Saturday, January 29, 2011

Dolly Doll's New Hat

Meet Dolly Doll.


Paige decided Dolly Doll needed a Princess Hat, so she drew up her design.

Then the pleading to mom starts... Dolly Doll needs a princess hat that looks just like this one.. with hearts and ribbon... and hearts.


What princess is not complete without her knoble unicorn.


I told her that her Princess Dolly Doll looks so pretty and she informed me that Dolly Doll's name is now Unicorn, and her unicorn's name is now Hello Kitty. 

Friday, January 28, 2011

WINNER WINNER Chicken Dinner!

Okay so there is no Chicken Dinner, however I do have a Winner from my MBS Progressive Dinner!


Before I can tell you the winner though, I have to share this yummy Dinner Roll Recipe you will just have to try. Mmmmm!!!


You can find the Recipe on my SIL blog, At Home with Haley.  She has some wonderful recipe's that she blogs about and gives you her tips and tricks to the recipes... I have personally been able to try some of her baked treats and they are delicious!!! 

Now for the Winner... 

The winner will be receiving their very own copy of the Fresh Fabric Treats book {signed by me} and a Moda Layer Cake of brand new fabric collection to be delivered in May 2011.  As an EXTRA special treat... I will also be sending them a Pattern package of all my designs {5 patterns total} that they can enjoy now.

So without further ado...

Congratulations, Kristi of http://thepeasantatthediner.blogspot.com/

Kristi said...

I love jellyrolls and your adorable flats! Thanks for your great recipes.
January 26, 2011

Random winner was selected with the help of Random.org
 
Thank you to everyone for participating in our Giveaways and good luck on the GRAND PRIZE package from Moda Fabrics!  Winner for Grand Prize will be announced on February 13th.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Bloggers' Block-a-palooza


The Bloggers' Block-a-palooza has started!

A quilt-along that will jump from blog to blog, featuring two original blocks per week. Be sure to get the first two blocks here and here.

Come back February 17, to get my block for the Block-a-palooza!

For more information on the list of blogger's each week, click here.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

My Dinner Date with MBS

Welcome to my kitchen! For those of you that have not been here before, I welcome you and hope you will stay a while. For all my returning guests... I am so happy to see you again!  {My little helpers are glad you are here, too!}


I am very excited to share with you the latest and fabulous addition to the Moda Bake Shop, Fresh Fabric Treats BOOK published by Stash Books


The book is scheduled to ship out in May 2011, so be sure to pre-order your copy so you can be one of the first to own!  There are 16 NEW Delicious Treats that range from quilts to tote bags which all use Moda precut fabrics.  {Did you know there were such things as Moda Bake Shop eggs? not really... but there should be.}


I am so thrilled to be able to contribute to this book!  Here is just a sampling of what projects you will find in the book.  {Can you guess which one is mine?  Hint... it's the pillow.}


Just a little bit about me... I am a mom to two beautiful children and a wife to a very supportive husband of 11 years. {in 11 days it will be 12 years!}. I have started to develop my own pattern line as an outlet to be able to share my thoughts and creations to those that enjoy to sew and create as much as I do. Be sure to check out my pattern designs and free tutorials. I really hope you enjoy what I have to share and can find the inspiration needed to get you going on your next project.

I am a full-time web developer for Moda Fabrics and work under the direction of this talented lady. I also manage the Moda Bake Shop and have been a Chef since the very beginning and now currently have 17 recipes posted


We launched the Moda Bake Shop website in January 2009 and have been amazed by the response and submissions we receive on a daily basis.  The website would not be what it is today without the talented Chef's that have contributed to the site over the past two years and all you readers that visit the site.

Jenny Garland, who is also one of our talented Chef's featured in the book and on the website, is our MBS Editor and has taken over much of the responsibilities for maintaining the site.  She is also having her Dinner Date today, so be sure to go check out what she is cooking up and enter to win her giveaway hosted on her blog.

By now, you all should have already visited the other 14 Chef's kitchens that are featured in this fabulous new book.  If not, you must go check them all out and see what exciting things they have to share with you on their Dinner Date.


My favorite Moda precut is the Layer Cake. There are so many things you can do with a Layer Cake...
1. Cut it into 5" squares and instantly you have 4 charm packs.
2. It is the perfect size for applique's and you can take advantage of using all the prints in the collection.
3. There are many other ways to cut a Layer Cake and it goes together so quickly and easily, you can get a quilt top done in a day!

So... I have cooked up a very special dessert for you today, using a Layer Cake, to complete your Progressive Dinner.

I present to you... the Layer Cake Pincushion. I hope you enjoy! Click here for the Printer Friendly Recipe.


In celebration of the launch of this new book {btw... did I mention how fabulous this book is?}, I am giving away a copy of the new Fresh Fabric Treats book and a Moda Layer Cake.

