tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48494639420761962862012-02-09T00:06:04.186-06:00Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.comBlogger1111100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-37291289119703047432012-01-18T15:09:00.000-06:002012-01-18T15:09:17.177-06:00

Are you ready for the news?!  I got an email from Road to California Quilters Conference and Showcase last night right after I finished my din-din.  I told you all I'd share with you my critique from this and other shows, but first I have to tell you a bit of a story. I know one of the lovely ladies that judged this competition.  Of course she had to remove herself from the judging process since

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-44105577607126286762012-01-17T22:33:00.001-06:002012-01-18T00:38:02.252-06:00

Last night I spent a whole lot of time writing a blog.  I published that blog.  And then I somehow magically deleted it.  Le sigh. Luckily, I had the web version of it still on my screen this morning so I took a bunch of screen caps and am going to give my best effort to re-post it! ::::: What a crazy start to 2011!  Wait, no.  It's 2012.  Insanity! This year has already been filled with a

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-15927522070527437692012-01-16T09:31:00.000-06:002012-01-16T09:31:44.067-06:00

So. I was thinking last week about my interview with GenQ and how lame some of my answers were. I attribute this to my inability to have a productive and normal conversation over the telephone. For instance, one question I was asked, "Lisa Sipes would never...?" It was followed by a long period of silence and a lot of stammering on my part. So she changed the question and asked something that

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-15804861377942280192012-01-13T11:39:00.001-06:002012-01-13T11:44:02.955-06:00

Hey everyone. I got to guest post for my friend Melissa today on preparing your quilt for the longarm quilter. Give it a peek and tell us if I forgot anything or if you learned anything!  :) http://www.melissaslilaclane.blogspot.com/2012/01/very-basics-of-quilting-part-6.html?m=1 I'm just learning how to post with the Blogger app on my phone so I'm sorry if this isn't all pretty! More later!

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-52629680926671351062012-01-03T13:34:00.000-06:002012-01-03T13:34:46.678-06:00

Hey everyone!  The lovely ladies and dude at GenQ did an interview with me and it's up today!  You can check it out here. Also, I'm tweeting now!  I'm so proud of myself.  You can follow me @CrazyQuiltyGirl  YAY! I've just finished the first quilt of 2012 and it's a doozy.  I can't share anything for a few months yet but it's pretty super exciting.  Other than that, just trying to finish up

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-28812305003188144042012-01-02T13:29:00.000-06:002012-01-02T13:29:36.648-06:00

How do you measure a year? Wow.  I'm beginning to think that I DO measure a year in cups of coffee! 2011 was pretty much insane and awesome.  The year started off with my kitty in the hospital clinging to life.  After a ginormous (seriously...  ginormous, people) vet bill and a new set of guts, she did see her third birthday. That was kind of a horrible time.  I cried a lot.  I spent a lot of

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-45303079880734448132011-12-12T09:00:00.001-06:002011-12-12T09:00:07.177-06:00

So it's been a really crappy couple of weeks.  I'm not a huge fan of this time of year in general.  But this year it seems different.  For several reasons.  I just think there's something really off kilter in the universe (or maybe just Lisa-land) that needs to be worked out. All of the crappiness is why I've been absent here the last couple of weeks.  Actually, that's not the only reason.  I

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-16575008867678423592011-11-26T22:51:00.000-06:002011-11-26T22:51:12.792-06:00

If you've been following my blog for a while (long time), you might remember that once upon a time I made a quilt top for myself. You can read more about it here (and a few others before that but Blogger is being an asshole and connecting all of my links). I have been waiting for-ev-er to quilt this top.  It is the one top that I've ever made that I knew was going to be for me.  I knew when I

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-7565286539735446662011-11-16T23:00:00.009-06:002012-01-16T22:40:03.437-06:00

  It's that time!  It's my turn to post my tutorial for the Quilting Gallery's super cute Christmas quilt-along. My block is called "Bountiful".  I have to tell you that even if you're afraid of y-seams, just read on.  I promise if you can't make this block you have my permission to... hug... me.  It actually goes together really quickly (the math is what takes forever and I did that part

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-73641519934273845162011-11-07T20:21:00.002-06:002011-11-07T22:51:27.536-06:00

Okay.  I'm finally getting around to the Market post.  I started it Saturday, but that was a long day, y'all.  So I scrapped it!  Besides, half of the work was already done for another site! The awesome ladies over at GenerationQ Magazine asked me to tag along with them to the Schoolhouse sessions and I got to write some snippets of my experiences for them.  Check it out here and comment, tell

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-66906373792146540132011-11-04T13:14:00.004-05:002011-11-08T23:42:28.710-06:00

I wanted to post this yesterday but my internet at home has been funky (and I realized last night that my modem has decided to bite the dust) and I'm trying not to surf at work to do some crazy things like increase my productivity. If you're my friend on the ol' FB, you already saw everything I'm about to post. If you're not my friend on FB and you'd like to be, send me an email! Anycrap.

