Thursday, December 31, 2009

We have WINNERS!!!

I realized that I never said in my Giveaway post when the deadline would be for entry. Sorry about that.

The winner of Prize #1 goes to "Ginny"

And Prize #2 goes to "Luv 2 Create"

Congratulations to you both. I hope you enjoy your prizes. Send me your mailing address at handmadebyheidi (at) cox.net and I will get them in the mail to you both.

Speaking of Giveaway winners - I won a Giveaway just before Christmas. It is from Pam and her blog is super cute.. go over there and check her out. And the pillow is absolutely gorgeous! Thank you Pam.
Happy New Year Everyone! Let's all commit to challenging ourselves in 2010.. maybe take a class (sewing of course) for something we haven't tried yet.. or just step out of our comfort zone and try something new! You never know.. it might be fun!
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Wednesday, December 30, 2009

The Perfect Cheeseburger!

One benefit to living in the desert southwest is that we can grill year round (without shoveling snow to get to the grill). And trust me - we are a grilling family. My husband is a master on the grill. He makes steaks that melt in your mouth.. and chicken that you can cut with a fork. He has truly earned his title of Grill Master!

A few years ago - I came up with a fun burger recipe and we haven't strayed from it since. And people have said many times "Wow.. these are the best burgers ever!".

So I've decided to share them with you. But once again, I don't have exact measurements.. sorry.
Start with your raw hamburger.. Add soy sauce and pepper. Don't just squirt a lil soy sauce in there.. as you can see from the picture, it's quite a bit. For 2 lbs of meat I would use at least a 1/3 cup.
Then comes the "secret" ingredient.. shredded cheddar cheese.
Mix all together - and form into patties. Now you can also season the patties if you would like.. we sometimes coat with pepper (we like pepper).
Then place on the grill and cook. We also butter and grill our buns.. YUMMY!!

Top with all your favorite toppings.. pickles, mayo, ketchup, mustard... etc. These are the juiciest burgers you will have at home.. trust me! And as you can see, I served on a paper plate.. cuz I'm classy like that.

And if you are the neighborhood on New Years Eve.. stop over. We are grilling steak and crab legs!! Bring dessert!

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Tuesday, December 29, 2009

100th POST!!! and a Giveaway

** The Giveaway has ended - winners can be found HERE. Thank you for all your kind words! And thank you for visiting my blog!

I can't beleive I'm already at 100 posts in this blog adventure. I actually had another post I was going to do today about the quilting bee that I'm in, but then I realized it was going to be #100 - so I'll do that post tomorrow.

Having this blog has been so much fun for me. I've met so many awesome and talented people along the way. I feel like I could just sit down and enjoy lunch with each of you.

In case you weren't with me for the first 50 posts.. you missed that one. It was a list of 50 things about me.

Anyway.. I'll stop babbling and get to the giveaway. I wasn't sure what I would giveaway - since I just realized this last night. After consulting with my sewing buddy (cousin/best friend) this is what I came up with - there will be TWO WINNERS!!!

Prize #1
This is a small re-usable gift bag made from "Authentic" canvas by Sweetwater for Moda. And a stack of 76 Amy Butler precut squares.


Prize #2

This lucky winner will get a panel (boy) and a charm pack from the new line "Love U" by Deb Strain for Moda.

Here is how you enter:

1. Leave a comment telling me which prize would be your first pick for one entry.

2. Become a follower for another entry. If you already are a follower - I will give you a second entry automatically.

3. Post and link to this giveaway on your own blog for a third entry.

Good luck! And thanks for reading my Blog!

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Monday, December 28, 2009

Giveaway..and Friday Night Sew-in for January!

Bobbi and I are hosting the first Friday Night Sew-In for the New Year and a Giveaway!! Let’s start out 2010 on top of all our projects!

Joining the Friday Night Sew-in is a way of setting some time aside to work on those projects on your to do list. And remember - it doesn't have to be a sewing project.. maybe you have a knitting project.. or some scrapbooking.. it could be anything.

So, join Bobbi and I Friday January 15th for our monthly Sew-In.

