Things I Want to Do

Thursday, January 9, 2014

I haven't really been one for setting goals, making resolutions or picking a word to focus on this year.  Don't get me wrong, I usually like to set goals and I love the idea of picking a word (I just don't think I'm clever enough to pick just one...).  As a family we always make New Years Resolutions.  We write them down on a single piece of paper and review them together at the end of each year.  Looking over the last couple of lists, I've realized that many of my personal goals were accomplished (such as loosing 15 pounds, getting a book contract and running two half marathons!)  Of course there are a few goals that were not met and some that I can definitely do better (such as having monthly one on one dates with my kids - that was kind of hit or miss :(.  Maybe it's because last year was such a busy one for me that I really feel the need to just focus on some areas of my life that have been a little neglected... 


I want to be productive and balanced without having to measure and critique myself.  I do like to get things done and there's no better way to stay focused than to make a plan or "to-do" list. 

So as I sat in my sewing room the other day I started thinking of all the things that need to get done in there.  I decided I needed to write down my list of projects, focusing on just a few that I'd like to accomplish this month. I've already got two of these almost done and it feels great!  I'll share pictures soon!  The hard part will not be getting distracted.  I've got a couple small projects that HAVE to get done this month too so I may need to revise my list a little.  And that's okay.  Prioritizing is good.

Are you prioritizing, making plans, to-do's or resolutions this year?  What helps you to stay organized and focused?  I'd love to hear what works for you!

Have a great day!
~ Amber

First Work in Progress for 2014

Thursday, January 2, 2014

 Happy New Years everyone!  
It's such a wonderful time of year, isn't it?
  It's just day 2 of twenty-fourteen and already I feel so much motivation and energy!!!  I've been rockin' that post-holiday diet that I started umm...this morning.  I got some cleaning and organizing done last night...  I'm doing a blog post right now...  Can you feel the awesomeness going on here?!?  Just kidding!  I've got a long way to go but I definitely feel a lot better now that Christmas is put away and deadlines have been met.  

Can I just tell you that I mailed off 14 new quilts to Martingale Publishing on December 31st?  It. Felt. Awesome.  That was my big accomplishment for 2013.  We can talk more about it when it gets closer to book release date though.  Just 11 months and counting...

[A sneak-peek of one of the projects.]

Anyways, I've been having lots of fun with this little crew over the last week or two.


And the highlight of our New Years Day?  Sushi with family.  


We went to my brother-in-law/Sister-in-law's house yesterday (my sister-in-law is Japanese and both my husband and brother-in-law served 2-year LDS church missions in Japan many years ago).  Needless to say, they all love sushi and got me hooked on it a few years ago.  It's such fun food.  And so delicious.  Seriously.  Have you tried it?  

[My Temakizushi via Instagram.  
Ingredients included:  Seaweed, rice, tuna, crab meat, avocado, jalapeno, green onions, Sriracha hot sauce and Japanese mayonnaise.  Heavenly.  That's all I'm gonna say.  Heavenly.]

Anyways, I'm all vamped up for the new year.
I'm ready to tackle projects that I've been neglecting for some time now and honestly, I haven't been able to fall asleep on several different nights recently because I'm dreaming of home renovation projects I want to do!  It's terrible! 

In the quilting department though...
I am making a little progress on a quilt I recently started for one of my BFF's. 

She's a pretty traditional gal and her house is super cute (Restoration Hardware-style) so she picked out this simple pattern and the fabric (my treat!) to work with her family room decor.  It's going to be a late Christmas... birthday, Valentines Day, St. Patrick's Day... gift to her and her family :)  No, hopefully I'll have it done sooner than that but, you know - a quilt's a big gift so it's going to be a late Christmas & birthday gift.
 
 
The pattern is from Fig Tree's "Twinkle" booklet.   It's a cute little book that takes 2 basic blocks (the 9-Patch and the Snowball blocks), puts them into 1 setting and then shows what can happen with the use of different color combinations.  Pretty straight-forward but fun to see the dramatic change that can happen with color and fabric placement!