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-17864064938483149432011-11-01T09:09:00.000-05:002011-11-01T09:09:46.091-05:00

I promise I will get my Market post(s) up soon! There are tons of exiting things to share but after getting home, I need to get a little organized in this crazy life first. I have over 500 pictures to choose from (Im slowly trying to at least get them up on Facebook), tons of schoolhouse info and other news. Hopefully in the next day or two I'll get some quality time with my computer! I hope

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-64100907943582435152011-10-14T00:46:00.004-05:002011-10-14T10:10:06.598-05:00

So.  Yeah.  So much has happened since the last time I blogged!  I'm not even sure.  I had to ask a friend of mine what the last thing I wrote about was...  My "Too Much" turned into waaaaaaaaaay too much. Not only do I have too much work stuff going on, now my personal life is, uh, hmmm.  My boyfriend and I broke up.  I'm not going to turn this into a woe-is-me-my-life-sucks-I'm-so-pitiful type

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-40310309437276458252011-10-04T14:14:00.001-05:002011-10-04T14:27:44.126-05:00

So, forever ago, Megan over at The Bitchy Stitcher asked me to quilt a quilt top for her.  Of course I agreed because I kind of adore her. The problem is, it was supposed to be a surprise for the person that would eventually give this quilt a forever home, so I didn't want to blog about it and ruin the surprise!  You can read more about the great story behind this quilt here.  But basically, one

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-42506483235522743342011-09-24T15:44:00.000-05:002011-09-24T15:44:47.467-05:00

I promise this is actually quilt related.  Just hang in there. Have you ever taken the time to sit down and actually think about your thoughts?  Seems stupid to say but this is something that I don't take enough time to do.  Here lately, I'm so busy I have time for nothing, much less to think about my thoughts.  However, I've done it.  And what I've decided is that right now, there's just "too

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-85470867562266219092011-09-21T14:43:00.000-05:002011-09-21T14:43:56.849-05:00

Some of you may remember the most recent quilt that I made and finished. I was in a bit of a mad dash to finish that puppy.  It was originally supposed to be for my special friend's December birthday.  But then something came up. Megan, otherwise known as The Bitchy Stitcher (who is also one of my favorite customers) had this crazy idea for a calendar.  What kind of calendar?  Well...  the

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-5691602841157433332011-09-17T09:00:00.001-05:002011-09-17T09:00:06.069-05:00

I've been keeping lots of secrets lately.  I told you all I can keep my mouth shut when I have to!  Now I will reveal one of them, which is probably a much bigger deal to me than maybe it should be (? - naaaaaah that doesn't sound like me at ALL!) and none of you will even care. I started hinting at it on Facebook about a month or so ago.  I started talking about it on Facebook a week or two ago

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-17126327870018401212011-09-11T13:49:00.000-05:002011-09-11T13:49:47.583-05:00

I wasn't going to acknowledge this day, but it's weighing heavily on my mind so I figured it would be better to just get it all out.  This is my outlet. I was a newlywed, married just over a month.  I worked in the Conference Services offices of Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia.  My husband was deployed. The offices of the resort were located in the basement of the Williamsburg Lodge, where we

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-84721513483966290182011-09-07T22:22:00.000-05:002011-09-07T22:22:13.042-05:00

So.  I've been working non-stop.  Except for that whole Labor-Day-Weekend-Illness business.  Since I can't show you what I'm working on, I'll just ramble.  Because I've been quilting all day with no problems and now all of a sudden it's like my machine has forgotten how to form a stitch.  That's not entirely true.  I know it's not the machine.  I know it's not the thread (by the way, have I

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-72275434621262137222011-09-02T12:19:00.000-05:002011-09-02T12:19:42.308-05:00

I first have to thank you all for the wonderful things you had to say about the ovarian cancer quilt.  I absolutely  love the quilt and it will be hard to give it up! The organization that is displaying it for September (did you know that today is Wear Teal Day?), OASIS of Southern California (which stands for Ovarian Awareness, Support, Involvement and Survivorship) emailed me the other day

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-30008894622113617272011-08-24T23:09:00.002-05:002011-08-24T23:11:46.685-05:00

First off, I just realized this is my 101st post!  That's crazy!  I should have a giveaway.  In fact, I think I will! Riley Blake recently sent me this rolie polie of Lola's Posies by Lila Tueller.  We all love Lila Tueller, right?  I'm not sure why they sent it to me, but I'm definitely not complaining.  If I had the time to do something with it, I would definitely NOT be giving it away. 

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-56712158601887452402011-08-19T14:07:00.000-05:002011-08-19T14:07:47.445-05:00

Yaaaaaaaay!!  My friend, Melissa all but threatened me if I didn't enter my Rockin' Robin quilt in the Cruisin' With Riley Blake contest (that's a joke, of course.  But she did tell me I had to enter it!).  I'm not sure how many quilts were entered, exactly but I know there were quite a few.  Doesn't matter.  Mine was chosen as one of ten finalists!! Usually when I enter a contest, I ask you to

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-8893441547484944732011-08-17T14:48:00.001-05:002011-08-17T14:50:48.600-05:00

It occurred to me upon receiving a couple of emails from the other designers of our Rockin' Robin Quilt-Along that I never posted my finish!  I posted a picture in the Flickr group, and I may have posted a picture to Facebook (I don't even remember anymore), but I never posted anything here! I have to say that I'm very impressed with what I've seen in the Flickr group, from all of you that have

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-60010357817896218552011-08-01T08:49:00.000-05:002011-08-01T08:49:19.077-05:00

Hello all! Today is the reveal of the final row in our Rockin' Robin Quilt-Along.  I've never done anything with hexagons before, so I was super excited to get to incorporate them into a quilt of my very own! This week's row(s) was designed by Jen of ReannaLily Designs. She gives excellent instructions for turning your applique, and also a template to cut your hexagons from. Of course, being the

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-26921004863419170612011-07-27T20:19:00.000-05:002011-07-27T20:19:49.809-05:00