Here are the "rules".

1. Enter your blog info below.

2. Make a post on your blog - letting all your readers know about the sew-in. Spread the word.. we could all use the virtual sewing support and encouragement.

3. On Friday – 01/15/10 - Get your house settled, put on your comfy jammies.. maybe make a cup of tea.. and sit down to work on some of those projects (or anything else that you want to work on).

4. Then, sometime on Saturday - Make a post about what you worked on.. show us a picture or two.

5. Optional.. grab the "Friday Night Sew-In" Button on the right for your own blog!

And finally - on Sunday 1/17, we will enter all participants into a GIVEAWAY for something fun! Maybe some fabric.. or a sewing gadget or two.

Friday Night Sew-in Participants
1. Valerie
2. Alice Grace
3. Bobbi
4. Mary
5. Maria Wilson
6. Bev C
7. Sue
8. Patty
9. Sandy K
10. Jane
11. Shiree
12. Celine
13. Sue
14. Rene
15. Manuela Branco
16. Crystal
17. Jocelyn
18. cath Ü
19. Dresden Quilter
20. Colletta
21. Lisa at Sun Naturals
22. Polly
23. SheilaC
24. Thearica
25. kwiltmakr
26. Lisa Scarberry
27. Pat
28. Pat
29. MissMikol
30. Ann Flowers
31. Michele
32. Margie
33. Nichole Pyle
34. Kim P.
35. Gran
36. Wendy Koenig
37. Barb
38. Shelley
39. Kimberly
40. Jeanne
41. Quilter Going Bananas
42. Pat Deck
43. Stacy
44. Tammy
45. Lis in Lincolnshire
46. Dorothy
47. Kristie
48. Judy C
49. Carol L.
50. Beth in MD
51. Kimberly Mason
52. Lissa
53. Joy P
54. Leone
55. Leone
56. Helen Koenig
57. Bonnie S
58. Jill
59. Libby
60. Kris
61. Becky
62. Amanda
63. Rita in Kansas
64. Jana in Puyallup
65. Anne in Tennessee
66. SheilaC
67. Jonelle
68. Lydia
69. Michelle
70. Sue
71. Nancy's Life is a Stitch
72. Heather
73. Natima
74. Debbie S.
75. Kate Linde
76. Mrs. M
77. Linda Herrin
78. Angie
79. Mary
80. Kim
81. Narelle
82. Janey
83. Anne-Lise
84. Ros
85. Dee
86. Phyllis
87. Balinda
88. Stephanie
89. Sue H.
90. Stephanie
91. Micki
92. Lynne R&F
93. Linda
94. Mag
95. dianne
96. Amanda@Busy Little Quilter
97. Vickie
98. Janice
99. Dzintra
100. Dawn
101. anne
102. Beth
103. Lynda Green
104. Mary
105. Carlotta
106. Georgia
107. Erin
108. Angie
109. Pam
110. Jacque.
111. Mandy
112. Pokeytown Kim
113. Melissa
114. Abi & daughter
115. bettyp
116. San-Dee
117. Jamie
118. Ankie
119. Ashley
120. Susan
121. Robin
122. Solidia
123. Rebecca
124. Bonnie
125. Shelly
126. Jane B
127. Dagmar - Quiltmoose
128. Paula
129. Edna @ Needling Things
130. Christa
131. Hooked on Quilting
132. Major Thoughts
133. JenniferR
134. Abby
135. Lori
136. CJ
137. Tami
138. DeAnna S.
139. Vivian
140. Tracy in SW WA
141. Dora
142. Deanne
143. deborah
144. Patricia R. G.(Pat)
145. Kathy L
146. Dora
147. georgie
148. christa
149. Linda
150. Midlife Mom

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Sunday, December 27, 2009

Oh the JOY!!!

Christmas was fun this year! Even though we didn't have any extended family with us.. we managed to have a lot of laughs.. singing carols.. time to relax... good food.. and all around Joy!!

Here is my oldest, Joe, opening gifts on Christmas Eve. I think the picture says how happy he was and still is.
And here was Mike - I laugh every time I look at this picture of him. Have you ever seen a happier face??!!! And his hair too.. he looks like Lloyd Christmas.