 
Well, here's to the start of a fabulous new year!  
Hope you're feeling as gung-ho as I am...
and I hope it lasts!

Happy quilting!!!
~ Amber

Just Popping In...

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

to wish you a happy holiday!
Thanks again for your friendship and support!



P.S.  My shop sale will continue through December 31st.  
All patterns and quilts are 20% off with this coupon code: 
HAPPYHOLIDAYS

~ Amber

Thank You

Monday, December 16, 2013

I'm so thankful for my little piece of Blogland and those of you who frequent it.  Thank you for your friendship and support. It's really a dream come true, getting to do what I love every day and sharing that passion with all of YOU!

As a thank you, I'm having a shop sale.  Everything is 20% off (including quilts).  Just enter HAPPYHOLIDAYS @ checkout.


Quilty Fun

Friday, December 6, 2013

  My week to host Lori Holt's Quilty Fun Sew Along isn't til February 24th but I've been sewing along and couldn't wait to share what I've made so far!

The first week was Apples.


 The second week was these itty bitty Twinkly Stars (I heart them).


 The third week was Courthouse Steps.



Last week was the Sewing Baskets.



And this week is the Flying Geese (which I still need to do!)  
Here it is all together on my design wall:


I'm having so much fun playing with my stash and making these cute, unique blocks.  The hardest part is picking out fabrics!  Don't get me wrong, I love putting fabrics together but it seriously is the most time consuming part!  Fortunately, the blocks whip up in no time and (unfortnuately?:) you won't want to quit making them - trust me!


Are you sewing along with us?  It's not too late to join the Quilty Fun!  Click over here to get all the details and don't forget to upload pictures of your blocks to the Quilty Fun Flickr Page.  Great prizes are given out each week!

Happy weekend!  
(Oh, and speaking of the weekend, if you're in Utah County and want some fabric fun tonight, stop by American Quilting in Orem.  They're having a Moodlight Madness Sale from 7-9:30 pm and I'll be there doing a trunk show.  Be sure to say hi if you come!
~ Amber 

It Really Is -

Monday, December 2, 2013

[via my Instagram]

I'm a happy girl right now.
I've been working hard for about a year on something I can't WAIT to show you and now I'm enjoying some down time with my family.

Thanksgiving was wonderful.  All I had to take to the family feast was a chocolate dessert.  So I chose my (new) go-to favorite Hot Chocolate Bundt Cake.  And since I didn't have to work all day in the kitchen I was able to get all my Christmas decor up Thanksgiving Day.  I even squeezed in a little nap!  I didn't feel too bad about it though since I got up at 5:30 am to hit the gym!


One of my brothers came to Utah from the Northwest so I hosted a little get together at my house with my parents, my two brothers and their families.  It felt like being "home again".  It was the perfect way to spend the holidays and I even received an early Christmas gift from my SIL!  This beautiful deer silhouette:


I honestly (honestly) have no idea how she knew I have always loved those!  And guess what - she made it herself!


She also gave me a giant safety pin for my sewing room!  
I swear I don't think I've ever verbally expressed my deep obsession with either of these two things to anyone! But thank you, Brittany!  You know me well!

Hey.  What's that you say?  The new Love Patchwork & Quilting magazine is also staring you right in the face!  Yep, that's right.  Someone sent me a copy to review and it has been such a fun treat.  I'm loving all the eye candy in it.  Love Patchwork & Quilting also has lots of modern projects, tips and ideas from some of todays most popular bloggers!  It's a great mag for all of you trendy quilting peeps out there! I'm especially loving the plus quilt on the front!  Have I mentioned that I really want to make a low volume/bright contrast quilt one of these days?  Whose with me on that? 
 
Well.  Now that I've met my deadline I actually have some projects that I can start showing you again!  I've been squeezing in a little "for fun" quilting so I hope you'll stay tuned!
 
Happy quilting!
~ Amber