I've mentioned before that I don't handle attention very well.  It's really true.  When people compliment me on anything, my usual reaction is along the lines of shuffle-my-feet-and-say-awww, shucks, thanks.  I just can't handle it!  Which is why when I was asked to give an interview about my competition quilt, I was a little hesitant.  I like to be sort of anonymous and go about life in the

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-64604545408118582082011-07-25T09:41:00.000-05:002011-07-25T09:41:24.691-05:00

Happy Monday, everyone!  Today we have the newest tutorial for the Rockin' Robin Quilt Along, the Square in a Square block with AnneMarie of GenXQuilters.  I love this block!  It's super easy and goes together pretty quickly.  Mine looks a little different than the tut, as I made some measurement mistakes, but that's the glory of it.  It can be done in whatever measurements you want, really! If

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-25753349544813235482011-07-20T11:56:00.000-05:002011-07-20T11:56:22.498-05:00

In my ever-so-limited computer time of late, I've been browsing around the interwebs at all things quilty.  From shows and festivals (deadlines, mostly) to the new and fabulous Generation Q Magazine  (the new home of Quilter's Home editors and columnists), to chat sites and message boards.  I like to see what's going on in the world and try to see if there's anything new that I haven't heard of.

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-19399086833970748522011-07-18T09:20:00.000-05:002011-07-18T09:20:39.618-05:00

Hello, everyone!  Are you sewing along with us for the Rockin' Robin Quilt-Along?  If so, don't forget to add your pictures of your progress to the group pool on Flickr! It's week three, and this is my favorite row in the whole quilt.  Heather and Megan at QuiltStory whipped up a tutorial for some adorable house blocks.  Like the stars block, you are given size options for this block.  Here is

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-90050339215222517602011-07-11T10:00:00.001-05:002011-07-11T10:27:10.181-05:00

It's that time again!  Today we reveal Melissa's row in this modern quilt sew-along. If you're just joining us, you have plenty of time to sew and catch up.  This quilt goes together VERY quickly, and if you get your top done and pictures posted to our Flickr Group, you could win some pretty *Rockin'* prizes!  Even if you're not quilting along with us, you should still totally check out the

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-59810323680979304822011-07-08T00:35:00.000-05:002011-07-08T00:35:39.328-05:00

Are you a Riley Blake fabric addict like I am? If you are, then this is the contest for you! Riley Blake Designs is having a fantastic contest!!!  To enter, all you have to do is submit a picture of a quilt you've made from Riley Blake fabrics.  The prizes are so awesome! I will be entering my Rockin' Robin quilt once all of the rows are revealed.  I was almost tempted not to blog about the

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-35491814245357272622011-07-07T10:45:00.000-05:002011-07-07T10:45:36.510-05:00

I've been thinking a lot over the past few days about how lucky I am. There are always things in life that will bring us down.  To what degree they bring us down is up to us.  What's important is to focus on the things that lift you back up. I have wonderful, beautiful, creative, funny, inspiring, supportive friends.  When I'm doubting myself, when I have problems (and am actually willing to

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-28241100954361696252011-07-05T11:03:00.000-05:002011-07-05T11:03:33.599-05:00

Hello, all!  I hope everyone enjoyed their Fourth of July weekend and feels rejuvenated and ready to SEW!  Because it's that time.  Oh, yes.  I'm so excited to see what everyone comes up with for their version of this quilt. The first week of the Quilt-Along is my week for a tutorial of rectangle blocks.  I wrote this tutorial in a bit of a hurry, but I know that the other designers in the

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-75114860329261679342011-06-30T11:03:00.001-05:002011-06-30T11:09:40.908-05:00

I have been sewing my little heart out lately. You wouldn't really be able to tell because for the amount of time I've spent, I really haven't gotten a whole lot completed. Unfortunately, most of the things I'm doing are pretty time consuming. I don't usually get a whole lot of time to sew for myself. But I decided a couple of weeks ago that I was going to do some fun stuff before my

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-54114291745393357722011-06-27T09:53:00.001-05:002011-06-27T09:56:24.950-05:00

Bad blogger. Bad, bad blogger! I know. I was supposed to post this a week ago. Life just kind of catches up with you, you know? Anyway, before I get into who WON, I want to remind you that in my giveaway post I mentioned that there would be a super fun project that could be made entirely out of the fat quarters I'm giving away (along with your chosen background fabric).  Well, it's time to (

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-71494340416465431362011-06-13T09:17:00.002-05:002011-06-13T09:26:03.508-05:00

As most of you know, a little over a year ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Sarah Vedeler at Spring Quilt Market in Minneapolis. It was a rushed meeting, she's such a busy gal!  But we were able to grab a quick lunch and talk about about embroidery.  It was talking with her that made me take the leap and try it out for the first time.  When she told me, "you can do this", it wasn't that she was

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-23098276697419565682011-05-20T09:56:00.000-05:002011-05-20T09:56:04.496-05:00

I have to apologize to all of you for only just recently replying to all of your comments and emails from last week.  During my trip, I only opened the lid on my computer twice!  I know there are some of you I still haven't replied to.  If you don't get a reply, please know that your comments and feedback are immensely appreciated, regardless! Now, I fully intended to blog about my trip, DURING

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-51064013577356157842011-05-13T12:42:00.000-05:002011-05-13T12:42:57.616-05:00

  BAM!!!