And in case there was any doubt.. they love their Goofy Dolls. The blue is now officially "Bob" and the green is officially "George". They've been at their sides all day and night since they opened the boxes. Joe even told me that it's his favorite gift of all.

And finally.. in my peace and relaxation these last few days.. I've managed to make a new bag. It was from a new pattern that I bought this month from "The Tiny Seamstress". I like it.. but there are a few modifications I'd make if I make another one. It's very big.. I'll warn you now. It would make a chic Diaper Bag.. it's that big.
I have another new pattern that I'm going to try. Maybe today if I can work it in between the loads of laundry that have piled up this week.
We did have one incident though, my oldest had been complaining for a few days of not feeling well, and he finally "lost it" right on the carpet next to my bed around midnight Friday night. So I spent a good portion of yesterday trying to get the smell of vomit out of my carpet and room. I think I've done it! But it took me quite a few tries. Although it may need one or two more treatments today just to be sure.
Happy Sewing!!!
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Thursday, December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Arizona!
I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday with the people you love the most!
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Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Move over UGLY.. here comes GOOFY!!

You may have heard of Ugly Dolls - they are so adorable and also, in my opinion, over priced!

So, with all my 'planned' holiday sewing done, I decided to make my own version for my two boys. I dug through my Minky scraps.. and this is what I came up with.

I have them all wrapped and under the tree already. Can't wait to see what they think when they open them up.

Here is the backside. I tried printing a label that actually said Handmade by Mom.. but it was too big. So I scrapped it and went with my regular labels.
I want to make more.. I want to make a pink one. No girls in my house though. But I do know a few little ones.. hmmm.. maybe I'll surprise someone. And can you imagine them with chenille? How cute that would be too!!!
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Monday, December 21, 2009

Warm.. and heavenly

The warm is this flannel Christmas quilt that I made for my parents. It wasn't something I had planned - but I decided I had the time and wanted to make them a quilt for Christmas. I remembered this Jingle Flannel's that I had purchased a while back. It worked perfect.

One thing I learned making my first all flannel quilt - they are heavy. I was working up a sweat while quilting this bad boy.

I went with a simple pattern.. used the charm squares in the middle.. and Fat Quarters all around the outside. The back is all red.. so I didn't take a picture.. kinda boring.

And the binding is a little scrappy - I used some fat quarter scraps and some of the backing fabric too.
Now for the Heavenly.. I received our Christmas box from my parents today. The kids put all the gifts under the tree.. and also inside the box was candy for all of us.
My Mom made sure to put each of our favorite candies inside.. Kit Kats for my husband.. Rolo's and Snickers for the kids. And for me..

Chocolate Chippers!!! OMG.. I forgot how much I loved these lil slices of goodness! They are Chocolate covered potato chips in case you have never had them. These are from a family owned candy store in my home town. And my Mom knows they are my Kryptonite. The chocolate is so smooth and yummy.. and the salty potato chips are Red River Valley grown.. yummmmmm... I will be savoring these thru the holidays! Thank you MOM!!!
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Saturday, December 19, 2009

Recipe and a Giveaway Winner

Well, the Friday Night Sew-In was a success.. once again! I'm not quite ready to share what I was working on.. I'll post pictures of it tomorrow.

But in the mean time, I will share a recipe.. and the winner of our Sew-In Giveaway.

First, the recipe. This is something that we make on a regular basis.. and they are sooooooo good.
Hopefully you have a Trader Joe's by you.. cuz if you don't.. I'm so sorry!

This is Lemon Cilantro Chicken..

Honestly, I don't measure.. I just dump it all into the bag.

4 Chicken Breast (Cut into large chunks)
5 Garlic Cloves.. chopped
1 bunch of Cilantro (washed and chopped)
Salt / Pepper to taste
1/4 cup Olive Oil
1/2 cup Lemon Juice
1/4 cup Rice Vinegar

Place all ingredients in a large ziploc bag and marinate for at least 2 hours.

