Now Closed**

**********And the winner is*********

Quilter's Blog Hop Party! + Giveaway!

The year, I am participating in the Quilting Gallery's Annual Blog Hop Party.  My giveaway will run from today, December 3rd, 2011 through December 17th, 2011.  I will use Mr. Random to pick a winner and announce it here on the 18th.  

Now, for the giveaway!  How would you like to win a fat quarter bundle of Kate Spain's Terrain?  I have 8 fat quarters that I'll give to one lucky winner.  

Now, in order to qualify for a chance to win, you must comment on this post.  If you are a no-reply blogger, you must leave an email address or I'll pick another winner.

Additional (optional) entries.  Remember to leave a separate comment for each as Mr. Random won't read "I did all" as multiple posts.  

• Be a follower of my blog
• Subscribe to Quilting Gallery's newsletter
• Follow me on Twitter: 6munchkinstitch
• Like my facebook page: sixmunchkin stitching

That is a total of 5 chances to win.  Best of luck to all of you!


I'm linking this giveaway over at Hip Homeschool Mom's Giveaway Day

Pay it forward!

Pay It Foward



I have decided that I will do this wonderful bit of fun. Who doesn't love a surprise parcel? I know I do.

Unless it's a bill or something like that. So here is what I am promising... I will send a surprise gift to the first three people to comment on this post. This gift will be made by me and I will send it sometime within the next year. Exactly when you will receive it will be a surprise (it will probably be a surprise to me too :-D).



Of course there are some rules in this game. Here it goes:




Rules:1. I will make a little something for the first 3 people that comment on this post. It will be a surprise and may arrive at any time in the next 365 days (yes, a year).




2. To sign up to receive a gift from me you must play along too. Share the giving love on your blog by promising to send a handmade goodie to the first three people that comment on your blog post.




3. You must have a blog.




4. After commenting on my post, you have to post this (or similar) on your blog to spread the love. If you haven't posted in 48 hours then the next commentor will be chosen.




I don't know if three people will even get around to commenting on this, but I will say that if you find this post 6 months from now and only 2 people have left a comment, you can still be commenter #3 and get a random goodie from me! When you comment, I'll email you and get your address and then you will get something from me sometime before next December.

Fresh sewing day

After trying to compose my mural for this past month, I've realized that I've accomplished a bit.  More than I've realized, because I didn't take pictures of them all!  I'm linking up over at Lily's Quilts today. I still have a mountain to accomplish and the time is quickly disappearing!  I better get a move on!

 Have a great day everyone!