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-46442637305302759382011-05-06T13:04:00.000-05:002011-05-06T13:04:39.570-05:00

For anyone that doesn't know, I am attending Machine Quilters Showcase next week (leaving tomorrow!).  It is a yearly convention and quilt show put on by the International Machine Quilters Association.  THIS SHOW is why I've been so insane for the last few months.  I have never done a show quilt for competition before, and this is it.  This is my first competition that I'm in. But I'll get to

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-5489648915280890292011-05-05T11:43:00.002-05:002011-05-05T11:53:06.565-05:00

I love every quilt that comes my way.  Well, probably 99% of them.  I can find the beauty in just about any quilt top, and I can see it not only for what it is, but what it could be. A lot of quilts are gorgeous on their own.  Some need a little extra help. This quilt I'm going to show you definitely falls into the former category. This quilt is in no way my "style".  It's very dainty, very

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-75776598405733185422011-04-14T13:23:00.002-05:002011-04-14T13:48:15.545-05:00

Yeeeeeaaaaaah.  About that giveaway.  It's probably going to be a little longer than I think before I'm ready for that post.  But that's okay because you're all patient, right?! This past Saturday, I taught the second class for BeDazzled Block 1.  As was the case with the first class, everyone present was pretty intimidated by this quilt.  And as was the case with the first class, I did my best

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-23865149683963009262011-04-08T10:36:00.000-05:002011-04-08T10:36:28.977-05:00

TGIF!  Actually, that's kind of silly of me to say because weekends mean nothing to me.  But they mean a lot to most people! I have a lot of cool stuff coming soon, but for now, I think everyone should vote for their favorite applique quilt at Quilting Gallery's Weekly Quilt Contest. I entered my BeDazzled quilt, but there are so many AWESOME quilts entered, it's hard to choose one!  I hope

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-55706167334133853372011-03-31T14:31:00.001-05:002011-03-31T17:24:23.504-05:00

But not really.  The end never really seems to be the end, for me. I finally finished quilting my BeDazzled quilt late, late last night (actually, early, early this morning). I have to preface the rest of my post with an apology for my lack in writing/thinking skills lately.  I've been so scatter brained and tired.  I am going to sleep tonight!  I think.  I hope.  Anyway! The quilt.  I started

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-36676048781779309292011-03-26T11:27:00.001-05:002011-03-26T11:29:09.339-05:00

Except not really!  There is no academy.  It's just you awesome people out there! I'm pretty sure that everyone knows I'm driving myself insane trying to finish my BeDazzled quilt.  I don't bother taking my laptop home anymore, and rarely even open the lid.  However, I DO have internet on my phone and still check my email! I got an email at 1:30 yesterday (?) morning that made my head spin!  I

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-18551515671268463822011-03-22T00:35:00.001-05:002011-03-22T01:00:17.256-05:00

I promise, I really do! I'm entering week number I-have-no-idea-what-number of working my tail off.  Really.  Like, 100 hours a week.  Like, I've been sleeping on the floor at work.  Like, I'm still at work right now.  It's ridiculous.  Of course, a large portion of that is working on my BeDazzled quilt, but I'm doing other stuff too! Last weekend (I think?) I had my sew-in.  It was fun, as

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-10160598746649365162011-02-21T17:21:00.000-06:002011-02-21T17:21:53.157-06:00

I just have to take this opportunity to be a total GIRL for a bit. Words cannot express the amount of gratitude I have for all of the wonderful people in my life!  I have such wonderful, supportive friends!  Last year was sort of a turning point in a few of my relationships.  There was a falling-out or two.  The relationships worth salvaging are now on the mend, and the ones that weren't are

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-52456689755843433532011-02-18T00:36:00.001-06:002011-02-18T00:42:24.055-06:00

Okie dokie, y'all.  I've been holding out on this post since before Christmas, but for a good reason. I have this client, Debbie.  You're not actually going to meet her, but you will meet a couple of her quilts!  She's just awesome.  I love her!  Debbie brings me antique quilt tops.  I just love antique quilts!  The last one I had the pleasure of quilting for her was this beauty that her

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-68280910022743711442011-02-15T14:40:00.000-06:002011-02-15T14:40:21.504-06:00

I have some amazing, fun stuff to share with you.  But I'm entirely too tired to think straight right now, so I'll get to all of that later.  Trust me, it'll be well worth the wait! For now, I wanted to point something out to you that I just noticed myself. Scroll up to my header photo.  Look at the bottom left corner. MY HEAD IS UP MY OWN SKIRT!! I thought about "fixing" it, but it's the

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-61654715707284603852011-02-08T15:10:00.001-06:002011-02-08T15:18:49.418-06:00

Well, I'm taking another snow day today.  The second snow day in two weeks, in fact.  I just woke up from taking a nap...  for the second time in two weeks.  I kind of wish it could stay winter forever now.  (Don't throw stones at me for that.  If there's anyone that hates cold with a passion, it's this girl!  But, NAPS!?!?) I figured there's no time like the present to update my blog.  I like

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-12070602221848625472010-12-11T07:36:00.000-06:002010-12-11T07:36:01.415-06:00

Phew!  Christmas orders are all done for the year (Celebrate!  Celebrate!  It's that time of yeeeeaaar!) and I finally have a chance to relax a little bit.  But I'm not relaxing at all.  I quilted five quilts in the last two days! The final Christmas quilt I had for this year was a doozy at 115x110 (yes, it is wider than it is long).  Is anyone familiar with Nancy Halvorsen's Christmas panels? 

