For all my Private Readers

This site is no longer in use. You can see all this information and new posts at my new blog Maggie Muggins Designs.

There are a few new posts on my private blog...

If you're not a reader and would like to be just let me know.

Update: I have added a link for the blog on the side. This way my public blog won't be inundated with links to the private one. It won't show when the blog is updated, but I figured you can check the private blog as frequently as I post on this one and will probably find some new reads over there.

Quilt Top Complete

This site is no longer in use. You can see all this information and new posts at my new blog Maggie Muggins Designs.

I confess, this is the second quilt I ever started. Not the first I ever finished though. My first quilt ever started is not complete yet either. The top was finished and I decided I didn't like it. I am planning to re-finish it soon so it will work for my son's toddler bed. So this will be my second quilt started, and if I actually quilt it this week as planned it will be my second quilt finished!

I learned a few important things about quilting while making this:

1. Once you've completed a block trim it down to size before attaching all the blocks together. You can see why that's important when you realize half of my blocks are not lined up properly.

2. The question of pre-washing fabric is a large debate among quilters. In this case seeing as all the fabric was the same company, the same line, and it just meant i had to iron and do a lot more work to get it all done I wish I hadn't pre-shrunk. Oh well.

3. Quilting Patterns can lack a lot of information. I think the one I got assumed that the quilter would understand a lot more than I do. So if you can learn from the Internet, a friend, or a class you might find the patterns make a lot more sense.

4. I just put the batting and the back all together. I used a spray adhesive to make them more stable while I quilt. I may pin it as well, but I'm hoping the adhesive will be enough.

Best of luck on your firsts (or seconds).

Thrift Store Finds

This site is no longer in use. You can see all this information and new posts at my new blog Maggie Muggins Designs.

So I'm sure to some it looks like I bought more junk. Just wait and see what I do with the $10 worth of items that I purchased. I'm excited about this!

IMPATIENCE!

This site is no longer in use. You can see all this information and new posts at my new blog Maggie Muggins Designs.

Months of anticipation all boil down to this:

My Birthday/Christmas/Valentines gift is "Out for Delivery" and I will hardly last as long as it will take to arrive. I have the most awesome husband in the entire world. Seriously - he always seems to know exactly what I want - even when I don't give blatant hints (like he got with this gift). Anyhow - if I seem a little busy or distracted in the next little while, it will likely be this - or the Egyptian Flu.

*Update: it has arrived and I have already taken over 100 photos. (Not that all of them are worth keeping.)

The Egyptian Flu

This site is no longer in use. You can see all this information and new posts at my new blog Maggie Muggins Designs.

So recently I have come down with a serious case of the flu. I just wanted to let everyone know.

I've been hot, cold, sniffly, nauseous, and had many other symptoms.

But don't worry. It's not contagious.

P.S. Have you heard of the Egyptian Flu? After 9 months you become a Mummy!

Baby Wearing

This site is no longer in use. You can see all this information and new posts at my new blog Maggie Muggins Designs.

(New Post on the Private Blog)

I have tried several methods of baby wearing:

1. The Ultimate Baby Wrap: So much hastle to get wrapped properly and then within minutes it is stretched too much to hold the baby well. I also got warm all wrapped up with this on in the summer.
2. BabyBjorn: My husband loves this, and I do too, now. My problem with this carrier was it was so big and bulky for everyday use, and not perfect for a newborn. That and when our son was around 4 months and facing out, he sucked on it the whole time he was in it. That was the first and last time his vomit was dark green.
3. Snugli: You would think it would be just like the Bjorn but it was not as comfortable, or as easy to adjust.
4. Baby Sling: Our friend had one made for us. It ended up being my favorite carrier. Not only is it easy to use, it's comfortable, and cute. I love that there are 3 positions for using it. I also appreciated how small it bundles up. The fact that I could use it without asking for help was a huge bonus.

Hence, when I had a baby shower to attend last night, and no desire to go shopping, I quickly searched for a pattern. Lo and behold, there are a few free patterns to follow, and it was super easy to make.

I used stretch sateen cotton which is supposed to be very comfortable for the baby. I also made it reversible, not just for the two fabric options, but because I think it gave it a more finished and professional look.

So for those of you who sew here's the pattern I followed: Handmade Adeliade's Free Baby Sling Pattern. Be sure to read the instructions on how to sew it all together. I messed up the end stitch

I also gleaned information from Karma Baby's Free Baby Sling Pattern. Her pictures and instructions worked a little bit better for me, but I relied on the other for the reversible instructions.

I'll soon create my own tutorial for all to download. Until then, enjoy the above sites.

There's a new Etsy...

This site is no longer in use. You can see all this information and new posts at my new blog Maggie Muggins Designs.

Have you heard of Etsy.com? Perhaps you have sold or purchased on it recently? Well watch out Etsy - you've got competition! ArtFire.com They are up and running their Beta version. I have never sold on Etsy, or anywhere else for that matter. My crafts are either for personal use or for gifts. I don't think I've purchased on Etsy, although I have several things there on my wishlist. But today I found this new site and quickly found something I want.

So if you're looking for art, crafts, home decor, and oh so much more, stop on by and search on this new site. If you're a seller you might also consider joining while their fee is only $7 a month, no per item costs. The more you sell the better the deal.