To top it all off {with a Cherry on top}, Moda is giving away a $200.00 retail value of  Moda precuts (1 each of every type of precut... layer cake, charm pack, fat quarter bundle and MORE!) AND a copy of the Fresh Fabric Treats Book!

To enter leave me a comment with:
1. Your favorite Moda Precut
2. Name your favorite project that is designed by me on the Moda Bake Shop.
3. Be sure to leave a way for me to contact you incase you are randomly selected as the WINNER!


Winner will be announced on Friday, January28. Prize will be shipped in MAY.

THANK YOU to STASH BOOKS and MODA FABRICS!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

MBS Progressive Dinner

Don't forget to check out all the Dinners for the Moda Bake Shop's Progressive Dinner.  Last Day of Dinners is tomorrow... so be sure to come back tomorrow as I will be hosting my Dinner along with Jenny Garland.

If you missed some dates, go check them out...


January 19

January 20
Amanda Jean of Crazy Mom Quilts
Roslyn Mirrington of Bloom
Vanessa Christenson of V and Co.

January 21
John Adams of Quilt Dad
Monica Solorio-Snow of The Happy Zombie

January 22
Kimberly Walus of Bitty Bits and Pieces
Melissa Mortenson of The Polkadot Chair

January 23
Natalia Bonner of Piece N Quilt
Vickie Eapen of Spun Sugar Quilts

January 24
Rachel Griffith of P.S. I Quilt
Lissa Alexander of Moda Lissa

January 25
Julie Herman of Jaybird Quilts

January 26

Friday, January 21, 2011

Broken Record.

Vinyl Records are making a comeback... and I am not talking about to just be listened to.

GET Broken Record has some fantastic modern art all painted on vinyl records. Kevin J. Kelly is the master artist behind this creative endeavor and I am so amazed by his art. He started painting these on a street corner in Union Square and now they're International.  He has a Master of Fine Arts {MFA} in Printmaking and has recently been featured on Groupon. He has taken the terms, Recycle, Reduce, Reuse to a whole new level... to an artistic level!

Just look at some of these records he has painted... UN-BELIEVABLE!


Something even more un-believable is GETBrokenRecord.com is offering all of my readers HALF-OFF Any Artist. Any Album.! All you have to do is mention my name, Angela Yosten, or my blog... that is it!


All records are Hand Painted and Framed. Turnaround time is usually a week.


I love hand painted art... unique. original. HANDMADE.


How great would it be to receive an original piece of art on a RECORD!!! Completely Awesome!


It's Not Just Art. It's an Era.
http://www.getbrokenrecord.com/

Thursday, January 20, 2011

I'm on Google's Blogs of Note

I started receiving some comments Congratulating me for being chosen for Blog of Note.  I had to stop and think for a minute... what is this Blog of Note thing? Then I remembered... On my Blogger Dashboard by Google, there is a tab called Blogs of Note... sure enough... there I am!
and on Blogs of Note Blog
How COOL is that?!?!

So to Google Blogger... THANK YOU!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

MBS Progressive Dinner

Today is the day that starts off all the Dinner Date's for Moda Bake Shop's Progressive Dinner. This is one dinner you will not want to miss! 

15 of Moda Bake Shop's Chef's {including Me} have cooked up some delicious new recipes in a wonderful new Book, Fresh Fabric Treats, published by Stash Books.


Be sure to check out the Moda Bake Shop to see when all the Dinner Dates will be happening. My Dinner Date is on January 26 so come back to my blog for some YUMMY Treats!

Be one of the first to own the book... Pre-order the book here and here.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Get a "glympse"

Have you seen or used this application?  It is super cool!


Richie sends me a glympse every day when he leaves the office. {Since we do live 45+ miles from his office.} 

No more wondering when should I start fixing dinner. {on those rare occasions I cook.} or more like it... how close is he to Pizza Hut, or our new favorite Palios Pizza.

No more kids asking when is daddy going to be home... they can watch it themselves.  LOVE IT!

Go check it out... http://www.glympse.com/what_is_glympse

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Organize your Life

Life can get pretty crazy, especially when your not organized.  When people find out that I work full time and am a full time mom, first I thing I get is the look that I am a bit crazy.  At times I do have to agree... When you find yourself not sleeping so you can get everything done or running around like a chicken with its head cut off, then yes, it gets a bit crazy. 

But, honestly, what mom does not go through this?  No matter what your lifestyle is, I think every mom finds herself running a bit haywire at times.  So... in hopes of helping you other mom's... here are a few of my tips on how to handle everyday issues to help keep your life a bit more organized and to be able to do those extra things you enjoy most.


TIP 1: Working at Home with Children
This is probably the most asked question I get.  Here are a few things that work for me.