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-61387164600931201752010-12-08T20:14:00.002-06:002010-12-09T01:55:03.084-06:00

Ahhhhhh.  I'm back from San Diego and have had the last few days to settle back into the swing of things.  I look back on the fact that it was four days ago that I returned home and am still wishing that I was in beautiful California. The weather was wonderful when the plane landed, around 8:30 Wednesday night.  Thursday morning, I woke up to this.   Such a beautiful California sunrise!  There

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-75250359520024822312010-11-22T11:25:00.005-06:002011-02-17T17:18:35.223-06:00

I have a friend that is all but threatening my life if I don't update my blog.  So here I am!  It's no secret that I haven't been writing lately.  Anyone can see that by looking at the date of my last posting.  This isn't for lack of things to write about by any means, just a lack of motivation to put my thoughts into words.  But I'll try.  This will probably be one of those mod podge of postings

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-48497954725136986472010-09-29T15:04:00.002-05:002010-09-30T10:47:47.156-05:00

I'm thinking that I've had a productive year.  I've talked numbers before, which I'm trying not to do anymore, but I just feel waaaaay deep down that this deserves some recognition. Yesterday was a big day for me.  Why?  Well, it was Tuesday, of course.  Hello?!?! No but really, it was a big day.  As I was reading along my "list", trying to make a plan for the next week or so, I realized that I

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-76944003805313173982010-09-20T20:11:00.001-05:002010-09-20T20:15:49.058-05:00

I realize that I probably talk about Karen McTavish entirely too much (by the way, she gave me another nickname today:  "McRockstar!!!").  When people inspire you, it's only to be expected, right? A few weeks ago, Karen shared a video that she and her sister, Kathy (a cellist, poet and artist) made together.  Now I'd like to share it with you. I would hope that if you know (and even if you

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-12604298075519360652010-09-19T16:22:00.002-05:002010-09-19T17:36:25.035-05:00

So, there's this thing I've been working on that's been taking up the vast majority of my "free time" lately.  I've mentioned it once or twice and even shared a couple of photos.  It is my BeDazzled quilt, that I'm obsessed with finishing by December.  And by "finished", I mean all of the embroidery stitched out, the entire quilt put together and then quilted, show quality.  And possibly adding

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-32036463041623420492010-09-15T00:08:00.001-05:002010-09-15T00:12:09.284-05:00

"For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord."Let me just say right off the bat that I am not a religious person.  Once upon a time, I was.  Very much so.  That is no longer the case.  However, I'm always happy to help a religious cause.  =] Many, many, many months ago (I'm talking 10 months ago), I was asked by a friend/customer if I'd

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-18595864731941007952010-09-11T13:19:00.003-05:002010-09-13T12:02:23.207-05:00

Hello again, everyone!  I know, I know...  I let forever go by again without so much as logging into my Blogger account.  Bad, bad Lisa.  But really, I cannot even tell you all of the crazy things that have been going on around here that have kept me away.  Eventually I will have something ready to show you that will explain a little bit, but that time is not now! I felt compelled to right a blog

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-11997070987387368132010-08-01T00:44:00.002-05:002010-08-01T01:08:45.688-05:00

Oh, how I have missed blogland!  I have neither read nor written any blogs in over a month.  Insanity! I've been oh-so-very busy, my lovelies.  It's really pretty fabulous.  I haven't had much time for anything. Of course I've been quilting like crazy on the longarm.  I have now quilted 82 quilts so far this year and I am officially booked for over a year.  I did say insanity, yes?  Here's a

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-85936277795903240442010-06-27T18:02:00.003-05:002010-06-27T18:06:13.108-05:00

I've had a busy couple of weeks!  In the last two weeks I have pieced six quilt tops and one table runner!  Wowza!  Last night after work, I got home and decided to make another charity top out of leftovers from my Riley Blake Cutting Corners College tutorial.  I decided on something similar to the actual tutorial, yet a little different.  Definitely simple! I like it.  I think it's cute.  And

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-61023500904615151112010-06-24T11:13:00.001-05:002010-11-24T03:35:27.228-06:00

One of my friends on Facebook posted this video after I confided in her that one of the quilts I have to do secretly makes me wish that a tornado would hit the shop and do no damage except to suck up this quilt top into its vortex never to be seen again.  It cheered me up, because this is my daily life and I know I'm not alone!  If you're not a longarm quilter, you probably won't get some of the

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-3871626218556704732010-06-23T21:33:00.001-05:002010-12-27T19:37:18.223-06:00

I've been meaning to write this for a couple of days now.  I just haven't felt like it.  Honestly, I haven't felt like doing much of anything lately.  I'm getting into a rut and am trying to "sew it out" (haha! seriously...).  I finished quilting three baby sized quilts for my Charity Challenge on Sunday, and got the binding completed on one of them today.  They're not the cutest quilts in the

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-25302358040248368092010-06-07T15:31:00.004-05:002010-06-14T22:32:07.431-05:00

I'm not.  Hot for teacher, that is.  Why am I not hot for teacher?  Because I am teacher.  And if I was hot for myself, that'd just be weird.  And creepy. What the crap am I talking about?  I'm talking about my first posting as a course instructor for Cutting Corners College over at Riley Blake Designs.  So go on over and check out the tutorial I wrote up for a super easy quilt! PS - This is

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-39289094596286900262010-06-06T19:11:00.003-05:002010-06-17T10:16:35.069-05:00

As a lot of you know, I never really keep any of the quilts that I make.  I never really have a "purpose" for my quilts when I make them, other than the satisfaction of having made them!  The only quilts that have had a real purpose were my Masterpiece, for my sister and my CLC, which is the only quilt I made planning to keep it for myself. I have no reason to keep all of the quilts that I make.