Put all chicken on skewers and grill.
Then - if you have a Trader Joe's, you can get their Flatbread and Tzatziki sauce. I warm the Flatbread in a frypan (no oil or anything.. just heat).

Another variation would be to leave chicken breasts whole and grill. Then serve with your favorite side dish. Trust me.. it's GOOD!!

Now.. for the Giveaway Winner!!! Drum Roll please.... Bev C. Congratulations Bev.

Please send your address to my email - handmadebyheidi@cox.net and I will get your package in the mail!

Thanks to everyone who joined us on Friday night! I know a lot of us got quite a bit done.. and that's what Friday Night Sew-In's are all about.

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Friday, December 18, 2009

Teacher Treats...

Well today is the last day of school before the Christmas break and luckily for the boys, it's only a half day of school. And while they were gearing up for a 2 week break, I was struggling trying to come up with a good idea for teacher gifts for Christmas. We had already contributed cash to the "class gift" so I didn't want to spend a lot.

So yesterday, in my state of desperation, I rememberd the kit that I had purchased from Sweetwater. It was perfect - I decided to make the cute gift bags with Authentic canvas and fill them with goodies.
We baked sugar cookies (well I baked, they frosted and decorated). I made more fudge and toffee. And then we added it all to the bags.

Problem solved!
P.S. If you are curious about my Santa - he and Mrs Claus sit on the floor in front of my Christmas Tree every year. My Mom made Santa in 1976 at a ceramics class. I can't beleive he's 33 years old. He was in front of our Christmas Tree when we were kids.. and when I was married and had kids she was kind enough to let me take him to my house. (Mrs Claus was made by her also.. but not sure of the year. It was later though)
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Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Dear Santa

Ok.. I know I've been a bad girl in the past (and boy was it FUN!). But this year Santa, I know I've been good.. er.. um.. ok better!

I've sewn so many pretty things for myself and others. I've kept my family fed.. ok, I know it hasn't always been something healthy - but sometimes that sewing machine just won't let me go and quick meals are needed.

I've kept my house clean.. yeah, ok.. this is a lie. But come on Big Guy.. I've got two boys, a husband, a dog and a cat. There is only so much I can do and still get time to sew.

Sewing has become my therapy. When I know I have some time to sneak away from the family and hide in my sewing room.. I can feel the troubles slip away. I relax... turn on some good Christmas music.. and I am free to create.

So, Santa.. if you can find it in your heart to reward this hard working Mom.. I would really really love The Camping Under the Stars Quilt kit. I will even bake some extra special cookies for you on Christmas Eve!
Say "Hi" to Rudolf for me!!!
Merry Christmas!
Heidi (aka "The Worlds Best Mom")
(And if you don't believe me.. just ask my 10 yr old. Cuz he just told me that this morning. But hurry.. cuz he could change his mind at any moment)
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Monday, December 14, 2009

The last Friday Night Sew-in of 2009

Bobbi and I are hosting the last Friday Night Sew-In for 2009. This is your chance to get those projects complete!

Joining the Friday Night Sew-in is the perfect way to set some time aside to work on those projects you need to get complete for Christmas. And remember - it doesn't have to be a sewing project.. maybe you have a knitting project.. or some scrapbooking for someone special.. it could be anything.

So, join Bobbi and I - this Friday - December 18th.

Here are the "rules".

1. Enter your blog info below.

2. Make a post on your blog - letting all your readers know about the sew-in. Spread the word.. we could all use the virtual sewing support and encouragement.

3. On Friday - 12/18/09 - Get your house settled, put on your comfy jammies.. maybe make a cup of tea.. and sit down to work on some of those holiday projects (or anything else that you want to work on).

4. Then, sometime on Saturday - Make a post about what you worked on.. show us a picture or two.

And finally - on Sunday 12/20, we will enter all participants into a GIVEAWAY for something fun! Maybe some fabric.. or a sewing gadget or two.


1. Maria Wilson
2. Bobbi
3. Sue
4. Bev C
5. Mary
6. cath Ü
7. Vivian
8. Sweet Jeanette

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Saturday, December 12, 2009

The proof is in the pudding..