When working at the computer... try setting up a small table with a childs chair next to your workspace and tell them "This is your desk".  Setup a kids vtech laptop so they can "work" at their computer while you are on yours.

When working with paperwork... give your child some paper and a pen (kids love using pens vs. pencils because that is what mommy uses most.)  Tell them to draw you a pretty picture that you can hang next to your desk, refrigerator, where ever.  If someone's birthday is coming up, have them make that person a card.  This keeps my kids busy forever!  Oh... and make sure you give them plenty of paper, because there will be several "drafts" before the real card is done.
When working with fabric... Make an area special for your child.  If you child is old enough, set them up with their own sewing machine, whether it is a toy or real deal. I love using Charm Packs {5" squares} or the Petit Fours by Moda {2.5" squares} with my kids.  I give them a small pack and tell them to lay them out into a beautiful quilt while mommy works on her quilt or other project.  You just might be surprised at what they come up with.

When working in the kitchen... Let your kids help where they can.  If you are working on the stove, I set my daughter up with a mini skillet on the counter next to me and I pour the spices I am using into her tiny skillet and she uses her play kitchen utensils to stir and cook like mommy. 

Little kids love to mimic their parents, so provide little spaces for them like yours so they can "help" you by staying busy and having FUN! 


TIP 2: KEEP or SELL
I know every single one of you has looked at your kids room and wondered where the heck did all these toys come from.  Grab a garbage bag, box, whatever will hold a lot of toys.  This will become the SELL/DONATE bag.  Tell your child that you are going to play a really fun game called KEEP or SELL.  My kids LOVE this game.  I love it too because it clears up old toys and gets them to clean and organize their room at the same time.  Best of all... you are not doing it for them! Start with one toy... ask your child "Do you want to keep this toy or sell it?"  If they say SELL, then have them pick it up and put it in the SELL bag.  If they decide to KEEP the toy, then show them how to organize their toys by separating them into different bins or locations, such as balls, stuffed animals, barbies, cars, etc.  Do this to EVERY single toy they own. 

I am amazed at how many toys my kids end up putting in the SELL bag.  You can then Donate the toys or put them on your next garage sale. We play this game twice a year... right before Christmas and sometime during the Summer.  I have found that this solves many issues such as... 1. They are not surprised to see their toys for sale at the next garage sale; 2. They become responsible for keeping their rooms clean since everything has a place and there is a place for everything; 3. They learn to NOT be hoarders.
This game does not have to stop with the kids... Mom and Dad can play this game with all their "toys" and knick knacks too!  Set the example and show your kids how it is done.


TIP 3: Chore Charts
I have recently started doing Chore Charts with my kids to, not only teach them how to be responsible and dependable, but to keep my insanity.  There are days where all I feel like I have done is pick up toy after toy, washed clothes after clothes, and cleaned bathroom after bathroom.  NO MORE!  YOU make the mess... YOU clean it up.  So here is a little freebie I want to share with you all... a printable Chore Chart
By gosh, every kid must have their own colors for their chart. I first started with the multicolor, but my daughter insisted she have a pink and purple chart. So, I created a few different versions to fit each style of child.  Place a sticker in each box they complete and at the end of each week, give them a reward or allowance for completing all their chores.


TIP 4: Closets
When was the last time you wore those MC Hammer pants or Units... seriously! You should go through your clothes on a yearly basis.  Anything you have not worn in the last year or two, get rid of it!  Donate it, sell it, give it away... something.  There is no need to keep clothes in closet that take up valuable space that could be used for other items. 

I learned this trick from a good friend of mine and IT WORKS!  Start by turning all your hangers backwards on the rack.  As you wear an item of clothing, wash and hang it back up the right way.  When the year is over, take a look at your wardrobe.  Do ya have a lot of backward hangers?  Everything that is still hanging backwards has not been worn in a year. Go through those backward hanging items and decide what you want to KEEP or SELL.  Be honest... are you really going to wear that mini skirt or parachute pants again?
Do the same thing with you kids closets.  Kids tend to outgrow their clothes every year anyway... I like to go through my kids clothes at least twice a year... spring and fall.  That way you are not caught off guard when the snow hits and realize your kids don't have any warm clothes to wear.

Color code your closets.  You may think this is a bit extreme, but you will be surprised at how quickly and easily it is to find things... not to mention that it looks much nicer and well kept.


TIP 5: Get your finances organized.
Use a budget software such as Quicken. We use Quicken and it saves me a lot of headaches and stress because I know exactly what we have coming in and going out at all times.  It also helps to know where your money went each month, such as Medical, Groceries, and more.

Now... tomorrow {January 14} is National Organize Your Home Day, so get a fresh start on the New Year and go organize your life!
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