Roman Numeral 8

I cannot believe Roman is over 8 months old now.

He is not allowed to grow up so quick, but I guess I don't really have a say in that, huh?.

This past month he has cut two teeth, and is pulling up on everything!

Eating mashed up peaches, bananas, peas, oatmeal, carrots and anything else he can get his little hands on.

He's so fluffy cute I'm gonna die! Can't help it... Love me some Agnes! :)

Classroom Survival Kit

 

 

I love pinterest. Anytime I get brain dead and can't think of anything to do for gifts, I immediately go to Pinterest for inspiration and ideas.

 

For Meet the Teacher last week, I decided to make each of the kids teachers a classroom survival kit. I was inspired by the kit done by Eighteen25. Her version is much cuter than mine. :)

 

 

All you need is...

Small storage case with adjustable slots so it will fit your supplies.

 

Then fill it will all kinds of goodies for the classroom. I chose to do a small first aid kit, pens, pencils, rubberbands, binder clips and more. Office Depot and Target have some fun office supplies that you can get in your schools colors.

Put everything in it's place and close it up.  Add a little label and you're done! Easy Peasy!

Back to School

This morning, Paige was up at 5:30am ready to get back to school. She is so excited!

Matthew... not so much. I am not sure if he was quite ready this morning. {only picture I could get of him. HA!} That's my boy!

Have a great first day of school! Love you lots!

Meet the Teacher

Last night was a BIG night for our two oldest kiddos.  Meet the Teacher Night! This was the night that they found out who they were going to be spending every school day with for the next 9 months!

Paige will be in 1st Grade and was super excited to find out that she will be having one of her favorite Teachers, Mrs. Mahana.

Matthew will be in Kindergarten and was also really excited to have his new teacher, Mrs. Rand.

Both are super sweet and wonderful teachers and I am so grateful that they will be the ones filling our kids heads with all the things that I just don't think I have the patience for. LOL! Think about it... 18 kids vs. 1 adult... that is TALENT... Teachers are gifted and I love 'em for it!

They both found their desks for the year. I went the easy route this year and bought all their school supplies through the PTO.  I shopped for all their school supplies last year... never again {or at least while they are in elementary school}. Going from store to store looking for all their supplies is nuts! I am soooo glad I went with the PTO alternative option. Makes me a much happier and sane momma getting everything ready for school.

Are you ready for school to start?

Road Trip Winner!

Today is the day to announce all the winners from the Stop. Go. Quilt. Sew! Blog Tour!

For my stop, the randomly selected traveller is...

Deb of Mountain Musings

"Oh I have loved the tour! Thank you for the chance to win a copy of our book! Such great projects on all the blogs!"


CONGRATULATIONS! You are the lucky new owner of my new book and a red Bella Solid Jelly Roll. Please contact me with your mailing info so I can send you your prize!

If you travelled on my road trip, be sure to check the following stops, to see if you won...

Stash Books (California)
http://www.stashbooksblog.com/

Sarah Fielke (Australia)
http://thelastpiece.typepad.com/

Blue Nickel Studios (Washington)
http://bluenickelstudios.com/
Natalia Bonner (Utah)
http://piecenquiltgiveaways.blogspot.com/
Barbara Groves and Mary Jacobsen (Arizona)
http://meandmysisterdesigns.com/blog/

John Adams (North Carolina)
http://www.quiltdad.com/
Vanessa Christenson (Iowa)
http://www.vanessachristenson.com/

Rachel Griffith (Ohio)

http://www.psiquilt.com/
Pat Sloan (Virginia)
http://blog.patsloan.com/

Lissa Alexander (Texas)
http://modalissa.blogspot.com/

Thanks everyone for making my month by participating and leaving such wonderful comments. It really means a lot! :0)

Day 11 - Stop. Go. Quilt. Sew! Blog Tour & GIVEAWAY

Welcome travelers! You have made it to the last stop of the Stop. Go. Quilt. Sew! Blog Tour. I hope you enjoyed your {virtual} road trip from California, to Austrailia, then back through the United States and finally here in TEXAS!

For each pit stop, I asked my friends to share a sign that best describes them or a story that has to do with signs or boys. Well... I created a sign of a phrase that I use almost daily... whether it is while I am working, sewing or even in the bathroom. I am constantly telling the kids "REALLY? Can I not have 5 minutes? All you other mothers out there know exactly what I am talking about. Ha!

Anyway... I have really enjoyed reading all the posts and comments from everyone in blogland. It has been an exciting journey and I can't wait to find out who all the lucky winners are that will be receiving a copy of my new published book!

I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to be sharing this book of 12 projects with all of you. It is a book that is, really, for just about ANYONE, but was inspired by my son to make a book of projects that boys of all ages could enjoy.

I especially love carrying around the Do Not Enter Bag. It is functional, original, and sends the message for kids and any other intruders to stay out! Even though, they may not listen... it's still cute. :) It is perfect size for a laptop, books, or simply toy cars.

You can check out some of the other projects in the book by visiting my friends blogs and entering their giveaway's. But you need to hurry! You only have until Friday, August 17 at Midnight to enter!

For my giveaway... 1 lucky winner will be randomly selected to win a copy of Stop. Go. Quilt. Sew! and a Red Bella Solid Jelly Roll and a few of my favorite notions that are used in the book. Simply leave me a comment to be entered to win. You can double your chances if you "like" my facebook page or follow me on Twitter!

