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

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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

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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!

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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

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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

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(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...

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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.

"Raspberry Truffle" Hang-Up Give Away

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Who can't delight in a great give-away? Suzanne of Just Another Hang Up is giving away one of her adorable bags. I must confess I saw her blog quite some time ago and I've enjoyed seeing her creations. Every so often she does a give away - and this one is probably my favorite. Go on over, check her out and enter for a chance to win!

My Child had a Mullet

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OK - it wasn't very bad, but the hair was getting long in the back (and on top too). So the little boy got his first haircut this weekend. I know it was needed. Trust me. It just broke my heart to part with something that was keeping him baby.

He behaved perfectly. I've heard stories so I was prepared for screaming, biting, crying, escaping, the works. He just stood there and played with the things in front of him and acted as though it was nothing out of the ordinary! I'm so proud!

Not-So-Easyshare

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I have owned the Kodak Easyshare 5300 printer for almost a year now. I must confess I love it, I love the price, the ease of use, and the fact that I have a tray loaded for printing photos at anytime. It's also an excellent print quality. There's just one thing that frustrates me to no end. I can't print on transparent paper with it. At least not easily. You see - they designed the printer for regular paper and photo paper, and that's it. So every time I tried to print on vellum for a craft project (I like to use transparent paper for several things) the printer told me a paper jam.
So I contacted Customer Service, tried all the updates possible and they told me sorry, it just doesn't work with transparent paper. How can they design a printer that's nearly perfect in every other way for the crafter and miss that one? I don't get it.
So my get around is to tape the vellum sheet to a regular piece of paper and print on it that way. I wish there was one printer that met ALL my needs that had the same ink prices as the Easyshare.
*Sigh

Remember This?

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So my other niece got a bed with bedding for her American Girl doll. Santa had a little bit of help on this one (ahem). Note the matching fabrics. Anyhow - Santa's helper discovered a doll bed that was an awesome price! Then the day before Christmas she took some measurements, a peek on the for ideas and spent a long time sewing the bedding from scraps she had to match. And by bedding I mean: mattress, pillow, pillowcase and quilt! I still can't believe how well it turned out and how well it all goes together. Santa sure keeps on top of things - matching fabrics and what not.

I honestly can't wait to have my own little girl to make things like this for.

My Husband has a Stalker

If you are reading this girl - you are even more of a stalker and a creep than I even thought. I have two words for you: Restraining Order. You started calling him up again before we even started dating and maybe he was nice enough to say hello, but it was so over. He stopped answering your calls. I mean - really when you call your ex and some girl answers his phone and says you have the wrong number do you get the hint? Or when he no longer answers it when you call? Or better yet never calls you back? Then do you get it?

Obviously not - so email is the solution right? He responds in kind that he's getting married, blah, blah, blah. There's a thought that perhaps, for the sake of friendship, it would be worthwhile to respond. After all, he was friends with your brother too. When he voices that thought, your friend emails him saying how upset you are and that he shouldn't get married because he's cheating on his future wife (who was completely aware of the whole situation). What the?! It's so completely obvious that he's moved on and yet I guess that doesn't register and you have "promptings" to email him not once, but twice on his wedding day!

So when your email is blocked by him and the messages are returned that wasn't enough either. I know. E-mails from you from other peoples addresses are still never read. He just deletes them.

By the way - I completely trust my husband - that's not why all contact has ceased. The reason is my husband is scared that you might show up on our doorstep one day still hoping for something. You're completely nuts.

I guess the lack of response is not enough though. Why do you care so much? Especially now that you are married and have a child. At least that what your brother has told him via e-mail. Why was he the one you called while having problems in Denver? Why did you lie to me about who you were on the phone just to speak with him? And now, after 3 years of no response whatsoever - why did you even think he would add you as his friend on Facebook? Certainly not because you think he wants to keep in touch. Haven't you got it by now?

Please stop stalking my husband.