I have finally packaged up my material for the virtual quilting bee! I have the month of December and have known for some time what pattern I would be using.. but life kept getting in the way. And then there was the math.. argh.. I had to sit down and figure out how much of each fabric for each individual block. I hope I did the calculations correctly!

They will be going in the mail tomorrow... I'm taking them to the self service post office.

The fabrics are all so pretty.. but you'll have to wait for a better picture until it's done. It's going to be worth the wait.. trust me.

And here is the pile of packages.. get ready Quilter Bees... stalk your mailman.. warm up those sewing machines! It's time to SEW!!!
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Friday, December 11, 2009

It's good to be....

My Neighbors! I know I've been a little absent from blogging lately, but I've been busy. I've been doing my next favorite thing.. baking.

I put together these packages for some of my neighbors.. the ones I like. LOL.

I made fudge, mexican wedding cakes and english toffee.. YUMMY!

Then.. in the bucket, I made chex mix. I have never made chex mix before and it was so very simple. I got the recipe here.
And in the small packages there are mini loafs of banana bread (my grandma's recipe) and pumpkin bread.
I made the super cute gift tags from a kit that I bought on Etsy from Sweetwater.
We will deliver when the boys get home from school today... can't wait.
Then - I will be doing some sewing tonight! I have barely been in the sewing room and I'm itching to get back in there!
Have a great weekend!

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Monday, December 7, 2009

We have a WINNER!!!

We have a winner for the Friday Night Sew-in Giveaway! Go on over to Bobbi's blog to see if you are the lucky winner!

And if you want in on these giveaways.. all you have to do is participate in our next Friday Night Sew-in... the next one is coming December 18th. That will be the last one before Christmas - just in time to get those holiday projects finished.

And I have to say - I've met some awesome women thru these Friday Night Sew-in's. This world is full of sweet and crafty people!

After the New Year - we will be having them once a month. And we will also have a blog button coming soon!

Now go see who WON!!!! Pin It

Reindeer on the loose..

No not really. But we did make some reindeer t-shirts this weekend. First, we made one for Grandpa.. and then we made one for each of the boys to wear in our Christmas picture. The last time we made these was in 2006.. so we were due for some new hand/foot prints. The antlers are their hand prints.. and the face is their foot. So cute. I've been saving the old ones and hopefully when they are teens.. I will add them to a t-shirt memory quilt.

Below they are both wearing their individual shirts by the fire... Sunday morning. We were trying to get a good Christmas card shot.

Next I made these little pouches this weekend. My Mom was telling me about a Christmas lunch that she is going to with her friends on Friday. She wanted to bring a handmade gift for each person. She had been trying to crochet them all something, but her arthritis was giving her trouble. So I offered to make these for her - they hold a tea bag.. and they have a poem on each.
The poem says:
One Christmas Day
At half past three
Brew yourself a cup of tea
I'll think of you and you think of me
while sitting near
the Christmas Tree
Now I just need to get the package with Grandpa's shirt and the tea pouches to the post office.
Also - if you are still wondering who won the Friday Night Sew-in Giveaway.. we will announce tonight. Bobbi will actually do the drawing from her house this time.. and she is mailing out the goodies. So come back tonight and see who won!
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Saturday, December 5, 2009

Friday Night Results

I hope everyone who participated in our Friday Night Sew-In last night had a productive one. I did get a lot done - but not as much as I had wanted.

First I made this crayon bag for a friends little 4 year old. His b'day party was today.
Next - I had made the top and back of this quilt a while back. I had been waiting to quilt it and was having issues with my machine. Whenever I tried to do any type of free motion - the back looked horrible. So, I decided to pull my Mom's sewing machine out of the closet and give it a whirl.. it worked perfect. So I was able to finally get this lap size quilt done. I used "Authentic" by Moda.

I still need to do the binding - I'm hoping to do that tonight after dinner. I wanted to get it done this morning, but with my busy house I wasn't able to do it.

So for all of you who participated last night - don't forget to post about what you worked on last night. We will be drawing a winner for the giveaway tomorrow!
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