11 STOPS and 11 Giveaways! WHEW! That means if you comment on every pit stop of this blog tour, you will have 11 chances for winning!  SO... be sure to check all the stops and comment at all of them to increase your chances of scoring my new release! Winners will be announced on Monday, August 20th on each blog.

Departure...

Day 1 (Monday, August 6): Stash Books (California) http://www.stashbooksblog.com/2012/08/stop-go-quilt-sew-blog-tour-kick-off/

Pit Stops…

Day 2 (Tuesday, August 7): Sarah Fielke (Australia)
http://thelastpiece.typepad.com/the_last_piece/2012/08/stop-go-quilt-sew.html

Day 3 (Wednesday, August 8): Blue Nickel Studios (Washington) http://bluenickelstudios.com/?p=4783

Day 4 (Thursday, August 9): Natalia Bonner (Utah)

http://www.pieceandquilt.com/2012/08/stop-go-quilt-sew-blog-tour.html

Day 5 (Friday, August 10): Barbara Groves and Mary Jacobsen (Arizona)
http://meandmysisterdesigns.com/blog/?p=14931

Day 6 (Saturday, August 11): John Adams (North Carolina)

http://www.quiltdad.com/2012/08/stop-go-quilt-sew-blog-tour-giveaway.html

Day 7 (Sunday, August 12): Vanessa Christenson (Iowa)
http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2012/08/v-and-co-giveaway-stopgoquiltsew.html

Day 8 (Monday, August 13): Rachel Griffith (Ohio)

http://www.psiquilt.com/2012/08/stop-go-quilt-sew.html

Day 9 (Tuesday, August 14): Pat Sloan (Virginia)

http://blog.patsloan.com/2012/08/pat-sloan-boy-power.html

Day 10 (Wednesday, August 15): Lissa Alexander (Texas)

http://modalissa.blogspot.com/2012/08/if-you-were-road-sign.html

Destination...

YOU ARE HERE! Day 11 (Thursday, August 16): Angela Yosten (Texas)

http://blog.angelayosten.com

Day 12 (Friday, August 17): ALL Giveaways end at midnight.

Day 15 (Monday, August 20): Winners will be announced on each blog.

GOOD LUCK and HAVE FUN!

Pat Sloan's Radio Show & Blog Tour!

Be sure to tune into American Patchwork and Quilting Radio today! I will be on chatting with Pat Sloan about my new book, Stop. Go. Quilt. Sew!

Live Show time is...
4pm - 5pm Eastern
3pm - 4pm Central
2pm - 3pm Mountain
1pm - 2pm Pacific

If you are unable to listen LIVE, then be sure to catch the recorded show soon after it airs here.


PLUS... my blog tour starts today!

Put your walking shoes and take a virtual trip with me and my friends as we travel across the blog world from California to Texas to learn more about my new book, Stop. Go. Quilt. Sew! Each day we will take a pit stop to help fuel your creativity and gather the inspiration you need to continue on down road. You might even make a few new friends along the way.

So, join us August 6-20, 2012 and you just might take home some fabulous prizes at the end of the trip!

Departure...
Day 1 (Monday, August 6): Stash Books (California)
http://www.stashbooksblog.com/

Pit Stops…

Day 2 (Tuesday, August 7): Sarah Fielke (Australia)
http://thelastpiece.typepad.com/

Day 3 (Wednesday, August 8): Blue Nickel Studios (Washington)
http://bluenickelstudios.com/

Day 4 (Thursday, August 9): Natalia Bonner (Utah)

http://www.pieceandquilt.com/

Day 5 (Friday, August 10): Barbara Groves and Mary Jacobsen (Arizona)

http://www.meandmysisterdesigns.com/

Day 6 (Saturday, August 11): John Adams (North Carolina)

http://www.quiltdad.com/

Day 7 (Sunday, August 12): Vanessa Christenson (Iowa)

http://www.vanessachristenson.com/

Day 8 (Monday, August 13): Rachel Griffith (Ohio)

http://psiquilt.com/

Day 9 (Tuesday, August 14): Pat Sloan (Virginia)

http://www.patsloan.com

Day 10 (Wednesday, August 15): Lissa Alexander (Texas)

http://modalissa.blogspot.com/

Destination...

Day 11 (Thursday, August 16): Angela Yosten (Texas)
http://blog.angelayosten.com

Day 12 (Friday, August 17): ALL Giveaways end at midnight.

Day 15 (Monday, August 20): Winners will be announced on each blog.

Book Launch and Signing Party

What a wonderful day! Yesterday, I held my first ever Book Launch and Signing Party for Stop. Go. Quilt. Sew! and had a great time!

Friends and Family from near and far came to help me celebrate the release of my new book published with Stash Books.

Even the one responsible for teaching me how to sew as a young girl, my beautiful mom!

As guests arrived, I had them stop to sign in to win a couple of door prizes and they all also signed a bella solid fabric square so I can make a signature quilt from them so I will always remember this special day.

I love reading the special messages that each of them wrote and will cherish these for many years to come. Hmmm.. now to put them into a quilt.

There were specially made cookies just for my event and they were so cute and delicious!

I even signed a few books. :)

All this was made possible by a good friend and owner of Stomping Grounds Coffee House and Boutique.

She graciously opened up her place for my event and they went over and beyond to help make this event special and memorable.  THANK YOU!

FQS Book of the Month

This month, I am very honored and thrilled to have my book be selected as Fat Quarter Shops Book of the Month! EEEK! {How cool is that?!}

You can read more about my book and inspiration on the Jolly Jabber.

Thank you Kimberly and the rest of the girls over at FQS! I can't even put into words how excited I am to have my book featured on your blog!