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-89706365173879800792010-06-05T00:25:00.001-05:002010-06-05T00:25:47.694-05:00

Okay.  So for the SMS giveaway I decided that rather just having you all leave some random comment to count for an entry, I wanted to know what you thought was the best sewing/crafting/quilting tip ever.  I have to tell you, having 514 comments (woah!) was amazing, and there were some pretty spectacular tips in those 514 comments.  I did get emails from some of you that for whatever reason, you

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-70490790341690326742010-06-01T13:33:00.000-05:002010-06-01T13:33:59.387-05:00

Iris*hill!  Which is just too funny to me.  You can't make this stuff up!  Nancy is a friend of mine and this is going to save me shipping costs!  Nancy, I'll just let you know what your "surprise" gift with the giveaway is next time you come to visit! Congrats Nancy and thanks everyone for playing along!

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-1519164901224462122010-05-28T15:50:00.002-05:002010-12-27T19:41:16.401-06:00

I promised a friend of mine that I was going to post this last night.  Unfortunately (well, really *fortunate for me*) I fell asleep around 7pm last night and didn't wake up until 5:30 this morning!  Wow, much needed sleep and rejuvenation. Before I  continue on this post, I should mention that I am now a "professor" for the Riley Blake Cutting Corners College.  My first post hasn't gone up yet,

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-13475135350073949782010-05-23T11:02:00.000-05:002010-05-23T11:02:08.095-05:00

First of all, I have to apologize that I didn't post this yesterday like I'd planned.  I got home from Market around 7pm and WOAH.  I was greeted with birthday cake, gifts to open, a dinner to go to, etc.  I was SO pooped and was here at work until 2am.  So I hope you can forgive me!  Hopefully you'll be so happy with the giveaway that it'll make up for it. =] Second of all, I am SO overwhelmed

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com91tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-20444120338337523552010-05-19T11:55:00.000-05:002010-05-19T11:55:12.232-05:00

Okay, here's the deal: The giveaway is supposed to end tomorrow, 5/20/10.  The problem with that is I'm leaving tomorrow for International Quilt Market in Minneapolis (squeeeeeaaaaaaal!) and I've decided it would be best to leave my laptop at home because I won't have time to even turn it on anyway.  I will be returning on Saturday, 5/22/10, which also happens to be my big 2-9.  Wow, my last

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-51353835398747694352010-05-17T08:00:00.003-05:002010-05-17T11:24:03.983-05:00

Today is the day for a Sew, Mama Sew giveaway link party! I will be giving away a few prints from my Amy Butler Midwest Modern stash. The cuts will be anywhere from a fat quarter to a yard for each print.  And I may just surprise you and send some others along with it! Here are the ways to enter: 1) Become a follower 2) Leave a comment with your favorite sewing/quilting/crafting tip 3) Link back

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com512tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-76181466304502268262010-05-12T14:53:00.003-05:002010-05-12T14:56:06.826-05:00

MY BLOG IS FIXED!!!!!!!  Kind of. That is all for now.  You may return to your surfing now.  =] (And I can keep adding more fun stuff too!)

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-18508213312402996462010-05-11T12:32:00.000-05:002010-05-11T12:32:13.884-05:00

I want to mention that I wasn't going to post anything new to the blog until all of the bugs were fixed and my page no longer looked so wonky.  The problem is that I have things to say!  So for now, I will post and keep checking to see if I get this (or other variations of bX-(insert error extension here) every time I try to fix anything: I will also say that this is better than the alternative

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-48717620192950967372010-05-06T23:58:00.000-05:002010-05-06T23:58:02.796-05:00

My blog is experiencing numerous technical difficulties, so don't mind how funny it looks right now.  Everything has gone all wonky (and I didn't know it because I couldn't view my page!) and I cannot edit it.  I think the Blogger team is working on it so hopefully soon it'll look somewhat normal again! *crossing my fingers*

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-538623774030926192010-05-05T16:40:00.004-05:002010-05-30T00:18:41.968-05:00

Whether you are a novice or expert quilter, chances are there are things that you have not been taught, or you've been taught incorrectly.  Have you ever been taught the right way to put borders on your quilt? Being a longarm quilter, I quickly became acquainted with the reasons why quilting rules are so important.  Of course the three obvious rules:  proper and accurate cutting, proper seam

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-82082425121738360202010-05-02T18:17:00.000-05:002010-05-02T18:17:37.609-05:00

I make all kinds of things without using a pattern.  Lots and lots of things.  Usually said things are rotary cutting projects or easily measurable projects that are quicker to whip up by just winging it than taking the time to draw out a pattern.  Not such a great idea when you're cutting out shapes. A couple of weeks ago my adorable pin cushion up and disappeared.  I had it at work, in the

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-80351131239208121412010-04-27T10:20:00.003-05:002010-04-27T19:14:46.083-05:00

I would be so much happier with the amount of things I could get done! I have been trying lately to come up with a skirt and bag pattern for an event coming up.  I didn't feel like following a pattern.  I like to decide how big, how many pockets, how it lays, etc.  I was pretty excited when I finished my bag sample and only made a few adjustments to the sample for the "final product" of my labors

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-91158025557911560272010-04-26T16:05:00.004-05:002010-04-26T20:53:23.283-05:00

Today is kind of a "blah" day for me.  I worked and worked yesterday on yet another thing I can't show you.  I was super excited about it, and still am.  There's just one problem that needs to be fixed on it.  A problem I'm not looking forward to fixing!  Anyway, It took me all afternoon/evening/night and I was thoroughly pooped by the time I finished (around midnight).  But I had a movie to

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-54519201398235968372010-04-24T19:25:00.002-05:002010-04-24T19:38:03.976-05:00

For whatever reason, I've been wanting to make another baby quilt lately.  It's been a while since I've made one, and I'm really hoping that one of my friends gets knocked up soon and has a girl because I love this little quilt. I love the bright colors and it's made primarily from Riley Blake's Summer Song collection with one piece of Rainy Days and Mondays mixed in.  I still have to add the

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-32368358627124873762010-04-23T22:13:00.001-05:002010-04-24T19:08:55.157-05:00

The Amy Butler Anna Tunic/dress saga continues... I finished my re-dos of this dress!  As if you (or I) need a reminder, here is the before: The dress made me feel blobby and like I should be bathing in Miracle-Gro.  Blech.  I couldn't waste the fabric and I had already made a bag out of it.  So I decided to cut it up and make it into a shirt and skirt. I'm not going to get too long-winded on

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-12591887399101442212010-04-20T22:35:00.004-05:002010-04-20T22:42:09.195-05:00

There's a lot a-buzz in blog-land of late.  I'm having a hard time keeping up with all of the excitement! I don't have much to write about...  I'm really excited about the quilt I just finished.  I was convinced when I started designing it that it was a lost cause but now that it's done, I'm actually rather pleased with it.  Unfortunately I can't share it for another month or so! Instead, I

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-19609295780403692252010-04-18T16:30:00.002-05:002010-12-27T19:33:29.040-06:00

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-558050856126224412010-04-15T11:35:00.002-05:002010-04-15T11:53:19.876-05:00

Voting is over for round two of the So You Think You Can Quilt contest.  Eve won again.  I came in second to last (!).  I love my friend Melissa's quilt.  It's so pretty! For this month's theme of "vintage", I decided to go with something a little more personal and really didn't care how the voting turned out because I loved it regardless.  It's special to me.  AND my family.  I had never done a

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-49408841914820289072010-04-15T10:58:00.001-05:002010-04-15T11:00:48.771-05:00

I don't know about everyone else, but when I have days where I can't seem to get anything done it makes me pretty grumpy.  I'm one of those people where when I get something started I am a nutcase about it until it's finished.  Take Monday for example.  Monday?  I was gruuuuumpy!  All I got done was loading a quilt on the frame.  I ended up staying at work for 4 extra hours just so I could

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-29473691147618638172010-04-13T21:12:00.001-05:002010-04-13T21:20:54.974-05:00

Coffee = NOM NOM NOM. What you're looking at there is a fun new fabric that came from Moda yesterday (I'm tired of looking at my ragged cutting mat in pictures) but more importantly, a gingerbread latte in my cute new coffee mug which really isn't new at all I just forgot that I bought it.  It is one of two concoctions I make myself first thing in the morning when I get to work (the other being

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-30227379200972916692010-04-11T02:14:00.001-05:002010-04-11T02:22:15.018-05:00

We are all putting the finishing touches on the 14th week of the year 2010.  Crazy to sit back and think about, huh? One of the reasons I started this here bloggety blog was because as I have mentioned, it's hard for me to keep track of and remember all of the projects I have completed by the end of the year.  I figured if I blog about it, I can always look back and see if I was productive or not

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-47943468846706148022010-04-08T22:36:00.003-05:002010-04-08T22:47:02.815-05:00

Do any of you remember how giddy and excited I was to make Amy Butler's Anna Tunic dress?  And how disappointed I was when it was finished? I never did take a picture of it on because I decided it just looked totally barftastic on me.  But, we have to show the good and the bad, right?  Everything can't turn out perfect so here it is: No, I did not do my hair today.  Anyway!  I'm convinced that

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-22310254643225638302010-04-08T09:22:00.001-05:002010-04-08T09:25:01.613-05:00

This contest is just WAY too much fun! Click the link, go on over and vote for your favorite quilt.  One of them is mine but I'm guessing that nobody will figure out which one of them it is (which is a good thing because that totally defeats the purpose of the contest being anonymous to prevent biased voting!).  I did something completely different this time around than anyone would probably

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-74660016240449430522010-04-07T20:12:00.003-05:002010-04-07T20:16:22.712-05:00

I used to tend bar at a sports bar in Denver.  One night I had a group of four, two guys and two gals, come in to watch a Cubs (!) game and grub it up.  The two guys had Modelo and Jack and Coke, tall with a lime.  The two gals has Michelob Ultra and Coors Light.  They drank their drinks, ate their food, watched their game and a good time was had by all.  Then they left.  The end?  Nope.   About

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-61905807316663262732010-04-05T19:17:00.002-05:002010-04-05T19:20:08.931-05:00

(Have I already used that partridge in a pear tree line?  Oh well.) I've got so much to talk about, I'm not sure where to start! I had an excellent Easter this year.  So excellent in fact that I didn't want to come home (but was ever-so-glad once I did finally get home).  I don't get many chances to get back to Nebraska and see my family and it was wonderful getting to see everyone, catch up on

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-38353529381374881342010-04-01T23:31:00.000-05:002010-04-01T23:31:44.977-05:00

A couple of months ago, at the beginning of the new year, my mother and I went out to dinner and were sort of reflecting on the last year, work-wise.  We started talking about all of the things that I did last year, this quilt, that bag, etc.  It became more of a tally to figure out just how many quilts I made in 2009 (my first year of real sewing/quilting, yay!), how many bags, so on, so forth.

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-21944874477744960562010-03-30T22:35:00.002-05:002010-03-30T22:39:10.114-05:00

So you know that whole situation with me having to be home from work for three (to six) weeks?  Yeah.  That was awful!  I did get some things done but it didn't really seem like I was doing anything at all.  I had no inspiration and was pretty much just going through the motions.  That lasted for almost two weeks and I have to tell you, it was misery. Luckily toward the end of it all a spark lit

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-1170492876276388122010-03-30T20:04:00.003-05:002010-03-30T22:39:49.724-05:00

Have you ever laughed to yourself at the thought of reading a blog about a blog about a blog?  Well my friends, that is exactly what this is...  A blog about a blog about a blog. You see, I follow my friend Melissa's blog who blogged about Sabra's blog and now I follow Sabra's blog too!  This cute skirt tutorial was enough for me to lose hours reading her entries and if you make that big of an

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-55331142787467060672010-03-13T20:09:00.002-06:002010-03-13T20:11:30.972-06:00

But why would I do that when my Quilter's Block is OVER?! I had more of my fabric delivered from work today, including a bunch of scraps from various quilts and purses that I've made.  I've been trying and trying to no avail to find a non-traditional scrappy quilt pattern that I liked.  Today I just decided to forget all that nonsense and I'd just make one up.  Now, of course it's nothing fancy

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-38523324409044582012010-03-10T16:59:00.001-06:002010-03-10T17:01:41.603-06:00

There you have it, ladies.  My sweet kitty, Lilly.  Why is it her fault I could never work from home? She hasn't left my side since the moment I got home from the hospital.  When I take my shower, she's right on the other side of the bathroom door waiting for me to emerge.  When I make myself a snack, she's right there at my feet waiting for me to be ready to go sit down.  When I take my naps,

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-81273160915185847402010-03-08T12:09:00.001-06:002010-03-08T12:11:55.845-06:00

My last day of work before surgery, I had decided that I needed a "me" day since I didn't get my Sunday.  A friend wanted to come sew for the day so I thought, perfect opportunity!  I got this pattern for a tunic a couple days before (and blogged about it, of course) and had been dying to get my hands on it. I really wanted to make the dress.  The pattern comes with cutting instructions for a

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-28020669807133940612010-03-08T11:36:00.000-06:002010-03-08T11:36:40.702-06:00

  This is the quilt that took first place in the contest.  Simple and sweet.  She made it for her daughter and freemotion quilted the wording to make it look like her own penmanship.  Sweet idea, yes? My quilt took second place. My favorite quilt in the contest, and the one I voted for is my friend, Melissa's.  She even gave me the honor of quilting it for her.  She's such a creative person,

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-15930583577615008912010-03-01T13:14:00.000-06:002010-03-01T13:14:32.467-06:00

  Melissa I hope you don't mind me stealing your collage photo.  :o) Today all of the entries for the first month of So You Think You Can Quilt were posted.  Please go on over to Leisel's blog here and go vote for your favorite entry! I'm so excited and hope everyone will play along!

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-90491157171508506912010-02-25T20:38:00.001-06:002010-02-25T20:43:41.148-06:00

So.  It's pretty safe to say that anyone that reads this knows that Sundays are my "me" days.  Sundays are my days to do what I want to do.  Things for myself.  Make my bags, work on personal projects, projects for friends etc.  It has become my ritual. With the addition of yarn to our inventory, I decided it would be cool to make fabric bowls and baskets to nestle the skeins of yarn into.  Cool

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-58980924924731160762010-02-23T13:50:00.001-06:002010-02-23T13:51:04.811-06:00

In what universe is it okay to walk all over someone's quilt top?!?! "I thought it was a rug..." Really?  It looks like a rug?  You walk into a quilt shop and see $100+ dollars worth of fabric that took 75 or so hours to cut up and then sew it back together and you think it's a rug??  I can see how you'd be confused!  Unfortunately this isn't the first time this has happened.  Sigh. So after

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-27717934700783573392010-02-22T20:06:00.000-06:002010-02-22T20:06:54.038-06:00

When I woke up this morning I was convinced that by lunchtime I'd be a worthless pile of flesh crying in the fetal position. Maybe just knowing that the source of all my pain and misery for the last 15 years will soon be gone is enough to make it more tolerable. I don't know, I don't care. But I do know that I had yet another super productive day!  Two days in a row??  Too good to be true?? 

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-48767522543207985372010-02-21T17:53:00.000-06:002010-02-21T17:53:15.764-06:00

I most certainly do feel like a princess after the ridiculously productive weekend I've had!  I didn't get everything done that I wanted to, but that's only because I make crazy, unrealistic  lists that I know I'll never complete but at the same time, I can dream.  Right? So yesterday I got to the shop bright and early after waking up late, of course and I was convinced it would be an awful day.

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4849463942076196286.post-54463047778820765082010-02-18T22:01:00.001-06:002010-02-18T22:55:10.831-06:00

  Before I get into a whole lot of nothing, I just have to say...  that is the coolest clock I have ever seen and I think I need one.  Perhaps I'll even make one?!  That'd be fun!So, we've all had those days, weeks, months where it seems like no matter how many rungs on the ladder we climb, at the end of the day we end up a few lower than when we started, right?  That's how I'm beginning to feel.

Lisa Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01535205221573079908noreply@blogger.com11